Einstein "The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant.We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift."There is nothing overly-mystical about intuition. Yet many people are confused by the numerous misconceptions surrounding intuition. Misconceptions such as – intuition is only used by a few gifted individuals. Others relegate the use of intuition to the gypsies, psychics and charlatans of the world. The truth is – while intuition is a special and precious ability, it is not just in some of us, it is in all of us. And you use it, whether you are aware of it or not, on a day to day basis.What is intuition really?Intuition is described in countless ways. Basically, it is that sense that often defies logic or reason, which propels you toward or away from a person or situation. Call it a "gut feeling" or "knowing." Call it your connection to your inner wisdom. Whatever you call it, it is the internal guidance system that you were born with.What happens to our intuition?Unfortunately, as we grow older we tend to put intuition aside or shrug it off. Over time, we become inclined to get further and further away from our inner voice. This phenomenon happens because we are conditioned to pay more attention to our outer world then our inner world. In our society, greater value is placed on external achievements then on personal growth and awareness of feelings. Starting as children we begin to lose contact with ourselves as we are encouraged to do more and accomplish more. Emphasis is placed on behaviors and achievement, very little reinforcement is offered for being in touch with emotions. Sometimes it is even discouraged. Why is being in touch with emotions important? Because emotions and "feelings" are the language of intuition.Throughout life most people seem to lose sight of their intuition. However, it never truly disappears. You can never fully disconnect from it because it is hardwired as part of your nature. Yet, you can temporarily block your awareness of intuition or ignore it all together as many people do.Purposes of IntuitionIntuition serves a multitude of purposes. A main function of intuition is to steer you clear of danger and distress. It is plain to see that when you block or ignore your intuitive "feelings" the results are not favorable. Often we find ourselves in uncomfortable or unwanted situations because we did not listen to that subtle voice or feeling that told us to stay away. How many times have we found ourselves saying, "I knew this would happen, but I ignored the feeling…" That was your intuition speaking to you.Your intuition also assists you in making decisions. Whether you realize or not, whenever you decide to do or not to do something, your intuition always contributes to the final decision. The next time you are caught between two options, take a moment to pause and check in with yourself. Ask yourself, "What is the best decision here?" and listen for a subtle message or feel for a subtle tug. Whether it is the small practical decisions (what to have for dinner), or major decisions (where to live/work), it is wise to become familiar with the always present impressions coming from your intuition.Another primary function of your intuition is to move you forward on your highest path. Our intuition always has our best and highest interest in mind. It has an all-knowing quality to it and is able to see the bigger picture. Our intuition can even provide glimpses into our potential future. When we are shifting away from this path our intuition kicks in to let us know. It offers feelings and messages that steer us back in our intended direction.Awakening IntuitionThere are many tools and methods for raising your awareness of your intuition at work. The first is to acknowledge that you are a naturally intuitive being. There are many wonderful books on the topic of intuition, see which one you are drawn to and begin to read up on the topic.The next step is to start paying attention to the subtle underlying feelings and sensations that communicate with you from within. Pause throughout your day, quiet your mind and check in with your feelings. Recognize that those feelings are always there beneath the whirlwind of your thoughts and actions.Once you recognize the presence of intuition, begin to practice trusting it. Start with small tests: see if you can intuit who is on the phone before you answer it (don't cheat and look at the caller ID), or trust when your gut tells you to bring an umbrella with you to work (even if the forecast doesn't call for rain). Notice when your intuition is right on target.The Basics of IntuitionYour intuition is there for you. Always guiding and protecting. Once you understand that you can more consciously and bring intuition into your life. When you actively employ your intuition, then your life flows with more effortless ease and purpose. Your confidence in your ability to handle life's challenges will improve and your energy will therefore increase. With patience and trust, you can harness the power of your intuition and make it work for you.
...read more