Intuition is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a natural ability or power that makes it possible to know something without any proof or evidence.” It’s also been described as a knowing that skips conscious reasoning. In a society that places so much value and merit on the workings of the human mind, our intuitions go unnoticed. Rumi suggests, “The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.”
With the fast-pace of our lifestyles today – full of stimulation, full of busy-ness, it’s no wonder we forget how to listen to our intuition, to our inner knowing.
When you are living on auto-pilot, whether in a semi-coma of tolerance and plodding along, or in the fast lane of having more, doing more and keeping up, you lose touch with that inner knowing. You start to look outside of yourself for answers and don’t trust yourself to know what you need.
When you are out of balance in this way, you begin to make decisions from a fear-based perspective. Asking, “What if I’m wrong? What if I fail? What if I look stupid?” From that place, you certainly can’t connect to any sense of inner wisdom. It’s like trying to float while holding your breath and tensing up all your muscles. It won’t work.
By choosing to stay in touch with your intuition, you are forced to slow down, to connect with self, to be present to the moment. Intuition connects you back to center – in alignment with core values and in relationship with self.
So, how do you cultivate your ability to recognize your intuition? Here are some tips:
Engage in a mindfulness practice. Whether it’s sitting meditation, tai chi, yoga, labyrinth walking, or mandala coloring books, any practice that allows you to quiet your mind and connect to a deeper sense of awareness will help build those listening muscles.
Figure out how your intuition shows up. Do you access your intuition from a particular place in your body? Some people notice intuition as a sensation in the gut or feel the hair on the back of the neck rise. Some people hear words, other people see images; there is no right way to access your intuition.
Be patient. It does have an elusive quality, so grasping at it is often fruitless. Like holding out a hand for a butterfly to land, it requires stillness, patience and practice. And the more you practice, the more readily you will have access to your intuition.
Trust yourself. You know yourself better than anyone. This is your journey.
Jessica S. Curtis, M.Ed., CPCC, ACC is a personal and professional development coach who works with people seeking growth and fulfillment in their lives. Her work is rooted in the belief that every person is born to live a meaningful life. Jessica helps others discover how to engage with their inner selves to create the rich and authentic lives they are yearning for. In addition to her credentialing through the International Coach Federation and the Coaches Training Institute, Jessica holds a M.Ed. in Counseling.You can learn more about Jessica and her work on her website, www.jscurtiscoaching.com.