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| "The only real valuable thing is intuition." Albert Einstein | ||
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INTUITION
Using Your Internal Compass
Intuition: (American Heritage Dictionary) 1a. The act or faculty of knowing or sensing without the use of rational processes; immediate cognition. b. A perceptive insight. 2. A sense of something not evident or deducible; an impression. Etymology: Latin, from in- "at, on" + tueri "to look at, watch over".
The use of the word "intuition" is confused in today's culture. Although there is agreement on what it looks like when it shows up, there is a great deal of disagreement regarding how it gets here, and where it comes from.
Some people believe that intuition is simply our ability to unconsciously connect the dots between existing information stored in our unconscious mind, with the conclusion erupting precipitiously into our consciousness (implicit transitive inference). Other people believe that a Higher Power is the source of these thoughts that burst into our conscious awareness, seemingly appearing from "nowhere" or "elsewhere." Intuition has been described as a form of unconscious telepathy between two people in different geographic locations.
All three of these theories may eventually have supporting scientific evidence. However, decades will probably pass, before scientists identify and describe the mechanisms and sources responsible for these sudden flashes of insight, and there is little interest and financial funding, if any, for studying the spiritual and telepathic theories.
I am particularly fond of the etymological reference to intuition deriving from the Latin meaning of "tuition" as "watch over," as my personal experience has been that our intuition does seem to serve a protective, or watching-over role in our lives.
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| "Intuition doesn't explain, and isn't always factually correct; however, it does reliably point us in the right direction." Joy Koenig | ||
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Have you ever felt hesitant about going forward with something, but could give no explanation as to why you were hesitant? Have you ever felt strongly that you needed to take action on something, even though there was no logical reason to do so? Many believe that these tugs of reluctance, and shoves encouraging us to take a risk, are our intuition.
When a revelation comes to us unbidden -- without us having taken a conscious, distinct, step by step approach to seeking the revelation -- it does seem a bit magical. For those of us who are wired to trust our five senses (Myers Briggs "S"), or verifiable data and applied logic (Myers Briggs "T"), it can be difficult to take action based on untraceable information. To make it even more challenging for these personality types, often the message is not literal, and only the "take home message" is accurate, not the specific details of the intuitive thought.
Sometimes our intuition is just a single thought, an image in our mind, or a vague inner sensation. Here, then gone, end of subject. More often, it is persistent, getting louder or stronger, until it is noticed and acted upon.
I like to say that first intuition whispers, then it shouts. If you don't respond to the shouting, it shakes you by the shoulder, then trips you. If you still continue on in the same direction, you may find yourself in some sort of crisis or catastrophe - a spiritual hurricane of sorts, often something quite emotionally or physically painful. From the stories I've heard, the strength and degree of persistence often correlates with what the consequences will be if the intuitive prompt is ignored by the receiver.
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| "Good instincts usually tell you what to do before your head has figured it out." Michael Burke (Australian Politician) | ||
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Consciously Tapping Into Intuition
Intuition is a funny thing, in that it cannot be forced. However, you can foster conditions that allow you to recognize and pick up on intuitive messages more routinely, not just in times of crisis.
- Create a meditative space - a place you can be still and quiet.
- Breath slowly, deeply and evenly.
- Mentally review and list the information you do have about a problem or situation, in a non-judgemental way.
- It is best not to think through or analyze the information - just sit with it in your consciousness.
- Remember that intuitive information may be literal - or it may show up figuratively.
- Notice what images or thoughts pass through your mind.
- Alternatively, you can keep your eyes open, and look around. What catches your attention first, or seems to stand out? Consider how this object might relate figuratively to your problem.
- Follow up on any clues you think you received. If they are good clues, they will lead to the next step. If they are not, you will have at least eliminated some options.
INTUITIVE TOOLS
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| "You must train your intuition - you must trust the small voice inside you which tells you exactly what to say, what to decide." Ingrid Bergman | ||
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intuition, intuitive, using spiritual intuition
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