Intuition

• There is some disagreement about the source of intuition. Some see it as a connection to the collective unconscious or to a higher power or angels, but cognitive science tells us that intuition is provided by our implicit learning systems. Implicit learning is sensing and sensemaking that is going on subconsciously all the time. Even when we aren’t paying conscious attention to signals around us, our implicit learning is picking up complex patterns, both internally and externally that it communicates via our intuitive sense.

• It’s likely that you’ve experienced your intuition even if you’re not aware of it. An exercise recommended by Marie Forleo is to look for your experience retroactively: look at your past for situations when something went wrong, and try to remember if there was a moment when part of you said “I knew it!” If you look carefully, you’ll probably remember that there were some red flags that you missed or dismissed because you didn’t have proof. Marie also recommends that you write down every instance you can remember where this happened because “seeing that you’ve had a gut instinct in the past will help you pay closer attention to it in the present.”

• Intuition is a subtle and quiet kind of message. To receive it, you have to be in a state of Mindfulness where you can be aware of your mind and body.

• In addition, your intuition has a lot of information that it’s processed, so you need to give it a clue what you’re looking for. You need to ask it a specific question. In your mindful state, ask for guidance on a specific question like “should I go back to school and get my graduate degree?”

• Lastly, you need to “listen” for the answer. Intuition often communicates through images and feelings. Many people describe seeing the answer first, then feeling it. By feeling, I’m not talking about emotions, but Felt Senses in your body or a visceral reaction. You might feel a sense of dread or a tightness in your chest, or you might feel a sense of relief or a loosening of your chest.

• If you don’t get an immediate answer, your mind many need some time to work it out. You may get a flash of intuition later, after a good night’s Sleep or when you’re distracted by another project.

• If you’re unsure whether the messages you’re getting are coming from intuition or some other source, like fear, Dr. Judith Orloff offers these distinctions between intuition and fear: intuition conveys information neutrally, unemotionally, feels right in your gut, has a compassionate, affirming tone, gives crisp, clear impressions that are “seen first” then felt, and conveys a detached sensation, like watching a movie. In contrast, fear is highly emotionally charged, conveys no gut-centered confirmation or on-target feeling, has cruel, demeaning or delusional content, reflects past psychological wounds, and diminishes centeredness and perspective.

• It’s important to note that like any reasoning, intuition can be wrong. Its still a valuable source of knowledge, as long as we understand that the conclusions it provides should be used as guides for further inquiry and experimentation. We should not blindly trust intuition any more than we blindly trust our conscious sensemaking.

Therefore: