Ever get a "feeling" about a situation or a person… something just doesn’t feel right, yet you can’t explain why? This is your intuition speaking to you. But we often dismiss intuition and intellectualise it. We explain it away as mere wishful thinking. Or think we are just making things up. For many, intuition is like a foreign language.
What is intuition?
It can be hard to define intuition accurately, but it’s generally understood as "knowing something without knowing how you know it". In other words, knowing or understanding something without conscious reasoning. Often described as "gut instinct", intuition is a form of knowledge that comes from deep within.
Intuition is your body’s way of giving you valuable information through your senses. It speaks through energy and vibration, not words. It’s FELT in the body. Intuitive communication is an interplay between the body, mind, heart, and spirit. It’s multisensory. Sensing, feeling, hearing, and inner knowing. For example, a sense of calm and clarity or tension and tightness in the chest or gut. It’s also very common to have images pop into your mind.
We all have access to intuition.
But some people pay a lot more attention to their inner compass than others. Leaders, entrepreneurs, elite athletes, emergency responders, and medical staff use intuition to make better decisions. For me, intuition is my constant companion. It helps me decide if something is or isn’t right. Or I should or shouldn’t do something. I have worked in unpredictable environments including prisons and used my intuitive skills to avoid potentially dangerous situations. Often, I didn’t have the luxury of time to carefully analyse all my options and trusted my intuition to keep myself safe.
"How do I know if it’s intuition or just the voice of my ego or desire?" I hear you asking.
Yes, it can be difficult to determine the difference between authentic intuition and fear, anxiety and self-doubt. But it’s a skill that can be developed. Intuition is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger and more accurate it becomes. By practising consistently, you start to recognise what is intuition and what is ego. And there are so many easy and fun intuitive exercises you can do on a daily basis.
Here are a few:
- Play intuitive guessing games:
Get a deck of standard playing cards. Shuffle the deck thoroughly. Pick a card, hold it face down, and guess whether it’s red or black. You can also use oracle and divination cards or the famous Zener cards that were developed to study extra sensory perception and psychic ability.
- Ask Yes/No questions:
When you are torn between two choices, tune into your senses. Try and "feel" instead of "think" the answer. How does your body feel when considering the two choices? Often, a "yes" feels like a sense of lightness when considering one choice, and "no" feels like heaviness or a tightening in your gut when considering another. Go with your first answer. It’s usually correct.
- Do mini-predictions:
Next time you are waiting for a lift, try and guess which one comes first. It’s amazing how quickly you pick the right one. Or try and guess how many people are in the lift. When your phone rings, beeps, or buzzes, try to guess who is trying to contact you before looking at your phone. Does someone pop into your mind instantly?
- Use colour to help with decision-making:
If you are stuck, "feel" or "see" the answer as colour. I visualise the colour green as "yes" and the colour red as "no" to my question. For me, these intuitive flashes just "feel" right.
Keeping a journal is a great way to record your intuitive "hits" and recognise patterns. You’ll start to tell the difference between intuition and wishful thinking. Over time, you’ll get to learn your unique intuitive language. But practise discernment! Sometimes fear, stress and anxiety can cloud your intuition, and you shouldn't forget your rational mind and common sense in order to make informed decisions.
I believe that rationality and intuition should not be viewed as opposites.
They both play important roles and are complementary. Especially in the age of artificial intelligence and digital technology, our own internal guidance system matters more than ever! Strengthening your intuition requires deliberate practice, but it'll be worth it. Having a finely tuned intuition can help you in all areas of your life.
One of my favourite quotes, often attributed to Albert Einstein, reminds us about the importance of intuition:
"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honours the servant and has forgotten the gift"
Eila Mikkonen
Counsellor, Clinical Supervisor & Mental Fitness Facilitator