Awakening to the Power of Intuition

INTRODUCTION What is intuition? It was once described to me by a student as a ‘knowing’. So what is this 6th sense that we possess but so often don’t use and why isn’t it given the same attention that our other senses are? If our eyes did not see, or ears didn’t hear or our tongues couldn’t taste or noses didn’t smell or even if our skin couldn’t feel, we would at least investigate why, wouldn’t we? Yet, amazingly we do not question whether our intuition is working or not and yet it is one of our senses. Of course I am aware this applies mostly to the Western world, as it would be quite different in a lot of the Eastern countries, where they naturally use their intuition all the time. Though if we were to step back in time even in a Western country, before technology was so advanced, using intuition was a natural way of living. People were encouraged to use their 6th sense far more as they couldn’t rely on electronic machines to give them the solutions to everything. Of course it may not have been identified as intuition, more just doing what felt right. Intuition is often linked to our 3rd eye, located on our forehead between both our eyes and is commonly known as a ‘gut’ feeling. Healthy babies are born with all of their senses including intuition. Totally open to what the universe has to offer, trusting in those who show love and attention. They accept and respond to all that happens around them and only need to be loved and cared for. They have no fear or judgment and no thoughts of yesterday or tomorrow. Their only concern is of what is happening ‘now’. As they grow they will become small children who move naturally and think without analyzing, being totally aware and sensing energies around them. We can witness this by observing the way infants react to the moods of those close to them. They are naturally intuitive and this only diminishes as they grow older because of adult intervention from planting fear into their tender minds. How sad that we are so often stripped of the most valuable lesson of all, at such a tender age and then spend the rest of our life searching for the very thing we lost, our ‘intuition’. A child focuses so well on what’s happening right in front of them, aware of the finest detail. Ask a magician who his most difficult audience is and he will tell you ‘children’ as they have not lost the ability to ‘see beyond’. Our intuition is a wonderful sense and if nurtured can help guide us through our most difficult and darkest hours. Having worked with so many people who wanted to discover the power of their own intuition I have been constantly enriched through witnessing their personal growth which comes as a result of daring to explore and practice using this very neglected sense. My journey with intuition has been a truly amazing one and as a result I am now able to welcome change into my life without fear, as I know it is a natural part of my journey. I have made some wonderful connections along the way, some who are still around, others who have moved on, but I’ve come to understand that I’m not meant to know how long these connections will be, another lesson that has truly freed me. I believe that we come into each other’s lives to learn lessons and maybe to stay around for a while, but not necessarily forever. In reality there is a lot of evidence that demonstrates how true this is, so why do we so often resist letting go of someone who evidently wants to let go of us? It would be far more empowering if we appreciated those we are privileged to spend some time with, without attaching ourselves too much. The reason we find ourselves trying so hard to hold on to someone else is often because we seek emotional attachment. Insecurity is often the cause of this. Sadly we often look for emotional fulfillment in another when really we need to be searching within ourselves. When we find it from within we are no longer needy and then will attract healthier relationships. Remember the saying ‘Like attracts like’. Needy relationships so often end in tears as at least one of the partners will probably feel suffocated and then desire space and freedom, leaving their partner feeling desperate as fear of being alone is so often what started their neediness in the first place. To truly love ourselves and feel secure in the knowing that we are being looked after by a love much greater than any human being can give, will give us the assurance that we don’t need to seek it because it’s already there within us. So many people yearn to be rich, thinking that will solve all their problems and they would be happy for ever more, but I think deep down we know it doesn’t work like that. If life was that easy then I guess all the rich would be happy and the poor unhappy and we know that isn’t true. So what is it about? For me it’s about finding truth and purpose and to discover why I am here. If and when we are lucky enough to discover these things, we can start living in an authentic way through the intention of our soul and not our ego, which unfortunately we so often feel pressured to respond to. Sadly, acting on our ego alone will never bring us true happiness; it will only make us greedy and wanting more. Whereas living by our souls intention will always lead to a fulfilled life. If we allow ourselves quiet times to go within, our soul will talk to us and intuitively we will ‘know’ what it is we should do. It may not be an easy choice but it will be the right one. Our life will run smoother if we don’t deny it by taking what feels like an easier route because the ‘right one’ feels difficult or uncomfortable. As we pursue the path we ‘know’ is right our lives will run easier and we will be given the ‘tools’ and ‘support’ to deal with difficult situations. True Connection When two souls connect, they don’t need to possess, They are one, regardless of more or less. To understand and accept another Is a love known to a sister and brother. However, to find a partner to share your life Without necessarily being husband or wife, But one who knows and respects your path Who cries your tears and smiles when you laugh, Listens to your words when you need to share And gives you a hug to show they care, One who has passion which you ignite And together you know it feels so right. That’s a partner worth waiting for And when they appear you’ll want no more. I have learned not to use energy in regretting the past, but instead to use the experience to try and recognize the lesson and then learn from it and move forward. Showing others who feel vulnerable, how to gain strength and avoid repeating the same lessons over and over again has been a very valuable part of my work as a tutor and counsellor. However, I know from bitter experience that sometimes we do have to live through the same lessons with different people before we gain enough insight and strength to avoid them happening all over again. In the following pages I will share with you my journey with intuition, including in chapter 3 my solo trip to New Zealand, when I documented each lesson that I identified along with my understanding and learning from it. I have then explored each lesson and what it could mean for all of us and invite you the reader to try the exercises for yourself. By sharing my lessons with you I hope you will identify lessons in your own life and begin to recognize the messages they are giving you. In order that you may use this book as a learning manual I have allowed space for you to add your own lessons, so you too may be able to explore what they mean for you.