Most people can relate to an inner voice or feeling telling them that something is wrong? Another common experience is a sudden insight about the person you are talking to. Somehow, without them stating it, you can sense the meaning behind their words, or recognise that they carry a deep sadness or joy. When asked most people do not know where this knowledge comes from. Many dismiss it as just a hunch. But the process feels clear, natural and very real. When acted upon it can provide profound information and sometimes deep personal satisfaction. This is your intuition. It cannot be easily explained through considered or logical steps, but it is one of the many ways that your unconscious mind can communicate with you.
IS YOUR INTUITION USEFUL?
The simple answer is yes. Intuition offers the ability to respond instantly to a large volume of information, virtually in the blink of an eye. This experience reinforces a sense of confidence in one’s own knowledge and decision-making ability. Most experts actively rely on their intuition. A recent study of business leaders showed that 85% regularly use intuition when it comes to making a decision. The former president of Lenovo went further, stating that intuition was a fundamental part of three key areas; business strategy, people management and personal decisions. Healthcare researchers also identified that medical and dental experts make intuitive decisions based on their years of acquired experience.
CAN YOU TRUST YOUR INTUITION?
Intuition is a psychological process where the brain uses past experiences, cues from the self and the environment to make a decision. The process is so quick that it does not register on a conscious level.
People worry about trusting their intuition because it is hard to explain, but research from the University of South Wales published in 2016 suggests that non-conscious information can increase decision accuracy, speed, and confidence.
But just because intuition is powerful but not make it infallible. Effective intuition just like effective thinking is a skill that needs a little work. But when you use both conscious and unconscious brain processes you are more likely to feel centred, arrive at accurate decisions and conclusions and feel more in touch with yourself.
THE SECRET LANGUAGE OF YOUR INTUITION
Thinking is part of the conscious process. Feelings are the vocabulary of the intuitive and unconscious world. The journey into your inner world is an exciting adventure that can be personally fulfilling. The steps below can be the first step in the journey. 1. Learning to Listen This may sound simple, but the skill comes from listening to your mental processes without judging and interpreting what you experienced. Emotions and physical sensations are the languages of your intuition. Once you start listening you will be amazed at the insights, which start to pop into your mind. 2. Trust your gut feeling. The feeling you get in your stomach has real meaning. We now know that the gut is lined with a network of neurons sometimes called the second brain. Known as the enteric nervous system (ENS), it has 100 million neurons more than anywhere else except the brain. Paying attention to the different sensations in your gut can provide you with good insight. 3. Feelings are important Intuition uses body sensations to communicate. You will know that your intuition is telling you something through gut feelings, goosebumps, the shiver down your spine, the way your heart races or even your breathing. Sometimes it is so subtle that it occurs as a “knowing”, which you cannot explain but nonetheless feels clear and certain. As you pay more attention to your feelings, your insights will increase. You will get a feeling of knowing which ones are right by the enriching, clear or empowering way that you experience them. As you explore further you will find that the information becomes clearer and you become better acquainted with your sense of self. 4. Talking To Your Unconscious. Intuition is part of the unconscious mind. The best way to connect with this part of yourself is to let your mind wander and to be open to the thoughts or feelings or ideas that emerge. You can develop this skill through mindfulness or self-hypnosis or by just listening to your imagination. It might sound complicated but children do this all the time. Once you have learned the language of intuition, you will notice that it is always with you like a friend that has your best interests at heart and to whom you can turn when you need support. 5. Understanding your emotions Emotions affect our intuitive judgment so you are much more likely to get accurate intuitive insight when you are feeling positive. It is important to let go of negative unnecessary emotions and to recognize when you cannot.
INTUITION UNCOVERED
Learning to listen to your intuition is like meeting an old friend who you have not seen for a while. It feels safe, welcoming and reassuring. Learning to use your intuition for decision-making provides you with a powerful tool, but the experience also connects you with your emotional self creating a deep lasting personal satisfaction.