Intuition is not something we typically talk about in our Western culture.  If I were to share that I hear a voice in my head that tells me things about other people and that it’s not mine, what would the majority of people think? Crazy. It tends to freak people out and that’s truly unfortunate because it stops people from exploring this truly rich source of information that is tailor made for each of us. Of course, we know that the voice of intuition is very distinct from mental illness yet sadly, that’s the first place most people go. The fact is that intuition is something that everyone is born with, yet few know they have it and still fewer listen and honor it. But first, what is intuition or guidance anyway and why is it so important and my experience with ignoring my intuition in my marriage.

Guidance or intuition is subtle information or vibration that comes through the energy centers or chakras and is translated into sensations and/or feelings in the body. Guidance is felt in our body, known in your bones, seen in your minds’ eye or heard as a gentle whisper coming from deep down that helps you know which way to go. It’s your soul’s yearning, it’s the message that only gets louder if we don’t listen to it.  

Let me give you an example. I was in a three-day long qigong retreat and when I came home to my then husband, I told him I knew that I wasn’t happy. I had just become aware of it after that weekend of meditation and healing. Then, two years later, I was in one of my Trame Vibrational therapy training weekends and I was receiving the treatment and I heard the clear message: “you need to leave your husband”. I think it’s super important to share that going into this I would have told you that I was happy in my marriage and that all was good but by the end of the weekend, I had such a clear message that it became harder to ignore. Did I listen, of course not! I kept working at my relationship hoping that it would improve. This is a painful example of how at first intuition can be subtle and then it gets louder and more brazen the more you ignore it.

In contrast, your brain is the place that tries to make sense of everything, and the challenge is that sometimes intuition makes no sense at all considering all the available information. For example, I was driving along a country road and I heard: “you’re going to die”. It came in like a voice that wasn’t mine, very clear and powerful. I slowed down ever so slightly only to see a car speed through the flashing red light when they were supposed to have stopped and yielded to me. I would have been hit at a hundred clicks had I not eased off the gas just at that precise moment. I just missed being hit. Those few seconds saved my life. My intuition saved my life. Even after having this experience, I still needed to practice listening to my intuition because logic is king.

The brain tries to take over with logic, especially since the majority of society would have us believe that it’s wiser and has our best interest at heart. The heart math institute has done research proving that there is more information going from the heart to the brain than the other way around. Your heart is your link to the other side, sprit, or guidance. Yet, despite our knowledge we can still doubt that what we are guided to do might still be foolish, irresponsible, or even stupid. I sure am happy I listened to it that day but I still have to remind myself to listen to the subtle signals my body is giving me on a daily basis because it isn’t something I was taught as a child.

Here are some reasons why I believe intuition can be tough to learn: 

1.  Our culture doesn’t openly accept it 
2.  It takes time to discern what is a thought versus what is true guidance
3.  Guidance is so subtle!
4. It demands a high level of trust

This is why talking about intuition is so important. Are we teaching our kids to listen to their gut? Schools are getting on board with emotional intelligence which is wonderful but sadly leaves out educating our young people about their natural born intuitive gifts. Teaching our kids to follow their gut doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply being able to recognize it and reinforce it in our children goes a long way.

My daughter, for example, will tell me: “mommy, you don’t feel like doing the dishes right now” and I’ll turn to her and say: “You know what, you’re absolutely right, lets go relax a bit.” I ask her how she knew how I was feeling and take that opportunity to tell her that when she just knows something to be true from deep down, that’s her intuition talking.  She always smiles when I tell her about how her intuition works because it’s something innate, useful and true.  

Most adults aren’t taught about intuition or how they are supposed to listen to it so how are their children supposed to learn how to?

So, it starts with slowing down, being quiet a moment and a little self awareness. Simply paying attention to the sensations we have in our bodies once we’re quiet or listening to that gentle nudge can begin the process of deciphering intuition from thought.

The easiest example of naturally listening to the body’s wisdom is when we’re doing something completely mundane or even boring like driving or taking a shower. When we’re in that mode where our mind is quiet, we become able to receive messages from spirit. Another way is through meditation: the traditional sitting and watching or connecting with nature on a walk can also create the environment to hear those messages intended for each of us.

This was always fascinating for me because I wanted to know what spirit would say. I think every one of my clients is super curious about that too. Our intuition has our best interest at heart and will always try to guide in the direction of our path and protect us along the way.

Knowing that it is possible to be tuned in to our higher energies, It’s never been this hard. The noise from the outside never this loud. Turning the volume down on the outside world – it’s something of a rare thing these days. If we aren’t connected to our phones, we have a apple watch buzzing us constantly. If getting quiet is essential to sense the communication that is coming from a deeper place then how on earth are we supposed to be listening to it with all this competing noise? Guidance is so subtle in nature. It’s important to get quiet because without that, we can’t listen and we can’t be guided. 

For those of us who feel aimless or purposeless at the moment,  our intuition is there to guide us. It’s there to guide us the next step on the path of least resistance toward our goal. Do I know how this works? Absolutely not, but I trust it with my life. Give it a shot and let me know your thoughts.

I think that very slowly intuition is becoming more accepted. My experience is that most people don’t stare at me blankly when I tell them I’m a holistic healer so that’s a win. In the meantime, try to remain open to what your heart is trying to tell you, it’s often the most helpful, comforting and true information you can find.