Intuition - Getting in Touch

Some call it intuition, some call it the sixth sense, some call it being "psychic." Whatever we choose to call it, it exists. For some, it is a "gut feeling" that alerts them to danger...or alerts them that something good is about to happen. For others, it is an inner voice that tells them when something isn't quite right. Some people will think of a person they haven't spoken to in a long while, then the phone rings and guess who it is?

Then there are those who have intuitive feelings that are so clear and strong, that they hear other people's thoughts, see their future, predict future events, and more. Then there are those who will tell you that they have no intuition whatsoever. Then there are the skeptics. They will dismiss intuitive experiences as "coincidence," which only means things happening at the same time and explains nothing

What makes some be able to tell the future, some have gut feelings, and some think that they have no intuition? Is it a gift? A talent? Although I do believe it is a gift of sorts, I have found that this "gift" can be found in just about anyone who truly wants it.

When I was a young child, I used to associate people with colors. I remember saying things like "look mommy, he's a blue person." What I was too young to realize is that I was seeing auras. I also believed that if I woke up early enough in the morning, that I could fly. I did this regularly until I told an adult. She told me that flying was impossible and that I was dreaming. I stopped trying and the experiences stopped. What I did not know was that I was having conscious out of body experiences. These are but a few of the "paranormal" experiences I had on a regular basis as a child.

I have worked with many children, including my own, and I have heard the most amazing things about past lives, dreams that happened later, and things that they could not have possibly known or understood at their age. I believe that many people have these kinds of experiences as children. I would even say that probably most children have some kind of intuitive experience.

Then we grow up. We go to school and learn new things. We become distracted with things outside of ourselves and some of us learn to ignore that little voice inside in favor of things that we "learned." For some people, this have proved harmful and even fatal. A friend of mine was in a car accident. After he woke up in the hospital, he said that before he got into the car, he had a "feeling" that he should not get into the car...but he thought that he was just being paranoid. After this experience, he started paying more attention to those gut feelings. Most people have a story or two like this one.

After years of ignoring intuition, or gut feelings, some people may think that they don't have it at all. Like any feelings, you may not be in touch with them, but they still exist. Getting back in touch with that inner voice, for some, can be a long process. If you are interested in getting back in touch with your intuition, there are many things you can do to begin the process. There are exercises, that if practiced regularly, can help you start feeling on an intuitive level again.

One way to begin (and one of the best) is to start meditating. You do not have to sit and stare at a candle for hours on end to learn to meditate. One of the easiest ways is to join a meditation class. Another great way to learn meditation is to use a guided imagery recording. Guided imagery is a form of meditation in which you are guided through a meditation. This usually starts with some relaxation exercises, and then you will be guided through the meditation using visualization. This type of meditation is wonderful for those who have trouble imagining, or visualizing, or who have a busy mind and find it hard to slow down.

Once you are able to slow your mind and focus, then you are ready to begin some exercises to get in touch with your intuitive self. I suggest to my students that they keep two journals. One to record feelings and things that they may sense throughout the day, and the second one to record dreams.

In your daily journal, you can write things down that you have a feeling about. For example: "2:15pm. I suddenly had a thought about my sister, and (____________)." More than likely, the more you do this, the more you will find that the thoughts/feelings you are having really do have something to do with things that happen. This exercise is a confidence builder.

Keep your dream journal next to your bed, and be sure to have a pen with it. In this book, you are to record all your dreams. Even if you haven't remembered a dream in a long time, simply suggest to yourself that you will remember your dreams. Eventually, you will remember a dream, then you will remember more. It is important to write dreams down as soon as you wake from them. Even if it is 4am, write it down immediately. The longer you wait, the more the dream fades. Keeping a dream log is another good confidence builder.

Hypnosis is another way to get in touch with your intuition. As a Hypnotherapist, I have worked with many people who wanted to increase or improve their intuitive abilities, and I have found it to be very effective. Hypnosis is a powerful tool for self-improvement. Through hypnosis, you can access the subconscious mind directly and open yourself to your intuition. Hypnosis is much like meditation, but because you have a guide, it is easier to focus and you are less likely to get distracted.

I have studied the metaphysical/intuitive arts for over 25 years. I have learned many things, but when it comes to increasing intuitive/psychic ability, I have learned one thing that is probably more important than any exercise you can do: Trust yourself. You trust your "gut," then you get more accurate gut feelings, not the other way around.

If you begin with some of the suggestions I have given in this post, you are on your way to discovering your intuition. Have faith...and have fun!!! Until next time...