Learning to trust my intuition has been a process that has transformed every part of my life. When I listen to my intuition, it has guided me out of the most impossible situations. When I ignore or misinterpret it, it has lead me down paths of sadness and frustration.
But what is our intuition? Have you ever had a feeling in the pit of your stomach that something just wasn't right? That feeling is your intuition or your "gut", and it's one of the most powerful tools you have on your journey towards the life you desire. Intuition allows you to read your inner compass and find your true north even when you feel disoriented.
However, many of us struggle to trust our intuition because it can seem like a mysterious, uncontrollable force. Today we'll demystify this force and break down the different aspects of your consciousness - instinct, intellect, and intuition - to help you understand how to tap into your intuition and trust your "gut" to achieve success in your everyday life.
1. Understand the Differences between Instinct, Intellect, and Intuition
Instinct, intellect, and intuition are often used interchangeably, but it's essential to understand the differences to harness the power of your intuition. Instinct is a physical reaction to a trigger and is hardwired into us. It's a powerful tool that can protect us and quickly tell us when things are wrong. However, relying on instinct alone can lead us down toxic or self-destructive paths in times of stress.
Intellect seeks to decode our raw instincts, helping us to process our feelings and come to rational conclusions rather than emotion-based ones. It's a more intentional process where we gather meaning, weigh it against our past experiences and produce a set of potential actions to choose from.
Intuition is an understanding or knowing of a situation without specific data or evidence at the time. It combines both instinct and intellect and is your body's miraculous way of tapping into both your core instincts and quickly weighing them with personal experience to create a "gut feeling" that tells you exactly what you should do.
2. Bring Yourself into the Present Moment
To tap into your intuition, you must be able to bring yourself into the present moment. When your mind is constantly analyzing past regrets or anxiety about the future, the noise of the past and future drown out the soft notes of intuition in the present. Intuition feels like a "just knowing" out of the blue. It's highly subjective, coming in a flash and disappearing just as quickly. Intuitive observations cannot be consciously called upon or stored.
3. Strengthen Your Intuition
Just like any other mental muscle, the more you work with your intuition, the more you strengthen it, and the more it grows. Trusting your intuition takes practice, and the more you pay attention to it, the more you'll recognize when it's speaking to you. Here are a few ways to strengthen your intuition:
Meditate: Meditation helps you clear your mind and bring yourself into the present moment, making it easier to hear your intuition.
Pay Attention to Your Physical Reactions: Your body can give you clues to what your intuition is telling you. Pay attention to your physical reactions when you're making decisions.
Follow Your Heart: Your intuition often speaks to you through your heart. Listen to what your heart is telling you and trust it.
Tapping into your intuition can help you navigate life's challenges and make the right decisions. Understanding the differences between instinct, intellect, and intuition, bringing yourself into the present moment, and strengthening your intuition are all ways to trust your "gut" and achieve success in your everyday life. So go ahead, trust your intuition, and watch your life change in ways you've never imagined!