We’ve all heard the word ‘intuition’ used to refer to some intangible feeling that tells us right from wrong, or helps us understand something without logic or reasoning. But have we ever stopped to think about what this very personal gut feeling actually means, and the implications it can have on our mental wellbeing?
Here, clairvoyant and intuitive healer Emma Lucy Knowles – author of new book The Life-Changing Power of Intuition: Tune into Yourself, Transform Your Life – explains what intuition really means, and how we can harness its power…
What is intuition?
How do you know what you know, when you don’t know you know? We communicate on so many levels, both consciously and subconsciously. Tapping into your intuition is all about paying attention to the signs and signals out in the real world – how we ‘hear’ without words, how we ‘see’ with our eyes closed, how we ‘feel’ without touching.
Intuition is a road map for the soul, our most reliable guide, the voice of truth. Now is the time for you to tap into and explore how to tune in and harness the power of intuition.
Why is my intuition beneficial?
Learning to work with your intuition can help you heal your past, make peace with your present and create your future.
When we live in balance, when we access our intuition and befriend our ego, when we learn to be led by our gut and not guarded by our fears, we can open our hearts and minds, we can be more accepting and respectful of ourselves, we can be better partners, siblings or co-workers, we can be more grounded, less anxious or stressed, we can see our path more clearly, make better decisions and set better intentions about our future, we can achieve our dreams and goals, we can feel more content about our lives, we can get the joy back!
How can I connect with my intuition?
We often choose not to listen to our intuition or become disconnected from it. When there is SO much going on in our modern lives how do we funnel out what feels right from what feels wrong? How do we learn to trust our intuition and become more in-tune with who we really are, and what we really need?
We already use intuition even when we don’t realise we are – you’re not starting from scratch! This is nothing new to you – how brilliant is that? So what do you already know? And how do we get to know more? As with everything in life, there is ‘no one size fits all’. Practice takes patience and everyone’s approach is different, but here are a few easy tap-ins to get you started…
Set an ask: The quickest way to tap onto your intuitive superpower is to set it an ask. Get it working, get it talking! Intuition rings through the body through all the senses – feeling, touch, taste and smell (it’s so unique to each and every one of us) – so quickly tap in to which is your strongest recall. Try this:
- Come to sit in a dedicated peaceful space, you don’t need to be a mediation junkie to do this. Sit eyes closed, come to the breath and let your breath draw you inwards, towards the heart centre. Allow yourself to feel a sense of opening at the heart centre, whether that’s visualising a ball of light, or feeling that light – go with it.
- When you feel or sense that connection, quite literally ask of intuition to give you a physical confirmation that you are connected.
- Then allow yourself to feel, to sense your intuition ringing through your being – this could be a pulsing or tingling at hands, or a pressure on the body in some very unique, obvious or unusual places.
- Keep the mind open, and be aware that ego will try to tell you ‘you’re not getting it’ – at these moments, dial into my favourite mantra: ‘I am and I can’.
- When you feel it – make a note, and don’t over do it – incremental use of the intuitive muscle is key when we’ve not worked it for an ever!
Keep in check of your thoughts: Ego and intuition use the same voice within our being; the forever battle of ego vs intuition. The first way you can check in with which voice is leading you in your every day is to ask: ‘Which voice moves me towards love and the life I deserve to lead, and speaks to me in kindness and love?’. That is intuition.
Keep your energy clear: Our bodies are our super instruments for intuition. I’m not saying you need to go tee total or sugar free, but it is important we keep on top of keeping our energy clean, just like washing your hair or your clothes! For this, I always lean in to mother Earth’s elemental power. So, if long lazy baths are your thing, add some Himalayan salts and let this power combination soak through your being and ground any energy lag as it goes. If fire is your thing, use cleansing tools such as sage or Palo Santo, sweeping your instrument of choice mindfully around the full outline of your body. For air, get walking outside, and for earth, get your crystals out and pop the into your pocket or bra!
Keep daydreaming: Visualisation and journalling are huge part of intuitive play depending on which sings to you – which is why we so easily felt these vibes as a kid and when we were ‘schooled’ we forgot – daydream is key to manifestation and intuition and spirit love to deliver for you that which is for your highest good.. so the only thing to ask and align ready with is, what will it be?
Keep grounded: Your intuition is only as strong as the instrument it plays, the vessel it resides in – your body. So, keeping your body stretched and strong is key, but so is keeping your body rooted to the energies of the earth, so that you feel supported as you explore the power within. I always say to stand feet hip-width apart, hands by your side, and gently close the eyes. Sense or visualise roots growing down out through your feet into the ground – the body will sway as it grounds so allow and say: ‘I am totally safe and totally protected’.