Trusting Intuition – Introduction

Trusting intuition – this is a vast and fascinating subject into which I will endeavour to dip my toe. In writing this article I am drawing from my own experience gained through developing my intuition and facing my fears. This is an ongoing journey of self discovery, as the great teacher of inner wisdom is life itself.

An important thing to realise is that both fear and intuition influence the choices and decisions you make in life. Both in the short and long term. Are you making a choice out of fear or using your intuition to make your choice?  I think this is an important point to reflect upon.

Knowing The Difference Between Fear and Intuition

What is Fear?

Fear is a basic survival mechanism that comes into play when there is a perceived or imminent threat. This fear can range from the fear of being killed. As someone with a knife rushes towards you. To the fear of failure; of being perceived to be a fool and of not fitting in. Each of these fears elicits a response. Be it the immediate physical reaction to flee or fight the person with the knife. Or the mental and emotional reaction, to choose a safe career path rather than what your heart desires that you do, because of the fear of failure and disapproval.

When you are afraid: Your breathing quickens, heart rate rises, adrenalin pumps through your body and your muscles tense. Your body is ready and primed to respond to the perceived threat.

Causes of Fear

Physical threats in the immediate environment, general threats of war, famine, disease, destruction. Societal fears of not fitting in or of not being being part of the ‘herd’. Fear of failure, fear of the opposite sex, fear of spiders. The list is probably endless. What might be more approprate to ask yourself is ‘What am I not afraid of?’.

Reasons for Fear

Many of the things you fear in life are not as evident as a physical threat to your life. They are passed on to you, down through the generations and promulgated in popular culture and media. They subtly influence your decisions and actions and cause your body to tense and your mind to be wired up, waiting for the perceived threat to manifest.

You might have had a disturbng experience earlier in life. Which causes you to fear situations that remind you, even subconsiously of the previous experience. So that, rather than going into a new situation with all senses open and in a relaxed frame of mind and body. You are already tense, on edge and defensive. In this state it is difficult or maybe even impossible, to ascertain the situation using any sense other than fear

Trusting Intuition Over Fear – Two Stories

I remember reading something that stays with me: It was the story of a Initiation test done in ancient times, after prolonged training. In this test, the Initiate was taken into a dark underground cavern full of tunnels, wild animals, strange unearthly sounds…you get the picture. The initiate had to find their way out of the cavern using only their intuition. If they allowed themselves to be afraid they would not be able to acccess their intuitive power. The only thing that would enable them to find their way out of the cavern. Basically the initiate would die in the cavern, if they gave in to fear, so this was a powerful and possibly deadly test.

Another story I recall: A Grandmother is at home wiht her young Grandson. A man weilding an axe comes to the door, wild eyes and murderous looking. She calmly invites him in for tea and cake and he is completely disarmed and turns into a veritable lamb, sits down meekly to drink his tea and eat his cake. (While she phones the appropriate authorities).

What is Intuition?

Intuition is an inner guidance system, an inner knowing. It is the subconsccious knowledge of events or situations. Intuition is linked to a level of self trust that knows, values and acts upons its own discernment. Intuition does not need to be told what to do by outer authorities. It is inner authority. The promptings of inner guidance and inner wisdom are quietly perceived from a place of inner calm.​ Intuition is sometimes referred to as ‘The still small voice within’.

How to Access Intuition

You have heard I am sure, of someone who is drving down a road when suddenly out of nowhere a voice tells them to stop and pull over. The person avoids a deadly accident in doing so. This is a dramatic example of an inner knowing guiding someone to safety. Some would call this Angelic Intervention and place the guidance outside of themselves.

More commonly, intuition is accessed through a place of calm receptiveness. It requires stillness of mind and emotions and inward looking/feeling to access. An intuitive prompting can be felt in physical reactions, for example a flutter in the stomach, a tightening of the throat, a pressure on the temples. Or it can be experienced in words, images or simply as a Knowing. Each person will have their own individual way of receiving intuitive information.

Do you know yours?

Do you ask your intuition a question and the wait to see how the answer comes to you?

Whilst the promptings of fear are often immediate and demanding, the promptings of inner guidance and intuitive wisdom are much more subtle.

Your Intuitive wisdom is available 24/7 and can be heighttened by the use of divinationary tools, such as Tarot Cards or Runes.

Nature is speaking to you through your intuition all the time too and by becoming aware of Nature’s voice you can come to understand what she is saying to you. For example, noticing the flight of birds or the path of an insect, could indicate a choice to make or a path to take.

The Use of Energy Discernment in Trusting Intuition

The ability to sense into the energy of a situation or person is a highly effective and useful intuitive tool. Its what animals are adept at using. You can sense a person’s intentions behind the smiling mask and see their true colors, by sensing into the energy they are emiting and cannot hide.

Trusting Intuition through Repetition

The more often you listen to and then act upon your intuition, the more you will come to trust its guidance. Trusting intuition in the small decisions you make day by day, will encourage you to trust your intuition in the more significat seeming life changing choices. Having built up a real relationship with your intuition you can make these major choices confidently.

Trusting your intuition’s wisdom and guidance, despite what outer events or other people are saying. Trusting your intuition despite what your fears are telling you.

Discerning The Difference Between Fear and Intuition

When you are faced with a choice. Look within. How is your body reacting? Are you tense? is your mind racing? Are you frozen with fear? Or are you calm and relaxed, aware of both your surroundings and your inner reactions? Are you responding with fear or with intuition? With practice you will get to know the difference. Sometimes fear is the appropriate response.

Conclusion

Knowing the difference between fear and intuition, requires more than intellectual knowledge. It requires that you are aware of how you are responding to situations and people at any given moment.

You know when you are responding out of fear and whether this is an appropriate response. You know whether your inner widom and your spiritual clarity are the motivating forces of your life. A life overly motivated by fear will seem secure yes, but fear limits potential and stunts adventure and creativity. Fear is used by Authorities, to intimidate, control and coerce and is a tool used to excert compliance.

Trusting intuition to guide you, you are the architect of your expansive life.

Check out our blog for a deeper exploration of how past life regression therapy can enhance your understanding of intuition.