Your Intuitive Self
Your intuition may be one of the best protective inner resources you have.
But here's a pro tip: it's easier to recognize it, and trust it, when you're in the Green zone! If you are struggling to connect with your intuition, check in with yourself on which zone you're in. If you're in anything other than Green, try using your preferred body-based techniques to help you release excess energy and move into a receptive state. The more you are in the Green, the easier it gets to return there from a reactive state. And the easier it gets to recognize when your intuitive self is sending a message.
Your Intuitive Self is both Spontaneous and On Demand
Intuitive wisdom usually comes spontaneously, as a sudden gut feeling or insight. You can read more about that on the Personal Agency and Intuition pages.
But you can also cultivate your ability to connect with your intuitive self when you need or want to, at your own direction. Here is a simple five-step technique that can help develop your relationship with your inner wisdom.
Move into Green
Use your favorite techniques to discharge any pent up energy and move into a state of centered connection.
Soften into a sponge
Imagine or sense yourself softening and expanding into a pleasant, spongelike state.
Ask a question
Ask a question, inwardly or out loud. You may want to start off with simple yes or no questions, but do what feels best.
Accept the answer
Accept the answer. You are practicing your reception in this moment so try not to gatekeep, edit, or second guess what you perceive. You can deliberate on it later! For now, just receive.
Repeat
Ask a follow up question that is based on the response you just received. Continue this process until it feels complete to you.
More Tips
If it's helpful, keep a notebook nearby to jot down the answers you receive, or use the voice memo app on your phone.
Have a neutral, accepting attitude. When we go to a restaurant and ask what the specials are, we usually accept the answer and then order accordingly. This same attitude of open neutrality is really important when you are developing your relationship with this inner voice of yours. It is a skill that you are practicing, and you may get it 'wrong' in the beginning, but show yourself some love and put trust in your inner voice of wisdom. It will get easier, and you will get more accurate, the more you practice.
Be open to how the answers come. You may hear it, see it, feel it, or know it, and it may even be a combination of more than one! To read more about our extra-senses, explore here.
Be open to the answers you receive. This is really important! Our intuitive self often likes to communicate in images, feelings, sensations, or single words or phrases. If you ask a question about your job, and you see an image of an orange, accept the orange, then ask a follow up question, like Why am I receiving this image, or May I have more information. As you continue, you may realize that a larger picture is being formed that is an answer to your question. Or, you may be shown an answer to a different question that your inner wisdom knows needs to be addressed first.
The kinds of questions you ask is up to you. We often want to access our deeper wisdom for guidance with a situation at work, for help navigating a relationship, to understand our larger life direction or purpose, or to get help making a decision on a choice that we are facing. You are accessing the wise deeper part of you which is untouched by fear or shame, which some people call the true Self, so allow the unfolding dialogue to flow naturally. Your inner Self may surprise you with some of its answers! If an answer creates some discomfort or fear in your mind, but feels true or right deeper in your body, there's a very good chance it came from your wise intuitive self. Rest with it for a bit, and see if the answer remains or stays steady.