Intuition is a word that often gets thrown around in the wellness world without an understanding of what it actually is. Best defined and most simply put, intuition allows for the individual to make a decision without the use of analytical reasoning. An even easier way of presenting intuition is listening into the gut feeling (instead of the head) to make a decision.
Our Enteric Nervous System
Now, this sounds like it would be straightforward, to listen to your gut. Then why is it that we constantly disregard the nudge/hint/butterflies in the belly? We have been conditioned to believe that our head is superior to all else when it comes to decision making. If the logistics aren’t fully planned out then there is no way the answer could be true. The interesting fact is that our belly/gut is said to have a second brain and has a network of neurotransmitters known as the enteric nervous system.
“This “second brain” can control our gut all by itself. Our two brains—the one in our head and the one in our bowel—must cooperate. If they do not, then there is chaos in the gut and misery in the head—everything from “butterflies” to cramps,”-The Second Brain, Michael D. Gershon, M.D
“Listen To Your Gut”, they say.
The importance then of incorporating decisions from both the head and the gut seems undeniable especially when there are physical reactions that happen in the body. Again I ask, why is it so challenging to listen into the gut/intuition and how do we re-pattern our body into trusting that little voice we hear or that feeling we get?
The reason there is a challenge in listening in is that we have this thing called an “Ego”. The ego is what usually sits in the driver’s seat when it comes to decision making. I am encouraging you to put your ego in the backseat, and let Intuition (which can also be known as Essence) sit in the front seat. Essence is that little voice, gut feeling, intuition. She is what will ultimately help you discover what most nourishes YOU.
How To Live In Essence vs. Ego
How can you tell Ego from Essence you may wonder? Ego is easy to identify. Have you ever made a decision and then immediately felt the feelings of guilt/shame/not-enoughness? That would be because you allowed your ego to take the reins. When you make a decision from essence, the road becomes clearer and there is an ease that follows that decision. So then, how do you start living more from essence/intuition?
One tool that is available to us in helping live more from a place of ease is meditation. It can help focus our minds on a single point, and is a practice of listening in. Meditation is such a broadly-scoped exercise and there are many different techniques you could use.
The one that I use most often is what is known as “Tratika” or candle gazing. I use this technique as it is simple and accessible. To practice Tratika, begin in a comfortable seat with a lit candle a few feet from your body. Soften your eyes, and connect with your breath. Start to gaze into the flames. Once you gaze into the flame for a while, your mind will eventually slow down, your breath will become more fluid, and your attention will be fully focused on the flame.
When you are able to do this, listening into that small voice/intuition becomes easier as you are less distracted. You have bridged the gap between the conscious and subconscious. You have trained yourself to hear and trust the tiny voice within and when you hear the voice clearly, you then can trust that it is not random. You are hearing your essence, your truth, your Self, your intuition. You become more receptive to living from the heart and also realizing that you need both the head and the heart to live in balance.
In the end, this is all a practice, a practice in knowing the Self. When we develop a willingness to trust our intuition decisions will be more aligned with the less resistant path, and YOU will learn to live more free.
Learn More About Accessing Your Intuition
This has been such a valuable practice for my self discovery, and that of my students, that I created a 3-part mini course called Intuition: A Practice in Knowing the Self. You can find it within the Nurture YourSELF 24-Day Reset, which is available to EVERYONE for FREE through GoddessVillage.com.
Inside the reset, you’ll learn about 8 different self care practices that you can utilize to heal your mind, body, and heart. This nourishing reset is led by 8 different women who serve in a wide range of health disciplines. The entire series is offered at no cost and access is instant once enrolled, which you can do here.
