Developing Our Intuition


By Audrey McMorrow, BCC, LPC


relaxing without a care in the world. We are always grateful for these gifts, but rarely do we understand that we can bring them about much more frequently by developing our own intuitive sense.


W To illustrate this point, I want to share a story. Years ago,


I was visiting Assisi on a personal journey of discovery. One day I visited Eremo delle Carceri, a beautiful and tranquil park in the hills above Assisi where St. Francis and his disciples retreated for solitude and meditation, primarily in the caves around the area. The paths are heavily wooded with ravines and trails in every di- rection. My goal was to discover one of the caves that St. Francis enjoyed, even though no signs offered to show the way. I decided to let my intuition guide me and I set off on one of the trails. Whenever I would come to a crossroads, I would just go along the trail that my intuition told me to go - it was actually quite free- ing. At one point, as I was crossing a foot bridge over a ravine, I noticed a steep rocky descent to the bottom of the ravine, but it looked too dangerous for me to follow. I continued to walk across the foot bridge, but halfway across, I was compelled to go back and descend to the ravine. My fear of slipping went away as soon as I began to go downhill. When I reached the bottom, there was one of the caves. I knew it had to be one that St. Francis medi- tated in as he had described a shelf of rock inside the cave where he would sit for hours and gaze upon the cliff-side in front of him. I sat on that same rock shelf, and allowed myself to experience what he must have so many years ago.


All human beings have six psychological functions – think- ing, feeling, sensing, desire, imagination, and fi nally, intuition. Intuition will always come through one of the fi ve other functions. Many of us rely too much on the thinking function, and this is what we are most familiar with in terms of our intuition. However, this causes us to put less emphasis on the other four. When we begin to understand that intuition can be expressed along fi ve dif- ferent pathways, we begin to open up to its messages.


e all get “hits” of intuition throughout our lives, some- times in the most improbable of situations – while in the shower, thinking of other pressing things, or just sitting


Thinking Many of us get our intuition primarily through our thoughts.


We get a “hit” or insight out of the blue, oftentimes when we are busy doing other things. Unfortunately, we often ignore them, brush them off, or judge them as silly or fearful. It is when we begin to listen, to really hear that “small, still voice,” that we begin to trust in our intuition.


Feeling Our emotions can be all over the place, and it’s sometimes


diffi cult to discern fact from the fi ction we can create in our heads. However, when intuition comes through our emotions, it usu- ally comes through as a feeling that is out of the blue. Why am I suddenly feeling angry? Sad? Scared? Even happy? Look more deeply at these unexpected emotions – they may give you clues as to what’s really going on inside you.


Sensing Intuition can be a felt sense as well. We experience these as


“gut feelings,” a shiver for unknown reasons, or strange sensations passing through our body. When these happen, be open to their meaning. Check in with your other psychological functions to fi nd clues, but don’t overthink it. Or more simply, trust that the mes- sage will come to you in time.


Desire


What we desire and yearn for is just as much a part of who we are as our thoughts, feelings, and senses. Desire can drive our will to action, which can then engage all the other psychological functions. Have you ever found yourself yearning for quiet time, solitude, or some sun on a beautiful beach? These desires can of- ten be intuitive in nature, especially if they happen frequently. Pay attention to your desires, for they will tell you what you truly need. You don’t have to suddenly direct yourself to the nearest beach, but rather ask yourself what it is you need right now. We often ignore our desires and don’t look underneath at the simplicity of what we can do in the present moment to take care of ourselves.


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