What is intuition? According to Wikipedia, ‘Intuition is the ability to acquire knowledge without recourse to conscious reasoning.’ I am sure different people have different interpretations but it’s probably safe to say that it’s basically some form of ‘knowledge’ without the need to think.
It’s usually a quiet force rather than a something emotional. Sometimes we just know, sometimes it’s more subtle. But without focusing too much on what it is and the nitty-gritty, I think intuition is a great ability to have as it helps us navigate the world better. I’d like to discuss and share what I have learnt about intuition recently.
In one of his recent podcasts, Ken Honda talked about intuition and how we can all become more intuitive. First of all, the good news is that everyone can become intuitive. Or rather, we already have all the necessary tools to be intuitive. Intuition (in the form of ideas and messages) is simply something that’s available to everyone and the main thing is whether we are receptive enough or not.
He also said that intuition is more about living a happier and more exciting life rather than avoiding risks. It’s more about going after what we truly want and less about not having any challenges at all. When we feel an inner excitement about something, we should act on it as it may lead us to a path that is truly rewarding.
Here are the 5 ways we could become more intuitive (according to Ken):
Become Aware Of Intuition
Becoming aware of intuition itself is the first step to become more intuitive. This means we should be mindful about the potential of intuition whenever we can. This is a bit like turning the intuition switch from ‘off’ to ‘on’.
Practise YES Or NO
Practise saying yes or no to things as often as possible. We don’t necessarily need to utter out the words or be at odds with people, it’s simply something we can quietly tell ourselves. It could be as simple as choosing what we want to eat or what we want to do. There is no right or wrong answers, the key is to make quick decisions. With practice, we should be able to quickly say yes or no to any situation and this is also the gateway to intuition.
Pay Attention To Our Surroundings
In our daily lives, there is a constant flow of information that surrounds us and the next phrase or word we see or hear could actually be a hint that tells us the best course of action to take. Whether it’s about something we have been pondering or other big decisions. It makes a lot of sense to pay attention to our surroundings and be receptive to potential ‘hints’.
Sharpen Our Senses
Sharpening our senses so that we can become more receptive to things. There are many many ways to practise this skill. We can practise this through meditation or yoga, or activities that will allow us focus on something without being distracted by hundreds of other trivial things. Appreciating beauty in our everyday life is also a great way to sharpen our senses. Cooking and gardening are also very good activities to cultivate the senses.
Act On It Immediately
When we get a message or an idea that we feel is intuition, act on it immediately. This will help us become better at distinguishing between intuition and emotion. Furthermore, it will enhance the whole intuition experience. We don’t want a message to go waste without giving it a try.
Like with many things, the more we practise, the more well-versed we become in that subject. We may not get it immediately but that’s OK. Some trial and error is expected. Intuition may sound like a vague ability, but the ability to make right decisions (not necessarily correct or incorrect decisions, but selecting what’s best for us) is something worth mastering.