Thinking Intuition

      I originally wrote this blog for the Fem Central Blog. It has also been featured on The New Age Journal

The Thinking Intuitive

 In my work as a professional intuitive I have discovered that intuition surfaces in four primary ways, through our emotions, our spirit, and the physical body and through the mind. I call these different intuitive modalities your intuitive type. You are most likely a combination of two or more primary types. (In my book, Discover Your Psychic Type there is a quiz that will help you to decipher your intuitive strengths and weaknesses).

A mental intuitive absorbs intuitive energy through thoughts, instantaneous knowing, quick insight and through understanding systems and patterns. They are often naturally telepathic, which is the ability to tune into the thoughts of another or a group. Their spiritual path is that of consciousness and mindfulness.

Quite often mental intuitives do not recognize their intuitive instincts as anything other than their own thinking. Because their intuition surfaces through ideas, understanding systems and insight, they will often be found in such fields as science, medicine, technology and cutting edge research, innovation and invention.  They love to intuit, but they do not always recognize their own often insightful exacting intuitive ability. I love it that Steven Jobs of Apple computers and clearly a mental intuitive has claimed intuition as a strong and valuable asset. Of intuition he said: “Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drowned your own inner voice. And most important have the courage to follow your heart and intuition they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Recognizing and then encouraging your natural intuition will empower you to make the best use of it. The mental intuitives biggest challenge is to differentiate between the constant mental chatter of the thinking brain and the insightful flow of unbiased clear intuition. Begin the process by making the assumption that you are intuitive. The simple intent of acceptance will save you much time and effort, over-thinking and guessing as to whether or not you are intuitive. Mental intuitives have the tendency to over –think and get bogged down in inner arguments and intense focus.  Attempting to figure out and logically discern intuitive thoughts just doesn’t work.  Instead, a relaxed, lucid, even day- dreamy imaginative thought flow is the optimum state to achieve. Find something that soothes the brain. Some find that listening to music, exercising, especially running and swimming, driving through the countryside, doing mundane physical tasks, such as mowing the lawn, folding the laundry, creative activity such as painting, gardening, anything that gives your mind something to focus on without over-thinking, helps. While your brain is busy your intuition will take this as an opportunity to sneak into your consciousness. You may have had this experience. We often call it an ahha moment when out of seemingly nowhere we receive an answer or understanding that has previously eluded us. 

The obvious activity that many people “think” should work and be helpful is meditation. While meditation has many benefits and certainly the ability to tune into your intuition is one of them, all too often, people expect too much and put pressure on themselves to quickly achieve a calm clear mind. Unfortunately instead of peace this only promotes frustration and stress, not exactly what you were aiming for.  If you regularly meditate or you find that you can easily achieve a quiet receptive state by all means jump in, if not, know that there are other ways to tune within and receive intuitive information.

                The next step is to be become aware of the difference between your intuition and your thinking mind. Unlike the chattering of endless thoughts, intuitive knowing is awareness that emerges as a cohesive whole. It is not a step by step logical process. You simply know. This knowing may be accompanied by a slight or sometimes pronounced, buzz of energy or tingling sensation. With your intuition there will be a moment, when you simply know that a thought or insight is true and authentic. I give readings most days of the week for people all over the world and I have been doing this for many years. Yet, almost every day I receive information that surprises me. This is another common indicator that you are receiving intuitive information. You will be surprised and even a bit jolted by a new insight. The thinking mind can only tell you what it knows. It will feed you information based on your beliefs, past experiences, judgments, biases and education. Your intuition could care less if you believe or trust what it broadcasts your way.  Even if you reject an intuitive knowing as impractical nonsense it will return and persist.

This brings us to the next step. The art of developing a receptive and open mind and learning how to simply listen without letting the thinking brain take over. When you feel you are receiving intuitive information or are not sure but suspect it is possible, stop and listen.  Not so easy for the mental intuitive. The mental intuitive’s brain at work might look like a house overly decorated with streaming flashing lights at Christmas. You know the ones where people come from miles around to view and marvel at the time, expense and sanity of those who devote their lives to creating the visual wonder. Instead of lighting up all of your circuits, pull back, take a deep breath, and listen.  Train your brain to accomplish this and you will soon be amazed at your intuitive capabilities. Think of yourself as a reporter covering a story. Your job is to listen and if possible write down what you receive. That’s it. Do not try to figure it out, understand the why, when, how and who. Just accept what you receive in its entirety. You can at a later time let loose the thinking brain and let it mull over what it is that you have intuited.

Okay, mental intuitive, you are well armed (or at least beginning steps armed).  Boldly intuit the stuff that we need figured out. You are our tough-minded, solution seeking, discoverers, writers, liberators, cutting edge inventors and creators. The world needs you just about now.