The Power of Intuition: Listening to Your Feelings
by One of the most effective weapons in the human arsenal is intuition, our basic instincts; however it is often the least relied on in times of danger, and when exigent decisions are mandatory. I believe this is true, often to our detriment.
Recently, I received an email from a friend that was a list of safety tips especially good for women. I, in turn shared them with my friends. In a preface to the tips I said … “Don’t let your intellect block your instincts.” Meaning, don’t talk yourself out of something you feel. What I was talking about is using your intuition.
That admonition started me thinking about the importance of intuition or instincts, but how little attention we pay to them. Unless we’ve been in a situation where our instincts saved us from something horrific, or prevented us from making a really big mistake, we rarely even think about the role it plays, or should play in our lives.
What is Intuition
Comprehension without effort of reasoning. Instinctive knowledge. The state of being aware of or knowing something without having to discover or perceive this.
In short, intuition doesn’t come about as the result of any particular processes … it just is. It’s not something that makes you think as much as it’s something that makes you act. Not that thinking isn’t involved … after all, intuition can direct us to think a certain way about something; and that can lead to an action.
Many times, I believe we actually think intuition to death
“That’s just my imagination. No body’s following me.” Not that it’s always appropriate to follow your feelings rather than your mind, but at least acknowledge your feelings and if it’s compelling ask yourself why.
Instinct, which has been around since the dawn of man was probably a reliable source of survival for cavemen … especially against ravenous dinosaurs. It seems, however that the more scientifically advanced we become , the less intuitive we become as we rely more on our things and less on ourselves.
Intuition as a Deterrent to Violence & Crime
There is more discussion of intuition today, I believe in large part because of the increase of crime in modern society. There are many books written on the subject, such as Gavin De Becker’s, The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us From Violence.
In an excerpt from the book, De Becker tells the true story of a young woman who allows a nice looking, friendly young man to help bring some heavy bags of groceries to her apartment door. Once at the door, he insists on taking them on inside for her. Against her better judgment (and instincts), she allows him to come inside.
Three hours later, after raping the young woman the predator assures her he isn’t going to hurt her; tells her to stay where she is, and goes into the kitchen.
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Post Commentvanessa
On September 7, 2008 at 1:16 am
Really enjoyed what is written here and believe to be very true. I have had many experiences where my intuition was there all along. For some reason I have never believed in myself enough, and now I know that I must listen to my intuition. I have been lucky so far, that I am still here.
claudette
On September 17, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Sorry, I just read your comment. I know just what you mean when you say you’re lucky you’re still here. One of the personal incidents … when I actually listened to my intuition was life threatening. So, like you, I feel lucky to still be around. I learned from those events. Today, I rarely even question why I’m feeling something; it’s enough that I’m feeling it.
RJ
On April 19, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Interesting conclusion.
I also think that the intuition is the gateway, the ear to the Father. However you describe it; it is the power of our unconscious past experiences bundled into ‘predicting’ a certain specific occurence and tells you whether it would be a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ decision to go along with it.
Claudette Jones
On April 19, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Thanks for your comment RJ. Actually we’re on the same page. I do believe intuition is our connection to the Father, and this is His way of helping us. In the above article, in the fourth paragraph from the bottom, I say:
“One of the reasons I feel intuition is so important is because it is divine. Our Father is trying to help us …”
But, yes when it is decisions we’re trying to make, we must use past experiences AND intuition as a guide. I’m saying don’t discount what we’re feeling in favor of what we’re thinking.