Intuition

Intuition has always been an intriguing topic to me. That ability to be directed from within - or from a source outside ourselves, depending on your viewpoint - is so mysterious to me. I have lived so many of my years living primarily from my logical mind, quantifying and qualifying decisions at the expense of giving in to the little feelings which were never strong enough to get my attention, that I believed that intuition was something one either had or had not. And I believed I had it not. However, I am starting to uncover my intuitive capabilities. I will discuss this more in a future blog, but for now let's talk more generally about how intuition can be developed.

One of the benefits of meditation is that in the stillness which is cultivated over time, it is not uncommon to get more in tune with one's intuition. I believe intuition is there for all of us, it is just buried in those of us who don't experience it. We need only turn inward in stillness to begin to excavate it. 

​When asked how intuition can be developed, Paramhansa Yogananda responded:

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"The best way is, every time you meditate, to sit calmly for a long time after doing the techniques. It is during this period that you will be able to deepen your awareness of God's presence within you. Go ever deeper in your enjoyment of that presence.
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​"The longer and more deeply you enjoy the peace within, the more quickly will your intuition develop."

This quote tells us that sitting in the expansion phase of meditation will naturally develop our intuition. I have been taught that additionally we can directly ask for guidance before meditation and feel within during the expansion phase for the answer. Before meditating, send out the question or situation for which you need a solution, and then let it go while you do your techniques. Then, while in expansion listen or feel internally for a response at the heart center. Be sure to stay open and receptive. Don't have one part of you searching for the solution and the other part immersed in doubt about the possibility of receiving guidance. Avoid also seeing it as a problem, but as a situation which has your solution embedded within it.

You may be able to perceive the guidance/solution in that time while you are in expansion. If you aren't sure about what you are feeling, you can try to break it down a little bit. If there are two choices, present the first choice and see what you feel. If you feel an expansion in your heart or an upward rise of energy along the spine that could be an affirmative response. Or, you could have a feeling in the tummy that you associate with your "gut instinct." If you feel your heart contract/close up and notice a downward fall of energy along the spine this could be a negative response. Present the second choice and see what your physical or energetic response is. The body gives us so many clues which are there at our disposal when we open ourselves to them.

If you aren't able to decipher the answer in the expansion phase of meditation, it may come to you in a dream later or in your waking, non-meditative time in the coming hours. You may be surprised to hear the solution come from the mouth of a stranger. The person ringing up your groceries may unexpectedly say something which crystalizes things for you. Your teachers wear many surprising masks. So, stay open, stay receptive. Know that what you seek you will find - or it will find you!