Intuition And Your Mind

When it comes to intuitive development, the biggest obstacle we possibly face is our own mind. It works really, really hard to dissuade us from believing our intuitive insights. Why? Because it enjoys being in charge!

For most of our lives, our mind has been calling the shots. It has made most of our every day decisions and at least some of our life-altering choices. It entertains itself -- and us -- with planning, worrying, daydreaming and remembering. It has kept us safe, and fed, and comfortable.

Now we want to access our intuition. This means handing over at least some of our decisions and choices to our Higher Self. We want intuitive guidance to be a part of our lives, and that means calling on our spiritual resources. Our mind is entirely uncomfortable with this turn of events, especially because our Higher Self may guide us outside of our comfort zone.

Here are some of the mind's favorite tricks to keep you from accessing your intuition:

1. Forgetfulness. You mean to ask for guidance. You plan on meditating before bed. You are really committed to your intuitive development. But somehow, you forget to listen for your inner wisdom. Before you know it, a day or a week has gone by, and your intuition has fallen by the wayside.

Surrounding yourself with reminders that your intuition is an available resource is a good strategy. Place a sticky note on your bathroom mirror, or on the steering wheel of your car, reminding you to meditate or ask for guidance. Wear a piece of jewelry that reminds you to be in the present moment.

2. Doubt. Your mind will react to intuitive information by second-guessing you all the way. Even as your intuition speaks to you, your mind will tell you that you're imagining the event.

The best way to manage doubt is to acknowledge it fully. Doubt becomes more powerful when we try to fight it. So many clients I work with try to find certainty by resisting doubt, only to find their doubts strengthened. Listen to the objections of your mind, and follow your intuition anyway.

3. Procrastination. Your mind will tell you to act on intuitive guidance -- later. You file your intuitive ideas and inspiration away, thinking you'll get around to acting on them when you're less tired, less stressed, or in a better mood. Weeks or months later, you still find yourself saying "I've been meaning to . . . "

Write down intuitive information as soon as you receive it. Give yourself a few hours every week to act on this information. Schedule it in your calendar, as if you were making a date with your Higher Self.

The mind is one of our most wonderful tools. We just have to remember that it is not our master.