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Intuition: The Rite of Passage
Friday, 20 March 2009 16:13 Last Updated on Friday, 20 March 2009 16:33
In my opinion, this is the most important segment in my book. Discerning between “intuition” and “paranoia” is crucial for the grandest self‐love and for making the biggest contribution. Most people do not know how to distinguish between the two. Million‐dollar deals are made based on gut. There may be left‐brained, analytical people out there but, when it comes down to signing on the dotted line, it is often done solely based on gut. My intuition is my friend.
Intuition--a sense of knowing immediately without reasoning; a total knowing, without doubt or internal argument; a reaction to a situation not based on knowledge about a person, but purely on a gut feeling; a sixth sense; a gut instinct
Listening to my inner voice is about my emotional guidance system intertwined with my values.
What messages is my body sending me? What do they feel like? Are they butterflies, fight or flight, projectile vomiting, pins and needles all over or the emotion I have after recalling a dream?
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Do I have the same familiar feeling I once had in a particular circumstance that went to hell in a hand basket?
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Do I feel confident and centered? Do I feel strong and willful?
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Do I feel deflated or ignited in the presence of this person?
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Might I be actualizing my passions in an unhealthy way?
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Do I feel respected in the presence of this person? ☼ Am I listening with my eyes and heart along with my ears?
Paranoia--delusional fear for oneself; imagination of things or responses based on what one thinks they know about a person; extreme and irrational fear or distrust of others; a tendency to look for hidden meaning behind other people's actions through argumentativeness, complaining and low tolerance for criticism
When I am in a place of doubt, is it based on an intuitive hit or am I being paranoid? This is the time to question my values and my truths.
- Is this the same “feeling” as the one I had in that previous disastrous or victorious situation?
- What is the most loving choice to make now?
- Of what about myself am I certain?
This is the time I go within and meditate (be quiet), asking myself these questions and allowing the answers to show up. The answers may be in the form of words through a conversation that has nothing to do with my situation, such as a song or a coyote appearing in the middle of the road while I am driving.
At times, I call upon my “red flag raisins” (a “raisin” is a friend who raises the red flag for me when they see one). We have an open agreement in which they are allowed to lovingly and compassionately share any red flags they see with me. While it is beneficial to surround myself with likeminded people to be my mirror and help me tell myself the truth, only I know my truth . . . no one else.
Trusting My Gut
Last year, I was training and raising money for Inside Out Community Arts by way of cycling in the Los Angeles Marathon. I put forth the fundraising letter to many people and trained regularly. A week before the marathon, I was still hesitant to tune up my bike, which was out of character for me not to be all prepared. Right in the middle of a coaching call, I remembered this prominent message: “Do not bike the Los Angeles marathon!” This message was accompanied by a heavy feeling, like carrying a big rock on my shoulders. That was it. No facts, data, nothing.
I immediately went into guilt and shame over breaking a huge commitment to myself and to those who were supporting this venture. From that, I spent a few days letting it all sink in, asking a few friends for advice. One friend advised me to bike the marathon and suggested that my gut feeling was probably fear or stress. The other friends encouraged me to follow my gut. I reluctantly followed my gut, knowing that disappointment and distance may fall upon those who were supporting me. My other top concern was fear of people wanting data, facts and reasons, and I just didn't have them. I only had my gut instinct!
One day, I planned to visit a friend whose girlfriend just moved to Los Angeles. Her son, Aiden, was visiting and I was anxious to meet him and see their new abode.
When I awoke that morning, I had a strong gut instinct not to drive on the highway. I called my friend and told him. “Hey Bob. I'm really bummed out. I got this strong gut
feeling not to drive on the highway, so I'm going to follow that and not visit you today. I'll make it a point to visit with Aiden when he comes to town again, so keep me posted on his next visit.” Here, I shared only my intuition and made a suggestion. No story, data or feeling. Stating my intention was unnecessary and quite obvious. The very next day, I headed up north toward the poppy fields in Lancaster, and my car broke down on the freeway. Luckily, I safely made my way over four lanes, and a police officer showed up shortly afterwards. He stayed with me for the entire hour while I waited for the tow truck.
“Me with Me” ~ Chapter Five, Raising My Consciousness