At times, life and all its choices can feel deeply confusing and overwhelming. You try to make the best decisions possible, but when a sense of clarity is missing, even logical steps can feel uncertain and anxious. So how do we make the decisions that are not just valid and “good,” but ones we can live with?
Everyone carries the natural power of intuition — that inner voice that helps us decipher right and wrong, sense good versus bad, and make decisions. Put simply, our intuition is our gut feeling, but amidst the judging voices of our peers, craze of work, and buzz of newsfeeds and social media, that intuitive power can weaken. Our intuition is still deep within our souls, just lost in the chaos and pushed aside with the demands of our socially-driven, high-tech everyday lives. We all get intuitive impulses, but from childhood we are taught to rationalize and think logically instead of acting through our own self-awareness. Yet in order for us to gain clarity and perspective for ourselves and our life paths tapping back into that power is crucial. So unplug from the real world and reconnect to that channel of consciousness already residing within you.
Journaling
One of my favorite ways to understand my inner thoughts and emotions is through journaling. “Getting real” about what’s going on with me (even if it’s just to a piece of a paper), and clearly expressing my hopes, feelings, and desires without shame gives me a better window into seeing what I want and what is right for me. Basically it breaks down to being totally open and honest with yourself, which is a lot more accessible through a personal diary than the overwhelmingly judging eyes of society.
Meditation
Clearing your mind is essential in listening to those intuitive messages and signals you already receive. To gain better perception of your intuition, awaken it through daily meditation and a quieter mind. Activate your third eye (where your intuition lies) through concentration — try focusing on a candle flame or mandala while taking slow, deep breaths. The goal here is to silence your “monkey mind” and the outside world and instead tune into your soul. You can also try meditating with crystals to help open up the energy flow. Clear, purple, violet, or indigo crystals are best known for their intuitive powers.
Sleep
Dreams open the door to our intuition, and sleep is the necessary key. Make sure you are getting at least eight to nine hours of sleep each night and that your bedroom is a center for spiritual awakening. You might want to spray an essential oil across your pillow like lavender for tranquility, place healing crystals on your nightstand, or say a prayer or chant to call upon your inner intuitive power. Make sure to keep a dream journal by your bedside and record your dreams each morning. Learn to decode your dreams through a dream dictionary or pick up on the impressions you are receiving and see if you can find a pattern in the images. Our dreams are our souls speaking to us, and discovering a similar message in the symbolism could be the answer you are looking for.
Nature
A walk in the woods or a stroll along the beach invites clarity, and as stated previously a clear, decluttered mind is vital for cultivating and maintaining our intuition. I practically live indoors so this one is definitely a toughy for my urbanite self. Yet making a little time each day for a ten-minute break in the wilderness can help quiet daily thoughts and allow for reflection and reconnection with your feelings and inner self.
The most important takeaway in gaining a greater sense of your intuition is garnering simplicity and tranquility and not getting caught up in the rush of everyday life. Take the time to focus on you — your needs and your wants — and that sacred power already possessed will guide you.
Also by Jessica: Yoga for Your Third Eye Chakra
Related: How to Live More Intuitively
Photo: lauren rushing via Flickr
