This article is based on our podcast episode, Being an Empowered Empath Series. Listen to the full episode here.
Takeaway: Everyone has intuitive abilities, but not everyone knows how to recognize and trust them. Learn how to distinguish between true intuition and fear, develop your natural intuitive gifts, and build trust in your inner knowing.
Do you ever get gut feelings? Do you sometimes just know something with no logical reasoning? Does something ever just feel right to you? These moments of inner knowing aren't coincidence or imagination—they're your intuition at work.
Perhaps you've had an uneasy suspicion that a friend is lying to you, or maybe a new opportunity has made your heart flutter with an inexplicable certainty. No matter how it speaks to you, intuition is real and accessible to everyone. Think of it as your spiritual compass, always pointing you in the right direction when you're open and willing to listen.
What Is Intuition Really?
Whether you call it intuition, sixth sense, inner voice, instinct, or Divine Mind, this ability goes beyond conscious reasoning. It bridges the gap between your conscious and unconscious mind, moving past logic and physical senses into the heart space.
While modern science recognizes intuition—attributing it to the brain's right hemisphere, hippocampus, and the gut's network of neurotransmitters—its true nature runs deeper. Yes, there's compelling research showing how the gut creates those famous "gut feelings," but intuition manifests in many ways that science can't fully explain.
Your intuition might speak to you through:
Visual images in your mind
Specific colors
Physical sensations
Emotional signals
Inner or outer voices
Deep knowing
Dreams or visions
Understanding Fear vs. Intuition
One of the biggest challenges in developing intuition is learning to distinguish it from fear. Here's how they differ:
Intuition feels like:
A soft whisper
Gentle certainty
Calm patience
Clear knowing without judgment
Simple directness
Fear feels like:
Harsh urgency
Chaotic thoughts
Overwhelming pressure
Critical judgment
Circular thinking
Building Trust in Your Intuition
If you struggle to trust your intuitive hits, know that you're not alone. Self-doubt often stems from past experiences where others taught us to distrust our instincts. Parents, authority figures, or partners might have dismissed our feelings, leading us to question our inner knowing.
Here are ways to rebuild that trust:
Practice Body Awareness When you receive an intuitive nudge, resist the urge to intellectualize it. Instead:
- Close your eyes
- Take deep breaths
- Notice physical sensations
- Stay with the feeling
Ask Yourself:
- What am I feeling in my body?
- What feels off or significant?
- Is this message coming from my heart or my head?
- What is my inner voice trying to communicate?
Create Sacred Space
- Set aside quiet time for inner listening
- Remove distractions
- Allow yourself to be still
- Practice regular mindfulness
The Connection to Sensitivity
If you're highly intuitive, you might also be an empath or highly sensitive person. This sensitivity can be both a gift and a challenge. When overwhelmed by energy, you might struggle to distinguish your intuitive voice from external noise.
The journey from feeling overwhelmed to empowered involves:
Learning to manage your sensitivity
Setting healthy energetic boundaries
Distinguishing your energy from others
Staying open while maintaining protection
Trusting your inner guidance
Moving Forward with Your Gifts
Remember that awakening your intuition is a journey, not a destination. Every time you listen to and act on your inner knowing, you strengthen this natural ability. With practice, you'll develop a clearer understanding of how your intuition communicates with you.
Want to develop your intuitive gifts further? I help people worldwide trust their bodies, embrace their sensitivities, and open up their intuition. It's time to overcome doubt and embrace your intuition once and for all! Learn more about spiritual life coaching here.
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