How to develop your Intuition

4 Keys to developing your intuition in service to spiritual awakening.

Here are some insights into what it takes to develop your intuition in a way that serves your true self. I’ve worked with these insights for over three decades and extracted 4 Keys from Wisdom Well Meditation dialogues for you here.

I’m so grateful for this work, intuition has given me everything I value in my life which is why I care about sharing these teachings and have had the privilege of teaching many thousands the keys of: “How to develop your intuition.”

How to develop your intuition using 4 key teachings

Now I teach master coaches in my Intuition online course how to coach themselves and others to use these methods, here they are for you.

1. Attention
2. Intention
3. Open Closed
4. Translation

#1 Attention

Attention is the most important key to developing intuition.

Wherever our attention is, that’s what we are tuned into intuitively.

• If our attention is on a loved one, we are tuned into that loved one.
• If our attention is on a stranger, we are tuned in to that stranger.
• If our attention is on a memory, we are tuned into that memory.

Our nervous system and body will respond to the information that we are tuned into.

So learning to be mindful of where our attention is, is a critical key to developing intuition. And of course if we are interested in finding and realizing the true self we need to learn to tune into the true self.

If you are asking “How to still a busy mind?” hoping that a still mind is a key to developing your intuition, then read on… the good news is you don’t need to still your mind to find inner wisdom.

#2 Intention

“Intention” is how you direct attention and choose what to tune into intuitively.

What I mean by intention, is a silent inner decision, it is an act of will.

I don’t mean thoughts and desires, these belong on the surface of the mind.

Intention, is deeper. It sits in the fabric of reality. Which is why when intention is aligned with the highest will of reality — intention can lead to miracles of manifestation.

Try this simple mindfulness exercise to understand the difference between thoughts and pure silent intention.

• Hold up your left hand and decide at the deepest level to keep it still. 
• Then think thoughts like, “Move hand!”
• If your intention which is silent has decided to keep the hand still, no amount of thoughts or words will get your hand moving.

Intention, pure silent intention is far more subtle than attention.

Pure silent intention directs attention.

Most of the time attention is moved by life’s survival demands. When a loud noise occurs, our attention moves to listening to make sure that the body is safe.

In an average day, most people find their attention moving randomly according to the loudest most demanding sensory information. Sometimes on the loudest thoughts, sometimes on the most dramatic sounds, smells, sights, tastes and feelings.

I discovered very early guided by intuitive wisdom to quieten my body and mind so that I could sense both intention and attention.

Realizing that intention could move attention, helping me to consciously choose what I was tuned into, was life-changing for me.

Empaths are subject to a massive emotional bandwidth, tuned in to pretty much everyone and anyone. This pushed me into deeper introversion, and denied my apple tree the full expression of its purpose.

By learning to direct attention, by using pure silent intention, I was able to navigate what intuitive radio stations I was tuned into. To my amazement, I discovered that life and people were like orchestral symphonies, I could choose whether to tune in to the violins or the drums, to their pain or their peaceful essence — their truth.

By developing my intuition in a way that allowed me to tune in to my own truth and the truth of others, to the true self, I was finally able to be in the world more. Because this radio station, the radio station of truth feels like love, peace and a deep contentment.

The radio station of truth feels like love, peace and contentment.

Sometimes when the world seems crazy, and when the systems of global governments, health systems, religious systems, educational systems, financial systems all seem to be crumbling I can forget.

I start tuning into the chaos and the insanity. The suffering that this causes is a quick reminder to tune in deeper, to tune in to truth.

I’d love to teach you how to tune in intuitively to truth.

The more people that are able to use their intention and attention, to consciously tune in intuitively to the truth, to the open pure wholeness of the true self, the more we can offer humanity a song of freedom and healing.

#3 Open Closed

Use your intuitive compass for truth.

So how can we tell the difference between the intuitive voice of truth and the false voice of the ego? How do we discern deep wisdom from surface chatter?

Fortunately, our bodies are sacred instruments of truth.

When we tune in to something deeply true, the response in our nervous system is to create the feeling of opening, of space.

Sometimes this can be a great relief to a body burdened by endlessly tuning in to what is false.

When we tune into a thought that is distorted, untrue or false, the response in our nervous system is to create the feeling of closing, of heaviness and contractions.

This causes stress and suffering to the body and mind. 

So never mind that our bodies and minds are greatly affected by nutrition, lifestyle, sleep deprivation, the demands of living in a crazy world; added to this, if our attention is always on untrue thoughts, we suffer even more.

Using my “open closed” teaching together with training attention and pure intention, will give you a way to develop your intuition as a compass of truth, to find your true self, to get to know your true self and to live an enlightened wisdom-led life.

Start noticing when your body responds with heaviness and contraction.

• Spot what thoughts and ideas your attention is on. 
• Test various beliefs and thoughts by tuning into them by noticing the response in the body.
• Sit quietly and hold a thought in focus, a thought perhaps like, “I am not worthy.” Notice the response in your body.
• Within moments, you might easily feel the heavy contraction. This is the body’s way of telling you that this thought is not true.

Test your thoughts. Don’t swallow them whole.

Compare one thought to another.

Find the words that open; those reflect the wisdom of true seeing and true being.

• In a meditative, mindful way, call upon the thought, “I am.” With no qualifications or defining words, “I am.” — as in I exist.
• This is the most fundamental truth. You exist.

Most of my students, when tuned in to this thought, describe relief, peace and openness. These responses tell us we are tuned in to something true.

It’s true – you exist.

Now, what you truly are can be discovered. You can discover that you are pure awareness, always whole, always free.

Ultimately, the enlightened truth is that what we truly are is the most open openness.

We are the truth that we seek.

#4 Translation

This is learning the skill of turning silence and knowing into words.

Truth is silent.

It doesn’t have language.

All who have used their intuition to delve deeply into the territory of wisdom know this. And when they embody this knowing, they transmit this truth through their very presence.

The knowledge of life is not written in human languages.

Wisdom is prior to words.

Then our job is to learn to translate subtle knowing into conscious language.

Words will always fail.

If we expect to find the perfect words to articulate and express wisdom, true seeing and true being, we will always be disappointed and frustrated.

I used to feel this way. What I felt intuitive was impossible to put into words, so I thought I should give up and remain silent. 

Fortunately, wisdom showed me that it was appropriate to do my best and intuitively find “good enough” words of wisdom.

Once you learn to pay attention to attention, to direct intuitive attention by using pure intention, and once you practice telling the difference between what opens and closes the body energetically, you can add this fourth skill, translation.

If you remain humble to being fallible and truly accept that words will always be flawed, you can find great joy in creatively expressing intuitive truth.

That is my wish for you, to share the joy of this — of learning to translate the silent wisdom of true seeing and being into the language of life.

How to develop your intuition to use it daily?
A Wisdom Well meditation journal.

MIND: How does intuition work?

WISDOM: Wherever your attention is, you are tuned into intuitively. This is why it is essential to pay attention to attention.

Most people aren’t conscious of where their attention is or of what attention is. For most, attention is moved by the most demanding sensory call, like the loudest thought or the most painful sensation.

This is why there is so much suffering. Attention is jammed on the radio stations of the most demanding sensory call, which is usually in service to biological survival and not to wisdom.

So first, notice “attention” and then notice where it’s tuned in to.

MIND: How can I do this, noticing?

WISDOM: Learn to discern the difference between the senses and attention; they are not the same.

Notice you can move attention between the senses; you can call attention to any sense. So attention is before and independent of the senses.

Think of attention as the focal point of and in awareness. You can call or guide attention to notice what you are seeing, and when you do this, you get more information from sight. Yes?

MIND: Yes.

WISDOM: If you call attention to sound, you notice sounds more acutely. You are tuned in to listening. It is the same for physical sensations. One can practice these as exercises.

MIND: Why do most people miss out on the more subtle intuitive insights available?

WISDOM: Most are only tuned in to thoughts and the physical senses.

They don’t realize that they have access to a universal library of knowledge —and intuition is your library card; it’s the way you get knowledge.

They miss out on their intuition because they are tuned into “THOUGHT FM.” The mind is the software that translates knowledge.

The knowledge of life is not in English or any language of the mind; it is prior to words.

The mind is the translator.
Most are tuned into the translator and miss the original language of life. 

To tune into the original language of life, to wisdom, seek the subtle.

Then translate this into words.

Whatever attention is on, your nervous system is tuned into that, and it will respond.

Learn to use attention, intention, open and closed, and finally become skilled at translating subtle intuitive wisdom into words. That is the path to developing your intuition for wisdom. 

SUMMARY OF HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR INTUITION

Here are some practical tips to tune in to your intuition for wisdom.

#1 Understand the mechanics of intuition.

Firstly, it is helpful to understand the mechanics of natural intuition.

1. Focus Attention

Attention determines what you are tuned into. Attention is prior to the senses; you can tune in to any physical or subtle sense and to thoughts, memories, emotions and physical sensations.

• If you have Attention on a thought, you are tuned in to that thought.
• If you have Attention on your left foot, you are tuned in to your left foot.
• If you have your Attention on your friend, you are tuned in to your friend.

Attention is not as limited as the physical senses are. Attention is free to roam the library of life, to access knowledge beyond the physical senses. This is why it is natural for a person to be able to know when a loved one is suffering without any obvious way of knowing.

Attention is not bound to the limitations of space and time.

Learning to consciously direct Attention is a key intuitive skill. Noticing what your Attention is naturally drawn to is also helpful.

It’s not helpful to force this process.

“Trying” and “force” are counter productive. If I tell you not to put your attention on your left foot, but only on your right foot, notice how quickly your attention goes to your left foot!

Discipline and force are counterproductive. Rather use sincere interest or light curiosity.

 2. Silent Intention

“Intention” directs Attention.

“Intention” is more subtle than intention.

I use the words’ silent intention’ to not confuse “Intention” with desire or thoughts.

“Intention” is so subtle it can be missed. If you set a silent intention to focus your Attention on your foot, you’ll be able to tune in to your foot, receiving more information about your foot, both gross and subtle.

Practicing to set intentions and direct attention is the cornerstone of training your intuition. You can tune in intuitively to anyone and anything regardless of space and time.

Now lastly is the skill of translating intuitively received knowledge.

3. Translating skill

Think of the universe as a library of knowledge.

Every plant, every soul, every atom is a form of knowledge. This knowledge is not in the form of English or any human language.

You are tuning in all of the time, but it is only by developing the skill of translating this knowledge that you can become fully conscious of the knowledge.

Attention is your universal library card, intention determines which volumes of knowledge you are accessing and translating is how you read the knowledge.

Intuitive knowledge is subtle. Translating it into words and images into understanding takes practice. And you must understand that no translation is ever perfect. And yet, it is honourable and right to do your best.

What helps to translate intuitive knowledge is…

• First starting with a blank canvas; in other words, tune in to your own body first and get into a relatively peaceful fear-free state. 
• Set an intention to tune in to something simple to start with. Don’t start with complex or emotionally charged topics. Practice with a few easier topics to warm up before looking into anything with emotional charge or complexity.
• Ask open questions, not closed (yes/no answer questions).
• Questions that I find very helpful for intuitive exploration include, “What do I need to see here?”, “What is the deeper truth here?”
• Closed questions like, “What is the right thing to do?” are not helpful because the question is flawed at the deepest level of truth. There is no “right” pain-free path.
• Prioritize feeling and knowing rather than mental visuals or thoughts.
• Notice the body’s subtle open or closed feeling first as a baseline.
• Don’t push for details, don’t push or try. Open, intend and allow general impressions to come through first.
• Instead of feeling like you are ‘creating’ ideas, intuition works well when you let ‘ideas come to you.‘
• Your body will receive impressions before your mind can translate the knowledge into words, so it can help to ask yourself, “If this feeling was a body posture, what would that body posture be?” You might even want to make the body posture or imagine it.
• Ask, “If this feeling could talk, what might it say?” then let words flow.
• Start with letting your imagination run, don’t sensor or edit. Like opening a tap, let your intuitive impressions flow. 
• Start writing down or drawing your impressions, and don’t stop thoughts even if they seem strange or wrong. Writing helps to crystallize intuitive impressions. Doodling can also assist.

By using this guidance, with patience and practice, you can develop your intuition and tell the difference between knowledge that arises in service to the ego or wisdom that liberates.