The Power of Intuitive Knowing

Lately, I’ve been wondering why most of my life I’ve been worried about talking about intuition openly when I’ve found it to be the most powerful form of knowing. More powerful than all the shiny certifications and levels of education I have combined. 

I think it’s our Western culture.

In this culture, it’s easy for intuition to be considered ‘woo-woo.’ This makes it easy to diminish, therefore dismiss. 

Why?

Because the culture is set up to keep us rushing, striving, and always being productive.

This fast-paced, noisy world prevents us from slowing down and listening to the whispers of knowing within each of us. It ensures we will continue looking outside of ourselves for answers. It keeps us distracted and disconnected.

In her course, Introduction to Intuitive Development, Cyndi Stewart, Ph.D, shares that our culture only makes it okay to talk about our intuition after the fact. 

When something went well, we can say “I had a hunch it was going to work out.” Or when something goes wrong, we can say “I had a feeling this was going to go sideways. Or “Looking back, I knew there were red flags.” 

However, it’s rare that we say, “I don’t know why but something tells me I just have to go for it/do this thing.”  Or “I have a bad feeling about this, so I’m going to pass.”

Intuition lives in our bodies, not our minds.

With a culture so obsessed with bodies but not embodiment, we stay stuck in our heads and disconnected from our body’s wisdom.

In my personal experience, I've found that logic follows intuition, not the other way around.

Our society is set up to make you think you need a culturally accepted rationale to do anything followed by several levels of permissions and approvals, pending your 5-year plan with specific steps to reach each goal along the way. This is especially true for women.

Once we’ve locked into our approved plan and illusion of control, we shove down any cues from our intuition that we are off course. We stuff them and stay on the pre-planned, well-worn path because it can feel scary to venture into the unknown and unfamiliar to blaze our own trail.

However, when you're following your intuition and trusting the unfolding, you simply need to say “I’m drawn to this thing, I can’t quite explain it.” And the good news is that you don’t have to explain it. You just do it and see what happens next. 

These don’t need to be big leaps but simply to have enough presence to listen to and acknowledge the whispers from intuition, then follow the  little clues of curiosity, and have just enough courage to tip-toe in the direction of these nudges. I call these tiny actions “Breadcrumbs Back to Yourself,” 

Following these breadcrumbs helps you practice tuning inward toward your dreams and desires and prepares you for when bigger decisions come your way. 

So, if this is so powerful, then why aren’t we taught to access and trust this inner knowing?

Because it threatens a culture of control where it’s more convenient when you’re practical and predictable. 

The current culture doesn’t want you to follow your inner knowledge, because it makes you wild and free instead of obeying all the “shoulds” which leads to what Elizabeth Gilbert calls  “an exhausted, resentful martyr.” I’ve known this feeling and way of being all too well, and I think you might too.

Instead, when you follow your inner wisdom, you start living from an energized place of empowerment, embodiment, and enchantment where you don’t need to seek permission and approval. You lead from expansive, connected, creative possibilities rather than scarcity-fueled competition. 

This gives others permission to do the same. 

I believe that when enough people do this, it leads to the collapse of oppressive systems. 

In my experience, deep knowing feels like calm, confident, clarity. I believe it improves all aspects of wellbeing. As you follow your intuition it brings about joy, delight, ease, connection, and belonging. Because when you belong to yourself while you take steps toward your longing, you create the conditions for belonging along the way. 

This creates a new culture that improves collective wellbeing for all. 

I want to live in a world where everyone is free to be their full self and is supported in designing a life aligned with their dreams. I know that each of you are doing work in your corners of the world and in your spheres of influence to make this a reality. And for that, I thank you!