By Faith Spencer
“To become an expert in the intuitive process, your mind should be calm and trained to align with universal truths. Fears that contract your body’s natural sensitivity must be encouraged to surface and must then be dissolved through the kindness and understanding of your heart.” -Penney Pierce, The Intuitive Way
I learned a long time ago that taking action from a fearful state of mind doesn’t work out very well.
In the past, when things went wrong in my life, some of the panicked moves I made to fix situations only made things worse or created additional problems. For instance, I would run to practitioners to help me solve a health problem, and I’d end up with a worse problem.
To avoid further ill-advised maneuvers, I started to act on my internal guidance (otherwise known as my higher guidance) in every situation that I could.
I’ve learned ways of doing that: tuning in to what feels right inside, consciously surrendering to a higher will (including praying for guidance), paying attention to a sense of being steered throughout the day, and taking time to meditate in order to get more into the “flow” of rightful action.
I’ve become better at it over time, and I’ve had good results. By now I can say that most days, instead of forging ahead with ideas and plans, I remain open to the ways I’m being guided in each moment.
During this time of COVID-19, I am doing the same. And, I have to say, navigating in this way really allays my fears. I feel reassured by knowing that I’m staying in touch with the inner guidance system that can alert me of unsafe moves I might make and also steer me gently and definitively towards choices that are in my best interest.
Sometimes it is through the difficult times that we learn a new and better way to navigate life. “Negative” events in my life were the impetus for changing my decision-making method to a more intuitive one. Through necessity (such as, perhaps, a rampant virus), many of us may find that we need to turn away from a strictly rational and fear-based way of operating and embrace a more fluid, open-minded, intuitive way of functioning. You might say that desperation is the mother of invention!
In author Penney Pierce’s words, “With intuition, trust increases, both in yourself and others…You experience less anxiety-producing hopelessness and hopefulness about the past and the future and a more acute awareness of your surroundings. There’s more synchronicity, inspiration increases. Enthusiasm expands because when things flow, you feel happy.”
Another way to describe this way of operating comes from the metaphysical teacher and writer Florence Scovel Shinn, who published The Game of Life and How to Play It in 1925. A huge proponent of intuition, one of her affirmative statements was:
“I stand aside and let Infinite Intelligence make easy and successful my way.”
I love this statement, and I’ve found many times lately where I can stand aside.
When I received email blasts from integrative doctors with long lists of recommended virus-defense supplements, I deferred to that Infinite Intelligence. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the sheer volume of suggestions, I tuned in and noticed which ones I was particularly guided towards, and purchased those specific supplements and products. I know not everyone needs the same remedies because our bodies are all different, so I’m grateful that I’m able to tap into what is right for me and my family. Otherwise, it could get really expensive for buying everything!
I administer supplements to myself and my family members by having a quiet moment of surrender and listening. I pick up different bottles. “Does my husband need this? Does he need this?’ and I listen for what he needs at that moment. I’ve gotten used to letting myself be moved by an internal “yes” or “no.”
I feel like I am guided quite accurately, often arriving at a supplement that my conscious mind wouldn’t have chosen but which I find out in the future was exactly what he needed to support himself at that time. (There are certain things I give him regardless, like vitamin C, A and D, but I stay attuned to the moment in case I am being told “give him an extra dose” or “that isn’t needed right now.” But, of course, I stay within safe dosages.)
I know that there is a place of knowing that we can all tap into which gives us information about ourselves and our own well-being, as well as information about other people. This is proven by countless experiments that show that people can know details about distant people and even physical settings that they should not be able to know. The information is there. And some people are more gifted at receiving this information than others, but we can all learn to tune in to this “matrix” of information, or the cosmic web or Source that connects us all.
And not only are we able to know certain details accurately, but we are also aware of the danger that may be lurking (that we detect with something beyond our normal five-senses awareness). We are wired with an inborn survival mechanism. Many of us, including myself, have ignored a feeling of “warning” that was stalking us and regretted it later.
And so, I only go to the store if I feel like no part of me is in disagreement with that. And, I pay attention to the timing. If I feel like I’m getting a nudge to head out of the house right now instead of later, I go. (This is not about fear, it’s a genuine feeling of being scooted along by an invisible hand trying to move me along.)
If I were to get to the store and suddenly feel a sense come over me of, “Don’t go in,” I would turn right around and go home — or maybe to a different store.
Even a quick trip to the coffee shop can put us in proximity with just the wrong germ, so it requires another judgment call. My husband asked me to go buy him a coffee drink, and I felt like my intuition was preventing me from turning towards the place he suggested, so I let him know that and retrieved him a drink from somewhere else that the universe didn’t object to.
I’ve learned to not question “why” too much, because even though many times I end up realizing why after the fact, often I’ll never know why. When you’re committed to your intuitive guidance, you start to realize that following a “lead” that is at first nonsensical or seemingly counterintuitive will often lead to something good — or to avoiding a disaster. You just have to trust.
I jokingly call it my practice of “intuitive driving,” which my husband laughs about because sometimes you just never know where I will end up.
But I do it all, without apology: intuitive driving, intuitive shopping, intuitive eating, intuitive supplement taking. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong if you let a higher, deeper part of yourself (or part of the universe) make your choices, in a cooperative dance of sweet creation. (Some might call this following the Tao.)
If it feels right to sanitize the house, I do. If I don’t feel like it’s called for, I don’t do it. (I always sanitize when I’m outside of the house though!)
I’ve felt a peace within me during this time because I know that we are all eternal beings and that I have a special purpose, and for the fulfillment of that purpose, life is asking for me to be well and healthy. I find comfort in meditation, bringing in the light and love of God and feeling myself surrounded by this love and safety, which gives my whole system a boost.
I feel lucky to be surrounded by my sweet family and to be privileged to hang out in close proximity with people I love and feel close to. We are a cozy crew, enjoying our fireplace, board games, snuggles, movies, shows, and dinners together. Life has been simplified.
Right now, I’m pulling back and staying on the safe side. And I will do that as long as that is what I can sense is right for me. Other people may feel a different sense of what’s right for them.
And for that sense and for that knowing that we all have (if we tune in), I am forever grateful.
The other night I received a newsletter from Matt Kahn, author of Whatever Arises, Love That, and I appreciated one of his affirmative statements he offered for navigating these fearful times:
“Thank you dearest Universe. I am the vessel of your highest will. Take me, I'm yours. And so I let go. I am surrendered. Surrendered I am. And so it is.”
About the Author
Faith Spencer is a freelance writer on health, wellness, and conscious parenting. She writes a blog called www.theintuitivemom.com and lives in Helena, Montana with her soulmate and child.
