Intuition Can Be Freaky
One particularly complex topic we covered in yoga teacher training is the concept of intuition. It is typically defined as “ability to sense or know immediately without reasoning” (wikipedia). I define it pretty much that same way, as a type of “knowing”…but this knowing is one that is not informed by research/intellect, nor do I feel it comes from the heart. So it’s not a “knowing” based on: “I feel in my heart this is right” or “Based on the facts I researched, this seems like the decision to make”. Intuition, to me, is in some freaky place that doesn’t exist in the heart or the mind. It is a type of knowledge that just IS, somehow. It is an instinct or hunch that I don’t necessarily think is driven by heart or mind.
The increased intensity/frequency of my practice along with meditation has really brought intuition to the forefront for me, and sometimes it can be scary. For example, a few weeks ago I had a job offer for a 6 month contract job that paid well; I also liked the company that was hiring me. However, there were many things I did not like about the job: the commute, the context of what I was working on. So from an emotional standpoint I let my heart speak to me about what it disliked about the situation. My intellectual mind also stated its case: “the job market is tough, this is only 6 months, everything you work on always enriches you.” Eventually heart and mind agreed to take the job. I met with the company the first day to get the full history of the project and work left to do. We had a positive, productive day and I more or less verbally agreed to move forward. The rest of 2009 was “figured out” for me and I would be OK financially and would gain some good professional contacts, new knowledge. However, I went home that night and to bed, and once I had quieted my mind and heart, what I can only describe as an unseen force of some kind very loudly and clearly gave me the message that I should not move forward. I struggled against this notion all night, as my heart and mind had voiced their points of view and came to a agreement. I dismissed this as “new job jitters” but this unseen force, this intuition persisted. I never ended up getting to sleep the whole night, this “hunch” to decline on the job was that strong. I called the company the next day to explain regretfully that I did not feel the timing or project was quite right for me. It was rather embarrassing and fortunately for me, they were good people about it.
Now that I have seen some amazing opportunities that have opened up for me in only two weeks since that incident, I now keep wondering if intuition is something beyond just a “hunch”. What if it is a collective consciousness, energy or benevolent force in of itself that we just aren’t able to totally comprehend or define? I feel that “something” was trying to steer me in the right direction, to give the courage to wait for these much better opportunities.
Would love to hear anyone else’s stories in this realm. I can definitely say my intuitive sensibilities are cranked up to a new level with my practice. Is intuition inherently trustworthy? Can it become “too sensitive”? I can say I’m very grateful for it, whatever it is exactly.
McKenna Rowe is the Founder of Chakra 5 Mobile Yoga, an experienced team of corporate yoga instructors that provides mobile yoga classes on location and by appointment at businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. Call us to start your corporate wellness program today: 310-853-3885.