Have you ever made a quick judgment or decision based on a gut feeling? That small, still voice often defies reasoning; sometimes, you don’t know why. Nevertheless, your intuition aims to protect and guide you on a mental and spiritual level.
Although most people have intuition, it’s often difficult to describe it, says a study published by Frontiers in Psychology. Drs. Leiszle R. Lapping-Car and Christopher L. Heavy’s research found that not everyone has an inner voice. Some may only discern symbols, while others have language and symbols. It’s a way you “feel” about something without having prior knowledge.
How does your heart speak to you? Is it the same soft voice that you hear in your mind when you’re reading to yourself? Maybe you’ve known this intuitive gift since you were a child. Or, perhaps you’re unsure and want to become more familiar with that inner connection.
Whether that internal nudge is in the form of language or symbols, you’ve probably experienced it at least one time in your life. Have you ever met a person for the first time, and you instantly were repelled? They may have seemed perfectly lovely, but your gut told you that something wasn’t right about them.
That Feeling in Your Gut
As a triune being, your body, mind, and spirit connect inherently. When one is affected, the other two are also affected, be it positive or negative. So, your entire body will tune in to your internal conversation.
According to an article published by Dr. Emeran A. Mayer for the National Review of Neuroscience, there’s a reason we get these intuitive feelings in the pit of our stomachs. Emeran explains that your gut flora works in tandem with your brain in a system called the enteric nervous system. This interaction is related to higher cognition functions and possibly intuitive decisions.
It makes sense that your inner voice and your gut feelings work together for your well-being. Intuition also intertwines with your spiritual being. People who claim to have psychic abilities often describe them as sensitive to their intuition on a spiritual plane.
Intuition as an Unseen Blessing
Have you ever canceled plans to go on a trip or an event because you had an unexplained feeling? Countless people have experienced the exact intuitive directions and were glad they did. For some, following their intuition probably saved their life.
An article published by the Smithsonian shares a spine-tingling example. Legendary financier J.P. Morgan was a registered passenger for the Titanic’s maiden voyage in 1912. Instead of going, Morgan decided to stay one more day in France. Did Morgan receive an intuitive warning that saved him from one of the worst ship disasters in modern times?
Only the Universe knows what heartache and catastrophes you may have dodged in the past because you were sensitive to your heart’s voice. Some instances you soon recognized after the fact. Is there anything to this intuitive skill, or is it purely coincidence?
How Do You Recognize Your Intuition?
Have you ever reflected on a decision or judgment you made because you “felt” it was the thing to do? Then, you have a head start in understanding how your inner voice works. It doesn’t always stand up to reasoning.
Many people have a butterfly tingling in their stomach that either encourages them or serves as a warning. Others hear that small, gentle voice or see a symbol that’s instantly familiar in their minds. Maybe you’re one of the thousands who receive both intuitive sensations without warning.
The Psychic Link
Those who link their intuition with supposed psychic abilities divide these feelings according to their senses. Seeing symbols or actions before they happen is called clairvoyance or to see clearly. Clairaudience is a gift where someone hears what the spirit is saying, so it’s connected to your inner voice.
If you have clairsentience, you are so empathetic to other’s feelings that you experience them yourself. Maybe the one you’re most familiar with is claircognizance when you know something without prior knowledge.
These are spiritual definitions that many people use to describe your intuitive nature. Some people have a heightened sense of intuition, while others rarely have it. You may register anywhere on this internal spectrum.
Five Reasons Why You Should Follow Your Gut Instincts
Even the staunchest critics can’t explain the remarkable accuracy of some people’s gut feelings. Of course, we are human, and intuition can make mistakes. Doing research and making informed decisions crucial in your life is always a good idea.
However, there’s no disclaiming how countless people worldwide have listened to their inner voice and were glad they did. The more familiar you become with your intuition and using it, the more you’ll trust it. Here are five reasons why learning how to trust your gut feelings may be beneficial.
1. It Can be Your Internal Alarm System
We’ve all met new people along the way who triggered an alarm in our minds. Although they seem normal and nothing is obvious, your gut tells you to beware of these folks. Sometimes, you later discover it was only a wrong first impression and realize the new acquaintance is acceptable.
Nevertheless, evolution has equipped humans with an internal warning system for survival. Maybe there was something wrong about this person that you saw subconsciously. It’s better to be safe than sorry and listen to your gut.
The same thing applies to other decisions in your life. It could be a warning if you don’t feel right about something. You are connected to the spiritual realm that is gently guiding you. The Universe has your best interests at heart.
2. Listen to Your Body
Your body is one of the most precise engineering works in the Universe. It stands to reason that it would warn you of any imbalances or threats to your health. Every cell in your body is working together for optimal health. They often speak to you with pain or other strange sensations to get your attention.
While healthcare professionals never recommend that you self-diagnose according to your gut feelings, it’s a red flag that you should seek medical attention. Be your own most assertive advocate and talk candidly with your healthcare provider about your feelings and sensations.
3. The Positive Side of Intuition
The good news is that not all of your gut feelings are geared toward negativity or ominous warnings. Are you one of those who found your soulmate by listening to your heart? Your inner voice may often motivate you to do something new that’s worth the risk.
Intuition and creativity often combine to produce some of the most incredible art, literature, music, and inventions. The discovery of theories and laws in science and medicine started with a hypothesis or a “hunch.” When you learn to trust your inner voice, there’s no telling how your creativity may flourish.
4. You May Cope with Change Better
If we all had a choice, nobody would want change. It brings you out of your comfort zone and drives up your anxiety. However, change is necessary if you continue to grow, learn, and even live. The Universe is in a constant flux of change.
Listening to your heart may help you with these unpleasant feelings. Keeping the status quo at work may be fine, but what if your inner voice calls for a change? If you silence that voice, you may miss a lifetime opportunity.
Your gut feelings can also help you stay afloat during loss and despair. When everything negative is coming against you, it’s that gentle voice that encourages you to endure. The internal cheerleader says, “You can make it,” and “This also shall pass.”
5. It May Keep You Connected with Others
Do you connect spiritually with your lover, family, and friends? Maybe you’ve heard the plethora of stories about these bonds that transcend distance, time, and some even say death. Have you ever had an overwhelming sense that your loved one was in trouble, only to find out later that they were at that time?
The same phenomenon is often described when parents can “feel” the same pain as their children feel miles away. Although some experts may scoff, you know for yourself when you’ve experienced this internal communication.
Have you heard the phone ring and instinctively knew who was calling? These heart-to-heart connections also use your inner voice. Just because it’s unexplainable doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist for you.
Final Thoughts about Trusting Your Gut Feelings
Sometimes, you need more than reasoning for crucial decisions in your life. Don’t discount the fact that your intuition also plays a substantial role. You may not understand how it works, but you can see how it can benefit your life when you learn to trust it.
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