Body & Soul with Gail Harris

Health and Hunches:
10 Tips to Unlock Your Intuition

"Trying to sort of make your intuition happen is like holding a gun to a flower and commanding it to grow. And it makes about as much sense. I think if you take it out of the end of the spectrum that makes people think this is weird, this is special, this is something I can't do and bring it into the realm of every person, it's really a quality of heightened presence, awareness, finally tuned perception, and being more in touch with yourself. And there are lots of very simple ways to help yourself do that. For instance, you can just start noticing the times when you had a hunch or you had an idea and it turned out to be true."
These are the words of Belleruth Naparstek, psychotherapist, intuitive, and author of Your Sixth Sense: Unlocking the Power of Your Intuition. To develop your own intuitive powers she recommends these 10 practices.

Meditate regularly to clear and still your mind and to focus your awareness. Lovingkindness (metta) meditation and heart-opening guided imagery are especially powerful and trustworthy ways to expand intuitive ability.
Exercise regularly to ensure a fit body for handling the increased energy that moves through your system when you do intuitive work.
Create sacred space. Either set aside a special area of your home or office in which to practice intuition exercises, or establish a ritual surrounding your time of seeking intuitive guidance.
Set your intention on opening to intuition in a trustworthy, respectful way that is focused on service, not power.
Test your intuitive ability on things that don't matter, like predicting which bank teller will open up next, or who's calling on the phone. When there's no pressure to perform, abilities open up.
Keep track of how your body feels when you get an accurate intuitive hit. How does that differ from the feeling of a "miss"?
Keep a journal of intuitive experiences, recording your daily hits and misses. You'll start to see patterns, what time of day or month your intuition is enhanced; how diet, emotions, geographic location--even the company you keep--affect your intuitive abilities.
Verify your experiences with objective data. This will help you avoid distorting information received intuitively.
Know yourself. Self-awareness helps you separate intuition from projections of your own wishes and fears. Mindfulness meditation, psychotherapy, or regular introspection with a friend, support group, or teacher can help eliminate blocks, self-deception, and distractions that prevent you from receiving clear, direct information. Still, don't assume you'll be right all the time; no one is.
Tell the truth. Intuitive awareness is about integrity--being true to your inner experience. The more truthful you are with yourself and others, the less you will be at the mercy of outside influences, and the more you will be able to rely on your intuitive abilities.
Slow down and seek out solitude. Quiet time alone allows for greater intuition and helps you rebalance and stay grounded.
Work continually on opening your heart. Practice kindness and forgiveness. You'll not only become more intuitive, but you'll be a trustworthy carrier of the information you receive.

Program Description
Belleruth Naparstek
Dr. Mona Lisa Schulz
Healing:Another Path
Tell Me More
Body & Soul is currently airing Monday-Friday at 7:00pm and 8:30pm on PBS YOU.

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