Intuition and meditation

The term “gut feeling” offers a clue as to where our intuition might be located — if it has a location at all.

by Khayriyyah Savannah — 

We hear a lot of talk about our inner voice or intuition and using it to access our inner knowing. How do we know when it is our inner voice we are hearing? The term “gut feeling” offers a clue as to where our intuition might be located — if it has a location at all. But the inner knowing of intuition is more than just a gut feeling and is located everywhere and anywhere.

If we consider the chakra system of energy centers in the body, the gut feeling response is associated with the solar plexus (manipura) chakra. This chakra is believed to be the seat of willpower, our sacred strength extended into the outer world. Listening to the voice of this chakra can guide us in the direction of the ego.

The heart (anahata) chakra, on the other hand, balances this gut feeling by giving it a compassionate overview. The voice of our truth is located in the throat (visshudah) chakra.

If we begin meditation by grounding in the root (muladhara) chakra and then focusing our awareness on the brow (ajna) chakra, we can enter the true seat of intuition. This is a space of vast emptiness, where thought and feeling give way to surrendering to the unknown or greater power within us. This is our connection to the creative force or life-force energy that is our spiritual oneness.

We do not need to actually hear a voice or see a vision to access our inner knowing. Simply visiting this place of surrender, time and time again, will activate the connection and open us to all possibilities. We will find that the signs are everywhere, as life itself seems to be communicating with us loud and clear in circumstances that we face throughout the day.

The purpose of daily meditation is to keep this connection open and to keep us open to unimaginable possibilities. Surrendering to a greater power balances the entire chakra system, giving us clear knowing when we need it.

Try this exercise the next time you are searching for a resolution. Sit in a comfortable position with your feet planted firmly on the floor and allow yourself to feel the connection to the earth. Relax your shoulders, close your eyes and focus on your breathing.

Bring your attention to the brow chakra. With your eyes closed, roll them up toward this center and imagine you can see into the vastness there. Allow your imagination to go deep into this empty space and rest. Let your thoughts come and go like clouds in the sky. Continue for two to five minutes; then return your breathing to normal and open your eyes.

Notice how your entire body and mind feel more relaxed. Now you can return to your daily activities with this new openness and be able to hear the voice of your inner knowing.

Khayriyyah Savannah is a licensed massage therapist, Reiki master, yoga instructor and nutrition coach with Integrated Therapies for Women and Every Bodies Yoga. 480-544-6495 or [email protected].

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 31, Number 6, December 2012/January 2013.