Technique 1.161     Understanding and Connecting with Your Intuition

Introduction

"...  -based psychophysiological coherence-building techniques are designed to help individuals connect with their intuition by combining a positive emotional state with a vital shift in the focus of attention to the areas around the heart. This shift in focus significantly changes the pattern of afferent signals sent from the hearts of the brain and body and facilitates the natural emergence of psycho psychological coherence..."
Tomasini as quoted by Elaine Houston, 2023

Exercise

Step 1 - Laying the foundations (in preparing for the exercise you need to ensure it is has your full attention and sole focus, ie become more consciously open, receptive, and attentive to your intuitions with access to intuitive wisdom; activities like multitasking should be avoided; the environment should be quiet and free of distractions.
Also,
- you should notice, accept and investigate each of the sensations in feelings that arise throughout this exercise
- regularly practice these exercises so that able to recognise and connect with your intuition as it is some time to develop competency in this area
- be able to compare outcomes that are produced by rational versus intuitive choices, ie
"...from time to time, you may reflect on the consequences of your choices, was this choice taken by considering my intuition? If so, am I happy with the outcome?..."
Elaine Houston, 2023)

Step 2 - Formulate a question (think about a recent decision or current challenge you are facing; uses this as the basis to formulate a question; consider 2 possible responses to this question - ideally, one based on intuition and the other on rational thinking)

Step 3 - Heart-focused breathing (start by standing or sitting comfortably with the spine straight, relax body completely and close your eyes;
"...place your hands over your heart, take 3 deep breaths and think of your breath is flowing in and through this area. Keeping your hand placed over your heart, inhale slowly through your noise (5 seconds), and imagine your breath is coming in through your heart area. As you breathe in, expand your abdomen outwards as your lungs fill the air. Exhale slowly (5 seconds) through your mouth and imagine the breath is flowing out through the heart. Contract your abdomen inwardly toward your spine as the lungs empty of air. Continue breathing in this way until you find a natural rhythm that feels good for you..."
Elaine Houston, 2023)

NB In addition to the heart, don't forget how your stomach may feel, ie uncomfortable or comfortable, 'tied in knot', etc

Step 4 - Connecting your intuition with response 1 (see step 1) (imagine choosing response 1 and feel the sensation in your heart and stomach without trying to change it, How does your heart feel in making this particular choice?
Record all sensations you feel in the heart and stomach in the table below such as- is a warm, light and open?
- is it tight and intense?
- is your chest expanding quickly in an outward flow of your breath?
- is your breathing shallow and constricted?,
- does your stomach feel relaxed or 'tied in knot', etc

What do these sensations tell you about decision? Do you feel optimistic and energised? Or do they alert you to something that you should have given extra attention? (provide more detail below)

Step 5 - Connecting your intuition with response 2 (see step 1) (for this response to repeat Step 4)
Step 6 - Reflection (what are the differences between the sensations around your heart and stomach that emerged after choosing response 1 vs response 2? How would you describe the differences?

Which response 'felt right' (and give reasons why)

Did you notice any sensations that you would not normally be present (give details)?

Are any of these sensations sign of intuition? (Yes/No)

Are there times in your life when you ignored intuition and how might these situations have been different if you had paid attention to your intuition?

What has this exercise taught you about connecting with your intuition?