Intuition, Medical Intuition and Intuitive Healing




Trust Yourself: What Your Intuition is Telling You
by Judith Orloff MD
Re-printed from Self Magazine, March 1999

Gina,* a 25-year-old stockbroker, learned to trust her intuition the hard way. The instant she met Hank at a friend’s wedding, she found him irresistible. He was smart, sensitive, funny—yet a gnawing anxiety in her stomach screamed, “Danger! Watch out.” Gina didn’t listen. After dating him for six months, she sat in my office, heartbroken. Hank had been cheating on her the entire time.

Another patient, 30-year-old Emily,* a book editor, was having trouble with her boss. Out of the blue he’d begun snapping at her. She felt she couldn’t do anything right. Emily was on the verge of quitting, until a voice inside cautioned, “Don’t be rash. Something will change.” She waited, and soon after discovered her boss was suffering terrible migraines. Once treated, he was back to his usual, easygoing self.

Without realizing it, both of these women had intuitive feelings about their situations—Emily followed hers and Gina didn’t. We all have intuition—an invaluable tool that can guide us in work and relationships—but not everyone knows how to tap into it. Intuition is knowledge that goes beyond the literal and rational, making itself known as a gut feeling, a hunch, a flash of insight, a dream, an indisputable knowing.

It’s not always easy to trust our intuition, particularly in a culture that worships the quantifiable, the proved. We are not trained to respect how life-affirming intuition can be. Years ago I had a very specific dream that told me to go to medical school just when I had dropped out of college and was entrenched in a bohemian lifestyle in California. The dream was so intense, I decided to enroll in one science class, just to see what happened. That’s all it took. I quickly discovered medicine was my true calling.

The existence of intuition has been demonstrated scientifically. In a groundbreaking 1974 NASA-sponsored study by physicist Russell Targ at the Stanford Research Institute, 147 subjects were asked to use intuition to predict which of four pictures would be projected, at random, on a television screen. Not only did a significant number make accurate predictions, they became even more accurate as the experiment progressed. The importance of listening to the body’s signals for intuitive answers was put to the test by a group of researchers of neurology at the University of Iowa College of Medicine. In a 1997 study, they found that when faced with decisions that didn’t feel comfortable on an emotional level, subjects experienced sweating.

Tuning in to your intuition can help you solve workplace dilemmas, strengthen relationships—and salvage bad ones—or pick the right mate. Here is a guide to making intuition work for you in all areas of your life.

Work
Say there’s been a change of management in your office and you’re unsure about the future of your job. At home, take at least five minutes to meditate. Sit in a comfortable chair. Lower the lights, close your eyes, quiet your mind. When a thought comes, refocus on your breath to center yourself. Once relaxed, ask yourself a specific question, such as “Is my position secure?” Listen for an answer, taking note of bodily sensations. If you body feels calm or positively energized, this is a good sign you have nothing to worry about. On the other hand, if your shoulders are tense and your heart is racing, this may indicate your job is in jeopardy—and you need to take action.

You might also ask yourself what you can do to help secure your job. Images about working more or talking to your boss may appear. A different image might pop into your mind—for example, your new boss welcoming you—or an entire scenario may play out. Don’t force it; intuition flows when you’re receptive. You may need to meditate a few times over several days before the answer comes.

Friendships
Have you ever met someone and the two of you just clicked? It wasn’t so much what she said or did, but you felt great around her. Or do you have a friend who can be an energy vampire? After a conversation , you walk away with a splitting headache or completely drained. Your body is telling you which friendships are nurturing and which are destructive. I’ve learned to respect my body’s reactions to people and to choose friends with whom I feel at ease.

Romance
“Reading” prospective partners is a learnable skill. Sometimes, though, fear or wishful thinking about a romantic possibility can get in the way of genuine intuition. There’s that man you met at a party: You’re wildly attracted to him, but you have a few nagging doubts you can’t quite put your finger on. Once you’re home, slow down and close your eyes. Visualize him standing before you and ask yourself a simple question, such as “Is this guy right for me?” You will know your intuition is at work—and not fear or hopeful desire—when you get at least one of the following messages (which can be used to tell you about any area of your life, not just romance):
  • An image with remarkable crispness and clarity, with exceptionally bright colors or clear voices
  • A sudden, powerful knowing, as if a lightbulb were switched on
  • The sense of being an observer and watching a scene play out in your head, stepping back from your emotional involvement
  • A feeling of comfort and peace
The secret to reading people correctly is setting preconceptions and expectations aside. You may get answers that surprise you.

Family
Family members are often the most difficult to read: You’re too emotionally involved to see them with any detachment. That’s why with family issues, I turn to dreams.

Recently, my patient Ann,* a 32-year-old teacher, told me her mother-in-law was overly critical, always interfering. I suggested to Ann that she pose the question “How can I get through to my mother-in-law?” to herself before going to sleep. That night she dreamed she saw her mother-in-law sobbing. “What’s wrong?” Ann asked. Her reply was simple. “I miss my husband.” The dream was telling Ann to reach out to her mother-in-law. That week she invited her to lunch, creating an opening to talk. Her mother-in-law was touched. They had their first real conversation in a long time, cementing a bond between them.

Dreams bypass the frustration or anger that can cloud your intuition. It doesn’t matter if you recall a single image or an action-packed saga. Look for what makes sense to you. It may be a feeling of rightness or specific advice. Dreams aren’t always easy to understand, so write them down. Try free association to get at the meaning. If, for example, your younger sister is having trouble adjusting to college and you dream she’s climbing a mountain and reaches the top, the dream may be assuring you that she will be fine.

The more you practice accessing your intuition, the easier it will be. You have within you the wisest person you’ll ever want to meet. Be courageous and trust your inner voice.

4 WAYS TO TAP INTO YOUR INTUITION

Meditate: By quieting your mind, medication will train you to get in touch with your intuition. First, find a comfortable position. Close your eyes. Focus only on your breath. If thoughts arise—and they will—try not to dwell on them. Then, mind clam, notice any intuitive images, sensations or knowings. The secret is practice. Start with five minutes a day and gradually build up to whatever amount of time feels right.

Use active visualization: This technique can help you learn to “read” people and situations. Close your eyes, quiet your mind and ask yourself a question about a problem you’re facing. Say a new coworker seems to be undermining you. You may ask “What can I do to protect myself?” Then visualize that coworker sitting at her desk. Take a few minutes; notice what impressions come. Maybe you see her looking alone or confused, and you realize you don’t need to protect yourself—she’s simply young and inexperienced. You might even offer to show her the ropes.

Listen to your body: When faced with a choice, watch for your body’s signals: Do you have a knot in your stomach? A lump in your throat? Does your heart ache? Or do you feel energized? At peace? Warm and glowing? Pay attention to the messages your body sends and take action based on what they tell you.

Remember your dreams: The trick to recalling your dreams is to make it fun. Buy a special journal to keep by your bed. Before you go to sleep, pose a specific question regarding a problem you’re facing. The next morning, immediately jot down your dreams. If you get answers, apply them. If not, try again every night for a week. With practice, this process will become second nature.

*Name has been changed.

Judith Orloff MD is a board certified psychiatrist, a practicing intuitive, and author of Positive Energy: Ten Extraordinary Prescriptions for Transforming Fatigue, Stress, and Fear Into Vibrance, Strength, and Love (Harmony Books.) She is also author of the bestsellers Guide to Intuitive Healing and Second Sight. She's an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA, has a private practice in Los Angeles, and is an international workshop leader on the interrelationship of medicine, intuition, and spirituality. Her work has been featured on CNN, PBS, A@E and NPR. Dr. Orloff's website is www.drjudithorloff.com.

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