Intuition is the gateway to our oneness with cosmic wisdom. It’s the knowing of our Higher Self that is always connected to Source. It defies logic and reasoning of the human mind. We don’t know why we know, we just do. Intuition comes to us in many ways, such as in dreams, premonitions, snapshots of the future, and silent voices speaking to us. Few of us are taught to pay attention to our intuitive wisdom or encouraged to trust it; our logic-based society frowns on such “woo woo” stuff. Even so, I bet you have experienced your intuition even without knowing that’s what it is. For instance, if you’ve ever had “gut feelings” about something or someone, you’ve experienced your intuition. In this article, let me talk about that as a form of what I call physical intuition.
Our Body’s Wisdom
Our body holds a tremendous amount of intuitive intelligence, and it always knows what is for our highest good. Physical sensations we normally do not notice or take for granted actually contain a great deal of wisdom about our well being. In Power, Freedom and Grace, Dr. Deepak Chopra says that, when we listen to our body, we access the intuitive intelligence within us that is more accurate and precise than our rational thought. He further explains (pg. 193):
“When confronted with any situation, ask your body whether it feels comfortable or not. If the sensation in your body feels good when you do something, then that’s the right decision. If there’s an uncomfortable sensation in your body, then it’s not the right thing to do.
When you are out of harmony with universal rhythms, the signal that will come to you is a sense of discomfort, whether it’s physical, mental or emotional. When you are flowing in harmony with the universe, the signal that will come to you is a sense of comfort, ease, or joy.”
Have you ever had an experience when your stomach — neck, shoulders, or some other body part – tightened about a decision you were facing, only to find out later that the physical sensation was a warning to you? That’s an example of the intuitive intelligence within your body knowing that something was not for your highest good.
Listening to My Gut
Several years ago, I met a man with whom I felt an instant connection. Not only was he smart, educated, charming, well-read and well-spoken, there was something about him that felt energetically familiar, as if we were getting reacquainted as long-lost friends. In the midst of being a busy psychiatrist and a divorced father, he made time to fly down to Los Angeles every week for 3 years to complete another doctorate. I truly admired that about him. We had intellectually satisfying conversations about consciousness and related philosophy, and the chemistry between us was very powerful. Oftentimes, even when he wasn’t around, I’d all of a sudden smell his scent in the air, as if he was in close proximity. He explained to me that a part of our brain registers emotional affect through the sense of smell. When I thought of him, my feelings for him would trigger that affect, prompting my brain to “fool” my nose into smelling his scent as it he was physically there with me.
About a month into our courtship, just as I was on the brink of falling in love with him, he dropped the bomb on me that he still had unfinished business with another woman. This woman with whom he was involved off and on for 5 years reappeared in his life seeking reconciliation. Even though he knew that was a toxic relationship, and I was—in his own words—just the extraordinary woman he wanted, he respected me too much to continue dating me without being fully available emotionally. Even as my heart sank from the unexpected turn of events, I appreciated his honesty and integrity.
A few months later, while I was traveling, I got an email from him out of the blue, telling me that his unfinished business was finally over. He’d love more than anything to pick up where we left off and for me to give him another chance. As my heart melted to his impassioned plea, my gut was all tied up in a knot. With such conflicting feelings in my body, I wrote him back, saying that I couldn’t promise anything beyond a conversation when I got back into town. He didn’t waste any time to call me shortly after I landed. By then, I had decided to listen to my gut. It was very difficult to have to say “no” to him repeatedly over the phone. He wouldn’t give up, and persisted with more emails. I stuck by the discomfort in my gut, even though I couldn’t understand what it was all about at the time. After all, I thought this man was honorable and forthcoming in telling me about the other woman. Why didn’t I feel it was a good idea to rekindle the powerful connection we shared?
Not two days after his final email plea for me to reconsider, I spotted him from afar, walking hand in hand to his car with another woman! As I felt the sensation of being stabbed in my heart, I was simultaneously grateful to my gut for warning me not to be involved with this man again. Yes, the situation stung for a little while, because I had feelings for him. But, it would have paled in comparison to what might have happened, if I hadn’t listened to my gut and had given my heart to the wrong guy. There were no objective facts about why he was untrustworthy — at least not until after I had decided not to give him another chance. By honoring the warning coming from my body’s intuitive intelligence, I saved myself from serious heartbreak.
Perhaps you or someone you know have had similar experiences of your gut—or another sensitive part of your body—warning you about something or someone. Whether or not you’ve had previous experience with physical intuition, you can always start asking your body for guidance, as suggested by Dr. Chopra. It’s your Higher Self guiding you to what’s for your well being and highest good.
About Alice Chan PhD
