Second Sight: An Intuitive Psychiatrist Tells Her Extraordinary Story and Shows You How to Tap into Your Own Inner Wisdom.

by Judith Orloff

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Judith Orloff. Second Sight: An Intuitive Psychiatrist Tells Her Extraordinary Story and Shows You How to Tap into Your Own Inner Wisdom. Revised edition. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2010. 359 p. US $15/ $18.95 CAN.       

In this revised edition of Second Sight, Dr. Judith Orloff points to some of main changes that have occurred since the original publication of her book in 1996. She points to a wider acceptance of intuition in society at large. Approximately half of Americans use complementary therapies. The National Institutes of Health funds research on holistic therapies. Spirituality and spiritual experiences have become topics in mainstream media. Particularly in business and leadership intuition, often referred to as “gut instinct,” has garnered importance and support. However, resistance and skepticism remain prominent among many physicians. 

Dr. Orloff’s own relationship with intuition has undergone “miraculous changes” (p. xi), as she has deepened her confidence and freedom to fully own who she is so she can convey her ideas. She does not attempt, though, at any point to convince others of a particular message. She continues to focus on explaining and exemplifying how intuition can be integrated into everyday life.

Second Sight is largely autobiographic, as the subtitle suggests, written openly and honestly, which draws the reader into the story. Throughout the book Dr. Orloff emphasizes that intuitive skills are available to anyone and can be practiced and honed. She offers various tools to access inner wisdom, with a special focus on dreams and dream interpretation. Learning to listen to and to trust that inner wisdom of intuition constitute the core of Dr. Orloff’s invitation to the readers.

Part I, “Initiations,” of Second Sight deals primarily with Judith Orloff’s life as an intuitive child in a scientifically minded family, right through her medical training and into her practice as a psychiatrist. She elaborates on her inner struggles of ignoring and denying her intuitive abilities, which forms the basis for the ten years leading up to the original publication of Second Sight. It is then the author learns to own her intuitive skills and openly share them with others. She reveals how she relies on her intuitive skills and integrates them in her interactions and treatments of patients. One of my personal highlights is her proposition that the use of intuition needs to be grounded in sound intentions, which can only be explored in a spiritual context.

As the title of Part II suggests, “Teachings” is focused on sharing tools with the readers that are meant to develop and nurture their own intuition. It is most useful for those who are just beginning to learn about intuition. With the backdrop of her patients’ stories of failures and successes, the readers are guided through various ways to tap into their inner wisdom, such as meditation, dreamwork, synchronicities and déjà-vu experiences.

Even though countless publications on the topic of intuition have emerged in the fourteen years since J. Orloff’s Second Sight first appeared on the market, her conflicted personal story, her trials and tribulations of uncovering and learning to trust her own intuitive abilities still resonate with those readers who may have gone through similar controversial experiences.

Review by Martina Steiger, ThD. Martina serves as a Spiritual Life Coach, educator, writer, speaker and editor. She offers mini-retreats as an opportunity to review and renew. For more information visit http://www.martinasteiger.com/.

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