Developing Intuition: Practical Guidance for Daily Life
by Shakti Gawain
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Novato: New World Library, 2000. 160 pp. $12.95.
 Shakti Gawain, a best-selling author in the
field of personal growth, offers this inspiring short guide on
cultivating intuition amidst day-to-day living. Gawain proposes that
intuition brings spirituality directly into our lives, leading to
greater clarity and success in all our endeavors. Since we are heavily
programmed by Western society to be externally oriented and to develop
our rational capacity, we need to create balance through shifting the
focus inward and fostering intuition. The author organizes the twelve
chapters around twelve key steps to living more intuitively, accompanied
by easy to follow exercises and meditations. The tools and examples
are practical and useful in understanding how to effectively consult,
interpret and integrate intuition in life.
Gawain affirms that
“there is a universal, intelligent life force that exists within
everyone and everything.” (p. 21) She suggests that we can access this
deep inner wisdom through intuition as we become more conscious of using
it. Intuition is our inborn faculty and even though we may have grown
to doubt it, we can reclaim this gift through practice.
The author distinguishes between the logical mind on which we are
taught to rely on and intuition, or the “universal mind.” (p. 24)
Intuition links us to the realm beyond ordinary senses and helps
calibrate our lives based on what we truly need. According to the
author, it differs from instinct because instinct is the survival and
procreation response, common to all species, while intuition is
particular to humans and contributes to our evolution in alignment with
unique higher purpose.
Gawain notes that socially, we are expected to behave in ways that
lead us to “to repress and disown our instinctual energies, such as
aggression and sexuality,” which can make us lose contact with
intuition. (p. 26) Therefore, we have to “develop a healthy balance of
intellect, instinct, and intuition.” (p. 27) Additionally, Gawain
points out that while all people possess intuitive capacity, some are
particularly sensitive and are considered to be "natural psychics." (p.
28) However, even individuals with average intuitive abilities can
intentionally opt to nurture and enhance intuition to the extent that
they will reach a similar level of competence.
Gawain observes that as we become more aware, we can better detect
and incorporate inner cues in life. From early on, we are trained to
depend on outside authorities for directions on what proper living
entails and cease to honor our innate knowledge. To recover self-trust,
Gawain suggests taking notice of the intuitive signals and learning to
relax to be centered and receptive. She offers meditation exercises to
access intuition and instructs regularly tuning in and not dismissing
any incoming signs. The author asserts that no matter where we find
ourselves, we can choose to pay more attention to the arising feelings
and “check in” intuitively to gain helpful insights on resolving various
life situations. (p. 65)
As we become more experienced and comfortable with perceiving subtle
signals, Gawain proposes taking incremental steps in acting on
intuition. Initially, she does not recommend risking making major
decisions and suggests starting with minor choices, such as picking a
movie to see. In the instances when we follow our intuitive hunches but
do not achieve the results we desire, Gawain notes that there may be
several explanations for the outcome, such as misreading the incoming
messages or confusing intuition with other feelings. The author further
observes that the process can be intricate in its unfoldment and
encourages readers to be patient as we may be unaware of the whole
significance of the experience and where it will bring us in the end.
Gawain provides two exercises for practice. In the "Clearing Exercise,"
she instructs us to reflect and record every thought that makes us
uncertain and critical about trusting intuition, which can help in
releasing our fears. (p. 75) Then, in "Trusting Yourself Exercise," we
are invited to envision being absolutely correct about our intuitive
hunches for a defined time segment and actually act on them for that
period. (p. 76)
Gawain concludes that when we do not follow intuition, we stop the
life force from its organic propensity for self-expression.
Subsequently, we are likely to experience depression and lack of
energy. Instead, surrendering to intuition usually leads to productive
modifications in life’s circumstances. The author discusses the
difference between being and doing, where instead of accepting the
embedded dogma of the West “that we must always be doing something
outwardly productive,” intuition can aid us in connecting with our
innermost core, to be more fully present in the moment and regain the
necessary energy before moving forward. (p. 87)
In distinguishing intuition from other inner voices, Gawain
introduces Hal and Sidra Stone’s theory that human personality consists
of many distinct selves, with each having its own energy and voice, and
intuition being one of the selves. The selves we embrace are referred
to as “primary selves,” while those we are not comfortable with and
often inhibit are called “disowned selves.” (p. 93) Accepting all these
sub-identities can help in discerning intuition and feeling more
whole. The author offers guided meditations on listening to the
messages from within and using pens with different colors of ink to
differentiate between the existing selves.
Gawain emphasizes that intuition is a positive force which is not
there to make us do anything potentially damaging, emotionally or
physically. On the contrary, it makes us feel more alive and peaceful,
and there is a difference "between our false cravings or addictions and
our true intuitive impulses." (p. 99) A false craving misleads us into
pursuing desires we do not really want or need, or do not know how to
attain, leaving our true needs unfulfilled. In extreme cases, when we
become overly involved in chasing after a specific false craving, it
turns into addiction.
Gawain insists that to address addictions and maintain general
well-being, it is imperative to deeply feel the unmet needs and be in
touch with emotions without getting overtaken by them. Otherwise, when
emotions are denied, the energy flow in our body is blocked and can
eventually manifest as sickness. The author believes that “intuition
lies underneath emotions.” (p. 110) Acknowledging and expressing
feelings in a healthy way can help in connecting with intuition. To
examine our feelings, Gawain recommends an exercise with focusing
attention on the middle part of the body to take notice of any
feelings. In case something disturbing is detected, the individual is
encouraged to explore the underlining issue with kindness and
compassion.
Gawain accentuates the significance of the physical body in intuitive
development and claims that “one of the ills of modern society is that
we tend to be disconnected from our bodies.” (p. 115) The body knows
and communicates what we need to be aware of but unfortunately, our
minds are trained to ignore this assistance. Gawain advises us to
listen frequently to the body’s feedback to improve our intuition.
Using the author’s “Body Talk Exercise,” we can learn to regularly
dialogue with our bodies and evaluate the emerging images, thoughts or
physical sensations. (p. 124)
The author observes that sometimes "it can be challenging to maintain
your integrity and stay true to yourself in a work environment." (p.
128) However, she maintains that committing to intuitive honesty is
essential and will eventually lead to a rewarding job experience. She
further remarks that intuition provides the necessary guidance to us
only when we are ready and we cannot expect to achieve all of our goals
right away because there are many lessons we have to learn as we
progress through life. With regards to financial security, Gawain
considers that when we trust intuition and are being authentic, we tend
to get the needed support to realize our individual mission. To become
more aligned with our souls, the author includes “Exercises for
Discovering Your Passion,” a variety of creative activities, such as
writing down our dreams about personal and professional aspirations and
listing the steps for exploring these possibilities. (p. 138)
Towards the end of the book, Gawain elaborates on intuition as a form
of art and adds that opening to it in trust leads to both greater inner
and outer harmony, presenting new and creative life opportunities.
Intuition can help us relinquish control and allow for suitable changes
to happen, thus, enabling us to let go of fear and welcome
transformation with confidence.
I have read this book in one sitting and found its ideas and
suggestions very handy in both my life and in interactions with others.
The exercises Gawain proposes are motivating and can be instantly put
into practice. This is a truly empowering resource.
Review by Veronica Shipilov, Doctoral Student
Holos University
Graduate Seminary
http://www.HolosUniversity.org
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