How do we cultivate intuition?

Intuition hasn't always been something I’ve relied on. I've often tried to think and control my way toward what I thought I wanted from life. But when I'm lost in thought or trying to control the world around me, it’s like splashing around in the clear pond of intuition. After a while, everything’s murky and I can’t see anything.

For challenges like “how do I re-arrange my whole life to move out to the woods and live in a cabin,” just thinking about how to do it and controlling the path probably wouldn’t have gotten me here. When everything around me was saying no, but my gut said yes, I decided to try letting go instead of pushing.

Intention & Awareness

By combining our love for something with intention and awareness, we can fall into to a natural flow which isn’t like anything we can actually learn or even think. This isn't the kind of intention that holds strongly to a certain outcome.

It’s more the kind that says “I am ready to know the truth, whatever that may be.” It releases expectations and makes room for experiencing life in all of its mystery and synchronicity.

Mindfulness

There is some science that points to the ventromedial pre-frontal cortex area of the brain being involved in sensing intuition, but for me, it’s always felt like it’s come from closer to my center, my heart or my gut. Maybe it’s both?

Either way, mindfulness is great for increasing both the activity of the prefrontal cortex and connecting us more deeply to sensations in the body.

Nature

Spending time in nature has always helped me feel more connected to intuition. It helps me to stay grounded and not get lost in my thoughts and emotions.

With the help of these methods, I've come to deeply rely on intuition as a guide and decision-maker. How do you get in touch with intuition? Hit reply and let me know.

The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant.

Albert Einstein

Here’s something to help you connect to intuition and find peace.

Connecting more deeply with intuition and awareness has been a big part of my journey toward becoming a certified mindfulness teacher. It's also the subject of my very first live online masterclass, Mindfulness & Intuition.

I'll be sharing the basics of mindfulness along with some practices to support our connection to intuition and inner peace.

I hope you'll join me via zoom on Sunday, November 13 from 10am to 1pm US Pacific Time. I'm offering podcast listeners and newsletter subscribers a special link to an early bird discount until October 13th.

Get 20% off my Mindfulness & Intuition Live Masterclass.

Just click the link above and it will automatically apply your discount.

If you'd like to reply to this email letting me know you'll be there, I'd love to hear any questions you might have or topics you'd like me to be sure to cover.💜

Here’s something that brings me joy.

I recently joined an online sketchnoting community called Verbal to Visual, hosted by Doug Neill.

After getting a Master of Arts in Teaching on his way to becoming a high school math, science, and EFL teacher, he got pulled into the world of visual thinking thanks to Sunni Brown's TED Talk about the power of doodling.

For the past decade he's been exploring that world and building educational materials for others who want to apply this creative toolset to their personal and professional life.

I can't recommend it enough. It's changing the way I learn and process information. There's a 7-day free trial so why not give it a go? If you do, say hi to me there and we can share our sketchnotes as we learn together. :)

Here’s something I made.

For my new Awaken Your Myth podcast, I interview folks about what makes a good life.

This month, I sat down with Doug Neill to talk about his journey to creating the Verbal To Visual community and how sketchnoting has been a bridge for me to allow intuition to travel straight from my heart to the page.

It's on Youtube and Spotify. Hit reply and let me know how you like it. Who would you like to see me interview next?

Sleep well.💜

Erik

PS You'll get a free download of a relaxing recording of the creek behind the cabin when you subscribe to my monthly email newsletter with tips to help you get better sleep at night and more peace during the day. It's easy! Just use the form on this page. (Scroll to the bottom on mobile.)