intuition. It's also the part of us that many people quickly write off as "woo-woo," a nonsensical, nonessential element in our decision-making process. To be honest, our intuition can feel nonsensical and confusing at times, but it’s in that hindsight moment that the weight of ignoring it truly sets in.

We are actively taught to ignore this part of ourselves, to rely on logic, data, and external proof over internal, "unprovable" intuition. This is precisely why it's taboo.

I'm here to tell you that it doesn't need to be this way. Not every decision has to be so analytical. It is important to weigh both feeling and logic. We are here to learn how to tap into that efficient, clear, calm, and inherent intelligence or wisdom that we have innately.

So, we will start by defining what intuition truly is, how to hear and hone it, and how to mindfully navigate an intuitive decision. Everyone experiences intuition a bit differently, and I can only express my experience and things I’ve learned, so think of this as a starter pack on your intuitive adventure. Take a breath, get your favorite beverage, a pen, and paper, and get comfy as we embark on this week’s mindful adventure.

Part I: Why We Mistrust Our Inner Voice

The thing we hear a good amount of the time, and one of the things we tend to only acknowledge, is our fears and limiting beliefs. The source that feeds us these ideas and stories is our Ego. Its primary job is to keep you safe, above all else. There’s nothing wrong with having an Ego; it’s not the enemy. I used to believe I needed to somehow “kill” my Ego, and now I realize I need to learn how to work with and understand it. Your Ego can help you go above and beyond in your endeavors, but it can also hold you back.

In our everyday lives, we tend to stick to similar patterns, day after day. A great example of this comes from American author Henry David Thoreau, who found it difficult to intentionally live outside his everyday pattern. Our brains thrive on consistency because if we are able to predict our outcomes and situations, we are better able to survive. But that tool hasn't been as critical for us since we don't live in pre-civilization times. This tool dictates our decision-making with fear, a constricting and condensing energy.

You might even feel fear while looking at your options or certain situations—that is the Ego at play. That is why last week I emphasized: “If what you want is giving you FOMO, then it's more than likely Ego.”

Ego tells us things like we must be liked, we must be in “control,” we must be small, we must follow in our ancestors' footsteps, or even that we can’t have an abundance of money. This fear only feeds our thoughts with negativity and often leads to mental spirals, mental illness, chronic stress, and indecision. It’s loud, it’s obnoxious, and it’s right in your face. Our brains are hardwired to seek problems and "trainwrecks," so it’s no wonder a lot of people don’t hear their Intuition, ever.

Our Intuition is calm, quiet, steady, peaceful, loving, firm, and repetitive. It gives the complete opposite feeling of the Ego. There are times when our Intuition does become urgent and manifests as fear, and that happens when you have ignored it for an extended period of time. In those situations, the Universe is course-correcting you. As I said, some things are for you in this lifetime—a lot of them are lessons—and they are coming, so there is no avoiding them. Your Intuition is here to help you navigate these lessons and your everyday life if you’re open to it.

When we experience Intuition, it should feel like expansion—like a deep, easy breath of fresh air, like the universe is your oyster and you can do anything.

But sometimes our Intuition can give us ideas that are bigger than us, extravagant, and seemingly out of reach, like lifelong desires and dreams. The important thing here is the feeling you get when you initially receive that idea, feeling, or vision, not the doubt that follows. Our initial reactions, thoughts, and feelings are often our purest self-expression. We typically can’t help how our initial reaction shows up, but after that, we make the conscious choice on how to carry on. So, think back to when you initially got that idea or that subtle nudge—how did it feel?

The Scientific Backing: Your Body Knows

Our intuition isn’t just a feeling in the body; it’s real, and it’s got scientists questioning things. It is made up of our Intrinsic Nervous System (INS) and our Intrinsic Cardiac Nervous System (ICNS).

The INS, located inside the lining of the intestine, has over 400 million neurons and is responsible for controlling our digestive tract functions, mood, and overall health with the brain. So, you bet your bottom dollar you should be integrating those gut feelings into your decision-making process.

Your ICNS does similar functions for your heart; it has around 40,000 neurons and regulates the electrical currents in the heart. If you’ve been here for a while or know some physics, you know energy cannot be created or destroyed. So, those emotions, that pressure, that sharp pain, or even that heartbreak, are really your heart reacting, not just some anomaly. The heart has a closer and more direct line to the brain, so its feedback is quicker in weighing options. The phrase “let your heart decide” is not just a cliché; it has actual scientific weight.

We often ignore the feedback we get from these centers because we aren't taught that these sensations are anything but a medical issue (and of course, they can be, so please use your discernment and stay safe). But remember that your body keeps score in the soft tissues and sensations can manifest in many different ways.

Now you have some proof I’m not blowing smoke up your ass. Let’s talk about how to actually use and hone this ancient and invaluable tool!

Part II: Tuning the Inner Frequency & Using Your Tools

It's time to fine-tune that tool: your intuition. As stated earlier, intuition can come up as a physical sensation, primarily in the gut or heart. This is the sudden flutter, coolness, pang, pain, expansion, or contraction you feel in these regions. I’ve usually felt pain or weakness in other parts of the body, like joint pain or muscle fatigue, that are also intuitive nudges. It’s mostly a personal discernment thing: what was your first reaction, how does it make you feel, and what were you just thinking or talking about?

Practices for Receptivity

It’s important to take a moment to take some deep belly breaths because our bodies work better when we are relaxed and calm. We need to remember to come to the center because that is where all of our answers will come from. No one else can truly tell you how to live your life; this practice is a way to take your power back and learn to trust yourself. No one knows you like you do, and no one ever will.

Remember, intuition is calm, quiet, steady, peaceful, loving, firm, and repetitive. It is incredibly hard to listen or look for a sign if we are not also in a state of calm or rest. How you decide to learn how your intuition presents itself is up to you. You don't have to use only one technique or tool forever, and you can absolutely come back to methods in cycles—it's your life, my dear, no one can tell you what to do.

I personally started with meditation to hone and get more acquainted with my intuition. This allows me to be still, calm, and receptive to information while practicing mindfulness. When you are in this receptive state, you can begin to feel how each thought manifests in your body and if it feels expansive or constrictive. One of the things I’ve noticed is your intuition often sounds like your own thoughts, but it carries a distinct energy or feeling behind it.

Another thing that might bring out your intuition is doing busy work or tasks you have committed to muscle memory, like brushing your teeth, taking a shower, making a meal, commuting to work, or even using the restroom. That's because your mind is open and free from thinking about each small step. I am not saying you should strive to commit your whole life to muscle memory, but realize there’s more than just meditation that brings your awareness toward your intuition. Though some can argue that moving throughout your day can be a meditation in itself.

You could also physically journal your thoughts and allow ideas and answers to flow more easily onto the page. The brain actually uses a physical note or journaling session like a cleansing session. It is better to physically write than to type out your thoughts; your brain processes them as concrete when they are physically written out. When I write, I usually focus on things I’m currently working through, and as I'm writing, I get that expansion feeling when I tap into intuition. I feel big and empowered.

External Tools for Internal Alignment

You can also use external methods like tarot or oracle cards, crystals, pendulums, dowsing rods, or even common signs in everyday life like numbers, animals, or specific colors. Honestly, you could even use Pokémon cards; there's a reader and channeler I follow on YouTube who uses “non-traditional” card decks to receive intuitive nudges and insights. The most important thing here is to recognize your initial thoughts, feelings, and even impulses. I personally started off looking up meanings for pretty much everything, and then went with whatever resonated with the symbol. It is truly whatever works for you. These tools allow you to get instant or near-instant intuitive answers, helping you get acquainted with your intuition.

Part III: Intuition and Empowerment (The Taboo Context)

I wanted to talk about external tools because they are often labeled as wrong, evil, or even unforgivable, but that only perpetuates the lie that our intuitions should be disregarded. The truth is, the tools we use react to us, our intention, and our energy.

Just like a kitchen knife can be used to prepare a delicious meal, it can also be used to protect or harm another. The knife itself isn't out to do any of those things; the person wielding it is the dictator of what actions follow. This belief that these tools are inherently wrong has caused collective traumas in many different groups of people and only aids in lowering the collective frequency.

Balancing Feminine & Masculine Energy

One of the biggest truths here is that intuition is a Feminine quality. It’s important to remember that this isn't solely a female trait; we all possess both Feminine and Masculine energy and qualities.

Our modern world is primarily run by Masculine energy, which is analytical, methodical, organized, protective, and goal-oriented. Feminine energy is more go with the flow, allowing things to come and go, wild, restful, in tune with the ebbs and flows of life, caring, nurturing, and creative. Of course, there is toxic masculinity and femininity too, but I bring this up to show how important it is to dabble in both energies. Being in touch with both sides allows for better grounding and an improved quality of life. When you are grounded, you are able to receive intuitive information more readily.

To get in touch with your Feminine side (which roots in your right brain and manifests in the left side of the body), tap into your creativity (paint, draw, dance, sing, or write). Allow your body to rest, nurture yourself as you would another, take a bath, do saltwater immersion, or practice womb/sacral chakra breathing. This energy is often mistakenly seen as "lazy," but in reality, it is just as vital as the masculine "get 'er done" energy. Allowing yourself to dip into Feminine energy is crucial when you are looking to your intuition for guidance.

To get in touch with your Masculine side (which roots in your left brain and manifests in the right side of the body), you can do things like yoga, primal movement, earthing, grounding, and bookending your day with structured routines. These things are structured and feed the part of you that craves stability. They are also physical and allow you to feed your body with movement.

The Power of Balance

Your body provides powerful clues to your balance: if one side of your body hurts more than the other, it could be a sign you need to tap into the corresponding energy more.

Being able to tap into each energy when you need it is incredibly helpful and opens you up to a truly grounded and balanced state of being. It’s like two screwdrivers: sometimes you need the Phillips head, and other times you need the flat head. You could use the wrong screwdriver for each screw, but you’ll destroy the tool, and it won't be as efficient. Getting in touch with both sides allows you to recognize when you need to use your Feminine or Masculine energies for a task. It also opens you up to more intuitive insights, as you will know what part of you is trying to communicate when you receive the information.

Part III: Intuition and Empowerment (The Taboo Context)

I wanted to talk about external tools because they are often labeled as wrong, evil, or even unforgivable, but that only perpetuates the lie that our intuitions should be disregarded. The truth is, the tools we use react to us, our intention, and our energy.

Just like a kitchen knife can be used to prepare a delicious meal, it can also be used to protect or harm another. The knife itself isn't out to do any of those things; the person wielding it is the dictator of what actions follow. This belief that these tools are inherently wrong has caused collective traumas in many different groups of people and only aids in lowering the collective frequency.

Balancing Feminine & Masculine Energy

One of the biggest truths here is that intuition is a Feminine quality. It’s important to remember that this isn't solely a female trait; we all possess both Feminine and Masculine energy and qualities.

Our modern world is primarily run by Masculine energy, which is analytical, methodical, organized, protective, and goal-oriented. Feminine energy is more go with the flow, allowing things to come and go, wild, restful, in tune with the ebbs and flows of life, caring, nurturing, and creative. Of course, there is toxic masculinity and femininity too, but I bring this up to show how important it is to dabble in both energies. Being in touch with both sides allows for better grounding and an improved quality of life. When you are grounded, you are able to receive intuitive information more readily.

To get in touch with your Feminine side (which roots in your right brain and manifests in the left side of the body), tap into your creativity (paint, draw, dance, sing, or write). Allow your body to rest, nurture yourself as you would another, take a bath, do saltwater immersion, or practice womb/sacral chakra breathing. This energy is often mistakenly seen as "lazy," but in reality, it is just as vital as the masculine "get 'er done" energy. Allowing yourself to dip into Feminine energy is crucial when you are looking to your intuition for guidance.

To get in touch with your Masculine side (which roots in your left brain and manifests in the right side of the body), you can do things like yoga, primal movement, earthing, grounding, and bookending your day with structured routines. These things are structured and feed the part of you that craves stability. They are also physical and allow you to feed your body with movement.

The Power of Balance

Your body provides powerful clues to your balance: if one side of your body hurts more than the other, it could be a sign you need to tap into the corresponding energy more.

Being able to tap into each energy when you need it is incredibly helpful and opens you up to a truly grounded and balanced state of being. It’s like two screwdrivers: sometimes you need the Phillips head, and other times you need the flat head. You could use the wrong screwdriver for each screw, but you’ll destroy the tool, and it won't be as efficient. Getting in touch with both sides allows you to recognize when you need to use your Feminine or Masculine energies for a task. It also opens you up to more intuitive insights, as you will know what part of you is trying to communicate when you receive the information.

Conclusion: Reclaiming Your Power

We talked about our intuition being an invaluable tool, rooted in science and fact, and never to be disregarded as woo-woo or nonsensical. This inner guidance can be honed using stillness, external tools, and various practices that allow your mind to be calm, open, and receptive to answers. This part of you should be integrated into your decision-making process—not excluded—allowing for a beautiful balance in both your Masculine and Feminine energies.

My parting words for you this week are this: the act of embracing your intuition is a rewarding process that builds trust, love, compassion, confidence, and authenticity. Your intuition is here to guide you through difficulties and "wrong" decisions. Know that you are always where you ought to be, regardless of how you feel or where you think you "should" be. Have faith that each step you take—forward, backward, or to the side—is a necessary stepping stone on your unique and individual path.

Be gentle with yourself as you move through these changes and figure out what works for you. This is a lifelong journey that is changing with you; it is not a race.

So, what is the first step you are going to take on your intuitive adventure?

Until our next Mindful Adventure, my dear friends.

My goal is simply to be a vessel, sharing the lessons and insights from my own path in the hopes that they may serve as a guide on your own. If this message found you at just the right time and resonated with you, I consider our connection a profound success. Whether our paths cross just this once or intertwine beautifully, know that I am here as a comrade and a friend on this journey.

I truly hope you feel seen, supported, and hopeful as you continue on your way. You are welcome to share your thoughts in the comments below or reach out directly to me. If you feel called to support this work and its mission, you can find the donation page linked in the site's footer. I look forward to connecting with you on this magnificent adventure.

With Love and Light,

Jamelah Luckett

Link to Companion YouTube Video