Intuition is our birthright and our sixth sense. My dear mom taught me how to listen to mine as a wee one. She said we each had an inner voice that guided us, and to listen. I have always felt that our intuitive senses are on a spectrum, and with pausing to listen, the messages come with increased clarity. Your writing feels like an extension of home for me. Beautiful, life giving and SO necessary in this world. Mahalo Nui Loa. 💜🪶
Joanie: I think this is possibly the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said about my writing: Your writing feels like an extension of home for me. Oh my goodness, thank you! I agree intuition is our birthright and I'm so happy you were raised to honor that!! I'm slowly getting myself there now!! xx
Jane, you might appreciate (or maybe you already know) a book called Extraordinary Knowing: Science, Skepticism, and the Inexplicable Powers of the Human Mind by Elizabeth Lloyd Mayer. It's about intuition and similar knowledge that's not accounted for in western science--and how western science has been shut down when it tries to study this aspect of human experience. The book is thoughtful and grounded--she approaches the topic as a scientist herself.
All of this is so relatable, Jane - right down to the having a strange intuition to avoid something, ignoring the intuition (I was still so young, and it would be a long while before I'd learn to trust myself), and having it end moments later in accident and lasting injury. I really appreciate your writing openly about all of this. I'm trying to live more deeply into my own intuition but don't see that modeled around me and have few people in my life who understand that desire and journey. This question really landed for me: "And hasn’t intuition, a natural part of being human, only taken on these supersonic and otherworldly qualities because in the West we deny its existence?"
I haven't been reading on Substack much lately but had a feeling I should come here to your page and see what you've written lately, and I'm so glad I did!
Thank you for your kind words, Lisa. And I'm sorry you have a parallel story! Yes, it is hard to find meaningful relationships with intuition modeled around us. Luckily, I do have a few. And I'm doing my best on my own -- though it's not always easy! More and more, I deeply believe there is nothing unusual or woo-woo about intuition. It's simply that Western society's belief in the rational mind over everything else erased intuition's role in being human! The balance of feminine and masculine energy. And I LOVE that you felt drawn to come here today! Yay! ❤️
This totally resonates with me Jane….I dont believe my intuition has ever been wrong, even when there has been times I’ve tried to ignore it, when that happens a lesson is learned, an understanding an experience which I would have rather not had, in hindsight very necessary….all of this makes each one of us the special individual we are x
yes to this Jane. intuition is seen as a feminine quality in the western mindset, so of course poo pooed in favor of "the mind." the two are meant to play together, but as intuition has been demonized, quite literally, for so many centuries, it takes the courage of folks like you sharing to allow others to say "wait, that voice i'm hearing is not crazy!?" may we all listen more carefully and wisely to the voice of our intuition!
Sharon Blackie, i feel, has some great writing in this area from the European perspective via fairy tales and mythology. our (since we are both of English parentage) root (indigenous) way is very much about intuition. here reclaiming it with you. :)
That's so true, Anne. And infuriating. For ages, I was terrified I was crazy. Now I've discovered my nervous system is at her calmest when I'm listening to that voice!
I adore Sharon Blackie and need to read more of her. Thank you for the reminder!
Yes to a communal reclaiming!! And thank you for your kind words! They now live in my heart!!
So meaningful, Jane, thank you! I've learned to listen to that knowing. And by an odd coincidence, I read your essay just now after a therapy session in which my therapist encouraged me to move towards people that 'light me up', just like you talked about here. Sending thanks for your encouragement to all of us and wishing you health, love and light.
Oh, how tender you are with yourself here. I have recently ( at 71) claimed my intuition as my superpower. It is the most loyal companion. I know this piece will help other people. Thank you.
Jane, this was wonderful, thank you so much for sharing. This deeply resonated with me, as I’ve always relied on my gut, learned to trust my first instincts young. 💕
Jane, I love this so much. Thank you for writing about honoring your intuition. I did a meditation the other night just before bed where I tried to connect with the consciousness of Bunker (my beloved spirit dog who died 18 years ago) and when I went to sleep, I dreamt of a house that I'd lived in for years, but I discovered a hidden door and found three huge rooms I'd never seen. One basement room was filled with golden retriever puppies. Another room was literally a gift shop. And the other was being battered by the ocean and needed major repairs. I think all of us (and collective consciousness in general) are on the cusp of accepting these gifts and knowings as real and essential. Thank you for sharing your story and your knowing. Continue to honor it, my friend!
Thank you, thank you, Julie! And I LOVE that you're trying to connect with sweet Bunker!! I hope that happens! And what a dream! I'm reading your comment just after listening to an episode of The Telepathy Tapes Talk Tracks where the guest was speaking all about collective consciousness experienced in dreams, and dream travel, and a bunch of other cool stuff. I agree, we are on the cusp! It's exciting! (Have you listened to The Telepathy Tapes? If you haven't, oh my gosh, start now!!)
Yes! I have listened to The Telepathy Tapes and was absolutely blown away while simultaneously thinking, of course this is real. Right? Here we go! On the cusp, my friend! Keep your magic coming. 💕
Oh, Jane. Such a moving essay. Your friend's comment that not only you but the table had the intuition to fall sent shivers down my spine.
Thank you for sharing a potent lesson in listening to our inner voice. I know its value by experience yet still have great difficulty taking the time for the silence that allows me to listen. Two days ago, after a 2 month hiatus, I started writing in my journal again. The voice is hiding, but if I keep going it will reveal itself. You've provided inspiration to keep going.
Thank you, Shelley!! I knoooooow!! That sent shivers down my spine, as well!!
I'm so happy you've returned to your journal. I agree, that voice knows so much, possibly everything!! But we keep ourselves too busy to really listen!
Jane, your comment about learning to trust yourself really landed for me. I had a moment of clarity, I don’t trust myself, not really. It’s given me something to ponder today and I’m grateful. Wishing you more trust in yourself as you journey onward. ♥️
Thank you, Alison! Yes, learning to trust ourselves is such a journey! One I am definitely still on! Haha. But the more I do, the more my nervous system calms!! Solidarity on your journey! ♥️
Incredible essay, Jane. And I love Jillian’s illustration, such a tender rendering of a life-altering event. I’m just starting a book called “The Awakened Brain” by Lisa Miller and I’m even more looking forward to getting into it after reading your words. Thank you for them! ✨
Thank you, Jolene!! And, yes, Jillian's illustration went deep into my heart!! Oh, now I'm curious about that book!! Also: thank you for your beautiful card! I hope we do meet one day!! xx
love love love.
Thank you, friend! ❤️
Intuition is our birthright and our sixth sense. My dear mom taught me how to listen to mine as a wee one. She said we each had an inner voice that guided us, and to listen. I have always felt that our intuitive senses are on a spectrum, and with pausing to listen, the messages come with increased clarity. Your writing feels like an extension of home for me. Beautiful, life giving and SO necessary in this world. Mahalo Nui Loa. 💜🪶
Joanie: I think this is possibly the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said about my writing: Your writing feels like an extension of home for me. Oh my goodness, thank you! I agree intuition is our birthright and I'm so happy you were raised to honor that!! I'm slowly getting myself there now!! xx
Jane, you might appreciate (or maybe you already know) a book called Extraordinary Knowing: Science, Skepticism, and the Inexplicable Powers of the Human Mind by Elizabeth Lloyd Mayer. It's about intuition and similar knowledge that's not accounted for in western science--and how western science has been shut down when it tries to study this aspect of human experience. The book is thoughtful and grounded--she approaches the topic as a scientist herself.
I didn't know about that book, Jo! It sounds incredible. Thanks! I will check it out!
All of this is so relatable, Jane - right down to the having a strange intuition to avoid something, ignoring the intuition (I was still so young, and it would be a long while before I'd learn to trust myself), and having it end moments later in accident and lasting injury. I really appreciate your writing openly about all of this. I'm trying to live more deeply into my own intuition but don't see that modeled around me and have few people in my life who understand that desire and journey. This question really landed for me: "And hasn’t intuition, a natural part of being human, only taken on these supersonic and otherworldly qualities because in the West we deny its existence?"
I haven't been reading on Substack much lately but had a feeling I should come here to your page and see what you've written lately, and I'm so glad I did!
Thank you for your kind words, Lisa. And I'm sorry you have a parallel story! Yes, it is hard to find meaningful relationships with intuition modeled around us. Luckily, I do have a few. And I'm doing my best on my own -- though it's not always easy! More and more, I deeply believe there is nothing unusual or woo-woo about intuition. It's simply that Western society's belief in the rational mind over everything else erased intuition's role in being human! The balance of feminine and masculine energy. And I LOVE that you felt drawn to come here today! Yay! ❤️
This totally resonates with me Jane….I dont believe my intuition has ever been wrong, even when there has been times I’ve tried to ignore it, when that happens a lesson is learned, an understanding an experience which I would have rather not had, in hindsight very necessary….all of this makes each one of us the special individual we are x
That's wonderful, Penelope! And, yes, lessons definitely learned!! So glad you enjoyed the essay! xx
yes to this Jane. intuition is seen as a feminine quality in the western mindset, so of course poo pooed in favor of "the mind." the two are meant to play together, but as intuition has been demonized, quite literally, for so many centuries, it takes the courage of folks like you sharing to allow others to say "wait, that voice i'm hearing is not crazy!?" may we all listen more carefully and wisely to the voice of our intuition!
Sharon Blackie, i feel, has some great writing in this area from the European perspective via fairy tales and mythology. our (since we are both of English parentage) root (indigenous) way is very much about intuition. here reclaiming it with you. :)
and, as always, love how you "be" in the world.
That's so true, Anne. And infuriating. For ages, I was terrified I was crazy. Now I've discovered my nervous system is at her calmest when I'm listening to that voice!
I adore Sharon Blackie and need to read more of her. Thank you for the reminder!
Yes to a communal reclaiming!! And thank you for your kind words! They now live in my heart!!
You amaze me. And then you amaze me some more. And then you amaze me some more.
Oooooooooh, thank you! xx
So meaningful, Jane, thank you! I've learned to listen to that knowing. And by an odd coincidence, I read your essay just now after a therapy session in which my therapist encouraged me to move towards people that 'light me up', just like you talked about here. Sending thanks for your encouragement to all of us and wishing you health, love and light.
I love when that happens, Janie!! Yes, let's find the folks that light us up! And thank you for your kind words!!
Oh, how tender you are with yourself here. I have recently ( at 71) claimed my intuition as my superpower. It is the most loyal companion. I know this piece will help other people. Thank you.
Oh, I LOVE that Alecia! How wonderful! And thank you for your kind words. xx
Jane, this was wonderful, thank you so much for sharing. This deeply resonated with me, as I’ve always relied on my gut, learned to trust my first instincts young. 💕
Thank you so much, Sheila, for your kind words. And how wonderful to have always listened!! xx
Jane, I love this so much. Thank you for writing about honoring your intuition. I did a meditation the other night just before bed where I tried to connect with the consciousness of Bunker (my beloved spirit dog who died 18 years ago) and when I went to sleep, I dreamt of a house that I'd lived in for years, but I discovered a hidden door and found three huge rooms I'd never seen. One basement room was filled with golden retriever puppies. Another room was literally a gift shop. And the other was being battered by the ocean and needed major repairs. I think all of us (and collective consciousness in general) are on the cusp of accepting these gifts and knowings as real and essential. Thank you for sharing your story and your knowing. Continue to honor it, my friend!
Thank you, thank you, Julie! And I LOVE that you're trying to connect with sweet Bunker!! I hope that happens! And what a dream! I'm reading your comment just after listening to an episode of The Telepathy Tapes Talk Tracks where the guest was speaking all about collective consciousness experienced in dreams, and dream travel, and a bunch of other cool stuff. I agree, we are on the cusp! It's exciting! (Have you listened to The Telepathy Tapes? If you haven't, oh my gosh, start now!!)
Yes! I have listened to The Telepathy Tapes and was absolutely blown away while simultaneously thinking, of course this is real. Right? Here we go! On the cusp, my friend! Keep your magic coming. 💕
Yes!! There are ongoing episodes, in case you weren't aware. I didn't know about them at first! xx
There are?? Heading to listen now! Thank you!
Great article. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Gale!!
Oh, Jane. Such a moving essay. Your friend's comment that not only you but the table had the intuition to fall sent shivers down my spine.
Thank you for sharing a potent lesson in listening to our inner voice. I know its value by experience yet still have great difficulty taking the time for the silence that allows me to listen. Two days ago, after a 2 month hiatus, I started writing in my journal again. The voice is hiding, but if I keep going it will reveal itself. You've provided inspiration to keep going.
Thank you, Shelley!! I knoooooow!! That sent shivers down my spine, as well!!
I'm so happy you've returned to your journal. I agree, that voice knows so much, possibly everything!! But we keep ourselves too busy to really listen!
Jane, your comment about learning to trust yourself really landed for me. I had a moment of clarity, I don’t trust myself, not really. It’s given me something to ponder today and I’m grateful. Wishing you more trust in yourself as you journey onward. ♥️
Thank you, Alison! Yes, learning to trust ourselves is such a journey! One I am definitely still on! Haha. But the more I do, the more my nervous system calms!! Solidarity on your journey! ♥️
Beautiful Jane. Well said
Thank you, Catherine!
Incredible essay, Jane. And I love Jillian’s illustration, such a tender rendering of a life-altering event. I’m just starting a book called “The Awakened Brain” by Lisa Miller and I’m even more looking forward to getting into it after reading your words. Thank you for them! ✨
Thank you, Jolene!! And, yes, Jillian's illustration went deep into my heart!! Oh, now I'm curious about that book!! Also: thank you for your beautiful card! I hope we do meet one day!! xx
Hope so, Jane! xx