How to Access Your Inner Wisdom

Image credit: Jess Foami via Pixabay

How many times did you ignore or defy your first instinct about a person, situation, or choice, only to find out later that your instincts were right? Our body communicates with us all the time, but most of us ignore it!

Did you know …
The body never lies
​And
​Truth is in the nuances.

​Never-you-mind how the body knows. It just does, most of the time.

If a flutter or other sensation passes through the heart or chest, can you identify the communication behind the different sensations? What about those tummy sensations, like flips, fear, and gnawing? Maybe a cue passes through your lungs and they either constrict or expand your breath. Can you tell the yes from the no from the neutral from the STOP? The lungs are the easiest to translate, because it makes sense that you’d breathe easier when it’s the right answer for you and breath less easier when it’s not right. 

And what about when you aren’t looking for answers but your body is communicating with you, anyway? If you knew what your body wanted, would you provide it? 

As a bodyworker, I recognize those who have ignored their body’s quiet messages for years. Then “suddenly” there is pain and they don’t know why. Pain is the body screaming because all other messages were not heard. The body really wishes we wouldn’t wait until pain sets in to do something. I assure you, the body does not like being treated like a machine. Yet it will do your bidding until it no longer can.

Let us learn to consciously tap our own wealth of wisdom, shall we? 
It will be different for everyone.
It will take less than one minute.

• Find a quiet place.
• Lower your eyelids.
• Allow yourself to relax.
• Take three even breaths.
• Clear your mind of all judgment.
• Focus on the inhale, the space before the exhale, then the exhale.
• No matter if you disagree, say the next statements like you mean them.

Say out loud in a normal tone of voice, "I am ugly".
Notice how your body responds. Don't judge it.

Now say, "I am beautiful." 
Notice how your body responds internally. Don't judge it. 

Now say, "I am."
Notice. Memorize this feeling, because it is your yes baseline.

Did you notice that each of the three statements caused a different feeling or sensation?

In fact, every person will feel different. Some might notice a flutter in their heart or tummy. Some might notice their breath feel more free or more constricted. There's no limit to how your body might communicate to you. So pay attention to the subtle changes, whatever and wherever they may be. Your body will love you for it.

You can practice listening anytime you have a choice to make. Let’s say you have three choices to make about something going on in your life. State each choice using the above technique and notice how your body responds. You'll soon sense the right choice.

Balance
I hope it goes without saying that not all decisions should be made only this way. Balance is key. So, do your homework and listen to your inner wisdom.

Practice daily
Notice what floats to the surface on its own - don’t force it.
The longer you've been out of touch, the longer it might take to get good at reading yourself. It's a skill worth learning.

Trauma Interference
If you have suffered from a lot of emotional trauma, don’t be surprised if the ugly feels good and the beautiful doesn’t. Just pay attention to how your body communicates. The more you listen, the more those reversed feelings will right themselves.

Addiction Interference
If we've not led a particularly healthy life, the body may have developed addictions. If you escape through food, sex, work, or a hobby, your body's responses will reflect that. That's what that "I am" is for. The feeling that comes from "I am" is usually your baseline for a healthy yes. The feeling that comes from an addiction will not feel that way. It will feel more like greed or gluttony or impatience.

Caveat
I do not know if this works with those who are lacking in conscience or caring. But if you are, do yourself and everyone a favor and make the effort to reopen your heart. Our hearts have a brain, too. We wouldn't want to leave that shut down! The brain of the mind and the brain of the heart are designed to work together. It's worth the effort to reconnect them. Yes, it will be painful as hell at first. Be brave. Keep at it.

Trust
Learning to listen and act on your inner wisdom will also teach you to trust yourself.
Self trust is key to self love.