Intuition: What to Do When Intuitive Insights Contradict One Another
Today I’m opening up the Powered by Intuition mail bag.
In the last few weeks I received several emails from readers asking very similar questions about what to do when their intuition seems to contradict itself.
Here’s an example of what readers have been asking:
Q. How am I supposed to trust my intuition when I keep getting different answers? One day I am being guided to do one thing and then the next day another. What can I do about this and why do I keep getting different answers?
A. For starters, I suggest you stop asking the same question over and over. Doing this will only confuse you and desensitize you to your intuition. Your rational mind will take over and begin posing as intuition and you won’t know the difference between the two.
Go back and review the first answer you got and try to recall how you “felt” about it in that moment? Were you aware of an emotional response to the answer? Was it positive or negative? Did you feel something physically in your body at the time. Was it a physically reassuring feeling or somewhat repellant? Remember, your first impressions both emotionally and physically are usually correct.
The other suggestion I have for you is to not be attached to the outcome. Many times the reason we ask the same question over and over is because deep down we want a certain answer. This happens when you are attached to following one course of action. If this is the case I suggest you just do what you keep wanting to hear from your intuition and stop asking. It just may be that this is “the answer” and has been the answer all along – so just do it.
Another way to interpret this is, if you are getting a different answer than the what you “want” not only are you attached to the outcome but perhaps, you are also on the wrong track! Your intuition is trying to tell you otherwise but you don’t/won’t accept this as the “truth” so you keep asking over and over and end up even more frustrated and confused.
The only way to deal with this is to surrender. Stop thinking about the problem and stop trying to get the answer. Just get the entire situation out of your mind and focus on something else for a couple of days. When you surrender and totally detach from one answer over another the answer will come to you. The answer will be very clear because your mind will no longer be cluttered and confused by all the distracting thoughts you had previously.
Regarding trusting your intuition – know that the more you follow your intuition and take action upon it the more you will trust. Trust comes from taking action and having a successful outcome based on following your intuition. It is normal not to feel 100 percent certain in the beginning but you must have the guts to follow the advice if you are going to become confident in your intuition. Trust comes later on as a result of listening to your intuition over and over.
Q. Another reader wrote the following reply to me after reading an article in my weekly newsletter. In this article I assured readers that they didn’t have to “see, hear” or believe that they were being guided by beings outside of themselves in order to receive intuitive guidance. The physical reaction of the body is just as reliable if not more so.
“I really enjoyed this newsletter and all of the previous ones as well. One thing that you mentioned helped explain much of the frustration I felt taking classes in the beginning. I would find myself getting tense or frustrated because I wasn’t “seeing” a person I could refer to as a spirit guide and therefore wasn’t tuning in very well. Apparently I put so much effort into focusing on a spirit guide that I ignored listening to what my body was telling me. You have given me a different way of looking at things and I thank you so much.” –Susan Reese
A. The important point is that you have access to an infinite amount of information. As I’ve mentioned here many times we are all connected and part and parcel of one vast intelligent organism. We cannot be separated from it or each other anymore than you can separate an individual wave from the ocean.
If you feel strongly that an ethereal being outside of yourself is guiding you and that works for you – great.
But, if you are having trouble tuning in know that you do not need to see or hear the voice of an intermediary. Some people never see or hear a guide yet they receive perfectly clear direction from their intuitive higher self. Know that all the wisdom and knowledge of the Universe is available to you directly. Just like any other belief system you are creating your reality even in matters of how you think you recieve intuitive insight.
As you can see in Susan’s note to me she was getting tripped up because she assumed that the way she would know she was receiving intuitive guidance was by seeing her guide.
Here’s what I advise: Let go of all preconceived notions of how the guidance is to come to you and be open to all forms and you will not block this information from coming through to your awareness.
Another method for attuning to your inner guidance is to become aware of how your body reacts when you receive the guidance. The purpose of tuning into your physical body is so that you can interpret what your body is communicating to you.
If you feel anxious or nervous or your stomach tenses up this is a sign that you should exercise caution or not proceed at all. If you get a sinking feeling that could also be a “no.”
What questions or reactions do you have regarding getting conflicting information or how you receive intuitive guidance? Share with us in the comments section.
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P.S. Learn how you can easily attune to your intuition. Click here!
Related articles
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- Intuition: Miraculous Stories of Following Intuition in Everyday Life (poweredbyintuition.com)
- Intuition: Examples of How to Recognize It (poweredbyintuition.com)
- The Top Ten Signs Your Intuition is More Developed than You Think (poweredbyintuition.com)
Comments
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Great article Angela! I think often, especially when we are trying to learn something like contacting our “guides”, we think the information has to come to us in a very specific way.
I think the most important step in using one’s intuition is actually trusting that the information our incredibly sensitive and brilliant bodies receive – in whatever way they receive it – is the true information.
I really thought this article was super helpful for all.
Kara
Hi Kara,
I’m so glad you enjoyed reading all the stories.
I agree – trusting the information no matter how it comes to you is key.
Thanks so much for sharing your story with us too.
Best,
Angela
Greeting Angela,
I have read your blogs for quite sometime now, but had been shy to post a comment until to-date. I would just like to say your words are very on point and inspiring!
Keep Up the wonderfull work.
Thanks, Heru.
Heru,
How wonderful to hear from you.
I’m so glad you found this article helpful.
It’s a pleasure to have you visit and leave a comment.
I hope to see you here again.
All my best to you,
Angela
Hi Angela, Too true – while I “see” or experience HS or spirit guides/angels for other people when I do readings, it is rare that I see my own. Over time I learned to take a leap and trust my gut/feelings in the body as well as what I think of as unmistakable signs. All of the information is there if we just are willing to see it.
Oh and it’s like the contractors say, “Measure twice, cut once.” Asking over and over again is the ego’s way of making us nuts. Once will do it, and sometimes we still don’t know the answer because other events have to develop or we have to make some choices, etc – but eventually we know what to do, and asking all of the time is a sure way to confuse yourself.
Hope you’re well 🙂
Hi Julie,
It’s so nice to see you here! I hope you’re doing well?
Your comment is right on the money. I think we find it easier to get information for others because we are not emotionally attached to the answer; whether we see an ethereal being or get the answer directly.
I love the quote from the contractors!
I do believe your absolutely right too – “other events have to develop or we have to make some choices” first before the entire picture gels so that we can come to a decision.
I am well- thanks for asking. 🙂
Great information Angela. There are times when I’m not sure if Im hearing what I want to hear or if it really is my intuition? And to compound it, I don’t feel either expanded or contracted by either answer.
So far my response is to just sit with it, with the assumption that eventually I’ll know!
e-hugs
Elle
Elle,
That’s perfect! That what I do too. Sometimes you just have to “sit with it” as you put it, watch for signs and more validation and wait.
e-hugs back!!
Being bombarded with different answers is prbobly something everyone experiences. But I agree, it’s usually the first instinct, the first impression, thie first gut feeling that is always right. Thanks for reminding me…again :o)
Hi Rosemarie,
It’s so basic and simple yet we forget (me too) all the time! First impressions…….
I certainly can relate to asking the same question over and over again until I get confused. It is when I realize that I am probably attached to the outcome and may be hoping for a specific answer. Yes, I totally agree that usually the first answer or impressions are usually “correct”.
I also would like to think that we are gifted with receiving intuitive information in different ways. We will limit ourselves if we are simply concentrating on receiving guidance from external beings.
Hi Evelyn,
We’ve all don it – asked over and over, when we’re not sure. At those times it’s best just to let go for a while so we can “reset” our minds and get clear again.
I do believe we have access to all the answers we need in our lives directly.