Take the Panther’s Advice!

Dear Reader,

In my last post, I discussed who has intuitive ability (everyone!) and explored the nature of intuition. I discussed the role of both the conscious and the subconscious mind. In this post I will look at the role of your soul, or higher self.

The soul is your link to the eternal, to the all-knowing. It is the aspect that leads from the individual “I” to the unified “all.”  As soon as you ask the question “Is there something larger than myself, something more than my body and mind?” you are venturing in to the territory of the soul. And, even if you don’t have an answer to that question, you begin the process of accessing information you would not have otherwise been able to access.

We have many ways of actively gaining information from the soul. By meditating, we distill the mind to its essence, allowing our intuitive voice to come forward and be heard.  By contemplating the question “Who am I,” we step beyond the intellect and access a deeper, wiser voice. By engaging our imagination, we activate an intuitive source that engages our senses in a whole new way.

As an example… suppose you play your favorite CD of shamanic drumming, and lay down in a quiet space to go on an inner journey.  As your mind entrains with the drumming, your brain waves shift and you enter a state of altered consciousness.  Perhaps you see yourself falling into a hole in the earth, going through a tunnel and emerging in a new landscape.  The sun is shining brightly and you are at the edge of a clearing in the forest.  As you look around this new land, you are amazed to see a panther slip from the bushes at the other edge of the clearing. Soundless in its approach, you can see its muscles flexing as it glides forward, then stops in the middle of the opening. Its eyes are fixed on you the whole time, but you are not afraid – only expectant. You feel a welcoming energy. You wait. A thought, a voice or a simple knowing enters your mind, and you receive a message. After a few minutes, the message is complete; the event is over; you feel the energy shift. The panther bares its teeth, then turns and is gone. You find yourself retuning through the tunnel, led by the sound of the drum calling you back. Finally the drumming ends, your mind returns to waking consciousness, and your eyes open.

You realize the message you received provides, whether in specific detail or in metaphor,exactly the information and guidance needed to resolve a challenging situation in your life.  You have a choice. Do you thank the panther, accept the guidance and act on it?  Or does doubt creep in, and do you say to yourself “Wait a minute, that can’t be real! That message is just me and my imagination,” – and do you let the advice go without acting?

If you have learned to recognize your intuition, in the many forms it may take; if the message is loving and respectful to yourself and others – for crying out loud, take the panther’s advice! The message is energy. Everything is energy, including thought, matter and intuitive guidance. This energy coalesced at your request and initiation.  Does it matter what you call it or what form it took? Developing and following your intuitive guidance calls for a very pragmatic, common sense process – paying attention to what feels right and what doesn’t, what works and what doesn’t, every step of the way.

I honor your loving heart,

John