Have you ever read a self-help book that tells you that you have wisdom within you and found it difficult to accept that fact? Or have you been told to listen to your inner voice and trust your intuition, and yet your scientific conditioning tells you to discard such nonsense? And how about the advice to pay attention to what your conscience tells you?

All these warnings have a long history of existence, even if many people believe that without worldly experience it is impossible to have insight or wisdom. Actually, nothing is further from reality. The experiences of young and old alike provide first-hand evidence that, in a mysterious way that no one fully understands, we all get critical information from ourselves, not from where (we just say within or from the unconscious).

The fact is that useful information for making decisions and for living with all the losses and changes in life often appears at just the right time. Many have attributed it to guardian angels, spirit guides, inherent intuition, imaginary playmates, the inner voice of love, deceased loved ones, or the realm of God within. In either case, inner guidance is available to anyone who is open to it and decides to ask for it. Here’s how to use this powerful, often underutilized resource.

1. Find a quiet place where you can relax and feel safe without interruption. Take a few deep abdominal breaths and tell yourself to slow down and release the tension in your muscles. Imagine that you are going down in an elevator, going deeper and deeper into your mind and heart. Listen to the silence. Give yourself a few more minutes to fully relax. Then imagine where you think the creator or source of your wisdom might reside.

2. Now ask for an image or sign from whoever (God, your angel, a deceased loved one, your unconscious mind, etc.) that you think is responsible for the many flashes of insight and useful ideas that in the past seem to have come to you. . of nothing. Listen to what appears in your thoughts or what image appears. Study it carefully.

3. Ask your inner advisor, in whatever form it appears, if it will help you deal with a current problem or decision you need to make. Listens. Observe carefully what appears in your thoughts or in the form of an image. Do your best to relax and relate comfortably to what appears, just as you would a trusted old friend. The image may change in response to your question, or you may hear a yes or other affirmative response.

4. Make a specific request for an idea, direction, or information you need to deal with your current crisis. No matter what pops into your mind or thoughts, even if it doesn’t make sense, consider it carefully. Most of us have prior expectations that often cloud and confuse what comes into our awareness. So do a careful examination.

5. Ask follow up questions and see what you get in return. As your thoughts and images appear throughout your quest for inner wisdom, keep a pen and pencil handy so you can write or draw what you experience. Sometimes you may have an idea of ​​what to do and not have a picture or sound as a cue. You just “know” that this is the way to go to address your problem. It will feel good. It will feel good.

6. Regardless of what you receive from the experience, let your heart and reason work through the various scenarios that could unfold, if you follow the advice. Consider alternative ways of interpreting what emerged, who would be affected, and whether the new options before you are perhaps too risky to pursue at this time. Always weigh the benefits and drawbacks in an atmosphere of love.

7. Because we have all been conditioned by society to expect instant success or there is something wrong with us, give yourself time to develop the faith to contact the wisdom and the source of that wisdom that lies within. It is there and you can be sure it will if you are patient. persists.

And what should you do if, on very rare occasions, a negative or demeaning image or thought arises from your request for help? Realize that this is not your inner wisdom surfacing. Most likely he is a punitive authority figure from the past. The love that is behind the inner gift would not allow a hurtful message like wisdom. Learn to discover anything that might be useful, but discard the hostility and continue your search. You do not have to submit your inner life to an enemy who is not from there.

To summarize, if you want to be transformed, trust your inner voice, your best intuitions. The wisdom we need is there to ask and listen. Our culture has trained us to discard this useful resource. Check your heart first, and your reason will catch up later. Trust yourself to make the decisions and choices that come your way. We all have that inherent ability to capitalize on the amazing people we are.