Intuition

When reviewing my world: there is a reference to understanding my world is within the parameters of my imagination. And this thought encourages me to try and see the whole picture of interaction. Many time I’ll fail in this quest, but I will continue to work toward an open-minded approach to interaction.

During a conversation, I accept an exciting dialogue is made from the interaction between myself and the individual. On rare occasions, the exchange is with two or more people. But wait: is this accurate? Most of us who enjoy the process of social media quickly builds up a rapport with many people in a post.

Good Conversations Do Not Have to Be in Agreement

Only recently did I begin to realise the extent that people revealed their true self during the dialogue. Of course, there will be many of you who’ll correctly think: ‘Ian, we have always seen more than is revealed in the ten to twenty-word viewpoints or counter points’. But how far have you taken this insight?

For some time, I’ve watched the popular posts of my cyber-friends. There is no surprise to acknowledge the fact popular posts have real and meaningful messages. Most important is the feeling that statements with attempted hidden agenda are seen for what they are: A right and positive post can be transparent. A vindictive quote can be guided with ‘respect’ ‘in fairness and the miss-used ‘open-minded’.

I watched (indeed predicted) a cyber-friend annihilate their reputation in twenty-eight words. He’d chosen to announce that he’d reported someone for breaking social distancing rules. While he’d done so from the viewpoint of social correctness. He failed to realise many people do not see reporting a crime as a status symbol. Many people know the implications of this type of activity. And they take the step with a heavy heart and much self-searching. Even when they have followed a right and proper path: they still feel an immense and heaven burden for their act, choosing to be silent, lest they should be judged.

Fair-minded people accept it is a good act to follow a public duty. But to relish the outcome of their appropriate action: is not part of the equation. No matter the complexity of the situation and the moral dilemma’s involved. An overwhelming number of people saw the public announcement of reporting the crime as evidence of a vindictive and vengeful nature. And as many pointed out, ‘Once we lose the trust of neighbours – we lose a degree of neighbourhood security.

Am I writing people should ignore law-breakers? No, I am not: the suggestion is, standing on a high moral pedestal is a perilous act. And the higher the pulpit – the greater the fall from grace. One should also consider the words of a great master ‘He who is without fault – can cast the first stone.

At this stage, readers should correctly question the sentiment of this essay. Am I saying that we should be censored? Am I writing people have no right to write their viewpoints? Of course not: quite the opposite. From my perspective, the individual can do as he chooses. He can say and write as he likes because when we lose the right to air our opinions, we have lost the most sacred freedoms.

Indeed, there will be some who will applaud the act of reporting one’s neighbours for breaking the law. This is the way of life: people of like-minded nature congregate. Happy people laugh at parties: Many miserable people do not go to parties! I’d like to write the idea in a better way, one which would be less subject to criticism. Alas, I cannot! We do congregate in groups, and like-minded people do become tribal.

Tribal Ritual is Wonderful and Powerful Way to Happiness

What is interesting is right and fair people have more effective dialogue. They’ll argue like banshees and forgive the argument a day later: ending up laughing about the contest like demented clowns. I had a friend once who took great pleasure in hammering away at my thoughts in cyber-space. But couldn’t look me in the face when we met. Sadly, he’d misjudged me: I love to be tested and criticised: in fact: I made some changes to business policies due to his robust input. However, he saw my replies as personal, not subjective: and sadly, we are no longer friends. Opinion is a lamp of perceived intelligence or a cloak of darkness that stifles free thoughts. I’d encourage anyone to be a light, not a shadow.

Where are my thoughts taking the reader?

Is it possible that when we read or listen to an opinion: the opinion is not the story. Is it possible that our creative and intelligent inner-being recognises people’s true character beyond the visible persona? (Persona – Greek for mask). Do we become frustrated with individuals not because of their written or audible message but because of the way our magical intuition is responding?

The ‘I’m not sure about’ response. A feeling that there is something more, something hidden, or not quite right. And this intuitive response is of greater wisdom and understanding than attempting to work through the suggestions being offered. It is complex thought and one which is worthy of exploration.

For some time: I have chosen to follow my intuition. I have asked my inner being, ‘How do you feel about this? Guide me to a response’. Initially, there was little rapport. In time I began to feel feelings of certainty and feelings of uncertainty. Later my intuition responded with subtle aches in my chest, dry mouth, fluttering stomach. The exercise has proven productive and a fundamental way of coming in alignment with my true self. And a growing suspicion is there is a way to harness this physical/intuitive response.

We all know the feeling of being let down by someone. But is the body’s response, a contraction of the muscles or light headache something more than the action (or lack of action) of the individual concerned? Is the reality that our discord arrived through our failure to assess the person at the first meeting? Is intuition really chastising one’s initial conscious assessment?

From here, there is a final consideration:

I’m a great believer in clean slates. For examples: walking away from challenging issues with permanence. Accepting we very often make big mistakes. Knowing we can never change any situation which has happened. Realising one opinion or way is not the only method to succeed in a project. And when anything goes wrong, accept it for what it is and, if necessary, forgive oneself without reservation. And note the critical phrase: ‘Forgiving one’s-self without reservation’. Why should this be considered? Well, I’ll take you back to the original paragraph:

“When reviewing my world: there is always reference to understanding my world is within the parameters of my imagination. And this thought encourages me to try and see the whole picture of interaction. Many time I’ll fail in this quest, but I will continue to work toward an open-minded approach to interaction”. In simple words: We construct the perception of our inner world. What is occurring in your mind and thoughts at this moment are unique to you. 

The Gavel of Conscience

For the very few who can live their life with a thinly veiled persona rather than a heavy mask, they find happiness beyond riches. People who find themselves outwardly agreeing with a consensus when the intuition is screaming, ‘No! This is not you’ will find happiness and success evasive. Because at the last garrison: all of us have deep and resourceful intuitions which dictate our future. And when a situation arises, and one has followed the consensus rather than one’s truth, and the agreement is wrong: there is inner recrimination. When the losses are to be seen strewn across the field, does the judge of conscience have the last say? 

By learning to follow one’s true self and listen to one’s intuition: the judge – named the conscience – will be compassionate and fair.

Ian Timothy