When Koko and other characters in Coin Trick tell Cassidy to listen, they’re reminding her to tune into her intuition.
So, what exactly is intuition?
Intuition is an awareness or deep knowing about something or someone, which arises from the combination of your natural senses and your individual life experience. Some people call it your sixth sense, inner voice, or simply “vibes.” It reaches beyond all time and space, and is often counter to reason or logic—yet you just “know” that it’s true.
Intuition is universal, everyone has it. And the more you use it, the more magical life becomes. Here are a few ways to tap into yours.
LISTEN UP!
Just as Cassidy learns to see without using her eyes, you don’t need your ears to hear your intuition. You do, however, really need to listen, because your inner voice often speaks quietly and can be difficult to hear over the constant din of smartphones, TVs, outside noises and our busy, busy minds.
PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR ATTENTION
By slowing down and being present in the moment—what’s known as mindfulness—you can monitor your thoughts and better notice when your intuition tries to send you a message. Practicing meditation is a great way to become more mindful. Coin Trick supports the David Lynch Foundation, which brings meditation to kids around the world. You can learn more here.
GO WITH YOUR GUT
Just like your brain and nervous system, your gut is lined with millions of neurons that can pick up on negative vibrations. In fact, it’s often called the “second brain.” So if you ever have a “gut instinct” that something isn’t right about a person or situation, trust it.
SCAN THE REST OF YOUR BODY
Do you feel tight or tense anywhere? Is your heart racing? Maybe you have goosebumps on your arm or a shiver down your spine. Your body will always let you know when something isn’t quite right—and when it is too, with feelings like joy, calmness and contentment.
ELIMINATE NEGATIVITY
As the saying goes, you can’t live a positive life with a negative mind. Negative emotions and thoughts obscure our intuition. Research confirms that people make better intuitive choices when they are in a positive mood.
MAKE A GAME OF IT
When you lose something, ask your intuition to tell you where it is. Open a book to a random passage and see if it has special meaning for you, or hold an object and tune into any feelings or images you get. Extra Sense is a phone app that helps train your intuition with simple meditative games.
Developing your intuition takes time and patience just like with any other gift or talent, so go slowly and be easy on yourself. Once you do tap in, as Coin Trick Narrator Michael Horse says, your intuition acts as "your own inner compass—it will always point you to your 'true north.’”