How to Deepen Intuition Through Triggers and Automatic Drawing

By Kenneth Moyer

As beings we shape our world based on our perceptions, which in turn our influenced by our values, beliefs, experiences, innate nature (introvert, extrovert, etc.), and the environment in which grow up in. We rely on our perceptions in determining our individual destiny, yet they aren’t necessarily accurate with regards to the facts surrounding events and interactions with others. These perceptions are similar to tables, which are supported by legs or in this case, references. References are proof that we individually compile in order to support our views or perceptions. Fortunately, we can dismantle our perceptions through creating new ones that are healthier, positive, and more objective.

However, when we don’t actively take apart some of our more negative perspectives, as I’ve experienced, they can surface again through triggers. Triggers can be any sensory input such as sight, smell, sound, touch, or taste, which can instantly recall any event from our memory, whether it be recent or in the distant past. If there’s any trauma associated with the memory it can immediately down spiral, leaving the person feeling helpless or “paralyzed” by fear. If triggers can have such a profound effect upon us, than why can’t we use them to create states of awareness that will allow us to instantly shift to a more centered state of being? Furthermore, how can we utilize triggers to instantly move into state of “otherness” where we’re in tune with our intuition, sub-conscious, and non-ordinary states of awareness?

Meditation: Visualization: Your perfect day

I want you to close your eyes and begin to focus on your breath. Begin to focus on what would be your perfect day. Would you rise to meet the sunrise or would you sleep in? Would you have for breakfast? What music would be playing in the background as you ate? What type of clothes would you be wearing? What are the colors that are present? What smells are present? Feel around the room. Are there many rough or soft surfaces?

Smells:

Sounds:

Touch:

Sights:

Tastes:

As you begin to fill these different categories you may notice that some of these triggers are more predominant than the others. These most likely are the main triggers that you will connect to. Hence, you can use these to influence the state that you want to be in.

Exercise: I want you to come up with a gesture, sound, smell, taste, or touch, or visual cue that will help you access your centered state.

Having a Word With A.N.T.s (Automatic Negative Thoughts) or How To Permanently Squash Them

A conversation about emotional triggers isn’t complete without broaching the topic of A.N.T.s(Automatic Negative Thoughts). These are the thoughts perpetuated by our inner critic, judge, or one that’s described by a plethora of descriptive adjectives. It’s this voice that tells us that “we’re losers”, “unworthy”, “ugly”, “stupid”, “pathetic”, etc. These thoughts are constantly replayed in our head like a scratch up cd, driving us to the depths of insanity. As one who has had A.D.D(attention deficit disorder) and social anxiety I can attest to this. My moment of clarity with what A.N.T.s were came to me only a few years ago after I finally got both of my disorders treated with medication. One day when I was driving around something triggered these negative thoughts to go off. They started to tell me “ how worthless and pathetic I was”, “nobody likes you”, “you’re a loser”, “you’ll never be successful”, “you’ll be homeless” and “you’ll always be alone”.

I was quickly down spiraling into a fit of madness and depression. Then suddenly I got enraged and cursed back at them asking, “how are you helping me?” Suddenly all was silent without response, however an image immediately filled my mind. I saw this drill instructor screaming at a soldier who was doing pushups in order to get him to the most he can. It was the old mentality of motivation through angering a person in order to get him or her to do the best they can. It was an epiphany for me. My inner critic finally understood that the A.N.Ts weren’t helping me become the best person that I could be. My thought patterns simply had to be rewired to work correctly. Since then, my inner judge rarely speaks up.

Meditation 2: “Self Liberation”

This meditation is much easier than it sounds. In my meanderings I ran across a very thought provoking post written by tantric practitioner regarding meditation. In his post, Kaal Ugranand Saraswati alludes to how in meditation there's a common misconception that one has to struggle, conquer, or subjugate his or her thoughts to clear the mind. This struggle is unnecessary and creates tension. He furthermore states:

"One should have great compassion, not only for others, but for what arises in themselves. Therefore, let what arises come in compassion and then have the compassion to let it go into its liberation. This is not only true of thought, but also emotions and any inner feelings/phenomenon. "

In addition, Kaal utilizes the concept of liberation and the borrowed concept of "self liberation" to describe the arising phenomena within the self. With "self liberation" the arising thoughts or feelings are released without our approval or willing them so-they have already been liberated. It seems to make the concept of "being present to the moment that is now" much easier, particularly to those of us who have the tendency to look forward into the future. Simply put this is compassionate detachment, which allows us to be disengaged from the emotion or arising phenomena without losing our humanity. However, this happens without our having to will it to be so. There's no struggle necessary to achieve this state-just be.

At this time I want to you to close your eyes and focus on your breath. Let the first thought or emotion rise of its own accord without you censoring or forcing it to come up. I want you see yourself being split in two. One part of you will experience the emotion while the other part of you will just watch that person experience the thought or emotion without participating.

Mediation 3: Automatic Drawing

This is exactly what it sounds like-it’s the same concept as automatic writing except your drawing a picture. The main point of this meditation is to overcome your perceptions and gain a flexibility that will allow you to immediately shift into a centered state of “awareness”