Developing Intuition

I have always had very good intuition.  I think of it as a "cognitive capacity" that anyone can develop.  To do this, there are several important steps to take.

1) Become a Clear Channel:
One of the biggest problems in spiritual development is that the immature ego gets in the way.  The mind takes over from pure intuitive knowing, and then the intuition is tainted with one's personal goals, asperations or worse FEARS.  
Becoming a clear channel means I have done enough shadow work to be able to recognize when I am acting out of my own egoic structure. 
2) Live in the Positive Torroid:
If you are engaged with many negative activities and surrounded by negative influence, you are going to have those influences come into contact with your morphic field.  The best way to develop a healthy clear channel is to live a good, clean life.  This is one free of drugs and drama.  Do not enmesh yourself with people who are emotionally sick.  This doesn't mean you cannot be helpful, but the purpose must be to uplift.  Cut your cords emotionally, and do not get dragged down.  Develop good practices of spiritual hygene when interacting in the world.  Use prayer and meditation, especially compassion based practices, to clear any negative entities before trying to work with your intuition.
3) Learn to Listen:
There is no one way listen to your inner guidance.  Really, the process of learning to listen is closely tied to meta-cognition.  I am learning to watch how my mind works.  This is how I start to notice the different aspects of self.  I can watch as I struggle to let go of a selfish urge, and start to open up to other possibilities.  I start to have space between thought and action.  I start to be able to weigh multiple perspectives.  By becoming the observer of my thoughts and inner dialogue, I develop discernment over what is coming from a lower place and a higher place.
4) Practice Journalling:
To start to talk to your higher intuitive knowing, start to journal. Use a free form stream of consciousness approach.  Especially allow those things that are troubling you to bubble up and flow onto the page.  Leave some space in the margin or between thoughts.  This will bring you to the second part of the practice.  Now go back with another color and start to respond to what you have written from a higher place.  Try not to overthink.  Allow answers to come.  This is a powerful practice.
​5) Start Now:
Even though you may not be a clear channel, or feel like you are receiving clear guidance yet, it is good to start experimenting right away.  You may be receiving guidance now, and yet since you haven't been acting on it your guides have gone silent.  As you start to follow your intuition, you will start to have a clearer connection with this guidance.  Keep track of how it is leading you.  If you feel like you were steered off track, try journalling, asking yourself what that meant, and allowing your higher guidance to answer.

Intuition is a capacity we all share.  It is a way of connecting to purpose.  Don't be afraid to start playing with this ability.  It may take time to really hone it, but once developed you will never leave home with out it.