Have you ever had that feeling that something just wasn’t right? Then you dismissed it, blew it off, or you allowed someone else to convince you that it was nothing?
We’ve all been there. I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit. What I can tell you is every time I’ve allowed my logical mind to override “that feeling,” the outcome wasn’t good. Each time it happened, I said to myself, “Never again!”
What happened from there? I’d do it again, and again.
Eventually (it took most of my life) I reached a point where I drew a line in the sand and said, “No more!” I finally figured out that there was one common denominator that was causing this craziness. It was my logical mind. I allowed it to rule over my intuition in every one of those situations.
Why does someone allow herself to do this? For me it was a multitude of reasons. One being, I was told that’s how it’s always been done so it must be right (there goes the logical mind again).
Other reasons were: “science says” or “some expert says” or some person who claimed they had more horse experience than me thought they knew more about my horse than I did, and the list goes on.
For some people another reason is that they’re not strong enough to resist peer pressure and the programming of conventional thinking. However, inside they know differently, but they choose to ignore that voice.
An Unprepared Mind
Over time, I’ve learned to accurately recognize that feeling or voice, act accordingly, and override logic in those situations.
The scariest part of it all is this: by following your intuition it might push you in a direction that causes you to do the hardest thing you’ve ever done in your life. Most people are not ready for that because it involves change, so they choose to ignore that voice inside.
Albert Einstein is credited with a quote that sums it up well:
Intuition does not come to an unprepared mind.”
From a scientific standpoint, intuition is not considered a mystical gift that can’t be explained. Instead, it’s that small voice that advises you based on what you’ve learned and processed in your life. Supposedly intuition emerges from the subconscious. I believe that’s true, but I also believe there’s more to it that can’t be proven or explained by science.
That’s the power of intuition!
You’re taught to rely on your rational thoughts, but you use the power of your intuition every day without realizing it. You probably also ignore it, to your detriment. It’s important to pay close attention to that voice inside.
For me, that “feeling” or “voice” happens daily. It didn’t use to, or at least I thought it didn’t. What was going on is that I wasn’t listening. When I look back, I always had it, I just didn’t pay attention or I dismissed it.
Now I know to listen to that voice and it happens automatically. It always emerges when I’m with my horse or a client’s horse. It especially happens when I’m riding, preparing my horse to ride, or trimming a horse’s hooves. I automatically tune into it each and every day when I feed my horses. It also happens when I’m writing. If something doesn’t feel right I no longer second guess myself. Instead, I hit the delete button immediately.
Is Natural Horse Care “Woo Woo”?
In an article from The Huffington Post by Deepak Chopra called Woo Woo Is a Step Ahead of (Bad) Science, this is how he defined the phrase “woo woo”:
For those who aren’t familiar with the term, ‘woo woo’ is a derogatory reference to almost any form of unconventional thinking, aimed by professional sceptics who are self-appointed vigilantes dedicated to the suppression of curiosity.”
The phrase “woo woo” may be thought of as derogatory, but I believe that it’s usually the caring, curious, creative, and unconventional types who are most responsible for the advancements we experience today. Those are ones who choose to push the envelope and help raise the level of consciousness.
For example, take the barefoot horse care movement. That had to start somewhere. It didn’t start with an individual who was locked into conventional ways of thinking. Of course, having a barefoot horse forces you to learn about natural horse care, which is not considered “normal” by conventional types.
I’m finally at a place in my life where I no longer allow my logical mind to override my intuitive guidance. I’ve decided that I will not allow myself or my horse to be a victim of my logical mind. Instead, they both work in harmony with each other, but the logical side now knows its place – and it’s not on top!
That decision was freeing. It now allows me to focus on developing my intuition but also effectively bridging the gap between it and logic or hard science.
Some will label the actions you take that are a result of your intuition as “woo woo” or crazy. What I have to say to that is this – it’s a much more pleasant road when you get out of your head and into your heart, become more present, and listen.
Naturally, the more intuitive you become, the more open you are to the possibilities. As a result, you become a more conscious individual. You also come to realize that many of the limiting beliefs you had before have been eliminated. You’re able to more easily make confident, sound decisions because you’ve finally reached a point where you trust yourself without fearing your choices.
The logical types will look down on this type of person. I’ve come to accept that, and move forward anyway. The way I look at it is that every invention in the history of the world had to start first with a thought and a gut feeling before anything became of it. It’s just how it is! I call it intuition.
Extreme Logical Types
The extreme logical types are usually those who think they’re solving problems when in reality, they’re not. They’re usually causing more problems for themselves and the horses in their care. I could give hundreds of examples of this but simply put …
Alternative approaches to horse care – and your own health – would not exist if the very problems that drive people there were being solved or didn’t exist in the first place.”
What causes people to finally go there is listening to their intuition, overriding logic, as well as listening to their horse. I know you already do this or it’s unlikely you’d be reading this article. However, it’s important to be able to recognize the type of person I’m talking about and also recognize it in yourself.
This type of logic-oriented individual has a lot to offer, but rarely are they able to help you out of an inferior health situation with your horse. The logical mind will usually focus on treating symptoms and back up poor decisions with bad science. You can recognize this individual (in conventional or alternative care) because they continue to offer the same options that don’t fully promote the health of your horse.
The logical mind often attempts to override what can’t be explained. In those situations, the unexplained is sometimes dismissed as “woo woo.”
This is not always bad but it’s not good either. As I often state over and over again, there must be balance in everything.
Logic Can Only Get You So Far
A valuable lesson I’ve learned is that science and logical thinking can only get you so far when it comes to health and wellness. Most people forget that the best use of science is explaining nature. Instead, more often than not, it’s used to manipulate her in a way that is harmful to life.
There are many things that science simply can’t explain because it’s not advanced enough yet. So, although the unexplained things that the woo woo person discovers are effective, they’re usually dismissed. The typical response is, “There’s no scientific data to back up what you’re saying.” That may be true, but science doesn’t know everything and it can’t.
Sometimes common sense trumps empirical evidence.” ~ Dr. Joseph Mercola
Science and technical advancement have their benefits but they fall short in many areas, especially when it comes to sustaining life on earth and working with, rather than against the laws of nature. Science is not superior to nature and it never will be.
It may appear that I’m against the scientific community, but that’s far from the truth. Ethical scientific advancements exist and will continue to exist. This is part of the universal law of balance.
There’s just as much of what I call ethical science going on as there is destructive science. I’ve been studying such advancements and cutting edge longevity technologies for some time now – it’s the kind of science I choose to support and use in my everyday life.
One of my favorite quotes from Albert Einstein says it all:
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.”
So, was Einstein woo woo? Some may think so. But he was also a genius.
An Essential Component to Your Horse’s Health
Combining science and logical thinking with intuitive guidance is essential for having a naturally healthy horse. Call intuition “woo woo” if you like but it’s been around since the beginning of time. It’s essential for helping you weed through the abundance of good and bad information – especially in this day and age – and to make choices that are necessary for change.
Use it to assist you with your natural horse care strategies and your own health care options, as well as when choosing holistic professionals – veterinarians, natural hoof care professionals, naturopaths (for you) or other healers.
Intuitive guidance is essential during those times when an expert is telling you one thing but your horse is telling you something completely different.
If you’re not in-tune, and listening to your inner guidance, it’s more difficult to listen to your horse as well as override a decision an expert may force upon you that isn’t right for your situation.
When you’re healthy in mind, body and spirit, it easily transfers over to your horse. It allows you to be able to make more sound, rational decisions based not only on science and data but also on common sense and intuition. It’s important to learn to balance logic and intuition.
You want to be in the Goldilocks’ position: not too much and not too little. It’s the optimal position for health in mind, body and spirit. In order to be there, you have to develop balance.”
I believe balance is a universal law. It’s an essential element that must be learned and mastered in every aspect of life.
Are You the Logical Type?
Being logical is not a bad thing, by any means. However, when it comes to horses, and to your own health, it’s imperative that you develop your intuitive side. If you’re thinking, “I don’t have it” – fear not because everyone has it. It’s just a matter of tapping into it.
It’s not something that happens overnight, it happens over time. It also takes you making the decision to dedicate the rest of your life to developing it – your horse will love you for it!
So how do the more “logical” types develop intuition? First of all, get the thought out of your head that you don’t have it – that’s a limiting belief. If you’re a woman, you’re already ahead of the game because women are more likely to tune into it more than men. Have you ever heard of a woman’s intuition?
There are several ways to start developing your intuition. One is to start with your diet (surprising, huh?). When your diet is clean and your body is nourished with whole and raw food nutrition, that include superfoods and superherbs, you’re more likely to be clear in your mind and have more balanced feelings.
The next step is to use this simple technique. No matter where you go or who you interact with, make note of what you feel the instant you enter that situation. Don’t allow logic to interfere. I wrote about this in another article as it relates to feeling and being with your horse.
Learning to feel what goes on around you is a necessary asset. In order to do this, you may need to stop checking email, stop text messaging, get off the computer, get rid of the television and put down your iPhone for a little while. 🙂
Which are you – more logical or intuitive? Have you ever encountered a situation where logical thinking caused an undesirable outcome for you or your horse?
Keep it soulful,
Stephanie Krahl
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Photo Credit – original photo modified in size and to include the Soulful Equine name, URL and article title.
