What Do You Think Gets in the Way When Trying to Read Intuitively?

The first thing I notice that gets in the way is the most obvious: the mind.

The logical, analytical mind can keep us from accessing the subconscious thoughts that often lead to intuition. Some people try to quiet the mind through drugs, alcohol, or other substances. While these methods may create profound spiritual experiences, they can also take us away from being grounded in this reality. The messages may feel deep, but they are often difficult to apply in everyday life.

More importantly, relying on substances does not give the brain an opportunity to develop the natural ability to bypass the critical mind and access the subconscious. Over time, we can become dependent on a substance to enter that space. Eventually, the brain forgets how to get there on its own—and how to return.

Many people would say the answer is meditation. In a way, they are right. But meditation often begins with training wheels. At first, we give the mind something to focus on until that support is no longer needed.

I often refer to this part of the mind as the "monkey mind." It is the restless part of us that wants to jump from thought to thought. It can become fixated, dwell on insecurities, and often lean toward negative thinking. It is similar to the old image of an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other, or what some people call spiritual warfare.

If we can keep the monkey mind busy with useful tasks, we can remain clearer, less reactive, and more grateful. This brings us closer to what I call the zero point—the center of the storm, the space between reaction and choice.

If you can give the monkey mind a chore each day, whether through meditation or daily life, it becomes easier to clear your thoughts and access your intuition.

For example, guided meditation and hypnotherapy give the monkey mind a job. It can focus on breathing, visualizing the environment, or following instructions. While the conscious mind stays occupied, the deeper self is free to receive insight. Slowly, the mind becomes familiar with the feeling of stillness, clarity, and what I call the zero-point state.

I know a client who thinks constantly. She also recognizes that she has been conditioned to focus on negative possibilities. Because she understands this pattern, she keeps herself productive. She fills her schedule with meaningful tasks so she doesn't spend her time dwelling on the past. She keeps moving forward.

But before we can give the monkey mind a chore, we must understand why the monkey is there in the first place.

That is the catch-22.

Many people meditate to discover their triggers and understand why they exist. Yet it is difficult to do that when we are completely focused on the monkey itself. This is where awareness comes in.

Whenever you become angry at a person, circumstance, or situation, turn inward and ask yourself: Why do I feel this way?

The answer often has less to do with the situation itself and more to do with us.

Every person is living life according to their own choices, beliefs, and experiences. So are we.

Whether we call it shadow work, self-reflection, or simply personal growth, the process is the same. By observing ourselves honestly, we begin to understand why we react from fear rather than love. We discover our triggers. We learn our patterns.

Awareness of our reactions, journaling our true feelings, and regular meditation can gradually lead us toward a clearer mind.

When we reach a more neutral, non-reactive, zero-point state—although none of us can remain there 24 hours a day—our intuition becomes stronger.

I don't mean that we suddenly pull better Tarot cards or find the perfect deck.

I mean that we become more capable of sensing a premonition, feeling subtle energy, recognizing synchronicities, or hearing the quiet messages that are already there.

But by the time we reach that level of trust, would we even care so much about proving our intuition?

Perhaps not.

Because we have learned from our triggers. We have seen the synchronicities. We have developed faith that life, Source, or the Tao naturally guides us where we need to go.

The only reason we might still seek intuitive messages is to help guide others on that same journey.