Excerpt from "Love and Intuition: A Psychic’s Guide to Creating Lasting Love"

 Llewellyn Publications: June 2010; US $16.95; 978-0-7387-1555-1

Tara, a friend of mine, first noticed Jeff while standing in the crowded line of a coffee shop waiting for her morning dose of caffeine. When their eyes met she felt a deep and compelling inner stirring. A casual hello that morning and the following morning, led to conversation and Jeff asking her to dinner. On their first date Tara told me that there was no denying their shared mutual attraction. Despite their many differences, such as education and occupation, Tara works for a biotechnical firm and Jeff drives a city bus, they both felt an instantaneous and unspoken connection to one another.

The immediate attraction that people in love often feel for one another is seldom logical or rational. It is instead a form of intuitive knowing that springs from the deep stirrings of the soul.

Intuition has been defined as simply knowing something without knowing how you know it. We have all had this experience. For instance, have you ever had a strong feeling of trust or mistrust in another upon first meeting? Have you ever thought of a loved one and you soon receive an email or phone call from them? Or have you ever pushed away uncomfortable feelings about another because you had no proof of problems and later regretted doing so? These are all common intuitive signals that most of us at one time or another experience.

Feelings of love and attraction magnify intuitive ability. Take Gabby for instance. For the past several weeks when her husband Carl, leaves for work, she feels heaviness in the pit of her stomach. Although Carl keeps assuring her that everything at work is going well, Gabby has a hard time ignoring the sinking feeling that something is not right. When sharing this feeling with a friend of hers who works for the same company as her husband, she discovers that there are rumors of impending layoffs. This information confirms what she has been feeling. With this advanced notice, Carl immediately contacts a career recruiting service that had previously sought him out. Everyone has intuitive ability and with a little attention and focus you can learn how to effectively use it. Your intuition can for instance, help you to attract a loving partner, provide valuable insight into others and increase self awareness as to your own sometimes baffling emotional patterns and attractions. Your intuitive knowing can also save you from unnecessary relationship heartache, increase intimacy and help you and your partner to more effectively communicate.

The following steps will help you to tune into and develop your natural intuition.

1. To begin, become aware of how your intuition naturally surfaces. It will emerge primarily through your thoughts, your emotions, your body or your spirit essence.

If you receive intuitive information through your emotions you are an emotional intuitive. You are empathetic and feel what others feel. You give from the heart and most likely you long for a deep authentic loving relationship with a soul mate. Emotional intuitives believe that love can conquer all and are usually sympathetic, compassionate and sometimes vulnerable partners.

A mental intuitive intuits through their thoughts. They often intuit the opinions views and ideas of others. They see the big picture, and their intuitive ability inspires creative ideas and solutions to problems. In relationships mental intuitives need to feel understood, accepted and acknowledged for their keen perception and insight. They tend to be nonjudgmental, open minded and interesting partners.

If you are a physical intuitive you likely absorb the energy of others and the environment into your body. A physical intuitive will often experience their intuition as gut feelings or spontaneous aches and pains. Upon first meeting another they may for no known reason experience tingling shivers up their spine or their stomach may churn and somersault. In relationships a physical intuitive demonstrates love through touch, hugs, hand holding and sexual intimacy.

A spiritual intuitive receives intuitive energy in less tangible ways than the other three types. They may receive intuitive information about their family members and friends in their dreams or through instantaneous impressions. These types of intuitives will sometimes "see" family members who have passed over and they may have visions of the future or of events in distant places. In relationships a spiritual intuitive is likely to fall in love at first sight, be spontaneous, insightful and wise.

2. However your intuition emerges, listen to it. Trust your initial impressions. It is often the first impulse you have about another, even before you know much about them that is the most accurate. Make it a habit to check in and listen for your intuitive responses.

You might want to tune into the signals of your particular intuitive type.

If you are an emotional intuitive notice how you feel around others. Are you quickly comfortable, calm, stressed or anxious? Do you feel opened hearted or self protective?

If you are a mental intuitive you might hear an inner voice telling you that either something is not "right" or that you can relax and trust. Another common intuitive signal for the mental intuitive is an idea or thought that quietly but persistently keeps surfacing.

If you are a physical intuitive check tune into your physical boy. Do you feel tight, tense or relaxed? Do you develop headaches or stomach pains around certain people or situations?

A spiritual intuitive will often intuit in his or her dreams. If you suspect you are a spiritual intuitive, before you go to sleep at night ask for a dream that will help you to understand a particular person or situation. When you wake notice your initial feelings and thoughts and if you can recall a dream, write it down. If you do not understand it, seek help in interpreting it. You might find that it holds valuable information.

3. Once you become aware of an intuitive sensation or impression, spend some time alone where you can be undisturbed and further tune in. Focus within and ask for the message or meaning behind the intuitive sensations. Listen and try not to logically figure this out. Breathe, relax and become receptive. Then trust what you receive.

Be honest about your desires and expectation, about another or a relationship. Your expectations of another will muffle your ability to listen to important vital intuitive information. Be willing to know the truth and release your desired outcome.

Once you consciously begin to develop and align yourself with your intuition, the intuitive messages, sensations and impressions will increase. Be patient with yourself and the process. With time and practice your intuition will strengthen and become more clear and accurate.

Love is a powerful force that is always intuitively guiding you.

Author of the bestselling Discover Your Psychic Type, Sherrie Dillard has been a New Thought pastoral counselor, professional psychic, medium, and teacher for over twenty years. She has taught classes and workshops, both nationally and internationally, on the life-enhancing aspects of intuition development. Her writing has also appeared in New Age Journal and on Wellness.com and HitchedMag.com.