In a previous post, I talked about dreams being “technology” for the soul. I’m not a technophobe, and I think of technology as something that will benefit my life. Since you are reading this blog, for which technology is required, I will imagine that you share this philosophy with me.

Given my love of gadgets, I want to invite you to use another bit of soul technology: your intuition. Intuition comes in all sizes and shapes, using all or some of our various senses. Precognition, clairvoyance, clairsentience, and so on are all just terms that refer to the predominant sense that is used. So for example, clairvoyance means “clear seeing” and refers to getting a visual of some sort—usually the future—as the intuitive style.

Now the problem with using your intuition for most of us is that we often cannot differentiate which is an intuitive hit and which is the usual chatter in our brains. We are not taught that we all have intuition, so we tend to think of it as a gift for the special and unique among us.

Over the years, I’ve been working with my students and clients as well as my own brain chatter, and I’ve hit upon an ancient yet modern way of cutting through the noise: synchronicities.

A synchronicity is a meaningful coincidence. It is an outer experience that resonates or coincides with an inner experience but where no causal relationship between the two can be found.Synchronicities were used in the ancient world. In Pausanias’ “Guide to Greece,” we learn that pilgrims would visit the statue of a Hermes, where they would burn incense, fill the lamps with oil, leave a coin on the altar, and then ask the god a question. Then they would leave with their ears covered as they exited out into the marketplace. Once outside, they would uncover their ears and the first words they heard would provide the answer.

We can do this without going to Greece, in our waking lives or in our dreams. Spend some time focusing on the issue for which an answer is needed, ask for guidance, then go outside and notice the first thing that grabs your attention. It just may be your intuition (or spiritual guidance) that makes you open and available to receive a message.

I remember once, while despairing over some issue and the clarity that seemed to elude me, I wrote in my journal, “I just wish I could have a sign.” Then I closed the journal, forgot about it, and went out to start my day. I got in my car, turned the engine on, and the radio came on and with it the song proclaiming, “Sign, sign everywhere a sign …” After I was done laughing, I felt just a little less alone. I remembered that we really are guided and watched over, even when we don’t feel it.

With dreams, write in your journal before going to sleep all the pros and cons, ins and outs of any particular problem. Then when you wake up, write down any dream that you remember. Then see how the dream speaks to the issues.

Watch for signs and wonders in your life, whether asleep or awake. I think you will find that your intuition will kick in and you will have discovered technology for your soul!

Patti Allen