Blink

I just wanted to share a book that I've found interesting called Blink by Malcom Gladwell.  I've enjoyed the audio version of the book - it's great to listen to as I drive to and from work!

I'd love to hear if anyone else has read this.

Re: Blink

…I read the review you linked…looks like a good book…does he just give his ideas qand examples or does he offer exercises ?…

Re: Blink

Hi, John.  I've been reading it on and off for a while (I'm usually reading 3-4 books at a time so it takes a while to get through any of them).  My boyfriend passed it along after he read it.  It's been an interesting read.  I am about 1/3 through it.  I'm particularly interested in the examples he provides near the beginning of the book.  They've helped to validate some of my own experiences with “first impressions.” 

It's said that one's first half-second reaction is the most accurate.  If we're not astute enough to pick up on what's going on energetically, physically, mentally, etc., we miss our own inner cues.  Then the filters and justifications kick in and we lose the important insights.  I know that if I had paid more attention to those first impressions in the past, I'd be much better off today. 

“Awakening Intuition” and “The Intuitive Way” also are interesting reads, although a bit outdated now.  But helpful for someone who is seeking more information about those processes that seem to be out of the ordinary.  Or better, those experiences that are very ordinary, but we discount them because they are inexplicable in ordinary terms.  These books do provide some exercises for strengthing the intuitive muscle.  The Abraham-Hicks work, while being done to death, is also helpful in providing exercises to get in touch with one's inner cues.

I used to get into deep trouble because I can perceive a person's behind-the-mask intentions.  I know what's really going on behind the words and the smile.  It never dawned on me that other people don't perceive in the same way.  I'd call people on their duplicity.  It didn't go over well.

Then, I met a therapist who also was intuitive.  I walked into his office for the first time and he said, “You're clairesentient!”  before I even said hello.  I wasn't sure what that meant, and he explained it to me.  “You know things, but you don't know how you know them.  You perceive the energy, but you don't realize that's what you're doing.  It gets you into trouble.”  I was astonished.  He also told me that I should trust those impressions, even if other people don't realize the truth behind their own outer expression.  He said some people don't realize their own motivations or tapes that are running them.  And so, they react rather strongly.  But he also told me that it's not polite to blow someone's cover.  It's not necessary to share it, but to understand it so that I can make my own decisions from a place of knowing and adjust my own actions and words accordingly. 

I think that's really what intuition is for – a way for each of us to understand the world beyond the physical and to behave appropriately with the information.  We need to learn how to use it as a common practice.  I'm grateful for the work that's being done by people like Gladwell to get it out there.  I'm much more comfortable with my own intuition as a result.

I cringe and generally decline when people ask me to do “readings” for them.  Instead, I guide them into their own intuitive process unless I get a clear indication that it's appropriate for me to share the info I receive.  For me, that's usually a strong tingling in my right hip and thigh.  Weird, but it works!

Re: Blink

…thats great Karen…I'm clairsentient also…it doesn't seem to be active all the time but kicks in at the most uncanny situations…two of the hardest lessons for me have been discernment and discretion…picking up the signs quick enough and knowing when to keep my mouth shut…


  …listening is a good place to start…there is a saying about when the mouth is in gear the mind is in neutral…so listening and observing or just being still is helpful…


    …on sept 11,2001 we were hanging out at the truck waiting to go to work…still dark…someone walked up and said the twin towers were hit…instantly the thoughts came into mind that Geo Bush was involved…I'd been awakening for about 3 years …I *knew* that Light Work was needing to be picking up a knotch…

Re: Blink

Hi Will,

Gladwell provides a narrative on various studies that have been conducted as well as real life examples where people have made successful as well as unsuccessful 'snap judgments'.

He doesn't offer any specific exercises or 'curriculum' to follow in teaching how to 'thin slice' as he calls it.

I find it interesting that he specifically avoids this use of the word 'intuition' in the book (see the link in my original post - second paragraph).

For me, it isn't important if we call the process 'intuition' or 'snap judgements' or 'thin slicing'.  I'm interested in exploring ways to understand, develop and use this process/ability to make better decisions and to take action in our day to day lives.

One thing that comes through loud and clear in Gladwell's book is that less is more.  We don't need to have 1000 pieces of information to make decisions and to decide what action to take.  Knowing which of the 1000 pieces of information to look at is the challenge as well as trusting and committing to the process once this has been defined/developed.

Thank you both for sharing your comments and adding to this discussion.