The intuition journal provides a protocol for exploring personal insights. By learning to articulate intuitions, we discover the subtle dimensions of intuitive knowing suggested by the many ways intuition has been defined. Capturing this richness in a journal encourages us to explore the sparkling facets of the intuitive diamond. The complete guidelines offer a detailed explanation of what to include for each paragraph in the nine sections illustrated in the diagram:


diagram of the journaling process


For each paragraph, the guidelines have 1) a brief explanation of what to include along with samples, 2) a suggestion about how to benefit from that category, and for the quantified categories, 3) the numerical values.

Microsoft Word documents are provided in a long and a short format to use in preparing journal entries on a computer. The complete journal guidelines and two journal examples are in the Adobe Acrobat format. (Please Note: In order to view and print Acrobat PDF files, you must have the freely distributed Adobe Reader installed on your computer.)

The long format provides a brief description of the content required for each paragraph taken from the complete guidelines. Use this version to start the journaling work. As the process becomes familiar, use the short format with a simple question to answer for each paragraph. In either Word document, simply tabulate from cell to cell in the table and type in the response in place of the long description or short question.

Save the complete guidelines to disk for viewing or printing off line. It contains the text of the pages from this section of the web site as well as details about each paragraph with two samples for each taken from the personal and professional examples. Used together either Word format, the complete guidelines and two examples will quickly help you acquire an in depth appreciation of the journaling process.

To illustrate the power of journaling, here are two journal examples. The first is taken from personal life, and the second from a work setting. The guidelines describe how to document the many dimensions of an intuitive experience as illustrated in these examples. As you begin journaling, use these documents along with the guidelines to clarify what to write for each paragraph.

Journaling Fullness and Balance

Full and balanced coverage across all paragraphs facilitates the process. "Fullness" means to answer each question so that it will stand on its own. "Balance" means to even out very short and very long paragraphs. When there are long answers, some of the response should be included in another section. As familiarity with the questions develops, an understanding of what to include in each paragraph emerges.

Preparing full and balanced journal paragraphs may seem repetitious. But some duplication is inevitable for a complete journal. This is important to get the most out of the journaling process. Completing an entry emphasizes the individual experience. But later the emphasis shifts from single journal entries to a review across all entries when preparing the Intuitive Self Profile (ISP).

For the ISP, each paragraph needs to stand on its own because all entries for a particular question are viewed at the same time. For this reason, fully answer each question and develop balance across them even if that seems to create duplication and repetition. When synthesizing answers for the ISP, the redundancy in the paragraphs will be welcome.

Working with a Group

As powerful as the journaling technique is by itself, a more profound effect can be achieved using the results in a group setting. Bold explorers of The Intuitive Self share their experiences with each other. As in brainstorming, this practice triggers additional ideas while building a sense of community through the sharing of personal experiences.

Working with a group also serves a permission giving function. When individuals discover their friends and colleagues rely on intuition, they develop a new sense of openness around intuitive experience. In addition, a greater appreciation for diversity encourages empathy for different styles of and attitudes toward the intuitive side of life. To obtain these benefits, arrange to meet with others to share experiences.

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