Our inner sense, often referred to as the sixth sense, is a profound yet frequently overlooked facet of our human existence. This inherent sense, present in all of us, often takes a backseat to the more immediate and tangible experiences offered by our five physical senses. However, with a bit of focus and practice, we can reawaken this inner sense, opening the door to a deeper level of perception and comprehension.
Take for instance the remarkable story of a man in China who despite being blindfolded and presented with a thousand identical candles, he was able to discern the subtlest of differences. Here’s how it worked: from the thousand candles, one was selected and replaced with an identical candle from a separate basket. Yet, to this man, nothing was truly identical. He had devoted his life to proving this concept, using only his naked eyes to detect the most minute differences. His energy was so intensely focused on utilizing his vision that his eyes developed an incredible sensitivity to the slightest change.
This isn’t just a fascinating anecdote; it’s backed by scientific research. A study published in the scientific journal “Neuron” discovered that the brain can be trained to become more sensitive to certain stimuli. The researchers found that when participants concentrated on specific visual tasks over time, their brain’s visual cortex became more responsive to those tasks. This suggests that channeling our energy and attention towards a particular sense can indeed heighten its sensitivity.
Consider also the enhanced tactile sensitivity of individuals who are blind. Their ability to read Braille demonstrates the adaptability of our senses when energy is directed towards them. Research from the University of California, Berkeley, discovered that the brain’s visual cortex can reconfigure itself to process tactile information in people who are blind. This is yet another example of how our senses can become extraordinary when we focus our energy on them.
However, in our modern, fast-paced world, we often neglect our senses. We’re constantly inundated with information, and our attention is frequently split between multiple tasks. This relentless sensory overload can lead to a state of mindlessness, where we’re physically present but mentally elsewhere. We become less attuned to our immediate sensory experiences and, consequently, our inner sense.
The same principle applies to our sixth sense, the inner sense. By directing all our energy inwards, we can reawaken this inner sense. This includes our inner vision, inner hearing, inner taste, inner smell, and inner touch. These inner senses can be rekindled through practices such as meditation.
Meditation, a practice rooted in ancient spiritual traditions, has been extensively studied in recent years for its potential benefits on mental and physical health. Research has shown that meditation can alter the structure of the brain, enhancing areas associated with attention and sensory processing. This suggests that meditation can indeed help us redirect our energy inwards and enhance our inner senses.
Think about the state of dreaming. When we sleep, our outer senses shut down, but our inner senses come alive. We can see, smell, taste, feel, and hear in our dreams. This is our inner sense at work. However, during sleep, we are unconscious, and so we often cannot distinguish between a dream and a spiritual vision.
Through meditation, we can consciously direct energy back into our inner senses. As they reawaken, we become aware of them, and can begin to differentiate between the illusions of the mind and true spiritual visions. This is the path to reawakening our inner sense, to reigniting the innate sixth sense that lies dormant within us all. It’s a journey of inwardexploration, a voyage into the depths of our own consciousness.
