The hidden voice

When it comes to senses, perhaps the most helpful one of all when one needs to perceive things that are hidden between the lines, is intuition. It seems to be a voice of reason when we get caught up in a new situation, or are not fully focused in the present moment and need an internal slap to bring us back. I firmly believe in this sixth sense and cannot count the times it has been useful, even lifesaving.

Several years ago I was touring Portugal by train. As I was nearing the city of Sintra where I would disembark, I decided to stretch my legs and walk through one train car to the next. It was very late and I was quite tired from the long day touring about, so probably wasn't as keen to pick up on what would have otherwise been screaming out to me.

As I got to the end of the car, I opened the door and could see the door to the next car a few feet ahead. It was dark and as I started to take a step, I paused. Perhaps it was a voice from within that prompted me to reconsider, or some other force at work, but it was enough to get me to stop.

I then looked down and I froze as a saw that a couple of feet of good floor board suddenly gave way to a steady dark movement. As I looked closer, I could see open track flashing by - a certain and quick demise that was saved for another day simply because I listened to that inner voice that was telling me something wasn't right. I recall standing there dumbfounded and then turning back and staying glued to my seat, hardly believing the speed at which one can transition between pleasure to ill fate, simply by not staying aware.

There are many facets to life that we do not have the answers to or can measure, however, they still exist. Occasional experiences like this causes one to step back and question the possibilities and unseen forces that may be at work, and in a sense adds to the mystery of what else may be there which our limited senses can pick up on.

Perhaps intuition is just a higher brain function - a communication between the subconscious and conscious - when something is perceived as not being right on a deeper level that our basic senses overlook. Whatever the case, intuition can offer us occasional insights that can useful, even life saving.