Our intuition is always there, always reading the situation, always trying to steer us the right way. ~ Arianna Huffington

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

I’ve known about my sixth-sense for some time. I first heard the term six-sensory from author and spiritual teacher, Sonia Choquette. Being a six-sensory means that you process your world with more than the conventional five senses (visual, auditory, touch, taste, smell).

Your sixth sense is your gut instinct. It’s natural, normal and everyone has it. The parental version of sixth sense awareness happens when children first venture away from parents: When you get there, if something doesn’t feel right I want you to call me or leave right away. Others talk about business relationships and opportunities: I just knew from the start that this was not a good person/idea, but I didn’t listen to my gut and I got burned. Think about the varied ways that your sixth sense has been involved in your life.

Now that we have established that you have a sixth sense, the question is: Do you listen to yours or have you ignored your inner voice?

Choquette believes that “your sixth sense should be your first sense”. Author Sophy Burnham (The Art of Intuition) says it’s the subtle knowing without ever having any idea why you know it. If you are ready to embrace your six-sensory self, there are ways to develop, and learn to hear, your inner voice / gut instinct / intuition: 

RECOGNITION – It is already communicating with you, but your mind’s chatter hides it. Busy minds and activities make intuition difficult to receive.

SOLITUDE AND CREATIVITY allow you the opportunity to reconnect with yourself, so strive to regularly build them into your schedule.

MINDFULNESS – Silent meditation is the most common, but you can be mindful during chores, exercise or any other activity. Focus your mind on each aspect or movement of the activity to quiet the chatter.

BREATHWORK – In your mind’s eye watch the movement of your chest and abdomen as it moves away from your spine on the inhale and then back inward on the exhale. This also helps to focus the mind and still your thoughts.

RECEPTION – You may ‘hear’ the message, see symbols or visual pictures, feel sensations or emotions in your body, or have a vague yet clear ‘knowing’. It may seem like a subtle whisper or a powerful download.

WRITE/DRAW – Relax your mind, close your eyes if you wish and write or type whatever comes to mind. You can similarly draw in a free association manner.

DREAMS – Dreams and intuition both come from the unconscious. If you remember your dreams, they can become a source of information. Begin each night with a request for information about a specific question. When you awaken, write in your journal everything that you can recall about that dream as well as your questions and recent life events. Review your journal regularly looking for symbols and patterns.

DISTINGUISH the difference between mind chatter and your inner voice. As you practice you will likely notice that your inner voice speaks clearly, concisely, gently and without judgment. These are not the typical descriptions of your inner chatter.

MAKING A DECISION? Imagine a path or a doorway for each of the choices that you face. As you approach each: feel for density, heaviness, thickness; observe the visual cues of light, dark, color, sparkles; look for excitement, dread, fear, approachability, resistance, expansion.

PRACTICE will allow you to trust your inner voice/instinct/intuition. Begin with small questions that don’t feel life altering, such as, which route should I travel to my destination today?

EMPATHY – Your empathic abilities are a gift. You don’t require the fullest amount of input to have the knowledge. Instead, modulate the amount of information that comes in to you. Use intention as well as the techniques described in Energy Cleansing.

TRUST your intuition and allow it to become a more significant part of your daily life!

Living life as a six-sensory is beneficial because all of your senses are more attuned to give you the fullest information. This allows you to see the many options that are available, to know when to proceed and when to withdraw, in relationships and professionally, and to ultimately recognize and live your life’s purpose.

When you are connected to your inner wisdom you can experience a deep, strong connection to your true Self. This provides a calm and confident power, fewer emotional triggers and less anxiety or depression. Living a six-sensory life is a profoundly empowering experience.

Judy Lipson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and educational strategist in West Bloomfield. She helps clients of all ages who have learning difficulties; work or school related anxiety; ADHD; Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorders; and those who wish to Remember and Become Who You Really Are. Contact Judy at 248.568.8665 and judylipson@spiralwisdom.net, and visit www. SpiralWisdom.net for more information.

Are you, or is your loved one, a Six-Sensory?

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

Sensitives come in all ages, sizes, races and faiths. They can look like everyone else, and yet stand out by being empathic, compassionate, creative people. Sometimes they are at peace with these gifts, but for others it creates inner turmoil and can lead to minor or significant difficulties.

To additionally complicate the situation, some Sensitives have anxieties and/or ADHD and may even be on the Autism Spectrum. They often love nature and animals. They tend to seem older than their years, or may be characterized as ‘old souls’. They are often right-brain thinkers who are creative and artistic. They are deep thinkers and tend to be bright. In school or the workplace, they may be unsuccessful or seem unmotivated because of the mismatch between their learning style and the system.

Sensitives may be argumentative and headstrong. They are frustrated with our society because they came into the world knowing how things should be in our institutions, systems and relationships. Yet as children they don’t have the power to create this change. Their ability to comprehend their world may be great, but their ability to cope with this awareness is compromised because they have neither the life experience nor the emotional maturation to handle what they know.

Sensitives may feel misplaced and alone. They frequently verbalize their dislike for (or discomfort with) their school, peers, and/or community. Their belief is that few individuals truly understand them and think as they do. Their feelings of personal isolation and different-ness can lead to anxiety and depression, then be exacerbated by the “negative emotions” they absorb while in the presence of others.

Sensitives are often referred to as Six-Sensory Beings because of their heightened awareness of the six senses, sometimes in varying amounts:

• Touch: The individual complains about irritating fabric, embroidery, tags or the sensation of water on the skin. Some are uncomfortable being touched by others.
• Hearing: This individual hears everything (other than directions to clean their room or put out the garbage). Certain tones can be distracting or even distressing. I had a student who was bothered by the classroom TV’s high-pitched sound. In a noisy classroom or environment the individual can have difficulty distinguishing a specific voice in the midst of others, or might feel the need to tune everything out. 
• Taste: Flavors or textures can limit the types of foods eaten.
• Smell: Sensitivity to chemicals or fragrances.
• Seeing: These individuals will take in their entire visual surroundings and notice all the details.
• Sixth sense: Intuition and the awareness of others’ energies and emotions. Sensitives don’t necessarily realize that they are sensing the emotions of others. In fact, their anxiety, anger or sadness might be coming from people in their surroundings.

Understanding the Sensitives in your life allows you to avoid focusing on what seemed to be undesirable traits and provides the opportunity for empathy and acceptance for yourself and others. Here are ways to support these individuals:

• Teach them that being different is not bad.
• Allow them to verbalize their experiences.
• Keep your own energy and emotions calm when communicating, especially when offering criticism or suggestions.
• Focus on their gifts: compassion, empathy, creativity, intelligence, rather than any challenging behaviors.
• Help them realize that they may be affected by the moods of family, peers or even people that they don’t know who are nearby.
• Provide structure and familiar routines.
• Encourage breath-work and relaxation.
• Teach grounding techniques for anxiety, agitation or hyperactivity: Sit or stand with your feet on the ground. Imagine the trunk (torso) of your body is the trunk of the tree. Feel the strength of the tree move down through your legs and feet (the roots), anchoring you into earth.
• Use your own energetic skills to clear the negative energies from physical spaces (more about this in a future article).
• Find a mentor or counselor who understands Sensitives’ six-sensory experiences and who can teach them how to set verbal, physical and energetic boundaries and to recognize their inherent gifts.
• Continue to educate yourself about Highly Sensitive People, Indigo Children and Crystal Children.

I believe Sensitives will help us to create a peaceful world that promotes and maintains ecological and social responsibility. We who are Sensitives and we who understand Sensitives have an extraordinary opportunity to parent and mentor these Six-Sensories to achieve their destiny. I hold the Sensitives in my life (and yours) in love and light. May we all know and attain our highest purpose. 

Judy Lipson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and educational strategist in West Bloomfield. She helps clients of all ages who have learning difficulties; work or school related anxiety; ADHD; Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorders; and those who wish to Remember and Become Who You Really Are. Contact Judy at 248.568.8665 and judylipson@spiralwisdom.net, and visit www. SpiralWisdom.net for more information.

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

As I grew up, there was no recognition or understanding of Sensitives. I knew I was anxious and I always felt different, seemingly living on the sidelines of the life that my peers appeared to live. It wasn’t until adulthood that I understood: I am a Sensitive. I believe that this is true of many of today’s young adults, and most of your children, too. And it’s wonderful. I now feel blessed for having these qualities and appreciative to be able to support and guide others in their understanding and acceptance of who they are, of this way of being.

One approach to understand Sensitives is to examine the six senses. In fact, Sensitives, who are often called Indigos or Crystals, are often referred to as Six-Sensory Beings.

Touch: Complaints about irritating fabric or embroidery, or the sensation of water on the skin. When the touch of another person is uncomfortable or intolerable, consider a firmer touch. Occupational therapists often prescribe skin brushing and weighted vests.
Hearing: This child hears everything (other than directions to clean their room or put out the garbage). Certain tones can be distracting or even distressing. I had a student who couldn’t concentrate in a classroom because of a loud fan. Another student was distracted by the classroom TV’s high-pitched sound. Oh, and that noisy classroom? A sensitive child can have difficulty distinguishing a specific sound in the midst of others, or might even tune everything out.
Taste: Flavors or texture limit the foods eaten
Smell: Sensitivity to chemicals or fragrances
Seeing: They notice the smallest details and are compelled to ‘take it all in’. (But I don’t suggest that these individuals be placed in sterile environments.)
Sixth sense: The awareness of others’ emotions and moods. Sensitives don’t realize that they are sensing the emotions of others. Their anxiety, anger or sadness might be coming from surrounding people. They can ask, “Is this mine?” to help identify if it is their own emotion.

Sensitives frequently have anxieties and/or ADHD and may even be on the Autism Spectrum. They often have a love for nature and animals. They tend to seem older than their years, or may be characterized as old souls. They are often right-brain thinkers who are creative and artistic. They are deep thinkers and tend to be bright. In school they may be unsuccessful or unmotivated because of the mismatch between their learning style and the style of the teacher or the educational system.

Many Sensitives are argumentative and headstrong: They are frustrated with our society because they came into the world knowing how things should be—in institutions, systems and relationships. Yet as children, they don’t have the power to create this change. Their ability to understand their world may be greater than other’s their age, but their ability to cope with this awareness is compromised because they have neither the life experience nor the emotional maturation to handle what they know.

Sensitives may feel misplaced and alone. They frequently verbalize their dislike for (or discomfort with) their school, peers, and/or community. They describe themselves as having few friends–or few individuals who truly understand them and think as they do. These perceptions can also lead to anxiety and depression.

Sensitives may verbalize or behave in a manner that lets others know that they do not like being in large groups. They are empathic and intuitive and unknowingly feel and absorb the emotions of those around them. They are already experiencing discomfort due to their feelings of personal isolation and different-ness, but much of their anxiety and depression is a result of the “negative emotions” they absorb while in the presence of others. The source of their anxiety and depression may not always be from within, or the intensity of their emotions is not theirs.

Sensitives may sense the unexpressed conflicts and emotions of their parents, siblings, extended families, peers – everyone! Again, they do not understand this sensitivity and the sponge-quality of their knowing. But they are acutely aware of the conflicts and emotions, and it makes them feel uncomfortable. But again, this is usually at a subconscious level. They know that they feel “bad” when in the presence of their family or groups and wish to avoid the unpleasantness.  They are responding to the body language of the individual, to their words and tone, and to the unexpressed energetic message – all things that others think are being suppressed. Their discomfort is real! Thus they may isolate themselves from others.

You can support the Sensitives (adults and children) in your life:

• Six-sensories who don’t understand, often feel scared and overwhelmed
• Teach them different is not bad; their gifts (intuition, empathy, etc) are not crazy
• Allow them to verbalize their experiences
• Keep your own energy and emotions calm when communicating (especially when offering criticism or suggestions)
• Focus on their gifts: compassion, empathy, creativity, intelligence; rather than challenging behaviors
• Help them realize they may be affected by the moods of others: family, other students, people in malls, etc
• Provide structure and familiar routines
• Stay present:
  Breath – be the observer of the breath, and the mind calms. Say: Take a slow, gentle breath in; as you do, watch how your chest and abdomen (tummy) move out; as you exhale (breathe out), see how your chest and abdomen move back inward once again. Take a few more breaths, just watching the movement.
  Relaxation –When the body is tense, the shoulders rise up and the chest can’t breathe as fully; so you breathe faster. The mind interprets this as anxiety, making the situation worse. Say this: Close your eyes and say in your mind what I say out loud. I relax my toes and feet. I relax my ankles and calves. I relax my knees and thighs. I relax my hips and waist. With my next breath I breathe this relaxation into my back. I relax my lower back, middle back, upper back. I relax my shoulders away from my ears. I relax my neck, jaw, chin, tongue, cheeks, nose, eyes, forehead and temples. I’m fully relaxed from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Breathe in peace and exhale tension. This is an excellent technique to fall asleep at night. (If you are interested, I have a professionally recorded relaxation CD available on my website.)
• Teach grounding techniques (often more beneficial than meditation for Sensitives): “Tree” – Sit or stand with your feet on the ground. Imagine the trunk (torso) of your body is the trunk of the tree. Feel the strength of the tree move down through your legs and feet (the roots), anchoring you into earth. This is a great technique when someone is anxious, agitated or experiencing hyperactivity.
• Use your own energetic skills to clear the negative energies from physical spaces
• Find a mentor or counselor who understands Sensitives to learn how to manage the sensitivities, deal with the experiences and recognize their inherent gifts
• Continue to educate yourself about Highly Sensitive People, Indigo Children and Crystal Children

I believe Sensitives are the seeds of the future that we strive for—a peaceful world that promotes and maintains ecological and social responsibility. We – the Sensitives who have come before – have an extraordinary opportunity to parent and mentor Six-Sensories to achieve their destiny. I hold the Sensitives in my life (and yours) in love and light. May we all know and attain our highest purpose.

Judy Lipson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and educational strategist in West Bloomfield. She helps clients of all ages who have learning difficulties; work or school related anxiety; ADHD; Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorders; and those who wish to Remember and Become Who You Really Are. Contact Judy at 248.568.8665 and judylipson@spiralwisdom.net, and visit www. SpiralWisdom.net for more information.

Published in Bamboo Magazine, January 2012

“I don’t like this shirt; it picks me.”
“I don’t want to wear socks.”
“That is tooooo loud.”
“I won’t eat THAT.”

By Judith E. Lipson, M.A., LPC

These comments can be humorous or exasperating, but I no longer view them as the problem behavior of a picky child. These children are sensitive. And while many of these sensitive children acquire labels – anxious, ADHD, Aspergers, or autistic – these are only labels. I don’t believe your child has a problem, though at times the behaviors can be challenging.

If you are wondering if your child’s behaviors are indicators of being highly sensitive and want to understand your child better, you can examine the five senses.

Touch: This is the most common. Children complain about scratchy fabric, embroidery that irritates the skin, shoes and socks, or the sensation of water on the skin. Some children find the touch of another person to be uncomfortable or intolerable. When this is the case, use a firmer touch. Occupational therapists might prescribe skin brushing and weighted vests for extreme cases.

Hearing: This child hears everything (other than directions to clean their room or put out the garbage). Certain tones can be distracting or distressing. I had a student who couldn’t concentrate in a classroom because of a loud fan. Another student was distracted when the TV in the classroom was on. Though the picture was off, it emitted a high-pitched sound. The student heard this above the other classroom sounds. Oh, and that noisy classroom? A sensitive child can have difficulty distinguishing a specific sound in the midst of others, and may even tune everything out.

Taste: There are some children who only eat certain foods. Many are choosy about the flavor, consistency or texture of the food.

Smell: This is the least known. But if you ask your sensitive child questions they will acknowledge smelling things that others don’t, or being irritated by certain smells.

Seeing: The highly sensitive child tends to see everything. They notice the smallest details and feel compelled to take it all in. Once they are familiar with a room they are less distracted by the visual stimulation.

There is also the sixth sense. It tends to be the most overlooked. This is the awareness of others’ emotions and moods and helps us to be empathic and intuitive. The sensitive child doesn’t realize that they are sensing the emotions of others. Teach your child to realize that the anxiety, anger or sadness that they feel might be coming from the people around them. Help your child understand this concept and teach them to then ask, “Is this mine?” to help them identify if it is their own emotion.

It is important to realize that being highly sensitive is not just experienced by children. Many adults also have these traits. As the parent of a highly sensitive child, it is likely that you also have some of these characteristics (though probably not as intense or as many). You have a wonderful opportunity to educate your child and to model acceptance and ease.

There are many things that you can do to help your sensitive child:

• Educate yourself about your own sensitive nature.
• Don’t focus on your child’s challenging behaviors.
• Provide structure and familiar routines.
• Keep your own energy and emotions calm when communicating with your child (especially when giving corrections).
• Recognize your child’s compassion, empathy, creativity, and intelligence.
• Accept your child and appreciate his/her gifts.
• Explain to your child that these gifts help us to become a society of loving, compassionate, accepting people.
• Help your child to realize that they may be affected by the moods of others: family members, students in class, people in malls, etc.
• Understand that this experience can be overwhelming for your child.
• Learn more by reading about Highly Sensitive People, Indigo Children and Crystal Children.
• Find a mentor or counselor who understands sensitive children so that your child can learn how to minimize the sensitivities, deal with the experiences and recognize their inherent gifts with ease.

Being a sensitive is a challenge as well as a beautiful gift. You can help your child to be the full expression of who they really are!

Judy Lipson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and educational strategist in West Bloomfield. She helps clients of all ages who have learning difficulties; work or school related anxiety; ADHD; Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorders; and those who wish to Remember and Become Who You Really Are. Contact Judy at 248.568.8665 and judylipson@spiralwisdom.net, and visit www. SpiralWisdom.net for more information.

Published in Metro You Magazine, May 2011