The Wisdom of Jesus Series: (click for audio) The Intuitive Approach
Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14).
According to the traditional Christian mindset, every statement attributed to Jesus is interpreted in light of the commonly known plan of salvation familiar to us all. The above statement clearly fits this model, with the wide gate approach representing those who ignore the plan and take the easier path that may be a cushy life but winds up as an eternity in the inferno of Hell. The narrow gate is entered by those who follow the Christian plan of salvation and, in the end, make it to the literal kingdom of God.
There is another way to look at this saying, a way that I believe is more in keeping with the spiritual message of love that Jesus taught and represented. He is referring to two kinds of perception: intuitive, the narrow gate, and senses-based, the wide gate.
One of the meanings of the word tuition is instruction. Intuition, then, is to be instructed from within. In our educational models, intuitive learning is the less common approach. Senses-based instruction, on the other hand, looks to outer conditions and appearances as its primary source of knowledge and is the method of learning upon which our entire educational system is based.
To step upon the spiritual path is to hone our intuitive skills. We take time to still the senses-based distractions and practice opening our minds and hearts to the “still small voice” of God within. The very fountainhead of all the good we seek in life is found within us. Many hear this message but, as Jesus pointed out, few find it relevant to their busy, outer-oriented lifestyles. Those who learn to go within discover an abiding wisdom that allows them to judge not according to appearances, but to see a grander truth of greater good unfolding through all the many changes they encounter in life.