It seems I’ve been uncertain about my five senses for a long time. I grew up with so many cautionary remarks about the dangers of the senses, and I lingered in that caution for most of my life. There were times I made adequate, even abundant use of my senses. Even that had restrictions, cautions, limits.
It’s only been recent that I discovered that I actually have six senses. The extra sense is not the ‘intuition’ often referred to as the sixth sense. My mind is a sixth sense. I am learning how to be aware that I am aware, just as I can be aware that I see, feel, taste, etc. Maybe it is somewhat related to intuition.
I’ve always been able to see, feel, taste, hear and smell. But I mostly stopped in the sensation and seldom knew more. It has only been occasional that what I saw was so overwhelming, that I became aware that I was actually seeing it and my whole body would respond to the experience. There have been times that I could listen to beautiful sounds, but only occasionally was I able to float in the awareness of what my ears were hearing and feel the sound with my whole body.
Now this happens a lot. I am learning to use my ‘mind’ sense as I know and recognize that I am aware of what I touch. The tree I touch and see takes on a new reality. The counter in my bathroom is more than cold, hard and colorful. The data gathered by my five senses is brought together by my mind, and I know the counter in a new and exciting way.
The total experience is almost neutral, because the sensory experience can be pleasant or unpleasant. But the mind experience is always full of energy, and that gives me joy, peace, contentment.
I have discovered a new reality in the realm of the senses.