Certainly:

1.) You can receive messages from the dream state;
2.) You asked a question and then received an answer;
3.) Your desire for your lover to return can influence/distort the information you receive.

So, I’m not telling you anything you don’t know!

Often, the inner processes that we’re labeling as intuition are very subtle. We can learn to make fine distinctions that help us discern the source of the information we receive. Eventually, with much practice/play we can build trust — an inner sense of “knowing” what’s authentic (and what’s not).

You might be interesting in checking out Laura Day’s “The Circle”.

I love that you’re seeing shapes and colors. Our “sixth sense” intuition is internally represented in our five senses, and your visual system seems really active. I would venture a guess that your auditory and kinesthetic channels are engaging well, too; and of course, incoming intuitive information can be internally represented in taste and smell. Actually, the burning/sickness in your heart area when accessing the thought-field associated with your ex-lover is very kinesthetic, isn’t it?

Regarding interpretation, I first want to mention that I think it’s great that you’re not asking others to interpret for you. You’re seeking your own interpretation. Sure, others who are intuitive and “psychic” would probably have much to say — and perhaps some of it would be useful to you — but I get excited when people access their intuitive sensory channels and engage in seeking their own interpretations.

In a way, you’re asking yourself, “What do these spirals, colors, emotions, and body sensations mean for me?” Yes? There’s much I could offer you, but what percolates to the top in this moment is to offer an exercise:

– Enjoy thanking your “other than conscious mind” for providing this information. Mirror a loving energy of appreciation back to your inner self for bringing what you’ve been receiving into your conscious awareness. The more fun you have doing this frequently, the better.

– Gently ask your other than conscious mind to provide information in ways that you’ll be able to better understand. Make is clear that you value the information and wish to continue to “learn into” how to receive it in ways that honor how it’s being sent.

– Engage in an on-going dialogue and inquiry process with yourself. Instead of “trying to find THE answer” — the “correct” interpretation — play with staying engaged in the asking and receiving cycle. Learn to trust what you receive even when you don’t consciously understand it. Enjoy strengthening your trust that the information you need will bubble up to consciousness whenever you need it.

– One exercise I really like is asking: “I wonder how soon it will be before I [fill in the blanks].” For example: “I wonder how soon it will be before I more deeply understand the spirals I’ve been seeing,” or, “I wonder how soon it will be before I receive greater insight into the feelings in my heart when I think of my former lover.” The more you can ask these questions with child-like wonder, the more wonderful will be the jewels of insight you receive.

– Know that when you ask, you will always receive. See if you can “soften your expectations” regarding when, where, how, what, and from whom you receive. Ask, then find ways to listen with child-like wonder.

Hadi, I love your questions, and I love that you’re asking them. You’re wanting to go beyond just living on the surface of life. Yes? There’s a ton of information here on askAlana.com (and many other wonderful sites on the Internet). One great place to begin would be the book we wrote and placed on-line for free > The Seven Sacred Steps.