Intuition is a mysterious, powerful, and subtle ability that every human being possesses and can develop. It is an ability we are born with—an innate capacity that exists within us. By our own choice, we can ignore it or follow it, neglect it or nourish it.
The function of the intuition is not imperative to our survival but it does hold a place of tremendous importance in relation to our physical and spiritual well-being, our creative self-expression, and our ability to understand ourselves, others, and the experience of life itself.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines intuition as “the quick perception of truth without conscious attention or reasoning; knowledge from within; instinctive knowledge or feeling ….” Intuition, by its very nature, is not a function of the conscious mind. It is “quick,” “without reasoning,” “without conscious attention.” Intuition is a function that springs from a deeper source than the linear, rational mind. With our intuition, we can perceive the truth; we can perceive the real nature, the true state, of a person, a situation, or ourselves. This perception, this understanding, is something that comes from within us; it is something akin to instinct and feeling.
Intuition is linked to the function of the subconscious mind—the imaginative hemisphere of the mind—which operates from a global, unified perspective. Intuition is not, however, actually a function of the subconscious mind. Intuitive perception is a function of the consciousness of the being, acting through the mind, through the subconscious and conscious levels of mental awareness. The intuition springs from a deeper source than the mind, even though its transmissions are received and integrated by the subconscious mind and translated through the conscious mind.
We can better understand the intuition by relating it to the capacities of instinct and intelligence. If we imagine that instinct is a function of the awareness of the body, and intelligence is a function of the awareness of the mind, then we can understand intuition as a function of the awareness of the soul and spirit.
Figure 1. Instinct, intelligence, intuition.
Intuition is the expression of the awareness of the soul, the consciousness of the soul. In the soul, we find the aspect of the human being that is immortal and wise, the being who has its origins in light and has never lost the capacity to enter into contact with a larger vision, a higher truth.
Beyond our identity as a personality, beyond our human dimension of the body/mind, we exist above all as a being composed of a soul and a spirit. It is the presence (soul) and awareness (spirit) of this being which animates our body/mind.
The soul manifests the feminine nature of our being, searching for relation, meaning, feeling, and fusion. Incarnation into a human body and an earthly life provide the soul with a diversity of experiences which generate the gradual accumulation of wisdom. Evolution occurs over time through the interactions of the soul with other living beings. During many successive incarnations, challenges are faced, lessons are learned, and qualities are developed, bringing to the soul the diversity of experiences needed to become a realized being.
Feminine by nature, the soul receives, absorbs, and integrates the experience of her existence through a predominant framework of sensation and feeling. Receptive and passive, discovering her nature through the reflection of the other, the soul drinks life, nourishing her thirst for evolution and realization by embracing the lessons life brings to her. In the certainty of her immortality, the soul can go far in her search for diversity of experience. Wisdom is the goal of the soul; interrelationships are her means. The worlds of feeling and emotion are the domains of the soul. It is through our own inner world of feeling that we can reconnect with the deepness of our soul-self.
The spirit is the manifestation of the masculine aspect of our being. The spirit is pure consciousness, awareness incarnate. By nature detached, the spirit observes, perceives, and witnesses. While present and available to the unfolding process of life, the spirit nonetheless maintains a certain position of distance in relation to the events experienced. The spirit perceives life with a large perspective, with the global vision of a being aware of his origins, of his original nature, and of his relationship to the source of all life. The spirit is aware of his divine nature, and also of his immortality.
Masculine in essence, the spirit is expressive, dynamic, and active. The spirit generates and creates, penetrating the world of matter with the charismatic vitality of his presence. The spirit perceives reality with depth and lucidity, and acts in the world with certainty and true power. The qualities of the spirit find their expression through the consciousness of the mind and the action of thought through physical matter.
It is the presence of soul and spirit incarnate in the human form which gives birth to our intuitive function. Intuition is the means by which our being perceives reality—the means through which our being can act on and interact with that same reality.
Our intuitive self is our most evolved self, our highest self, a being both aware and conscious. The intuitive self perceives the actions of the personality (body/mind) in the world and observes the unfolding of life's experiences with lucidity and attention.
If we wish to understand the dynamics of ourselves, of another, or of an event with intuitive depth and insight, we must enter into contact with this being in order to receive the insights of its perceptions.
Our intuition helps us to know and understand ourselves and our purpose in life. It functions as a guide, helping us develop our highest creative potential. It “points” us in directions which encourage us to develop further and to explore deeper, to discover and know ourselves more fully.
It is healthy and natural to be able to delve deeply into the true nature of the reality that surrounds us. It is natural to be able to understand how people, situations, and events exist in relation to each other. It is our birthright to be able to perceive our appropriate place in the world and to understand the personal, creative contribution we can make in our life.
Before we can benefit fully from our intuition, we must enter into contact with it—we must recognize its manner of functioning and learn to communicate with it. We must develop a relationship with it and nourish this relationship with our attention. With time and attention, we can learn how our intuition transmits insights and truths, and more clearly understand how we can receive and translate them.