Intuition has shaped cultures, traditions, and belief systems throughout history. Both ancient and modern civilizations have found intuition to be a source of wisdom, guidance, and spiritual insight.
Often described as a “gut feeling” or “inner knowing”, intuition is a powerful and invaluable aspect of human cognition. While it often does not seem to adhere to logic or empirical evidence, intuition plays a significant role in decision-making, problem-solving, creativity, and personal growth. Its value lies in its ability to provide insights, guidance, and clarity in our lives, often leading to more authentic and fulfilling experiences and outcomes.
When we trust our intuition, we can access new perspectives, unconventional solutions, and untapped potential. Intuition can foster a creative mindset conducive to innovation and originality.
“Intuition is the key to everything – in painting, filmmaking, business – everything. I think you could have an intellectual ability, but if you can sharpen your intuition, which they say is emotion and intellect joining together, then a knowingness occurs.”
– David Lynch, film maker
The power of intuition comes from its ability to pierce through the noise of conscious thought and tap into the deeper layers of awareness that lie beyond the realm of conscious thought. While drawing upon our accumulated knowledge, experiences, and emotions, accessing our intuition synthesizes our knowledge and experience into a holistic understanding, allowing for quick decision-making. This skill is especially useful in fast-paced or ambiguous situations that require a quick response. In a world flooded with information and choices, intuition can serve as a compass, helping individuals navigate uncertainty and complexity.
“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant.”
– Albert Einstein, physicist
Intuition can also increase our emotional intelligence. It enables us to perceive subtle cues, empathize with others’ emotions, and anticipate unspoken needs. Intuition fosters deeper connections and mutual understanding in personal relationships, leadership roles, or collaborative endeavours.
“Intuition is a spiritual faculty and does not explain, but simply points the way. “
– Florence Scovel Shinn, artist and book illustrator
How can I be a more intuitive person?
As stated above, intuition is the ability to pierce through the noise of conscious thought and tap into the deeper layers of awareness that lie beyond the realm of conscious thought. Intuition comes from a quieter level of awareness than conscious thought, so the ability to be more intuitive comes from the ability to tap into that quieter level of our mind that is beyond thinking. This quieter level is called transcendence.
The Transcendental Meditation technique® (TM®) is a unique and scientifically reliable method by which to reach the silent, transcendental level of the mind. TM allows the mind to become completely silent while remaining super awake, a state known as “transcendental consciousness”. In this deeply-rested, yet highly-alert state, our emotions, mind, and intellect converge to become one, becoming the fertile ground of intuition.
Transcendental Consciousness as the source of intuition
The state of transcendence is characterized by a sense of profound peace, deep restfulness, and expanded awareness. As stated above, transcendence is experienced as a state where the mind is fully awake and alert, yet completely quiet and settled.
In the words of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of the TM movement:
“The Transcendental Meditation technique is an effortless procedure for allowing the excitations of the mind gradually to settle down, until the least excited state of the mind is reached. This is a state of inner wakefulness, with no object of thought or perception, just pure consciousness aware of it’s own unbounded nature. It is wholeness, aware of itself, devoid of differences, beyond the division of subject and object”
– Transcendental Consciousness.”
Transcendental Consciousness is inner knowing. When we transcend, we are at the foundation of our selves, where all that we know and feel and perceive about the world comes together. Intuition involves not only what we know about the world, but what we feel is right. This is the point of ultimate clarity, where thought and feeling give rise to certainty.
Through the regular, twice-daily practice of TM, this inner clarity and certainty remain with us even while we are fully active. Constantly being in touch with our deepest and most authentic self means that the mind becomes increasing more creative, expansive, and intuitive.
In this way, through the regular, twice-daily experience of transcendence, alternating with our normal activity, TM leads to a more intuitive and therefore authentic, creative, and fulfilling life.