Even in a dynamic world dominated by data and logic, there is never all the data when a decision is made. Ultimately, one is forced to pick one alternative between the best and the worst. It is never a decision between the best and the worst. A call is to be taken. Most still try to be entirely rational and logical, whereas this is the stage to listen to the powerful voices of instinct and intuition. Intuition can do wonders, be it a brand and marketing, pricing and distribution, legal or rational. Osho says these inner guides are essential for navigating life with authenticity and wisdom.
Intelligence, Intellect, Intuition and Instinct.
INSTINCT.
Instinct is primal and automatic, rooted in the biological survival mechanisms inherited from our ancestors. This raw, immediate response arises without conscious thought—like the fight-or-flight reaction when facing danger. Instinct is a vital force that connects us to our fundamental nature and helps us survive. However, in modern life, we often suppress instinct as animalistic in favour of more rational approaches we must learn to listen to.
INTUITION.
Intuition is more subtle and sophisticated than instinct. It is an inner knowing that doesn’t rely on logical reasoning but on a deep, almost mystical sense of understanding. It is the whisper of the soul—a guide that connects us to a greater wisdom beyond the confines of intellect. Unlike instinct, which is reactive, intuition is proactive, offering insights that often defy logical explanations.
Osho describes intuition as a bridge to higher consciousness, a way of tapping into universal wisdom. Some call it a “gut feeling,” a sense that something is right or wrong without knowing exactly why.
INTELLECT.
Intellect refers to the capacity for logical reasoning, analysis, and rational thought. It is the mind’s ability to process information, make decisions, and solve problems. While the intellect is essential for navigating the complexities of modern life, an overreliance on it can disconnect us from our deeper instincts and intuition.
INTELLIGENCE.
Intelligence is the integration of instinct, intuition, and intellect. It is the ability to respond to life’s challenges with a balanced approach, drawing on the strengths of each aspect. True intelligence is not just about being smart in a conventional sense; it’s about being wise, attuned to the nuances of life, and open to the guidance of the inner self.
Cultivating Your Inner Guidance.
Many people have asked about ways to improve their intuition. The first step is to stop doubting it. Doubt has no place in intuition. Osho and many spiritual traditions suggest that intuition is not merely a product of the brain’s current activity but a deeper connection to the soul’s accumulated knowledge across multiple lifetimes. According to this view, the soul carries the wisdom, lessons, and experiences from previous incarnations, forming a vast reservoir of knowledge that the conscious mind typically cannot access.
All practices to enhance intuition further build up this library and ease the subconscious mind’s access to the data within.
Observation and Experience:
Pay attention to your surroundings and reactions. Notice patterns, and learn from your experiences. Over time, it will help sharpen your instinct, and intuition will help you make quicker and more accurate decisions.
Practice Mindfulness:
Being fully present in the moment helps you become more aware of subtle signals from your body and mind. Mindfulness practices, such as paying attention to your breath or focusing on your senses, help you tune in to your intuition.
Meditation:
Meditation quiets the mind, allowing you to tune into your inner voice. It is like removing the waves from a lake- making the water more stable and easy to see through. Regular meditation creates space for intuition to emerge, free from the noise of daily life. By reducing mental clutter, meditation allows you to connect more deeply with your inner voice.
Seek Out New Experiences.
New experiences challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and engage different parts of your brain. Adapting a mindfulness approach to life and being observant heighten your intuitive abilities by exposing you to new patterns, ideas, and perspectives, enriching the library of experiences your intuition draws from. Travelling, adventure, trying new things, including sports, games, food, and meeting new people all add to the experience library. A simple exercise like changing the mode and the way to your regular destination, like the office or market, is one such exercise to keep your observant self better tuned to opportunities to develop intuition.
Reflecting on Actions and Experiences:
Reflect on the outcomes after making decisions. Consider how your instincts and intuition played a role. This reflection helps you build a richer internal library of experiences, which can guide your future choices. However, the challenge remains in moving ahead with the learnings, not the emotional baggage associated. I strongly recommend following PaRAM. Take five to 10 minutes before you go to sleep. Pause, meditate and reflect on what is happening throughout the day. Analyse your actions, reactions and inactions. Think of the possibilities, potentials and opportunities. Take your learnings and move ahead. I have further explained something in my book ’25 Rules of Life- I wish I knew earlier’.
Reflect on decisions, especially those guided by intuition. Analyse the outcomes and evaluate how your intuitive sense contributed to those decisions. This exercise helps you understand how intuition operates and builds confidence in following it.
Listen to Your Body.
Intuition often communicates through sensations like a gut feeling, a sense of ease, or tension. Pay attention to how your body reacts in different situations. Over time, you’ll start recognising these signals as intuitive guidance.
Pay Attention to Dreams.
Dreams are a powerful source of intuitive guidance. Keep a dream journal by your bed and write down your dreams as soon as you wake up. Over time, you may notice recurring themes or symbols that provide valuable insights. I have graduated to a stage where I can easily rejoin a dream if my sleep is broken. I have also learnt the art of Lucid dreaming and inducing dreams, which has helped me greatly. You can develop it later once the dream journal becomes a habit.
Stay Open-Minded.
Approach life with curiosity and an open mind. Avoid dismissing thoughts or feelings that don’t make logical sense immediately. Staying open and accepting divergent points of view and possibilities, including you being wrong, allows intuitive insights to surface, even when they challenge your usual thinking.
Engage in Creative Activities.
Creative activities like painting, writing, or playing music can help you access your intuition. Creativity often bypasses the logical mind, allowing intuitive ideas to flow more freely. I have found zoning while doodling or effortlessly ZenTanging helps me tune with my intuitive self.
Welcome Your Gut Feeling:
Create an environment where your gut feelings are acknowledged and welcomed. Write a journal of your intuitive insights or share them with trusted friends. Wiring a journal of intuitions can help you identify patterns and validate your intuitive experiences. It also reinforces your trust in your intuition. Listen to it. Act on it. The more you honour your intuition, the stronger it becomes.
Trust your intuition.
It is crucial for its development. Start with small decisions and act on your intuitive insights. As you see positive results, your confidence in your intuition will grow, making it easier to rely on for larger decisions.
NETNET.
By integrating these practices, you can develop a more profound connection with your instincts and intuition, allowing them to guide you better. Trusting your inner compass might initially feel unfamiliar, but with time, it becomes a powerful ally in navigating the complexities of life.
If you are interested, you should read the book – Intuition – Insight for a New Way of Living , Intuition- Knowing Beyond Logic and Intuition- The highest rug of consciousness by OSHO and Noise- a flaw in Human Judgement by Daniel Kahneman.
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