Beyond Instinct And Intellect

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The human mind works at three levels: instinct, intellect and intuition. When you work through instinct, your mind decides subconsciously or unconsciously, as in the case of an animal. However, this is the nature of a human being and it makes you unhappy. This instinctive response from the unconscious is very much faster than the conscious mind response, and can be very useful when we are in dangerous situations. Most other times, these responses are negative and based on embedded memories that drive us into irrational decisions. We respond as animals. Most such responses result in actions that leave us drained.

From the days of Descartes, we believe in working through our intellects. But when we work through the intellect, we work at a conscious level but not energetically, not enthusiastically; we work mechanically; like a programmed robot, a computer.

When you work at the third level, at the level of intuition, however, you suddenly know what is right though you may not know how; more importantly you feel energised. You are presented with many choices, and suddenly one pops up. Intuition gives you the power to decide and the energy to implement.

Be very clear, if you feel guilty about a decision that you have just made you have operated out of instinct; if you are confused about that decision, you have operated at intellect level. Intuition alone will help you to be clear and also provide you the energy to go ahead. The benchmark of intuition is happiness, satisfaction inside as well as outside.

How to awaken this intuition? All you need to do is to give your conscious mind a rest. You may ask, how. There is a state of mind in which we are self-aware but exist without thoughts. Western science or psychology has no term for this. This is what Hindu sages called the turiya or samadhi state, which is one of deep meditation. You live here intuitively.

Whenever you find time, give appointment to yourself; some part of your being wants to express itself more. Give yourself 30 minutes everyday to meditate. It takes only two or three days of meditation to tune you into this higher energy of intuition and creativity.