🎧 Let’s talk about intuition, what it is, and how it differs from the thinking brain.

Let's explore what it is, how to recognize intuition and cover common myths and trusting our intuition. As well as why we ignore it and what does Spock and Bones have to do with it?

Let’s talk about intuition—what it is and how it differs from the thinking brain. But first, a quick update. I just completed my first week of hypnotherapy training at the Dave Elman Hypnosis Institute, and I have to share my experience! I initially thought it would be a couple of days of theory, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. After just a few hours of theory, we dove straight into hypnotizing each other. We would get a bit more theory, and then it was right into practicum building each time upon on the last.

The first time around, I was sweating bullets! Thankfully, it was virtual, so no one had to deal with that. I was nervous, to say the least. But after a bit more theory and practice, by the end of the first week, I had really gotten the hang of it, and it turned out to be an incredible experience. I can already see how this is going to fit into my virtual practice. Combining hypnotherapy with my background in Somatherapies and Mind-Body Integrative certification, I’m so ready to help others release their past fears and whatever is holding them back. Alright, enough about me! Let’s dive into the topic of intuition.

What is Intuition?

Intuition is often seen as something mysterious or elusive, but it’s actually an inherent part of us. It’s that inner voice or feeling guiding us, sometimes contradicting what seems logical or reasonable. Unlike logic, which is linear and based on conscious reasoning, intuition arises from a deeper sense of knowing that bypasses the analytical mind. It’s an immediate understanding of something without the need for conscious thought.

Imagine a time when you made a decision that didn’t seem to make sense on paper, yet it felt undeniably right. You could feel it in your bones and your gut; your heart just knew—this was the right choice. Perhaps it was choosing a job that offered less money but felt like a better fit, or deciding to take a different route home, only to avoid an unexpected traffic jam. That sensation—that inner “yes” or “no”—is your intuition speaking. It doesn’t rely on spreadsheets or pros-and-cons lists, and it doesn’t listen to others trying to persuade you against what feels right. Instead, it taps into a vast reservoir of subconscious information gathered from your experiences, emotions, and even your physical sensations. And, sometimes an Universal collectiveness helping you to navigate your path. 

This doesn’t mean that logic and intuition are in opposition. They are, in fact, complementary. Logic helps us analyze and make sense of information, while intuition cuts through overthinking and indecision, guiding us toward what feels most aligned. When you combine both, you can make decisions that are both wise and instinctive. Intuition offers clarity and simplicity in situations where logic alone might lead to endless mental gymnastics.

Are you a Star Trek fan?

Whether you are or not, the dynamic between logic and intuition is perfectly illustrated by the characters Dr. McCoy, also known as Bones, and Spock. Spock, with his Vulcan heritage, represents pure logic. Raised to suppress emotions and operate solely from a place of reason, he analyzes situations with meticulous detail, weighing every possible outcome and probability. For him, decisions are based on facts, data, and logic.

Meanwhile, Bones embodies human intuition and emotion. He reacts from the gut, guided by feelings, instincts, and a deep sense of empathy. He often makes bold choices driven by an innate sense of what’s right, even when there’s no clear evidence to support his decision

Image; missionlogpodcast.com/the-galileo-seven/

There’s a famous example of this dynamic in the episode “The Galileo Seven.” Spock leads a scientific team from the Enterprise aboard a shuttle, which crashes on planet Taurus II, inhabited by aggressive, ape-like giants. Spock attempts to handle the hostile situation using logic, assuming that the creatures attacking them will respond rationally to his actions. But his approach fails, as the creatures don’t think like he does. It’s not until Spock, in an uncharacteristic moment, makes an illogical, intuitive decision—jettisoning fuel and setting it on fire to create a visible signal—that Captain Kirk, aboard the USS Enterprise, sees it and rescues them just as the shuttle explodes.

This moment shows that logic and intuition aren’t at odds; they complement each other. Spock’s logical mind provided a clear analysis of the situation, but it was his ability to step beyond logic and tap into his buried human intuition that ultimately saved them.

When Spock and the entire crew work together, they combine the best of both worlds: the clarity and precision of logic with the boldness and insight of intuition. This balance allows them to navigate complex situations, making decisions that are both wise and instinctive.

Intuition offers clarity and simplicity where logic might lead to endless analysis, and when combined, they create a powerful decision-making team. Whether you’re on the bridge of the Enterprise or navigating life’s challenges, using both logic and intuition can help you make choices that are deeply aligned and effective. 

How to Recognize Intuition

Recognizing intuition can be subtle, especially when we’re not used to listening for it. Intuition often speaks in a whisper rather than a shout. It may present itself as a quiet, persistent feeling, a gentle nudge, or a sudden insight that seems to come out of nowhere. For some, it’s a sense of peace and clarity when considering an option, while for others, it might be a physical sensation—a lightness in the chest or a tingle down the spine or butterfly-like sensations in the gut. 

Think about those moments when you felt an inexplicable pull toward something or someone, or when you had a gut feeling about a situation that turned out to be true. These are signs of your intuition at work. It’s not always dramatic or obvious; sometimes, it’s just a fleeting sense of knowing. The more you pay attention to these subtle cues, the easier it becomes to recognize them. And as you notice and honor these intuitive moments, you build trust in your inner guidance.

Sometimes, the feelings of intuition can manifest as different sensations. If you’re ignoring one sensation, your intuition might find another way to get your attention. When I’m talking with my daughters, I often ask them, “What do you feel?” or “What does your gut say?” I also encourage them to consider, without overthinking, what the first thing that comes to mind is when we’re discussing a decision. Typically, without conscious thought, the first word, emotion, or sensation that emerges is your intuition guiding you toward the next step.

Common Myths About Intuition

Despite being a natural, innate ability, intuition is often misunderstood. A common myth is that intuition is a mystical power only certain people possess, like psychics or healers. In reality, intuition is something we all have. It’s not a magical gift; it’s a deeply ingrained part of our human experience, a result of our brain processing information below the level of conscious awareness. It’s always there, waiting for us to tap into it, rather than just following what everyone else is doing, relying solely on logical thinking;  or, unfortunately, often not thinking at all.

Another myth is that intuition is just a lucky guess. But intuition is far from random. It’s a rapid, subconscious processing of experiences, emotions, and memories. Your brain has an incredible capacity to sift through all the information it has ever encountered and provide you with a sense of what feels right or wrong in a given situation. When you get a “gut feeling” about something, it’s your mind drawing from this vast internal library, even if you can’t consciously articulate why you feel the way you do.

A well-known study conducted by researchers at the University of Iowa illustrates this concept. Participants played a card game where they had to draw cards from four decks, two of which were rigged to yield losses. What was fascinating is that long before the players could articulate which decks were risky, their bodies knew. The researchers measured subtle changes in participants’ sweat gland activity (a great sign of showing stress) showing that their bodies were responding to the losing decks. Even though they couldn’t explain it, their subconscious minds had already picked up on the pattern. This study demonstrates how intuition operates below the surface, processing complex information and guiding us, often before we’re consciously aware of why.

Examples of Intuition in Everyday Life

Intuition is not just for big, life-changing decisions. It shows up in the small moments of our daily lives, guiding us in ways we may not even notice. Have you ever felt a sudden urge to call a friend, only to find out they needed to talk? Or decided to take a different route to work and discovered later that you avoided a traffic jam? These are examples of everyday intuition.

Trusting these small intuitive nudges builds confidence in your inner guidance. The more you notice and act on these subtle insights, the more they show up. It’s like opening a door—once you begin to recognize and trust your intuition in small things, you’ll find it easier to rely on it for bigger decisions as well. It’s about recognizing that quiet voice or subtle feeling and allowing it to guide you, even when there’s no logical explanation.

The Importance of Trusting Intuition

Trusting your intuition is a powerful way to strengthen self-belief. Ah, did you catch that? If you’re a regular reader of my weekly postings, you’ll remember that we spent the month of September getting intimate with self-belief and practicing exercises to tap into this powerful part of ourselves. Every time you listen to and act on your intuitive guidance, you reinforce the message that you can rely on yourself. It’s like building a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it gets. In the beginning, intuition might feel faint, like a distant whisper. But as you practice tuning in and trusting that inner voice, it becomes clearer and more powerful.

Think of intuition as a compass. It doesn’t always provide a detailed map, but it gives you a direction. And when you’re really tuned in, you can get instant answers that you can trust. It’s such a brilliant tool. When you trust it, you begin to navigate life with more ease and confidence. You start to see that you have the answers within you, even when the path ahead isn’t entirely clear. This trust in your intuition leads to a deeper sense of self-confidence because you know that, no matter what, you can rely on your own inner guidance. And you know what else? No one can take your intuition away.

Why We Ignore Intuition

Despite its benefits, we often ignore our intuition. This happens because we’ve been conditioned to prioritize logic over feeling. From a young age, we’re taught to be rational, to use our heads, and to trust facts and data over our internal guidance. As teenagers, we want to fit in and follow the crowd. We don’t want to stand out, so we tend to bury our intuition deep inside. As a result, we may come to doubt or dismiss our intuitive insights as irrational or untrustworthy.

There’s also the fear of being wrong. Intuition doesn’t come with guarantees or clear evidence, so it can feel risky to follow. It’s easier to second-guess ourselves or seek validation from others rather than trust what we feel inside. But the more we ignore our intuition, the harder it becomes to hear. It’s like tuning out a friend who’s trying to help. Over time, that friend might stop trying to get your attention. This is when we start to operate from a place of circumstances or victimhood. We seek out others who understand our pain and reinforce our false sense of self. Once we’re stuck in this pattern, it can be difficult to rise above and follow our inner guidance, for fear of losing what we know and are comfortable with. But you see, we are not here to follow others. We are here for our highest good, to serve ourselves and others.

In my own journey, I had to painfully leave friends behind because they wanted to keep me at their comfortable level. This is something you may have to work through as well—leaving behind what feels familiar and safe. Growth only happens in the unknown. However, if you tap into, trust, and believe in your inner compass, not only will you reap the rewards of being on the right path, but you will also come from a place of forgiveness, peace, and love for others.

Reclaiming your intuition is a part of building self-belief. It’s about learning to listen to that inner voice, even when it goes against conventional wisdom or doesn’t seem logical. It’s about giving yourself permission to trust your feelings and insights, knowing that they are valid and valuable.

Put your logical mind to the side for a moment. Operating solely from logic often means coming from a place of fear—fear of being wrong, fear of being hurt. Instead, open your heart and trust the pilot inside of you. The more you honor your intuition, the more it will support you in making choices that are aligned with who you truly are.

Next week, we’ll cover how to tap into your intuition and let it guide you beyond journaling.

Question for you…

Have you ever trusted your gut instead of your logic, and it turned out well? How about if it did not, what happened? Please share—I would love to hear your story.

Until next week, tap in and tune up! 

~Karen

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