Intuition vs. Emotion: Are They the Same Thing? by Jensen Toney

Lately I have never felt closer to my body, my surroundings, my friendships, my partner, my community…. You get the point.

But an area that is usually my driving force at the center of it all: my intuition, feels all out of whack. Instead of streamlining every sensory input it is now acting as a mangled mess in the middle of my life. I’ve never had to define intuition before and upon attempting to, I realized that I couldn’t form words.

What does any average Joe/ Jane do in this situation? They turn to the Internet.

Intuition, according to Wikipedia, is defined as “the ability to acquire knowledge without recourse to conscious reasoning. Different fields use the word “intuition”; in very different ways, including but not limited to: direct access to unconscious knowledge; unconscious cognition; inner sensing; inner insight to unconscious pattern-recognition; and the ability to understand something instinctively, without any need for conscious reasoning.”

Intuition can definitely be simple and immediate at times, but after reading the definition, I realize that it defies human biology. The brain’s job is to actively use cognition and conscious reasoning 100% of the time. There is a constant absorption of information and a constant output of thought. So then, I chock intuition up to emotion recognition. Does it feel true in this instant? Does it feel right? Is the current moment safe and kind? If I was constantly driven by emotion that feels good and warm I would lay naked in the sun all day eating sweet foods and having sex. The ultimate emotional goal must be pleasure and “goodness”.

So what other emotions play a role in intuition? For me it’s a feeling of grounding, openness, assuredness, and love. Contradictory, it is a lack of anxiety, apprehension, fear, and tension.

Emotion may be part of intuition but I find it hard to believe that it is the only answer.

As indescribable as it may be, that is exactly what I am challenging you to do.

How would you describe intuition? How does it feel in your body? Where is it located? What feelings does it elicit? What does it offer you when you use it?

Some things to consider the next time you go with your gut.