Someone sent me a question about the difference between instinct and intuition, and I really wanted to answer it, because in my opinion that difference is the difference between thriving as a species or heading somewhere very interesting, zombie-apocalypse interesting.
Instinct is what we're biologically wired to respond to and act on. It's inherent to us, part of our biology, a very quick response to our environment. It has to do with fear and anger and hunger and making sure we're safe, and it's very base. I don't mean that with any negative connotation. Without the instinct to survive, we freaking die. So, hooray for instinct.
But I don't believe we're here simply to survive. I'm really holding out hope that we're here to create beautiful realities for one another, to support each other, and to thrive in joy, and that's where intuition comes in.
Yes, intuition can be felt in the body. Of course it can, because we're not disembodied spirits. We're actual human beings, animals if you will, in these meat suits. But it isn't only a physiological reaction or a biological response. It's a way of knowing that is not only intellectual, and a way of sensing that is not only physical.
In my experience, intuition is incredibly accurate and incredibly wise. My intuition has never led me astray. I've had many, many situations where I had a sense of knowing without any real "evidence" for it, decided to ignore it, and then got handed the bill.
That happened to me again and again, especially when I was younger, 'cause I just couldn't believe my intuition would actually have my back every single time. Or maybe that isn't the whole story. I think sometimes I just wanted to do some fucked up shit, and I did it anyway. You gotta live a little and pay the consequences. But it wasn't because I didn't know better.
When I get a really clear yes or a really clear no and I go with that clarity, things turn out in really positive ways. When I've decided it's time to ignore my intuition, I've learned a lot, a lot, a lot. It hasn't been super pleasant, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm not being sarcastic. Those lessons are deeply valuable, and ignoring my intuition taught me things that following it never would have.
What I do believe is that intuition is a way of knowing and a way of sensing that transcends our understanding. It transcends our intellect. It transcends our bodies and our biology, and it has more to do with our souls and our spirits and the mystery, the stuff we have absolutely no idea how it works. When I was answering this question, I actually looked up instinct and intuition, and we really don't know much. Science isn't very helpful in this realm yet, which is what I've argued all along. Witches have been made fun of because the scientists are behind, and as they keep catching up, more of what we've been saying all along turns out to be kind of true. But I digress.
My point is that if you don't feel in touch with your intuition, it's a skill you can develop. It comes from allowing yourself to be with yourself. That sounds so stupid when I say it out loud, but it really is the key. Most of us don't like doing it, because we're afraid of what we might find, or there's a lot of noise in our heads, or we're great at self-terrorizing, or we're totally addicted to the dopamine hit of doomscrolling and would rather be doing that.
If you want a strong relationship with yourself that centers intuition as a way of knowing, alongside your instinct, your gut reactions, your intellect, and your analysis, you have to make it a practice to listen to the silence, to be with yourself, and to make room to connect with what is trying to break through all the time, the thing you rarely make space for or welcome.
So go ahead and set the intention of welcoming your intuition into your life, and see how you go.
Courage, truth, and infinite love,
P.S. Hit reply and tell me about a time you knew, ignored it, and got handed the bill. I'd love to hear it.
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