The idea I don’t have Intuition is not true. It’s a widespread misconception that some people are intuitive and others are not. There are differences in recognition and connection to it, but everyone has intuitive capacity!

»There is a voice that doesn’t use words. Listen!« — Rumi

Intuition is a very subtle movement within us that requires shifting our awareness inwards and away from the large events competing for our attention on the outside. You can picture it like this:

For most of us, in our direct experience, sensory perception is very present (large rocks). Thoughts and emotions are trying to catch our attention as well (medium and smaller sized rocks). Intuition is the tiny gem underneath all of the above (orange dot).

It shows up differently from person to person. Some literally hear a voice speaking. Some see color, others just experience a knowingness. Let me try and explain some general qualities to help discern between intuition and other events in our awareness:

Intuition is not rational. It may point us in directions that are contrary to how we think life should be. Maybe we can’t find rational reasons for it and can’t explain it either, but the intuitive hit still feels right.

Intuition inexplicably knows more. As Intuition is connected with deeper layers of ourselves, it has access to much more information than our everyday-mind. Even if we’re not aware yet, it knows what we need to experience next.

Intuition doesn’t argue. It suggests and gives us free reign over the next steps to take. It is not invested in the outcome and has no need to justify itself. It won’t shout to get its point across.

Intuition doesn’t come with an action-plan. It doesn’t lay out to-dos, milestones or an overview of the situation. Even if you ask why it suggests a certain direction, it will not provide an overview. If there’s an answer to your why-question, it comes from your mind.

Intuition has a lightness to it. It is not the fearful voice of a scared child. Neither is it screaming aggressively like a choleric. It has an air of deep wisdom. It can still be persistent, but in a gentle way.

Intuition doesn’t care about our plans. Our meticulous mind-made plans for the future don’t matter. From intuition’s vantage point they are seen through and replaced by what really matters to us on a deeper level.