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In the book, “Emotional Intelligence,” author Daniel Goleman writes, “Being able to enter flow is emotional intelligence at its best; flow represents perhaps the ultimate in harnessing the emotions in the service of performance and learning.  In flow the emotions are not just contained and channeled, but positive, energized, and aligned with the task at hand.  To be caught in the ennui of depression or the agitation of anxiety is to be barred from flow.”(1) 

You see, flow is indicative of intuition working at its finest in combination with the brain’s instinctive power to harness positively-charged and rational thinking.  The recent article (Do What You Feel, Maybe – the power and perils of relying on intuition)(2) by David G. Myers, social psychologist at Hope College elaborates on the “perils” of relying on intuition, and presents ”intuitive” statements from our current president; one in particular, where he met with Russian President Putin, ”I looked the man in the eye. I was able to get a sense of his soul.”  In reflection, I understand how some might view this form of “intuition” as inflated or overconfident; but if we refer back to the analogy of Goleman, we can surmise that individuals who are experiencing heightened levels of anxiety or depression (or other mental or emotional issues) may not be able to rationally form an intuitive opinion when flow has been blocked.

Flight-or-fight response (3), the theory proposed by American physiologist Walter Cannon in 1915, probably gives a better psychological perspective into how intuition and “flow” work so well together.  Basing his research on animals, Cannon understood that primal instincts in animals were initiated by the flight-or-fight response; which demonstrated that thought processes were at work in the body that manifested physical responses to the situation at hand.  For example, perception plays a key part in how both animals and human beings react to specific events based on signals sensed by the brain.  Some of the physiological findings showed that automatic/immediate responses like heart and lung acceleration, blood vessel constriction, pupil dilation, among other physical changes were all indicative of intuitive perception. 

While practiced individuals have a more fine-tuned, and discernable ”flow” of intuition, others may not be so adept at preconception as they have permitted – or are under the influence of certain stress factors, narcissistic tendencies, or other psychological trauma that curtails intuitive abilities. Hyper-inflation of the human’s perception often leads to misconstrued signals, unwarranted attacks; or worse - complete ignorance of the facts.  Allow me to revisit Goleman’s statement, “In flow the emotions are not just contained and channeled, but positive, energized, and aligned with the task at hand.”  If we simply repeat this sentence, we understand that intuition is comprised of more than what some might deem “psycho-babble;” intuitive flow is the sum of all parts working in harmony - mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. 

Appropriately so, we must learn to quickly decipher what the mind’s eye perceives.  To do so, one must have reached a level of intimacy with the collective unconscious.  According to Carl Jung, Swiss psychiatrist, the “collective unconscious” is known to be a “reservoir of the experiences of our species.”  Interestingly enough, the intuitive flow that helps individuals to become successful, wise and able to manifest transformation stems from the “collective unconscious”(4) that Jung studied and theorized during the early 1900’s. 

Is it really all that far from belief? The power of human emotion, coupled with the positive flow of intuition is what defines greatness.  Fine leaders like the Dalai Lama, Jesus Christ, Mother Teresa, Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, and Isaac Newton all demonstrated specific commonalities - steadfastness, determination and calmness.  When you are completely centered, your intuitive flow is more reliable, more fortuitous…and using your collective unconscious as your guide, your flight-or-fight responsiveness becomes more clear, and success becomes you.

Until we speak again, I am

Joan Marie, your Intuition Expert

References:

1. Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman, Chap. 6 - The Master Aptitude, pg 90

2. Incharacter.org, Do What You Feel, Maybe – the power and perils of relying on intuition, David G. Myers

3. Fight-or-Flight response, en.wikipedia.org

4. Collective Unconscious, en.wikipedia.org

1. Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman, Chap. 6 - The Master Aptitude, pg 90

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In a recent article in USA Today, reporter Karen S. Peterson writes about social psychologists and researchers, who claim that their research is geared toward “fortifying intuition, sharpening thinking and deepening wisdom.” Stuart Vyse, a psychologist, however, stated that “…it has been shown over and over again that gut reactions are not accurate. It is a mistake to base a decision on a gut feeling.” I beg to differ. Intuition, “gut feeling” and “hunches” are often the saving grace to many a soul.

In an article by the Crime Library, “What They Did Last Summer,” novelist Lois Duncan (author of “I Know What You Did Last Summer”) incurred a tragic, life-altering event when her daughter, 17-year old Kaitlyn was murdered. Using intuition and psychic detective work, the case was subsequently solved.

The difficulty that intuition presents, as Myers points out, is that there are many false prophets who claim to know all and see all; and like any bad apple in the bunch, spoils the whole lot. Many times, it has been intuition and “gut feeling” that has saved people from many a tragedy.

What makes a complete stranger jump before a racing subway train to save another human being? Recent heroism, like that of Navy veteran Wesley Autrey of NY proved that making a split-second decision to save a convulsing man on the tracks was critical. Some might call that stupidity - others might call it luck; I call that intuition. Mr. Autrey, in response to why he had jumped onto the tracks was, “I did what I felt was right.” Had his intuition not taken over at that precise second, the man on the tracks would not be alive today.

What makes a person do incredible human feats? Is it simply “adrenaline;” or is adrenaline part of the “gut feeling” or “intuition” that gives us the insight to make strategic plans, and sometimes, lead us down the “right path” in our lives? Another case of intuition…or as some may call it luck…involves a family who decided to take the bus instead of taking the train on a cross-country trip in Germany. The train derailed. Coincidence?

Then there’s chains of ”coincidences,” like the many who decided not to work on the morning of 9/11. Was that mere coincidence or intuition? Another case of “intuition,” involves a young woman who chose to call into work one early Saturday morning. She worked in a sportswear distribution warehouse. On the morning that she was scheduled to work, all the 20+ foot aisles of ton-weight clothing racks toppled like dominoes in the area she would have been working. Gut feeling? Coincidence?

What makes a passerby jump into a lake to save a drowning stranger? Is that simply being a “hero?” No, the commonality of all of these cases is that no one wakes up one morning and says, “Oh, I think I’ll be a hero today,” or “I think I’ll save someone’s (or my own) life today.” Intuition is likening to that of “EQ” (Emotional Intelligence). Without it, many people would not even survive. These are instinctive emotions and “gut feelings” that are inherent in the human being. The difference between intuition and false thinking is that your ego mind gets in the way and you want something and want an experience that might not be best for you. False thinking is not hearing the truth of your reality and not wanting to live in truth in that moment. Can a hunch prove to not come true absolutely? The key is to look deeper into the feeling of what was really going on and get the lesson behind it. In general, individuals who have clouded their minds with greed and other habitual tendencies may not be able to think clearly; therefore intuition becomes just as clouded.

I believe that intuition, as our emotional intelligence, is the driving factor in what makes people succeed in life…draws people to each other in positive relationships…transforms our perception and makes us the best humane and compassionate people we can be; both personally and professionally. The major issue that surrounds intuition and developing intuition is not so much that we don’t instinctively have intuition; it’s the fact that we don’t listen to it, or abide by it — and that’s when we end up getting ourselves in a pickle. Intuition, like any other learning module, must be fine-tuned to deliver the best results; whether you use it effectively, well, that’s entirely up to you.

Until we speak again…I am

Joan Marie, your Intuition Expert

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The Difference between Intuition and False Thinking

By Joan Marie Whelan

About the Author: Joan Marie Whelan, an internationally known intuitive specialist, business consultant, medium, and coach travels throughout the United States sharing her gifts with solo-preneurs, professionals, small business owners, and large companies. Her much anticipated first book, “Self- Discovery: The Nine Principles to Reveal Your Sacred Gifts” will be published later this year. For more information about Joan Marie and her upcoming, exclusive events, please go to: www.joanmariewhelan.com

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