There are many things in life that cannot quite be understood with words and logic. Intuition is one of them.
Some may deem intuition a sort of new age, hokey spiritual concept; but in fact, it is understood and respected by some of the most remarkable people of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
Just yesterday, I finished reading the biography on Steve Jobs written by Walter Isaacson. I found it absolutely fascinating what one man was able to accomplish by listening to his heart and altering reality when it did not fit his plans. Steve Jobs was very much into Buddhism and obtaining knowledge that came to him through feeling, rather than logic.
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After dropping out of college, Jobs traveled to India in search of a guru who could help him achieve enlightenment. He did not find enlightenment in India, but he had an interesting revelation upon arriving back home in California. Jobs realized that “People in the Indian countryside don’t use their intellect like we do, they use their intuition instead, and their intuition is far more developed than in the rest of the world. Intuition is a very powerful thing, more powerful than intellect, in my opinion. That’s had a big impact on my work. Western rational thought is not an innate human characteristic; it is learned and is the great achievement of Western civilization. In the villages of India, they never learned it. They learned something else, which is in some ways just as valuable but in other ways not. That’s the power of intuition and experiential wisdom.”
Both intellect and intuition are great ways for understanding and learning, but it is the combination of both that seems to give birth to life’s greatest achievements.
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Intuition seems to come from another source greater than the individual. Intuition is almost like the universe giving you advice, it is pointing its finger to guide us on our journey that we must go on to grow as a person.
Intuition is meant to be felt, not comprehended by the rational mind. Unfortunately, this kind of knowledge is not taught in Western society. It has been long forgotten and bypassed by the traditional institutions of higher education.
As Einstein put it, “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is its faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.”
I believe many of the beautiful pieces of art throughout time are the product of a combination of both intellect and intuition. Steve Jobs meditated regularly and used knowledge that he gained from intuition to aid him in dreaming up his products and making business decisions.
Clearly, if you have read the biography on Steve Jobs, you know that he is in no way a perfect being. His personality was shifty and he was prone to severe mood swings and bouts of anger. However, he had a true desire to combine technology and art in an amazing way that would push the human race forward.
After his first battle with cancer, Jobs gave a speech at Stanford graduation in 2005 that I believe elegantly captures his sense of trust in intuition.
He said, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.”
Having the faith to listen to your heart is the first step in satisfying your soul’s purpose in life.
Another well-respected man who understood the magnificence of intuition is Albert Einstein. Perhaps no man has turned science on its head in the way Einstein did. Einstein’s ideas with the theory of general relativity forced physicists to rethink classical physics and challenge previously held beliefs.
Einstein understood how the universe works as a harmonious whole. Einstein was a violinist and pianist as well. Through music, he was able to draw creative inspiration and resolve blockages in his work.
Like Jobs, Einstein saw the magic in combining art and science stating, “The greatest scientists are artists as well.”
The process of creating art forces an individual to dig deep into their heart and soul exposing uncomfortable parts of themselves, which allows them to grow as a person. I believe art and intuition are fountains of the same source.
Einstein’s idea for the theory of relativity came to him in a dream. Einstein once told a friend, “When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come close to the conclusion that the gift of imagination has meant more to me than any talent for absorbing absolute knowledge. All great achievements of science must start from intuitive knowledge. I believe in intuition and inspiration.... At times I feel certain I am right while not knowing the reason.”
Neither my words, nor yours, can fully capture the essence of intuition. It must be felt, not understood, but I hope I have pointed my finger in the direction towards this mysterious phenomenon for you to ponder and test for yourself. I think the idea that there is something larger than ourselves trying to guide and teach us is both calming and empowering. Reality is malleable and is just waiting for someone brave enough to expand its boundaries.
As Jobs put best, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”
The world needs a generation of young and open minds to challenge and reevaluate our priorities and values in life. The world is flexible, and waiting for individuals who are brave enough to reshape it. By quieting the chatter of our mind, we are able listen to our intuition and steer our lives where they are destined to go.
(Note: I found the information for this article on the following websites)
