What is Intuition, Really?

When I ask people what intuition means to them, I get all kinds of answers. Some people say, “I just know.”

Others describe it as getting an impression of someone in their mind’s eye when they meet them. Some feel the emotions of others, while others sense the presence of a loved one who has passed.

These are all examples of intuition, unique to each person’s experience.

But what exactly is intuition?

The dictionary defines it as

“the ability to understand or know something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning.”

Let’s break down this definition to get a deeper understanding of intuition and how it works:

1. Ability to Understand or Know

At the core of intuition is the ability to receive information. Our bodies are constantly perceiving and processing information through our five senses—taste, sight, smell, touch, and hearing.

But intuitive knowledge also comes from beyond these physical senses. It’s like an additional layer of perception that works with or outside our usual senses.

For example, you might suddenly know something without hearing or seeing any physical evidence—this can be a form of claircognizance (clear knowing) or clairsentience (clear feeling).

Intuition can feel different for everyone. Personally, I experience intuition through a mix of visuals and sounds—I might see something in my mind’s eye, or hear a phrase that seems to come out of nowhere.

This “inner knowing” or sensing is like a subtle signal that guides me toward decisions, big and small.

In our Welcome Intuition course, we explore these types of intuitive abilities and help you identify your unique strengths. Understanding your primary way of perceiving intuitive information can make intuition a more reliable part of your life.

Whether your intuition speaks through feeling, knowing, seeing, or hearing, learning to recognize it strengthens your confidence in its guidance.

2. Without Conscious Reasoning

One of the hallmarks of intuition is that it operates without conscious thought. Unlike logical thinking, where we actively reason things out, intuition simply arrives—quietly and quickly, like a message waiting to be heard. This process happens across different layers of consciousness.

Think of it like this: our minds operate in layers:

• Unconscious Mind: The base level, where automatic processes happen (like breathing).

• Subconscious Mind: This holds memories and sensations that aren’t actively on our minds but can come up when needed.

• Conscious Mind: The space where we think, reason, and make decisions in real-time.

Intuition, however, bypasses these conscious layers. It doesn’t rely on previous experiences or logical thinking. Instead, it feels like a knowing or understanding that flows from a source beyond what we’re actively thinking.

Learning to access and trust this source of guidance requires us to be fully present, to observe, and to separate our personal thoughts from the intuitive impressions we receive.

For instance, you might have a thought like, “I should check in on a friend,” without knowing why. Intuition might give you a sense of calm assurance that this is right, while the ego, on the other hand, might jump in with doubts like, “But what if I’m bothering them?”

Understanding this difference—between calm, intuitive nudges and the reactive voice of ego—takes practice. This is something we explore in Welcome Intuition, guiding you to separate these voices and trust the quieter one.

Honing Your Intuitive Observation Skills

Developing intuition isn’t about waiting for big “aha” moments; it’s about paying close attention to subtle cues throughout the day.

To truly access our intuition, we need to practice being fully present. Observing our thoughts, feelings, and senses helps us recognize when an intuitive message arrives.

Here are areas to focus on:

• Thoughts and Inner Dialogue: Notice when a thought feels different—less like a random idea and more like a gentle nudge.

• Physical Sensations: Intuition can speak through physical feelings—pay attention to any sensations or emotions.

• Senses: Honing your sense of taste, smell, sight, touch, and hearing can sharpen your awareness of intuitive messages.

One of the best tools to train our observation skills is meditation. By quieting the mental chatter, meditation helps us become more aware of our thoughts and emotions, creating space to notice intuitive signals.

Meditation is a powerful practice that lets us explore our inner world and, over time, strengthens our ability to listen to that intuitive voice.

If you’re curious to start your meditation practice, the VibeClear Members Area offers free meditations, including sessions to calm your mind and connect with your inner guidance.

And if you’re ready to take intuition further, Welcome Intuition can guide you through practical exercises, meditation techniques, and real-life applications to make intuition a reliable part of your life.

Ready to listen to your inner voice? Explore our meditations and join Welcome Intuition to dive into the journey!