Intuition Part 2: Beyond the Veil, A Non-Dual Perspective

One of the foremost modern teachers of yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar, echoed the conclusions emerging in science when he wrote that intuition is a type of knowing “in which you know before you know how you know” [1].

The experience of intuition is viewed in similar, but also very different ways by non-dual traditions like Vishishtadvaita, Advaita Vedanta, Zen Buddhism, or Sufism, compared to the perspective of modern science discussed in Part 1 of this article. To better understand the non-dual view on intuition, we’ll begin by exploring these similarities and differences.

Similarities and Fundamental Difference

A short but revealing description of intuition that is grounded in non-duality and points to the similarities, and also the fundamental difference compared to the scientific view, is offered by Dr. Deepak Chopra [2]:

“Intuition is not emotional nor is it derived from old conditioning or fear, it has a simple purity to it that is almost impersonal.”

This description highlights two main areas where modern science and non-dual traditions agree:

• Intuition is not to be equaled to impulses arising from our conditioned biases or our turbulent emotional reactions and drives.
• There is a “simple purity” to intuition, which is a human way of knowing that is devoid of the effort and complications typical for our usual mental processes.

It is only the last word in this description, impersonal, that points to the fundamental difference in the non-dual understanding of intuition:

• Intuition is not a synthesis of information about a separate, external world, but knowledge arising from an awareness of the transpersonal unity of the field of consciousness underlying all existence.

To understand this further, let’s remember that science considers intuition to be a product of the brain’s mental processes, in other words, a personal capacity allowing us to gather and process information from “out there” regarding a separate, exterior world.

In contrast, non-dual traditions start by affirming a fundamental, all-encompassing unity of consciousness beyond personal mind, body, and experience. Based on this underlying transpersonal oneness of consciousness, intuition is understood not as a mental process of putting together fragments, but rather a direct knowing of the wholeness underlying diversity.

This aligns with the subjective experience of intuition, often described as a feeling of universal interconnectedness where the separation between self and other dissolves.

Types of Intuition in Non-Duality

While not as specific as the many scientific categorizations, nondual traditions acknowledge different aspects of the concept of intuition. Here are a few:

• Anubhava (Intuitive Experience) is the direct experience of the vast, transpersonal ocean of consciousness beyond the movements of the mind
• Jñana (Wisdom) refers to the deep, non-conceptual understanding we gain through direct experience and intuition.
• Prajna (Intuitive Insight) is our ability to see through illusions and discern the true nature of reality.
• Ananda (Bliss) is the state of inner peace and joy often associated with intuitive knowing and a sense of oneness.

Intuition as a Reliable Foundation

Most of us are used to navigating life accompanied by the constant chatter of our minds and guided by complicated, shifting and often contradictory systems of belief, values and morals. Walking on such an unstable ground consumes a lot of energy and can leave us with a subtle sense of confusion and lack of trust in our own conclusions.

Non-dual traditions propose that intuition is a form of unmediated awareness that bypasses the limitations of the personal analytical mind and gives us a stable and reliable foundation. Like mountain climbers leaving behind the effort of thoughts and emotions, when we find ourselves at the height of intuition, we see reality as it is, a clear sky unclouded by thoughts, judgments, or personal biases, an infinite space stretching in all directions, containing all forms and phenomena and all the knowledge related to them.

Benefits of Cultivating Intuition

Even a single intuitive glimpse is beneficial and helps us in many practical ways, from enabling us to make the best food choices to boosting our creativity at work.

But living our life permanently grounded in a state of pure awareness, with direct access to the unified intelligence of existence, is a much more rewarding endeavor than most people realize. The power of intuitive understanding might not only “protect you from harm until the end of your days” – a quote attributed to Lao Tzu [3] which may not be an exaggeration, given that intuitive guidance helps us avoid creating the problems we otherwise spend our time solving.

Much more than guidance and protection, intuition opens a whole new state of being. Those who experience this state might agree with Osho, who wrote that “intuition brings meaning, splendor, joy, blessings. Intuition gives you the secrets of existence, brings a tremendous silence, serenity, which cannot be disturbed and which cannot be taken away from you” [4].

The true benefit of a fully developed intuition is becoming aware of one’s own transpersonal awareness. When we become conscious of the field of consciousness that underlies our personal existence, we arrive at what spiritual traditions call self-realization, the true goal of all spiritual seeking.

Expanding our intuition, and with it, our realization of the inherent oneness of life, brings an altruistic attitude and a more fulfilling life for us as individuals and societies. Outer expressions of expanded intuition can be:

• Compassion and Empathy: By experiencing the underlying oneness of all things, people develop a deeper sense of compassion and understanding for others.
• Inner Peace: the state of openness to intuition involves letting go of mental chatter and ego attachments, which is a state of inner peace and serenity.
• Greater Authenticity: as we connect with a deeper identity, we live more authentically and align our actions with intuitive wisdom.

How To Access and Cultivate Intuition

It is obvious to most of us that intuition cannot be forced. Its spontaneous nature is easily understood if we look through the non-dual lens, where intuition is not an active process like doing or thinking, but an opening to an already existing direct knowing, requiring only the bypassing of the personal, conditioned mind.

Eckhart Tolle describes the process of accessing intuition in its utter simplicity: “Sometimes you have to do a lot of thinking, and then suddenly, thinking doesn’t get you anywhere anymore, and you stop thinking, and you go out and take a few deep breaths. Or you go out into nature and sit under a tree. And suddenly, intuition is there. Something you couldn’t have arrived at through thinking” [5].

Non-dual traditions aim to cultivate this state of intuitive awareness through many different practices. Some of them are:

• Meditation: Traditional meditation practices, with their emphasis on calming the mind and cultivating present-moment awareness, are powerful ways of accessing the intuitive flow of knowing.
• Movement Practices: Mindful movement practices like yoga or tai chi can help integrate the mind and body, promoting a deeper awareness of our body’s intuitive wisdom.
• Living in the Now: Non-dual teachings emphasize the importance of living in the present moment, a state where intuition can flourish unhindered by the mental distractions of the past and the anxieties of the future.
• Connecting with Nature: Spending time in nature allows us to reconnect with the unity of all things, fostering a more intuitive way of being in the world.
• Dream Exploration: Non-dual traditions view dreams as a portal to the consciousness field. Learning how to access this portal can open us to the inner knowing. Keeping a dream journal and reflecting on recurring themes can offer valuable intuitive insights.
• Embracing Synchronicity: Non-dual traditions view meaningful coincidences, or synchronicities, as nudges from the unified field of consciousness, guiding us on our life path. Being attentive to these synchronicities can enhance our intuitive awareness.

Conclusion

Whether we embrace the scientific or the non-dual view on intuition, we can be sure that valuing and developing our intuition will benefit and improve our life.

There are many dimensions to our existence, so whenever we are tempted to believe that we are individually or collectiely stuck, let’s remember and celebrate the innumerable paths forward, and let us continue the exciting journey of discovery of what it means to be fully human.

 

Sources:

[1] B K S Iyengar, Evans, J. J., & Douglas Carlton Abrams. (2005). Light on life : the yoga journey to wholeness, inner peace, and ultimate freedom. Rodale.
[2] Intuition and Thoughts. (2012, December 26). Deepak Chopra TM. https://www.deepakchopra.com/articles/intuition-and-thoughts/
[3] A quote by Lao Tzu. (n.d.). Www.goodreads.com. Retrieved April 27, 2024, from https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/8386438-the-power-of-intuitive-understanding-will-protect-you-from-harm
[4] Osho. (2001). Intuition, knowing beyond logic : insights for a new way of living. St. Martin’s Griffin.
[5] Gunnarson, J. (2022, September 9). Intuition? Eckhart Tolle | Official Site – Spiritual Teachings and Tools for Personal Growth and Happiness. https://eckharttolle.com/intuition