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where does intuition come from ?

### Where Does Intuition Come From?

Intuition, that mysterious voice inside your head that whispers the right decisions without any conscious deliberation, has fascinated both the scientific community and spiritual thinkers for centuries. So, where does this hunch actually originate from? Let’s dive into the well of knowledge to uncover the roots of intuition.

**The Subconscious and Unconscious Patterns**

Studies from Psychology Today and the blog by Anna Sayce suggest that intuition may be a result of subconscious pattern matching. Our brain is a perpetual sponge, absorbing data and cues from environment to environment, comparing what it sees, hears, feels, and experiences to previous data it has stored. Over time, our subconscious mind starts recognizing a kind of language – signals and signs that could either confirm or guide our decisions.

This notion is further supported by Psychology Today which highlights that while intuition seems to emerge spontaneously, it’s deeply rooted in past experiences and learned behaviors, stored below the surface of our waking consciousness. The speed and immediacy of intuition are thanks to subconscious pattern-matching, where when it matches the past experiences stored in our mind, it jumps out almost as a reflex action.

**The Sixth Sense and Its Origins**

According to the blog Intuitive Souls Blog and others such as the S.A.G.E Method, intuition might be more complex than a mere subconscious reaction. Here, it’s conceived as a higher, sixth sense, possibly stemming from a divinely embedded part of our being that interacts directly with our core selves, possibly our higher self, which some traditions refer to as the soul. Intuition becomes a way your higher consciousness speaks to your human awareness, suggesting that intuition is an incredible wellspring of guidance and insight.

**Energy and Information Processing**

In a different yet related perspective, sources like the PHI Energy blog frame intuition as part of a broader energy flow. It’s suggested here that every moment in our lives, our body, heart, mind, and spirit are processing energy from the world around us. Most of this processing happens subconsciously or even unseen by us. Intuition, then, plays the role of a messenger, translating this unseen energy flow into directions or inputs that can be used to inform our decisions.

**Is Intuition From The Brain, Heart, or Gut?**

This brings us to another compelling question: is intuition a function of the brain, heart, or gut? Quora, one of the world’s largest Q&A sites, suggests that while the brain is involved in our ability to have insights and “gut feelings,” there’s a strong argument for intuitive responses being a function of our “gut” – in other words, the vagus nerve network connecting the brain and gut, now often referred to as “the second brain.”

The other angle is the heart, long a symbol of emotion and intuition in many cultures. In the context of intuition, the heart is seen as a beacon of deeper wisdom, deeper than thought or reason.

**The Role of Conscious and Unconscious Systems**

Finally, some researchers distinguish between different types of intuition, including implicit learning and gut feelings. While the explicit system—a slower, more logical process—works to guide rational decision-making, the implicit system operates quickly and effortlessly, below the surface of our conscious awareness, sometimes being described as a “gut feeling”.

### Concluding Thoughts

Intuition, in essence, might be the result of a blend of these processes: the subconscious mind’s use of pattern recognition, the influence of the “sixth sense”, the energetic communications between our inner and outer worlds, and the sometimes overwhelming impact from signals originating within our innate physiology.

Understanding where this seemingly magical feeling stems from however doesn’t pinpoint it to just one origin, but rather an intricate weave of signals and insights filtering through different layers – mental, emotional, energetic, and perhaps even spiritual. Whether it helps us make swift decisions in fast-moving situations, or guides us in choosing the right path, the next time your intuition speaks, it might just be your inner self guiding you with the wisdom it’s accumulated. Listen carefully, as the guidance can be invaluable.

In the coming posts, we will dive deeper into how we can trust and hone our intuitive voices – so stay tuned.