The Difference Between Intuition and Emotion

Intuition feels elusive. It’s like this “thing” that we know exists within us, but we’re not exactly sure how to tap into it. First, the key to using your intuition is having a desire to listen to your higher self (this is ultimately where your intuition comes from). Second, it is about knowing how to discern your emotions from your intuitive voice. To do this, it’s important to know that… Intuition is:

• Calm. It is not bubbling up in anger or fear, or sadness. Instead, it is a feeling that simply is, and in some cases, it may be a gentle vibration, pulse, or a gentle knowing.

• Consistent. The feeling does not change over a day or several hours—it is unwavering.

• Non-judgmental. The feeling is not associated with blame, shame, guilt, or criticism.

Whereas…

Emotion is:

• Agitated. It is strong, sharp, and can be full of multiple feelings at once.

• Inconsistent. It can change from one day to another or from morning to night.

• Noisy. It is a feeling that lives in our head or outwardly comes out through discussions and dialogue and comes with stories and rationalizations.

So next time a feeling comes up, pay attention to it and:

• Tune in to where it shows up in your body

• Take a few minutes to meditate or find stillness

• Ask yourself whether the feeling is intuition or an emotion

For more on tuning in to your intuition, explore Sonia Choquette's books on the topic. Happy reading!