Introducing Listening to the SONG of Life
1.5 Concepts Related to Intuition
There are concepts closely akin to intuition such as, tacit knowledge, insight, instinct, and creativity,[1] attention,[2] intention,[3] contemplation,[4] and consciousness.[5] From these concepts related to intuition, a progression of listening ideas can be articulated beginning with conscious awareness, moving to attention, intention, and finally ending with contemplation. First, there is consciousness, the fundamental awareness of being alive. The sense of consciousness awareness allows us to connect with the inner world of perception (e.g., feelings, thoughts, bodily sensations) and the outer world (outside of the body, experienced through the senses and intuitive faculties).
This attention has two dimensions. Attention can be located on a dimension of narrow-focused through expansive-inclusive, and on a second dimension of observational-evaluative through absorption-union.[6] As attention is given to an object-subject in awareness, intention may also arise. This intention can influence the individual and the object of attention as evidenced by McTaggart’s exhaustive review of the scientific literature on intention.[7] Contemplation represents a further progression of listening as attention and intention by adding the qualities of reflection, introspection, and mindfulness.[8]
Characterizing the listening process as a system of interacting parts that involve awareness, attention, intention, and contemplation is a working hypothesis that is explored throughout the book. While the listening process is written in a linear fashion, it is possible for more than one process to occur simultaneously. Further, while speculative, it is possible that we cycle through this listening process many times a minute.[9]
- Gerard P. Hodgkinson, Janice Langan-Fox, and Eugene Sadler-Smith, "Intuition: A Fundamental Bridging Construct in the Behavioral Sciences." British Journal of Psychology, 99, no. 1 (2008): 1-27. ↵
- Femi, Les, and Jim Robbins. The Open-Focus Brain: Harnessing the Power of Attention to Heal Mind and Body (Durbin: Trumpeter Publishers, 2007). ↵
- Lynne McTaggart, The Intention Experiment: Using Your Thoughts to Change Your Life and the World (Florence: The Free Press, 2007). ↵
- Daniel P. Barbazat and Mirabai Bush, Contemplative Practices in Higher Education (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2014). ↵
- Jeffrey Mislove, The Roots of Consciousness (Boston: Da Capo Press, 1993). ↵
- Femi and Robbins, The Open-Focus Brain. ↵
- McTaggart, The Intention Experiment. ↵
- Barbazat and Bush, Contemplative Practices in Higher Education. ↵
- Caroline Leaf, Cleaning up your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking (Ada: Baker Books, 2021). ↵