Spiritual intuitive cognition

Intuitive cognition is the apprehension of an object by the mind, independent of reasoning. Concentration and meditation can make the mind more intuitive. In fact, meditation has been defined as thinking in the heart; and it is the activity of the three-fold mind on the heart which is said to produce intuition. Intuition has also been defined as immediate knowledge of the Absolute obtained through wisdom, and thus contrasted with knowledge of external objects derived through the senses and the intellect (Swami Omkarananda). It is then the only method of approach to, and experience of, reality; the only means by which to realize God. Intuition is thus the normal capacity of that consciousness within man to which the intellect is sub-normal. R Steiner uses the term intuition to describe the third step in the exercise of anthroposophic meditation, beyond inspiration and imagination. Intuitive cognition may be of natural or supernatural knowledge. In the case of supernatural, or spiritual, intuitive cognition, the process of knowing is as mysterious as the source of knowledge; and there is a distinction to be made between intuition and infusion.