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“The most profound truths of human existence lie beyond the reach of intellect, nestled in the realm of lived experience.”
As I near 50 and reflect on my own experiences, I realize that logical thinking, while useful, can’t fully grasp the complex, subjective, or intuitive aspects of life.
The intricate web of relationships throughout my life possess a depth and richness that I will never fully capture through logical reasoning alone.
So many aspects of my internal and external life are so profoundly complex—or simple—that an analytical approach is futile.
In this article, I will share some observations that have made it easier for me to embrace ambiguity, acknowledge the limits of my rationality, and recognize the value of lived experiences over abstract thought.
1. The Unpredictability of Life
If you had told me five years ago where I’d be today, I wouldn’t have believed you—even if my life depended on it.
Five years ago:
- I couldn’t write in English. Today, I’ve authored hundreds of articles in English and often dream in this language.
- I had lost hope of finding a life partner. Then I met my wife, and we’re now building an incredible FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) life together.
Throughout my lifetime, I’ve experienced inherent uncertainty and unexpected events.
My life has often taken unforeseen turns, challenging my ability to plan or expect future outcomes through logical analysis alone.
The unpredictability of life makes time non-linear.
The experience of time is rarely a straight, predictable line. Instead, it often feels warped or distorted based on life events.
Unpredictable events make time feel like it’s moving faster or slower, rather than progressing in a steady, linear fashion.
While clock time moves consistently, my subjective experience of time varies because of life’s unpredictability.
The lesson of unpredictability is that there are elements in life that defy understanding and control by the mind. Embracing this unpredictability has been a catalyst for personal growth and resilience.
2. The Depth of Love
I married well, really well. And in doing so, I realized true love, characterized by emotional connection, empathy, and acceptance, transcends most intellectual comprehension.
Logic or reasoning cannot fully understand or explain the depth of love because it is a deeply personal experience.
Love is not an idea or a concept; it’s a dynamic process of becoming through growth and transformation.
I used to think of love as a fixed state or something that gradually unfolds and transforms.
In reality, the transformative nature of love manifests if I transform myself.
3. The Importance of Forgiveness
My ability to let go of resentment and have been one of the most powerful tools for healing.
While I intellectually understand the benefits of forgiveness, my mind find it difficult to forgive.
Forgiving is hard, as it often involves processing complex feelings like hurt, anger, and resentment, which I can’t accomplish by rational thought alone.
Even when I intellectually understand that forgiveness transcends pure rational comprehension, the gap between knowing I should forgive and feeling ready to do so often catches me off guard.
Forgiveness is a personal process that requires a lot of emotional work, one that goes beyond pure logic or rational thought.
What works for me may not work for you. Therefore forgiveness is difficult to approach solely from a logical standpoint.
4. The Power of Intuition
Intuition is often described as understanding or knowing that occurs without conscious reasoning.
Unlike logical reasoning, which follows a step-by-step process, my intuitive insights emerge suddenly and without a clear path of deduction.
A firefighter will enter a burning building and intuitively know that the floor is about to collapse.
I, as a nurse, will meet a patient, and without any vital parameters, know that something is not right.
When I use intuition, I draw upon a vast reservoir of subconscious experiences and teachings, which provide facilities for rapid insights or decisions.
My intuition helps me identify patterns or connections that aren’t immediately apparent through logical analysis.
5. The Mystery of Creativity
In all areas of life, creativity takes on various forms, making it hard to define or explain through a single rational intellectual framework.
The core of my creative process involves many intuitive leaps, unexpected connections, and spontaneous insights that don’t follow a linear, logical path.
In my observation, creativity emerges from a complex interaction between my conscious thoughts and unconscious mental processes.
Just like love, creativity is a process of becoming.
Sudden “eureka” moments in creativity keep challenging my ability to fully understand or predict the creative process logically.
What sparks creativity in me may not work for you, making it difficult to develop a universal, logical framework for understanding or fostering creativity.
The mysterious, elusive, and complex nature of the creative process often defies simple logical analysis. A more experiential approach is necessary to truly appreciate its depth.
6. The Significance of Ritual
Rituals carry a deep-seated need to tap into meaning and connection on a level beyond intellectual comprehension.
For thousands of years, rituals have transformed the ordinary into a meaningful process that eludes logical explanation.
If you have a ritual, you’ve likely felt the profound aspects of human experience—connection and meaning—in a place beyond the realm of pure intellectual understanding.
7. The Impact of Spirituality
A belief in something transcendent or divine has profoundly changed my life.
While my intellect craves evidence and proof, my spirituality embraces the limitations of reason.
It took some getting used to operating in dimensions where proof is not readily available or even possible.
I have accepted that my spiritual experiences are deeply personal moments of profound connection that emerge from deep within me, transcending the boundaries of external information or logical reasoning.
8. The Value of Suffering
My rational mind often seeks to avoid or eliminate suffering, viewing it as purely negative.
That is my brain’s programming and initial reaction to pain and suffering.
In the past, this perspective prevented me from seeing the benefits that arise from my triggers and reactions.
Viewed through a purely logical lens, suffering appears random, unfair, or purposeless.
From this perspective, I struggle to understand why suffering exists, and what purpose it serves.
Despite my many ongoing intellectual triggers and resistance, I’ve found suffering to be a powerful catalyst for personal growth and transformation.
It is outside of my comfort zone, where I confront my limitations and develop new and more constructive coping mechanisms.
Through the process of enduring and overcoming suffering, I’ve gained profound insights about my human experience, others, and the nature of life itself.
These insights have primarily been experiential rather than intellectual, making them challenging to grasp through reason alone.
9. The Nature of Consciousness
The subjective experience of being is a complex phenomenon that has puzzled philosophers and scientists for centuries.
While we keep making advancements in understanding brain function through neuroscience, psychology, and cognitive science, the fundamental nature of consciousness remains elusive.
In my observations, consciousness is not a static entity or an object to define or measure. Instead, it’s a dynamic and ever-changing process, shaped and developed through my experiences and interactions with the world both inside and outside of me.
I have accepted that consciousness, require a different understanding that goes beyond my logic or rational thought.
10. The Joy of Gratitude
For me, gratitude—the appreciation of what I have—has profoundly impacted my well-being.
If I can hear, see, eat, walk, and use the toilet without help, everything else is a bonus.
Gratitude is not settling for less or lacking ambition. Rather, it’s a powerful mindset that allows me to appreciate my current circumstances while still striving for growth and improvement.
Closing Thoughts
In the symphony of life, logic is but one instrument; intuition, love, and experience compose the full orchestra.
Embracing these aspects has helped me navigate complex situations with greater peace of mind.
I have a responsibility to inspire future generations to combat information overload’s negative effects.
To make a difference, I must be that difference first.
This starts by acknowledging that aspects like love, forgiveness, and spirituality transcend intellectual understanding.
In which areas of your life—and those of your loved ones—could you benefit from engaging with experiences with less logical thinking and a more experiential, spiritual approach?
Thank you for reading. If you found this useful, share it!