How to Tell the Difference between Intuition and Instinct in Your Odinani Practice
In Odinani, the ability to discern between intuition and instinct is a vital skill for any spiritual practitioner. These two faculties, though similar in their subtlety, stem from very different sources and can guide or misguide your spiritual path depending on how well you understand them.
Intuition: The Voice of Stillness (Akwu)
Intuition arises from a place of stillness (Akwu). It is an inner knowing, a quiet but firm sense of awareness that does not demand immediate action. Intuition feels calm, even when delivering urgent messages, because it is connected to your Chi and Ezumezu; your divine personal spirit and collective energies that work in your favor. These forces always have your best interest at heart.
When intuition speaks, there is a sense of spaciousness. You feel you can pause, reflect, and give the matter time to unfold without panic. It might feel like a soft but clear nudge, a whisper rather than a shout. More importantly, intuition usually speaks with a sense of clarity; an unshakable knowing, even if you can’t explain how you know.
Instinct: The Voice of Activity (Obi)
Instinct, on the other hand, emerges from activity (Obi) and human desires. It is shaped by external influences, and human desires. While intuition feels like a soft current, instinct tends to push hard and fast. There is typically a sense of urgency, a need to act immediately without much thought.
Instinct is not inherently negative because it plays an important role in physical survival and can alert you to danger. However, in spiritual practice, instinct must be carefully examined because it can be clouded by external pressures. Unlike intuition, which when developed is rooted in divine guidance, instinct can be influenced by forces outside of your Chi, and these influences may not always have your best interest at heart.
Key Differences to Remember:
Intuition gives you room to pause; it comes with clarity and calmness.
Instinct demands immediate action; it comes with a sense of urgency.
Intuition arises from within, guided by your Chi, spiritual guides and spiritual balance.
Instinct reacts to external stimuli, shaped by external influences, emotion and circumstance.
Why This Matters in Your Spiritual Practice
Understanding the difference between intuition and instinct can save you from spiritual missteps. There may be moments when instinct pushes you to act in the heat of the moment, while intuition may quietly suggest you wait, observe, and move with intention.
Following intuition means aligning with your divine path, while blindly following instinct can lead to choices that feel right in the short term but cause spiritual imbalance in the long run. The more you cultivate stillness and learn to sit with your feelings before acting, the easier it becomes to recognize the voice of intuition.
Practices to Strengthen Intuition:
Meditate daily: Stillness invites intuitive clarity.
Observe your emotions: Notice when you feel urgency, pause and ask yourself, "Is this my intuition or my instinct?"
Connect with your Chi: Develop rituals that strengthen your bond with your divine self.
Journal your decisions: Reflect on choices made from instinct versus intuition to learn their patterns.
In your Odinani journey, may you walk the path of wisdom, listen deeply, move intentionally, and trust the quiet, steady voice within. May your Chi guide you rightly always. Iseee.
Special thanks to Data Oruwari for the insightful conversation that brought clarity to this post, and to Akuudo Mbgeke for the thought-provoking question that inspired it.
