How To Lead A Quest

7 An Intuitive Reckoning

In chapter 1 we briefly explored a crude explanation of how learning occurs, and how our default thinking is formed — through the observation and codification of patterns (repeated phenomena).

A similar and yet altogether more mysterious thing happens with our hunches.

Hunches are the precursor to any potential idea or realisation. They are our intuitive reckonings that an alternative possibility, explanation or way may be available to us. They are the threads of patterns yet to be codified into learning.

We experience at least two forms of hunches.

The first could be described as spontaneous. An intuitive notion comes to you, seemingly out of the blue. It feels as though it's true, even though you have not applied any conscious reasoning to it.

A spontaneous hunch may strike you at any moment — like in a conversation with a friend. Something's not right … you find yourself knowing, before you've figured out why. Maybe it was the waver in their voice as they spoke with you. Maybe it was a micro facial expression you noticed, or some sort of incongruence between what they were saying and how they were acting. It's the subtlest thing. And so you ask, ‘Is everything okay?' … and your hunch may or may not be validated.

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We're in dangerous territory here. Hunches are immensely powerful ways to connect with intuitive insights. And yet, we need to ensure ...