Reasoning is not necessarily conscious in its operations, in fact, a greater part of the reasoning processes are performed below or above the conscious field.  In our last lesson we have given a number of examples proving this fact, but a few more remarks may not be out of place, nor without interest to the student.

In our last lesson you will see many instances stated in which the sub-conscious field of the Intellect worked out problems, and then after a time handed to the conscious reason the solution of the matter.  This has occurred to many of us, if not indeed to all of us.  Who has not endeavored to solve a problem or question of some sort and after “giving it up” has had it suddenly answered and flashed into consciousness when least expected.  The experience is common to the race.  While the majority of us have noticed these things, we have regarded them as exceptional and out of the general rule.  Not so, however, with students of the mental planes.  The latter have recognized these planes of reason, and have availed themselves of their knowledge by setting these unconscious faculties to work for them.  In our next lesson we will give directions to our students regarding this accomplishment, which may prove of the greatest importance to those who will take the trouble to practice the directions given.  It is a plan that is known to the majority of men who have “done things” in the world, the majority of them, however, having discovered the plan for themselves as the result of a need or demand upon the inner powers of mind.

The plane of mind immediately above that of Intellect is that known as Intuition.  Intuition is defined by Webster as follows:  “Direct apprehension or cognition; immediate knowledge, as in perception or consciousness, involving no reasoning process; quick or ready insight or apprehension.”  It is difficult to explain just what is meant by Intuition, except to those who have experienced it—­and these people do not need the explanation.  Intuition is just as real a mental faculty as is Intellect—­or, to be more exact, is just as much a collection of mental faculties.  Intuition is above the field of consciousness, and its messages are passed downward, though its processes are hidden.  The race is gradually unfolding into the plane of Intuition, and the race will some day pass into full consciousness on that plane.  In the meantime it gets but flashes and glimpses from the hidden region.  Many of the best things we have come from that region.  Art, music, the love of the beautiful and good poetry, the higher form of love, spiritual insight to a certain degree, intuitive perception of truth, etc., etc., come from this region.  These things are not reasoned out by the intellect, but seem to spring full born from some unknown region of the mind.