Have you ever doubted a decision because you heard a whisper that disturbed your mind? Or, feel worried don't make the wrong decision? Maybe it's because your intuition or heart is talking. Each person is equipped with the same ability, namely the ability to understand various things in a certain way, for example by considering past experiences, desires and needs that arise from the subconscious, or the current conditions of life. Although it can be a useful input, intuition cannot replace a normal decision-making process. Your mind and heart, logic and intuition, both will work together well if you want to try a little and practice.
Evaluating the Mind
*** Begin by understanding the meaning of the mind***. People tend to regard logical thinking as a good thing. Logical thinking is a function or process that directs our actions based on logic without involving subjective emotions or judgments. The mind helps us get things that are good and useful. For this reason, many philosophers argue that the mind is better than intuition.
What is meant by mind? This question contains deep philosophical meaning, not just about the brain. The mind has a broader meaning than the brain and one of them is the place where consciousness resides, that is, the "I" that is manifest in you.
The mind is responsible for thinking wisely by involving feelings, mindsets, judgments, and memories. The mind also allows you to consider good and bad as a basis for making logical decisions.
Know the meaning of logical thinking. Logical thinking is the ability to consider various variables and access, process, and analyze information to make the right conclusions. In everyday life, you have to think logically when preparing a financial budget, considering the positive and negative sides before moving to work, or debating political issues with friends.
Logical thinking is a very human thing. In fact, this ability distinguishes humans from animals so that we are able to use equipment, build cities, develop technology, and maintain the survival of our species. So, logical thinking is a valuable ability that is very useful.
Learn the positive and negative aspects of the mind. As we know, logical thinking is an important reason so we are still here today. However, more is not always better. Star Trek fans know that Mr. Spock or Data is a superlogical creature, but both are not real humans because they have no emotions. We are not machines.
In certain cases, logical thinking is very useful so that we can overcome negative emotions that tend to control us when making decisions. For example, if our decision is only emotionally controlled, do people want to leave home to study outside the city? Maybe a lot of people don't want it because the emotional bond and the sense of loss of the closest person will be very strong, even though their logical mind says that studying outside the city will bring good for them.
Logical thinking allows you to go further. We tend to feel helpless when making decisions using only logic. All choices, large and small, involve so many variables that we cannot decide without considering feelings. For example, what should you choose as a breakfast menu? Is the menu the healthiest, the most cost-effective, or the fastest presentation? You will have difficulty deciding without involving feelings.
Evaluating Feelings
Learn how to distinguish between logical feelings and thoughts. People often talk about "feelings" or "conscience" that are difficult to define. The term can be interpreted as understanding that is formed after considering various things beyond normal logical thinking. Feelings are formed from several aspects, for example things that happened in the past (experience), personal needs (desires), and current conditions (people around, choices, etc.) Decisions taken taking into account these things will different if you decide to only use logic.
Recognize differences in things that come from the heart, such as thoughts that just appear. Logic relies heavily on analysis that is thought out step by step. For example: "If I don't do X, it will happen Y. So, I have to do X." Our hearts work in different patterns.
What is meant by "feeling"? Sometimes, intuition appears in the form of a vague feeling and difficult to explain because we ourselves do not understand what we are feeling. For example, you are still hesitant to change jobs without knowing exactly what the real reason is. What's more, this job is very promising, but you are still disturbed because you feel something is wrong. This is what is called intuition.
Listen to your conscience. Conscience brings a message to you, even though sometimes it's hard to understand. Begin learning to listen to your inner voice by ignoring the logical mind for a while and focusing on your inner voice in the following ways:
Writing what you think is one way to open your subconscious mind. Write down every thought that arises spontaneously. Start by writing, "I feel ..." or "My heart says ..." according to an emotional response, not based on logical thinking.
Ignore the self-criticizing conscience. Beware of logical thinking habits because you need to try to listen to your inner voice. In addition, we tend to think of feelings using logic. Give yourself the opportunity to continue writing or thinking. Don't let the conscience that says, "silly stories" make you doubt.
Look for a quiet place. The best way to open your heart is to contemplate, for example by meditating or walking alone in a garden or a quiet environment. Look for the most appropriate place so you can express your thoughts and emotions freely.
Don't rely too much on your heart. Although it can provide understanding, intuition is not necessarily better than logical thinking. Intuition is also not the best reason for making decisions. Listen to your inner voice, but don't believe it because the sound of the heart can be wrong.
For example, as a judge, you must try the defendant who is defending himself very persuasively and trying to convince you that he is innocent. However, all physical evidence shows that he is a criminal. Will you follow logical thinking or intuition? In this case, your intuition might be wrong.
Also consider the consequences that might occur if you only rely on feelings. Do you want to risk your life based on your heart? Financial advisers recommend that you invest by buying securities that are safe, but you are very confident about the performance of ABC's rising companies. You should follow the logical advice of an expert rather than trusting your own conscience.
Uniting the Mind and Heart
Determine the value of your beliefs. The mind and heart should not run alone. So, you need to find ways for both of them to work together. Start by determining your value. Our hearts store values of unknown beliefs when we think logically. Unification of mind and heart starts from here. Know the values of your beliefs which will then direct the process of logical thinking.
Review the value of your beliefs if you have never done this before. How did you take care of since childhood? Ask yourself, what is the value of beliefs that parents emphasize to you in terms of wealth, education, status, appearance? Have you ever received an award for achieving high school performance?
How is your life now? Try to see how belief values shape your life. Do you live in the city, on the outskirts of the city, or in the village? Why is it that you live here? What do you do? A teacher and banker will evaluate money in a different way. On the other hand, a banker might appreciate education in a different way than a teacher.
What are you spending money on? The answer to this question can pinpoint the values of beliefs that have been directing your behavior. Do you use money to buy a car? Financing a trip? Buy clothes? Or, to fund art activities and charity?
Think of your decision as being associated with a belief value. The purpose of linking mindset with value is not to ignore logical thinking, but to use it. Because the value of belief is embedded in the heart, you must know it well and involve it when thinking logically. What kind of people deserve to be your life partner? Where do you want to work? You must consider these things logically, but this consideration must be in harmony with the values that you believe most.
Gather as much information as possible that has to do with your decision. What good will you get from the decision you will take? Does it have consequences that you will later regret? In the decision-making process, logic and heart sometimes experience conflict. This can be a clue that you have to find out all the possibilities that will happen as detailed as possible and conduct an evaluation.
Identify the problem by thinking about the bad consequences that might occur. For example, you want to get married and have children, but your girlfriend says that she doesn't want a family. Even though the logical mind says that you love him, listen to your conscience and realize that you both have values that are not aligned with family matters.
Explore several options by considering what is best for you. Sometimes, the first intuition is the right answer. However, you also have to balance the heart and logical mind so that you can make the most appropriate decision.
Consider the value of your beliefs before deciding. One way to make the right decision is to associate each option with a belief value and see whether the two have harmony. Make a list of virtue values and sort starting from what you consider most important to the less important.
Continuing the example above about making a decision to get married, if a family is an important issue for you, marrying someone who does not want to have children will bring big problems, even if you love them. However, if you prioritize the bond with your partner rather than the desire to have a child, maybe you can still consider the plan to marry him.
Take decisions based on logical thinking on the intuitions that arise when considering the value of your beliefs. Logical thinking about the heart may seem strange. Remember that the mind and heart should not conflict with each other. You only need to listen to your heart and find out what it is. Consider carefully and let belief values play an important role in your decision, but still think logically. Take decisions that align with the values of beliefs and prioritize what you consider most important.
Keep practicing. Ultimately, decisions that result from unifying your heart and mind allow you to find strength within yourself. Therefore, listen to your conscience and control your mind so that they always work together in harmony.