I have a confession to make. A certain literary detective has always been one of my all-time favorite geniuses. 

Sure, he doesn’t exactly possess the academic genius status of say, Marie Curie, Ada Lovelace, or Alan Turing, but he’s just, well—the funnest kind of genius!

I am of course talking about a one Sherlock Holmes.

I’m a huge fan of Holmes’ in the source material, the Arthur Conan Doyle novels, but I imagine the portrayal many of us are most familiar with is the 2009 Guy Ritchie film, Sherlock Holmes.

In this action-packed film, there’s a particularly memorable scene where Holmes maps out the full plan to infiltrate Lord Blackwood’s occult ritual.

 This incredible—and entertaining—display of foresight and strategy, coupled with Ritchie’s dynamic direction, makes it a cinematic masterpiece.

As the plan unfolds, we’re all taken on a roller coaster ride, witnessing Holmes’ genius play out in real-time.

It’s a real testament to Holmes’ unconventional genius, and what one might call his intuitive genius.

On more than one occasion, I’ve been referred to as an “intuitive genius” by those around me. But trust me, it’s been a long road to being held in this kind of regard.

First things first, what exactly is an “intuitive genius”?

An intuitive genius is basically a person who has a high ability to tackle complex concepts, pick up on patterns, and generate insights with very little effort. 

Intuitive geniuses can often excel in processing information from a number of varying sources, then drawing connections that others might miss.

This kind of smarts goes beyond traditional intelligence, encompassing a keen perception and a deep understanding of the underlying structures of information.

Essentially, they rely on their raw intuition and a sense of pattern recognition, allowing them to wade through intricate problems with relative ease.

The intuitive genius doesn’t just depend on accumulated knowledge. They explore unconventional approaches to subjects, offering up new and innovative solutions to old challenges.

To sum things up, an intuitive genius is someone who contributes to the intellectual landscape by bringing their unique flavor of intuition, smarts, and artistry.

If you’re wondering how to go about cultivating this kind of genius, here’s what I did.

1) I connected with nature on a deeper level through the Japanese practice of forest bathing

Life has always felt a little overwhelming for me. The modern world always seems to have new things to throw at us, right?

Early in my twenties, I reached the understanding that I didn’t just want to succumb to the chaotic nature of the world, so it was super lucky I stumbled on shinrin-yoku.

Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is a Japanese concept that involves immersing yourself in nature in order to boost your well-being. (I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had to clarify with people that it doesn’t actually involve any bathing.)

What I love about the Japanese is that they seem to have this deep cultural love for nature, and they’ve always been big on slowing down and reconnecting with nature by engaging all the senses.

Forest bathing is not just about power-walking through the trees—it’s more about strolling mindfully, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells around you. 

Research says it can dial down stress, lower blood pressure, and boost your mood, so consider it as pretty much a natural therapy session.

So, next time you need a breather, maybe give Shinrin-yoku a shot. Your mind and body might thank you for it!

I’ve found that forest bathing has helped to enrich my perspective and strengthen the connection between my mind and natural instincts.

With each step in nature, I’ve embraced the gentle rustling of leaves, the earthy smell of the soil, and the play of sunlight filtering through the canopy.

Through this process, I intentionally engaged my senses, fostering a profound awareness of the present moment.

The practice of forest bathing has not only broadened my mind by opening it to the wonders of the environment but also allowed me to tap into my primal instincts, fostering a deeper connection with the natural rhythms of life.

2) I cultivated my deep listening skills

When I knew I wanted to expand my mind and get more in touch with my instincts, I decided to take up the challenge of deep listening.

And trust me, it wasn’t always easy. I had to fully shut down the noise inside my head and allow myself to be fully present in the moment. 

This act alone made me more aware of the feelings and intentions behind what people were saying.

It not only made me a better communicator but also brought a new level of understanding in my life. Suddenly, conversations became richer, and I started picking up on things I never noticed before I listened in this way. 

And you know what’s wild? The more I practiced this deep listening thing, the more it started to transform my relationships, as well as my ability to go deeper on a lot of specialist topics, including philosophy and biology.

3) I practiced the art of mind-body harmony, through Tai Chi

Engaging in the practice of Tai Chi has been a truly transformative journey for me. 

Delving into the world of mind-body harmony, this ancient and peaceful form of martial art has become a conduit for widening and expanding my mind, fostering a deep alignment with my natural instincts.

In the slow, deliberate movements of Tai Chi, I found a unique space to connect with my body and mind simultaneously. 

The fluid motions demanded a heightened awareness of each movement, promoting mindfulness and concentration. 

The integration of breath control, meditation, and precise body postures in Tai Chi has been instrumental in creating a harmonious synergy between my mental and physical faculties. 

As I work through the sequences, I sense a deep connection to the rhythm of my own nature, fostering a heightened sense of intuition.

This practice goes beyond the physical exercise—it has more so become a long and varied journey of self-discovery and alignment with the innate wisdom within.

The intentional cultivation of this mind-body connection through Tai Chi has undoubtedly contributed to my journey as an intuitive genius, unlocking deeper levels of understanding and creativity in the tapestry of my intellectual pursuits.

4) I embraced the simple nature of childhood play

One thing I’ll say is, diving into the simple joys of childhood play has been a game-changer for me. 

This has involved reliving those carefree moments of play, like building forts, making up wild stories, and just letting creativity run wild.

When I started embracing these playful vibes, I found myself approaching things with a fresh, open mindset. 

No more overthinking or sticking strictly to the rules. It became all about tapping into that spontaneous, imaginative side of myself, that I genuinely do believe has led to me becoming an intuitive genius.

I can’t stress enough how this whole journey has renewed my problem-solving skills. Trusting my gut and going with the flow pretty quickly became second nature to me.

It’s not just about widening my perspective, it’s about embracing a more relaxed and instinct-driven way of tackling life’s twists and turns.

Childhood play isn’t just for kids, it’s a legit key to discovering a new level of genius.

Final thoughts

So, what have we learned so far? 

Clearly, I have learned a huge deal from some of life’s most unconventional sources. Like Sherlock Holmes himself, I really appreciate not just traditional smarts and academia, but also intuition and a connection with instincts. 

From forest bathing to Tai Chi and deep listening, each step has added to my understanding and creativity. 

Childhood play, with its spontaneity, has been a big factor in problem-solving. This process has broadened my view and strengthened my connection with instincts. 

Combining nature, mindfulness, and play has deepened my understanding and creativity. 

Here’s to embracing the unusual, finding inspiration in nature, and enjoying the fun of exploration!

I hope your journey to unlock your inner intuitive genius will be as fulfilling and enriching as mine has been.