You may not even realize it, but you have more senses than you think.



The traditional senses, which include sight, sound, touch, smell and taste – and echo-location if you’re a bat – evolved to make us perceive the physical world and all that exists in it. They are a product of the survival of the fittest. But evolution didn’t stop there. As we began to get a handle on our physical domain, another domain slowly and gradually took shape; the dimension of mind. And in that dimension we started to create as much, if not more, than in the physical world.



But these constructions aren’t easily seen. Whereas the “normal” senses kick in on their own (under normal circumstances), our higher senses must be developed. This can be accomplished through experience, parenting, education, cultural, religious and political upbringing or through a process of personal development.



Insight is one of these senses. We all possess a certain level of it, even when we’re not aware of it. With it we can “see” things that are not of this material world. A set of rules for instance, concepts and ideas, all forms of information. In a way they have become so normal to us that we forget that they are something special to perceive. But explain them to a Neanderthal and it will not understand. As we developed our social structures over time, so did we develop the ability to “see” or understand them.



Another higher sense is the sense of justice. The distinction between what’s right or wrong is still in active development in this stage in our human evolution. Perhaps we are slowly working our way towards an ultimate, or ever higher concept of good as generations and cultures go by. Our personal level of right and wrong are strongly influenced by our background and the current state of the world, but when we actively pursue it, we can open our “eye of justice” further than most.



A sense of beauty can be developed as well, but can also decline. Seeing pure beauty may actually be a rare thing. It requires a state of not judging. We are mostly taught what to like and what to hate and our “taste of beauty” is greatly influenced by it. We are all able to look beyond these notions and see the true splendor in everything (besides the ugly things we created ourselves), but we have to aim for this potential in order to reach it.



We can also touch someone emotionally and be touched by them. When we are open to one another we can sense each other’s emotional state. We all know this of course, but to see this as a sense, and to be able to explore it, is not something you might have considered. Sensing someone’s mood or the atmosphere between people is strongly related to this.



There are many things to perceive on a non-physical level. These are just a few examples. Many things are still waiting for us to become aware of. So keep your eyes open and actively look for them. And don’t forget to see the beauty in what you find.



Image: Generated with Chaotica