Intellect

[Ming the Merciful]

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@ Patrick - Do you think that perhaps, intellect is related to wisdom and understanding, in a way that ones "intellect" (or intelligence?) is the by-product of wisdom and understanding coming together (or meeting in the middle)? does that make sense? spitballing here!!
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so far........ intellect seems like a pretty good tool at exploring third density..... however it seems best accompanied by a faithful heart......

I think your last sentence says it best.

Personally, I would not say that intelligence is a by-product of wisdom or understanding.  For example, I have seen people whom not many would call intelligent demonstrating very great wisdom.  It's a humbling demonstration.

According to this, it would seem that wisdom and understanding are residing "outside" the intellect per se.  The mind being more than just the intellect.  The intellect itself being rather a tool such as you mentioned, one part of the mind complex.

...The mind is a complex which reflects the inpourings of the spirit and the up-pourings of the body complex. It contains what you know as feelings, emotions, and intellectual thoughts in its more conscious complexities. Moving further down the tree of mind we see the intuition which is of the nature of the mind more in contact or in tune with the total beingness complex. Moving down to the roots of mind we find the progression of consciousness which gradually turns from the personal to the racial memory, to the cosmic influxes, and thus becomes a direct contactor of that shuttle which we call the spirit complex...

You are both right, and you are both wrong. Spiritual Understanding does not come through Intellectual Mind. It must be experienced Intuitively. Intellectual understanding is at the gross physical level, and closer to the physical body. You can understand on an intellectual level, (but), it is not the same deep-rooted comprehension. Intuitive understanding is from the Mindless state, (non-thinking). Although you do not need Meditation to do it. The simple method is to simply not think of anything. Which also comes from Stillness.