Should I base my life decisions on rational analysis or what feels right to me?

This is the wrong binary, though I understand why it feels urgent. Patanjali observed that the mind has layers. Some decisions need rigorous analysis—your career, your finances, your health. Others need felt wisdom—your values, your boundaries, who you trust. The problem most people face isn't choosing one; it's using the wrong tool for the wrong situation. Rational analysis without emotional wisdom becomes cold strategy that ignores what actually matters to you. Felt sense without examination becomes impulsive choice dressed up as authenticity. The Yoga Sutras point toward something subtler: mastery of mind means developing clarity in both registers. Before a major decision, do this: gather what evidence you can. Notice what your body says, what your patterns reveal. Where do they agree? That agreement is often where your wisest choice lives. If they conflict, slow down. Don't force alignment. Sometimes the tension itself contains information—maybe you need more data, or maybe you need to examine why you're drawn to something despite the evidence against it. The goal isn't to eliminate one voice. It's to develop enough inner clarity that you can hear both, and know which one to follow based on the actual stakes and context.