Blindsight

Blindsight is the name given to the phenomenon that a person who is completely
blind can sometimes point towards a light source or the location of an object.
The theory behind blindsight is that while the person is not able to "see" anything,
they are still processing visual information subconsciously.  Studies have shown
that while this phenomenon is most pronounced in blind patients, even subjects
with full visual awareness show signs of it.  The subconscious and conscious may
perceive things in different ways and process that information independently from
one another.

Perhaps our other senses provide the subconscious information that we cannot
actively see, hear, taste, touch or smell.  This information may then manifest itself to
us on a subliminal level, inspiring us to seemingly original ideas.  

Sources:

Text:
History of Modern Psychology, 2nd Edition, C. James Goodwin (Wheeling University)

Web:
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/blindsight.html
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro00/web3/Chivers.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindsight