As a cradle Catholic, I think you are correct. Only very recently have I begun to understand the charismatic aspect (movement?) of the Catholic Church. It is, in fact, difficult for me to understand because of the intellectualization of my religion.
At the same time, without that intellectual rigor I strongly feel that I would be at the mercy of personal feeling as far as being guided by the Spirit. Inspiration is often hard to discern clearly and the Catholic doctrine and theology indeed serve as guideposts. Just as the heart and Spirit are necessary to truly understand and incorporate those doctrines and that theology. One without the other can go dangerously astray.