In my workshops I give my students and clients some of the benefits of using intuitive skills in the workplace. I received these from my teachers and through personal experience. The general benefits are:
- With more and complete information, one can make better decisions.
- Use of intuitive skills enables us to get beyond the surface, and in turn, influences
how we relate, communicate, and respond to others. - The use of intuitive skills enables one to anticipate and prepare for change.
- Intuitive skill provide access to one’s own genius. (We only use about 10% of our
brains. We need to use more) - Intuitive skills provide access to other information that is useful. (Like a
computer, unless you know how to access information using the hardware
available to you, you are unable to obtain it readily and derive the benefits from
quick and easy retrieval, which is possible.) - Any advantage or skill that could make your job easier is a good thing!
I have had people from many areas of the working world in my workshops. These include teachers, medical professionals, lawyers, social services individuals, contractors, office administrators, insurance professionals, engineers, and ministers, just to name a few. I have also worked with another attorney in assisting a non-profit corporation in building team and work relations and selecting and prioritizing projects. All of these individuals learned how to tailor their intuitive skills to their working life to their benefit, their colleagues’ benefit, and the benefit of the people who were the object of their services.
The examples of how my clients and students used their intuitive skills are numerous. For example, I had one client that was and still is a contractor. He is a very physical individual. As it turns out, he receives intuitive information by having the hairs on his arm and the back of his neck stand up. This is a very physical way for him to distinguish when he is receiving valid intuitive information from other forms of information. He decided at the conclusion of the class that this would be helpful in deciding with whom he should partner in strategic partnering arrangements and who he should avoid. The medical professionals with whom I work almost always use their intuitive skills in the practicing of their profession. In fact, most find out that they have been using these skills all along, but not on a conscious level and not on demand. The lawyers found many uses for intuitive skills. For myself, I have used them quite successfully in dealing with witnesses, finding areas that I should look into much more quickly (thereby saving me time in researching), scheduling (knowing when something is likely to cancel and having a back up plan when possible), hiring, uncovering someone’s hidden agenda (it is not necessary to be in the board room to uncover what is generally going on), problems with employees who do not articulate what is going on in their lives but who demonstrate that there is something wrong, and knowing when I am going to have a conflict or confrontation with someone.
Some things cannot be avoided or prevented, but even in these instances I find that it is always better if I am emotionally prepared. Intuitive skills are also very useful in counseling people. Many times it is useful and relevant to be able to assess the individual’s emotional state. This helps the person counseling to determine which path to take and how to communicate with the individual so that communication is the most effective. The use of intuitive skills is certainly beneficial in the receipt of helpful warnings. For example, if you had a warning that your computer was going to quit on you (for those that use computers) or that it is likely that you were going to experience technical problems on a particular day, wouldn’t this be helpful in taking precautions, just in case? Another way I found intuitive information useful is in balancing one’s work and personal life. For example, arranging to take time off when you intuitively feel that your family was going to need you at home for some reason unknown to you at the time. Lastly, there is the creative aspect. I have used this when I was trying to come up with a creative solution to a problem. I and others have used this quite successfully, to come up with a new idea when needed.
For quite some time now, it has been my practice to start each day with a prayer that I might be a “channel of blessing to those with whom I come in contact “; also, to be a “lamp of the light of the Supreme”. I have raised my sons with the same thought as expressed by Edgar Cayce. That is, not just to be good, but rather, to be good for something. Applying this principle on a daily basis and trying always to adhere to my ideal – The Christ, it is only natural that spiritual assistance would be demonstrated in my work. There have been many examples of this.
The first that I recall at present occurred when I was a managing attorney. In this position I supervised other attorneys and also had my own caseload and other responsibilities. One day one of the attorneys I supervised brought me a tape that he thought I should hear. The tape involved a business transaction that was recorded and when matched with other information, might have been evidence of involvement in a crime that national authorities were investigating. The tape had been brought to the attorney by a business client and after looking into the matter the attorney brought the tape to me because the evidence seemed equivocal when analyzed. I was very busy at the time and could not look into the matter then, however, I agreed to take the tape home for the weekend and look into the matter then. As soon as I touched the tape, I knew that there was substance to the matter. It felt like I received an electric shock. The power was overwhelming. I decided to follow up on this and looked for objective evidence that might substantiate what I felt. I discovered a few things that appeared to corroborate my intuitive feelings, and called my supervisor. At first my supervisor did not share my view. However, after discussion of my reasons substantiating my view, my supervisor agreed that we should pass this information on to the appropriate investigating authorities. We did so and they were very interested. I do not know what occurred afterwards, but I am sure we did the right thing.
Another time I was investigating a sexual harassment matter that had been brought to the attention of my office. It involved gender persecution with horrible letters and other communications directed at individuals who were assumed to be homosexuals. The victims felt strongly that they knew who the perpetrator was and wanted the company to take action. Others were also calling for this person’s head. When I gathered the information and held the items with the intent as expressed in my daily prayers (above) and in accordance with my ideal, I felt strongly that the person targeted as the perpetrator was not the right one. I kept pressing for objective evidence to establish conclusively the identity of the perpetrator. I could not advise the company to take action against an individual that would severely damage this person’s professional as well as personal life, without strong evidence. Admittedly, there was enough evidence to strongly suggest culpability and the company’s actions would have been defensible, however, it did not “feel” right. Because of my pressing for further evidence and receiving spiritual guidance on where to look, evidence was discovered that exonerated the individual and led us to the real perpetrator.
Another incidence involved a case in litigation in which I was working with outside trial counsel. The case was a wrongful termination case in which the company had substantial evidence to discharge the employee. It was necessary however, to demonstrate before the decision-makers the former employee’s true character and personality. During the former employee’s cross-examination, the individual managed to come across as someone other than what we knew was the person’s true self. As I watched the individual’s testimony, I decided to do a quick “reading”, intuitively, to see what we should do. It came to me that if we continued as we were; the individual would reveal the true self at a certain time in the afternoon. My problem was how to approach outside counsel with this information. At lunch we discussed whether to change strategy in the cross-examination and the others (legal team) were not certain which way to go. I therefore presented a legal, rational reason for continuing until the time I “felt” would turn things around for us. I simply stated that I believed the individual was getting tired, and that if we continued for a time after lunch, the person would reveal their true self. This indeed occurred, and I was off by about 8 minutes. Counsel teased me about the 8 minutes, but we were all glad we proceeded as I suggested.
These are just a few of the many examples of applied spirituality in my work. There have also been times where creativity was sought and provided. There is no limit to what can be achieved when spiritual principles are applied.
Several years ago I did a reading on myself that revealed that there was a concern with my pituitary gland. I meant to look into it; however, with my job, my family and my in-laws who lived with us, the demands were great; so I just brushed it aside and soon forgot about it. At the same time, during this period, I was trying to gain balance in my life and thought I had pretty much achieved this. I thought, even though I was spending about 12-14 hours a day on my job or doing work, and occasionally work from home on weekends, that I had attained balance by using intuitive skills in my work to help reduce stress and personally, to keep close to and care for my family. In April of 2004, I was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease (or Syndrome). This disease is caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland or adrenal glands. While my doctors were taking tests to see whether the physical cause was the adrenals or pituitary, my husband reminded me of the reading I did which warned of a problem with the pituitary gland. I was therefore ahead of my doctors by the time their tests arrived at the same conclusion. I had already researched the curative methods and healing process. My doctors took some time and expense to catch up to me. By the time they reached the same conclusion, I was prepared for what was ahead of me.
As soon as I recalled the reading of several years ago, I immediately went to the Cayce Readings to see what Cayce had to say about the pituitary gland. I knew that I needed to get to the spiritual cause of my disease in order to be restored to full health. I knew that if I did not get to the spiritual cause, my health problem would not go away, which seemed to be the case with many Cushing’s patients who went for long periods of time before it was accurately diagnosed and, or, had long and difficult periods of recovery. The length of time for recovery of Cushing’s patients is one to two years.
I discovered that this “master gland” controlled everything. In my case the pituitary gland caused the adrenals to constantly produce an excess amount of the hormone, cortisol. Cortisol is the stress hormone. I quickly realized that the spiritual cause of my “dis-ease”, to use the term Cayce frequently used, was my lack of balance. That is, attunement of mind, body and spirit. I needed to get back to meditations, relaxation, active spiritual growth and development, and change my working life and the environment. I implemented these changes and enlisted the help of spiritual healers. Specifically, I left the corporate legal world in which I was working for a constantly demanding corporate client, instead of just changing clients (or corporations) and started training for Virginia Supreme Court certification at various levels in mediation. I also started handling cases as an arbitrator. Essentially, I decided to continue what I had started, my own practice in alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”), and took it further to become a founder of collaborative law in the Richmond, Virginia area. Working as an ADR specialist, I help people to resolve and “heal” relationships. While doing this, I am also working to heal myself internally and spiritually. The result? I had 2 MRIs that showed tumors. However, when the operation was performed, no tumors where found.
They did remove a portion of my pituitary that the surgeon thought might be causing the problem.
I am now in recovery and doing better than most that have had this operation. I attribute the success of my operation and my recovery to getting to the spiritual cause of the disease as well as enlisting the aid of spiritual healers. Although the recovery period is 1-2 years for full heath, I was fully recovered in nine months
I personally find that the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi expresses my heart’s desire as to how I express my spiritual ideal – The Christ. I found the first part specifically significant when it came time to take a different route in my career. As some might recall, the words of the first paragraph are “Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon, where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.” Some might think that this is something that is unlikely to be expressed or demonstrated in the legal profession, and for the most part, that might be correct. I do not say that it is impossible, only that it is difficult in an environment or arena that is not conducive for the expression of this principle. After many years as a corporate lawyer and managing attorney, the desire for expression of this principle became stronger and my comfort with the corporate world, weaker. It isn’t that there were no opportunities to express this way of life or values; it was just that in my opinion, the opportunities were few and far between. Yet, I have always said what I have always known to be true, that I am a lawyer by nature as well as training. I could not imagine being anything else.
As the desire to express the sentiments in the prayer of St. Francis grew stronger, I knew that I had to make a change. After much prayer, there were several coincidences or occasions of synchronicity that led me to the Alternate Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) field. I had people whose opinions I trusted, suggest that I try this area as they thought I was a natural, and provided pportunities to help me find out more about it. As I followed up on these and sought training in this specialized area, I received more encouragement and opportunities to practice presented themselves.
As an ADR practitioner, I help people find an alternative to the trial or litigation path, to resolve disputes. As someone put it, I am helping to heal relationships. I am helping people to resolve in a non-adversarial or non-combative way, disputes so that they can get on with their lives and put the matter in dispute behind them in a non-threatening, non-intimidating environment. Since they have a hand in the development of the resolution, they have a hand in their own relationship healing. As a mediator, I facilitate communication between or among the parties and help them to develop a solution that is acceptable to all parties. I do not make judgments or tell any party what to do. I help to create a safe environment for all to vent emotions (with controls of course), and to say all
that they feel needs to be said in order for them to feel that they can now work on a solution and put the matter of the dispute behind them. I have received help from the voice inside all of us that some call “instinct”, in very specific ways that have helped me to assist the parties in the development of a resolution acceptable to all.
In one notable instance, there were several parties in a commercial matter and three attorneys representing the parties. I “knew” that the complaining party was not finished venting, even though the client had been provided sufficient time to do so and had apparently completed all this person had to say. The party’s lawyer felt that the client had completed all that needed to be said also, and was gently trying to move the matter along. I realized the lawyer thought that I did not really have sufficient control at that point since I was letting the client continue. What the lawyer didn’t know was that I knew the client wasn’t finished, even though it appeared to everyone else in the room that the client was finished. Since what I thought was correct, the parties were having difficulties coming to a mutually agreed upon resolution. That is, until out of nowhere (to the other parties) the person that I knew was not finished, made a personal allegation against one of the other parties. All of the attorneys were surprised and looked to me to do something. I was completely calm since I had been waiting for it, although I did not know in advance what “it” was, and was able to get things back on track. In spite of the emotionally charged allegation which called other items affecting the matter in dispute into question, a satisfactory resolution was achieved. In many instances, if there is an emotionally charged situation that might cause a problem, I am aware even before I meet the parties. This has proven very helpful.
I am also a collaborative practice attorney. Collaborative law (also known as Collaborative practice) is a relatively new and rapidly growing area of law that has developed in the Family Law arena and is being extended into the Civil area. In collaborative law, the lawyers work cooperatively together, often with other professionals (therapist, accountants, mental health practitioners, etc.) to work out a resolution for the benefit of all parties, in a non-adversarial way. In this arena I find another way to actualize the prayer of St. Francis in my work.
A few years after my marriage and graduation from law school, I started to work on my own intuitive development. Over the next several years and after the birth of my two sons, I made substantial progress, but I had difficulty with spiritual integration due to a very traditional, fundamentalistic Christian upbringing. I reached a plateau and was beginning to feel stifled. I felt like I was being smothered. There was something inside that was struggling to get out and I knew there was a spiritual reason connected to this “something”. I did as I always do. I prayed about it. I began to feel that I needed an earthly guide, that is, a teacher and mentor. I felt that there had to be a place where I could develop in accordance with God’s will, spiritually. Law school, Christian fundamentalists and friends who did not believe in anything they could not see and prove objectively and scientifically, could not convince me that there was not something “more” that I should be doing in this intuitive arena.
However, I grew up with a grandmother that was a strong Christian who was also a “seer”. She told me when I was twelve years old and had accepted Christ for myself, that she was not surprised. She said that when I was eighteen months old, God showed her a vision about me. She said that I would one day help many people if I follow the path set for me. Unfortunately, she died before she could tell me what it was that I was supposed to do. I was very upset with her. I missed her and the guidance she could have provided. However, I have come to realize that I was not ready to hear what I was supposed to do at that early age. It also helped to know that she was certain that I would do as I was intended, that I would find my way. Grandmom had a great accuracy record from my
observations of her abilities; and “no”, she was not always right, but the odds were in my favor.
Since I am western born, I could not relate easily to spiritual knowledge and philosophies of the east. Then, I discovered the books about Edgar Cayce. No one told me about him, I just happened to be in the bookstore one day, silently praying for something that would help me at this time, and I saw the book, “There is a River” about Cayce. Something told me to purchase this book and I did. The rest is “history” as they say. I began to feel more comfortable about my inner promptings that were getting stronger. The lawyer in me thought that there should be a practical use of this skill, and
one should be able to use it on demand. Otherwise, what good is it? Unlike my grandmother, I did not think this skill should be limited to use in and through the church. I also knew there were many charlatans and con artists in the metaphysical area, as well as “flakes”. I had no desire to be associated or have contact with any of these. So, I prayed again. In response, I began to get information, intuitively, that indicated I would meet a man, then a women who would be a teacher/mentor in this area. Also, that this man or women would be safe for spiritual development of my intuitive skills. I was getting frustrated because the same information kept indicating a man or a woman, then a man and a woman. I finally gave up asking when intuitive information indicated I would get information in the mail that would lead me to the teacher(s). I did not understand this since I had no association with anyone or any organization that would have such information. Enter the Association for Research and Enlightenment (“ARE”). Unknown to me at the time, my husband applied for membership for me, due to my reading of the Cayce books. He thought it would be good for me and might help.
The first information I received was a flier announcing the Edgar Cayce Legacy course taught by Henry Reed, Ph.D. and Carol Ann Liaros. I was ambivalent about the course at first, but my husband maneuvered me into going. He said that I had a round-trip airline ticket and could come home if I walked into a room of “flakes” or was not comfortable with what was being said and taught. I also did not want to take a vacation or time off from work, without my family. My husband said I needed to do this for myself and the family. Truer words were never spoken. My husband has always been the “wind beneath my sails” as Bette Midler’s song says. I have since taken all three workshops with Henry and Carol Ann, and they have been my informal mentors. Henry mostly with the use of dreams, and Carol Ann with the practical application of intuitive skills with a spiritual base. From the moment of the first workshop with Henry and Carol Ann, it was as though a damn inside of me had broken. I began to grow spiritually and intuitively in geometric proportions. It was the right thing at the right time for me, and was in response to serious prayer and meditation. I am eternally grateful to them both, the colleagues and new friends I’ve made through these workshops at the ARE, and the Divine spirit that led me to these. They have provided assistance in the path I am to walk in this life. Like, Cayce, when I read the bible I find deeper meaning in the words, and I am very grateful for the rejuvenation in my faith. As a result, I have been “on call” to help others and
when the occasion arises, I apply myself with prayerful meditation to doing so. I hope my grandmother’s vision comes true.
