Make the “Write” Decisions
Getting what you want means making the right decisions—both about what you want and how to get there. Coming up with a variety of alternatives and selecting the best one (as described in Chapter Ten) can be one way to reach a decision. But sometimes you have difficulty choosing among the alternatives, or there may be no alternatives; only the option of saying yes, no, or deferring the decision to a later time when you are more ready to decide.
For instance, say you are trying to decide where to move. Should you take that three-bedroom apartment in a great location and seek a roommate to help with the costs? Should you rent that one-bedroom that is in a better location though it’s smaller and more expensive? Should you stay put until you can afford something better? Or should you consider moving to another city where the costs will be much less though you will have to commute an hour or more a day? Which option should you choose?
We make decisions all the time—sometimes with very little or no thought—and that’s fine if we’re deciding whether or not to turn right or left as we walk down the street, pick up this or that while shopping, watch this or that TV program, and so forth. But when it comes to the important decisions such as which job to take, whether to move, whether to change careers, or whether to seek a promotion we sometimes get stuck. We may not realize that there are more possibilities than we’re considering so we limit our choices.
Sometimes it’s hard to decide, and you feel you don’t have the ability or time to work out your decision logically by weighing all the pros and cons and then deciding. In fact, logic can sometimes get in the way of making the right gut-level decision that satisfies your inner self. That’s when it helps to tap directly into your unconscious or intuition to make that gut choice that expresses what you really want. As it’s sometimes difficult to hear that inner voice, the exercises in this chapter are designed to help you both trigger that inner response and listen to what it says to do.
How Intuition Techniques Work
These techniques work by altering your consciousness so that you pay attention to your unconscious, or intuition, and respond accordingly, as previously discussed, and briefly recapped here. Your intuition can talk to you in a number of ways: through automatic writing, through visual symbols or thoughts, and through signals from your body. Different people get their information for making decisions in different ways, and the way you get information may change under different circumstances.
For example, when I first began working with these techniques I used automatic writing for making more important decisions such as choosing among different work projects when I couldn’t do everything and had to make a choice. Now though, the process occurs more quickly just in my thoughts, which commonly occurs when these techniques become internalized. But when I began using this process I only occasionally called on this ability perhaps once or twice a month, so it retained its specialness for me. When I used it, I typically took a minute or two to get relaxed, ask a question, and write down whatever answers I received. After this first question, my writing took the form of a dialogue between my inner voice and me, and I wrote down whatever it said. For instance, it might say something like:
You’re thinking of doing too many projects right now. There’s a risk of getting scattered and doing nothing very well. So choose. We know it’s difficult, but select the project you feel is most important to you. What is it that you ask? Well, for right now we think …
Afterward I read over what I wrote and used this advice to make a decision, and usually did what my writing as advised. Also, from time to time I read over past messages and reviewed them in light of the outcome that resulted when I followed the advice. It was a way of further verifying the value of the technique by looking back to see that I had gotten good advice—which I usually had.
Some people prefer to get advice by going on mental journeys or by mentally asking a counselor for assistance. For instance, Pam, an administrative assistant and part-time student, imagines herself entering a workshop on her home computer. She presses a button and an image of her counselor appears on the monitor. He looks a little like a college physics professor with a thin face, small goatee, graying hair, and pipe. Then she asks him questions and the answers appear on the screen.
One time she consulted with her counselor when she wasn’t sure whether to leave her current boyfriend, suggest they try dating others, or have a discussion with him about making some changes in their relationship. His advice was to have that discussion about making changes and then be ready to suggest seeing others for a while or walk away from the relationship entirely, depending on her boyfriend’s responses. If he didn’t want to discuss anything, it was time to leave.
Andrea, an administrative assistant, often takes a long mental trip to see an old man on a mountain for advice. She begins by seeing herself in a beautiful meadow and then walks along a path that leads through the woods into the mountains. After a while she comes to a small mountain cabin and inside meets a wise man who knows the answers to whatever she asks. He invites her in for tea, and as they drink it she asks him questions about whatever problems are confronting her. They are generally questions like, “How can I get my boss to treat me more seriously?” or, “Where should I go on my vacation?” Then she listens to the answer, thanks the old man, and leaves.
What these examples illustrate is that all of these methods of communicating with your intuition work. The key is to choose a technique that works for you—or even create your own mental journey to unlock your intuition so it gives you answers and insights.
You can also get quick answers as you go through the day with other techniques. For example, sometimes I’ll want an immediate yes-or-no decision. Should I trust a man I recently met at a party and make a small investment in his start-up project? Should I go to a business meeting or should I stay home and work on a project? Such questions come up for everyone dozens of times a day, and obviously you can’t take the time to use an extended visualization to discover an answer. You need to make your decision immediately.
In such cases, I seek an answer to a question one of two ways, and sometimes I even get the answer before I have fully asked the question. It happens that fast. The first way I get an answer is by seeing it on a screen in my mind or listening for my little voice to give me a yes, no, or short message. I ask my question—or sometimes I just feel it without putting it into words—and then I wait for the answer to appear on the screen in whatever form it comes. Sometimes it will be a single word flashing on the screen, sometimes a color (green for yes, red for no, and yellow for not sure right now), and sometimes the word yes or no is resounding in my head like a beeper.
Other people tend to get messages directly from their body. For example, when they get a yes, they feel a slight quickening of their pulse, experience a vibration in their chest and stomach, and feel their heart beating faster. One associate uses his body like a pendulum. When his body sways forward and back ever so slightly, he knows it’s saying yes; when it swings right and left, the answer is no; and when he sways in circles, he feels he isn’t sure. The movements are so small that other people can’t detect them, but he can feel them, and in an instant he knows what to do. Use whichever approach works best for you in a particular situation to tap into your own unconscious.
Three Steps to First-Rate Decision-Making
How should you make a decision when faced with difficult choices? There are several key methods, and in each case your intuition can help you perceive your options and make the right choices. Look for opportunities and signs that suggest a favorable result. Look for ways to expand your options so you have more and better possibilities to choose from. Look within to tap your feelings and tune in to what you really want, not what you think you want, feel you should want, or are pressured to want by others.
Step 1: Look for Opportunities and Signs
The idea of looking for opportunities and signs is not a new one. The Roman generals looked for signs and omens before going into battle, the Chinese searched for signs and omens to determine whether a couple should marry, and similar practices exist today. Many people report positive results following signs to help them make decisions.
Jerry had been feeling down after breaking up with his long-term girlfriend, who suddenly decided to marry someone else, when a friend called urging him to go to a networking party that night. But Jerry was in no mood to go out. Instead, after work he planned to go straight home, but on the way out he passed an announcement for the big networking event his friend had just told him about. For Jerry, the poster was like a sign that he should go to the event, so he called his friend to go with him. The result was that he met a woman who had just moved to town. They hit it off, began dating, and after a few months were engaged. What made this possible was Jerry’s openness to these coincidences. First his friend’s invitation to an event, then seeing the poster about that same event were signs that Jerry was to go to it. He followed them, led by his intuition that told him that this was a signal to go in that direction for positive results.
Follow the Signs to Opportunities
To take advantage of the windows of opportunity that may be open to you, follow these steps:
1) Make yourself aware of and pay attention to these signs when they appear.
For example, if you need to make a decision, keep it firmly in mind and remind yourself that you are looking for clues or guidelines to help you make it.
2) Remember that these clues and signs come in many forms.
For some the signs come in dreams, for others they are more concrete—the economy or world events. Still others get their signals from what people say, including chance remarks and comments while others respond to anomalous or unusual events. There is no one source. The point is to notice what has a resonance or congruence for you, what leads you to believe something offers a window of opportunity for you, what makes you feel intuitively that something is right for you, and to use the signs that have the most meaning.
3) When you do get a strong signal, investigate it to make sure it is valid and useful.
Don’t act impulsively. Sometimes we tune in to the wrong signal or misinterpret what seems to be a strong clue. Examine the signal in light of the other things you are experiencing and ask yourself, Does this sign confirm other things that I am experiencing? Does it reinforce other things that might lead me to make this decision? If the answer is yes, it is an indication that the signal is valid and that you can use it to guide you. If the answer is no because the sign seems inconsistent with everything else you are experiencing, investigate it further.
4) If you truly believe that a signal is valid, be ready to respond to it.
If you’ve learned to read and trust your intuition when you get a positive, good-to-go sign, the final step is moving ahead. It’s like seeing your dream house and then acting to make an offer. You’ve got to be ready to act, though the difference between doing this and acting impulsively or rashly is having a clear signal to act. Otherwise, if the good-to-go signal is uncertain, such as a warning sign that causes you to waver, then that’s when you should wait to check your signal and hold back until you have that clear sign that everything’s good to go.
Step 2: Expand Your Options
In general, you can make better decisions when you have a number of desirable alternatives to choose from. Too many options can sometimes be confusing and can hinder decision making, but too few options can make you feel stuck if none of the options really appeal to you. In general though, you can make better decisions and break through logjams by looking for new possibilities and alternatives so you have more and better options from which to choose, increasing your chances of choosing and getting what you want.
Brainstorming to Find Alternatives
A good way to come up with options is by brainstorming. Here the focus is on how to apply brainstorming to decision making. Brainstorming is an ideal way to come up with new ideas because it helps you create alternatives. Alternatives aren’t helpful when you are in an either/or situation in which you have no input, but where options are possible creative brainstorming can help you make better decisions.
Creating Inner Focus for Better Brainstorming
This exercise will help you to focus so that you can brainstorm ideas and alternatives most effectively. Initially, do it when you are alone and in a quiet place. With practice, you can achieve this state anywhere. It will help you tune out external influences.
Get in a calm, relaxed state with your eyes closed. Concentrate on focusing inward. Imagine that you are looking at something with a point in its center, such as a long deep hole, a tunnel, or a bull’s-eye. As you gaze at it, project yourself into that central point. You feel totally directed, totally focused. That point is the only thing that exists in your consciousness.
Then, with your consciousness directed on that point, notice how you can turn the stimuli of the outer world on and off. To do this, continue focusing on this point; notice whatever sounds, smells, movements, or other sensations are around you. Pay attention to them for a moment. Next, turn your attention completely away, back to that center point. Again imagine that nothing else exists and turn off those external sounds, smells, movements, or other sensations.
Then, turn your attention back to the external world for a few minutes, then back to your inner world. Do this several times. Notice that you have the ability to shift your attention back and forth. You can be totally focused either outside or in as you choose.
Next, concentrate on holding your attention somewhere in the middle of the two worlds; aware of both your internal world and the external world. It’s as if your awareness is on a fence and you can shift your focus from one side to the other, or sit right on the fence so you can experience both worlds simultaneously. Practice shifting your focus from one place to another—to the external world, to the middle between worlds, and to the internal world. Try moving gradually from world to world with a stop in the middle, then practice jumping your attention back and forth between the external and internal world. As you do, notice how your awareness and experience change and notice that it becomes easier and easier to shift your focus.
Now redirect your focus back to that center point and gradually release your attention. When you feel ready, return to the everyday world and open your eyes.
Generating Decision-Making Ideas
Individual (personal) brainstorming is the method most often used for decisionmaking. At the initial idea-generating stage you should:
1) Find a quiet, calm, relaxing place where you can tune out the influences of the external world.
2) Get into a receptive, responsive, inward-looking state of mind.
3) Let go of the logical-rational-critical-judgmental part of your mind.
4) Once in this receptive state, ask a triggering question. Be specific, but present your question in an open-ended way, such as, In how many ways can I solve this particular problem?
5) After you present your question remain centered, focused, and receptive. Let the ideas flow up and through you. Pay attention, but just observe or listen; don’t try to guide or direct. At this stage accept whatever comes.
6) Record the responses so you don’t lose them. Write them down or record them on tape. In some cases, you may receive additional ideas as you write or record. Don’t inhibit them; just let them happen if or when they occur.
7) Keep the process going as long as you are readily coming up with ideas. When the ideas start slowing down, ask yourself, Is there anything else? Or ask a related question. Listen or observe to see if there are further ideas.
When you feel the process is complete, let go of this concentrated, focused-inward state and return to a more neutral or logical/rational state. For the next stage, use your logical-rational-critical-judgmental mind to review and assess the ideas you have come up with. One good way is to rate the ideas on a scale of zero to five to choose those you like the best, and then prioritize or choose the best one to make a selection of alternatives.
Step 3: Tap into Your Feelings and Tune into
Your Real Desires
While expanding your options and alternatives can give you more choices when a limited selection is the problem, what do you do when you know the possibilities and you can’t decide among them? Or what if your choices are limited to yes, no, or maybe? What if you don’t have the time to get more information or work out the pros and cons logically? What if you find that additional information is further confusing you and weighing you down?
One way to break through the confusion, figure out what you really want, and make a quick decision is to tune in to your inner mind to learn what your unconscious desires are, or what your intuition thinks is best for you. Once you access it, your intuition can help you decide. It can break through the self-imposed barriers—fear statements such as “it won’t work” and “I can’t do it”—that you put up when faced with a difficult decision. The following techniques are designed to make you more sensitive to that inner voice or vision.
Pathways to Your Inner Feelings
It is important to realize that when you tune in to your intuition to determine what you really want, you can use many channels or pathways to access it. The key is to find those intuitive mechanisms that work best for you. As previously discussed, the four ways you may get intuitive information could be seeing, hearing, feeling, and sensing that you know something. The different channels or pathways this information may come could be automatic writing, automatic drawing, mental journeys, yes/no/maybe signals from your intuitive mind, or physical signals from your body.
Each person uses these pathways a little differently. One person may go on a mental journey by imagining him or herself going into a dark room and seeing the answer appear in the form of a film on the screen, while another may go into a workshop and see the answer on a computer monitor. Still another may go on a long mental journey into the mountains and seek the answer from a wise old man, and some may use more traditional shamanic imagery from tribal peoples. Similarly, there are a variety of ways to use automatic writing or to receive impulses from your brain and signals from your body. Different people prefer different techniques, and many people use multiple approaches depending on how they feel. The idea is to use what works best for you. Experiment with different methods until you find those you prefer.
The following exercises demonstrate how you can use these techniques to tap into your own intuitive unconscious to make a decision. Incidentally, although the focus of this chapter has been on decision making and problem solving, these techniques can readily be applied to many other situations as well, such as developing ideas for new projects.
Using Automatic Writing to Make Decisions
Automatic writing can help you get the insight you need to make the right decision or find the answer to a problem or question. While any form of writing—longhand, computer, or typewriter—is fine, when you are just starting you may find that longhand is more conducive to the process. It is easier to go off to a quiet, isolated place where you may feel a more direct connection with your thoughts. To set the stage create a comfortable writing environment that will help you get into a quiet, inner-focused state. You may want to dim the lights, light a candle, or put on some soft background music. Have your writing materials readily available.
When you’re ready to begin, get calm and relaxed using a relaxation technique or even a repetitive physical exercise to get you into a trancelike state. Once in this relaxed, focused, receptive state you are ready to begin writing. If you have music on, turn it off so you can concentrate. Begin asking any questions about your decision. Be receptive to whatever comes, and immediately begin writing whatever comes to mind. You can ask your question however you wish. What would I really like to do? Where should I go? What are my alternatives; which one do I really prefer? Which choice will be of the most benefit to me?
Then write immediately and as quickly as possible. Even if the words don’t make sense or come in single words or phrases rather than sentences, write them down. Don’t think or analyze. You may find that you sometimes get random thoughts that jump around; just write them down as they come. Or the writing may become a direct line between your thoughts and the paper. You don’t even hear your self-talk; instead you discover what you are thinking as you write or after the words are written. This latter state is ideal because your automatic writing is directly recording your inner consciousness. Sometimes, particularly when you are in this deeply focused state, you may feel the thoughts are coming to you from a spirit or guide, and that’s fine, too. Whatever helps you access your inner truth will contribute to the process. However you get your answers, keep writing. When you have finished writing the answer to one question, ask another. Keep asking questions and writing the answers until the questions and responses stop and you feel the process is complete.
Then let go of this inner state and come back to ordinary consciousness. Review what you have written and interpret any words or phrases that are not immediately clear. What you have written should indicate the choice you want to make.
Automatic Drawing—Picture Your Decision
If you are better able to tap your intuitive mind through images and symbols than through words and thoughts, you may prefer automatic drawing to writing. The steps are much the same. Instead of writing down your answers, you will draw pictures and images and then interpret these images.
The steps are the same as for automatic writing. Set the stage by creating a comfortable environment. Have the drawing materials readily available. These can be very simple materials—paper or a notebook, and pencil or pen, or if you prefer, special drawing materials like sketch paper, crayons, colored pencils, magic markers, and so on. When you’re ready to begin, get calm and relaxed using the same techniques described for automatic writing.
Then ask questions about your decision and be receptive to whatever comes. Begin drawing right away and draw as quickly as possible. The images may come in various forms—complete pictures, symbols, sometimes even words. Just draw whatever you see and don’t think or analyze.
You may find that sometimes you are seeing pictures and drawing what you have seen after the fact. Or the drawing may become like a direct line for your thoughts—you see the images only as you are drawing them or after you have drawn them. The ideal is to seek this latter state because then your automatic drawing is directly recording your inner consciousness and you are more fully in this focused, concentrated inner state. Whatever helps you feel you are accessing your inner truth will contribute to the process. However you get your answers, keep drawing. When you have finished drawing the answer to one question, ask another. Keep asking questions and drawing what you see until the questions and responses stop and you feel complete with the process.
Let go of this inner state and come back to ordinary consciousness. Review what you have drawn and interpret any symbols or images that are unclear. Whatever you have drawn should indicate the choice you want to make.
Taking a Mental Journey to Reach Decisions
Mental journeys can take a variety of forms. In general, they involve taking a mental trip to a place where you will find the answer to your question. The journey itself helps you get into this deeper, focused, aware state. Once you arrive, the particular place you go or the person or guide or things you encounter there can help you find the answer. Each person’s journey is personal. Use whatever images and interpretations of these images that work for you. The key is to get in touch with your inner knowledge, in whatever way works best for you. Here are two representative types of mental journeys. You can use these or feel free to create your own.
Technique 1: Asking a Counselor for Advice
This technique takes you to a workshop where you’ll speak with an expert adviser or counselor who will know all the answers you need to know. Depending on your preference, this guide will appear as a person, animal, or spirit guide on the mental screen in your mind.
Begin by getting relaxed, and close your eyes. Imagine a special workshop or office in your house where you can go to find out whatever you want to know. It can be a special room anyplace in your house. Perhaps it is in the basement, attic, or garage. It might even be a special building on the roof or in the backyard.
Wherever it is, imagine your walk to go there. Go slowly and leisurely so you will be ready to go to work when you arrive. As you walk, notice what is around you. When you come to the door to this room, open it and go inside. As you enter, look around. There are all kinds of things there that you have been working on. There may be books and papers, things you have made, or projects you are working on. Sit down in the room. If you want to get your answer from an expert, just wait and he or she will come in the form of a person, animal, or spirit guide. Call on this expert to help you. In a moment, this expert will appear on your mental screen standing or sitting in front of you. Notice what the expert is like and say a few words of welcome. The expert may be someone you know, someone in the field you want help with, or he or she may just be someone who is very wise and knowledgeable.
Then state the question or problem you need to make a decision about. Ask for help in deciding among the alternatives. Listen as your counselor or adviser tells you what to do. He or she may tell you verbally or the answer may appear as a message on your mental screen. Continue to ask any more questions you may have and your counselor will reply. Again, wait for your answer. When you have no more questions, tell your counselor you are done and they will say goodbye and leave. Then turn off the screen in your mind and leave your workshop. Return to your house, and as you do, return to normal consciousness. Open your eyes.
Usually this process provides clear answers. If, however, your counselor has not provided answers or has asked you to wait, this probably means you don’t have enough information or that the situation is still unclear. If this is the case, wait a few days and ask your questions again or try another technique to obtain more information. You may also need to get more information from external sources, such as other people, magazines, or books about the situation to help you make your decision.
Technique 2: Taking a Mental Journey
to Find the Answer
This journey technique takes you to a distant setting to get your answer. It can take you any place, but some typical trips are to the top of a mountain to learn the answers from a wise old man or woman, to a pool of water where you will see the answer in the water, to a cave where you will meet power animals or teachers who can help you, to the clouds where you will encounter wise teachers or spiritual beings, and so forth. The following exercise is designed to let you choose where you want to go and who you want to meet when you get there to help you make your decision. You can use this technique in one of two ways. One is to read this description and use it to guide your experience in a general way, and the other is to record the journey on a recording device and play it back while you listen.
Begin by getting relaxed. Close your eyes. Then imagine yourself in the middle of a meadow. It is a beautiful sunny day and you are sitting under a shady tree. Now look around the meadow to decide where you want to go for help with your decision. If you look to the west, you can take a path down to the river or a lake. If you look to the north, you can follow a path that leads to a cave. If you look to the east, you can follow a path to a mountain, and you can walk up to the top of it. If you look to the south, you will see a very tall tree that leads up into the clouds, and if you wish, you can climb the tree to the clouds. Wherever you go you will feel very comfortable and very safe, and you will find your answers there.
Now, choose which path you want to follow: to the river or a lake, to the cave, to the mountaintop, or to the clouds. Begin walking. As you do, notice the scenery around you. You may notice lush green foliage or you may see flowers. You may hear birds singing. You may see some animals in the distance. Just notice whatever’s there and feel comfortable and at ease as you walk on this beautiful day where the air is clear and warmed by the sun.
Now you are approaching your destination. If you are going to the water or the cave, notice the path is descending. Or if you are going to the mountain or up the tree to the clouds, notice the path is going up. Now see your destination and continue your walk. Once you are there, look around. You may see someone approach who will be your teacher or guide. Or you may see an animal who has come to help you. This is your power animal. Whoever approaches—person or animal—ask if they will be your teacher or guide or will show you to your teacher or guide.
Your teacher will welcome you and invite you to ask a question. After you ask it, listen or observe. You will get your answer. It may be in the form of words, or your teacher may take you somewhere, show you something, or ask you to look ahead of you to a place where you will see your answer revealed. Just be open and receptive to whatever comes, in whatever form. If you have additional questions, you can ask them after you get the answer to your first question.
Afterward, thank your teacher, who will lead you back to the entrance. Say goodbye. You will see the path you took. Return on it now. Go back to the meadow where you began your journey. Sit down under the tree again and gradually let go of the experience and return to your everyday consciousness.
Making Quick Decisions
For quick, everyday decisions you obviously can’t take the time needed to go on mental journeys or have an ongoing dialogue with your expert. Instead you need a way to tap into your intuition quickly to get a rapid-fire answer to a question that needs only a simple yes, no, or maybe. If there are just a few alternatives, you want a quick signal to say this or that is best. This approach is particularly useful when you have to make a fast yes-or-no decision, or if you are feeling outside pressure to make a decision but feel some inner resistance. A quick intuitive response can help you make the choice and feel better about your decision. The following techniques are designed to provide you with some alternate ways of getting quick answers from your intuitive mind in the form of words, images, symbols, or from your body.
Getting Quick Yes, No, or Maybe Answers
from Your Intuition
This technique, which uses words, images, or symbols, is designed to quickly tap into your inner intuition or feelings to get an immediate and clear yes, no, or maybe answer. To use this technique effectively, you either have to do some preliminary conditioning to get your mental screen ready to respond immediately, or you can look within to see what word, image, or symbol you used in similar situations and use it.
To get in touch with the feeling or sense you have when you must give a yes-or-no answer or make a quick, clear choice, take some time to get relaxed and comfortable and close your eyes. Then, in this very relaxed, comfortable state imagine you are going to be taking a truth test where you want to see your real feelings. Now ask yourself a series of questions to which you know the answer and can answer yes or no, or you can make a clear either/or choice. Was I born in California? Did I go to school in New York? Is my favorite color red or blue?
As you give each truthful answer, notice how you feel. Also, notice if you gave the answer as a word you heard, as a word you said in your mind, as an image you saw, or something you felt.
Now ask either those same questions or different questions, but this time answer untruthfully. Intentionally say the wrong answer or make the wrong choice. Again notice the feelings, images, and thoughts associated with the wrong answer. Reflect on the differences in how you felt. You will probably find that when you were saying something you really felt was true the feelings were much clearer and stronger. You had a sense of certainty. Perhaps the image of the word seemed brighter or the sound of the word in your mind seemed louder.
Now ask yourself a series of questions to which you don’t have answers or haven’t yet made a decision about. Ask your intuitive mind to give you the appropriate response. At first, each time you respond notice the feelings, images, and associations you experience with that yes, no, or maybe choice. Get a clear sense of what it is like to say yes, no, or to make a choice and be very firm in that decision.
Then speed up the process. Ask the questions faster and faster and give a quicker and quicker response. Don’t pay conscious attention to the feelings, images, and thoughts associated with the act of saying yes, no, or making a choice. The goal is to respond so automatically and so intuitively that you don’t have to think about your response anymore. Your feelings, images, and associations are all triggered at once as you respond, and you know immediately how you really feel on that gut or inner level. Finally, when you feel ready, stop asking questions and responding and return to the room.
Continue to practice this technique for about a week or until you feel that your yes-no quick choice response has become a part of your life. Also, try using this technique to get answers in everyday life. You’ll find your answers will come more and more quickly and easier in whatever form they appear.
Getting Answers from Your Intuition
An alternate way to get yes, no, or maybe answers is by asking your body. In this way, you go past your conscious thoughts to your inner feelings, which are reflected in how your body reacts. As with the previous technique, to tune in to your intuitive mind you need some practice to train your responses until they become automatic. The difference here is that you are training your physical body rather than your mind to respond with cues. After you work with these physical movements, you can visualize them or replace them with a voice in your mind so you can pick up these cues anywhere. The following technique involves using your arm as a pendulum, or use another part or your whole body if you prefer.
To begin, place your elbow on a desk and hold your arm and hand up. Then move it around freely in all directions. Next, imagine that your arm is a truth meter. Sway your arm like a pendulum backward and forward, and as you do repeat the word, yes … yes to yourself again and again. This backward and forward motion means yes. Next, sway your arm to the right and left and as you do repeat the word, no … no to yourself again and again. This right to left motion means no. Finally, sway your arm in the free motion you started with. As you do, repeat the phrase not sure or maybe to yourself. Choose the phrase you prefer and repeat it again and again. This free-form motion means not sure or maybe.
To test that you have made the associations between yes, no, and maybe and your arm’s motions, try asking a few yes-no questions that you know the answers to. Your arm should respond with the appropriate swaying motions. Once it does this consistently, you are ready to begin asking it for answers. As you become more practiced in using this technique so the bodily motions are truly automatic, you don’t need to actually move your arm. You can imagine this movement in your mind’s eye. Just ask your question and observe how your arm responds to get your answer. Later you can just ask your question and you will feel your body respond with a yes or no.
Some Tips on Asking Your Questions
In both of these techniques it’s important to ask your questions in the right way so you tap into what you really feel. For example, don’t ask, What should I do? because that implies outside pressure influencing your decision. Instead, ask your question in a more neutral or feeling way. For example, Which do I really feel best about doing? or Which do I personally prefer?
If you get a lot of maybes to a question, it may be that you need more information. If that is the case, just ask your question at a later time. Or the uncertain response may be because you are not asking the question clearly or because outside influences or your beliefs about what to do or think are getting in the way. To find out, ask, Is my question unclear? Is someone else influencing my answer? Are my beliefs or thoughts getting in the way? If this is the case, clarify or reframe your question or push your conscious thoughts and feelings aside so you can listen to your inner self.
Making an Important Decision
The following techniques are methods for making an important decision or getting answers to questions you have. As these techniques require you to take time to be with yourself quietly, I recommend using them only occasionally and using the quick decision methods on an everyday basis. If you find you have more of an affinity to one of these techniques than the others, use that. Or vary the techniques you use depending on the situation and what feels right at the time. For all of these techniques find a place where you can get relaxed and comfortable. Close your eyes if you like.
In this technique, you’ll use automatic writing to learn what you need to know. To set the stage, have paper and pencil available or get in front of your computer, laptop, or tablet so you can immediately begin to type. Perhaps use a notebook or Word document to keep track of your communications on a regular basis. It also helps to create a comfortable writing environment that will help to alter your consciousness. For instance, use candles or dim lighting, and if you like, put on some background music—preferably something soft and easy to listen to.
Then, use a relaxation technique to alter your state of consciousness, such as concentrating on your breathing or focusing on a single word like om or relax. Once you feel spacey, you are ready to begin writing. Turn off any music because you need quiet to concentrate.
Now ask any questions about your decision mentally or write them down. What should I do? What is in my best interest? What would I like to do? What are my alternatives? Which alternatives would I prefer? And so on. Then wait for your answer. It may come to you as a voice in your head, or it may seem like a communication from a spirit guide, or a being with a personality. Either way, write down your answer as it comes. Don’t think or analyze, just write. Keep asking questions and recording answers until the questions and responses stop. Finally, review what you have written. The course you want to take should be clear.
Asking Your Counselor for Advice
In this technique, you’ll imagine a TV or computer screen in your mind to contact an expert counselor or spirit guide who knows all the answers. Imagine that you have a special place in your house where you can go to find out whatever you want to know. It may be in the attic or basement, perhaps it is a new addition in the garage, or maybe it used to be a bedroom. Wherever it is, imagine yourself going there and take your time getting there. Notice what is around you as you walk, and when you are ready, open the door and go inside. As you enter, look around. There may be paintings on the walls, piles of papers, equipment, and whatever else is normally in the room. Then, at the far wall you notice a long desk,and above it a large TV or computer screen with numerous gadgets and buttons to press. Just press a button and you can see a movie of your own experiences on this screen.
Now, to work on resolving some problem or getting advice, press the button and you’ll see the situation that you want to resolve unfold on the screen. Or you may see the question you want to ask appear. Once the problem or question is clear, you can seek a solution or answer. To obtain this, press a button to stop the movie and press another to summon your counselor or spirit guide. He or she will appear on the screen with advice for you. Your counselor or guide may be someone you know or could just look like someone very knowledgeable. Whoever it is, welcome your counselor and ask for help. Tell him or her what is wrong and ask for advice on what to do or say to resolve matters.
Listen as your counselor tells you what to do. If the answer is simple, he or she will reply briefly, or your counselor may ask you to press a button on your console so you can see the solution. Then, the action you can take will appear on the screen.
If you have more questions, continue to ask them and your counselor will reply. Again, wait for your answer in whatever form it comes. When you have no more questions, tell your counselor you are done and their image will disappear from the screen. Then turn off your TV or computer console and leave this room. Return to the regular part of your house, and as you do, return to normal consciousness and open your eyes. Usually you will have clear answers as a result of this process. However, if your counselor has no answers or asks you to wait, this means you don’t have enough information or the situation is unclear. If so, perhaps wait a few days and ask your questions again, or use some of the other techniques described in this book to obtain more information or increase your confidence so you are in a better position to take action.
Taking a Journey to Find the Answer
In this technique you’ll take a journey up to the top of a mountain to learn your answers from the wise man or woman of the mountain. To take this journey you need to be very relaxed and comfortable. You can best use this technique in two ways. One way is to read this description first and use it to guide your experience in a general way. The other is to record the journey on a recording device and play it back while you listen. The following guide uses a wise man. Substitute a wise woman if you prefer.
This journey begins in the midst of a beautiful meadow. See yourself there surrounded by lush green foliage. The air is clear and warmed by the sun. Nearby you hear the subtle buzz of bees and the chatter of birds. Off in the distance you see a large mountain and walk toward it. As you walk, notice the tiny flowers. Little mushrooms pop up in the shade of trees. You can feel the carpet of moss beneath your feet. Cows grazing on the hillside moo softly.
As you walk toward the mountain the trees begin to thin out and you pass patches of grassland. The wind feels stronger and cooler. Now you pass a small stream. Sit down for a moment. Let your feet dangle in the stream. Feel the water move past them. It’s so relaxing. You feel very peaceful. Now sit very still and listen. Notice the infinite variety of movements around you. Dragonflies make darting passes as they skim the stream. A crab crawls out from under a stone seeking a better place to hide. Tadpoles swim by, and above your head birds fly from perch to perch. Squirrels race up a tree. Insects balance themselves on blades of grass. Nearby, a deer stands quietly watching. Sit on a large rock and look around you. What else do you see?
Now go on, and as you walk uphill, note that the trees give way to bushes. You come to a clearing and look down on the meadow and valley below. Notice how far away it seems—like another world. As you climb higher and higher, notice how the air begins to cool. Yet the sun shines on you directly and warms you. As you climb, experience a sense of clarity and self-understanding as you get farther and farther away from the things that usually concern you. It is as if you are leaving the world and all its cares behind. Realizing this, you feel an intense sense of peace.
Now you come near the top of the mountain. At the top, there is a small hut made of intricately carved wood. The windows and doorways are hung with mirrors and small objects that flash and shine in the light. This is where the wise man of the mountain lives. He is said to know about everything. You approach the cabin. As you do, think of the questions you wish to have answered. Think of the decision you have to make and select your most important question to ask first. With your question clearly in mind, go up to the door and knock three times. The wise man will answer. As he opens the door he asks, “What question do you bring?” In response, look him in the eyes and clearly state your question. As you do, observe him closely. Notice his eyes and the way he is dressed. He looks like a seer who knows the answers to all things. Then he invites you into his cabin to share tea. As you drink it, he tells you the answer to your question. Listen as he answers your question. If you have additional questions, ask them after he finishes his answer. Afterward thank him for his answers. Talk of other things if you like and stay as long as you wish. When you say goodbye, go back down the mountain as you came and return to the meadow where you began your journey.