In many areas of assessing needs it is the rational discussions of the quantification of the problems that seem to be the main focus of much of the energy expended. This is really what is expected in the ever increasingly complex world in which most of our endeavour occurs. There is a huge industry of people analysing data, models, information and putting in to practice the outcomes of all this study.

The whole of an industry can change within days or weeks as these think tanks come up with the next idea that will provide the organisation with that cutting edge in competition. I guess greater mathematical minds than mine can give me explanations of the basis for much of the maths and statistical formula that are the basis of these findings. But to me I thought that the mathematical basis of what goes on today is also aligned to the philosophical basis from which these mathematical formula come from. Is it that we are applying formula without fully understanding its full context?

Isn't it how we progress, evolve in our understanding and perception of the world? We look at the latest in maths and the philosophy behind that. Shouldn't the formula, the statistics and the models follow these thoughts and patterns?

Maybe it might be worthwhile in our shrinking global world to look at a few other world-views and perceptions to get some other ways of how we can be using our energies. I would suggest that there are some quite ancient cultures that may have some relevance to many of our present day activities. Maybe their approach might come from another perspective, or basis. Maybe the philosophical basis may have another origin, not the Western logical, rational one. And if this is the case why can this not be useful even in our rational world. I wonder if some of the new thinking in maths is just another way of perceiving what some cultures have been saying for centuries?

I ponder these thoughts as I sit in meetings when people are drastically rearranging organisations on some sort of basis. A company is realigning itself to some global strategy which no doubt will be the correct move. If one tracks the origin of these decisions they must have surely come from some individual thought or approach from within the organisation. Now my main query here is that no matter how much rational work has gone on the decision to go ahead ultimately it is usually made by a gut, or intuitive yes. How do we know that this is a rational decision when it is really an intuitive decision?

Maybe a better question is how reliable is the intuitive response?

Without under-valuing the necessary rational approaches I want to look at the way in which it is possible to explore the intuitive responses. Elsewhere (see links to Corporate Coaching Ltd and other articles in the N.Z. Institute of Transpersonal Research Journal), I have argued that the most important factor in decision making is more around the emotional maturity of the person making the decision. I believe some of the new world-views that are emerging in the West now may actually have been around for a while but articulated in a different way; not the rational logical way. Maybe it has represented itself in metaphor or parables or myths. Maybe some of these ancient wisdoms still apply and we are going so far down the knowledge track that we have forgotten about wisdom.

This wisdom is really the depth that I believe people can have when they keep a balance in their life, focus on their emotional development in conjunction with their external, rational self. So the intuitive aspect is the result of awareness of oneself in the balancing of the rational and the irrational,(affective or emotional). To consciously develop this can use much of the wisdoms of all the cultures that have and are existing. So one is not limiting oneself to an unbalanced view of life.

If this balance is not kept to then one becomes unbalanced. By focusing on emotional development as a Westerner it is probably right to assume that they will be developing a balance, as so many energies go into the rational in ordinary Western life.

To find ways to increase the emotional understanding of oneself it can be fruitful to explore some techniques that are universal which have been practiced for centuries in cultures that are quite advanced in the emotional/spiritual domain. From a Westerner's point of view this can be quite intimidating. It can take people way outside their comfort zones cognitively, culturally, emotionally and spiritually. But over the last 25-30 years there have been people in the USA, (mainly), who have been integrating Western and other culture practices in ways that are very safe and powerful.

In New Zealand there have been practices for many centuries which were unacceptable by the Pakeha authorities earlier this century. As with many of the ancient cultures these spiritual practices were lifelong in their learning, and to differing extents, kept within the control of the spiritual leaders of the communities. In the more open Western individualistic society methods need to be tailored for the faster pace of life and the need for much of the emotional and spiritual work to be done by individuals or informal groups. The institutional structures are not there anymore for the community to provide these opportunities.

The workplace is one place where it is possible for people to find plenty of opportunities to practice and integrate emotional realities. With their own understanding of themselves, and the will to develop their emotional maturity, many workers could utilise their workplace for themselves and provide some freeing up for their productivity, and enhance themselves for their families.

The quickest and most powerful methods available at present are, I believe, a combination of meditation and dynamic breathwork. Both of these methods are thousands of years old in their practice, but updated to provide the ultimate in safety for the learning and transformation for the individuals. The outcomes for the participants are their attaining very deep awarenesses of themselves which can be then integrated in their work and family or community activities.

Thus with the ongoing work at this level it is possible to attain some great insights into the intuitive process that we all have and to action that in our creative process which in turn acts on our spiritual process. Then managers, decision makers and all those involved in organisations can reach their various levels of evolutionary status.

I believe the above applies in any area of work, but obviously it is essential for those working in positions of power over people. I guess it is clear that people working with damaged, hurt and those in less powerful positions need to do this work so they are clear that they are acting with maturity.