Make Light Work: 10 Tools for Inner Knowing

by Kate R. Sutherland

Make Light Work This gem of a book introduces simple ways to find your own answers. It includes ten tools for doing "inner work". The tools are a kind of internal GPS that helps you navigate through life. In 1990, author Kate Sutherland was burnt out, bruised and confused. A book from a friend inspired her to visit the Findhorn Foundation in northern Scotland where she learned about inner ways of working based in intuition, perception, intention and consciousness. For over 20 years, inner work has enriched and transformed Kate's life, from her successful consulting practice and 18-year marriage, to her ongoing sense of meaning and purpose. Inner work tools help with "little" things too, The book introduces each tool through a brief personal story, a step by step exercise, and commentaries on finer points and possible pitfalls. Also included is a chapter on integrating the tools into daily life. How revolutionary would it be to find your own answers any time you are confused, overwhelmed, or simply seeking greater clarity?

Genres: Spirituality

108 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2010

Reviews

[George Ilsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent reference work or workbook for someone who is on a journey of discovery.

[Andrea James · Rating 3 out of 5]

People (like me) who are used to relying on their rationality and analysis might find this book challenging. But having listened to the author in an interview, I was aware that she advocates the use of both analysis as well as inner work (as she calls it) to approach decision making. She came across rather grounded, sensible and practical and allayed some of my fears (for want of a better word) of the woolly nature of intuition and inner understanding.

This is very short book that provides a different angle of how to come up with our decisions. I used the expression "come up" because I struggled to find the right words to described the process. I wanted to say "think about" our decisions but using our deeper intuition is somewhat beyond thinking (and it's often our cluttered thinking that gets in the way of being able to make a decision when it comes to hard choices. And it's not quite feeling either, as it isn't emotional decision-making.

Instead the author suggests daily practices like automatic writing to build/strengthen the connection with our intuition/inner wisdom, as well as techniques/tools that we can use decision-making situations on top of standard our decision analysis.

As pointed out by the author herself, there are some chapters that may be difficult to accept. Indeed I found the chapter on coin tossing and muscle testing a little too "woo-woo" for me right now. And I think because of my/our propensity for confirmation bias, I don't yet trust my ability to judge whether the decision-making techniques worked or not. Nevertheless, I'm open to exploring the tools suggested.

I recommend reading this book as well as keeping an open mind when doing so, it may help in increasing your broadening your decision-making processes as well as potentially reducing the stress/angst that often comes with tough choices. As the title suggests, there is perhaps an easier way for us to navigate our paths and options and tap into and develop our deeper understanding of the world.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handy resource for people looking to get more in touch with their intuition. Concisely written the book still contains many good ideas and pointers. I appreciated that Sutherland gave encouragement, suggestions, and options rather than step-by-step 'you must do this or else you're wrong' advice.