In these days of frantic work schedules, information overload, and high-tech anxiety, it's becoming increasingly necessary for us to rely on our inner resources to be effective in the workplace. These qualities, unique to all of us -- like our intuition, self-trust, and an awareness of our own wisdom-are what author-educator Marsha Sinetar calls "spiritual intelligence."

"Think of spiritual intelligence not so much as what we 'have' as something we are-the sharpest acuity of who we are, as individuals," Sinetar said in a recent phone interview. The author of "Spiritual Intelligence: What We Can Learn from the Early Awakening Child" (Orbus Books, 2000, 198 pages), Sinetar contends that when we must tackle challenging issues or difficult decisions, we can engage our own insights to guide ourselves to our truth and integrity.

It's a given that one of the most important choices we make is our vocation -- what we feel we're called to do in life. Sinetar says that while most of us experiment with several career paths, if we trust the guidance that comes from within, we have a better chance of discovering our own vision and the work that suits us best. "If we're forthright, while moving in the direction we feel is meant for us, we've probably chosen the most effective way to answer our life's call."

Our work lives, however, often involve more choices or changes than we're comfortable with -- for instance, when we must assimilate too much information, or learn new skills in a hurry. Too, we may find ourselves at a loss when we're forced to admit we're a low-tech person in a high-tech world.

"The greatest workplace disruption is what technology brings," Sinetar says. She observes that many people who need to work after retirement, or who have had their careers disrupted by job displacement, often struggle with high-tech and the new tasks and responsibilities it brings.

"If you don't like technology, align yourself with people who do," she advises. And if there's a small part of the high-tech world you're comfortable with, "take a piece and make it work for you."

And let the rest go. "Instead, put your energies into developing your intuition, your settled ground of being," she says. "It's a way to operate in an ambiguous setting."

Sinetar goes on to say that trusting your own wisdom helps you on the job whenever you feel you're on shaky ground. You'll have more power to solve problems, and be more at ease negotiating with people, working with diverse others, or getting integrated into a new job. "It gives you a workplace advantage -- so that whatever situations are destined to develop, you have the confidence to meet these challenges."

This intuitive approach is not only useful when it comes to issues in the workplace, but in the conflict we all struggle with: balancing work versus family or personal time. Sinetar points out that another way to develop the inner knowing we need is to look at children who were "early awakeners," like Mahatma Gandhi and artist Georgia O'Keefe, who exhibited a powerful independence and unique strength of purpose from the time they were very small.

Sinetar reminds us that "awakening is the true business of life." Following the example of these awakened children, if we are true to ourselves, and become more deeply aware of what's going on around us, we can cultivate habits to help us transcend negative experiences, and figure out strategies to pursue our creative projects and the activities we instinctively know are right for us.

"Far too often, life programs us away from wisdom. But every time we say 'yes' or 'no' to our truthful purpose brings a gush of spiritual strength to take us to the next step," says Sinetar. Every advance may introduce a test-maybe we're facing a promotion, career transition, or family changes -- so we need to examine our motives when we make critical decisions. "We can ask, 'will this choice enhance or corrupt the life or work or relationship I value?'"

Drawing upon our spiritual intelligence, she adds, we can find time for the solitude necessary to ground ourselves, and develop the friendships or support systems we need to give our lives the balance we seek. "We can relax into who we are, tune into our deepest knowing, and tune out the static."