Spritiual Intelligence
19/09/11 18:45 Filed in: Teachings
Since the 1980s, Harvard professor Howard Gardner Ph.D. has been changing and expanding our perception of intelligence by inviting us to think in terms of “multiple intelligences”. He proposes seven kinds of intelligence: Linguistic Intelligence, Logical/Mathematical Intelligence, Musical Rhythmic Intelligence, Bodily/Kinaesthetic Intelligence, Spatial Intelligence, Intrapersonal Intelligence and Interpersonal Intelligence.
Since this initial classification in1983, there has been considerable debate among scholars and researchers on other kinds of intelligence that may also exist such as Naturalist Intelligence, Existentialist Intelligence and Spiritual Intelligence. Psychologists have long been struggling with discovering ways of measuring intelligence and the 21st century has witnessed movement beyond traditional rational intelligence (IQ) to incorporate emotional intelligence (EQ, as popularized by Daniel Goleman in the 1990s), and now the possibility of a third “Q” — spiritual intelligence (SQ).
According to authors D. Zohar and I. Marshall, Connecting With Our Spiritual Intelligence (2000), SQ is what we use to develop our longing and capacity for meaning, vision and value. It helps us live up to our potential for better, more satisfying lives. The repercussions of SQ in the world are considerable as more and more of us are striving to “bring our soul” to every part of our life including work and family.
As a work-focused and product-driven society, we find ourselves at a spiritual crossroads, with many of us experiencing a crisis of meaning. Yes, we go to work everyday and we do our job to the best of our ability, but we also want it to mean something. We long to be in touch with some larger, deeper, richer life perspective. Are we on the right path? Are we using our qualities and strengths to build harmonious relationships and better the world? How could our work life be more aligned with our personal values?
Zohar and Marshall refer to seven practical steps to developing greater spiritual intelligence:
1. Become aware of where you are now
2. Feel strongly that you want to change
3. Reflect on what your own centre is and on what are your deepest motivations
4. Discover and dissolve obstacles
5. Explore many possibilities to go forward
6. Commit yourself to a path
7. Remain aware there are many paths
We evolve as spiritual beings when we ask ourselves rich and meaningful questions that guide us toward a path of transformation. How much of yourself are you bringing to LIFE and to LIGHT right now?
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