Article: Spiritual Intelligence
What is Spiritual Intelligence? How does it benefit a person?
someone said:
I think quite a few of us believe in the inadequacy of traditional science being unable to explain our universe, being unable to explain how to have a positive attitude, and how to live. We believe that possibly, there are no accidents, and the life we are living in is our choice.
I want to learn from you on how to put this spirituality into a typical skill building training program....I believe that the key to helping people is not to develop their skills, but to build that little voice they hear inside their head every now and then. The voice that is bereaving them from within, and is having a conversation with them… Is there anyone here who has attempted to do this wants to share the experience?
After Emotional Intelligence, analysts are now looking at Spiritual Intelligence (SI) as another means of addressing personal, business and career related quandary. While IQ and EQ are not new, SI is still in the infancy stage. This book will discuss SI and its connection to personal effectiveness and career development.
Different authors attempted to define SI in a general perspective so as not to offend the sensibilities of different cultures. But this is what SI is not, religion. Because of this, some professionals are hesitant to explore the fullness of SI. Furthermore, it is assumed that SI is primarily based on intuition and emotion, discouraging the intellectuals in the process.
But what is Spiritual Intelligence?
Spiritual Intelligence (SI) is all about man's connection to his Creator. It is his ability to (1) recognize life principles (natural and spiritual laws) and (2) build his life in accordance with these laws. In layman's term, SI is also called 'wisdom' or the application of knowledge
Contrary to the general perception, Spiritual Intelligence invokes the use of reason and will. The process involves analysis and a decision. To illustrate my point is to use the law of "gravity" as example. We don't have to feel the presence of gravity to believe, this principle is in place whether we are a believer of this law or not. And in application of this knowledge (wisdom), man made decisions (technological advancement) in respect to this principle to protect lives and properties.
Since this book is about the governing laws and principles of life, let us discuss SI 101 or the foundation of Spiritual Intelligence.
The ancient proverb says:
Treasure wisdom (spiritual intelligence) and it will make you great; hold on to it and it will bring you honor. Prov. 4:8 (NCV)
Below are the fundamentals of Spiritual Intelligence.
1) Man has to recognize his spirituality. Unless a person recognize he is a spirit being temporarily dwelling in a physical body, SI will not be of help.
2) Man has to recognize a higher spiritual being, the Supreme Designer who created both the seen and unseen, also the Great Author who set the "principles" in place to uphold the creation.
Removing God from the picture is like removing "intelligence" from SI, leaving you with spirituality without "content".
3) If there is a Creator and we are created, there must be a "guidebook" about "life and creation" that we can all refer to.
Whenever we aquire a new gadget, we refer to the handbook to understand its features and safety use. Definitely, we have to refer to something to understand the creation and the principles that hold it together.
4) Man has to understand his purpose in life, his calling.
We can be good at a skill because of a training intervention but it does not mean the use of that skill is our destiny.
There are those who are "genetically encoded" into a career- those who were "anointed" or "enabled", as others have called it, to accomplish a job, meet a need or address a problem.
5) Man has to understand his place in God's heart. The personality of each individual is partly a reflection of his understanding (or lack of it) of GOD.
6) The road to a successful life depends on a person's ability to recognize "life principles", and to synchronize his life in accordance with these laws.
While it is true that our world is dynamic, and businesses and human capital, in order to survive must adopt to the changes. We must, however, recognize that there are things in life that are "permanent".
US President Jimmy Carter once said "We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles".
Spiritual Intelligence is recognizing time honored rules and applying the same to our modern situation.
Unless an individual observed this prescription, Spiritual Intelligence will not benefit a person.
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Copyright © cross+roads, 2005 All rights reserved.
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright holder and author of this article.
You can contact Sonnie by email at skopun@gmail.com
posted by ASKSonnie @ Tuesday, May 10, 2005
5 Comments:
You are absoutely right!
Spriritual growth is as much necessary for personality development as air, water and food. It gives the wisdom to look at things with the right perspective.
Thanks for the good article.
Dear Sonnie Sir,
The article is highly convincing and interesting and wish to see the book at the earliest. but what is the difference between EI and SI ?
Just curiosity to know more !
warm regards.
Good luck.
Phani
Hyderabad
This is a very vital topic and the expression spiritual intelligence became very popular sometime in or around 2000. Before that there are several scintific studies on religiousity and spirituality. The health benefits of these practices are well documented.
However, religousity has two aspects-extrinsic and intrinsic. Intrinsic religiousty is always beneficial to practising persons whereas extrinsic religiousity is harmful to self as well as others. Extrinsic religiousity is correlated with ethnocentrism and authoritatian personality while intrinsic religiousity is correlated with health and happiness. Conceptually spiritual intelligence is akin to intrinsic religiousity.
Are there scintific studies to correlate the two? Are there studies to correlate spiritual intelligence and industrial culture? What are the standardised scales measuring spiritual intelligence?
Challa S.S.J.Ram Phani said:
"What is the difference with EI from SI?"
My response:
(excerp from Ragam's article)
EI or EQ is explained as the ability to deal with everyday job stresses, shifting priorities, demanding customers, and difficult co-workers. Emotional intelligence is responsible for our ability to manage ourselves and our relationships with others. It is our emotional intelligence that will solve our retention and
morale problems, improve our creativity, create synergy from
teamwork, drive our purpose, and ignite the best and most inspired
performance from our people.
5 Components of EQ
1. A well-honed timing for emotional expression and emotional control
2. Empathy for others
3. Social expertise that allows us to develop strong working relationships
4. Personal influence that helps us advance our purpose with others
5. Integrity that aligns us with our life's purpose.
Each day in the workplace, an employee's emotional intelligence is put to the test. How many times have you heard a person say,
"I just couldn't help it, I was just so frustrated I had to react the way I did?"
As an employer, it's important that you recognize that those
reactions can also paralyze the work that gets done. The reality is that it's inescapable. Emotion is present in the workplace. Everyday. Everywhere. The good news is that unlike IQ, which tends to remain fixed throughout a person's lifetime, EQ - emotional intelligence can be improved.
Strong evidence and research has directly linked emotional intelligence to improved performance on the job. Depending on the type of job, competence in the area of emotional intelligence may account for as much as 75% of the skills and abilities needed for best performance.
Leadership performance especially, at all levels of the organization,
from supervisors, team leaders, managers, and executives will improve as emotional intelligence concepts are learned and applied.
your article on spiritual intelligence is very good. i'll be looking forward to its entirety as well.
annointed ka nga talaga... :=)
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