Spiritual Intelligence
May 10, 2005
What is Spiritual Intelligence? How it benefits a person?
In one forum there was this query:
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 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, at least in the Philippines. This article will discuss SQ 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 anecdote 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 people recognize they are spirit beings 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.
Whenever we acquire new gadget, we refer to the handbook for its “proper” use. In the same application, we have to refer to a manual 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 calling. 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 lifestyle and decisions 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.
Sonnie Santos is a Motivational and Self Help Resource Person, Human Resource Generalist, Trainer and Volunteer Worker. He has authored several anecdotes on work issues and career development in the context of life principles.
Copyright © sonnie's.porch, 2006 some rights reserved.
You may download, copy and display the blog materials for personal use, provided that this copyright notice is intact, materials will not be used commercially, charge fees for its use, or use it as a vehicle for advertising, article and anecdotes will not be modified or abridged, will not be used to malign, discredit or hurt personalities, groups, nations and cultures.
May 11, 2005 at 9:07 am
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.
May 11, 2005 at 9:47 am
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
May 13, 2005 at 11:23 pm
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?
May 14, 2005 at 2:29 pm
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.
May 23, 2005 at 8:19 pm
your article on spiritual intelligence is very good. i’ll be looking forward to its entirety as well.
annointed ka nga talaga… :=)
June 1, 2006 at 11:29 am
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June 3, 2006 at 8:53 am
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January 22, 2007 at 8:42 pm
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January 30, 2007 at 3:08 pm
I think without being aware that He who had created us must absolutely love us, we will not break it off to have an understanding about the gift
October 21, 2007 at 10:34 pm
Dear SONNIE,
I must congratulate you on writing this brilliant article. Truely S.I is important to grow in ones endeavours. I would like 2 work on the relevance of S.I in education as i am a teacher. Would u please suggest some specific areas.
April 9, 2009 at 2:56 pm
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