For much of the twentieth century intelligence was measured purely on the basis of a person’s intellectual skills, signified by an IQ score. However, following Howard Gardner’s ground-breaking book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligence, published in the mid-1980s, we now recognise a host of different kinds of intelligence, including physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. And many see spiritual intelligence as central and most fundamental because it becomes a source of guidance to all the intelligences. Spiritual intelligence (SQ) has no necessary connection to religion, although it may be channelled through a particular religious tradition. It neither requires nor precludes belief in God. And in a sense, it precedes religious belief because it represents the part of us that seeks religious meaning in the first place. Many humanists and atheists have very high SQ; many actively religious people have very low SQ. SQ is the intelligence that enables us to place our lives in a wider, richer, meaningful context. It’s the intelligence we use when we ask ‘why’ rather than merely ‘what’ or ‘how’. It represents our drive for meaning and value, and connection with the infinite. When we ponder a moral dilemma, or try to make sense of a harrowing situation, we exercise spiritual intelligence. When we sense wonder and awe, or feel a deep connectedness with people or the world, we exercise spiritual intelligence. So far as we know, we are the only creatures with this capacity. When I climb a hill or walk in the woods I sometimes wonder about the meaning of life, but my beautiful dog Woody never gives it a moment’s thought. He just sniffs through the undergrowth, pees everywhere and chases squirrels. Human beings are meaning-seeking animals; though it is up to each of us to decide how much meaning we seek, how much SQ we choose to draw on... Features of high-level SQ activity include: • Self-awareness – a grasp of what makes us tick, in terms of values and motivations. • Constancy – consistency in following our deepest convictions and values – even when it means standing against the crowd. • Spontaneity – staying alive in the moment and responding to what each moment presents. • Empathy – identifying with others and sharing in their feelings. • Humility – a measured sense of our own place in the wider scheme of things. • Curiosity – the motivation to explore – especially the ‘why?’ questions. • Flexibility – standing back from a situation or problem to see the bigger picture, and make necessary readjustments. • Resilience – remaining positive in the face of adversity; learning and growing from mistakes and setbacks. • Groundedness – a sense of bearing and purpose. • Receptivity – staying open and welcoming towards diversity and difference. Dave Tomlinson, The Bad Christians Manifesto: Reinventing God (and other modest proposals) [Enjoyed this quote by Dave Tomlinson? Download and read the book on your kindle or app in less than a minute.... goo.gl/W8Xh20 (Amazon) or goo.gl/lYgHZE (Amazon UK)]
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 20:32:36 +0000
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