SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT

SHAHEED SUKHDEV COLLEGE OF BUSINESS STUDIES; DELHI UNIVERSITY

MADE BY: AKSHAY KHARBANDA SRIJAN SAXENA VINEETH VIJAYAN BBS-IA

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We would like to begin with expressing our gratitude towards our project guide Ms. Aastha Diwan for guiding us throughout our project on “SPRITUAL INTELLIGENCE”. The project would not have been possible in its present form without her able guidance and valuable suggestions.

CONTENTS

METHODOLOGY........................................................ .............5 INTRODUCTION............................................... ......................6 SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE- ORIGIN AND RESEARCH..................8 WHAT IS \“SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE\....................... .............11 Being SPIRITUAL.............................................................................11 Having INTELLIGENCE....................................................................11 RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY........................................ ........14 Religion tends to be

................................................................15

Spirituality tends to be ..................................................................15 NEED FOR SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE.....................................16 - Personal Life Relationships..........................................................16 - Family Life Relationships..............................................................17 - Working Life Relationships...........................................................17 NEED FOR APPLICATION OF SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE............19 1. Meditation..................................................................................37 2. Detached Observation...............................................................37 3. Reflection...................................................................................38 4. Connecting.................................................................................38 5. Practice......................................................................................38 6. Seeing .......................................................................................38 7. Serving.......................................................................................39 1. Who am I? - This is the question of identity..............................39 2. What am I? – This is the question of nature...............................39 3. How do I work? – This is the question of consciousness............40 ......................................................................................................................................................................40

4. Where am I? – This is the question of context/relationship........40 5. How does it all work? – This is the question of law...................41

6. Why am I here? – This is the question of purpose......................41 7. What happens next? – This is the question of creativity............41

METHODOLOGY -

Division of strata

Once the topic ‘Spiritual Intelligence’ was selected, we decided to conduct a firsthand survey on it by getting questionnaires filled up by various correspondents. We also decided to divide the correspondents into five categories, viz.-students, businessmen/professionals, retired, homemakers and working group. -

Collection of data

The primary data was collected by all the group members by dividing the job of getting the questionnaires filled equally. For the secondary data, our main focus revolved around the works of authors Dana Zohar and Ian Marshall.

INTRODUCTION Spiritual intelligence is about the growth of a human being. It is about moving on in life. About having a direction in life and being able to heal ourselves of all the resentment we carry. It is thinking of ourselves as an expression of a higher reality. It is also about how we look at the resources available to us. Spiritual intelligence motivates people to balance their work schedules to spend time with the family. Or an executive with a high SQ might look beyond profit margins and devote time for voluntary work with orphans. Spiritual intelligence also addresses the need to place one's life in a shared context of value. The transformative power of SQ distinguishes it from IQ and EQ. IQ primarily solves logical problems. EQ allows us to judge the situation we are in and behave appropriately. SQ allows us to ask if we want to be in that situation in the first place. It might motivate us to create a new one. SQ has little connection to formal religion. Atheists and humanists may have high SQ while someone actively religious may not. Contrary to the general perception, Spiritual Intelligence invokes the use of reason and will. The process involves analysis and a decision. Take 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. In words of Marsha Sinetar, author, What We Can Learn from the Early Awakening Child, “Spiritual intelligence is inspired thought. It is light, the kiss of life that awakens our sleeping beauty. It animates people of any age, in any situation. In children, that quickening makes boys and girls want to seek out and cultivate their inborn gifts, energies, and desires”.

SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE- ORIGIN AND RESEARCH Psychologists who devised tests to measure rational intelligence termed their measure as "Intelligence Quotient (IQ)", their hypothesis being that higher the IQ more is the rational intelligence. For long, the world gave much importance to Intelligence Quotient. "My son has an IQ of 210!" the proud mother would gush. "He's going to be a scientist." Such an attitude was a legacy of the early 20th century. While the utility of IQ in identifying potential performers is not disputed, according to renowned psychologists IQ contributes only about 20 per cent to the factors that determine life success, which leaves 80 per cent to other forces. This led to further studies in the area of measuring human intelligence. In mid-1990s, Daniel Goleman revealed findings in neuroscience and psychology that stressed the importance of Emotional Quotient (EQ). This makes us aware of our feelings and that of others. It gives empathy, motivation, compassion and an ability to respond skillfully to pleasure and pain. Goleman argued that EQ was a basic requirement for the use of IQ. If the areas of our brain that feel are damaged, our ability to think effectively is diminished. Later, however, authors Dana Zohar and Ian Marshall introduced a new dimension to human intelligence and coined the term “SQ” for Spiritual Intelligence”. People argue that the SQ is the basic foundation for an effective use of EQ and IQ. People also refer to it as the soul's intelligence. While rational, logical thinking gives one's IQ, and the associated habit-bound, pattern recognizing emotive thinking gives one the EQ, the creative, insightful, rule-making, rule breaking thinking with which we reframe and transform our previous thinking gives one the SQ. Just as the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts, SQ allows one to add a larger, deeper and richer context to the present.

Spiritual Intelligence, according to Zohar, is: 1. Self-Awareness- You know who you really are and you know that you are connected with the whole universe. 2. Vision & Values Led – or Idealism. Children naturally want to serve, and so do we. Vision and values led is definitive of our humanity. 3. The Capacity to Face and USE Adversity- Owning our mistakes and adversity and using pain and tragedy to learn 4. To be Holistic- Seeing the connections between things. Being open to and interested in EVERYTHING. 5. Diversity- Thriving in and celebrating diversity. I look at you and see what is different in you and I say “Thank God for that!” 6. Field Independence (Courage) - A term from psychology that means the courage not to adapt, to be independent. 7. The Tendency to Ask WHY? - Questions are infinite. In Quantum Physics questions create reality. 8. The Ability to Re-Frame- Put things into a larger context of meaning. 9. Spontaneity- This is NOT acting on a whim…it comes from the same Latin roots as response and responsibility. It is not conditioned by fear. It is appropriately “responsive to” the world

WHAT IS “SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE”? In order to understand both the development and application of spiritual intelligence it is useful to first be clear on what we mean when we use these two words.  Being SPIRITUAL To be 'spiritual' is to think, act and interact from an awareness of self as spirit not form, soul not body. Most of us are taught to believe we are our physical forms, and so we identify with our body or the labels we give to our bodies such as nationality, race, gender, profession etc. This wrong sense of self is what creates all fear, anger and sadness in life. From a spiritual point of view these ‘unnatural’ emotions are always the result of ego (misidentification), which then blocks access to your true spiritual nature which is peaceful, loving and joyful.  Having INTELLIGENCE Intelligence is to use what you know in the right way at the right time in the right place with the right intention. For example if you 'know' your self as a spiritual being you will also 'know' that you do not own or possess anything. When something in your life is damaged or lost, it does not affect you in any way – you are able to use your spiritual power to accept and move on. If someone praises the clothes you wear, or insults you in any way or comments negatively about your looks, you are NOT affected because you ‘know’ that your real beauty lies within your character, within your nature, which no one can ever take away. In that moment you draw on the inner power of that knowledge and use it to remain stable in the face of others negativity. In effect you are drawing on your spiritual strength which is only released when you know who and what you are,

and then using that strength in the right way, in the right place at the right time. One of the qualities of SQ is wisdom. This includes knowing the limits of your knowledge. Other ingredients are values such as courage, integrity, intuition, and compassion. 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. The transformative power of SQ distinguishes it from IQ and EQ. IQ primarily solves logical problems. EQ allows us to judge the situation we are in and behave appropriately. SQ allows us to ask if we want to be in that situation in the first place. It might motivate us to create a new one. SQ has little connection to formal religion. Atheists and humanists may have high SQ while someone actively religious may not. Spiritual intelligence therefore has to do with people's thoughts and beliefs, rather than their bodies and physical surroundings. You need to become aware of your thoughts (invisible energy). Your thoughts, together with your feelings and words, create your actions. Your actions or behaviour are a direct reflection of who you really are. Spiritual intelligence therefore does not mean an automatic connection with religion.

RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY Often the very word ‘spiritual’ invokes concepts of religion and religious belief systems and dogmas which, for some, can trigger feelings of aversion. So it’s good to clarify the differences. It has been said that most spiritual people are religious but few religious people are spiritual. Why? Religion, in an organized sense, tends to encourage the individual to attach to a packaged set of externally prescribed beliefs, whereas spirituality tends to encourage detachment from all beliefs and use the practice of a meditative and reflective process to reveal and realise what is true.

Religion in its original

meaning is to ‘reconnect’. Religion in a spiritual sense would be religion in the true sense of the word, which is to reconnect with the original and authentic self, and ones true spiritual nature, which is essentially peaceful and loving.

When one is ‘being spiritual’ ones religion is

peace. This is not possible until all attachments are dropped, most especially to beliefs and belief systems. The following is a ‘contrast of tendencies’ between religion and spirituality. ‘Tendency’ here means frequently, but perhaps not in every case. For example religion tends to be male dominated and spirituality tends to be a more feminine domain, but in neither is it absolute.

Religion tends to be Structured Male dominated Oppressive Conforming Institutionalized Doing Patriarchal Social Control Culturally defined Separating Applies to some Religion tends to be Exclusive Dogmatic Restrictive Ego (based on attachment

Spirituality tends to be Free flowing Androgenous Emancipating Metaphysical Individual Being Equality Liberating Transcendent Bringing Together Applies to all Spirituality tends to be Inclusive Flexible Expansive to Humility (which emerges

beliefs)

naturally with the freedom of

Controlling

non-attachment) Allowing

NEED FOR SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE In the ‘inner game’ of the relationship that you have with your self, the highest purpose at this time is to ‘be your self’. Not so easy if you don’t know who/what you are. In the outer game of relationships with others, the highest purpose is to ‘be of service’. The spiritual intelligence unit serves to assist people in any context (corporate, community, family) to develop their spiritual awareness, capacity and intelligence, and then to use that intelligence to be more effective as an individual, and thereby expand their capacity to make a greater contribution to the endeavours of others. Spiritual intelligence also plays a very important in practical life. Each area of life contains a set of relationships. Both success in life and levels of satisfaction in each area of life depends on how well one is able to interact within those relationships. Spiritual intelligence expands the capacity to understand others at the deepest level. Spiritual understanding also allows discerning both the ‘true cause’ of behaviour without judgement, and serving the ‘true needs’ of others until people themselves learn to meet their own needs. This capacity is developed by first learning to free oneself from attachment and neediness and being able to meet our own inner needs. Attachment and neediness are the opposite of being spiritually intelligent. - Personal Life Relationships Spiritual intelligence frees you from neediness and clinginess in your personal relationships. When you realize you already have within you what you seek from others (love, happiness, peace) you are then free to act and interact without any ‘agenda’.

In effect, you act from an

authenticity that desires nothing of another, but serves only to give. Paradoxically this frees both parties to ‘be themselves’, which is the

deepest foundation for any open, healthy and harmonious relationship built on the twin spiritual values of trust and respect.

- Family Life Relationships The culture of family life can easily revolve around too much ‘familiarity’. This results in behaviours which can swing from rejection, resistance and avoidance one moment, to attachment, dependency and clinginess the next. Being spiritually intelligent in a family context allows individuals to find a more mature way to relate, free of emotional dependency, and able to embrace ‘the other’ regardless of their behaviour or their emotional state. - Working Life Relationships When spiritual intelligence is brought into the workplace work ceases to become a daily chore in order to earn money, and becomes a creative process of service and contribution. Others are seen and treated as people and not objects/resources to get a job done, and individuals have an opportunity to learn the inner, invisible and subtle skills of building and sustaining relationships in any area of life. These abilities include building trust, acting with integrity, empathising at a level beyond emotion, and the leadership of others through a consistently proactive attitude and positive vision.

NEED FOR APPLICATION OF SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE AT WORK Spiritual intelligence is something everyone has but few learn to develop. While our academic education was focused around rational intelligence, some of us may have recently encountered and perhaps trained in emotional intelligence. Rational intelligence manages facts and information, using logic and analysis to make decisions, whereas emotional intelligence is necessary to understand and control ones emotions and feelings, while being sensitive to the feelings of others. Spiritual intelligence on the other hand, is necessary: •

To find and utilise the deepest inner resources from which comes the capacity to care and the power to tolerate and adapt

•

To develop a clear and stable sense of identity as an individual in the context of shifting workplace relationships

•

To be able to discern the real meaning of events and circumstances, and be able to make work meaningful.

•

To identify and align personal values with a clear sense of purpose.

•

To live those vales without compromise and thereby demonstrate integrity by example.

•

To understand where and how each of the above is sabotaged by the ego, which means being able to understand and influence ‘true cause’ .

Some of the outcomes of the development and practice of spiritual intelligence include an ability to stay calm and focused in the face of crisis and chaos, a more selfless and altruistic attitude towards others and more enlightened and relaxed perspective on life.

While many people think there is nothing spiritual about work and the workplace, there are many areas of working life in which spiritual intelligence can be applied.

These are perhaps three of the most

important:



Personal

Security

and

how

that

is

dependent

effects

Personal

Effectiveness We

believe

our

security

on

the

physical/material

components of life (money, property, objects etc) which, in turn, depend on our job. In fact, this material mindset creates feelings of insecurity, as everyone knows that job/money/property/things all come and go, and we have little or no control over when people do. generates

fear,

otherwise

known

as

stress,

This insecurity

which

then

effects

performance at work and relationships within the workplace. The development of spiritual intelligence is the awakening of a deeper awareness of ones self as a non material being, a source of many intangible

talents,

previously

undiscovered

character

undeveloped personal qualities and innate values.

traits,

Each of these

invisible inner attributes of the self can never be taken away, and when consciously developed and used people become the ground within the self in which a stable sense of security is anchored.



Building Relationships and Interpersonal Understanding

One of the foundations for healthy relationships is empathy.

The

building of an empathic relationship is difficult for many managers as it challenges them to reach beyond the facts and functions of a task, and into the feelings and emotions of the person carrying out the task. This falls squarely in the arena of emotional intelligence. However there is another layer below, which is the ‘cause’ of the emotions. All emotions

are caused by the self. Seeing the original cause, and understanding what it means, is the territory of spiritual intelligence When a manager sits down to coach staff

through performance

problems people will need IQ to gather and marshal all the facts, EQ to identify the emotions which are affecting performance and SQ to discern the true cause and why (meaning) the emotions were created in the first place. It doesn’t mean today’s manager becomes a psychologist or spiritual teacher, but it helps to know and understand specific aspects of this inner landscape.



Managing Change and removing the Road Blocks

Resistance to change emerges through behaviors such as controlling, complaining, criticising, withdrawing, denying, withholding and many others. The emotional content of resistant behaviours is always fear and/or anger. Even when the changes are rationally understood to be good, some people still create feelings of fear or resentment. This is due to attachment to a comfort zone, therefore an external dependency on the way things are. All attachment is grounded in EGO. The ego is always the one and only barrier to positive change.

Then, when

something happens to that external environment, it feels like it is happening to the self.

This is the deepest level to which spiritual

intelligence can see. When someone has learned to see and understand this very invisible and intangible inner mistake, people liberates their self from fear and anger, which is stress at an emotional level, thus restoring full effectiveness in relation to the task, and the process of working with others. Building your SQ may help you when you reassess your work situation.

BUSINESS CASES FOR SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE - Medical Field In medical field, there are many doctors with high IQ who are known to perform complicated surgeries. People have learnt and adopted best medical practices/techniques. There are talented doctors; however, the patients are not satisfied with the quality of services offered. It proves that doctors (even with very high IQ) alone cannot satisfy the patient. Patients want something more. Apart from talented doctors, people want caring nurses, cheerful receptionists, disciplined ward boys, hygiene conscious sweepers etc. If all these are combined together, it is nothing but an efficient management with high SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT (SQ). Intelligent doctors help in achieving patient satisfaction but a more important role is to be played by the management which must have a human touch, which is not possible without a high level of SQ. Management with high SQ includes everybody - doctors, nurses, ward boys, receptionists, sweepers and all of them must have an appropriate level of SQ. Doctors are respected in the society because people are instrumental in alleviating the sufferings of ill people. It is this very important aspect of their jobs, which have given them a ‘God-like’ status in the society. Somehow, this God-like status has not proved to be a motivational factor. Unfortunately, it has created a higher level of negative ego in them. When a person becomes very possessive about himself, i.e. I am a doctor, I alone can do this, my name must come first etc., it creates negative ego which is self destructive and works against the interest of the organisation. Therefore, the doctors’ ego needs to be managed. Doctors become victim of negative ego due to various social and historical reasons. Their negative ego is reflected in many ways such as: a) People do not like to work under a non-doctor manager,

b) If patient asks many questions, people prefer them to be handled by their

assistants,

c) If somebody does not address them by the word ‘Doctor’, people feel hurt, d) People keep patient waiting for hours and if someone complains, he does not like it, e) He hates the rules (such as the rules under Consumer Protection Act, Application of Criminal Procedures Code etc.) which govern them. All these are manifestations of negative ego which most of the doctors are unaware of. To control and overcome this negative ego, the doctors need to give spiritual bent to their thoughts. It will make them more productive for the society. Doctors may follow the following suggestions:  Believe in the saying - ‘Where a needle is needed, sword will not help’. People are important for the hospital so are the sweepers. No job is superior or inferior. Surgery is important, so is the cleaning of toilet. If the surgery is not done in time, it may kill the patient. Similarly, if hospital is not kept clean, it can spread infections in the hospital and play havoc with patient’s lives. Hence, a hospital cannot afford to underestimate the job of sweeper.  By treating the patient, people are doing their job. So people should not expect anything from the patient or his relatives or society in general.  People should learn to manage their ego. Negative ego does not help one in any way. It does not raise anybody’s status/position in the society.

 Human service is a great job. Doctors take care of sick people and thereby do a great job. People are fortunate that God has chosen them for this noble job.  People should think of themselves to be simple men. People can be useful to common people only when people identify themselves with them. People shouldn’t desire for special status in the society. It will be a handicap to them and will drive them away from the general masses.  Doctors should curb their desire for materialistic pleasures because it has no end. People will never reach their goal and therefore will always remain dissatisfied. Dissatisfaction is the mother of unhappiness. Hence, if people are not happy, how can people make their patients happy?  Lastly, doctors should have regard for the rules and laws. The rules and laws are made to serve patients’ interest. None is supreme than the patient. There can be many tips like the ones above but doctors will be able to search them provided people have an urge for the same. If their spiritual quotient is enhanced, people will prove to be the greatest assets for the society and their usefulness will be increased many folds.

-Security Issues In any job function there must be specific methods or procedures adopted to ensure effectiveness and productivity, as well as quality. To get an overall success commitment and participation is required by all employees. Work culture and understanding on latest issues must be cultivated to provide maximum output with minimum capabilities. In any corporate organisation security is one of the main department that need modification towards present need and challenges. Malaysia is well ahead in its development towards nation building. The Malaysian plan (i.e. NEP – new economic policy) is already half way through. Now Malaysian government is promoting k3p program (an education system to encourage people to read, listen and observe). This is the only way to instill knowledge indirectly at all level within the community. Security is one of the parties involved in upgrading knowledge. Perhaps conscientious training of security personnel is the single most critical factor which affects the success of security operation. It is through training that we maintained commitment and continuing education of all security staff, personal and supervisory representative.

The philosophy of service is based on strategic self interest and business prospers. One must agree that the most successful department is the ones that have delivered outstanding result, driven by simple mural imperative to provide quality service. With good quality and performance, the immediate result is that you loose one thing which you can’t afford to loose i.e. credibility, but we must accept reality. To impart this knowledge, the Malaysian authorities maintained a commitment through training to the continuing of all our security staff. The standard format of training has proven valuable on the expectation of security operation and management system in globalization. Though the perceptions are changing, there is still a striving on the mottos: 1)

To protect

2)

To serve

3)

To preserve

4)

To prevent

Through the job function principles and strategies in line with economic development of the world, emotional interaction is prime for personal and professional success. For change of qualities in life, there also have to be a change the attitudes. This is when the following qualities have to be upgrade and check:A)

IQ (intelligence quotient)

B)

EQ (emotional quotient)

C)

SQ (spiritual quotient) and

D)

KQ (knowledge quality)

Spiritual quotient- Teaching spiritual is an intricate process as there must be an effective method to do it. Malaysian culture and religion has spiritually educated many people in the country as well as countries that are struggling with spiritually and those that have a fist native culture and religion as a secondary one.

Malaysian society understands the issue. The training programme is so designed to help belief effectively. The SQ method of undertaking was a noble approach towards SQ educator since the current societies in Malaysia are rich in values. On the other hand, the Malaysian culture and religion divides the leaning of SQ into several levels, which makes it easier for leaning. SQ is hence being taught to Malaysian workers to modify their attitude as SQ is a better way to make them better citizens as SQ’s main forces are simplicity and creativity. With the Malaysian population of multiracial and religion, its adoptions of legends, myths, belief whether from oriental, east and western opus’s and SQ play a vital role in introducing modification and practice which will ensure it does not fade into obscurity in traditional norms.

- Children Spiritual quotient if inculcated from a very early stage of life can prove to be very instrumental in framing the overall personality of a child and sensitizing him/her towards various aspects of life. There are various specially designed transformational programs which aim to transform children in a very short period of time. The inner beliefs and thought patterns of the child are explored and positive changes made. Such programmes show children the importance of correct thinking, vision, discipline and persistence with the use of interactive games and cultural storytelling .these are unique and radical program that creates a self confident and creative child. Training techniques include games, play, exercises, breathing and stories to develop a myriad of skills; success and leadership qualities, a knowing of

their

real

self,

confidence

building,

stress

communication, expression skills and concentration.

management,

Such programmes for children and teenagers supplement regular academic training. People help develop a complete, confident and creative child. Programs can be custom designed for schools, colleges, and other educational institutions as per specific requirements. These learning programs give an edge to the children which is needed for real world success. In such programs, a child is exposed to the qualities of perseverance, wisdom, decision-making, vision, discipline, and human values. Thereby improving relationship skill and infusing essential leadership qualities required for excelling in today's competitive world. Such programs are more effective on children as their minds are fertile. These programs teach them about the nature of the mind, methods to discipline and use it effectively, and how to avoid negative tendencies. Breathing techniques and awareness exercises are also taught in an entertaining manner through practice and use of wisdom stories. This program makes children calmer, disciplined, creative, and more selfaware.

ANALYSIS The data collected from correspondents belonging to various strata of society is summed up and analysed below:STUDENTS The correspondents in the student category broadly belong to the age group of 13-20 years, most of them being adolescents. Though some of the students scored high and fell into the category of ‘high spiritual intelligence’, a few also scored pretty low. However, the average score of students show that people are the lowest scorers. This means that people are more egoistic and less sensitive. The reason for this is primarily the ‘age-factor’. It was observed that the few students who scored high were the eldest of those surveyed. Also, most of the correspondents in this category were school students and are therefore still in the transformation and developing stage of their minds.

Students

being

immature,

people

do

not

recognize

the

importance of this crucial dimension in determining their actions and decisions. Also, students lack experience of various life situations and were hence, unsure of their true behaviour in many questions. Therefore students need time for gaining some experience of life and introspection to be sure of their feelings and reactions. To sum up, students were observed to be lesser emotionally balanced as maybe their minds are have not fully evolved and they would be learning as they grow. Hence, they are the least scorers.

HOMEMAKERS Housewives were the average scorers in the survey. Here too, although there were a few who scored high, most of them fell into the category of ‘medium spiritual intelligence’. It was observed that the homemakers who lived in joint families had better spiritual quotient as people have to be aware of their true feelings and actions so that people do not hurt anyone else’s sentiments in the family. However, people were somewhat unsure of their actions towards the outside society due to lack of exposure to the outside world. Also, housewives have more time to introspect their thoughts. However, many of them seemed a bit frustrated due to the monotonous housework people have to do everyday. Although these

people have

good

self-awareness

levels,

people

somewhat lack confidence, thereby resulting in a medium average score. Housewives seem more secure, maybe as they are quite able to put things in a larger context. Also, this stratum came across as people who would approach towards a problem from its root level. They had a good level of self- awareness in them and hence, seemed to be more emotionally balanced.

SERVICE CLASS This stratum is again the medium scorer. Service class includes all those people who do jobs for others and do not own any business. Their confidence and self-awareness levels are generally good as these people are used to reporting to their superiors. Hence being ambiguous of their own feelings and thoughts would severally dent their confidence. Moreover, again attributing to their service status, this stratum is highly responsible. However, their scores have been brought down as most of them feel insecure about their jobs and hence, lack loyalty. These people, quite surprisingly, viewed changes as an opportunity for growth. This maybe because of the fact that the major part of the service class is now concentrated in the private sector, which they change jobs quite often for growth prospects. They had a great deal of self awareness too. They were less egoistic and were ready to help others, sometimes even strangers, though they considered others as different from themselves. These people came across as fighters who would try hard to force things their way. However, this class felt insecure easily, which means they can really do blunders at times. Also, they acted with sensitivity towards their surroundings as perhaps they were not too good at seeing things from a larger perspective. To sum up, this strata, though has a fighting spirit and great confidence levels, they many a times act quite submissively and more with feelings.

PROFESSIONALS This is the stratum which misses the category of high scorers by a notch. This stratum included those people who had a either a business or practice of their own. Since people have been handling their own businesses, people essentially have an outstanding confidence in themselves. People had the full control of their lives and were highly self aware. This was the most competitive stratum and had a constant zeal to improve, motivation for them being directly related to results. However, the factor that led their scores down was observed to be high stress levels in strata this stratum. Improving their spiritual intelligence would definitely help them in combating the stress. Among other aspects on which, professionals were found to be lacking was

their

acceptance

towards

change

which

they

viewed

as

inconvenient but unavoidable, Also, this stratum was found to be quite unoptimistic towards improving their status quo and was largely inclined towards leaving things to their natural course. This is evident from their responses towards the questions on their life’s current scenario. Also, while facing challenges, professionals preferred to face them with a smile on their faces and preferred to handle the situation at hand with an open mind. This is mainly because of work profile of professionals which makes them immune to challenges. Professionals were also found to be more a bit more egoistic than any other stratum as they did not prefer to sacrifice their personal ego to serve others. To sum up, professionals came across as balanced people

with an above average spiritual intelligence and special abilities to view events in a larger perspective and assign a meaning and purpose to their lives.

RETIRED This is the most spiritually intelligent stratum. The biggest factor making them the highest scorers is their age. These people have a huge experience of life backing their thoughts and actions. Owing to this experience, they are able to put thing in a larger perspective, understand the underlying cause of a situation and thereby decide a best reaction. Moreover being the most aged, people are the most mature stratum. Also, this experience of life gives them a great ability to put and see things in a larger context, thereby increasing the spiritualism in them all the more. Also, having retired from service; people have time for introspection which improves their self-awareness. Retired people were the most spiritually

balanced

stratum,

barring

a

few

exceptions.

The

correspondents scoring low in this stratum essentially had a weak educational background. However, being physically weak makes them a bit unconfident. Moreover, having been relieved of their social responsibilities, these people are more spiritually inclined by way indulgence in meditation, yoga, visits to spiritual teachers, etc. It is also to be noted here that such visits to spiritual teachers is found to be more popular in this stratum than in any other stratum.

WORKING OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE In our questionnaire, each response to a question was allotted marks according to the extent of spirituality depicted by the response. Thus, all the marks for the responses were summed up to derive the total score and hence judge the spiritual intelligence of the person. The data collected from the questionnaires has first been divided into the five strata considered, i.e., students, homemakers, service class, professionals and retired. Out of one hundred respondents included in the survey, about twenty were there from each stratum. Then, to derive a conclusion regarding performance of each stratum, average of total scores of each stratum was taken and analysis done thereon.

A comparison of the performance of each stratum has been shown in the graph below:

Comparison of various strata of society

Score

60 50 40

43.8

44.1

Homemakers

Service Class

48.7

52

Professionals

Retired

33

30 20 10 0 Students

Strata

From the above graph, it is clear that the retired people have the highest spiritual intelligence (52), while students (33) are the least scorers. Homemakers (43.8) and service class people (44.1) score almost the same to fall in the medium SQ category. The professionals (48.7), though fall in the medium category, they miss the high SQ category by a whisker.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS To enhance one’s spiritual intelligence, one has to first learn the essence of spiritual intelligence and then strive towards building it. The key methods to learn and develop Spiritual Intelligence are given below: 1. Meditation Meditation is the cultivation of self awareness.

In the meditative

process you learn about your self as you begin to realize the answers the seven questions for yourself. Meditation will also help you restore the ability to control your thoughts and feelings, sharpen your ability to discern truth from illusion, and thereby make more intelligent choices. 2. Detached Observation This is the ability to disengage from the world of action and interaction outside your self, and to disengage from the world of thoughts and feelings within your consciousness. It is not avoidance of either world, but a way to see more clearly and therefore understand more deeply what is actually happening. This practice is also essential in order not to

‘waste’ energy at mental and emotional levels, where much of your tiredness has its origins. 3. Reflection This involves taking time out on a daily basis to review and re-assess past experiences and ‘insperiences’ of the interactions with others. This allows the self/soul to build awareness of the connection between inner world of thoughts and feelings and the outer world of action and the consequences of those actions. 4. Connecting There is a higher source of spiritual power and it is possible to connect with

that

source

and

empower

oneself.

This

accelerates

the

developmental process increasing both the depth and breadth of your spiritual intelligence. Energy absorbed from the highest source is essential to clearing the inner clutter and to focus your consciousness. Meditation is the preparation for this process of connecting. 5. Practice New learning, new insights, new realisations are only theories and have no power to change your life unless people are brought into action, allowed to shape new behaviours, and then perfected in the process of expression. Practical action is essential to sustaining the momentum of developing spiritual intelligence. 6. Seeing Spiritual vision is learning to see only the best in others and by doing so empowering others to develop the best in themselves. From a spiritual point of view seeing is creating – how you see the ‘other’ is how you will create the other within you, which will be both a reflection of how you

see yourself at that moment and the quality of the energy you will then give to them. 7. Serving Being available for others and helping them develop their spiritual intelligence is the highest form of service. The process of giving service also enhances and sustains your own progress. The true intention of service at any level arises from the true spiritual impulse of the heart. It is the foundation of being human. The more these methods are practiced the faster is the realisation of one’s own self and hence deeper is the development of the spiritual intelligence. Moreover, there are seven ways to build the spiritual intelligence of a person. People are: 1. Who am I? - This is the question of identity. Identity is destiny. How one sees himself shapes his thoughts, decisions and life directions. Most of the people are totally unaware of their true identity and people find themselves switching identities depending on the situation and the conversation. This creates an identity crisis which you either learn to disguise or to tolerate. This is also where all fear and anger originate. Knowing one self is not a self indulgent pursuit, but essential to dispel the illusions and confusions which we all learn, and which lead us down the wrong paths. 2. What am I? – This is the question of nature. Spiritual intelligence reveals the core nature of every human being as good. Every person is a ‘potential’ source of love, peace and joy in world. Once again this potential is blocked or distorted by learning the wrong sense of identity and the wrong reasons for living. Our highest values also have their roots at the core of our true nature. For example,

the core of one’s nature is love, which is the highest spiritual value which is the basis of virtuous action when expressed as empathy and compassion, both of which are essential to relationship building. Unfortunately people are confused about the true meaning of love and use the word ‘love’ in the wrong way, with the wrong meaning and, as a result, find it difficult to empathise and have genuine compassion at all times in all situations. 3. How do I work? – This is the question of consciousness. As a conscious being who is aware that he is conscious and aware, he learns little in a formal sense, about how he works within his consciousness.

This is not so much the territory of psychology or

psychiatry as it cannot be treated as an academic study. Ultimately it lies firmly in the domain of spirituality and spiritual/self awareness. SELF is soul is spirit is conscious, and is therefore consciousness. The methods of self-study and self-learning are therefore based in selfawareness.

In the observation of self the interplay the five main

faculties of consciousness are seen, understood and gradually mastered – people are mind, intellect, memory, personality traits/tendencies and conscience. 4. Where am I? – This is the question of context/relationship How does one see and describe where he is? Some see their context in a small and somewhat parochial way, other see their context in a large and more global way, while a few a sense of context as something more unlimited and invisible. For all of us, regardless of how we ‘see’ it, context will always be ‘relationship’. But how do you view your relationships?

Are people

difficult or divisive, fun or infuriating? How do you cultivate and sustain your relationships at the deepest level, the spiritual level? Context is

relationship is life and how successful you are will depend on your level of spiritual intelligence. 5.

How does it all work? – This is the question of law.

Deep within a person, the self/soul, there is an innate awareness of what is true. Truth is that which never changes, and from truth comes the laws of life, the moral rights and wrongs, and the principles upon which a balanced and harmonious life is created and sustained. Spiritual laws can never be broken, but we subconsciously attempt to break them due to our lack of spiritual intelligence. This generates personal stress and interpersonal division and conflict. What are these laws and how you align yourself to them is the ‘fabric’ of your spiritual intelligence. 6. Why am I here? – This is the question of purpose. Realising and living our personal purpose creates one of the deepest dimensions of a meaningful life. It is therefore one of the deepest motivators for any human being. Each person has a unique purpose based on his unique combination of talents, skills and spiritual attributes. True purpose cannot be prescribed by others, it is something that is realised fine tuned and integrated into daily life.

7. What happens next? – This is the question of creativity. As a conscious and aware being you are by definition ‘creative’. Creativity will always be a key aspect to your fundamental personal purpose and your common collective purpose. But create what, and where and why and when? Only when you realise for your self the answers to the previous six questions, and integrate these answers within your self, will you know what you are here to create, and what your role is in co-creating with others.

One already knows the answers to each of the above questions; however

people

are

not

easily

accessible

to

one’s

day-to-day

awareness. People have been mentally obscured by the conditioned beliefs handed down by parents, education and society. The truths to which these question point are eternally contained within the self/soul. The gradual cultivation of spiritual intelligence is the process of uncovering and restoring these truths to your conscious awareness. There are essentially seven methods to allow this to happen internally.

CONCLUSION The conclusion from whole of the project has been drawn and shown in the form of a comparison as below:

Without Spiritual Intelligence • People lose their sense of

•

With Spiritual Intelligence • People never lose their

identity in things like,

sense of self, their identity,

nationality, race, colour,

in anything external and

position and then become

people know that race,

fearful and/or angry when

gender, nationality, belief

any of these false identities

system etc are simply labels

are threatened. People blame others when

•

and not what ‘I Am’. People never blame others

things go wrong because

for anything and always

they fear being seen as the

accept responsibility for

one who might

their part, their actions.

be responsible as they fear

They don’t have anything to

losing their reputation or

lose as they realise they

position and therefore the

cannot own or possess

approval of others.

anything. They don’t need the approval of others to

•

People have become

•

feel OK about themselves People are free of all

dependent on their job and

dependency as their sense

pay for their sense of

of security comes from

security.

inside out and not outside in. Their sense of security is based on their abilities, strengths, talents and innate qualities as a human being i.e. what people can give, not on what others give

•

People live to survive as people are still under the

•

them. People live to serve others. They have realised that the

illusion that it’s survival of

only way to expand their

the fittest, that you have to

personal capacity to love is

look after number one,

to give it, use it, in the

because it’s simply dog eat

service of others, and as

dog out there!

they do, they are strengthened in the process and paradoxically have greater value to others as a

•

•

•

•

•

People are easily disturbed

•

result. People are never disturbed

and feel personally

by the changing world

threatened by local and

around them because that is

global change. People still seek love and

•

what the world does. People have realised that

happiness from others and

what they seek in the world

the world, and are therefore

(peace, love and

still experiencing

contentment) are already

frequent disappointment

within them and can never

(sadness and sorrow). People have a tendency to

be lost. People see work as a place

•

see work as a necessary

of creativity, self expression

evil, a place to go and get

and learning where money is

money to pay the bills and

a secondary reward or

buy a few pleasures. People have the tendency to

•

return for what is given People see people at work

see and treat people at work

as human beings with their

as objects to get the job

own strengths, weaknesses,

done, reach the goal, and

concerns, needs and wants.

achieve the targets. The

Relationships always come

task often comes before the

before the task

relationship. People tend to take life far

•

People tend to take life

too seriously because

lightly, as a game, an

people believe business is a

opportunity to play and

serious business, thereby

create, thus inducing a

living in fear.

greater degree of lightness is what

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

www.spiritualintelligenceunit.com



www.mindwisespiritualintelligence.com



www.wikipedia.org

