The Secular Meaning of “Spirituality”
Over the centuries the term “spirituality” has accumulated a multitude of different meanings and associations, based on a vast number of different traditions. The spiritual intelligence paradigm [1] cuts through the confusion by defining “spirituality” in secular terms, with reference to the underlying experiential process common to all forms of spiritual realisation. This secular analysis of “spirituality” clarifies the meaning of spiritual realisation, which is an important contribution to all spiritual traditions and to the many different forms of spiritual practice.
Not Secularism
Secular spirituality is not “secularism”. As a philosophy, “secularism” is associated with a materialist view of the world that denies the existence of anything other than the physical dimension of reality. Consequently, “secularism” rejects spirituality. Whereas secular spirituality is spirituality freed from religion, beliefs, and dogma. In contrast to “secularism”, secular spirituality legitimises spirituality by identifying the underlying psychological process shared by all forms of spiritual realisation [2].
Secular Spirituality
The core psychological process underlying the early stage of practice in all traditions of spirituality (except in TQ traditions) is the shift in identity from the object-pole to the subject-pole of attention. This identity shift activates spiritual intelligence (SQ), which results from being identified with consciousness itself at the subject-pole of attention (which means being the soul), instead of being identified with the body and mind at the object-pole of attention (which means being the ego). With the exception of TQ traditions, the shift from ego to soul underlies all forms of spiritual practice in every tradition. Spiritual intelligence therefore represents secular spirituality, founded on experiential reality, prior to the superimposition of religious interpretations and beliefs.
Human Operating System
Spirit
The word “spiritual” means pertaining to spirit. Spirit is the energy of unmodified consciousness itself, free from identification with objects of attention [3]. As the energy and attention of the soul [4], free from bondage to objects of attention, spirit consists of unmodified source energy in its pure unadulterated form. Spirit is experienced by all at the subject-pole of attention in moments of presence [5], in the form of wisdom, compassion, integrity, joy, love, creativity, and peace. Spirit is the source of spiritual intelligence [6].
SQ and Religion
The evidence for spiritual intelligence is based on personal experience, corroborated by the findings of scientific research [7]. SQ therefore stands apart from religious doctrine and institutional spirituality, based on its own empirical foundations. Nevertheless, despite the secular nature of spiritual intelligence, SQ is compatible with religious belief. There is nothing to prevent those with religious beliefs from using empirical SQ methodology to access their own innate spiritual intelligence.
Beyond Religious Belief
Spiritual intelligence results from experiencing the soul, rather than merely believing in the soul. Mere belief in the soul does nothing to transform the ego. You can still be the ego regardless of what you believe. SQ therefore serves to deepen religious observance by activating the spiritual transformation that is missing from mere belief. In the absence of spiritual intelligence, religious belief is an exercise of the mind that merely consoles the ego without transforming it. Whereas SQ represents the spiritual transformation of the ego, by means of the shift from ego to soul.
3Q Training
As a powerful combination of three principal dimensions of intelligence, 3Q represents IQ and EQ in association with SQ. Studies in neuroscience reveal that the experience of spiritual intelligence is correlated with hemispheric synchronisation and whole brain activation [8]. The resulting whole-brain coherence optimises brain function and replaces the ego (the false self) with the soul (consciousness itself, the true self) by shifting from the object-pole of attention to the subject-pole of attention [9], which results in greater fulfilment, increased creativity, sharpened intuition, more empathy and compassion, and improved performance on a wide range of work skills and life skills. If you want to learn more, there is a Course on 3Q Training here.
Sources
The SQ paradigm is based on a synthesis combining the wisdom of ancient spiritual traditions with the findings of modern science, as summarised in this article here.
How to Experience Spiritual Intelligence [Video]
Spiritual intelligence is easy to experience. We all experience SQ spontaneously at times. But spontaneous moments of SQ are rare and unpredictable. Therefore it’s important to know how to experience SQ intentionally. When you can engage your spiritual intelligence voluntarily, at any time of your own choosing, SQ becomes your most powerful personal resource. This video provides step-by-step instructions on how to activate SQ intentionally. Watch the video here.
References
3Q Practitioner Training Course
Do you want to accelerate your own personal and spiritual growth, and teach others to do the same? The 3Q Practitioner Training Course trains and certifies Spiritual Intelligence Practitioners.
Spiritual Intelligence is a higher dimension of intelligence beyond the ego that has access to the advanced capabilities of the true self. This Course is based on secular spirituality not on religious beliefs. Consequently, the methodology used to activate spiritual intelligence is not founded on articles of faith but on experience and knowledge, backed by evidence from related fields of scientific research. Certified Practitioners are provided with the training materials to coach their clients in spiritual intelligence, and conduct workshops in spiritual intelligence for leaders and organisations, and for the general public.
As the intelligence of the true self beyond the ego, spiritual intelligence (SQ) has many benefits that exceed the scope of intellectual intelligence (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ). Spiritual intelligence relieves anxiety and depression and the extreme pain of meaninglessness and despair that is often associated with ego states of awareness. Freedom from ego, as experienced with SQ, grants wisdom and clarity of vision, combined with more empathy and compassion, which increases creativity and intuition, and results in greater personal fulfilment and better performance on important life skills and work skills. Spiritual intelligence therefore represents the most powerful resource for personal and professional growth and fulfilment.
Widespread adoption of spiritual intelligence as a personal code of conduct raises the standard of accountability in collective governance, in response to public demand. When standards in governments and corporations are based on spiritual intelligence, the energy of love will turn into a social and political force, as never before in history. Public training in spiritual intelligence therefore heralds a new era of human rights and social justice, which form the foundation for global cooperative community, shared prosperity, and world peace.
As a 3Q Practitioner you will be equipped to introduce spiritual intelligence in the context of contemporary secular culture, and contribute to the next stage in the evolution of collective consciousness. When a tipping point is reached, the emerging next stage of collective consciousness will result in global transformation, founded not on beliefs of any sort, or on government control, or on mass media narratives enforced by censorship of contrary views, but founded instead on the inherent qualities of consciousness itself, such as love, wisdom, and peace, which everyone can experience by activating their spiritual intelligence.
For more information about the 3Q Practitioner Training Course, click here.
© 2011 – 2024, Richard Griffiths.
Comments on this entry are closed.
I was trying to find this information. Really refreshing take on this subject. Thanks a lot.
It’s become somewhat unusual to find superior article content these days. I was pleasantly surprised to find this well written article. There are many significant points here that made me reflect on this topic.
It’s not typical for me to read this kind of informational article but yours caught my attention as soon as I started reading it. This is useful and interesting information.
While I have to disagree on some points, nevertheless this is a great article. I look forward to reading more of your posts.
I think you have given me some things to think about with your article. Your insight into this topic has really impressed me. Thank you.
I plan to reread your article later to think on your unique ideas. Your article is very persuasive. It’s already in my favorite’s folder so I can quickly access it.
This is the kind of writing I like to see online. I appreciate good grammar and properly researched information. I also like the main points made by this writer. Thank you for your conscientious writing.
The writing methods used in your article are refreshing. I wish more writers would take the time to actually research what they write, and improve their skills before posting.
Thank you for writing this article. Having read several articles on this subject, I think your ideas are quite simply the best I have seen.
I can appreciate a good article when I read it. This is a good informative article with unique, interesting content and smart views. Thank you.
Articles with informative content like yours are a breath of fresh air. I thoroughly enjoyed every thought you made in your material. I am with you on your original views and unique content. Thank you.
Keep your eye on eternal goals.
This is very interesting content! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your points and have come to the conclusion that you are right about many of them. You are great.
One of the most awesome articles I have ever found on the internet. I did find this particular article genuinely useful. Thanks.
I’m simply amazed by how different your article is on this topic. You have turned my ways of thinking around on many points. Thanks for this informative and engaging content.
Extraordinary job right here. I really enjoyed what you had to say.
I wish more bloggers took the time and care that you must have taken to develop such substantial high quality content. Nicely done.
Thank you for your original and appealing content. This is a very informative and well-written article with many solid points. I can honestly agree with a lot of your material.
Wonderful article! I wish I had your insight on this topic and could write as well as you. I hope many people get the opportunity to enjoy this great content.
I thought I had researched this information until reading this. It’s clear I’m mistaken as you have presented your knowledge in such a way that I have learned much more. Thank you for your research.
Reading this article gave me a whole new outlook on this topic. I enjoyed reading your article very much. I agree with some of your views shared so well here.
This fabulous website is the most excellent blog.
I just came across your blog and wanted to drop you a note telling you how impressed I am with the information you have posted here. I also have a web site and blog, so I know what I’m talking about when I say your site is top-notch! Keep up the great work, you are providing a great online resource.
This website is very captivating. I’ve never read so much interesting information before.
It’s not typical for me to read this kind of informational article but yours caught my attention as soon as I started reading it. This is useful and interesting information.
After reading your article, I feel compelled to agree with your points on this topic. You have done a very good job with the attention to detail you put into this article.
Great article! This is one piece of information I can understand and agree upon with you. Thanks for keeping it straightforward and easy to read. You are a talented writer who creates high quality content.
It has been a long time since I’ve read anything so informative and compelling. I’m waiting for the next article from the writer. Thank you.
It’s not easy finding information on this topic that is well-written, easy to read and easy to grasp. That’s why I felt moved to put a comment here to let you know this is great.
That is really useful for me. Many thanks my friend
Post about this more!! This is EXACTLY what I come here for.
This is an awesome article! I love your views on this subject and I think a lot like you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I read through your article and some of your readers’ comments. I agree with a lot of your content, and also with many of these comments on how well your material is written. Thank you.
Great article! This information really made me stop and think about it. I agree with much of the information you have written. I will have to read this over again.
Self-improvement, health, joy, harmony, success, serenity, stress reduction, calm your life…Learn Meditation
Hey There. This is an extremely well written article. I will bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thank you for sharing it. I will absolutely be back again.
This is a great article and gives indepth information. Thanks for this
Good post… Quick question, though: how do you handle people who disagree?
Your article is obviously very well researched and planned, as well as being written in intelligent terms. Thank you so much for intriguing information.
I really like this article. It’s engaging and informative without being intimidating. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read this. Thanks for your insight.
I was ecstatic to find this fantastic website. It’s got really useful information that’s direct and clear.
I found your web page recently through a recommendation and checked out some of your pages. I like what your writing and I hope you continue the good job.
During my college years I never saw work as good as this. You display a lot of intelligence and detail within this article and I hope you will continue to write. This is very good.
You make some really good points in your writing. It makes the reader think while reading it. This is very interesting, well-written and engaging content.
I love your site. This article is an example of writing by someone who really cares about their content. I wish I could find more good reading like this online, but not all writers care as much as you.
This fabulous website will be the top web site in this niche.
You have represented your ideas in an original, interesting and intelligent manner. Your content is great and thought-provoking in my opinion. I agree with your ideas for the most part. Your work is very impressive.
I’m sure you intended your article to be thought-provoking, and it is. I have been mulling over your points in this article and I agree. Thanks.
I’m no professional in this subject matter, but I do know what I like to read. This is excellent content with well laid out viewpoints.