Secular Spirituality

Three Dimensions of Intelligence

Three Dimensions of Intelligence

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.

Twi Poles of Attention

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.

Related:
The Psychology of 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. 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, 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.

Meet the Author

Richard Griffiths

Richard Griffiths is a psychologist, researcher, author, and trainer, whose mission is to provide education and training in secular spirituality, for the benefit of individuals, organisations and the community, and in preparation and support for the emerging next stage of collective consciousness. He is the founder of the 3Q Institute for Education and Training in Secular Spirituality, and former National Chairman of the Transpersonal Psychology Section of the Australian Psychological Society. Drawing on his decades of research, he created a new framework that unites ancient wisdom with modern knowledge about psychology and spirituality. His work offers a new understanding of the human operating system, and a new method of experiencing spiritual intelligence that works instantly, among other significant innovations. His groundbreaking research on secular spiritual intelligence passed academic peer review, and helped to establish secular spirituality as a legitimate field of scientific investigation. He received a global Award for Outstanding Leadership in Education, and has given presentations on secular spiritual intelligence at international conferences, like the Conference on Advanced Research in Education and the Global Conference on Education and Teaching.

Comments on this entry are closed.

Euresti

Lots of appreciation for posting this, it is just what I was searching for on google.

Gihring

Hello there, just became aware of this website through google, and found that it’s truly informative. I’m going to watch out for new articles. I will be grateful if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your posts. Cya!

Fetty

I love the effort you have put in this, thank you for all the great content.

Wlazlowski

I see something genuinely special in this web site.

Egipt

I really appreciate this cool article. From here I got something I wanted to know. Thanks for the info 🙂

Mike

Great Post! I am so glad I stumbled onto this. This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for Sharing. I’ll definately visit again!

Moggie

I do not remember how i got here, but boy oh boy after browsing a few of your articles I truly did not need to hesitate, they’re incredibly fine works of publishing and contain great insights on this difficult subject. Rock and roll on my good friend.

Huey Marcy

Howdy blogger, thank you for providing this article.. I found it first-class.

Reinowski

i was just searching along and discovered your website, simply wanted to say fantastic website, and the article actually helped me.

Dora T

Simply wanna say that this is very useful. Thanks for taking your time to write this.

Dora T

Simply wanna say that this is very useful. Thanks for taking your time to write this.

Norberto Henry

Great informational article! I have to thank you for making this available. I like your point of view and how engaging your article is written.

D McGowan

This article is based on well-researched information. You have made valid points in a unique way. Since this has made me think, I will have to review some aspects.

Emmitt

I agree with many of the points made in this article. They are made in a thoughtful and interesting manner. This is really interesting reading.

Brendon

This is a great job on this article. Information like this should be shared. I’m impressed by your views and would love to see more of this content. Thank you for your intelligently written content.

MB

This article is very well written and I am happy to find so much useful information here in this post, thanks for sharing it. I hope you will adding more.

Johnson

Your writing style is just what I look for when I want good content. You have a great grasp of this topic and wonderful insight.

Guruko

Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us, you really know what you are talking about! bookmarked.

Dragone

Very interesting info on this site! Perfect just what I was searching for!

Comeauy

With all the fluff on the net these days, it is a welcome change of pace to pore over a site like yours instead.

Steinman

Your knowledge definitely fills a need. I have been trying to track down this type of information and you seriously came through. Everything you wrote replicates my own personal experience.

Benedict

If I could give you a prize for your article it would be a huge monetary award. You’re not only a gifted writer, you’re intelligent.

Dom

I completely agree with you. I really like this website. It contains a lot of useful indepth information.

Damion

I agree with you on a lot of your unique views. You’ve written a great informational article that engaged me from the beginning. Thank you.

Mohamed Saunders

I have been looking for some information to help me clarify this topic and your article did just that. I am glad you wrote this and made it available.

Susla

Your blogging is key in helping me with my exploration of spirituality. Without these particular details I could not get a clear understanding.

Marybeth Garret

Thank you for this wonderful post! It is extremely useful. I hope that you will continue sharing your knowledge with us.

Laity

Continue to write about this subject matter. Presently there is a larger need than you might expect for this type of info and assistance. Everything you reveal is beneficial to people seeking to understand this subject.

Zeleznik

This is very interesting. thanks. We need more sites like this. I commend you upon the great subject material in your wonderful posts.

Riedl

I must admit that your blog is truly interesting. I have spent a lot of my spare time reading your content. Thank you a lot!

Santo Cunningham

Hi, I found your blog through google search and read a couple of the posts here. I have to say that your blog posts are very informative, and i’m unable to find this info elsewhere. Your blog has benefited me in many ways and I want to say Thank You! I’ve bookmarked your site and will be coming back.

Donella Marengo

I get pleasure from the important info I found here, just what I was searching for. You have ended my long hunt! Thank you man. Have a nice day. Bye

Malara

Really a terrific blog post! Thank you for publishing this important information!

Janet

Fantastic article. Thanks for these facts and for taking the time to write about them. I bookmarked your webblog and will return again. Well written. Thanks a bunch

Sheldon Rosmarin

I genuinely treasure your work. Great post.

Collova

As a site owner myself I believe the material here is really excellent. I appreciate it for your hard work. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck.

Joseph

I agree with your approach. Your site provides a fresh perspective on the subject. I really enjoy reading your posts. Thanks!

Lessly

Nice and very interesting post. Your point of view is more or less the same as mine. Thanks!

Pfliger

The both of us really enjoyed your article. It appears like you’ve put a lot of effort into your article and we need much more of these on the net these days. I do not really have a great deal to say in reply, I just wanted to comment to say well done. Marvelous post, I never thought of that.

Verplanck

It is in reality a very helpful piece of information. I’m pleased that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

Olivar

When one studies these issues, i have to trust your conclusions. You certainly show knowledge about this subject and i’ve much to discover reading your article. Many thanks and i will be looking for any further updates.

Mantle

Thanks a lot for your interesting article. I have been searching for such info for a really long time. Not all your content is fully clear to me, even though it is definitely interesting and worth reading.

Carr

Brilliant, cheers, I will visit again later!

Kimberly Scott

The high quality of the content on this site is certainly extremely rare among the large number of blogs on the internet.

Norman Garey

I’d like to have more info on this subject, can I ask you the sources you used to write this post?

Guetersloh

Completely understand your stance on this subject. Although I would disagree on some of the finer details, I think you did an awesome job explaining it. Sure beats having to research it on my own. Thanks

Precella

I agree with your analysis. Very good site, number one on this topic. Thank you

Precella

Hello blogger, thanks for sharing this stuff… I found it awesome!!!!

Gaston Wagner

After reading this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this post together. Once again I find myself spending way to much time reading. But so what, it was worth it!

Whitney

Substantially, this post is really the best on this important topic. I agree with your conclusions. Just saying thanks is hardly enough for the wonderful clarity in your writing.