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 Twin Poles of Attention

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.

Bemo

The mind-blowing fresh posts keep me coming back here again and again. Thanks.

Dreama Welton

I’d love to share this posting with the readers on my site, thanks for sharing!

Bari Tetu

Fantastic blog post friend. Your approach has made me want much more.

McCrimmon

The great fresh content keep me coming back here. Thanks so much.

Chang

I really like your blog! It helped me a lot…

Brungard

Congrats for the great website! My partner and I found your site incredibly intriguing. I think you are an ideal author. I saved your site to my favourites to revisit later. Please continue with your amazing work, have a great day!

Sachez

I truly find this an interesting subject. Never looked at this subject in this manner. I will return in the near future to read more of your great articles!

Risso

I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you for the professional content on your site. I am looking forward to the start of my school research, and my preparation would never have been complete without consulting your blog!

Luigi Fulk

I just wanted to say thanks to you for all the magnificent ideas you are sharing here. My long internet search has now been repaid with reliable knowledge. I am really blessed to have come across your weblog and look forward to so many more fabulous insights from reading here. Thank you once more for everything.

Anika Thoms

This is my first visit to your web site. I discovered some interesting things here. Thank you for this helpful info.

Garski

You’ve got a very fantastic website, great information.

Carlos Ye

Excellent, i have been looking for this information for a long time.

Valentine Velky

High quality info. Keep up the great work. Very Useful blog.

Ranee Sanfelix

This blog is truly awesome. I bookmarked it to return later and read more.

Tennent

Magnificent post, very informative. It’s time the other experts in this niche acknowledged this site! You must continue your writing. I am confident, you’ve a great readers’ base already!

Evansk

This is an impressive article. Thank you very much for the supreme info provided! I was looking for this understanding for a long time, but I wasn’t able to find a source.

Earle Both

Sometimes its a real pain to read what website owners write, but this internet site is different, and it’s also very user friendly! .

Ehrmann

I really like your posts. I appreciate the good quality content you are posting here for free for your readers.

Buckhanon

This was novel. I wish I could read every post, but i have to go back to work now… But I’ll return.

Carl

This blog site has lots of really helpful information on it! Cheers for helping me!

Karlovich

Your blog provides a fresh look at this subject. Great job mate!

Lustig

Now i know that this info is based on rigorous research, as you explained in the post called Psychology of Spiritual Intelligence, I value your opinion a lot more 🙂

McD

Thanks a lot for sharing this with all the folks who really recognise what you’re talking about! Bookmarked.

Brigham

This page is where I got the most useful information for my research. Thanks for posting, maybe we can see more on this.

Lisbeth Jn

I see something genuinely special in this site.

Tanimoto

Great to be browsing your weblog once more, it has been months for me. Well this article i’ve been waiting for so long. I need this post to complete my assignment at university, it has same subject as your article. Thanks, great share.

Argelia Eutsler

I appreciate you taking the time to create this post. It’s very useful to me in fact. Value it.

Maryalice Lambuth

I am constantly searching for good information on this topic. It can be hard to find sometimes. Thanks! I will check back on your site from time to time for more information.

Braz

It’s quite hard to find a good site, and I think I am lucky to have come here. The posts are great and full of good insights. I would be glad to keep on coming back here to check for updates!

Ady

Thank for the amazing content on your blog, I am very interested in this article, and also a few of your other posts. You have really helped me. I have just told a few of my friends about this on FaceBook and they too love your content just as much as I do.

Scousino

I can tell that you contributed a ton of talent and thought into your article. It has definitely helped me in my studying of the topic.

Zelman

Hey I discovered this website is really attention-grabbing! Bookmarked!

Droubay

Hey this is a exceptional article. I’m going to email this to my pals. I arrived on this site after seeking on search engines. I’ll make certain to return, many thanks for discussing.

Shiller

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

Mihalick

Exactly what I was searching for, thank you for posting.

Orrison

Now that’s exactly what I was looking for. You deserve a round of applause. I’ll try using this knowledge and give you feedback.

Hume

I normally don’t make comments but in this case I feel it is warranted. This was useful new information.

Haskamp

Hi, I just found your blog and read a couple of the posts here. I have to say that your posts provide information that i’m unable to find 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 often.

Trevett

This website post is excellent, probably because of how well the subject is developed. I like some of the comments too. Thank you so much.

Hillstrom

This is such a good article to read. Stimulating to me to read more of your articles. Keep up the good work. Hoping more excellent articles from you soon.

Turmel

This is my first time visiting this blog. I came across lots of useful information on your website, especially this post. From the ton of comments on your site, I assume I am not the only one having all the excitement here!

Ouida Burker

I enjoyed this significantly! Just gratifying! Your composing method is charming and the way you addressed the topic with grace is notable. I’m intrigued, you’re a master on this subject. I’m looking forwards to your updates.

Guruko

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

Susan Peters

Good information. Much appreciated.

Dupaty

Dude, I wish I could write articles half as good as you. Your posts are always so well written. Do you outsource it or write it yourself?

Porritt

I think this website has got very great content material in your blog posts.

Conlans

I really appreciate this article about secular spirituality. I anticipate checking out much more of this website.

Nettik

Really a fantastic article.. Thanks for writing this important information…

Terry McClaim

This is a great approach to what is a controversial topic for many people. Very well thought out post.

Laurette Gisondi

Wow, this is lots of fun to read. Maybe you have considered marketing with articles to magazines?