Spirituality for Atheists

Three Dimensions of Intelligence

Three Dimensions of Intelligence

Contemporary Spirituality

The spiritual intelligence paradigm is based on a synthesis that integrates science and spirituality, and thus enables spiritual intelligence to be experienced directly, as an innate capability, without resort to religious beliefs. The SQ paradigm therefore legitimises spirituality in contemporary secular terms [1].

Beyond Theism

Spiritual intelligence identifies with the inherent qualities of consciousness itself, which are experienced at the subject-pole of attention in moments of presence, in the form of wisdom, compassion, integrity, joy, love, creativity, and peace. The experience of SQ is the ever-present alternative to being the ego, which identifies with the products of IQ and EQ at the object-pole of attention, in the form of states of body and mind. The qualities of SQ are thus identical to the spiritual qualities traditionally ascribed to the soul.

The experience of SQ therefore confirms that spirituality does not depend on religious faith. Spiritual intelligence can be experienced directly, without relying on belief in the existence of a separate creator being. Moreover, the experience of SQ is self-evident and undeniable, whereas religious beliefs are unprovable. The SQ paradigm therefore provides an empirical foundation for spirituality, based on confirmable evidence, in contrast to belief-based approaches to spirituality represented by religious traditions [2]. Consequently, unlike theism, SQ is compatible with present-day secular culture. SQ therefore supersedes theism as a contemporary means of associating with the spiritual dimension of reality.

Spiritual intelligence is the ever-present alternative to being the ego.

Soul and Spirit

Historically, the soul was either dismissed as non-existent by materialist science, or situated according to religious beliefs in a remote supernatural location, accessible to faith alone. But the SQ paradigm identifies the soul at a psychological location that is directly accessible to everyone in their own experience, without relying on religious faith. Being the soul means being consciousness itself, which is located at the subject-pole of attention. The energy of consciousness itself, which is known as spirit, is inherently free from modification by objects of attention, and therefore represents source energy in its pure unadulterated form. Spirit is experienced at the subject-pole of attention in moments of presence, in the form of wisdom, compassion, integrity, joy, love, creativity, and peace. Spirit is the source of spiritual intelligence.

Related:
The Full Spectrum of Intelligence

Beyond Materialism

The SQ paradigm supersedes not only religious belief, as explained above, but also the materialist world-view, as explained below. Spiritual intelligence is experienced by identifying with consciousness itself at the subject-pole of attention, rather than with states of body and mind at the object-pole of attention. SQ thus verifies the existence of two distinct domains, located at opposite poles of attention, neither of which can be reduced to the other [3]. Consciousness itself is located at the subject-pole of attention, and everything else, including the physical dimension of existence, is necessarily located at the object-pole. 

Accordingly, from the SQ perspective, reality is essentially psycho-physical in nature, rather than fundamentally merely physical, as claimed by the philosophy of materialism. SQ thus refutes the philosophy of materialism, based on the irreducible psycho-physical nature of experiencing the world. On the evidence of direct personal experience, without resort to religious faith, SQ verifies that consciousness itself (or the soul), at the subject-pole of attention, is inherently associated with every possible experience of material reality, at the object-pole of attention.

Twi Poles of Attention

Human Operating System

Third Millennium Paradigm

Therefore, from the vantage point of SQ, it is self-evident that the material dimension of reality is not the only dimension of existence, as claimed by the philosophy of materialism, because any experience of material reality, as an object of attention, necessarily depends on the soul (or consciousness itself), as the subject of attention. The experience of spiritual intelligence therefore transcends the materialist point of view, without relying on belief in the existence of a separate divine being.

Consequently, SQ supersedes not only materialism, but also theism. These two opposing world-views (theism and materialism), representing the paradigms of the first and second millennium, have jointly dominated collective consciousness for the last two thousand years. As the synthesis of theism and materialism, in the form of secular non-theistic spirituality, SQ is therefore emerging as the new paradigm of the third millennium [4].

Secular Non-theistic Spirituality

For religious believers, spirituality is inconceivable without the existence of a God. But for those who practice secular spirituality, the hypothesis of a separate divine being is unnecessary. From the vantage point of transcendental intelligence (TQ), which is the dimension of intelligence beyond spiritual intelligence (SQ), the divine is not a separate being. The divine is self-existing self-radiant transcendental consciousness, which is the ground of all being [5]. Accordingly, from the transcendental perspective, the world was not created by something separate from the world, in the person of a separate God [6]. From the vantage point of TQ, the world arises within self-existing self-radiant transcendental consciousness, as a stepped-down modification of transcendental consciousness itself [7].

SQ and TQ

Transcendental intelligence is a highly advanced state of consciousness. As the intelligence of non-individuated consciousness itself (or the divine), TQ represents the ultimate dimension of intelligence. Transcendental intelligence can take a lifetime of dedication to emerge, after a long process of neural development based on intensive spiritual practice [8]. Thus TQ is very uncommon. But SQ is different. Spiritual intelligence represents a step down from transcendental intelligence. As the intelligence of individuated consciousness itself (or the soul), SQ can be experienced by everyone at the subject-pole of attention right now [9]. This video introduces a simple method for rapid access to spiritual intelligence [10].

Spiritual Intelligence

The evidence for spiritual intelligence is derived from two sources: firstly, the evidence of direct personal experience [11]; and secondly, the findings of scientific research [12]. With the addition of recent evidence from neuroscience, which verifies that SQ can be measured neurologically, spiritual intelligence has now been validated scientifically by a synthesis of findings from four independent fields of scientific research [13]. The empirical foundations of spiritual intelligence therefore authenticate spirituality for all, including atheists and agnostics, and those with religious beliefs, and those who would otherwise reject spirituality on scientific grounds. Clearly spiritual intelligence is accessible to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. As a shared spiritual consciousness emerging on global scale, SQ represents a higher dimension of intelligence whose time has come [14].

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 [15]. Consequently, coaching in 3Q trains the whole brain. The resulting whole-brain coherence optimises brain function and replaces the ego with the soul by shifting identification from the object-pole to the subject-pole of attention via the SQ portal, 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. For information about the 3Q Training Course, click 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. The methodology used in the Course is secular not religious. Consequently, the methodology is not based on belief but on experience and knowledge, and is 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

© 2012 – 2023, Richard Griffiths.

Meet the Author

Richard Griffiths

Richard Griffiths is a psychologist, author, trainer, and public speaker, whose mission is to provide education and training in spiritual intelligence for the benefit of individuals, organisations and the community, and in support and preparation for the emerging next stage of collective consciousness. He is the founder of the 3Q Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, and former National Chairman of the Transpersonal Psychology Section of the Australian Psychological Society. Drawing on decades of research, he is the author of 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 a secular form of spiritual intelligence that works instantly, among other significant innovations. He received a global Award for Outstanding Leadership in Education, and has given presentations on 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.

Elden Woodward

I bookmarked this content so I can review it further later. I have to ponder on few of the points you made. I do agree with most of this information.

Whitney Colton

There’s a lot of intelligent information in this content. It’s also engaging which makes it easier to read. It can reach the reader more effectively so more information is retained.

Kasey

Thank you for writing and formatting this article so well. It has really given my brain a boost. I agree with much of this info.

Oswald Muskoka

This is some of the best work I’ve read on the internet. Your points are unique, valid and very well thought out and written. I appreciate your hard work and thank you for writing it!

M Coleman

I really want to read this again. It’s compelling reading with a lot of well-made points that I can relate to and grasp. Thanks for the effort you put into this.

Jenine Edmond

It has been some time since I visited a web site with such quality information. Thanks a lot for the useful info.

Len G

I wouldn’t dispute the original thoughts in your interesting article. I think your content is of great quality, smart and it really drive readers to think. I like your ideas.

Arden

You are an amazing writer. I like how you have put this all together into an interesting article. I agree with a lot of this information and appreciate your work.

Daron

I wish I had found this article sooner. It would have saved me from the confusing information I had to read on this topic. Thank you for clearing things up for me. I appreciate it.

Shayne

I have the same thoughts on much of this material. I am glad I’m not the only person who thinks this way. You have really written an excellent quality article here. Thank you very much.

T Singleton

I don’t know how you wrote this article with so much information in such an interesting manner. I am impressed. This is really good stuff!

Dejoode

Just found your article, interesting read, thanks. I wish you success in your future writing venture!

Wilber Harris

I made the mistake of reading this while getting ready for bed. I became so involved in this that I was up longer than usual.

Lynwood

This is great inspiring information. I couldn’t agree more with you. I hope many people gain access to this understanding.

Wally Fischer

I’m sure you intended your article to be thought-provoking, and it is. I have been mulling over many of your points in this article and I agree on many. Thanks.

Vannessa Goehner

I find your website really full of useful info. Your reporting is precise, clear and to the point. I’m going to review more of your site. Keep posting great info!

Leif Gomez

I just happened across your article this morning and gave it a read. You must be dedicated to writing to be able to produce such interesting and varied content. I agree with much of this.

Shirley Blair

Great article! I can’t say the last time I found so much valuable information all in one place. You make strong points that I agree with and comprehend. You’ve done a great job on this.

Dee Clemons

What can I say about your article? Well, it’s well-written for one thing, and I found it interesting which is a little unusual for me.

Arvan

Enjoyed reading all these beautiful comments. It seems very useful and informative for us. Keep posting more wonderful thoughts!

Judson

I don’t remember seeing such great work on this subject. Your quality of writing is much higher than other articles I have read and your content is really quite unique. You make many sound points.

TP

You can’t deny this is great informational content. Your viewpoints are unique and I’m with you 100%. Thank you for writing such an interesting piece of work.

Edgardo

It’s so great to know you are a writer that cares about the information you provide. This is smartly done and well-written in my opinion.

Donte Collins

This is a great quality article. You make sense out of what I consider to be otherwise confusing. Your thoughts have given me pause to ponder and rethink my own.

Stonewall

Excellent. Superb. You really have mastered the topic and most significantly, you really have mastered the fine art of article publishing. Expecting more articles from you.

MaliK Dickens

I’m stunned by how much research you had to do for this info, but I appreciate it and I agree. You make a lot of sense.

Napoleon Sanders

This is truly amazing information. I wish I had seen this sooner. I like your points and agree with a lot of them. You’re a great writer. I hope to read more of your material.

Vanlaere

This is one of the good sites on the net explaining everything in detail about this topic.
Thanx for sharing your information with all of the readers out there.

Utterback

Sometimes the comments I get on my posts are more insightful than the post itself! You don’t seem to have this problem.

Jack Tully

You have definitely made this blog into something special. You clearly know what you are doing, you’ve covered this subject from so many angles! Many thanks.

Jewell

Hi I really appreciate all the great content you have here. I am glad I came across it!

Mckinley

This is truly amazing information. I wish I had seen this sooner. I like your points and agree with a lot of them. You’re a great writer. I hope to read more of your material.

Deily

This is a superb blog. Nice work! Very engaging. Great grammar and vocabulary. You actually understand what you’re talking about too. This is a turning point for me. You made me want to explore more.

David Thadues

Very interesting information! I have been reading on here for a while off and on, and I finally wanted to make my first comment and reveal myself I really like some of the info I’ve seen here.

Ipock

I like this website very much, such excellent outstanding material.

Powel

I genuinely appreciate your work. Terrific posting.

Cordell Duffin

I appreciate you sharing this blog. Fantastic.

Sandigo

What you publish in this blog is very very good and very beneficial. I’m sure it can help me. Thanks for your good work.

Neta Vanderzwaag

I really like and appreciate your post. Thanks Again. Want more.

Roseann Yantz

I could spend hrs perusing this site, carry on the excellent job!

Gerald Putnam

Yo Webmaster, We all respect your writings on this website. Please continue posting and we will come back regularly! Be cool!

Carloni

Fundamentally ecstatic studying your writings. This is some of the most critical info in my opinion. Great work. Many thanks!

Jakab

Hi, I discovered your blog when i was searching web sites associated with this blog post. I’ve got to tell you, your site is excellent. I like the layout too, its friendly. I do not have much time now to fully read your site but I have noted it and I also signed up for your Feed. I will be back again in a day or two. Thanks for your excellent blog.

Heckathorne

Woah! I couldn’t have said that better if I tried LOL. I totally dig your writing skills and your blog! Please do keep up the excellent work!

Moroles

This is one of your many posts I’ve read, and you never fail to astonish me. Thank you, and i look forward to studying more.

Sharlene Tassie

Neat write-up. Very useful. Really thank you! Really Cool.

Khan

You certainly know what youre talking about. Man, this weblog is just wonderful! I cant wait to read more of what youve got to say. Im really pleased that I came across this.

Bonanni

Sometimes you gotta create what you want to be a part of. ~ Geri Weitzman

Ozella Maaske

It’s nice to find a website where the blogger is intelligent. Thanks for creating your internet site.

TK

Ottimo Articolo… Il tuo articolo mi è stato d’aiuto, grazie…

[Great Article … Your article has been helpful to me, thanks …]