The Neuroscience of Spiritual Intelligence

Three Dimensions of Intelligence

Three Dimensions of Intelligence

Three Modes of Brain Processing

Neurological studies have established that the brain has three distinct processing modes, called serial, parallel and synchronous. Serial processing is associated with IQ functions in the left brain. Parallel processing is associated with EQ functions in the right brain. And synchronous processing is associated with SQ functions in the whole brain [1].

Neural Basis for Spiritual Intelligence

Oscillations at 40Hz propagate across the whole brain synchronously, and are associated with conscious attention and the state of presence. By linking part-brain functions from both hemispheres into the integrated field of the whole brain, 40Hz synchronous oscillations connect mind, self and world into a meaningful whole. Consequently 40Hz oscillations constitute the neural basis for SQ.

SQ Brain Circuitry

Recent findings in neuroscience confirm that spiritual intelligence is hard-wired in the human brain. But SQ brain circuitry remains largely dormant and undeveloped unless the SQ neural network is actually used. Random moments of spiritual intelligence occur spontaneously, but not very often. Therefore it’s important to know how to activate SQ intentionally, thus converting spiritual intelligence from a random fleeting experience into your most valuable personal resource. This video provides step-by-step instructions on how to activate SQ intentionally.

Neuroscience confirms that spiritual intelligence is hard-wired in the human brain.

Qualities of Spiritual Intelligence

The qualities of spiritual intelligence are the native 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. By identifying with consciousness itself, instead of identifying with states of body and mind, we activate spiritual intelligence and thus experience its qualities. This shift in identification corresponds to the shift from ego to soul. Spiritual intelligence is therefore the intelligence of the soul.

The 3Q Brain Upgrade

The 3Q brain upgrade optimises the brain for activating three principal dimensions of intelligence simultaneously (IQ+EQ+SQ). The neuroscience of spiritual intelligence reveals that the 3Q brain upgrade changes brain processing, resets brain frequencies, re-balances brain neurotransmitters, stimulates the process of neurogenesis that creates new brain cells, and builds new brain structure that supports the higher dimension of intelligence.

Brain Processing

3Q intelligence

Brain processing in the 3Q brain shifts from exclusive use of serial and parallel processing to include synchronous processing. This change in processing is associated with the combination of spiritual intelligence with intellectual intelligence and emotional intelligence.

Brain Frequencies

The 3Q brain resets brain frequencies to include gamma frequencies and high alpha frequencies, which otherwise occur only rarely and at random. Gamma frequencies and high alpha frequencies are associated with activation of the spiritual dimension of intelligence.

Brain Neurotransmitters

The 3Q brain reduces neurotransmitters that generate fight and flight reactions, which are generally overused by the ego, and increases neurotransmitters that are associated with wellbeing and balance.

Brain Neurogenesis

The 3Q Method stimulates particular parts of the brain that are responsible for the process of neurogenesis, resulting in the generation of new brain cells that are used to strengthen existing brain networks and build new ones.

Brain Structure

The 3Q Method builds new brain structure that sustains the experience of spiritual intelligence. Consequently the more you use your 3Q, the more 3Q brain structure you create, and therefore the easier it is to activate your 3Q intelligence in any circumstances.

Brain Plasticity

Studies on brain plasticity have established that neural pathways are highly malleable [2]. New neural pathways grow quickly in the human brain, and are strengthened by sustained and repeated use. For example, taxi drivers have an enlarged part of the brain that deals with direction-finding. And violin players have an enlarged brain area that deals with the left hand, but not with the right hand, which reflects the extra dexterity required to control the left hand on the strings, in comparison to to the right hand holding the bow [3]. Likewise, frequent use of the SQ neural network evolves a brain optimised for spiritual intelligence. This translates into an ability to sustain spiritual intelligence in association with any circumstances at the object-pole. Ultimately continued practice results in a 3Q brain (IQ+EQ+SQ=3Q), by means of neuroplasticity. A 3Q brain is structurally and permanently polarised to the subject-pole. With a 3Q brain you simply abide effortlessly as consciousness itself, and your spiritual intelligence is therefore active, without needing to use a practice.

The 3Q Brain

The 3Q brain (IQ+EQ+SQ=3Q) is optimised neurologically for spiritual intelligence. The default setting of attention in the 3Q brain is at the subject-pole of attention, not at the object-pole of attention [4]. The 3Q brain therefore replaces the ego with the soul, both as the seat of self-identity, and as the governor of IQ and EQ. The 3Q brain uses IQ and EQ not to pursue the goals of the ego, but to express the qualities of the soul, 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.

Consciousness is Not a Product of the Brain

Recent studies in post-materialist science confirm that consciousness is not a product of the brain, contrary to the materialist point of view that still prevails in mainstream neuroscience. These studies provide evidence that consciousness continues in the absence of brain activity. Some of these studies are based on the experience of patients in surgery. In some cases, after recovering from an operation, patient’s were able to give accurate reports of events that occurred in the operating theatre during the time that their brains were not functioning. Evidently consciousness does not depend on the brain. The brain is the receiver of consciousness, not the source of consciousness. These studies represent scientific evidence for the existence of consciousness independent of the brain.

Neuro-psychology of the Soul

Neuroscience has identified the particular type of brain processing associated with spiritual intelligence, as detailed above. The SQ paradigm combines this neuroscientific evidence with findings from psycho-analysis, and with the evidence from cognitive and transpersonal psychology [5]. The resulting inter-disciplinary synthesis reveals that spiritual intelligence is associated with a particular sense of self, distinct from the ego, with a specific neurological signature, that shares the qualities and capabilities ascribed to the soul by religious traditions. The SQ paradigm therefore represents the neuro-psychology of the soul.

Realisation of the Soul

According to traditional religious beliefs, soul realisation is a supernatural experience. But the SQ paradigm identifies the realisation of the soul not as a supernatural experience but as a psycho-physical process by means of which the brain is optimised neurologically for spiritual intelligence. SQ brain circuitry is developed by transit through the SQ Portal as a means of experiencing spiritual intelligence. Frequent and sustained activation of spiritual intelligence eventually shifts the default setting of attention from the object-pole to the subject-pole of attention on a permanent basis, as a result of the neuro-plasticity of the brain.

By identifying with consciousness itself at the subject-pole of attention, instead of identifying with states of body and mind at the object-pole of attention, this shift in polarity replaces the ego with the soul, not only as the governor of IQ and EQ, but also as the conscious seat of personal identity. By virtue of continuous uninterrupted access to spiritual intelligence, the 3Q brain therefore represents the realisation of the soul.

Human Evolution

Human evolution proceeds at multiple levels, from modifying the shape of the body, to evolving the brain to a more advanced level of functioning. SQ represents the next level of functioning beyond IQ and EQ. Thus human evolution is proceeding in the direction of developing the high performance 3Q brain. The emergence of spiritual intelligence into mainstream consciousness therefore signals the beginning of a new stage in human evolution governed by a higher dimension of intelligence.

The Emergence of Spiritual Intelligence

By sharing spiritual intelligence you are contributing to the evolution of mainstream consciousness. The resulting transformation, both individual and collective, is necessary to meet the challenges and opportunities of the third millennium. Spiritual intelligence therefore represents a higher dimension of intelligence whose time has come.

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.

Gaston

This is amazing and awesome information. I enjoyed reading your strong points on this topic. Thank you for writing such great material. This is impressive.

Al

I could go on and on about how great your article is, but I’d rather tell you I appreciate your dedication to writing quality content. It’s seldom I see writers care this much. Thank you.

Lesley Gilliam

You bring up several interesting views that got me thinking. I agree on a lot of this content. I feel you have a lot of good insight in this area.

Zamora Lupe

I’m impressed by the way you’ve voiced your opinions and formatted your content. It takes a great writer to put this kind of information into clear terms. Thank you.

Tod Trevino

I know what a task it can be to keep writing interesting, so I appreciate this article. It’s engaging and written very well. Thank you.

Mauro Parsons

Your original take on this topic has me thinking about many of the points you shared in this article. This is great content with substance.

Waldo Barron

As a blog owner I believe the subject matter here is really great. I thank you for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Good Luck…

Danilo Sanford

Awesome informational article! I like the way you get your point across and your views on this subject. I have to share this great article.

Palmer

I like the way in which this article was presented for us to enjoy. It has a certain flair about it that places it first above many others. It gives us good reason to think.

Bertram

I wouldn’t normally be so intrigued by content on this topic but the way you wrote this really grabbed my attention. It is very well thought out and interesting informative content. Thank you for sharing!

Tory

This is some of the best material I’ve read in a long time. You’ve really hit on some solid points in my opinion. I agree with you. Don’t quit rolling out great content like this.

Olin

I think this is one of the most interesting articles I’ve read on this subject. You have made your points interesting, unique and I agree with most. I am glad I found your article today.

Elisha Howard

Never before have I seen an article that had this much information in it. This writer is still able to provide plenty of convincing arguments to sway the average person over to the writer’s thinking.

Porter Goodman

It’s good to read an article that so clearly has been written by an intelligent person. You are a very good writer. This is great.

Olen Nash

Articles that cause my brain cells to activate are perfect for me. Your views gave me plenty to think about and consider. Thank you for interesting and thought-provoking reading material.

Marcelo Harmon

I’m not often moved by informational content, but yours really made me think about your viewpoints. You have offered valuable and sound thoughts that are logical and interesting. Thank you for sharing your fine work.

Taylor

Enjoyed reading this post. I am going to check out the video as you recommend, and see what else I can learn on this topic.

Antione

I seldom read many online articles because I find them dull and lacking in consistent material. Your article captured my attention because it’s so interesting and consistent. I appreciate that.

Trey

I have learned something from reading your article today. I appreciate your presentation and knowledge on this subject. This has given me reason to consider the points you made here and I will be back.

Alec Vang

I am unable to read articles online very often, but I’m glad I did today. This is very well written and your points are well-expressed. Please, don’t ever stop writing.

Dorsey

If you haven’t tried to publish this type of information in a major paper, you should give it a try. It needs to be available to as many people as possible. This is amazing information.

Hassan Waters

What an inspiring article filled with unique and fresh facts. It’s very informative and easy to read and understand. I have this bookmarked for future reference and research. Thank you.

Chelsie Joecks

Many people think there’s nothing to writing an article, but they are not pros. You appear to be a professional and intelligent writer as you have gathered and written valuable information in an original manner.

RD

Your writing skills are obviously very good. My favorite thing about your article is that you have made this so clear and unique. This is interesting information and intelligent content.

F Brown

I have read opposing views on this subject before, but the way this article was presented impressed me more than other articles I have read. This is a superb presentation and an emphatic use of the English language.

Lesley

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.

Marcellus

Superb content, my friend. You are truly a genius. This kind of article requires a great mind and a lot of research. I commend you on the hard work you put into this writing.

Edgar Lindsay

This article is superb! I read your article and thought I’d tell you that I think your presentation is excellent and your views are right on track. I can’t imagine anyone putting this together better.

G Harvey

Your articles are always of great quality, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one particularly. I do hope you continue to create more writings. Thank you!

Breckenridge

I wanted to let you know how impressed I am with this content. You’ve cleared a lot up for many readers in this article. Thanks for all this great information.

B Long

I wish I had a useful comment to make on your article, but all I can say is this is awesome! I love your writing.

Danilo

Finally, an article with real substance on this subject! I am glad I found this material. You’re a quality writer with unique talent and original thoughts. This is excellent work.

Herb

It isn’t often that an article captures me my attention like this one did. I was interested in this information from the beginning. This is a very good informative article with valid viewpoints. I agree.

Richie

I like how this article is direct. The main points are accurate, unique and interesting in my opinion. There aren’t many articles with great content out there like this one.

Britt Deleon

Your articles are always of great quality, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one particularly. I do hope you continue to create more writings. Thank you!

Mauro Robbins

I do a lot of online reading these days and have found it really hard to find good articles. I’m glad I got to read your article because it proves there is interesting online content.

Prezioso

Fantastic article, one for any bookmark manager.

Fritz Ramsey

Your article is splendid. I’ve really enjoyed reading it and reviewing the points you’ve made. Thank you for presenting this useful information in an easy to read and easy to understand format.

S Harper

I read so many poorly written articles with dull content on this topic that I was pleasantly surprised by yours. It’s great to know there’s at least one writer that writes interesting and unique material.

Walton Manning

I am glad you chose to share your knowledge through this article. I’ve been researching this information for a while and came out confused and disappointed until now. Thank you.

Jere

You are one straightforward writer. I enjoyed reading your article and taking in all the interesting information. I share your thoughts on many points in this content. This is great.

T McIntosh

This article is crackerjack content. By this, I mean it’s expertly written with many valid and interesting points. These views coincide with my own views. Thank you for writing this.

R Parks

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.

Maximo

When I first started reading this I really thought I would get lost, but you really know how to clear things up in your writing. Thank you for being so unique and sharing this information.

C Ford

I honestly enjoyed reading through your article and reviewing your fresh ideas. I have to tell you, you make sense to me. I respect your views and believe you to be a very persuasive writer.

Werner

This is the most unique article I have read in quite some time. Thank you for presenting your points and providing this information. I have learned something new about this topic.

Rey

How fantastic to see unique valuable content that is so well-written, I was awestruck by all the information, plus the approach that was offered.

Olin

You’ve made some really great points in this article that I feel make readers think. This is unique content loaded with great information. Thank you.

Amado

After much searching everywhere else, I’ve found the information I needed here. I’ve marked this site for future reference and will be back.

Mike Geary

It’s very nice to find other writers who share like minds on some content. This is the case with your article. I really enjoyed this.