What is Spiritual Intelligence?
Here is how this little exercise came to be.
One day, I was caught up in what I call my “mental meandering,” also defined by yours truly as “sequential attention deficit random thinking.”
I wondered if spiritual intelligence, like a person’s “Intelligence Quotient,” could be defined and quantified.
What follows is the result of that personal mental meandering.
But Let’s Not Get Too Serious!
Generated while “in the moment” of a stupor of personal curiosity, this information and exercise are meant to be more entertaining than clinical.
Some meaningful insights could be gained, though. So, be open to that possibility.
By thinking through this, I gained some insight into myself.
But there is nothing clinical or documented as factual. There are no collegiate or government-funded studies going on here.
This is all literally made up. So, accept it for what it is and take away anything valuable to you.
Calculating Your Spiritual Intelligence Quotient (“SIQ”)
Finally, you can “score” your “Spiritual Intelligence” level as a reference point. The score has only the meaning YOU assign to it.
I have created 20 ARBITRARY attributes of spiritual intelligence.
Rate each attribute from 0 (Lowest) to 5 (Highest). Then, sum up the 20 attribute scores to get your overall SIQ out of 100.
See? There is no mysterious Freudian analysis — only your private thoughts and some simple arithmetic.
Let’s get started.
Thoughts On Spiritual Intelligence
I did some research and found the following. Please take it all with a grain of salt. I am just sharing!
As far as I can tell, "spiritual intelligence" is not widely accepted or clearly defined.
If it was, it might be described as intelligence that extends beyond logical and mathematical skills to include a person's spirituality, morality, and ethical reasoning.
Some evidence suggests that people with "spiritual intelligence" can tap into their own inner knowing and a more transcendent level of awareness.
Knowledge of this kind involves realizing that everything is interrelated and one's actions have consequences.
So then, gaining a high level of spiritual intelligence is associated with improved mental health, stronger interpersonal connections, and a more fulfilling life overall.
Are you interested in connecting with your higher self and improving your spiritual well-being? Understanding what a high spiritual IQ looks like could be helpful.
20 Attributes of Spiritual Intelligence
In no specific order, here are the attributes of Spiritual Intelligence. The attributes and comments are derived from my research and thoughts.
If you would like a score
Rate each SIQ attribute from 0 (Lowest) to 5 (Highest) in the space provided. Then, sum up the 20 attribute scores to get your overall SIQ out of 100.
SCORE
_____ 1. Awareness
A person with a high spiritual IQ has a heightened sense of awareness. They can recognize subtle energies, both within themselves and from their environment, and use them to enrich their life experiences. They are keen observers of all types of energy and are always looking for ways to tap into its power.
An example of awareness is being mindful of the environment around you. Simple acts like taking note of the tiniest details, such as the different sounds of chirping birds, the smell of freshly cut grass, and even something as small as the color and texture of a fallen leaf on the ground or the energy of a tree you walked by, are examples of awareness.
Aware individuals can recognize their emotions and thoughts and understand the impact those feelings and thoughts have on their behavior and relationships. They can also reflect on their own experiences and learn from them.
_____ 2. Moral Code
People with high spiritual IQ know the principles and doctrines upon which their values and beliefs are based.
They are confident in what they believe in, value, and stand for.
They also clearly understand their morals and principles. However, they accept differing values and beliefs, recognizing that everyone has the right to their opinions and ideas.
_____ 3. Mindfulness
Those with a high spiritual IQ value staying mindful and present in every moment because they know it helps connect them to the greater reality.
They consciously observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment or attachment, remaining entirely at ease regardless of what life brings them.
They are open to new ideas and experiences and are unafraid to challenge their beliefs.
They are often curious and have the desire to learn and grow.
_____ 4. Openness
People with a high spiritual IQ are often curious and open to learning new things and expanding their knowledge base. They don’t shy away from exploring different practices or experimenting with techniques that can further their spiritual growth.
Being open-minded also means being nonjudgmental and willing to accept different perspectives.
They are ready to learn from any experience, whether good or bad. They embrace different ideas, cultures, beliefs, and perspectives without judgment.
_____ 5. Compassion
A person who has developed intense levels of spirituality actively demonstrates compassion for all living things.
There is an understanding that we are all essentially made up of the same energy vibrating at different frequencies - leading them to display love, empathy, kindness, understanding & forgiveness towards other living things regardless of how socially accepted they may be perceived.
Compassion is the ability to understand the suffering of others and feel a deep concern for their well-being. People with high spiritual IQ readily recognize the struggles and difficulties that others are facing and respond with kindness and generosity. They can put themselves in others' shoes and respond with empathy and understanding.
_____ 6. Love
People with a high spiritual IQ show love to themselves and others. They also treat everyone with care and respect. They understand that love is a powerful force for healing, bringing peace and joy.
In addition to loving their family and friends, they have a greater capacity to love those outside their circle. They may volunteer with charitable organizations or seek opportunities to help those in need. They recognize the importance of being kind, patient, and understanding.
_____ 7. Empathy
High SIQ individuals can put themselves in others' shoes and sense their feelings and perspectives. They often exhibit a high degree of compassion and kindness towards others.
_____ 8. Kindness
People who have a high spiritual IQ are kind. They do nice things for other people and help them when they can. They appreciate that life is a journey and everyone has their own story.
They show kindness to others because they recognize the value in them and want to help them reach their potential.
Kindness is an expression of love that those with a high spiritual IQ practice daily. It's easy for us to get caught up in our own lives and forget about the needs of others, but those with a high spiritual IQ understand that we're all connected, and it's important to show kindness to those around us. Kindness is a powerful tool for healing, and it can help bring people together in a way that has lasting benefits for everyone involved.
_____ 9. Gratitude
Having gratitude for all the little blessings peppered throughout daily life is something people with high levels of spirituality do quickly — constantly reminding themselves about what makes them unique while never forgetting just how fortunate they are sometimes.
Gratitude is recognizing and feeling thankful for the blessings in one's life. People with high spiritual IQs understand that they have much to be grateful for and cultivate gratitude in their daily lives.
They recognize their blessings come from a higher power and respond with thankfulness and appreciation.
_____ 10. Self-Reflection
People with a high spiritual IQ take time regularly for inward reflection as part of their journey toward self-actualization and enlightenment. Through self-talk and sound reasoning, they actively explore new possibilities for a deeper understanding of life’s purpose, personal growth, and evolution as spiritual beings in physical bodies on planet Earth.
_____ 11. Intuition
Individuals with a higher-than-average spiritual IQ have an extra level of intuition or psychic ability that assists them in making decisions throughout their lives without relying solely on facts or tangible evidence. Instead, they rely heavily upon internal guidance systems built through trust over time to make quality decisions quickly whenever needed.
Intuition is a way of understanding something without needing to explain it. It's not just guessing. People with a high spiritual IQ use intuition to help them understand things. They know when something doesn't feel right and act on their instincts. They trust their inner voice as a guide in decision-making.
Intuition is often attributed to a higher spiritual power.
_____ 12. Altruism
Altruism is the selfless concern for the well-being of others. People with high spiritual IQs engage in acts of kindness and generosity and understand the importance of giving back to the community. They desire to make the world a better place and are motivated by a sense of purpose beyond their personal goals.
Such acts of kindness and generosity are motivated by a desire to make a positive difference in the world.
They are not in it for themselves.
Forgiveness is closely related to altruism.
Altruistic people appreciate that releasing anger and resentment is necessary for personal growth and well-being. People with high spiritual IQ understand the importance of forgiveness and make it a regular practice. They can let go of grudges and move forward, free from the burden of anger and resentment.
_____ 13. Connection to Self
A person with a high spiritual IQ is aware of their feelings and uses this insight to gain clarity about themselves. They also deeply understand the connection between their physical, emotional, and spiritual health, making wise decisions that are in alignment with their true purpose in life.
_____ 14. Connection to Nature
People with a high SIQ have an innate connection to nature, allowing them to feel relaxed when in natural landscapes such as forests or mountains. Energetically speaking, they often feel overwhelmed by the positive impact such natural settings have on them.
_____ 15. Connection to the Group
Those who’ve achieved higher levels of spirituality understand how interconnected they are to others. They are not only conscious of how their actions affect those around them but also aware of how participating in group activities can actively raise collective consciousness, allowing everybody involved to benefit from the process both spiritually and physically.
_____ 16. Wisdom
Wisdom is understanding life experiences, making sound decisions, and recognizing patterns and connections. People with high spiritual IQ deeply understand life and can see things from a broader perspective. They can make wise decisions based on their experiences and recognize patterns and connections others may miss.
_____ 17. Spirituality
People with high spiritual IQ recognize the existence of a higher power and rely upon that power.
They appreciate and respect spirituality, engaging in spiritual practices such as prayer, meditation, or spiritual retreats.
They see their connection to a higher power as essential to their lives. This connection provides them with a sense of peace, comfort, and guidance and helps them navigate the ups and downs of life with grace and ease.
_____ 18. Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and recognizing thoughts and feelings without judgment.
People with high spiritual IQs can quiet their minds and focus on the present moment, allowing them to better understand themselves and their relationships with others.
They can see things from a different perspective and develop a greater appreciation for life.
_____ 19. Sense of Purpose
People with high spiritual IQ have a strong sense of purpose, direction, and meaning in life.
They have internalized a greater purpose and are here for a reason. This sense of purpose provides direction and motivation and helps them live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
They clearly understand their values and beliefs and use this knowledge to guide their actions and decisions. They have a strong sense of direction and a deep sense of meaning and purpose.
_____ 20. Emotional intelligence
People with high spiritual IQs possess emotional intelligence, which allows them to build strong interpersonal relationships by effectively identifying and managing their thoughts and feelings.
They actively demonstrate the ability to regulate their own emotions and to understand and respond to the emotions of others.
They tend to be confident and secure, with nothing to prove. They are “comfortable in their own skin.”
Emotional intelligence fosters building strong, meaningful, lasting relationships with others.
_____ TOTAL SCORE OUT OF 100
Conclusion
There is no denying that a high spiritual IQ is an essential aspect of personal development and well-being.
By recognizing and exploring the 20 attributes, you can gain a deeper understanding of your spiritual intelligence and take steps to cultivate it.
The path to a higher spiritual IQ begins with a commitment to self-reflection and personal growth. As you develop your spiritual IQ, you will better understand yourself, your relationships with others, and the world around you. You will be better equipped to make a positive difference in the world.
It is worth noting that spiritual intelligence is not necessarily linked to religious beliefs or practices, although these may be important components of some people's spirituality.
Thanks for reading and pondering with me!
Russell Anderson
***
P.S. I appreciate and respect your investment of precious time in reading my work! I strive to provide thought-worthy content that generates a worthwhile return on your time investment.
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I think emotional intelligence would be my weakness and strength depending on the day, lol. Altruism, on the other hand, would probably be the one with lowest points for me...sigh. 😆 Thank you for this chance to help me be more mindful 🙏🏼
I learned a lot from researching and writing the piece, believe me!