Is the U.S. one of the spiritually poorest countries on the planet?

What if I could name those Spiritual Intelligence skills and describe them on a spectrum from “novice” to “expert”? Could a framework of skills and levels of development help me and others know what to work on next?

Wigglesworth, Cindy. SQ21: The Twenty-One Skills of Spiritual Intelligence . SelectBooks, Inc.. Kindle Edition. 

There are models of physical development, social development, emotional development, cognitive development, moral development, why not spiritual development? 

What are the functions of religious organizations in our society? One of them is to nurture the spiritual development of its members and the people who interact with the religious organization. How do we assess the level of spiritual development of an individual, the groups that individual participates in, and the society in which the individuals and groups are members? Are there models that provide such an assessment tool? The answer is yes, and Cindy Wigglesworth attempts to provide us with one such model in this book.

Mother Teresa said one time that while the United States is one of the materially richest countries on the planet it is one of the spiritually poorest. What do you think of Mother Teresa’s observation and comment?

Join the spiritual book discussion group. We are discussing Cindy Wigglesworth's book, The Twenty-One Skills of Spiritual Development during October, 2022.

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How to enhance one’s spiritual intelligence?

What if I could name those Spiritual Intelligence skills and describe them on a spectrum from “novice” to “expert”? Could a framework of skills and levels of development help me and others know what to work on next?

Wigglesworth, Cindy. SQ21: The Twenty-One Skills of Spiritual Intelligence . SelectBooks, Inc.. Kindle Edition. 

If a person wanted to enhance their spiritual intelligence where would they start? If an organization existed whose mission it is to teach spiritual intelligence what would be the pedagogy?

A first step might be to define spiritual intelligence. Cindy Wigglesworth in her book Twenty-One Skills of Spiritual Intelligence defines spiritual intelligence as “the ability to behave with wisdom and compassion, while maintaining inner and outer peace, regardless of the situation.” p.8

There may be other key components to spiritual intelligence as well such as sincerity and genuineness and discerning God’s will.

Does religion enhance people’s spiritual intelligence? Does your church provide teachings and experiences that enhance the congregation’s level of spiritual intelligence? Does your religion and church have the competence to do so?

In Roman Catholicism there was an emphasis on “spiritual formation” and people were encouraged to focus on their “interior spiritual life.” In Unitarian Universalism these concepts are rarely mentioned, and no consistent effort is made to provide the resources necessary for the development of spiritual intelligence. The mission of UU A Way Of Life is to enhance spiritual intelligence among its members and in the society of which it is a part.

We are discussing "The Twenty-One Skills Of Spiritual Intelligence " on the Spiritualbookdiscussion@groups.io online spiritual book discussion group. You are welcome to join us. We would love to have you.

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Let peace and bliss arise.

Remember that the Holy Spirit is the Answer, not the question. The ego always speaks first. It is capricious and does not mean its maker well. It believes, and correctly, that its maker may withdraw his support from it at any moment. If it meant you well it would be glad, as the Holy Spirit will be glad when He has brought you home and you no longer need His guidance. The ego does not regard itself as part of you. Herein lies its primary error, the foundation of its whole thought system. T-6.IV.1:1-7 

A Course in Miracles . Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 

The ego is that part of ourself that has separated from the non dual Oneness which some call God and which we call here our Transcendent Source. The ego is conditioned and socialized and is what the postmodernists call a “social construction.” This social construction which we call the self is not our authentic Self which is part of the non dualistic Oneness.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. This search takes us beyond our conditioning and socialization back to our Transcendent Source.

Today, It is suggested that we take some time to set aside our conditioning and allow the peace and bliss of the Oneness to arise in our experience of our consciousness.

Integral Vision: A Very Short Introduction by Ken Wilber is on sale today on Kindle.

 Integral Vision: A Very Short Introduction by Ken Wilber is on sale today, 09/28/22 on Amazon Kindle for 1.99. It is well worth it.

David Markham

Teach what you are: the product of unconditional love.

Since you cannot not teach, your salvation lies in teaching the exact opposite of everything the ego believes. This is how you will learn the truth that will set you free, and will keep you free as others learn it of you. The only way to have peace is to teach peace. By teaching peace you must learn it yourself, because you cannot teach what you still dissociate. Only thus can you win back the knowledge that you threw away. An idea that you share you must have. It awakens in your mind through the conviction of teaching it. Everything you teach you are learning. Teach only love, and learn that love is yours and you are love. T-6.III.4:1-9

A Course in Miracles . Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 

The ego teaches conditional love. The Spirit teaches unconditional love. The question is “what do each of us teach about ourselves and about others?”

In Unitarian Universalism some of us covenant together to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person. The Universalists have taught that the inherent worth and dignity comes from the unconditional love of our Transcendent Source.

Today it is suggested that we take several times throughout the day to remind ourselves what we are: the product of God’s unconditional love. When we acknowledge this we should then extend it to others.

Spiritual but not religious

 How do you identify? Were you raised in a religious tradition? If so, which one? Have you continued your membership in the religious group of your youth or have you changed it or dropped away from any involvement in a religious group?

I grew up as a Roman Catholic and have moved to Unitarian Universalism but I consider myself "interreligious" meaning I find value in almost all faith traditions. I am interested in what is called the "perennial philosophy" meaning the beliefs and values that all religions have in common.

David Markham

Join our spiritual book discussion group.

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Join the spiritual book discussion group

 Spiritualbookdiscussion@groups.io

This group is for the discussion of spiritual books which are interfaith in orientation. 

One of the spiritual practices helpful to nurture spiritual growth is to do at least 15 minutes of spiritual reading a day. This group will explore a wide ranging group of books from religious classics in the Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Native American, humanist, philosophical traditions. A new book will be suggested every month, but if the discussions are substantial and merit more time they may be extended beyond a month.

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