of spirit. Such events often help jolt us out of the semi-robotic way in which we allow our lives to run, and into a new awareness that is out of the ordinary. This is an awareness and insight that can be brought about also by birth and death, loss of loved ones, a sunrise, a painting, and all those things that have inspired the greatest art, poetry and music throughout the centuries.
There is more good news!
More and more people in affluent societies are growing tired of the shallowness of their materialistic lives, and are searching for a new set of values by which to live; values which emphasize a new sense of collective belonging to and responsibility for a world that is in an increasingly fragile state.
A recent survey conducted by John Naisbitt, the author of Megatrends 2000, showed that for the first time in history more people were moving from the big cities to the suburbs; from the suburbs to the exurbs; and from the exurbs back to the countryside than were moving into the cities.
Why? Because, people reported, they felt that in some way they were ‘losing their souls’ and that they needed to get back in touch with themselves, with Nature, and with the sense of human community for which they longed. They wanted more Quality of Life; a life that fed, rather than depleted their spirits.
At the same time, the world is experiencing a new Renaissance. In country after country, more art galleries, concert halls and museums are being built. And in many countries more people than ever before are studying (professionally and for personal enjoyment) music, drawing, painting, creative writing, theatre and dance.
You are living, at the beginning of this 21st Century of the Brain and the Millennium of the Mind, in a world that is transforming itself from a relatively ‘dark night of the soul’ to an age of Spiritual awareness, development and enlightenment. You are part of that process.
‘Great men are they who see that the spiritual is stronger than any material force.’
(Ralph Waldo Emerson)
Case History – Valentina Tereshkova
Many leading individuals are publicly calling for greater attention to be paid to Spiritual Intelligence and a more caring and nurturing approach toward the children of the future and the planet. One particularly notable example is Dr Valentina Tereshkova. On 16 June 1963, a powerful rocket boosted the space capsule ‘Vostok 6’ into outer space and Valentina piloted it 48 orbits around the earth. Three days later she landed her space capsule safely, and became and remains the only woman in the world to accomplish solo flight into space. She received many awards and decorations, and has devoted an increasing part of her time to speaking at international peace conferences. She was recently nominated for the Women of the Year award of ‘The Woman of the 20th Century’, and in her acceptance speech she stressed the responsibility we all have for the future of human civilization:
‘We all have to understand and in full measure accept our responsibility for the future of human civilisation in all areas of activity – in the economy, in science and culture and art … I believe we all know which dangers we have in mind. The pollution of the environment due to the retroactivity of men, the pollution of outer space, and the problem of the sensible use of the scientific and technological achievements [for] the benefit and not the detriment of humanity.
‘Another problem is to protect the spiritual health of our children, to provide them with a moral compass to choose the right road in the limitless cyber space. Can we solve all these problems? Yes we can, thanks to responsibility and solidarity.’
The recent Olympics 2000 in Sydney, Australia give a vivid illustration of the benefits and effects of people using their Spiritual Intelligence. For two weeks 17 million people overcame the most horrendous logistical problems, put aside personal considerations in order to care for others, handled all kinds of stress, and in four million individual cases, volunteered their time, money and energy to celebrate human achievement. Commentators from around the world were ‘gob smacked’ at the sight and sound of people forming spontaneous choirs on trains, boats and airplanes; of everyone helping everyone else; and of the continuous, almost hypnotic spirit of cheerfulness and playfulness that pervaded the entire country.
This was an example of an entire country, itself composed of many races, religions and creeds, hosting those from the entire planet and succeeding, miraculously, in creating a momentary paradise-on-earth.
Case History – Diana, Princess of Wales
The shared outpouring of public grief at the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997 was seen by some as a worrying manifestation of the power of celebrity and how the emptiness of some people’s lives led them to attach themselves to popular icons, living their lives vicariously through them. While that is one way of looking at it, there is a more Spiritually Intelligent view of the events – that people overcame their differences to share their grief for a woman who had done so much to help others through her charity work that she had become a symbol of hope and compassion.
Diana will be remembered by millions the world over for her high-profile stand on the use of land mines, and her compassion for AIDS patients. Although she suffered personal problems, she reached out to others in greater need and, by her example, she inspired others to do likewise.
Far from ‘going to hell in a hand-basket’, the world in which you live is undergoing a wonderful period of spiritual growth. This spiritual power that you, your family, friends and all of us have, is infinite. This book is designed to help you tap into that power, and to use it for your own and others’ good.
‘We cannot teach people anything; we can only help them discover it within themselves.’
(Galileo Galilei)
The Power of Spiritual Intelligence – An Overview
The ten chapters of The Power of Spiritual Intelligence deal with the ‘Ten Graces’ that combine to form Spiritual Intelligence.
Chapter 1 – Getting the ‘Big Picture’
In this chapter I will demonstrate to you that you are a miracle, and you will learn some incredible facts about you and your relationship with the universe. Each one of us has a tangible effect and impact on history, and you will read the thoughts of some of the world’s greatest thinkers about yourself, about your amazing capacities, and about your power.
Chapter 2 – Exploring Your Values
Your values and principles determine your behaviour, and have a massive effect on the probability of your success in life. By applying the lessons you will learn, you will, literally, improve your own and your friends’ chances of survival! In this chapter I shall explore the establishment and development of these principles, and will introduce you to thoughts of Buddha, Muhammad and others on this subject.
Chapter 3 – Your Life Vision and Purpose
In Chapter 3 you will be introduced to the power of your vision and your ability to plan. By applying this power you will be able to transform your life for the better. For this purpose I will provide you with a special technique that I have used to help Olympic athletes, business people, and tens of thousands of others world-wide who were seeking to increase their probability of success.
With a clear and defined purpose, your life will gain meaning and direction, and you will become healthier, stronger and more confident.
Chapter 4 – Compassion: Understanding Yourself and Others
