We all know that India is the spiritual capital of the world and this entire spiritual content can be defined in just two words that is Ātmānam viddhi, which means ‘know yourself’. By knowing yourself, it is believed, you know everything that needs to be known, because the truth is within you. This idea of knowing oneself is the central idea of spiritual intelligence. The experience of the Self, or “self-referral,” means that our internal reference point is our own spirit, and not the objects of our experience. The opposite of self-referral is object-referral. In object-referral we are always influenced by objects outside the Self, which include situations, circumstances, people, and things. In object-referral we are constantly seeking the approval of others. Our thinking and our behaviour are always in anticipation of a response. It is therefore fear-based. When we experience the power of the Self, there is an absence of fear, there is no compulsion to control, and no struggle for approval or external power. This can be explained with the example of Lord Rama and Ravana, it is said that despite having all the world’s best material resources at his disposal Ravana was defeated by Rama because Ravana had the ego of knowledge, whereas Rama had the knowledge of ego. Now we will try to understand various methods to develop spiritual intelligence.
- The first and the most effective way to improve SQ is simplicity. In a world obsessed with more—more information, more possessions, more noise—simplicity is a radical act of clarity. This gives you the clarity of ideas. Some people might argue that simplicity means lack of ideas and resources, but that is not the case, simplicity just helps you to remain focussed in your ideas. The best thing about simplicity is you stop chasing external validation, you don’t need any approval from others for your ideas and passion. Simplicity simply makes you light and grounded.
- It is said that meditation is the best way to discover yourself. Some people believe that meditation can make you achieve anything in this world. But the big question is how to meditate because most of us find it difficult to meditate. Before understanding meditation we must remember the rule that meditation requires time and dedication, sometimes we give up just because we are unable to focus. Start with 2-5 minutes of time and then take it to 30 minutes gradually. Instead of focusing on thoughts, focus on your breath.
- Reading books is also one of the ways to develop spiritual intelligence. Reading is like having a silent conversation with a wise soul. Initially you can start with the books you like to read and gradually you can move to the books that can help you to discover the new dimensions of this world. Keep in mind that you have to read the book slowly and calmly, don’t take reading as a task. Book reading also does not mean that you stop doing all other work, you have to dedicate a specific time.
- You can also create your own rules based on values that you believe in and try to live those values on a daily basis. This is one of the most authentic ways to live a meaningful and conscious life. In a world that constantly tries to define us—through traditions, trends, or societal expectations—it takes courage to pause, look inward, and decide what you truly stand for. Your values are not just moral ideas; they are the inner compass that guide your thoughts, decisions, and actions.
You can use any of the ways explained above to start exploring your ideas and living a spiritual life. Keep exploring yourself.