On January 16, 2024 Bing Chat was asked what adjustments could help Sheldon Cooper expand his epistemology and improve his cognitive engine. Bing Chat responded in part:
Being more open-minded and curious about other ways of knowing, such as intuition, emotion, creativity, or spirituality.
____________
Definition
Although spirituality is best understood through personal experience, it could be defined as that impulse that drives us to connect with something bigger and better than ourselves as part of our search for authentic connection, transformation, meaning, identity, security, and purpose.
Other definitions:
"a subjective experience of a sacred dimension"
(Saucier & Skrzypinska 2006, p. 1259)
the "deepest values and meanings by which people live"
(Sheldrake 2007, pp. 1–2)
"a deeply personal and individual experience of the divine or transcendent" (Copilot, previously Bing Chat, March 13, 2024)
Further definitions and references can be found in the Wikipedia article on "Spiritual Intelligence".
Heartlessness
Heartlessness is rife in the human family and is the reason why we often treat each other rather poorly across all levels of society:
personal, family, community, company, national, government, economic, social, and international.
Heartlessness (low spiritual intelligence) is arguably our single biggest problem and rejuvenation opportunity.
Heart is Everything
"When people are desperate they do crazy things because their minds are topsy-turvy" (Miss K, 9 years old, March 14, 2024).
__________
Our figurative heart is the limitless control center of our cognitive engine and is designed to illuminate, stabilize, guide and elevate our limited mind (intellect) to Einstein level and beyond.
Heartless environments suppress and de-activate our heart. Or in plain English, they crush our spirit – by design.
This makes our mind (intellect) insecure, unhinged, untethered, ungrounded, and deranged, especially under pressure when it is easily overwhelmed.
Re-activating our heart is analogous to restoring power to the multiple 'hidden' computer systems in an almost autonomous motorcar. The car is almost inoperable without it.
Further information
A selected list of publications, on the topic of spirituality, that reflect the emergent state of play in academia, is available on request.
On March 11, 2024 Copilot (previously Bing Chat, powered by ChatGPT 4) was asked:
"What are the symptoms or proxies of HIGH spiritual intelligence at the personal, family, community, company, national, government, economic, social, and international levels?"
The formatted but otherwise unedited response follows.
Certainly! Here are some signs or proxies of high spiritual intelligence at various levels:
1. Personal Level
Self-awareness: Knowing what you believe in, your values, and what deeply motivates you.
Spontaneity: Living in and being responsive to the present moment.
Being vision- and value-led: Acting from principles and deep beliefs, and living accordingly.
Holism: Seeing larger patterns, relationships, and connections; having a sense of belonging.
Compassion: Having the quality of “feeling-with” and deep empathy.
Celebration of diversity: Valuing other people for their differences, not despite them.
Field independence: Standing against the crowd and having your own convictions.
Humility: Recognizing your place in the larger drama of life.
Tendency to ask fundamental “Why?” questions: Seeking to understand things deeply.
Ability to reframe: Stepping back from situations and seeing the bigger picture or wider context.
Positive use of adversity: Learning and growing from mistakes, setbacks, and suffering.
2. Family Level
Harmony: Prioritizing family well-being over individual desires.
Effective Communication: Resolving conflicts through open dialogue.
Empathy: Sensitivity towards family members’ emotional needs.
3. Community Level
Collaboration: Working together for community welfare.
Inclusivity: Embracing diversity and valuing differences.
Service: Contributing to community betterment.
4. Company Level
Ethical Practices: Prioritizing integrity and fairness.
Positive Work Environment: Fostering teamwork and growth.
Long-Term Vision: Balancing immediate gains with sustainable practices.
5. National Level
Unity: Fostering a sense of national identity.
Effective Leadership: Visionary leaders who prioritize citizens’ well-being.
Transparency: Openness in governance.
6. Government Level
Accountability: Holding leaders responsible for their actions.
Justice: Ensuring fairness and equality.
Global Cooperation: Engaging constructively with other nations.
7. Economic Level
Sustainable Practices: Balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.
Equitable Distribution: Reducing income inequality.
Social Responsibility: Corporations contributing positively to society.
8. Social Level
Empathy and Kindness: Treating others with compassion.
Respect for Differences: Appreciating diverse perspectives.
Community Service: Volunteering and supporting social causes.
9. International Level
Peacebuilding: Promoting diplomacy and conflict resolution.
Environmental Stewardship: Addressing global ecological challenges.
Humanitarian Aid: Supporting countries in need.
Remember, spiritual intelligence transcends religious beliefs and connects us to deeper aspects of existence. 🌟🙏
On March 09, 2024 Copilot (previously Bing Chat, powered by ChatGPT 4) was asked:
"What are the symptoms or proxies of LOW spiritual intelligence at the personal, family, community, company, national, government, economic, social, and international levels?"
The formatted but otherwise unedited response follows.
Certainly! Here are some signs or proxies of low spiritual intelligence at various levels.
1. Personal Level
Emptiness: Feeling that life should be more than mere daily existence.
Negligence: Not participating in activities that replenish the soul.
Ego: Being overly self-centered and lacking humility.
Fault Finding: Habitually criticizing and disparaging others.
Apathy: Showing no interest in inner spiritual development.
2. Family Level
Lack of Empathy: Insensitivity towards family members’ emotional needs.
Communication Breakdown: Poor communication and unresolved conflicts.
Selfishness: Prioritizing individual desires over family well-being.
3. Community Level
Lack of Cooperation: Inability to work collaboratively for community welfare.
Exclusivity: Creating divisions based on religion, ethnicity, or social status.
Resistance to Change: Resisting positive community transformations.
4. Company Level
Lack of Ethics: Ignoring ethical practices for profit.
Toxic Work Environment: Promoting negativity and unhealthy competition.
Short-Term Focus: Prioritizing immediate gains over long-term sustainability.
5. National Level
Corruption: Rampant misuse of power and resources.
Divisiveness: Fostering divisions among citizens.
Ineffective Leadership: Lack of vision and accountability.
6. Government Level
Authoritarianism: Suppressing dissent and limiting civil liberties.
Inefficiency: Poor governance and mismanagement.
Lack of Transparency: Concealing information from citizens.
7. Economic Level
Exploitation: Exploiting workers or resources for profit.
Shortsighted Policies: Prioritizing immediate gains over long-term stability.
Income Inequality: Widening gaps between rich and poor.
8. Social Level
Prejudices: Holding biased views based on race, religion, or gender.
Intolerance: Refusing to accept diverse perspectives.
Lack of Compassion: Indifference to others’ suffering.
9. International Level
Conflict: Engaging in wars or disputes without seeking peaceful solutions.
Isolationism: Withdrawing from global cooperation.
Environmental Neglect: Ignoring global environmental concerns.
Remember that these signs are not definitive, and context matters. Developing spiritual intelligence involves self-awareness, empathy, and a commitment to growth. 🌟🙏