Spiritual directions always teach you the order to deal with complex or provocative issues, a reasoned response under calmness is more effective than emotional outrage or aggressive action. This principle is effective in containing aggression and exercising judgment in situations of aggression and conflict resolution, leading them towards healthier resolutions.
This approach is encouraged by many spiritual practices such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and even Stoicism which values the control of self, attention, as well as patience. Buddhism, for example, speaks about the constant state of mind known as equanimity or the mindset of unwavering balance in both high and low periods of one’s life. In the same van, The Bhagavad Gita, one of the major religious texts for Hindus, tells the practitioners to act dispassionately and maintain a still tranquil expression. In this regard, Christianity encourages people to refrain from retaliation and promote love instead even for those who have wronged them.
This calm and relaxed manner saves you from unpleasant feelings like anger that will distort how you think and make everything worse. Instead, you are responding rather than reacting, so there is room and time for consideration, more comprehension and tenderness. Most of such decisions are more balanced since they are made when people are in control of their emotions.
Basically, Restraining Intelligence helps you to develop, to become emotionally tougher, and to maintain and establish better interactions with others since it inspires you to rise above your feeling at that moment and utilize your inner judgment which will help promote peace.
1. Learn to Ignore Your Senses
When it comes to knowing the super power or God, your five senses to hear, see, taste, smell and touch become redundant. If you remain attached to them they slow down your experience of the Absolute omniscience (God). If you, as the Creative Intelligence, are consciously in communion with the Absolute Omniscience you develop numerous extra-ordinary power commonly known as the sixth sense.
If you are able to go into deep meditation you can find spiritual solutions to your lifetime problems. This will enable you to answer all your unanswered questions while charting your future life path.
Attention is central to understanding how you connect to the Supreme Being. It is like a powerful sensor which has the ability to see in all directions, continuously scanning all the time and material. (mind and body)
The consciousness is an intelligence which is transferred to the mind and body at the time of conception. It acquires knowledge from the circumstances and environments in which it is growing.
2. Control Your Anger
Younger people experience more frequent outburst of anger than older adults. This is because younger people are more likely to feel time pressures, economic hardship, and interpersonal conflict in the workplace. Feeling rushed for time is the strongest predictor of anger. Having children in the household is associated with angry feelings and behaviour (i.e., yelling) show patterns are stronger among women compared to men.
Professor Scott Schieman’s International Handbook of Anger, released in 2010, provides a comprehensive analysis of the social patterns and contexts that influence anger. According to Schieman’s research, several key findings highlight how anger varies across different demographics and situations:
A. Age and Anger:
– Younger People and Anger: Younger individuals tend to experience anger more frequently than older adults. This heightened anger among younger people is primarily attributed to several factors:
– Time Pressures: Younger individuals often face significant time pressures, juggling multiple responsibilities such as work, education, and personal life. The feeling of being constantly rushed and having insufficient time is identified as the strongest predictor of anger.
B. Economic Hardship: Economic challenges, including financial instability and job insecurity, are more prevalent among younger adults. These economic pressures contribute to heightened stress and frustration, leading to more frequent experiences of anger.
C. Interpersonal Conflict: Younger individuals are more likely to encounter interpersonal conflicts, particularly in the workplace. These conflicts can stem from competition, misunderstandings, or hierarchical dynamics, further fueling feelings of anger.
D. Family Dynamics and Anger:
– Having Children in the Household: The presence of children in a household is associated with increased feelings and expressions of anger. Parents, especially those who are managing childcare responsibilities alongside other demands, may experience heightened stress and frustration. This can manifest in behaviours such as yelling, which are indicative of anger.
– Gender Differences: Schieman’s findings suggest that the patterns of anger related to having children in the household are more pronounced among women compared to men. Women, often bearing a larger share of childcare responsibilities, may experience greater emotional and physical demands, contributing to higher levels of anger.
E. Financial Strain and Anger:
– Economic Struggles: Individuals who experience financial strain report higher levels of anger. This correlation is particularly strong among women and younger adults. Financial difficulties, such as struggling to make ends meet or dealing with debt, create a significant source of stress and frustration. The constant worry about financial stability can exacerbate feelings of anger and irritability.
3. Life Is What You Make of It
Most people are on a ‘wild goose chase’ (a foolish and hopeless search for something unattainable) Even when their needs are fulfilled their desires remain limitless. They continue to create never ending needs trying to keep up with their neighbours. Eventually, they end up in a maze, spending most of their lives in futile, tense and anxious exercise but are never able to find a way out of the rat race. Far from getting satisfied they end up getting enslaved to meaningless attachment or illusion which further anchors them to materialism.
Those who cannot draw a line between the two due to financial enslavement sink deeper in the quicksand of covetousness (having or showing a strong desire for especially material possessions). Their woes increase. It then become impossible to satisfy their insatiable appetite for greed.
The child is a passive witness to the roles his/her parents are playing in the worldly drama and subconsciously absorbs his/her parents’ life pattern and walks the same path ending up repeating their parents’ unethical and unbalanced struggle and sufferings. Spiritual education intervenes to break the link.
Teach Children When They Are Curious To Learn
Carl Sagan points out that younger children are relatively more curious in learning about science than the older ones.
The constructor device that will take us to scientific enquiry route as Chanakya recommends will require the scarce resource of ‘Attention’ as the ‘expression of soul’.
It is encouraging that children show a natural eagerness to learn about the environment. Quite so, but what they are missing is the invisible source of knowledge which are beyond our senses. Moral discernment to determine what is right and what is falsehood. The mind’s cognitive faculty can only deal with matters that our senses can perceive.
Hence, it is incapable of finding evidence what lies beyond this material world. What is unknown is beyond the lay person cannot be explored by mental faculty which is where scriptural intervention is needed to harness divine wisdom for man’s happiness and redemption.
Techniques to Promote Spiritual Intelligence
Promoting spirituality or spiritual intelligence can involve a variety of techniques and methods, many of which focus on inner reflection, connection with others, and understanding of a greater purpose. Here are some effective approaches:
1. Meditation and Mindfulness
- Meditation: Regular meditation helps in calming the mind, increasing self-awareness, and connecting with one’s inner self.
- Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness involves being fully present in the moment and can improve emotional regulation and spiritual awareness.
2. Yoga and Physical Practices
- Yoga: Integrates physical postures, breath control, and meditation to promote physical health and spiritual well-being.
- Tai Chi and Qigong: These gentle martial arts focus on balance, energy flow, and mental clarity.
3. Reflective Practices
- Journaling: Writing about your thoughts, experiences, and feelings can provide insight and promote spiritual growth.
- Contemplative Prayer: Engaging in deep, reflective prayer or meditation on spiritual texts can deepen understanding and connection.
4. Study and Learning
- Reading Sacred Texts: Studying texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Bible, Quran, or other spiritual literature can provide guidance and inspiration.
- Philosophical Inquiry: Exploring philosophical questions about existence, purpose, and the nature of reality can enhance spiritual intelligence.
5. Community and Relationships
- Joining Spiritual Groups: Participating in religious or spiritual communities provides support, shared practices, and a sense of belonging.
- Service and Altruism: Volunteering and helping others fosters a sense of connection and purpose.
6. Nature and Solitude
- Spending Time in Nature: Nature can be a powerful source of spiritual inspiration and peace.
- Retreats: Taking time for solitary retreats can help in deepening one’s spiritual practice.
7. Creative Expression
- Art and Music: Engaging in creative activities like painting, writing, or playing music can be a form of spiritual expression and exploration.
- Dance and Movement: Movement-based practices can help in connecting with one’s body and inner self.
8. Mind-Body Techniques
- Breathwork: Techniques like pranayama (yogic breathing) can enhance energy and focus.
- Body Scanning: Progressive relaxation and body scanning can increase awareness and release tension.
9. Lifestyle Choices
- Healthy Living: Maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate rest supports overall well-being and spiritual health.
- Mindful Consumption: Being conscious of what you consume, whether it’s food, media, or experiences, can promote spiritual clarity.
10. Personal Reflection
- Self-Inquiry: Asking deep questions about your values, beliefs, and life purpose can lead to greater spiritual understanding.
- Gratitude Practices: Regularly reflecting on and expressing gratitude can shift perspective and enhance spiritual awareness.
By integrating these techniques into daily life, individuals can nurture their spirituality and develop a deeper sense of spiritual intelligence.