In the current model, spiritual intelligence is defined as a set of mental capacities which contribute to the awareness, integration, and adaptive application of the nonmaterial and transcendent aspects of one’s existence, leading to such outcomes as deep existential reflection, enhancement of meaning, recognition of a transcendent self, and mastery of spiritual states.

An extensive literature review suggests four main components of spiritual intelligence:

I. Critical Existential Thinking: the capacity to critically contemplate meaning, purpose, and other existential/metaphysical issues (e.g., existence, reality, death, the universe); to come to original existential conclusions or philosophies; and to contemplate non-existential issues in relation to one’s existence (i.e., from an existential perspective).

II. Personal Meaning Production: the ability to derive personal meaning and purpose from all physical & mental experiences, including the capacity to create and master (i.e., live according to) a life purpose.

III. Transcendental Awareness: the capacity to identify transcendent dimensions/patterns of the self (i.e., a transpersonal or transcendent self), of others, and of the physical world (e.g., holism, nonmaterialism) during normal states of consciousness, accompanied by the capacity to identify their relationship to one’s self and to the physical world.

IV. Conscious State Expansion: the ability to enter and exit higher/spiritual states of consciousness (e.g. pure consciousness, cosmic consciousness, unity, oneness) at one’s own discretion (as in deep contemplation or reflection, meditation, prayer, etc.).

Spiritual intelligence performs quite well according to traditional criteria for intelligence. The above model satisfies the primary criterion: spiritual intelligence represents a set of mental abilities, as opposed to behaviours or experiences (click on each capacity for a detailed discussion).

For more detail, and for support according to additional criteria, read David's thesis on spiritual intelligence here.

© 2010 by David B. King

All rights reserved. All work by the author may be used for personal, educational, or academic purposes only, so long as all material is referenced properly and with full acknowledgement of the author. The alteration of these documents in any way is strictly prohibited. All information should be referenced as follows:

King, D. B. (2008). Rethinking claims of spiritual intelligence: A definition, model, & measure. Unpublished master's thesis, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.