All World
Gayatri Pariwar

   In the previous issue we had been introduced to the relevance and importance of Emotional Quotient (EQ) vis-à-vis Intelligence Quotient (IQ).  In view of that we can see that EQ and IQ are not opposing competencies but rather separate and complementary.  Comparative qualities corresponding to each are quite well known: High IQ person is productive, introvert, cautiously expressive, ambitious and detached. He is expert, talented and logical. He may be an efficient professional, executive, academician or scientist. High EQ person is cheerful, socially - poised, committed, methodical, ethical, sympathetic, and has spontaneity and a power to cope with uncertainties. He is a great manager and leader in his chosen field of work. 

In practical terms, high IQ helps in fast placement whereas high EQ is necessary for top-level promotions, spontaneous inner satisfactions. It offers the key to fare better in life. Surprisingly excellent performance of many people with modest IQ in the corporate sector is the best illustration of this fact. 

Rational mind is aware and thoughtful. Emotional mind is impulsive and powerful. Intuitive vision and its expression, creativity, long term planning, civilization and culture are possible through combined function of both. Education pertains to art of grasping, self-awareness, self-expression, control and cooperation, it can nurture intelligence and give directions to emotional balance but it cannot generate or mold either.

Narrow view of IQ in the early days of scientific development argued that – IQ is a genetic characteristic that cannot be changed by life experience. It would have been true if man were only a genetically governed machine. But, this confines only to the physical body and biological activities of a person. The brain functions, including hormonal secretions and activation of specific centers in the rational and emotional lobes are, as the modern research shows, natural manifestations and not originators of emotional and mental states. Then what originates, relates and evolves intelligence and emotions?    

Let us now look into some deeper aspects of their interdependence, genesis and evolution.

Natural Cause of Emotions, Thoughts & Intelligence:

Thoughts are most powerful expressions of intelligence and emotions and are also the natural links between the two. Propositions of spiritual insights that are now accepted by the modern psychology as well underline the importance of thoughts — One is formed and molded by one’s thoughts.  But they also remark that “Thought is a natural process not necessarily related to one’s deliberate act or the character or value of the act” and that.  “All teaching is a revealing via the usual agency of the world and its perception. All becoming is an unfolding. Nothing can be taught to the mind, which is not already concealed as potential knowledge in the unfolding soul of the creature”.

A natural quest then arises – Why the knowledge hidden in the folds of mind, or the unbounded intelligence of the soul is not expressed or manifested in the thoughts and actions of every one, every time? Why is there a need for any training, education, value-system, etc?

The advaita principle of Vedanta Philosophy and the Upanishads (anicent Indian scriptures) provide the answer. The gist of this is – Each being is a manifestation of the Braham (eternal, omnipresent, omniscient Consciousness Force). The enormous diversity among different people or beings is because of the intrinsic impressions (samskaras) of the individual self in earlier life-forms. Samskaras form the emotional trait and tendencies of mind and are also responsible for the intrinsic desires of the individual self. Intrinsic desires as per the activated mental tendency trigger corresponding emotions and then thoughts and actions in succession[1]. Spiritual practices deal with purification and control of the samskaras. Disciplines of value system, rational educational training, etc are meant for controlled orientation of the emotions, thoughts and actions triggered by them. 

As emotions are intimate and easily experienced reflections of our samskaras (intrinsic being), these play key role in our spiritual endeavors, adoption of value system and molding of our thoughts and actions.      

Emotional Maturity, Values and Spirituality:

It is well known that emotions trigger impulse to act and the tendency to act is implicit in every emotion. Seven prime emotions, namely anger, fear, happiness, love, surprise, disgust, and, sadness – each prepares the body and also the rational (or so called ‘intelligent’ mind) for a different kind of response. Emotions guide us to face danger, painful loss, perseverance, bonding with a mate; building a family, etc. In short, emotions are the core of our sensitivity as human beings.

However, emotional excitement, be that of any kind, is undesirable. For example, emotional explosion leads to brutal crimes; excessive sorrow puts one into depression; laughter due to over-joy is also an explosion of emotions and may lead to emergencies. Growing violence, selfishness, meanness of spirit and deterioration of other factors affecting personal and social values have intensified the need for improved Emotional Intelligence of the common man today.   

Emotional Intelligence[2] pertains to self-control, zeal and persistence, the ability to motivate oneself, one’s character, sentiments and moral instincts. Prime sign of emotional wisdom is emotional honesty: being real and true to self. It builds personal power, awareness, inner guidance, respect, responsibilities and connection. Emotional fitness implies being clear and getting along with circumstances and people under different circumstances. This is why it is so important in personal and professional management. Its immediate benefits include authenticity and hence social respect, resilience without compromising with values, ability of constructive discontent, initiation and renewal of trusting relationships.

Emotional Depth enables knowing one’s own emotions and controlling them, recognizing emotions in others and controlling them. It is therefore referred as ‘reaching down and stepping up’. It builds core character, potential, integrity, purpose, influence without authority, applied integrity, commitment, unique and high purpose, self-motivated evolution.

What is rightly termed by modern thinkers[2] as emotional alchemy includes sensing opportunity, competing for future, (in a righteous way?), opportunity sensing, creating suitable future, ability of natural situational transformation, reflective time-shifting, and adaptive decision making (Fluid Intelligence). Further advancement of EI arises with spiritual refinement and endows one with the faculties of emotional feedback based intuition, emotional intuition, intuitive emotional energy, intuitive flow, intuitive innovation, and intuitive intelligence. 

Self-inspired adoption of ethical norms, transmutation of personal value system and expansion of social values for the welfare of all are successive outcomes of progress in emotional intelligence. 

Personal values:

Personal values evolve from interaction with the external world and can change over time. Integrity in the application of values refers to its continuity; persons have integrity if they apply their values appropriately regardless of arguments or negative reinforcement from others. Values are applied appropriately when they are applied in the right area. For example, it would be appropriate to apply religious values in times of happiness as well as in times of despair. One’s samskaras (and hence his/her genes), circumstances and experiences influence one’s personal value system but this fact is universal that one’s personal values, integrity and emotional intelligence are mutually dependent. For example, if one respects personal values of others and reacts prudently, it indicates his dignity of emotional maturity. Love, care, courage, bravery, integrity and compassion are examples of universal emotional-values associated with high emotional intelligence.

Cultural values:

Families, groups, societies, have values that are largely shared by their members. These values are derived from what could be broadly termed as the prevalent cultural values. The values identify those objects, conditions or characteristics that members of the society consider important; that is, valuable. In the United States, for example, values might include material comfort, wealth, competition, individualism or religiosity. These values are sort of ‘measures’ that convey to the members of a society how people should be and how society should be. 

The superficial values of a society can often be influenced by economic, political and social developments or, as per the modern trends, noting which people receive honor or respect. In the US, for example, professional athletes are more highly honored than college teachers, in part because the society values physical activity and competitiveness more than mental activity and education. The scenario is quite different in the Indian society, where religious faith on the one hand and media supported popularity of film actors and cricketers on the other might steal the show.  The implicit core or foundational values, on the contrary, have strong rooting in emotional nature and these values do not deviate even in tumulous tides of change. For example, belief in God is a core value of the American society and it is also a predominant foundational value of Indian Culture.

Cultural values are related to the norms of a society, but they are more general and abstract than norms. Norms are rules for behavior in specific situations, while values identify what should be judged as good or bad. Flying the national flag on a national holiday is a norm, but it also reflects the value of patriotism. Wearing dark clothing and appearing solemn are normative behaviors at a funeral. They reflect the values of respect and support of friends and family.

Members of a society take part in a culture even if their personal values do not entirely agree with some of the normative values sanctioned in the culture. This reflects an individual's ability to synthesize and extract aspects valuable to him from the multiple subcultures he belongs to.  As a wise member of a society, group or community, an individual can hold both a personal value system and a socio-cultural value system at the same time.  In case of serious conflicts, while ideally preference for the welfare and collective well-being of the community takes precedence over individual rights (personal values), in general, an emotionally mature person would try to maintain harmony and choose a balanced path to begin with.  Similarly, for efficient management between self, family/society and professional duties, one needs to have emotional wisdom. But how does one attain a high EQ?  This is where spirituality plays a key role.

Spirituality, as explained by Pandit Shriram Sharma[3, 4] is an evolved, enlightened psychology and the preeminent science of life-management. He therefore envisaged and launched the Vichar Kranti Abhiyan (Thought-Revolution) in the light of scientific spirituality as an epochal movement of the present era. Here we outline ony some practicable guidelines derived from his teachings.  

Key to Improvement of EQ:

Daily self introspection to avoid mistakes, to overcome shortcomings of today and to resolve feasible plans for execution of something that improves self-behavior or action tomorrow — this simple practice of ten minutes before sleep and five minutes before leaving the bed works like effective autosuggestion. It induces courage, self-confidence and emotional stability with gradually increasing impact. Yoga-practices of prañayama and meditation lend essential support for calming of mind. Balanced diet, physical exercises and self-restraint (sanyam) are prerequisite for best effects. Emotional depth and enlightenment are then achieved through sincere practice of Upasana – inculcation of sensitivity and invocation of divine thoughts and qualities hidden in the inner self by heart-felt prayers, meditative practices and Sadhana – refinement of thoughts and deeds, self-transformation by self-determination in light of the teachings of spiritually illumined sages, and noble works of great personalities.  Aradhana – admiring and beautifying God’s creation by helping the needy and making thoughtful use of time, talent and resources with a cheerful and caring attitude for uplifting of more and more people.                                                                                                

References:

[1] Saras Safal Jivan ka Kendra Utkrishta Chintan. (Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya)
Publ. Yug Nirman Yojna, Mathura. (4th print), 2004.
[2] “Emotional Intelligence” (excerpts of  talks delivered by Dr. Pranav Pandya in 2004/5. 
[3] “Adhyatmik Drishtikona aur Anant Atmabala” (Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya). Publ.
Yug Nirman Yojna, Mathura. (5th print), 2006.
[4] “What is Spirituality?” (English translation of original Hindi book by Brahmvarchas)
Publ. Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, Shantikunj Haridwar, 2007. ISBN: 81-8255-025-4