
We live in a world obsessed with intelligence. First came IQ (intelligence quotient), the measure of problem-solving and logic. Then came EQ (emotional intelligence), the recognition that feelings matter just as much as logic when it comes to success in life and relationships.
But as our guest Dr. Yosi Amram shared on The Skeptic Metaphysicians, there’s a third form of intelligence that might just be the missing key to our evolution: Spiritual Intelligence (SI).
Unlike IQ or EQ, SI isn’t about how smart you are or how well you regulate emotions, it’s about how you embody timeless wisdom in everyday life. It’s about living with purpose, cultivating compassion, and aligning with something greater than yourself… while still paying bills, raising kids, and showing up for work on Monday morning .
In this article, we’ll explore Yosi’s research and practices around spiritual intelligence, why it’s so transformative, and most importantly; how you can begin to cultivate it today.
What Is Spiritual Intelligence?
Yosi defines spiritual intelligence as:
“The ability to draw on spiritual resources and embody timeless wisdom in daily life.”
In other words, SI is not about beliefs (whether in God, reincarnation, or cosmic oneness). It’s not even about peak spiritual experiences. Instead, it’s about integrating qualities that humanity has revered for thousands of years across cultures:
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Gratitude
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Compassion
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Forgiveness
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Humility
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Purpose
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Service
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Trust
In Yosi’s groundbreaking research interviewing 71 spiritual teachers from different traditions, he discovered that regardless of theology, cosmology, or religion, all agreed on these same core virtues. Science now backs this up, with the field of positive psychology identifying nearly identical qualities as key to human flourishing.
Spiritual intelligence, then, is the bridge between ancient wisdom and modern science.
Why Spiritual Intelligence Matters Now More Than Ever
If IQ landed us on the moon and EQ taught us how to cooperate, SI is what may save us from ourselves.
Despite technological advances, society faces rising levels of:
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Anxiety and depression
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Loneliness and isolation
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Polarization and division
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Addiction and escapism
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Global conflict
As Yosi put it, we’ve become highly intelligent, but not necessarily wise. SI helps us balance progress with purpose. It allows us to ask not just “Can we?” but “Should we?” and “How will this impact the whole?”
And on a personal level, it helps us navigate stress, uncertainty, and existential questioning with resilience and grace.
How to Build Your Spiritual Intelligence
Much like going to the gym for your body, Yosi emphasizes that developing SI requires practice and intention. Here are some of the accessible practices he shared:
1. Start with Gratitude
Gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful “muscles” you can train. Daily gratitude shifts your mood, strengthens resilience, and deepens relationships.
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Begin each morning by naming 3 things you’re grateful for.
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End the day by reflecting on moments of gratitude.
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Express gratitude openly to others—this multiplies the effect.
As Yosi notes:
“The more I express gratitude, the more gratitude I have in my heart. It’s a perpetual motion machine.”
2. Clarify Your Purpose
Purpose isn’t static, it evolves as we move through life’s stages. What drives us in our twenties may not be what fulfills us in midlife or beyond.
Ask yourself:
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What unique gifts or talents do I bring?
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How can I apply them to serve others?
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What feels most meaningful right now?
Finding purpose isn’t about a one-time revelation, it’s about continual alignment with what makes you come alive.
3. Reframe Challenges with Trust
Yosi encourages cultivating trust in life itself. Even when facing hardships, setbacks, or “red lights,” we can reframe them as opportunities.
“Sometimes the universe slows you down because it’s offering you a chance to breathe, notice the sky, or avoid a bigger disaster down the road.”
Trust doesn’t mean passivity, it means believing that life is unfolding for you, not against you.
4. Practice Compassion (Tonglen Meditation)
One of Yosi’s favorite practices comes from Tibetan Buddhism: Tonglen, or “giving and receiving.”
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Inhale the suffering of yourself or others.
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Exhale compassion, love, and relief.
This counterintuitive practice actually expands the heart’s capacity for love, helping transform pain into compassion for self and others .
5. Embrace the Lessons of Suffering
Spiritual intelligence doesn’t bypass suffering, it integrates it. As Yosi reminded us:
“Pain and suffering are our greatest teachers. Without them, it’s hard to develop empathy and compassion.”
Rather than avoiding pain, SI asks us to feel it fully, learn from it, and let it shape us into wiser, more compassionate beings.
The Inconvenient Truth About Spiritual Growth
At one point in the conversation, Will asked Yosi a curveball question: “What’s the most inconvenient truth about personal growth that people don’t like to hear, but absolutely need to?”
Yosi’s answer was blunt and beautiful:
“It’s an endless journey. You’ll never reach the top of the mountain.”
In other words, there’s no “graduation day” for enlightenment. Growth is lifelong. And that’s not a problem...it’s the point.
How SI Ripples Outward Into Society
Spiritual intelligence isn’t just personal...it’s collective. Studies show that when a critical mass of people meditate in a city, crime rates actually drop. Similarly, living with gratitude, compassion, and purpose makes us better partners, parents, coworkers, and citizens.
As Yosi puts it:
“Spiritual intelligence bridges the gap between the spiritual and the practical. It’s not about beliefs, it’s about embodying wisdom in how we show up every day.”
Imagine a world where leaders, teachers, and communities were guided by humility, service, and compassion instead of fear, greed, and division. That’s the potential ripple effect of SI.
Fun Curveballs from the Interview
One of the delights of this conversation was hearing Yosi field some unexpected curveball questions. Here are a few gems:
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If you could have one mystical power for 24 hours, what would it be?
His answer: World peace. (Of course. What else from a spiritually intelligent leader?)
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What do you know now that your soul was trying to tell you all along?
His answer: “Everything is an expression of the one divine reality.”
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If you could whisper one sentence into the heart of every human being?
His answer: “You are love loving itself.”
Mic drop.
Bringing It All Together
The conversation with Dr. Yosi Amram was equal parts humorous, heart-expanding, and profoundly practical. At its core, it revealed this truth:
Spiritual intelligence isn’t about escaping the world...it’s about engaging with it more wisely.
You don’t need to shave your head, move to a monastery, or chant mantras for hours. You just need to start where you are; with gratitude, compassion, purpose, and trust.
Because as Yosi reminded us, the mountain of personal growth has no top...but the view is beautiful all along the way.
Resources Mentioned
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Take the Free Spiritual Intelligence Assessment: AwakeningSI.org
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Read Yosi’s Award-Winning Book: Spiritually Intelligent Leadership
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Learn More About Yosi: YosiAmram.net
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever felt like your spiritual journey was either too “woo” to be practical or too intellectual to touch the heart, this episode bridges the gap.
Spiritual intelligence is about becoming more human, not less. It’s about finding meaning in your morning coffee, compassion in your conflicts, and trust in life’s detours.
And perhaps most importantly, it’s about realizing that your growth isn’t just for you...it’s for all of us.
Watch or Listen Now:
Catch the full conversation with Dr. Yosi Amram on The Skeptic Metaphysicians podcast and on NewRealityTV.com.
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