Everyone is intelligent, but most people are not taught how to develop their intelligence. Intelligence is not the same as intellect. This is something that gets confused all the time. Tests and the educational systems test intellect. They test the ability to remember and recite numbers. This is not intelligence, this is a walking calculator.
Difference between Intellect and Intelligence
Intellect is “the ability to retrieve knowledge from memory”[1]
Intelligence is the direct experience of reality (paraphrased from Life2.0)
Now the difference has been pointed out, work can begin to develop your intelligence.
How to experience reality
It very simple to experience reality, it just takes a bit of practice. The mind is always thinking, judging, making assumptions, commenting, labeling, and planning. To experience reality, simply be in the present moment. Accept things as they are not how you want them to be but how they are.
If someone leaves a door open, do not wish they shut the door, simply accept the door is open. The simple act of acceptance is a gateway into reality.
Reality in stillness
“We don’t need to do anything to experience the truth of who we. Why would we need to do anything to just experience ‘what is’ ? And so in stillness (a lack of mind activity) our true nature shines bright and plain to see. We experience the creativity, love and joy that Eckhart talks about – our awake, alert essence that never changes.”
Emotional Intelligence
There are many forms of intelligence all, contain direct experience at their core. Emotional Intelligence is something that is lacking in many people, but is very simple to cultivate. Below are a few points that I found relevant(3 of 10).
+Label a feeling, rather than labeling people or situations.
“I feel hurt and bitter”. vs. “You are an insensitive jerk.”
+Take responsibility for feelings.
“I feel jealous.” vs. “You are making me jealous.”
+Don’t advise, command, control, criticize, judge or lecture to others.
Realize it doesn’t feel good to be on the receiving end of such behavior, so avoid it.
The commonality
As you have read, intelligence isn’t something you have to do. It’s not something you can make happen. It’s not your thoughts. It is the process of simply being in touch with reality. It’s accepting things, regardless of what you wanted. It’s becoming still and letting your true nature shine. It’s observing your emotions and taking responsibility for them. Start practicing these few small tips, they will grow in themselves and outwards.
Each moment, each day spent living in acceptance, stillness and observation will be the exponential growth of your intelligence.
[1] I’ve already posted on this, but had to come back in more detail on it.
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A lovely post Wade. Thank you.
There is a great little video of Eckhart Tolle talking on the same subject, that your readers might enjoy—> Untying the knot
All the best to you my friend.
I always have a tendency to do what’s stated in #3 of emotional intelligence. I think I’ll have to revise my behaviour towards my fellow beings as from now. Great illuminating post.
Btw sorry for this double comment. I was looking for an email subscription but I found none. I don’t use a feed reader!
I understand what it is to “be in the present moment” and “accept things as they are,” but how does this square with planning and anticipating your future and future events? Aren’t those activities important aspects of intelligence, also?
Hi Bill, a very valid point. If you don’t mind, I’d prefer to hold off answering this and make it a post/point of it’s own. Peace, Wade
Wherever you go,there you are.
where ever you are, there you go.
Zen is always like a labyrinth,
always winding inward towards the center.
If you follow it it will lead you there.
Just like a labyrinth, sometimes it seems like you are going in the wrong direction,when actually there is only one direction.
Only one way forward.
The paradox is that the path winds
away from center in order to arrive at center…
@Joe, To say there is one direction is to say there is something other than one. To say there is a way is to mean before the point there was no way. To say there is a path is to not be walking it.
So as you say, just like a labyrinth.
May all beings have peace.
Wade