SQ UnPlugged: Conversations in Spiritual Intelligence: Recent Episodes
Steve Sphar
Spiritual Intelligence is the ability to act with wisdom, compassion and peace in the stress and pressure of the real world. In each episode of SQ UnPlugged, we talk with an SQ21 certified coach, a model developed by Cindy Wigglesworth of Deep Change.com. We discuss the challenges of how to be Spiritually Intelligent in the midst of modern life. Music by Coma-Media from Pixabay. Photo credit to Matt Botsford from Unplash.
Episode 6: Veronika Tracy-Smith is a psychologist, therapist, coach, and SQ21 faculty member. Our conversation touches on healing trauma through self-compassion and embodiment; combining spirituality with traditional psychology; how traumatic life events and loss of control open us to growth through surrender; how our legacy is shaped by the quality of our presence moment to moment.
Episode 5: Lois McNaughton is a retirement coach, hospice volunteer, and a member of the SQ21 Leadership Team. In this episode, we talk about how leaders struggle to show empathy in organizations, the polarity of protection and connection, service as a spiritual practice, our society’s fear of aging and death, SQ applications in retirement coaching, and a closing exercise in self-compassion using two important questions.
Episode 4: Suzanne Carter and I have a wonderful conversation about intuitive body wisdom; the four functions of consciousness as ways of knowing; canine therapy and equine therapy; standing by your core; and having a daily practice of what Suzanne calls a Practice of Return.
Episode 3: I talk with Jim Lockard, a retired Center for Spiritual Living minister. We discuss the need for “spiritual grit” in these times of political and personal upheaval. Jim talks about his idea of “grooming our inner being space” as a way to open to opposing viewpoints and uncomfortable information. We also explore how we each discern our gifts, the things that are ours to do.
Episode 2 – in this electrifying conversation, I talk with Carmen Carter about these provocative questions: what is required of us by Spirit; what do justice and mercy mean; how are we to understand race relations in a time of political polarization; what is the role of women of color in the BLM movement; does suffering serve a purpose; what is the difference between empathy and compassion; and more.
Episode 1 – Teresa Haggerty and I discuss how regular spiritual practice can build what she calls Spiritual Fitness, applying the concepts of balance, flexibility and strength from her yoga experience. We also explore the shift from ego self to higher self; how to ground in love from self, others and source; intuitive insight; and divine love.