Rediscover Your Spiritual Self

Spiritual Intelligence

Most of us aren't even aware that we have a spiritual "IQ," so to speak. But experts have found that spiritual intelligence is the very thing that helps us manage our reactions to frustrating situations, and therefore helps us reduce our stress.

"Spiritual intelligence is the capacity to sense, understand, and tap in to the highest part of ourselves, others, and the world around us," says consultant and researcher Paul G. Stoltz, PhD, author of The Adversity Quotient at Work (Morrow, 2000). He believes that this source of inner serenity may be our best defense against the hassles that barrage us every day.

According to Stoltz's polls of more than 100,000 men and women around the world, the number of adversities people report -- ranging from minor miseries to major blows -- has soared from seven a day 10 years ago to 23 today. Women report even more tribulations: a whopping 30 a day.