THE
SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE®SM ADVISOR
A
monthly newsletter bringing you great ideas for spiritual development and
practical success!
Published by Yaacov J. Kravitz, Ed.D., © August 5, 2002, www.spiritutalintelligence.com
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IN THIS ISSUE:
ARTICLE:
CHANGE:
ACHIEVING A LIFE OF HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS WITH SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE®SM
FREE
TELE-CONFERENCE: BRINGING SPIRITUALITY TO YOUR LIFE AND WORK
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CHANGE:
ACHIEVING A LIFE OF HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS WITH SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE
Over the last four issues of the spiritual intelligence adviser I have discussed
leadership, bringing spirituality into your work, and mindfulness.
For the remainder of this year I would like to discuss the stages through
which an individual or organization moves when change is desired, and the
spiritual and behavioral skills that can be utilized in each stage of growth.
Many of
you reading this newsletter may not be thinking about making any particular
changes in your life in the immediate future.
But sometime in our lives we all contemplate some kind of change. We want to choose a new career, lose weight, stop smoking,
get in better physical shape, become happier or more serene. We may have a clear sense of what we want to change or we may
simply have a sense of dissatisfaction with our current life.
James Prochaska, Ph.D. has studied the characteristics and strategies of self
changers, those people who have changed some aspect of their lives successfully.
He found that successful changers passed through a discrete set of six
stages to prepare them for change. At
each stage of the change process there are numerous techniques that can be used
to promote change. Using the
techniques that are appropriate to each stage is one of the factors that
distinguish successful changers from those who fail.
The six stages
of change described by Prochaska include precontemplation, contemplation,
preparation, action, maintenance and termination. Each month I will highlight one stage of change and the
spiritual techniques that can help you succeed.
The pre-contemplation stage is characterized by an almost total lack of
awareness that any problems exist at all. Smokers,
binge eaters, social drinkers and others sometimes simply deny that their
behavior is a problem for them or for others.
The psychological defenses employed by these individuals blind them to
any external influence or information that might create an awareness that a
problem exists. During
precontemplation, in the struggle to balance personal autonomy with openness to
reality and external influence, autonomy usually wins.
When you encounter new information in the form of undeniable health
problems, a barrage of new and powerful data or serious problems in
relationships with others, you have a choice of how to respond.
You may open your heart/mind to a new awareness and move in the direction
of positive change, or you may shut down your heart/mind to avoid confronting
unpleasant realities. Since there
are so few individuals in the world who are perfect and have no problem
behaviors at all, it behooves us all to maintain openness to new information
through feedback from others and through expanding our inner awareness of why
our lives are the way they are.
Prochaska identifies consciousness-raising as the primary process that
can help us move from precontemplation to contemplation of change. Consciousness-raising is about acquiring important
information as well as understanding our own psychological defenses, the ways in
which we avoid change. One
spiritual technique that can be of immense help in this process is the practice
of mindfulness. As I have discussed
in an earlier newsletter, mindfulness involves
focusing attention on your immediate experiences including the thoughts and
feelings that arise from moment to moment.
Awareness of the content of your thoughts, followed by careful
self-analysis, is a wonderful way to begin the process of change.
The precontemplation stage for an individual has an obvious parallel in
organizations. When productivity
and planning are not flowing optimally, it is sometimes because information has
failed to pass freely and directly through the organization.
Workers’ fears of being blamed for specific problems often lead to a
covering up of those problems. That restricted organizational awareness leaves
management in a dark, unknowing state similar to an individual in
precontemplation. Strategies to
build trust and promote the free exchange of information are the building blocks
of organizational change. Organizational
policies that emphasize collection of data about identified problems and open
discussion of that data help to move the organization through an effective
problem solving process.
Traditionally, the month before the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish
New Year, is a time for intense introspection in preparation for the fall Holy
Days. Over the next month I want to encourage you to be open to new information
from your friends, your loved ones and your colleagues.
Perhaps there is a spiritual quality within you that is ready to be
nurtured, which will help you become the person you truly wish to be.
Spend some time with a confidant, honestly assessing your strengths and
areas in which you need to grow.
Next
month: Contemplation – the beginning of change.
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From time
to time I will be offering Tele-seminars and free Teleconferences on the
application of Spiritual Intelligence to life, work and recovery from addictions
and chronic illness. Our first
Teleconference will be on September 23 at 8pm EASTERN USA TIME.
BRINGING
SPIRITUALITY
TO YOUR LIFE AND WORK
Free - Teleconference
Contact:
yaacov@spiritualintelligence.com
===================================
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:
Do you want to learn how to apply spirituality in your daily living? Many
people are feeling stressed and searching for more meaning, greater connection
and integrity at work and in their personal life. Come and join us in an inspiring discussion on learning FOUR
fundamental keys to spiritual living that can work in your life! This one-hour
tele-forum will introduce you to spiritual concepts and how they relate to your
life and work. When you have a framework for applying spiritual principals you
have the means to begin your journey of sustaining joy and balance in life. The
goal of this forum is help you develop a framework that will support you in
beginning or continuing your own program of spiritual development.
You
will learn:
 | How
to apply and practice four spiritual principals in your life |
| What
it means to bring a spiritual focus to your life challenges |
| How
to bring loving kindness into your work and personal life |
| How
discipline and restraint achieves spiritual success |
| How
to create connection and healing at work and in life. |
ABOUT
YOUR WORKSHOP LEADER:
Yaacov
Kravitz has spent 30 years working on the integration of spirituality and
psychology. His favorite personal spiritual practices include meditation,
mindfulness, yoga, prayer, chanting and study. He has developed a comprehensive
program for learning the skills of Spiritual Intelligence (R) based on the
ancient mystical teachings of the Kabbalah and the insights of modern
psychology. Yaacov enjoys helping
individuals and businesses achieve success in life and work through tele-coaching
and consultation. You can learn more at www.spiritualintelligence.com.
TUITION:This
class is FREE. Long distance charges for the call will apply.
ACCESS
TO THE WORKSHOP: Registered participants will receive a teleconference number to
call. At 8:00 PM EST-USA on
September 23 dial the phone number and you will be instantly connected with
Yaacov and fellow spiritual seekers from around the globe. Space is
limited to 20 participants.
TO
REGISTER: E-mail Yaacov at yaacov@spiritualintelligence.com.
Please put the words: Register for
Workshop" in the subject line. In the body of your e-mail include:
1. Your full name;
2. your location – city, country;
3. Your e-mail address;
4. Your day and evening telephone number. In response to your e-mail you will receive a confirmation of the
workshop's date and time, and the teleconference number. We look forward
to meeting you!
Yaacov
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If
you would like to bring spirituality into your personal work or your
organization we can help.
Send an e-mail to yaacov@spiritualintelligence.com
briefly describing your goals and request a complimentary half hour
consultation.
You can
continue to LEARN MORE about Spiritual Intelligence®SM by
Reading
about Spirituality on our web site
Becoming
part of our Spiritual Mentoring program
or Professional Coaching
program.
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Please send us your comments.
Let us know if there is a specific topic you would like addressed in this forum.
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ABOUT YAACOV J. KRAVITZ,
Ed.D.
Yaacov
Kravitz, a psychologist, certified pastoral counselor and coach, has spent 30
years working on the integration of spirituality and psychology. His favorite
personal spiritual practices include meditation, mindfulness, yoga, prayer,
chanting and study. He has developed a comprehensive program for learning the
skills of Spiritual Intelligence®SM based on the ancient mystical teachings of the
Kabbalah and the insights of modern psychology.
You
can contact Dr. Kravitz at yaacov@spiritualintelligence.com.
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