You may have experienced that after years of striving for self-knowledge, you still feel confused when faced with difficult moral situations. Why, despite being aware of values, do we sometimes hesitate to act upon them? The answer lies in the connection between “self-awareness” and “spiritual emotional intelligence.” These two, in interaction with each other, chart a path for existential transformation that begins with self-knowledge and leads to moral virtues and improved relationships [22].
From Self-Knowledge to Social Responsibility
Deep Self-Awareness; The Cornerstone of Moral Virtues
Deep self-awareness, beyond momentary recognition of emotions, lays the groundwork for virtues such as justice and compassion. A self-aware person recognizes their own carnal desires and can restrain them in their judgments. This process involves four stages: identifying strengths and weaknesses, resisting temptations, practicing virtuous behaviors, and continuous self-monitoring (contemplation). Purification of the soul (Tazkiyah), through worship, self-care, and reflection, gradually removes undesirable traits and instills moral virtues.
Spiritual Emotional Intelligence; The Key to Authentic Human Relationships
On the other hand, Spiritual Emotional Intelligence (SEI), with two key components, transforms interpersonal relationships:
– **Deeper empathy**, rooted in recognizing the inherent dignity of human beings [25]. When we see others as beings with intrinsic dignity, our empathy deepens.
– **Social responsibility**, arising from the awareness that all human beings are members of one body.
Self-Awareness and SEI; Two Wings for Flight
Self-awareness acquaints a person with their strengths and weaknesses, and Spiritual Emotional Intelligence provides the necessary tools to manage this awareness and transform it into virtue. In the light of these two, a person can become a balanced, moral, and responsible human being. However, reaching this goal requires more than theoretical knowledge; we need practical models and applicable strategies to use in daily life. In future articles, we will review these strategies.
References
[22] Mohseni, Morteza. Positive Psychology and Spirituality. Tehran: University of Tehran Press, 2017, p. 145.
[25] Mohammadi, Yasir & Amiri, Parisa. “Human Dignity and Empathy.” Quarterly Journal of Jurisprudence and Legal Studies, Volume 15, No. 2, 2023, p. 112.
[23] Nahj al-Balaghah, Letter 31.
[24] Eslami, Mostafa. Success from an Islamic Perspective. Tehran: University of Tehran Press, 2019, p. 178.
[26] Koleini, Mohammad ibn Ya’qub. Usul al-Kafi. Volume 2, Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, 2008, p. 165.
