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1. Introduction

In the light of Spiritual Intelligence, the 16th World Confluence of Humanity, Power and Spirituality brought together participants from diverse spiritual, religious, and cultural backgrounds. It offered a renewed understanding of spirituality and its practice during the two-day gathering (December 26–27) at the Dhonno Dhanyo Auditorium, Kolkata.

It was a profound and enlightening confluence that explored humanity’s timeless quest for happiness and peace. Though our spiritual and religious longings may differ in expression, they ultimately converge toward similar goals. The Confluence brought together intellectuals, global spiritual masters, seekers of truth, religious leaders, entrepreneurs, and participants from across India and abroad. Each speaker shared insights drawn from deep personal spiritual discovery, shaped by their respective religious tenets and beliefs.

Over 50 speakers from various religious traditions addressed the gathering, sharing how spiritual enlightenment translated into lifestyle and daily living. The sessions were thoughtfully moderated by eminent scholars of religion, spirituality, and philosophy. Dr. Rahul Verma, one of the key coordinators, played a significant role in bringing together voices from diverse spiritual backgrounds.

2. Spiritual Intelligence

Spiritual Intelligence (SI) is a concept used by philosophers, psychologists, and developmental theorists to describe spiritual capacities parallel to Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and Emotional Intelligence (EQ). SI represents an inclusive and practical approach to spirituality, enabling individuals to apply spiritual wisdom to daily problem-solving.

It can be cultivated and developed, contributing to overall well-being and personal growth in social behaviour and relationships. SI involves understanding spirituality as a dimension of self-identity — a search for the sacred or transcendent — and fostering a personal relationship with what one considers sacred.

3. Meaning of Spirituality

The meaning of spirituality has evolved over time and carries multiple interpretations. Traditionally, spirituality referred to a religious process of re-formation aimed at restoring the “image of God” in human beings, as reflected in the founders and sacred texts of world religions.

In early Christianity, spirituality referred to a life oriented toward the Holy Spirit. During the Late Middle Ages, it expanded to include the inner and psychological dimensions of life. In modern times, spirituality emphasizes subjective experience and the “deepest values and meanings by which people live,” often in contexts distinct from organized religion.

Spirituality may be understood as an individual’s search for ultimate or sacred meaning and purpose in life. It may also involve personal growth, religious experience, belief in a supernatural reality, or making sense of one’s inner dimension.

Carl Jung, in his 1928 work The Spiritual Problem of Modern Man, observed that religion appeared increasingly external to modern individuals, no longer emerging from the psyche. He believed modern humanity suffered from a loss of the mystical or spiritual dimension.

4. Neo-Vedanta: Neo-Hinduism and Hindu Universalism

Western spirituality was significantly influenced by Neo-Vedanta (also called Neo-Hinduism or Hindu Universalism), a modern interpretation of Hinduism that emerged in response to colonialism and Orientalism. It sought to present a unified and philosophical form of Hinduism, with Advaita Vedanta as its core doctrine.

From the 19th century onward, intellectual exchanges between Asia and the West reshaped both traditions. Unitarian and Universalist ideas influenced Indian reform movements, particularly through Raja Ram Mohan Roy and the Brahmo Samaj. This universalist interpretation was later popularized globally by Swami Vivekananda, who presented Vedanta philosophy to Western audiences.

5. Faith Without Action is Meaningless

The Letter of St. James (2:5–7) reminds believers that faith must be accompanied by justice and compassion. God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith, yet society often dishonours them. The text challenges believers to examine the authenticity of their faith.

Modern spirituality focuses on the deepest values by which people live. It envisions an inner journey through which individuals discover their true essence.

St. James further declares (2:15–17): faith without works is dead. If one claims faith but fails to act compassionately toward those in need, such faith is empty. Spiritual Intelligence therefore requires application — spirituality must translate into ethical living and social responsibility.

6. Models of Spiritual Intelligence

Models of Spiritual Intelligence include figures such as Mother Teresa, Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Desmond Tutu, Dalai Lama, and Annie Besant.

These individuals embodied spirituality through compassion, justice, and transformative social engagement. Their mystical or ethical grounding inspired socio-economic and political change.

Thus, Spiritual Intelligence is the capacity to discover deeper meaning and purpose through wisdom, compassion, transcendence, and ethical responsibility. It forms a foundation upon which IQ and EQ operate, enabling individuals to live meaningful, connected, and value-centered lives.

7. William James and Rudolf Otto on Spirituality

Spiritual experience plays a central role in modern spirituality. Two influential thinkers were William James and Rudolf Otto.

James’ seminal work, The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902), described mystical experience as foundational to religion. He viewed mysticism as a personal encounter with a larger reality, while cautioning against dogmatism. For James, mystical experience offered transformative insight without requiring rigid doctrinal belief.

Otto, in The Idea of the Holy (1917), introduced the concept of the “numinous” — the mysterious and awe-inspiring dimension of the sacred. Both scholars significantly shaped modern understandings of spirituality and religious experience.

8. Core Dimensions of Spiritual Intelligence

The core dimensions of SI include:

Critical Existential Thinking – the capacity to reflect deeply on life’s fundamental questions without prejudice.

Personal Meaning Production – the ability to derive meaning from daily experiences and integrate them constructively.

Transcendental Awareness – perceiving oneself as part of a larger cosmic reality.

Conscious State Expansion – the ability to enter deeper states of awareness (such as meditation) to experience connection with the sacred, nature, and others.

Although spirituality is inherent in every human being, the conscious and constructive cultivation of it constitutes Spiritual Intelligence. This voluntary engagement with

one’s spiritual self fosters resilience, fulfilment, and responsible living.

9. Christian Mysticism: Union with Christ

Christian spirituality involves living out one’s faith authentically in daily life. Pope Francis highlights several dimensions of Christian spirituality:

An alternative understanding of quality of life, free from consumerist obsession.

Growth marked by moderation and contentment.

Integration of meaningful work and restorative rest.

Christian mysticism refers to the experiential knowledge of union with Christ. Within Catholic and Eastern

Orthodox traditions, mystical theology explores contemplative practices such as Lectio Divina. Mystical experience ranges from profound union with God to simple, prayerful reflection on Scripture.

10. Conclusion

The Confluence was initiated in 2010 by Dr. H. P. Kanoria, whose vision integrates values, leadership, and spirituality. He believes business and governance must be grounded in moral and spiritual principles, and that wealth creation should align with service to humanity.

His mission promotes peace, harmony, eco-spirituality, respect for all religions, empowerment of women and youth, and awakening inner human potential. Over 15 years, the Confluence has evolved into a global movement, providing a platform where corporate leaders and spiritual masters, scientists and saints, policymakers and students engage in meaningful dialogue.

It is not merely a conference but an ongoing conversation aimed at expanding global consciousness. It celebrates unity in diversity and diversity in unity. The true measure of spirituality lies not in theory but in practice — in love, service, and compassionate leadership.

True spirituality forms “servant leaders” who build bridges of peace and harmony. Prosperity must be value-based and oriented toward fulfilment and collective well-being. Religions are like flowers of different colours, tied together with the cord of love into a bouquet offered at the altar of truth.