Wise or Intelligent?

By. Mbah Dharmodumadi Purwalodra

Intelligence is a common thing that has everyone in this millennial era. People in this age are very rich on various information, knowledge and mastered digital technology. However, when they do not have wise, then their intelligence only used to deceive, corrupt and damage the common good. Therefore, humans must be wise.

Wise reason is more than a scientific reason. Wise becomes the main guide, so that our intelligence can serve the common good. This becomes very important amid the rise of the issue of radicalism in all its forms, and the flood of false information (hoax) that engulfs our lives.

There are two things contained in wise, the first is the ability to see the world as it is, without involving pre-existing prejudices. This is also in line with the basic view of the philosophy of phenomenology, namely returning to the object itself. The second, wise as the ability to behave according to the circumstances. This means, people can use their knowledge, according to their needs. We know when to be quiet. We know when to say or act. Here, wise is our ability to adjust and consider everything appropriately.

Wise is an urgent need in this millennial era. Wise is not only the needs of the educated, but for all human beings who are living a dignified life, far from lies and endless conflict. Because of that, in the midst of an increasingly uncertain world, wise is the handle of life that offers meaningful direction.

Wise of human can not stand alone. Reasonable wise must be supported by intelligence. Similarly, when someone has multiple language skill, then someone needs linguistic intelligence. Someone who has the wise must be based on another intelligence, namely : spiritual intelligence. Spiritual intelligence is the most important intelligence that can be possessed by humans, and as a controller of all intelligence, which is found in the world of science today.

The concept of spiritual intelligence formulated systematically by Robert Emmons in his scientific article entitled, Is Spirituality an Intelligence ? Motivation, Cognition, and the Psychology of Ultimate Concern. This article was published in a scientific journal called the International Journal for the Psychology of Religion.

Robert Emmons's concept developed from Howard Gardner's research on multiple intelligence. Gardner said that human intelligence has many types, and each must be seen uniquely, even though they connected to each other. For Emmons, spiritual intelligence is the ability of humans to create wholeness in themselves. Humans are no longer divided by disappointment and anxiety, but as a person who connected with the universe. This is intrapersonal transformation.

The question is how do we develop this spiritual intelligence? First, spiritual intelligence develops, when we understand the purpose and meaning of our own lives. The purpose and meaning of life is very basic, that is, living in accordance with all the potential we have, for the good of as many people as possible.

We have to realize, it turns out there are still many people go through life, only a lifetime. They do not understand the purpose and meaning of their lives. Their lives feel empty, because they are filled with the pursuit of fulfilling false needs, such as : wealth, good name, and sexual satisfaction. In fact, if all that we continue to pursue, we will be trapped in disappointment and inner emptiness. External pleasures are always temporary, and end in dissatisfaction. Therefore, the purpose and meaning of life must be sought within ourselves, namely to find its true identity as a citizen of the universe.

Second, spiritual intelligence also develops in line with our ability to manage ourselves. Managing yourself means managing all thoughts, emotions and desires that come and go. We are no longer tortured by our thoughts, usually in the form of regret and anxiety. We are also no longer enslaved by emotions, so we easily fall into deep anger and sadness.

We think that our thoughts and emotions are a reality, so we drift into it, and get trapped into suffering without benefits. We pursue our various desires without being critical and reflective, which ultimately leads to disappointment. The ability to manage yourself is very important in our daily lives.

Third, spiritual intelligence also requires awareness. That is, awareness is the ability to live from moment to moment with full attention to all thoughts, the arising of desires and desires that arise. Thus, we can act with full awareness. Anger and crackdown are also carried out with full awareness, if indeed awareness is needed for that.

Many people cannot do this. They do all that without awareness and attention, so it is very dangerous, ranging from hurting others to destroying nature. After that, regret and resolution filled their minds. Awareness and attention are very important in forming spiritual intelligence.

Fourth, spiritual intelligence get rid of egos, and invites others to be able to overcome their interests. Our lives will be directed at the interests of all beings, and not just focus on personal pleasure or glory. This is probably the most difficult thing to do. We need to look at everything from the perspective of our interests. The interests of others, the more interests of nature, we prefer to ignore, even we sacrifice. Greed is the driving force without awareness. Evil and manipulative attitude is something that is reasonable to do. This has a very strong destructive power, not only the quality of people's lives, but also the quality of personal lives of those around them.

If we can look more deeply, it turns out that spiritual intelligence is the most important intelligence that humans can have. We can have logical-mathematical intelligence or artistic-aesthetic intelligence. However, if we do not have spiritual intelligence, then the intelligence we have can slip into self-destruction as well as living together. Actually, human life can be wiser, safer and more peaceful, if only this spiritual intelligence becomes the commander and determinant of attitudes, behavior and habits of daily life. Wallahu A'lamu Bishshawwab.

Bekasi, November 10, 2019.