Spiritual Intelligence: What We Can Learn from the Early Awakening Child

What is spiritual intelligence? And how does one recognize the spiritually intelligent child? According to Marsha Sinetar (Do What You Love, the Money Will Follow), "pluck, optimism, faith, constructive action, even agility in the face of danger and difficulty--all these are spiritual traits." Children who are called "old souls" and who exhibit an early recognition of their creative gifts and life purpose--these are examples of spiritually intelligent children. Using the model of these "early awakeners," Sinetar examines how parents can create an environment that nurtures the inborn spiritual gifts of every child. Fear not: this is not another book about children's spiritual decay and the importance of moral training. Rather, Sinetar argues that this attentive kind of child rearing not only helps children develop stronger relationships and lead happier lives, it also offers spiritual benefits to parents as well. The underlying premise of Sinetar's book, in fact, is largely concerned with how parents can and must develop their own spiritual intelligence to be effective guides and teachers in this arena. While some readers may grow impatient with the rather chaotic structure of this unique parenting book, others will find its message refreshingly direct and its heart solidly in the right place. --Gail Hudson