Spiritual Giftedness

What is Spiritual Giftedness?

Well, this is the concept that someone can be gifted in a spiritual way, for instance to be able to quickly learn how to do meditation, to have a knowledge of one's higher spirit, to have experiences that confirm an afterlife, perhaps to have very strong intuition and/or psychic skills.

At the 1999 National Association on Gifted Children convention, Michael Piechowski presented a class on Spiritual Giftedness. It was a very popular topic, with over sixy people present, a full twenty more than the room could seat. Piechowski is a well known researcher in the field of gifted education and particularly educational psychology. He was a student of Dabrowski's, the developer of the theory of Overexcitabilites. Piechowski explained that he came to the study of spiritual giftedness through his work with Dabrowski's theory as well as the work of Anna Marie Roeper's work on emotional giftedness, as well as his research and study in the field of transpersonal psychology.

Piechowski told us about William James's study of religious experience and James's discoveries about the concept of spiritual giftedness. From his book, "The Varieties of Religious Experience", published in 1902 (Can you believe that?! Almost a hundred years ago!!), James described similarities in the belief systems of spiritually gifted persons as follows:

1. That the visible world is part of a more spiritual universe from which it draws its chief significance

2. That union or harmonious relation with that higher universe is our true end;

3. That prayer or inner communion with the spirit thereof - be that spirit "God" or "law" - is a process wherein work is really done, and spiritual energy flows in and produces effects, psychological or material, within the phenomenal world;

4. A new zest which adds itself like a gift to life;

5. An assurance of safety and a temper of peace, and in relation to others, a preponderance of loving affections.

[James, W. (1902/1936). "The varieties of religous experience". New York: Modern Library, pp. 476-477.]

Piechowski also offered evidence from Edward Hoffman's book, "Visions of Innocence" (1992) of spiritual giftedness. Hoffman interviewed many persons about spiritual experiences recalled from childhood from 20-70 years later and was able to put them all into the following major categories:

* Spontaneous moments of ecstasy, boundless joy, timelessness, oneness with nature, connectedness with all people, a sense of well-being, mastery, and confidence (ie. peak experiences)

* Experience with God, eternal Presence, God in everything

* Experiences of the life force and pulsating energy (the chi)

* Inner conviction, contrary to the dictates of adults(Indigo trait)

* Identity: a new sense of self

* Children's techniques of entering nonordinary consciousness

Piechowski also told us that young children have no fear of death and in early childhood they are very spiritually connected. As they age, they (usually) lose this connection. He said we need to offer respect and acceptance when they do share spiritual insights and experiences. I would add that the connection is probably lost because it is not reinforced, supported, or educated, much like a muscle that atrophies from lack of use.



source: metagifted.org

SIGNS OF GIFTEDNESS IN ADULTHOOD
by Elyse Killoran

The vast majority of adults who were labeled *gifted* in childhood are unaware that their advanced development would continue to have an impact throughout their lives. Contrary to popular belief, giftedness is not characterized by high intelligence alone. Rather, gifted individuals experience early & exceptional psychological, spiritual, and intellectual development. As a result, gifted adults exhibit common personality traits and face similar challenges on the road to self-actualization.



Gifted adults demonstrate:

1. Qualitative differences in information processing -- characterized by: unique perception and awareness; a sense of humor and creativity outside the norm; questioning, searching for truth, intuitiveness; insightfulness; comfort with both divergent thinking (breaking things into components) and synergistic thinking (putting things together to form something new and different); relentless curiosity and heightened creative drive; more process-oriented than product-oriented; hold divergent values compared to mainstream culture.

2. High sensitivity -- characterized by: sensitivity to others often combined with a sense of personal alienation and loneliness; acute awareness of complexities and consequences; heightened responsivity to expectations of others.

3. Intensity -- characterized by: high excitability; high energy level; emotional reactivity; high arousal of central nervous system.

4. Multipotentiality -- characterized by: having capabilities in many areas and domains of talent; can move fluidly from one pursuit or interest to the next; have the ability to juggle many things at once.

5. Idealism -- characterized by: striving for moral integrity; interest in social reform & service; extraordinarily high standards; low tolerance for mediocrity and frustration.

6. Perfectionism -- characterized by: self-criticism; labeling themselves as "scattered"; having a lowered sense of entitlement to make mistakes; identifying easily with failure; thinking they are more likely to blame than others; difficulty taking credit for achievement and abilities ("imposter" phenomena).

7. Internal locus of control -- characterized by feelings of: being out of step and on a separate path; being "Other"; not fitting in; striving for Inner Authenticity may experience deep conflicts between needs for self-actualization and maintaining traditional relationships.

8. Strong entelechy (from Greek for "having a goal") -- characterized by: the need for self-determination, for self-actualization; leadership qualities; achievement-oriented; interested in non-traditional careers and professions.

9. Intense moral commitment -- characterized by: seeing injustice and doing something about it; willingness to stand up for one's beliefs; outrage at moral breaches that the rest of the world seems to take for granted.

10. Global view -- characterized by respect for all human beings; a greater capacity for empathy; concern for others--especially children; sensitivity and warmth.

As a gifted individual, it is important that you recognize your precious creativity and acknowledge that the full expression of your gifts would be a tremendous contribution to the society at large. It is essential that you develop a plan to channel and focus your abundance of physical, sensual, intellectual and emotional energy.

The above listing has been derived from the work of Douglas Eby, Mary Rocamora, Kathleen Noble and studies conducted by Linda Kreger Silverman of the Institute for the Study of Advanced Development.

© 1998 Elyse Killoran - President of Women's U. the first virtual educational community by for and about women.