In this episode, Brian Miller, Executive Director of Coach Approach Ministries, sits down with Paul Burns, author of the new book Spiritual Intelligence: Becoming Spiritually Intelligent – Nine Paths Toward Your Most Loving Self. Together, they explore the intersection of spiritual intelligence, emotional health, and attachment theory, diving into what it means to develop a Christ-centered approach to becoming one’s most loving self. Paul shares personal experiences, insights from his coaching practice, and practical guidance on how we can cultivate a secure attachment to God, which fosters both spiritual and emotional growth.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Spiritual Intelligence – A Christ-Centered Approach:    - Paul introduces spiritual intelligence as the integration of emotional intelligence and attachment to God.    - He explains how this approach goes beyond emotional intelligence, focusing on developing a loving, Christ-centered presence in every interaction.    - By addressing the instinctual needs for self-defense or attack, spiritual intelligence helps individuals become more grounded and loving.

2. Attachment Theory and Relationship with God:    - Paul delves into attachment theory, explaining how it helps us understand our relationships with others and God.    - He highlights the significance of having a secure attachment to God, which builds confidence and resilience in spiritual growth.    - Brian shares his personal experience of overcoming insecurity by fostering a deeper attachment to God, thanks to the guidance and practices from Paul's book.

3. Non-Anxious Presence (Self-Differentiation):    - Paul unpacks the concept of self-differentiation, or maintaining emotional boundaries while staying empathetic and engaged.    - This is crucial for leaders, as it helps them stay calm and grounded while guiding others, without getting overwhelmed by others' emotions.    - Paul shares practical strategies for lowering anxiety, which fosters deeper empathy and a healthier presence in relationships and leadership roles.

4. Empathy, Busyness, and Leadership:    - Paul emphasizes the importance of empathy in leadership and relationships, noting that busyness is often the greatest enemy of empathy.    - He explains how being in a hurry can disconnect us from others and blind us to their needs, while slowing down makes us more present and compassionate.    - Being interruptible, as Jesus often was, is key to fostering a loving and empathetic presence in everyday interactions.

5. Practical Applications for Leaders, Pastors, and Coaches:    - Paul shares personal stories from his journey as a father, spouse, and leader, emphasizing the transformative power of spiritual intelligence.    - The episode offers insights for leaders, pastors, and ministry coaches on how they can apply spiritual intelligence to create secure, empathetic environments for those they serve.    - Paul invites listeners to explore his book, Spiritual Intelligence, and take the GPS Spiritual Inventory available on his website, soul-metrics.com, for further personal and spiritual development.

This episode is packed with practical tools and spiritual wisdom for anyone looking to become a more loving, empathetic, and spiritually grounded leader or individual.

Tune in next week for another episode packed with practical insights for coaches!

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