Is studying emotional intelligence harmful to the Catholic faith?

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Why should it be wrong?..unless of course it’s being used to oppose Catholic views. Interested in the topic myself especially if its related to healing and cure.
 
Given this and your other thread, why do you seem to feel that mindfulness meditation and variants on it are somehow against the teaching of the Catholic Church?

Mindfulness, EI and everything else in the world can be harmful to one’s Catholic beliefs if used in a manner that opposes Catholic teaching. Most of the time they are just used as completely neutral tools that have nothing to do with religion. I think you need to stop worrying so much about this, especially if (as it seems you are doing) you are going to study psychology.

Edited to add, if you google “Mindfulness meditation Catholicism” you get a whole bunch of articles and blogs discussing how this technique can be easily used in Catholic spirituality or by a Catholic in daily life. All it is, is being self-aware and able to choose a reaction instead of just emotionally flying off the handle. It’s basically the equivalent of the old idea of “take a deep breath and count to ten before you react”.
 
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Piggybacking on what Bearself said, it seems like what you need is discernment and wisdom, not evaluating each thing on a case-by-case basis.

There was a saying by one of the Early Fathers, “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?”- essentially he was saying that the philosophies popular in Athens could offer nothing to Christians and should be avoided. At the same time there were Fathers who looked at those same philosophies and asked, “What here fits into our Faith?” As Catholics we recognize that any truth or goodness or beauty in the world comes from God; we have a “copyright” in those departments. Obviously certain things absolutely ought to be avoided- the occult, blatant atheism, fundamentalism. But whatever kernel of truth is to be found in studies of psychology, of world religions, philosophy, these are ours to begin with. It just can take some clarity of sight to pick them out and recognize them for what they are.
 
I don’t know about that. Mindfulness seems to come from different pagan spiritual practices rather than research and education. It shouldn’t have a meditation at all.
 
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Well that’s the Church’s position on other faiths. Whatever truth youll find in other practices, you’d have found it in the Church anyway. As far spirituality goes I see no reason for anyone to ever look outside our Tradition. There’s so much to work with and use, everything from Carmelite to Ignatian Spirituality to lectio divina. And we’ve been making saints with those practices for a long time.
 
As long as the practices brings us closer to God and charity of neighbor. I think it’s good to have an open mind but should avoid anything harmful to the catholic faith.
 
edjlopez23 said:
Emotional intelligence (EI) is the capability of individuals to recognize their own emotions and those of others, discern between different feelings and label them appropriately, use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior, and manage and/or adjust emotions to adapt to environments or achieve one’s goal(s).
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It sounds like trying to become manipulating. Also… to change your emotion according to your goals? How do you know that emotion has changed and how do you know that you achieved more than to just push it in the subconscious level where it can haunt you even better later on?
 
I’m a public school teacher in my 21st year of teaching.

The phrase “emotional intelligence” (EI) has nothing to do with any spiritual practices.

It is a reference to how well one manages one’s own emotions.

People who lash out against others, who are passive aggressive, who manipulate others, who care nothing for the feelings of others – these people would be said to have a low EI.

People who take responsibility for their own feelings, who consider the feelings of others, who are aware of their own triggers and even the things that trigger negative reactions in others (and use that knowledge to “keep the peace” as it were) would be said have a high EI.

The idea came out at a time when Howard Gardner was promoting his theory of “Multiple Intelligences” which challenges the idea that IQ (intelligence quotient) was a reliable, stand-alone measure of a person’s intelligence. IQ tests essentially measure mathematics (logic/reasoning/spacial relationships) and language abilities.

Multiple Intelligence theory and Emotional Intelligence challenge IQ as the end-all and be-all of what it means to be intelligent.
 
Mary888 said:
It sounds like trying to become manipulating. Also… to change your emotion according to your goals? How do you know that emotion has changed and how do you know that you achieved more than to just push it in the subconscious level where it can haunt you even better later on?
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The theory posits that a person with high emotional intelligence would know the difference between an emotion that is a reaction to simple stressors (little argument with a loved one, worry over bills/money, even anxiety while driving in traffic) and an emotion that is a response to a more significant event that needs to be addressed long-term (death of a loved one, being the victim of a violent crime, betrayal by a loved one).

If my teenage son and I have a spat on the way to school and don’t have time to resolve it, I’m probably still gonna be angry when I get to work. But I can choose to let my anger go and live in the present moment with my students, my colleagues, etc., tending to the work at hand – without causing any deep psychological problems down the road.

If my spouse or significant other tells me it’s over on the way to school, I’m gonna need some serious support in the present moment and a long ways on moving forward. I’m going to need to rearrange my schedule to make time to deal with things. And I’m going to need to ask for help – or I might have major issues (bitterness, resentment, anger) down the road.

But again, a person with a high EI has learned to identify the level of their own emotions and manage them appropriately.
 
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Hi @edjlopez23
Studying simple psychology or ,psychiatric course or advance course will do their is no problem but mixing or manipulating it with pagan practices,other non -catholic religion is dangerous dont gamble with your soul and leading other astray Revelation 2:24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call ‘the deep things of Satan,’ to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Marketing companies use emotional intelligence practices for their own gain which is Unethical,irresponsible and destructive to the masses, as facebook has done ,


Is Facebook Targeting Ads at Sad Teens?
The social network appears to leverage sensitive user data to aim ads at teenagers who say they feel “anxious” and “worthless.”
by Michael Reilly May 1, 2017
Facebook appears to be using its considerable cache of user data to single out teens—including those who are feeling down—in an attempt to sell ads that target them.

According to the report, the selling point of this 2017 document is that Facebook’s algorithms can determine, and allow advertisers to p(name removed by moderator)oint, “moments when young people need a confidence boost.” If that phrase isn’t clear enough, Facebook’s document offers a litany of teen emotional states that the company claims it can estimate based on how teens use the service, including “worthless,” “insecure,” “defeated,” “anxious,” “silly,” “useless,” “stupid,” “overwhelmed,” “stressed,” and “a failure.”

The document suggests that ads have been targeted at users as young as 14 years old living in Australia and New Zealand. Facebook did not comment when asked by the Australian whether it employs similar tactics in other countries.

2 Corinthians 4:3-9 For if the gospel we preach is hidden, it is hidden only from those who are being lost. 4 They do not believe, because their minds have been kept in the dark by the evil god of this world. He keeps them from seeing the light shining on them, the light that comes from the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 5 For it is not ourselves that we preach; we preach Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 The God who said, “Out of darkness the light shall shine!” is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts, to bring us the knowledge of God’s glory shining in the face of Christ.

7 Yet we who have this spiritual treasure are like common clay pots, in order to show that the supreme power belongs to God, not to us. 8 We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair; 9 there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed.

Ephesians 4:14 Then we shall no longer be children, carried by the waves and blown about by every shifting wind of the teaching of deceitful people, who lead others into error by the tricks they invent.
 
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Emotional intelligence tests are just psychological quizzes. They are right up there with Myers Briggs tests. They provide little insight into one’s true character or motivations, in fact, they often confuse the test taker. It is better to just realize we are all sinners and should work on the precepts of Jesus Christ - to love God and our neighbors, no matter how hard that may be. No matter what your “emotional intelligence” or “psychological type” we are all loved equally by our God.
 
“To achieve your goals” in an argument doesn’t it mean to make the other side be convinced in your right?
So if you spat with closed ones, you may deliberately delay the fight in order to find a better time and setting for your fight, one that would advantage you to win.
Or you may just sacrifice , dare I say “crucify” temporarly your reasons in order to find out what is really going on between the two of you. Why is it really coming down as conflict that cannot be reasoned, because you love them and you want tbe truth to triumph.
EI encourages to achieve your goals in an emotional environment not to seek further.
And my other question is what are the methods the psychologists suggest in order to increase your EI.
 
Mary888 said:
“To achieve your goals” in an argument doesn’t it mean to make the other side be convinced in your right?
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No, it could mean for you both to understand each other better, to work out a compromise so you stop arguing, to grow the pie so you both are happy, basically creating a win-win situation.
 
Agreed 🙂

It would be nice if we lived in a world where we didn’t have to be so careful about such things.
 
It “could” mean this. But when I start a fight my goal is to win it is it not so? Because if I ever had any doubt about me being right it would not be a fight in the first place.
So EI is supposing to make me able to lie to myself that my goal is not what it must be in the hermeneutics of an argument but another higher one?
Why would I even argue with someone I love unless I am sure I am right. To claim I would fight for a lesser reason does it not diminish my love for them?
 
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You’re characterizing an “argument” as a “fight”. I see it as more of a discussion or opportunity for growth.

My husband and I don’t really argue, we never have. We occasionally bicker or get short with each other if we are tired, but this is not about somebody making a point in an argument, it’s basically just being grumpy. I have a hard time remembering last time we argued over something in the way you’re describing, to be honest.

Most of my “arguments” would be with people at work over how to handle a project, or maybe a legal “argument” or something on an internet forum that would be more of a discussion.
 
I’ ve read four of Daniel Goleman’ s books as they came out,and follow his articles every now and then today.
His books ,Emotional Intelligence,Emotional Intelligence at the workplace and Focus were a very helpful way to reshift this notion of the IQ only.
I got explanations as new insight to understand how to work things out in every day life in a more effective and assertive way. And also help others how to overcome normal difficulties to move foward and solve problems.
Along with the lines of Gertabelle,there is nothing spirtual or religious conflicting. And it is more based on neuroscience .
Properly given,the course you mentioned should be helpful,and if it is not,perhaps Emotional Intelligence in the workplace may give you and interesting overall of its practical application. And then there is your critical mind to take what it is practical and helpful and objective as it will be throughout any course you take.
Focus was super interesting as well.
All the best with your studies!
 
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Mary888 said:
It “could” mean this. But when I start a fight my goal is to win it is it not so? Because if I ever had any doubt about me being right it would not be a fight in the first place.
So EI is supposing to make me able to lie to myself that my goal is not what it must be in the hermeneutics of an argument but another higher one?
Why would I even argue with someone I love unless I am sure I am right. To claim I would fight for a lesser reason does it not diminish my love for them?
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I really don’t care what you think about EI – I don’t care about it as a theory, it has no use to me as a teacher, as a mom, as a person – so I’m not gonna spend more time beyond this point trying to explain it to you.

It’s just a theory to push back against IQ being the only valuable measure of intelligence.

Regarding fighting with someone you love because you think you’re right and have to win…

Well, in EI theory, that would be a rather low level of emotional intelligence. A higher level would be someone recognizing that a fight could be brought on by anything from tiredness to low blood sugar, from stress at work/school to worry about money/bills/possessions – and then taking responsibility for their part of the fight and apologizing.

In real life, someone with high emotional intelligence is usually seen as a mature person.

Someone with low emotional intelligence is usually regarded as being immature.

But seriously, it’s just one more theory about intelligence. And if you’re really interested, go do some Google research and read a little bit about it. You might also be interested in Howard Gardner’s theories on Multiple Intelligences – loved his work waaaayyy more than EI theory.

Carry on.
 
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