Mindfulness as a first step in developing emotional intelligence
In 1983, Howard Gardner published the book The frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. This book meant a before and after in the understanding of the concept of intelligence, which was previously connected, almost exclusively, with the intellectual quotient. Two of the seven intelligences initially defined by Gardner - intrapersonal intelligence (which refers to how we relate to ourselves) and interpersonal intelligence (which refers to how we relate to others) - were the forefunners of what years later, in 1990, was defined as emotional intelligence by Mayer and Salovey. But it was not until the publication of the best seller Emotional Intelligence in 1995 by the American psychologist, journalist and writer Daniel Goleman, , when this psychological construct became popular and was introduced in schools little by little. It was precisely The United States one of the first countries that proposed socio-emotional learning through Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), which became one of the most internationally recognized socio-emotional education programs.
Mindfulness as a requirement for the development of emotional intelligence
Subsequent to Mayer and Salovey's definition of emotional intelligence, many different models of this concept emerged. It is not the objective of this article to talk about the different models developed around this psychological construct. However, it is essential to bear in mind that they all are built on the same basis: emotional self-awareness is essential to be able to manage emotions. But what is emotional self-awareness? Emotional self-awareness is a skill that allows us to become aware of what we are feeling at a specific moment. It is, therefore, an intrapersonal skill. For this awareness, it is essential to develop mindfulness in what happens or, as it is popularly known, "being in the present" or "being here and now". Something that might seem easy to do, is not. The mind tends to be disconnected from what we are doing at the moment. Frecuently, the mind wanders between the past and the future. In fact, according to a study by Killingsworth and Gilbert (2010), this happens 46.9% of the time in the average person. However, we experience greater happiness when we are in the present. I leave you the link to this study in case you are interested in knowing more about this topic.
KILLINGSWORTH___GILBERT__2010_.pdf
Mindfulness practice as a tool to develop mindfulness
Mindfulness consists of a meditative practice whose objective is to bring awareness to the present moment. This process must be done without judgment and without expectations for the practice to be successful. The benefits of mindfulness are widely known and range from the personal area (greater mental and emotional balance, improved interpersonal relationships or health) to the professional area (greater efficiency and productivity). We can find different ways to practice mindfulness that, basically, can be divided into formal practice (isolated) and informal practice (integrated in day to day).
Given the importance that mindfulness has for the development of emotional intelligence, compulsory education at schools are integrating this practice as part of the training offered in their centers, but on this issue I will speak more in depth in the next article. Until then!!
REFERENCES
Gardner, H. (1983). The Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. New York: Basic Books.
Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence. Why it Can Matter more than IQ. New York: Bantam Books
Salovey, P., y Mayer, J. D. (1990). Emotional intelligence. Imagination, cognition and personality, 9(3), 185-211.