With the popularity of EQ and SQ in recent years, it might be worth remembering an older way of conceiving intelligence, which helps cultivate individual aspects of ourselves. This is Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligence. In 1984, in his book Frames of Mind—The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, he offered a critique of IQ testing and suggested that what we possess is not one 'intelligence' but seven different intelligences. These are: logical-mathematical, linguistic, musical, bodily kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal and spatial.


Intelligence Type:

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
This is what we use to manipulate concepts and arrange them into meaningful patterns. We develop this by constantly confronting objects, assessing them and reordering them.

Linguistic Intelligence
This is the intelligence that gives us sensitivity to language, an ability to absorb and manipulate it skillfully and to be aware of shades of meaning.

Musical Intelligence
This gives us our sensitivity to sound, our ability to arrange sounds into patterns pleasing to the human ear.

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence
This is the intelligence that gives us the ability to perform tasks of great discipline and commitment with our bodies. Dancers, athletes and martial arts practitioners have this.

Interpersonal Intelligence
This gives us the ability to relate skillfully with others, to be aware of our feelings and the other person's, to see where the other person is coming from.

Intrapersonal Intelligence
This is about becoming truly aware of ourselves and having the ability to constantly purify ourselves in order to access higher levels of joy and power.

Spatial Intelligence
This form of intelligence calls upon our ability to create a mental image. It gives us the capacity to perceive the visual world accurately and to perform transformations and modifications upon our initial perceptions. Artists, designers and architects have this intelligence.

How To Develop It:
1. Learn a computer language
2. Work on logic puzzles
3. Identify scientific principles around the house: pumps, bulbs etc.


1. Take a writing class
2. Record yourself speaking into a tape-recorder
3. Memorize passages of poetry


1. Sing in the shower
2. Memorize tunes
3. Spend time listening to music everyday


1. Take up martial arts like tai chi or karate
2. Take up a sport
3. Learn a craft such as woodworking or crochet


1. Decide to meet one new person a week and stay in touch.
2. Join an NGO
3. Spend 15 minutes a day listening actively to a friend.

1. Do a vipassana course and make it a part of your life
2. Spend time with yourself everyday, just being quiet
3. Read biographies of people with powerful personalities

1. Take classes in painting, sculpture or photography
2. Buy a graphics software program and create designs on the computer
3. Watch films with attention to lighting, camera angles, color and other aspects of cinema.