In his breakthrough book Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman calls for a greater emphasis in society on the emotional arts of empathy, altruism, and cooperation. While celebrating the new discoveries of "the brain's emotional architecture," Goleman blames the rise in problems in families and intimate relationships on deficiencies in emotional intelligence.

Karla McLaren, an empathetic healer, has rightly observed: "Emotions are the richest source of energy we possess." We have certainly found this to be true. Many of our favorite spiritual masters emphasize the healing, nurturing, and uplifting power of positive emotions such as love, joy, enthusiasm, gratitude, compassion, peace, unity, and wonder. These emotions serve as soul boosters and enable us to cope with the messes and the miseries of life.

In our times, many self-help therapists have told us to pay attention to what our emotions are telling us and work with them. Spiritual leaders ask us to go a step further. They suggest we recognize that even the negative emotions we find toxic and troubling, such as anger, hatred, fear, and shame, can be catalysts to our transformation.

We believe there is a great need for all of us to become more observant and familiar with our own and other people's emotions. We can improve our emotional intelligence and apply it at home, in relationships, at work, in our community, and in the world at large.

Thanks to the Emotional Intelligence Institute October has been designated as "Emotional Intelligence Month," a time for individuals, groups, and communities to ponder and practice the ability to perceive, control, and evaluate emotions. We have combed through our quotes database and large archive of book excerpts to find thought-provoking and practical material for each day in October--or any month!

Be sure to check out all the wonderful books we link to and you will see how deep and broad the field of emotional intelligence has become.

Bon voyage on your emotional intelligence adventure!