In this profound and thought-provoking episode, I sit down with Dr. Azin Nasseri — International Psychologist, Author, and Licensed Clinician — to explore the emerging concept of spiritual intelligence and what it reveals about the nature of the human being.

At the heart of this conversation is a powerful origin story.

Dr. Nasseri shares a vivid dream from 1994—an experience so real it felt like crossing into another world. Yet as he reflects, the dream itself was not the meaning… but what unfolded in the years that followed.

This insight becomes central to the episode:

👉 Not every spiritual experience is meant to be interpreted literally—
👉 But every experience can shape our development

🧠 Spiritual Intelligence: A New Frontier

Dr. Nasseri introduces spiritual intelligence as a developing framework in psychology—one that integrates science, lived experience, and spiritual wisdom.

Just as emotional intelligence reshaped modern psychology, spiritual intelligence invites us to explore:

meaning
purpose
growth
and the deeper dimensions of human experience

⚖️ Two Models of Human Nature

A key distinction explored in this episode:

Bipartite Model

Human experience = brain + body
Consciousness is a product of neurochemistry

Tripartite Model

Human being = body + mind + soul
The soul is a non-material reality
Illness may affect the brain and consciousness—but not the soul itself

This shift changes how we understand identity, suffering, and healing.

🌿 Dreams, Intuition & Discernment

How do we interpret powerful inner experiences without being misled?

Dr. Nasseri emphasizes:

Dreams can be meaningful—but not always literal
Intuition can be influenced by wishful thinking or past experience
True clarity requires balance

He introduces four pathways of knowing:

Senses
Intellect
Sacred teachings
Spiritual insight

Together, these form a grounded process of search and discovery.

📖 A Guide for the Journey

Throughout the episode, we reflect on The Seven Valleys and its expanded form, The Call of the Divine Beloved by Baha'u'llah.

These writings serve as a guide for human development—mapping stages of growth, transformation, and ultimately, alignment with a higher purpose.

📖 Read here:
https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/call-divine-beloved/4#474041477

In This Episode, We Explore:

🔹 The dream that sparked a lifetime of inquiry
🔹 Why not all spiritual experiences should be taken literally
🔹 Bipartite vs. Tripartite models of human nature
🔹 Why the soul remains untouched by illness
🔹 How to distinguish intuition from projection
🔹 The four pathways of knowing
🔹 Spiritual intelligence as a practical, lived framework

💬 This episode is for anyone navigating spiritual experiences and seeking clarity, grounding, and deeper understanding.

🎧 Listen Now

Episode 28 is now available on:

Spotify
YouTube
The YAM Blog (on my website)

📚 Explore the Work

Spiritual Intelligence: A New Frontier — Cultivating Seven Core Capacities for a Flourishing and Meaningful Life
Order the book to follow along with the conversation