That's an interesting question that interests me. On the one hand, you learn to think critically, and this includes recognizing the needs and desires as man-made. They are helpful for the majority of people who cannot lead their lives in dignity and morality without a God. I value this highly, but I also know that these are products of human history and belong to our humanity. Everything that remains closed to the human interest in knowledge beyond the possibilities of scientific and technical knowledge is to be assigned to the religious sphere, including metaphysics, mysticism and other possibilities to develop ideas of higher powers that cannot be scientifically produced and proven, but are especially important for man, so that he remains in contact with this sphere for life.

Cognitive facts

They are all mental processes.

no doubt both are mental processes but there is difference between these two concepts and it might be research basis which i am trying to explore here from learned participants

To all objects of knowledge such as things, persons, contents of consciousness, which enter into the recognizing mind of the individual, it develops an emotional relationship as well as a factual recognition. Anyone who relates only the religiousness to an emotional sphere forgets that critical thinking, which normally is called "mental process" or "cognitive performance" (see forerunners), also has an emotional component. Anyone who is in discussion with representatives of critical thinking (or who takes a "critical" point of view himself) quickly becomes aware that the critic has a great interest in bringing injustices, taboo topics and societal repressed facts to light and revealing them to others, as it were, with the gesture of showing them off. This process has a highly emotional component - the feeling of being an enlightener of society and humanity. Therefore one shouldn't underestimate the role of feelings in cognitve processes.

Is there any standardised definition available of Spirituality?

Spirituality is not a scientific construct in Psychology. Everyone has its own defintion. However, sementically, its roots are in the word "Spirit", which means something supernatural and beyond reasoning. Science does not endorse the concepts of spirit and soul. Actually, spirituality is a second line of defence of elite educated people who cannot digest the superstitous beliefs of religions such as miracles, flying elephants & horses, unicorns, formation of universe in 7 days, birth from virgin, ghosts, fairies, heaven, burning in hell etc. etc. There is no rational behind the concept of Spirituality, only it is serving to "Babas or Godmen" who befool people to rob their pockets.

Now coming to your question, spirituality and critical thinking are two opposite realms having inverse relationship. A person with criticial thinking will always ask questions and counter questions to the unjustified answers till he/she reaches a justified conclusion. On contrary, the propagats of spirituality will always tell others to not to use their minds (critical thinking). People often regard spirituality a science by referring to some kind of pseudoscience and quoting the gaps in the human knowledge. Actual thing is that individuals always want to experience happiness, joy or pleasure which too are relative terms as a begger would be a happy man if he gets a note of 10 dollar and at the same time Anil Ambani would be an unhappy man if his business is performing poorer than his brother Mukesh Ambani.

In my opinion, the only vaild tool to understand this universe is science, which is something not final but constantly developing.

Regards

Harman

I think the everyday understanding of spirituality is a universal anthropological achievement, beyond religion, which, however, also possesses its own spirituality. Therefore, it is not difficult to describe the everyday understanding of this term: the ability to be filled with the thought of being in contact with a higher power beyond human cognition, which gives the individual (or a group of like-minded people) a sense of inner strength.

@ Harman ji

Dear sir , your point of view regarding spiritual intelligence is more focused on religious context. As per the available literature its scope is wider . you have really highlighted some points which need some discussion.... Some standardized tests are also available to measure spiritual intelligence and critical thinking .