Love became my "true north" -- my guiding principle for acting from my highest and best self. When I am confused and upset, I need something simple and easy to remember. So my "guiding question" in a tough moment is: "What would love do?"

The adrenaline rush is over. The long rebuilding and recovery is ahead. The urgency of surviving gives way to the sadness of personal loss and infrastructure devastation and day after day of work. What is the spiritually intelligent response? Here are some of my ideas. I welcome yours.

Ego is sometimes characterized as the "false self." Some spiritual teachers advocate destroying the ego. I do not. If we love it, it can grow up and be helpful.

My internal arguments would be a bit embarrassing to replay -- but they are part of being human. Watching my mind at work has been such a humbling and wisdom-building process. It is amazing how my ego can see "danger" in harmless situations.

Spiritual intelligence is critical for personal growth and authentic leadership. The community, family, global and business leaders of the future will be those who are quickest to recognize this fact and begin to measure and cultivate the skills of spiritual intelligence in themselves and their organizations.