M&M: Mindfulness and Meditation while on home quarantine:

An Encounter with the Lord / a synthesis paper of topics discussed.

Introduction

Since Filipinos are religious and spiritual by nature, it is natural for them to entrust

their lives on God, especially when they go through times of crisis. Yabut, H. J., Ph.D., RPsy.

(2020). Registered psychologist, psychotherapist, and a faculty member at De La Salle

University under the Psychology department. Aims to develop a measure dimension among

Filipino spiritual relationship with the Supreme Being and co-Filipino.

The Department of Health (DOH) holds the over-all technical authority on health as it

is a national health policymaker and regulatory institution in the Philippines

The quarantine made a lot of people suffer from a series of mental health issues such

as depression, confusion, anger, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD) symptoms. During

this time of the pandemic, a lot of us experienced being terrified, afraid, and stressed, and we

must do something about it. To ease those kinds of feelings, we need to take a moment to

relax, do something that will make us happy. Activities like decluttering, dancing, singing,

meditating, writing, or reading, whatever you enjoy. Or maybe do some exercises to boost

your immune system. Because improving our immune system is essential in reducing and

regulating stress and anxiety.

Body

Here in the Philippines, there is a diversity of religions. Filipinos has their different

beliefs and perspectives. But 85% of the population of the Philippines, Roman Catholicism is

still the dominant religion being practiced (Jacoby, 2002). According to the US Library of

Medicine National Institutes of Health with their journal entitled "Leaving it to God",

Filipinos developed their strength from different Christian practices and attitudes that help

them manage daily challenges and hardships (Gonzales, 2009). Another Filipino value is

reciprocity or "utang na loob" which pertains to the indebtedness of good will (Dancel, 2005).

This only shows that it is natural for Filipinos to show loyalty, gratitude, and obligation when

repaying the "debt" that is owed (Dancel, 2005). For Filipino Catholics, a prayer answered

from God, a patron saint or the Virgin Mary also yield "utang na loob". In connection to the

pandemic that we are experiencing right now, Spirituality and prayer are used by Filipinos to

cope with the situation. Despite of the crisis and for being quarantined for few months now,

prayer provided comfort over coping with the situation. As such, it served as a powerful and

effective coping mechanism that lead to positivity and strength from our experiences (Targ

and Levine, 2002).

According to Hill & Pargament (2003), Filipinos are known for having a deep sense

of spirituality and having a good relationship with God. In terms of measuring spirituality, the

researchers argue that the measures or scales about it should reflect to greater sensitivity to

cultural characteristics, issues, principles, and one's actions. The study aimed to develop a

measure of Filipino spirituality. Specifically, it intended to identify salient dimensions of

spirituality among Filipinos. FilQualitative results showed that spirituality has 3 main themes:

connectedness with the sacred, sense of meaning and purpose, and expressions of spirituality.

Connectednesses with the sacred means continuing your relationship with God and letting

Him control your life. During this quarantine, people experience difficulties to cope up with
their lives and in its changes. They experience stress, anxiety, depression, and domestic

violence. A lot of people these days are experiencing stress because of the online class, doing

a job to provide to their family, and may lost their sense of direction towards our Father. So,

we must remember that we are all here in this world because of the specific purpose we have

in life and that is to live our life in the fullest, to love ourselves and the others, and to Praise

Him with all our heart. Despite of the crisis that is happening globally, Filipinos should not

forget that He is our Father and He will never abandon us. Expression of spirituality may

only come when you entrusted your life to our Lord Jesus Christ. It is when you choose to

believe in Him regardless of what is happening today to fulfil your part as an adopted child of

God despite of the crisis, pandemic, and dilemmas.

For many Filipinos, Catholic practices have been broadened and ethnic identity is

intricately intertwined into a wide meaning of identity, family, and community. A connection

to the divine power is also sought by pilgrimages, saints, and charismatic gatherings, like for

instance prayer meetings, and mass. And it became a tradition for many Filipino to celebrate

feast days of patron saints and Catholic holidays to bring family and friends together. In the

first article, Filipino women with cancer helped them cope up with their diagnosis through

spirituality and religion. They also feel that through prayer they are having a peace of mind.

Most of them believe that there is something that makes their lives easier and it is through

spirituality, religion, and their devotion. They also believe that these three factors have a

contribution to their healing process. Meanwhile, the second article tells us that there is no

generally agreed definition of spirituality and religiosity (Zinnbauer, Pargament, Cole, Rye,

Butter, Belavich, Hipp, Scott, 1997; Hill Pargament, Hood, Mcculough, Swyers, Larson &

Zinnvauer, 2000). They believe that the spirituality is not connected with religiosity

(Torskenaes, et al., 2015). For them, spirituality is deeper than the religion.
Conclusion

In conclusion, this literature review found that Roman Catholicism is the dominant

religion practiced in the Philippines. And it also suggested that Filipinos gained strength and

will power, which helped them overcome challenges through spiritual practices. Moreover,

the concept of “Utang na loob” indebtedness of goodwill is deeply engraved to Filipinos'

culture, it signified that Filipinos are naturally loyal and grateful towards divine beings and

others. They utilize prayers (talking to divine & sacred beings) as a coping mechanism where

they find positivity and strength, to overcome challenges. Furthermore, connection to divine

power is sought in many ways, like celebrations, pilgrimages, saints, and charismatic

gatherings etc. Also, this study suggested that Filipinos are naturally known to have a deep

respect, love and connection with spirituality and God. This study expressed that, Spirituality

in Filipinos has 3 main themes: Connectedness with the sacred, sense of meaning and

purpose, and expression of spirituality. Filipinos found praying grants them peace of mind,

and a sense of connectedness to the Divine. Which provides them the purpose and the feeling

of security and peace. Lastly, this literature review stated that, there is no generally agreed

definition of spirituality and religiosity, and spirituality is deeper than religion. It is suggested

that further studies must focus on how religion affects spirituality or vice-versa, and how they

can be interconnected of differentiated. Also, to determine how different religions can affect

peoples’ personal perspective through spirituality.

References:

1. Yabut, H. J., Ph.D., RPsy. (2020). The Development of the Filipino Spirituality

Scale.

Retrieved from:

https://www.academia.edu/37519473/The_Development_of_the_Filipino_Spirituality

_Scale

2. Department of Health. 2020. Updates on Novel Coronavirus Disease. COVID-19 case

tracker.

Retrieved from:

https://www.doh.gov.ph/2019-ncov/

3. Lagman, R. (2014). Leaving it to God. J Relig Health, 53(2), 449-460.

Retrieved from:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4537655/?

fbclid=IwAR3JFupaiqNsrOLdik7NH494n8cAgECeLf9If58enyHeR_LQdEl35GtirlI