THE SPIRITUAL SELF

Overview

This lesson explores the essence of spirituality, how distinct it is from religiosity, the
influences that form one's spirituality and how it affects one 's self.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, I am able to:

1. differentiate spirituality from religion;
2. describe the practice of religion, belief in supernatural being and power;
3. explain the concept of “dungan”, spirit or soul;
4. evaluate ways of finding and creating meaning in life.

Lesson Proper

SPIRITUALITY AND RELIGION

Oftentimes, many people define spirituality and religion synonymously. There are also
times that these two terms are interchangeably used. Conversely, they are definitely different
concepts. But, they play an important role in our lives.
Spirituality came from the Latin word spiritus which means breath of life. Jafari,
Loghmani and Puchalski (2014) defines spirituality as a way an individual seeks and
communicates the meaning of one’s experiences in relation to self, to nature, and to the
moment. It is a connection to something bigger than you, of significant, reverent, or sacred. On
the other hand, religion came from the Latin word religio that means an obligation, bond,
reverence and religare that means to bind. Many scholars define religion as the relationship of
an individual to God, and involves doctrines, beliefs and rituals connected with the same a
group that has shared same faith. An individual can be both religious and spiritual but being
religious does not mean you are a spiritual person.

Religion Vs. Spirituality : What is the difference? (Brady, 2019)

Religion Spirituality
Object referral Self-referral
Objective vs. Focuses on the external (houses of Focuses on the inward
Subjective worship, books of scripture, journey (internalization and
Experience eternal rituals) awareness of one’s soul)
Structures and rule No set of external rules,
based construct restrictions and rigid
Organized vs. Formless (moral rules, laws and doctrines) structure
(pathless path of self-
discovery)
Deeply rooted in tradition, ritual, more flexible and adaptive
Traditional vs. Evolutionary creed, and doctrine (embraces change and the
Approach (transmitted through history) evolution of consciousness)
About faith direct experience of the soul
 Belief vs. Spiritual (Unconditional acceptance or divinity
Experience and surrender to the
divine)
Concepts of original sin, divine Discards the remains of fear
judgment, God’s wrath, or eternal and worry in favor of a more
Fear vs. Love punishment can loving, compassionate
approach to life—and death

The differences between spirituality and religion are not the outright judgment of
which is better than the other. One’s spiritual and religious beliefs and practices may still vary
from one person to another.

Characteristics of a Spiritual Person

Howell (2013) made a research on the personal and societal benefits of spirituality.
Based on the responses, here the top five characteristics of a spiritual person.
1. A spiritual person is gracious. Spirituality encourages someone to be positive and
expresses gratitude, shows generosity on time and resources, one’s overall life indeed.
2. A spiritual person is compassionate. Living a spiritual life lets a person to feel good
even on small things in life. He or she looks at the world with empathy.
3. A spiritual person is flourishing. Spirituality enables a person to have positive
relationships, high self-esteem and lets him or her look at the meaning and purpose in
life.
4. A spiritual person is self-actualized. Spirituality practices help a person to focus on
their internal values for personal growth. A spiritual person concentrates on the
fulfillment of one’s goal and that is to become a better individual.
5. A spiritual person takes time to savor life experiences. Living a spiritual life makes a
person more aware of his or her day to day activities and gives an experience positive
emotions related to small pleasures in life.

Within the self lies the best way to improve spirituality. Constant thought and
contemplation on decisions and options in life, cultivating empathy and compassion for other
humans, and having confidence in a higher being will improve spiritual awareness. It's not
only finding meaning in life but also how it brings meaning to life.

THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION: BELIEF IN SUPERNATURAL BEING AND

POWER

As you grow older, you start to ask questions rooted in religious orientations. You
have probably compared one religion from another. However, you make realizations and
observations until you found the meaning of that goes beyond your religious orientations.

Functions of Religion
Cognitive enables human to explain the unexplainable phenomena
Social maintains social order by encouraging socially acceptable behavior
and discouraging inappropriate behavior
Emotional / controls the forces which they feel they have no control
Conflict Resolution uses religion as a way of diffusing anger and hostility

Reinforcement of Gro allow people to express common identity and strengthens group
Solidarity up identity and belonging
 Religiosity follows the belief systems and practices associated with a tradition in which
there is agreement about what is believed and practiced.

The supernatural concepts are a part of any human society. One must develop a view
of cultur al relativism to research spiritual beliefs, and try to recognize beliefs from the
viewpoint of an emic or insider. Imposing one culture's meanings or beliefs onto another is
likely to lead to misunderstandings. Despite the wide range of supernatural beliefs found in
cultures around the world, some common elements are shared by most belief systems.

Sashur Henninger-Rener, an anthropologist – research, identified the common

elements of religion in relation to the belief in supernatural being and power.
Elements of Religion

1. Cosmology. This explains the origin or history of the world. Religious cosmologies offer a
"big picture" of how human life was created and the forces or powers at work in the
universe
2. Belief in the Supernatural. This pertains to the realm beyond direct human experience.
The belief may involve a god or gods, but it's not a necessity. Quite a few religious beliefs
involve more abstract ideas about supernatural forces.
3. Rules of Behavior. Such principles describe proper behavior for individuals and society as
a whole, and are geared towards harmonizing individual acts with moral beliefs.
4. Rituals. Religious rituals or procedures which are typically supervised by religious
experts. These may be oriented toward the supernatural, such as rituals designed to
please the gods, but at the same time addressing the needs of individuals or of the entire
community.

THE CONCEPT OF “DUNGAN”, SPIRIT OR SOUL

The word "dungan" originates from the Ilonggos according to Magos (1986). The
Ilonggos' dungan or soul, which is normally not seen by the human eye. According to the
Visayans, this can leave the body voluntarily like when the person is asleep. If a person can
see himself in his dreams it means that the physical body has been replaced by his "other self".
It was profoundly impressed amongst the ancient Filipinos that a person who was asleep does
not suddenly awaken. So a person who is sleepy is first called softly and louder and louder
gradually to give the soul a chance to return to its body.
Traveling off the dungan outside of the body will be accident-free. It can be stuck in a
container or poured out from a vessel of liquid. The owner will only be able to wake up after
the soul has returned home safely. Anything that happens to the dungan does indeed happen
to the human body. It is also suspected that another reason for the soul's voluntary
withdrawal is if the body is seriously maltreated (Magos, 1986).

The Visayan dungan has a secondary sense of "willpower." A good dungan is the
mental and psychological capacity to control one's way of thinking or convince others to. An
individual with a lot of willpower is said to "have a good dungan." The constant
companionship of two people (sometimes under the same roof) can lead to a spiritual rivalry
between the two dungans and the defeat of the one with the weaker dungan.
One may conclude that "dungan" or "spirit" is something that cannot be seen and
touched, and goes beyond our senses. It's also something that science can't describe.
 FINDING AND CREATING MEANING [Frankl]

According to Frankl (1959), the meaning of life lies in finding a purpose and taking
responsibility for oneself and others. A person can face all the "how" questions of life by
having a clear "why." He / She can only make the world a better place by feeling safe and
confident of the goal that motivates him or her.

There are 3 ways to find meaning in one's life according to Frankl in his novel, Man's
Quest For Meaning.

By Doing a Deed
Realizing artistic quality comes not from the ‘greatness' of the mission, but how one
treats and executes his or her mission. It is not the ‘radius' of the action which is
essential, but how one feels the ‘circle' of his / her mission – how respectfully one
performs them.

By Experiencing a Value
Explore all facets of life in-depth, being open and receptive to all life has to bring. Deep
emotional feelings, i.e. wonder and sunset happiness, a pleasure in close contact with
others, sharing a child's sorrow, etc. Support all of the emotions; don't refuse them;
float with them, but don't get trapped.

By Realizing Attitudinal Value

Accept with great bravery all the sufferings caused by an unchanging destiny. Out of
your misery draw power of intent. Intrinsically, human life should never be
meaningless. Life challenges us and puts various circumstances before us.