UNPACKING THE SELF

MODULE
PART 1
THE PHYSICAL SELF, THE SEXUAL SELF,
THE MATERIAL SELF AND THE SPIRITUAL SELF

CHERRIE C. JOANINO
UNDERSTANTING THE SELF
Unit 1: PHYSICAL SELF: THE BEAUTIFUL ME
From childhood, we are controlled by our genetic makeup, i. e, sex chromosomes. It also
influences the way we treat ourselves and others. On the contrary, there are individuals who DO
NOT ACCEPTS their INNATE SEXUAL characteristics and they actually tend to change their
sexual organs through medications and surgery. In addition, external environment helps shapes
us. In this lesson, we are going to explore the development of our sexual characteristics and
behavior.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Determine the condition of your physical self
2. Classify the physiological needs of the self in each stage of life
3. Identify the forces and institutions that impact the development of the various aspects of
identity and the self
4. Explain the importance of a good health

LESSON PROPER

Physical Self/Body is an initial source of sensation and necessary for the origin and maintenance
of personality –William James

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In Psychoanalytical school, Sigmund Freud's construction of self and personality makes the
physical body the core of human experience.
Erik Erikson - the role of bodily organs is especially important in early developmental stages of
a persons life. Later in life, the development of physical as well as intellectual skills help
determine whether the individual will achieve a sense of competence and ability to choose
demanding roles in a complex society
The sociology of the body become an established discipline in the 1990’s. Bryan Turner, coined
the term “somatic society” which means the new found importance of the body in contemporary
society such as: The obsession to have a beautiful face & body, Eating disorder such as anorexia
nervosa and bulimia, The demand for cosmetic surgery and skin whiteners, Body Dysmorphic,
Body Shaming.
Many people especially women spend tremendous expenditure of time, effort and money to alter
their appearances to resemble an ideal image.

UNIT 1.2 SEXUAL SELF: ME AND MY SEXUALITY

Marieb, E.N. (2001) explains that the gonads begin to form until about the eight week of
embryonic development. The embryonic structures of males and females during the early stages
of human development are alike and are said to be in indifferent stage. When the reproductive
structures are formed development of the accessory structures and external genitalia begins.
My Sexual Self
SEX
 Sex is biological – male, female, also intersex (reproductive differences based on genitalia,
chromosomes, hormones)
 A person’s identity based on their physical characteristics, genes and hormones.
 Men: penis
 Women: vagina
 Intersex: chromosomes and hormones of a female but external genital is like that of a
male : chromosomes and hormones of a male but external genital is like that of a female
 Also refers to sexual acts, as in ‘having sex’
 Primary and secondary sex characteristics
GENDER
 Gender is ‘the structure of social relations that centres on the reproductive arena, and the set of
practices that bring reproductive distinctions into social processes (Connell 2002: 10)

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 A term that refers to social or cultural distinctions associated with a given sex; it is generally
considered to be a socially constructed concept.
 Gender underlies assumptions regarding ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’ behaviour
SEXUALITY
 Your sexuality is about who you’re attracted to sexually and romantically.
 Human sexuality refers to people’s sexual interest in and attraction to others, as well as their
capacity to have erotic experiences and responses.
 Straight/Heterosexual -Attracted mostly to people of the opposite sex or gender.
 Gay/Homosexual - Attracted mostly to people of the same sex or gender (refers to guys – and
often to girls, too).
 Lesbian -Attracted mostly to people of the same sex or gender (refers to women).
 Bisexual - Attracted to both men and women.
Biological Perspective of One’s Sex
Beginning of life Life begins at fertilization. It refers to the meeting of the female sex cell and
the male sex cell. These sex cells are developed in the reproductive organs called GONADS. The
male sex cell called spermatozoa [sing. –zoon] are produced in the male gonads called testes. On
the other hand, the female sex cells called ova are produced in the female gonads known ovaries.
The fertilized egg cell known as zygote contains all the hereditary potentials from the parents.
This zygote goes to the uterus and continues to grow during the gestation period of about 280
days or 36 weeks or 9 calendar months.
Both male and female chromosomes contain several thousands of genes – called
deoxyribonucleic acid which is the code of heredity. Maturation is the unfolding of the inherent
traits.

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Human Development
The formation of male or female structures depends on the presence of testosterone (A substance
called hormone that occurs naturally in men and male animals). The embryonic testes release
testosterone once formed and the formation of the duct system and external genitalia follows.
The same with female embryos that form ovaries, it will cause the development of the female
ducts and external genitalia since testosterone hormone is not produce.
Pseudo hermaphrodites are formed who is an individual having accessory reproductive structures
that do not “match” their gonads while true Hermaphrodites are individuals who possess both
ovarian and testicular tissues but this condition is rare in nature. Nowadays, many pseudo
hermaphrodites undergo sex change operation to have their outer selves fit with their inner serves
(gonads).
Human anatomy
Puberty is the period of life when the reproductive organs grow to their adult size and become
functional under the influence of rising levels of gonadal hormones [testosterone in male and
estrogen in female] and generally between the age of 10-15 years old.
At the age of 13, male puberty is characterized by the increase in the size of the reproductive
organs followed by the appearance of hair in the pubic area, axillary and face. The reproductive
organs continue to grow for two years until sexual maturation marked by the presence of mature
semen in the testes.
For the female, the budding of their breasts usually occurring at the age of 11 as a sign of their
puberty stage. Menarche is the first menstrual period of females which happens two years after
the start of puberty. Hormones play an important role in the regulation of ovulation and fertility
of females.

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Factors in development of the physical self
The development of the individual is caused by two interacting forces: heredity and environment.
Heredity [nature] is the transmission of traits from parents to offspring it provides the raw
materials of which the individual is made up. While the environment [nurture] is the sum total of
the forces or experiences that a person undergoes from conception to old age. It includes family,
friends, school, nutrition and other agencies one is in contact with.

Diseases associated with the reproductive systems

Infections are the most common problems associated with the reproductive system in adults.
Vaginal infections are more common in young and elderly women and those whose resistance to
diseases is low, like, Escherichia coli which spread through the digestive tract, the sexually
transmitted microorganisms such as syphilis, gonorrhea and herpes virus and yeast fungus.
Pelvic inflammatory disease and sterility are also the effect of vaginal infections. For males, the
most common inflammatory conditions are prostatitis, urethritis, and epididymitis, STD,
Orchiditis.

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Major treat to reproductive organs are Neoplasms, tumor of the breast and cervix cancers in adult
females and prostates cancer in adult males.
Most women hit the highest point of their reproductive abilities in their late 20‟s, i.e. irregular
ovulation and shorter menstrual periods – menopausal period.
The production of estrogen may continue after menopause but the ovaries finally stop
functioning as endocrine organs. The reproductive organ and breast begin to atrophy or shrink if
estrogen is no longer released from the body. With this case, the vaginal becomes dry that causes
intercourse to become painful if frequent and the vaginal infections become increasingly
common.
Signs of estrogen deficiency: irritability and mood changes [depression in some]; intense
vasodilation of the skin’s blood vessels, gradual thinning of skin and loss of bone mass, slowing
rising high blood levels etc.
Note: there is no counterpart for menopause in males. Although aging men show a steady decline
in testosterone section, their reproductive capability seems unending. Healthy men are still able
to father offspring well into their 80‟ and beyond.
Erogenous zones
It refers to part of the body that are primarily receptive and increase sexual arousal when touched
in a sexual manner. Examples: mouth, breast, genitals, anus. However, erogenous zones may
vary from one person to another. Some people desire and enjoy being touched in certain area
more than the other area, like, neck, thighs, abdomen and feet.
Human Sexual Behavior
It defined as any activity – solitary, between two persons, or in a group – that induces/ brings
sexual arousal [Gebhard, P.H. 2017]. This behavior is classified according to gender and number
of participants.
Types of behavior: Solitary behavior [involving one individual]; and Socio-sexual behavior
[more than one individual].
Solitary behavior
Self – gratification [begins at or b4 puberty] means self –stimulation that leads to sexual arousal
and generally, sexual climax. This takes place in personal and private as an end in itself, but can
also be done in a socio-sexual relationship.
This is common for males but becomes less frequent or is abandoned when socio-sexual activity
is available.
Therefore, self-gratification is most frequent among the unmarried. However this self-
gratification usually decreases as soon as an individual develop socio-sexual relationship.
Nowadays, human are frequently being exposed to sexual stimuli esp. from advertising and
social media. Some adolescents become so much aggressive when they respond to such stimuli.
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The rate of teenage pregnancy is recently increasing. The challenge is to develop self-control so
that to balance suppression and free expression. Why? To prevent premarital sex and acquire
STD.
Socio-sexual behavior
It is the greatest amount of socio-sexual behavior that occurs b/w only one male and one female.
This usually begins in childhood and may be motivated by curiosity, such as showing or
examining genitalia.
Physical contact involving necking and petting is considered as an ingredient of the learning
process and eventually of courtship and selection of a marriage partner.
Petting differs from hugging, kissing and generalized caresses of the clothed body to produce
stimulation of the genitals. This is done due to affection as source of pleasure, preliminary to
coitus [this is an insertion of male reproductive organ into female organ]. This is regarded as an
important aspect in selecting partner but also a way of learning how to interact with another
person sexually.
A behavior may be interpreted by society or individual as erotic depending on the context in
which the behavior occurs. Example, kissing as a gesture of intimacy b/w couples while other
sees this as respect and reverence.
Physiology of human sexual response
Sexual response follows a pattern of sequential stages or phases when sexual activity is
continued.
1. Excitement phase = it is caused by increase in pulse and blood pressure; a sudden rise in
blood supply to the surface of the body resulting in increased skin temperature, flushing,
and swelling of all distensible body parts particularly noticeable in the male and female
reproductive system, rapid breathing, secretion of genital fluids, vaginal expansion, and a
general increase in muscle tension.
2. Plateau phase = it is generally of brief duration. If stimulation is continued, orgasm
usually occurs.
3. Sexual climax = a feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure, and rapid increase in pulse rate and
blood pressure, and spasms of the pelvic muscles causing contractions of the female
reproductive organ and ejaculation by the male that last only for few seconds normally
not over ten.
4. Resolution phase = it refers to the return to a normal or subnormal physiological state.
Whereas males return to normal even if stimulation continues, but continued stimulations
can produce additional orgasms in females. Females are physically capable of repeated
orgasms without the intervening “rest period” required by males.

Nervous system factors

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The nervous system plays a significant role during sexual response. The autonomic system is
involved in controlling the involuntary responses.
The efferent cerebrospinal nerves transmit the sensory messages to the brain to create stimulus
and later initiating a sexual response. The brain will interpret the sensory message and dictate
what will be the immediate and appropriate response of the body. The muscles contract in
response to the signal coming from the motor nerve fibers while glad secretes their respective
product. So, sexual response is dependent the activity of the nervous System.
Hypothalamus and limbic system are part of the brain believed to be responsible for regulating
the sexual response, but there is no specialized “sex center” that has been located in the human
brain.
Apart from brain-controlled sexual responses is the reflex. This reflex is mediated by the lower
spinal cord that leads to erection and ejaculation for male, vaginal discharges and lubricant for
female when the genital areas are stimulated. But still, the brain can overrule and suppress such
reflex activity, when sexual response is socially inappropriate.

Sexual problems
These may be classified as physiological, psychological and social in origin. Physiological
problems are the least among the three categories. Small number of people suffering from
diseases due to abnormal development of the genitalia or that part of the neurophysiology
controlling sexual response. Example: vaginal infection, retroverted uteri, prostatitis, adrenal
tumors, diabetes, senile changes of the vagina and cardiovascular problems.

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Medication: Through surgery
Psychological problems: usually caused by socially induced inhibitions, maladaptive attitudes,
ignorance and sexual myths held by society. Example: mature sex must involve rapid erection,
prolonged coitus and simultaneous orgasm. Methods: magazines, married books and general
sexual folklore often strengthen these demanding ideals which are not always achieved;
therefore, can give rise to feeling of inadequacy anxiety and guilt. Hence, resulting negative
emotions can definitely affect the behavior of an individual.
Premature emission of semen is a common problem for young males. Why? Because of the
natural result of excessive tension in a male who has been sexually deprived. Erectile impotence
is almost always a psychological problem in males under 40; in other cases, the impotence may
be the result of disinterest in the sexual partner, fatigue, and distraction because of nonsexual
worries, intoxication and other causes such as occasional impotency is common and requires no
therapy.
Ejaculatory impotence [inability to ejaculate in coitus] is uncommon and usually of psychogenic
origin. Why? It is due to the past traumatic experiences. Warning! Occasional ejaculatory
inability can be possibly expected in older men or in any male who has exceeding his sexual
capacity.
Lastly, vaginismus is a strong spasm [contraction] of the pelvic musculature constricting the
female reproductive organ so that penetration is painful or impossible. It can be due to anti-
sexual conditioning or psychological trauma as an unconscious defense against coitus.
Medication: through psychotherapy and by gradually dilating/widening the female organ with
increasing large cylinders.
Sexual Reproductive diseases are the following:
1. Chlamydia
2. Gonorrhea
3. Syphilis
4. Chancroid
5. Human Papillomavirus
6. Herpes simplex virus
7. Trichomonas vaginalis
Natural and artificial methods are the following:
1. Abstinence
2. Calendar method
3. Basal body temperature

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4. Cervical mucus method
5. Symptothermal method
6. Ovulation detection
7. Coitus interruptus
Artificial methods are the following:
1. Oral contraceptive
2. Transdermal patch
3. Vaginal ring
4. Subdermal implants
5. Hormonal injections
6. Intrauterine device
7. Chemical barriers
8. Diaphragm
9. Cervical cap
10. Male condoms
11. Female condoms
12. Surgical methods (vasectomy and ligation)

PHYSICAL SELF ACTIVITY

1. Bring a current picture of yourself.
-Put your picture on the center of the page (Microsoft Word/Google Docs)
-Answer the following questions:
What part of your body do you like the most? Why?
What part of your body you don’t like? Why?
If you are given a chance to improve or enhance a part of your body, what is it?
Why?
What part of your body that need to be accepted?

2. Make a slogan that will raise the awareness of the college students and to help eliminate
sexually transmitted diseases especially among the youth(Take a picture of your slogan
and attach the photo in Microsoft Word/Google Docs).

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 3. Agree or Disagree. Are you in favor of legalizing marriage among LGBTQ+? Why?

UNIT 2: MATERIAL SELF: TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY?

We are living in a world of sale and shopping spree. We are given a wide array of products to
purchase from a simple set of spoon and fork to owning a restaurant. Almost everywhere,
including the digital space, we can find promotions of product purchase. Product advertisements
are suggestive of making us feel better or look good. Part of us wants to have that product. What
makes us want to have those products are connected with who we are. What we have and already
possess is related to our self.
Belk stated that “we regard our possessions as part of our selves. What we have and what we
possess.” There is a direct link b/w self-identity with what we have and posses.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Explain the association of self and possessions;
2. Identify the role of consumer culture to self and identity; and
3. Appraise one’s self-based on the description of material self.
LESSON PROPER
Material self

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A Harvard psychology in the late nineteenth century, William James, wrote in the book, the
principles of psychology in 1890 that understanding the self can be examined through its
different components namely: 1] its constituents; 2] the feelings and emotions they aroused self-
feelings; 3] the actions for which they prompt the seeking and self-preservation. The constituents
of self are composed of material self, the social self, the spiritual self, and the pure ego.
The material self, according to William James primarily is about: our bodies; clothes; immediate
family; home.

MATERIAL SELF:
1. Body is the innermost part of material self. You are directly attached to this
commodity that you cannot live without. You strive hard to make sure that this body
functions well and good. Example is Mariah Carey, she was reported to have placed a
huge amount for the insurance of his vocal cords and legs.
2. Clothes is next to the body that was being influenced by the “the philosophy of dress”
by Herman Lotze. William James believed that an essential part of the material self is
clothing. Lotze stipulated in his book that any time you bring an abject into the surface of

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 your body, you invest that object into any consciousness of your personal existence
taking in its contours to be your own and making it part of the self.
3. Immediate Family is the third in the hierarchy. Your parents and siblings hold another
great important part of yourself. What they do or became affects you. When an
immediate family member dies, part of you dies, too. When their lives are in success, you
feel their victories as if you are the one holding the bacon. In their failures, you are put to
chance or guilt. When they are disadvantage situation, there is an urgent urge to help like
a voluntary instinct of saving one’s self from danger.
4. Home is the fourth component of material self. Home is where your heart is. It is the
earliest nest of your selfhood. Your experience inside the home were recorded and
marked on particular parts and things in your home. There was an old cliché about rooms:
“if only walls can speak”. The home thus is an extension of self, because in it, you can
directly connect yourself.
We are what we have
Russel Belk (1988) posits that “… we regard our possessions as part of our selves. We are
what we have and what we possess.” The identification of the self to things stared in our
infancy stage when we make a distinction among self and environment and others who may
desire our possessions.
The possessions that we dearly have tell something about who we are, our selfconcept, our
past, and even our future.
MATERIAL SELF ACTIVITY
1. Create a collage of your treasured possessions including your current clothing style. You
may use symbols or pictures of your treasured possessions. Put a short note why you
treasure each item.
2. Choose 5 objects to put inside your grocery bag. You can choose anything that you can
identify with. Answer the following questions;
- What were the objects selected?
-Why did you choose these objects?
-What are the connections of these objects to yourself?
-If you will be asked to let go of these objects and retain one, which object would
you choose and why?

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UNIT 3: SPIRITUAL SELF: BELIEVE IT OR NOT!
Spiritual self is one of the four (4) constituents of the “self” according to William James in his
book, The Principles of Psychology in 1890. The spiritual self is the most intimate, inner
subjective part of self – the most intimate version of the self because of the satisfaction
experienced when thinking of one‟s ability to argue and discriminate, of one’s moral sensibility
and conscience, and our unconquerable will is purer than all other sentiments of satisfaction.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Identify various religious practices and beliefs;
2. Understand the self in relation with religious beliefs; and
3. Explain ways of finding the meaning of life.

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The practice of religion: belief in supernatural being and power

“The spiritual self is the most intimate, inner subjective part of self. It is the most intimate
version of the self because of the satisfaction experience when one thinks of one’s ability to
argue and discriminate, of one’s moral sensibility and conscience, of our unconquerable will is
more pure than all other sentiments of satisfaction.”- William James

The concept of “dungan" - spirit or soul

In “Babaylanism,” the “babaylan” will explore the world of animism. Animism is a belief of our
ancestors that souls are quasi-physical and can exist outside the body (in dreams and in vision).
A soul can be transferred from one body to another and persist after death of the body as “multo”
(ghost). It may reincarnate in the next life in another form … human, animal or plant.
Animism differs from animatism. Animatism is the basic religious response to external
phenomena, the awed recognition of a force in life, other than the individual self, manifested
especially in the strange and terrible. This is also interesting because it explores what is beyond
the unknown. Knowing that "force" needs strong determination.
Animate or inanimate creatures have “souls” or “life force.” (Forget your religious belief first.)
Our ancestors believed in the spirit beings in the environment, deceased ancestral souls, and to
forces in nature (wind, moon, stars) which are invoked for help. (That could be seen in my
“Legend of Kansilay”.) This makes it clear that central to the tradition of our ancestors, there is
that belief for “soul” that is a “life force” and we would like to believe that the belief still persists
today.

From the point of view of the “babaylan,” inside the body of a living person dwells the “dungan”
(a companion that co-exists). This “dungan” gives life, animation, and sensibilities to a person. It
can temporarily leave the body at will (during sleep). It is dangerous for “dungan” to leave the
body when the person is awake. The body would become like a robot that runs out of battery.

There is another spirit that resides in a person (same person). We call it “ginhawa” (breath of
life). It is the vital force. If “ginhawa” leaves the person, the body dies. There is no more vital
force that would be responsible for the throbbing of the heart and the beating of the pulse. (If you
bring the person to the hospital, the doctor will examine him thoroughly and later would say,
“Sorry, he is dead.”)

“Ginhawa” and “dungan” should be together. “Ginhawa” provides the vital life force while
“dungan” provides the intellect, emotion, and consciousness. We will make it clear. The two
entities are there together lodged in one person. “Dungan” can temporarily leave and the person
becomes unconscious or semi-conscious as in fainting or dreaming. If “dungan” returns to a
person, he becomes fully conscious again.

Is there a possibility that “dungan” cannot return to the body anymore? Yes, if “dungan” is
ambushed or harmed by other spirits. If “dungan” does not return, the person dies. “Ginhawa”
cannot sustain life without

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“dungan.” Here is the funny question, “Do the two spirit entities leave the body separately or do
they fuse together and depart for their journey in the upper or next world?”
The “babaylan” does not have the specific answer. I would like to believe that they fuse together
and leave. That could be the reason why we need the “babaylan” to do ritual for “dungan” to
return. A person who has a weak “dungan” should ask the “babaylan” to give him a “batak-
dungan” (upgrading).
The “dungan” that does not return (and the body dies) is known as “kalag” (has separated or
disentangled). The “babaylan” can help “kalag” in a “patulod,” a rite where a “babaylan’ would
usher the soul to proceed to the world of the dead so that the soul will no longer come back and
disturb the living as “murto” (ghost).
If the family insists that the soul will be awakened because the wife and the children would want
to know where did the father hide his money, a “babaylan” who specializes on “pukaw” (to
awaken) rite could be done. The Catholic Church does not approve of this practice.

I hope I enlightened you in my humble way (the way of the ancestors) to know what is behind
living a life in the world of animism. Take good care of your “dungan” and “kalag.”
-Pacete: Exploring the spirit world in us

Kandungan-Shelter, Lap, Bosom

Body as Temple of God/ Dungan sa Kandungan
Ilocano’s- karuruwa, kamaruwa, al-alia
Katawan in Pangasinense is LORD, God
Hininga, Katawan, Kaluluwa (Kadudua- a second, an-other)

Rituals and ceremonies:

- The function of rituals
- Rituals and ceremonies
- Religion, Magic and Witchcraft

Religion: a set of cultural beliefs and practices that usually includes some of all of the basic
characteristics-
1. A belief in anthropomorphic supernatural being, such as spirit and gods
2. A focus on the sacred and supernatural, where the sacred refers to a feeling or reverence
and awe
3. The presence of supernatural power or energy that is found on supernatural beings as well
as physical beings and objects
4. The performance of ritual activities that involves the manipulation of sacred object to
communicate to supernatural beings and/or to influence or control events
5. The articulation of worldview and moral codes through narratives and other means
6. Provide the creation and maintenance of social bonds and mechanism for social control
within a community; provides explanation for the unknown and a sense of control for
individuals

Religio- "the proper performance of rites in veneration of the gods

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The word Religion has an etymological descent from Latin “Relegare”, The first Meaning is
“Re” meaning “Again” Plus “Legere”, “Re-Read” , Legere- “To read”, to “Again-Read”.

The second one is to "to bind fast" to "place an obligation on"

Both these meanings however were used to provide the facility for an intense study to experience
the Divine within Man.

"Not philosophers alone, but also our own ancestors, distinguished superstition from religion.
For those who were wont to offer prayer and sacrifice, during entire days, that their children
might survive them [superstites essent], were called superstitious; a word which was afterwards
applied more widely. But they who carefully meditated and, as it were, considered and re-
considered all those things which pertained to the worship of the gods, were called religious from
relegere [De Nat. Deor., ii, 28.1]-Marcus Tullius Cicero

Interestingly in Sanskrit, this is “Shruti”- i.e “Binding in unity with the Divine”.

Ritual: the performance of ceremonial acts prescribed by a tradition or sacred law. A specific,
observable mode behavior exhibited by all know societies. Thus, it is possible to view ritual as a
way of defining or describing humans.

3 Fundamental Characteristics of Rituals

1. a feeling or emotion of respect, awe, fascination, or dread in relation to the sacred
2. dependence upon a belief system that is usually expressed in the language of myth
3. is symbolic to its reference

Self as a ritual being who exhibits a striking parallel between their ritual and verbal behavior.
Language- system of symbols that is based upon arbitrary rules
Ritual- System of symbolic acts that is based on arbitrary rules.
Participation to rituals is expression of religious beliefs.

Finding and creating meaning (Viktor E. Frankl)

- Three ways of discovering meaning in life
1. By Creating a work or doing a deed (Purposeful Work)
2. By Experiencing something or encountering someone (Courage in the face of difficulty)
3. By the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering (Love)

‘Et lux in tenebris lucet’- The light shineth in the darkness

“Love is the only way to grasp another human being in the innermost core of his personality. No
one can become fully aware of his very essence of another human being unless he loves him.”-
Frankl

“The ultimate secret on the spiritual foundation of life is that Love is salvation and joy eternity.”-
Costello

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Existential Aspect- man always has the ability to choose; no matter the biological and
environmental forces

Tragic Triad: pain, guild and death

Tragic Optimism: optimism in the face of tragedy and in view of the human potential which at its
best always allows for-
1. Turning suffering into achievement and accomplishment
2. Deriving from guilt the opportunity to change oneself for the better
3. Derive from life’s transitoriness an incentive to take responsibility for one’s actions

Basic Concepts:
1. Life has meaning under all circumstance
2. Main motivation for living is our will to find meaning in life
3. Freedom is to find meaning

Assumptions:
1. The human being is an entity consisting of a body, mind and spirit
2. Life has meaning under all circumstances, even the most miserable
3. People have a will to meaning
4. People have freedom under all circumstances to activate the will to find meaning
5. Life has a demand quality to which people must respond if decisions are to be meaningful
6. The individual is unique

Aims:
1. Become aware of spiritual resources
2. Make conscious spiritual resources
3. Use “defiant power of the human spirit” and stand up against adversity

SPEIRITUAL SELF ACTIVITY

1. Through sketching/drawing, portray on how religiosity and/or spirituality can help
enhance yourself. Explain.
2. Reflection paper: Reflect on V. Frankl’s sources of the meaning of life.

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As a woman of faith. I do believe in many things which includes
the existence of mermaids and fairies, the idea of multiverse,
aliens, and other unusual things. But most of all, I believe in the
existence and power of supernatural being. I wanted to believe
that there is always a powerful and almighty being that guides us
and knows the right path for us. I wanted to believe that there is
more than what we see in life and in the world. And that to truly
unfold its meaning is through having faith in Him. He may not
directly speak with us, but the thought that everything happens
for a reason generally explains everything that is happening in
our life, even if we don’t quite understand how or why. Getting
along with his ultimate plan gives a sense of satisfaction,
fulfillment and clarity. His lessons become the ideal morality of
our society that definitely improves the way we live. Before, I was
having quite a hard time putting faith in Him and His intentions.
I always ask “Whys” and is He even “real?” But eventually, His
grace and the holy spirit guides me into all truths. It enlightens
me and provides an understanding of everything. So, I trust Him
and seek His will. Ever since, I’ve been ready to accept that He is
the way, the truth, and the life.

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