OFFICE OF THE ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

SPIRITUAL SELF

Purpose

1. Explain the essence and importance of spiritual self.

2. Differentiate religion and spirituality.
3. Discuss factors that affects spiritual well-being and spiritual distress.
4. Distinguish the different kinds of religion and their beliefs.

Position

Kick-start Activity
Activity No. 9
Bible Verse Reflection Challenge

Pitch

What is Spiritual Self?

Spiritual self is the one inner connects the person to the sacred, supernatural
and the universe. Spiritual self helps us to experience a feeling of oneness with a higher
being. It gives a deeper meaning in a person’s life and find the meaning of your existence.

Why is spiritual self-important?

Spiritual individuals take the time to reflect on their daily activities, which allows
them to develop lasting memories of their adventures. And since they are more conscious
of smaller, daily activities, spiritual people have positive emotions associated with the
simplest pleasures in life.

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Spiritual versus Religious

Although they adopt distinct approaches to God, religion and spirituality are both
paths to God. A religious person is someone who consciously adheres to the beliefs of his
or her religion and believes in a deity or gods. Spiritual people are more concerned with
learning about and experiencing the Divine than with their religious beliefs and customs.
What is Spirituality?
Spirituality is derived from the latin word “spiritus” which means wind or to breathe.
It refers to that part of human being that seeks meaning through intra, inter and
transpersonal connection.
Spirituality is described as a belief in a higher power, creative force, celestial entity,
or unlimited source of energy.
Our Spiritual Self is the most beautiful and powerful manifestation of ourselves. It is
our true selves, our unconditioned selves, the parts of ourselves that are free of patterns.
This is a personal matter for every one of us. Some people identify with Higher Self,
The Universe, God, Higher Power, and their actual selves. It's the part of us that's linked
to everything, the part that's filled with love.
Spirituality may be described in different aspects:
1. Meaning: Finding our purpose, attempting to make life meaningful
2. Value: Having deeply held convictions and principles
3. Transcendence: Being aware of a dimension other than one's own
4. Connecting: Having relationships with others
5. Becoming: This demands introspection, allowing life to flow, and knowing oneself

As a person we have the following Spiritual Needs:

• Love
• Hope
• Trust
• Forgiveness
• Being respected & valued
• Dignity
• Fullness of life
• Values
• Creativity
• Connecting with higher power
• Belonging to a community

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Spiritual Well-Being
Spiritual well-being is a sense of being "alive, meaningful, and fulfilled”.
Characteristics of well-being
• Peace of mind
• Concern for the welfare of others
• Respect for life
• Gratefulness
• Appreciation for unity and diversity
• Humor
• Insight
• Generosity
• Ability to transcend self
• Willingness to provide unconditional love

What is Spiritual Distress?

Spiritual distress or spiritual discomfort is a change in a person's value system or

belief system. It might happen when a person is unable to find meaning, hope, love,
comfort, strength, or connection in their life, or when his or her beliefs contradict with what
is going on in their lives. It has the ability to have a significant impact on his or her entire
being.

Factors Leading to Spiritual Distress

1. Physical problems may include but not limited to: medical diagnosis of terminal or
draining disease, experiencing unbearable pain, loss of a body part or function,
miscarriage/still birth.
2. Treatment related factors like recommendation for blood transfusion, abortion,
surgery, dietary restrictions, surgical procedure of cutting of a body part and
isolation.
3. Situational factors includes existential concerns such as death/ illness of love ones,
grief, isolation, inability to practice one’s spiritual rituals, feeling of embarrassment
when practicing them.

Most Common Spiritual Practices

• Holy Days - a day set aside for religious observance

• Sacred writing – includes bible and quran
• Sacred symbols – like cross, moon and star

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• Contemplative practice – Contemplative practices are practical, thorough, and

transformative, cultivating skills for deep concentration and mind quieting in the
midst of the chaos and distraction that characterizes ordinary life. This peaceful,
centered condition facilitates the discovery of meaning, purpose, and values.
Contemplative exercises can help us build greater empathy and communication
skills, improve our ability to concentrate, reduce stress, and boost creativity, all of
which can help you have a more loving and compassionate outlook on life. This
may include prayer, meditation, yoga and journaling

Prayer is a kind of communication with God that includes elements such as

confession, thanksgiving, and intercession (praying for the needs of others).

Meditation is a type of spiritual practice that focuses on the present moment while
avoiding the use of words or imagery.

Yoga is a spiritual practice that focuses on balancing the mind and body. It's based
on a complex science. Living a healthy lifestyle is both an art and a science. Yoga
is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Yuj,' which meaning 'to join, yoke, or unite.

Journaling is putting down our ideas and feelings to better comprehend them and
gain deeper perspective. Keeping a journal might also be beneficial if we suffer from
stress, despair, or anxiety. It can assist us in gaining emotional control and
improving our mental health by writing down our life experiences.

• Believes affecting diet & nutrition - Our core beliefs define the limits of what we will
and will not do and this includes our diet choices and even food preparations. There
are religious groups doesn’t eat pork or blood
• Believes related to healing - Faith healing is the use of prayer and gestures to invoke
divine intervention in spiritual and physical healing,
• Believes related to dress - Any clothing, accoutrements, or marks used in religious
rites, whether corporate, household, or personal, are referred to as religious wear.
Some religious clothes are worn to identify priests from lay members of a religious
community, or to indicate various orders or ranks within the priesthood, or to depict
religious personages.
• Believes related to birth - the process of birth is governed by hundreds of customs,
beliefs, and religious and magical rituals, starting from the woman’s wish to
conceive. The customs, beliefs and traditions related to birth can be observed under
three main features such as pre-birth, birth and after birth
• Believes related to death - Various cultures may have different ways of feeling and
expressing sadness and sense of loss after the death of a loved one. Grief
expression is impacted by culture-specific traditions. It gives us a sense of stability
and security when we practice these routines. Rituals can also help dying patients
and their loved one’s cope with their loss.

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The Practice of Religion

Religion is a set of structured concepts, rituals, and systems centered on the belief
in and worship of a supreme entity, such as a personal God or another supernatural
creature. Religion refers to a wide range of behaviors as well as cultural ideas, worldviews,
books, prophecies, revelations, and ideals that are spiritually significant to followers of a
particular faith. Religion may include sermons, rituals, prayer, meditation, holy places,
symbols, trances, and feasts.

Religions and Beliefs

1. Agnosticism is the view that the truth of metaphysical claims regarding, in particular,
the existence of a god or gods, or even ultimate reality, is unknown and may be
impossible to know. One can be an agnostic as well as an atheist or religious
believer.
2. Atheism describes a state of having no theistic beliefs; that is, no beliefs in gods or
supernatural beings.
3. Baha'I -The Baha'i Faith began in Persia in 1844 with the declaration of a new
religion, distinctive from the Shi'a Islam found there. Key beliefs include belief in one
God; the unity of mankind; equality of opportunity for men and women; and
elimination of prejudice.
4. Buddhism is a way of living based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. The
Five Precepts are the basic rules of living for lay Buddhists – refrain from harming
living beings; taking what is not given; sexual misconduct; harmful speech; and drink
or drugs which cloud the mind.
5. Christianity is based on the teaching of Jesus Christ. Christian groups differ in their
interpretation of his teaching, life, death and resurrection, but these matters are at
the heart of the way of life of all of them.
6. Humanism is the belief that we can live good lives without religious or superstitious
beliefs. Humanists make sense of the world using reason, experience and shared
human values and aim to make the best of the life we have by creating meaning
and purpose for ourselves. Humanists work with others for the common good.
7. Hinduism is an ancient tradition of related beliefs and practices that developed in
the Indian subcontinent. Core ideals and values shared by most Hindus would
include respect for elders; reverence for teachers; regard for guests and tolerance
of all races and religions.
8. Islam revealed in its final form by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The essentials of Muslim practice are summarized in the five pillars of Islam –
declaration of faith; ritual prayer; welfare; a month of fasting during Ramadan; and
pilgrimage.

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9. Jainism is an ancient philosophy and ethical teaching that originated in India. The
main principle is ahimsa – the avoidance, where possible, of physical or mental
harm to any living being. Jainism is a religion without a belief in a creator god.
10. Judaism is based around the Jewish people's covenant relationship with God. Jews
believe they are challenged and blessed by God. Love of one's neighbor is the great
principle of social life and the founding inspiration of the Jewish community.
11. Sikhism is the religion founded by Guru Nanak in India in the 15th Century CE.
There is one God, people should serve by leading a life of prayer and obedience.
Sikhs believe their soul then passes through various existences and will become
one with God.
12. Zoroastrianism is a religion founded in ancient times by the prophet Zarathushtra,
who taught that Ahura Mazda (Lord of Wisdom), the all-powerful and perfect creator,
grants humans Vohu Manah – a clear rational mind with which to dispel ignorance.

Practice

Reflect and answer the following questions based on your own understanding.

1. Do you believe in heaven or hell? How can you prove that they exist or they don’t
exist?
2. Do you believe in spirits? Supernatural forces? If yes, do you have any personal
encounter or experience with those forces? What happened and what did you do?
3. Imagine, that it is your last day on earth and you only have twenty-four (24) hours
left, what are the last three (3) things you will do?

Progress

Reflect and answer the following questions based on your own understanding.

1. Whatever your religion is, give at least three (3) ways as to how do you practice
your faith or religious beliefs?
2. Do you believe in life after death or reincarnation? What or who influence you to
have that kind of beliefs?
3. Give at least two (2) examples as to how your religious beliefs influence your
behavior?

Prepared by:

DR. BRAY ANNE D. LEANO

Professor- Understanding the Self

Kabihasnan corner Coastal Road., Brgy. San Dionisio Parañaque City, 1700
Tel. No: (02) 962-6958 • E-mail: pccinfo.educ@yahoo.com