UNIT 2: UNPACKING THE SELF

Source: Google sites

Lesson 6: Spiritual Self

Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:

1. Explore the different aspects of self and identity

2. Demonstrate critical, reflective thought it integrating the various aspects of self and
identity
3. Identify the different forces and institutions that impact the development of aspects of
self and identity
5. Examine one’s self against the different aspects of self that were discussed in class

THE SPIRITUAL SELF: Spirituality, Religion and the Supernatural

• The spiritual self has a direct connection with the spiritual dimension. People of faith
believe that each person’s soul communicates with a divine spirit (Culliford, 2012, p. 8).
• From an anthropological perspective, spirituality and religion are part of a cultural
system. Religion and spirituality are examined in terms of a society’s worldview.

SPIRITUAL vs. RELIGIOUS

• Spiritual is defined as relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to
material or physical things.

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 • Spirituality is “also concerned with the sacred but is often individual rather than the
collective.” It does not necessarily require a distinctive format or traditional
organization. It leads individuals to a deeper connection with the Divine. It is a path
of direct and personal connection.
• A spiritual person places little importance on the beliefs and traditions and is more
concerned with growing and experiencing the Divine.

• Religion is “an organized system of ideas about the spiritual sphere or the supernatural.”
It is organized because it is associated with ceremonial practices. It is people’s way of
connecting themselves to God as they search for the meaning of life.
• A religious person is someone who believes in a god or group of gods and consciously
adheres to the beliefs of his/her religion.

WHY IS SPIRITUALITY IMPORTANT?

• A sense of meaninglessness and lack of purpose in life can be significant factors
causing anxiety, depression, and phobias; however, there is a growing body of
evidence indicating that spiritual practices are associated with better health and well-
being.

EXAMPLES OF CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICES (Lin, et al, 2013 as cited in Otig, et al., 2018)
1. Meditation – mental exercise (e.g., breathing exercises, mindfulness, etc.) for the
purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness. It can induce feelings of
calm and clear-headedness, as well as improved concentration and attention.

2. Prayer – a spiritual communion with God (or an object of worship) as in supplication,

thanksgiving, adoration, or confession. Prayers may elicit a relaxation response, along
with feelings of hope, gratitude, and compassion—all of which have a positive effect
on overall well-being.

3. Yoga – a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline. In Hindu theistic philosophy, it teaches
the suppression of all mind and body activity so that the self may realize its distinction
from the material world and attain liberation. In Western cultures, on the other hand,
yoga is a system of physical postures, breathing techniques, and sometimes meditation
to promote physical and emotional well-being.

4. Journaling – another (but often overlooked) contemplative practice that can help you
become more aware of your inner life and feel more connected to your experience
and the world around you. Studies show that writing during difficult time may help you

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 find meaning in life’s challenges and help you become more resilient in the face of
obstacles.

THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION

• Much of religion’s value comes from organized activities which results in feelings of
closeness to participants.
• Ceremonial practices and beliefs vary from one religion to another – some “outsiders”
may even find certain religions practices bizarre
• Example: In the Philippines, self-flagellation is considered taboo, but to the locals, this is
a practice necessary as penance for sins committed
• Prayer – is the recognition, acknowledgement and acceptance of the personal
relatedness with the divine

SUPERNATURAL BEINGS AND POWERS

• Existence of spiritual forces that can be talked to and who are concerned with human
affairs as well. Humans believed and worshipped gods who displayed various powers.
• Societies often subordinate goddesses, gods are given masculine characteristics.

• Monotheism: belief in one divine being

• Polytheism: belief in many divine beings

CATEGORIES:
1. Gods and Goddesses are great and remote beings who control the universe (e.g.,
Zeus – God of the sky, Poseidon – god of the sea; and Hades – god of the
underworld).

2. Ancestral Spirits are former human beings who have been freed from their bodies
because of death. They are still believed to be interested in human affairs even in
the afterlife. Spirit beings are also characterized as malevolent and benevolent.
Because they were once humans, ancestral spirits also possess human qualities:
appetites, emotions, and behavior.

3. Religious Specialists are individuals who supplement the religious practices (e.g.,
priests, priestesses, shamans). These are full-time occupational specialists and are
socially initiated.

4. Shamans originally referred to as medical-religious specialists or spiritual guides; they

are also known as traditional healers (“medicine-men”).

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THE ROLE OF RITUALS AND CEREMONIES IN RELIGION
• Rituals are patterned forms of behavior that have something to do with the supernatural
realm (Sosim, 2010 as cited in Villafuerte et. al, 2018).
• Strictly speaking, not all ceremonial acts are religious in nature but these play a crucial
role in religious activity.

• Purpose:
a. Religious ritual is the means through which people relate to the supernatural, it is
religion in action (Haviland et. al, 2007 p.297)
b. Serves to relieve special tensions and reinforce a group’s collective bonds
c. Serves as a means of marking important events and lessening social disruption such
as personal suffering, crisis and even death

• Rites of Passage – is a type of ritual which marks important stages in an individual’s life
cycle such as birth, marriage, and death. Rites of passage follow the process of
separation (removal of the individual from society) – transition (sharing of teachings) –
incorporation (return to the society with a new status)

MAGIC AND WITCHCRAFT

• Magic – the belief that supernatural powers can be compelled to act in certain ways
for good and evil purposes (e.g., lighting votive candles, believing in horoscopes,
treasuring things touched by special people).
• Witchcraft – the belief that certain individuals possess innate psychic powers

THE FUNCTIONS OF RELIGION (Emile Durkheim)

• Religion is an expression of collective consciousness
• As societies come in contact with other societies, there is a tendency for religious systems
to emphasize universalism to a greater and greater extent.
• Some examples of universal truths: “born equal, leave equal,” “money does not bring
happiness,” “true fulfillment comes from thinking beyond yourself.”

• Main Functions
1. It provides social cohesion to help maintain social solidarity through shared rituals
and beliefs
2. A means social control to enforce religious-based morals and norms to help maintain
conformity and control in society

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 3. Offers meaning and purpose to answer any existential questions

THE FILIPINO TRADITIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOUL

• The spirit and the soul are used interchangeably but Filipinos believe in the dual
existence of the soul: one that is physically connected to the human body and one
that is spiritual and exists on its own. It is the attached companion of the living person.
• Some local terms for the soul: kadkadua; kararwa (Ilokano); kaluluwa (Tagalog);
dungan (Ilonggo)

MAN’S SEARCH FOR MEANING (Viktor Frankl)

• “Meaning is something to discover rather than to invent.”
• Frankl developed Logotherapy, he believed that humans are motivated by the desire
to find meaning in life. He also argued that life can have meaning even in the most
miserable circumstances.
• According to Frankl, meaning can be found through:
o Experiencing reality by interacting authentically with the environment and with
others,
o Giving something back to the world through creativity and self-expression, and;
o Changing our attitude when faced with a situation or circumstance that we cannot
change.

THREE WAYS OF DISCOVERING MEANING IN LIFE:

Ψ EXPERIENTIAL VALUES- this approach involves experiencing something or someone we
value. Example of experiential values is the love we feel towards another.
Ψ CREATIVE VALUES- This is the traditional existential idea of providing oneself with
meaning by becoming involved in one’s projects. It includes the creativity and passion
involved in art, music, writing, invention and work.
Ψ ATTITUDINAL VALUES- include practicing virtues such as compassion, bravery and a
good sense of humor. The most famous example of Frankl is “achieving meaning by way
of suffering”.
In the postmodern world…
• Religious life has decreased substantially; patriotism has been replaced with distrust in
government
• More people are falling victim to ennui – the dreadful feeling of bitter disillusionment
from the loss of meaning in their lives

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Sources:
Otig, V. S., Gallinero, W. B., Bataga, N. U., Salado, F. B., & Visande, J. C. (2018). A holistic approach in
understanding the self: A workbook-textbook for college students. Malabon City, Philippines: Mutya
Publishing House, Inc.
Villafuerte, S. L., Quillope, A. F., Tunac, R. C., & Borja, E. I. (2018). Understanding the self. Quezon City, Philippines:
Nieme Publishing House Co. Ltd.

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