• Distinguish the eastern from the western

constructs of the self;

• Differentiate the individualistic self from the
collective self;
• Clarify the social construction of the self in
western
• Recognize the self as embedded in
relationships through spiritual development
of eastern thought.
¡ Western – represents Europe and
Northern America

¡ Eastern – also called Oriental; represents

Asia
 Analytical
Monotheistic
Individualistic
Materialistic/Rationalistic
Four pillars of Indian Psychology
1. DHARMA- refers to rules that describe goodness and
appropriate behavior.
2. KARMA- refers to the movement from past
incarnations that affect the present and the future.
3. MAYA- refers to distorted perceptions of reality and
experience that can be identified as such only with
direct attention to our own processes of awareness
that come about through internal concentration or
meditation.
4. ATMAN- refers to concept of universality in which
the self is not seen as individual but as part of the
entire cosmos.
Buddhism
¡ In Buddhist traditions, the self is not an
entity, a substance or an essence
¡ The self is a dynamic process and ever-
changing
¡ Anatta- doctrine which is often defined as
no-self or no-soul.
Individualistic
vs
Collective Self
¡ The western social construct of the self
can be characterized in three (3) ways:
1. Individualistic Self
q At a very young age, the child is already
taught to pursue what is best for self. Thus,
later in adult life, the measure of a
successful life is when the self is able to
fulfill the life-goals set for and by the self.
The individualistic self is always conceived
as the autonomous bounded entity.
2. Self-Sufficiency
q This construct presumes that a
successful self must be able to supply
one’s needs without external assistance.
It also implies confidence in one’s
capacity to provide what the self needs
from one’s own resources and authority.
3. Self Being Rational
¡ In the western practice, there is no time for
the self to be weak and emotional. The self
must not waste resources on mediation and
other metaphysical cognitions but to be
constantly rational and reasonable. The self
masters the casual relationships of things.
Everything must be explained by logic and
reason. It also necessarily follows that when
the self adapts the rational-logical conception
of things, one must be scientific.
¡ Eastern social infrastructures are mostly
seen as contrary to the western
individualistic construct. The eastern
social construct is primarily viewed as
collectivistic and is always grounded
on nature.
¡ Li – means “sacrifice”
- Refined manner of spiritual rituals and
sacrifices, and protocols in honoring the
ancestors.
- The restraining and refinement of the self.

¡ Ren – character of the self that sincerely

shows compassion for others. The self must
embody human-heartedness by prioritizing
the self-interest of others.
EASTERN TRADITIONS WESTERN
TRADITIONS
– are known for their developed a
communal and spiritual construct of
constructs. being
individualistic,
self-reliant,
rational and
scientific.