Unfolding the

Spiritual Self
SECTION 1
The Inner Soul
This section discusses the nature of spirituality, now it
is
different from religiosity, the factors that shape one's
spirituality, and its impact on oneself
Spirituality
Spirituality has been
widely studied by a
number of researchers
and academics across
several disciplines but
remains to be elusive in
terms of having a
standard definition.
Highlighting the mind-body-
spirit connection, the
spiritual self is an ongoing,
personal life journey,
contextualized by the belief
in a higher being, culture,
relationships, nature, and
the discovery of meaning in
one’s life
Religiosity is defined as the
adherence to a belief system
and practices associated with
a tradition in which there is
agreement about what is
believed and practiced. It is a
formal attachment to the set
of Beliefs, values, and
practices of a religious sect.
While it is true that
spirituality is not innate but
developed, religiosity can be
a starting point for
spirituality. Specific practices
like going to church and
participating in religious
events are usually practiced
by an individual through the
influence of parents.
Aside from parents, there are
schools that are founded on
religion. Teachers sometimes aid
in understanding the importance
of attending religious affairs
through the inclusion of such
activities in school programs.
Organizations devoted
to particular religions
are also established and
membership to these is
encouraged.
Even the media extends its
influence to the watching
public through programs
that highlight morals,
values, and religious views
which in turn shape one’s
character.
as one grows older, he or
she begins to form
questions that are rooted in
religious orientations, slowly
making realizations and
insights until his or her
search for meaning and
transcendence goes beyond
his or her religious
orientation.
For religiosity, beliefs and practices
are within religious groups, and
religious commitment,
conservatism, and skepticism arc
manifested.
On the other hand, spiritual
attributes include the need for
spiritual quest, ecumenical
worldviews, compassion, service,
Spirituality is not anchored
on any religious orientation;
it is a personal, subjective
experience that varies from
person to person.
A spiritual person finds contentment
and serenity in his or her life
circumstances. He or she finds anchor
in whatever he or she believes in and
aligns his or her thoughts, words, and
actions to his or her spiritual beliefs.
Most importantly, spirituality allows
one to become resilient amidst
challenges and roadblocks that occur
in daily life.
Spirituality is a natural aspect of
self-development. For parents,
fostering quality parent-child
relationships have a significant
positive influence on one’s spiritual
orientation
For schools, introducing programs
and interventions which include
retreats, recollections, seminars,
and worship.
Constant reflection and meditation or
life choices and decisions, developing
empathy and compassion toward
other people.
Spirituality paves the way for creating
meaning, vision, and values in the
things that people do. Most
importantly, it enables an individual to
further understand himself or herself.
Spirituality paves the way
for creating meaning,
vision, and values in the
things that people do.
Most importantly, it
enables an individual to
further understand himself
or herself.
SECTION 2
Connection with Nature
This section discusses the natural affinity people have with nature
and similar constructs, the factors that contribute to such
connections, how these relations to nature arc manifested, and
how they can be enhanced in the context of one’s spirituality.
The Self and Natural Environment
The spiritual self is not only tied in
one’s connection with a higher
being and other people, it is also
related to how people relate to
nature.
For Christians, for instance,
it is slated in the Bible, "we
are appointed as stewards
of God's creation" and this
implies one's responsibility
to take care of nature and
the world, in general.
during precolonial times, out
ancestors practiced animism that
venerated animals, trees, bodies of
water, and land.
They offered prayers and respected
nature because they believed that
damaging the environment would
anger the gods and result in dire
consequences in their daily life.
Religiosity aside, a significant number of
people have made a serious
commitment to nature by taking care of
animals, pledging advocacy for
environmental issues, and practicing
daily behaviors that manifest a growing
concern for the world. These are
embodied in the concepts of affinity
with nature and ecopsychology.
Affinity with Nature and Ecopsychology
Affinity with nature can be defined as
the ties that bind people and nature
together. It can also mean nature
connectedness, defined as the extent to
which individuals include nature as part
of their identity.
An individual with a strong affinity
with nature feels that his or her
identity is tied to his or her natural
environment, genuinely cares for
the environment, and commits to
taking care of it.
Ecopsychology shares many similarities
with the concept of having affinity with
nature, it is concerned with the
fundamental interconnections between
humans and the natural world through a
phenomenological and sensorial link, and
the integration of practices based on the
notion that direct contact with the natural
world has healing potential.
ecopsychology is based
on a transpersonal and
philosophical
relationship with
nature, highlighting
beliefs and practices
that promote and
enhance ecological,
personal, and
community
These are brought about by
experiences with nature and
observations about the
environment.
Developing an open mind and
adopting a philosophical
perspective that advocates for
environmental protection and
sustainability is important. Taking
care of the environment requires
behaviors to be aligned to achieve
this goal.
It is important to go out,
explore the world, immerse
oneself in the beauty of nature,
and foster ecologically healthy
lifestyles.
In Taking care of nature, an
individual also takes care of himself
or herself, thus contributing to
optimal, healthy development.
SECTION 3
Discovering Life’s Meaning
Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Human beings arc naturally
inclined to assess their life, reflect
on the choices they have made,
evaluate the consequences of such
choices, and learn lessons from
various experiences.
Well-being and life satisfaction are
interchangeably used but there is a
thin line that distinguishes one from
the other. Well-being, being intrinsic in
nature, is an inner, personal construct,
associated with self-esteem, and self-
understanding. In other words, it is
how good one feels about himself or
herself that permeates his or her entire
being.
On the other hand, life satisfaction
is the contentment one has with
the direction his or her life is
going, the circumstances he or she
finds himself or herself in, and the
elements that make up his or her
life’s conditions.
When well-being and life satisfaction
are present, happiness naturally
flows. However, in some cases,
happiness is generally regarded as
the emotional result of life
satisfaction.
Happiness can be subjective and
temporal while life satisfaction is
more encompassing. It is also
associated with quality of life.
Personal factors such as personality (such as
openness to experience and extraversion),
cognition, physical health, and vigor have
been associated with well-being and life
satisfaction. Further, environmental
conditions contribute to individual life
satisfaction.
Socio-economic status, home and social
environment, interpersonal
relationships, and education also
influence one's well-being and life
satisfaction. Life satisfaction is also
dependent on whether basic needs and
other goals are met.
The more goals are met, life satisfaction
increases. Healthy mindsets that can
lead to healthy lifestyles should also be
adopted.
However, well-being and life
satisfaction are highly personal and
relative. Similar to personal meanings
attributed to and generated in daily
life, how one feels about himself or
herself and the life he or she lives is
dependent on how he or she defines a
meaningful life.
Literature has posited a of
qualities associated to such
individuals. Among these are
effective self-perception, realistic
self-esteem and self-acceptance,
control of behavior, true
perception of the world,
sustaining relationships and
affection, and self direction and
productivity.
Manifesting these qualities promotes
healthy well-being and increases life
satisfaction, which, in turn, results in
positive mental health and healthy
dispositions.
being cognizant of one’s
purpose in life, accepting
limitations and celebrating
strengths, enabling love and
concern for others, and
engaging in behaviors that
embody all these will lead one
to have well-being and life
satisfaction.
In searching for the sacred and
transcendent, and establishing a
relationship with what one
believes in, it is important to start
with being the best version of
oneself. It does not mean
achieving perfection in life but
making the most of what life
offers.
END