UUTTSS-- SSppiirriittuuaall SSeellff--22

UUnnddeerrssttaaddiinngg TThhee SSeellff ((UUnniivveerrssiittyy ooff SSaannttoo TToommaass))

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SPIRITUAL SELF SCRIPT :

Introduction:

Good day, everyone. Today, I would like to delve into the concept of Spiritual Self, which plays
a significant role in our lives, shaping our beliefs, behavior, and worldview. We'll explore
the practices of religion, the meanings of spirituality, and how they intersect in our daily lives.

Definition of Spiritual Self:

To begin, let's define the Spiritual Self. According to William James in his book "The
Principles of Psychology," it encompasses the innermost workings of a person's mind,
behavior, beliefs, and morals, affecting every aspect of our identity. It is often regarded as the
most enduring and intimate part of the self, providing a sense of satisfaction and purpose.

Religion, Spirituality, and Worldview:

Moving on, it's crucial to distinguish between Religion and Spirituality. Religion refers to
an organized system of ideas, beliefs, and behaviors related to spiritual realities and
supernatural beings, often accompanied by rituals aimed at influencing the beyond. In
contrast, Spirituality is a more individualistic pursuit, concerning the sacred in a personal
manner, often not reliant on formal organizations. It involves the quest for meaning and direction
in life.

While these two concepts are related, spirituality tends to be more profound and
personal, whereas religion often involves organized rituals and practices. Additionally, there's
the broader concept of Worldview, which encompasses the collective ideas shared by a
culture about the ultimate shape and substance of reality. Religion contributes to worldview,
while spirituality is specific to an individual.

Myths and Rituals:

A key component of religion is the presence of Myths. These are stories that offer
explanations about the divine and the supernatural, which are considered real within a
particular culture. Myths often come with ideologies and contribute to a culture's worldview.

Moreover, religion involves Rituals. These are culturally prescribed symbolic acts or
procedures designed for members of the community through transitions. They can be
categorized into two types: calendar-based rituals, which occur on specific dates to
honor a divine belief, and crisis-based rituals, which are performed during challenging
times to alleviate anxiety and regain a sense of control.
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For instance, a study by Kapoor, Belk, and Goulding in 2022 explored how Indian
religious rituals adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating the resilience and
adaptability of rituals in the face of crisis.

Examples of Catholic Rituals:

In the Catholic faith, we can observe various rituals, such as fasting or pagaayuno,
healing practices or pangagamot, offerings or pag-aalay, attending mass or pagmimisa,
praying novenas, praying the rosary, carrying the cross, senakulo - a staged re-enacment of
Chirst’s passion and death, and crucifixion. These rituals are deeply ingrained in the Catholic
tradition, serving as a means of spiritual connection and expression of faith.

Other Terms and Belief Systems:

Moving forward, it's essential to acknowledge other belief systems like Anitism, Deitism, and
the roles of Babaylan, Balian, Katalonan, and Mag-aanito in healing and fortune-telling
practices.

The Meaning of Spirituality:

According to Yabut, 2013, the essence of spirituality lies in phenomenological or

personal experiences and connections. It's about the human being ("tao") and not
merely the self ("sarili"). Through "loob," the relationship between individuals
deepens, emphasizing interpersonal bonds.

Stages of Faith Development:

Faith development evolves over time. Fowler's stages, such as the Synthetic
Conventional Stage and the Individuative-Reflective Stage, illustrate how faith matures and
becomes more personal as individuals take responsibility for their beliefs.

For Synthetic Conventional Stage which includes ages 12 to 20, it is conformity to

authority and the religious development of a personal identity. conflicts with one's beliefs are
ignored at this stage due to the fear of threat from inconsistencies. The individual uses
operational thinking and there is really no critical analysis of the information and values, and
there is heavy reliance on authority.

On the other hand, Individuative- reflective stage is for ages 21 and up. This is a stage
of angst and struggle where the individual takes personal responsibility for their beliefs
and feelings. As the individual can reflect on their own beliefs, there is an openness to a
new complexity of faith, but this also increases the awareness of conflicts in one's belief.
The beginnings of questioning/challenging previously held beliefs. (For example, "If God is kind,
why is there suffering in the world?"). And finally, the individuals no longer rely on authority to
choose their world view.
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Three Ways of Finding Meaning: Logotherapy (Viktor Frank):

Viktor Frankl's logotherapy provides insights into finding meaning in life through someone, deed,
act or work, and suffering. These three avenues help individuals discover purpose and
fulfillment whatever life situation they may be in.

1. Someone – special someone, friend, children, and family

2. Deed, Act or Work – finding fulfilment and/or being passionate about one’s work/deed

3. Suffering – through rumination/contemplation, we get to have a deeper sense of our self

and experiences

Religion and Spirituality in the New Normal:

Lastly, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, we've witnessed how people adapt
their religious and spiritual practices to the "new normal." Restrictions changed the way we
worship, but it did not diminish our faith. A study by Safdar et al. in 2023 found that
COVID-19 even heightened the spirituality of some. The participants of this study believed in
Coronavirus as a message from God for humanity to seek forgiveness of their sins and
seek God’s help in pandemics like COVID-19.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, our Spiritual Self is a complex and deeply personal aspect of our lives. It
encompasses religion, spirituality, myths, rituals, and faith development. As we navigate the
challenges of the modern world, our spiritual selves continue to evolve, offering us guidance,
comfort, and a sense of purpose. Thank you for your attention, and I welcome any questions or
discussions on this fascinating topic.

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