The Spiritual Self

IV.
THE SPIRITUAL SELF
1. SPIRITUALITY VS. RELIGIOSITY
Spirituality
Refers to the search for one’s identity. Spirituality leads to self-development and leads
one to bliss. It focuses on the realization of the spiritual world; that human has a body
and soul.
Religiosity
Refers to the pursuit of a religious belief and practice of the rituals that are prescribed
by the religious teachers as, for example, prayer, sacrifices, baptism, funeral rites and
more.
Religion refers to an organized system of ideas about the spiritual sphere or the supernatural,
along with associated ceremonial practices by which people try to interpret and/or influence
aspects of the universe otherwise beyond their control.
In contrast to religion, spirituality is often individual rather than collective and does not
necessarily require a distinctive format or traditional organization.
2. FINDING MEANING IN LIFE
Finding and creating meaning:
“Meaning is something to discover rather than to invent.”
- VICTOR FRANKL
Existential Vacuum
- a phenomenon when one feel that life is empty, meaningless, aimless.
- because of this, one fills his/her life with pleasure, which if oftentimes destructive.
Ways of discovering meaning in life:

Experiential Values
- experiencing something or someone we value through our senses.
Attitudinal Values
- practicing virtues (bravery, courage, and personal dignity)
Creative Values
- becoming involved in projects, creativity, passion involved in art, music,
writing, and work.
3. RELIGION, MAGIC, AND WITCHCRAFT: RITUALS AND CEREMONIES
Rituals, or ceremonial acts, are not all religious in nature (consider, for example, college
graduation ceremonies), but those that are playing a crucial role in religious activities. Religious
ritual is the means through which people relate to the supernatural; it is religion in action. Ritual
serves to relieve social tensions and reinforce a group’s collective bonds. More than this, it
provides a means of marking many important events and lessening the social disruption and
individual suffering of crises, such as death.
Some rituals and ceremonies being practiced in the Philippines:
“Kutkot”
Kutkot is a fading tradition that is practiced by members of Hanunuo Tribe. After burying
the dead for a year, relatives clean the skeleton and cover it with cloth to take up the shape of a
mannequin or even a mummy called “sinakot”. It is then adorned by clothes and even jewelry
and offered a feast as though he is living. The body is returned to the family and is housed there
for another year. After that period, the body is sent to a cave where the rest of the sinakot are
taken.
“Penitensya”
Penance or penitensya is the Filipino practice of self-discipline that is often considered a
spiritual act. It’s usually depicted as something that’s severe and done in public. Men and
women seeking forgiveness would use leather straps to hit themselves at the back, carry a
cross through seven churches, or lie down in a scorching concrete pavement. Some would go
further and get crucified on a cross.
RELIGION, MAGIC, AND WITCHCRAFT

Among the most fascinating of ritual practices is application of the belief that
supernatural powers can be compelled to act in certain ways for good or evil purposes by
recourse to certain specified formulas. This is a classical anthropological notion of magic. Many
societies have magical rituals to ensure good crops, the replenishment of game, the fertility of
domestic animals, and the avoidance or healing of illness in humans.
Kulam or "Pagkukulam" is a form of folk magic, specifically natural magic, practiced in

the Philippines. It puts emphasis on the innate power of the self and a secret knowledge of
Magica Baja or low magic.
Gaining the Favor of the Wind
The ethnic group of Subanon, from the mountainous areas of Zamboanga del Sur and
Misamis Occidental, Mindanao, performed rituals that were meant to stop heavy downpours or
storms, halt drought that destroy their plants, and call upon more favorable winds.
The Magbinukid is a ritual performed in a river by the Baylan (shaman), where they set
a stalk of bamboo and place at the top a saucer where an egg sprinkled with apog (powdered
limestone), rice, and a portion of chicken meat. Those who attended the ritual would also bring
egg, rice and chicken while the Baylan danced to the sounds of a gong.
Kanobiton is another ceremony which is meant for ceasing a dry spell or drought. This
can be done anywhere in the community but must be attended by everyone. The Baylan offers a
pig or chicken to the spirits of nature to help them ease the drought.

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IV.

THE SPIRITUAL SELF

1. SPIRITUALITY VS. RELIGIOSITY

2. FINDING MEANING IN LIFE

Finding and creating meaning:

“Meaning is something to discover rather than to invent.”

Ways of discovering meaning in life:

3. RELIGION, MAGIC, AND WITCHCRAFT: RITUALS AND CEREMONIES

Some rituals and ceremonies being practiced in the Philippines:

RELIGION, MAGIC, AND WITCHCRAFT

Kulam or "Pagkukulam" is a form of folk magic, specifically natural magic, practiced in

Gaining the Favor of the Wind

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