Spiritual Self

What is Spiritual Self?
The Spiritual Self represents your most beautiful and powerful form, your true, unconditioned
essence, free from patterns and influences.
-This concept is personal and varies for each individual. Some may call it the Higher Self, the
Universe, God, Higher Power, inner Buddha, or true being. It is the part of you connected to
everything, embodying love.
-Across all major spiritual traditions worldwide, there is a common teaching about the "Divinity"
within us. There is a shared belief that we are more than just our physical bodies. We possess
an inner light, divine consciousness, or the presence of God.
What is Soul?
•In religion and philosophy, the soul is regarded as the immaterial essence of a human being,
conferring individuality and humanity, and often equated with the mind or the self.
•In theological contexts, the soul is further described as the part of a person that partakes in
divinity and is often believed to survive after the death of the body.
-Although the belief in the soul's existence is both widespread and longstanding, different
religions and philosophers have developed diverse theories regarding its nature, its connection
to the body, and its origin and mortality.
Spirituality and Religion
Spirituality
•A sense of connection to something bigger than oneself and the search for the purpose of life
are common aspects of spirituality, which spans a broad spectrum of viewpoints.
•Everybody is affected by it in some manner since it is a common human experience. Be it

transcendent, sacred, or just a deep sense of aliveness and connectivity, spiritual experiences
can be all of these things.
Ex: For some people, belonging to a church, temple, mosque, or synagogue is a prerequisite for
spirituality.
•A close relationship with God or a higher force, or prayer, may provide comfort to others.
•A connection to nature or art is a common means of achieving spiritual fulfillment.
Religion
•Religion is defined as "the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power especially a
personal God or gods" (Oxford University Press, 2017).
•It is also a "particular system of faith and worship" (University of Minnesota Human Rights
Center, 2003, 2016). More than its belief and practices, religion is an experience.
•It's a structured system of beliefs, often involving places of worship, holy books, rituals, and
rules.
•Religions revolve around historical figures (like Jesus, Buddha, or Muhammad) and their
teachings, with a strong emphasis on external practices.
Difference between Spirituality and Religion
Difference in Origins:
-Religion is rooted in the teachings and lives of historical figures, passed down through
scriptures and traditions.
-Spirituality is more about applying those teachings practically and seeking your unique path to
truth. Objective vs. Subjective:
-Religion leans towards external, objective experiences, like attending church or following
rituals.
-Spirituality is inward-focused, emphasizing inner understanding and a personal connection to

the divine.
Organized vs. Formless:
-Religion is organized, with rules, laws, and doctrines shaping its belief system.
-Spirituality is more flexible, embracing change, evolution, and the idea that spiritual growth is a
personal journey.Exclusive vs. Inclusive:
-Religion can sometimes create an exclusive worldview, excluding those with different beliefs.
-Spirituality is inclusive, seeing unity in all paths to truth.
The Concept Of Dungan
-Alicia P. Magos, an anthropologist and a professor emeritus of University of the Philippines

Visayas made pioneering study on the primeval Visayan concept of "dungan." According to
Magos, "dungan" was "a life force, an energy, as well as an ethereal entity, a spirit with a will of
its own that resides in the human body and provides the essence of life."
-This is similar to the western concept of "soul" ; however, unlike the soul, the "dungan" can
temporarily leave the body when the person is asleep. Once "dungan" returns to the person's
body, he or she becomes fully conscious again. If any other spirits harm the "dungan" while it is
outside the body and cannot return, the person dies.
-Meanwhile, our pre-colonial ancestors also believed that aside from a "dunagan," a vital force
also occupies the body. This vital force was called "ginhawa" (translation: breath of life).
"ginhawa" was said to be responsible for the heart's ability to beat. it was believed that if
"ginhawa" left the body, the person also dies.
-"Ginhawa" and "dungan" both exist in every person. Ginhawa was the breath of life while
dungan was the conscious intellectual and emotional aspects.
Beliefs and Rituals
The Philippines is a culturally diverse country with a rich tapestry of rituals and beliefs
influenced by indigenous traditions, Spanish colonization, and a mix of other cultural elements.
Belief- are a generalized system of ideas and values that shape how members of a religious
group come to understand the world around them.
*Many Filipinos believe in entities that appear human-like or animal-like.

Ex.
Tikbalang, Duwende, Diwata (import images)
Anitism- belief that nature derives energy from spirits that separate and distinct from human
beings/bodies.
Philippine Mythology
-Hula
-Tawas
-Kulam
-Ligaw na kaluluwa
-Faith Healer
-Horoscopes
Rituals- serve various purposes, from religious obligations to meeting spiritual and emotional
needs, strengthening social bonds, and teaching moral lessons.
They are essential in religion, enabling believers to express and reinforce their faith through
symbolic actions and gestures, facilitating communication with oneself, others, or divine entities.
Example of Catholic Rituals
-senakulo
-attending mass
-healing(panggagamot)
-fasting(pag-aayuno)
-offering(pag-aalay)
-praying the rosary
(insert photos of examples)
Rituals and Ceremonies
Rituals and ceremonies, found globally in forms like religious rites and life milestones, bring
people together for significant occasions, enriching life events and fostering connections beyond
the individual.
Religion, Magic and Witchcrafts
•Religion encompasses spiritual beliefs and practices, providing guidance and meaning to
individuals.
(insert photo)
•Magic, rooted in ancient rituals, seeks to influence the natural world through supernatural
means.
(insert photo)
•Witchcraft, often associated with supernatural powers, involves practitioners known as witches.
(insert photo)
-Despite their differences, these practices reflect humanity's search for spiritual connection and
understanding beyond the material realm.
Viktor FrankL’s Logotherapy

(finding and creating meaning ; three ways of discovering meaning in life)
•Logotherapy is a type of therapy that considers a person's physical, mental, and spiritual
aspects.
•It blends human-centered and existential ideas and can be integrated with contemporary
therapies.
•This approach assists individuals in discovering personal significance in their lives,

emphasizing looking forward and finding purpose to endure challenges and suffering.
The Three ways of Finding Meaning
•Someone- special someone, friend, family and children
•Deed, Act or work- finding fulfillment or being passionate about one’s work/deed
•Suffering- through reflection and contemplation, once gets a deeper sense of self and
experience.
Reference:
https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Sociology/Introduction_to_Sociology/Sociology_(Bou
ndless)/14%3A_Religion/14.05%3A_The_Symbolic-Interactionist_Perspective_on_Religion/14.5
B%3A_Rituals#:~:text=The%20purposes%20of%20rituals%20are,been%20exploited%20for%2
0political%20ends
https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-rituals-and-vs-ceremonies/
https://www.verywellmind.com/religion-improves-health-2224007
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_(supernatural)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchcraft
https://www.verywellmind.com/an-overview-of-victor-frankl-s-logotherapy-4159308
https://prezi.com/p/tzz0msnrhmgo/understanding-the-self/#:~:text=Magos%2C%20an%20anthro
pologist%20and%20a,in%20the%20human%20body%20and
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/religion-vs-spirituality-understanding-difference-richa-tiwari

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Spiritual Self

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What is Spiritual Self?

Spirituality and Religion

•Everybody is affected by it in some manner since it is a common human experience. Be it

Difference between Spirituality and Religion

-Spirituality is inward-focused, emphasizing inner understanding and a personal connection to

Organized vs. Formless:

-Spirituality is inclusive, seeing unity in all paths to truth.

The Concept Of Dungan

-Alicia P. Magos, an anthropologist and a professor emeritus of University of the Philippines

Beliefs and Rituals

*Many Filipinos believe in entities that appear human-like or animal-like.

(insert photos of examples)

Rituals and Ceremonies

Religion, Magic and Witchcrafts

Viktor FrankL’s Logotherapy

•This approach assists individuals in discovering personal significance in their lives,

•Someone- special someone, friend, family and children

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