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SELF Module 9: The Spiritual Self

Dr. ELVIRA C. PRIETO

Associate Professor V,

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

MAED in Library Science

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“ I have so much to do that I shall

spend the first three hours in
prayer.

Martin Luther
MODULE
9

This module focuses on the spiritual dimension of the self. It broadly tackles the
different aspect of spirituality from existence, relatedness or connections, and the inner
soul

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This section discuss the nature of spirituality, how it is different from religiosity,
the factors that shape one’s spirituality, and its impact on oneself

The spiritual self is quite difficult to discover as it is impossible for every human
being to know the true will of God. People rely only on their faith and faith dictates that the
reason for leaving is to follow the works and examples of Jesus Christ. The life of Jesus
Christ on earth is a perfect example of what love is – love that is unconditional and without
limit, love that is willing to endure all pain. He sacrificed his life to save human kind and
from being God, he became man and died on the cross. His sacrifice shows selflessness.
This is the self that Jesus Christ wants people to follow.

Intended Learning Outcome

At the end of the section, students are expected to

1. Explain the practice of religion and the belief in the supernatural;

2. Examine the different concepts of soul an d the importance of ritual; and
3. Evaluate the varying views about the meaning of life.

The Practice of Religion

Does God really exist? From the point of view of an atheist, He does not exist. God is
dead and God is irrelevant. However, using reason and logic, one may be convinced that
He really exists by answering such questions as “Why does it seem like everything in the
universe is perfect?,” “Why are the distance between the Sun, the Moon, and Earth very
exact?,” or “Why does the human body seem to be perfectly designed from the brain up to
the bones, blood, and internal organs?”

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With these questions, there has to be an “architect” who constructed and designed
all these things in the universe. This supposition leads people to the idea of a god, or a
supreme being.
Religion introduces the concept of supreme beings (God, gods, or goddesses) as
cause or reason of all phenomena. The traditional concept based on Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam regards god as an independent being, the creator of the universe,
and distinct from the universe that this supreme being created. It is widely accepted that
this god is the highest being who shows concern for the suffering of humankind, the face
of justice that manifest ultimate forms of rationality and morality. All agree that this
supreme being is omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipresent
(everywhere at once). This god is regarded as the most merciful, most just, most patient,
and cannot be represented in any worldly form.
Religion has many functions such as providing sense of the world, strengthening
norms and identity, setting sanctions for individual behavior, and giving serenity in facing
life challenges.

The Concept of Soul

Monism is a view that there is only one substance and only one being. It means that
the soul and the body are one. On the contrary, dualism is a view that mind and body are
two independent substances.
Western philosophers believe d that the human person is a rational being which
constituted of soul and body. The soul is superior to the body and can exist independently
without the body. It is invisible and immortal and it directs the physical body, but death
does not mean the end of personal existence. The soul is the life-force of the body. It is
the source of motion as well as the intelligence or mind of the person that pre-exists bodily
existence.
The Filipino term for soul or spirit is kaluluwa. It is believed that it has two existences.
One is physical, in which the soul is connected to the human body and its life, and the
other is spiritual, which exists on its own (Demetrio, Cordero-Fernando, Zialcita, & Feleo,
1991).

Dungan: The Bisayan Concept of Soul

Dungan is the Ilonggo term (by people of Panay and Negros) for the soul. It lacks
material substance and is extremely light that it travels with the wind. It is believed that
dungan dwells above the surface of the earth before inhabiting the human body. It
patiently chooses an unborn child’s body to inhabit. The dungan does not stay in any
specific part of the body but it grows proportionately with the physical body – the bigger
the person, the bigger the dungan. Ilonggos believe that it must be protected and nurtured
when a person is at a young age it is to one’s vulnerability to usug which may manifest
through a headache, nausea, stomachache, fever, or other diseases. When one is
afflicted by usug, the dungan that causes the usug is said to be overpowering the person.

Religious Ritual
Rituals are patterns of behavior or practices that are related to the sacred (Tischler,
2011). In Catholicism, rituals are called sacraments. There are seven sacraments,

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namely, baptism, Holy Eucharist, confirmation, reconciliation, anointing of the sick,

marriage, and holy order. Baptism, for example, is much more than pouring of oil and
washing of the head with water; it is celebrated to welcome the child to the Catholic faith
and to free him or her from the original sin inherited from Adam and Eve. In the Holy
Eucharist, the host and the wine represent the body and blood of Christ which are
believed to be very important for the forgiveness of sins.

Magic and Witchcraft

Anthropologies call the practice of compelling the supernatural forces to work or
behave in a specific way as magic. Spoken words (or spell) and objects are key
components of magic (Frankle & Stein, 2005). Magic may involve manipulation of the
supernatural for good or for evil purposes. Magical rituals are usually performed to
ensure production of good crops, the replenishment of game, the fertility of domestic
animals, and the prevention and cure of illness. The belief in magic is often associated
with simple or primitive societies, but some people in complex societies take magic
seriously and still perform magical practices. (Ember & Ember, 2011).
Two of the many forms of magic are sorcery and witchcraft. These practices are
attempts to invoke the spirits to inflict harm against people. Although often used
interchangeably, they are also distinguished from one another. Sorcery makes use of
materials, objects, and medicines to invoke supernatural malevolence while witchcraft
may accomplish the same ills by means of thought and emotion alone. Suspected
sorcerers and witches are usually feared because of their ability to manipulate the
supernatural to cause illness, injury, and even death. Because sorcerers using materials
for their magic, evidence of sorcery can be found and suspected sorcerers are often killed
for their malevolent activities while witches and the performance of witchcraft can neither
be proven nor be disproved due to lack of evidence (Ember & Ember, 2011).
In the Philippines, barang (magic of sorcery in Cebuano) is done as an act of revenge
for the wrongdoing done by the inflicted person. A victim of sorcery is called natabang or
nabarang. A natabang may experience illness like stomachache, whereas a nabarang
may have a more painful and deadly experience as a swarm of insects may enter through
the anus, nose, ears, and other openings of the victim’s body. Victims of witchcraft in the
Philippines are called nagaway or nakulam. Many forms of illness may be inflicted by the
manggagaway or mangkukulam through the use of dolls, candles, and prayers during the
ritual.

Finding and Creating Meaning in Life: Perspective from the Roman Catholics and
the Atheists

For the Roman Catholics, God is the architect and the designer of all things on earth. He
created the world according to his plans and purposes. He created the world out of his
love and everyone is called to follow his examples. Catholics also believe that human
existence on earth is temporary; faith gives the believers hope that in life after death they
will meet their Creator in a place where there is no sadness and pain, a place they call
heaven.

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On the contrary, what if there is no life after death? What if humans are just body
without soul? If these are not existing or real, will life have meaning? What if we are just
one of the species of animals bound to perish on a certain era? Are we still willing to
submit ourselves to religion and norms of society or will we live our life according to what
brings us happiness?
For existentialists, God is dead, there is no life after death, and life has no meaning.
They posit that it is the person who should create his or her own meaning of existence.
For Albert Camus, a well-known existentialist and atheist, human life is absurd. In this
context, the term absurd does not men illogical or unreasonable. He posited that life is
absurd because people constantly looking for answers, reasons, or justifications for the
good and the bad things happening in the world.

Man’s Searching for Meaning

Victor Frankl, who wrote the book Man’s Search for Meaning (1946), was a
neurologist who developed logotherapy. Logotherapy is based on the guided principle
that the primary motivational force of every individual is to find meaning in life. A
psychotherapeutic approach, logotheraphy is anchored on three basic principles:
1. Life has meaning under all circumstances, even the most miserable ones;
2. The impetus to live is one’s will to discover meaning in life; and
3. Humans are free to discover meaning in everything they do, in what they
experience, or at least in the decision they make when faced with immutable
suffering.

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Activity 1.1
Answer the questions below.
1. Do you believe in the existence of God? Explain your answer.
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2. Do you believe that life has meaning? Explain you answer.

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Rubric

0 1 2 3 3
Depth Student Student Student Student Student fully
does not mentions the answer the answer the
answer
address questions but question question question
the only briefly but only sufficiently
explains
question superficially and with
thoughts
and with some details
completely
few details and provides
supporting
details
Accuracy Student Students Student Student Student
provides provides provides provides provides
no some mostly mostly mostly
accurate information accurate accurate accurate
information but with information information information
several major but may with only with only
inaccuracies substance minor minor
and inaccuracies inaccuracies
misconception

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Activity 1.2

Most Filipinos are Roman Catholics and their religious beliefs have significant influence
on their ideas about identity, essence, and purpose for existence. Explain your essence
and purpose for existence are exemplified by the song below. Otherwise, identify a
different song which reflects your essence and purpose of existence. Write your answer
below.

Sino Ako?
Fr. Jose Castañeda

Hiram sa Diyos ang aking buhay

Ikaw at ako’y tanging handog lamang
‘Di ko ninais na ako’y isilang
Ngunit salamat ngunit may buhay

Ligaya ko na ako’y sinilang

Pagkat tao ay mayroong dangal
Sino’ng may pag-ibig
Sino’ng ngamamahal?
Kung ‘di ang tao, Diyos ang pinagmulan!

Kung ‘di ako umibig

Kung di ko man bigyang halaga
Ang buhay kong handog
Ang buhay kong hiram sa Diyos
Kung ‘di ako nagmamahal
Sino ako?

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Activity 1.3

Complete the table by citing and describing different rituals and ceremonies that you have
experienced or witnessed.

Name of Ritual Description

Name of Ceremony Description

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Answer
Activity 1.3

Rituals

1 Baptism (in the Christian Church) the religious rite of sprinkling water onto a person's
forehead or of immersion in water, symbolizing purification or regeneration and admission
to the Christian Church. In many denominations, baptism is performed on young children
and is accompanied by name-giving.

2 Holy Eucharist The Holy Eucharist is a sacrament and a sacrifice. In the Holy
Eucharist, under the appearances of bread and wine, the Lord Christ is contained,
offered, and received.

3 Confirmation is the sacrament by which Catholics receive a special outpouring of the

Holy Spirit. Through Confirmation, the Holy Spirit gives them the increased ability to
practice their Catholic faith in every aspect of their lives and to witness Christ in every
situation. A closer bond with the Catholic Church.

4 Reconciliation The sacrament of Reconciliation is also known as Penance and

Confession, among other names. (There is an explanation of some of these names in
the Catechism’s section on the sacrament of Reconciliation.)

5 Anointing of the sick The anointing of the sick is administered to bring spiritual and
even physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death. It is most likely
one of the last sacraments one will receive. A sacrament is an outward sign established
by Je y God’s grace to the recipient, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ to confer
inward grace. In more basic terms, it is a rite that is performed to convey.

6 Marriage The Sacrament of Marriage is a lasting commitment of a man and a woman

to a lifelong partnership, established for the good of each other and the procreation of
their children. The man and woman confer the Sacrament of Marriage upon each other
when they express their consent to marry before God and the Church.

7 Holy Order Catholic men who “take Holy Orders” receive a special sacrament
called Holy Orders, which creates the hierarchy of deacon, priest, and bishop. These men
(who are ordained by a bishop by means of that sacrament) serve the spiritual needs of
others in the Catholic Church.

Ceremonies

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1 Vigil period of time at night when you stay awake to pray.

2 Feast a religious festival such as Christmas or Passover.

3 Break the Sabbath to follow or not follow the rules about Sabbath.

4 Worship Services these service comprise a recitation of the Creed, Scientology,

Sermon Congregation, Auditing & Prayer.

5 Confession an official station about what religious belief you have.

6 Ordination the process on religious ceremony by which someone is officially made a

priest or minister.

Activity 1.4

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Watch a movie about sorcery and/or witchcraft. Based on the chosen movie, answer
the question below.

1. Where and when is the setting of the story? Who are the characters? Based on
these elements, from which culture does the film base its conception of sorcery or
witchcraft?
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2. How do the elements of the film achieve a seemingly realistic depiction of sorcery
or witchcraft?
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3. How does the movie present the concept of sorcery or witchcraft?
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Activity 1.5

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Answer the following questions.

1. Whatever your religion is, how do you practice your faith? (e.g., through prayer,
meditation, yoga, etc.)
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2. Do you believe in spirits? Supernatural forces? If yes, do you have a personal
encounter or experience with those forces? What did you do?
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Rubric Activity 1.5

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0 1 2 3 3
Depth Student Student Student Student Student fully
does not mentions the answer the answer the
answer
address questions but question question question
the only briefly but only sufficiently
explains
question superficially and with
thoughts
and with some details
completely
few details and provides
supporting
details
Accuracy Student Students Student Student Student
provides provides provides provides provides
no some mostly mostly mostly
accurate information accurate accurate accurate
information but with information information information
several major but may with only with only
inaccuracies substance minor minor
and inaccuracies inaccuracies
misconception

References:

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Corpus, R. M., Estique, R. S., & Tabotabo, C. V. (2019). Understanding the Self. C&E
Publishing, Inc.
Otig, V. S., Gallinero, W. B., Gimeno, F. C., & Garcia, M. R. (2019). A Holistic Approach in
Understanding the Self. Mutya Publishing House.
Brawner, D. G., & Arcega, A. F. 2018. Understanding the Self. C&E Publishing, Inc.
Macayan, J. V., Pinugu, JN. J., & Castillo, JC. D. (2018). Understanding the Self,
Outcome Based Module. C&E Publishing, Inc.

Degho, S. E., Degho, G. S., & Declaro, LJ. S. (2018) Understanding the Self, An Outcome
Based Workbook for College Students. Mutya Publishing House.

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/teachings/qa-on-the-eucharist-178

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/sacrament-of-confirmation/

http://www.beginningcatholic.com/sacrament-of-reconciliation

https://www.catholic.com/tract/anointing-of-the-sick

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