Lecture Notes: The Spiritual Self

Introduction

• Today's topic: The spiritual self, following last discussion on the material self.
• Emphasis: Both material and spiritual selves are important and have their own place.
• Spiritual self is not just about religion but a broader concept.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the spiritual self.
• Explain the importance of spirituality in life.
• Discuss the connection between spirituality and religion.
• Explore spiritual beliefs of indigenous people in the Philippines.

Understanding Spirituality

• Origin: From Latin "spiritus" meaning breath or life force.
• Concept: Beyond physical, something ideal that gives uniqueness to human existence.

Spirituality and the Sacred

• Definition: Search for the sacred; process of discovering and transforming sacred aspects in life.
• Sacred: Could refer to God, transcendence, or even material objects like collections or fandoms.

Spirituality in Different Contexts

• Christianity: Developed with early Christianity, Holy Spirit.
• Worship: Expression of faith, not limited to God, can include nature or fandoms.
• Acts of Worship: Prayer, reading sacred texts, sacraments, sacrifices.

Spiritual Self Development

• Influences: Developed through interaction, observation, imitation.
• Role of Environment: Family, school, and church play key roles.

Importance of Spiritual Self

• Provides deeper meaning and purpose in life.
• Genetically, humans are inclined to seek life meaning.

Spirituality Without Religion

• Possible to be spiritual without being religious.
• Spirituality as personalization of one's connection to sacred, supernatural, or universe.

Logotherapy

• Proposed by Viktor Frankl: A Holocaust survivor.
• Concept: Finding meaning through doing deeds, experiencing values, and suffering.

Absurdism

• Viewpoint: Life is inherently meaningless.
• Existentialists: Embrace life's absurdity, find worth in living despite it.

Belief in Spirits

• Animism: Belief that creatures, objects, and places possess spirits.
• Historical Context: Oldest religion in Philippines, respect nature as sacred.

Religion's Role

• Organizes people through shared beliefs, promotes social interaction.
• Moderation Needed: Religion can provide noble causes but may go to extremes.

Alternatives to Religion

• Some find meaning in science, history, or personal exploration.
• Importance of personalized spirituality.

Conclusion

• Spirituality is an essential part of human existence, highly individualized.
• Importance of non-judgmental acceptance of different spiritual paths.