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Semi-Final Lesson 1.1: SPIRITUAL SELF: “ME AND MY FAITH”

{Excerpts from Otig etal (2018). A Holistic Approach in Understanding the Self; and
De Claro etal. (2018). Understanding the Self: An Outcome-Based Workbook for College Students}

Introduction:

 Philosophy started the moment humans started to wonder (with just about anything).
 Humans have pondered on questions like:
o Who is greater than us in reference to our identity as a person? Is there really a God, the Ultimate
and Sacred? Can we not understand our being human, apart from God? “Why do we die? Why do
bad things happen to good people? Do we really have free will? Does God exist? Is the future
determined? Who is God? Who is the self in relation to God? What is the spiritual self? What is
spirituality? Why there are many religions? What are the religious practices and their significance
in my life as a person?
These are questions that we have to answer in this lesson to understand the spiritual-self better.

Revelations – God’s manifestation of His love for us.

 He takes the initiative of revealing his existence.

 We experience and see Him in many ways eg. Through nature, people around us, especially the
love we get from them.
 We see God in positive or negative experiences, eg. victories, success, joys, laughter,
achievements, and all forms of goodness. Even when we experience pain, defeats, failures, illness,
and even death.
 So, if you believe on the importance of spirituality, then what happened to your life upon receiving
His revelations?

Religion versus Spiritual

SIMILARITY DIFFERENCE
Are both paths of to God Approaches

RELIGION SPIRITUAL
A personal set of institutionalized system of Relating to or affecting the human spirit or
Definition
religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices. soul as oppose to material or physical.
Someone who believes in a god or group of Someone who places little importance on
Person gods and consciously adheres to the beliefs beliefs and traditions and is more concerned
of his/her religion. with the growing and experiencing Divine.
Fear. emphasis on sin, guilt, and the concept Path of love. Path with no condemnation and
Approach of a punishing God. judgement, but where there is mercy and
acceptance.
God is high up in the heavens. Separate being God is omnipresent, omniscient, and
Beliefs
from human. omnipotent.
Only way to salvation is in their religion and All faiths are valid, embraces all the world’s
not with others. religions, but at the same time not
Paths
constrained by any other religious dogmas or
forms.
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SPIRITUALITY
Why is spirituality important?

As a college student, it is vital that you develop a healthy sense of wonder. Part of this curiosity
should be about:

o Range of human beliefs;

o Understanding belief systems that may not be the same as yours.

 Spiritual practices are associated with better health and well-being.

o Sense of meaningless and lack of purpose in life can be significant factors in causing
anxiety, depression, and phobias.
 Spiritual fellowship can be a source of social support that may provide sense of belonging,
security, and community.
 Contemplating practice – a method to develop concentration, deepen understanding and insight,
and cultivate awareness and compassion.

Examples of contemplating practices:

1. Meditation – mental exercise for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual
awareness. It can induce feelings of calm and clear-headedness, as well as improved
concentration and attention.
2. Prayer – a spiritual communication with God (or an object of worship) as in supplication,
thanksgiving, adoration, or confession. Prayer may elicit a relaxation response, along with
feelings of hope, gratitude, and compassion – all of which has a positive effect on overall well-
being.
3. Yoga – a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline. In Hindu theistic philosophy, it teaches the
suppression of all mind and body activity so that the self may realize its distinctions from
material world and attain liberation.
4. Journaling – is another (but often overlooked) contemplating practice that can help you
become more aware of your inner life and feel more connected to your experience and the
world around you.

THE PRACTICE OF RELIGION

What is religion?

 “the belief in worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods”
(Oxford University Press, 2017).
 “particular system of faith and worship” (University of Minnesota Human Rights Center, 2003).
 More than its belief and practices, religion is an experience.
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The Psychology behind Religious Belief

Why people are attracted to religion? According to Steven Reiss (1990), religion attracts so many followers
because it satisfies all 16 basic desires that humans share (The 16 Striving Gods, 2016). These are:

1. Acceptance 5. Honor 9. Physical activity 13. Social contact

2. Curiosity 6. Idealism 10. Power 14. Status
3. Eating 7. Independence 11. Romance 15. Tranquility
4. Family 8. Order 12. Saving 16. Vengeance

 Reiss claimed that we all share the same 16 goals, but what makes us different is how we value
each one.
 Reis added that all religious beliefs are designed to meet these 16 desires.

The four dimensions of religion

Sociologists noted four dimensions that seem to be present in varying forms and intensities in all types of
religion (Dawson & Thiessen, 2014) These are:

1. Belief;
2. Ritual;
3. Spiritual experience; and
4. Unique social forms of community.

The book, Sacred Pathways, written by Gary Thomas presents the nine sacred paths to connect with
God. These are the following:

The Nine Sacred Pathways:

1. Naturalists: Loving God Out of Doors

You feel closer to God when surrounded by the beauty of nature: the sunrise in a beautiful
mountain, the sunset by the sea, flowers in the garden, the birds, the trees and butterflies. You see Him
in the things He has made, and worship Him in the cathedral of His creation.

2. Sensate: Loving God with the Senses

You love to worship God in ways that engage your senses of sight, smell, sound. Beautiful
sanctuaries, scented candles, gentle touch of a nun, incense, Christian art, and religious and
instrumental music are appealing to you.

3. Traditionalists: Loving God Through Ritual and Symbol

You may be drawn to the Book of Common Prayer, liturgy, and observance of the church calendar,
the sacraments, the ancient songs, and creeds of the Church.

4. Ascetics: Loving God in Solitude and Simplicity

You love to be left alone to pray and tend to live a simplified and quiet life free of distractions that
would hinder your worship of God.
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5. Activists: Loving God Through Confrontation

You are spiritually nourished by fighting for the right. You gravitate toward social or evangelical
causes, drawing near to God through such things as prayer walks, food pantries, crisis pregnancy
centers, marches, etc.

6. Caregivers: Loving God by Loving Others

You serve Christ by serving others. In preparing meals, counseling, volunteering at a shelter, tending
the sick, or opening your home, you feel closest to God.

7. Enthusiasts: Loving God Through Mystery and Celebration

Thomas calls you a “cheerleader for God”! You love to just follow the Spirit’s leading, celebrate
God’s mysterious ways, and exude gladness and wonder.

8. Contemplatives: Loving God Through Adoration

You see God as the “Lover of your soul.” You seek to practice His presence continually, and crave
alone any time to gaze on His face and lose yourself in Him.

9. Intellectuals: Loving God with the Mind

You feel closer to God when you learn something new about Him. You may sense God closest in
study and meditation on Scripture, apologetics, theology, and creeds.

God constantly reveals Himself to us in His presence, absence, and even in silence. We are challenged to
be attuned with this God to know ourselves better. Apart from this God we are nothing. We see God in
different faces, and we respond to God in many different ways.