Spiritual Self
Donna Lea P. Buendia, MA, LPT
Introduction
Spiritual self is one of the four constituents of
the “self” according to William James in his
book, The Principles of Psychology in 1980.
It is the most intimate, inner subjective part
of the self.
• Spirituality – when you have elevated yourself
from that of a slaved mind to an empowered
mind
• Religious – means belonging to an
established religious order.
Religion
Rebecca Stein define it “as a set of cultural beliefs
and practices that usually includes some or all of
basic characteristics.
Characteristics are:
A belief in an anthropomorphic supernatural
being, such as spirit and gods
A focus on the scared supernatural, where sacred
refers to a feeling of reverence and awe
The presence of supernatural power or energy
that is found on supernatural beings as well as
physical beings and objects.
Cont.
The performance of ritual activities that
involves the manipulation of sacred object to
communicate to supernatural beings and/or to
influence or control events
The articulation of worldview and moral codes
through narratives and other means
Provide the creation and maintenance of social
bonds and mechanisms of social control within
a community; provide explanation for unknown
and a sense of control for individuals.
Ritual
It is the performance of ceremonial acts
prescribed by a tradition or scared law.
It is a specific, observable mode of behavior
exhibited by all known societies
3 Fundamental Characteristics of Rituals:
1. A feeling or emotion of respect, awe,
fascination, or dread in relation to the sacred
2. Dependence upon a belief system that is
usually expressed in the language myth
3. Is symbolic relation to its reference
Some Major World Religions
Buddhism
Christianity
Hinduism
Islam
Judaism
Buddhism
Beliefs
Believes that life is not a bed of roses. Instead there
are suffering, pain and frustrations.
When people suffer, they want to experience the
goodness of life and avoid disappointments.
It becomes a habit known as the reactive cycle of
wanting and hating, like and dislike, and craving and
aversion.
This reactive cycle can be broken through the
practice of meditation, acquiring more wisdom and
deeper understanding, and acceptance of things as
they are.
Buddhism
Customs and Practices
2 Types of Meditation Practices:
Samatha – practiced as mindfulness of
breathing and development of loving-
kindness.
Vipassana – practices aim at developing
insight into reality
DHARMA – Buddha’s teaching
Buddhism
Some of the major Buddhist celebrations:
Parinirvana Day – February
Buddha Day (Wesak) – May
Dharma Day – July’
Padmasambhava Day – October
Sangha Day - November
Christianity
Beliefs
Christians believe in Trinitarian God.
One God in 3 Personas: God the Father
(Creator), God the Son (Savior), and God the
Holy Spirit (Sustainer).
The reference of faith is the Holy Bible which
is divided into two, the Old Testament and
the New Testament.
Christianity
Customs and Practices
7 Holy Sacraments:
1. Baptism
2. Confirmation
3. Holy Eucharist
4. Penance / Reconciliation
5. Anointing of the Sick
6. Holy Orders
7. Matrimony
Christianity
Customs and Practices
2 Major Celebrations:
1. Christmas – December 25, commemorates
the birth of Jesus Christ
2. Resurrection Sunday – (depends on the
lunar calendar, sometime in March or April)
celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from death
Hinduism
Beliefs
Hindus believe that existence is a cycle of
birth, death and rebirth, governed by Karma.
Karma – concept where the reincarnated life
will depend on how the past life was spent.
Vedas – sacred scriptures of Hindus
Mahabharata and Ramayana – two other
important texts of the Hindus
Hinduism
3 Major God and Wives:
God Role Wife
Brahma Creator Saraswathi
Vishnu Protector Lakshmi
Shiva Destroyer Parvathi
Hinduism
Customs and Practices
Celebrated Festivals:
Diwali – Festival of Lights
Navrati – Festival of Nine Nights, which
celebrate the triumph of good over evil
Islam
Beliefs
Muslims believe in Allah, who is their “One God”
They believe in the unity and universality of God
Islam means “willing submission to God”
They believe that Mohammed is the last and
final prophet sent by God
Mohammed – born in Mecca in 570 CE and
received revelations from God through the
Angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years
Quran – holy book of Islam which was taught to
be recited in Arabic because any translation is
seen as inadequate
Islam
Customs and Practices
5 Pillars of Islam:
1. Shahdah – statement of faith: “There is no God but
the one true God and Mohammed is his message
2. Salat – the prayer that is practiced five times a day
3. Zakat – the monetary offering for the benefit of the
poor. It comprises the 2.5% of a Muslim’s assets
4. Hajj – the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims who
can afford are asked to do the pilgrimage at least
once in their lifetime.
5. Sawm – the fasting. Fasting from food, drink and
sexual act, during the celebration of Ramadan.
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic lunar
calendar. Fast is from dawn to sunset.
Islam
Customs and Practices
2 Major Festivals in Islam:
1. Eidul-Fitr - celebration at the end of
Ramadan
2. Eidul-Adha – celebrated within the
completion of the Pilgrimage, Hajj.
Judaism
Beliefs
The Jews believe in the God of Abraham. The
same God that liberated the Hebrew slaves
from Egypt to Canaan, the Promised Land
through the leadership of Moses and later,
Joshua.
The Jews believe in the coming of Messiah,
the Savior
Torah – The Law or the sacred scripture
Judaism
Customs and Practices
5 Major Festivals:
1. Rosh Hashannah – the New Year
2. Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement
3. Pesach – Passover
4. Shavout – Pentecost
5. Sukkot – Tabernacles. The Jewish Sabbath
begins on Friday evening at sunset and is an
important time when families gather for the
Shabbath meal.
The End!
