Psychology Chapter 9: The Spiritual Self

The Spiritual Self

• The spiritual self, as defined by William James, refers to the innermost workings of a person's mind, including their behavior, beliefs, and morals.
• The spiritual self is considered the most enduring and intimate part of a person.
• Manifestations of the spiritual self include:
  • Person's Will: referring to one's wishes and desires.
  • Intelligence and abilities: perceived strengths and confidence in doing certain tasks.
  • Morals: definition of what is right and wrong, and distinguishing acceptable actions.
  • Values: ability to distinguish what is important and prioritize tasks.

Spirit and Soul

• The concept of spirit and soul is debated among philosophers and theologians.
• Monists believe that the essence of human beings confers individuality and is often considered synonymous with the mind of the self.
• Dualists believe that the soul is immaterial, made of a different substance from the body, and acts independently of the body.

Transcendence and Immanence

• Transcendence refers to the experience of existence beyond the physical and psychological, and the idea of divinity that is separate from our universe.
• Immanence refers to the discovery of the transcendent in the physical and psychological, and the idea of the divine being present in the world.

Ancient Beliefs

• Egyptian beliefs: the "ka" (breath) survived death, while the spiritual "ba" proceeded to the region of the dead.
• Chinese beliefs: distinguished between a lower, sensitive soul, and a rational principle, the "hun", which survives the grave.
• Hebrew beliefs: did not separate the soul from the body.
• Filipino beliefs: the soul has two existences, one physical and one spiritual, and is referred to as "kaluluwa", "ikaruruwa", or "karuruwa".
• Christian beliefs: concepts of a body-soul dichotomy originated from the ancient Greeks and were introduced into Christian theology.
• Epicurean beliefs: the soul was made up of atoms like the rest of the body.
• Platonist beliefs: the soul was an immaterial and incorporeal substance.
• Aristotelian beliefs: the soul was a form inseparable from the body.
• St. Thomas Aquinas' beliefs: the soul as a motivating principle of the body, independent but requiring the substance of the body to make an individual.
• St. Augustine's beliefs: the soul as a rider on the body, making clear the split between the material and immaterial.

The Practice of Religion

• Religion refers to beliefs and behaviors related to supernatural beings and powers.
• Worldview is broader than religion and refers to the collective body of ideas that members of a culture share concerning the ultimate shape and substance of their reality.
• All cultures have religion, spirituality, a worldview, and magic.

Difference between Religion and Spirituality

• Religion is an organized system about spiritual reality, or the supernatural, along with associated beliefs and ceremonial practices.
• Spirituality is a concern with the sacred in an individual manner, and is often individual rather than collective.

Myth, Rituals, and Supernatural

• Myth: a sacred narrative that explains the fundamentals of human existence.
• Rituals: culturally prescribed symbolic acts or procedures designed to guide members of a community through personal and collective transitions.
• Supernatural: the supernatural is present in many cultures, especially in non-industrialized societies.

Functions of Religion

• Cognitive function: enabling humans to explain the unexplainable phenomena.
• Emotional function: helping individuals to cope with anxieties that often accompany illness, accidents, death, and other misfortunes.
• Social function: social control, conflict resolution, and building group solidarity.

The Concept of "Dungan" -- Spirit or Soul

• The "dungan" or soul of a person has two dimensions: the human body and the spiritual.
• The soul is referred to as "kaluluwa" by the Tagalogs or "dungan" by the Ilonggos.
• The soul is believed to leave the body while the person is asleep.

Rituals and Ceremonies

• Rituals are established or fixed by traditional rules and are viewed as a universal feature of religion.
• Rituals serve to relieve social tensions and reinforce a group's collective bonds.
• Rituals provide a means of marking important events and lessening the social disruption and individual suffering of crises.

Functions of Ritual

• Relief of social tensions and reinforcement of collective bonds.
• Providing a means of marking important events and lessening the social disruption and individual suffering of crises.
• Serving as a means of communication with the supernatural.

Symbols

• Religious symbols are used to create a myth that expresses the teachings of the religion.
• Examples of symbols include the Cross, Star of David, and Torii Gate.

Finding and Creating Meaning in Life

• Viktor Frankl's theory of Logotherapy suggests that finding meaning in life is a key motivation for human beings.
• Frankl's hypothesis questions the thoughts of Freud, who believed that the significance of life comes from the pursuit of pleasure.
• Frankl's theory holds three primary human capabilities: self-detachment, self-transcendence, and the ability to "spiritually be in touch" with something or someone independent of spatio-temporal dimensions.
• Frankl's postulates include:
  • Anthropological: man does not simply exist but always decides what his existence will be.
  • Psychological: man's key motivation is the search for meaning.
  • Philosophical: life has unconditional meaning, regardless of the circumstances.