Chapter 3.4 The Spiritual Self PDF

THE SPIRITUAL SELF Ask yourself!  Are you a religious person? SPIRITUA  Are you a spiritual person? LITY  When can you vs. say that you are already SAVED or RELIGIOSI salvation is already assured? TY SPIRITUALITY vs. RELIGIOSITY  SP...

THE SPIRITUAL SELF Ask yourself!  Are you a religious person? SPIRITUA  Are you a spiritual person? LITY  When can you vs. say that you are already SAVED or RELIGIOSI salvation is already assured? TY SPIRITUALITY vs. RELIGIOSITY  SPIRITUALITY  relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things  Spiritual person – places little importance on beliefs and traditions and is more concerned with growing and experiencing the divine  Approach: through the path of love; there is a love without condemnation and judgement; there is mercy and acceptance  RELIGIOSITY  an organized system of ideas about the spiritual or supernatural realm, that is accompanied by rituals. Through rituals, people attempt to influence things that they think are beyond their control  Religious person – someone who believes in a RELIGIOSITY  came from the word “religion” – a term derived from a Latin word “religare” which means “to bind together” or communion between a person and a higher being (Batara, 2015).  A personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs and practices; pertains to the condition of being religious or attachment to any belief system as measure by its intensity salience Dimensions of Religion 1. Beliefs  generalized system of ideas and values 2. Rituals  repeated physical gestures or activities 3. Spiritual experience  feeling of immediate connection with the higher power 4. Unique social forms of community  unite in one single community called a SPIRITUALITY  A human experience that seeks to transcend self and find meaning and purpose through connection with others, nature, and a Supreme Being, which may or may not involve religious structures or traditions.  Spiritual person vs. Religious person  Are you more of religious or spiritual person?  Religious person – someone who  Why is SPIRITUALI TY important? Importance of SPIRITUALITY  Lack of purpose in life can be significant factors in causing anxiety, depression and phobias.  Spiritual practices are associated with better health and well-being.  Spiritual fellowship can be a source of social support that may provide a sense of belonging, security, community and strong relationship; it can improve health, mood and well-being. CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICES 1. Meditation  mental exercises such as focusing on one’s breathing 2. Prayer  a spiritual communion with god/God or an object or worship as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration or confession 3. Yoga  System of physical postures, breathing techniques and sometimes meditation to promote physical and emotional well- being The practice of RELIGION: Belief in supernatural being and power The Psychology behind Religious Belief  Steven Reiss  suggested a theory on why people are attracted to religion  Religion attracts so many followers because it satisfies all 16 basic desires that human share.  acceptance, curiosity, eating, family, idealism, honor, independence, order, physical activity, power, romance, saving, social contact, status, tranquility  RELIGIOUS WHAT/WHO IS CLASSIFICAT EXAMPLE DIVINE ION Hinduism, Polytheism multiple gods Ancient Greeks and Romans Judaism, Islam, Monotheism single god Christianity Atheism, Atheism no deities Buddhism, Taoism Nonhuman Indigenous beings (animals, Animism nature worship, plants, natural Shinto The Five Major Religions 1. Judaism 2. Christianity 3. Islam 4. Hinduism 5. Buddhism Rituals and Ceremonies  RITUALS  Ceremony or action performed in a customary way  May be prescribed by the traditions of the community including a religious community  Includes not only sacraments of organized religions and cults but also right of passage, atonement and purification rights, oaths of allegiance, dedication ceremonies, coronation, presidential integrations, marriages, funerals and all kinds of human activities.  CEREMONY  Formal act or ritual often set by custom or ORIGIN OF RITUAL 1. Origin approach  The ritual behavior is part of the human evolution 2. Functional approach  Scholars focus on empirical evidence gathered through actual observation.  The nature of rituals believed to be defined by its function in the society. 3. History and religions approach  Holds the view that a ritual behavior is an expression of the sacred.  It is how the material human connects with the transcendent realm of the ultimate reality.