Module 6: The Western and Eastern Perspective:
How it Relates to Self ideas and show how they’ll reflect the same
How is Eastern different from Western Thoughts?
• Impact of Culture on Self
Culture and society are also a primeval force which
somehow has a great impact on the formation of the self.
Mainly because, every individual life in a certain time and
culture.
The influences of one’s culture and the pertaining beliefs
that goes with it can be a crucial factor in the individual’s
adaptation of self-concepts, self-realization, and concepts
related to it such as personality traits and behaviors.
Eastern Philosophies
Those who live in a particular culture or context, form
their own worldviews thereby shaping a person’s reality.
These worldviews are used by people as guidelines for
organizing once life and believing in certain concepts.
We also use worldviews to process information based on
a particular culture, value and custom (Clark 2002 as cited
in Alata,Caslib, Jr., Serafica, and Pawilen, 2018).
Meaning to say, the culture of a person where she/he
lives affect the formation of the self through these
worldviews.
There are two worldviews can be also called perspectives
or philosophies which varies in terms of self-
understanding;
• Currently, the two main philosophies dividing the
world are the eastern and western philosophy.
Eastern Philosophy
• Eastern Philosophy (mostly China and India) also
explored the five main categories, but they didn’t
really make a distinction between certain
categories.
• They didn’t really make a distinction on:
- Metaphysics and Epistemology
- Philosophy and Religion
• Although Western Philosophy tends to focus on
the parts in an idea, the Eastern Philosophers
focus to look at the idea as a whole, rather than
breaking down ideas and concepts into
categories.
• Eastern Philosophy preferred to generalize the
truths.
• Western philosophy focuses on the finding the
differences in ideas while Eastern philosophy
focuses on the similarities.
• The Tao Te Ching written by Lao-Tzu contains all
five main Western philosophy categories in a
small book, you can find passages and verses
epistemological, ethical, political and aesthetic
natures but these ideas are not specifically
defined but rather they are revealed.
• The eastern philosophies consider the self as
secondary to its community and relationship with
others. It views the self as interconnected and
indistinct. It puts much value in man’s
relationship with others, and his identity in
relation to others whom comes in contact with.
Confucianism
Buddhism Taoism
CONFUCIANISM
• The religious beliefs of
Confucianism points man as
having virtues and moral existence
(Alata, Caslib, Jr., Serafica, and
Pawilen, 2018). Meaning to say,
they live according to codes of ethical conduct
where behaviors are highly connected to one’s
social life or community living.
• An individual’s identity is highly related according
to his status in the community or culture that he
lives with.
• Confucian followers consider the good of many
first before upholding one’s personal interest.
• This belief upholds the social order and balance in
society (Ho, 1995).
 • Subduing oneself and living a virtuous life is an
important goal in life.
Care about what others think and you will be a prisoner. –
Lao Tzu
TAOISM
• Taoism came originally from
China 2,500 years ago (Craig, 2007).
• Its primary teacher, Lao Tzu,
believes that there are universal
principles that govern the nature of reality.
• Man, therefore uses the elements of the universe
in order to achieve balance and unity. A Taoist
considers it important to observe nature, its laws
and live with the principles of reality.
• The self in Taoism is part of the universe and not
just part of the community.
• A Taoist considers it important to be selfless but
balanced with society and nature stands for.
• He is open to ideas and accepting of change and
does not promote prejudices and egocentricism.
• Balance and Harmony of everything is sought.
• A Taoist, in order to cultivate the self must
practice moral values and virtues in his daily life.
This person is more concerned with living
according to nature.
• One way of doing this by controlling one’s body
and mind. Other practices involved is meditation,
and qigong.
• Taoist also adapt a free flowing, relative and
unitary view of everything.
BUDDHISM
• Buddhism is a philosophy more geared
towards the formation and function of the
self. According to Buddhism, there are five
physical and mental components of the
self.
• There are five physical and mental components of
the self. These are form (rapa), feeling (verdana),
perception or conception (sanjna) and
consciousness (vijnana) (Five Skandhas, 2017).
• A Buddhist believes that “there is no self”
(O’Brien, 2018). It is more concerned with the
irrationality and transcendence of the self.
• The self is seen as an illusion, it is something to
hold and control things, or human centered (Ho,
1995). The Buddhists would renounce self in
terms of its cravings or attachments of the world
because it is the source of suffering.
• The self in Buddhism would instead achieve
enlightenment by attaining the state of Nirvana.
Overview of the Eastern Philosophy
• The Self in Eastern Philosophy does not focus
much on being an individual person. Rather, he is
a collectivist by nature.
• A collectivist person strives to become better not
for his individual success but to the betterment of
his community.
• An Eastern believer sees value in dignity and
sense of pride which comes from his very standing
and relationship with the community or the
universe he/she belongs with. He would rather
choose interconnectedness rather than
individuality.
The Self in Western Thought
• Western Philosophy (Ancient Greeks, Europeans
and Americans) usually focused on five categories
1. Metaphysics – the study of existence
2. Epistemology – the study of knowledge
3. Ethics – the study of action
4. Politics – the study of force
5. Aesthetics – the study of art
Western Philosophy
• In western philosophy the philosophers tend to
use a lot of logic, reasoning and categorization.
• They tend to break down the ideas as much as
they could.
• They also focused on the ideas in parts rather
than the whole idea.
 • The self in the western part of the world began
during the seventeenth and eighteenth century
where the Enlightenment Period sprang.
• During this period, the focus of man is to search
for truth and meaning through the tools of
science and reason with man as the prime mover
(King 2013, as cited in Kim, 2014).
• Man appears to be the main focus and
individualism is much highlighted.
• Individualism emphasizes the importance of
person’s abilities, qualities, needs and wants.
Thus, it is important to discover factors which
would help understand the nature of man/self.
• Western culture sees individuals to be possessing
traits and abilities that can drive them to succeed.
• It values competition, assertiveness, and equality
among men. Fairness in competition and equality
of rights is upheld in here.
• In terms of relationships, man would likely call
their superiors/boss, family or relatives in their
first names, in recognition of respect and equality
(Alata, Caslib, Jr., Serafica, Pawilen, 2018).
Conflict and Harmony
• Western philosophy was built on the idea of
differences and separation so they will not try and
settle for common ground; they will use heavy
debate to try to convince the audience which
opinion is superior.
• Eastern will usually find common group, a perfect
example of this is the Yin and Yang.
• Yin symbolizes feminine, dark, cold, and yielding
while Yang symbolizes masculine, bright and
advancing.
• These might be separate ideas in Western but in
the Eastern equal amounts of both ideas are of
importance, together created a whole.
Individualism & Collectivism
• Individualism is highly praised in the West, the
belief that the needs of each person are more
important than the needs of the whole society or
group.
• Collectivism and connected is more apparent, a
political or economic theory advocating collective
control especially over production and
distribution.
Fragmentary Vs Holistic
• In Western philosophy they see things like the
brain and the body as separate identities, rather
than viewing the two parts as equal; the mentality
has now been passed on into politics and even in
religion.
• In Eastern philosophy people are like to look at
issues at a whole scale.
• Chinese and Indian philosophers believed that
their teachings are not meant to take you to
separate truths but the parts would eventually
lead to one truth.
• The social media, migration and intermarriages,
variety between the Western and Asian
perceptions may either be blurred or highlighted;
conflict is inevitable in diversity; peace is also
possible through the understanding of where
each of us is coming from.
Module 7: The Physical and Sexual Self
Characteristics of Adolescence
Adolescents tend to be age-segregated. They interact
mostly with their own age group, rather than with
younger children and older adults. This may be largely
dictated by the organization of our educational system
into ‘grades’. Although adolescents may prefer to spend
their time with others of the same age proximity, it does
limit their ability to guide younger people and learn from
older ones.
Jobs held by teens may give them an opportunity to spend
time with other age groups: babysitting or working at a
daycare OR working in a retail store or fast-food
restaurant.
An older child, still accepting financial support, will also
have to accept the continuing control of the parents. Why
wouldn’t a parent who is providing money to the child,
still want to control how that money is spent?
If the older child is still living in the parent’s home, why
wouldn’t they still have to live by the parent’s rules about
curfews, getting a job, keeping their room clean, or
helping with household chores?
This economic dependency may extend the period of
adolescence for years… as long as age 24 or even 30.
Adolescents are heavily targeted and influenced by mass
media. With rapidly developing physical and cognitive
capacities, they are especially vulnerable to the
counterculture aspects of media programming. They seek
excessive stimulation, as they are bombarded with images
and sounds of tragedy, sexuality, and brutality via
magazines, the internet, TV, video games, loud music.
Physical Growth
Unlike children, however, adolescents monitor their
development carefully. They constantly compare
themselves with ideal standards or images, becoming
embarrassed, fascinated or insecure. They then revise
their self-image. How they and their parents deal with the
rapid changes of adolescence will impact their overall
adjustment.
The rapid changes of adolescent physical growth rival the
rate of changes found in prenatal development and
infancy.
The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls the
pituitary gland; the pituitary gland is the master gland of
the body.
Since birth, the body of each individual has been
producing hormones from endocrine glands. Hormones
are biochemical substances that are secreted into the
bloodstream. Each body, both male and female, have
been producing hormones called androgens and
estrogens.
The heart, lungs, prostate gland, and seminal vesicles also
increase in size; boys produce more red blood cells than
girls. These changes normally begin to occur between the
ages of 9-14 years and are completed between ages 12
and 16 years.
During adolescence, the testes in males start producing
more androgens. The primary one is called testosterone.
This affects the development of primary sex
characteristics for boys, which include the enlargement of
the testes and scrotum, followed about a year later by
growth of the penis. The first ejaculation, (emission of
semen) may be the result of masturbation or occurs
during sleep (wet dream). These first emissions usually do
not contain fertile sperm.
At the beginning of the adolescent period, the ovaries in
females produce more estrogens. The primary one is
called progesterone. This affects the development of
primary sex characteristics for girls, which include the
enlargement of the labia and clitoris, as well as the
development of the uterus and vagina. The first
menstrual cycle, or menarche occurs at the age of 12 – 12
½. The first ovulation of an egg occurs a year or more later.
Secondary sex characteristics also develop during
adolescence. These are physical changes that do not
directly affect reproduction, but are associated with
sexual maturation.
Secondary sex characteristics in males include pubic,
underarm, and facial hair growth, deepening of the voice,
and the ability to increased muscular development.
Secondary sex characteristics in females include fat
deposits on breasts and hips, a widening of the pelvic
bowl, and growth of underarm and pubic hair.
Sexual development is biological, but sexual behavior is
social and emotional as well as biological. Teens struggle
with their gender identity… dealing with their sexual
urges, but also with the culture’s expectations to exercise
restraint. The media, parents, schools, and religious
groups may present various attitudes toward sexual
behavior.
Sexual behavior may fall within different realms:
romantic (loving and/or leading toward marriage), casual
(no special relationships established before having sex),
manipulative (sex is offered to get what something you
want), teasing (flirting with no intentions to have a sexual activity associated with more drug use and
relationship or sex), and exploratory (experimentation). delinquency than later sexual activity.

Many adolescents choose to delay sexual relationships, Abnormalities and Diseases Related to the Physical Body
and practice abstinence. and Sexual Hormones

Physical Growth, and Psychosexual Development In the Early Stages

During adolescence, the individual enters into the final - The gonads (reproductive glands that produce
stage of Freud’s Theory of Psychosexual Development: the gametes; testis or ovary) (1-8 weeks of
embryonic development)
1. Oral stage
2. Anal stage - embryonic reproductive structures of males and
3. Phallic stage females are alike and are said to be in the
4. Latency stage indifferent stage.
5. Genital stage

During the genital stage, sexual urges are once

again awakened.

Attitudes toward sexual behavior in the United States

have varied over the last 50 years. During the 1950’s and
60’s, most young people felt pre-marital sex was immoral.

There was some peer pressure that compelled adolescent

boys to have sexual experience before marriage, while
girls were to remain chaste (virgins). This was the basis of
the popular ‘double standard’.

By the 1970’s sexual attitudes had changed, which might

have been the result of the widespread distribution of
reliable birth control pills, and partly because of the sexual
revolution of the 1960’s. Attitudes were more accepting
of casual sex, and same-sex orientation… sexual attraction
toward members of one’s own sex.

By the 1980’s, attitudes toward sexual behavior in

America returned to more conservative values. This may
have been influenced by rising numbers of STD’s…
sexually transmitted diseases. Although instances of - formation of male or female structures depends
adolescent sexual activity stayed high, sex was less casual. on the presence of testosterone
Facts: Since the year 2000, about 60% of white males and - If embryonic testes release testosterone, then the
females engage in sexual intercourse by the age of 18. duct system and external genitalia follows.
Black and Hispanic males report sexual activity at earlier
ages. Hispanic girls delay sexual activity more than other - Female embryos that form ovaries will cause the
groups. Adolescent boys and girls from two-parent development of the female ducts and external
families have less and later sexual experience than those genitalia since testosterone hormone is not
from single-parent families; overly restrictive and overly produced.
permissive parenting are associated with earlier sexual
activity in adolescents; good academic students delay
sexual activity more than poorer academic students; early

Abnormalities Sex hormone production
Pseudohermaphrodites are formed who are individuals
having accessory reproductive structures that do not
“match” their gonads;
Hermaphrodites are individuals who possess both ovarian
and testicular tissues but this condition is rare in nature.
- Puberty is the period of life when the
reproductive organs grow to their adult size and
become functional under the influence of rising
levels of gonadal hormones (testosterone in
males and estrogen in females).
Diseases Associated with the Reproductive System
In Females, vaginal Infections are:
- Young, elderly women and low diseases
resistances
- If untreated, may spread throughout the female
reproductive tract and may cause pelvic
inflammatory disease and sterility.
- Escherichia coli which spread through the
digestive tract; the sexually transmitted
microorganisms such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and
herpes virus; and yeast (a type of fungus)
In Females:
- Painful or abnormal menses may also be due to
infection or hormone imbalance.
- Tumors of the breast and cervix are the most
common reproductive cancers in adult females.
In Males:
- Common inflammatory conditions are prostatitis,
urethritis, and epididymitis, all of which may
follow sexual contacts in which sexually
transmitted disease (STD) microorganisms are
transmitted.
- Orchiditis, or inflammation of the testes, can
cause sterility and most commonly follows
mumps in an adult male.
In Males:
- Prostate cancer (a common sequel to prostatic
hypertrophy) is a widespread problem in adult
males.
- Although aging men show a steady decline in
testosterone secretion, their reproductive
capability seems unending.
Module 8: Human Sexual Behavior and STDs
• Erogenous Zones
parts of the body receptive to and increase sexual
arousal when touched in a sexual manner
This can be:
mouth,
breasts,
genitals, and
anus;
other common areas of the body that can be
aroused easily may include the neck, thighs,
abdomen, and feet. (lips, scalp, palm of hands,
fingertips, behind the knee, inner thighs, toes)
Human Sexual Behavior - any activity—
solitary, between two persons, or in a
group—that induces sexual arousal.
 2 Major factors that determine human
Excitement
sexual behavior:
- Inherited sexual response patterns that
have evolved as a means of ensuring
reproduction Resolution Plateau
- Degree of restraint or other types of
influence exerted on the individual by
Sexual
society in the expression of his/her sexuality. Climax
Types of Behavior
• Physiology of Human Sexual Response
1. Solitary Behavior
1. Excitement phase. There is increase in
- Self-gratification means self-stimulation that
pulse and blood pressure, and skin
leads to sexual arousal and generally, sexual
temperature. Flushing and swelling of all
climax; most self-gratification takes place in distensible body parts are also
private as an end in itself. experienced. Symptoms of arousal
- most frequent in unmarried eventually increase to a near maximal
- more males vs. females physiological level that leads to the next
- less frequent or is abandoned when stage.
sociosexual activity is available. 2. Plateau phase. It is generally of brief
2. Sociosexual Behavior duration. If stimulation is continued,
- Heterosexual = male and female (greatest) orgasm usually occurs.
3. Sexual climax. It is marked by a feeling of
- occurs in childhood; may be motivated by
abrupt, intense pleasure.
curiosity, such as showing or examining
4. Resolution phase. It is the last stage that
genitalia.
refers to the return to a normal or
- Physical contact involving necking or petting subnormal physiologic state.
is considered as an ingredient of the learning
process. • Nervous System Factors
- Petting differs from hugging, kissing, and - autonomic system ----- controls involuntary
generalized caresses of the clothed body to responses.
practice involving stimulation of the - hypothalamus and the limbic system -------
genitals. responsible for regulating the sexual response.
- Coitus, the insertion of the male - lower spinal cord leads to erection and
ejaculation for male
reproductive structure into the female
- Stimulation of vaginal genital and perineal areas -
reproductive organ, is viewed by society
----discharges and lubrication for female
quite differently depending upon the marital
status of the individuals. • Sexual Problems
- Physiological problems.
Diseases 2ndary to abnormal development of the
genitalia or that part of the neurophysiology controlling
sexual response;
Physiology of Human Sexual Response - Psychological problems.
socially induced inhibitions,
maladaptive attitudes,
ignorance, and sexual myths held by society;
 • Sexual Problems
- Premature emission of semen is a common
problem, especially for young males;
- Erectile impotence is almost always of
psychological origin in males under 40; in older
males, physical causes are more often involved;
- Ejaculatory impotence, which results from the
inability to ejaculate in coitus, is uncommon and
is usually of psychogenic origin.
- Vaginismus is a strong spasm of the pelvic
musculature constricting the female reproductive
organ so that penetration is painful or impossible.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
These are bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections
transmitted from an infected person to an
uninfected person through sexual contact.
1. Chlamydia
2. Gonorrhea
3. Syphilis
4. Chancroid
5. Human Papillomavirus
6. Herpes Simplex Virus
7. Trichomonas Vaginalis
1. Chlamydia
- caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis.
- can infect both sexes.
- Women can get chlamydia in the cervix, rectum,
or throat.
- Men can get chlamydia in the urethra (inside the
penis), rectum, or throat.
• Around 70 – 80 % of women with chlamydia
don’t notice any symptoms.
• If you get signs and symptoms, these usually
appear between one and three weeks after
having unprotected sex with an infected
person.
The most common symptoms:
• Pain when urinating
• Discharge
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Bleeding
• Pain in the testicles
• Fever, nausea and pain during sex
2. Gonorrhea: The Clap
- It spreads easily and can lead to infertility in both
men and women, if untreated. Antibiotics stop
the infection.
Symptoms: Common symptoms are burning during
urination and discharge, but often there are no early
symptoms. Later, the infection may cause skin rashes or
spread the joints and blood.
In men: Discharge from the penis, swollen testicles.
In women: Vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, spotting.
Symptoms may be mild and are easily confused with a
urinary tract or vaginal infection.
3. Syphilis
Syphilis: First Stage
• Primary Stage
• During the first (primary) stage of syphilis, you
may notice a single sore or multiple sore. The sore
is the location where syphilis entered your body.
Sores are usually (but not always) firm, round, and
painless.
• The sore usually lasts 3 to 6 weeks and heals
regardless of whether or not you receive
treatment. Even after the sore goes away, you
must still receive treatment.
Syphilis: Secondary Stage
• During the secondary stage, you may have skin
rashes and/or mucous membrane lesions.
Mucous membrane lesions are sores in your
mouth, vagina, or anus.
• Starts with rash on one or more areas of your
body.
• rash can show up when your primary sore is
healing or several weeks after the sore has
healed.
• rash can look like rough, red, or reddish-brown
spots on the palms of your hands and/or the
bottoms of your feet. ---usually won’t itch and it
is sometimes so faint that you won’t notice it.
• fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy
hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches,
and fatigue (feeling very tired).
• The symptoms from this stage will go away
whether or not you receive treatment.
• Without the right treatment, your infection will
move to the latent and possibly tertiary stages of
syphilis.
Syphilis: Latent Stage
• The latent stage of syphilis is a period of time
when there are no visible signs or symptoms of
syphilis. If you do not receive treatment, you can
continue to have syphilis in your body for years
without any signs or symptoms.
Syphilis: Tertiary Stage
• Most people with untreated syphilis do not
develop tertiary syphilis. However, when it does
happen it can affect many different organ
systems.
• The heart and blood vessels, and the brain and
nervous system are affected.
• Tertiary syphilis is very serious and would occur
10–30 years after your infection began. In
tertiary syphilis, the disease damages your
internal organs and can result in death.
4. Chancroid
- More commonly seen in men than women,
particularly uncircumcised males.
- Spread by having unprotected, vaginal or oral sex.
- Contagious as long as the person as open sores.
The open sores contain bacteria and any contact
with these sores can result in infection.
- May be treated with certain antibiotics. The
ulcers generally heal with 2 to 3 weeks.
Some symptoms include:
- Sores or raised bumps on the genitals which
eventually if untreated, becomes filled with pus
and eventually ruptures leaving a painful
sore/ulcer.
- The bacterial may also infect the lymph glands in
the groin. These glands may become enlarged,
hard and painful.
- In women, ulcers appear on the genitals, painful
urination and painful intercourse.
5. Human Papillomavirus
How is HPV spread?
• having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone
who has the virus.
• can be passed even when an infected person
has no signs or symptoms.
• can develop symptoms years after you
have sex with someone who is infected.
• What is HPV?
• 79 million Americans, most in their late teens and
early 20s, are infected
• many different types of HPV.
• can cause health problems including genital warts
and cancers.
• vaccines can stop these
6. Herpes Simplex Virus
Two types: Herpes type 1 & type 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2)
• Herpes type 1 (oral)
• causes sores around the mouth and lips
(sometimes called fever blisters or cold sores).
• Herpes type 2 (genital)
• infected person may have sores around the
genitals or rectum
• Can have periods of being dormant,
• Attacks (or outbreaks) can be brought on by the
following conditions:
• General illness (from mild illnesses to
serious conditions)
• Fatigue
• Physical or emotional stress
• Immunosuppression due to AIDS or
such medications as chemotherapy
or steroids
• Trauma to the affected area, including
sexual activity
• Menstruation
7. Trichomonas Vaginalis
• The most common symptoms among women are:
• vaginal discharge, which can be white, gray,
yellow, or green, and usually frothy with an
unpleasant smell
• vaginal spotting or bleeding
• genital burning or itching
• genital redness or swelling
• frequent urge to urinate
• pain during urination or sexual intercourse
• The most common symptoms in men are:
• discharge from the urethra
• burning during urination or after ejaculation
• an urge to urinate frequently
Natural and Artificial Methods of Contraception
Natural Method
The natural family planning methods do not involve any  In many ways, our spiritual self is influenced
chemical or foreign body introduction into the human by the religious teachings, practices and
body. beliefs of our time. Our moral uprightness
a. Abstinence and sensibility as well as our conscience is
b. Calendar Method
shaped by the religious rituals, traditions,
c. Basal Body Temperature
and ceremonies we are exposed to.
d. Cervical Mucus Method
e. Symptothermal Method
 Our understanding of these concepts
f. Ovulation Detection broadens our view of our self and would
g. Coitus Interruptus help us understand some of the motivating
Artificial Methods: force for our actions and decisions in life.
a. Oral Contraceptives Thus, helping us be more enlightened and be
b. Transdermal Patch aware of an aspect of our inner self.
c. Vaginal Ring  From this, we now delve into various
d. Subdermal Implants concepts related to the discovery of one’s
e. Hormonal Injections spiritual self. These are various Religions,
f. Intrauterine Device
Rituals, Customs, Practices and Beliefs. And
g. Chemical Barriers
on the last part, a discussion on how a
h. Diaphragm
i. Cervical Cap
person may be able to find his/her meaning
j. Male Condoms and purpose in life.
k. Female Condoms
l. Surgical Methods Religion is known as a set of personal or
organized belief, customs and practice in relation
Module 9: The Spiritual Self to faith and the object/s of faith of person.
Introduction - It is also considered as devotion to or
 Our life is made up of more than the physical commitment to a God or supernatural being
things. We can touch, see, hear and feel in which a person believes in.
things but our total experience is not just Population by Religion
made up of what is material. That is why we  Christianity: 1.9 billion people
need to understand our self, in relation to  Islam: 1.1 billion
our spiritual aspect.  Hinduism: 800 million
 According to William James (1890), the  Buddhism: 325 million
spiritual self is one aspect of the self that is  Judaism: 13 million
considered to the most intimate, and
belonging to the inner subjective part of the Ritual
self.  According to Penner (2017 as cited in Alata,
 Other definitions of the spiritual self is to Caslib Jr., Serafica and Pawilen, 2018), the
view it as a part of you that provides insight, three fundamental characteristics of rituals
intuition, and other ways of knowing what to are:
do or move in a certain direction beyond  1) an emotional feeling of respect, awe,
what our senses tell us. This helps us decide fascination or dread in relation to the sacred,
in what direction to take when it comes to  2) dependence upon a belief system usually
our moral responsibility, sense of right and expressed in the language of myth and
wrong or even our conscience.  3) symbolic in relation to its reference.
  Rituals is referring to the ceremonial rites of 8. Do not steal.
a religions practice. 9. Do not lie.
 It is about the social customs and protocols 10. Do not covet.
an individual practice in adherence to a Important Days
 Ash Wednesday-Lent
certain religion or religious practice.
 Palm Sunday
 Rituals acts of faith in practice of their
 Maundy Thursday
religious practice and it is a way of defining  Good Friday
or describing human behavior.  Easter
 Ascension
MOST PREVALENT RELIGIONS, RITUALS, AND  Pentecost
PRACTICES AS IT RELATES TO SPIRITUALITY  Advent
 Christmas
 Epiphany
JUDAISM
 Is a monotheistic religion
 Judaism is the oldest and smallest of the
world's five great religions
 Being a part of a Jewish community and
living one's life according to Jewish law and
traditions is very important.
 The fundamental beliefs of Judaism are:
-There is a single, all-powerful God
who created the universe and
Christianity
everything in it.
 Based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ
- God has a special relationship with the
 Originated in Palestine in the 1st century AD
Jewish people due to covenant that God made
 Believe that Jesus was the son of God who came
with Moses on Mount Sinai, 3500 years ago.
and died for people’s sins and then rose so that all
people could be saved
Rambam’s 13 Principles of Faith
 Believe in one God(monotheistic) who created
1. G-d exists
the universe and all things in it
2. G-d is one and unique
 Christianity originally developed as a part of
3. G-d is incorporeal
Judaism
4. G-d is eternal
Christian Way of Life
5. Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone and to no
 Fellowship with God
other
 Our relationships with others
6. The words of the prophets are true
 Obedience to God's commands
7. Moses’ prophecies are true, and Moses was the
 Discipline
greatest of the prophets
8. The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and
God:
Oral Torah were given to Moses
1. Do not worship any other gods.
9. There will be no other Torah
2. Do not make any idols.
10. G-d knows the thoughts and deeds of men
3. Do not misuse the name of God.
11. G-d will reward the good and punish the wicked
4. Keep the Sabbath holy.
12. The Messiah will come
Man:
13. The dead will be resurrected
5. Honor your father and mother.
• 613 Mitzvot
6. Do not murder.
7. Do not commit adultery.

 The Jewish place of worship is called a Synagogue
 The religious leader of a Jewish community is
called a Rabbi
 Unlike leaders in many other faiths, a rabbi is not
a priest and has no special religious status
 The Jewish holy day, or Sabbath (Shabbat), starts
at sunset on Friday and continues until sunset on
Saturday
 During the Sabbath, Jews do not work (drive,
cook, etc)
7 Holy Days
 Rosh Hashanah-Jewish New Year
 Yom Kippur-A day of fasting and praying which
occurs 10 days after the first day of Rosh
Hashanah. The holiest day in the year
 Sukkot-8-day festival of thanksgiving
 Hanukkah - The Feast of Lights is an 8-day Feast of
Dedication. It recalls the war fought by the
Maccabees in the cause of religious freedom
 Purim-The Feast of Lots recalls the defeat by
Queen Esther of the plan to slaughter all of the
Persian Jews, circa 400 BC
 Pesa(Passover)-The 8 day festival recalls the
exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt circa
1300 BCE. A holiday meal, the Seder, is held at
home
 Shavouth-Pentecost recalls God's revelation of
the Torah to the Jewish people
Menorah -It is a symbol of the nation of Israel
and a mission to be "a light unto the nations.
ISLAM
Yarmulke is worn during prayer to
show respect to G_d
The Star of David is the
international symbol of Judaism
Kosher Foods
 Foods are kosher when they meet all criteria that
Jewish law applies to food
 Characteristics that make a food non-kosher:
 the mixture of meat and milk
 the use of cooking utensils which had
previously been used for non-kosher food
 The type of animal it is
 Leviticus 11:3 says that Jews may eat all animals
that have cloven hooves and chew their cud
 Leviticus 11:4 explicitly prohibited the
consumption of animals that do not have these
characteristics designating them "unclean to
you."
 Six mammals are specifically not allowed:
 The camel
 The hyrax
 The hare
 The pig
 Whales and dolphins
 Kosher animals are as follows:
 Cows, goats, sheep, antelope, deer,
giraffes, okapis and pronghorns
 Most fish (excluding shellfish, sharks,
octopus, eels and squid)
 Chicken, duck, turkey
 Milk and cheese are kosher but cannot be
eaten with meat or mixed with meat.
Preparation
 the slaughter of animals is designed to
minimize the pain—usually done by a
slice across the throat
 this eliminates the practice of hunting for
food unless it can be captured alive and
ritually slaughtered.
 All blood and veins must be removed
from meat (salting and broiling are
common methods)
• Islam is the world's second most followed religion
• It began around 1400 years ago in Arabia, but
swiftly become a world faith, and now has around
1.2 billion people
• "Islam" is an Arabic word which means
“surrendering oneself to the will of God”
• One will achieve peace and security by doing so
• A person surrenders to the will of Allah by living
and thinking in the way Allah has instructed.
 • Islam is more than a system of beliefs. The faith
provides a social and legal system and governs
things like family life, law and order, ethics, dress,
and cleanliness, as well as religious ritual and
observance—Islamic Republic
Islam is practiced:
• The countries with the largest Islamic populations
are not in the Middle East as most would think
• The largest are Indonesia (170 million), Pakistan
(136 million), Bangladesh (105 million), and India
(103 million)
• Islam's three holiest places, the cities of Mecca,
Medina and Jerusalem, are all in the Middle East
• The present form of Islam began in Arabia in 622
AD
• It is based on the ministry of a man named
Muhammad and, on the words, that Allah gave to
the world through him
• Muhammad did not found Islam. Islam was
created by Allah at the beginning of time, and in
fact Muslims regard Adam as the first Muslim
• Muhammad was the final messenger through
whom Allah revealed the faith to the world
• There had been earlier messengers, among them
Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus.
5 Pillars of Islam
1. Shahada (witness) is the Muslim profession of
faith
- "I witness that there is no god but Allah, and
that Muhammad is the prophet of Allah"
• Muslims say this when they wake up in the
morning and just before they go to sleep at
night.
2. Salat (daily prayer) is a prayer ritual performed 5
times a day by all Muslims over the age of 10
• Between first light and sunrise
• After the sun has passed the middle of the sky
• Between mid-afternoon and sunset
• Between sunset and the last light of the day
• Between darkness and dawn
3. Sawm(fasting) is abstaining each day during
Ramadan
• Sawm helps Muslims develop self-
control, gain a better understanding of
God's gifts and greater compassion
towards the deprived.
• Ramadan is the holiest day for Islam. It
marks when Muhammad had the Qur-an
revealed to him
• Sawm is usually described as fasting, but
it actually involves abstaining from all
bodily pleasures between dawn and
sunset
• Not only is food forbidden, but also things
like smoking, chewing gum, negative
thoughts and sexual activity
4. Zakat(almsgiving) is giving alms to the poor
• This is a compulsory gift of 2.5 % of one's savings
each year
• Giving in this way is intended to free Muslims
from the love of money
• It reminds them that everything they have really
belongs to God.
5. Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that all
physically/financially able Muslims should make
at least once in their life
• Mecca is the most holy place for Muslims
• Takes place during days 8-13 of the 12th month of
the Islamic Lunar calendar
• They circle the Kaaba seven times on three
occasions, say prayers, drink from a holy spring,
walk to Mount Arafat to pray, feast, cast stones at
three pillars (to fight Satan’s temptations), shave
hair, run seven times between some hills
The Kaaba - It is the most sacred site in Islam. It is
considered by Muslims to be the Bayt Allāh(Arabic: ‫َبيْت‬
‫للا‬, "House of God"), and has a similar role to
the Tabernacle and Holy of Holies in Judaism.
Other Info
 The Qur’an is the Islamic holy book
 The Qur'an is the actual word of God, and
contains the fundamental beliefs of Islam
 Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem are holy cities
 According to tradition, the Qur'an was dictated to
Muhammad
 Two major sects
 Sunni-920 million people(everywhere
else)
 Shiite-120 million people(Iran)
 Comparing the Sunni and Shiite branches
of Islam

Islamic Law
 The Sharia outlines all of the laws (comes from the
Koran)
 5 Major Crimes:
 theft, highway robbery, intoxication,
adultery and falsely accusing another of
adultery
Food Laws
 Very similar laws to the Jewish kosher foods
 No alcohol, pork, blood, no pork fat products,
scavenger animals
 Food must be prepared similarly to the Jews
 Slice to the jugular
 Drain blood
HINDUISM
 Hinduism includes a very wide range of beliefs
and practices, so there aren't many things that
are common to all Hindu groups
 Hinduism has no founder, no single book of faith,
no creed, and no single source of authority (such
as Jesus)
 Hinduism is very individualistic but a big part of a
person’s everyday life
 There are 750 million Hindus in the world, mostly
in India
 For many Hindus, religion is a matter of practice
rather than of beliefs. It's more what you do than
what you believe.
 Behind Hindu practice is the belief that every soul
is trapped in a cycle of birth-death-
rebirth(reincarnation). Every Hindu wants to
escape from this cycle.
 Hindus aim to live in a way that will cause each of
their lives to be better than the life before.
 Whether one is reborn into a better life, a worse
life, or even to live as an animal, depends on
Karma, which is the value of a soul's good and bad
deeds.
 Dharma is a “cosmic natural law” that forms the
basis for Hindu philosophies, beliefs and practices
and holds everything together
 People that live in harmony with Dharma proceed
more quickly toward Moksha
 Hindus ultimate aim is escape from the life cycle
altogether and achieve the ultimate liberation—
Moksha
 Hindus believe the universe doesn't have a
beginning and an end. It's a cyclical pattern, so
once it ends, it begins again.
 One attains Moksha when one has "overcome
ignorance" and no longer desires anything at all
(and yes, that includes the desire for Moksha)
Hindu Beliefs
All good things in life are gifts from
God
Finding out what your life’s calling is as
Dharma suggest/requires is a very
important goal
Being a fair and decent person is very
important
Wealth, power and material
belongings are good goals as long as
they don’t become all important
Moksha is the ultimate goal; freedom
from life and death
Four Stages of Life
• Ages 12-24 you get educated and trained
• Ages 24-48 you get married, raise a family, make
money, get involved in many things
• Ages 48-72 you become a mentor to a young
person and start isolating themselves from the
outside world
• At age 72 you end ties to the outside world and
get rid of your worldly possessions. Prayer and
devotion become very important.
• Mostly aimed at men and is not followed as much
as it used to be
Hindu Gods
• One would think Hinduism is polytheistic.
Most Hindus would say they worship one
God.
• There is only one ultimate God, Brahman, but
shows itself in many forms
• The gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, for example,
are different aspects of Brahman:
• Brahma reflects God's divine work of
creating the universe
 • Vishnu reflects God's work in keeping the
universe in existence
• Shiva reflects God's work in destroying it
BUDDHISM
 Founded in India around 500 BC by Siddhartha
Gautama
 Became Buddha, the Enlightened One, when he
was 29
 He was trying to find the true meaning of life and
eventually, through four trance-like stages of
meditation, he was enlightened to the Buddhist
was of life
 His main teachings were to eliminate human
wants as they are the cause of suffering in the
world
OVERVIEW
 Buddhism has no unique creed, no single
authority and no single sacred book
 Buddhism focuses on each individual seeking to
attain enlightenment
 Key beliefs and values are contained in "The Four
Noble Truths “
1. Life means suffering
2. The origin of suffering is attachment to worldly
things
3. The end to suffering is attainable through
eliminating physical wants/needs
 Eventually can achieve Nirvana (no wind)
 Nirvana means freedom from all worries
and troubles
4. The path to the end suffering and
achieve Nirvana is to follow the Eight-Fold Path
Eight Fold Path
1. Right View
 To see and view things as they really are
 Attained true wisdom
2. Right Intention
 Think and do the right things at all times
3. Right Speech
 Do not lie, curse, slander, or gossip
4. Right Action
 Do not harm yourself or others, do not
steal, and no sexual misconduct
5. Right Livelihood
 No jobs dealing in weapons, in living
beings (including raising animals for
slaughter as well as slave trade and
prostitution), working in meat production
and butchery, and selling alcohol and
drugs
6. Right Effort
 Give 100% effort in what you do
7. Right Mindfulness
 Having the power to control our thought
process and see the truth behind things
8. Right Concentration
 Ability to have deep concentration and
ability to focus on wholesome thoughts
and actions
 In addition, a person might believe in a greater,
supernatural, higher being usually termed as God,
while others may believe in deep teachings of
religion which seems to govern.
 Some religious practices, belief, customs and
tradition presented by the different religions may
have some similarity or contrasting differences.
Some believes in the concept of the afterlife or in
learning virtues which are essential to one’s life. n
their way of life.
 Lastly, the making of a spiritual self is not only
found in the practice of religion and its beliefs.
 Spirituality is connected with our deep concern
with our soul and not just the physical or material
self. It is concerned with the exercise of morals,
conscience and deep understanding of God and
how we are connected to the greater schemes of
life.
 A person’s spiritual self can be understood and is
often manifested in accordance with his or her
religion, rituals, practices and customs related
with it.
 The religious beliefs that he or she adheres to and
its way of expression is an essential component of
his or her spiritual self. This can shape the way he
or she lives life, be shaped, molded and form
habits which are necessary to understand this
aspect of the self.
 Module 10: The Political Self and its Relation to the
Filipino Identity
• The word politics comes from the “political”. It
means the activities associated with the
governance of a country or other area, especially
the debate or conflict among individuals or
parties having or hoping to achieve power.
• Politics is the activities involved in running a
governmental entity or state.
Importance of Politics
• They decide how much money the state will take
from people in the form of taxes to spend on
public projects such as healthcare, education, or
defense.
• Political decisions also make the laws that affect
people's lives.
• In short, those who run the politics, also have a
direct and indirect hand in the affairs of the
people living within that country. Political
decisions, especially by those in government
power affect lives.
• Politics take place within a nation’s context,
culture and environment. Before it actually
begun, what really helped shape politics in the
country is the identity of those that surround it.
• In reality, politics is influenced by the culture,
values, traits of the individuals living in a
particular country or nation.
• To understand, the politics and activities of the
people, we must learn to understand its identity.
• Thus, to understand the politics and activities of
the Filipino, we must identify with what shapes
its identity.
The Filipino Identity
- The first colonizers to influence the Philippines were
the Spaniards who made its way here in 1890’s;
- Then Japanese forces took their place in 1946.
- Afterwards, the American forces helped in the
liberation of the Philippines which eventually paved
the way for us to become an independent nation.
- In reality, foreign culture, beliefs, language, and
religion have made a huge impact on our own by
setting a foundation to the contemporary Filipino
identity and culture.
- As such, the Filipino of today may have traces of
various values and practices coming from different
culture. Having a full grasp of it will help us in
understanding who is the “Filipino Identity”.
- Before discussing the Filipino Identity, let us first
define who is the “Filipino”.
- The 1987 Philippine Constitution states that
Filipino citizens are: “…those whose fathers
or mothers are citizens of the Philippines, those
born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino
mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon
reaching the age of majority, and those who are
naturalized in accordance with law.”
- While the definition of the Constitution is
binding, reality points that those who were not
born in the country but grew up in the same
culture develop and share common personality
traits and values with those who were natural
born Filipino. Thus, citizenship is not just the only
gauge of being a Filipino.
What makes a “Filipino Identity”?
Filipino Values and Traits
• Values are defined as a person's principles or
standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is
important in life.
• In many ways, it signifies a degree of importance
of some thing or action, with the goal of knowing
actions that are best to do or what way is best to
live, or to describe the significance of different
actions.
• Traits are a distinguishing quality or
characteristic, typically one belonging to a
person.
• Combined together, the Filipino Identity has a
unique set of values and traits that helps him
stand apart from the others.
• Filipino Hospitality
One of the unique ways to welcome guests and tourists
here in the Philippines is by treating them nicely and
warmly as if they are their own brothers and sisters.
Treating the guests with Filipino Hospitality means that
the guests feel at home, offering them something to eat,
or even a place to stay.
• Respect for Elders
- In the Philippines, especially in parts of Luzon,
elders are greeted by kissing their hand while
saying “Mano po!”. and constantly using “po”
and “opo” in conversations.
 - We also use specific “references” that show
respect towards elder. A wide array of
references to elder people such as ate for older
sister; kuya for older brother; tito and tita for
uncle and aunt; lolo and lola for grandfather and
grandmother; and manong and aling for older
people outside the family.
• Close Family Ties
- Filipinos are also known to keep relational ties
with their families very close. Occasions, such as
family reunions during birthdays, holidays, or
fiestas year-round are most of the time shared
within the family.
- Some Filipino families choose to live together.
This might mean that some parents still allow
their children to live under their roof even if they
are married and have kids. Parents on the other
hand, are seldom placed in nursing homes but
are taken care of by family members.
• Cheerful Personality
Filipinos are also known to be smiling, or sharing a laugh
with others and this is known as the cheerful personality.
Sometimes, they even smile towards strangers as a way
to show warmth. But, sometimes, Filipinos also smile
when they are happy, or even when they are sad or
angry. This seems to be coping strategy for many
Filipinos especially during trying times and calamities.
• Self-sacrifice
- Filipinos tend to put others well-being first
before. This may mean that one would go out his
way in order to carry the burden of taking care
or extending help to their friends, families, and
loved ones. They would be willing to give up
their time, dreams, and personal ambitions.
- One good example is an Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFWs). The OFW sacrifices a lot by
leaving their homes and families in order to earn
higher and send money to their families. For this
reason, the OFW seems to be a hero.
• Bayanihan
- It is a trait of the Filipino where helping,
cooperation is extended to a neighbor or any
part of one’s to signify unity. This may also mean
that a person lends a helping hand to another
person within the community without asking for
anything in return.
• “Bahala Na” Attitude
- The phrase is said to have originated from
“Bathala na,” where Bathala means God, and
the phrase meaning leaving everything into
God’s hands. Saying Bahala Na also means that
we leave the control and the outcome of things
in the hands of God.
• Palabra de Honor
- A Spanish term which means Word of Honor
- A verbal commitment by one person to another
agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the
future.
• Colonial Mentality
It is regarded as the lack of patriotism and the attitude
where Filipinos favor foreign products more than their
own; This stems from the belief that foreign goods are of
better quality than those made in the country. To some,
it is also the desire to look more foreign than local and
keep up with foreign beauty trends.
• “Mañana” Habit
Filipino term for procrastination; derived from a Filipino
phrase called “Mamaya na” meaning dawdling things,
which could have been done at an earlier time.
• “Ningas Kugon”
- “Ningas” is a Filipino term for flame and “kugon”
is a Filipino term for Cogon grass that easily
burns out after it is put into flames. A man who
is referred to as Ningas Cogon has an attitude of
eagerly starting things but quickly losing
eagerness soon after experiencing difficulty.
• Pride
Pride is an attitude where an individual puts more value
on ego, reputation or having a “good face” in other
people’s eyes. Most Filipinos hold on to their pride as if
they are more precious than keeping a good relationship
with family and loved ones.
• Crab Mentality
It is an attitude where an individual resents the
achievement of another due to envy or jealous, instead
of feeling happy for that person. The person with crab
mentality tends to gain satisfaction in pulling a person
down or looks for a person to fall from grace.
• Filipino Time
Filipinos have this common attitude of arriving late at
commitments, dinner, or parties especially if they are
meeting someone close to them.
Filipino Markers
1. Proverbs or Salawikain
a. proverbs expressing a general attitude
toward life and the laws that govern life
b. ethical proverbs recommending certain
virtues and condemning certain vices
c. proverbs expressing a system of values
d. proverbs expressing general truths and
observations about life and human
nature
e. humorous proverbs
f. miscellaneous proverbs
2. Superstitions
Filipinos’ set of superstitions passed down from
generation to generation
Some of these may be influenced by beliefs from other
cultures, but Filipinos have retold these superstitions
according to their own experiences.
3. Myths and Legends
Due to the Philippines’s rich culture and history,
numerous myths and legends have sprung.
These stories are aimed to explain the origin of things, at
the same time, teach a valuable lesson.
4. Heroes and Icons
Heroes serve as a reminder of true patriotism and
nationalism as they have sacrificed their lives for the
sake of their country’s freedom and progress.
Famous Filipino icons such as Lea Salonga, Manny
Pacquiao, and our very own national hero, Jose Rizal,
have made the Filipino name more pronounced
worldwide through their own expertise.
How to Be A Good Filipino
1. Be an active Filipino citizen.
2. Study the Philippine history.
3. Support local products.
4. Speak the Filipino language.
5. Do not spread fake news and be democratic in
engaging with dissent.