Pagniniig

“A reflection paper about the Filipino translation of listening to pagniniig.”

1. How did St. Benedict understand and respond to the call to listen to Jesus?
St. Benedict leave Rome and went to Subiaco. Subiaco is a cave where he spent 3 years
praying and listening to Jesus. He went from public to private because it is in a private place
where you can listen the most.

2. Explain the Jewish concept of SHEMA.

Shema means to hear but it does not end here. After hearing, you will start listening and this
will end in obeying. So Shema ultimately means to obey what you hear.

3. Would you agree to the proposal that “pagniniig” is a profound Filipino way of translating
“listening”?
Yes. I like the idea that the pagniniig in Filipino is a sexual act and it turns to the union of
mind, body and soul. When you listen, you will also have to obey but obeying here means
that you truly understand the other persons mind, body and soul. Pagniniig to become the
private and intimate conversation with your beloved will not only mean that only one person
is speaking but they are both speaking and listening to each other.

4. Cite a striking idea/concept/learning that propped up during the discussion. Explain.

During my time in school, I have never attended any retreat because none of my schools are
doing it. That’s why, during the discussion, it became clear to me why are retreats means
going to mountains. I like the idea of going from public to private to listen and communicate
with God. Silence gives me time to think and I want to try doing retreat when the pandemic
is over.