SPIRITUAL SELF

In search of his true identity, man can never do away from considering his spiritual well-being. For one thing, he is composed of
both body and soul.

 BODY points to his relationship with the material world

 SOUL his relationship with the spiritual world - transcendental dimension of life.

In the search for meaning in life, one of the major concerns is the development of a balanced spirituality of the human being which
integrates well with his/her psychological maturation.

Psycho-spiritual Integration - or development can be of help in bringing about social transformation since it exposes the
individual to different situations or cases that awaken in him/her the desire to make a difference in his/her life as he/she searches
for the meaning of his/her life.

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” - Pierre Teilhard de
Chardin

SPIRITUAL SELF

o Who we are at our core

o More permanent than the other selves - material self and social self
o Our subjective and most intimate self.
o The aspect of self which develops a certain level of spirituality which is deemed as man's way of seeking as well as
expressing the meaning and purpose of his life
o It speaks of the quality of one's relationships - with God, self, others, institutions and God's entire creation, marked by
respect, forgiveness, generous service and prayer.
o It is showing great refinement or high level of Christian maturity and concern with the higher things in life such as the Sacred
or the Divine.
o This spirituality is specified more concretely in deepening the faith. Spirituality leads man to a deeper communion with the
Divine. It is a path of direct and personal connection with the Divine. It embraces all faiths, social and political ideologies. It
aids persons in spiritual, emotional or physical distress, crisis or discomfort as well as those seeking to make a significant
change in their lives through self-awareness. This can be a healing process that leads to personal development.

CONCEPT OF SPIRITUALITY

Religion: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices; the service and worship of God or
the supernatural.
Spirituality: connotes an experience of connection to something larger than you; living everyday life in a reverent and sacred
manner.

Christina Puchalski, MD

“Spirituality is the aspect of humanity that refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose and the way they
experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, and to the significant or sacred.”

BRADY (2020)

RELIGION SPIRITUALITY

 Objective Experience  Subjective Experience

There is usually a greater focus on the externals (Houses Spirituality is an inward journey that involves a shift in
of worship, books of scripture, eternal rituals and awareness rather than some form of external activity. As such,
observances) spirituality is much more about inner understanding than outer
worship.

 Organization  Formless

It is a structured, frequently rule-based construct that to
some degree governs the behavior of its members. Moral
rules, laws, and doctrines, as well as specific codes and
criteria, create the organized structure that contains the
religion’s specific belief system.
Spirituality though, breaks free from the restrictions and rigid
structure sometimes associated with traditional religion. The
spiritual aspirant recognizes that he or she is on a “pathless
path” of self-discovery. They are following not a set of external
rules, but their own inner call to spirit.

 Traditional Approach  Evolutionary Approach

Religions are by nature often deeply rooted in tradition,
ritual, creed, and doctrine. Religious institutions
conservatively guard their practices and values, holding
rigidly to the past and the original interpretations of the
founder’s teachings
Spirituality often favors an evolutionary mentality. This refers to
both a more flexible and adaptive mindset toward core teachings
of the great wisdom traditions but also reflects the understanding
that spiritual growth is an evolutionary process. Spirituality
embraces change and the evolution of consciousness.

 Exclusive  Inclusive

Traditional religious beliefs, sometimes based upon rigid
interpretations of key teachings, can create an exclusive
worldview that isolates those who may not share their
views or interpretations. Sadly, this religious “in-group”
mentality can be used to justify the exclusion of minorities
or those deemed unworthy of God’s favor.
Spirituality makes no such distinctions. Instead, it favors an
inclusive approach. In the recognition that pure spirit is a
unifying force, no one is left out. You are part of the universal
hologram, all gods and goddesses in disguise. In other words,
from a spiritual perspective, no one has a monopoly on the truth.
All are welcome in God’s eyes.

 Belief  Spiritual Experience

At its core, religion is about faith. That is to say, belief in Spirituality doesn’t dismiss faith; however, it often leans more
something based upon unconditional acceptance of the heavily on direct experience of the soul or divinity. Spiritual
religion’s teachings. Through religion, you are taught to practices such as meditation, yoga, silence, and contemplation
have faith in God or the scriptures as being the infallible allow you to make conscious contact with more expanded states
 and ultimate truth of reality. Acceptance and surrender to of consciousness, thus helping to experientially validate the
the divine are taught as the path that leads to ultimate teachings rather than accepting them on faith alone. You know
salvation. something because you have tasted the experience yourself and
have allowed it to resonate, as opposed to taking the word of
another.

GIOVANNI

RELIGION SPIRITUALITY

As you to believe Asks you to look.

Dogmas Wisdom teachings

Obedience Experimentation

Sin and hell Karma

Comfort Liberate

External Internal

Form Essence

Convert Inspire

Institution Journey

SPIRITUALITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION

The study reported in the book Cultivating the Spirit: How College Can Enhance Students' Inner Lives authored by Dr. Helen
Astin, Dr. Alexander Astin, and Dr. Jennifer Lindholm of UCLA surveyed (in 2004) more than 112,000 freshmen as they enrolled
in 236 public and private (religiously affiliated and non-religiously affiliated) colleges and universities, and then followed up (in
2007) 14,527 of these students (at 136 institutions) as they were completing their junior year. Here are the findings:

● They found religious engagement among students declines somewhat during college, but their spirituality shows
substantial growth. Students become more caring, more tolerant, more connected with others, and more actively engaged
in a spiritual quest.

● Also found spiritual growth enhances academic performance, psychological well-being, leadership development, and
satisfaction with college.

● The study also identified a number of college activities that contribute to students' spiritual growth. Some of these--study
abroad, interdisciplinary studies, and service learning--appear to be effective because they expose students to new and
diverse people, cultures, and ideas.
 ● Spiritual development is also enhanced if students engage in "inner work" through activities such as meditation or self-
reflection, or if their professors actively encourage them to explore questions of meaning and purpose.

● Spiritual development is impeded when students engage in activities that distract them from the ordinary experience of
campus life--activities such as watching television and playing video games.

Spiritual Questions to Ponder

1. Who are the most important people in my life?

2. Where would I like to be in 10 years?
3. How can I avoid a stagnant life?
4. What qualities must I possess to be a good person?
5. Do things happen for a reason?
6. What are the values that guide my life?
7. When do I feel the most alive or real?
8. What gifts can I give of myself to the world?
9. How would I like others to see me?
10. What are my beliefs on life purpose?