One’s Limitations and Possibilities

for Transcendence
Objectives
•At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
• explain the human person as an embodied
spirit,
• recognize one's limitations and possibilities,
• distinguish limitations and possibilities from
transcendence,
• realize how the human body imposes limits
and possibilities, and
• evaluate own limitations and possibilities
for transcendence.
 Introduction
•Many people admire Jason for being the
youngest director of the biggest conglomerate
in the Philippines. He is also one of the richest
bachelors under 30 years old. Little do people
know that he was once a poor boy who
dreamed big and worked hard to attain his
current status.
 Introduction
•When asked about his successes, Jason said
that he considers seeing his family happy,
imparting his knowledge to others, and being
able to serve others as the successes he is most
proud of.
• Like Jason, all people have
lifelong goals that they want to
fulfill. If you were finally able to
meet your life goal, how would
you feel?
• Do you think your perspective in
life will change?
• Find out the answers in this
lesson!
•The previous example talks
about transcendence or a state of
"existence above and beyond the limits
of material experience." Transcendence
originated from the words trans,
meaning "go beyond," and scandare,
meaning "climb.“
•In the example, fulfilling a goal entails
transcendence because it opens a state
of thinking and feeling that there is
something more in life than just
physical and material things. Much like
Abraham Maslow's self-actualization
concept, transcendence is a state of
being intrinsically satisfied with life
regardless of physical and tangible
factors.
 The Human Person as an Embodied Spirit
•In totality, a man is a physical body, a living
soul (the inner self; mortal), and a spirit (the
life-force; immortal).
•The spirit takes form through the mortal,
physical body to represent its qualities in the
conscious, physical world. Each body part has
its worldly function that is communicated in
an expressive and understandable form.
The Human Person as an Embodied Spirit
•For Aristotle, a human person
is a personal being that
possesses its intellectual nature
in a natural unity with a
material body. This unity is
called: "man as a rational
animal."
The Human Person as an Embodied Spirit

•For St. Thomas, the total vision

of man would be the "embodied
spirit."
Limitations and Possibilities for Transcendence

•Here are some

limitations and
possibilities for
transcendence:
Limitations of Transcendence
• may not occur to everyone
• does not come at a specified
period
• varies across all people
• may coincide with physical
limitations of the body
Possibilities for Transcendence

• developing a positive
outlook in life
• working towards
reaching a goal
• learning from
experience
Possibilities for Transcendence
•It is also important to know that
transcendence may be applied to
present worries by living in the
present. This means that life is lived
from moment to moment in a
carefree and exuberant manner
where concerns for stress are
reserved for the future, and regrets
or guilt feelings are kept in the past.
 The Human Body in Imposing Limits and Possibilities
•From a biological and physical standpoint,
it can be recognized that the human body,
although it can perform many functions,
also has limitations. Limits in the
environment, demographics, and society
may also hinder a person from reaching
transcendence.
•Here are some examples:
Bodily Limitations
• mental and emotional disorders (e.g.
anxiety, intellectual disability)
• disabilities (e.g. amputated leg,
deafness)
• diseases and illnesses (e.g.
hypertension, cough)
• failures and experiences (e.g. failing
a subject)
Social and Environmental Limitations
• socioeconomic status
• location of neighborhood (e.g.
armed, disorganized, or violent
neighborhood)
• abusive relationships (e.g.
emotional abuse)
• negative influences (e.g. drug
use)
Overcoming Limitations

•Bodily limits can be tested by

trying on new experiences and
working on challenges with
increasing levels of difficulty.
The human body, if given
enough exposure to any
situation, can attain a goal
with efficiency.
Overcoming Limitations
•Social and environmental limitations
are more difficult to overcome than
bodily limitations because they
involve the influence of other people
and the external world. However,
with a proper mindset, clearly defined
goals, and motivation to rise above
challenges, one may successfully
overcome his or her limitations.
Recognize and Evaluate Own Limitations and
Possibilities for Transcendence
•Even though you are still young,
you are not prevented from further
understanding yourself.
Transcendence is even more possible
when you begin to understand that
you can go beyond your limitations
if you set your mind on your goals.
Some points to remember when going
beyond your limits 
• You are connected to the external or
eternal world.
• Challenges are learning
opportunities.
• Your goal is more important than
your fears.
• Think outside the box.
• Recognize that everyone has fears.
Explore
•The world continues to change rapidly.
Nowadays, the generation gap can easily
be seen in everyday life because of new
technological advances being introduced
at a fast pace.
•In your personal experience, does
technological advancement limit or
improve the possibility for transcendence?
Why? Why not?
Try it!
•Look around you. Observe the
environment and identify possible
factors that may limit transcendence.
You may also put yourself in the
position of those who experience such
limitations. Identify ways on how you
may overcome those challenges.
What do you think?

•Is reaching transcendence

always a good thing? Why?
Why not?
Tips
•The terms "transcendent" and
"transcendental" should not be
used interchangeably.
According to Immanuel Kant,
"transcendent" is a term used to
refer to God, while
"transcendental" refers to all
other matter.
Tips
•While transcendence may not
occur for everyone, all
people have the capacity to
experience it regardless of
any sociodemographic,
biological, or personal
factors.
Keypoints
•Transcendence is a state of being or
existence that is above and beyond
physical needs and realities.
•From a biological and physical
standpoint, it can be recognized that
the human body, although it can
perform many functions, also has
limitations and possibilities.
Keypoints
•In aiming for transcendence, it
is important to consider the
feasibility of your goals, the
work you would need to put in
it, the challenges you will face,
and other factors that may come
in play.
ASSESSMENT
1.
•What do you call the state of being or
existence above and beyond the limits of
material experience?
a. Transition
b. Transcendence
c. Transformation
d. Transgression
2.

•What does the

term scandare mean?
a. "to exist“
b. "to impart“
c. "to climb“
d. "to deduce"
3.

•According to this philosopher, the

human person is an embodied spirit.
Who is he?
a. Socrates
b. Aristotle
c. Immanuel Kant
d. St. Thomas
4.
•Which of the following is a biological
limitation for transcendence for a student
whose goal is to be a valedictorian?
a. joining a dance troupe
b. being absent for a week due to fever
c. watching videos over the internet
d. criticism from his teacher on his
science project
5.
•Which of the following is not a
possibility for transcendence?
a. looking for help
b. having a positive outlook
c. working to reach a goal
d. learning from experience
6
•Karla is a poor 17-year old girl whose ultimate
dream is to finish her studies. What can she do
to make her dream possible?
a. join the school choir to lessen her stress in
her studies
b. start an organization that fights for human
rights
c. work during her free time to gain extra
money for school
d. read books on her own
7.
•Why do some people fail to experience
transcendence?
a. They have a feeling that it will not
occur.
b. They are not meant to experience it.
c. They are not hardworking.
d. They have a goal that is too challenging
for them to achieve.
8.
Which of the following statements is true?
1. Transcendence is for younger ages.
2. Transcendence is similar to self-
actualization.
a. statement 2
b. both statements 1 and 2
c. neither statement 1 nor 2
d. statement 1
 9.
How does the human body play a role in
transcendence?
1. The body has its limitations.
2. The body functions against transcendence.
a. statement 2
b. statement 1
c. both statements 1 and 2
d. neither statement 1 nor 2
 10.
Which statement about transcendence is true?
1. It only starts during old age.
2. All personal limitations are clearly defined.
a. both statements 1 and 2
b. neither statement 1 nor 2
c. statement 1
d. statement 2