discussions on the different level of spiritual self

1. The Spiritual
Self:
The Inner Self

2. • This section discusses the nature of
spirituality, how it is different from
religiosity, the factors that shape
one’s spirituality, and its impact on
oneself.

3. – The concept of the “whole person” is usually
associated to the idea of human beings as having
physical and psychological aspects. However,
there is third aspect of being human that is as
important as the 2 precedents: the spiritual
aspect.
– Highlighting the mind-body-spirit connection,
the spiritual self is an ongoing, personal life
journey, contextualizer by the belief in a higher
being, culture, relationships, nature, and the
discovery of meaning in one’s life.
Spirituality

4. The aspect of the self that is associated to
an individual’s process of seeking and
express in meaning and how he or she is
connected to the self, to others, to the
moment and to everything else that
composes his/her environment, including
the sacred and significant.
…….Puchalski (2004)
What is Spirituality

5. Any experience that is thought to
bring the experiencer in contact with
the divine; it is not just any
experience that feels meaningful.
…….Beauregard and O’Leary (2007)
What is Spirituality

6. Posited as the individual’s personal
relation to the sacred or
transcendent, a relation that then
informs other relationships and the
meaning of one’s own life.
……..Sinnott (2002)
What is Spirituality

7. The “personal and private beliefs that
transcend the material aspects of life
and give a deep sense of wholeness,
connectedness, and openness to the
infinite.”
……Myers and his colleagues (2000)
What is Spirituality

8. •Spirituality talks about meaning and
purpose that go beyond the physical
realities of life. Going through
development, people are inevitably
programmed to make realizations about
life, and those insights are not always
about observable phenomena or
environmental experiences.
What do these definitions have in
common with regard to spirituality?

9. • Spirituality is focused on a person’s
connections to different aspects of his/her
existence: to other people, to nature, and to
sacredness and divinity. In the pursuit of and
applying meaning to one’s life, relationships
are created and sustained not only with people
but with other life forms or with a higher being.
• Spirituality talks about the sacred and
transcendent. It is a general belief that in this
vast universe, there is a force higher than the
self.
What do these definitions have in
common with regard to spirituality?

10. However, people are not born with
innate spirituality. It is something
acquired as a result of various personal,
social, and environmental factors
present throughout one’s lifetime. In this
regard, spirituality is related to religiosity,
which is often used interchangeably with
the former. There are, however, distinct
differences between the 2.

11. The adherence to a belief system and
practices associated with a tradition in which
there is agreement about what is believed
and practiced. It is a formal attachment to the
set of beliefs, values, and practices of a
particular religious sect. It includes specific
practices, proscriptions (what should not be
done and avoided), and participation in a
specific community that shares the same
beliefs and practices.
What is Religiosity?

12. However, as one grows older, he/she
begins to form questions that are rooted
in religious orientations, slowly making
realizations and insights until his/her
search for meaning and transcendence
goes beyond his/her religious
orientation.

13. • If religiosity is communal, then spirituality
is individual.
• In religiosity, beliefs and practices are within
religious groups, and religious commitment,
conservatism, and skepticism are
manifested. Spiritual attributes include the
need for spiritual quest, ecumenical
worldviews, compassion, service, and inner
peace.
Distinctions between religiosity and
spirituality:

14. •A person can possess spirituality even
his/she does not subscribe to any
religion. Spiritual models are present
everywhere. They function for
respondents as exemplars or spiritual
qualities, such as compassion, self-
control, or faith. Thus, q person can be
spiritual without being religious.
Distinctions between religiosity and
spirituality:

15. • For many people, the search for sacredness
and transcendence can bring positive
consequences to life. A spiritual person finds
contentment and serenity in his/her life
circumstances. Through spirituality, questions
such as “am I a good person?” and “how can I
live my life to the fullest?” are answered. Most
importantly, spirituality allows one to become
resilient amidst challenges and roadblocks
that occur in daily life.
What does one’s spirituality bring to
one’s life?

16. The best way of enhancing spirituality lies
within the self. Constant reflection and
meditation of life choices and decisions,
developing empathy and compassion
toward other people, and having faith in a
higher being can enhance spiritual
intelligence. It is not about finding meaning
in life, but rather, how meaning is applied
to life.
How is Spirituality enhanced?

17. The Spiritual
Self:
Connections
with Nature

18. • This section discusses the natural
affinity people have with nature and
similar constructs, the factors that
contribute to such connections, how
these relations to nature are
manifested, and how they can be
enhanced in the context of one’s
spirituality.

19. The Self and the
Natural Environment

20. • The spiritual self is not only tied in one’s
connection with a higher being and other
people; it is also related to how people
relates to nature.
• Religiosity aside, a significant number of
people have made a serious commitment to
nature by taking care of animals, pledging
advocacy for environmental issues, and
practicing daily behaviours that manifest a
growing concern for the world. These are
embodied in the concepts of affinity with
nature and ecopsychology.

21. Affinity with nature can be defined
as the ties that bind people and nature
together. It can also mean nature
connectedness, defined as the extent to
which individuals include nature as part
of their identity. If people feel that they
are one with nature, then destroying it
can mean self-destruction and vice
versa.

22. Ecopsychology shares many
similarities with the concept of having
affinity with nature. It is concerned with
the fundamental interconnections
between humans and the natural
world through a phenomenological
and sensorial link, and the integration
of practices based on the notion that
direct contact with the natural world
has healing potential.

23. –While it is fairly obvious that both concepts
focus on the connection of man to nature, their
distinction lies on the nature of the connection
they are referring to.
• Affinity with nature highlights the emotional
connection with nature, anchored on positive
affective experiences and authentic love for
nature.
• Ecopsychology is based on a transpersonal and
philosophical relationship with nature, highlighting
beliefs and practices that promote and enhance
ecological, personal, and community sustainability.

24. Just like other aspects of self, these are
brought about by experiences with nature
and observations about the environment.
Locations are also account for the
environmental values and attitudes an
individual has; individuals living in rural areas
are more likely to be mindful of the
environment, compared to urban residents.
How can affinity with nature and
ecopsychology be developed?

25. How are connections with nature
established and improved?
• It is not enough that one simply
conforms to what society says about
taking care of the environment.
Developing an open mind and
adopting a philosophical perspective
that advocates for environmental
protection and sustainability is
important.

26. How are connections with nature
established and improved?
• The emergence of technology has
hampered people’s engagement with
outside activities. It is important to go
out, explore the world, immerse
oneself in the beauty of nature, and
foster ecologically healthy lifestyles.

27. How are connections with nature
established and improved?
• While not all people are meant for
being active environmental
advocates, incremental behaviours
toward protecting the environment
cam go a long way. In taking care of
nature, an individual also takes care
of himself/herself, thus contributing
to optimal, healthy development.