MODULE 6: SPIRITUAL AND POLITICAL SELF

1. Spiritual Self
The spiritual aspect of the self is the inner essence, the part of the self that connects the person
to the sacred, the supernatural, and the universe. People develop spirituality through interaction,
observation, and imitation. The family, school, and church play a very important role in the
child’s spiritual development.
A. The Importance of Understanding and Nurturing the Spiritual Self
Understanding and nurturing the spiritual self is as important as the other aspects of the self.
Understanding and developing awareness of the spiritual self gives the person a feeling of
oneness with g/God and the universe. It also gives a deeper purpose or meaning of one’s life.
All religions recognize the importance of spirituality in one’s life. Spirituality is mostly connected
with religion. To know God is the central function of religion. Religious beliefs and practices
make people closer to God.
Religion
Rebecca Stein works on the definition of religion “as a set of cultural beliefs and practices that
usually includes some or all of basic characteristics. An individual life in a society where there
are many practices of religion. The choice of religious belief lies within the spiritual self.
Although the choice maybe influenced by the society and its culture.
Ritual
Ritual is the performance of ceremonial acts prescribed by a tradition or sacred law. Ritual is a
specific, observable mode of behavior exhibited by all known societies. It is thus possible to
view ritual as a way of defining or describing humans.
The self can be traced to a ritual being who exhibits a striking parallel between their ritual and
verbal behavior. Just as language is a system of symbols that is based upon arbitrary rules,
rituals may be viewed as a system of symbolic acts that is based upon arbitrary rile.
Participation in rituals is an expression of religious beliefs.
B. Logotherapy by Viktor Frankl
Viktor Frankl’s personal experiences in the Nazi concentration camps during World War II led
him to develop the basic tenets of logotherapy. Frankl embraced both the bright and dark sides
of human existence and believed that human sufferings could contribute to human achievement
and meaning in life.
Logotherapy is the pursuit of human existence as well as on mans’ search for such a
meaning. Logos is a Greek word that denotes meaning. In logotherapy, man can discover the
meaning in life in three different ways: by doing a deed, by experiencing a value, and by
suffering.
The main belief in logotherapy is that “man’s primary motivational force is search for meaning.
Logotherapy aids individuals to find personal meaning of life, whatever life situation they may
be. In logotherapy, meaning can be discovered by creating a work or doing a deed,
experiencing something or encountering someone and the attitude toward unavoidable
suffering. It uses a philosophy of optimism in the face of tragedy, where people are capable of
”turning suffering into human achievement and accomplishment; deriving from guilt the
opportunity to change oneself for the better; and deriving from life’s transitoriness to take
responsible action.
Logotherapy Assumptions:
All psychotherapies make philosophical assumptions about human persons that cannot be
proved with certainty. Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy states that assumptions of
logotherapy, which include the following:
1. The human being is an entity consisting of body, mind, and spirit.
This first assumption deals with the body (soma), mind (psyche), and spirit (noos). According to
Frankl, the body and the mind are what we have and the spirit is what we are.
2. Life has meaning under all circumstances, even the most miserable.
Assumption two is “ultimate meaning.” This is difficult to grasp but it is something everyone
experiences, and it represents an order in a world with laws that go beyond human laws.
3. People have a will to meaning.
The third assumption is seen as our main motivation for living and acting. When we see
meaning, we are ready for any type of suffering. This is considered to be different than our will
to achieve power and pleasure.
4. People have freedom under all circumstances to activate the will to find meaning.
Assumption four is that we are free to activate our will to find meaning, and this can be done
under any circumstances. This deals with a change of attitudes about unavoidable fate. Frankl
was able to test the first four assumptions when he was confined in the concentration camps.
5. Life has a demand quality to which people must respond if decisions are to be
meaningful.
The fifth assumption, the meaning of the moment, is more practical in daily living than ultimate
meaning. Unlike ultimate meaning this meaning can be found and fulfilled. This can be done by
following the values of society or by following the voice of our conscience.
6. The individual is unique.
The sixth assumption deals with one’s sense of meaning. This is enriched by the realization that
we are irreplaceable. In essence, all humans are unique with an entity of body, mind, and spirit.
We all go through unique situations and are constantly looking to find meaning. We are free to
do these at all times in response to certain demands.
Frankl’s Source of Meaning
There are three possible sources of meaning of life:
1. Purposeful work
To find the meaning of life starts with holding a future goal. Each individual has each own future
goal to achieve or a task to perform. That task or goal to fulfill becomes the meaning of their life.
Therefore, the meaning of life is unique to every individual.
2. Courage in the Face of Difficulty
A meaningful life is a life with suffering. Suffering is an inevitable part of life. To find meaning is
to recognize suffering, pain, and death as part of life and to have the courage to face these life
difficulties.
3. Love
In Dr. Frankl’s experience in the Nazi camp, he wrote: “For hours I stood hacking at the icy
ground. The guard passed by, insulting me, and once again I communed with my beloved. More
and more I felt that she was present, that she was with me; I had the feeling that I was able to
touch her, able to stretch out my hand and grasp hers. The feeling was very strong: she was
there. Then, at that very moment, a bird flew down silently and perched just in front of me, on
the heap of soil which I had dug up from the ditch and looked steadily on me.” Dr. Frankl’s wife,
parents, and some relatives were victims of the gas chambers. His love for his wife kept him
fighting for his life.
Dr. Frankl’s definition of love: ”Love is the only way to grasp another human being in the
innermost core of his personality. No one can become fully aware of the very essence of
another human being unless he loves him. By his love, he is enabled to see the essential traits
and features in the beloved person; and even more, he sees that which is potential in him…
Furthermore, by his love, the loving person enables the beloved person to actualize these
potentialities. By making him aware of what we can be and of what he should become, he
makes these potentialities come true.
Frankl: ”The ultimate secret on the spiritual foundation of life is that love is salvation and joy
eternity.” The ultimate factor to find the meaning of life is love.
2. Political Self
What makes a Filipino a Filipino?
Do physical characteristics such as having a dark hair, flat nose, and dark complexion make
one a Filipino? Or is it a person’s language, birthplace, and ethnicity? If you were to introduce
yourself as a Filipino to a person of another nationality and he or she asks, “Who are Filipinos?”,
what will you reply?
Who is a Filipino?
Filipinos are often referenced to globally renowned personalities like Manny Pacquiao, Lea
Salonga, Michael Cinco, and apl.de.ap. who have been recognized around the world through
their expertise. However, being a Filipino is far more than just being related to these notable
figures. Independence Day and Buwan ng Wika celebrations prompt us to go back to our roots
and reflect on the question: Who is a Filipino?
Filipino Citizenship
Technically, according to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Filipino citizens are “… those whose
fathers and mothers are citizens of the Philippines, those born before January 17, 1973, of
mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority, and those who are
naturalized in accordance with the law.”
However, citizenship is not the only marker of being a Filipino. Culture and history have greatly
influenced the manner Filipinos learn, live, and behave to date. Generations after generations,
common traits and values have been passed on that the Filipinos of today still embody.
Filipino Values and Traits
The Philippines is a lush island paradise famous for its grandiose mountain views, pristine
beaches, and rich and diverse culture change from province to province. While the Philippines
may be well known for its awe-inspiring beauty, perhaps the Filipinos’ unique traits, reputable
values, and laudable talents make the country a place to be.
1. Filipino Hospitality
Filipinos welcome their guests and tourists as if they are their own brothers and sisters; they
always make their guests feel at home, offering them something to eat, or even a place to stay.
Filipinos also anticipate giving tours to friends who will visit their hometown and treating them to
the nest restaurants and delicacies for free. During festivals and fiestas, Filipinos serve heaps of
food and invite the whole barangay over.
2. Respect for Elders
Filipinos greet their elders by kissing their hand while saying “Mano po!” and constantly using
“po” and ”opo” in conversations. Forgetting to address older people properly will regard them as
rude and impolite.
3. Close Family Ties
Filipinos maintain a tight relationship with their families regardless if the children are old enough
and already have families of their own. They are also fond of family reunions during birthdays,
holidays, or fiestas year-round. Some Filipino families even opt to live in a big house where
everyone can stay together. Nursing homes are almost always not an option for family members
and choose to take care of their elders themselves.
4. Cheerful Personality
Filipinos have a habit of smiling and laughing a lot. They smile when they are happy, or
sometimes even when they are sad or angry. Smiling has been a coping strategy for many
Filipinos especially during trying times and calamities. They always try to maintain a positive
outlook in life which makes them resilient and able to manage almost everything with a simple
smile.
5. Self-sacrifice
The self-sacrificing attitude of the Filipinos can be seen as an extension of the Filipino
hospitality. Filipinos go out of their way to extend help to their friends, families, and loved ones.
They wish comfort and better lives for their loved ones and would even go to the extent of
working abroad hundreds of miles away to earn more money and save up for them.
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sacrifice a lot; that is why they are regarded as the modern-
day Filipino heroes. There are also times when the eldest among the children of the family
would give up school to work and provide for the rest of the family and educate his or her
siblings.
6. Bahala na
“Bahala na” is the Filipino version of the famous line “Hakuna Matata,” meaning no worries. The
phrase is said to have originated from “Bathala na,” where Bathala means God, and the phrase
meaning leaving everything into God’s hands.
It can also be viewed as something similar to the cheerful and positive attitude of Filipinos and
allowing situations to take care of themselves instead of worrying about them.
7. Mañana Habit
This is the Filipino term for procrastination. It was derived from a longer Filipino phrase called
“Mamaya na” meaning dawdling things, which could have been done at an earlier time. It is a
poor habit of laziness that results in heavier workloads.
8. 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. Ningas Kugon refers to the attitude of eagerly starting things
but quickly losing eagerness soon after experiencing difficulty, just like how fast the fire of a
Cogon grass burns out moments after being ignited. Laziness is a common problem among
Filipinos; that is why Filipinos are regarded as “Juan Tamad” or Lazy Juan.
9. Pride
Most Filipinos hold on to their pride as if they are more precious than keeping a good
relationship with family and loved ones. When two parties are not on good terms, they find it so
hard to apologize and wait until the other party asks for an apology first.
10. Crab Mentality
This is a toxic trait among Filipinos where one resents the achievement of another, instead of
feeling happy for that person. Just like crabs in a container, they pull each other down and ruin
each other’s reputation rather than bringing them up, resulting in no progress. Filipinos should
change this troublesome attitude and focus more on their own inadequacies to improve one’s
self.
11. Filipino Time
Filipinos have this common attitude of arriving late at commitments, dinner, or parties especially
if they are meeting someone close to them. They tend to not observe punctuality altogether. The
7:00 PM call time becomes adjusted to 7:30 PM, and almost everyone arrives at the same time
because everyone is using Filipino time.
How to be a Good Filipino?
Now you know that your traits and values are important indicators of being a Filipino. The
problem now is how to truly become one and how you can be useful to the development and
progress of our country. The following are a few ways on how to a good Filipino:
1. Be an active Filipino citizen.
A good Filipino citizen is aware of the current events and participates in government programs
that aim for the country’s progression and development.
By simply exercising your right to vote, you also become an active citizen. When it comes to
voting, the rich and the poor have equal voting rights – every Filipino citizen of legal age has a
chance in choosing the right leaders for the Philippines who are genuine in helping and caring
for the Filipino people.
2. Study the Philippine history.
The road of the Philippine history is long and bloody, and by learning and fully understanding
the events of the Philippine history, you will learn so much as to why it is so important for you to
love your country with your life, extend help to your fellow Filipinos in need, and recognize
abuse of political power.
3. Support local products.
When you buy local products, you do not only support local manufacturers and businessmen,
but you also help strengthen the local economy. There will be more demand for local products,
thus, local businesses will be in need for more employees, which will open new job
opportunities. The business owners will also invest within the country and are less likely to
leave. Supporting our local products also displays our creativity, innovativeness, and
resourcefulness.
4. Speak the Filipino language.
The history of the Filipino language was as long and hard as the Philippine history. Jose Rizal
highlighted the importance of a national language as a way of displaying the love for one’s
country. Speaking Filipino also serves as a unique identifier of being a Filipino. It has been a
decade-long debate whether to use Filipino as the instructional language in school and to
translate textbooks into Filipino, however, this is still not strictly imposed.
5. Do not spread fake news and be democratic in engaging with dissent.
This period in the history of the Philippines has seen how the Internet has spawned tons of
possibilities for people, both good and bad.
For instance, it is easier for Filipinos working abroad to communicate with their loved ones left
in the Philippines through the Internet. Despite this, the Internet has also made the spread of
fake news very common. Likewise, the Internet has also made us engage in intense arguments
with people across the globe about our political positions, for example.
It is part of being a good Filipino to understand and verify what you read online, especially in
social media, before actually believing in it and spreading it like wildfire. It is also the
responsibility of every Filipino to recognize disagreement in political views, be tolerant, and
argue intelligently without having to resort into name-calling people.