Chapter II - Lesson 3

SUPER NATURALS: Believe it or not!

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. Identify various religious practices and beliefs;

2. understand the self in relation with religious beliefs and;

3. explain ways of finding the meaning of life.

INTRODUCTION

Spiritual self is one of the four constituents of the “self” according to William James in his
book. The Principles of the psychology in 1890. The spiritual self is the most intimate, inner
subjective part of self. It is the most intimate version of the self because of the satisfaction
experienced when thinking of one’s ability to argue and discriminate, of one’s moral sensibility and
conscience, and of our unconquerable will (James 1890) is purer than all other sentiments of
satisfaction. (Green 1997)

The ability to use moral sensibility and conscience may be seen through the expressions of
religion, its beliefs and practices. In the same manner, cultural, rituals and ceremonies are some
manifestations what people believe in. Moreover, seeking the meaning of life is a journey that the
spiritual self is on.

ACTIVITY

Art Recall

Recall:

When was the first time you realized that there is a higher being than yourself? How old
were you then? What made you believe that there is a higher being?

Draw:

Make a poster about the instance or situation that made you believe in the existence of
higher being.

Show:

Have a classroom Gallery Walk showcasing the posters you and your classmates have made.
Observe similarities and differences in each other’s experiences, expressed in the artworks. Initiate
discussions about beliefs on higher being based on the showcased posters.
Analysis

Buzz group in sharing

In groups of three or five, answer the following questions:

1. From the posters you see, what commonalities and differences did you observe?
2. How these experiences affect your belief on higher being?

Big Group Sharing

1. Share the summary of your discussions from the buzz group.

2. Discuss the following questions:
a. How is the belief on higher being related to yourself?
b. Do you consider having a spiritual self? Why or Why not?

ABSTRACTION

Religion

Rebecca Stein (Stein 2011) works on the definition of religion “as a set of cultural beliefs
and practices that usually includes some or all of basic characteristics. These characteristics are:

1. A belief in anthropomorphic supernatural being, such as a spirit and gods.

2. A focus on the sacred supernatural, where sacred refers to a feeling of reverence and
awe
3. The presence of supernatural power or energy that is found on supernatural beings as
well as physical beings and objects
4. The performance of ritual activities that involves the manipulation of sacred object to
communicate to supernatural beings and/or to influence or control events
5. The articulation of worldview and moral codes through narratives and other means
6. Provide the creation and maintenance of social bonds and mechanism of social control
within a community; provide explanation for unknown and a sense of control for
individuals.

An individual live 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

(Britannica 2017). 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.

There are three fundamental characteristics of rituals according to Penner (Britannica

2017). Ritual has the characteristics of:

1. a feeling or emotion of respect, awe, fascination, or dread in relation to the sacred

2. dependence upon a belief system that is usually expressed in the language of myth
3. is symbolic in relation to its reference

The self can be described as 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, ritual may be viewed as a system of symbolic acts that is based upon
arbitrary rules. Participation to rituals is expressions of religious beliefs.

Some World Religious Beliefs and Practices

There are different religions with different beliefs and practices. Some of the major world
religions are Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.

Excerpt of some religious beliefs and practices are found in the University of London’s Religion and
Belief Guide 2017.

Buddhism

Image of Buddah Buddhist Monks Buddhist Temple

Beliefs

Buddhism believes that life is not a bed of roses. Instead, there are suffering, pain, and
frustrations. When people suffer, they want to experience the goodness of life and avoid
disappointments. It becomes a habit known as the reactive cycle of wanting and hating, like and
dislike, and craving and aversion. This reactive cycle can be broken through the practice of
mediation, acquiring more wisdom and deeper understanding, and acceptance of things as they are.

Custom and Practices

There are two types of mediation practices: samatha and vipassana.

Samatha is practiced as mindfulness of breathing and development of loving-kindness (Metta

Bhavana). Vipassana practices aim at developing insight into reality. Acquiring wisdom is by
studying Buddha’s teaching, the Dharma. Through the reflection of Dharma, Buddhists can achieve
a deeper understanding of life. Buddhist believe in non-violence principle.

Samatha Meditation Dharma Wheel

Some of the major Buddhist celebrations are Parinirvana Day in February.

Buddha Day (Wesak) In May; Dharma Day in July; Padmasambhava Day in October; And Sangha
Day in November.
 Parinirvana Day Wesak Day

Christianity

Portrait of Jesus Christ Protestant Church Catholic Church

Beliefs

Christians believe in Trinitarian God. One God in three personas; God the Father (Creator),
God the son (Savior), and God the Holy Spirit (Sustainer).

Eternal life after death will be achieved through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is God the son,
who came into flesh, to spread the Good News of Salvation. He died on the Cross for the sin of the
humanity but resurrected from the death, so that anyone who believes in Him will be saved and
have eternal life. The Holy Bible is a selection of Books, which is divided into two, The Old
Testament and New Testament.

Customs and Practices

Sacrament of Baptism and Sacrament of Communion are practiced by Christian churches.

The Sacrament of Baptism symbolizes the birth in Christian World, while the Sacrament of
Communion is an act of remembrance of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial love. Jesus Christ teaching in
unconditional love that is expressed in loving the poor, oppressed, and outcast of the society.

Holy Baptism Holy Communion Symbols

Christmas and Resurrection (Easter) are two major celebrations in Christianity. Christmas,
usually on December 25, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ while Resurrection Sunday
(depends on the lunar calendar, sometime in March or April) celebrates the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from death.

Christmas Celebration Easter Sunday Symbol Easter Egg Hunting

Hinduism

Portrait of Vishu Portrait of Shri Radha-Krishna Mariamman Hindu

Beliefs

Hinduism covers a wide range of traditional beliefs and religious

groups; thus, there is no single founder or leader. Hindus believe that
existence is a cycle of birth, death and rebirth, governed by Karma. Karma is
a concept where the reincarnated life will depend on how the past life was
spent. Hindus believe that the soul passes through a cycle of successive
lives and its next incarnation is always dependent on how the previous life
was lived. Vedas are sacred scriptures of Hindus. Mahabharata and
Ramayana are two other important texts of the Hindus.

Customs and Practices

Diwall, and Navrati are the most celebrated festivals of the Hindus. Diwali is the Festival of
Lights while Navrati is the festival of nine nights, which celebrate the triumph set dates to honor
particular manifestations of God.

Diwali Celebration

Islams

Mosque Mohammad
Beliefs

Muslims believe in Allah, who is their “One God.” They believe in the unity and universality
of God. Muslims also have a strong sense of community or “ummah” and an awareness of their
solidarity with all Muslims worldwide. Islam means “willing submission to God.”

Muslims believe that Mohammed is the last and final prophet sent by God. Mohammed was
born in Mecca in 570 CE and receive revelations from God through the Angel Gabriel over a period
of 23 years. The Holy Book of Islam is called the Quran, which was taught to be recited in Arabic
because any translation is seen as inadequate.

Quran Hajj, the Pilgrimage of Mecca

Customs and Practices

Muslims believe in the five pillars of Islam, which are the foundation of Muslim life:

1. Shahadah- statement of faith: “There is no God but the one true God and Mohammed is
his messenger.”
2. Salat- the prayer that is practiced five times a day.
3. Zakat- the monetary offering for the benefit of the poor. It comprises the 2.5% of a
Muslim’s assets.
4. Hajj- the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims who can afford are asked to do the
pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.
5. Sawm- the fasting. Muslims do fasting, from food, drink, and sexual act, during the
celebration of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The
fast is from dawn sunset.

Two of the major festivals in Islam are Eidul-Fitr and Eidul-Adha. Eidul-Fitr is the
celebration at the end of Ramadan, while Eidul-Adha is celebrated within the completion of
the Pilgrimage, the Hajj.

Celebration of Eidul-Fitr

Judaism

Abraham Jewish Temple Inside the Jewish Temple

Beliefs
 The Jews believe in the Good of Abraham, the same God that liberated the Hebrew slaves
from Egypt to Canaan, the Promised Land through the leadership of Moses and later. Joshua.

The Jews believe in the coming of Messiah, the Savior. The sacred scripture of the Jews is
called the Torah or the Law. The Torah is the guide of the Jewish living. The study and
interpretation of Torah is part of the Jewish culture.

Image of Moses with the Ten

Commandments in stone tablet Torah

Customs and Practices

There are five major festivals observed by the Jews:

1. Rosh Hashanah- the New Year

2. Yom Kippur- the Day of Atonement
3. Pesach- Passover
4. Shavuot- Pentecost
5. Sukkot- Tabernacles. The Jewish Sabbath begins on Friday evening at sunset and is an
important time when families gather for the Shabbat meal.

Image of Shabbat meal Rosh Hashanah Pesach

Religious beliefs, rituals, practices, and customs are all part of the expression of the
spiritual self. What to believe and how to manifest the belief is entirely dependent on
the individual, to the self. A person might believe that there is a higher being, a
supernatural being, usually termed as God, but not necessarily wants to be affiliated or
identified with a certain religious group. Others may have religious practices which are
perceived to be contrary to the practices of other groups. Religious beliefs and practices,
therefore, are formed relative to its context and culture.

Finding and Creating Meaning of Life

Another extensive study of self can be found in the works of Dr. Viktor E. Frankl. The Victor
Frankl Institute in Vienna was created in 1992. The institute has a website where there is a
synopsis of his life and works and present programs
(http://www.viktorfranklinstitute.org/About_Viktor_Frankl.html). The following are the excerpts
from the website:
The Psychiatrist

Dr. Viktor E. Frankl was born on March 26, 1905 in Vienna, Austria, where famous
psychiatrists Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler lived. At a young age, he wrote a short paper to Freud
which was published after three years Dr. Frankl graduated with medical degree from the
University of Vienna in 1930. He was assigned in Vienna Hospital suicide ward and headed the
Rothschild Hospital eight years later.

A survivor of the Holocaust, Dr. Frankl published a book about

logotheraphy. In 1959, the book was translated to English and was receive in
1963 as The Doctor and the Soul. An Introduction to Logotherapy. His book,
Man’s Search for meaning, has been used as a textbook in high school and
college courses. Dr. Frankl died in 1997

Dr. Viktor Frankl

Logotherapy

Logotherapy is a psychotherapy introduced by Dr. Viktor Frankl, who is considered the

Father of Logotherapy. The main belief of 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. According to
the Victor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy (n.d), it uses the 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 an incentive to take responsible action.”

Basic Concepts of Franklian Psychology

The Franklian Psychology has the basic concepts. These are the following:

 Life meaning under all circumstances

 Main motivation for living is our will to find meaning of life.
 Freedom to find meaning.

Furthermore, Franklian Psychology aims to: (1) become aware of spiritual resources, (2) make
conscious spiritual resources, and (3) use “defiant power of the human spirit” and stand up
against adversity.

Logotherapy Assumptions

All psychotherapies make philosophical assumptions about the human persons that
contribute be proved with certainty. Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy (n.d.) states the
assumptions of logotherapy, which include the following:

1. The human is an entity consisting of body, mind, and spirit. This first assumption deals
with body (soma), mind (psyche), and spirit (noos). According to Frankl, the body and
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 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 what we are free to activate our will to find meaning, and this can be
done under any circumstances. This deals with 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 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
enhanced 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 Sources of Meaning

Popova (2017) discussed Viktor Frankl’s work. There are three possible sources of
the meaning of life: purposeful work, courage in the face of difficulty, and love.

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, 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 inevitable part of life. To find meaning of life is to recognize
suffering, pain, and death as part of life and to have the courage to face these life
difficulties.
3. Love Popova (2017) quoted Dr. Frankl’s notes about his experience in the Nazi
Camp: “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 head of soil which I had dug up from the ditch,
and looked steadily at me.”

Dr. Frankl’s wife, parents, and some relatives were victims of gas chambers.
His love for wife kept him fight for his life. Popova (2017) also quoted 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 he can be and of
what he should become, he makes these potentialities come true.”

Costello (2015) captured Viktor Frankl’s message: “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.

APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT

1. Video Clip. Make a video clip with reflection on any of the following topics.
a. Filipino rituals and ceremonies covering all regions of the Philippines.
b. Filipino indigenous religious practices featuring five tribes from Luzon, Visayas, or
Mindanao
c. Modern day expression of spiritual being
Make sure to showcase the origin, meaning of each ritual and ceremony, and your
personal reflection.

2. Documentary. Make a documentary about a World War II Filipino survivor

Feature the following:
- Life story during the war
- How he/she survived the war
- Description of his/her meaning of life
- Compare to Viktor Frankl’s sources of meaning
- Test logotherapy assumptions
3. Reflection Paper. Reflect on Viktor Frankl’s sources of the meaning of life

REFERENCES

Green, Christopher. 1997. “Classics in the History of Psychology.” An Internet resource

developed by Christopher D. Green. Ontario: York University. Accessed. October 20, 2017.
http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/James/Principles.

Goldsmiths, University of London n.d. “Religion and Belief Guide.” Accessed October 16,
2017. http://.gold.ac.uk/media/documents-by-section/life-on-campus/student-support-
services/Religion-and-Belief-Guide.pdf

Penner, Hans. 1998. “Ritual.” In Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed October 17, 2017.
http://www.britannica.com/topic/ritual

Popova, Maria. 2013. “Viktor Frankl On the Human Search for Meaning.” In Brainpickings.
Accessed October 20, 2017. http://www.brainpickings.org/2013/03/26/viktor-frankl-
mans-search-for-meaning/.

Stein, Rebecca. 2015. Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft. Accessed October
17,2017.
https://books.google.com.ph/books/about/Anthropology_of_Religion_Magic_and_Witch.ht
ml?id=KNdRCgAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y.

Viktor, Frankl. Institute of Logotherapy. n.d. “About Victor Frankl.” Accessed October 20,
2017. http://www.viktorfranklinstitute.org/Home.html.
Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotheraphy. n.d. “Logotherapy.” Accessed October 20, 2017.
http://www.logotherapyinstitute.org/About_Logotherapy.html.