Spirit

Religiosity
 A religious person is someone who believes in a god or group of gods and consciously adheres to
the beliefs of his/her religion. A spiritual person, on the other hand, places little importance on
beliefs and traditions and is core concerned with growing and experiencing the Divine.
 Maycan (2018) said religiosity refers to adherence to a belief system and practices associated
with a tradition in which there is agreement about what is believed and practiced.
Why is spirituality important?
 A spiritual person engages in activities that boost his/her self-identity and self-actualization and
that lead him/her to exercise such virtues as compassion and social concern.
 Spiritual fellowship (such as attending church or a meditation group) can be a source of social
support that may provide a sense of belonging, security, and community. Strong relationships
have been proven to increase well – being and bolster life expectancy, which is perhaps why one
study found a strong association between church attendance and improved health, mood, and
well-being.
 Contemplative practice is good for students like you. Contemplative practice can be broadly
understood as a method to develop concentration, deepen understanding and insight, and
cultivate awareness and compassion. These practices can have a profound impact on student’s
experiences both in college and beyond.
 Examples of contemplative practices:
1. Meditation – mental exercise (such as focusing on one’s breathing or repeating a mantra)
for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness. It can induce feelings of calm and
clear-headedness, as well as improved concentration and attention.
2. Prayer – a spiritual communion with God (or an object of worship) as in supplication, thanksgiving,
adoration, or confession. Prayers may elicit a relaxation response, along with feelings of hope, gratitude,
and compassion – all of which have a positive effect on over all well – being. There are several types of
prayers. Many of which are rooted in the belief can provide a sense of comfort and support in difficult
times.
3. Yoga – a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline. In Hindu theistic philosophy, it teaches the suppression
of all mind and body activity so that the self-realize its distinction from the material world and attain
liberation. In western culture, yoga is a system of physical postures, breathing techniques, and sometimes
meditation to promote physical and emotional well – being.
4. Journaling – is another (but often overlooked) contemplative practice that can help you become more
aware of your inner life more connected to your experience and the world around you. Studies show that
writing during difficult times may help you find meaning in life’s challenges and help you become more
resilient in the face of obstacles.
The Practice of Religion: Belief in Supernatural Being and Power
 Religion is defined as “the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a
personal god or gods”. It is also a “particular system of faith and worship.” More than its belief
and practices, religion is an experience. Religion, however, may best be understood as a
systematic” attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object.”
 One reason human attribute to some other “entities” is that the world huge, ambiguous, and we
need to interpret it the possible way we can.
The Four Dimensions of Religion
 Belief: are generalized system of idea and values that shape how members of a religious group
come to understand the world around them. These beliefs are taught to followers by religious
authorities, such as priest, imams, or shaman, through formal creeds and doctrines, as well as
more informal lessons learned through stories, songs, and myths.
 Ritual: are the repeated physical gestures or activities, such as prayers and mantras, used to
reinforce religious teachings, elicit spiritual feelings, and connect worshippers with a higher
power. A common type of ritual is a rite of passage which mark’s a person’s transition from one
stage of life to another. Example of rites of passage include baptisms and weddings.
 Spiritual experience: A third common dimension of various religions is the promise of access to
some form of unique spiritual experience or feeling of immediate connections with higher power.
 Unique social forms of community: the fourth common dimension of religion is creating
unique social forms of community, Emile Durkheim emphasized that religious beliefs and
practices unite in one single community called a church.
RELIGIOUS CLASSIFICATION
 Polytheism
Multiple gods: Hinduism, Ancient Greeks and Romans
 Monotheism
Single god: Judaism, Islam, Christianity
 Atheism
No deities: Atheism, Buddhism, Taoism
 Animism
Nonhuman beings (animals, plants, natural world
Different Religions Across the Globe:
1. Judaism: Judaism encompasses the religion, philosophy, and culture of the Jewish people. It is
characterized by belief in one transcendent God who has revealed himself to Abraham, Moses,
and the Hebrew prophets and by a religious life in accordance with the scriptures and rabbinic
traditions. Their sacred text is the Torah.
2. Christianity: Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings
of Jesus Christ, who serves as the focal point of the Christian faith. For Christians, the word of
God is written in the Bible.
3. Islam is the religious faith of Muslims who worship Allah as the sole deity and believes
Muhammad is his Prophet. The holy scriptures of Islam is the Koran.
4. Hinduism, considered the world’s oldest religion, is still commonly practiced. Hinduism
combines the beliefs, philosophy, and cultural practices of India. Hindu practitioners are guided
by Vedic scriptures and believe in righteousness, the laws of cause and effect, and the cycle of
birth and death. Central to the faith is a belief in reincarnation and one supreme god called
Brahman who has multiple manifestations as either a god or goddess. Gods and goddesses can
be spirits, trees, animals, and even planets.
5. Buddhism: Buddhism refers to the teachings of Gautama Buddha. Buddha, (originally a follower
of the Hindu faith) experienced enlightenment, or Bodhi, while sitting under a tree. It was in this
moment that Buddha was said to be awakened to the truth of the world, or the Dharma. Buddha,
an ordinary does not believe in a divine realm or God as supernatural being, but instead follows
the wisdom of the found
 When Buddha was 35, he meditated under a fig tree, the Bodhi tree, for several days until he
attained enlightenment.

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