Module 6

The Material and Spiritual Self

Module Duration:

Week 13

GE 005

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

 SAN MATEO MUNICIPAL COLLEGE
General Luna St., Guitnang Bayan I, San Mateo, Rizal
Tel. No. (02) 997-9070
www.smmc.edu.ph

MODULE 6: The Material and Spiritual Self

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After this module, the students are expected to:

• Define material self.
• Describe how the material self affects a person.
• Explain the relationship between possessions and the extended self.
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INPUT INFORMATION

THE MATERIAL/ ECONOMIC SELF

The material self, according to William James, pertains to the objects, places, or even people which have the label “mine”.
Such possessions are viewed as extensions of individuals' identities. For instance, your clothes reflect certain aspects of
your personality and you designate them as “my wardrobe”.

Specifically, James identified the body as the innermost aspect of the material self. Also, you perceive certain body parts
as more private or intimately yours as compared to others. The next aspect is your clothing; the garments which protect as
well as project your body. This is followed by your family; they are connected to you by blood and you share their glory as
well as shame. Your home comes next; it is where many aspects of your life have been developed, it is where you feel most
comfortable, and it is greatly linked to your identity. This is then followed by other possessions such as gadgets, cars,
collections, etc.

While it is true that most of the material things that we possess are not the things that we need, it is equally true that what
we have in our lives can tell other people who we really are. Our possessions, gadgets, properties, and belongings tell a lot
about ourselves. These things were chosen by us because we see ourselves in these things. The products that we purchase
are the products in which we see ourselves with. For instance, the perfume you buy, and wear is the perfume you think
best suits you. By knowing who we are, we also need to know what we want. But the dilemma remain however, that our
wants are not exactly what we need. Before we proceed with the material aspect of ourselves, we have to know first the
difference between wants and needs.

Wants and needs are two different words whose meanings are both well understood and also conveniently interchanged
— depending on our desires and motivations. Deconstructing the interplay between these words is key to better
understanding ourselves.

Most of us confuses wants with needs. Some people think that they are just the same. However, these two are different
from each other. We have learned before that needs are the things that we cannot live without. These include food,
shelter, clothing, water, air, medical care and sex. On the other hand, wants are things that we just like but not
 necessarily our needs. These include a new cellphone, a new car, jewelries and the likes. Regardless whether the things
that we have are needs or wants, we should always remember that these things tell something about ourselves.

The material self, according to William James, author of “The Principles of Psychology” in 1890, is about our bodies, clothes,
immediate family and home. We are deeply affected by these things because we have put much investment of our self to
them.

The innermost part of our material self is our body. Intentionally, we

are investing in our body. We are directly attached to this commodity that we
cannot live without. We strive hard to make sure that this body functions well
and good. Any ailment or disorder directly affects us. We do have certain
preferential attachment or intimate closeness to certain body parts because
of its value to us.

There were people who get their certain body parts insured. Celebrities, like Mariah Carey who was reported to have placed
a huge amount for the insurance of her vocal cords and legs (Sukman 2016).

Next to our body are the clothes we use. Influenced by the “Philosophy of Dress” by Herman Lotze, James believed that
clothing is an essential part of the material self. Lotze in his book, Microcosmus, stipulates that “any time we bring an object
into the surface of our body, we invest that object into the consciousness of our personal existence taking in tis contours to
be our own and making it part of the self.” (Watson 2014). The fabric and style of the clothes we wear bring sensations to
the body to which directly affect our attitudes and behavior. Thus, clothes are placed in the second hierarchy of material
self. Clothing is a form of self-expression. We choose and wear clothes that reflect our self (Watson 2014).

Third in the hierarchy is our immediate family. Our parents and siblings hold another great important part of our self. What
they do or become affect us. When an immediate family member dies, part of our self dies, too. When their lives are in
success, we feel their victories as if we are the one holding the trophy. In their failures, we are put to shame or guilt. When
they are in disadvantage situation, there is an urgent urge to help like a voluntary instinct of saving one’s self from danger.
We place huge investment in our immediate family when we see them as the nearest replica of our self.

The fourth component of material self is our home. Home is where our heart is. It is the earliest nest of our selfhood. Our
experiences inside the home were recorded and marked on particular parts and things in our home. There was an old cliché
about rooms: “if only walls can speak.” The home thus is an extension of self, because in it, we can directly connect our
self. Having investment of self to things, made us attached to those things. The more investment of self-given to the
particular thing, the more we identify ourselves to it. We also tended to collect and possess properties. The collections in
different degree of investment of self, becomes part of the self. As James (1890) described self: “a man’s self is the sum
total of all what he CAN call his.” Possessions then become a part or an extension of the self.

THE SPIRITUAL SELF

The spiritual self is one of the four constituents of the "self" according to William James in his book, The Principles of
Psychology in 1890. The spiritual self is the most intimate, inner subjective part of the self. It is the most intimate version of
the self because 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 of what
people believe in. Moreover, seeking the meaning of life is a journey that the spiritual self is on.

What Is the Difference between the Soul and the Spirit?

The terms soul and spirit have been discussed at length throughout philosophy, literature, and religion. Even scientists have
ventured remarks about the soul. Often, though, soul and spirit are interpreted to mean the same thing and end up being
used interchangeably. This can lead to the question, “Is there a difference between the soul and the spirit, and does it really
matter if there is?” Regardless of what philosophy, literature, religion, or some scientists say, we have to ask, “What does
the Bible say?” The Bible clearly makes many references to both. So what does God’s Word say about our soul and our
spirit? And why can knowing this be a crucial factor in our spiritual progress and relationship with God?
Religion - Rebecca Stein (Stein 2011) works on the definition of religion "as set of cultural beliefs and practices that usually
includes some or all of basic characteristics. These characteristics are:

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

• A focus on the sacred supernatural, where sacred refers to a feeling of reverence and awe.
• Supernatural power or energy that is found on supernatural beings as well as physical beings and objects.
• The performance of ritual activities that involves the manipulation of sacred object to communicate to supernatural
beings and/or influence or control events.
• The articulation of worldview and moral codes through narratives and other means.
• 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 lives 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 - 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:

• A feeling or emotion of respect, awe, fascination, or dread in relation to the sacred.

• Dependence upon a belief system that is usually expressed in the language of myth.
• 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 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

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.

Customs and Practices - There are two types of meditation practices: samatha and vipassana. Samatha is practiced as
mindfulness of breathing and development of loving- kindness (Metta Bhavana). Vipassana practices aim at developing
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 - 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.

Christianity

Beliefs - Christians believe in Trinitarian God. One God in three personas: God the Father (Creator), God the Son (Savior),
and God the Holy - Spirit. 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.

Christmas and Resurrection (Easter) are the 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.

Hinduism

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 - Diwali, 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 of good over evil. Hindus have set dates to honor
particular manifestations of God.

Islam

Beliefs - Muslims believe in Allah, who is their "One God." They believed 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 received 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.

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

• Shahadah - statement of faith: "There is no God but the one true God and Mohammed is his messenger."
• Salat - the prayer that is practiced five times a day.
• Zakat - the monetary offering for the benefit of the poor. It comprises the 2.5% of Muslim's assets.
• Hajj - the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims who can afford are asked to do the pilgrimage at least once in their
lifetime.
• 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 to 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.

Judaism

Beliefs - The Jews believe in the God 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. 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.

Custom and Practices

Five major festivals observed by Jews:
• Rosh Hashanah – New Year
• Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement
• Pesach – Passover
• Shavuot – Pentecost
• Sukkot – Tabernacles. The Jewish Sabbath begins on Friday evening at sunset and is an important time when
families gather for the Shabbat meal.
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.
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 Viktor Frankl Institute in
Vienna was created in 1992.
Dr. Viktor E. Frankl was born on March 26, 1905 in Vienna, Australia 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. He graduated
with a medical degree from the University of Vienna in 1930. 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 logotherapy. In 1959, the book was translated to
English and was revised 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.

LOGOTHERAPY
Logotherapy is a psychotherapy introduced by Dr. Viktor Frankl, the Father of Logotherapy. Main belief of this is
that “man’s primary motivational force is search for meaning.” Which 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 Viktor Frankl institute of
Logotherapy, it uses the philosophy of optimism in the face of tragedy, where people are capable of “fuming suffering into
human achievement and accomplishment; deriving from guilt the opportunity to change oneself for the better; and deriving
from life’s transistorizes an incentive to take responsible action.”

Basic Concepts of Franklin Psychology

• Life has meaning under all circumstances.
• Main motivation for living is our will to find meaning in life.
• Freedom to find meaning.

Furthermore, it 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 cannot be proved with
certainty. Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy states the assumptions of logotherapy, which include the following:
1. The human being is an entity consisting of body, mind, and spirit. First assumption deals with body (soma), mind
(psyche), and spirit (noos).
2. Life has meaning under all circumstances, even the most miserable. Assumption two is “ultimate meaning”
3. People have a will to meaning. The third assumption is seen as our main motivation for living and acting.
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.
5. Life has a demand quality to which people must respond if decisions are to be meaningful. The meaning of the
moment is more practical in daily living than ultimate meaning.
6. The individual is unique. Deals with one’s sense of meaning. 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 always free to do these 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 the 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.
2. Courage in the Face of Difficulty. A meaningful life is a life with suffering.
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 heap 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 his 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 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” Castello (2015) captured 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.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Activity 1: Debit Card Challenge

A very wealthy person gave you a debit card and told you to use it as much as you want to make yourself happy. What
are you going to do with it? Make a list of what you want to have. Write as many as you want.
After you listed all your wants, answer the following questions:
1. How do you feel as you do the Debit Card Challenge?
2. Which among the items in your list you like the most? Why?
3. If ever you were given the chance in real life to have one among the list, which would you choose? Why?

Activity 2: Do you Have Your Umbrella?

Many people arrived at the church to pray for the needed rain. The pastor greeted most of them as they filed in. As he
walked to the front of the church to officially begin the meeting, he noticed most people were chatting across the aisles
and socializing with friends. When he reached the front, his thoughts were on quieting the attendees and starting the
meeting. His eyes scanned the crowd as he asked for quiet. He noticed an eleven-year-old girl sitting quietly in the front
row. Her face was beaming with excitement. Next to her, open and ready for use, was a very colorful and extremely large
umbrella, much bigger than her in fact. The little girl's beauty and innocence made the pastor smile as he realized how
much faith she possessed. No one else in the congregation had brought an umbrella. All came to pray for rain.
But the little girl had come expecting God.
Journal Writing:
1. What are your learnings and realization from the discussion?
2. What is the lesson of the story “Do you have your Umbrella?” and how are you going to apply it in your daily life?

ASSIGNMENT

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LEARNING RESOURCES

• Abadilla, F. et.al (2020). Instructional Material “Understanding the Self”. Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
Studocu.
• https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/polytechnic-university-of-the-philippines/human-resources-
management/im-uts-heres-the-instructional-material-for-understanding-the-self/19669029/download/im-uts-
heres-the-instructional-material-for-understanding-the-self.pdf