9.2 Understanding the Self

The self refers to your entire being as an individual, encompassing your unique identity, beliefs, values, experiences, and how you interact with the world around you. It is a dynamic construct influenced by internal perceptions (e.g., self-esteem, self-image, personal strengths or weaknesses) and external interactions (e.g., how you interact or behave with others).

It can be broken down into three interconnected components:

Body (The Physical Self)

Your body, health, and other physical characteristics, such as biological functions, appearance, and physical abilities.

Mind (The Psychological Self)

Your emotions, thoughts, beliefs, reasoning skills, creativity, curiosity, and learning capacity. Your psychological self plays a key role in interpreting experiences, making decisions, solving problems, and interacting socially.

Spirit (The Spiritual Self)

Your innermost values, sense of meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than yourself. It guides your ethical decisions, aligns your actions with your deeper values, and supports inner peace, harmony, and authenticity.