Alternative Title
My Spiritual Journey as a Filipino Immigrant to the United States
Subject Area
Religion, Theology/Religious Education
Abstract
Loob is a Filipino concept of inner self that defines one’s authenticity, inherent connectivity and relationship with the kapwa (fellow human being). The loob is deeply embedded in Filipino culture, spirituality, and community life, where one’s intrinsic goodness, compassion, justice, and peace emanates. The communal practice of bayanihan (helping one another), damayan (deep empathy), balikatan (carrying one another’s burden), and pagkakaisa (harmonious living) for the common good and wellbeing of everyone are the very reflections that embody the essence of loob.
Our human condition of having painful experiences in the past, being anxious and fearful of what the future might bring, and the struggle to finding one’s identity and authenticity in a foreign land, are leaving us with uncertainties and fears. This experience is common to most Filipino immigrants. Fears from the painful past, the fear of the future, and the fears that stems from this condition, continue to create inner turmoil (magulo ang loob). As dent in one’s inner self widens, loob is being disturbed. Loob is being distorted. Loob is being covered over by the debris of fear.
The task of uncovering and recovering the loob through spiritual practice, therefore, is of immense importance. Spiritual practice as an interior exercise ushers us of clearing out the debris of fear, thus, allowing us of coming home to the loob (our innermost core). I propose then, that doing simple exercises such as listening to the bell, sitting in silence, counting the breath, and playing in the rain, which I am recommending in this paper, could help us face and embrace fear, access and cultivate the loob, and freely live out our authentic self.
Degree Date
Spring 5-16-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
D.Min.
Department
Perkins School of Theology
Advisor
Dr. Harold Recinos
Second Advisor
Dr. Ruben Habito
Third Advisor
Dr. Dallas Gingles
Number of Pages
188
Format
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Recommended Citation
Zarate, Edwin Victo, "Exploring the Filipino Concept of Loob (Inner Self) through Spiritual Practice" (2026). Doctor of Ministry Projects and Theses. 57.
https://scholar.smu.edu/theology_ministry_etds/57
