Chapter IV – Intellectual and Spiritual Components

Introduction

 Intelligence and spirituality ultimately follow the same path. By embracing intellect to its
fullest extent, one will eventually arrive at a sense of spirituality. Our actions are governed by
intelligence; we achieve the best results when we make the most intelligent decisions. But if we
go home, meditate, and begin asking questions like, "What is the purpose of my life?" we have to
load up a different set of rules. Now we've supposedly left the territory of the intellect and
entered the spiritual realm. We try to interact intelligently with our outer world and spiritually
with our inner world.

 Hence, as the BJMP aims to institutionalize Therapeutic Community Modality program in all
jails nationwide, the Intellectual and Spiritual Component hopes to enhance the spiritual and
intellectual dimensions of the residents by providing opportunities for them to develop self-worth
and productivity.

Spirituality in TC

 Spirituality is any action or activity that reflects or brings out the goodness in a man.
Spirituality in TCMP is designed to respond to the inner longing of residents to find greater faith
where they can anchor themselves within their struggle to find meaning to their existence.

 It summarizes a man’s relationship with himself, others and the Supreme Being. The spiritual
component provides the residents with activities that would help them explore the meaning and
purpose of their existence and their particular place in the world.
Intellectual Component

 The intellectual component on the other hand responds to the natural human characteristics of
yearning for knowledge in order to attain a higher level of understanding.

 A well-structured and well-implemented Intellectual Component is a factor in establishing a

Therapeutic Community for the residents. It helps the residents restore their self-esteem as their
minds become open to ideas and their intellect does not cease to feed on a free and open
interchange of opinions.

 Providing worthwhile opportunities for learning/ education will facilitate regaining their
human quality and self-respect thereby making self-realization - that being law-abiding and
productive, both during their stay in the facility and their eventual release in the society’s
mainstream is the real essence and measure of development.
Spiritual Component

 TC Philosophy
 TC Unwritten Philosophies

 Theme/Concept of the Day

 Meditation

 Religious Activities

Objectives:

1. To enhance personal and spiritual well-being of residents

2. To appreciate the value of the Word of God in relation to our life and as nourishment to the
soul

3. To give opportunity for the residents to experience special encounter and healing from God

4. To remind the residents for the need for constant connection with God in their lives

Indicators:

1. Active participation of residents in spiritual activities

2. Positive perception on TC implementation

3. Deeper awareness of God’s presence in the residents’ life

4. TC Philosophy /TC Unwritten Philosophies (slogans, sayings, adages) visibly posted in the
facility

5. Regular conduct of various spiritual activities

Intellectual Component

 Seminars

 Educational Activities (ALS)

 Debates

 Data Sessions/lectures

 Saturday Night Activities

 Games (Grab Bag, Islands, Charade, Pinoy Henyo)

 Mind games

Objectives:
1. To actualize the intellectual skills of the residents
2. To teach the residents how to think and delay impulses

3. To guide the residents on the right way of thinking and how it affects his feelings and behavior

Indicators:

1. Residents exhibit increased awareness and positive behavior

2. Elimination of racial, cultural and gender biases as seen in dealings

3. Changed perception among residents on enhancement of knowledge/ education

4. Pride in quality, a culture among residents 5. Increased number of residents enrolled in ALS
and A & E passers

Procedure:
1. Select a topic related to expertise of the speaker/lecturer beneficial to the residents.

2. Schedule the activity.

3. Preparation Phase

4. Seminar Proper

The TC Philosophy

 The TC Philosophy is recited daily during the Morning Meeting. It embodies all the challenges
and aspirations of most residents who feel alienated and the desire to overcome the imposed
limitations on their freedom and find their own place where they could feel safe and welcome. It
acknowledges the importance of fellowship in shaping one’s behavior and motivating one’s
fortitude of helping himself and others. It likewise serves as his anchor in times of emotional
turmoil which he can always go back to and reflect. It forms emotional binding among the
participants knowing that they are grounded on the same philosophy.

1. Surrender

“I am here because there is no refuge, finally from myself”

I am where I am right now because I admit that something went wrong with my life that I have

no control over. I admit that I need the help of a Higher Power and of others to bring positive

change in my life.
 2. Self-disclosure

“Until I confront myself in the eyes and hearts of others, I am running. Until I suffer them to

share my secrets, I have no safety from them. Afraid to be known, I can neither know myself or

any other; I will be alone.”

I now know that unless I come out in the open and admit my mistakes, I will forever be running

from them. I need to disclose my deepest secrets to my peers so that I can find the right ways of

dealing with them.

By opening myself up for others to see through me, I will be free from my own demons and let

others guide and help me though my ordeals. Nobody can help me unless I let them know my

woes and let them understand that like them, I also need help.

3. Reflection
“Where else but in our common grounds can I find such a mirror?”

There is no better place to disclose my feelings than in a place full of people with similar

experiences where I feel safe and free from prejudices. People are here for different reasons but

with a common problem. It is easy to identify with somebody who is going through the same

experience as me.

4. Self-realization
“Here together, I can appear clearly to myself, not as the giant of my dreams not the dwarf of my

fears, but as a person, part of the whole with my share in its purpose”

When I start to understand myself better, I began to realize how all my negative behaviors came

to be. It is easier to deal with something when we understand its roots. I will learn not to look at

myself as too big or too small to handle all my worries. I will learn that I will deal with them as a

person among others who are united together to help each other by relating our similar attitudes

and behaviors.
 5. Growth

“In this ground, I can take root and grow”

I realize that this environment can help me overcome my mistakes and start a new life. I can

anchor myself in this community to foster permanent change.

6. Self-worth

“Not alone anymore as in death, but alive to myself and to others”

I begin to believe in my ability to overcome all my challenges and give out all my best for

myself and others. I also believe in my ability to be of help to others who are in similar situation.

TC Unwritten Philosophies

• The unwritten philosophy of TC consists of slogans or aphorisms that are verbally given
to the residents to impart the beliefs and values of TC in relation to their day to day living.
These sayings are used to remind the residents as to what are considered important to them.

1. “Honesty”

A lot of residents continue to live in a lie without the fear of its consequences. This virtue points
out the importance of truth and its relevance to recovery.

2. “Responsible love and concern”

The residents will learn how to give and accept criticisms without resentment. Bonded by trust
and confidence, the residents know that mistakes need to be corrected if the aim is to bring the
other towards behavioral change.

3. “To be aware is to be alive”

Residents learn to be conscious of what is going on in the environment. In TC, minor attitudes
are engrossed to prevent major attitudinal problems to arise.

4. “Trust in your environment”

There will be no change if there is no honesty and disclosure. Before doing so, trust must be
established. One should believe that the program can help him. In doing so, he will learn to
accept the program and use its tools to evoke changes in himself.
5. “Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it”

Man by nature is ambitious. We never get contented with what we have. We want more, even if
having so would lead us to commit mistakes. We should learn to appreciate what we have and
use it to better ourselves.

6. “No free lunch”

In reality, nothing really comes easy. If we aim for something, we have to work for it. There is no
pride in getting something the easy way. It is hard to let go of something that we labored for.
Change will not come if we will just wait for it to happen. We have to make it happen.

7. “You can’t keep it unless you give it away”

Knowledge or learning is better appreciated if shared with others. Something becomes valuable
if used to help others make positive changes in their lives. Helping others help u in the process as
we start to feel good about ourselves.
8. “What goes around comes around”

“Whatever you do unto others will be done unto you”. Any good deed will be rewarded while
evil deeds will be punished in the end. We should always be mindful of our actions as they are
the parameters of how we will be judged in the end.
9. “Act as if”

Learning and accepting the TC program is not easy. Most residents feel resistant towards it. This
philosophy teaches the residents to go with the flow as a way of compliance. In the process, they
will learn to embrace it and the behavior will soon become natural.

10. “Understand rather than be understood”

It is sometimes common for us to be selfish. We find it hard to admit our mistakes hence we tend
to blame everybody but ourselves. We expect everyone around us to understand our wrongdoings
but we seldom make an effort to understand others. Understanding others is a virtue because it
speaks of humility and patience. If we take the first step to know where others are coming from,
there would be lesser conflicts in relationships.

11. “Personal growth before vested status”

Sometimes, we become so wrapped up in our own status or positions in life that we tend to
forget to develop relationships with the people around us. We should cultivate our personal
abilities before we scale the ladder to success.

12. “Compensation is valid”

A reward for working hard is well deserved. We get what we put into.
13. “Forgiveness”

To accept what has been done, move on and get over the hurt and anger gives us a feeling of
inner peace and happiness. Failure to get over the pains will pin us down and stunt our progress.

14. “Humility”

To humble one’ self before others is a laudable virtue. We are often enveloped by pride that it is
difficult for us to lower ourselves and admit our inadequacies and limitations. By doing so, we
develop a fair insight about ourselves thus giving us the challenge to improve ourselves.

15. “You alone can do it, but you can’t do it alone”

Oftentimes, we feel invincible and indispensable knowing that certain tasks can only be
accomplished by us. We don’t realize that we have certain limitations that without the help of
others, the burden will be too great for us. We should learn to reach out for help and admit our
weaknesses.
16. “Pride in quality”

Time flies so fast that we tend to hurry in everything we do. We lose our focus and do things
haphazardly just for the sake of completion. We should always seek for quality in our work. The
product of our labor speaks of our attitude towards life in general.
17. “Feelings don’t think”

We usually react impulsively to things around us because of our feelings. Before we can even
think, an action has already been done. Everything starts in the mind. If we think before we act,
chances are, we will behave with contempt as we have analyzed the process before the action.

18. “Guilt kills”

One of the underlying reasons for depression is guilt. It is a feeling of shame and self-blame. If a
guilt feeling remains unresolved, it can be turned inwards, thus resulting to self-inflicted harm.
19. “Hang tough”
Sometimes, we feel that there is no end to our miseries and we feel helpless and hopeless. No
matter how dim life seems to be, there is always hope. In every problem is a solution. Every
problem is a learning experience that would make us tougher in dealing with life’s challenges.

20. “You are your brother’s keeper”

In TC, each one is responsible for the other members of the community. The failure of one is the
failure of all. This gives all the residents a sense of responsibility in shepherding others. The
success of the program is a reflection of how one cares for the other.