Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

(University of the City of Manila)

College of Education

“MIND OVER MATTER: INVESTIGATING THE ACADEMIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL

IMPACT OF EMBRACING THE MANTRA ‘GOD HAS ENTRUSTED ME WITH
MYSELF’ IN DAILY LIFE”

A Final Requirement in Building and Enhancing New Literacies Across the

Curriculum

Submitted by Group 3 from BSEd-English 3-1

Members:

Andales, Alyanna Keisha A. Ignacio, Charlotte N.

Arive, Maricor O. Lumbang, Isaah Willem James F.

Balderama, Richelle M. Lopez, Janica Rose M.

Deudor, Jan Ysabel B. Reyes, Jaimie Joy M.

Flores, Angelo Luis P. Serrano, Joie Nica Jhudiel C.

Submitted to:
Dr. Bernardo F. Ramos
Professor, Building and Enhancing New Literacies Across the Curriculum
 INTRODUCTION
The saying "mind over matter" refers to the ability to utilize one's thoughts to
manage a physical state, issue, and/or others. Correlating it to the mantra, "God has
Entrusted Me with Myself" which indicates that He has faith in your ability to accept the
gift, to embrace it with all of your heart, and to return the favor by offering a gift of
yourself. This research aims to tackle how this mantra impacts the selected students in
the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in their daily lives and practices.

According to Fabito et al. (2023) students in the Philippines face a variety of

difficulties, such as unclear module materials, poor internet connectivity, a lack of
guidance and motivation from teachers, financial difficulties, psychological stress, a lack
of learning resources, an excessive workload, conflicts with household chores,
individual factors, and a subpar learning environment. Students' determination and self-
confidence are frequently put to the test by the demands and daily hardships of
academic life. Through investigating the effects of the mantra "God has Entrusted Me
with Myself" on the selected participants' daily lives and practices, this study seeks to
understand how an affirmation with a religious basis can help the students overcome
obstacles in their academic lives, create perseverance, and create a feeling of purpose
and self-trust.

The mantra "God has entrusted me with myself" was popularized by the ancient
Greek philosopher, Epictetus. Epictetus was a well-known Stoic philosopher in the 1st
and 2nd century AD. Despite being born in slavery, he later gained his freedom and
success and became a prominent teacher of Stoic philosophy.

Epictetus is widely recognized for his teachings on ethics, personal responsibility,

and the nature of human freedom. The mantra "God has entrusted me with myself"
abridges his Stoic philosophy, which is centered on the relevance of accepting what is
within one's control and what is not.
 In the context of the given mantra, the phrase mirrors Epictetus' belief that each
individual has been given by God the free will, autonomy, and control over their own
thoughts, actions, and attitudes. It accentuates the idea that true freedom and fulfillment
come from being a master of his own self and living in accordance with reason and
virtue. In furtherance, the mantra also intends the individual's duty to navigate their
existence, maximize their potential, and make choices knowing that they have been
entrusted by God the supreme being with the precious gift of themselves.

The self-affirmation intervention study performed by Escobar-Soler and Berrios

(2018) focused on the comparison of the outcome of academic performance among
college students with and without engagement in the self-affirmation intervention. They
determined that Self-affirmation exercise participants improved grades; especially when
they faced problems or unexpected stress in their academic path.

The "Mind over Matter: Exploring the Academic and Personal Impact of
Embracing the Mantra ‘God has Entrusted Me with Myself’ in Daily Practice" thoroughly
examines the effects of adopting the mantra "God has entrusted me with myself" in
everyday life. This research intends to delve into both academic and personal domains
to comprehend how this mantra shapes individuals' perspectives, behaviors, and overall
well-being. By examining the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral implications of this
mantra, the study endeavors to illuminate its potential to bolster self-efficacy, resilience,
and academic performance. Furthermore, it aims to explore its broader implications for
personal growth, spiritual advancement, and the cultivation of a sense of purpose and
agency in individuals' lives.

RATIONALE

The proposed study aims to investigate the academic and psychological impact
of daily practice with the mantra "God has entrusted me with myself" when researchers
themselves serve as both participants and data sources. This unique approach allows
for an in-depth exploration of the immediate and extensive effects of embracing such a
spiritually-grounded affirmation on academic performance and personal development.
The rationale for this research emerges from a growing interest in understanding the
complex interplay of spirituality, mental attitude, and self-empowerment in academic
and personal contexts. While existing literature offers insights into the benefits of
various mindfulness practices, affirmations, and self-reflection techniques, there
remains a gap in knowledge regarding the specific impact of integrating a spiritually-
based mantra like "God has entrusted me with myself" into daily routines.

By engaging in a 21-day self-observation study, the researchers-turned-

participants provide a valuable firsthand perspective on how this mantra influences their
academic endeavors and personal growth journey. This approach allows for real-time
data collection and analysis, offering immediate feedback on the efficacy and feasibility
of incorporating such practices into daily life. Furthermore, this research contributes to a
deeper understanding of the role of spirituality and faith-based affirmations in shaping
individuals' attitudes, behaviors, and outcomes. Exploring how embracing a sense of
divine trust impacts researchers' mindset, decision-making processes, and overall well-
being can offer valuable insights for individuals seeking to cultivate resilience,
motivation, and a sense of purpose in their lives.

Moreover, this study seeks to elucidate the potential academic and psychological
benefits of embracing the mantra "God has entrusted me with myself" through a unique
research design where researchers serve as participants. By drawing on their own
observations and experiences, this research aims to provide actionable insights for
individuals seeking to harness the power of spirituality in their pursuit of academic
success and personal growth.

RESEARCH GAP

Despite numerous studies and literature investigating the impact of various

affirmations, self-reflection techniques on academic and personal development, there is
a significant research gap regarding the specific effects of adopting a spiritually-based
mantra such as "God has entrusted me with myself" implies a deep sense of personal
responsibility in daily life, particularly within the cultural and educational context of the
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

This research aims to:

1. Explore how integrating spiritually-based mantras into daily affirmations can influence
the mindset, motivation, self-esteem, and overall well-being of students in the cultural
and educational context of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM).

2. Take a unique approach by enlisting researchers in a self-observation study to

explore the immediate and long-term impacts of using this mantra on academic
achievement, resilience, and self-efficacy

3. Highlight the importance of conducting a focused investigation into the role of

spiritually-oriented affirmations in altering people's attitudes, behaviors, and outcomes,
as this will provide valuable insights for those looking for holistic techniques for personal
development and academic achievement.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In determining the impact of the mantra “God has entrusted me with myself” on
the academic performance and psychological well being, the researchers will answer
the following research questions:

1. What changes in study habits, productivity levels, and overall achievements occur
over 21 days of self-observation with the mantra "God has entrusted me with myself"?
2. How does the mantra "God has entrusted me with myself" influence the participants’
personal growth and self-efficacy?
3. How do emotional states such as stress, anxiety, motivation, positivity, and gratitude
fluctuate during the participants’ self-observation with the mantra?
4. What behavioral patterns, including decision-making processes and self-care
practices are influenced by the mantra?
OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the academic and psychological impact of

embracing the mantra “God has entrusted me with myself” towards the daily
experiences of third-year Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English students in
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila enrolled in Building and Enhancing New Literacies
Across the Curriculum. Specifically, this study aims:

● To examine how the mantra "God has entrusted me with myself" affects
academic performance by documenting changes in study habits, productivity
levels, and overall achievements over 21 days, through researchers' self-
observations.
● To explore the influence of the mantra "God has entrusted me with myself" on
the personal growth and self-efficacy of the participants.
● To track emotional states such as stress, anxiety, motivation, positivity, and
gratitude and understand how embracing the mantra impacts emotional well-
being through continuous self-observation.
● To uncover the behavioral patterns influenced by the mantra "God has entrusted
me with myself," including shifts in decision-making processes, goal-setting
behaviors, interpersonal interactions, and engagement in self-care practices.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study aims to benefit the following entities:

Teachers. This study intends to give educators important insights into how
including spiritually-based mantras into daily affirmations affects students' thinking,
motivation, self-esteem, and general well-being. Recognizing how these affirmations
affect students allows teachers to alter their teaching approaches and build a supportive
classroom climate that promotes not only academic improvement but also
comprehensive personal development through interactive educational experiences.

Students. The findings of this study will assist students by providing them with
valuable abilities for their future efforts. Students can improve their entire well-being by
investigating the impact of spiritually-oriented affirmations on academic success,
resilience, and self-efficacy.

Institution. The study's findings will benefit educational institutions such as

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and others. Educators and administrators
may apply these findings to improve the learning experience in their schools, resulting in
a more lively and engaging educational environment.

Future researchers. This study adds to the body of knowledge in education by

investigating the function of spiritually oriented affirmations in influencing student
attitudes, actions, and results. Future researchers can use these findings to do more
study into cooperative learning methods and holistic tactics for personal growth and
academic accomplishment.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

In the study done by Saptatingsih & Permana, (2019), character development
with increased faith and devotion to God as well as noble character of educating the life
nation is said to be able to help kids develop not just admirable character traits but also
boost their performance in the classroom. High levels of emotional and spiritual
development are indicative of good character in children, and they are also capable of
stress management better supporting them to enhance their physical well-being.
Therefore, the researchers of this want to investigate how the chosen pupils in the
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila are affected by the religious mantra in their day-to-
day activities.
 According to the research conducted by Fabito et al. (2023), there were three
main issues found that were obstacles faced by students at one private university in the
Philippines. : poor internet connectivity, unfavorable study conditions, and difficulties
explaining concepts to academics. An MS Forms Pro survey was used to find out what
the students' experiences were with online learning. Between March 16 and March 18,
2020, 300 people responded to the survey. According to descriptive statistics, the top
three obstacles and difficulties faced by students were as follows: 1. the challenge of
getting clarification on subjects or in discussions with the instructors, 2. the absence of a
workspace or study place for engaging in online activities, and 3. insufficient Internet
speed to engage in online activities. It might be said that neither the teachers nor the
students were totally ready for fully online instruction. Overall, there are many
challenges that students encounter in their studies, including unclear module materials,
inadequate internet connectivity, psychological stress, financial hardships, a lack of
guidance and motivation from teachers, an excessive workload, conflicts with household
chores, individual factors, and a subpar learning environment that subject students'
determination and self-confidence to be put to the test by the challenges and everyday
struggles in their academic life.

Gilbertson et al. (2022) findings on their study emphasize the significance of

taking into account spiritual challenges and closeness to God in addition to other factors
usually looked at in higher education environments during the first year of college in
order to promote wellbeing, mental health, and a sense of belonging. Furthermore, their
research shed more light on the protective function that a deep relationship with God
plays against the detrimental impacts of spiritual difficulties on the results that first-year
college students face during this crucial time.

According to an article published by Desk, Toi Lifestyle (2024), the mantra is to

believe in helping people awaken their inner spiritual energies. The article emphasizes
the importance of incorporating this mantra into daily meditation practices to enhance
mindfulness and promote overall well-being. The repetition of the mantra, starting
early in the morning and losing oneself to the concentration of the mantra, helps
people be more focused and at ease at the same time. And thus, it is said that the
Gayatri mantra purifies not just the person who chants it but also spreads positive
energy around that person. It is proving the effectiveness of the mantra in not only
improving individual well-being but also creating a ripple effect of positivity in the
surrounding environment. It would be more efficient if a person would dedicate a
specific time each day to chant the Gayatri mantra, allowing for a deeper connection to
its spiritual benefits. Chanting the mantra during this time increases its power and
effectiveness, as the mind is naturally receptive and uncluttered. Additionally,
combining the chanting with deep breathing exercises can further enhance the overall
experience and impact of the practice.

In such a manner, mantra could be a significant tool for students looking to

improve focus and concentration during study sessions. From research conducted by
Dr. K. A. Manoj Narayanan and Dr. N. Venugopalan. (2018). The mantra is concerned
with the sun; it is also called the Savir mantra. In the Vedas, it was explained that
students should perform the chanting of the Gayatri mantra before their formal
studies. This ancient practice has been shown to not only calm the mind but also
increase cognitive abilities and memory retention. Additionally, the mantra emphasizes
that chanting increases the blood supply to the areas of the brain that are significantly
concerned with memory. By incorporating mantra chanting into their daily routine,
students may find themselves better equipped to excel academically.

In the context of the given mantra, Epictetus believes that each individual has
been given by God the free will, autonomy, and control over their own thoughts, actions,
and attitudes. According to Santos (2014), freedom in the context of stoicism implies
that we control our choices and actions. Epictetus as a Stoic Philosopher argues that
freedom belongs to all humans and not just to a sage. In line with this, according to Del
Valle (2023), the Stoics believe in the existence of free will but they also acknowledge
that there are limiting factors to it such as fate and divine providence. Moreover, the
Stoic sees free will as the individual's ability to make choices in accordance with
virtuousness. To cut the chase, Epictetus' concept of free will pushes us to live a
fulfilling and meaningful life by means of achieving our goals.
 In correlation, the mantra "God has entrusted me with myself" also compels us to
be a master of our own self. It intends us to live a life of reason, purpose, and virtue.
According to Johnson (2014), Epictetus depicted individuals as actors with roles on the
cosmic stage. He argues that each individual has a manifold obligation may it be as a
friend, teacher, counselor, employee, or citizen. The said manifold obligation is the fruit
of humans' admiration for God and their desire to preserve the gift. In line with
Epictetus' depiction of humans as cosmic actors, he also asserted that individual must
navigate their existence, maximize their potential, and make choices knowing that they
have been entrusted by God the supreme being with the precious gift of themselves. In
sequence with the study, Epictetus clarified that, in reality, humans still play a more
challenging role as compared to stage actors. Epictetus explained that while the roles of
stage actors are frequently pre-determined, living individuals must sometimes need to
work just to discern their roles. For humans, they need to select their roles, which is
crucial because once they select the wrong role, they will not be able to play it well.
Hence, they will fail not just in the fantasy stage but even in the realistic realm. As a
proposition, Epictetus suggests for one to know themselves. For self-knowledge is
requisite to goodness. If one knows himself, he will be able to select a role that aligns
with his ambitions, volition, and professional pursuits.

According to the study of Ampofo, E. & Owusu-Osei, B. (2024), the academic

performance of students is heavily mediated by their academic ambition and effort. The
study suggests that when such variables are present, there is a high probability for
students to perform credibly well. Hence, parents must compel their children to be
academically ambitious and work hard to achieve the said ambition.

In consonance with the semantics of the mantra, it also considers the limiting
factors such as divine providence. While the mantra pushes us to navigate our
existence, maximize our potential, and be a master of our own selves, it also
acknowledges that some external events are just out of control. Hence, individuals must
learn to accept and leave it before God in order to reach tranquility. According to Graca,
Lidia & Brandao, T. (2024), positive religious/spiritual coping mechanisms were
associated with more psychological well-being. In line with the study, it also denotes the
belief in fate, the support and protection of God, and the ability to make prayer requests
as a coping mechanism in the middle of acute or extreme stress are important
predictors of students' academic and psychological success. In furtherance, the study
conducted by Ghazali, et.al. (2014) also revealed that the combination of faith and
spiritual routines has helped Huffaz students manage the academic stress, anxiety, and
depression that they have experienced.

A study conducted by Patel et al.(2022) extensively studies the effectiveness of

mantra meditation in stress management and mental well-being. In the controlled
experiments, regular practitioners of mantra meditation were observed in relation to low
cortisol, which is the primary stress hormone, and high subjective well-being . It implies
that gayatri mantra chanting as part of a daily mindfulness exercise is a powerful
element in stress management and improved mental status.

In light of the above, given the definition and approach to mantra chanting in the
clinical environment presented by Singh and Verma (2021) , the Gayatri mantra can be
safely confirmed as an effective means for mitigating and reducing symptoms of
depression and anxiety. Post-intervention, the participants with diagnosed mood
disorders indicated significant reductions in their depressive and anxious symptoms,
which were further confirmed during follow-up assessments. The long-term
improvements in mood and overall improvement of the psychological well-being of the
recipients suggest that the application of the Gayatri mantra matched within
psychotherapeutic modalities may offer a holistic and long-lasting way of addressing
mental health problems.

A study by Escobar-Soler and Berrios (2018) conducted a self-affirmation

intervention study to evaluate students' academic performance at the college level. The
research design involved comparing the outcomes of the individuals who attended the
self-affirmation intervention and those who did not. The researcher, however, found out
that the students who carried out the self-affirmation activity showed a remarkable
grade improvement, especially during times of challenges and unexpected stressors in
their academic journey.

According to Sherman et al. (2009), a self-affirmation strategy in the interventions

was meant to assess if it could help students who are experiencing academic trouble,
such as stress, with their academic performance. Students coming out of such
programs demonstrated better academic grades than those without being engaged in
the programs. This way, the strategies may be validated as very efficient in managing
academic stress and, in the end, improving academic results.

In addition, Bandura (1997) emphasized that self-efficacy beliefs have a principal

impact on the processes of motivation, behavior, and academic achievement. Having a
sense of self-efficacy, which is described in Bandura's work on self-efficacy, they are
more resistant, they make more ambitious plans, and they use their problem-solving
skills efficiently to make the difficulties smaller. Thus, students get an ideal setting for
better learning and personal growth. The research conducted by Bandura pointed out
that transmitting an individual self-efficacy belief to students and other people
constitutes a critical factor that determines their academic performance as well as the
way they live.

METHODS

This study employed qualitative research and phenomenology as the

methodology for investigating the academic and psychological impact of embracing the
mantra “God has entrusted me with myself” in daily life. The researchers' observations
serve as a crucial research method in this study, providing rich qualitative data that
offers detailed insights into their subjective experiences with the mantra "God has
entrusted me with myself." Through journaling their experiences over a 21-day period,
participants offer both immediate and extensive perspectives on how engaging with the
mantra impacts various aspects of their lives. These observations involve self-reflection
and self-reporting, allowing participants to critically evaluate their own experiences and
provide subjective interpretations. This part of our study includes study design,
participants and sample size, data gathering, interview questions, and data analysis and
technique.

STUDY DESIGN

The study’s primary goal is to understand the potential academic and

psychological impact of the mantra on the participants. Hence, the appropriate
approach that will be used by the researchers is qualitative.

Qualitative research is based on the social sciences and focuses on people and
their social situations (Bryman, 2004). It focuses on knowing, experiencing, interpreting,
and constructing social reality, including individual and group meanings, interpretations,
practices, behaviors, and social processes.

The researchers have chosen a qualitative research design, specifically a

phenomenology approach. According to Braun and Clarke (2013) and Sokolowski
(2000), phenomenology is the study of people and their experiences, especially how
they make sense of real-life events. Perception and conversation about certain things or
events are what phenomenology is all about. This approach was deemed most
appropriate for this study because it allows researchers to delve into participants'
thoughts and feelings through in-depth reflections, thereby better understanding how
they internalize and live by the mantra over the course of 21 days.

PARTICIPANTS AND SAMPLE SIZE

 This study was conducted at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. The
researchers selected a group of students in the Bachelor of Secondary Education major
in English, Third Year, Block 1.

To gather sufficient and accurate results, the researchers used the

phenomenological approach to gather their data. The researchers served as both
participants and data sources. They underwent a 21-day daily journaling process to
share their first-hand experiences and observations regarding the academic and
personal impact of incorporating the mantra “God has entrusted himself to me” in
spiritually-based affirmation into their daily lives. The method that the researchers chose
was the phenomenological approach, a qualitative method used to explore and
understand individuals' subjective experiences of a particular phenomenon.

Moreover, in phenomenological studies, the number of participants typically falls

within a reasonable range. Research by Francis et al. (2010) suggests that as few as 10
participants can suffice to achieve thematic saturation, and Creswell (2013) indicates a
range of 3–25 participants for a phenomenological study. This focus on a smaller group
allows for richer data collection through detailed self-reflection and journaling, as the
emphasis in phenomenology is on in-depth exploration of lived experiences.
Furthermore, each researcher brings a unique worldview shaped by their life
experiences. This worldview acts as a lens through which they interpret and make
meaning of the mantra.

DATA GATHERING

In the conducted study, data was extracted through the observations of the
researchers of their own experiences over a span of three weeks or 21 days. According
to Dudovsky (2024), an observation is a data collection method by which you gather
knowledge of the researched phenomenon through making observations of the
phenomena as and when it occurs.
 Each researcher-turned-participants maintained a journaling notes where they
documented their daily activities, thoughts, emotions, and reflections related to the
practice of the mantra "God has entrusted me with myself." According to Hayman et al
(2012), journaling is used in phenomenological research studies to record participant
day-to-day experiences in their natural contexts. These observations encompassed
various aspects of their academic life and psychological well being.

Moreover, over the period of 21 days of embracing the mantra, the researchers-
turned-participants meticulously journaled their daily experiences to examine how the
mantra influences them across four distinct categories: academic performance,
personal growth, emotional well-being, and behavioral patterns. Participants responded
to the provided questions in the journaling notes tailored to each aspect, facilitating
reflection and review of their observations. To streamline data collection and
organization, a Google Drive folder serves as the repository for completed journal
forms. A designated folder spanning from April 16 to May 6, 2024, was established to
systematically record the data for each day, ensuring efficient management and
analysis of the accumulated insights.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Over the course of 21 days, the participants were instructed to answer the
questions provided in the journaling notes given to them. The researchers utilized open-
ended questions to extract the researchers' observations of their own experiences of
embracing the mantra. Open-ended questions encourage exploration of a topic; a
participant can choose what to share and in how much detail. Participants are
encouraged to give a reasoned response rather than a one-word answer or a short
phrase (Rosala, 2024).

Each researcher accomplished a journal where they document their thoughts,

emotions, and reflections related to the practice of the mantra "God has entrusted me
with myself." These observations will encompass various aspects of their academic life
and personal growth such as:
A. Academic Performance - “How has embracing the mantra "God has entrusted me
with myself" influenced your study habits, productivity levels, and overall academic
achievements during the past 24 hours?”

B. Personal Growth - “In what ways have you noticed changes in your self-efficacy as a
result of practicing the mantra "God has entrusted me with myself" today?”

C. Emotional Well-being - “How do you think they are influenced by your engagement
with the mantra "God has entrusted me with myself"?”

D. Behavioral Patterns - “Reflect on any specific decisions or actions you made today
that you attribute to embracing the mantra "God has entrusted me with myself." How do
you perceive these behaviors in relation to your overall personal growth journey?”

DATA ANALYSIS METHODS AND TECHNIQUES

In analyzing the data collected from the ten (10) participants’ journal entries,
thematic analysis was utilized as the methodological approach for this study. According
to Braun et al. (2006) thematic analysis is a qualitative research method used to
identify, analyze, and report patterns or themes within a dataset. In thematic analysis,
the researchers systematically organize and interpret textual data, aiming to discover
meaningful patterns and insights through a process of coding and categorization. Open
coding was also employed in the study. It’s used to simplify the respondents' answers
into words or phrases based on their responses to the open-ended questions
(Khandkar, 2009).

Furthermore, to ensure a comprehensive analysis of the study, the researchers

sought advice and guidance of experts regarding the answers of the participants in
their individual journal. According to Laustsen et al. (2021) the involvement of
professionals may make the research more beneficial for practice and increase the
legitimacy of the research project.
RESULTS

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS