The Life Space of Man and Animals

(These series of articles are reflections on a module on the religious vows of chastity, obedience and poverty. These vows are not only limited to religious life and they can be lived out spiritually even by non-religious. I will deal with these topics in four installments.)
The life space of man and animals reveal survival and developmental strategies that enable them to cope with the changes and events in their overall environment. That is, in maintaining and establishing relationship to the same species and using present biologically relevant things like shelter, nourishment and protection. Animals have instinctive abilities that help them cope with the changes in the environment. They have built-in moderation that keeps them within what is needed. Human beings, on the other hand, have insight and freedom that help them determine and protect themselves from the excesses of instinctive needs or urges.

The Spirit of Chastity

One of the coping abilities of animals to its environment is gregariousness which is expressed in two forms: to belong to the same group and/or to mate. In humans, their life space is marital love and/or relationship to the same species or group. The latter corresponds to living life in the spirit of (or vow) of chastity among the religious and privately consecrated lay. It aims to imitate Christ for the sake of the kingdom of heaven as sign of the future world, as source of more abundant fruitfulness in an undivided heart and perfect continence in celibacy.
(The spirit of chastity is also possible between married couples and this can be expressed in their faithfulness to each other and to their marital vows: to love each other in sickness and in health ‘til death do they part).
To live this out in a community, let us consider the Filipino culture, which reveals three degrees of relating. The first is “Pakikitungo or salamuha” where the relationship is casual, temporary, or acquaintanceship. If there is a chance of growing or entering into the second stage which is “pakikilahok, pakikibagay or pakikisama”, there is already a degree of involvement. The third stage already involves the individuals fully into the relationship. It is described as “palagayang loob, sangkot at isang loob or ganap na pagpasok”.
On reflection, my casual and significant relationships reveal to what degree am I able to allow others to enter into my inner self. A deeper look reveals more importantly, however, that this ability to establish intimacy in my relationship or relationships with others is a consequence of my intimacy with the Lord. It is this intimacy that reveals oneness with Him.