Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, Vol. 3, No. 4, November 2015 Part I _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 74 P-ISSN 2350-7756 | E-ISSN 2350-8442 | www.apjmr.com Love, Truth, Peace and Death as Extolled by Selected Literary Philosophers: Inputs in Understanding Spirituality as a Transformative Agent of Society Maria Luisa A. Valdez, Ph.D. Batangas State University, ARASOF Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines maluhvaldez888@gmail.com Date Received: August 16, 2015; Date Revised: September 20, 2015 Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Vol. 3 No. 4, 74-82 November 2015 Part I P-ISSN 2350-7756 E-ISSN 2350-8442 www.apjmr.com Abstract -This qualitative study analyzed the selected works of the Christian mystics St. Augustine, St. Anselm, and William Blake as well as those of the Oriental mystics Confucius, and Rabindranath Tagore pointing out events and situations on how mysticism is reflected in their works. Likewise, this study tried to present how these identified literary philosophers extolled the meaning of love, truth, peace and death which serve as inputs in understanding spirituality as a transformative agent of the society. The selected writings consider the direct union of the human soul with the Divine through contemplation, meditation, prayer and love as the end of these mystics’ philosophy. For in these selected prose and poetry manifest their mystical attitude and the spiritual truth that the meaning of human existence is the mindful and enlightened manifestation of love as the core of human life and the divine supreme law that guides humanity. The spiritual manifestations of human existence find their noblest expressions and exemplifications on their lives and works. There surfaces a unifying thread interwoven in all their works which centers on the constant and balanced yearning of men to be united with the Divine. These inputs serve as a new paradigm in understanding spirituality as a transformative agent of society. Keywords: Confucius, St. Augustine, St. Anselm, Rabindranath Tagore, Spirituality, William Blake INTRODUCTION Much has been written on spirituality by theologians and on society by social anthropologists andsociologists, but slight effort has been made to ponder on the interrelationship of these two dimensions and to give thought on the significance of spiritual ideas and practices, while, in turn, such thoughts and praxis may serve as a compelling catalyst of societal transformation. The dawning of the twenty-first century seems to herald a dramatically declining spirituality among people. This waning of the vital virtuousness in men may be due to doctrinal errors, spiritual pride, self- admiration and an inordinate desire and attachment to worldly things.Thus, it is very timely to contemplate on the life-changing possibilities of spirituality within the present social condition. Spirituality is a vague term which denotes what was well thought-out by earlier Christians as devotional piety. However, it is a trans-religious term which is used in diverse ways like Christian spirituality, Buddhist spirituality and prophetic spirituality, to mention a few. Galloway considered it as the inner life’s journey and highlighted that this journey is shaped by the conditions of the cultural, gender, political, racial, religious and social contexts in which people live. Rolheiseracknowledged that every person has spirituality, since everyone is stimulated by desire. He averred that spirituality is about what people do and how they channel their deep desire. The habits and disciplines they decide on to live by and the values they adhere to, will either direct them to a greater harmony or discord within their minds, bodies and souls, and in their relationship with others, with the universe and with God. His connotation signifies that spirituality is not a product or service which people can opt for to consume or dispose of. Rather, it centers on an affinity with the life beyond people’s individualism which shapes who they will be [1]. Mysticism is a particularly focused part of spirituality and the mystics aim at and believe in the attainment of the art of union between spirituality and reality [2]. It is the art or science of the spiritual life,