Albert Einstein

Again, I must say I like this writing. I do identify myself as a Christian, but since I was 12 years old, I have had this devout love for science as well. It has made my faith feel stronger at times, whereas it has also made me feel as if God might not be real. Reading Einstein's words kind of make me feel as if it is okay to believe in religion but also have a huge basis of my belief in science. I feel those same emotions toward science that he stated of a scientists religous beliefs: That they are completely intrigued by natural law. I LOVE figuring out the exact chemical response and psychological reasons that make humans the way they are. I guess I am coming to the conclusion that God gave us science and curiousity to explore these mystical beings by which we call 'life.'

franz kafka

When I read this writing, all I could think of is how ironic all of his sayings were true. It's kind of like, we are the hand that holds ourselves down, but without that hand, we would not be free, either. I really like this because in every situation, I think that peace can be found, if you are true to why you are doing things.

Philo

This writing was so cool. I really liked it because there are so many times that I am driving down the street and admiring how beautiful a pink or purple flower is all by its lonesome in the middle of a brown field. I always feel so lucky that God gave us all of these wonderful creations; that God gave us eyesight to take in all of these wonders; the senses just to ignite in us passion for life. To know him, is of the wisest nature. I truly believe that when you let down your guard and let Him in, you are filled with the most abundant happiness and laughter.
I just wish I could get back to that...

The Hermetic Writings

First off, I have to say, "Wow." That writing was extremely emotional for me toward the end, and I am not too sure why. Maybe it is because "God is all around" as the writing reads. Lately I have been questioning my belief in Him, mainly because of the election. And then listening to the audio of Julia Sweeny on Wednesday's meeting. After hearing that, I walked around gloomy for the rest of the day. No joke. Reading this entry in the text though, was sort of a pick me up... something that I needed. "Wanting to know God, is the road that leads to God..." (34) this quote is so true to me, and others might disagree. But I feel that if you want to KNOW Him, then you will walk the path. If you do not want to know God, then ignoring that path will lead you away from Him.

Al-Muhasibi

This selection is almost comparable to the wise Muhammad's words (to me). The opening quote is exactly what I was referring to in my last post. If a man does not love, he does not see. He does not have wisdom because he has not experienced heartache. That brings me to one of my favorite quotes, in the book, Les Miserable. "Those who do not weep, do not see." ONce you have had your heart broken, and your spirit broken, you realize that there is knowledge to be had. I feel that you can not acquire this knowledge, however, without God. God is good. But funny in that he will not just 'show you the way.' Especially if you have pride. Man can not be happy if he walks through life thinking he is the one who is responsible for himself. If man has the love of God, he will let the pride down and accept true beauty of the world and another man's heart into his world.

Muhammad

This is a great entry, I really feel that it defines to a TEE what religion is actually about. Surrendering yourself to your God is what will serve as direct obedience to the Christian God. Everyone has such a problem doing this, but when they do, it is Divine happiness; although I have done this before, my will and pride speak so much louder than this. I think that this is human nature, however. When you surrender to the will of Him, you appreciate life so much more, everything is more colorful and beautiful. When you let your pride get the best of you and it wins you over, it is so easy to become bitter and angry at the world. This is conveyed through critical thinking in Muhammad's words in his scripture.

Tzu-Ssu

I really enjoyed this post; mostly because I am sure to always help anyone out when and where ever possible. I feel that the whole entry can be summed up into one word: Integrity. Integrity is to do the right thing when no one is watching. I honestly believe that if you only do the right thing when people are watching, then you are superficial, and you are doing it for all of the wrong reasons. Who cares what others think of you? I mean, yes, on some grounds I do care, but that spectrum is only present when it comes to me behaving like a lady in public--everyone has boundaries, right? But seriously, I do know people that only do good things (and this is anywhere from placing money in the offering plate at church to not giving someone a dirty look) when other people are around. But if you were to get them alone, or ask them about their personal style, they would tell you that they are very much the opposite of what meets your eye.

I am saddened for these people; for these people are the ones who do not get to experience the greatest gift and feeling of all: The feeling of personal merit. The greatest gifts are giving back, and knowing that you put a smile on some one's face, or encouraged them, ANYTHING... it is just the best feeling EVER. Money could never replace that feeling for me. I love people, and I love helping mankind. However, I honestly believe that compassion and empathy are both learned behaviors. So, if you don't naturally feel the way I do, don't worry, practice makes perfect!

Pai-Chang

This post is exactly what it says in the prelude: Short and sweet. I honestly feel that this is what the Buddhists are trying to convey themselves. That nothing should be over analyzed or taken too seriously, and that you should bless any and everything that you come in contact with. Appreciate him or her, plant or animal, stone or building. You need to have inner peace before you can try and make anyone else happy; This is something that we all must face on a daily routine. If we ourselves are not happy, then how is it even possible that we can conceive the IDEA that we can please anyone else, let alone make them happy?

Being at peace within yourself is not just a state of mind, and thinking that all is good around you. You have to KNOW that everything is there for a reason and to be able to smile, and find the good in any situation that you are presented with. I just recently came back to that place after many years, of what (at the time) seemed like the right way, and now I have come, I dont know, 'full circle' on my immaturity and realized that I was serving myself for my own purpose; putting my change in the offering bin on Sundays was my way of pretending. But now, I am humbled by man and all of the vast creations that He has given us.... are you?

Shmelke of Nikolsburg

I have always believed in the saying, “Do unto others, as you would want to have done to you.” This reading put stifling validity behind that belief of mine. I have been known in my family to have the least amount of patience ever granted upon man (seriously, I have like, none), and yet I have always been able to treat all people as human, no matter what the circumstance. At times, however, my patience is most definitely tested and it is hard to treat some people as I would want to be treated. I feel that God is the only one who can judge a person, as does the message behind the literature in this assigned reading. But I do feel that at times, God will test us to see if we remember who the all knowing and powerful One is, so that we do become obedient and willful children of his. This reading reminds me to be patient and still move forth with loving all people no matter what. Lately I have been struggling to remember that all men and women are made from one, just like me, so this reading is just what I needed. Kind of puts my attitude in check and although I am quite the passionate person when it comes to certain things I believe in (Like politics and art), just because people do not agree with the same thing as I do, it does not give me the right to pass judgment on them or their families. I do not do this with religion, however. I was on facebook the other day and there is this stuff called ‘flair.’ It is basically computer generated buttons and the one I found says, “Jesus loves you, but I am his favorite.” And two days after that I was having a conversation with someone and she basically said the same thing to me about people who worship other gods. So, to sum this up, if you did not read this one, I most definitely suggest doing so. Totally worth it.

The Bible

After reading the selection from the Bible that we had been assigned to read, I felt compelled to write. Lately I have been really feeling spiritual, and I am not sure if it is because I am taking this class or if it is because God is working his magic in my life; something that I have been dying to have over the past few years. I do not think it was by chance that I am taking this course (well, obviously I registered for it, but I did not think I was going to get from it, what I am already), and at the same time in my art appreciation class, coming across the picture of the Crucifixion that I posted in my last blog.
I really enjoyed this reading because right now I have chaos in my life, and, as Jason said in class, there truly is another meaning behind God creating the world, and it being ‘good.’ This reading reminded me that no matter what problems I have in this life, and at this point in time, He is there to see me through it and I can rest assured that everything will be ‘good.’ It is like, nothing matters [to me] except God, and my relationship with him will never falter and for so long, I have put other things ahead of him, and our relationship. This epiphany, or experience, or what ever it is that you would call it, has been amazing. I am absolutely in love with the thought that I am getting back to my faith. I prayed for God to show himself to me and I honestly feel from the bottom of my heart, this is how he is doing it; through our world religions class, my art appreciation class and most definitely this weeks assigned literature.

Grünewald, Crucifixion

People say this is one of the most difficult picture of Christ to view... I agree. I was studying this piece in my art appreciation class today and it was so moving that I had to literally cover the picutre. The one in my text actually shows hints of blue, informing the viewer that rigor mortis has set in, indicating that he has been dead for a few days. What do you think?

Ramana Maharshi

In the assigned reading of Ramana Maharshi, I discovered that I like this one the best of the three from this week. I read it undistracted, which I liked. It brings me again, however, to the point that the Hindus really focus on the self as the main point in their religion. I think that before anyone can truly get anything from these readings, they themselves have to figure out who they are and what self means to them. Then study the Brahman and the Atman and be able to identify within themselves which is which from a Hindu perspective. I liked that toward the end, the speaker is using analogies to describe what it is like to want and need God. It is true, from a Christian stand point, anyway, that to need God is to be standing neck deep in water and still feeling thirsty. This has been my experience, anyway.
These old writings are what really makes me believe in religion; the fact that we (people in general) have the experiences that we (they) do, spiritually speaking, and taking a look back on these publications and scriptures that we have been assigned to read, and knowing that our ancestors had the same experiences… how could someone deny that religion does exist?
It sort of gives me the chills; this is not even my religion that we are discussing here, but a respectable one still, and to know that in other religions the followers feel as passionately about their God as I do mine is just astounding to me. It amazes me and really makes me thankful for mankind. I can not really explain why it makes me feel this way, but, it really does. All people are beautiful and so is life and I really like how this reading discusses that.
Moral Fiber is something that is huge with me, and when this reading is discussing the “dreamers waking up before the dreamer” (195), it is just an act of selflessness that I strive for on a daily basis. I feel that being selfless and forever giving is the direct pathway to heaven.

Shankara

I liked this reading; it follows almost exactly what I was talking /blogging about in my previous posts about the Upanishads. What I like about the Shankara over the Upanishads is that it discusses in more detail the self and without actually saying it, the Brahman and Atman are the two selves I was discussing in my previous post. Just in greater detail. The Brahman would be the one that is connected to surroundings and environment; where the individual would determine who they are through what their environment entails; not saying that they would not appreciate everything in their life, because as everyone should know, the Hindus are all about loving life and everything in it… being at peace with their environment might help them into the after life. Although I am wondering right now and trying to jog my memory… is this Buddhism or Hinduism? I know that Buddhism started from Hinduism that is why I am a little confused? Because do the Hindus not have Gods? And the Buddhists are the people who are ‘Zen’ within themselves and their environment?
Anyway, the Atman was the spiritual self that I was talking about; the one that is in touch within themselves and other people. The Atman, to me, is interpreted to be the one who has cravings, and is not always able to resist temptation; which makes sense considering being in touch with yourself and really knowing who you are, you have to go through these types of things, or battles… depending on what your own life entails… I guess that is why I put that the Atman is either the cravings or the part of a personality that can not resist temptation. Either way, I feel that the Atman is the little voice in our heads that regulate our mind or like I said before, cravings/temptation.

Upanishads

When I read the assigned reading from the selections of the Upanishads, I was taken back to my philosophy of self and personhood course taught by Professor Haproff in the spring of two thousand six. The first question that we studied in the course was, “What is Self?” “Who determines self? Or what, rather, determines self?” This is the exact selection that we read before answering that question from a philosophical stand point. I did not really like reading the Upanishad selections because most of the time I had to re-read them; I am a very fast reader, with a great comprehension level, but it is hard to really absorb and read into the Upanishads when reading only once, and fast.
All of that being said, reading this selection again and having the experience in my previous philosophy class that I render, I would like to propose that everyone ask themselves the above questions while reading this. “What is the self and who determines it? What determines self?” The conclusion I have drawn from the selection assigned to us, is that the Hindus believed that they are one with the earth; that there are two different selves: one that is enclosed in the body that is the spirit, has the emotional and spiritual connection with God and beings. The other self is contained within all other living things (not other humans…) found on earth. Each of these selves experience different things throughout life, which gives the person as a whole perspective and meaning, as well as fulfillment. These two different selves bring peace of mind and complete the person.
I did find similarity between Hinduism and Christianity in the selection; talking about knowing God is for fools. He is a great and mysterious wonder and to have knowledge but still fear and love at the same time is wise. (Not exactly what was said, but it is my interpretation…)

Chief Seattle

This reading was moving—moving in that it made me a little sad. The tone is melancholy, so like I said in my previous post, that really paints a picture for me. I liked this piece. I liked it because of the imagery that Chief Seattle uses to describe the people in his tribe, and ‘The Great Spirit.’ I agree with the Chief because the European people did just move in and take over their land and no matter what they said, the settlers still segregated the ‘red brothers’ from the white ones. Can you imagine what your life would be like if you were established in your ways and had values and traditions, and invaders come into it and ripped your world to shreds? That is what the Europeans did to the Native Americans. When I visited Seattle this summer, I took a tour of the Space Needle, and, I was told the story of how the city was named. Chief Seattle’s name was actually something else, and the Europeans wanted to make peace with his tribe once he passed away, so they were going to name an island after him. His tribe then told the Europeans that it was disrespectful to mention his name after death because it prevented his spirit from resting in peace; the name Seattle was given because Sea- was the prefix of his original name, and the –ttle, well, they didn’t really tell us why that was the suffix. Reading this however makes me not really appreciate that story as much as I did when I heard it. I thought it was great that they did that; now that I have read his actual words and feelings, I am sort of asking myself, “Did that really make the settlers feel like they redeemed themselves?” I can’t help but feeling a little irritable after reading the pain in his words. At the beginning, the introduction asks if any white man can read Chief Seattle’s speech without shame—I sure can not.

Sa-go-ye-wat-ha

I really enjoyed the reading. I am not typically someone who enjoys reading, however, because I do not really have an active or vivid imagination, but because I could feel the passion through the speaker’s voice (Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha), I imagined him standing in a council like setting, kind of like a courtroom, and speaking with no fear of possible repercussions. Because of this, a painting of the setting was now visible to me in my mind. Standing up to the new settlers is something to be admired, especially in that point/period in time, when the Europeans were taking over the land. I was able to truly feel his bravery through his speech. I agreed with what Chief Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha was saying. I think he was more representing his people and culture rather than just speaking and standing up for what was right by his people. I was able to really tell that he truly believed in everything he was saying. I would probably be the same way if I lived in those times. Having someone come in and take over everything you know and then try and force their system of beliefs on you and your people is frustrating at the very least, which is most understandable, but also kind of inhumane. When he was talking about the Europeans first settling, he and his people considered them to be friends. Imagine the confusion that he and his tribe must have experienced when being betrayed! I found that Chief Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha’s idea on being demanded to practice Christianity a just one. After causing all of the pain and confusion, or suffering, to him and his people, now they are trying to force them to practice Christianity? So I agree with Chief Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha. Leave them to practice their beliefs because he and his tribe are able to be happy that way.