I think I'll stop at this post regarding love as most good things end in three: three hot dogs, three drinks, three mice (whom may even be blind), and three wives.
A few definitions first, generally psychologically ascribed:
Intimacy: Intimacy is a intellectual and connective bond. This can be a man finding friendship with a man, a woman, his dog, his childhood tree fort, or lucky sock. Intimacy is the connective force that draws, generally, people together to share themselves
Passion: Passion is usually sex or physical love but shares a connection with the physical sensation.
Keep these two distinguished terms separate as when I mean intimate relationship I don't necessarily mean sexual relationship.
I suppose my entire point of discussing love and my views is to convey a sense of the end of suffering and a push for all that is the opposite of suffering. Love is one of the strongest emotions that humans can express and feel yet coupled with this strong emotion is loss or the sense of loss, jealousy. In our western Christian society love is meant for one person and one person alone and it is forbidden to share love with any other as this is adultery. Bullocks I say!
I've personally found that the expression of love and interest creates suffering and harm even in an innocent fashion. As an example, lets suppose a husband and a wife exist (no way!). The husband meets an amazing woman at work and they begin to talk and discover they have a really close bond but truly nothing happens. The wife will assume that the husband is having sex with this new woman even when the husband discusses to the contrary. So what we have here is the suffering of the woman's jealousy and distrust. Also the suffering of the husband for being denied to see or be close with this other woman. Lastly is the suffering of the woman whom is essentially chastised if not actually than metaphysically for being friends with the wife's husband.
From the perspective of the wife: "I can't believe that tramp is trying to get with my husband. What does my husband see in her? Am I not good enough for him? I bet their sleeping together." So from this perspective there is all kinds of suffering. The wife experiences anxiety, jealousy, clinging (remember that?), and self-inadequacy. Why does the wife need to put herself through all this. After all, her husband has told her that nothing is going on. Obviously she does not trust her husband and is wrought with grief from her own self-inadequacies. Marriage is a union of peoples with mutual trust and love so naturally the husbands words should be enough to soothe the wife. Anything else means that trust is absolutely not part of the union. Perhaps the trust issue isn't with the wife's husband but with this tramp, this hussy, this slut of a woman trying to tempt her husband. Why does this trust issue occur? In this hypothetical situation lets assume that truly and honestly the woman seeks only friendship from the husband and has made no moves whatsoever. The wife in this case has absolutely no reason to not trust the woman yet she does. Suffering is created in the head of the wife and is not necessary.
From the perspective of the husband: "I love my wife and I found a woman who shares my intellectual (yeah right, an intellectual man... now I'm pushing it) thoughts and shares a loving bond with me. There is no passionate interest between me and the woman and I tell my wife this, why must she mistrust me so?" Suffering is created by the husband based on his wives issue with trust. The husband may even assume that he truly is doing something wrong and that his new found love of a friend is somehow wrong. Thus the husband may retract his friendship or be wary to seek friendship with other females. The man will deny part of himself in the process to satiate his wife. This part of himself will fester away with the suffering.
From the perspective of the woman: "I really like this man; hell I love this man. I am glad him and I can be close friends without sexual desires getting in the way. It is nice to share intimate feelings and be close with our interests." The suffering for the woman is mostly internal. She knows the wife does not trust her and this causes internal strife and worry that conversations with the husband are causing problems. Further suffering is created when the husband tells her that his wife makes comments about their friendly and loving relationship.
This scenario is one of many but I feel exemplifies my whole ideal of free love the best. A man or a woman has the absolute universal right to seek the least amount of suffering. This obviously only works with honorable and truthful individuals as honesty itself is a path of least suffering. I may blog about that subject in the future. If the husband tells his wife that nothing is going on and that they share a bond than the wife needs to be understanding and comfortable with her husbands intimate friendship with another woman. Of course, in my personal beliefs, the same can go for passionate relations too as long as both couples are honest and sincere about what is going on.
To many, I think, this all may seem like an elaborate way to sleep around but truth be told its all about seeking love and passion while we live on this planet. Love is all around us and I firmly believe that we should all seek it out! Love one person for your life? That is the most tragic thing I can think of and I do mean this most sincerely. I seek intimacy from men and women and passion when I feel intimately connected enough with a woman.
In our western culture I feel that the intimacy and passion has taken a sinister turn to the point that innocent intimacy has turned into an atrocity.
Please don't go out and sleep around on your spouse. That is not the message I am conveying. You made an oath to your spouse to be faithful to only them so keep it! Integrity and honor is part of the pursuit of harmony and lack of suffering, too. The message is this: please find your path of happiness and your reduction of suffering. Work out the root of the reason that causes jealousy, trust issues, self-inadequacies, etc. Work out these problems and flourish in love! Find your path to harmony and share love with the world.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Clinging
I think this relates to love in a sort of way so I will continue my "however-many-long" segment on love.
As a forewarning. This whole post is going to make you think I'm a heartless monster. Maybe I am.
Clinging is something we all do in general. We cling to our car, our jobs, our puppies, our food, and our loved ones. A question I commonly ask myself is "what good does all this clinging bring us?" The obvious answer is comfort and joy when we are with whatever we cling to. Ya know how it goes when you're in your car with your dog eating a burger and just everything is great. Lets assume you crash and lose your puppy, your car, and god forbid your burger and you are unscathed. Of course losing the puppy is a bad thing I mean this is the loss of a life! What a horrible thing. However, we're oh so often used to clinging to things far to much and do not allow us to get over the loss as quickly as we should (more on this down below). Furthermore, your car is gone too! You've had this car for so long and you absolutely loved it and now its gone! PLUS THE BURGER IS SPLATTERED ON THE WINDSHIELD!!! Now you're left with sorrow for your puppy, regret for your car, and absolute starvation for your burger.
Some of my clever readers (all three of you ha-ha) already know what I am getting at. The result of clinging is loss and suffering. Suffering is no good at all. the reduction of clinging directly is attributed to the reduction of suffering at loss. I think the best way to do this is sort of through reverse-clinging - a sort of pre-understanding that everything will go and pass us by. I think to myself now; perhaps morbidly, that someday my dog is going to die and that I'm okay with that (Hypothetical dog, I don't have a dog). This is where I can see your face a gasp at me saying that. Of course I don't want my hypothetical dog to hypothetically die and certainly there is grief and mourning to be done for the passing of such a furry beast. Thats besides the point. The point truly is that coming to terms with the passing a way to reduce clinging and thus suffering.
That subject I find to be quite difficult. We all lose people and animals. It is hard - I guess I don't have much of an answer for that. Lets move on for now. What about the car. Your first car that got you through your late high school years, through college, and through many years in your career. This car has seen a lot and spent many good and bad nights with you. You have slept in your car and camped out of the back of your car. The car kept you safe through the coldness and the hotness - and now it is gone. What good is it to have all this clinging to a material object? What if the object weren't a car but something else; perhaps a necklace? The necklace gets stolen and you then feel victimized and feel loss for something of sentiment. Ah-hah! There is the word that is entirely clinging, sentiment!
Something with a sort of sentiment is an object that holds a value beyond its intrinsic existence. This band of gold on my left ring finger is more than a band of gold because it was given to me with a certain oath. If I lose it I will certainly get flak from my betrothed and also feel guilty and regret for losing it. Lets say I don't lose it, then what? Well I live constantly with fear that maybe I will lose it. Even if I am not thinking about it there is always the nagging thought somewhere rattling around. Symbols are fine, sure, but when such a sentiment is placed on an object than it creates suffering both during loss and while the object is around. I think this circles around to developing a pre-understanding that an object will be departed. My car is someday going to reside in a junk heap and then reincarnate as an entirely different structure. This gold ring is nothing more than a band of metal. If I lose it than it is gone.
Now, to the most important aspect, the burger. There you are on the side of the road. Weeping for your puppy, struck with awe from your car and with a rumbling belly. Well... this is a biological occurrence. You'll always be hungry. I'm not saving you from this! Take what I've said and apply it to your mortal food gratification!
As a forewarning. This whole post is going to make you think I'm a heartless monster. Maybe I am.
Clinging is something we all do in general. We cling to our car, our jobs, our puppies, our food, and our loved ones. A question I commonly ask myself is "what good does all this clinging bring us?" The obvious answer is comfort and joy when we are with whatever we cling to. Ya know how it goes when you're in your car with your dog eating a burger and just everything is great. Lets assume you crash and lose your puppy, your car, and god forbid your burger and you are unscathed. Of course losing the puppy is a bad thing I mean this is the loss of a life! What a horrible thing. However, we're oh so often used to clinging to things far to much and do not allow us to get over the loss as quickly as we should (more on this down below). Furthermore, your car is gone too! You've had this car for so long and you absolutely loved it and now its gone! PLUS THE BURGER IS SPLATTERED ON THE WINDSHIELD!!! Now you're left with sorrow for your puppy, regret for your car, and absolute starvation for your burger.
Some of my clever readers (all three of you ha-ha) already know what I am getting at. The result of clinging is loss and suffering. Suffering is no good at all. the reduction of clinging directly is attributed to the reduction of suffering at loss. I think the best way to do this is sort of through reverse-clinging - a sort of pre-understanding that everything will go and pass us by. I think to myself now; perhaps morbidly, that someday my dog is going to die and that I'm okay with that (Hypothetical dog, I don't have a dog). This is where I can see your face a gasp at me saying that. Of course I don't want my hypothetical dog to hypothetically die and certainly there is grief and mourning to be done for the passing of such a furry beast. Thats besides the point. The point truly is that coming to terms with the passing a way to reduce clinging and thus suffering.
That subject I find to be quite difficult. We all lose people and animals. It is hard - I guess I don't have much of an answer for that. Lets move on for now. What about the car. Your first car that got you through your late high school years, through college, and through many years in your career. This car has seen a lot and spent many good and bad nights with you. You have slept in your car and camped out of the back of your car. The car kept you safe through the coldness and the hotness - and now it is gone. What good is it to have all this clinging to a material object? What if the object weren't a car but something else; perhaps a necklace? The necklace gets stolen and you then feel victimized and feel loss for something of sentiment. Ah-hah! There is the word that is entirely clinging, sentiment!
Something with a sort of sentiment is an object that holds a value beyond its intrinsic existence. This band of gold on my left ring finger is more than a band of gold because it was given to me with a certain oath. If I lose it I will certainly get flak from my betrothed and also feel guilty and regret for losing it. Lets say I don't lose it, then what? Well I live constantly with fear that maybe I will lose it. Even if I am not thinking about it there is always the nagging thought somewhere rattling around. Symbols are fine, sure, but when such a sentiment is placed on an object than it creates suffering both during loss and while the object is around. I think this circles around to developing a pre-understanding that an object will be departed. My car is someday going to reside in a junk heap and then reincarnate as an entirely different structure. This gold ring is nothing more than a band of metal. If I lose it than it is gone.
Now, to the most important aspect, the burger. There you are on the side of the road. Weeping for your puppy, struck with awe from your car and with a rumbling belly. Well... this is a biological occurrence. You'll always be hungry. I'm not saving you from this! Take what I've said and apply it to your mortal food gratification!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Music
From a chemical standpoint I often wonder how music affects the body and how it affects the mind. I am personally a firm believer that with the proper personal subjective mood that music can sway any attitude and action. I think first we need an example to really prove this point. Go to the following video and listen to this music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75hvC506VYI
Yep, the music is from a video game (art and music + video games more to come in a later post). The music is calming, soothing, relaxing... if you are open to the theme of the music you will probably be soothed by it. The music is steady and sorrowful so it imparts a certain mood.
Now please follow me into my brain... and I realize this is a scary endeavor I ask but do not fear. I am going to a complex musical theory place that involves chemistry and neuroscience. I'll try to explain as my thoughts come.
First, sound is produced by atomic masses colliding, which cause disturbances in nearby atomic masses such as air through which sound waves travel. When atomics collide they make a sound, which then releases the wave in which we audibly detect. So my initial question is: how does sound affect carbon-based biological forms such as ourselves? None, really. The sound waves and vibrating gaseous particles affect us only in the sense that our bodies stop the wave.
I guess to jump forward I'd like to discuss dancing and rhythmic movements. Why do people dance and what causes action through music? I really do believe that atomic particles moving around our persons in certain ways do actually affect our mood, our movements, and our attitudes. Of course we have that pesky "human will' that was given to us so we really can control how we feel at a particular moment regardless of music. However, as I mentioned before, what if our composure were different? What if I were ready to relax and felt the need to put on some music to adjoin my mood. If I listen to the previously posted clip of music I may be more interested in actually reaching relaxation.
So to the next point, which is actually prior to the previous paragraph (I know, confusing huh... going all Tarantino on you...). Sound waves collide and affect our sound receptors, which are transmitted via electrical signal to our brain that interprets what we hear. As we understand chemical/electrical transmissions is as the following: sound waves affect our ear drum, which is picked up through internal ear processes and transmitted as signals via chemical transmissions that is in turn passed on via neural pathways. The auditory portion of the brain must then make sense of these sounds but how and why exactly does it process music? Why do somber tunes make me somber in attitude and mood or relaxed?
I'm going to be blunt and bold I suppose in this next statement. As a forewarning, I am not a doctor and am not credible as any source for this statement: this is only my opinion. Specific tones of sound waves affect our auditory processes differently causing the release of various chemicals based on the sound tone. Somber tones and music quality relate directly to brain patterns and my change in mood. If I am ready and willing for these tones I am essentially telling my body "hey, its totally okay to let your guard down so please release X chemicals in addition to what you hear." So to put it scientifically (hey, piss off by the way, I'm a science major!) being receptive to certain moods allows for the chemical processes to be strengthened based upon the individual sound wave patterns through interception via atomic collisions.
Woah... I heard it. I am actually posing the theory that sound wave structure affects the way that chemicals are thrown across the synapses and in specific quantities. I don't have a way to prove this... I can only state a hypothesis. However, I'm right (at least I'm convinced). Listen to this clip (another video game, piss off).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jCvfEYHLVQ&feature=related
How does it make you feel? Probably not energized and amped up to participate in a triathlon. At a complex theory, each and every note even down to per millisecond directly changes our mood. Our brain is constantly making adjustments to decide "what the fuck is going on here." We're constantly assaulted by noise and music, at times, which affect us at all times. Go to a screamo show and you'll probably leave all amped up and/or angry (for whatever reason, it works).
So I suppose I digress slightly. When it comes down to it what I am really trying to say is that every tone changes how we feel whether we resist it or not. The physical transactions between colliding atomic particles and our person, which affects chemical interactions and electrical signals ultimately changes our atomic disposition towards how we are. Yep. I have arrived at this point. Music changes who we are.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75hvC506VYI
Yep, the music is from a video game (art and music + video games more to come in a later post). The music is calming, soothing, relaxing... if you are open to the theme of the music you will probably be soothed by it. The music is steady and sorrowful so it imparts a certain mood.
Now please follow me into my brain... and I realize this is a scary endeavor I ask but do not fear. I am going to a complex musical theory place that involves chemistry and neuroscience. I'll try to explain as my thoughts come.
First, sound is produced by atomic masses colliding, which cause disturbances in nearby atomic masses such as air through which sound waves travel. When atomics collide they make a sound, which then releases the wave in which we audibly detect. So my initial question is: how does sound affect carbon-based biological forms such as ourselves? None, really. The sound waves and vibrating gaseous particles affect us only in the sense that our bodies stop the wave.
I guess to jump forward I'd like to discuss dancing and rhythmic movements. Why do people dance and what causes action through music? I really do believe that atomic particles moving around our persons in certain ways do actually affect our mood, our movements, and our attitudes. Of course we have that pesky "human will' that was given to us so we really can control how we feel at a particular moment regardless of music. However, as I mentioned before, what if our composure were different? What if I were ready to relax and felt the need to put on some music to adjoin my mood. If I listen to the previously posted clip of music I may be more interested in actually reaching relaxation.
So to the next point, which is actually prior to the previous paragraph (I know, confusing huh... going all Tarantino on you...). Sound waves collide and affect our sound receptors, which are transmitted via electrical signal to our brain that interprets what we hear. As we understand chemical/electrical transmissions is as the following: sound waves affect our ear drum, which is picked up through internal ear processes and transmitted as signals via chemical transmissions that is in turn passed on via neural pathways. The auditory portion of the brain must then make sense of these sounds but how and why exactly does it process music? Why do somber tunes make me somber in attitude and mood or relaxed?
I'm going to be blunt and bold I suppose in this next statement. As a forewarning, I am not a doctor and am not credible as any source for this statement: this is only my opinion. Specific tones of sound waves affect our auditory processes differently causing the release of various chemicals based on the sound tone. Somber tones and music quality relate directly to brain patterns and my change in mood. If I am ready and willing for these tones I am essentially telling my body "hey, its totally okay to let your guard down so please release X chemicals in addition to what you hear." So to put it scientifically (hey, piss off by the way, I'm a science major!) being receptive to certain moods allows for the chemical processes to be strengthened based upon the individual sound wave patterns through interception via atomic collisions.
Woah... I heard it. I am actually posing the theory that sound wave structure affects the way that chemicals are thrown across the synapses and in specific quantities. I don't have a way to prove this... I can only state a hypothesis. However, I'm right (at least I'm convinced). Listen to this clip (another video game, piss off).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jCvfEYHLVQ&feature=related
How does it make you feel? Probably not energized and amped up to participate in a triathlon. At a complex theory, each and every note even down to per millisecond directly changes our mood. Our brain is constantly making adjustments to decide "what the fuck is going on here." We're constantly assaulted by noise and music, at times, which affect us at all times. Go to a screamo show and you'll probably leave all amped up and/or angry (for whatever reason, it works).
So I suppose I digress slightly. When it comes down to it what I am really trying to say is that every tone changes how we feel whether we resist it or not. The physical transactions between colliding atomic particles and our person, which affects chemical interactions and electrical signals ultimately changes our atomic disposition towards how we are. Yep. I have arrived at this point. Music changes who we are.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Importance & Reality
Reality, purpose, and the whole importance of it all is something that has been on my mind lately. Being what I consider an "educated fool" I seem to take what I know and weave it with what I feel for some uniquely odd results. I am a science major so my chief studies focus on how the world works, what makes up the world, and what is likely to happen to said world. My beliefs walk the line of spiritual non-existence, existence, and unity.
Ideally if my belief structure had to be classified it would be one that is almost wholly Buddhist with some serious pieces of Taoism. To the uninitiated this means I'm all about oneness, togetherness, and the firm stance that we're all the same - literally the same. Yet I also straddle a line that all of this is wholly real yet none of it is actually in existence. Of course the floor I'm on is a floor and I am sitting in a chair that is atop the floor. These are the rules of this reality but it truly is a floor and yet something more and nothing, too.
Usually people look at me kind of strange when I say things like that. I always pose the question "How do you know it's there; because you can feel the wood grains, the coolness of the floor, the hardness of its form, and each imperfection?" Perception is a form of reality but there is so much more to it. I usually ask if they can sense the insensible? The billions of atoms within even the smallest portion of wood floor - I can't sense all these individual pieces at all or tell that they are moving at all but the atomic structure is there, right? We know this because we are told that it is there but how can one be sure?
I'm being silly and really am detracting from the subject. I'm not renouncing physics and chemistry I'm merely stating that what we sense doesn't necessarily mean anything at all especially in terms of reality. So back to the subject. I firmly believe that we're all the same but I tend to take my knowledge and fuse it with my beliefs. Not only do I believe that all life is tied together I also believe that all objects and all matter is precisely the same. Each individual atom makes up the glass table this computer sits on similar to how each atom makes up my person. They are different in the way in which you could quantify an atom. Two atoms side by side are different atoms but they are the same so what exactly is the difference?
Ahh! Yes the difference; the difference is the space in which the atoms occupy. Lets use an example of my human body. I am me and all four limbs are me but what makes it all me? Connective tissues made of... atoms. Atoms bound together - yet this bonding is not really important in the scale of the atom itself. They all exist and wriggle separately yet to the same beat. So in essence, I am not me because I am really nothing. I am an innumerable pile of atoms buzzing around trying to balance out this body. So yeah, I am absolutely an entity and a being. I am real and I am here but... I'm not anything, either.
I also stated that we're all the same, too. When I'm in a crowded bar (yes, I am this guy) I will usually feel out the room and look at what makes up the physical structure of the bar but also look at the interactions of each person both to me and separate from me. Its all a very intricate dance of these atoms just wriggling with no rhyme or reason. The reason is nothing and the purpose is chaos. I sit at the bar with my drink and feel the energy in the room. I'm the girl with the first date; I'm the man playing darts with his buddies; I'm the bartender just waiting to get out to shoot up some smack; I'm the spider solitary and waiting in the vent; I'm also the vent, the stool, the bar, and the window.
Now... when I first mentioned purpose I could mean many things. Divine purpose, cosmic purpose, individual purpose - but what I really mean is the absence of purpose. I really dislike the ideal of a purpose. A purpose means there is a plan and design to this all but that just is not me whatsoever. We weren't put here for a purpose and there is no purpose to achieve. No greater power or lesser evil pulling at our strings to do certain things. We are men, we are women, we are animals, and we are nothing. Let us all drink to the coexistence and unity of our struggle through this wriggling existence.
Sometimes I try to be inspiring especially when it comes to purpose. You see as I said purpose implies a reason to exist and an inherent design. I really find it funny and pretty selfish to assume there is a design and there is a purpose at all! Wholly I believe that we all have it in each of us to be brilliant but I think too many peoples beliefs hold them back. If you believe you are here for a reason - built to achieve - than you will feel crushed and disheartened when you fail. Why think of a purpose when we all have what it takes to be absolutely everything. I know I know this is contradictory to what I said earlier. Not only are we absolutely nothing - just pieces put together in random coincidence - we also are everything. With random sets of matter also comes with the absolute that matter is. Be brilliant in our vast greatness and combined unity with the universe. We are the children of the cosmos so our purpose is to push the greatness of existence to the boundaries! Each of us owes it to each other (remember: the same beings) to push each other as high up as we can go.
I'm going to end it here. Sort of climactic I suppose but that is where I like to stop. Think about it. Get back to me with your thoughts....
Ideally if my belief structure had to be classified it would be one that is almost wholly Buddhist with some serious pieces of Taoism. To the uninitiated this means I'm all about oneness, togetherness, and the firm stance that we're all the same - literally the same. Yet I also straddle a line that all of this is wholly real yet none of it is actually in existence. Of course the floor I'm on is a floor and I am sitting in a chair that is atop the floor. These are the rules of this reality but it truly is a floor and yet something more and nothing, too.
Usually people look at me kind of strange when I say things like that. I always pose the question "How do you know it's there; because you can feel the wood grains, the coolness of the floor, the hardness of its form, and each imperfection?" Perception is a form of reality but there is so much more to it. I usually ask if they can sense the insensible? The billions of atoms within even the smallest portion of wood floor - I can't sense all these individual pieces at all or tell that they are moving at all but the atomic structure is there, right? We know this because we are told that it is there but how can one be sure?
I'm being silly and really am detracting from the subject. I'm not renouncing physics and chemistry I'm merely stating that what we sense doesn't necessarily mean anything at all especially in terms of reality. So back to the subject. I firmly believe that we're all the same but I tend to take my knowledge and fuse it with my beliefs. Not only do I believe that all life is tied together I also believe that all objects and all matter is precisely the same. Each individual atom makes up the glass table this computer sits on similar to how each atom makes up my person. They are different in the way in which you could quantify an atom. Two atoms side by side are different atoms but they are the same so what exactly is the difference?
Ahh! Yes the difference; the difference is the space in which the atoms occupy. Lets use an example of my human body. I am me and all four limbs are me but what makes it all me? Connective tissues made of... atoms. Atoms bound together - yet this bonding is not really important in the scale of the atom itself. They all exist and wriggle separately yet to the same beat. So in essence, I am not me because I am really nothing. I am an innumerable pile of atoms buzzing around trying to balance out this body. So yeah, I am absolutely an entity and a being. I am real and I am here but... I'm not anything, either.
I also stated that we're all the same, too. When I'm in a crowded bar (yes, I am this guy) I will usually feel out the room and look at what makes up the physical structure of the bar but also look at the interactions of each person both to me and separate from me. Its all a very intricate dance of these atoms just wriggling with no rhyme or reason. The reason is nothing and the purpose is chaos. I sit at the bar with my drink and feel the energy in the room. I'm the girl with the first date; I'm the man playing darts with his buddies; I'm the bartender just waiting to get out to shoot up some smack; I'm the spider solitary and waiting in the vent; I'm also the vent, the stool, the bar, and the window.
Now... when I first mentioned purpose I could mean many things. Divine purpose, cosmic purpose, individual purpose - but what I really mean is the absence of purpose. I really dislike the ideal of a purpose. A purpose means there is a plan and design to this all but that just is not me whatsoever. We weren't put here for a purpose and there is no purpose to achieve. No greater power or lesser evil pulling at our strings to do certain things. We are men, we are women, we are animals, and we are nothing. Let us all drink to the coexistence and unity of our struggle through this wriggling existence.
Sometimes I try to be inspiring especially when it comes to purpose. You see as I said purpose implies a reason to exist and an inherent design. I really find it funny and pretty selfish to assume there is a design and there is a purpose at all! Wholly I believe that we all have it in each of us to be brilliant but I think too many peoples beliefs hold them back. If you believe you are here for a reason - built to achieve - than you will feel crushed and disheartened when you fail. Why think of a purpose when we all have what it takes to be absolutely everything. I know I know this is contradictory to what I said earlier. Not only are we absolutely nothing - just pieces put together in random coincidence - we also are everything. With random sets of matter also comes with the absolute that matter is. Be brilliant in our vast greatness and combined unity with the universe. We are the children of the cosmos so our purpose is to push the greatness of existence to the boundaries! Each of us owes it to each other (remember: the same beings) to push each other as high up as we can go.
I'm going to end it here. Sort of climactic I suppose but that is where I like to stop. Think about it. Get back to me with your thoughts....
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Quantum States - A Daily Analysis
My heterosexual life mate and I were talking about quantum states and the act of deciding or making decisions. Now some of you know that I am a being of chaos but even I have my solidifying states in which I really must have my firm constants. My friend is even more chaotic than I in which he would rather have things more quantum and chaotic than even myself.
A little explanation is due. This all started with a basic decision on what video game he was to play. He was recently attempting to play a game and it would freeze frequently unduly making the game unplayable - yet this was on my Playstation and not his. I told him to try it on his and see if it works. Essentially the quantum state is that it does not work on my Playstation and that it does work on his yet the act of not doing it leaves the process in a forever looped state of not working and working at the same time. If he plays the game on his Playstation and it works than the event as a whole is no longer quantum but concrete. If it fails; still, the event is no longer quantum and concrete as a failure. I haven't talked to him today to see what came of it but knowing him the event is still in a quantum-chaotic state.
What happens if we apply this to other situations? What about asking a girl out... to ask her out and she says no or yes the matter is no longer quantum. To not ask her out the matter lies in uncertainty and at that point it is the ideal of possibility. This happens all the time in which you go through interactions with people and may wonder "What happens if I ask them out, right now? would they say yes? would they say no?" What if you just don't (and probably most likely) don't ask them out than the whole situation is both and neither at the same time. The whole situation is yes and no and also non-existent at the same time.
Quantum stuff is weird though. It is far too easy to say "You oaf!! Look here you, if you don't ask her out than you just never asked her out! It can't be both and neither at the same time!" Of course it can, that is the fun with quantum states. Although, I am a little too affirmative and capricious to leave things quantum. I'll act on an impulse to find a certainty. I'll ask the girl out because the possibility and the quantum state alone will drive me weird. I must have the no and I must have the yes - not either or neither!
What if she says maybe?! Oh gods, then what? Well, I guess quantum states are meant to exist in some fashion or another!
A little explanation is due. This all started with a basic decision on what video game he was to play. He was recently attempting to play a game and it would freeze frequently unduly making the game unplayable - yet this was on my Playstation and not his. I told him to try it on his and see if it works. Essentially the quantum state is that it does not work on my Playstation and that it does work on his yet the act of not doing it leaves the process in a forever looped state of not working and working at the same time. If he plays the game on his Playstation and it works than the event as a whole is no longer quantum but concrete. If it fails; still, the event is no longer quantum and concrete as a failure. I haven't talked to him today to see what came of it but knowing him the event is still in a quantum-chaotic state.
What happens if we apply this to other situations? What about asking a girl out... to ask her out and she says no or yes the matter is no longer quantum. To not ask her out the matter lies in uncertainty and at that point it is the ideal of possibility. This happens all the time in which you go through interactions with people and may wonder "What happens if I ask them out, right now? would they say yes? would they say no?" What if you just don't (and probably most likely) don't ask them out than the whole situation is both and neither at the same time. The whole situation is yes and no and also non-existent at the same time.
Quantum stuff is weird though. It is far too easy to say "You oaf!! Look here you, if you don't ask her out than you just never asked her out! It can't be both and neither at the same time!" Of course it can, that is the fun with quantum states. Although, I am a little too affirmative and capricious to leave things quantum. I'll act on an impulse to find a certainty. I'll ask the girl out because the possibility and the quantum state alone will drive me weird. I must have the no and I must have the yes - not either or neither!
What if she says maybe?! Oh gods, then what? Well, I guess quantum states are meant to exist in some fashion or another!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Unpleasant Pursuits
Zen Buddhists subscribe to the avoidance of what is often referred to as unpleasant pursuits. I think this subject is something of a novelty because it seems so obvious, doesn't it? What kind of fool would pursue unpleasant things? This author, as an example, but so to do many people either willingly or unwillingly. The path is a bit more difficult than you may expect. The goal in terms of this line of practice is to identify suffering, become one with the suffering, and hopefully take remedial actions against the suffering.
Unpleasant pursuits refers to the pursuit of anything that creates suffering whether to the self or another. I suppose an example may help elucidate the practice and lets go as far as to use a personal example; after all, the point of practice is to identify suffering and become one with it. I pursue the affection of a woman and do quite often receive the desired affection. The unpleasant portion is that albeit the affection is in and of itself pleasant the pursuit really isn't due to the social status between us and what that means. Essentially, the affection and relations cannot culminate into any greater blossoming of intimacy and passion. Thus, the pursuit of affection regardless of the outcome creates suffering through the denial and objective way we disavow each other.
The remedial action is to stop the pursuit or at least come to terms with it. Holding in the sorrow or the suffering bequeaths suffering. To me the cure is to approach this woman and be honest and upfront about the turmoil inside.
Zen Buddhism from the way I understand it and practice it is not only to help assist with life and its many trivialities but to enjoy life wholly. Another type of unpleasant pursuit comes across on an everyday instance to all people. Consider the smallest of internal struggles such as to buy a coffee or to buy orange juice. Coffee will wake you up in the morning but may (at least in my case) make you feel guilty for consuming something that is not all that wholesome especially in respect to the orange juice! Being a health nut I do tend to feel guilty for partaking in certain food stuffs. Of course, coffee isn't all that unhealthy, truly, it still generates guilt - suffering.
How to cope: bring attention to it, be with the moment. When I feel my suffering I am at peace with it. I am immediately and wholly in the moment and I explore how I feel. A small bit of tightness in my chest, a shameful feeling in my head, tension in the back... this is the moment and this is my suffering. To me, being in the moment relieves the suffering as I realize "hey, this is trivial, what am I doing?"
I suppose the result of any unpleasant pursuit is to simply identify the pursuit this way the pursuit itself does not become an abstraction of what it truly is and is clearly in view. Keep in mind that unpleasant pursuits are wholly self created.
Sometimes unpleasantness cannot be avoided especially in some pursuits. As previously mentioned, I am a health nut. Today and yesterday as an example the days have been bright and sunny exceeding some pretty high temperatures. Yet, for some reason, I went for a long bike ride each day that spanned many miles. Of course I was hot and working hard, which isn't really pleasant. I was drenched in sweat and my muscles were cramped. Throat became dry and my clothes were sticking to me.
"This is precisely the moment for practice!" I thought. Being one with the moment and being present with my suffering (such a harsh word for such menial unpleasantness) I was able to really truly enjoy my time out. I was able to come to terms with being hot, sweaty, sticky, thirsty, and crampy then do something wondrous; set the suffering aside and enjoy what the day had to offer. The day was warm and sunny. I had a nice wind in my face from the ride and heard the birds and bugs. The sun made my skin warm and the wind tingled me. The birds and bugs were a nice tactile-auditory experience while the scent of summer was in the air. How could I complain, how could I possibly not fall in love - with the moment.
As I ride along I smile. I smile and wave to anybody and all. This is my zen and this is my paradise. It is this moment and it is here and now. This is my life with my suffering acknowledged and pushed aside while I clear my mind and enjoy right now.
Unpleasant pursuits refers to the pursuit of anything that creates suffering whether to the self or another. I suppose an example may help elucidate the practice and lets go as far as to use a personal example; after all, the point of practice is to identify suffering and become one with it. I pursue the affection of a woman and do quite often receive the desired affection. The unpleasant portion is that albeit the affection is in and of itself pleasant the pursuit really isn't due to the social status between us and what that means. Essentially, the affection and relations cannot culminate into any greater blossoming of intimacy and passion. Thus, the pursuit of affection regardless of the outcome creates suffering through the denial and objective way we disavow each other.
The remedial action is to stop the pursuit or at least come to terms with it. Holding in the sorrow or the suffering bequeaths suffering. To me the cure is to approach this woman and be honest and upfront about the turmoil inside.
Zen Buddhism from the way I understand it and practice it is not only to help assist with life and its many trivialities but to enjoy life wholly. Another type of unpleasant pursuit comes across on an everyday instance to all people. Consider the smallest of internal struggles such as to buy a coffee or to buy orange juice. Coffee will wake you up in the morning but may (at least in my case) make you feel guilty for consuming something that is not all that wholesome especially in respect to the orange juice! Being a health nut I do tend to feel guilty for partaking in certain food stuffs. Of course, coffee isn't all that unhealthy, truly, it still generates guilt - suffering.
How to cope: bring attention to it, be with the moment. When I feel my suffering I am at peace with it. I am immediately and wholly in the moment and I explore how I feel. A small bit of tightness in my chest, a shameful feeling in my head, tension in the back... this is the moment and this is my suffering. To me, being in the moment relieves the suffering as I realize "hey, this is trivial, what am I doing?"
I suppose the result of any unpleasant pursuit is to simply identify the pursuit this way the pursuit itself does not become an abstraction of what it truly is and is clearly in view. Keep in mind that unpleasant pursuits are wholly self created.
Sometimes unpleasantness cannot be avoided especially in some pursuits. As previously mentioned, I am a health nut. Today and yesterday as an example the days have been bright and sunny exceeding some pretty high temperatures. Yet, for some reason, I went for a long bike ride each day that spanned many miles. Of course I was hot and working hard, which isn't really pleasant. I was drenched in sweat and my muscles were cramped. Throat became dry and my clothes were sticking to me.
"This is precisely the moment for practice!" I thought. Being one with the moment and being present with my suffering (such a harsh word for such menial unpleasantness) I was able to really truly enjoy my time out. I was able to come to terms with being hot, sweaty, sticky, thirsty, and crampy then do something wondrous; set the suffering aside and enjoy what the day had to offer. The day was warm and sunny. I had a nice wind in my face from the ride and heard the birds and bugs. The sun made my skin warm and the wind tingled me. The birds and bugs were a nice tactile-auditory experience while the scent of summer was in the air. How could I complain, how could I possibly not fall in love - with the moment.
As I ride along I smile. I smile and wave to anybody and all. This is my zen and this is my paradise. It is this moment and it is here and now. This is my life with my suffering acknowledged and pushed aside while I clear my mind and enjoy right now.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Lonely Rock
(Internal dialogue as thought by a solitary rock on the side of a river).
Day in and day out I sit alongside this river; my love, my life. White and glistening I stand strong and timeless. What does it all mean, though? This soothing river washes over me and retreats; above my head then below my feet and back again. What is the purpose, though? I look onward to see all kinds of uprights; quadrupeds, bipeds, things with wings, and swimming beasts with no appendages whatsoever. Yet, here I sit still and forever unmoved.
I question my purpose, sometimes. I feel as if I am part of so much more yet I cannot sense it. No matter, really, as the now is all that really matters. The water rushes to my side and it tingles and tickles my sides. I can feel the sediments rubbing by and caressing me. The water rises and its inhabitants come to say, hello. They ask me why I sit here all day and night and just watch and ponder. I sit stolid and silent to their questions and bring forth a grin. Whole generations of these creatures go by from birth to death over and over again and they all ask the same questions: why?
To me it isn't the why, really, its the existential questions. What am I sentient for, as an example. Again it matters not. The water slowly goes back down to below my feet. This is the time that I see some truly odd behavior. I see some fury quadrupeds and they visit me sometimes. Everyday, though, a scaled-shelled quadruped that calls itself turtle. Turtle lays on my back and sits in the sun. We are speechless and seemingly timeless together. Turtle demands nothing and gives nothing yet I feel serenity within and ubiquity abound. Turtle leaves and arrives at its leisure - and that is wonderful.
Occasionally, I am ensnared by some very curious beings. These bipeds float down the river wearing all kinds of materials. For some reason they find it necessary to tie me up in rough sinewy strands to moor themselves ashore. They are noisy and boisterous and then it hits me. I see the purpose of it all; it must be utility and to serve as a helpful steward to all. Yeah, that must be it. I feel joy when these creatures rely on me to help them. They don't notice me, say thank you, or even take a second look at me. I say nothing to them and keep a smile on my face as I stand strong to help them throughout their adventure. Eventually they go, loud and absurd.
I am rock, I am solid. I stand alone and I stand timeless. I am alone but I am all and I am purposeful. I am also nothing and solitary. I am beside this river from the beginning of memory and will remain till the end of memory. I am every part of all beings and no part of anything. The only point I have to mention is to say hello next time you see me and you will be able to feel me smile for you have made my day.
Day in and day out I sit alongside this river; my love, my life. White and glistening I stand strong and timeless. What does it all mean, though? This soothing river washes over me and retreats; above my head then below my feet and back again. What is the purpose, though? I look onward to see all kinds of uprights; quadrupeds, bipeds, things with wings, and swimming beasts with no appendages whatsoever. Yet, here I sit still and forever unmoved.
I question my purpose, sometimes. I feel as if I am part of so much more yet I cannot sense it. No matter, really, as the now is all that really matters. The water rushes to my side and it tingles and tickles my sides. I can feel the sediments rubbing by and caressing me. The water rises and its inhabitants come to say, hello. They ask me why I sit here all day and night and just watch and ponder. I sit stolid and silent to their questions and bring forth a grin. Whole generations of these creatures go by from birth to death over and over again and they all ask the same questions: why?
To me it isn't the why, really, its the existential questions. What am I sentient for, as an example. Again it matters not. The water slowly goes back down to below my feet. This is the time that I see some truly odd behavior. I see some fury quadrupeds and they visit me sometimes. Everyday, though, a scaled-shelled quadruped that calls itself turtle. Turtle lays on my back and sits in the sun. We are speechless and seemingly timeless together. Turtle demands nothing and gives nothing yet I feel serenity within and ubiquity abound. Turtle leaves and arrives at its leisure - and that is wonderful.
Occasionally, I am ensnared by some very curious beings. These bipeds float down the river wearing all kinds of materials. For some reason they find it necessary to tie me up in rough sinewy strands to moor themselves ashore. They are noisy and boisterous and then it hits me. I see the purpose of it all; it must be utility and to serve as a helpful steward to all. Yeah, that must be it. I feel joy when these creatures rely on me to help them. They don't notice me, say thank you, or even take a second look at me. I say nothing to them and keep a smile on my face as I stand strong to help them throughout their adventure. Eventually they go, loud and absurd.
I am rock, I am solid. I stand alone and I stand timeless. I am alone but I am all and I am purposeful. I am also nothing and solitary. I am beside this river from the beginning of memory and will remain till the end of memory. I am every part of all beings and no part of anything. The only point I have to mention is to say hello next time you see me and you will be able to feel me smile for you have made my day.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Voluptas Humilis
I want to say one thing before I start on my post: I am not about to die nor have I been diagnosed with some horrible life-threatening something or another. The type of post below is usually posted by those terminal individuals whom are finding an attempt to cling on to what they have left - maybe they have the right idea and are being pushed through forced-enlightenment...
I've found personally; through Buddhist practice, that humility or the act of being humble is a joyous state of being. This is pretty common knowledge even to the layman. There is another part of humility that I think usually goes without saying but it really should be expanded upon - and that is pure compassion and warmth towards others and all life. I look at life in a whole new perspective and reverence to it all. By being humble I feel more connected with people, animals, and plants. To an extent I even feel in touch with inanimate objects and can feel its grace and sovereignty.
This realization came about this past holiday weekend as I sit near a lake over looking the water and feeling the slight breeze. I sat with one knee up and resting myself through my arm on my knee. Gently, a dragonfly landed on my elbow and I could see that it was looking right at me into my eyes. The dragonflies tiny head was cocked sideways right towards my face. We shared a moment together in that moment in time; the dragonfly and I.
I thought to myself "Wow, this truly is a remarkable thing, this moment I am sharing with this organism." I could not say how long we sat together both us creatures. Neither of us moved but in this serene moment I felt one with the dragonfly; one with the insect. I was no greater or lesser than this tiny bug. As I gazed into its two big eyes I felt as if it too were looking into my eyes and felt the same thing. This is union, this is God, this is heaven, this is everything. This is the planet we live on and we're all just resting on the elbow of something else.
I relish in the thought that we're all tied together. The interesting point is that most of the major religions do detail this aspect in one shape or another. Whether we are all God's creations under His domain, an everlasting swirl of life-energy full of rebirths and deaths, or that all is one and one is nothing yet profound and everything as per the Taoist way. Be that as it may, I implore you to seek out your moment and your compassionate time with the next thing that comes you way. Don't swat the fly or the mosquito - let it have its sit or its drink and enjoy the time you have with your brother or sister - your love and your life.
Keep in mind that this is all that there is. Cherish everything and love everything.
I've found personally; through Buddhist practice, that humility or the act of being humble is a joyous state of being. This is pretty common knowledge even to the layman. There is another part of humility that I think usually goes without saying but it really should be expanded upon - and that is pure compassion and warmth towards others and all life. I look at life in a whole new perspective and reverence to it all. By being humble I feel more connected with people, animals, and plants. To an extent I even feel in touch with inanimate objects and can feel its grace and sovereignty.
This realization came about this past holiday weekend as I sit near a lake over looking the water and feeling the slight breeze. I sat with one knee up and resting myself through my arm on my knee. Gently, a dragonfly landed on my elbow and I could see that it was looking right at me into my eyes. The dragonflies tiny head was cocked sideways right towards my face. We shared a moment together in that moment in time; the dragonfly and I.
I thought to myself "Wow, this truly is a remarkable thing, this moment I am sharing with this organism." I could not say how long we sat together both us creatures. Neither of us moved but in this serene moment I felt one with the dragonfly; one with the insect. I was no greater or lesser than this tiny bug. As I gazed into its two big eyes I felt as if it too were looking into my eyes and felt the same thing. This is union, this is God, this is heaven, this is everything. This is the planet we live on and we're all just resting on the elbow of something else.
I relish in the thought that we're all tied together. The interesting point is that most of the major religions do detail this aspect in one shape or another. Whether we are all God's creations under His domain, an everlasting swirl of life-energy full of rebirths and deaths, or that all is one and one is nothing yet profound and everything as per the Taoist way. Be that as it may, I implore you to seek out your moment and your compassionate time with the next thing that comes you way. Don't swat the fly or the mosquito - let it have its sit or its drink and enjoy the time you have with your brother or sister - your love and your life.
Keep in mind that this is all that there is. Cherish everything and love everything.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Ethnic Conflicts
Ethnic conflicts arise when differences occur between societies. Turmoil, resistance, and death are common-place between many ethnic groups. In some cases, ethnic conflicts are merely political and account for bad relations between the ethnic groups. However, as with the case between the people of Tibet and China, ethnic conflicts will result in the forcible removal of one group to another sector entirely. In the past, China invaded Tibet and mandated their culture and ethnic ideals on the people. The people of Tibet were forced out of the country as their ethnic ideals were vastly different than the Chinese. Although today the conflict has largely been deescalated animosity still exists between the two cultures. Tibetan Buddhists deported from Tibet desire their spiritual land and the Chinese government resists and uses the land for industry.
Social psychologists are able to identify commonalities and differences between ethnic groups. The goal is to identify and realize social arguments in an attempt to soothe the strife between ethnic conflicts. The process is often arduous albeit analyzed through fundamental methods. Identifying the way that each society conforms is one method to understand the needs of the people of each group. Conformity is important while analyzing ethnic conflicts to find ways to unite each group. Furthermore, determining how the relationship between each group and how social perception and social cognition relate to each of the groups. Understanding social cognition and social perception is important while analyzing ethnic conflicts to understand how each society thinks and how each perceives themselves and others. Without delving into social circumstances than the end result is impossible. The end result, of course, is finding a way to resolve ethnic conflicts between the groups and allow for harmonious coexistence – or at a minimum find a way to allow each group to live beside one another without extraneous altercations.
Conformity
Tibetan culture is heavily steeped in Buddhist traditions. To further analyze the Tibetan people we must understand some of the spiritual precepts followed by the people. Buddhists strive to observe five precepts, which ultimately help soothe suffering and woe (Powers, 2007). As a result of the abstinence of certain deeds and leading a life to reduce suffering, Tibetan people are often non-confrontational at least through direct physical means. Peaceful resolution is key and fundamental to Tibetan people. However, suffering or internal sufferings as a result of unpleasant change is absolutely against Tibetan Buddhist beliefs (Powers, 2007). As a result, conformity is a tough end for the people of Tibet. Tibetan people will not conform if the act of conformity results in an increase of external or internal suffering or sufferings. The primary hardship is that conforming to the Chinese government that occupies Tibet will create suffering as sovereignty and Tibetan freedom is quelled.
In contrast to Buddhist Tibetans, spiritual and religious institutions are not primary nodes of conformity (Zhang, 1994). Zhang (1994) suggests that Chinese adolescents conformity primarily lies within traditional familial bonds, educational ties, and societal duty. Analyzing Chinese adolescent conformity is important to determine likelihood of acceptance to other ethnic groups as adolescents represent the upcoming generation. To analyze research data by Zhang (1994) we can extrapolate and determine that Chinese adolescents are less likely to conform to non-traditional and non-societal value systems and are less likely to conform with spiritual or religious systems. Rather, Chinese adolescents, due to their belief system, will conform with tradition, family, and the unity of society (Zhang, 1994). Thus, the difficulty is Chinese ethnocentrism regarding other cultures, in particular the Buddhist Tibetans, due to Chinese deep-rooted familial rearing and societal obligations.
Social perception as a definition relates to inward and outward perceptions of social interactions between the self and the non-self. This can be understood as being the perception of how an individual relates to others but is used in the context of this essay as how an ethnic group as a whole perceives itself and how it perceives itself in relation to other groups. Social cognition is defined as the process in which social information is retrieved, stored, and applied; essentially social cognition is the thought process of social information (Shiraev, 2010). The link between social perception and social cognition in relation to each group is thus how each group understands social interactions and how each group perceives themselves and others as it relates to the use of social information.
As previously stated, Tibetan society is heavily founded on Buddhist beliefs. Social perceptions and cognition naturally following Buddhist foundations. Platt (1997) states that Tibetan Buddhists are pacifistic in nature and desire mediation and peace. Pacifism itself resounds strongly for social perception and cognition. Understanding social information from a pacifists point of view relates directly to conscious cognitive methodology to being non-conflict. The result is continued cognitive processes to be pacifistic. The self perception of peace and a pacifistic nature results in an radiance of social cognitive discourse to attempt to mediate and conflict (Platt, 1997).
To further understand the social perception and cognition of Chinese society we must first understand a little about socialism. Socialism is characterized by equality of all people in society and fairness towards all people. Although this model is quite useful for people within the society, socialism does not often favor outsiders as can be seen historically. The social perception of Chinese people is the ideal to work for everyone as all of society benefits from social work (Yan Miu Chung, 2009). Therefore, the cognition in place is that Chinese people gather, store, and use information as it relates to the whole of society rather than on an individual basis. This is all in relation to China being a socialist collectivist society rather than individualistic in nature.
Through social perceptions and conformity can come resolution. There is a major social perception in each group that must be overcome for resolution to be had. The social perception for Chinese occupiers in Tibet is that the exiled Tibetan Buddhists are separate from the socialist collective and that a union can be made. Tibetan Buddhists, alternatively, must socially accept that change is going to happen and that in many cases suffering will continue unless immediate mediation can be had with the Chinese government. These assumptions of social perceptions that must be overcome are quite tall orders in regards to this particular ethnic conflict. Chinese society will need to, as a whole, come to an agreement and general consensus that the exiled Tibetan Buddhists were forcibly removed from their land and that resolution can only be had through peaceful cohabitation. Further resolution can be had through understanding the way each group conforms. As previously stated, Tibetan Buddhists will likely conform to other ethnic groups if suffering is reduced through conformity. Thus, if the Chinese people strive to accommodate the Tibetan Buddhists and coexist peacefully than the Tibetan Buddhists will be more willing to conform to their ideals. Additionally, Tibetan Buddhists would need to change some fundamental ways to accommodate traditional Chinese systems and societal values. Through this change the Chinese would be more willing to conform with and work together with the Tibetan Buddhists. Of course, the inherent difficulty is the ability of both ethnic groups to communicate these concerns rationally and logically and also to be socially cognitive each ethnic groups needs. Without this type of social compassion than resolution cannot be had.
The ethnic conflict between the exiled Tibetan people and the Chinese occupying people has been an ongoing issue for decades. Unfortunately, social cognizance and idealistic conformity alone will not resolve this conflict. However, resolution does not happen through a few ethnic comparisons. Social cognition and conformity on both sides as described will help towards resolution, which will undoubtedly be a long and hard road. Conformity from both the Tibetan Buddhists and the Chinese socialist society is necessary. Furthermore, social cognizance and awareness of the needs of each group both while peering internally and externally must be realized. Conceptualizing the ideals of unity, conformity, and mediation will lead to ethnic conflict resolution.
References
Yan Miu Chung.; Cheng Sheng. (2009). Searching for Chinese Characteristics: A Tentative Empirical Examination. Published by the China Journal of Social Work: Vol 2, Issue 1.
Platt, K. (1997). How China Sees its Ethnic Separatists Differently. Published by the Christian Science Monitor: Vol 83, Issue 73.
Shiraev, E.; Levy, D. (2010). Cross-Cultural Psychology: Critical Thinking and Contemporary Applications. Published by Allyn & Bacon. Retrieved June 20th, 2011.
Zhang, J.; Darwin, T. (1994). Modernization Theory Revisited: A Cross-Cultural Study of Adolescent Conformity to Significant Others in Mainland China, Taiwan, and USA. Published by Adolescence: Vol 29, Issue 116.
Social psychologists are able to identify commonalities and differences between ethnic groups. The goal is to identify and realize social arguments in an attempt to soothe the strife between ethnic conflicts. The process is often arduous albeit analyzed through fundamental methods. Identifying the way that each society conforms is one method to understand the needs of the people of each group. Conformity is important while analyzing ethnic conflicts to find ways to unite each group. Furthermore, determining how the relationship between each group and how social perception and social cognition relate to each of the groups. Understanding social cognition and social perception is important while analyzing ethnic conflicts to understand how each society thinks and how each perceives themselves and others. Without delving into social circumstances than the end result is impossible. The end result, of course, is finding a way to resolve ethnic conflicts between the groups and allow for harmonious coexistence – or at a minimum find a way to allow each group to live beside one another without extraneous altercations.
Conformity
Tibetan culture is heavily steeped in Buddhist traditions. To further analyze the Tibetan people we must understand some of the spiritual precepts followed by the people. Buddhists strive to observe five precepts, which ultimately help soothe suffering and woe (Powers, 2007). As a result of the abstinence of certain deeds and leading a life to reduce suffering, Tibetan people are often non-confrontational at least through direct physical means. Peaceful resolution is key and fundamental to Tibetan people. However, suffering or internal sufferings as a result of unpleasant change is absolutely against Tibetan Buddhist beliefs (Powers, 2007). As a result, conformity is a tough end for the people of Tibet. Tibetan people will not conform if the act of conformity results in an increase of external or internal suffering or sufferings. The primary hardship is that conforming to the Chinese government that occupies Tibet will create suffering as sovereignty and Tibetan freedom is quelled.
In contrast to Buddhist Tibetans, spiritual and religious institutions are not primary nodes of conformity (Zhang, 1994). Zhang (1994) suggests that Chinese adolescents conformity primarily lies within traditional familial bonds, educational ties, and societal duty. Analyzing Chinese adolescent conformity is important to determine likelihood of acceptance to other ethnic groups as adolescents represent the upcoming generation. To analyze research data by Zhang (1994) we can extrapolate and determine that Chinese adolescents are less likely to conform to non-traditional and non-societal value systems and are less likely to conform with spiritual or religious systems. Rather, Chinese adolescents, due to their belief system, will conform with tradition, family, and the unity of society (Zhang, 1994). Thus, the difficulty is Chinese ethnocentrism regarding other cultures, in particular the Buddhist Tibetans, due to Chinese deep-rooted familial rearing and societal obligations.
Social perception as a definition relates to inward and outward perceptions of social interactions between the self and the non-self. This can be understood as being the perception of how an individual relates to others but is used in the context of this essay as how an ethnic group as a whole perceives itself and how it perceives itself in relation to other groups. Social cognition is defined as the process in which social information is retrieved, stored, and applied; essentially social cognition is the thought process of social information (Shiraev, 2010). The link between social perception and social cognition in relation to each group is thus how each group understands social interactions and how each group perceives themselves and others as it relates to the use of social information.
As previously stated, Tibetan society is heavily founded on Buddhist beliefs. Social perceptions and cognition naturally following Buddhist foundations. Platt (1997) states that Tibetan Buddhists are pacifistic in nature and desire mediation and peace. Pacifism itself resounds strongly for social perception and cognition. Understanding social information from a pacifists point of view relates directly to conscious cognitive methodology to being non-conflict. The result is continued cognitive processes to be pacifistic. The self perception of peace and a pacifistic nature results in an radiance of social cognitive discourse to attempt to mediate and conflict (Platt, 1997).
To further understand the social perception and cognition of Chinese society we must first understand a little about socialism. Socialism is characterized by equality of all people in society and fairness towards all people. Although this model is quite useful for people within the society, socialism does not often favor outsiders as can be seen historically. The social perception of Chinese people is the ideal to work for everyone as all of society benefits from social work (Yan Miu Chung, 2009). Therefore, the cognition in place is that Chinese people gather, store, and use information as it relates to the whole of society rather than on an individual basis. This is all in relation to China being a socialist collectivist society rather than individualistic in nature.
Through social perceptions and conformity can come resolution. There is a major social perception in each group that must be overcome for resolution to be had. The social perception for Chinese occupiers in Tibet is that the exiled Tibetan Buddhists are separate from the socialist collective and that a union can be made. Tibetan Buddhists, alternatively, must socially accept that change is going to happen and that in many cases suffering will continue unless immediate mediation can be had with the Chinese government. These assumptions of social perceptions that must be overcome are quite tall orders in regards to this particular ethnic conflict. Chinese society will need to, as a whole, come to an agreement and general consensus that the exiled Tibetan Buddhists were forcibly removed from their land and that resolution can only be had through peaceful cohabitation. Further resolution can be had through understanding the way each group conforms. As previously stated, Tibetan Buddhists will likely conform to other ethnic groups if suffering is reduced through conformity. Thus, if the Chinese people strive to accommodate the Tibetan Buddhists and coexist peacefully than the Tibetan Buddhists will be more willing to conform to their ideals. Additionally, Tibetan Buddhists would need to change some fundamental ways to accommodate traditional Chinese systems and societal values. Through this change the Chinese would be more willing to conform with and work together with the Tibetan Buddhists. Of course, the inherent difficulty is the ability of both ethnic groups to communicate these concerns rationally and logically and also to be socially cognitive each ethnic groups needs. Without this type of social compassion than resolution cannot be had.
The ethnic conflict between the exiled Tibetan people and the Chinese occupying people has been an ongoing issue for decades. Unfortunately, social cognizance and idealistic conformity alone will not resolve this conflict. However, resolution does not happen through a few ethnic comparisons. Social cognition and conformity on both sides as described will help towards resolution, which will undoubtedly be a long and hard road. Conformity from both the Tibetan Buddhists and the Chinese socialist society is necessary. Furthermore, social cognizance and awareness of the needs of each group both while peering internally and externally must be realized. Conceptualizing the ideals of unity, conformity, and mediation will lead to ethnic conflict resolution.
References
Yan Miu Chung.; Cheng Sheng. (2009). Searching for Chinese Characteristics: A Tentative Empirical Examination. Published by the China Journal of Social Work: Vol 2, Issue 1.
Platt, K. (1997). How China Sees its Ethnic Separatists Differently. Published by the Christian Science Monitor: Vol 83, Issue 73.
Shiraev, E.; Levy, D. (2010). Cross-Cultural Psychology: Critical Thinking and Contemporary Applications. Published by Allyn & Bacon. Retrieved June 20th, 2011.
Zhang, J.; Darwin, T. (1994). Modernization Theory Revisited: A Cross-Cultural Study of Adolescent Conformity to Significant Others in Mainland China, Taiwan, and USA. Published by Adolescence: Vol 29, Issue 116.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Spiritual Leaders
The problem as I see it with many groups of people and possibly larger America is the lack of a solid leader. "What about the President?!" you ask. What about the President? What about any politicians? What about any corporate leaders? To hell with them all. The people need someone that is fighting for them and no other reason. Not someone that is in bed with a corporate entity or with a hidden agenda. No, we, the people, need a leader that puts in the effort to protect us, our families, and our environment. Achieving this is harder said than done because we all have differing ideals and our own agendas. Ultimately I feel that I have the answer, in part.
The answer is this: to hell with your ideals and your agendas! There are fundamental unifying needs that we all have and we all truly do want. The people need to be fed, the people need to be healthy, the people need to be educated, and the people need to feel needed. All this needs to also coincide with a healthy environment through-and-through. It seems to me that we're all so selfish and childish about who is going to pay for it and who is going to put in the effort. The answer is everyone! Hunger, famine, poverty; these are not an individual or groups weight they are all of our sufferings. If you're republican and make more than the rest of us than help shoulder some more weight and be put up on a pedestal for being a great person. If you are barely scraping by than donate your time, for Christ sakes.
This all boils down to, I think, complacency! I'm complacent with the way things are so I keep going on with how things are; unhappily. I'm guilty of it too. This 8-5 job thing and paying bills thing is easy, its the easy way out - but there is more to it. So many people in our country are so complacent that they do not even care. Starving people in Africa, not their problem. Starving people in New York, not their problem. Starving people in their town, Still not their problem? You have got to be kidding me, people...
So what is my point, am I just going to whine about selfish people not feeding the homeless? Not at all. The point to my ranting is that us complacent people lack a leader. We need a leader to stand up for the people and make us angry. Yes, we need to be mad because anger implies an understanding of a plight. I want people to be mad about the hungry people. I want people to be angry about our economy. I want everyone to be pissed of the corporations running our lives! With anger comes change and with change (hopefully) comes unity and a unification of the people for the people.
Yeah, label me a socialist but thats not entirely true; I'm a "people-ist." I don't care about government, I don't care about policies, and I sure as hell don't care about man-made laws. I care about unity, peace, harmony, and love - for all. Lets all stand up, together, and accomplish something for the well-being of everyone. Start small, spread the harmony~
The answer is this: to hell with your ideals and your agendas! There are fundamental unifying needs that we all have and we all truly do want. The people need to be fed, the people need to be healthy, the people need to be educated, and the people need to feel needed. All this needs to also coincide with a healthy environment through-and-through. It seems to me that we're all so selfish and childish about who is going to pay for it and who is going to put in the effort. The answer is everyone! Hunger, famine, poverty; these are not an individual or groups weight they are all of our sufferings. If you're republican and make more than the rest of us than help shoulder some more weight and be put up on a pedestal for being a great person. If you are barely scraping by than donate your time, for Christ sakes.
This all boils down to, I think, complacency! I'm complacent with the way things are so I keep going on with how things are; unhappily. I'm guilty of it too. This 8-5 job thing and paying bills thing is easy, its the easy way out - but there is more to it. So many people in our country are so complacent that they do not even care. Starving people in Africa, not their problem. Starving people in New York, not their problem. Starving people in their town, Still not their problem? You have got to be kidding me, people...
So what is my point, am I just going to whine about selfish people not feeding the homeless? Not at all. The point to my ranting is that us complacent people lack a leader. We need a leader to stand up for the people and make us angry. Yes, we need to be mad because anger implies an understanding of a plight. I want people to be mad about the hungry people. I want people to be angry about our economy. I want everyone to be pissed of the corporations running our lives! With anger comes change and with change (hopefully) comes unity and a unification of the people for the people.
Yeah, label me a socialist but thats not entirely true; I'm a "people-ist." I don't care about government, I don't care about policies, and I sure as hell don't care about man-made laws. I care about unity, peace, harmony, and love - for all. Lets all stand up, together, and accomplish something for the well-being of everyone. Start small, spread the harmony~
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Groovin'
I find that music today with quite a few exceptions (generalizing music is a horrid idea) is lacking. I grew up in a very open and exploratory family in terms of artistic values and tastes. Of course, many people in the western side of the United States are like this.
Case and point:
Being the open and groovy people we are I think that certain things can be jived with a little easier. "What is your point?" I can hear you screaming; it is this, a lacking of quality blues and jazz can be seen at the very least in my area of the country!
Egads, red Michigan...
To be fair I am being erroneous and quite rude to the good folks in this State that do what they can to influence real artistic music. As a matter of fact, the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra is quite close to my immediate area and plays quite often at my favorite brewery of all places. I really do implore you to check them out: www.grjo.com
So again I can almost hear you screaming with your arms in the air "Then what are you going on about?!" This, is what I am going on about (and as a bonus, she looks just like Manson, which is actually a crack against Gaga as Manson is actually is good):
Anyway, the point of what I am actually going on about is some of the real groovy jiving cool cats that are out there that I wish there were more of such as The Black Keys. Check them out on YouTube if you have no idea who they are. They are a blues/rock band that, well, simply put do rock. A link is provided: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdc1w8ypfVE
Sure other artists work hard and they might make some pretty peppy garbage but the value behind it and the way it really makes you feel inside is so different than the example above by The Black Keys. Did you ever have an emotional connection or response to "Hit Me Baby One More Time" or "Who Let The Dogs Out?" My guesses are no but have you ever heard the pain of some heavy lyrics and the wailing of a sorrowful jazz-guitar rift and just HAD to play the song again or really close your eyes and just groove?
That, my dear chums, is what I am on about. The soul, the spirit, the life of the music. "All he needs is love so he won't break" has much more of a consequential feeling than "My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard" whatever the hell that even means.
Then again, I'm probably wrong and music is subjective to the listener. Although, if I am wrong than be that as it may but I really beg for you to attend two festivals and tell me which had a more artistic and soulful impact: a jazz or blues festival or... well... I don't think there is a "bad taste" fest but you can probably get the picture by going to just one of their concerts to decide.
Case and point:
Being the open and groovy people we are I think that certain things can be jived with a little easier. "What is your point?" I can hear you screaming; it is this, a lacking of quality blues and jazz can be seen at the very least in my area of the country!
Egads, red Michigan...
To be fair I am being erroneous and quite rude to the good folks in this State that do what they can to influence real artistic music. As a matter of fact, the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra is quite close to my immediate area and plays quite often at my favorite brewery of all places. I really do implore you to check them out: www.grjo.com
So again I can almost hear you screaming with your arms in the air "Then what are you going on about?!" This, is what I am going on about (and as a bonus, she looks just like Manson, which is actually a crack against Gaga as Manson is actually is good):
Anyway, the point of what I am actually going on about is some of the real groovy jiving cool cats that are out there that I wish there were more of such as The Black Keys. Check them out on YouTube if you have no idea who they are. They are a blues/rock band that, well, simply put do rock. A link is provided: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdc1w8ypfVE
Sure other artists work hard and they might make some pretty peppy garbage but the value behind it and the way it really makes you feel inside is so different than the example above by The Black Keys. Did you ever have an emotional connection or response to "Hit Me Baby One More Time" or "Who Let The Dogs Out?" My guesses are no but have you ever heard the pain of some heavy lyrics and the wailing of a sorrowful jazz-guitar rift and just HAD to play the song again or really close your eyes and just groove?
That, my dear chums, is what I am on about. The soul, the spirit, the life of the music. "All he needs is love so he won't break" has much more of a consequential feeling than "My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard" whatever the hell that even means.
Then again, I'm probably wrong and music is subjective to the listener. Although, if I am wrong than be that as it may but I really beg for you to attend two festivals and tell me which had a more artistic and soulful impact: a jazz or blues festival or... well... I don't think there is a "bad taste" fest but you can probably get the picture by going to just one of their concerts to decide.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Thoughts and Musings
Serene Bat: 5-7-5 Haiku
Rain drops fall lazily fat
Stone street echoes silence;
Aware bat looks on.
Eternal Rock: Eternal Woe: 5-7-5 Haiku
Sad rock near river
Slow time fast water embrace;
He wonders whats wrong.
Pondering Questions of Confusing Origin
I wonder how the world would be if everyone did what they wanted? A disaster or paradise?
What happens if I slept normal? A disaster or paradise (lol)?
Purple colored pencils look blue to me and I make mistakes.
What happened to real music? Jazz, blues, orchestra?
Rain drops fall lazily fat
Stone street echoes silence;
Aware bat looks on.
Eternal Rock: Eternal Woe: 5-7-5 Haiku
Sad rock near river
Slow time fast water embrace;
He wonders whats wrong.
Pondering Questions of Confusing Origin
I wonder how the world would be if everyone did what they wanted? A disaster or paradise?
What happens if I slept normal? A disaster or paradise (lol)?
Purple colored pencils look blue to me and I make mistakes.
What happened to real music? Jazz, blues, orchestra?
Chaos and Unity
I believe in a form of free anarchist and chaotic existence. I don't mean politics I mean life in general. Many believe in creationism, an afterlife, or some sort of neither and both at the same time. I find it much more fun and much more pleasurable to believe in chaos. Keep in mind that a very large portion of my belief is to not ask "why" because it ruins it; it ruins the fun (what else is life worth, after all?)
So there are particles, atoms, atomic bonds, matter, chains of matter, amino acids, cells, organs, beings, rules to physics, rules of gravity of space of heat of etc and of so on and so on. Avoiding the question why makes this very fun; lets just go with the answer of "Why not?!" I can bash my head against the wall all night long going into depth about any of these and looking into why and in the end I will just have a big bruise on my head. The idea that something has to exist for a reason is the idea of someone trying to ruin the essence and enjoyment of life.
Another answer to some of the why or why for questions I hear is just "because it does." Why for are there laws of motion/thermodynamics/boredom because there is and because it works. What do I gain from searching for why fors and how comes? I'll end up with a headache from drinking myself due to my depression. I find it best to really judge how discoveries affect the self and happiness. Am I happier knowing that an cow jumping off on a roof will splat on the ground? Does it matter to me to know that solar radiation refracts off our atmosphere and positively charges the ionosphere? As a scholar; yes, but as an individual and my happiness and beliefs, no.
I guess the biggest argument I come across when I discuss this is that I am ignoring the truth and turning a blind eye to fact; well, nothing is factual and nothing is real and nothing is true. This is the one thing I would try to convey to anybody. To put it bluntly; this happen for a reason and billions have searched for the answer; perhaps some have found the answer. Is it crucial to search for the answer and know or should it be more important to find an answer and just grok acceptance and peace?
So what am I getting at? I've said a hell of a lot of nothing. Things rotate around each other, people exist, thoughts happen, reality is what it is yet its nothing at all. Tomorrow a comet moving at hundreds and thousands of miles per hour will crash into our planet and annihilate all life and what then? Did you do everything you wanted to and really live for the now or was it all in fear of what is to come? Don't fear, anticipate, prepare, but don't let it rule you. Chaos is the answer; chaos is the salvation. Let the wind blow your hair, may the tides push you as they may. Just do for the sake of doing not for the sake of altruism, religion, society, family, or anything; do what moves you, do what shapes you or shape what you do; whatever, just do. Be free truly free...
So there are particles, atoms, atomic bonds, matter, chains of matter, amino acids, cells, organs, beings, rules to physics, rules of gravity of space of heat of etc and of so on and so on. Avoiding the question why makes this very fun; lets just go with the answer of "Why not?!" I can bash my head against the wall all night long going into depth about any of these and looking into why and in the end I will just have a big bruise on my head. The idea that something has to exist for a reason is the idea of someone trying to ruin the essence and enjoyment of life.
Another answer to some of the why or why for questions I hear is just "because it does." Why for are there laws of motion/thermodynamics/boredom because there is and because it works. What do I gain from searching for why fors and how comes? I'll end up with a headache from drinking myself due to my depression. I find it best to really judge how discoveries affect the self and happiness. Am I happier knowing that an cow jumping off on a roof will splat on the ground? Does it matter to me to know that solar radiation refracts off our atmosphere and positively charges the ionosphere? As a scholar; yes, but as an individual and my happiness and beliefs, no.
I guess the biggest argument I come across when I discuss this is that I am ignoring the truth and turning a blind eye to fact; well, nothing is factual and nothing is real and nothing is true. This is the one thing I would try to convey to anybody. To put it bluntly; this happen for a reason and billions have searched for the answer; perhaps some have found the answer. Is it crucial to search for the answer and know or should it be more important to find an answer and just grok acceptance and peace?
So what am I getting at? I've said a hell of a lot of nothing. Things rotate around each other, people exist, thoughts happen, reality is what it is yet its nothing at all. Tomorrow a comet moving at hundreds and thousands of miles per hour will crash into our planet and annihilate all life and what then? Did you do everything you wanted to and really live for the now or was it all in fear of what is to come? Don't fear, anticipate, prepare, but don't let it rule you. Chaos is the answer; chaos is the salvation. Let the wind blow your hair, may the tides push you as they may. Just do for the sake of doing not for the sake of altruism, religion, society, family, or anything; do what moves you, do what shapes you or shape what you do; whatever, just do. Be free truly free...
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Silent Connections
After some conversations with a friend I determined that I primarily connect with people through silent actions instead of direct interactions and conversation. I wonder if this is a normal alternative to typical for interrelationships between two individuals.
The way that I connect with people is through the unmotivated, silent, and unthoughtful actions. Lets use an example to clarify what I mean.
To set the scene: I am driving late at night with a girl. The windows are down, the sunroof is open, the radio is dead. Nothing but an endless road and the dull one-note tone of the engine as it bellows its eternal moan. I gaze off into the distance and lose myself in the pavement. She sits with the seat back a little with her shoes off and is lost in the twinkling stars and the wind on her face.
The metaphysical connection between two individuals lost into the scenery and in the moment is quite distant yet at the same time both people are as one lost in the same moment. I find this notion and sentiment very romantic and very intimate. The feelings and emotions are in union. I look at her and at the same time she looks at me; we smile. We understand each other, we understand the moment, we understand everything; without words. In just an instant with a quick glance we both communicate the splendor of the moment and then return to the abyss that is the drive.
Of course, the moment can be entirely different. Two people can be sitting on a couch watching tv and need not communicate to understand each other or reading books laying in bed. Then again, I can usually tell how someone is doing by looking into their eyes. So much can be said and understood by simply paying attention to one another.
Sometimes, just sometimes, these silent affirmations of unity can be more profound than spoken and direct words. I dare you to think of more moments where spoken words between yourself and another have meant more than the silent connections. During a wedding its all about the emotions and what is happening. Looking into the eyes of your lover and listening to the words and going through the motions. We all know the words; it isn't the words, its the affliction and the connection. What about laying next to each other after making love and just feeling each other breath and looking into the others eyes; the moment, the emotions, the connection.
You may be saying: "What about friends, huh? How can friends connect in the same way?!" Well, guys do this all the time. Think about how often men can sit together and watch tv, play a video game, drink some brews on the deck; and not say a word. Its the same connection, the same understanding, the same affirmation of the moment. "Yeah man, good beer, good food, good day" may go through both of their heads at the same time; a glance and a nod, perhaps the raising of the particular brew. Each person knows what the other is thinking and revels in the moment.
"What about women..." you may ask? Well, I'm a man, I can't wholly say. I don't really know if there are any silent moments and connections via action and deed without any spoken communications. So what do you think about that? Yeah, I don't know and really can't fairly say...
The way that I connect with people is through the unmotivated, silent, and unthoughtful actions. Lets use an example to clarify what I mean.
To set the scene: I am driving late at night with a girl. The windows are down, the sunroof is open, the radio is dead. Nothing but an endless road and the dull one-note tone of the engine as it bellows its eternal moan. I gaze off into the distance and lose myself in the pavement. She sits with the seat back a little with her shoes off and is lost in the twinkling stars and the wind on her face.
The metaphysical connection between two individuals lost into the scenery and in the moment is quite distant yet at the same time both people are as one lost in the same moment. I find this notion and sentiment very romantic and very intimate. The feelings and emotions are in union. I look at her and at the same time she looks at me; we smile. We understand each other, we understand the moment, we understand everything; without words. In just an instant with a quick glance we both communicate the splendor of the moment and then return to the abyss that is the drive.
Of course, the moment can be entirely different. Two people can be sitting on a couch watching tv and need not communicate to understand each other or reading books laying in bed. Then again, I can usually tell how someone is doing by looking into their eyes. So much can be said and understood by simply paying attention to one another.
Sometimes, just sometimes, these silent affirmations of unity can be more profound than spoken and direct words. I dare you to think of more moments where spoken words between yourself and another have meant more than the silent connections. During a wedding its all about the emotions and what is happening. Looking into the eyes of your lover and listening to the words and going through the motions. We all know the words; it isn't the words, its the affliction and the connection. What about laying next to each other after making love and just feeling each other breath and looking into the others eyes; the moment, the emotions, the connection.
You may be saying: "What about friends, huh? How can friends connect in the same way?!" Well, guys do this all the time. Think about how often men can sit together and watch tv, play a video game, drink some brews on the deck; and not say a word. Its the same connection, the same understanding, the same affirmation of the moment. "Yeah man, good beer, good food, good day" may go through both of their heads at the same time; a glance and a nod, perhaps the raising of the particular brew. Each person knows what the other is thinking and revels in the moment.
"What about women..." you may ask? Well, I'm a man, I can't wholly say. I don't really know if there are any silent moments and connections via action and deed without any spoken communications. So what do you think about that? Yeah, I don't know and really can't fairly say...
Monday, March 28, 2011
Development & Identity
Development of behavior, personality, and an identity is todays topic! I find it fascinating how inconsequential events in an individuals life can have resounding implications on the personality and identity. The end result is a dramatic adjustment in behavior.
I won't go into crackpot-Freudian theories because well they are way out there and really do not; in my humble opinion, hold any water whatsoever (apparently Freudian theories are boats?). One of the things that I find exceptionally interesting in the formation of personality and identity is simply the timing of puberty.
Early, late, or on time puberty can lead to quite different identities. For instance, if a woman develops earlier than the rest of her peers she will likely develop more severe body image issues and potentially be involved in increased sexual activity throughout her teens. Women that develop later are not in the clear! These women may develop poor self images due to inadequacies from late development.
Men; on the other hand, develop identities and personalities based on early or late puberty too! Men that develop earlier generally are more popular and looked up upon by their peers. However, due to this, men will continually strive to be more adult-like as their peers start to catch up. This leads to potential smoking, drug use, sex, and crime. Men that develop later are generally more quiet and picked on for being "less" of a man than their peers. Essentially with men you have your alpha males (those whom developed early) and beta males (those whom developed late).
Simply developing earlier or later can determine your personality and how an individual views themselves. This basic developmental period shoots ripples through the identity, which can last a life time! Consider that an alpha male may be more prone to violence and substance abuse throughout his entire life due to pressures placed upon him. Is the mean spirited drunk really just a dick or was he an overly pressured boy that developed earlier? Is the quiet man that never talks to anybody really quiet or is he a repressed man afraid to speak and possibly be chastised.
Don't try to get me wrong; the mean drunk is still a mean drunk but this really makes you think about how people develop into the people they are today. Perhaps, just perhaps, inside every adult is just a child that is trying to cope.
I won't go into crackpot-Freudian theories because well they are way out there and really do not; in my humble opinion, hold any water whatsoever (apparently Freudian theories are boats?). One of the things that I find exceptionally interesting in the formation of personality and identity is simply the timing of puberty.
Early, late, or on time puberty can lead to quite different identities. For instance, if a woman develops earlier than the rest of her peers she will likely develop more severe body image issues and potentially be involved in increased sexual activity throughout her teens. Women that develop later are not in the clear! These women may develop poor self images due to inadequacies from late development.
Men; on the other hand, develop identities and personalities based on early or late puberty too! Men that develop earlier generally are more popular and looked up upon by their peers. However, due to this, men will continually strive to be more adult-like as their peers start to catch up. This leads to potential smoking, drug use, sex, and crime. Men that develop later are generally more quiet and picked on for being "less" of a man than their peers. Essentially with men you have your alpha males (those whom developed early) and beta males (those whom developed late).
Simply developing earlier or later can determine your personality and how an individual views themselves. This basic developmental period shoots ripples through the identity, which can last a life time! Consider that an alpha male may be more prone to violence and substance abuse throughout his entire life due to pressures placed upon him. Is the mean spirited drunk really just a dick or was he an overly pressured boy that developed earlier? Is the quiet man that never talks to anybody really quiet or is he a repressed man afraid to speak and possibly be chastised.
Don't try to get me wrong; the mean drunk is still a mean drunk but this really makes you think about how people develop into the people they are today. Perhaps, just perhaps, inside every adult is just a child that is trying to cope.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Mindfulness
As an extension of a previous post; I would like to take some time to talk about what mindfullness means to me.
Mindfulness is, well, being mindful about any action that I perform but it is also being mindful about what is going on around me. This is referred to inner and outer mindfulness. The western culture I live in may simply determine that mindfulness is simply awareness. Although mindfulness does take substantial awareness; mindfulness and awareness are different like the colors red and ruby are. The importance of mindfulness, to me, is to be able to wholly experience this vessel that we collectively call life or the human experience.
Inner Mindfulness
Inner mindfulness refers to my actions, my emotions, and my thoughts. Practicing mindfulness can be quite difficult because it takes consideration and forethought prior to carrying out a task. The way that I practice mindfulness in regards to mindful-actions is to think about what I am doing, how my actions will effect others, how my actions reflect upon myself, and what the outcome will be. This is not so different than how other people carry out their business. Mindful-action is quite simple and comes as a second nature. I take it further; however, because mindful-action to me is about acting in a manner that is helpful to the overall gamut of human experience. Carrying out duties and actions that foster the improvement (physical, psychological, or even temporary) of another person or creature. Yes, or a creature!
One of the hardest things, at least for me, is to be mindful about my emotions. Think about the last time that your emotions went wild; this is not unusual, most people feel strongly about many aspects of their life. That guy that passed me on the road, swerved in front of me, then slammed on his breaks and nearly hit me and the guy in front of me. Imagine the anger and the rage that you may feel from this example then understand how difficult how being mindful of your emotions can be. This is where mindfulness and awareness differ greatly. Being mindful of emotions is beyond simply acknowledging them. I strive to understand where my emotions are stemming from and what I can do to bring them back down to a sort of emotional-homeostasis. I take a look at what caused my emotion; the guy that passed me, and ask myself a question "Why does this make me mad?" Of course it makes me mad because of the physical danger that this oaf put not only himself but others in. I transition to the effect of the cause of my emotion. As a result of my emotion I am now in a poor mood, which ultimately could result in unmindful actions and thoughts (more on this later). The next step is to find a way, immediately, to remove the emotion and continue enjoying life. For me, and this is different with all practitioners of the way, I acknowledge my emotion and look at causation; is this really something to be upset about? Did this individual actually hurt somebody or him/herself or am I simply upset because of could-have-beens or would-have-beens? You can see where I am going with this, being mindful of my emotion I notice that in this example I really have no need to be upset; so I eliminate the feeling because it means nothing. Please note that it is okay to be upset and its wonderful to feel emotions but being mindful of them can remove unnecessary emotions.
Lastly (at least in this post), is mindful thought. Mindful thought or mindful-cognition. Mindful thought is similar to mindful emotion and mindful action in that it takes a bit of both. Emotions absolutely sway thought and in turn actions but also actions (either externally or internally) can create thoughts and in turn emotion! Thought is a sort of intermediary between emotion and action. This leads to really no explenation; be mindful of your thoughts to help control and eliminate poor actions and its effects on your emotions or poor emotions and the effects on your actions.
External Mindfulness
Turning focus and mindfulness from the self to others is also important. Other peoples actions absolutely affect myself but also other people and creatures around them too. Mindfulness in this sense, especially in regards to mindful action and others, is understanding what other people are doing and what can be done to help the individual or others around them. Sometimes this comes to mitigating conflicts and resolving the suffering of the individual, a group of people, or creatures around. If I see an upset person I will mindfully take action to try and remedy the situation. This can come via physically helping the person or talking/listening to what they have to say. An example is a man and his daughter moving a couch into an apartment by me. I notice that his daughter is maybe 12 or 13; probably too young to really help him. I lent a hand even though I was exceptionally busy at the time, I lent a hand. What does this mean in the scheme of things? Nothing, really, but I know that I did what I could to help eliminate some suffering at least for the time being.
Mindfulness: Consequences and Effects
I like this heading, the "consequences" of mindfulness; this is absurd and I like it. There are consequences and effects of being mindful, however. Possibly the only true consequence in a negative way is that it does take substantial practice and is not easy, perfect, or always functional! Of course, being mindful is still absolutely the best practice. As a simile, practicing mindfulness and not always being successful is like attempting to mop a floor while wearing muddy boots; not always easy and possibly a never ending practice, but mopping (mindfulness) is still worth cleaning up the mess left by the boots. I think this may actually be why many Buddhist monks sweep with brooms is to convey a message of practice and futility. I don't mean futility in a hopeless endeavor but in a never-ending long-lasting practice.
Anyway, I digress, the effects of mindfulness are far greater and worth the minor inconvenience and consequences. I feel that the best part of practicing mindfulness in all of its intricacies is the reaction I get from people. The best part is the smiles and the gratefulness I feel from people after really giving my attention and my whole mind into this existence. An example that I like to do is when walking down the street and you see someone coming I will often genuinely smile at them and say hello like I truly mean it; because I do. Saying "hello" to someone is usually awkward but when you actually mean it like you are happy to see them than the whole politic of it changes.
In summation; mindfulness leads to a generally better (happier, more calm, and peaceful) life, and I dig that. Also, try kissing someone next time you see them and put your whole attention into the kiss. A sincere honest kiss and put all of your mind into it. I bet it will be the best kiss ever; then, never kiss anybody any other way again!
Mindfulness is, well, being mindful about any action that I perform but it is also being mindful about what is going on around me. This is referred to inner and outer mindfulness. The western culture I live in may simply determine that mindfulness is simply awareness. Although mindfulness does take substantial awareness; mindfulness and awareness are different like the colors red and ruby are. The importance of mindfulness, to me, is to be able to wholly experience this vessel that we collectively call life or the human experience.
Inner Mindfulness
Inner mindfulness refers to my actions, my emotions, and my thoughts. Practicing mindfulness can be quite difficult because it takes consideration and forethought prior to carrying out a task. The way that I practice mindfulness in regards to mindful-actions is to think about what I am doing, how my actions will effect others, how my actions reflect upon myself, and what the outcome will be. This is not so different than how other people carry out their business. Mindful-action is quite simple and comes as a second nature. I take it further; however, because mindful-action to me is about acting in a manner that is helpful to the overall gamut of human experience. Carrying out duties and actions that foster the improvement (physical, psychological, or even temporary) of another person or creature. Yes, or a creature!
One of the hardest things, at least for me, is to be mindful about my emotions. Think about the last time that your emotions went wild; this is not unusual, most people feel strongly about many aspects of their life. That guy that passed me on the road, swerved in front of me, then slammed on his breaks and nearly hit me and the guy in front of me. Imagine the anger and the rage that you may feel from this example then understand how difficult how being mindful of your emotions can be. This is where mindfulness and awareness differ greatly. Being mindful of emotions is beyond simply acknowledging them. I strive to understand where my emotions are stemming from and what I can do to bring them back down to a sort of emotional-homeostasis. I take a look at what caused my emotion; the guy that passed me, and ask myself a question "Why does this make me mad?" Of course it makes me mad because of the physical danger that this oaf put not only himself but others in. I transition to the effect of the cause of my emotion. As a result of my emotion I am now in a poor mood, which ultimately could result in unmindful actions and thoughts (more on this later). The next step is to find a way, immediately, to remove the emotion and continue enjoying life. For me, and this is different with all practitioners of the way, I acknowledge my emotion and look at causation; is this really something to be upset about? Did this individual actually hurt somebody or him/herself or am I simply upset because of could-have-beens or would-have-beens? You can see where I am going with this, being mindful of my emotion I notice that in this example I really have no need to be upset; so I eliminate the feeling because it means nothing. Please note that it is okay to be upset and its wonderful to feel emotions but being mindful of them can remove unnecessary emotions.
Lastly (at least in this post), is mindful thought. Mindful thought or mindful-cognition. Mindful thought is similar to mindful emotion and mindful action in that it takes a bit of both. Emotions absolutely sway thought and in turn actions but also actions (either externally or internally) can create thoughts and in turn emotion! Thought is a sort of intermediary between emotion and action. This leads to really no explenation; be mindful of your thoughts to help control and eliminate poor actions and its effects on your emotions or poor emotions and the effects on your actions.
External Mindfulness
Turning focus and mindfulness from the self to others is also important. Other peoples actions absolutely affect myself but also other people and creatures around them too. Mindfulness in this sense, especially in regards to mindful action and others, is understanding what other people are doing and what can be done to help the individual or others around them. Sometimes this comes to mitigating conflicts and resolving the suffering of the individual, a group of people, or creatures around. If I see an upset person I will mindfully take action to try and remedy the situation. This can come via physically helping the person or talking/listening to what they have to say. An example is a man and his daughter moving a couch into an apartment by me. I notice that his daughter is maybe 12 or 13; probably too young to really help him. I lent a hand even though I was exceptionally busy at the time, I lent a hand. What does this mean in the scheme of things? Nothing, really, but I know that I did what I could to help eliminate some suffering at least for the time being.
Mindfulness: Consequences and Effects
I like this heading, the "consequences" of mindfulness; this is absurd and I like it. There are consequences and effects of being mindful, however. Possibly the only true consequence in a negative way is that it does take substantial practice and is not easy, perfect, or always functional! Of course, being mindful is still absolutely the best practice. As a simile, practicing mindfulness and not always being successful is like attempting to mop a floor while wearing muddy boots; not always easy and possibly a never ending practice, but mopping (mindfulness) is still worth cleaning up the mess left by the boots. I think this may actually be why many Buddhist monks sweep with brooms is to convey a message of practice and futility. I don't mean futility in a hopeless endeavor but in a never-ending long-lasting practice.
Anyway, I digress, the effects of mindfulness are far greater and worth the minor inconvenience and consequences. I feel that the best part of practicing mindfulness in all of its intricacies is the reaction I get from people. The best part is the smiles and the gratefulness I feel from people after really giving my attention and my whole mind into this existence. An example that I like to do is when walking down the street and you see someone coming I will often genuinely smile at them and say hello like I truly mean it; because I do. Saying "hello" to someone is usually awkward but when you actually mean it like you are happy to see them than the whole politic of it changes.
In summation; mindfulness leads to a generally better (happier, more calm, and peaceful) life, and I dig that. Also, try kissing someone next time you see them and put your whole attention into the kiss. A sincere honest kiss and put all of your mind into it. I bet it will be the best kiss ever; then, never kiss anybody any other way again!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Ethical Hedonism
I thought I would post a little about my own "faith" and spiritual beliefs. Relatively speaking, I am a Buddhist. There are many ideals and concepts that I really do jive with in terms of Buddhist practices. Open mindedness, empty mindedness, peacefulness, and duty towards others are all prefaces of my beliefs.
In essence, open mind and empty mind refer to mindfulness. Awareness and perceptiveness are key. This relates to the physical world but also the mind. Be aware of right action towards others, towards oneself, and towards all life. One of the best examples I can give in regards to right action and right thought is an example towards a janitor. Right action would entail doing the right thing not because it benefits the self but because it benefits the whole (all of society and betters the world). If I walk into a bathroom and see that a paper towel is wet and soggy on the ground than I absolutely take the steps to clean up the mess. This is something that is confounding to many people. Why would I possibly clean up after some stranger when some other stranger can clean it up?
Is this concept really so foreign? If I clean it up than some other stranger does not have to. It reduces the effort and strain of another individual. In the end, isn't this really the ideal that we all should strive for? The task is not important at all whatsoever. Cleaning up a measly towel does not cause a lot of strain or stress on another but doing my part is enough; I feel. Right action also refers to taking measures to make others lives better or to even make the self better. Obvious factors such as stealing, cheating, killing, lying, or perverting sexual interactions can lead to an improper way of life and is not just. In essence, right action can be simplified through what us westerners know as the golden rule: treat others as you want to be treated. However, my beliefs expand upon this ideal in that I treat others as wonderfully as I can; and that is it.
Other than helping others for seemingly selfless reasons, my beliefs are useful in keeping the mind quiet and at peace. Meditative practices allow me to deal with the pain and suffering that I come across. Pain and suffering in a traditional sense can mean tiredness, hunger, emotional stress from the day, stress from the environment, or socio-economical stresses. Clearing the mind by focusing on nothing allows everything to fade, which leads to a feeling of bliss and absolute quietness. I refer to this as an empty mind. The result of achieving an empty mind on a daily basis is that it dulls the suffering that I experience throughout the rest of the day. Please note that suffering can come from other stimuli such as the recent tragedies in Japan. I feel pain for the people that have been displaces; or worse. Focusing on clearing my mind can help me cope and deal with suffering like this.
Helping others in any capacity that I can; even the many faceless others that I will never meet, in addition to helping the self by relieving suffering results in a truly divine or blissful experience and quality of life. I have been asked recently how I can remain so calm in spite of my suffering; and this is why. I do what I can to improve the lives of others and bring smiles to faces or do what I can to eliminate suffering and I take measures to eliminate my own suffering.
My mind is empty, my body is free.
Now, to contradict what I say, psychologists would claim that I am ethically hedonistic. The ethical hedonist helps others because of the pleasure it makes them feel. I suppose I will leave it up to you. Am I simply ethically hedonistic or am I spiritually free?
In essence, open mind and empty mind refer to mindfulness. Awareness and perceptiveness are key. This relates to the physical world but also the mind. Be aware of right action towards others, towards oneself, and towards all life. One of the best examples I can give in regards to right action and right thought is an example towards a janitor. Right action would entail doing the right thing not because it benefits the self but because it benefits the whole (all of society and betters the world). If I walk into a bathroom and see that a paper towel is wet and soggy on the ground than I absolutely take the steps to clean up the mess. This is something that is confounding to many people. Why would I possibly clean up after some stranger when some other stranger can clean it up?
Is this concept really so foreign? If I clean it up than some other stranger does not have to. It reduces the effort and strain of another individual. In the end, isn't this really the ideal that we all should strive for? The task is not important at all whatsoever. Cleaning up a measly towel does not cause a lot of strain or stress on another but doing my part is enough; I feel. Right action also refers to taking measures to make others lives better or to even make the self better. Obvious factors such as stealing, cheating, killing, lying, or perverting sexual interactions can lead to an improper way of life and is not just. In essence, right action can be simplified through what us westerners know as the golden rule: treat others as you want to be treated. However, my beliefs expand upon this ideal in that I treat others as wonderfully as I can; and that is it.
Other than helping others for seemingly selfless reasons, my beliefs are useful in keeping the mind quiet and at peace. Meditative practices allow me to deal with the pain and suffering that I come across. Pain and suffering in a traditional sense can mean tiredness, hunger, emotional stress from the day, stress from the environment, or socio-economical stresses. Clearing the mind by focusing on nothing allows everything to fade, which leads to a feeling of bliss and absolute quietness. I refer to this as an empty mind. The result of achieving an empty mind on a daily basis is that it dulls the suffering that I experience throughout the rest of the day. Please note that suffering can come from other stimuli such as the recent tragedies in Japan. I feel pain for the people that have been displaces; or worse. Focusing on clearing my mind can help me cope and deal with suffering like this.
Helping others in any capacity that I can; even the many faceless others that I will never meet, in addition to helping the self by relieving suffering results in a truly divine or blissful experience and quality of life. I have been asked recently how I can remain so calm in spite of my suffering; and this is why. I do what I can to improve the lives of others and bring smiles to faces or do what I can to eliminate suffering and I take measures to eliminate my own suffering.
My mind is empty, my body is free.
Now, to contradict what I say, psychologists would claim that I am ethically hedonistic. The ethical hedonist helps others because of the pleasure it makes them feel. I suppose I will leave it up to you. Am I simply ethically hedonistic or am I spiritually free?
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Scotland vs Ireland
Recently, it has come to my attention through great feuding that either Scotland or Ireland is the overall better country and thus the better people. First, however, an analysis:
Scotland
Scotland, according to historical theory, was settled approximately 5,000 to 9,000 years ago. Early history of the Scottish people include brief skirmishes with occupying Roman forces to the south. However, the Roman might was able to tackle Scotland; yet, only manage to hold the territory for around 50 years. Scottish tribes were known to route Roman occupying forces in the name of freedom and that the Romans would create a desert of the world.
Eventually, the Romans were removed entirely. The Pictish kingdom rose from the tribal lands of Scotland. Throughout the Pictish era in Scotland, Norse and Gaelic-speaking tribes were unified into an English speaking country. Unification of the tribes and language to be mostly English and Gaelic resulted in a two-hundred year old golden age. However, all golden ages must come to an end. The death of Alexander the 3rd and his granddaughter left Scotland unruled. Usurpation of the throne led to an eventual alliance with the French and eventually the Scottish Independence war as a result of internal Scottish struggle.
Independence from Britain was a long road for Scotland. Through the Scottish Renaissance, public education emerged in Europe and was essentially founded in Scotland. Public education in 1496 in Scotland was the first form of proper public education since the time of the Greeks! War with England, even with the aid of France, was eventually futile as the Scottish parliament signed over papal rights.
The 1600's was a famously tumultuous time for Scotland. Famine and poverty ravaged the people due to the Darien Scheme; a countrywide effort to secure trading colonies in Panama, and through the overturn of power from a Scottish born king of England. Desperation led Scottish parliament to sign the treaty of union and, along with Britain, become part of the whole Kingdom of Great Britain.
Ireland
Much like Scotland, Ireland was thought to be inhabited between 5,000 to 9,000 years ago with the retreating Glacial forces. Enormous fields used for farming have been found in Ireland. Some speculate to be the biggest in pre-historic time. Ireland was used as a major maritime trading post through most of the bronze age. Diffusion of cultures in the iron age resulted in more than a dozen Celtic tribes. The tribes each had their own king and loosely answered to the High King of Ireland. Some speculate that lineage to the High King spanned thousands of years.
Pallidius and Saint Patrick, in 431 A.D., brought Christianity to Ireland, which in turn theoretically peacefully routed druidic practices. Latin, Greek, and Christian theology flourished scholastically in Ireland during this period. Irish missionaries are partially responsible for the spread of Christianity after the eventual fall of Rome. Vikings, in the 9th century, were known to plunder and pillage Irish monasteries and towns.
Norman knights invaded Ireland in the late 1100's. Through Norman rule and orders from the Pope, Ireland was eventually turned over to John Lackland, son of Henry the second. Following the black plague, the church attempted to enforce a separation of English-Irish and Norman-Irish people unsuccessfully. Essentially, the English culture was routed and a new Norman-influenced Irish culture emerged.
English expansion wrought a series of wars and skirmishes that, according to theory, resulted in the death or displacement of over half of the Irish population. Some postulate that approximately 50,000 Irishmen were sold into slavery. Even following the war; penal codes and laws were implemented, which resulted in loss of civil rights and basic sundry necessities.
The Great Frost destroyed stored crops and resulted in poor growing conditions and ultimately culminated in the death of 250,000 Irish people. However, some time after The Great Frost, laws were repealed that nearly gave Ireland independence from Britain. Rebellions rose to become fully independent but were quickly brought down. In 1799, a law failed to bring unification to Britain and Ireland; however, in 1801 and through bribery, a unification was brought about, which solidified Ireland's place as part of The United King of Great Britain and Ireland.
Another tragedy, in 1840, befell Ireland: The Great Famine. The census in 1841 recorded Irish population at over 8 million. The famine resulted in the swift death of over a million Irish people with another million or more emigrating to escape the famine. Ireland, until 2006, has had a continuous population decline and has yet to recover its population.
The Fight
So ultimately the decision must come down to which is better. Scotland or Ireland. How can we classify the rank of a country based on its history? Perhaps the struggle between a Scottish friend of mine and me, of course being Irish, is futile. Ireland has a history of constant struggles, death, take-overs, and even slavery. Scotland seems to have a more successful albeit bloody history. I suppose I will rank the countries as follows:
Scotland Advantages: Successfully fought back the Roman empire and lasted quite awhile before the English. Public education was brought back in part due to Scotland.
Scotland Disadvantages: They aren't Irish, kidding. None. There are no disadvantages for Scotland.
Irish Advantages: Upwards to 16 early tribes on a small island and they didn't kill each other? That is a lesson we could all learn. Some would say the spread of Christianity through missionary teaching is a plus...
Irish Disadvantages: Through hard times, they had to cope somehow. It is no wonder why we drink... this recounting doesn't even mention American-Irish hard times!
Scotland
Scotland, according to historical theory, was settled approximately 5,000 to 9,000 years ago. Early history of the Scottish people include brief skirmishes with occupying Roman forces to the south. However, the Roman might was able to tackle Scotland; yet, only manage to hold the territory for around 50 years. Scottish tribes were known to route Roman occupying forces in the name of freedom and that the Romans would create a desert of the world.
Eventually, the Romans were removed entirely. The Pictish kingdom rose from the tribal lands of Scotland. Throughout the Pictish era in Scotland, Norse and Gaelic-speaking tribes were unified into an English speaking country. Unification of the tribes and language to be mostly English and Gaelic resulted in a two-hundred year old golden age. However, all golden ages must come to an end. The death of Alexander the 3rd and his granddaughter left Scotland unruled. Usurpation of the throne led to an eventual alliance with the French and eventually the Scottish Independence war as a result of internal Scottish struggle.
Independence from Britain was a long road for Scotland. Through the Scottish Renaissance, public education emerged in Europe and was essentially founded in Scotland. Public education in 1496 in Scotland was the first form of proper public education since the time of the Greeks! War with England, even with the aid of France, was eventually futile as the Scottish parliament signed over papal rights.
The 1600's was a famously tumultuous time for Scotland. Famine and poverty ravaged the people due to the Darien Scheme; a countrywide effort to secure trading colonies in Panama, and through the overturn of power from a Scottish born king of England. Desperation led Scottish parliament to sign the treaty of union and, along with Britain, become part of the whole Kingdom of Great Britain.
Ireland
Much like Scotland, Ireland was thought to be inhabited between 5,000 to 9,000 years ago with the retreating Glacial forces. Enormous fields used for farming have been found in Ireland. Some speculate to be the biggest in pre-historic time. Ireland was used as a major maritime trading post through most of the bronze age. Diffusion of cultures in the iron age resulted in more than a dozen Celtic tribes. The tribes each had their own king and loosely answered to the High King of Ireland. Some speculate that lineage to the High King spanned thousands of years.
Pallidius and Saint Patrick, in 431 A.D., brought Christianity to Ireland, which in turn theoretically peacefully routed druidic practices. Latin, Greek, and Christian theology flourished scholastically in Ireland during this period. Irish missionaries are partially responsible for the spread of Christianity after the eventual fall of Rome. Vikings, in the 9th century, were known to plunder and pillage Irish monasteries and towns.
Norman knights invaded Ireland in the late 1100's. Through Norman rule and orders from the Pope, Ireland was eventually turned over to John Lackland, son of Henry the second. Following the black plague, the church attempted to enforce a separation of English-Irish and Norman-Irish people unsuccessfully. Essentially, the English culture was routed and a new Norman-influenced Irish culture emerged.
English expansion wrought a series of wars and skirmishes that, according to theory, resulted in the death or displacement of over half of the Irish population. Some postulate that approximately 50,000 Irishmen were sold into slavery. Even following the war; penal codes and laws were implemented, which resulted in loss of civil rights and basic sundry necessities.
The Great Frost destroyed stored crops and resulted in poor growing conditions and ultimately culminated in the death of 250,000 Irish people. However, some time after The Great Frost, laws were repealed that nearly gave Ireland independence from Britain. Rebellions rose to become fully independent but were quickly brought down. In 1799, a law failed to bring unification to Britain and Ireland; however, in 1801 and through bribery, a unification was brought about, which solidified Ireland's place as part of The United King of Great Britain and Ireland.
Another tragedy, in 1840, befell Ireland: The Great Famine. The census in 1841 recorded Irish population at over 8 million. The famine resulted in the swift death of over a million Irish people with another million or more emigrating to escape the famine. Ireland, until 2006, has had a continuous population decline and has yet to recover its population.
The Fight
So ultimately the decision must come down to which is better. Scotland or Ireland. How can we classify the rank of a country based on its history? Perhaps the struggle between a Scottish friend of mine and me, of course being Irish, is futile. Ireland has a history of constant struggles, death, take-overs, and even slavery. Scotland seems to have a more successful albeit bloody history. I suppose I will rank the countries as follows:
Scotland Advantages: Successfully fought back the Roman empire and lasted quite awhile before the English. Public education was brought back in part due to Scotland.
Scotland Disadvantages: They aren't Irish, kidding. None. There are no disadvantages for Scotland.
Irish Advantages: Upwards to 16 early tribes on a small island and they didn't kill each other? That is a lesson we could all learn. Some would say the spread of Christianity through missionary teaching is a plus...
Irish Disadvantages: Through hard times, they had to cope somehow. It is no wonder why we drink... this recounting doesn't even mention American-Irish hard times!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)