I saw this video as relative to the aspect of the idea that humans, nature, and spirits are set on a continuum. In Shinto, there is no division between these three realms because they each belong to spirituality. This is shown when the boy sees the sixth girl, though there are only 5. She is symbolizing the alliance between human nature and the nature of the spirits. When followed, she and the boy return to the peach orchard, which had been destroyed by his family. There they are greeted by gods, again symbolizing the link between humans and spirits. The gods, through a ritual, recreate the peach orchard for the boy, solidifying the continuum of human, spirits, and nature. All are connected and each are effected by the other.
This story could also show the sin of destroying sacred grounds of the gods. The boys family was shunned by the gods; they will never return to their home.Yet, because the boy was remorseful and innocent, the gods had mercy and revealed the orchard to him one last time.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
the Tao of Pooh
As an overall text, I greatly enjoyed "The Tao of Pooh". At first I was somewhat thrown off by the explanations of Taoism terms and practices set to examples of metaphorical situations through Pooh and his friends. However, as the book progressed, I saw how these stories made the ideas of Taoism much more clearer, then by simply defining the terms and approaches. It is here that I found to be the most important aspect. The practice of the Tao is one of simplicity. To become one with the Tao, with nature, with the way of the world and universe, one must be simplistic, of simple mind,not meddling or contriving. Overall, I gained the understanding that anything besides the simple approach of Wu Wei is an interference with the way of the universe; with the natural way that each of us are individually meant to be.
There were a few passages I cared for in paritcular. When analyzing the poem Cottlestone Pie, the author first adresses that many of us consistently and with epic failure try to "fit square pegs into round holes, ignoring the clear reality that Things Are As They Are" (p. 39). He explains that by our inner nature we already know where we do, and do not, belong; i.e., wrong marriages, wrong jobs. The author also analyzes the quote "A fish can't whistle and neither can I" p.43), to reiterate the fact that a truely wise mind knows and recognizes its limitations. However, my favorite explanation provided referenced the idea that instead of erradicating negative emotions, one should seek to change them for a more positive or useful light. He concludes this thought with "While pounding on the piano keys may produce noise, removing them doesn't exactly further the creation of music. The principles of Music and Living aren;t all that different, we think" (p. 59).
In reference to the author's critique of America as a culture of "Busy Backsons", I entirely agree. As a western culture we have become some submersed in consumerism, wealth, and "prosperity", I feel that we often lose track of where we are. Always looking forward, to the next goal or accomplishment, we may often miss the moment that we are already apart of. On a personal level, I can relate to this aspect of our culture. Constantly striving for the next big goal to obtain, we may sometimes miss the time in between, which the author points out, is a much greater amount of time spent when compared to those few moments of actually reaching the accomplishment. He states it in such a way where we function with all this time, and then we meet a goal, and then there's a bunch of time, and then we meet a goal, etc. He stresses that to be in the Tao, you must be in the present moment.
Reviewing Taoism as a "solution" to the "problem" of American culture, I agree with some aspects. I understand that as a culture, we are probably missing most of our present time focused on the future. The particular example of Christmas morning was my favorite; the author says that each year we have this anticipation, happiness, before we open the gifts. Then we open them, they lose their appeal, and we wait 365 days to do it all over again. I agree with the idea to be more in the present moment, to appreciate and look at nature in a childlike fashion, with beauty and awe. It was also interesting to think about what the author means when he speaks of the difference between "Emptiness" and "Lonliness". I agree with the idea that we should seek time alone, time of silence of inquisitive minds and constant analyzing. The only idea I did not agree wholeheartedly in was the theory that if you do not try, things will fall into place. I don't see this as true. Everything requires effort, even if its minimal. I understand the way this relates to the idea that to follow the path of the universe is most harmonily, and I imagine that it is. However, as part of western culture, I also imagine that to not try would not reap the things that American culture holds, usually, as beneficial. I also do not agree that actively working your mind and body is also actively killing it. Maybe it's been imprinted on me from my American upbringing, but actively working your body and mind are things that help me to feel personally at peace.
There were a few passages I cared for in paritcular. When analyzing the poem Cottlestone Pie, the author first adresses that many of us consistently and with epic failure try to "fit square pegs into round holes, ignoring the clear reality that Things Are As They Are" (p. 39). He explains that by our inner nature we already know where we do, and do not, belong; i.e., wrong marriages, wrong jobs. The author also analyzes the quote "A fish can't whistle and neither can I" p.43), to reiterate the fact that a truely wise mind knows and recognizes its limitations. However, my favorite explanation provided referenced the idea that instead of erradicating negative emotions, one should seek to change them for a more positive or useful light. He concludes this thought with "While pounding on the piano keys may produce noise, removing them doesn't exactly further the creation of music. The principles of Music and Living aren;t all that different, we think" (p. 59).
In reference to the author's critique of America as a culture of "Busy Backsons", I entirely agree. As a western culture we have become some submersed in consumerism, wealth, and "prosperity", I feel that we often lose track of where we are. Always looking forward, to the next goal or accomplishment, we may often miss the moment that we are already apart of. On a personal level, I can relate to this aspect of our culture. Constantly striving for the next big goal to obtain, we may sometimes miss the time in between, which the author points out, is a much greater amount of time spent when compared to those few moments of actually reaching the accomplishment. He states it in such a way where we function with all this time, and then we meet a goal, and then there's a bunch of time, and then we meet a goal, etc. He stresses that to be in the Tao, you must be in the present moment.
Reviewing Taoism as a "solution" to the "problem" of American culture, I agree with some aspects. I understand that as a culture, we are probably missing most of our present time focused on the future. The particular example of Christmas morning was my favorite; the author says that each year we have this anticipation, happiness, before we open the gifts. Then we open them, they lose their appeal, and we wait 365 days to do it all over again. I agree with the idea to be more in the present moment, to appreciate and look at nature in a childlike fashion, with beauty and awe. It was also interesting to think about what the author means when he speaks of the difference between "Emptiness" and "Lonliness". I agree with the idea that we should seek time alone, time of silence of inquisitive minds and constant analyzing. The only idea I did not agree wholeheartedly in was the theory that if you do not try, things will fall into place. I don't see this as true. Everything requires effort, even if its minimal. I understand the way this relates to the idea that to follow the path of the universe is most harmonily, and I imagine that it is. However, as part of western culture, I also imagine that to not try would not reap the things that American culture holds, usually, as beneficial. I also do not agree that actively working your mind and body is also actively killing it. Maybe it's been imprinted on me from my American upbringing, but actively working your body and mind are things that help me to feel personally at peace.
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