Alice and Diversity

We will never know about the unknown until we take the leap.

As Alice answers the infamous question, “Who Am I”? She also explores the challenges of diversity and cultural immersion. In this case, the new “culture” is the world of madness and whim.

            Alice is exposed to the Wonderland for the first time when she spots the White Rabbit. An odd sight, the rabbit is dressed in human clothes. Alice exclaims, “Dear, dear! How queer everything is today! And yesterday things went on just as usual” (22).  In society, or at least in our class discussions, we seem to idealize the thought of diversity. We often assume diversifying ourselves is an easy task. But, it is sometimes difficult or challenging to accept to ideas, beliefs and practices. Alice has difficulty accepting the ideas of Wonderland. For once in her life, she is the minority. Alice is forced to adapt to her environment while complaining, “It was much pleasanter at home, though poor Alice, “when one wasn’t always growing larger and smaller, and being ordered about by mice and rabbits” (39).  Alice finds "herself frequently weeps, and feels variously alarmed, indignant, vexed, fearful, "loely and low-spirited"(Carroll 21, Introduction). There are new languages, customs, and rituals in the new world. Although she wishes she were home, Alice is also intrigued by the Wonderland.

New worlds=new customs
http://s-ak.buzzfed.com/static/imagebuzz/web03/2010/12/7/17/alice-in-wonderland-engagement-photos-2277-1291761928-10.jpg

            Gradually, Alice learns to adapt to adapt to this new environment by listening to her new friends. Over time it “seemed quite natural to Alice to find herself talking familiarly with them, as if she had known them all her life” (29). Previously, Alice had grown frustrated adjusting to Wonderland. When reading the excerpt in Jabberwocky, Alice says, “It seems very pretty but it’s rather heard to understand! Somehow it seems to fill my head with ideas- only I don’t exactly know what they are!” (150).  It seems like Alice is more curious than bothered with this new language. She sees this as an opportunity to further understand the idea.  As Alice grows through her journey, she adapts, learns, and discovers. Similar our journeys, we may approach challenges but we must remember to think openly and accept new ideologies. Alice teaches us embrace diversity. This diversity is achieved through experiential learning and compassion. Alice’s compassion towards her new friends allows her to see the world through this new perspective (the looking glass).

Enter the looking glass
http://photos.travelblog.org/Photos/46274/242061/f/1935499-Alice-through-the-Looking-Glass-1.jpg

Enter the looking-glass
http://elusiveheroine.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/alice-in-wonderland-balenciaga.jpg

Far more accurate than a daily horoscope or other personality test, I was surprised to see what my results revealed about me. In class, Swan’s activity asked us to draw what we wanted to be when we were younger. I drew me as the president. Interestingly enough, people who share my Keirsey results are Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon. The portrait of an ENTJ explains, “Hardly more than two percent of the total population, Fieldmarshals are bound to lead others, and from an early age they can be observed taking command of groups”. Despite such a gratifying description, they also have a “short attention span” (249). Undeniably, these qualities seem to fit my personality in a few ways.

My ENTJ Brutha

    Although some of these characteristics are spot on, there are such characteristics that may either develop later or just something I had never noticed about me. The J in “judging” says that I value a “schedule is important want syllabus that is all explained clearly, spelled out” (249). The think the most thing we can garner from these tests to distinguish our strengths and learn to conquer our weaknesses. My personality results reveal that although I may visualize my goals, I turn to Inventor or Architect for execution. Our anthology provides tips for writing that addresses the individual’s strengths. Agreeably, an extravert works best when “Taking breaks for outer stimulation” (252). Additionally, a decisive student should “narrow options to decide on a topic” when prewriting (252). I think these unique techniques allow us to target how WE learn most effectively.

Our habits and actions may suggest much more than we think.

The Mother of All DBs

We began our journey by first asking, "Who are we?"
http://childillustration.blogspot.com/2009/03/angel-dominguez-who-are-you.html

While on the Internet a couple of days ago, I found a quote by Buddha, “It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is your. It cannot be taken from you, not angels or by demons, heaven or hell”. And just as the quote explains, finding WHO you are is one of the most valuable discoveries on our journey. This very question was presented to us before the class even started. One of our first discussion board posts asked us who we are and explain ourselves to our future classmates. At the beginning of the year, this question seemed impossible to sufficiently answer. How was I supposed to write my first college assignment? What did I want other students to know about me? In fact, I prolonged writing that post as long as possible. But now, I have come to realize that answering, “Who am I?” is not confined to a single reply. In fact, Alice responds to the Caterpillar by saying, “I—I hardly know, sire, just at present—at least I know who I when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then” (Carroll). Similarly, Alice finds that question difficult to answer because she is still discovering this. There just isn’t one answer for such a vast question. But rather, it requires a multi-faceted response. Just like we answered this question, Siddhartha finds himself troubled with this thought. Sheltered by his parents as a youth, “Siddhartha had started to cultivate the seed of discontent within himself” (6). As students leaving high school we may have felt similar dissatisfaction. This journey has provided challenging questions and multiple revelations.

http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/a/animal_rights.asp

  Speaking of challenges, one of the most meaningful experiences was discussing ethics and sympathetic imaginations, specifically through the lens of animal cruelty. Coming into this topic, most of us were either indifferent towards or unaware of the vicious atrocities committed in American slaughterhouses. Watching Earthlings provided experiential learning into the world of injustice and as the film says, “And for the prisoners and victims of this mass murder, their holocaust is far from over” (Earthlings). However, I did find it disturbing when students, a few even in our class, undermine the gravity it this issue. Although these comments are intended to seem harmless, I have grown a personal offense towards these instances of Speciesism. Understanding this, I began to acknowledge my growing passion towards animals’ ethics—something I was unaware previously. Through this journey, I have experienced an awakening of some sort. Similarly, “Siddhartha opened his eyes and looked around; a smile filled his face and a profound feeling of awakening from long dreams through from his head down to his toes” (40). He begins to see that “The world is beautiful and colorful; the world is strange and mysterious (41). Although I have not had an awakening this powerful, I hope some day I will experience such a spiritual endeavor.

We are all on a lifelong journey
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1DSlOp/x

Finally, DIVERSITY has been a valuable lesson for this year. In high school, diversity meant accepted other students at our lunch table or playing dreidel for Hanukkah. However, accepted diversity is much more than that. Generally, “It has become commonplace to hear people ascribe differences in what people think and do (cultural differences) to labels for class, gender, and ethnicity, in much the same way we once ascribed cultural differences to tribal identities” (American Anthropology). Diversity is not just including people, but it is also thoughts, ideas and beliefs. Reading through everyone’s posts, our classmates have all overcome unique obstacles and challenges over the course of this class. I was interesting to read Dachshund’s post about letting go of her desire to be a perfectionist. Also, Fin talks about her journey of finding “self-aware and passion”.  All of us have goals for this course and different beliefs. This section on religion and ideologies brought cultural awareness and freedom of expression. Although we may not necessarily embrace the same ideologies, I feel like our class has become a welcoming environment free of ignorance. We have not only embraced this diversity through class discussions, but also by attending several cultural events on campus. The Chinese New Years, Diwali, and Navarati were all events celebrating the cultural diversity of this campus. Although different religions may express different thoughts or practices, all of these philosophies are rooted in finding compassion. Whether this be through accepting God or offering love to others, the human race strives to find compassion.

While also looking at the world’s suffering, this class explores compassion its many forms. Finding compassion in others, the world, and ourselves is important to alleviate the torment going elsewhere in society. “Earthlings” explains that although we are not the only species, we still hold a moral obligation to preserve what we have been given. The narrator begins that documentary by saying, “Humans, therefore, being not the only species on the planet, share this world with millions of other living creatures, as we all evolve here together” (Earthlings). Martin Luther King Jr. says, "We may have all come in different ships, but we're in the same boat now". We, as humanity are together.  

"We all evolve together"
www.bannedinhollywood.com/20-moments-in-animal-awesomeness/

Handwerker, Penn E “The Construct Validity of Cultures: Cultural Diversity, Culture Theory, and a Method for Ethnography” American Anthropologists 

Siddhartha 2

When we left off, Siddhartha had fully indulged himself in the pleasures and luxury of the material world. But suddenly, Siddhartha is consumed by feelings of guilt, anger, and despair. As an attempt to end all of these feelings, he even contemplates suicide. Finally, he falls asleep beside a tree. As Siddhartha wakes up, he feels rejuvenated and transformed. Just like Siddhartha’s multiple transformations, we also experienced this “rebirth” in our class. Siddhartha contemplates, “Perhaps he had really died; perhaps he had drowned and was reborn in a new body?” (85). By now, we have seen that Siddhartha endure a number of these “rebirths”. Each one is like a stage of reincarnation. Although he is the same soul, he sees things differently and experiences new worlds. Siddhartha also explains that he looks back at his life in stages: As a boy, as a youth, and as a young man. I found this interesting because Swan also made this statement on Tuesday. Whether we individually accept or believe in reincarnation, it is true that we go through life in stages and sometimes, our experiences make us feel transformed. Siddhartha finally concludes that there isn’t just ONE path we must follow, but rather, “This path is foolish; it moves in loops, and perhaps it is going around in a circle” (91). Earlier on, Siddhartha believed the only way to reach enlightenment is through abandoning all pleasure, compassion, desire, and feelings. After falling in love, leaving his friend Govinda, and falling into depression, he realizes that life is complicated and that he must embrace these inevitable emotions. The author speaks in metaphors about a bird being released from Siddhartha. This bird, maybe the heron, is Siddhartha’s spirit animal. Rather than following a path on his pilgrimage, Siddhartha realizes that life itself is the pilgrimage. Siddhartha explains that, “The realization and knowledge of what wisdom actually is slowly blossomed and ripened within Siddhartha; he now knew what the goal of his long search was” (122). I think Siddhartha finally understands the meaning of compassion. When seeing Kamala on her deathbed, he is filled with emotions of love and grief—something Siddhartha did not feel for a long time. When he learns about Siddhartha Jr., Siddhartha becomes accepting and decides to raise his son.

Infinite Knot: Buddhist symbol for rebirth
http://www.etsy.com/listing/30943646/infinite-knot-buddhist-symbol-necklace

           

            During his life journey, Siddhartha realizes that he found the most enlightenment by meeting people and learning to feel compassion and suffering. In the beginning, Siddhartha thought the only way to achieve knowledge was through isolation and seclusion. However, the most valuable lessons are achieved through individual experiential learning. 

Siddhartha experienced compassion from his experience:
the death of Kamala, and finding his son
http://im.rediff.com/movies/2011/jan/11slide5.jpg 

Siddhartha I

The young siddhartha gautama at the early stages of his journey 

Siddhartha is an intriguing story of a boy’s journey to enlightenment and self-discovery. With the permission of his family and his friend by his side, the young Siddhartha travels through India. Siddhartha has this “epiphany” after seeing the ascetics and the world’. Originally, Siddhartha sees the suffering in the world and realizes he must abandon all earthly pleasures in order to practice a state of meditation: emotion-less and lack of any desires. Siddhartha does just enough to survive, he eats once a day, wears rags, and gave his possessions away. Along this early path, Siddhartha sees that, “The world was certainly sick, and life was difficult to endure-and see, here a fountain appeared to spring up, here a clarion call appeared to sound that was trustworthy, mild, and full of elegant promises” (23). The young boy believes the only way he can eliminate suffering in his world is by abandoning emotion. This seems problematic for a few reasons. Although Siddhartha himself may not feel the world’s pain, these things will still exist and continue to perpetuate around him. Additionally, this docile behavior is a state of self-denial. However this seems to change once Siddhartha sees all the beautiful things in the world. After leaving Buddha’s grove, he experiences an Awakening and says, “I no longer want to begin my thoughts and my life with Atman and with the suffering of the world” (40).  During this awakening, Siddhartha learns to appreciate the aesthetics of the world and appreciate his surroundings and “Siddhartha learned something new on every step of his path, for the world was transformed, and his heart was enchanted” (45). At this point, Siddhartha transforms from a boy into a man. Comparing himself to the snake, “He realized that one thing had left him, as a snake left its old skin; one thing which had accompanied him throughout his youth and used to a part of him no longer existed inside him: the desire to have teachers and to listen to teachings” (38). Siddhartha becomes his own teacher, his own prophet, and his own guide. At this point, Siddhartha can take actively reach enlightenment his own way.

Reaching self-actualization
http://www.thezensite.com/BuddhistPhotos/BodhGayaBodhiTree.jpg

            Similar to Siddhartha’s period of enlightenment, we all endure this realization at one point or another. Once again like Siddhartha, the most meaningful enlightenment comes from within, from our individual actions. Though we do take meaningful lessons from our teachers, there comes a time when we must act on our own. As we have discussed, suffering/compassion is a major theme of worldly religion. When comparing Eastern to Western philosophy, we’ve noticed the differences in practices. In terms of suffering,

“I thought about Christ on the cross, crucified for our sins, the central image of Christianity, and an image, most decidedly, of redemp- tion through suffering. In contrast, the peaceful, smiling Buddha sits with his hand outstretched in the earth touching gesture, an image of complete serenity, the transcendence of all suffering” (Pope). Whether this is a religious encounter, spiritual, or self-actualization, the Siddhartha’s journey from boyhood to manhood is definitely comparable to ours. 

Alan Pope, "“Is there a difference?” Iconic Images of Suffering in Buddhism and Christianity" 248. 

OM: A state of meditation and peace

2-10 Asian Religions

All men can acheive sagehood on this earth

I’ve truly appreciated exploring different worldly religions. In this week’s readings, the authors focused on the differences between Eastern and Western school of thought. Although all religions surround themes of compassion and love, there is a unique disparity concerning HOW compassion is achieved.

Several fundamental differences are addressed between the two schools of thought, but one of the most interesting distinctions concerns coexistence- how man and nature interact. One of the most famous verses in Genesis explains that God gave Man permission to “dominate” the beasts and creatures of this earth. The skin of an animal was used to clothe Adam, and the beasts were given life so Adam and Eve could sustain life. It seems almost the opposite in Jain and Hindu literature. Hindu philosophers like “Mahavira further proclaimed that anyone who neglects or disregards the existence of earth, air, water, and vegetation disregards his own existence, which is intrinsically bound up with them” (180). As I mentioned in an earlier DB, Western society has established a hierarchal order: God, Man, nature. Eastern religions practice that all beings agre equally omnipresent on this earth. Humans are not the animal’s masters, but instead we are co-inhibitors. Thusly, ““We have a moral obligation toward nonhuman creation” to respect all God’s creations. Within the Western hierarchy, God is seen as the beholder of our moral compass, and the master of our fate. With that, we are told we must both love but fear God. Mathew 10:28 says, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” At the same time, Western belief also says we must honor and revere God. This isn’t necessarily always true in Eastern philosophy. God is seen as more of a spiritual guide. Like Swan mentioned in class, several Hindu tales explain that the Gods came down to earth and acted like humans. Rather than God assuming the authoritarian position, he plays an equal role in the universe just as man and nature.  This “role” is called Brahma, or the Ultimate Creator.

“We have a moral obligation toward nonhuman creation” 

palanimohan.com/

In other differences, “Christianity insists that man is tainted by original sin an that salvation comes from God, from above, Confucians, on the other hand, generally believe that humans nature is good and that man can attain sagehood and thence harmony is virtue with Heaven by his own efforts” (208). This belief assumes that God determines our fate. If we are not fully committed to him, we are sent to hell. Some Hindus believe in karma, which is more predicated off of free will. Karma is “The self-determination and accountability of the individual soul rests on its capacity for free choice” (Klostermaier). As living beings of this earth, we determine our destiny based on our individual choices. In contrast, “Western civilization principally relies on its religious emphasis on personal humility and on all merits ultimately coming from God. However, the name of god can be borrowed as a back-prop in the conviction that one’s actions bear His sanction; or else one may even selfishly wish to possess Him, such as during a war to pray for victory” (207). Eastern religion believes that God isn’t just here for humans, but as a guide for all living creatures. And as a spiritual guide, Eastern perception of God tells us, “Do not lose awareness of the existence of suffering in the world. Find ways to be with those who are suffering” (178). Rather than finding answers in God, he expects us to alleviate suffering. We are capable of finding compassion. We are able to actively offer love to those who are suffering.

Humans have an ethical obligation to end suffering in all forms
dpshots.com/photo-inspiration/breath-taking-photographs.html

Hinduism – A Short Introduction by Klaus. K. Klostermaier (Oneworld, Oxford)

2-8 Christianity

This week’s reading surrounds two central themes of sacrifice and love. According to the Christian bible, these two seem to share an interesting correlation. However reading this material leaves me with several questions unanswered. Where did the idea of sacrifice originate from, specifically animal sacrifices? If God loves everyone why are the heretics and sinners sent to hell? Finally, God tells us that love is everywhere when “Love bears all things, believes in all things, hopes in all things, endures all things” (160) Yet he also invests fear in us as Mary explains, “And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation” (152). I feel like this parallel leaves a complicated relationship between man and god. We are left to draw our own interpretations and judgment, which is where I think the problem lies. In my opinion, if we are supposed to follow a strict doctrine, then we should whole-heartedly do so. But if we are autonomous beings subject to our thoughts and ethics, then we should be completely free. As inquisitive college students, it is difficult to completely understand a book written hundreds of years ago. Although religion is considered the ultimate philosophy of morals, several antiquated practices including animal sacrifice are condoned.

Animals have been the "target" of many religious practices

            Today, the sacrificial practices seem almost primitive. Reading about our ethics towards animals got me to delve into feminist theory surrounding religious sacrifice. After all, both women and animals are often a topic of controversy in religious texts. In William Beer’s Women and Sacrifice: Male Narcissism and the Psychology of Religion, anthropologists believe the roots and meaning of sacrifice are found “Social order, no matter how much its necessity appears to be self-generating and self-perpetuating, is to a significant and radical degree correlated to and motivated by psychological structure. Additionally, this psychological motivation in men is caused by the desire to control the male-perceived power of women. Latest analysis on the birth of religion seem to agree the “Even in more contemporary Christians, the more vividly the Eucharist is understood to be itself a real sacrifice, the greater the opposition to ordaining women” (Beers). Whether or not you may believe this analysis, it is still important to keep in mind that the same methodology behind ancient animal sacrifice may still exist, just in other forms. When we think about the thousands of animals slaughtered for the sake of “god”, “We must recognize our equal inherent value as individuals, reason-not sentiment, not emotion- reason compels us to recognize the equal inherent value of these animals and, with this their equal right to be treated with respect” (Anthology II 357).

Tigers in asia are being slaughtered for their skin and bones for ancient Chinese rituals
www.tigersincrisis.com/

            So when we look to religion for answers, we must keep in mind of its outdated rituals and practices. Though the grand message of love and compassion may still hold value, we must still question the practices.

Beers, William. "Women and Sacrifice: male narcissism and psychology of religion". (Wayne State University Press: 1992). p.1 

2-3 Overview, Jewish Bible, The Qu'ran

As religion has become the crux of our class discussions, it brought me to wonder WHY these philosophies were created. Why did men spend days, years, lifetimes writing stories, rules and guidelines for living? It seems that at this time, just like us- curious students, people were searching for answers. Questions of creation, life and existence were all arising in ancient societies. And although  some of these religious have different responses and solutions, they all look for compassion and an ethical compass. Interpreting these religions holistically, it’s evident that “Ranked a great virtue in numerous philosophies, compassion is considered in all the major religious traditions as among the greatest of virtue” (106). In my early years of Sunday school, my teacher pointed the similarities between Hindu god Krishna and Jesus Christ. For one, Krishna and Christ sound awfully alike. Both claimed to be the descended version of God. Both Krishna and Christ’s mother were believed to be virgins. There are several other similarities but what is interesting is that although modern society seems to find these religions at polarized ends, their original epistemologies are quite alike.

Similarities between Christ and Krishna are more than coincidental
http://dinc666.blogspot.com/2010/06/list-of-good-informative-sitesblogs.html 

            But beyond textual comparison, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism etc. etc. have a common theme of extending compassion through virtue. Hindus and followers like Guadiya Vaishnavism “prayed to the Lord Krishna asking him to “deliver all conditioned souls” because his “heart breaks to see the sufferings of all conditioned souls” (107).  And although these philosophies aim to spread peace and love, religion has sparked some of the cruelest acts on this planet. As early as the crusades to the India-Pakistan turmoil in Kashmir, modern interpretations of religion has brought violence, patriarchy, discrimination and even Speciesism.

            Obviously I have not fully educated myself on all these religions, but from what I have read, most religious texts endorse that “Emotion, though often dismissed, plays a crucial role as well. Feelings of outrage or revulsion, sympathy or compassion are important to the development of complete moral sensibilities” (357). In Genesis, as a class we discussed the possible patriarchal undertone in the tales. Under some biblical interpretations, Eve’s punishment was more stringent than Adam’s. Furthermore, she was supposedly created by the ribs of Adam and given life when God, “Concerned that man was alone and lonely in the garden, God decided to make a "helper fit for him" and brought before him "every beast of the field and every bird of the air” (Witcombe). And although Islam has sparked controversy today regarding its ideologies towards women and the female body, the Qu’ran actually seems most nondiscriminatory. The Qu’ran recognizes both women and men as equal when quoted: “Men shall have a portion of what the parents and the near relatives leave, and women shall have a portion of what the parents and the near relative leave, where there is little or much of it; a stated portion” (144). In Qur’an and the veil: Contexts and Interpretations of the Revelation, the author argues that the idea of veiling women was not an original rule in the Qu’ran. Goto says, “Though the word hijab appears seven times in the Qur’an, only two references pertain to women- one is a partition that Maryam, the mother of Jesus Chrused used” (Goto 282).  In fact, the book explains that early hadith collections, another Islamic scripture, it that says that “Both women and men were ordered to “cast down their looks” in the interest of modesty” (Goto 287).  Finally, the Qur’an teaches love and peace towards all of God’s creations. This alludes to compassion towards animals because “The Qur’an states that all creation praises God, even if this praise is not expressed in human language” (116).

The Qur'an seeks equality, however politically motivated groups  have
used the book as symbol of hatred and retaliation

            Rather than critiquing the ancient texts of religion, we must instead look at how these texts are interpreted in modern society. Many people have justified actions through religious motivation. Certainly, writers of the books thousands of years ago had no intention of spreading violence and hate.

Stop religious warfare
http://www.heavingdeadcats.com/2009/01/03/20-reasons-i-am-godless/attachment/12172793211671/

Christopher Witecombe “Eve and the Identity of Women” http://witcombe.sbc.edu/eve-women/5eveserpent.html

Emi Goto, Qur’an and the Veil: Contexts and Interpretations of the Revelation: p.282 and 287.