Thursday, May 27, 2010

The End of John



John was a interesting gospel to read because it felt like there was more to be said that wasn’t explored in Mark. The depth given in John is interesting to read about because it feels like he was right there when everything was happening. Instead of just an overview on the known facts, more is explored.

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Jesus doesn’t really seem sad to be leaving this “kingdom”. He really did think that his coming to Earth was just a mission. What surprised me the most about this part was the fact that he says that if this was a perfect world, he wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. In a sense my perspective that Jesus came to Earth doing something he wanted has completely changed. Maybe I have been misinterpreting everything on the Bible for a long time but, now I understand Jesus truly was someone who wanted to have control over what he did. I always thought everything he did was his own wish and not anyone else’s.

Pilate was never really taken into depth in Mark. Before being chosen for crucifixion Jesus was taken to Pilate to judge him. I used to think Pilate wanted to execute Jesus and didn’t really care what happened to him. Now I am not so sure. Before anything Pilate actually defends Jesus,in a  mediocre way, but he still doesn’t seem content with the decision of the people. He follows what he is told but when “the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. 22 Pilate answered, what I have written I have written”. Instead of writing it again he leaves it how it is. Why would he do this? I believe it is because deep inside he knows that Jesus is actually the Son of God. Another example of when Pilate “helped”was when he didn’t deny his brethren the body of their master. If he was truly as terrible as the rest who judged Jesus, I am sure he wouldn’t have done this. In a sense I feel he was portrayed better in this Gospel than in Mark.

Since we discussed Jesus final words the other day, here are his final words in John:“8 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost”.  I seriously believe it was the vinegar that did it. I mean being thirsty and being offered a delicious beverage of vinegar affects your system. I thought that final words were like Grammy acceptant speeches, but they are quite simple. At least these are.I don’t really understand the full meaning of his final words, if they have any, and would like to go more into depth about this.

 

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Appreciation

John is more detailed than Mark. Instead of giving us overviews on the life of Jesus, he actually goes deeper and writes about everything that happens. Reading John I feel like I am getting all the blanks that Mark left filled with the information in these pages. Right now I think of Mark as the opening act, while John is the full show.

“Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

In Mark we never heard the part of Lazarus. After reading it I understand why Jesus’s day was coming up faster and why his fan base grew. I mean after seeing a dead guy rise up from the grave, how can you not believe that Jesus is the son of God? Another subject omitted from Mark was resurrection day of the people. Since I was little I was told that there will be a day when Jesus will come back to the people and with him will be all the dead people. So with what it is saying above I think the dead aren’t really dead but waiting to be called on to come back to the world of the living through Jesus. But only if you “believeth" in Jesus you will come back.

These priests sound meaner in John. In Mark you kind of got the idea that they were bad but in here you actually get to know what they were saying as the book progresses. In a way it wasn’t completely Gods idea that Jesus should die, but these priests plotted everything as well: “high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 and not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. 53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.”Maybe God put the idea in their head but it sure doesn’t look like a higher power was manipulating these men. Weren’t they also a close connection between God and the people? They are priests after all. Personally I think they just killed him because they felt jealous he had a bond with God while they were being cast aside. Jesus actually created a relationship with those that surrounded him, while the priests kept to themselves.

The disciples got their moment to shine in John too. We get a clear picture of Judas Iscariot and the type of person he was: “hen saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.”Judas Iscariot sounds more like the type of person to chace a profit than chase a prophet. Here you can actually see his personality clashes with that of the other deciples because they don’t complain about things like foot ointment. He is also introduced as a “thief” and none of the other disciples had that title along with their names. Also, Jesus is shown to appreciate his deciples more. He actually praises them more and shows he is truly proud of the men they are. He says: “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater loves hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”He tells them they know him at a deeper level and that they aren’t his servants but his friends. You see that even though Jesus knew bad about his men, he appreciated them equally, even Judas.

One thing they didn’t leave out in either book was the fact that women are nothing. I am so tiered about reading about how we were just made to reproduce and have the children. I give Jesus credit for making it sound deep. Not many people, especially men, understand that pregnancy and the actual action of giving birth is painful. Jesus put it into a nice way by saying: “ 21
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.” Ok why does it have to be a man? Are we only happy when we give birth to men? Anyway, Jesus only talks about this to say that they will have sorrow for his death but they will see each other again and the sorrow will go away. And of course birth is the only way to say “hey you’ll miss me but, we’ll see each other again soon”.

In book 17 he talks to his Father knowing that the time has come. In Mark he knows his time has come, but never is it mentioned what he prays for. In Mark you just hear that he stepped away from his disciples and went into the forest to pray. When he emerges from praying he is taken by the soldiers because he is betrayed. It’s different to see what he prayed than not to because you question what it it is he prayed for. In John, seeing what he prayed for exactly, you see that he prayed for mankind and that he gave us all we needed and that he knows what his sacrifice is for. When you see that he wasn’t scared to go and give his life for us, it creates a bigger picture. You understand that he had a purpose for being hear and as he had said “he was speaking for his Father”. He had a reason to be here and he had a clear purpose on what he wanted. Sometimes I wish I knew what I will become when I am older. Its probably because my future is uncertain right now and I don’t have someone telling me what to do to take the best path. The future is a mystery if you are not the official offspring of God.

Monday, May 24, 2010

John

Today I started reading a new Gospel, the one by John. It is very different from the one Mark wrote because it actually goes into depth into some details that weren’t explained in the first Gospel I read. Here we actually get to see the things that occurred form the characters point of view. Wjile in Mark we only got to see a very short passage onto every characters life.

First, Moses and the other prophets weren’t really mentioned in Mark. They only mentioned prophets in general but never really said the names of specific ones. For example in the first part Moses is mentioned along with his Ten Comandments: “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph”. In Mark they never mention that Moses had written about the coming of Jesus. There are certain things like the Moses one, that aren’t fully explained or taken into depth in Mark.

“Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.”

Mark had serious issues if he didn’t mention this. I mean it was practically one of the most famous miracles of all time. I knew about the water turning into wine but didn’t think about it until now. In Mark they only discuss the healing miracles and nothing else. This was pretty big and I question why Mark left it out of his section. It’s not like you are walking down the street and there are tones of people that can turn water into wine.

Circumcision is mentioned again! I can’t believe this holly tradition was neglected by Mark. Not to mention that it wasn’t any other than Jesus who brought it up. I thought circumcision was given on the day of birth of the child. Now after having read that “ye on the Sabbath day circumcise a man. 23 If a man on the Sabbath day receive circumcision”, I’m beginning to question of the tradition was lost. Maybe I got confused in the present because I know that boys are circumcised now, no matter their religion for hygiene purposes. The last part of this section is also pretty interesting: “are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the Sabbath day? 24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment”. My favorite part in the end because it doesn’t matter that you are likeable on the outside; you could be a total duchebag on the inside. And it is kind of interesting how to make his point he uses the whole “circumcised on the Sabbath day” part.

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. 14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. 15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. 16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. 17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.”

Instead of just wrting that Jesus said something, John writes what he said. I felt that in Mark we only got the beginning of what was going to be said but no real depth into the matter. We also get to explore Jesus’s actual teachings like the one above. I like how Jesus compares himself to light and how he is a guide to those that want to follow. Somehow he doesn’t sound as tough in John as in Mark, he seems calm when he responds to the Pharisees and not ready to spit into someone’s ear. He seems to have more to share with the people and actally stands up for himself in a passive way.

“And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.”

Good old Jesus remedies. Now not only do we get to know ears weren’t safe from his holly spit but also the dirt was part of the equation. Now that I think of it, his spit must have had something that made everything all magical. I also can’t believe that they thought someone was a sinner if their child suffered any kind of handicap. Good thing Jesus set them straight. He also mentions himself as the light again, I have a feeling that is going to be a reoccurring theme.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

End of Mark

Mark was shorter and to the point than the rest of the other gospels. The reason this reading was easier and a bit easier to understand was because it was written in a way that it doesn’t dwell in the small details but goes directly to the point.

Pilate, the guy that crucified Jesus, didn’t really seem like he wanted to. In the last moment I believe Jesus shocked him by his responses to whatever they asked him. Still Pilate chose to please the people over saving Jesus. And how did he please the people? By putting Jesus and Barabbas, a murderer, in front of the public so that they chose who they wanted to live. The people themselves were manipulated by the chief priests to choose the murderer over Christ; “For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. 11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them”. (15:10:11). Priests are portrayed really negatively through the reading. Every time priests were mentioned it felt like they were describing someone who was corrupt. I think that the fear and angst that Jesus gave the priests was because they weren’t doing a good job being the messengers of God and he saw that. He told the people of the wrong the priests were doing and that posed a threat to them. For them it was all about internal reasons why they wanted Jesus to suffer.

“And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. 17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, 18 and began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! 19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him”. (15:16:17:18:19:20)

I remember that when the movie the about the Christ came out a few years back, we went to watch it. I remember that my mom had to cover my eyes in some parts that were to violent for me to see, but I remember seeing this scene in the movie. This is completely degrading to any human being and the worst part is Jesus is ok with it. The only reason he is ok with all of this is because he knew that the day would come when all this would happen and he also knew that this was his purpose to come into the world. If bullying didn’t exist back then, this was the day it was created. “They clothed him with purple” is a pretty funny line. What is so wrong about purple? Was it the unholy color of the time; the neon green to stand out in a crowd?

In book 16 it is the first time Mary Magdalene is mentioned. They don’t really go into depth with her; they just say Jesus “had cast seven devils”. (9:16) and he had appeared to her on the first day of the week. I thought she was mentioned more but apparently she just wasn’t that important; sad. I also thought it was sad that his own disciples kind of didn’t really pay attention to his different forms. Then when he actually appears to all of them at the same time, they do believe he came back. His disciples don’t really trust each other if they don’t believe that some of them saw him and the others did not.

“Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was raised. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into the entire world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”(16:14-20)

That must be annoying. To resurrect and the first thing you have to do is reprimand your disciples “their unbelief and hardness of heart”. Poor guy never cached a break between teaching, being crucified, and his followers. I liked how in the end he sends his disciples to spread his knowledge around the world. In a way this part is insulting to other religions because he says they are cast out devils. We got over that pretty quickly; I have friends that are neither baptized or part of any of the branches of Christianity.

Now that all the mysteries of the life of the son of God are a bit clearer, I can actually understand certain things about Jesus I never really could. I always just thought of him as the son of God that was born to Mary and if that hadn’t had happened Christmas wouldn’t exist. And that in itself is a tragedy. But he was born and he wasn’t just a bigger being, he was a teacher. He just wanted to teach people a good path to follow in life like Confucius or Krishna. Beneath all his holiness, he was just a man trying to make paths clear to the world.


Thursday, May 20, 2010

Geting All Tough

“And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. 43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”9:42

What shocked me a lot about what I read was that, it wasn’t all healing and being kind. Jesus got this tough guy attitude all through books 9-15. He even got a bit graphic about the punishment of those that are bad and deserved to go to hell. Sure all these people deserve their punishment for being evil and having been sinful but, it was still surprising to read Jesus’ words. I thought everything was forgiven completely and you had a clean slate but apparently you lose something if you are going to heaven. Like “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire”. So you have to leave one eye in hell. It’s Kind of sad if you think about it. One eye saw something less holly than the other. I understand that to become completely clean you have to obey the Ten Commandments and pray but I had never really hurt about leaving body parts in hell.

Can you imagine getting to your house and finding out that someone who had keys let a bunch of nasty people in to have a party? You get home and your house is complete destroyed, even though you thought you had left it in good hands. To Jesus his house is the temple because it’s the only focus point of connection to God, his father. So I completely get his pissed of reaction when he got to the temple and found that it wasn’t treated correctly. According to him “My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? But ye have made it a den of thieves”.11:15. He just marched in there and took back what truly belonged to him. I don’t think it was irrational at all that he marched into the temple and scared a bunch of people away because he is right about the temple being made into a joke. They lost all the values that David and the other prophets had given them. By Jesus doing this, it opened their eyes.

Jesus and Confucius have the same attitude. They treat their disciples the same way and their lesson, the way in which they are said kind of feel the same. By just saying the simplest thing they both shock those that surround them. A quote in particular that I thought could have been something Confucius would say was: “Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. 16
And they brought it.And he saith unto them, Whose isthis image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. 17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marveled at him”.(12:15:16:17). Their reasoning’s are similar and both are all about being kind and respect. Confucius didn’t have a God but the way in which he shared his ideas with his disciples like they still had to be open to the world somehow, sounds like Jesus. They both were teachers in a way because both wanted to share their teachings through lessons. Every time Jesus is going to guide the sheep they say he is teaching.

Stalking is totally ok if you are the son of God. Just by looking at someone buying eggs in the morning you can come up with a totally new lesson for your pupils. Just by looking at a widow deposit money, Jesus said a wise thing:”Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, evenall her living”.(12:43:44) How can he tell all this by just looking at rich men and a widow deposit money? I guess he got vibes off of people.

Jesus knew the future and didn’t try and change it. He knew everything that was going to happen to him and to his followers. I know that if I knew some part of my future I would be freaked out if it wasn’t positive. It’s just sad to think that all through his life Jesus knew that what whould happen to him would be unavoidable. But the worst part is that he knew what would happen after he left: “Take heed lest any man deceive you: 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ;and shall deceive many. 7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such thingsmust needs be; but the end shallnot beyet. 8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these arethe beginnings of sorrows”.(13:6:7:8) If I knew these things would happen when I was gone, I’d feel way more powerless. I would be there in spirit but I wouldn’t be able to give any kind of guidance when it happened. What I am trying to say is that, Jesus had true courage to accept everything so willingly and bravely.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Jesus Christ Super Star

Finally we get to read about Jesus and see what he was all about. In this first reading I did, I saw that he was a very simple man that enjoyed healing those that sought him. It’s nice to read about one sole character for a change and get to understand Jesus for the first time. I had never really gone into depth about it until now. In 3rd grade we would read the Bible to prepare for the First Communion but we were like eight so it doesn’t really count. Now being older we get to not only read it but actually understand what they say.

“And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 45 But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.” (1:44)

Don’t you hate it when that happens? You tell someone to shut their mouths about something you don’t want everyone to know and then they go and tell everyone. I’ve had my experiences and have handled them by hiding from people and then when the news dies down, I come back out into the world. That’s just me, a mere mortal that is not the daughter of God. Jesus on the other hand couldn’t hide. He had to be nice to everyone and cure a bunch of people after this guy went and opened his mouth. This tells me that Jesus was a very patient man. If I was him I probably would have made the guy get “leprosy” again. God wouldn’t have approved and probably a burning bush nearby would have let me know it was wrong but I think privacy has to be respected. If the guy deserved it he deserved it, too bad Jesus was incapable of vengeance.

Jesus was a total rebel that told everyone of when they thought badly about what he did. In the second book of Mark he talks about David and how he “did eat the showbread” to prove to some men that were there that eating is not a sin. I wonder what else was considered a sin. Scribes apparently think many things are sinful like:” when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? 17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”. This is how everyone has to think, that even though you did a mistake you can still regret it and pull back together. Don’t judge a person because of their past.

Confucius and Jesus could have exchanged some tips. Maybe not in their teaching, but on their stalkers. The sad part is that most of Jesus followers go to be healed and then they leave, but to Confucius they keep coming back. Jesus only had 12 that he considered worthy of hanging with him and, even though they don’t mention it, I think Confucius also had his elite posy. Later on more people begin to come but for some reason I think there is hidden motive in both scenarios.

Jesus was trying to teach everyone to have a kind heart. God sent him down to Earth to be a teacher for those that were lost “because they were as sheep not having a shepherd” (6:34). By understanding everything he was teaching everyone I think I will finally be able to understand why pushed Jesus to sacrifice himself for humanity. I know he did sacrifice himself but I don’t fully understand why.

I just learned how to cure someone who is deaf and has a speech impediment, Jesus style. Miracles are miracles in themselves because, how can you expect that by Jesus putting “his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue” that a man can hear and talk? Then another spit miracle occurred: “he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes”. Miracles aren’t very pretty. I mean I’d be freaked out if someone spit into my ear and into my eyes. Maybe I could try it someday. Build a nice career as a nun and go around spitting in people ears screaming “Be Gone Satan!” It wouldn’t be that great though, nuns rarely get to do anything cool. Nuns should have been given a gift like Jesus disciples. Was Jesus also pro men only?

Mark has been full of healing and I hope that after these first 8 books, we see a more close and personal Jesus not so many miracles. All the things he says are full of wisdom and its hard at times to choose what to write about. But up to now it has been very interesting. For those who dont know there is a musical called "Jesus Christ Superstar". Personally I have never seen the musical but saw part of the theme song once. I decided to put my title as the name of the musical because it's so positive and a great way to start the New Testament.
Here is a clip of the "theme song". These people would have made John Travolta proud and are really funny.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Grand Finale

It is the end of the Tao and I just finished reading the last pages of its teachings. I enjoyed the Tao and the last reading was very deep and varied, as usual. I had never felt the calmness the Tao brought upon me and don’t think any text can do that. Even though the text is paradoxical and contradicts itself in parts, it manages to say so much in so little. Like a fellow classmate said that it might be short but it still feels like pages because you really have to think about what it really means.

Everyone hopes their life will be complete and that when we are on our own we will have our dream job and our dream life. Sometimes priorities come first and we must put our dreams hold to first survive. You might get a job you don’t really like but you have to work there because it pays your bills. You tell yourself that someday you will quit and go and get the job you wanted from the start. In the Tao they saw “he works without doing” (47) couldn’t this be that you work but don’t feel you are doing anything because it is not where you are meant to be? You might be working but you aren’t achieving anything at all. I don’t know why I related that quote to the examples above but I just hope that whenever I start working I won’t feel the emptiness of working and not doing anything at all.

“The more laws and restrictions there are,

The poorer people become.

The sharper men’s weapons,

The more trouble in the land.

The more ingenious and clever men are,

The more strange things happen.

The more rulers and regulations,

The more thieves and robbers.”

Pg 59 (57)

I had never really thought about these aspects in this way. I thought being poor was because there just wasn’t enough for everyone but maybe laws and restrictions do have to do with it. If you think about it in Colombia the reason so many people are poor is because they don’t have a job and the reason there are no jobs is because you have to have certain requirements to enter that job. The part of the weapons is also true. If you think about it there was less death with swords and punches than there are now with missiles and nuclear bombs. The more powerful weapons we find the closer we get to our own destruction because we will lose control. More deaths per second because that’s what it takes, seconds for a bullet to leave a gun and take a life.

“Ingenious and clever men” are definitely the cause of strange things. Have you seen infomercials? Now there are some crazy products out there like the “Baba de Caracol” that supposedly makes your skin softer and lose weight. Have we really gotten to a point where rubbing spit from an animal is our salvation? Strange products are out there. “More thieves and robbers” is so true. I mean if you think about it the more rules there are the more there are going to be people ready to break them. It would get too hard to get what you want without being prosecuted by the laws that you would ultimately steal to get what you want.

“Happiness is rooted in misery. Misery lurks beneath happiness”(58). If we didn’t know misery how would we know happiness? I had never thought it had been “rooted in misery” but I knew happiness couldn’t exist without the other. They had mentioned this before in another scroll and the idea remains but now we see that happiness could actually be considered to be born from misery. “The female overcomes the male with stillness,

Lying low is stillness.”

Pg 63 (61)

Finally they talk about some sort of female empowerment. It is the first time in a text in which females are actually shown being better than men in something. Even though it isn’t very big its something.I believes that what this is saying is that women can handle issues in a calmer manner than men. By saying we are “lying low” it means we do not rush into situations but that we actually think over what we are going to do. Stillness is being hidden in a way but always thinking over what is going on. You know how people underestimate the person next to you when you are talking to another? The person is listening to what you say but they are just “lying low” in total “stillness” waiting for the moment when what you just said could be used.

Everyone wants to be forgiven when you make a mistake. Since I was little in church there is always the part about confession; when you must forgive yourself to God and to your brethren. You can do it privately or in church when everyone does it in union. I thought that being Catholic was cool because unlike some religions forgiveness was always there for everyone. Then in the Tao they also mention forgiveness for your sins and was pretty shocked. I also wonder if it’s the same way of forgiveness like it is for Catholics or is it different. Something very interesting about the Tao is that it says that everyone likes the Tao because they find what they seek. Up to know in my sort of religious life I haven’t really seen a way in which the Bible either tells me what I seek or leads me towards it. I definitely haven’t seen many white pigeons in my life.

“Truthful words are not beautiful.

Beautiful words are not truthful.

Pg 83 (81)

This was one of the best quotes in the reading. Why; because they are pure and true. Instead of turning it round and round in your head you know that what it says here is direct. How many times has a guy said beautiful things not being truthful and just wanting something? Sometimes hearing beautiful words that are not truthful is more painful than the truth itself. Disguising the truth by beauty is just making it uglier beneath the surface.

It was very nice to read the Tao Te Ching because it made you look at things from different perspectives. It showed a world that is not ruled by being egocentric or how much a person has. It talks about a world where everyone is equal and what one has is shared with the rest.

































Thursday, May 13, 2010

A Little Bit of Everything






Today my mind is not dead, its actually very awake. Maybe it’s the fact that as I am reading this I am focusing way more since I find it so interesting. Up to now these pages have been the best we’ve read. They were so varied and full of random topics. I felt I could connect to the random part seeing how when I talk to my friends I can be talking about Brad Pitt and end the conversation talking about my cat. Don’t think badly about me, I just seem to connect topics to the strangest things.

On page 36 they go a bit into depth of why the Tao is great. Having already read most of the book, I agree with what they said and believe it is not only the Tao that accomplishes this. Those who do “not show greatness” and are “therefore truly great” (34), are the people that should be applauded around the world. I mean can you imagine the Pope saying “Oh yeah I’m the Pope! Not you or you, me!” not very “Popey” of him huh? People that don’t show off their greatness are the ones that are good inside because sometimes when you show greatness you cause other things around you. For example if you get a better grade than someone doesn’t go around screaming that you got a better grade. If you do that others will feel unworthy and could think of you as an annoying competitive idiot that only cares about yourself. Be the best you can be and not the best you want to be for others.

Ten thousand things, a mystery to be revealed. Now some people have lucky numbers and believe that these numbers bring good fortune. In the Tao the number “ten thousand” accompanied by the word things, is always in its pages. What are these ten thousand things? Could they be ten thousand bananas or ten thousand unicorns? No one truly knows but “ The Tao begot one. One begot two. Two begot three. And three begot the ten thousand things”. Maybe the writer of the Tao also knew the writer of the Bible because “begating” was big in both texts. All we know is that ten thousand things are all over, but never truly what they are.

“A truly good man is not aware of his goodness,
And is therefore good.
A foolish man tries to be good,
And is therefore not good.
A truly good man does nothing,
Yet leaves nothing undone.
A foolish man is always doing,
Yet much remains to be done.”
Pg 40 (38)

Men, can’t live with them can’t live without them. Here there are two kinds of men, the good guy and the jerk. It is usually the good guy that goes unappreciated and wishes he was seen differently, when in reality he is perfect the way he is. The jerk is the idiot whose hobbies include being a douche bag and breaking hearts. The good guy always acts good but doesn’t see the goodness within him but, we girls do. Yet we always manage to somehow fall for the jerk, which is only good when it benefits him in some way. An example of the good guy is Jacob in the Twilight Saga. He is always the one that ofers protection and a good shoulder to cry on but, never eally sees his worth.
My dad (hate to say it) is “the foolish man”. He is always doing his job and is really good at it but, when it comes to the house, he doesn’t move a finger. My mom does everything and in a sense it feels like my dad is the one that causes things to “remain to be done”. All I can hope for, in my very distant married life, is to be wedded to the “good man” not the other kind.

Things get hard at times and it seems like “breathing is hard” or “sometimes it comes easily.” I comfort myself with thought that there is always sunshine after rain (except in Bogota) meaning that there is always a happy ending. Like those times when you look into the mirror and hate what you see or, when you see the guy you like chatting up another girl. Those moments last seconds and later they become positive. You could wake up the next day and think “Hey I look good today” or, you find out that the conversation the guy was having was nowhere as deep as what he talks to you about. Challenges are things we are faced with every day and the Tao actually has a good quote to see things in a positive approach, which I am sure I will say a lot:
“So sometimes things are ahead and sometimes they are behind;
Sometimes breathing is hard, sometimes it comes easily;
Sometimes there is strength and sometimes weakness;
Sometimes one is up, sometimes down.” Pg 31(29)

War sucks. Seriously I can’t even handle fighting with my friends yet alone handle a big country war. Whenever Chavez opens his big froglike mouth, all I can feel is worry he is about to declare war on us. War is such a drastic measure that results in lots of death and the sad part is deaths are celebrated by the opposing side. To me “war is conducted like a funeral” (31) instead of celebrating death on the other side, one should truly mourn for the deaths of both sides. Pain was inflicted by both sides so in a sense mourning for one comes with mourning their deaths; like a package deal.

Wow! Talk about a varied set of topics. These were lots of pages so more topics were approached, in my own way. It was fun putting ideas in the Tao in a personal or modern context. I felt I could give my opinion on things and regret that I can’t really explain each aspect of the Tao because there is so much to learn.By the way the picture above was cool to find becasue it just so happens I have that necklace with someone. Fun huh? Tao and style.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

"Sacrificial Feast of the Ox"

Today is one of those days in which my mind isn’t feeling very thoughtful. I just finished reading what I had to for English and find myself staring at the screen like a moron. This is a first. I usually have so much to say, but then again this is a different type of text. Poetry is a little hard to grasp on the first read. If something truly got your attention you have to read it many times. In this reading there were quotes I could relate to things going on in my life right now and as usual felt calm and serene while reading.

You know how you feel that by sucking up to the teacher it will somehow improve your grades? Well the Tao is not on your side. Usually when one is sucking up to someone you brag and boast about your achievements. Well according to the Tao by boasting you will “achieve nothing”, and by bragging you will not “endure.” So why spend so much time trying to get into someone’s good side if it won’t prove fully great in the end. Don’t make a show either because all it means is that you are not “enlightened.” Just work hard and earn a person’s respect don’t just take the easy road. (24)

“Is there a difference between yes and no?
Is there a difference between good and evil?
Must I fear what others fear? What nonsense!
Other people are content, enjoying the sacrificial feast of the ox.”
(20)

I had never really thought if yes and no are completely opposite, or that good and evil could be equal in some way. Sure there are those times when no means yes (mainly with women), but you really have to know how to interpret the “no” a person gives you. About good and evil, I believe that if there was no evil we wouldn’t know “good.” So is “evil” truly evil for making us cherish the good times? Good exists because there is evil.

I completely agree that you shouldn’t fear what others fear. If everyone had feared Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter 1 and thought he lived in your attic, there would have been a bunch of six year olds sleeping with their parents. Yes; I was afraid of Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, sew me. I’m not anymore, but the memory remains.

“The sacrificial feast of the ox” a holiday filled with killing and murder. Christmas is a cupcake compared to this mother of feasts. Families come together and join hands around an ox as a butcher steps into the circle and kills it. Yep, pure family fun! Ok I am kidding. What is this mysterious “sacrificial feast of the ox?” It probably does have something to do with what I wrote above.

I hope I am not left without an explanation for the “feast of the ox.” I hate feeling left out of the loop and this is just one of those questions that can’t just go unanswered. So seeing how it is recommended to “give up learning, and put an end to your troubles”(20), I will now follow the advice of the Tao and end my post here, and hope I am not the only one asking questions about mysterious feasts with animals.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Tao and Sensibility

The Tao is a bit different to the other texts in a special way. The Bible is stories put together to explain faith in God, the Bhagavad Gita is only the teachings of Krishna to one man, and The Analects were a colection of thematic books exploring the teachings of Confucious. The Tao differs to all of these because instead of just telling you the lesson, it adds flavor to it. What does that mean? Some kind of sauce they put on it that makes it better? Not at all. Its the way in which the Tao feels like a poetry book. Everytime I read a new section, it didnt feel like I was reading a new religious book. It was more like I was back being a little girl reading Shell Silvertein in my second grade classroom.

Sure with the Bible I got to imagine all the characters of the story and how what happened to them could be interpreted as a lesson from God. But with the Tao it triggered a deeper sense in me that made me feel both calm and relaxed as I read it. None of the other texts made me feel this way. With The Bhagavad Gita I was scared someone might kill the guy in the middle of the battle but with the Tao there is a sense of serenity when one reads that doesn't come with aditional stress. Never in my life have I felt relaxed while reading texts (then again I always read cliff hanging romance books). It opened something deep inside of me.


I liked the descriptions of heaven given throughout the reading. I dont know if we will be described heaven in the Bible but I liked how in the Tao they show it is a place above all of us. How "under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness"(2). This just shows that why should you be scared to die if your going to a place where everything is better? Earth is fun and all but it is not the end. I know there are people that dont believe in heaven but I justs can't imagine stop existing. To me heaven is a place where my existence will remain intact and go on to live forever.



"The highest good is like water.
Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive.
It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao."
(8)

I really liked this metaphor to water. It is true that without its existance human kind would stop existing so by saying its like water, is the Tao an esential to exist? I dont really understand the last part about being where men refuse it. Maybe it is just found in unexpected places that are hard to get to and pose a challenge for men.

I am enjoying the Tao up to now and hope it will continue making me questioning certain aspects of life like heaven.








Sunday, May 9, 2010

Inherit the Wind

For years the Bible was esteemed as the source of knowledge of where we come from. It was where we would find the truth behind the past of human kind and the knowledge of the existence of the other creatures that surround us. In Genesis it talks about the creation of Earth and all the things upon it from the mountains, to the ocean, and of course humans. But what if there was more to it? A theory that the yellow pages of the Bible could neither proof guilty or innocent? The theory of evolution. A theory that connects us directly to animals of which the Bible says we are above and higher in the ranks. Why can’t anyone have a say in what they believe either holly, scientific, or any other form of faith? Why can’t a teacher teach his students what he believes?
Who wrote the Bible? Who took the time to sit and record all these teachings? It is unknown and yet we still have faith in the Bible. Faith comes to us naturally and it is up to each and every human being, being the free thinkers we are, to choose what we put our faith to. B.T Cates has chosen both science and God. Like attorney Henry Drummond stated: “ Suppose that a lesser human being, Suppose that a Cates or a Darwin, had the audacity to think, that God might whisper to him; that an unBrady thought might still be holly. Must the man go to prison because he differs with the self appointed profit?” Why should everyone think the same?
If everyone did think the same, Gods point of creating diversity in the world would be shattered by his own creation. God wants man to think for himself, he wants each of us to think differently. He himself wanted us to be separated from one another not only in our thoughts but in our languages: “And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. … 5
And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. 7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. 9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.”
Interpretation is also a big part of what the Bible is. It was created for each and everyone of us to get the inner meaning that we wanted from the Bible. Sure there are global interpretations that we all share but each and everyone one of us should also have the freedom to interpret it however we want. God gave us brains and he didn’t give it to a sponge but e what if that sponge wanted to think? Brady said that God would make the sponge think if he wanted to. Then B.T Cates only wants to be like the sponge he wants to think, he wants to be able to make his own conclusions, and teach whatever he wants with no one reprimanding him.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Magic, Stalkers, and Another Stereotype Towards Women

What would you could call the men that accompany Confucius? Maybe stalkers, followers, or disciples? From the way they talk to him is like they only hang out with him for internal wants and needs. Sure they are striving for a better life, but can’t Confucius just give them some tips and write them a book called "Confucianism for Dummies" and be done with it? I mean we´ve all seen Forest Gump and in the scene when he keeps running across the U.S people look up to him but he couldn’t care less. Confucius kind of reminds me of Forest in this way, because he is just there doing something he likes and others think it’s over the top. He must feel like Forest Gump, that the people are there but if they leave he wouldn’t really mind. Though, I am pretty sure that if Confucius was running across China again and again he wouldn’t just stop like Forest did. He would keep striving to teach as many as he can the Way.

“Let his words be sincere and truthful and his actions honorable and careful;-such conduct may be practiced among the rude tribes of the South or the North. If his words be not sincere and truthful and his actions not honorable and careful will he, with such conduct, be appreciated, even in his neighborhood?"

This is my kind of man! I believe that the gentleman being described here is basically a model citizen. Now that I think about it this is the type of person laws are striving for us to become. Confucius lessons not only help guide those who follow this religion but also governments around the world. If laws can be based on the 10 Commandments, they can surely be based on a wise mans sayings.

I wonder if characters have been based on Confucius in fictional books. As I was reading I kind of saw that he reminds me of Dumbledore. His way of talking and guiding toward goodness is all things that the old Hogwarts headmaster would have liked. I mean they were both trying to keep people on a path towards goodness and away from darkness (Lord Voldemort). So could there be a relationship between Dumbledore and Confucius?

“Women and servants are particularly hard to manage: if you are too familiar with them, they grow insolent, but it you are too distant, they grow resentful”

Gee thanks Confucius. I don’t believe women become insolent when you are too familiar with them. They might not be as cuddly and warm as in the beginning of whatever you had with them but, they will always act gracefully and with poise. Trust me. My parents are zero percent romantic with each other but they still manage to have a bond that unites them. Sure they are apart sometimes but my mom isn’t resentful about it and neither is my dad. My dad depends on my mom too much and my mom is just to cool to be resentful. Why do all these religious books place women in a place where we look like idiots?

To finish I would like share a video of the gentlemen in “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer”. I hope these murderers are the complete opposite to what Confucius seeks in all of us. I am sure they are not and I think Confucius hung out with better looking people.




Tuesday, May 4, 2010

My So Called Confucius Life

It turns out Confucius understood some of the aspects of being a teenager. I know, weird. As I was reading, I was trying to look at the Analects with a different point of view that wasn´t a student doing her homework, but more as me. What I mean by this is I was trying to see how I, a Catholic 15 year old girl, could put these teachings into a modern context. Even though Confucius is dead and has been dead for a very long time, his teaching still work in the present.

“I do not open up the truth to one who is not eager to get knowledge, nor help out any one who is not anxious to explain himself. When I have presented one corner of a subject to any one, and he cannot from it learn the other three, I do not repeat my lesson.”

If I was to write a song right now, these words would inspire me. This quote impressed me alot just because it explains how I feel sometimes. I have friends who don't know who I like or how much my cat annoys me and I´ve never been able to understand why I just don't tell them. With this quote in a way I understood that these are things that they can understand without me explaining it to them. And why should I give up time explaining something I have, subconsciously, already explained? Its their problem if they "can´t figure out the rest of the corners."

Confucius is hungry for knowledge and I believe everyone is hungry for knowledge. Maybe not math or science but for other things. Who doesn't like to check out what scandal Miley Cyrus brought upon herself recently and learn the facts to tell your friends later? Or maybe read a blog about a topic that interests you, just so you know how to improve your skills? Don't expect me to be going into my computer and researching quadratic equations, but I am hungry for knowledge in topics that interest me.

You know how you fight with a friend and an hour later you are talking and laughing like it never happened? Well it turns out Confucius also forgot the bad moments when they were filled with joy. He was a truly a kid at heart. But its annoying when people get mad all the time about the most dumb issues and then make a big deal out of them. I agree with Confucius about getting caught up in the joy, but it doesn't justify it when it happens on a daily basis with someone who has these freak outs and then expects you to be normal. Its ok if you do it once in a while but why live your life in misery?

“When a bird is about to die, its notes are mournful; when a man is about to die, his words are good."

I found this quote very funny. I don't know why but as soon as I read it I laughed. Maybe its because the irony of dieing and being nice is such a cliche. Hello? Everyone who has been on their death bed is super nice and deep. Take Simon Bolivar for example, there he was about to die and he still made time to write a speech. Sure death is not a funny topic but what happens before death is so predictable. Take it from someone who has gone to 5 funerals in her life and has seen the people before they died. Anyway, its nice that they try to make amends before they leave the world and in a sense it gives the person a new slate in your mind to remember them by.

“Why did you not say to him,-He is simply a man, who in his eager pursuit of knowledge forgets his food, who in the joy of its attainment forgets his sorrows, and who does not perceive that old age is coming on?”

I already discussed this above but would just like to put the quote where I got those ideas from.

To finish I would just like to say that being called an "ancient worthy" is like being called a hottie for Confucius, but in the "good way".






Monday, May 3, 2010

The Master Said...

In Book 4, we see how Confucius introduces us to the superior man. Reading about the superior man I saw how he could be described as good, impartial, smart in his affairs, and understanding. He is basically a role model for everyone to follow. Reading this book I noticed that it was always about men but it never mentions women. Do women have the same rules

By talking about the superior man Confucius was talking about how a true gentleman should be formed. A person who no matter the circumstances would always choose right over wrong. I believe everyone is born to be the superior man but as we grow some challenges get harder and some choose to do bad over good. Then again, these are different times.

  1. Riches and honors are what men desire.

  2. If they cannot be obtained in the proper way, they should not be held.

  3. Poverty and meanness are what men dislike.

  4. If they cannot be avoided in the proper way, they should not be avoided.

My paraphrase:

  1. Being wealthy is what everyone wants.

  2. If you don't reach wealth the proper way, then let it go because it wasn´t meant to be.

  3. Being poor and mean is what people don't like.

  4. If there is no way to avoid them, then don't try to.

From what I understood here, Confucius was saying that things can only happen if you follow the Way to get to them. If you do not follow the "guidelines", it is unfair for you to obtain these objects. Only through Goodness can one hope to be successful and complete. Even though they talk about good stuff they also mention poverty and being mean which cant be avoided either. The last two sentences show that even though you are going to come across good and wealth, roadblocks will be in your path and you'll just have to embrace them.

I found that like in the Bible, in the Analects there are popular sayings like: “What I do not wish men to do to me, I also wish not to do to men." Even though now we say them in a different way they mean the same thing and carry the same message to the person you say it too. I that particular example it could be "don't do to others what you wouldn´t want done to yourself." We saw the same thing happened with the Bible but mostly for titles like Inherit the Wind.

In Book 5, we got a view of politics from Confucius. He talks about the leaders and I got a feeling that he didn't agree with some of the things they did but he thought some of them were good just because they followed the way. I guess that if you rule with goodness and guide people toward the way, Confucius approves. If he had to vote for the next Colombian president, who would he vote for?

  1. Where the solid qualities are in excess of accomplishments, we have rusticity

  2. Where the accomplishments are in excess of the solid qualities, we have the manners of a clerk

  3. When the accomplishments and solid qualities are equally blended, we then have the man of virtue.

Me:

  1. Where the good qualities are full of praise, there is simplicity.

  2. Where accomplishments are plentiful in comparison to good qualities, there is a working man.

  3. When accomplishments and good qualities are balanced, we have a man full of virtue.

What I understood from this is that to truly be a man of virtue you have to balance your behavior and your accomplishments. I think that to achieve the bast accomplishments you rely truly on your qualities because they are your strengths. You also have to be humble about your affairs and don't devote yourself completely to gaining more and more because that goes against goodness.

Up to now I am enjoying the Analects a bit more than the Bible but I miss the story way of explaining the teachings. Here we just have a guy talking with his friends. Still the lessons here are clearer to decipher.