The Tao Of Tintin

The Tao Of Tintin

The Adventures of Tintin
On January 10, 1929, the first series of comic strips titled “The Adventures of Tintin” were published in French in a Belgian newspaper. The author, young Belgian artist Georges Remi (1907-1983), used the pen name of Hergé all his life. The series hero is a young Belgian reporter, Tintin, who is accompanied by his white fox terrier dog, Snowy (Milou in French), on all kinds of adventures around the world.
The stories that turned into 24 books translated into more than 50 languages, have become theatre pieces and movies. The stories are varied in topics featuring fantasies, mystery, politics, travel, adventure, science fiction, humor and social criticism. More than 200 million copies have been sold and they are still selling strong. In the National bookstore in Palatino mall in Bogota, Colombia, just 3 days ago, the whole set was offered with two unknown titles for around $350 U.S. dollars including a blue metal case. Luckily, I already have my own set.
The Tao Te Ching
The Tao Te Ching is a Chinese classic text written around the 6th century BC by a record-keeper and sage of the Zhou Dynasty Court, Lao Tse. The text has been a source of inspiration throughout the world and a fundamental piece to Chinese philosophy, religion (Taoism and Chinese Buddhism), art, poetry and landscaping.
Lao Tse wrote that earth was in essence a reflection of heaven and run by the same universal laws. The more man interfered with the natural harmony produced by these laws the more difficulties would be created for man and the earth (think about global warming).
The world was in effect a complete and fair teacher of these valuable laws. What was operating behind everything was the TAO, “the way”.
Pure Taoism differs from Buddhism in that the Buddhists see the way to Nirvana cut short constantly by what they see as the bitter reality of everyday existence. Lao Tse believed more in cultivating a particular way of appreciating life by learning from, being attentive to the present and working with everyday life, every moment. Serenity and quiet laughter, subtle humor are essential in Taoist philosophy.
The main difference with Confucians is the steering away from the past rituals and maintaining a focus on the ever-changing fertile present.


Drawings taken from: “Tintin – The Blue Lotus” by Hergé, Mammoth 1984.
Text written by David D’Achiardi

GO!

You play go by capturing the oponents pebles by surrounding them until they can't escape by putting your pebbles, one per turn, in the intersections of the board. To save your pebbles you have to surround the opponents pebbles or do to wholes in your conglomeration of pebbles. You win the game when there are no white pebbles or tyour opponent isn't able to make other moves. When the board is left in KO we are eternally defeating our opponent until one of the players makes a mistake.

Accepting Mystery

When choosing a career one is influenced by society to pick a career that will benefit one economically and that will make one important. One’s close and true friends and family tells one to pick a career that will enrich one’s life, making work a good experience, doing what you truly enjoy. One would always want to choose what one likes but is forced by temptation to sometimes pick what is beneficial and lucrative. There is also the whole question of the connection between one’s innate talents, abilities, intelligence and aptitudes resonating with one’s passions and the whole issue of being useful to one’s particular society and historical moment or following the historical professions of one’s family…

Accepting, surrendering, loving, caring, going slow, letting go, are not used frequently in occidental society to make big decisions yet many times that is exactly what is needed to get to the deepest, wisest answer in one’s life.
“Accept disgrace willingly. Accept misfortune as the human condition. What do you mean by “Accept disgrace willingly”? Accept being unimportant. Do not be concerned with loss or gain. This is called “accepting disgrace willingly.” What do you mean by “Accept misfortune as the human condition.”? Misfortune comes from having a body. Without a body, how could there be misfortune? Surrender yourself humbly; then you can be trusted to care for all things. Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things.” (13 Pg. 15)

Life will always be a source of great despair and exaltation for all schools of philosophy and especially for those adepts looking for the true masters, depositories of the deepest truths. “The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive. The depth of their knowledge is unfathomable. Because it is unfathomable, all we can do is describe their appearance.” (15 Pg. 17) I believe we can only begin to describe borders of the grand tapestry which is life and true wisdom. Mystery is a necessity to empower the path and fuel the seeker’s journey to unravel and at the same time create each unrepeatable and unique human life.

Name: Mystery

It is human nature to try to name things in order to create meaning and understanding of what the world is. Because we are not able to name things that created heaven or earth and the solution to the mysteries of life we are obliged to limit them. Tao Te Ching brings the idea that we shouldn’t name things that have no limits because they lose their mystery and majesty. “The name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth. The named is the mother of ten thousand things. Even desireless, one can see the mystery.” (1 Pg. 3) Reaching eternity is sometimes referred to as the actions that we make which influence our society and are a breakthrough to the teachings of our time, it is not the name they carry because this limits our goals and actions. The questions we should arouse in our communities isn’t the name of our creator but the teachings and majesty underlying the mere existence of such unfathomable power and intelligence in our lives.

Opposites are similar in topic but contrary in position. They limit us to extremes in the world. Because there are opposites we can describe and limit things or else we would be unable to communicate our thoughts and positions on topics. Because we limit ourselves to words, our uniqueness becomes a mathematical question. “Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness. All can know good as good because there is evil. Therefore having and not having arises together.” (2 Pg. 4) Because we have different traits we are described with words but that that can’t be limited and integrates all opposites, is what we all should look for.

Tao talks about our perspective and how we need it, to not loose our nerve in life and how we shouldn’t trust what is obvious to the senses but think before it is too late to act upon what was brought to you. “The five colors blind the eye. The five tones deafen the ear. The five flavors dull the taste. Racing and hunting madden the mind. Precious things lead one astray. Therefore the sage is guided by what he feels and not by what he sees. He lets of that and chooses this.” (12 Pg. 14) Being able to sacrifice or neglect certain senses in order to follow one’s intuitive mind to find the truth and not trusting a limited and possibly fallible sensorial world is the way to a better decision.

Count and Noncount Exercises

1.
world C
textbook C
acid D
smoking N
poetry N
applause N
thought D
banana C
conduct N
progress N
biology N
essay C
crystal N
shopping N

2.
defense X
beauty ___
garbage ___
experience X
baggage ___
rain X
rug ___
nature ___
bag ___
emotion X

3.
Diabetes: Beyond the Basics
Because diabetes can cause devastating damage to virtually all body systems, people with diabetes should not underrate the seriousness of their disease. Learning to live with a chronic illness such as diabetes must be an ongoing process.

The Hospital's Center for Family Life Education is sponsoring a five-part educational series on diabetes. The series will begin on April 30 and continue through May 29. The program will be held in the second floor classroom of the Education Center from 7-9 p.m.

The diabetes series is free and open to the public and will be of specific interest to people who have diabetes and their families and friends.

4.
a table
X these person
this furniture
that assignment
a boy
the poetry
a difficulty
a research
X this eggs
X those argument

5.
The Computer Jungle
Though you can make the decision on purely economic grounds, buying a computer is often more like joining a religious cult. Buy an Apple, for example, and almost by default you join Apple chairman Steve Jobs in his crusade against IBM. Every machine has its "users' groups" and a band of loyal enthusiasts who tout its merits. That makes it all the more difficult for the uninitiated to decide what machine to buy. Students have a huge advantage, however. The computer companies are so eager for students' business (it builds "brand loyalty") that many offer huge discounts.
In the past six months, IBM, Apple, and others have brought out new computers, and the fierce competition has forced prices down. Also, time is on your side: next year at this time you'll have even more choice and more computing power and features for the same price. On the other hand, this will probably be true for many years. So for those who need or want a computer now, it's a great time to buy one.

6.
1. Quite a few students have trouble with economics.
2. It requires quite a little reading.
3. Few advisors spend as much time with their students.
4. He has little hope of passing his exams.
5. George's advisor spends quite a little or quite a bit of time with him.
6. He knows few people in the class.
7. Bill spends little money on clothes.
8. She spends quite a little or quite a bit of money on CDs.
9. He has few suits.
10. He understands little of the reading.

A Way To Live, A Way To Understand

Over the weekend I’ve read several entries, one of them was Daniel Toro’s “Universal Community” in which I could see several similarities between his ideas and mine. I could clearly understand where he got those ideas about how Confucius addresses women in comparison to slaves, misogyny could even be seen today in the treatment received by Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton. It is amazing to see the reality that where most people talk about macho behavior, i.e. Latin America there are already two female presidents: Kirchner in Argentina and Bachelet in Chile. The U.S. has yet to create an even playing field for women. Also Europe has yet to give anyone from a different race or religion any top position of power.

As far as Toro’s insights on ‘the right path’: I think what Confucius is getting to, is the idea that we should learn from experience in order to not repeat the same mistake, in this way taking us to the right way through our day-to-day conscious and wise response to events. “To make a mistake and yet to not change your ways - this is what is called truly making a mistake.” (Pg. 45 15.30) Being able to apply each piece of newly found knowledge to our daily life is the way to not make of our mistakes habits.

I also saw connections with Thomas Wiesner’s “Never Too Late” entry which explains how the mentality of a group has and will always have greater effects over the individual’s as well as the important idea that the community’s benefit is of greater importance than that of the individual’s. “To avoid public service is to be without a sense of what is right… The gentleman takes office in order to do what is right even though he already knows that the way will not be realized (Pg. 53 18.7).” I also think Confucius is talking about how people have to be able to stand up for what they believe in and how we as a group have a responsibility of being able to work for our common goals even if they seem impossible. Education has to promote the idea of public selfless service in all countries as a necessity for creating a real healthy family out of society and linking us all together globally through our shared humanity and planet. There is also the fact that group mentality starts from an individual’s idea or rebellion from the large majority that then becomes a truth for many or the group majority. The idea that the brute majority always having the right or best idea because of quantity can be a mistake. For example: Hitler was voted for by overwhelming majorities in Germany and look what the price was for the whole world. I think there should be a world council of the wisest and brightest humans (not politicians) who create a think tank to solve world problems and that their work has the power to be implemented through strong world finance and cooperation. The United Nations is the closest living model we have but it is really run by the most powerful nations and is imbedded with political and economical agendas and twisted power plays.
We still have a lot of work to do.

Conservative Rightness

Something I hadn’t picked on in my blogs was the conservativeness and the societal structure Confucius proposes. We can clearly see that Confucius includes old concepts in his teachings to preserve the old as a way to create boundaries making our lives balanced and secure. “If you are respectful but lack ritual you will become exasperating; if you are careful but lack ritual you will become timid; if you are courageous but lack ritual you will become unruly; and if you are upright but lack ritual you will become inflexible.” (Pg. 23 8.2) In a way Confucius is able to include customs as critical variables to the development of our lives. We can see how he works with limits and fears to convince the reader into preserving ancient rituals to maintain order and harmony in society, instead of innovating in what has to do with how we manage, maintain and support certain eternal values such as respect, honesty, honoring our elders, carefulness, courage and honesty.

Rituals are used as empowering cultural teaching devices so that values are instilled in all members of society and that all actions have certain form and flow and history, understood and acknowledged and shared by all. Rituals are the threads that tie our relationships together as a school, a university, a social club, a family, a nation, a religious organization, a sport, a political party, a fraternity. Rituals have to have a certain history and mystique to empower the ties that bind us all in one form or another.

We can also see how Confucius thinks we should act based on age, relationship and with a sense of leaving a good legacy for future generations. “To bring comfort to the aged, to inspire trust in my friends, and be cherished by the youth.” (Pg. 15 5.26) We should always consider that every action is creating not only our personal history but also society’s. We are thus held responsible in a way to ourselves and to others
to maintain the roots of our connections healthy and fertilized through balanced, healthy actions based on the ancestral rituals of our societies and groups.

Words that Sound Alike Practice

1. Where is my jacket? I wanted to wear it today, and if I can't find it, we’re going to be late.
2. Jane wanted to go on the school trip, but her mother said that two hundred dollars was too much for the family budget.
3. As she waited for Rodney to become conscious, Selma was seized with an attack of conscience-- was there anything she could have done to prevent the accident?
4. The map led the intrepid treasure hunters to a lead box of precious stones.
5. Have you seen their coats? They’re going to need them; it's cold outside. I last saw the coats over there.
6. After conducting careful research, Shufang had a brilliant idea; she'd write a paper on Thomas More's ideal concept of the society in Utopia.
7. Even though Bob would rather play video games than study, he decided to hit the books and then play some Halo.
8. It’s easy to admire a business that puts so much effort into creating its signs and window displays.
9. You’re fortunate to have survived the car crash without a scratch; it must have been because you were wearing your seat belt.
10. I would advise you to seek qualified legal advice about how to handle this situation.

The Right Path

Accepting that we will be in problematic situations and will have varied difficulties during our lifetime is the first step to being able to overcoming our troubles. Then acting based on what you believe in, makes you loyal and hardworking towards your decisions. “Of course the gentleman encounters hardship. The difference is that the petty man, encountering hardship, is overwhelmed by it.” (Pg. 44 15.2) Something interesting about this maxim is that it accepts human feelings as part of the process to finding a solution to problems, instead of just denying them. Encouraging trust in one’s own god-like abilities to solve with intelligent ethical actions one’s problems. Confucius introduces the idea that it isn’t how we are affected by an event but how we are able to overcome the barriers of life.

Being able to learn from oneself and others’ mistakes makes us great listeners and more aware of the true reality of our environment. Through conscious choices we are able to take knowledge and apply it in our day to day lives. “To make a mistake and yet to not change your ways - this is what is called truly making a mistake.” (Pg. 45 15.30) In a way if we aren’t using this learned information in our lives the most important part of the process is lost and we will make our mistake a habit. Doing right even if we know we won’t win is part of being ethical and moral. All the men of the Titanic chose to leave the lifeboats for the women and children. The men were all physically stronger than the women and children, as was the male captain and the male musicians, but they all chose to take the higher road and protect the weaker passengers. They all drowned with the ship. Those amazing actions are what really differentiate us from the animal kingdom, were the fittest and strongest will always be the survivor.

If we are able to stand up each time for what we believe is right by not only word but action, we will enhance our beliefs and become an example for all because as applying the knowledge learned from our mistakes, we are applying our beliefs for a greater life and so making better decisions through the course of our lives. This is the only way to truly teach and leave a viable legacy, through our character based on our action during distress.
“The gentleman takes office in order to do what is right, even though he knows that the Way will not be realized.” (Pg. 53 18.7) Having the opportunity and freedom to stand up for what we believe in should be something we should cherish and always protect for ourselves and for all human beings. As long as my rights/beliefs don’t infringe on others lives; because after all, why have beliefs if they aren’t worth fighting for?

Loving What You Wish For

When we accomplish our goals, we sometimes feel we enjoyed the process more than accomplishing the actual dream. Confucius brings us the idea that the dreams we really want aren’t for the economical benefit
they may bestow but more the process of following one’s passions, one’s loves. “If wealth were something worth pursuing, then I would pursue it, even if it meant serving as an officer holding a whip at the entrance to a marketplace. Since it is not worth pursuing, however, I prefer to follow that which I love.” (Pg. 20 7.12) People who really feel accomplished and joyful are probably those who not only enjoy the benefits they gain through their work (their paycheck, bonuses, healthcare benefits, vacations, discounts, other economical benefits) but doing the work they truly enjoy itself. If you do what you truly love, you will be probably become successful and happy.
The next problem would be choosing what we really love, especially if we love many things.

Optimism and a positive attitude is something that you acquire through life. I believe it comes from being able to listen and understand each event in your life and being able to extract something positive from it so you can apply it to your life. “When walking with two other people, I will always find a teacher among them. I focus on those who are good and seek to emulate them, and focus on those whom are bad in order of being reminded of what needs to be changed in myself.” (Pg. 21 7.22) Instead of prohibiting contact with evil, or just condemning it, Confucius teaches us to acquire the ability to extract all positive lesson from each life experience, even from evil. Having good judgment on what affects yours and other’s lives is something that will save one from a lot of pain and repetition. It will also help make your presence in others lives and your own more enjoyable and profound. If one is able to differentiate good from evil, one will be able to live an enriching life which will gain experience from each event and person. One will truly understand that we are all students and teachers of life for ourselves and for each other on a daily, minute by minute basis. We will then treat life, ourselves and each other with more intelligence, appreciation, gentle humor and kindness.

Fear, The Motor Of Evolution

Fear is born and belief is made by every human being who passes through the planet. Because we are not sure about what science can’t prove, we as humans have an innate tendency to create beliefs to fill in the holes in our understanding of life and it’s sometimes unfathomable events. There is also the reality that repeating these beliefs in all kinds of forms somehow makes them become truth or somewhat believable. If we critically think about what el ‘Ave Maria’ or ‘Padre Nuestro’ is about, we can see that they repeat the stories from the biblical events in order to come up with strong conclusions to assure people about God’s mind and existence. We can also see that it becomes a ritual for people to use these when at Church or Synagogue in order to show that they are doing their ‘jobs’ as true believers correctly. This also happens in political parties and extremist political views that have religious fervor.

We can also notice that most of the time as ‘believers’ we really don’t want to be there. As other sources, “The Secret” or “An Elegant Universe”, state as universal laws that what we intentionally imagine through focused thought, imagery and emotions will come true and they both emphasize the idea that repetition is vitally important. We are thus assured by ‘cosmic energy’ laws to get what we want. In a way this makes us think that doubting (using critical thinking) makes it impossible for things to happen. Back to religion… we see that in a way, repeating is an assurance where science falls short and beliefs start in human beings. We can witness this in action when in church ceremonies most of the talking is done by the priest and by saying ‘Amen’ we are agreeing or signing that we accept that prayer and believe these words. There is something a bit amazing how we accept these ideas so readily. All forms of modern media also use this fact to sell us soaps, deodorants (fear of being smelly and non-attractive) to political figures like Obama (fear of another 4 years of Bush policies).

We have always admired great ideas and inventions that have been stimulated into creation by our fears. For example, we invented electricity due to our fear of darkness, religion due to our fear of death and chaos ruling our life, zoos to be close to fierce animals that we are afraid of, space rockets that go to the moon and beyond in case the earth is destroyed by us or natural events. Fear is something that causes the best and the worst in us to flourish.

Balancing It All Out

If our community understands that we all have common interests, why do we keep self-imposing ideas that poor people are wrong and that they haven’t worked enough to be rich and why do we say that rich people are good and that they have accomplished everything they desired for their lives in order to reach happiness? Maybe it is because we all desire similar material well-being, to be economically solvent and prosperous and independent but some think that they should do whatever it takes to reach that goal and others prefer to be people who live their life ethically and who understand that to reach that goal of self-sufficiency and wealth they will only be willing to do what is morally right. “ The Master said, “Wealth and social eminence are things that all people desire, and yet unless they are acquired in the proper way I will not abide them. Poverty and disgrace are things that all people hate, and yet unless they are avoided in the proper way I will not despise them.”” (Pg. 10 4.5) I think that not only each of us want similar well-being in all areas of life but that we should also cultivate through education a wanting similar basic well-being for every living person which will mean that we have to watch out for each other and limit some of our own personal hungers. Something interesting about how Confucius explains this idea is that he accepts the concept that we all have personal yearnings and that we all are willing to sacrifice in order to satisfy these wants for ourselves but what he really stresses is the moral guidance to what would be right and wrong in the methods used to satisfy these personal desires instead he insists he would not even reject poverty and disgrace if they were not avoided in the correct way. We can also see that he tries to give us guidance in what and how to wish for and the results don’t matter as much as what we did or didn’t do to get there.

He tries to make us understand that profoundly a person cannot be judged only by his accomplishments but by what he did to get them, what motivated him and what was his purpose when he reached his goals. “Do not be concerned that no one has heard of you, but rather become a person worthy of being known.” (Pg. 12 4.14) One shouldn’t look for being accomplished or famous but to accomplish things that make us feel proud of the process by which we accomplished. The Master clearly shows us that we should wish and look for things that make us valuable as people of a community and not for things that make us powerful. “To bring comfort to the aged, to inspire trust in my friends, and to be cherished by the youth.” (Pg. 15 5.26) By sharing what he wants to accomplish in his life, what he truly values and what he wants to really be remembered for, makes one take a deep reflection about what is truly lasting and valuable for any human life. Great deep thinking in every phrase.

Charisma, Assertiveness And Fluency

Barack Obama’s overwhelming victory is clearly due to his incredible communication skills, charisma and rhetoric use which I think he probably gained in his vast experience and career as a Harvard lawyer. As he speaks to groups of people he tries to connect and mesmerize the whole instead of a specific individual or the cameras. This gives the feeling that he is interested in knowing all of the people’s opinions and talking to us as a whole. Obama also uses his hands to stress the points he is making, giving us hints on what he is getting to. In parts of his speech he uses the forensic tense to back his opinion on facts and to thank the people who made his dream possible but it is mainly composed in the demonstrative tense to show what he, on this day, conquered. “This is your victory. And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -- two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.” Yet, he then in one clean sweep, congratulates each and every person in the audience informing them that in fact, the victory is really theirs. Through the deliberative tense president elect also talks about the problems that he sees ahead and the needed help for his presidency to help and stay in American History.

Unlike other speeches Obama uses Pathos to conquer American hearts through subjects as hope, opportunity, change, union, and history. We clearly see that Ann Nixon Cooper’s example is used as a pathos to support those who voted for him and to make those who didn’t reconsider their vote. “This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old. She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons -- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.” It also serves to make Americans consider this day as a historic milestone , a day which changed the lives of many Americans who never thought they would see an African-American being elected as a U.S. president during their lifetime. A mere 40 years ago, on the morning of April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, a brave, modern, African-American prophet, who had a huge dream for America, had been murdered. This seemingly impossible dream is now becoming reality.
We have won more than a unique president but a fluent, bright and assertive rhetorician which I look forward seeing in office. I sincerely hope Barack Obama surrounds himself with the best men and women the United States has in both parties and completes an outstanding presidency and leadership for the nation and for the world. That is my dream for this presidency.

Two Sides To Suffering

In some moment of our lives, probably in a moment of chaos and difficulties, we doubt God’s power, justice, fairness and most of all his love for his people. When the sun keeps shining over the disasters that have happened in history we ask ourselves, does He really exist, is there really an intelligent overseeing power that rules everything and even destroys our lives? That is what unites Job’s and Elie’s lives, their suffering and their never-ending consternation and doubting of God’s traits. “Never shall I forget that nocturnal silence which deprived me, for all eternity, of the desire to live. Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to dust. Never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to live as long as God himself. Never.” –Pg. 32 Our self- importance, desire to live, common sense and knowledge of good and evil makes us sit down and consider our beliefs in a distant way which comes back to the same question. Does God really exist?

Elie’s narration even talks about Job’s example which really makes us consider what we would think about God’s rightfulness in their case. “How I sympathized with Job! I did not deny God’s existence, but I doubted His absolute justice.” –Pg. 42 Elie’s great life and believer traits perfectly match up to those of Job in different contexts. We can even consider the similarities between the opposing forces to their truthful lives: the Nazis and Satan! We can also see how each of the characters act upon the horrible events in their lives. Elie is completely disappointed by God’s word, instead Job still considers God’s existence and power. We can see how each of their lives completely changed after these events. Job was favored and he received back what he had lost but on the other hand we see Elie as the only survivor and witness of his family’s suffering. This makes us ask ourselves, is the Old Testament’s promise of giving us back our lives after the dark tunnel true and does it apply to modern society? After such intense, dark suffering, such as the kidnap victims in Colombia by the FARC, one can never be the same but the spiritual thread seems to tie all these nefarious events together.

People come out of these hells battered and changed, many times even more gentle, wiser, vulnerable, appreciative and spiritually stronger then when they walked or were forcefully taken into Hades.

The Truth Of Suffering

When we surpass our suffering tasks we will be loving of God’s words and considerate of his message. If in one moment we trusted him blindly we will finally take our blindfold off our eyes and see God’s message and creation as a whole and divine miracle that brought us life. This is what God’s words bring us in the last part of Job’s life which answers all questions about our actions and rightfulness in God’s eyes. “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.” -42:5 We see that the truthful believers will prevail over the mediocre believers who blame and give up. Those who consider their actions and have perspective over the whole picture and consider other’s actions as part of the divine comedy each of us lives each day, will see the truth in God’s words and creation which will finally bring pleasure and joy to those who search happiness.

Those who brought suffering to the faithful and pure individual will face consequences that God’s overseeing power and justice will met out. Those who bring help to other’s lives will be rewarded by God’s almighty power in a final word which makes those true believers of a supreme lord and justice. “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” -42:10 After the dark and unmerciful tunnel of suffering, immediate love and reward will come to the faithful.

Some people believe that the idea of a justice in the afterlife or in God’s hands is a fallacy to manipulate the poor into accepting their dire circumstances now and that way the rich and powerful can manipulate and dominate everything. Yet, I believe that the biggest themes of the human experience: love, friendship, work, loyalty, managing resources, honor, honesty, learning, spirituality, nature, trust, loss, death, illness are shared by one and all during a lifetime.

The Individual Task

We are all composed of individual traits which affect our actions. We all have different faces for different problems and people. We are a mixture of ourselves and others and what and where we have lived and because of this we have trouble when deciding something in our lives. When we are going to decide what to do in the future each part is pulling to it’s side. This is what I find interesting about this passage of Job’s life. Each of his friends had something to say and each one made Job think about why he was punished, maybe it wasn’t so much of a punishment for the ‘great sin’ he had committed, maybe it was his turn to suffer, or maybe it was his own children’s sins which made them face the final consequence. Finally, Job arrives at the conclusion that he has to remain being faithful, ignoring all of his friend or individual trait decide for him. “But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.” -13:4 Job starts asking himself how could he be able to understand God’s strange punishments if no man can, because he is not God. He asks himself what can he do to please God but doesn’t find any answer and asks for a mediator to give his word to God.

At this point Elihu enters the conversation and he brings him to a conclusion. Elihu is sort of a mediator between all of Job’s thoughts. In a way I think he is the representation of our heart. That who unites all of our thoughts into one deep voice of understanding. Elihu accepts what God has done and finds a meaning that he isn’t really punishing Job but forgiving him for his actions and that in a final point, God is the only one who really understands his actions which are truthful and just. “Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.” -37:23 The message that I extract from this is that we should seek this final point of view which understands God’s power and accepts it for what it is and is not trying to change it for the individual’s small ego’s benefit. Usually, when that truth or real knowledge is reached one becomes calm, centered and whole.

Testing the Delicate

Knowing that if we have faith in God we will have great lives, the bible introduces another element, suffering in God’s name. By showing evil and all that God will do to test his children he gives the example of a faithful and productive person, Job. “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” -1:1 As we have seen in other parts of the bible, God is an entity that tests the faithfulness of his people. Bringing evil to the picture, God admires the faithful tested through horrible event/impossible choices. By testing Job he shows us that he will test our faith in him and by our blind faith in him we will prove if we are real believers and worthy of all his love and protection.

By attacking Job’s weak points, his family and greatness, we find ourselves analyzing Job’s true character, courage and faith. One wonders if one has been tested or what would one do in the face of such a test? In moments of trouble one sees who is the real person, he who accepts what is happening and acts upon it instead of blaming God for his suffering, he is the true believer. “A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.” -10:22 When one even considers that life isn’t for one any more and that light will never appear in one’s life we see that the glass broke because of the tight hand and that there is no going back, life isn’t worth it any more and we decide that it is God’s fault that we are even alive. This is what God’s testing finally brought to one of his believers. In a way the tested and the tester are one,
because it all depends on one’s perceptions and judgments and world views about what is really going on.

Fallacies In The Race To The White House

False Cause: “I think everybody knows now we are in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. And a lot of you I think are worried about your jobs, your pensions, your retirement accounts, your ability to send your child or your grandchild to college. And I believe this is a final verdict on the failed economic policies of the last eight years, strongly promoted by President Bush and supported by Sen. McCain, that essentially said that we should strip away regulations, consumer protections, let the market run wild, and prosperity would rain down on all of us.”

Straw Man Argument: “Now, I've got to correct a little bit of Sen. McCain's history, not surprisingly. Let's, first of all, understand that the biggest problem in this whole process was the deregulation of the financial system. Sen. McCain, as recently as March, bragged about the fact that he is a deregulator. On the other hand, two years ago, I said that we've got a sub-prime lending crisis that has to be dealt with.”

Straw Man Argument: “Do you know that Sen. Obama has voted for -- is proposing $860 billion of new spending now? New spending. Do you know that he voted for every increase in spending that I saw come across the floor of the United States Senate while we were working to eliminate these pork barrel earmarks? He voted for nearly a billion dollars in pork barrel earmark projects, including, by the way, $3 million for an overhead projector at a planetarium in Chicago, Illinois. My friends, do we need to spend that kind of money?”

Straw Man Argument: “I've got some news, Sen. Obama, the news is bad. So let's not raise anybody's taxes, my friends, and make it be very clear to you I am not in favor of tax cuts for the wealthy. I am in favor of leaving the tax rates alone and reducing the tax burden on middle-income Americans by doubling your tax exemption for every child from $3,500 to $7,000.”

The Greek Way To The White House

Senator Barack Obama is a clear example of how to use rhetoric to be successful and reach your dreams. He clearly uses a tone of voice which get’s to peoples hearts. One of his ways to convince the American people is by using Logos to compare and bring to the light the idea that Senator John McCain will continue President George Bush’s policies. “Senator McCain likes to talk about judgment, but, really, what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush has been right more than 90 percent of the time?” He characterizes John McCain as a follower of George Bush making us think if we would really like the next president to be like him.

Obama then tries us through Ethos by telling us why he wants to be president and why he would be a good one. “Well, it's time for them to own their failure. It's time for us to change America. And that's why I'm running for president of the United States.” He thinks he would be a good president because he thinks that Ameica needs change and he has a good shot to reach it. In most of the speech we can see Obama uses the Present and Future tenses, making it clear what he thinks are the problems and how he wants to solve them. However in some parts of the speech we can also see him using the past tense to refer to McCain’s policies and how they were a disaster compared to those he proposes.

Barrack clearly uses Pathos to touch peoples hearts and influence them to vote for an option for change a candidate that will help the American people. “This country is more decent than one where a woman in Ohio, on the brink of retirement, finds herself one illness away from disaster after a lifetime of hard work.” He uses Pathos to support his welfare and economic policies and proposals and takes the people to think about the other Americans who scream for change. “We are more compassionate than a government that lets veterans sleep on our streets and families slide into poverty...” Senator Obama clearly uses all resources for an elaborate speech which tries to convince all that he is the best option for the White House. Of course, Barack Obama, as all politicians do, only tells his version of the truth and generously stretches the facts and refuses to tell the whole truth about himself or his opponent. One has to take everything politicians say with a huge grain of salt and investigate for yourself to find the truth and make the best choice for the country. Most politicians will say and promise anything to get elected…rarely do they do what they promised. Actions speak louder than words so it’s always a good thing to look at their record and their real history to find out who they really are.

The Faithful Will Prevail

In King David’s life we can see that being faithful is acting faithfully. His life was full of problems which he overcame through his faith. It takes faithfulness to accept you’re weaknesses and go against someone you think is unbeatable. “David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.” (17-37) God’s power takes us to do incredible things which we thought impossible. After all, believing without any real proof is
amazing and possibly incredibly insane. “So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.” (17-50) Humanity has always reached incredible goals through creativity. Maybe that is what the Lord wants us to do. Use our intelligence to overcome obstacles, having in mind that we are able to conquer our goals because of our faith in our ability as well as in God’s protection and guidance. Samuel shows us that we have to stand up for what we believe in, even if we are going against our parents. We have to be able to confront our fears with respect to others. We must though, make sure that whatever we’re doing has basic common sense and respect for all.

Samuel also shows us that there are going to be problems in our lives and there are going to be people who are going to be jealous towards us but we will surpass these people if we believe in God’s power and judgment. “The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.” (24-12) We can also see that since God is the supreme creator of all life he will know what to do about his people. We shouldn’t take the decision of ending another person’s life in our own hands (unless it’s an act of legitimate self-defense or defending your loved ones).

Taking For Granted

Many times we think anything we do will be forgiven by our parents and that in some way laws don’t apply in our case. It is logical that when we do something good, our consequence is going to be positive and equivalent to our action. “And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.” (3-39) By doing good you will receive a positive effect and by doing evil you will have to face the consequences of your actions.

By following God’s laws the children of Israel under David’s might were able to get out of the hands of the Philistines. “Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.” (3-18) By becoming king, David brought wealth to the children of Israel. His belief in God made him one of his lord’s allies and so he became a rich and powerful person. “Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” (7-22) The punishment King David receives for having a son with his dead friend’s wife is the same as other people would receive. Because of this we are able to conclude that each action will receive an individual effect and God has power over each and every human being who he will judge based on the choices and actions he makes as a supreme power.

Why Lord, Why?

Children of Israel they are,
And Egypt came to be their land.
They multiplied and left a scar,
Which is written in the sand.

The Egyptians made them serve,
And males were to be forgotten.
Now they cry and look at herd,
And all the hope is rotten.

Born and left at the river,
Found by the ruler’s daughter.
Meant to be somewhat ruler
And marry Jethro’s daughter.

The Lord appeared to his sight,
And asked upon a favor,
Lead them to the promised fight,
And then look upon your neighbor.

And Moses looks upon the sky
And asks the lord why.

Israel Has Arrived

Parent’s will support their children unconditionally as well as God said that he would support the Children of Israel. God will protect the good from all evil and maintain a covenant with them for life. God will never be on the wrong side. “Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.” -Exo.23 Line.7 Those who obey His voice will be guarded by His power. He will protect those who show Him faith. “But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.”-Exo.23 Line.22

Exodus teaches us God’s idea of faith and love. It teaches us how we should live our lives in God’s eyes and how He will be with us in every moment of our lives. “Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.” –Exo.31 Line.15 Each decision has an effect in our society, as well as when in God’s hands. We have to be truthful believers who take into account everything, but most of all God’s teachings before making decisions. He will make us live important rolls in our community if we follow His word. “For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.” Exo.34 Line.24

It is a dream come true to be able to have complete faith in a divine order, a divine, loving, protective intelligence taking care of our every breath. The problem with this idea is that with such horrors occurring to seemingly innocent children every day all over this planet…there seems to be a big piece of the puzzle missing.

Blind Trusting

Some of us trust God as if he were one of our parents, some of us trust the Law as it were one of our parents. Why do we trust God or the Law if we don’t know they exist or if they’re good and right? I think mainly it is because we constantly need to know that what we do is right and that we have purpose in life. Even though we trust God in what seems to be blindly, I also think we are born with a certain inner consciousness and maybe even a common sense of what is right or wrong. This “consciousness” could also be a hereditary evolutionary DNA adaptation that our species automatically creates does the ant’s DNA, the monarch butterfly’s DNA and the whale’s DNA. The whole group learns something and passes it on to the next generation through a change in DNA. The issues may not be just the survival of the fittest or how to get a great meal but more complicated things such as how to make the group function more harmoniously through a higher love.
Maybe animals and nature just follow the Law automatically while we’re stuck with a “higher” intelligence and choice and “free will” that makes us doubt and discuss and fight about everything. The children of Israel weren’t the exception. They needed assurance that God did exist. “And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.” –Exo.16 Line.2 They needed a messenger who would provide assurance and who would practice God’s law every second of his life. They needed Moses to be their life judge. “And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.” -Exo.17 Line.11 The time had come when the children of Israel were asking for God to tell them how to live their lives. It is interesting to note that highly spiritual people like St. Francis of Assisi
were highly connected to animals and communicated with them…maybe animals are a lot wiser and spiritual than we think.

Moses knew he had to be the people’s messenger, he had to provide that knowledge. “And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God:” -Exo.18 Line.15 We now have judges who tell us who is wrong and who is right, in that moment the judge was Moses, he was who had to consult God’s word and apply it to the people. The God he trusted was the ultimate word for a person’s inquiry. Moses was the judge of the children of Israel and his law was God’s word: the ten commandments and “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” The children of Israel were not blindly trusting God but understanding his word through Moses.
Maybe the whole idea of leaving the garden of Eden was losing that direct knowledge and now we have the long, winding path to get “home” again and need interpreters, signs, symbols, messages, saints, stories and holy books to try and get back on track.

Past, Present And Future Rhetoric - Taking Us To The White House

The third Presidential Debate of 2008 between Senator Barrack Obama and Senator John McCain brings us all three tenses of rhetoric. Here are some examples of how 2008’s Presidential Candidates used rhetoric in this debate:

Sen. Barrack Obama
Past-
“The financial rescue plan that senator McCain and I supported is an important first step.”
Present-
“We are experiencing the worst financial crisis since the great depression.”
Future-
“Ninety five percent of you out there will get a tax cut.”
“We need to help home owners.”

Sen. John McCain
Past-
“The catalyst for this housing crisis was the Andy and Freddy May that caused the sub-prime lending situation that now caused the housing market in America to collapse”
Present-
“Small businesses - and by the way, the small businesses we we’re talking about right now – are receiving an increase in their taxes right now!”
Future-
“I am convinced that until we reverse this continued decline in home ownership, and put floor under it, and so that people have not only the hope and belief they can stay in their homes, and realize the American Dream but that value will come up.”
“I’ll keep your taxes low!”
“We need to cut the business tax rate in America, we need to encourage business in America.”

Evil Brings Punishment

The nine plagues inflicted upon the Egyptians is a great example of God’s punishment/revenge to those who don’t respect his word or to those who cause damage to any one of his sons. “And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:” -Exo.8 Line.2 Every action has an effect, be it positive or negative, the bible has to teach us what our options are when we are about to decide something in our lives. God’s power helps us in our decision, we can see that God will always favor those doing good in their lives, those who take only what they need, those who respect each other’s culture as they do their own. “For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.” –Exo.9 Line.14 The bible shows how their isn’t a hiding place for God’s eye and how he knows and will act upon each action we take.

Every time a parent punishes his son, one can see this event completely changes their life. The child will never forget the lesson he learned from his mistake because the punishment came from someone that is loved and respected. “And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.” –Exo.13 Line.3 When our society wakes up from their violent and conflictive nightmare, they will be able to apply all that they learned through history in their present as a country, as a culture, and as a people who respect each other and their environment and live by the golden rule always: do unto others as you would like to be done to you.

God’s Capacities or Human Incapacities?

Things look differently from each and every perspective. It isn’t the same to be in a grownup or child’s shoes, a black person’s, a poor person’s, an educated person’s, a physically or mentally challenged person’s position, not only because of the new perspective you will have when you take on their role, but the understanding that comes from widening your lens and your neurons to encompass a larger view. Hopefully this new richer perception will lead to wiser decision making. Being a human who is mainly committed to surviving and following his master’s orders isn’t the same role as the one taken by a god who sees and rules everything and knows what is best for his creatures. This is what Exodus tries to bring us, a breakthrough of our roles in society and the power we have compared to that of god. He will always decide what is best for his people. “Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.” -Exo.1 Line.20 God will always try to make us independent, and highly productive and creative participants in society… made in his likeness.

We are all fond of childen and we will always try to do what is best for them. “And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.” -Exo.2 Line.25 This is what the bible gives us, confidence that the Divine Creator will do His very best for each and every one of us, his beloved children. Each “child” has individual characteristics, both positive and negative for his surroundings and created by God for a specific role and destiny. It is said that one can only experience God’s love for us when we ourselves become parents. I look forward to that some day.

What I fundamentally believe the bible is also trying to show is that God will always protect and guard good and will repel and exterminate evil, leaving evil completely isolated (hell) for the good of His people and His love for us, His creation. “And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty: -Exo.3 Line.21 The Hebrews in Exodus, are highly effective and positive, they worship and respect god, for so he is always guarding their future, eliminating all obstacles in their way. Because of their shallow perspective they aren’t able to do more than accept what they live, but god, who knows and sees everything is showing them their way through all their problems, even if they are blind to this reality. It is like fish living on the very bottom of the deepest ocean, how could they even imagine what life is like on top of the beautiful, green earth outside of the deep blue ocean? They would in fact need to develop another physical body to enjoy this new reality. Maybe we will also have to grow a new body/mind to hold new consciousness/truth of even larger realities than our brain can now process.

The First Mistake

Living in God’s Hand

By following God’s order we are supposed to be following the right path. At least, this is what King James’ Bible says, by following his order we will accomplish our goals. “And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.” –Gen.17 Line.6 He will protect and guard us from all danger because we are his worshipers. Our lives’ will be protected by his Almighty power. “Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.” –Gen.18 Line.32 We all need assurance that what we do is right, guidance on correct action and thought and that there is an orderly ethics to life: the good sown will necessarily bear good fruits so that we can than teach that divine knowledge to the next generation. Trying to teach human beings to behave decently (don’t lie, don’t murder, don’t kill, do unto others as you would like done to you, don’t rob, don’t be unfaithful, etc.) is a huge dilemma all societies face; calling on a higher power, a higher intelligence and order even if these ideas really originate from humans themselves is excellent.

By following god’s order we will be fruitful and will leave our children to do so too. “For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.” –Gen.21 Line.2 This also explains that there is always room for miracles and that god will always protect the good, destroying all evil. Through Abraham and Isaac’s example the bible shows that if our faith takes us to do the impossible and unimaginable of being able to trust our son’s live to God’s Will, He will bless us and protect us always. “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” –Gen.22 Line.18 The element of faith and supernatural events makes the whole idea of religion much more exciting and dramatic which resonates with our innate yearning for partaking in and being part of a bigger truth than what our senses or science can register. How can anyone not doubt that there must be something more to this when gazing out at the galaxies or looking into a loved ones eyes?

Equal From Creation

The idea of all being sons of the same mother is almost unconceivable when thinking on all conflicts and wars that have existed. King James’ Bible brings the idea of us all being equal, son’s of the same father which after hundreds of generations were separated to becoming different people. “These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.” -Gen.10 Line.32 Our similarities were so from the beginning that our language and culture were the same, I think it would be great for us to all to have a common language, which would probably save us from many conflicts. Sometimes we are in disagreement because language and cultural barriers make it impossible for us to see beyond our noses. “And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.” –Gen. 11 Line. 1 Our egos and self-interests have always taken us to compete with everybody, even with our own family. It is not strange that is how our world was created.

The representation of the LORD GOD in King James’ Bible shows us that he is always interested in helping those needy worshipers who truly are devotees of his image. God’s way of helping Abram shows us how he won’t forget about us in trouble. “And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.” –Gen. 15 Line. 7 As individuals we need assurance that there is somebody or something out there that will help us in any situation and that there is an intelligent, moral power that runs the whole universe.

Being God

Deep inside our Heart,
Being One split into Two,
Makes it easier to play, our Divine Part.
For now, we have a Clue
On how to use the holy compass
And no longer sinfully trespass.

And if we try with all our creative might,
we will have a chance
at reaching the infinite light,
doing our own unique dance.
This secret knowledge empowers.
Ignorance chases imaginary towers.

The world and facts we knew,
No longer have amazing power.
As one of the Awakened Few,
Very little now tastes sour.

For with this Clear Clue
Of being a Twin Pair
Your Divine Will I will now Do.
Inside that warm, divine, paternal Stare,
And out of the Blue
Is the knowledge of Eternal, Lasting Care.

Father, You and I are One,
I am your Divine Son.
Father give me Light,
Take away the Dark Night.
Father give me Life,
Take away all my Strife.

Enveloped in your divine Love
All becomes a peaceful Dove.

Ignorance: A Defect, An Advantage or Both

When we are little, most of the mistakes we make we won’t get punished for because we are ignorant of making them. But as we grow older, and we gain responsibility, everything we do begins to bring consequences, either positive or negative. Eventually, every choice we make, has an effect in our environment. Ignorance, however, helps as a shield against mistakes, if we don’t know something we aren’t able to decide upon it. However, when we gain knowledge we are responsible for our own decisions, and so suffer our decisions’ consequences. The world’s beginning wasn’t the exception, or at least this is what King James Bible tries to show us. “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” –Gen.6 Line.5 Our religion will always affect in a great part the decisions we make, therefore, our religion has to describe how we can take good decisions and which are the consequences of our decisions. In humanity’s case we can see that its devastation was the result of the decisions humans made about gaining the knowledge of good and evil and the actions they made from it. By giving us possible consequences we are learning from experience and will probably think twice before making a decision. Basically we are judged, when making a decision, by the knowledge we have or could gain. In that way being ignorant or not about a subject, could be an advantage or disadvantage.

Religion also has great influence in morality and ethics, especially in what has to do with the important issue of forgiveness. Religion has a binding obligation to show its followers examples of how to deal with reactions, how to react correctly, high mindedly, God-like: “And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.” –Gen.8 Line.21 Putting forgiveness as a higher objective is crucial in the advancement of a more tolerant and compassionate society and a more peaceful personal life. Getting bogged down in the past through recrimination and constant bringing up the past imperfections and mistakes only delays evolution and growth. Change becomes dwarfed and crippled instead of flowing and harmonious. Forgiveness and letting go allows for creativity and harmony to take the lead in society. “And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.” –Gen.9 Line.15 That covenant is one that we should each take to heart for ourselves and between each other and society as a whole…a promise, a commitment that our emotions, our actions “our waters” no longer become destruction, pain, death…“a flood”.

When We Were Created

When Life Loses Purpose

When people are working as a team, there is always one member who does most of the job, simply because he/she wants the job to be done effectively, is more capable and is probably more interested in the whole process. During the creation of The King James Bible, England’s finances weren’t doing well. James was spending all of Cecil’s profit in social activities and his Bible’s translators, who weren’t being paid much. “By the end of the decade, royal finances were nowhere near capable of paying for the project.” –Pg. 199 Great men, with huge interests as Bois was, one of the Bible’s translators, sacrificed their lives for this bible. Bois was the perfect person to execute the job. He was totally committed to it’s creation and was more interested in it than in his own family. “This is perhaps someone you would admire; it is not a man you would love.” –Pg. 207 His job was done quickly and he helped other colleagues to do their jobs, receiving little or no credit for it. This was his tragedy, not being able to be appreciated for his job, for receiving any recognition for having sacrificed so much.

The bible was meant to unite all of the Bible-following branches of King James’s religion, so it had to be simple and effective, carrying all of the bible’s original messages in an impartial, articulate and easy-to-read version. “The English sentences were being prepared for others, the non-educated, who had no access to the essence to the text, which these scholars, like Bois, had been drinking in for decades. The English, in other words, was itself subservient to the original Greek.” –Pg. 210 All the translators were of educated origins, and they were able to carry out their message in a beautiful version with simplicity which was due to huge discussions of which the final conclusions weren’t accredited to Bois, a person who had given his life for this project which was his most desired creation and had finally driven him to his death. “These men are interested not only in clarity and fidelity but in a grandeur of statement which colours the translation as a whole.” –Pg. 212 The making of King James’s bible was finally finished because of the sacrifices made by the translators, mainly Bois, who put all his energy and passion to share the message to all social classes through this sublime masterpiece.

Change Will Come

In moments of trouble and uncertainty change comes as an ally, in a way destroying all that wasn’t working previously for a new tomorrow. England was in one of these moments of trouble “competing claims of religion and state, obedience to the pope or to the king, loyalty to god or nation.” -Pg. 173 uncertainty ruled all over the place, even in the courthouses. The solution which James saw at the end of the tunnel was to reunite the community attacking the main cause, religious differences due to different manuscripts. “relationship to god through scripture, against a meditated, elaborated and socialized approach through an ancient church, guided by tradition.” –Pg. 180 The information was already there but what was needed was somebody to step out and find similarities between everybody’s religious text.

In my personal experience, I have seen several times something that makes me think about how we are able to listen, understand and apply information, formulating a response to this gained information. Sometimes when in an argument, people are saying the same thing but in different words creating a huge argument because they are completely sure about their opinion, and aren’t able to find a weak point in the other’s argument, simply because it is their same argument. Sometimes this example doesn’t apply to a situation but there is another way of avoiding a conflict. By taking some perspective and making ideas less conflictive, clearer and simple, people are able to find similarities between their opinions and arguments in a way creating a general point of view which is able to reach a greater quantity of people’s minds. The difference between each other’s text was their version of the translation from the original text. “Every translation, however good, was bound to contain errors and so by definition could not be used.” –Pg. 181
I would almost say different translations and versions are of the same fundamental concept/idea/world view...GOD.

Confidence is a great part of reaching impartial judgments, by believing in ones own ideas and being able to articulate them through written or oral language, one is able to act in a mature manner and overall share concepts with others to maybe get to a higher, unifying truth. “That depth of belief in the sufficiency of language is also one of the shaping forces of the King James Bible.” –Pg. 182 Because the text or the main ideas were already there, people were able to appreciate them, the job, the King James Bible’s translators had to be objective, giving the bible the importance and perspective it needed. “Secretaryship is one of the great shaping forces behind the King James Bible. There is no authorship involved here. Authorship is egoistical, an assumption that you might have something new worth saying.” –Pg. 184 By knowing and believing that the ideas weren’t yours, you were able to be impartial, having the assurance that you only had to do your job of communicating them to the public, having no connection to the text. Because words are not equal and don’t have the exact same meaning in all languages, something that this translation is able to do is choosing the right words, with the right meanings still maintaining the sentence fluency and meaning that it had since it was written. “The richness of the words somehow represents a substance that goes beyond more words and that is its triumph.” –Pg. 197 This bible was the change that was needed, this time it was intended to unite a piece of our souls, making us have the same text, the same manual source of our spirituality. No one really owns the truth, it is universal and as formless and yet as powerful as God.

Plato's Chariot

Adolescent Students 1

In dealing with students on the high-school level - that is, the second, third, and fourth year of high school - we must bear in mind that to some degree they are at a difficult psychological stage, generally called adolescence. Students at this level are likely to be confused mentally, to be subject to involuntary distractions and romantic dreaminess. They are basically timid or self-conscious, they lack frankness and are usually very sensitive but hate to admit it. They are motivated either by great ambition, probably out of all proportion to their capabilities, or by extreme laziness caused by the fear of not succeeding or attaining their objectives. Fundamentally they want to be kept busy but they refuse to admit it. They are frequently the victims of earlier poor training, and this makes every effort doubly hard. They are usually willing to work, but they hate to work without obtaining the results they think they should obtain. Their critical faculties are beginning to develop and they are critical of their instructors and of the materials they are given to learn. They are beginning to feel the pressure of time; and although they seldom say so, they really want to be consulted and given an opportunity to direct their own affairs, but they need considerable guidance.

With Varied Thought Comes Varied Opposition

In a time of terror, people need assurance from their political leaders about their security and future. In King James’ case, what he had to do was to unite England’s different religious beliefs through a common text. “needed a version of the scriptures that would bind together its people, its church and its king.” –Pg. 107 In this chapter, we can also see that King James’s ideals and thoughts were completely genuine and accepting in what had to do with different religions and beliefs. “‘I will never allow in my conscience’, he had written to Cecil, ‘that the blood of any man shall be shed for diversity of opinions in religion.’” –Pg. 108 King James was very different from other current political leaders which completely destroy and devastate a region because of an attack to a country’s security.

I also think that this chapter tries to show the effect a terrible event, attempting against a nation’s security, has on its government. Some people just need a problem to make it the event of the century, because their main goal is to harm and look at the bad side of things, taking revenge as their only weapon but others are able to resolve problems through words and intelligent ideas which in my opinion are more valuable than aggressiveness and mass destruction. In that time in England we can also see a classical response to this type of situation, harming a specific person to cause terror in the nation, therefore making it an escalating “eye for an eye” situation, that will never end. King James had just the right wisdom to de-escalate violence by using logic, serenity and reason. Even though he didn’t want any innocent people dying for unjustified causes, the nation’s decision lied in the judges hands. “because, quite clearly, this was a good man killed for no good reason.” –Pg. 116 People all over the world have died because of unjustified causes which has always been one of humanities main problems, learning how to listen, appreciate and understand another’s culture and ideas.

Two Opposites for One Nation

King James’s story isn’t a happy quest through the adventures of life but his success at reaching England’s throne shows us how we can reach anything we work for. Always be careful of what you wish for, because it may become true. After England becoming a conservative and in much need-of-change nation, James arrives, breaking every preconceived idea of how a king should be. “no distant image of a king but a king who’s task, as God’s lieutenant, was to resolve and unify the tensions and fractures of the kingdom.” –Pg. 6 Having suffered all of his youth and reign in Scotland he achieves his dream of becoming England’s king. The newly anointed King James goes on a quest to find what he was going to do with all of his power. “James left Edinburgh for a journey through his new kingdom.” –Pg. 12

His calm, observing personality became a giving and naïve energy which other people fully exploited. Even in trouble, he was able to continue fighting for his dream of unity of the United Kingdom but people were used to Elizabeth’s rule and conservationism which made for great opposition and testing, as any new idea or reality always goes through in this human world. “Unity and togetherness was his dream.” –Pg. 13 His amazing life is that of a predestined soul whose vision goes beyond any fear of death, rejection or failure. James’s life is a perfect example of how perseverance and applied effort will always win in any case and how one has to stick to ones ideals, think for ones own and not be influenced by the negative side of one’s culture or family. England was needing change, and that is what it received through a controversial, visionary and destined person who had lived and transformed the country and its inhabitants more, in fewer years, than England had changed in all its monarchies.

A Translation of the Divine

Nicholas Adams makes an introduction to a silent but important book of which we don’t know much of. He describes that its uncertainness makes it so illuminating for the time in which it is written. “But that virtual anonymity is the power of the book. The translation these men made together can lay claim to be the greatest work in prose ever written in English.” –Pg. xi
It shows how the time in which it was translated couldn’t have been better because of the importance of detail, the love for antiquity and their quest for truth. This time resembled that in which the original was lived and written. “Their subject was neither ancient nor modern, but both or either. It was the universal text.” –Pg. xii

It lacks the search of self-promotion and isn’t accountable of any type or influence of the translator’s ego. They didn’t even want to be known throughout history for having been the creators but instead as the Translators of King James Bible. Nicholas Adams explains that they took as a model Tyndale who had done a good job but wasn’t perfect. He shows how we as authors are always looking for previous models to be able to improve their jobs instead of doing everything all over again. If they took Tyndale they would be improving his job. Nicolas also describes how the creation of King James Bible wasn’t an easy task and how they had to deal with the period of time that was characterized by a struggle: “between the demands for freedom of the individual conscience and the need for order and an imposed inheritance.” -Pg. xiii The moment was of transformation on believing in the pope or in the bible. Authors of Othello, Volpone, etc questioned the truth of power imposed on them. That was the nature of King James Bible, which wasn’t an easy task to accomplish in a time of doubts.

Hereditary Skills

Resourcefulness is a characteristic human trait which Dædalus sure knows how to use. As he tries to escape from Minos, he shows us that being creative rather than being a pessimist will take you out of trouble in some situations. ““Minos may control the land and sea,” said Dædalus, “but not the regions of the air. I will try that way.”” He doesn’t stick to the ordinary human way of thinking that there is nothing left to do but complain.

The myth also shows how us that humans are always passing on knowledge of all that we have accomplished and learned from our life experience to our next generation. “Icarus, my son, I charge you to keep at a moderate height, for if you fly too low the damp will clog your wings, and if too high the heat will melt them. Keep near me and you will be safe.” We can also see how Dædalus is trying to protect his son, always knowing and advising what might happen. I also think it is a way to explain to children that they should pay attention to what their parents say because they always know something we don’t. It would save all of us a lot of pain and sad results if we
listened to those who have proven to be wiser and more experienced than ourselves.

Through the myth, we can also see that even when we are part of a great family, with exceptional members; we are each still independent and uniquely different individuals who have very different personal goals and interests. “Dædalus was so envious of his nephew’s performances that he took an opportunity, when they were together one day on the top of a high tower, to push him off.” We all have egoism and jealousy to a certain degree, and are all looking for things that benefit our own goals, but it doesn’t have to lead to such destructive, immoral behavior such as taking another’s life. Family/society must teach its members to reign in these intense negative rivalries and comparisons or else the whole fabric of society can become very violent and chaotic. Solidarity, compassion, sharing in the others achievements through sincere caring has to be nurtured and taught through example and through literature.

Cliché Titles and Plot Lines

Live Free or Die Hard
Mission Impossible
As Good as it Get’s
The Bucket List
Catch Me if You Can

An impossible love caused by family rivalry
A retired soldier who has to face his government
A space mission which ends in lost astronauts
The weakest saves the world
Aliens come to the world and destroy us

Words that Sound Alike Practice

1. Where is my jacket? I wanted to wear it today, and if I can't find it, we’re going to be late.

2. Jane wanted to go on the school trip, but her mother said that two hundred dollars was too much for the family budget.

3. As she waited for Rodney to become conscious, Selma was seized with an attack of conscience-- was there anything she could have done to prevent the accident?

4. The map led the intrepid treasure hunters to a lead box of precious stones.

5. Have you seen their coats? They’re going to need them; it's cold outside. I last saw the coats over there.

6. After conducting careful research, Shufang had a brilliant idea; she'd write a paper on Thomas More's ideal concept of the society in Utopia.

7. Even though Bob would rather play video games than study, he decided to hit the books and then play some Halo.

8. It’s easy to admire a business that puts so much effort into creating its signs and window displays.

9. You’re fortunate to have survived the car crash without a scratch; it must have been because you were wearing your seat belt.

10. I would advise you to seek qualified legal advice about how to handle this situation.

Perfect Wanting

I, like most people, have always wanted to have a perfect life, full of joy and accomplishments. People who have this type of goal always dream of how it would be if you had accomplished everything you desired. In Pygmalion’s case what he desired the most was to have the perfect woman as his wife. “He was a sculptor, and had made with wonderful skill a statue of ivory, so beautiful that no living woman came anywhere near it.” His desire was so perfect it couldn’t be compared with anything previously imagined. His desire was so perfect it couldn’t be created but with ivory.

After achieving knowledge on what you want, you start desiring, planning and doing everything that is in your hand to achieve your goal. Pygmalion desired passionately his perfect wife and asked the gods to help him in his quest for fulfillment. “Ye gods, who can do all things, give me, I pray you, for my wife.” As some people do, he went to the gods when he needed them, and worshiped them when he needed assurance that his goal would be achieved.

When we fulfill that perfect goal, we are incredibly joyous, millions of feelings pass through our mind, trying to assure us that we have achieved is completely real. “While he stands astonished and glad, though doubting, and fears he may be mistaken, again and again with a lover’s ardor he touches the object of his hopes.” We can see the relationship between this story and new “discoveries” such as those taught in movies like “The Secret”. We could even say that Pygmalion’s quest is the foundation of perfect desire and accomplishment.

Pre AP/AP Student Contract

I, ________David D’Achiardi____________, hereby understand and will abide by the Pre-AP/AP
(Print your name)
Academy’s expectations, obligations, and admission/drop policy outlined below with respect to my

admission status and standing in the Pre-AP/AP Course, ______________English________________.
(Print the name of the Pre-AP/AP Course)
Pre-AP/AP Academy Expectations;
• Maintain Acceptable GPA,
• Motivated and Positive,
• Responsible and Dedicated Work Ethic,
• Attend Opportunity Day and/or Additional Review Classes,
• Complete AP College Board Exam,
• Sign Pre-AP/AP Student Contract.

Pre-AP/AP Academy Admission/Drop Policy;
• First Progress Report with Teacher’s Signed Approval…receive no course credit,
• End of First Semester with Teacher’s Signed Approval…receive only partial course credit for grade of 6.0+. No partial credit will be awarded for any grade below 6.0,
• Students who Drop Pre-AP/AP Courses or who Do Not take the College Board AP Exam will have the Pre-AP/AP Designation for that course removed from their transcript and they will not receive any grade or GPA enhancement awarded for taking that Pre-AP/AP course.

Please note that at any time during the school year if the teacher deems that you are not meeting the expectations above for any or all reasons, then that teacher will require that you sign an additional academic probation contract. Your admission status and/or removal from the above identified Pre-AP Course will then be re-assessed based on your abiding by the academic probation contract signed and agreed to by you and the respective Pre-AP/AP Teacher.

Student Signature of Agreement,

_________David D’Achiardi________________________
Date: _______________09-23-08____________

Want Meets Satisfaction

All human beings have wants, some more intensely than others and some of these desires bring huge consequences. In the Midas case, I believe the author is trying to show, how sometimes when we finally get what we want, it isn’t what we expected at all, to the point of rejecting it completely. “In consternation at the unprecedented affliction, he strove to divest himself of his power; he hated the gift he had lately coveted.” Sometimes the process by which we achieve a goal is the important learning situation, not the long awaited goal itself. In fact, maybe we are wired in such a way by society, by anatomy, that we need that wanting, that hunger to get anything done at all.

Midas’ quest is an example of how, when we achieve only our material goals, which we have been suffering for, they don’t satisfy our needs as complete humans, specially those of community, culture, spirit, religion, philosophy, art and love. “Thenceforth Midas, hating wealth and splendor, dwelt in the country, and became a worshipper of Pan, the god of the fields.” When we realize that the world shouldn’t rotate around materialism we are taken towards the world of beliefs, the world of self-exploration and philosophy, a never-ending field of knowledge. It is a way to show the reader that materialism doesn’t guide you anywhere, it takes care of your physical being and opens opportunities to have the material means and hopefully the time to do what you really want to do. It is in human nature to try to find a greater good, an answer to questions, to create, read, travel and live new experiences. Midas’ description is also a guide to measure the power of our desires.

Midas also talks about disappointment, and when our goals and beliefs are flustered. “Mortified enough was King Midas at this mishap; but he consoled himself with the thought that it was possible to hide his misfortune.” We are always influenced by our societies context. Midas is also influenced by the consequences which he tries to deal with instead of accepting. It is like a family with a child born with Downs syndrome. Obviously, I have never been in that situation but I believe that it is very hard for the parents to accept the situation. Many marriages fail when faced with these challenges. Instead of trying to deal with it as if it were a problem, it could be looked at as an opportunity to try to love as creatively as possible this special person. It would also be a test for the spirit that you will probably need the community and family to help you, that you are not super-human and that you are not alone. Breaking down our ego by not getting the fulfillment of all our desires exactly as we ordered them, can also give us powerful breakthroughs that will make us grow into better human beings.

A Love Full of Secrets

Cephalus and Procris describes how a love full of secrets and poor communication can lead to an unforgettable mistake. When Aurora is tempted by Cephalus’ beauty can be seen as the first secret that causes fissures between Cephalus and Pocris (who is already doubtful of his love). Greek mythology incorporates Aurora’s revenge for him to be unhappy with his wife as message of the lasting effect of one’s appetites and poor ability to accept rejection and the non-fulfillment of one’s passions. “Go, ungrateful mortal, keep your wife, whom, if I am not much mistaken, you will one day be very sorry you ever saw again.” I think this event shows how even Gods and super powers are nor exempt from behaving like fools. No matter how secure and powerful we can become, we will be at the mercy of our appetites, our attractions and “wanting” to possess more and more. If we do not learn how to control our desires and insatiable appetites and do not start living by some balanced, moral self-imposed rules, all we will do is create more chaos and suffering for ourselves and others. It is a real balancing act between living fully and taking intelligent, moral risks and learning to say “interesting how much I feel or want this or that BUT no, I’ll pass on this one”. One innately knows when something is headed the wrong path…

Procris is tempted to believe her husbands betrayal but she is not fully convinced by her messenger. “It cannot be true; I will not believe it unless I myself am a witness to it.” If their love was well based in the first place, she would be able to talk to her husband instead of trying to witness him betraying her. We can also see how humans are convinced by what they see but aren’t able to trust by word. Procris’ death and last words give us a special message which tells us to believe in our loved ones. “I implore you, if you have ever loved me, if I have ever deserved kindness at your hands, my husband, grant me this last request; do not marry that odious Breeze!” Procris teaches us that we shouldn’t be friends with doubtfulness and to not try to test a friendship or a marriage because you’ll end up alone. Instead you should learn to have a healthy relationship with yourself where you put limits on your own shadow behavior and also limits in what you will accept from others.

Another example of this message is how Cephalus ends with no company because of testing his dog, Lelaps who is turned into stone. “In the very attitude of life and action they were turned into stone. So lifelike and natural did they look, you would have thought, as you looked at them, that one was going to bark, the other to leap forward.” In a way Lelaps death marks the beginning of Cephalus’ lonely end.

One interesting last note is that the word cephalus means brain, so basically living too much planning and plotting and judging and testing with your head without giving any voice to your heart, your soul, your intuition may create a very lonely, joyless life.

Impatient and Passionate Love

Cupid and Psyche’s love teaches the reader the importance of trust in any close, emotional relationship, and especially for love to prosper. Through Psyche’s quest we can say that people who are able to rely on others will gain their trust making it possible for there to be love. “Love cannot dwell with suspicion.” If you don’t trust your wife, relative, loved one or friend they won’t feel confident to love you and become vulnerable and open to you. If throughout your relationship you are always questioning the other person, doubting everything, you won’t be able to look beyond your suspicions and appreciate who that person is, visualize what you could have together, jump in and decide to start creating a real relationship. You can always end it if the person breaks your trust in an unforgivable way.

It is always said that in a relationship you have to give in order to receive. Cupid and Psyche aren’t the exception. In a way by accepting the other person and trusting them, you are giving them the gift of your heart, the gift of your trust, a new door to possibilities. “Drink this, Psyche, and be immortal; nor shall Cupid ever break away from the knot in which he is tied, but these nuptials shall be perpetual.” As Mercury blesses Psyche’s love she is moved to trust Cupid who constantly fulfills almost all her desires.

Cupid and Psyche give an important lesson of trust and acceptance which isn’t only the best way to win another person’s heart, it is the only way.