The Tao of Pooh is a good read in the sense that it breaks down the concepts of Taoism in the form of a children’s book. While I understand the basics of Taoism, I realize that it can be difficult for others to understand the religion, especially when they’re studying it from a theological perspective rather than that of a believer. The Tao of Pooh is helpful in teaching the fundamentals of Taoism especially if one plans to read the Tao Te Ching; I don’t think that anyone who reads the Tao Te Ching without understanding Taoism can absorb the teachings of Laozi.
I think the critique of the American culture as a culture of “Busy Backsons” is extremely accurate. Americans are always on the go; it seems like they never take the time to enjoy the present moments with the little things in life because they are always preoccupied with the past or the future. It is proven that Americans overwork themselves (compared to Europeans) for lower wages, longer hours, and less vacation time; I feel like this is such a high factor in stress when in all reality, nothing stressing people out now will really matter ten years down the road. The American culture is both materialistic and wasteful. America strives off of consumerism and tricks people into thinking that if they are constantly shopping, they’ll be happy. The government and big corporations are the ones who win that fight; Americans are always buying new things for self-satisfaction, but eventually people become bored with what they have and seek other things to buy. They keep things that they don’t use when those things could be donated for another’s benefit. In the end, consumerism does not equal happiness.
I like the references of P'u (Uncarved Block) for personal practice in the sense that it's action through inaction, but I find it difficult to put aside previous experiences and knowledge in order to do so. Mainly, I like it because it teaches people to remove their judgments and just "go with it." Life will work itself out naturally. I think that if Americans listen to their Tao and seek happiness through action and charity, they would find themselves more fulfilled and less stressed about money, productivity, etc. Personally, I try to practice Taoism in my everyday actions because it tends to make me feel productive and happy. If I feel like traveling, I call a friend to visit in another place; if I feel like being alone, I separate myself from all forms of communication and draw or explore a new place. Basically, I make decisions based off of my gut instincts and I try not to live my life always looking for something. I feel like if I’m always searching for something, I’ll miss out on the opportunity to enjoy my life in the present day. I just go with the flow of things; I don’t know what is right and what is wrong, I just live based on what feels right, or that’s how I interpret “the way” for me. I think if Americans practiced Taoism, it would reduce a number of issues America currently faces in regards to depression, debt, etc.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Four Aims: Success and Liberation
Success
1. Nas, "I Know I Can," Hip Hip, 2002
2. Wale, "The MC," Hip Hop, 2010
3. Jay Z, "Thank You," Rap, 2009
4. Drake, "Man of the Year," Rap, 2010
5. Genesis, "Man on the Corner," Rock/Pop, 1981
Liberation
1. Phish, "Free," Alternative, 1999
2. Priscilla Ahn, "Living in a Tree," Alternative, 2006
3. Never Shout Never, "Sacrilegious," Pop/Feel Good Music, 2010
4. Bob Marley, "Freedom Time," Reggae, 1968
5. Damien Dempsey, "Colony," Folk, 2005
For Success, I picked a throw back and chose Nas because it used to get me hype and it's perfect for my personality. I believe that I am where I am today because I know who I am and what I want out of life; everything that I have done I have achieved from personally working for it. In Hinduism, success is aimed for as a goal. Success can mean many to different people, but in Hinduism success mainly relates to wealth and power. It can be achieved by opening a business or being active in one's community. I think the easiest way to achieve success is at our current stage in life as students; it is important to establish ourselves now to open doors for us to succeed later in life (and hopefully make a positive difference).
For Liberation, I really liked the song by Damien Dempsey called "Colony" because of the lyrics "You'll never kill our will to be free, to be free." It's not my first pick for the songs, but those lines represent how I'm currently feeling at the moment. I've never felt more free than I have this past year after getting out of a relationship and figuring out what it really means to be independent. Being free has really helped define my personality and who I am without worries of what other people think. I have engaged myself in activities that I never imagined that I would want to do without being forced into it. For example, I went and planted something in VCU's Rain Garden by Harris Hall on Friday morning; I saw something about it on the telegram and instead of sleeping in super late on a beautiful day, I was one with the earth and gave it some form of life. In Hinduism, the goal of spiritual liberation is called moksha. I feel like one of the best ways to achieve moksha is by turning one's back on the past and living in the present moment; I think this makes life a little more real and enjoyable. One has to turn away everything that is valued (such as family, friends, pleasure, etc.) and live freely and independently (like an ascetic). From my reading, this lifestyle focuses on removing the illusion that clouds human reality and reveals the true nature of the cosmos and one's place in that nature. I feel that liberation can and will be different for everyone, but by finding the true beauty in life and all of its simpleness, it will come a lot sooner. I suggest that everyone takes the time to really appreciate the little things and to not focus too far on the past or future. And when something's bothering you, just remember that you probably won't remember that event ten years from now anyway so just let it roll off of your shoulders. Live in the moment without getting too wrapped up in it; just go with it.
1. Nas, "I Know I Can," Hip Hip, 2002
2. Wale, "The MC," Hip Hop, 2010
3. Jay Z, "Thank You," Rap, 2009
4. Drake, "Man of the Year," Rap, 2010
5. Genesis, "Man on the Corner," Rock/Pop, 1981
Liberation
1. Phish, "Free," Alternative, 1999
2. Priscilla Ahn, "Living in a Tree," Alternative, 2006
3. Never Shout Never, "Sacrilegious," Pop/Feel Good Music, 2010
4. Bob Marley, "Freedom Time," Reggae, 1968
5. Damien Dempsey, "Colony," Folk, 2005
For Success, I picked a throw back and chose Nas because it used to get me hype and it's perfect for my personality. I believe that I am where I am today because I know who I am and what I want out of life; everything that I have done I have achieved from personally working for it. In Hinduism, success is aimed for as a goal. Success can mean many to different people, but in Hinduism success mainly relates to wealth and power. It can be achieved by opening a business or being active in one's community. I think the easiest way to achieve success is at our current stage in life as students; it is important to establish ourselves now to open doors for us to succeed later in life (and hopefully make a positive difference).
For Liberation, I really liked the song by Damien Dempsey called "Colony" because of the lyrics "You'll never kill our will to be free, to be free." It's not my first pick for the songs, but those lines represent how I'm currently feeling at the moment. I've never felt more free than I have this past year after getting out of a relationship and figuring out what it really means to be independent. Being free has really helped define my personality and who I am without worries of what other people think. I have engaged myself in activities that I never imagined that I would want to do without being forced into it. For example, I went and planted something in VCU's Rain Garden by Harris Hall on Friday morning; I saw something about it on the telegram and instead of sleeping in super late on a beautiful day, I was one with the earth and gave it some form of life. In Hinduism, the goal of spiritual liberation is called moksha. I feel like one of the best ways to achieve moksha is by turning one's back on the past and living in the present moment; I think this makes life a little more real and enjoyable. One has to turn away everything that is valued (such as family, friends, pleasure, etc.) and live freely and independently (like an ascetic). From my reading, this lifestyle focuses on removing the illusion that clouds human reality and reveals the true nature of the cosmos and one's place in that nature. I feel that liberation can and will be different for everyone, but by finding the true beauty in life and all of its simpleness, it will come a lot sooner. I suggest that everyone takes the time to really appreciate the little things and to not focus too far on the past or future. And when something's bothering you, just remember that you probably won't remember that event ten years from now anyway so just let it roll off of your shoulders. Live in the moment without getting too wrapped up in it; just go with it.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Internship Update
Hey guys,
As I told ya, I intern for I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business. We're working on a project that gives back to the Richmond community by supporting local musicians who struggle with financial issues. It relates to our Hinduism aim on Community Service, too! Totally check it out and hit me up if you have any questions!
As I told ya, I intern for I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business. We're working on a project that gives back to the Richmond community by supporting local musicians who struggle with financial issues. It relates to our Hinduism aim on Community Service, too! Totally check it out and hit me up if you have any questions!
Ace Enders will be broadcasting live right here on USTREAM on Tuesday Feb. 8 at 9 PM EST.
Ace will be showing viewers around his recording studio, thanking everyone for the huge amount of support through Kickstarter, explaining more about his project, answering 10 questions from fans, and playing a new song if the broadcast reaches 500 viewers by the end of the half-hour event!
You can submit questions for the Q&A by tweeting @icanmakeamess or emailing ace@icanmakeamess.net
Spread the word and make sure to tune in!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
The Four Aims: Pleasure and Community Service
Note: Explicit material is in this post and will probably be in a lot of my posts.
Pleasure
1. Nicki Minaj, Foxy Brown, & Lil' Kim, "Swag It Out," Hip Hop, 2009
2. Curren$y, "Elevator Music," Rap/Hip Hop, 2003
3. De La Soul, "Buddy," Hip Hop, 2006
4. A Tribe Called Quest, "Bonita Applebum," Hip Hop, 1990
5. Robin Thicke, "Teach U A Lesson," R & B, 2006
Community Service
1. Never Shout Never, "Harmony," Pop/Feel Good Music, 2010
2. Bob Marley, "Redemption Song," Reggae, 1979
3. Never Shout Never, "Love is Our Weapon," Pop/Feel Good Music, 2010
4. K'naan, "Waving Flag," Pop/Tribal House, 2010
5. Black Eyed Peas, "Union," Pop, 2005
I was not really surprised with anything in the assignment. I can’t lie and say I didn’t expect to see a bunch of blogs about amazing sex because the American in me thinks about sex when I hear the word “pleasure.” I feel like community service is more important of an aim to focus on when compared to pleasure. Of course, pleasure is amazing and fun, but that is something that I feel is more of a personal enjoyment (in terms of sex). Well, for me community service is a pleasurable (maybe enjoyable is a better word), but I know the majority of people get pleasure out of more cliché things like sex and partying. Community service gives back to the world and it builds good karma in the Hindu faith. I think community service may even be a duty (like in Islam); if so, fulfilling dharma boosts good karma in the Hindu faith, as well. If the goal is to escape samsara so that the soul can stop being reincarnated, then community service would be a productive way to replace bad karma with good karma. Compared to Western religions, pleasure is considered a good thing in Hinduism. Hindus are all about fulfilling their desires as long as it is in moderation and a happy balance is maintained. In America, I notice that everyone lives in the moment. I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing, but I feel like it’s an easy way to get off of the “right path” (if that’s what you’re looking for). People get sucked into what’s best for them at the moment and not what’s best for those around them along with those who will be around in the future. I think it’s important to give back to the community because I feel like it purifies the soul a little bit to do something nice for another. The difference between the pleasure and community service in American pop culture compared to Hindu culture is that Americans tend to overindulge [in the aims] for the moment’s happiness while Hindu’s tend to balance each aim for their spiritual well-being for both the present and the future. I think it is important to note that things can be best enjoyed if they are in moderation.
Pleasure
1. Nicki Minaj, Foxy Brown, & Lil' Kim, "Swag It Out," Hip Hop, 2009
2. Curren$y, "Elevator Music," Rap/Hip Hop, 2003
3. De La Soul, "Buddy," Hip Hop, 2006
4. A Tribe Called Quest, "Bonita Applebum," Hip Hop, 1990
5. Robin Thicke, "Teach U A Lesson," R & B, 2006
Community Service
1. Never Shout Never, "Harmony," Pop/Feel Good Music, 2010
2. Bob Marley, "Redemption Song," Reggae, 1979
3. Never Shout Never, "Love is Our Weapon," Pop/Feel Good Music, 2010
4. K'naan, "Waving Flag," Pop/Tribal House, 2010
5. Black Eyed Peas, "Union," Pop, 2005
I was not really surprised with anything in the assignment. I can’t lie and say I didn’t expect to see a bunch of blogs about amazing sex because the American in me thinks about sex when I hear the word “pleasure.” I feel like community service is more important of an aim to focus on when compared to pleasure. Of course, pleasure is amazing and fun, but that is something that I feel is more of a personal enjoyment (in terms of sex). Well, for me community service is a pleasurable (maybe enjoyable is a better word), but I know the majority of people get pleasure out of more cliché things like sex and partying. Community service gives back to the world and it builds good karma in the Hindu faith. I think community service may even be a duty (like in Islam); if so, fulfilling dharma boosts good karma in the Hindu faith, as well. If the goal is to escape samsara so that the soul can stop being reincarnated, then community service would be a productive way to replace bad karma with good karma. Compared to Western religions, pleasure is considered a good thing in Hinduism. Hindus are all about fulfilling their desires as long as it is in moderation and a happy balance is maintained. In America, I notice that everyone lives in the moment. I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing, but I feel like it’s an easy way to get off of the “right path” (if that’s what you’re looking for). People get sucked into what’s best for them at the moment and not what’s best for those around them along with those who will be around in the future. I think it’s important to give back to the community because I feel like it purifies the soul a little bit to do something nice for another. The difference between the pleasure and community service in American pop culture compared to Hindu culture is that Americans tend to overindulge [in the aims] for the moment’s happiness while Hindu’s tend to balance each aim for their spiritual well-being for both the present and the future. I think it is important to note that things can be best enjoyed if they are in moderation.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
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