Today, we began class with a Hail Mary. We were allotted time to begin working on our presentations.
Paper #2 is due Friday for Blue 4.
11/18/10
Today, each group presented their Wu-Wei pictures to the class. After this, everyone worked on the day's Opening Question which was: " Which picture do you personally believe is the best example of wu-wei?" Then, the groups worked together to answer the questions on the green sheet, as they applied to The Te of Piglet
Our group's answers were:
(1) The main purpose of this article is________
Explain the Te and how Piglet is a good example.
(2) The key question that the author is addressing is________
How Piglet exemplifies the Te.
(3) The most important information in this article is________
Man was once equal with nature and by expressing humility (as Piglet does) we can reach humanity's natural state once more.
(4) The main inferences/conclusions in this article are________
Piglet is a good example of the Te because of his quality of character that he displays in The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. He may be small, but he is strong.
(5) The key concepts we need to understand in this article are________
Man's ego has evolved until he (falsely) believed that he is somehow greater than all the other creatures. The teachings of mankind have also changed for political reasons.
(6) The main assumptions underlying the author's thinking are________
Animals can relate to our own human lives and vice versa. These animals can find harmony in the Tao.
(7) If we take this line of reasoning seriously, the implications are________
Humans need to change their way and have greater virtue.
(8) If we fail to take this line of reasoning seriously, the implications are________
Humanity will further become estranged from nature and obsess over materialistic "things."
(9) the main point of view presented in this article is________
Human nature has changed over the years.
Our group's answers were:
(1) The main purpose of this article is________
Explain the Te and how Piglet is a good example.
(2) The key question that the author is addressing is________
How Piglet exemplifies the Te.
(3) The most important information in this article is________
Man was once equal with nature and by expressing humility (as Piglet does) we can reach humanity's natural state once more.
(4) The main inferences/conclusions in this article are________
Piglet is a good example of the Te because of his quality of character that he displays in The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. He may be small, but he is strong.
(5) The key concepts we need to understand in this article are________
Man's ego has evolved until he (falsely) believed that he is somehow greater than all the other creatures. The teachings of mankind have also changed for political reasons.
(6) The main assumptions underlying the author's thinking are________
Animals can relate to our own human lives and vice versa. These animals can find harmony in the Tao.
(7) If we take this line of reasoning seriously, the implications are________
Humans need to change their way and have greater virtue.
(8) If we fail to take this line of reasoning seriously, the implications are________
Humanity will further become estranged from nature and obsess over materialistic "things."
(9) the main point of view presented in this article is________
Human nature has changed over the years.
Nov. 16, 2010
Today, we took out third quiz on Taoism. We were asked to identify the symbol of yin and yang, and to relate them to the importance of the Tao. After the quiz, we recieved a handout on the Rites an Rituals of Taoism, which reviewed both the order and harmony of Taoism, and how this is manifested in Temple Rituals.
After watching a video of Taoist rituals, we wrote about the influences of Taoism we saw in the rituals. After handing this in, along with our four other opening questions, we read the beginning of the Te of Piglet.
After watching a video of Taoist rituals, we wrote about the influences of Taoism we saw in the rituals. After handing this in, along with our four other opening questions, we read the beginning of the Te of Piglet.
11/12
We began class today with prayer intentions and an Our Father. Ms Egan than talked to us about Heifer International, an organization that provides livestock and promotes sustainable animal husbandry for people in third world countries. After this, we watched a clip of an interview with a Taoist priest and monk. The monk said many things that gave us insight into understanding the philosophies and practices of Taoism. He said not to fret about chaos, for within it is harmony. This harmony is pre-existing. We learned that there is no creation story in Taoism; the yin and the yang interacted and hence everything in the world was created. The monk said that many of the Taoist traditions are rooted in Chinese traditions. The monk lived in a cave in the mountains, because it is more tranquil in the mountains; the more tranquil a place is, the easier it will be to find the Tao. The Tao is the life force behind everything. The monk said that those who find the Tao can achieve immortality.
After watching the interview, we did Wuwei day where we took pictures of things in the school that were wuwei. We took pictures of Jordan jumping, grass growing, a painted pictures of trees growing, the sunlight, and our shadows. All of the things represent wuwei becuase they are acheiving without struggle.
After this we listened to Brother Jim speak. Brother Jim is a Xaverian Brother. He explained to us what the brothers do and exactly what a brother is. He compared being a brother to being in a fraternity, except, he said, the brother are gathered around God rather than a beer keg. Brother Jim showed us a short video about the Xaverian Brothers in which other brother explained why they had chosen to become a brother and the benefits of it.
Nov. 8, 2010
Today we began class in praying a Hail Mary. After prayer, we took Quiz #2. When the quiz was completed by the class, we viewed a powerpoint on Daoism. In the powerpoint, we learned that Daoism is one of the three major religions in China and that it has 20 million religious followers. The Dao de Ching, the Way and its Power, is the book of beliefs that Daoists follow. The book does not explain a formal worship or prayer. Daoists also believe that humans are naturally fine; not good or evil, just fine.
After the powerpoint, we watched and listened to a few clips of the Disney movie Mulan. In these clips, we saw two major religions of China exemplified. The first clip was the song Honor to Us All. This clip represented Confucianism because the song lyrics talk about being proud. The next clip we watched was the song I'll Make a Man Out of You. This clip represented Daoism because it talked about staying in balance and on the path.
After the powerpoint, we watched and listened to a few clips of the Disney movie Mulan. In these clips, we saw two major religions of China exemplified. The first clip was the song Honor to Us All. This clip represented Confucianism because the song lyrics talk about being proud. The next clip we watched was the song I'll Make a Man Out of You. This clip represented Daoism because it talked about staying in balance and on the path.
Nov. 3, 2010
We started off class with our first quiz on Taoism - we were asked to define Dao (The right path, the natural way of life), Tao Te Ching (a book on the Way and its power, written by Laozi the founder of Taoism), and Yang (the male part of the Dao which arises in warm, dry, bright places, partners with Yin). We went on to connect the three, writing about how in the Tao Te Ching we are given guidelines with which to follow and grow closer to the Dao; doing so includes letting our lives be influenced by certain elements like Yang.
After the quiz we spent the rest of class in the library, learning how to use information databases such as Galenet to research for our projects.
November 1, 2010
Today in class, we began with a warm up. The warm up question asked students to evaluate the "leaf on a stream" philosophy of Taoism, and how it relates to their lives. One of Taoism's main philosophical ideas is that people should let life takes its course and "go with the flow." Different responses to the question included that although there may be obstacles, we must overcome them in order to ultimately allow us to dwell in the present instead of the past, or even the future.
We also completed a worksheet going over the important aspects of Taoism. Laozi is regarded as the founder of Taoism, which is followed by Taoists who are followeres of the philosophy expressed in Dao De Jing, or The Way and Its Power. Taoism's goal is to allow its memebers to live with or close to nature and to live freely, without constraints . The six principles of Daoist ecology according to David Hall include change, situation, myth, contingent harmony of existing ingredients, uniqueness od participants in unpredictable consequences, and priority of dynamic radial center over boundaries. Some other vocabulary included:
Wuwei: principle of doing one's task without assertion. Individuals in harmony with the flow of the Dao can aconplish more than individuals who assert themselves.
Zhaungzi: A later Daoist, who wrote, in part, to distingish Daoism from Confucianism, because some people began to view them as rivals.
Shang Di:In, China, the Lord of heaven. Ancestors are believed to be obedient to Shang Di as living persons are to an emperor.
Jade Emperor: A mythical emperor of ancient CHina. The emperor (1012 C.E.) claimed to have recieved a revelation from Huang Di, the Jade Emperor.
Zaoshen: In Daoism, the god od the stove, because the stove is an important part of family life and in work of the Daoist alchemists.
Three Purities: Ling Bao, the Jade Emperor, and Laozi.
Taixi: in Daoism, the art of embyronic breathing, a method of holding one's breath in contemplation.
Shouyi: In Daoism, to preserve the One or the meditate on the One. It includes methods of meditation on the One.
We also completed a worksheet going over the important aspects of Taoism. Laozi is regarded as the founder of Taoism, which is followed by Taoists who are followeres of the philosophy expressed in Dao De Jing, or The Way and Its Power. Taoism's goal is to allow its memebers to live with or close to nature and to live freely, without constraints . The six principles of Daoist ecology according to David Hall include change, situation, myth, contingent harmony of existing ingredients, uniqueness od participants in unpredictable consequences, and priority of dynamic radial center over boundaries. Some other vocabulary included:
Wuwei: principle of doing one's task without assertion. Individuals in harmony with the flow of the Dao can aconplish more than individuals who assert themselves.
Zhaungzi: A later Daoist, who wrote, in part, to distingish Daoism from Confucianism, because some people began to view them as rivals.
Shang Di:In, China, the Lord of heaven. Ancestors are believed to be obedient to Shang Di as living persons are to an emperor.
Jade Emperor: A mythical emperor of ancient CHina. The emperor (1012 C.E.) claimed to have recieved a revelation from Huang Di, the Jade Emperor.
Zaoshen: In Daoism, the god od the stove, because the stove is an important part of family life and in work of the Daoist alchemists.
Three Purities: Ling Bao, the Jade Emperor, and Laozi.
Taixi: in Daoism, the art of embyronic breathing, a method of holding one's breath in contemplation.
Shouyi: In Daoism, to preserve the One or the meditate on the One. It includes methods of meditation on the One.
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