Reflection Question #9

The meaning of Christmas according to “The Nativity Story” and “Joy to the World” is the birth of the Holy Savoir, Jesus. The verses from the carol “Joy to the World” 

Joy to the World, the Lord is come!


Let earth receive her King;


Let every heart prepare Him room,
 

And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,


And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing

explain how the world is now filled with great joy and happiness because our savior has finally come to Earth. The Earth and the people finally received their king and so we must prepare to praise him. The last bit “Heaven, nature sing” talks about how glorious the birth of the Christ is and how everyone is praising this tremendous day. I believe Mary and Joseph had a huge role in the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Obviously Mary was important because she was the mother of Jesus in human form. Joseph was important because he guided and protected Mary when traveling to Bethlehem so Jesus can be born safely. The Sheppards were necessary because they were one of the first to come see baby Jesus and this symbolizes how Jesus not only came for just the rich but also the poor—for everyone. The Persian astrologers were necessary because they were the ones who recognized the King and the savior and so followed the star and gave three special gifts to Mary. The bible and the movie explains Jesus as God’s son and the one who came to Earth to die for the ones who sin—to save his people. He is a great man that no one else can even imagine to become. He is none like the others. Jesus is one who loves, the one who only shows how to love. I believe that God sent Jesus to Earth in a form of a baby for people to feel more comfortable. Because Jesus grew up as a low status man, others felt more eased to go talk and spend time with him. Also, according to the bible, to save others from their sin, another human being must sacrifice himself. However, because everyone in Earth was a sinner from birth, there wasn’t anyone who could’ve died for others. Therefore, God sent Jesus as a human being so He can sacrifice himself for others. Thanks to God sending Jesus to his people, we can all celebrate Christmas, and praise the Lord :D.

Reflection Question #8

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/12/05/iran.nuclear/index.html?iref=allsearch

Recently in Iran, they called for a meeting to talk about the nuclear program. They have said they will make a nuclear program for a nuclear fuel cycle. As this talk was held in Turkey, United States and other cuntries do not believe Iran and thinks that they are actually trying to plan for a nuclear bomb. However, Tehran keeps denying the fact that the nuclear programs is for milititary reasons. One senate republican in the States announced how the United States is planning to go against Iran’s navy and air force if they decide not to cancel the nuclear program. As this nuclear talk between Iran and P5 +1 group was on hold for a year, Iran chose to open up and talk about it again. Along with this Islamic republic recently chose to make yellowcake that is usually used for nuclear objects. As Iran says its for their energy program, all the other countries think it’s acutlaly for a nuclear bomb. Beause the mine for yellowcake in Iran is limited, they do not have enough to produce a nuclear bomb. However, if Russia chooses to keep supplying them with this it can cause a problem.

http://www.jamejamonline.ir/en/newstext.aspx?newsnum=100892736918

This article was written in the Iran point of view about the Iran declaring nuclear talks. In this article, it pointed out how they will not be talking about the nuclear issue with the P5+1 because it has been resolved already. It also points out Clinton announced that the talk will have to for sure negotiate about the nuclear program. Furthermore this article states out about certain nuclear fuel exchanges between Iran and other countries. In conclusion, it wraps up by saying they will not be talking about the nuclear program with the P5+1 but will be talking about nuclear swaps.

Between these two articles, there were many differences compared to similarities. Both articles were about Iran holding a talk with the P5+1 about the nuclear program. As the US version, it says they will be talking about Iran's plans of how they will be using their nuclear sources, the Iran version opposes to this. In the Iran article, it states how they will not be talking about it, but rather just talk about nuclear fuel exchanges. The article from CNN states about the fuel exchanges but did not say that the talk will be about it, and rather to talk about how they should somehow stop this. Also, in the US version of this topic, they announced their opinion about Iran's nuclear program. They actually think it is for a nuclear bomb plan, so Iran's navy and air force could be powerful. Again, the Iran version did not include this portion because this statement goes against their facts. 

Personal Commemoration- Reflection #7

Sometime later in my life around 25, I wish to make a commemoration of a showcase that explains who I am. This will be jointed by multiple performances, mainly of me dancing, singing, and also exhibiting my artworks. This will be a very important event to me because considering how I have stage fright; me volunteering means a lot. One reason why I wish to do this is to show others the spiritual talents that God has given me. I also want to show those who went against my dream that dreams do come true if only you try hard enough.

         This commemoration will start off with an opening of a dancing and singing performance. Following that will be an exhibition of the different types of art I have made by then. Because this is a commemoration, I will not repeat this and only do this for one day. I do not want to repeat this over and over again because then, the value of this remembrance will start to decline.

          During this commemoration, I will make a speech,
“Thank you all for coming here tonight. I will first give my thanks to my family and friends who supported my dream. Through tonight’s showcase, I will show you the gift God has given to me. The gift that explains who I am, and who I have become. Everyone has a gift from God, and I will be showing you one of the gifts God sent out to His children.”

          Last of all, because this isn’t a strict commemoration, I will not ask to follow many rules. However, I will have few notes for people to keep in mind. The appropriate outfit for this gathering will be casual / party. Because this showcase is mainly about who I am, I will have few restrictions that go against my values and beliefs. Therefore, I will ban all cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs, and food will not be allowed—food will be provided.

        

         Although this is all for the future, I will start guiding myself to always trust in myself and work hard to make this commemoration of my gift from God become true.

The Morality of the Greek Myths, Reflection #6

Venus heard how Psyche was called more beautiful than her, and ordered her son Cupid to go down to Earth and make her pair up with a filthy man. However, Cupid, amazed by Psyche's beauty could not dare, and therefore chose to stay with her. However, Psyche could not see Cupid, and one day she was convinced by her sisters as they said, "one night kill him, and we can take over his riches." One night she decided to kill Cupid, however she was baffled by his beauty. Cupid then said he was disappointed how she betrayed him and took everything away from her; the beautiful place they stayed at, and left. The moral of this story is that we must let go of at least one thing to receive a great deed in return. In this case, Psyche had to give up her temptation of wanting to see her husband's face; this way she would keep receiving all the grateful things.  However because she kept wanting things, instead of giving up something herself, at the end she lost everything. In a way this would be a practice of 'karma,' a belief of Hindus how if one does a bad deed, they will receive punishment in return. Through this myth, I think we should all be thankful of what we already have.

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #5: Bongwonsa Temple and Nature Walk

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #5: Bongwonsa Temple and Nature Walk: "After visiting the Zen Buddhist Temple, Bongwonsa and attempting to see nature as a Taoist, answer this question: What is it about creation,..."

As I was looking and walking around the Zen Buddhist Temple, Bongwonsa, I was amazed at what humans could create. Every craving, painting, statues, and scriptures were perfectly made, without any mistakes. This then lead me to think that people seek out religion to find out the true meaning of life. Our lives are full of mystery that cannot be unraveled. We have so little answer to the meaning of our world. Scientists have been researching about this topic, and some do say that God has made Earth. By researching, many scientists who used to be an atheist began to follow a religion. I think people spend time looking for an answer to this question because everything here on this Earth and in space is too extravagant for a human being to make. There probably was nothing in the beginning, because everything gets built from scratch. As a Christian, I believe that God has made everything to begin with. Also like how Buddhists and Hindus believe that they get reincarnated, I believe that I will get sent to heaven if I follow God, and his son, Jesus Christ. Although not enough information shows proof about what happens after one's death, this is what I believe. This is the only answer to death. Similar to death, life is confusing too. Why are we still breathing right now? Why are we still awake? How is it that we can learn so quickly? My answer to this is, our brain. The brain that God has made. The brain is a beautiful creation by God. Without this, we would be nothing. By following a religion, I start questioning myself, and then it gets answered through God. I think this is why we seek out religion, because it is like Google, a source that gives us many answers.

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation: "Spend 20 mintues in a silent meditation; a place you won't be disturbed, your own 'fig tree' as was Buddha's inspiration. In those 20 mintue..."

As I was walking up to my attic to meditate in my own "fig tree," My mind was already full of thoughts, "How will I survive 20 minutes without doing ANYTHING...How am I going to sit still..Will I do this correctly?" Because I am someone who cannot stay still with complete silence, I wasn't sure if I could meditate correctly. Before I officially started my meditation, I told myself, "You are not going to think about anything. Just focus on your breathing and have a positive mind set." This time, I wanted to go through at least 5% of what Buddha had; because in class, I wasn't fully devoted into meditating because my surroundings distracted me. I sat down on the floor and crossed my legs, then closed my eyes and slowly breathed in and then out. As I kept repeating this, I thought to myself what are some positive or right thoughts. I thought about my family, and what I could do better to help them. Then I started to go into a different stream of thought. I noticed how I was losing my concentration already. It felt like it was only 4 minutes into my meditation and I was thinking about what I am going to do after this. I kept reminding myself, "NO, concentrate." However, I lacked the ability to control my mind. Time to time during my meditation, I kept thinking about other things, and even day dreamed. After trying to meditate for just 20 minutes, nothing compared to Buddha's I thought I was going to die from boredom. I have never experienced a time where I had to think about nothing, and just right thought, mind, and concentration. This meditation inspired me to try to sacrifice something of myself when I have to.

Gandhi Reflection

             Gandhi’s idea of Hinduism is all about non violence. He did not want to cause a fist and wanted to remain silent in front of god. When the police beat him up, he did not respond or fight back, he just remained put. Also, when the Muslims and Hinus were fighting, he told his people not to fight, and he himself did not too—to solve the problem, he chose to fast instead. In addition, just like others Hindus, he believed in karma, reincarnation, and moksha. He knew that if he did something bad, it would come back to him again. Therefore, while he lived as Gandhi, he tried his best trying to keep everything away from being violent. He also knew he was going to get reincarnated to something else, and so wasn’t afraid when he was about to die from fasting. Last but not least, one thing Gandhi mentioned about Hinduism is—Hinduism is not about converting people. He did not believe that he had to force one to become a Hindu. These are Gandhi’s idea of Hindusim.

            In the movie, Gandhi had said, “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks; he becomes.” This quote is saying one becomes what one thinks of him and therefore follows his thoughts. Throughout this movie, Gandhi showed how he lived out his faith just as he spoke those words in many ways. He has even givern up one of the most important value in his life, his family. He chose to only follow his god, and so he filled his mind with god, and took out his family from his life. Another example is, jus how he said he thinks, he comes, he had only thought about non-violence his whole life. He never fought back or caused violence—he tried so hard to stay in peace. He really became what he had been always thinking of, a non-violent peacemaker. These were the two examples how Gandhi showed how a man who thinks becomes into that man.