The author begins with highlighting the advantages of virtuous life and moves on to practices that can transform impulsive and destructive emotions into calm abiding one. Gradually, the book introduce more challenging and sustained meditation practises. These meditation practises will lead the reader to the most profound and deepest insights of buddhist practice.These practices help us to work on our weaknesses rather than focusing on what other people see and how they act.Through this book, one is able to start a shift from the way he thinks to the way he interacts. It guides a person to open new pathways in seeing the world and all creation as something unique yet…
The distinctive world in which the character abides by creates the distinctive voice. Each character is portrayed by their voice and actions. The characteristic of the distinctive world in which he or she inhabits shapes the character.…
In Things Fall Apart there are many cultural collisions created by the introduction of Western ideas into Ibo culture. One example of a cultural collision caused by the introduction of Western ideas into Ibo culture is when Okonkwo’s first son, Nwoye converts to Christianity. This causes a cultural collision between Okonkwo and Nwoye because Nwoye wants to become a Christian, but Okonkwo doesn’t like the white men or Christianity. This cultural collision is caused by the white men bringing in western ideas to Ibo culture. This collision is very important to the book because it leads to the destruction of Okonkwo and fuels his anger. This collision shapes the meaning of the novel as a whole by symbolizing many things and relating back to many important quotes in the book that help develop the plot.…
Some of Dr. Ornish’s activities include giving and receiving love, forgiving yourself and forgiving others, and being compassionate (Gluch, 2006). I feel as if I excel in these activities because I considered myself to be a compassionate, forgiving, and loving individual. Despite having all of these qualities, I would still feel empty and worthless at the end of the day. I feel as if everyone is learning and growing each day. In my case, however, my personal growth is no longer exponential because it has reached a plateau. Unfortunately, life’s challenges are preventing me from feeling happy – This is something that is quite common and is shared amongst everyone. It is a matter of how we deal with our internal conflict and how we choose to…
NOTE: When interviewing, first, thoroughly summarize the teachings of this chapter (Early & Gutierrez, Chapter 21 entitled, “Turning Your Hurts Into Helps”) for the one being interviewed in case they have not read the chapter for himself/herself. Then, ask interviewee to respond to the question as some phrases, words, concepts are explained in a particular way by Earley & Gutierrez.…
The essence of a literature, in most cases, parallels life’s mysteries. As Ernest Hemingway put it, “To be truly memorable, a book must have at its core one of life’s great quests: the quest for love, truth, or power.” In other words, the very heart of a text must show its readers the pursuit of self-fulfillment. Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, reveals through the customs and traditions of Ibo culture, as well as the choices and consequences made by each character that a body of work is only worthwhile if there is a search for love, truth, or power.…
There are certain periods of life in which we have to face and handle difficulties and traumas. We experience suffering in such a way that our hopes, life projects and dreams become extinct. Sometimes, life problems are too difficult to be overcome by only ourselves. Sometimes, we need the external help of others and the values they can project towards us in order to triumph over life obstacles. Through their actions, their words, their advice and their receptivity to our troubles, people play an important role when they want to help us.…
Rather than writing in one unitary voice, the two authors speak separately on personal experiences and case histories, with each writer's portion of text starting with their initials. Each lesson is comprised within fourteen chapters, starting from authenticity and ending with happiness. The authors also go into detail about the lessons of guilt, fear, loss, anger, power, surrender, forgiveness, love, relationships, patience, time and play. Behind this book is a drive to get the reader to gain more awareness of him or herself in order to enjoy the experience of life.…
Fate is a powerful word, with different meanings to most individuals. To some, fate is a superstition. But to others, fate is a strong belief by which they live their life. For those who believe in fate, it can destroy the plans of even the strongest and most determined people. Which is what happened to Okonkwo in, “Things Fall Apart”. Okonkwo worked all his life to be everything his father was not, but his fate was inevitable and his inner weakness was revealed. His family was a main point of weakness for him but he tried not to let it show. Also, when his life became difficult, he took his own life proving how weak he truly was.…
“Man learns through experience, and the spiritual path is full of different kinds of experiences. He will encounter many difficulties and obstacles, and they are the very experiences he needs to encourage and complete the cleansing process” (Sai Baba). Just as Baba, who was an Indian guru, spiritual figure, mystic, philanthropist and educator, said; a person is shaped by different experiences. Some of these experiences are learned from school, some are learned from others, and some are learned by people’s past. People learned others experiences, gender rule; knowledge; and morality, during their growing. Later on, people kept learning experiences and teaching other people their experiences until they die; their…
Buddhism. I will present a summary of both approaches followed by critical reflection upon their…
The two characters that are quite comparable are, and will be broken down in this essay, are Paul from Hotel Rwanda, and Okonkwo from Things Fall Apart. These two men have many similarities and many differences. Both men were the head of a family, and took that position very seriously. They were not to fail at this. Okonkwo took a more aggressive approach in that he was to be respected by his family and if he wasn't he would force that upon them. He wasn't one to be kind and loving, but tough and strong like a rock, for his family. During the conflicts in the book Okonkwo only got harder and more stern during the tough times. Paul took the approach quite differently, he was very loving and kind to his family and very inclusive. His role was…
“ We cannot leave the matter in his hands because he doesn’t not understand our customs, just as we do not understand his. We say he is foolish because he does not know our ways, and perhaps he says we are foolish because we do not know his. Let him go away” (*1). This quote shows the major theme of the book which is change vs tradition. The quote shows the theme perfectly; basically it shows the ignorance of most of the Umuofia clan and their fear of the white peoples culture taking over theirs. They are dealing with the question of whether change should be privileged over tradition. The people of Umuofia want a little change but at the same time they have fear of completely losing their way of life, the people are divided on the subject at hand at what the right and wrong thing to do is, and how much is to much change.…
A Lesson Before Dying is a story revolving around the topic of race, identity and pride in one’s self. The people are furious, especially the African-american community, the protagonists are questioning themselves on what and who they are, as well as what they should be. Most of the main and recurring characters who side with jefferson, who has been sentenced to death, try to teach him to have dignity, and die as a man, rather than a hog as he had been compared to an animal repeatedly by those in court and himself, while at the same time these characters are having to swallow the cruelty and bitterness racism leaves behind. Grant Wiggins at the time is also having to struggle internally with the concept he had learned to ignore and accept…
When turmoil comes about, many have merely one attribute to rely on to help them overcome certain disasters: their faith. The characters of Things Fall Apart are no exception. The people of Umuofia call upon representatives of the spirit world as a means of hospitality. They rely on their religion to settle resolutions with other tribes and to answer questions. They depend on the spirit world also to take care of punishments and in addition play a significant role on new born babies. Unfortunately, the strong reliance with the spirit world collapse when the White Christians invade.…