Living Buddha, Living Christ - Awesome Book Regarding Unity

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This is a wonderful book by Thich Nhat Hanh. His perception of Buddhism and Christianity is right on point. I really like his philosophy regarding, religion, recognition of faiths, and integration of faiths. Living Buddha, Living Christ, comes alive while reading these excellent words on its pages. One is able to feel the "spirit" or in other words the "breath" flowing in a natural manner while being mindful over the words being read.

This awesome book has ten chapters and a wonderful glossary of term at the end. However, one would miss a whole lot of vital information if the Introduction is not read. Listen to these words found in the introduction regarding knowing oneself:

"So while you accompany me, although you do not yet understand it, you have already come to know, and you will be called 'the one who knows himself.' For whoever has not known himself knows nothing, but he who has known himself has already understood the depth of all things."

This is such an awesome beginning for a book of this nature and for one to read and understand the concepts and principles being presented.

Chapter One addresses the lessons regarding to Be Still And Know. The section on "Interbeing" states:

"In the Psalms, it says, 'Be still and know that I am God.' 'Be still' means to become peaceful and concentrated. The Buddhist term is samatha (stopping, calming, concentrating). 'Know' means to acquire wisdom, insight, or understanding. The Buddhist term is vipasyana (insight, or looking deeply). 'Looking deeply' means observing something or someone with so much concentration that the distinction between observer and observed disappears."

Naturally, one is able to see that this text not only spells things out progressively. It is also based on teaching the basic foundation for understanding.

Chapter Three covers The First Supper. While we eat we must realize that our food is a gift from God and we must be thankful for every meal. Hanh states, "To eat a piece of bread or a bowl of rice mindfully and see that every morsel is a gift of the whole universe is to live deeply." This is really a religious experience for many and is like unto the priest giving the body of Christ to communicants.

This awesome book is full of wonderful words for the mind, body and soul. Chapter Ten regarding Faith And Practice will move the mind to another level of realization. Meditate on these words for a while from Hahn:

"The living the Dharma is the way embedded by Buddha, bodhisattvas, and all who practice it...'The Sangha is comprised of the four pairs and the eight types who are worthy of offering, hospitality, gifts, and salutations, unsurpassable fields of merit in the world.' All Buddhists practice taking refuge in the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Doing so brings the feeling of calm, solidarity, and comfort, and nourishes faith."

These are just wonderful word of upliftment that enlightens the soul and allows for greater understanding and realization of who we are and where we are.

The text ends with the position of Real Dialogue Brings Tolerance. Hanh's words regarding, "The fact that the absence of true experience brings forth intolerance and a lack of understanding" is right on point. One is truly unaware of the greatness that exists in another person where there is a lack of dialogue and understanding. When the ego comes into the picture, a delusionary state of consciousness take place and all sense of reality in a positive state of mind are lost. One is then blinded by the dust he or she has created.

One has to read this book to get the full picture and to become rooted in the faiths articulated by Hanh. It's an awesome boom to read and meditate on for a lifetime. The knowledge to be gained from this text is invaluable.

One may obtain more information about Thich Nhat Hanh the author at the following website: http://www.plumvillage.org/

Submitted by "Epulaeryu Master." 

Joseph S. Spence, Sr., is the co-author of two poetry books, A Trilogy of Poetry, Prose and Thoughts for the Mind, Body and Soul, and Trilogy Moments for the Mind, Body and Soul. He invented the Epulaeryu poetry form, which focuses on succulent cuisines and drinks. He is published in various forums, including the World Haiku Association; Milwaukee Area Technical College, Phoenix Magazine; and Taj Mahal Review. Joseph is a Goodwill Ambassador for the state of Arkansas, USA, and is an adjunct faculty at Milwaukee Area Technical College. He has completed over twenty years of service with the U.S. Army.

[http://www.trilogypoetry.com/]

The Visible Picture of the Invisible Man

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Taking another look at Ellison: The Invisible Man

The invisible Man touches on the controversial issue of race relations in America. Ellison's highly acclaimed work also gives evidence of the identity crisis that all men of African descent are forced to face at some point in his life or another. The intellectual faculties of insight and perception the protagonist in the prologue of Ellison's epic tale possesses are not altogether foreign to me. In explaining his "invisibility", Ellison states in the introduction preceding the first chapter of the book that it is due to the "peculiar disposition of the eyes of those with whom he came in contact". (Ellison - pg 3) When speaking of these inner eyes the unnamed character does not say much about his own self esteem or the self image he holds of himself leading one to believe that his identity crisis, in part, is self imposed. He concludes that being invisible," you often doubt if you really exist." (Ellison-pg3) This area Ellison addresses sheds light on another common phenomenon among black men about self assurance and confidence. In this present society of stereotyping, stigmatizing and labeling black men there is little wonder why the feeling of being, "simply a phantom in other people's minds" is a feeling shared by many men I know. It is one that I have experienced both in academia as well as among my peers at work and family members at home.

This common feeling of non-existence could explain why the over crowded American prison population consists predominately of African American males. Ellison also was probably aware of these types of systems which were designated to administer criminal justice but sadly served only to become part of the problem and not the solution. Today so called "criminal justice" might easily be referred to as "just us criminals" without any exaggeration for the most part when considering sentencing disparity and drug laws which mandate strict sentencing guide lines for crack cocaine which is typically reflective of the minority population of Hispanics and Blacks as opposed to judicial discretion and diversionary programs when it comes to powder cocaine which is typically reflective of the affluent and privileged and usually results in probation, fines, expungement of arrest records and lenient sentencing if any at all.

Mainstream society of this present age just as in Ellison's day has woefully failed to see black men as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in his writings indicated he saw them, based on their individual character instead of their skin color. Referring to this peculiar disposition of the eyes of those with whom he came in contact Ellison states, "Then too, you're constantly being bumped against by those of poor vision." (Ellison-pg.3) the vision here is not so much insight as it is embedded prejudice and learned hatred that attributes to the quality being labeled by Ellison as poor. However, it must be noted here that today men of color are "bumping back" harder than ever. This collective resistance arises out of accumulated resentment to this common tendency which is habitually exercised by the financial, social and even religious institutions of mainstream America. African-American Men all over the nation are shouting as they bump back, "Yes, I am a Negro, but I am also talented. Yes I am Black and I am proud. I do not renounce my African heritage nor do I deny my citizenship of this country. I am also qualified to compete with my fellows and achieve greatness in this land of opportunity and wealth." Such was the case of one, Senator from Illinois.

Like Ellison, who struggled tirelessly throughout his story in his quest to gain visibility, black men are acknowledging the authenticity of their royal African heritage and divorcing the legacy thrust upon them by the cruel and greedy taskmasters who enslaved them, stripped of their identity, religion and culture and gave them the names they bear to this day. Perhaps, one of the most critical statements that serve as the catalyst for the metamorphosis in Elision's saga is found in these words, "I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me."(Ellison-pg.3) One must consider the question this underlying message of the text imposes. To what degree have we as a race of people grown more visible in America today? The psychological implications are profound. For instance one prime example is the usage of a word Ellison was confronted with, N-I-G-G-E-R. This very same word once slandered and insulted black people. The "N" word at the time Ellison's book was written and published carried a negative connotation. However, today it is used nonchalantly when referring to oneself or other black men. It is almost as if it had somehow evolved to have intrinsic worth and it's become a term of endearment. If Ellison, as the invisible man, was confronted by this derogatory label which conveyed an insult instead of a compliment what could have possibly occurred since his time to change this negative effect?

Ellison's claim that it took him," a long time and much painful boomeranging of his expectations to achieve a realization everyone else seemed to have been born with; that I am nobody but myself, but first I had to discover that I am an invisible man." - (Ellison pg. 13). I was perplexed at first by this claim until it became apparent that this peculiar dilemma was the underlying thesis upon which Ellison's story was written. If Ellison had not arrived at this conclusion then perhaps he would have never written the book. Upon establishing this fact I can not resist drawing a parallel from my own life in order to empathize with the main character and appreciate Ellison's peculiar situation. For Ellison, growing up in America he was visibly affected by his invisibility. Therefore, in these times which try the very souls of men living life on life's terms is already a difficult challenge without the added, undue duress caused by racism and discrimination. It is a psychological hurdle that I suppose my children and their children also will have to learn to overcome just as Ellison overcame. Just I have learned to overcome. There is a saying that goes; whatever does not destroy you makes you stronger.

Notwithstanding, I suspect the feeling of being invisible goes deeper than how we think others may perceive us. Perhaps, it speaks more importantly to the way in which we see ourselves. In the final analysis it is the issues of self-image and self acceptance that will ultimately determine the way we respond to life and in turn how life responds to us, by success or failure. More than a few courageous individuals of all races and both genders have been guided from a mediocre existence into lives of spectacular prominence, fortune and achievement because they decided that regardless of how others chose to see them, or as in Ellison's case chose not to see them; the mental picture they held of themselves guided them into becoming anything except invisible. Yet from a sober perspective, at some point in my own pilgrimage I have faced the same challenges that Ellison faced. He says, "And my problem was that I always tried to go in everyone way but my own. I have also been called one thing and then another while no one really wished to hear what I called myself. So after years of trying to adopt the opinions of others I finally rebelled. I am an invisible man." - (Ellison-pg.433)

However, I will be SEEN and I will also be HEARD and furthermore CONSIDERED by mainstream America, even the whole world because I see myself. I see my own face in that mirror and I hear my own voice with my own ears. It is the voice of my intellect and I consider the value placed upon me by my Creator. As the late, great Reverend King once remarked, "I AM SOMEBODY." I am not an invisible man.

The Dilemma of Jessica in Shakespeare's Play - The Merchant of Venice

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Jessica's character in The Merchant of Venice starts out as an unfortunate one; however, she experiences a different position at the end of the play. Jessica is the daughter of a Jew, named Shylock. He is a money-lender in the area. Jessica lives with her father in a neighborhood that is not so great. The area is a Jewish slum, so to speak. Her freedom is also limiting at best.

Jessica lives under the rules of her Shylock her father, which she does not like. He reminds her to lock the doors and windows whenever he leaves home. As a result, she does not achieve permission to venture into the neighborhood because of the existing hostility towards Jews in such an era. Her father is the subject of harassment most of the time by Christians whenever he ventures outside the home to conduct business.

Jessica is not happy and she lives in frustration with her father, Shylock. She develops a relationship with a Christian male friend, Lorenzo. She plans to escape from her father's home with Lorenzo, her boyfriend. She eventually escapes with a portion of her father's money. She spends the money like the prodigal son. As such, she achieves some form a psychological independence in her soul. She is now free to do as she likes; wherever she wants. She develops the ethos of free spending and is enjoying the process without any complaints or restrictions, especially in an emerging capitalist society.

The significance of Jessica's position is one of transformation. She transitions from an underdog living with restrictions to one of freedom and independence. Shylock, her father is a rich Jew. He is a wealthy money-lender who makes a profit. During a court trial, the judge orders that Jessica receives a percentage of his wealth. This occurs after he lost his case to collect on his bond against Antonio, The Merchant of Venice, while trying to get his pound of flesh from Antonia in court with a knife. Jessica eventually marries Lorenzo, her boyfriend, a Christian, and she a Jew. She converts to Christianity thorough her marriage to Lorenzo.

Jessica symbolizes the stereotypical rebelling female who dislikes her father's rule. She is also similar to some females in this era rebelling against the rules of their parents. In essence, there exist no difference between the intent of children from the 17th century, and now, who are rebellious against their parents.

The overarching question is this: is the possible that Jessica be better off living with her father? According to the morals and theme of the play she probably would have. For example, especially when she is held in comparison with Portia, the main character of the play, who follows the rules of her father, who is not alive, and who establishes restrictions against Portia in his will. The moral of the story reveals one may achieve more by following instruction and obeying their parents, as in relation to not following instructions and rebelling against their parents.

Joseph S. Spence, Sr. (aka "Epulaeryu Master"), authored "The Awakened One Poetics" (2009), published in seven languages, "A Trilogy of Poetry, Prose and Thoughts for the Mind, Body and Soul," and "Trilogy Moments for the Mind, Body and Soul." Joseph is a Goodwill Ambassador for Arkansas, and is a US Army veteran.

http://www.TheAwakenedOnePoetics.com/