Luis Teran (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} lost1nplace) wrote,@ 2006-10-12 10:35:00 |
|
Phil 115: Entry 3
Being Peace has become a symbol of the power the human spirit can possess.
The self-empowering message that Thich Nhat Hanh illustrates is a powerful one. In times where people feel helpless and are in disarray from world events, to feel that one can gain back a sense of tranquility by simply breathing is a comforting experience. While it say seem difficult to let go of all the "knowledge" one has in order to let the universe in, it is not the first time people have been asked to become aware by letting go. The power of letting go has been portrayed throughout various periods in time, from Socrates' dialogues in greek times, to Zhuangzi in ancient China, and even Nietzsche painted a silver lining for those who let go and found themselves anew.
It may be misinterpreted to say we shouldn't hold on to 'knowledge', that knowledge is a barrier to discovery. The idea isn't so much that learning is a bad thing (if anything, the point is to learn!); but it is the perseverance of beliefs that is what Thich refers to as the great barrier people face in their lives. Knowledge becomes a problem for the human individual once knowledge evolves into an absolute truth in one's mind.
Being more open to experience and to life seems difficult, especially in an age where we hold on to every answer we can get. However, Being Peace shows us all that perhaps there are better answers out there, and all it can take to be on the road to discovery and understanding, is a few easy breaths and a half-smile before we get up from bed. Life looks worse than it is when we don't take the time to really see anything.
Being Peace has become a symbol of the power the human spirit can possess.
The self-empowering message that Thich Nhat Hanh illustrates is a powerful one. In times where people feel helpless and are in disarray from world events, to feel that one can gain back a sense of tranquility by simply breathing is a comforting experience. While it say seem difficult to let go of all the "knowledge" one has in order to let the universe in, it is not the first time people have been asked to become aware by letting go. The power of letting go has been portrayed throughout various periods in time, from Socrates' dialogues in greek times, to Zhuangzi in ancient China, and even Nietzsche painted a silver lining for those who let go and found themselves anew.
It may be misinterpreted to say we shouldn't hold on to 'knowledge', that knowledge is a barrier to discovery. The idea isn't so much that learning is a bad thing (if anything, the point is to learn!); but it is the perseverance of beliefs that is what Thich refers to as the great barrier people face in their lives. Knowledge becomes a problem for the human individual once knowledge evolves into an absolute truth in one's mind.
Being more open to experience and to life seems difficult, especially in an age where we hold on to every answer we can get. However, Being Peace shows us all that perhaps there are better answers out there, and all it can take to be on the road to discovery and understanding, is a few easy breaths and a half-smile before we get up from bed. Life looks worse than it is when we don't take the time to really see anything.
