Wittgenstein

I found Wittgenstein to be interesting although I didn’t really get what the man was trying to say. I did however enjoy the idea about how he wished the place he wanted to reach was reachable by ladder yet than again if it really was reachable by a ladder what is the point of it. I guess he is saying if my destination is so simple to get to is it worth my while or should I strive to get somewhere that is much harder to get to. Also the idea about life being problematic was fun I thought. Life is never really life because with all its problems it doesn’t fit into the shape of what life is defined as yet if you take the problems out of it its going to fit yet you might think yourself blind to the problems.

Isaac of Nineveh

I really enjoyed what Isaac of Nineveh said about when people really trust in God and have faith their prayers don’t even mention their own selves. I think I have read something of C.S. Lewis’s that makes this point. It is indeed a very good point that once some one becomes so enthralled with God there is no need to think of yourself. Its just interesting to hear someone talk about God’s love for his people in an infinite way outside of the Bible. I also like how he says when a man is completely hidden to himself in himself he is completely with God…this makes total sense in the case of humility. Once we loose sight of ourselves then we can focus on good it makes me think of a blurry foreground in a picture (us as people being humble) and the crystal clear sky in the background(the bigger picture of things GOD)

Abi'l-Khayr

WOW!! I just read Abi’l- Khayr and it was pretty amazing! The whole first page is true its exactly how it happens. I have had times in my life where I thought I was pleasing God and doing what he wanted me to do… Turns out as soon as I thought I was all great and amazing I got knocked down and it was by God. He humbles people that what he is really good at. He showed me it wasn’t me doing the good things I was doing yet it was Him working through me I was just his tool and he was the engineer. Also the whole thing about how we feel good when “I Love people” and you think you can tolerate and love people for who they are on you own power and maybe with a little bit of Gods help… well I had that wrong too at times. Its funny to see how much I cant do without God I need His love and forgiveness in order to love and accept those around me. The other interesting part about this was the no right to say mine or I… when it comes down to it all everything good you do say or create is Gods by right.

Erigena

So I read Erigena this week. I thought the reading was a bit confusing after the first exert. He makes some sense to me then but I lost his train of thought after this. I liked what he says about thinking of God and His creation as one more than two separate things. I don’t believe this to the extent that I think he goes to but I do believe that God is revealed in nature and he is undeniable because of His creation. I guess its not so much as the earth is God in a literal way its just that you know there is something more than just earth and animals and people. I thought Erigena made it seem as if God lives vicariously through man and His creation. Maybe that’s a misinterpretation on my part. If this is what he is saying I would to say God uses creation to his advantage He does things certain ways so we see and understand His nature from our own ways I guess that really doesn’t make too much sense but I’m having a hard time wording it. I don’t think God takes all shapes and forms but this concept or idea from Erigena is an interesting one to say the least.

Novalis

Ok so this was bad I didn’t get a thing about this passage! I have no idea how he thinks when we dream we are dreaming we are close to waking up??? Really explain this to me Novalis because it doesn’t make sense at all to me. Say what you need to say man I’m not going to judge you I just want to know what you think. I didn’t enjoy this reading at all. I guess I got when hw said we are alone when we are with everything we love because most the things people love leave them empty and not satisfied… so I liked his point here. I have no idea why this guy thinks that marriage is a mystery. Is there something Im not getting about it?

Albert Einstein

Ok so I know the man is a genius and maybe that’s why I found what he was saying to be so far out of my minds grasp. I think there were only two points of his that I understood in the passages. I loved the way he talked about the value of a human being is limited to the to the degree of his self liberation. I think what he is saying is that if we are more liberated more free and know it, feel it, and live it we place more value on what an amazing creation we are. We begin to understand and realize things we could have never seen without this so called liberation. I thought this point to be amazing and it makes me ask myself what is keeping me from liberation? What holds us back as people from finding our liberation of self?

Maximus of Tyre

The Road to hell is paved with good intentions…Do I sound like a jerk? Here is what I say to Maximus of Tyre: I honestly don’t force my beliefs upon others in any way but to say idol worship is all good is ridiculous to me. I think it is a slap in the face to God to use a worldly object to represent Him. Its God he is better than all gold or silver in the world nothing can be made by us to be as good as him. Nothing we make will do God justice. Would it matter to God if you meant well but disrespected Him by using an idol a finite object to represent an infinite being? We cant represent God in an image that our minds are can construct so why try? But the reading was interesting to me sorry if I offended anyone by this I wasn’t trying to… but this is just how I see it.

Heraclitus

Ok so I really liked the fragments form Heraclitus. I thought they were good thoughts for the most part. They seemed to be funny to me also…a few of them I laughed at because of the simplicity of the statement. I also laughed because these are common sense things I think but I didn’t really seem to ever think of them by myself as sad as that may be to say. One statement that struck me was “the way up and down are one and the same” However dumb this sounds to some people it actually makes sense. The idea of everything being in a constant state of change is really legitimate thought. “all things flow, The sun is new everyday, you cant step twice into the same river” all these saying are true and go to show that the world around does change and it is a good thing. I have never thought of change as a good thing but it can be and change is natural no matter if you like it or not. I do think he was right in saying “Its in change that things find rest” this statement is quite a big one and I’m not sure if I fully understand it however I think it’s a good concept and it has to have truth to it.

al-Misri

Misri talks of the saints just like they are talked about in the Christian tradition. The saints are not anyone special yet they are just the everyday people who believe. The saints are the ones God loves as the writing says. God tells these saints a number of things to do in the passage. Most of these things can be found in other religions more specifically in the books of the New and Old Testament. He tells the saints to get rid of those that cause them to sin or stumble. He also tells them to help those in need, encourage, show friendship, and spread good news. This only confirms the root of the Islamic faith being in Judaism. It also goes to show again that it is a religion of peace and love.

Muhammad

Muhammad’s in the writings in the book are surprisingly familiar to me. They speak almost exactly of what Christian books and the Bible for that matter speak of. The ideas of God and what He “is” and “is not” are much the same. I could have sworn I was reading something out of the New Testament if I had no prior knowledge that the passage was Muhammad. I can see where the Islamic religion has its roots in Judaism and the Old Testament. The idea of the Islamic religion being based off of peace and love is definitely true however I think that like all religions somewhere along the line the religions main ideas get lost in translation. Just as this happened for Christianity with the Crusades and there is more I know… Whoever after reading what I did I don’t think like most about the religion in the idea that it is all bad. I do believe that there are extremists sects of Islam that miss Muhammad’s point and give the religion a bad name.

The Gospel of Thomas

The Gospel of Thomas was an interesting read after reading Jesus of Nazareth. The messages were much the same. One thing I did notice though was how Jesus referred to himself as All. It reminded me of the I am of the old testament. The Gospel of Thomas is much like the book of Mark in some ways. The followers of Christ keep asking him questions that have these ridiculously obvious answers and none of them know what is going on and its almost as if they don’t really understand why they are following him. I really loved the part that says “if you bring forth what is inside you it will save you but if you don’t bring it forth it will destroy you.”(My Paraphrase) The Gospel of Thomas has a lot of similarities to the canonized books in the New testament but is slightly different with the terms used.

Jesus of Nazareth

I really enjoyed the words of Jesus. The golden rule is brought up time and time again in his teachings and I think that is very key. One thing that I thought was a little different than most other writings I’ve read so far was how he spoke about not worrying what to wear or eat because the Lord will provide. Most the other writings don’t ask the reader to depend on a higher power yet they ask the reader to depend on other humans or their own selves. The part with seek and you will find kind of brings it all back to the golden rule again. It doesn’t take much experience in life to know that this is where most people myself included fail. The Kingdom of God is within you is a quite profound thing to say. It isn’t something find in the desert or in your house the Kingdom of God is hard to define for most and it is never clearly defined in scripture. Love and forgiveness are Jesus’ two main points in the story of the prodigal son. It is a parable of the fathers love for his people and how we can always come back to him.
The Gospel of Thomas

Pai-Chang

This passage makes me think that the enlightenment of a person is like an awakening from a dream. After you are awakened you are on a new level. I guess it puts you on a new plane on reality. This reality can only be found within and can not be influenced by anything outside of yourself. The mind that you first have is a mind of perfection and something that should be held on to. This passage seems to call for simplicity in the mind of people. I honestly don’t understand the part about the “there is no mind and no truth” I’m completely lost at this part.

Tzu-Ssu

I found that Tzu-Ssu wrote a lot about to each is own. He claims that if we are all to live sincerely everyone will be happy and the world will be a better place. I believe what he is saying only because the golden rule appears in his teaching without this factor the living with sincerity would not work since everyone’s Tao is different. I didn’t really like the idea about the way a mature man adapts to situations I think that was along the lines of selling your true self out. However I may have read into it a bit and over looked the real point of it. It does make sense when he says that there is no situation in which he isn’t a master of himself. This is true in the way that man always has control of his attitude in any situation no matter what. I also though the idea of the archer is quite insightful. Instead of looking at all the outside forces that could possibly affect him he looks inside himself to see what he has done wrong and takes the responsibility for his actions.

The Buddha

I really didn’t like Buddha’s teaching on not listening to Holy Scriptures or religious teachers. I think the message is more of just what feels good to you as an individual. With this it seems like we would live in a society without justice. Also I don’t think letting go of truths is a good idea. People should hold on to truths in their life. They can always be reused. I might sound a little bit like an old man and narrow minded but this stuff just seems a little out of balance to me. One thing I did like that was said was how we need to watch out for one another like a mother watches her child. It is true that this does and would create compassion in peoples lives for one another. Maybe I don’t understand most of these things as well as some might but I do believe I understand them well enough to not agree with them.

Wu-Men

What I am about to say is strictly all assumption based. I have no idea if I’m close to being right or anything but this is what I got out of it and like the old saying goes to each is own. I think that Wu-men was talking about purging the body of what ever ales it. It seems as if there is pain and suffering involved in the process of purifying oneself. He makes it seem as if this is what must be done to bridge the gap between who you are today and who you must become. The person you must become is somewhat of a dream only known to yourself. Once you realize what it is you must become and how to go about it you reach a stage of clarity. All this change and renovation can be sparked from one small dream or epiphany. This dream sets your world on fire and into transformation. This whoever is what you must concur you must wipe your mind clean of all wrong ideas and attitudes that could lead you astray.

Philo

I really enjoyed this reading. I thought that the author brought up good points about how God loves to give. In Christian tradition he has given grace love mercy and forgiveness and his own son. Also the author talks about how he has given the world to his people which is a really good point that gets neglected so often in the Christian thought. I loved the part where he talks about what God is and how he describes him. The only thing I really have to disagree with or just say is that God in my eys isn’t all cuddly and warm like a big teddy bear 24/7... He does feel pain humans can inflict it upon him it seems as if he didn’t he wouldn’t care about us like the Bible claims. The part about wisdom got me a little confused but overall I thought it was right on. There is no real substitute for time and understanding and that is where wisdom comes out of. Wisdom as he talks about it is something I think everyone desires and very few will ever achieve.

The Bible

I know I’m super partial to this stuff but I think its amazing. And I know a lot of what is found in here isn’t really new to anyone by any means but sometimes repition is key to understanding things such as religion or philosophy. “Love your neighbor as yourself” is just the golden rule but honestly it helps to hear it time and time again. Also I like the bit where it talks about how all men know good in there innermost mind and there is know denying him. It shows the power of God I guess and the grandeur of Him. It kind of goes to show there is something inside us all that pulls or tugs on us to do things we are selves aren’t so sure of. My thought is that this is in fact an outside source and it is God revealing himself to people. I don’t know how many of you guys agree with me but this just seems logical to me…with that said I know there is about a million different reasons why my ideas on this can be ripped to shreds but im all good with that.

Shankara

I really enjoyed this reading. It posed so cool questions. The Atman is clearly ones soul. In the writing it gives universal truths about the Atman or soul or whatever you would like to call it. Its kind of funny how we all have different beliefs and ideas and names for things but when you get down to it its almost all the same. I found that the thought of the Atman being has perfect peace there is no thought or distraction....but from what? The religion I am familiar with calls for you to focus on one thing. Also the Atman is dependent on the circumstances and the social conditions. I find this very sad but true. Just as this writing says we cant be satisfied by the unreal. The Atman is almost described later in the writing as being able to take on almost any state. Its very interesting to see this kind of view on the human soul. It goes to show that there is some sort of standard that humanity sets up for the ideal human condition.

Tu-Shun

Ok so I’m not going to lie at all I didn’t understand what the heck this guy was trying to say. I would like to say that because of this reading I have a better and deeper understanding on life but I cant say that I do at all. The writing left my lost and confused in its abstractness. I sought so hard to find a meaning in what Tu-Shun says but I couldn’t only towards the end did I somewhat have a theory on what he was trying to say. Some times I tend to get frustrated with Religions and or Philosophies......I just want them to say what they mean and not leave it up to the 6 billion people in the world to decide. Anyways I did thought he might be trying to relate the jewels to people and how we all reflect on each other and what we do effects everyone around us. Or maybe the jewels could have been God. At any rate this writing frustrated me. The metaphors were beyond my understanding. I did like the question and answer style, although it would have been nice if my mind could have comprehended the questions and logically agreed with the answers.

Chief Seattle

I found it interesting how in the Chief's speech he compares people to nature and plants and trees. It seems to show a strong sense of concern for what the "white man" has done to Seattle's land. I liked the part in which the Chief talks about how he blames his people for filling their hearts with hatred for the white man. This speech calls out the white man it shows how they had taken advantage of the Native Americans. The Natives understood that it was all lies and could never be the way it had been explained to them. I enjoyed the part where he said "How can your father be our father, and make us prosper and send us dreams of future greatness?" Seattle claims that the white man and the red man must stay separate because the white mans God because he is prejudiced. The Chief realizes that the better option for his people is to go to the land reservation and not fight the white man. Seattle looks at the reservation as the dying place of the tribe. He knows that they have been cut down from a glorious people to being pushed into a sort of captivity. I find this a moving speech there is much emotion in it and it shows a once strong man giving up.

Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha

I loved this reading! It brought up a couple really legitimate points. One of them being "...why shouldn't we conclude that he has given us different religions?" this is not at all my belief but when looking at the audience that this speech is directed to it comes across as very legit. Also another thing is the idea that form of worship don't matter to God or "the Great Spirit" its all about coming to him with a humble attitude and the offering of a sincere heart. This is almost like the way a newer thinking Christian would look at the idea of worship. Its also just an interesting story of how white settlers left their homes all around the world for religious freedom yet to take the freedoms of others on a different continent. What I don't get is how you can have people such as the Native Americans welcome you and accept you for who you are as a people and then turn on them and tell them they are wrong.....I guess as a Christian it is your job to out reach to non believers but this seems totally out of whack. I found this speech insightful and I agree with the speaker 100% however with that being said I don’t agree with the religious views of the speaker.