Zen Meditation

Even though I was warned before hand how difficult Zen Meditation can be, I decided to attend anyways because the time that it was offered fit perfectly with my schedule and I enjoy a challenge from time to time.  Keep in mind I have no past experience with meditation so it didn't really hit me until I was driving to the class Wednesday evening.  Initially I was under the impression that meditation can't be too difficult. All you have to do is sit there quietly and hum right? If so that can't be too challenging.  Then I got there and I must say it was EXTREMELY difficult for me. 

The instructor and people there made my experience easy but other than that, it was hard! Hard for me to focus my attention on what was expected of me and on what I needed to do as far as the instructions were concerned.  The certain sitting positions weren't too bad; I found comfort in the Full Lotus Position which I was told is normal.  However I am ashamed to say that I struggled with the Breathing Techniques! I had trouble breathing, go figure. Overall, I was in for more than what I had bargained for even after being warned but I'm glad to say that I did it! I would actually do it again to be honest. It was a great experience, especially during finals.

The Peach Orchard

The Peach Orchard was about a young boy who brought what appeared to be either soup or rice in a bowl for his sister and her friends.  He brought six bowls but soon realized that there were only five people there, not including him.  He was sure that there were six people so he asked his sister where the other person went and she told him that there wasn't another person present and that he could have the extra bowl. The young boy argued with his sister for a bit because he just knew he had seen six people there.  He then began to search the room and finally spotted the girl but she ran outside so he ran after her.  No one else saw this girl, just the little boy.

She ran up a mountain and then a group of Dolls appeared claiming to be spirits of the Peach Trees that once use to stand that orchard.  These Dolls then told the boy that they would not come to his house because his family members were the ones who cut down the Peach Trees.  The little boy then became sad and began to cry and plea with the Dolls.  He explained to them that he loved the Peach Trees that once stood there and that was the reason why he was crying.  Soon the Dolls realized that the boy was a good boy and didn't have to pay for what his family had done.  The Dolls began to dance in unison and before you knew it little tree stubs appeared and there was one with flowers.  The girl that he was chasing earlier was actually standing behind that one.  He ran up to it and when he arrived, the girl was gone yet again but the tree with blooming flowers was still there.

After watching The Peach Orchard I was mainly curious about the girl that the little boy had chased outside.  Could she possibly have been a spirit as well? Just not a Doll? Because the sister and other friends didn't see her and she appeared again in the end but disappeared.  With these thoughts in mind, I couldn't help but to think about how the Shinto's believe "everything is spiritual and therefore there is a continuity between humanity, nature and the spirits/gods."  Although the Dolls claimed to be the spirits of the Peach Trees I believe that girl was the spirit of the Peach Trees that knew what needed to be done to restore them in that orchard.

The Tao of Pooh

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Tao of Pooh! I grew up on Winnie The Pooh and his friends so I found that this metaphorical approach that Benjamin Hoff took worked in my favor as far as better understanding Taoism.  As I read The Tao of Pooh, I noticed that although it was an extremely easy read, it still caused my mind to think on a deeper level.  I say deeper level because it made me think about certain aspects of my life.  For instance, after reading about the Busy Backson , I started to question would I ever reach a point in my life where I’m truly content? Because I’m living in a society that encourages me to chase my dreams day after day and who knows how long before I obtain this? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying this is necessarily a bad thing but there are moments where the journey is simply hectic and stressful. I digress but simply put, for such an easy read The Tao of Pooh is definitely thought provoking. 

When Hoff defined and described the Busy Backson he definitely hit the American society on the nail.  Sad to say this is who we are as a society.  So caught up in the chaos of everyday life that some actually believe this is a norm; that it’s normal for life to be over the top and filled with endless To Do Lists.  Confession, I am one of those people.  When people say, “You’re always busy!” I automatically respond, “It’s a good thing because idleness is the Devil’s playground!”  I’ve come to terms with the everyday hustle and bustle that in my mind, it is a good thing to always be active and doing something. Well after reading this, I’m obviously questioning my theory but once again, I digress.

As far as Taoism being a possible solution to the problem of American culture and Americans as individuals, I would say that it’s a possibility.  I don’t want to say that it’s impossible but it would definitely be a challenge considering the mindset of our society as a whole.  Hard work is celebrated and well doing nothing, which could be termed laziness is frowned upon in American society.  It’s as simple as that.  With that said, the only way that I see Taoism being accepted by Americans is by changing everyone’s view and perception on life. This would be a great challenge in itself because it's hard for many to simply neglect what they've been taught to be right.

Pop Culture Music & Hinduism Part II

Success

Fergie featuring Ludacris, "Glamorous," Pop, 2006

Notorious BIG, "Juicy," Rap, 1994

Jay-Z, "Thank You," Hip Hop, 2009

A Tribe Called Quest, "Jazz (We've Got),"  Hip Hop, 1991

Kanye West, "Through The Wire," Hip Hop, 2003

Liberation

Goapele, "Closer," Soul, 2006

Katy Perry, "Firework," Pop, 2010

Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston, "When You Believe," R&B,  1998

Heather Headley, "Me Time," R&B, 2006

Erykah Badu, "Window Seat," Soul, 2010

Finding songs that dealt with Success and Liberation wasn’t too much of a difficult task.  I love a challenge! So instead, I decided to pay close attention to the context and message that one may not notice in these songs - find a possible trend.  Of course from the beginning I noticed that majority of them were rants and raves about the money, cars or fancy Louboutins that they could finally afford.   As far as success was concerned that is.  Liberation on the other hand was pretty self explanatory.  The impression that I got initially as I listened to the lyrics was, I imagine the message that the artist was trying to deliver.

As I listened to today’s American Pop Culture songs about Success, specifically Hip Hop songs, I used Notorious BIG’s “Juicy,” as my precursor.  Normally when I listen to today’s Hip Hop songs all I hear is the name of some expensive car or the name of the president on the bills in their wallets.  However when I listen to Notorious BIG’s “Juicy,” I automatically think SUCCESS!!  No he’s not simply bragging about his riches but at the same time he is.  Yes BIG talks about his cars and money but he does all of this in an attempt to show his listeners where he came from, which is poverty.  Consider his third verse, “Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, when I was dead broke man I couldn’t picture this..” In his own right, he’s made it in life – success!

All of the songs about Liberation talked about letting go of any inhibitions and being!  I enjoyed these songs because they were like listening to a fairy tale.  Their rants and raves were about the great joy that one could experience from being in tune with one’s self.  All of them don’t necessarily advocate that one should be alone possibly being with someone else as well could be the liberation you’re in search of.  It all depends on the individual.  Consider the chorus of Erykah Badu’s “Window Seat.”   If you listen to the song in it’s entirety you’ll realize that she in fact wants to be longed for as is, that is where her liberation lies.

In the four legitimate ends of life, Hindu’s categorize Pleasure and Success as the Path of Desire.  Completely understandable and can also be seen in American Music.  Like Pleasure, Success is self seeking and something that people go after in order to feel good.  Maybe not physically but more so mentally, it gives them a sense of accomplishment.  As far as American Music’s view of Liberation and Hinduism is concerned, I see no blatant differences.  

Pop Culture Music & Hinduism Part I

Pleasure

Robin Thicke, "Sex Therapy," R&B, 2009

 TLC, "Red Light Special," R&B, 1994

Mad Cobra, "Flex," Reggae, 1992 

Janet Jackson, "Would You Mind," R&B, 2001

R.Kelly, "Your Body's Calling," R&B, 1994

Community Service

Bob Marley, "Redemption Song," Reggae, 1980

 Black Eyed Peas, "Where Is The Love," Pop, 2003

Slick Rick, "Hey Young World," Hip Hop, 1988

Nas, "I Can," Hip Hop, 2002

Jaheim, "Fabulous," R&B, 2003

Between Pleasure and Community Service, I found it quite easy to think of songs that relate to Pleasure! Community Service on the other hand was a bit of a challenge for me.  From the American Pop Culture point of view, when it comes to songs about enjoyment or sensual gratification, I found it hard to choose five because there are a billion gazillion of them on my iTunes playlist. Sad to say, I had to do some research outside of my iTunes playlist seeking more songs on Community Service. 

I personally am a sucker for love so coming up with songs related to Pleasure was a breeze in contrast to Community Service.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying music dealing with the acts of common good aren't important and or relevant to me, I just tend to gravitate towards music that deals with matters of the heart! Simply because I can barely pinpoint or make out why I feel the way I do when it comes to romance and the lyrics in love songs normally do.  I love that artist can express these emotions through songs.  I find myself relating to them and that reminds me that I’m normal! There are other people out there who feel the same exact way or have went through the same experience. It’s comforting.   

Oppositely, Community Service is something that is understood.  There’s no uncertainty about the common good or about doing what’s right. Plainly put, songs about Community Service aren't saying anything that we haven't heard before or are confused about.  They're are pretty straight forward.  As far as American Music relating to the Hindu understanding of Pleasure, I would have to say that the Hindu’s perception of Pleasure is on a deeper level.  For the most part American Music portrays Pleasure as either a relationship between a man and woman or candidly a sexual act.  

  

Hindu literature describes Pleasure as not only a sexual act or the relationship between a man and woman but also details the intellectual and mental fulfillment of the experience.  Meditation!  Although American Music tends to focus on our voluntary acts as Community Service, I would like to believe that like Hinduism the ultimate goal is to bring people together so I will go ahead and say that both viewpoints are pretty similar.

the Ultimate Hip Hop Love Song

"If heaven had a height, you would be that tall.."