Sacred Communication/Sacred Journey 2020

 https://www.dailyathlete.ca/hitchhiker/ In this article it explains a critical thinking problem using two hypothetical scenarios; Mr. Brown, almost never picks up hitchhikers. Yesterday he gave a man a ride and was robbed. Mr. Smith, frequently picks up hitchhikers. Yesterday he gave a man a rid an was robbed.  Following these two scenarios a group of people were who of the two will experience greater guilt of the scenario, majority of participants said Mr. Brown. This was because people often have higher feeling of regret when taking action as opposed to not. However in order to achieve great things we have to take risks. Many people plan to hike the entire Appalachian trail before they die however never get around it. This is most likely due to an inability to take risks instead they constantly say they will do it one day but never do. There is many excuses in doing something but there is no greater achievement than accomplishing something. In a different article I read on ...

 In a ted talk by Dan Gilbert, "The Surprising Science of Happiness" he explains that we are able to synthesize happiness. He defined synthetic happiness as what we make when we don't get what we want. However, he explained that many people instead chase happiness through the idea of Natural Happiness. This happiness is what we get when we get what we want however this becomes a never ending cycle of constantly wanting something new. According to Martin Buber "Those who experience do not participate for the world. For the experience is 'in them' and not between them and the world. The world does not participate in experience. It allows itself to be experienced, but it is not concerned, for it contributes nothing, and nothing happens to it". Therefore if we constantly are seeking an experience out of something in order to achieve happiness then we will never have real happiness. Instead we need to appreciate what we make out of the things we do not want, ...

 In the New American Bible 1 Peter chapter 1 verses 24-25 said: 24. for: "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, and the flower wilts; 25. but the word of the Lord remains forever." This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.  This passage paints an imagery of how we are like grass and all that is good in us is like the flower of field. However, we age and lose our glory but God remains. In my own life it reflects how no matter what changes occur in life the word of the Lord is always the same.  I chose to write on this passage to show an example of how the bible uses nature to offer a deeper meaning of our world. Taking this class reminded me of how important nature is for our soul. One thing I began to notice is how often the bible makes references to the nature as sort of a mask. However, I have never noticed my religions focus on the importance of why we as humans should appreciate nature and spend more time m...

 Chapter 7 explains how pilgrimage is more responsive to social change and popular moods than liturgical ritual. The pilgrimage system is more "limonoid" than "liminal" because is is more open and not as rotuine as normal religious practices. Limonoid acts are more voluntary and done in free time. I think by having them be more relaxed and done in free time, they may be enjoyed more.  What makes pilgrimages special, is that they usually are not required. Religious people do them by choice in order to gain both knowledge and growth in their faith. They are also less ritualistic than normal organized religion which can be refreshing to many.  However, as the Church gained more notoriety pilgrimages were given as punishment. So then, they were no longer liminal but limonoid. In the Catholic church, the earliest pilgrimages were to Jerusalem and Rome. They were seen as a special gift of faith. 

      In researching for the final paper I came across this book on removal of self in order to truly be at peace with God.  I believe this class assisted in my abilities to understand the meanings of this book. It discussed many deeper philosophical concepts that was also discussed in class. Mostly reflecting on the idea of emptying of one self, in relation to class concepts the author encouraged the to decenter oneself from the I and thou. In the book it made clear that God is the one and only to be worshipped therefore we should recognize him as such rather than using him. One thing that stuck with me following this reading was the idea that God created everything therefore all things belong to him, including us. In order to achieve full closeness with God one must completely empty of themselves and do everything for the will of God. This book was an interesting read through it left me with a lasting impression and many thoughts. This consisted of the following:...

 Through reading through this book, one idea that was presented in class and was mentioned in the book was liminality and liminal spaces. These ideas are that of a transitional period in which someone enters then comes out of that completely different. Life is filled with liminality and i never knew until I actually started to look around. I then discovered that there are many instances of liminality that can change someone forever. If liminality is so common, why is it not known and what are some examples? Liminality is a concept that is thrown around everywhere but under different names and tenses. Liminality is a period of change, and there are many periods in which someone can change in an instance. There are periods like bootcamp, where one is really pushed hard, even to where their body can't take it anymore. The mind is truly put to the test, and when one leaves bootcamp, they typically change into a different person, while keeping the same personality.

 Pilgrimages are very common for religious people in order for them to feel closer to their God and spirituality. Within this text, it explains that pilgrimages must occur with a historical context. This texts later goes on to explain all rites of passages. These are separation, limen, and aggression. The separation is your separation from your group or comfort, the second is the liminal phase where the passenger becomes ambiguous and passes through a dimension that has few or done of the attributes of the previous state, and the third aspect is when the passenger returns to its regular state. Liminality is a concept that is now applied to cultural change. It is important for people to be a passenger to see the view of other perspectives.