Disney World is not the first place I think of as sacred, but, I guess, it can-according to Dr. Redick's journal article Profane Experience and Sacred Encounter: Journeys to Disney and Camino de Santiago.
Dr. Redick explains the difference between pilgrimage and tourism as profane and sacred journeys using Disney World and Camino de Santiago. After a reading a portion of it, I understand how Disney World as a theme park may constitute a sacred place for some people. He states that theme parks operate as a marketplace for tourists to buy products, making it a quasi-sacred place. To explain this, he uses Belden Lane's second axiom: "sacred place is ordinary place, ritually made extraordinary." The common rituals that happen at Disney (eating food, participating in rides, watching performances, and snapping pictures) lend it to be quasi-sacred as visitors seek refuge and pleasure, not necessarily finding one's spirituality. Dr. Redick elaborates how the Disney theme park supports capitalism since establishing an amusement park requires capital, or money. As tourists pay money to experience the Disney park, they are serving the capitalistic system.
Santiago de Campostela, he says, can be a marketplace for travelers and a liminal place for others. It's how the traveler uses the space that marks it sacredness, following Lane's second axiom. I think that whatever space one occupies it can made into a sacred place by what one does within it. If the Camino de Santiago is supposed to be sacred, marketplaces should be minimal as it will distract one from connecting with their chosen deity.
My opinion is the difference between profane experience and sacred encounter, paralleling to Dr. Redick's article, is the former carries a more secular tone, while the latter casts a spiritual one. I consider visiting Water Country to be a profane experience because I'm entering the site for amusement and pleasure, whereas going to church or bible study is a sacred encounter because it appeals to my faith. Going to a bible study offers me time to connect with fellow Christians as we read his Word in communion with God. This contrasts with visiting an amusement park since I'm there to consume, or indulge, in the commercial products offered.
Friday, October 31, 2014
ManCup & KitFox
"Home is wherever I'm with you"
This is a line from the song "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero. It was played in a YouTube video starring ManCup and Kitfox and it was a montage of the couple walking the Appalachian Trail (from Georgia to Maine) in 2012. It offered me a peek into their journey as I followed their steps on the long, winding trail. I observed them facing various weather conditions, in addition to resting at multiple spots. Though I wasn't with them (obviously), a vicarious feeling came to me as the camera placed me alongside them.
The above line intrigues me for I never thought of home as someplace wherever I'm with someone. The boyfriend-girlfriend couple in the video embodied that statement as I watched them engage with nature-and each other! They smooched, swam in the lake, felt the trees, pet a cat, and stepped on logs. I like how the camera focused on the couple's happy countenance because it told me they are enjoying themselves-with nature and each other.
This is a line from the song "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero. It was played in a YouTube video starring ManCup and Kitfox and it was a montage of the couple walking the Appalachian Trail (from Georgia to Maine) in 2012. It offered me a peek into their journey as I followed their steps on the long, winding trail. I observed them facing various weather conditions, in addition to resting at multiple spots. Though I wasn't with them (obviously), a vicarious feeling came to me as the camera placed me alongside them.
The above line intrigues me for I never thought of home as someplace wherever I'm with someone. The boyfriend-girlfriend couple in the video embodied that statement as I watched them engage with nature-and each other! They smooched, swam in the lake, felt the trees, pet a cat, and stepped on logs. I like how the camera focused on the couple's happy countenance because it told me they are enjoying themselves-with nature and each other.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Jenny Parker: Student Choice- Morals IV
Today I was having a conversation with a friend, and we found ourselves in a disagreement. We were talking about morals and how one cannot have morals without religion or spirituality. She disagreed with me and said that she has morals but no religion, because she is an atheist. My view was that one must have some type of faith for their morals because what, then, would their morals be based upon? How would their morals have a right from wrong? She said her morals don't allow her to have religion. I did not understand that. However there is spirituality in beliefs right? I asked her what made her morals and why she believed things were right from wrong. Within her answer there still were beliefs which then led to spirituality. Is there not spirituality in religion? Of course there is. Hmm, what an interesting conversation with a friend.
Paige Bier_30 Oct._Outside Reading III: Appalachian Trail
After reading a few trail journals, I wanted to gain more insight and feedback on ones' journey on the Appalachian trail. A man named Tom Cate, with the trail name "Casper", has written almost two-hundred trail journals about his adventure. His journal written on October 6, 2014 struck my eye because it is the day he decided to summit Katahdin. He traveled 10.20 miles that day, beginning at the Katahdin Stream Campground. He said he made the decision to summit Katahdin because of a fellow trail walker referred to as "Ole Man" who advised him to take the opportunity. It's fascinating to see how fellow trail walkers have such a big impact on others, even if you are just meeting them in a day. "Casper" was encouraged and reached the highest point of his hike due to a simple friendly encounter.I was surprised that he didn't talk more about the impact of his summit day. In his next journal, he simply admits the journey is over. This only makes me wonder how much of an impact self-reflection can have at a sacred place. I also realize that the most influential or sacred moments may not happen at the highest peak, but may happen along the journey. He obviously took thousands of steps to reach the highest peak of the Appalachian Trail, which is no simple task. The picture shows how truly breath-taking the range of mountains are, and how proud they are to have reached the summit. One day, I hope I can go on a journey of my own where I can have my own summit day. Although I have traveled the Shenandoah many times, I have not encountered a day quite like Tom did on October 6th.
Cate, Tom. Summit Day. (2014). Trail Journals: Appalachian Trail Journal. Retrieved from http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=476062.
Lion's Bridge Sunset Cont.
I finally discovered the perfect spot to gaze at the sunset down by Lion's bridge. There was another overturned tree with roots bigger than me twisted and tangled almost forming the perfect sunset watching seat. I was able to hang my toes just over the cool crisp water that was splashing up against the rocks that laid before me. For a few minutes I closed my eyes waiting for the sun to fall deeper into the horizon and I focused only on the sounds and smells around me. The wind was blowing continuously but not too hard that it became uncomfortable to be on the edge of the water,it was perfect. The smell of the water and the salt in the air just made everything seem so simple and perfect. It felt like I had nothing to worry about, all I had to do was just sit there and open up my other senses to feel mother nature. After those few moments which felt like forever, I opened my eyes to this magical and beautiful sunset. The beauty of the sunset was so over powering I could barely keep my eyes open. It almost felt as if when you go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and you turn the light on, it just hurts. But in the case of the sunset the pain didn't matter, mother nature was just showing me her most beautiful scenery and I could not look away.
Lions Bridge Sunset
After going through the Nolan trail and trying to become one with nature, I made my way back to Lion's Bridge just in time for the sunset. I set my sights on the perfect location down by the water where there was a tree that had been blown down by the sheer force of wind acting as a bridge over rough patches so I could make my way over to this little beached area. There were multiple broken sea shells embedded into the sand and the water was still pushing new ones from the body of the water onto the sand. Before I lost myself in the beauty of the sunset I looked down to see if I could find any seashell that would catch my eye with a certain unique quality to it. Finally I found the perfect shell but when i went to pick it up it broke into many pieces before I could properly examine it. I guess it just goes to show that nature truly is breathtaking but at the same time fragile, and that we humans take the world for granted and end up crushing the wildlife.
Viewing Nature Interactively
I don't know whether I was able to fully open my senses to the surroundings around me but I wasn't able to communicate with the nature around me on the Nolan Trail. I noticed most of the trees were still alive and had some leaves still withering away before winter fully hits and knocks all the leaves down. There were countless bushes growing tiny purple berries on them, with thorns on them to keep animals from eating them. However, there were some trees knocked down from natural causes and unnatural like someone chainsawing them down to make room for the path. The water around the trail was some what calm until the slightest bit of wind pushing the water into making some waves. In the end though I felt as though I wasn't fully able to communicate with the nature around me. In the back of my mind I was concentrating on upcoming exams and papers that I had not begun writing or studying for.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Jenny Parker: The Journey to the East (Outside Reading) III
In this novel Hesse is on a pilgrimage to the East with others in the League. In this novel he mentions the differences between pilgrimage and tourism as we have done in class as well. "Faithful to our instructions, we lived like pilgrims and made no use of those contrivances which spring into existence in a world deluded by money, number and time, and which drain life of its content" (Hesse, 13). In tourism one needs money to go; however, in pilgrimage one does not need money. In pilgrimage one does not need nice luxury hotels. There is no hierarchy sense to is as there is in tourism. In pilgrimage one is treating the sheep as Thou not It. In Hesse's book he admits that as the journey went on he missed all the luxuries and felt as if they were irreplaceable. However before he started questioning his faith and the journey he says, "as we League brothers traveled throughout the world without motor-cars or ships, as we conquered the war-shattered world by our faith and transformed it into Paradise, we creatively brought the past, the future and the fictitious into the present moment" (Hesse, 28). It is crazy to me how he can say that and then just a few pages later say "during the course of our further journey, tools, valuables, cards, and documents which were all lost seemed, to our shame, to be indispensable" (Hesse, 42). In this book I saw stability --->change---> restored stability/post criticism.
Jenny Parker- The Journey to the East (Outside Reading) II
In The Journey to the East Hesse talks about his experiences, which while reading this I had the thought of his word choice not being correct. Instead it would have been better for him to use the word encounter because that what he was doing, not experiencing. He says, "I shall always remember how the peacocks' tails shimmered when the moon rose amongst the tall trees, and on the shady bank the emerging mermaids gleamed fresh and silvery amongst the rocks; how Don Quixote stood alone under the chestnut-tree by the fountain and held his first night-watch while the last Roman candles of the firework display fell so softly over the castle's turrets in the moonlight" (Hesse, 30-31). Hesse is describing this place as a Thou thus he should say it was an encounter instead of an experience.
As I got further into the reading I noticed Hesse's faith began to become challenged, "the stronger these feelings became, the clearer it seemed to me that it was not only that I had lost faith in finding Leo again, but everything now seemed to become unreliable and doubtful; the value and meaning of everything was threatened: our comradeship, our faith, our vow, our Journey to the East, our whole life" (Hesse, 40). In some of the Lane's reading I recall that sometimes God allows bad things to happen to good people. In Hesse questioning his meaning of life and his faith is a perfect example of what Lane says in God allowing bad things to sometimes happen to good people.
As I got further into the reading I noticed Hesse's faith began to become challenged, "the stronger these feelings became, the clearer it seemed to me that it was not only that I had lost faith in finding Leo again, but everything now seemed to become unreliable and doubtful; the value and meaning of everything was threatened: our comradeship, our faith, our vow, our Journey to the East, our whole life" (Hesse, 40). In some of the Lane's reading I recall that sometimes God allows bad things to happen to good people. In Hesse questioning his meaning of life and his faith is a perfect example of what Lane says in God allowing bad things to sometimes happen to good people.
Jenny Parker: The Journey to the East (Outside Reading) I
In my leadership class we recently read the novel The Journey to the East by Hermann Hesse. In this book I have found many examples relating to my studies in Sacred Communications and Sacred Journeys. This novel is about a man who is on a journey (pilgrimage) to the east with a League whom he cannot identify or give up because he gave a vow not to do so. He writes this book as he is on his search to find Leo (a member who "disappeared" from the League). In the book he writes, "I also walked alone at times, whenever some sign or call tempted me to go my own way" (Hesse, 23). This relates to the first axiom, "sacred place is not chosen, it chooses; God chooses to reveal himself only where he wills" (Lane, 19). The man walks off to where the sacred place and God are calling him to. Sacred place chooses "the individual long before he or she is able to respond with a conscious choice of her own" (Lane, 22). On his pilgrimage he becomes decentralized (kenosis) with himself and if focusing on his surroundings and a servant that he looks up to on the journey, Leo.
Another axiom I saw in the novel was the fourth axiom: "for our goal was not only the East, or rather the East was not only a country and something geographical, but it was the home and youth of the soul, it was everywhere and nowhere, it was the union of all times" (Hesse, 27). The fourth axiom says "sacred place always possesses a double impulse-- a movement which is at once centripetal and centrifugal....a tendency toward localization and universalization" (Lane, 32). There is an awareness that God is never confined to a single locale.
Another axiom I saw in the novel was the fourth axiom: "for our goal was not only the East, or rather the East was not only a country and something geographical, but it was the home and youth of the soul, it was everywhere and nowhere, it was the union of all times" (Hesse, 27). The fourth axiom says "sacred place always possesses a double impulse-- a movement which is at once centripetal and centrifugal....a tendency toward localization and universalization" (Lane, 32). There is an awareness that God is never confined to a single locale.
Sarah Beth Seidel: Nature Observation (Noland Trail/Shipyard)
Date: Tuesday, October 28th
Time: 4:30-5:30
Today class had an opportunity to observe a different type of classroom: an outdoor classroom. I viewed today's adventure as a sort of opportunity to learn from an external point of view and to rather experience learning in a very hands on way. Dr. Redick provided an analogy that really stuck with me today. He explained that trees can communicate with humans in a similar way that dogs communicate with their owners. For example, trees communicate through their liveliness; through this I started noticing the different postures of surrounding trees. Some stood tall and strong communicating that they were healthy and content while others struggled to keep their remaining live branches just that: alive. Its inspiring to take such an everyday object and interpret it on a completely different level. When Dr. Redick explained this, it reminded me about a fact I had learned in elementary school science; that a plant grows towards the sun. The more I thought about this the more I started to connect deeper meaning to this. The ancient Greeks believed in Helios the God of the Sun. To them, this phenomenon could have symbolized a growing seedling reaching towards the sun in search of guidance or help. In Christianity, light is also interpreted synonymously with the idea of heaven. I'm not sure why that specific fact came to mind during Redick's speech but I am glad it did in the sense that I may not have reached that deeper understanding had I not remembered that.
Aside from the trees, my focus was also drawn to the water. It was so calm and looked so clean (despite the fact that it probably isn't that clean in reality). I felt a sense of relaxation just dazing into the water and noticing the sun reflecting of the gentle ripples of the water. The serenity of a happy family of geese enjoying a family dinner on the pond. It's amazing to me to see this compilation of God's creations in one small area. I think the biggest thing I got out of todays adventure is that it's the simple things that can have the greatest impact on those of us who take the time and appreciate the wonderful blessings God has given us. I guess I'm just, well, thankful.
Time: 4:30-5:30
Today class had an opportunity to observe a different type of classroom: an outdoor classroom. I viewed today's adventure as a sort of opportunity to learn from an external point of view and to rather experience learning in a very hands on way. Dr. Redick provided an analogy that really stuck with me today. He explained that trees can communicate with humans in a similar way that dogs communicate with their owners. For example, trees communicate through their liveliness; through this I started noticing the different postures of surrounding trees. Some stood tall and strong communicating that they were healthy and content while others struggled to keep their remaining live branches just that: alive. Its inspiring to take such an everyday object and interpret it on a completely different level. When Dr. Redick explained this, it reminded me about a fact I had learned in elementary school science; that a plant grows towards the sun. The more I thought about this the more I started to connect deeper meaning to this. The ancient Greeks believed in Helios the God of the Sun. To them, this phenomenon could have symbolized a growing seedling reaching towards the sun in search of guidance or help. In Christianity, light is also interpreted synonymously with the idea of heaven. I'm not sure why that specific fact came to mind during Redick's speech but I am glad it did in the sense that I may not have reached that deeper understanding had I not remembered that.
Aside from the trees, my focus was also drawn to the water. It was so calm and looked so clean (despite the fact that it probably isn't that clean in reality). I felt a sense of relaxation just dazing into the water and noticing the sun reflecting of the gentle ripples of the water. The serenity of a happy family of geese enjoying a family dinner on the pond. It's amazing to me to see this compilation of God's creations in one small area. I think the biggest thing I got out of todays adventure is that it's the simple things that can have the greatest impact on those of us who take the time and appreciate the wonderful blessings God has given us. I guess I'm just, well, thankful.
Jenny Parker: Nature Setting II
Down at my favorite place again I just sat and watched the sunset, water washed up with a few ripples in the distance. As the wind picked up the water began hitting against the dead still rocks. The rocks took the beating of the water without any complaints; when however the tree did not live up to the rocks. The tree lay there helplessly with water swooshing up over it ever so often. Dead, the tree seemed. As Dillard says, "God's free-flowing Creation mingles the gentle current of a neighborhood creek with Melvillean apparitions of strife in the raging sea. Nature runs wild because God, too, is an untamed lover" (213). As I sat there on the cement down by Lake Murray I too became a part of this, it was an encounter. I was not just observing or experiencing nature anymore. I was a part of it too. I sat there and let the sunset kiss my face as the water submerged my toes. I was not any different from the rocks at that time. I did not know it at the time but this was an encounter not an experience. It was reciprocity. I was "involved in touching and being touched by its particular array of rocks, trees, animals, and geographical features" (Lane, 44).
Hamilton Pools Texas personal journey
Alexa Botha
For almost a year now I have been wanting to journey to Hamilton pools, a collapsed riverbed mouth that has formed the most beautiful natural pool that turns bright turquoise during the summer months. A series of random events led to my mom having to move to Waco, Texas with my step dad. Over Fall break we saw this as an amazing opportunity to go visit, see the house and go an a little adventure. I also made it clear that we would make the two hour trek to the pools (Texas is huge). We left early in the morning and the weather was miserable, really bringing me down, I had been waiting so long to see the pool and the gloomy day made me feel that it wouldn't live up to its full potential. My family and friend and I made it to the pools safely, and were able to go in immediately to park and go on the small hike to the pools. There is apparently always an almost two hour wait to get into the pools, with a visitor capacity often being enforced. We started the hike and the closer we get to the pool, the warmer it gets. Finally the sun breaks through the clouds and everything is illuminated. We walk up on the pool and it is just as magical as I was expecting. I was breathless, everyone in my small little group was in awe and starting around, placing their hands on the rocks and taking in the scenery. It was absolutely beautiful.
The beauty of the pool made me speechless and so appreciative of the natural wonders in the world, I also couldn't help but think how this beautiful place was created. How it came to be. Granted they say it is a collapsed river mouth but I felt that is was so much more than that. There was a feeling of peace and gratitude that came over me. The stressful plane trips, hassle of buying tickets and getting excused from class were all just stepping stones to my small moment of fulfillment at the pool. What made me most happy was the reaction of my loved ones, people that don't normally talk about the experience of nature and spirituality all left with a light in their eyes. On our journey back home everyone kept just mentioning that this was the best moment of the trip, the highlight. It was truly beautiful and the gloomy grey weather prevented too many people from coming to the pools and so it was silent and empty. It all really worked out perfectly.
For almost a year now I have been wanting to journey to Hamilton pools, a collapsed riverbed mouth that has formed the most beautiful natural pool that turns bright turquoise during the summer months. A series of random events led to my mom having to move to Waco, Texas with my step dad. Over Fall break we saw this as an amazing opportunity to go visit, see the house and go an a little adventure. I also made it clear that we would make the two hour trek to the pools (Texas is huge). We left early in the morning and the weather was miserable, really bringing me down, I had been waiting so long to see the pool and the gloomy day made me feel that it wouldn't live up to its full potential. My family and friend and I made it to the pools safely, and were able to go in immediately to park and go on the small hike to the pools. There is apparently always an almost two hour wait to get into the pools, with a visitor capacity often being enforced. We started the hike and the closer we get to the pool, the warmer it gets. Finally the sun breaks through the clouds and everything is illuminated. We walk up on the pool and it is just as magical as I was expecting. I was breathless, everyone in my small little group was in awe and starting around, placing their hands on the rocks and taking in the scenery. It was absolutely beautiful.
The beauty of the pool made me speechless and so appreciative of the natural wonders in the world, I also couldn't help but think how this beautiful place was created. How it came to be. Granted they say it is a collapsed river mouth but I felt that is was so much more than that. There was a feeling of peace and gratitude that came over me. The stressful plane trips, hassle of buying tickets and getting excused from class were all just stepping stones to my small moment of fulfillment at the pool. What made me most happy was the reaction of my loved ones, people that don't normally talk about the experience of nature and spirituality all left with a light in their eyes. On our journey back home everyone kept just mentioning that this was the best moment of the trip, the highlight. It was truly beautiful and the gloomy grey weather prevented too many people from coming to the pools and so it was silent and empty. It all really worked out perfectly.
Jenny Parker: Natural Setting I
Yesterday the class went down to Lion's Gate to experience nature in a natural setting and not just in pictures or conversation. "Nature runs wild because God, too, is an untamed lover of freedom" (213). I have been down to the Noland many times this year and each time I go it is refreshing and a new perspective of life, not just my own. This time as the class was there all together Dr. Redick talked about how one of his former students did not like the activity because the student thought it was silly to be able to interact/talk to a tree. Dr. Redick then told the class of his explanation to his student about being able to talk and interact with a dog. This comparison cleared things up a lot. A tree is just much as alive as a dog is. Dogs wag their tails, bark, play, etc. and thus shows humans they are very much alive and a subject too.
Yesterday I was looking at the leaves and I came to see that the leaves do in fact communicate not just with each other but with humans too. It is apparent that these trees are very much alive; the trees sway back in forth in the wind, their leaves change colors to orange, yellow, and red in the fall to let us know that winter is approaching and the leaves will soon fall off the trees and die. The trees have their own textures and scents to them. I touched one of the leaves on the tree beside the James River and it had a waxy coating. Not every leaf has this texture or feel to it, just as each and every human being has his or her own skin. Human beings are not all the same so why do we sometimes confine trees and nature to be all the same? Do the trees or nature in general need us to function? No, they are too subjects with their own projects.
Yesterday I was looking at the leaves and I came to see that the leaves do in fact communicate not just with each other but with humans too. It is apparent that these trees are very much alive; the trees sway back in forth in the wind, their leaves change colors to orange, yellow, and red in the fall to let us know that winter is approaching and the leaves will soon fall off the trees and die. The trees have their own textures and scents to them. I touched one of the leaves on the tree beside the James River and it had a waxy coating. Not every leaf has this texture or feel to it, just as each and every human being has his or her own skin. Human beings are not all the same so why do we sometimes confine trees and nature to be all the same? Do the trees or nature in general need us to function? No, they are too subjects with their own projects.
El Camino Movie
Alexa Botha
I really enjoyed this documentary ( and of course the celebrity appearance from Professor Redick himself! ). While there are many points to touch on with regards to this documentary; perseverance and a coming together of varying peoples and personalities. There was one moment in the film that really stuck with me. At the end of the movie a young man states that he was looking forward to and awaiting a sense of awe and to be overcome with emotion when they reached the end of the journey and finally walk up upon the cathedral. The film shows some people crying and staring almost in shock at the massive structure and then just sitting and being in silence in the courtyard before the impressive building. This young man says he felt relatively nothing, that he was surprised at the lack of emotion that he felt, but when he looks back at the journey that was his true experience. It wasn't the destination so much as it was the journey that he felt most appreciative and connected to. This resonated with me because I often time journey places in order for the final destination to have whatever answer it is that I am looking for, hoping that there will be an immediate moment of emotion and understanding. Only when I look, or in this case the young man looks back, that you realize you found your answer a long time ago on the walk or journey but only realize it when you are face with what you supposedly thought you were looking for to find that the answer was within yourself, the experience or feeling or whatever it may be what you were looking for was inside yourself, only to be brought out through your journey.
I really enjoyed this documentary ( and of course the celebrity appearance from Professor Redick himself! ). While there are many points to touch on with regards to this documentary; perseverance and a coming together of varying peoples and personalities. There was one moment in the film that really stuck with me. At the end of the movie a young man states that he was looking forward to and awaiting a sense of awe and to be overcome with emotion when they reached the end of the journey and finally walk up upon the cathedral. The film shows some people crying and staring almost in shock at the massive structure and then just sitting and being in silence in the courtyard before the impressive building. This young man says he felt relatively nothing, that he was surprised at the lack of emotion that he felt, but when he looks back at the journey that was his true experience. It wasn't the destination so much as it was the journey that he felt most appreciative and connected to. This resonated with me because I often time journey places in order for the final destination to have whatever answer it is that I am looking for, hoping that there will be an immediate moment of emotion and understanding. Only when I look, or in this case the young man looks back, that you realize you found your answer a long time ago on the walk or journey but only realize it when you are face with what you supposedly thought you were looking for to find that the answer was within yourself, the experience or feeling or whatever it may be what you were looking for was inside yourself, only to be brought out through your journey.
viewing nature interactively (Lions Gate class)
Alexa Botha
10/29/14
Today we held class outside on the Noland Trail. I found it very refreshing to finally be outside of the classroom and felt that it was so much easier to focus and stay centered when outside in nature. I felt free of all the worries and assignments that I normally would have flowing back and forth across my thoughts. I personally have always had a close connection with nature, feeling most myself when far removed from society and outside in nature somewhere pure and wild. When one can truly break down the walls in their mind or take off the blinders that keep them pushing forward and focusing on that which is not truly essential then they can have that connectivity with nature. To fully feel and appreciate the smells, breeze, buzzing bugs and swaying trees is so eye opening and calming, You realize that there is so much more out there, life is so much greater than just yourself. Granted everyone thinks of themselves as the center of their own universe but we should rather see ourselves as essential parts all working together, giving and receiving energy. I believe that some individuals avoid this pure connection with nature because they are afraid of facing themselves inwardly. Being constantly distracted by phones and screens helps humans avoid their true feeling, fears, worries, doubt as well as joy. I think it is crucial for us, this humanity to have a deep love and appreciation as well as connection to the earth that sustains us.
10/29/14
Today we held class outside on the Noland Trail. I found it very refreshing to finally be outside of the classroom and felt that it was so much easier to focus and stay centered when outside in nature. I felt free of all the worries and assignments that I normally would have flowing back and forth across my thoughts. I personally have always had a close connection with nature, feeling most myself when far removed from society and outside in nature somewhere pure and wild. When one can truly break down the walls in their mind or take off the blinders that keep them pushing forward and focusing on that which is not truly essential then they can have that connectivity with nature. To fully feel and appreciate the smells, breeze, buzzing bugs and swaying trees is so eye opening and calming, You realize that there is so much more out there, life is so much greater than just yourself. Granted everyone thinks of themselves as the center of their own universe but we should rather see ourselves as essential parts all working together, giving and receiving energy. I believe that some individuals avoid this pure connection with nature because they are afraid of facing themselves inwardly. Being constantly distracted by phones and screens helps humans avoid their true feeling, fears, worries, doubt as well as joy. I think it is crucial for us, this humanity to have a deep love and appreciation as well as connection to the earth that sustains us.
Paige Bier_29 Oct._Natural Setting II: Lion's Gate Bridge
On October 28, we visited the Lion's Gate Bridge to observe the way statues and wildlife communicate with us. We first visited the statue of Anna Huntington "Conquering the Wild" to analyze how a simple statue is communicating a deeper meaning. There were four men surrounded the man in the middle trying to tame the horse. If you tame or conquer the spirit of the wild horse, the spirit is no longer wild to the horse, but belongs with you. This relates directly to Buber's passage about the relationship with a horse to demonstrate the relationship between I-Thou:
"And felt the life beneath my hand, it was as though the element of vitality itself bordered on my skin, something that was not I"//"Placed itself in the relationship with though and me"// I do not know what came over the child but it was childlike enough, it stroke me, what fun it gave me"
Buber admits the fun in stroking the horse to demonstrate how his gaze turns back to focus on himself. The horse as the "other" is now in him and not in the horse; therefore, the horse becomes an object instead of a subject. He admits, "suddenly I become conscious of my hand". This reflects directly in Lane's book when he says, "recognizing the reciprocity involved in touching and being touched by its particular array of rocks, trees, animals, and geographical features" (p. 44). After analyzing this one statue and relating it back to the relationship of the I with experience versus encounter, I want to discuss the way wildlife and nature communicate with us.
We spent our time walking on the Noland trail and over-looking the river. I enjoyed the over-look of the river the most: "Her main vocation at Tinker Creek's pilgrim-in-residence is simply learning to look well at the creek" says John Gatta in Making Nature Sacred. Personally, I love to connect with nature through sound-- birds chirping, branches breaking, waves crashing, etc. To hear the waves interacting with the rocks as some fell roughly and others swiftly, is very relaxing. Gatta says we must simply learn to "look well at the creek", I find this significant because communicating with nature takes patience. We can't just ask it a question and get an immediate response, we must require "patience, preparation, stillness, a spirit of humility and expectancy" (Gatt, p. 210). If we entail these qualities while interacting with nature, we will be able to see the deeper meaning behind its appearance. Since appearance is often a huge indicator of identity, we must be patient to find its significance. To communicate with the river, I sat on the sand, allowing only the rocks to be a barrier between myself and the sweet salt-water.
I sat by the water and closed my eyes for a few minutes, listening to nothing but the way the water met the rocks. It was as though I picked up a sea-shell from the beach and held it close my ear, envisioning the way the ocean never stops. The river was almost ombre as it faded from its white foam to its seaweed green to its ocean blue. Some parts were musty and brown, telling me that we need to take better care of the water around us. There were a few floating cups that drifted by, showing me that we should be more careful to put our trash away next time. The river told me that most of its waves were strong and fierce, but some of them lacked in character due to the contamination of its peers. I looked down at the sand, where my toes were tucked in, surrounded by seaweed and a few sticks. The seaweed was washed up and in-fact delivered by the river. Some sea-weed would get swept back up and taken out by the waves, when others were meant to stay with the sand. The river showed its power in the way it picked up seaweed and sticks to carry them back out together. The river showed its unity with the land, thankful to have something to sweep upon. The river showed me that its waves don't always crash at the same pace, nor in the same place. Some landed upon rocks- hard and loud; while others swept across the sand- soft and slow. The river showed me its variety and the way some waves speak louder than others. The river reminded me how my worries were so small. If they were so important, how could I be able to focus on the sweet sound of the river? The sound of the waves seemed to sweep all of my worries and all of my stress out from under my feet, washing them away into the river with the rest of the seaweed.
"And felt the life beneath my hand, it was as though the element of vitality itself bordered on my skin, something that was not I"//"Placed itself in the relationship with though and me"// I do not know what came over the child but it was childlike enough, it stroke me, what fun it gave me"
Buber admits the fun in stroking the horse to demonstrate how his gaze turns back to focus on himself. The horse as the "other" is now in him and not in the horse; therefore, the horse becomes an object instead of a subject. He admits, "suddenly I become conscious of my hand". This reflects directly in Lane's book when he says, "recognizing the reciprocity involved in touching and being touched by its particular array of rocks, trees, animals, and geographical features" (p. 44). After analyzing this one statue and relating it back to the relationship of the I with experience versus encounter, I want to discuss the way wildlife and nature communicate with us.
We spent our time walking on the Noland trail and over-looking the river. I enjoyed the over-look of the river the most: "Her main vocation at Tinker Creek's pilgrim-in-residence is simply learning to look well at the creek" says John Gatta in Making Nature Sacred. Personally, I love to connect with nature through sound-- birds chirping, branches breaking, waves crashing, etc. To hear the waves interacting with the rocks as some fell roughly and others swiftly, is very relaxing. Gatta says we must simply learn to "look well at the creek", I find this significant because communicating with nature takes patience. We can't just ask it a question and get an immediate response, we must require "patience, preparation, stillness, a spirit of humility and expectancy" (Gatt, p. 210). If we entail these qualities while interacting with nature, we will be able to see the deeper meaning behind its appearance. Since appearance is often a huge indicator of identity, we must be patient to find its significance. To communicate with the river, I sat on the sand, allowing only the rocks to be a barrier between myself and the sweet salt-water.
Outside Reading- Trail Journals
I explored the trail journals online blog given in class, and my attention was specifically draw to a man named TSquare. He was often anxious throughout his journaling as he got ready to depart, and upon his arrival at the end of the trial. I found him interesting because he closed every entry with "I had to walk through life and hills of a different kind, to finally take the walk of my life." This shows the importance that TSquare has placed upon the through hike he is about to take. I was able to connect to Martin Buber's explanation of I-thou, through this man's entries. He wanted to connect with his time on the trail. He expresses his concern for his family, his job, and all the responsibilities he has to let go of for the five months he will be hiking. He is going from the boundaries the world has placed upon him to the limitless world the trail can bring him. The next entry consists of very few words as he states "....just, breathe." For me, he is coming to realize that he will have these encounters with the trail and that he must let go of the anxiety and resistance he feels. As I continued to read his entries, his strong desire to connect with the trail became overwhelmingly apparent. TSquare states:
"I will understand the "why' part for me, after I can explain the "how". I can't do that until I discover, experience, taste, curse, embrace, enjoy, cry, laugh and share the "what", "who", and "where". Either way, I will know more after than before."
This entry shows not only the need to find connectedness of the trail but to find something within himself that he has yet to experience. While Buber talks about the encounter with space, it seems to me there is also a a deeper level of encounter that happens internally as well, something that the trail assists it's pilgrims with.
Viewing Nature Interactively #1
Annie Dillard opens her excerpt describing "her chosen window on the world." The interaction with nature in an I-thou way, or as an encounter, plays a large role in the the window in which you look through. Maybe, your window is a bit foggy, sometimes you fail to see the things around you for what they truly are, the beauty they can bring to your life, or the shapes, sizes, and smells that make life so unique. Maybe, your window is small, only allowing you to see a select world, it is not that the window moves that you can open your eyes to a new view. Maybe, you have an extremely large, beautiful open window that allows you to encounter the world with grace and curiosity in a way that seems never ending. The interaction with nature through the window which you chose to see the world is defining. The window through which I see the world allows me to encounter, not just the physicality of the place but all the pieces that make it whole. In the presence of the Lion's Gate Bridge, nature never seems to take a specific role, it runs wild like the gentlest of beasts. The sound of the water as it meets it's opposite partner, land, the way the sun slowly moves to kiss the horizon goodnight, and the freedom the leaves and grass embrace as they dance to the song the wind creates. Every sound, smell, color, and texture moves not as individual but as a whole, the pieces of a mosaic that creates the beauty of the world. Each of these pieces a part of a greater whole, just like your window. Do you close to encounter this place, with a big, bright window? To be a part of the mosaic? I do.
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Phenomenology of Prayer #2
Reading through the Phenomenology of Prayer has drastically changed my prayer life in ways that I never expected. I really like James Mensch's concept of the "earthy economy" in chapter four. He says that "our focus on objects in petitionary prayer...trap us... [in] an earthly economy" and considering this is the average Christian's most abundant prayer form--this is a problem. I am always willing to pray more frequently when I need something from God. In class we discuss leaving the "marketplace" a lot when we go out into the wilderness and Mensch's makes it clear that a "marketplace" in non-existent in our relationship with God and needs to be eliminated from our prayer life as well. I love going on retreats or just finding a quiet space to be alone with God and often times I feel I need those times to figure out what God wants from be, but in reality I am approaching that time all wrong. I cannot offer anything to God; I posses nothing that he does not already have nor can I make a fair "marketplace" deal with him. I get caught up a lot in the barter of this world and try to incorporate it into my prayer life by asking what God wants from me and each time I am always reminded of his great love for me and that he simply wants me as I am.
Mensch also says that "socialization involves imitating others" and here we have to decided which economy to be a part of. Am I going to imitate the "earthly economy" or am I going to imitate Christ who fully embodied kenosis? To live in the world, but not of the world I can't expect God to do all the work because, without a market of barter, we enter into a relationship. To live as Christ becomes my ultimate goal. I stop praying only in times of petition, but in praise and for other's needs. Not just that that their need would be met, but that good will continue to come to them. Even with my worst enemy I learn to pray for their goodness because I was once Christ's enemy and he still loved me. As Christ's kenosis was made full on the cross, so I pray that my kenosis will be made full when I die. No one could ever wrong me more than I have and continue to wrong Christ. I know I will never fully embody what Mensch discusses, but his article and this book have inspired me to be more and to strive for more in my walk with Christ.
Mensch also says that "socialization involves imitating others" and here we have to decided which economy to be a part of. Am I going to imitate the "earthly economy" or am I going to imitate Christ who fully embodied kenosis? To live in the world, but not of the world I can't expect God to do all the work because, without a market of barter, we enter into a relationship. To live as Christ becomes my ultimate goal. I stop praying only in times of petition, but in praise and for other's needs. Not just that that their need would be met, but that good will continue to come to them. Even with my worst enemy I learn to pray for their goodness because I was once Christ's enemy and he still loved me. As Christ's kenosis was made full on the cross, so I pray that my kenosis will be made full when I die. No one could ever wrong me more than I have and continue to wrong Christ. I know I will never fully embody what Mensch discusses, but his article and this book have inspired me to be more and to strive for more in my walk with Christ.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Paige Bier_23 Oct._Outside Reading II: Trail Journals
I read multiple different journal entries about the Appalachian Trail and wanted to highlight one in particular, Mr. Lee's 2014 journal on the American Discovery Trail. Since we have been covering the Appalachian trail and Camino de Santiago, this one caught my eye because I wanted to learn about trails we haven't necessarily focused on yet. Throughout his journals, he reveals: 1.) Today's Miles; 2.) Destination; 3.) Starting location; and 4.) Trip Miles. On Friday, September 19, Mr. Lee walked a total of 27.40 miles where he began at Petaluma, California. Completing his day of walking on September 19 would wrap up his trip in a total of 3397.17 miles, where he walked across America, referring to it as the "American Discovery Trail".
Mr. Lee becomes overwhelmed with emotion as he nears the end of his journey. Two miles from his destination he says, "I am amused at their youthful impatience. I don't even try to explain the complexity of my current emotions. It will be a while before I sort them out myself." This shows that his journey and the sacredness of different places he has encountered while getting to his destination may take time for reflection and realization. Sometimes we don't realize the significance of an encounter with a place until we have left it, reflecting on our emotions and "sorting them out". Mr. Lee goes into depth about the friendly relations he made while on the trail, and without them, it would have been hard to remain motivated in his journey. Completing his journey was overwhelming and his last day to walk, marking his record of the longest miles per day on his journey, would be a life-changing experience.
Mr. Lee. (2014). American Discovery Trail. Published by Trailjournals LLC. Retrieved from http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=474797
Mr. Lee becomes overwhelmed with emotion as he nears the end of his journey. Two miles from his destination he says, "I am amused at their youthful impatience. I don't even try to explain the complexity of my current emotions. It will be a while before I sort them out myself." This shows that his journey and the sacredness of different places he has encountered while getting to his destination may take time for reflection and realization. Sometimes we don't realize the significance of an encounter with a place until we have left it, reflecting on our emotions and "sorting them out". Mr. Lee goes into depth about the friendly relations he made while on the trail, and without them, it would have been hard to remain motivated in his journey. Completing his journey was overwhelming and his last day to walk, marking his record of the longest miles per day on his journey, would be a life-changing experience.
Mr. Lee. (2014). American Discovery Trail. Published by Trailjournals LLC. Retrieved from http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=474797
Jenny Parker- Student Choice III: Silence and Prayer
I was looking back through my notes about this class and came across when Dr. Redick pointed out that sitting in silence is not awkward if you are super close with someone; it can bring peace. I remember thinking wow this is so true. Now looking back at this note and relating it to the class I also know that we must sit in silence in order to be present to God. It is a spiritual experience- sitting in the silence. "Prayer is moral and spiritual discipline that introduces and directs us to the sacred dimension that infuses and under girds all that is." (Lane, p. 1). It brings us closer to God in the presence of one another...how could listening to God ever be awkward? Silence is key to everything. It gives us a chance to escape from the market place, a world filled with chatter. We "must turn ourselves away from the world we have been immersed." (Lane, p. 22). God can speak to us with others around, but we must first be silent because "God speaks in silence".
Jenny Parker- Student Choice II: Praying With a Decentered Self from Phen. Of Prayer/Song Reflection
Recently I was listening to the song Livin' On A Prayer. I have listened to this song multiple times
and the lyrics had not stuck out to me. I would just sing along to them and not think much of it. However now that I am in this class when I was listening to this song certain lyrics stuck out to me:
"Whooaaaaaa! We're half way there
Whooooaaaa! Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand- we'll make it - I swear
Whooaaaa! Livin' on a prayer"
These stuck out to me because in this class I have learned that "praise is the perfection of worship and, we might add, of prayer." Life becomes one big prayer if we first praise God because "we become detached from ourselves in order to see and use all things in and for God." In these lyrics when he says "we're half way there" he could quite possibly be meaning they are half way to Heaven because they are "livin' on a prayer" and once life (prayer) is over they will go to Heaven.
and the lyrics had not stuck out to me. I would just sing along to them and not think much of it. However now that I am in this class when I was listening to this song certain lyrics stuck out to me:
"Whooaaaaaa! We're half way there
Whooooaaaa! Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand- we'll make it - I swear
Whooaaaa! Livin' on a prayer"
These stuck out to me because in this class I have learned that "praise is the perfection of worship and, we might add, of prayer." Life becomes one big prayer if we first praise God because "we become detached from ourselves in order to see and use all things in and for God." In these lyrics when he says "we're half way there" he could quite possibly be meaning they are half way to Heaven because they are "livin' on a prayer" and once life (prayer) is over they will go to Heaven.
Monday, October 20, 2014
Wayfaring movie (El Camino)
Watching the documentary Wayfaring exposed me to the many people and cultures hiking the trail. It was great to see how hiking the long, winding trail changed some individuals' perceptions on life, most notably, Monique the cynic. She expressed how treading the trail broaden her worldly perspective, offering her a new life outlook. This proves that El Camino does, indeed, shift mindsets in bringing people to experience an unfamiliar space.
Following along the trail with them (within a classroom, though) I met people from Ireland, Texas, Spain, and France to traverse El Camino. I always wanted travel outside the United States to see what it's like to be in different country. Scary, yet rewarding! Though the documentary did not entice me to walk the trail, I wouldn't mind treading the trail for leisure and to seek solace. Immersed in a foreign country would be a new experience for me as I would immerse myself in its culture.
Trekking the trail with a friend or two would diminish my anxieties as they can offer me support, advice, and conversation.
Following along the trail with them (within a classroom, though) I met people from Ireland, Texas, Spain, and France to traverse El Camino. I always wanted travel outside the United States to see what it's like to be in different country. Scary, yet rewarding! Though the documentary did not entice me to walk the trail, I wouldn't mind treading the trail for leisure and to seek solace. Immersed in a foreign country would be a new experience for me as I would immerse myself in its culture.
Trekking the trail with a friend or two would diminish my anxieties as they can offer me support, advice, and conversation.
Paige Bier_20 Oct._Outside Reading I: The Camino de Santiago
After learning so much about the Camino De Santiago in class, I wanted to find some outside readings that shed more light on this journey. In January 2014, Michael Murray published an article called The Cultural Heritage of Pilgrim Itineraries: The Camino De Santiago to develop the pilgrimage phenomenon and heritage in sacred place. I was drawn to this specific article because he uses a reading from our class, Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture by Edith Turner, to support his claims. Murray says, "Pilgrimage involves travel to a sacred site located at some distance from the pilgrim's place of residence, requires giving-up temporarily the routines of ordinary life, and places emphasis on salvation and release from the evils and afflictions from the world" (p. 5). Throughout the course during this semester, we have learned that we do not choose our sacred place but instead our sacred place chooses us. This is important to remember while one "travels to a sacred site" as mentioned by Murray. A sacred site becomes sacred once we have undergone spiritual growth at a once ordinary place that becomes extraordinary. Murray takes his time to explain the significance of pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago and mentions its tourist attractions. He says, "Firstly, itineraries such as the Camino de Santiago demonstrate their attraction for the development of route-based tourism where the key driver is the representation and consumption of cultural heritage" (p. 58). This demonstrates that tourism may be a reason people visit the Camino but isn't necessarily the reason they stay. After reading Murray's overview of the Camino de Santiago, I have a better understanding of pilgrimage, cultural heritage, and route-based tourism.
Murray, Michael. (2014). The Cultural Heritage of Pilgrim Itineraries: The Camino de Santiago. Institute of Spacial and Environmental Planning: School of Planning, Architecture, and Civil Engineering, Queen's University Belfast. Retrieved from: http://www.qub.ac.uk/researchcentres/TheInstituteofSpatialandEnvironmentalPlanning/Impact/WorkingPapers/FileStore/Filetoupload,432512,en.pdf
Murray, Michael. (2014). The Cultural Heritage of Pilgrim Itineraries: The Camino de Santiago. Institute of Spacial and Environmental Planning: School of Planning, Architecture, and Civil Engineering, Queen's University Belfast. Retrieved from: http://www.qub.ac.uk/researchcentres/TheInstituteofSpatialandEnvironmentalPlanning/Impact/WorkingPapers/FileStore/Filetoupload,432512,en.pdf
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Student Topic #2
" I am yours" - Hillsong united "Oceans"
While singing the song Oceans in church today, this particular line stuck out to me because of how decentralizing it is. I cannot count the number of times I have heard or sung this song, but this line has never stuck out so drastically to me. When Benson talks about the posture of decentralization he says our approach should be "I belong to you". That's exactly what we were singing--God I am yours! and only because I am yours first you are mine. When I decenter myself the relationship becomes more reciprocal. When I stop asking God for things that I need and simply give my whole self to him then the dialogue begins and I enter into an I-Thou relationship instead of a relationship where I am only taking. By singing this line I am literally praying to God to have his will in my life; that my life will be about what he is doing and not what I am doing.
This song also opens up with a focus on being called and responding, like Samuel did in his prayer--"You call me out upon the waters...And I will call upon your name". Here the song hits on the idea that we are not the origin, but we respond to a call from God. Recognizing that we are not the origin again plays into the theme of the line"I am yours".
This has always been a favorite song of mine, but it has made its way closer to the top now because of the new light that Benson's book has shed on the lyrics!
While singing the song Oceans in church today, this particular line stuck out to me because of how decentralizing it is. I cannot count the number of times I have heard or sung this song, but this line has never stuck out so drastically to me. When Benson talks about the posture of decentralization he says our approach should be "I belong to you". That's exactly what we were singing--God I am yours! and only because I am yours first you are mine. When I decenter myself the relationship becomes more reciprocal. When I stop asking God for things that I need and simply give my whole self to him then the dialogue begins and I enter into an I-Thou relationship instead of a relationship where I am only taking. By singing this line I am literally praying to God to have his will in my life; that my life will be about what he is doing and not what I am doing.
This song also opens up with a focus on being called and responding, like Samuel did in his prayer--"You call me out upon the waters...And I will call upon your name". Here the song hits on the idea that we are not the origin, but we respond to a call from God. Recognizing that we are not the origin again plays into the theme of the line"I am yours".
This has always been a favorite song of mine, but it has made its way closer to the top now because of the new light that Benson's book has shed on the lyrics!
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Genesis, Communion
In the Bible, the book of Genesis tells the story of creation. God, as told in the Bible, managed to create the world in 6 days, and saved the seventh for rest. He began with the heaven and earth, and from there created the night, day, sea, land, and eventually life. He created mankind, and used his form as inspiration. He put the first men in a perfect world, a garden of Eden. He named the man Adam, and gave him a wife for companionship whom Adam named Eve. They lived in the paradise, "And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed" (Genesis 15). Except Eve was tricked by the serpent and ate the forbidden fruit. Adam ate the fruit after Eve. Now they knew both good and evil and, "the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked" (Genesis 15). This was the first sin and humankind has been punished and kept out of the garden of Eden since.
I am not religious, but I recently attended church with a friend. It was a methodist church, and happened to be the Sunday of communion. The preacher spoke about the importance of being a good christian and upholding good morals. He said that God tempts everyone with sin, and since people are imperfect, just as Adam and Eve were, they give in to temptation. But God is kind and understanding, and he is willing to forgive those who seek his forgiveness. Communion is a way of praising God and a practice of prayer. It is an important tradition among Catholics and the Methodist faith, and a resignation of their strength in Jesus Christ.
I am not religious, but I recently attended church with a friend. It was a methodist church, and happened to be the Sunday of communion. The preacher spoke about the importance of being a good christian and upholding good morals. He said that God tempts everyone with sin, and since people are imperfect, just as Adam and Eve were, they give in to temptation. But God is kind and understanding, and he is willing to forgive those who seek his forgiveness. Communion is a way of praising God and a practice of prayer. It is an important tradition among Catholics and the Methodist faith, and a resignation of their strength in Jesus Christ.
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