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7 years in tibet reflection
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Tibetan Oracles
In Tibetan tradition, the word oracle, or kuten, literally interpreted means “the physical basis.” The word oracle is also used to define the spirit which enters into men and women who are acting as a medium between the spiritual and natural realms. Oracles serve as a guide for Tibetans in political decisions, predictions about natural forces, etc. Their decisions help guide internal and external affairs. They most clearly demonstrate their function while in trance. In this mind-altered state prophecies and predictions are made about questions asked. Their answers are taken seriously by Tibetans and high-standing political and religious individuals. The occurrences that take place while in trance cannot all be explained by scientific means and there is some spiritual force acting on the situation.
To fully understand Tibetan oracles and their trances, some background information about them must be given. The first recognized Nechung oracle was realized in 1544 AD. This was the first time that the spirit of Nechung was possessed in a human being. The name of oracle was Drag Trang Go-Wa Lobsang Palden. Many oracles used to be present in Tibet, but their numbers have diminished as a result of various factors such as Chinese occupation. However, the phenomenon of oracles still remains central to Tibetan life. The oracle is not only used to predict the future, but they are also sometimes used as protectors and healers.
The main function of oracles in Tibet is to answer tough questions about internal and external affairs both religious and political. They way that this is most effectively performed and acted upon is through possession or trance induction. Trance induction in the Tibetan State Oracle is a complex process involving certain physical deprivations and stimuli from various sources of anything from music to hyperventilation. Symbolic elements as well as visualizations induce possession and trance in the oracle. (Ellingson 58)
Certain questions about the spirituality of the oracles arise. It could be argued that oracles are taught to act in spiritual ways and that these actions are just reproductions of what they have been taught.
Further, prayer and medicine interplay to paint a classical image of the Native’s creed, yet, for many obsolete or preposterous existences of the shaman. To re-install beliefs present in the world for thousands of years, but have been disappearing, writers such as Neidhardt introduce the element of the
1 Geoff Childs Tibetan Diary From Birth to Death and Beyond in a Himalayan Valley of Nepal (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2004) 41.
“In thinking about religion, it is easy to be confused about what it is.” (Smart, 1992) To combat this, Smart uses seven dimensions to define common characteristics of religion. Much of what will be explored will fit his dimensions. The practical and ritual dimension can been seen in all three religions through worship and rituals and patterns of behaviour. The latter are those acts that help the believer develop spiritual awareness or ethical insight, such as yoga or meditation in Buddhism and Hinduism. The experiential and emotional dimension of religion explains that religion feeds on human emotions and key events from history to illustrate this is, the enlightenment of the Buddha, or the visions of Muhammad. A person will not follow something without meaning or emotion driving it. The narrative or mythic dimension of religion refers to the use of story telling in religion. Typically, all faiths use stories to illustrate their beliefs or events in history, whether they might be of things to come, or like in this essay, stories of the Buddha, or Muhammad. The use of story telling is important as the stories are often based on accounts of history or documents that have been found. Story telling can enhance the believers faith and are often integrated into rituals. The doctrinal and philosophical dimension of religion talks about the importance of the holy books/ doctrines. Since the doctrines typically have an account of the leaders life, and the leaders are usually educated, believers read the doctrines to gain an insight into the leaders life; and thus strive to become more like them or abide by their teachings. The ethical and legal
Terrence, Clifford. Diamo Healing: The Buddhist Medicine and Medical Psychiatry of Tibet. Motilal Banarsidass. 2003.
However, a number of well-established findings have been incorporated into a hypothesis to explain the etiology of MS (Mahan & Escott-Stump, 2008). “Although a familial predisposition to MS has been noted in a minority of cases, familial tendency is not well established' no consistent pattern of Mendelian inheritance has emerged” (Victor & Ropper, 2005) (p.1093). MS is known to be a immune - mediated demyelinating, progressive disease the affects the CNS. The term Multiple Sclerosis is called multiple because multiple areas of the optic nerves, spinal cord, and brain undergo “Sclerosis” where myelin is replaced with sclera or scar
Gym class has the obvious benefits of helping kids become healthier and to become in good physical condition. This success may show up on the weight scale, in different clothing sizes, or less visits to the doctor. Not only is there success physically, but gym classes are beneficial to the mind as well. Children who are physically fit absorb and retain new information more effectively than children who are out of shape. This raises the questions about if cutting physical education programs is a wise decision for schools to make. There is an apparent correlation between letting kids by physically active during school and having higher test scores in schools.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an erratic disease of the central nervous system that is often disabling. This disease interrupts the transmission of information from the brain to the body. MS attacks the myelin on nerve cells, which is a coating around the cells. The cause of MS is still unknown. Researchers believe that people are born with a genetic predisposition and that can be triggered by unknown environmental factors which result in developing the disease. MS affects 2.3 million people in the world. Though, the cause is unknown, there are factors that are associated with the disease including gender, genetics, age, geography, and ethnic background. The majority of people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. MS is
Physical education is something that every individual needs in order to be healthy. Obesity has become a major conflict in the world today and teaching children how to be healthy could prevent them from such a future. Most households get dinner from fast food places. This kind of food without a proper amount of exercise leads to a lot of problems. An improper diet also leads to heart and other health problems that might not appear until an older age. Another big problem that an increase of gym classes could help improve is children learning social skills. Getting kids into sports can help them learn the importance of socializing. Colleges and work places search for students who have positive social skills. Knowing how to socialize with other people is what people need to have a healthy lifestyle. These factors are very important conflicts that need to ...
The CDC, Columbia University, The New York City Health Department, The Department of Education, The University of Illinois, West Virginia and California have all published research that is behind the need of physical education to be compulsory throughout all years of schooling. The CDC states, ‘physical activity can have an impact on cognitive skills and attitudes and academic behaviour, all of which are important components of improved academic performance. These include enhanced concentration and attention, as well as improved classroom behaviour’. (sparke.org,
Eastern enlightenment religions have been gaining popularity throughout the western world for the past few decades, with many people attracted to a "different" way of experiencing religion. As with many other enlightenment religions, Buddhism requires disciples to understand concepts that are not readily explainable: one such concept is that of no-self. In this essay I shall discuss the no-self from a number of modern perspectives; however, as no-self is difficult to describe I shall focus on both the self and no-self. Beginning with psychological aspects, and neurophysiological research on transcendental meditation, I shall discuss the impact of modern brain science on our understanding of the self and transcendence. Next I will outline the relationship between quantum physics and non-locality, as this gives a western scientific explanation for no-self. Returning to the original source of Buddhism, I will briefly outline the discussion between Siddhartha and Vaccha regarding atman, then discuss the mind and no-self and their relationship to liberation. Finally I will summarize a few issues that the western mindset may face approaching this topic.
as a good way for educational attainment. Many studies have shown that physical education and
Physical education is positively stimulating to a child’s brain. Students that are active are more likely
Everyone knows that physical fitness is important to his or her health. Former President, Thomas Jefferson once said, “Exercise and recreation are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary, because health is worth more than learning,” physical education helps students improve their knowledge about health issues and will lead them to a healthier lifestyle. Although, some schools do not require students to participate in physical education classes. Physical education should be regulated in the weekly schedule of young students.
Education plays a huge role in our society. It is important to realize that education plays an important role in the way kids and teenagers think and act. Kids and teenagers, even college students are the future leaders of our country therefore, it is important to help educate students and get them ready for adulthood. Educating students also helps teach responsibility, time management, teamwork, and even good habits. As a physical education major, it is important to teach students to live a healthy lifestyle. Some students, that I have noticed from the schools that I have visited, only get physical activity at school. So therefore, it is important to show kids that physical activity can be fun and enjoyable. Those same students also do not know the importance of eating healthy as well. Even though physical education
Still, there was evidence in suggesting why physical activity was beneficial to kids in schools at an early age to adulthood. Some of the benefits that was found to be because of physical activity, it was known to “increase cardiovascular health risk factors, and metabolic health biomarkers, improve bone health, also modern evidence indicates that physical activity helps in benefiting in both mental health and academic achievement” (Piercey, et al, 2015). Even with all the evidence shown it was still difficult on how to enforce the thought of importance of physical education when some schools were realizing the benefits but others were not. High schools were not getting the average required amount of physical activity; however, schools are where the kids spent most of their time so the need to increase physical activity was, recommended, to help apply physical education as well in making sure they were being active instead of just standing around. Nevertheless it was found that “58 % of elementary schools required recess yet that left more than 40% of districts with no recess requirements” (Piercey, et al, 2015). What had caused a concern was “Nationwide increase in obesity among children in preschool (2-5)” because of this states were finally implementing physical activity for the youth