listen your soul

2006-05-18T08:31:00.000-07:00

THE GAZA STRIP

This documental describes the daily life of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. It shows how the Israeli army ill-treat, subject, humiliate, repress and assassinate thousands of Palestinians. Some of the Methods that the Israeli government uses to expel Palestinians from their territories are:

1) Destroying Palestinian houses using tanks without having into account that there are persons inside it.

2) Forming daily shootings to kill Palestinians.

3) Launching nitric gases that degenerate the lungs of the Palestinians that inhale them.

4) Throwing bombs from airplanes.

Palestinians, in order to protect themselves and fight in behalf their human rights, created the INTIFADAS which are uprisings (wars) against the continuous opression. The worst of all this inhumanity, is that innocent children are cruel victims of these terrible attacks and nobody can protect them. This problem will never end till the day where both, Israeli and Palestinians, learn that their political, economical and religious ideologies can not be over the human rights and values!

2006-05-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

Effects of Religious Ideologies

Religion can be defined as a group of beliefs and rituals that a society shares in terms of sacredness. All religious ideologies give a model of life. There are some countries where the legal system is theocratic. This system is based, as its name expresses, in the mandates of their sacred books. In this type of society faith and religiousness take daily part in its individual’s behavior. Religious ideologies are the frame of their culture, political and economical philosophy, social and racial conceptions, and militarism. As a result, it has a dark side that confuses people from the reality and absorbs them into wrong actions.

Firstly, when a population is ruled by this type of legal system, the people lose their capacity for thinking freely. Since they were born they have had a kind of “brand” in their minds that closes all trade of knowledge from other cultures. Actually, Jews and Palestinians are a good example of this. “All the activities are bonded to their religious ideologies through a code of conduct that determines their interpersonal relations- both social and economic. Religion is sovereign in each area of their lives. The perception of good and bad is defined by their religious moral, instead of an ethic personal analysis.” (Hill 97). Nobody questions the reasons for following the law; in other words, the first effect is the mental subjection of the society into a traditional belief.

Subsequently, this kind of society acts according to their religious ideologies because “humanity is made, not only for thinking, but also for acting” (Friederich Nietzche). Thus, this fact is very dangerous if this people agree that “the end justifies the means” (Nicholas Machiavelli). For instance, Jews and Palestinians are untying wars and other extremely violent confrontations with the aim of following them. Jews affirm that the State of Israel is theirs, but Palestinians do the same. Jews support Moses’ law and Palestinians in the Koran, the Hadiz, the Sharia and Mohamed life. Who has the truth? Since hundred of years before Christ, Hebrews founded Israel; nonetheless, they lost it. The Romans persecuted them to exile; therefore Palestinians took control of Israel and made it their “home-land” with the name of Palestine. Accordingly to this perspective, Palestinians might be the formal owners of this land, but as religious ideologies are linked to this conflict, the debate has been developing violently. No matter how many lives have to be sacrificed but the religious ideology has to be accomplished, because religious wars are even wilder than the rest. “When people fight because of a piece of land and economical interests, they do it until it is worthwhile to finance the fight and stop it. But when people fight in cause of religion, reconciliation and tolerance is a sin.” (Roger Shin). “We have enough religiousness for hatred, but none for loving.” (Jonathan Swift). Thus, the second effect is the violent and stubborn acts produced by this mental subjection.

In addition, there is an even worse effect, it is the fact that wretched minds do not really follow religious ideologies, but they hide behind this curtain. They are hypocrites. Millions have killed and received death, in behalf of Religion. “Terrorism and wars are an ideological problem, not a military problem. It is a mental illness caused by a lethal set of virulent group dynamics masquerading as religion. The time is long overdue for us to take our politically correct, white gloves off so-called religious groups that are in reality bands of dangerous, brainwashed criminals” (Goldhamer). “Humanity discusses, writes, fights and dies because of religion; they do everything, except living for love. A true religion satisfies love commands, but false religions have given thousands of reasons for death”. (Charles Caleb Colton). As a matter of fact, “Islamic Fundamentalism” is stereotyped as violent; such as the conflict in Argelia, the assassination of the foreign tourists in Egypt, the fight between Iran and Iraq, the Twin Towers attack and the Arab Israeli conflict; however, most of Muslims are against these crimes. For instance, Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) have been known by many Muslims as a guerrilla, more than a religious group. Actually, they do not follow their sacred ideologies of justice. An evidence of this was the Balfour declaration in 1917, which emerged from their violent attacks against Jews because, not all Palestinians but, the PLO resisted from sharing the land with Jews. Additionally, the United Nations decided to give the land to the Jews in the declaration of the State of Israel in 1948.

In conclusion, religious ideologies withdraw from people their capacity for questioning and thinking, because their explanations are just dogmas. Sometimes when people murder and think they are doing well, it is because they are blinded with their religion and philosophy. However, when they kill following political and economical interests, and justify them with an ideology that they do not care, it is even worse. Religious ideologies are the causes of these three human disorientations.

Cites
Colton, Charles. “Why to learn about other religions?” Mankind’s Search for God, Watchtower Bible and tract Society of Pennsylvania. 1990: 14
Swift, Jonathan. “Why to learn about other religions?” Mankind’s Search for God, Watchtower Bible and tract Society of Pennsylvania. 1990: 14
Shin, Roger. “Why to learn about other religions?” Mankind’s Search for God, Watchtower Bible and tract Society of Pennsylvania. 1990: 15
Nietzsche, Friederich. “Friederich Nietzsche” Sofies Verden, Siruela. 2001: 526
Machiavelli, Nicholas. “Nicholas Machiavelli” Sofies Verden, Siruela. 2001: 201
Hill, Charles. “Cultural Differences.” International Business, Mc Graw Hill.2003:97
Goldhamer, John. ”Weapons of Religious Ideologies”, eatthestate.org. December 17, 2003
“Palestine Issue”. World History. December 1999: 238-239

2006-05-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

“KRISHNA”

The day had a shiny sun in the sky, and the wind was not hard enough to move up the leaves from the trees. The flowers were releasing a sweet smell and the Northern Star was out at heaven watching how the Ganges River was flowing slowly. Those were times in which oppressive kings governed India. Sadness, injustice, fear and despair, were the daily bread. Therefore, Bhumi, the spirit of the Earth, awake in a cry and as a cow asked Sri Brahama, the god of the creation, to aid the humanity.

Bhumi’s lament was so sweet that convinced the god’s heart; and then Brahama said: “Soon the Supreme Godhead Personality will be born on earth; will appear in India devas, who are going to adore and serve the Supreme God without reserve. I demand that this day is to be expected.”

Some long decades after God’s birth announcement, Kamsa, the god of the envy, took control of the country. As a result demons lived on earth, disaster was multiplied and chaos ruled devotes faith.

It was a cold foggy mourning, when Kamsa went to the oracle to see his destiny. To his disagreeable surprise, the oracle said that the time for the Supreme God’s arrival had reached its limits; in addition, this baby was going to be his nephew, the son of his sister Devaki. Inevitably the god of envy cried in anger; the twenty-seven hells trembled and the inhabitants of the moon burst into tears. He had ordered to kill his sister.

Devaki was forlorn and begged for pity, but Kamsa was strict with his words and impartially denied her plea. Suddenly the clouds of the sky gave entrance to a strong light and a voice from the air talked; it was Indra, the god of the stars, who proclaimed that if Kamsa gave death to Devaki, the Karma law would make him a rotten soul in hell. Those words made Kamsa to fearfully change his mind and promised that he will not kill Devaki. Despite this, the terrible king established a condition. She and her husband, Vasudeva, had to be locked in prison and every child she gave birth was to be sacrificed by him. After all Kamsa was convinced, was proud, and was stoutly invincible.

Several years later, Devaki was pregnant and a nice boy was born. Accordingly to the agreement, Vasudeva took their baby in his arms and crying went to the castle. His tears were like sweet snow flakes, his sight was lost in the blue, his mouth was shaking nervously and he let escape an involuntary groan of pain. Conversely, Devaki was bright and calmed. She knew that this baby was not the Supreme Godhead and instead, he was a deva sent by the Lord to disorient and outwit Kamsa’s sinister plan. But as it was foretold, this born baby was sacrificed.

Some months afterward, Devaki was again pregnant and a girl was born. As it happened once more, the previous sadistic story was repeated. A new defenseless child was killed. Moreover, each year one child from Devaki was sacrificed, and the king was getting mad. Hopelessly he went once again to the oracle and it said “The days are going to seem long nights; in the awakening of a dream, in your throne Krsna is going to be.” This prediction disturbed the stubborn king.
One blue night, while shepherds were sleeping, and the king was taking a bath, Indra picked up all the stars in the universe and hid them in Indraloka. The Northern Star appeared in the dark firmament and illuminated the lonely cage where Devaki and Vasudeva were living. Everything was touched by the sound of a flute that soothingly wrapped each being and consciousness in a state of magic; all the living entities fell into a deep sleep. This dreamy energy was Maya. Meanwhile, the sacred couple was absorbed by the love vibrations; a purple feather blew out from Vasudeva’s heart and landed in Devaki’s tiny breasts. It was the cosmic energy dressed in purple that came to execute Brahama’s prophecy. Everything was silent, everything but the om sound. There was no movement, except the yoga contractions that Devaki was feeling in her womb.

The Supreme Godhead Personality was finally inside of her waiting for the day of his birth. Devaki and Vasudeva looked at themselves with fondness and in their minds they realized that birth is the inheritance of many deaths. Krsna was born in her womb to give an end to all diabolical and wretched doings on earth and bring justice. At last, the sacred couple fell in a dream and Krsna, the Supreme Godhead Personality, blessed their sleep.

2006-05-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

VEGETARIANISM: Virtues and Benefits

Did you know that anthropologists have discovered that vegetarian cultures enjoy longevity of one hundred ten years with a vigorous and a radiant health? World Health Statistics indicate that nations with the highest meat consumption have the highest index of illness; namely cancer, heart diseases and digestive dysfunctions. Populations whose diet is mainly of meat have a short life rate. In particular, Eskimos have an average life of twenty-seven years (Meyer). Although eating meat is not the only reason for the previous statistic, there are many studies that support that humans should not eat it. Vegetarianism is the best way for having a healthy nourishment, mental order, and spiritual connection.
Human physiology is completely different from carnivores but broadly similar to herbivores. For instance, carnivores’ intestines are three times their height; this is because meat needs to be rapidly evacuated from the body, otherwise it would be rotten within the digestive system, provoking constipation, gastritis, appendicitis, gases and toxins accumulation, and colon cancer, among others. Carnivores have an extremely strong hydrochloric acid to break down meat proteins into amino acids; they have small saliva glands, acid saliva, lack the Ptyalin enzyme; they have sharp teeth and fangs for tearing, but have no molars. Carnivores’ skin does not have pores, so they perspire through their tongues. Conversely, humans and herbivores have intestines ten to twelve times their height, hydrochloric acid twenty times less active than carnivores’, flat molars, cheeks, pores in their skin, well developed saliva glands, alkaline saliva and a lot of ptyalin.
It is a myth that humans need meat for having a balanced diet because vegetarianism can provide all the nutrients needed by the human body guaranteeing a complete source of energy. Nutrients are divided into proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals; all of them can be easily found in vegetables, fruits, nuts, cereals, beans, grains, legumes and milk products. On the other hand, scientist have found that meat provides a chemical product from fertilizers and pestilences that cattle retain named DDT, and waste materials specifically urea and uric acid. These substances are very poisonous for human body since they are too difficult to be processed by the kidneys. As a result, many of these compounds are absorbed and retained by the body and stored as toxins that degenerate the somatic cells. Urea is concentrated in the joints and consequently a huge risk for suffering from arthritis is obtained. Furthermore, meat fats are unsaturated hydro-carbons. These are long chains of carbon and hydrogen that are difficult to break down for the human digestive system. In fact, they adhere to the vein walls blocking the blood fluid and provoking severe heart diseases and obesity.
Effects of food on our organism are more or less known, but effects of nourishment on our minds have been recently discovered by medical science. Thus, having a healthy and balanced diet would give you mental order. For instance, recent researches have shown that mental illness as schizophrenia, maniac depression, and other mental disorders can be treated with a vegetarian diet. Refined food and excessively amounts of sugar are big culprits of hyper-activity and learning difficulties in children (Diamond). Many people that withdraw meat from their diets express their mental improvement, a more positive perspective of life and a self peacefulness. These experiences seem awesome and hard to explain; however, eastern philosophies have explained them since thousands of years ago. The entire manifested universe is compound by vibratory energy (Einstein). Solids have the lowest vibrations; liquids and gases vibrate a little faster; sound, light and thoughts vibrate in even higher frequencies. Similarly, foods that we eat penetrate on our organism using their own subtle vibrations, which affect the mind’s vibrations.
During the last millenniums, people from the east have developed a science named yoga that deals with vegetarianism. In this science you work your spiritual connection. In other words, you understand yourself as an individual portion from the cosmic entity. The way for connecting you with your own soul and with that entity is closely related with how you treat your body, including your nourishment (Shrila Prabhupada). It says that food vibrations are divided into Sattvik, Rajasik and Tamasik. Sattvik means subtle energy; the energy that leads you to spirituality. Rajasik is the energy that leads to changes and mutations. Tamasik is the static energy that leads to pulverization. Sattvik food includes fruits, nuts, vegetables, legumes, cereals, milk and milk products. This first group has the subtlest vibrations that awake consciousness in a positive way clarifying the mind and giving humbleness. Rajasik food includes coffee, tee, cola, cocoa, medicines and excess of condiments. This second group makes stimuli in mind and body, and those who do spiritual practices consume them with moderation. Tamasik food includes food in process of rot, which are red and white meat, eggs, onions, green onions, garlic, mushrooms, alcohol, tobacco, psychoactive drugs, fermented, rancid or rotten food. This last group is not good for mind either spiritual connection. They block the vibrations of the cosmic energy set in your body. As a consequence, people suffer from low self-esteem, self-identity, a lack of sense in life, and confusion and arrogance. When people ignore about these vibrations and do not eat properly they are closing their entrance to their spiritual vital energy. (Shrii Shrii Ananda Murr’ti).
Opponents of vegetarianism state that meat is the most delicious food, having a lot of proteins, giving strength to muscles, and having a variety of plates and flavors. They say that children that do not eat meat do not have the best mental development. Others say that the lack of meat in their diet would produce anemia and weakness. People that practice some sports or go to the gym do not agree with the idea of being vegetarian because they think that meat is their best supply of energy. Some doctors recommend fish meat because it has omega three and omega six, liver which is rich of K vitamin and iron, poultry which meat is easier to digest than red meats, and even red meats because they have a complete variety of proteins that are not found in legumes.
All these arguments have some merit on the surface. However, as stated previously, all the nutrients needed by the body are completely found in vegetables, fruits, nuts, cereals, beans, grains, legumes and milk products. Vegetarians are neither weak nor emaciated, and have even more strength than carnivores. As you can see in nature, herbivores such the cows, bulls, oxen, gorillas, and horses, have strong muscles and execute a huge strength. Some nutritionist cure anemia by withdrawing meat from their patient’s diets, because beet and spinach are huge sources of iron and K vitamin. In the same fashion, you can add to your diet gluten, soy beans, soy milk and tofu, which covers all the proteins that the body needs to obtain from the outside. In addition great personalities such, Albert Einstein, Pythagoras, Aristotle, Michel Angelo, Isaac Newton, Socrates, Leon Tolstoy, George Bernard Shaw; Benjamin Franklin and Leonardo Da Vinci were vegetarians. If you say that vegetarianism has a small variety of plates, you need only to investigate about vegetarian recipes and will be surprised of wonderful and new plates. Use your imagination to create healthy food and enjoy all its virtues and benefits.
In conclusion, the decision of eating or not eating meat is completely a personal matter, but studying the arguments against it would probably make you think twice about your nutritional habits. If you really want to be healthy, have a long and radiant longevity, mental order and spiritual connection, vegetarianism is the best solution.

CITES
– Meyer, Jean. “Vegetarianism”. Liberating the Mad Monkey. A practical Approach to Tantra. April, 1994: 76.
– “Nutrition”. Biology. May, 2000: 360-366.
– Diamond, Marilyn. “Benefits of Vegetarianism”. A New Way of Eating. 1989: 40
– Shrii Shrii Ananda Murr’ti. “Food for your Spirit”. Liberating the Mad Monkey. A practical Approach to Tantra. April, 1994: 69-70
– Einstein, Albert. “Food for your Spirit”. Liberating the Mad Monkey. A practical Approach to Tantra. April, 1994: 72
– Shrila Prabhupada. “Yoga”. The Science of Self Realization. 1979: 169

2006-05-02T16:05:00.000-07:00

Jack Friedhamm was born in New York on October 25, 1965. He began school at the age of six and continued until he was 18 years. When he finished high school, he went to New York University to study Medicine. He decided it because he liked biology when he was at school. At university he met a beautiful long black hair woman named Cindy, who became his wife after hangging out for years. Jack began to work as a doctor as soon as he graduated from Medical School. They had two children named Jackie and Peter, and since the past two years they have lived in Queens. Jack was very interested in painting and liked to do portraits of his son Peter.

2006-05-02T15:48:00.000-07:00

There were also several differences between Washington and Lincoln. Firstly, Washington came from a wealthy aristocratic background and had several years of schooling, while Lincoln came from a poor background and had very little schooling. Secondly, their military roles showed a huge difference. For instance, Washington was a general, a military leader and at last he became president. Conversely, Lincoln never served in the military, and was a lawyer who early on became a politician. When he became president, he took on the role of commander in chief, as all U.S. presidents do. However, as he lacked a military background or training, he made several strategic decisions that enabled the U.S. military leaders to win the Civil War. Finally, Washington served for two terms and therefore had eight years to accomplish his policies. Lincoln, on the other hand, was assasinated while in office and was not able to finish some of the things that he wanted for the country.

2006-04-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

- In which areas of language use have you improved, in your opinion?
I feel that I have improved in my writing. I have learned about the importance of stating a thesis statement, how to support my ideas with details, how to cite. I have learned the different types of paragraphs, namely cause/effect, argumentative and narrative. I have developed I love toward writing.

-Which areas of langauge use are still a problem?
I need to leran more vocabulary focused in business.

-Which areas of language use do you want to spend the most time on during the rest of the semester?
I think it would be interesting if we spend the rest of the time lerning vocabulary and the use of this new words.

-What type of classwork is most useful, in your opinion?
I think that mini presentations and discussions, peer reading and class debates.

-What can you personally do to increase your rate of progress?
Doing all my tasks, askin questions, and participating in class.

-Do you have any other comments or suggestions about this class?
I think that we should write essays in class, not only in our houses. I think it would be a good method for sharing ideas and improvising.

2006-04-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

1) VIE = (Def. Spanish) Competencia

(Def . English) (Noun) Competition, rivalry, when two parts confront their skills to success as a winner.

Example: Dr. Jekyll has a vie with his "evil self", Mr. Hyde, that he can not manage.

2) CONVEY = (Def. Spanish) Llevar

(Def. English) (Verb) To carry something or someone from one place to another.

Example: I need somebody who conveys me to the First Minister office.

3) Prolific = Productivo

(Def. English) (Adjective) Productive.

Example: Ingeneering researches have demonstrated that the use of technology is more prolific than manual work within the productive process.

4) CORROBORATE = Corroborar

(Def. English) (Verb) To demonstrate the veracity of something , to prove.

Example: The judge will not say his sentence till the lawyers words were corroborated.

5) EXOTERIC = (Def. Spanish) Esotérico

(Def. English) (Adjecyive) Mysterious, abnormal.

Example: Srila Prabhupada uses exoteric rites to cure people from lung cancer.

6) GULLIBLE = (Def. Spanish) Crédulo

(Def English) (Adjective) Credulous, fool.

Example: To read The Da Vinci Code you can not be gullible, because otherwise you will not form a criteria and you will learn nothing.

7) JARGON = (Def. Spanish) Jerga

(Def. English) ( Noun) The use of language, words, lexical and vocabulary of a certain group of people appertaining to a geographical area.

Example: If the kids of the shores of Bahamas have not used their peculiar jargon, we would have arrived to the hotel without spinning around.

8) WAVER = (Def. Spanish) Vacilar

(Def.English) (Verb) The criminal defended himself without waving.

9) LEGACY = (Def. Spanish) Legado

(Def. English) (Noun) Inheritance

Example: The legacy that the Soviet Union left to the actual Russia business ethic was the love toward work.

10) Myriad= (Def. Spanish) Miriada

(Def. English) (Noun) Something that can not be counted, does not have an ending.

In the Sonnet 50 of William Shakespeare, he dedicated some stanzas to the myriad of stars and made an analogy with the myriad of roses that sprout in spring.

2006-03-20T10:26:00.000-08:00

BIASED LANGUAGE

The language is a very difficult science to study because it varies with cultural matters and characteristics of the individuals that use it. For instance language can be biased or inaccurate, and this event widely disorients the meaning of the given information.
Usually all the people link stereotypes with several daily expressions, words and meanings that may include or exclude sex gender. For example the nurse is usually thought to be a girl; the fireman usually a man, the word “parents” is generally associated with mothers, etc.

Sex gender refers “masculine” and “feminine” and the appropriate word to use is “HUMANS” in the cases that we need to generalize both men and women.
If we analyze the history of the language we can see that we use some words of other cultures. In the case of The United States they use some French phrases and the French do the same thing. One way to correct this confusing tendency in the speech is to eliminate the use of “HE or “SHE” and to eliminate the dangerous phases such as “the girls didn’t do anything “or “all the man are equal”; because that way of thinking squares the mentality of a whole society in a sexist discrimination pretty unnecessary. It can hurt people ideologies, feelings, self steam… etc. It’s better to treat in the speech each individual and not to exaggerate with the generalizations.

2006-02-21T11:46:00.000-08:00

http://www.yale.edu//lawweb/avalon/mideast/israel.htm

THE STATE OF ISRAEL

The Palestine problem became an international issue towards the end of the First World War with the disintegration of the Turkish Ottoman Empire, which were Turkey, Egypt, Jordania and Palestine. They were placed under the administration of Great Britain . Each of these countries got its independence in diferent years, but Palestine was still British. Then, the Balfour Agreement, made on behalf of the Jews Majesty's Government on 2nd November, 1917, took into consideration The Zionist movement that was getting strenght, and favoured the establishment of a Jewish National Home in Palestine.

During the years of the Palestine Mandate, from 1922 to 1947, Jewish immigration from abroad, mainly from Eastern Europe took place, and the cruel Nazi's persecution made homelessness Jews to return home. Palestinian demands for independence and resistance to Jewish immigration led to a rebellion in 1937, followed by continuing terrorism and violence from both sides during and immediately after World War II. Great Britain tried to bring independence to a land blinded by violence. In 1947, Great Britain in frustration turned the problem over to the United Nations.

UN proposed the partitioning of Palestine into two independent States, one Palestinian Arab and the other Jewish. Jews proclaimed their independence as Israel and on May 14, 1948, the UN officially declared the 77 per cent of Palestine, "The State of Israel". The land that was left to Palestinian was divided by the Gazaa Strip, and many palestinians were expelled to Jordania and Egypt. Therefore they are fighting for their promised land.

2006-02-02T13:41:00.000-08:00

MY BEST CARNIVAL MEMORY

It was ten years ago when I was eight; I remember that day as it were today...

The day was bright, full of noise, and the wind was pulling up my hair and the big round red skirt I worn. I was preparing my enfant make up delightfully, while I watched myself in the mirror and felt as a grown adolescent girl... All my lips were splashed red and my chicks blushed rose. My happiness was almost unmesured as it was the first time I was going to appear in a public performance... My eyes were expecting to see the other children, as wonderred as me; all of us were going to dance in the long, amazing and majestic carnival parade, best-known as "La Batalla de Flores" (cute name as well) . When I was all ready to rejoint with my other friends, my parents and me leaved the house and soon arrived to the meeting place of the dancing group. I remember the girls were beautiful, and the boys using their precious and traditional hat "sombrero vuelteado" at the entrance of that yellow big colored stuff house, while I was smiling and shaking my hand wondered.

The sun rays were more than hot, were infernal that day; my body was sweating, but amid all the conmotion, noise and fun I was moving my body as well as my nerve impulses moved my heart rate to crazyness. My eyes were shining as an oil lamp at midnight and inside my whole being I felt an internal party that grew almost involuntary by the flute and drum despair sound.

I remember it was the first time I felt such adrenaline secreating inside my bloodstream shaking myself and heart up and down; thus I discovered at that moment what been a Barranquillera means...
... The art of moving the hip and sprout a smile with each drum beat at carnival time"