Tuesday, November 27, 2012
This definitely means something...
Out of all the meaningful, meaningless things in the world, it is truly difficult to find something that means something. As I experience more and more of the world, the value in things change. Certain things become insignificant while others increase in importance. What I find that is unchanging in meaning is Music. Music is without a doubt means something. Wait, I lied; it has not only not change in it meaning, but it actually has grown in purpose. Yes, there is some music out there that just sucks and advertises the shallow things in life, but for the rest, there is something really powerful within it. It's exactly as Peter Gabriel sings, "The book of love has music in it, In fact that's where music comes from. Some of it is just transcendental. Some of it is just really dumb." I also find that humanity lacks empathy, but music helps fill that gap. When people compose and peform their music, that's usually their heart they pour out there. People manifest how they feel into something which other people can also easily feel. That's pretty potent right there. Music is the thread in which people can be connected and to know they are not alone. Music helped band Estonian citizens to overthrow their Soviet occupators . Mass demonstrations of Estonian citizens would break out into singing their national songs which were strictly banned by the Soviet Union., and it led to their freedom. If Music can do that, it has a defnite place in our world.
I'm thankful Kirsten Brooks.
Kirsten Brooks has saved my as many a time in Philosophy. To be honest, I forget to do the reading for the book. I come into class with no idea how to contribute to our discussions. That's when Kirsten comes to the rescue. She gives me "raw material" from the book which I can easily form and refine into something articulate. And in times where I am stuck on a question on our group work, the Scotese-battle-hardened Kirsten just flies through it and reluctantly helps me. Thank you, Kirsten.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Sita Ram
See, I have absolutely idea what to write about. I don't have any unanswered questions, suggestions to improve the class (because, well, I'm pretty satisfied with our class), and points I wanted to get out there. To be honest, I only have praise for this class. I truly believe that I have learned more in this single quarter than my three years of English, and the sheer presence of Artem Potemkin in our class makes it more deserving of this praise. So instead of wasting my time trying to find a question (that has been answered from multiple points of views already ) or unneeded suggestions for improvement, I will give you readers some information in my life that is currently giving form to my convictions. This is going to be a long read.
As you can see from the title and my current blog background, I am participating in a musical called Sita Ram, which is being shown December 14th and 15th. Sita Ram is based on an ancient hindu epic called the Ramayana. Long ago, there was a god named Vishnu whose responsibility is to keep the earth in a state of order. When the world needed to save itself from chaos, Vishnu would come to earth in a form of (usually) animals and help out. Ravana, a servant of the gods, was an upright person and proved himself to the gods that he could be trusted. Because of his good deeds, the gods granted him immortality. This immortality corrupted him with pride, selfishness, and greed, and Ravana started wreaking havoc on Earth. The gods called upon Vishnu to go to Earth and restore order. After going multiple times, Vishnu would only go to Earth if his true lover, Lakshmi (another god), would go down with him. And so, they do go down to earth as humans, but they would not know of each other. Vishnu was born as the human, Rama. Lakshmi was born as the princess, Sita. Vishnu had also had a special bow, Shiva's Bow, that was also sent down to Earth. This bow was so heavy that it took 1,000 men to move it from place to place, but it was special because it had the ability of love. Let me elaborate. These are not cupid arrows. These are arrows that cleanse you and essentially revert you to the good you once were. Now, the bow was placed with Sita and her royal family. Only a suitor who had the strength to string Shiva's bow could have Sita's had in marriage. So yeah, Rama is wandering the world, and he stumbles upon the princess. Sita and Rama's eyes meet and at that moment they knew that they were meant to be together. It was literally love at first sight. The literal translation of that meeting was,"The beautification of beauty was beautified." So yeah, you can imagine that once their eyes met that you could see rays of light, flowers blooming, etc. Sita, then, invited Rama to compete with the suitors to gain her hand. Many lords tried and failed, and even Ravana could not lift the bow. Rama stepped before Shiva's bow. He closed his eyes and asked the gods that if he is worthy to lift the bow. Right there, Rama started meditating until finally the gods granted permission to him. Rama then took his pinkie and tied Shiva's bow with his pinkie. After Rama does this, celebration ensued, and Sita and Rama get married. This happiness didn't last for long, and the two lovers get exiled from the palace. In the forest, a shape-shifting demon tried to seduce Rama because, well, he's hot. He refused, and Surpanakha devised a plan with Ravana so that Surpanakha could get with Rama. Convinced by Surpanakha, Ravana kidnapped Sita into a faraway unknown place, and Rama slumped into a depression. A new character was now introduced. A talking monkey named Hanuman came to Rama to ask why he was sad. Rama told Hanuman the depressing story, and Hanuman told Rama that he and all the monkeys of the world could help him find Sita, if he sorted out a problem for him. Hanuman explained that the monkeys are currently in a civil war, and if Rama could help one side win, the monkeys could search for Sita, unified. So, Rama, with Shiva's bow, helped end the civil war. Since the war ended, the monkeys decided to celebrate, and celebrate they did. They held a celebration that lasted three months, until Hanuman noticed that Rama was getting pissed. The monkeys remembered their promise to Rama and started to search the world for Sita. After much searching, they finally find Ravana's palace and start a war with him and his demons. It was an epic battle, and the monkeys were losing. However, the monkeys had an ace in the hole. See, Hanuman wasn't just a special talking monkey. He was also a demi-god. Hanuman used his powers as a demi-god to become enormous, like bigger than King Kong enormous. He lifted a mountain, which Rama was on, and flew it to the battle. Since Hanuman was flying so high, the mountain caught on fire from the sun. The herbs on the mountain started burning and sprinkled down to the injured monkeys on the ground, which healed them. With this reinvigorated boost to the monkey army, Rama and Hanuman pushed towards Ravana. Due to Ravana's immortality, every time Rama would cut off one of Ravana's heads with an arrow, another head would grow, until Ravana grew ten heads. Finally, Rama had an epiphany. He used Shiva's bow's ability. Rama prayed and meditating before setting up his shot. Rama, then, shoots Ravana in the heart, and all the darkness is freed from him. Ravana reverts back to his old self where he remembered why he was granted immortality in the first place. More celebration is done on earth, and Rama and Sita go back to the heavens as Vishnu and Laksmhi. All the while as this is happening, Hanuman is left alone on earth. Hanuman became filled with distraught because his best friend is gone. Hanuman asked to take him with to the heavens since he's a demi-god. Another monkey comes up to Hanuman asks why is he filled so much sadness. Hanuman says, "Oh no, Rama and Sita have gone. I'm all alone." The monkey responds, "What are you talking about? Just open your heart, and they will be there." Imagine how much faith that would actually take. To literally pry open your chest with your hands hoping that you don't die is ridiculous, but that is exactly what Hanuman did. The monkey did not lie. Once Hanuman opened his heart, there was Sita and Rama sitting there. So yeah, after this test of faith, peace overcomes the world.
Now, how the hell is this so important to me that I have to tell you about it? Is it because I want a little spot of fame? Or is it because my choir told me to promote this? But, it is not because of any of that. First of all, I believe in cultural awareness. Mark Twain once said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” This quote holds much truth. Though we can't all literally travel, stories can be shared to change people's perspectives. I mean, to this day, people regard this as sacred text, use lessons from this story as framework for their life, or truly believe that this story happened. To be honest, I don't find that many people know much of the eastern culture which makes this great service to the public. Even if they don't care much for it, it's still a great story of love, adventure, and action.
There is also the fact of 100+ choir members from multiracial, multicultural, and different socioeconomic backgrounds performing with some kind of purpose or conviction. They are literally pouring their hard work, beliefs, and heart into this production. I think that's just absolutely beautiful. The youth of my generation all using different philosophies to get to a place where they can perform with a purpose. Not only are they performing with a purpose, but they are performing at a level that strives for excellence which makes it all the more powerful. This applies to the conductors, auditioned actors/singers, directors, composers, dancers, acrobats, set-designers, etc.
Well, now for the sprinkles on the ice cream, the music, choreography, costumes, set, and acting is culminating into a refreshing astounding experience. The set music is a mix of jazz, world music, classical, some rap, gospel, etc. (all with eastern style music influence). Yeah, that's right. Sita Ram is a westernized version of the Ramayana, but in the pre-production phase of Sita Ram, our director went as far as to go to India, talk to his friend's grandfather about the story of the Ramayana, and basically ask permission to westernize the story (by asking questions to preserve the story so that it still respects the Indian culture). There is almost literally nothing out there like this music set. The choreography of the choir is a mix of modern styles of dance with inclusion of traditional Indian movements. The team that's working on this is just incredible.
How do I wrap this up? Well, I will say that I find a person with no meaning a sad thing. I will say that I find a person with meaning but with no means to reach it even sadder. Though I find it beautiful for the person with conviction and carrying it out, the culmination of a diverse people, all with different beliefs and philosophies, excellently performing a unified, original production is gorgeous. And, even, more astonishing is that this is done by our youth. So yeah, I believe that this production is my form of "cultivating my garden." And it's looking pretty good.
But, if you're actually interested in buying a ticket for this, click here.
Shout out to my friend Samantha Frondoso for coming to the show!
As you can see from the title and my current blog background, I am participating in a musical called Sita Ram, which is being shown December 14th and 15th. Sita Ram is based on an ancient hindu epic called the Ramayana. Long ago, there was a god named Vishnu whose responsibility is to keep the earth in a state of order. When the world needed to save itself from chaos, Vishnu would come to earth in a form of (usually) animals and help out. Ravana, a servant of the gods, was an upright person and proved himself to the gods that he could be trusted. Because of his good deeds, the gods granted him immortality. This immortality corrupted him with pride, selfishness, and greed, and Ravana started wreaking havoc on Earth. The gods called upon Vishnu to go to Earth and restore order. After going multiple times, Vishnu would only go to Earth if his true lover, Lakshmi (another god), would go down with him. And so, they do go down to earth as humans, but they would not know of each other. Vishnu was born as the human, Rama. Lakshmi was born as the princess, Sita. Vishnu had also had a special bow, Shiva's Bow, that was also sent down to Earth. This bow was so heavy that it took 1,000 men to move it from place to place, but it was special because it had the ability of love. Let me elaborate. These are not cupid arrows. These are arrows that cleanse you and essentially revert you to the good you once were. Now, the bow was placed with Sita and her royal family. Only a suitor who had the strength to string Shiva's bow could have Sita's had in marriage. So yeah, Rama is wandering the world, and he stumbles upon the princess. Sita and Rama's eyes meet and at that moment they knew that they were meant to be together. It was literally love at first sight. The literal translation of that meeting was,"The beautification of beauty was beautified." So yeah, you can imagine that once their eyes met that you could see rays of light, flowers blooming, etc. Sita, then, invited Rama to compete with the suitors to gain her hand. Many lords tried and failed, and even Ravana could not lift the bow. Rama stepped before Shiva's bow. He closed his eyes and asked the gods that if he is worthy to lift the bow. Right there, Rama started meditating until finally the gods granted permission to him. Rama then took his pinkie and tied Shiva's bow with his pinkie. After Rama does this, celebration ensued, and Sita and Rama get married. This happiness didn't last for long, and the two lovers get exiled from the palace. In the forest, a shape-shifting demon tried to seduce Rama because, well, he's hot. He refused, and Surpanakha devised a plan with Ravana so that Surpanakha could get with Rama. Convinced by Surpanakha, Ravana kidnapped Sita into a faraway unknown place, and Rama slumped into a depression. A new character was now introduced. A talking monkey named Hanuman came to Rama to ask why he was sad. Rama told Hanuman the depressing story, and Hanuman told Rama that he and all the monkeys of the world could help him find Sita, if he sorted out a problem for him. Hanuman explained that the monkeys are currently in a civil war, and if Rama could help one side win, the monkeys could search for Sita, unified. So, Rama, with Shiva's bow, helped end the civil war. Since the war ended, the monkeys decided to celebrate, and celebrate they did. They held a celebration that lasted three months, until Hanuman noticed that Rama was getting pissed. The monkeys remembered their promise to Rama and started to search the world for Sita. After much searching, they finally find Ravana's palace and start a war with him and his demons. It was an epic battle, and the monkeys were losing. However, the monkeys had an ace in the hole. See, Hanuman wasn't just a special talking monkey. He was also a demi-god. Hanuman used his powers as a demi-god to become enormous, like bigger than King Kong enormous. He lifted a mountain, which Rama was on, and flew it to the battle. Since Hanuman was flying so high, the mountain caught on fire from the sun. The herbs on the mountain started burning and sprinkled down to the injured monkeys on the ground, which healed them. With this reinvigorated boost to the monkey army, Rama and Hanuman pushed towards Ravana. Due to Ravana's immortality, every time Rama would cut off one of Ravana's heads with an arrow, another head would grow, until Ravana grew ten heads. Finally, Rama had an epiphany. He used Shiva's bow's ability. Rama prayed and meditating before setting up his shot. Rama, then, shoots Ravana in the heart, and all the darkness is freed from him. Ravana reverts back to his old self where he remembered why he was granted immortality in the first place. More celebration is done on earth, and Rama and Sita go back to the heavens as Vishnu and Laksmhi. All the while as this is happening, Hanuman is left alone on earth. Hanuman became filled with distraught because his best friend is gone. Hanuman asked to take him with to the heavens since he's a demi-god. Another monkey comes up to Hanuman asks why is he filled so much sadness. Hanuman says, "Oh no, Rama and Sita have gone. I'm all alone." The monkey responds, "What are you talking about? Just open your heart, and they will be there." Imagine how much faith that would actually take. To literally pry open your chest with your hands hoping that you don't die is ridiculous, but that is exactly what Hanuman did. The monkey did not lie. Once Hanuman opened his heart, there was Sita and Rama sitting there. So yeah, after this test of faith, peace overcomes the world.
Now, how the hell is this so important to me that I have to tell you about it? Is it because I want a little spot of fame? Or is it because my choir told me to promote this? But, it is not because of any of that. First of all, I believe in cultural awareness. Mark Twain once said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” This quote holds much truth. Though we can't all literally travel, stories can be shared to change people's perspectives. I mean, to this day, people regard this as sacred text, use lessons from this story as framework for their life, or truly believe that this story happened. To be honest, I don't find that many people know much of the eastern culture which makes this great service to the public. Even if they don't care much for it, it's still a great story of love, adventure, and action.
There is also the fact of 100+ choir members from multiracial, multicultural, and different socioeconomic backgrounds performing with some kind of purpose or conviction. They are literally pouring their hard work, beliefs, and heart into this production. I think that's just absolutely beautiful. The youth of my generation all using different philosophies to get to a place where they can perform with a purpose. Not only are they performing with a purpose, but they are performing at a level that strives for excellence which makes it all the more powerful. This applies to the conductors, auditioned actors/singers, directors, composers, dancers, acrobats, set-designers, etc.
Well, now for the sprinkles on the ice cream, the music, choreography, costumes, set, and acting is culminating into a refreshing astounding experience. The set music is a mix of jazz, world music, classical, some rap, gospel, etc. (all with eastern style music influence). Yeah, that's right. Sita Ram is a westernized version of the Ramayana, but in the pre-production phase of Sita Ram, our director went as far as to go to India, talk to his friend's grandfather about the story of the Ramayana, and basically ask permission to westernize the story (by asking questions to preserve the story so that it still respects the Indian culture). There is almost literally nothing out there like this music set. The choreography of the choir is a mix of modern styles of dance with inclusion of traditional Indian movements. The team that's working on this is just incredible.
How do I wrap this up? Well, I will say that I find a person with no meaning a sad thing. I will say that I find a person with meaning but with no means to reach it even sadder. Though I find it beautiful for the person with conviction and carrying it out, the culmination of a diverse people, all with different beliefs and philosophies, excellently performing a unified, original production is gorgeous. And, even, more astonishing is that this is done by our youth. So yeah, I believe that this production is my form of "cultivating my garden." And it's looking pretty good.
But, if you're actually interested in buying a ticket for this, click here.
Shout out to my friend Samantha Frondoso for coming to the show!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Voltaire and Camus's vote goes to...
Even though Voltaire is not discriminate in his satire of the world, he would probably dislike Mitt Romney based on Candide. Voltaire satirizes religion and the aristocracy (wealth). He definitely would not vote Romney if he wrote a sizable portion of the book satirizing those two things. See, Mitt holds a view that we should have government cut off help to people who haven't "earned" it. His argument is that we do not need to do that because America is the land of opportunity, and anyone can build up something if they work for it. Voltaire would satirize Romney because I'm pretty sure the Mormon religion calls for selfless giving which is the opposite of what he wants to do with the government. Obama would be an easier choice for Voltaire. Sure, there are some things Voltaire would disagree with, but he would be better than Romney. But maybe, Voltaire will stop thinking of which candidate to choose but actually implement the things he agrees with, in each Candidate, to the best of his abilities.
For Camus, he would definitely vote for Gary Johnson. To be honest, he would probably think, "I don't like either of the two major candidates. Should I vote still? YES, I WILL! Yeah, I like Ron Paul, but he's not running so I'll vote for Gary Johnson. Hm, my vote is meaningless, but I still will vote to revolt in this two party system." Yeah, that's exactly how it will go.
For Camus, he would definitely vote for Gary Johnson. To be honest, he would probably think, "I don't like either of the two major candidates. Should I vote still? YES, I WILL! Yeah, I like Ron Paul, but he's not running so I'll vote for Gary Johnson. Hm, my vote is meaningless, but I still will vote to revolt in this two party system." Yeah, that's exactly how it will go.
Our Stranger Meaning.
At this moment of time, I am thinking about how enormous our universe is, and how what we're doing here is so insignificant that, if the Earth were to just disappear today, nothing would be truly affected. Then, again, I see, how out in the vast cosmos of space, we seem to be the only planet to produce and sustain something truly unique. We are either something truly beautiful and rare, or we are a petty thing that the universe barely glosses over.
Maybe, we do have a higher meaning, and we should strive to reach at least something close to fulfilling that meaning. On the other hand, there is absolutely no meaning to our existence, and everything just stops mattering. To be honest, I don't trust anything that seems too solid or absolute like these two philosophies anymore.
This is why I really like Camus's philosophy. There is most likely no meaning to our existence. We are probably just a tiny-micro-spec in the meaningless scheme of it all. BUT. We must revolt against this and engage in finding a meaning in it all. I mean, it's kinda romantic and admirable. We still go forth even though it is futile.
Now, so what should be the meaning to our meaningless life be? Why not, love? I don't think you could go wrong with love. Love encompasses understanding, acceptance, tolerance, etc. Strive for love, do some self reflection more than a few times, and never stop growing. Really corny, but I think it is the true only thing that will quench our thirst for purpose... in a purposeless life.
Maybe, we do have a higher meaning, and we should strive to reach at least something close to fulfilling that meaning. On the other hand, there is absolutely no meaning to our existence, and everything just stops mattering. To be honest, I don't trust anything that seems too solid or absolute like these two philosophies anymore.
This is why I really like Camus's philosophy. There is most likely no meaning to our existence. We are probably just a tiny-micro-spec in the meaningless scheme of it all. BUT. We must revolt against this and engage in finding a meaning in it all. I mean, it's kinda romantic and admirable. We still go forth even though it is futile.
Now, so what should be the meaning to our meaningless life be? Why not, love? I don't think you could go wrong with love. Love encompasses understanding, acceptance, tolerance, etc. Strive for love, do some self reflection more than a few times, and never stop growing. Really corny, but I think it is the true only thing that will quench our thirst for purpose... in a purposeless life.
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