Examining the Bhagavad-Gita Essay Example for Free

Examining the Bhagavad-Gita Essay Before examining the Bhagavad-Gita I believe it is necessary to have a general understand of the fundamental teaching of Hinduism. I have some knowledge of Hinduism from friends, but really have no understanding of what it really means to be Hindu. The comment that a Hindu friend of mind made to me once about Hindu is that it is not really as much of a religion as much it is a way of life and respect for it. I know that Hindi worship many different gods and revere some animals as sacred, but I have never really understood the fundamental of this religion. I am grateful that this assignment has given me the opportunity and motivation to examine the Hindu religion and one of it great literary works. The first thing to realize about Hinduism is that it is not strictly a region. It is based on the practices of Dharma, the code of life. Dharma name means universal religion. Unlike other religions Hindu did not originate from a single source, such as a person or book. It did not start at a discernible point in time either. Hinduism is an ancient religion that was inspired by the ancient rishis and the principles where discovered through their meditations. The oldest writings are about 4000 years old. Below is a statement that captures the foundation of Hinduism. Hindu religious thought is based upon the belief in the Ultimate Reality, faith in the reality of the spirit, and faith in the spiritual order or the world. (The Hindu religious tradition -Stachidananda) I can now turn my attention to the Bhagavad Gita, with at least a general concept to forge my understanding. The Bhagavad Gita is widely known and renowned work of Indias spiritual wisdom. The Gita has seven hundred concise verses that are a definitive guide to the science of self realization within the universe and the Braham-Atman. The story of Bhagavad begins with Krishna driving Arjunas chariot into the middle of a battlefield. The battle was between Duryodhana (Pandavas) and Arjuna (Kauaravas) for the right to rule the country. The Gita if full of symbolism; everything represents or stands for something. The battle  represents the struggle between good and evil. This would relate to the inner struggle that we all have within ourselves of our good and bad character traits. The first chapter of the Gita deals with the despondency of Arjuna. When Arjuna starts make war, he becomes overwhelmed with emotional attachments to the people he is battling. These people were once his friends, family and teachers. How could he destroy them? He stops in the middle of the battles and then battles within self not to fight these people. He tries to talk himself out of the situation. The lesson learned in the first chapter is that sometimes we lose sight of the truth when we have emotional attachments to a situation. In the next few chapters of the Gita, Arjuna starts down a path of self awareness, a key fundamental belief of Hinduism. As he battles with in himself as he struggles to find an answer. At this point, he realizes he doesnt have an answer and turns to Krishna, on of the many forms of God. He learns that sometimes an individual has a higher purpose and we must have the wisdom to acknowledge this and discover it. We must withdraw from our senses and move to an awareness where we control our mind. At that instance we will have complete self awareness and the clarity to move forward with conviction and wisdom. When continuing to read the Gita it becomes apparent that many daily practices of Hindus are derived from it. The Gita served as the foundation for the caste system. There has been much controversy over the caste system, but the original purpose and meaning was beautiful. It was meant to help individual be aware of their inborn temperaments, talents and capacities. Again, the Gita is teaching self awareness. Another remarkable fact about the Gita is that it gives a person a roadmap to live by. It teaches individuals to give themselves over to and devote their lives to the supreme God, Braham-Atman. The Gita teaches how to surrender to Braham-Atman and how to become enlightened. With enlightenment we escape from karma have rebirth and entrance into Nirvina. One of my favorite chapters of the Gita is Chapter 17 Yoga of the Three-fold Faith. This chapter deals with the practical applications of faith. Faith is a strong discipline in Hinduism. Because of faith they worship the Supreme God and many other deities with great devotion. It is in this chapter that one can begin to understand reasoning for Hindu believe of reincarnation. This chapter explains that those who are twice-born are traditionally dedicated to spiritual knowledge. This chapter also elaborates on many rules that Hinduism and other religions use to live by. Examples of these are to be clean and keep you body and sprit clean, be kind and speak kindly to others and gifts should only be given if it is the right thing to do. After reading the Bhagavad-Gita I am astonished. I can see so many parallels between it and the teaching of Jesus in the New Testament. I can also begin to see how Hinduism is the Universal Religion. The Bhagavad-Gita and the symbolism that is contains either reinforces much of the Hindu religion/philosophy or may have even set the standard. It is hard for me to tell at this point, but it makes me want to study this religion even more. The Gita is part of a greater Hindu writing call the Upansides, which evolved from an oral tradition that began over 4000 years ago. In the early oral tradition, the Guru (teacher) sat with his followers and recited the verse. The followers then memorized the verse and passed it down through the generations. The verses are written in poetic or lyrical form because poems are committed to memory then prose. Also it is though that the singing of the verse took on a magical quality when used in ritual. The content of the Gita is amazing and what is even just as amazing is the way it is written. The Gita contains 18 chapters with each having numerous versus. After personally reading the Gita I have been emotionally and intellectually moved. The setting of the story and the even the personal anguish of Arjuna is enough to gain ones interest on the surface. Once the symbolism and the deeper meaning that are represent it truly becomes a lyrical piece of literature. The piece of literature is phenomenal and to  think it was written thousands of years ago. This just shows that Humans still struggle with the same issues as one thousands of years ago. We may of advance technological, but intellectually we are still adolescents. References Campbell, Joseph and Eliade, Mircea. The Universal Myths Heros, Gods, Tricksters and Others. New York: Truman Talley Books/Meridian, 1976 Radhakrishnan, Sarvepalli and Moore, Charles A. Indian Philosophy. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1973 Stachidananda, Sri Swami. The Living Gita, The Complete Bhagavad Gita 5th Edition. Yogaville, Virginia: Integral Yoga Publications, 2003

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My 20 year old cousin has been informed that I have recently taken a class in Aids and Epidemics. This course was mainly used to inform me about how risky HIV transmission can be. As well how easily it may be spread from one person to another. My cousin has asked me to inform her about HIV and how it could effect her. There are many ways to avoid the spread but it requires taking proper precautions which I will inform you about as you read along. It’s safest to try and be in a monogamous relationship so you and your partner know who each of you are sleeping with. There are many ways at which you could be at risk and don’t even know it. The safest way to protect you is to wait for sexual intercourse until the person is either checked or each of the individuals are virgins and commit to each other. This will ensure that neither one of you is sleeping with anyone else nor you’re both clean. As you read the essay below I will inform you on how exactly HIV can be tran smitted, how you could be at risk, and what measures you should take in order to protect yourself. This is a very scary v...

Agro Processing Industries Essay

Rural Entrepreneurship through Agro-Processing Industries Mrs. P. Geetha, Lecturer in Economics, Sri GVG Visalakshi College for Women, Udumalpet, TamilNadu, India In India there are about 6. 3 million villages and 340 million workers in rural unorganized sector who contribute 60% of national income. About 75% of populations who live in villages have to utilize the village resources. In rural areas mainly three types of economic activities are being undertaken. These activities are: primary, secondary and tertiary activities. When we talk of rural development, the emphasis is on the development of agriculture, industry, trade and service sectors. Among these activities, agriculture till now is the main occupational activity in the rural areas as most of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood and employment. A small stimulation will dynamite the rural economy and lead to improved quality of life. Rural areas must try for better utilization of human resources to improve the rural economy. Promoting agro-based industries, cottage and small-scale industries would serve the purpose of rural entrepreneurship development. Importance of Agro-Processing Industries Agro processing could be defined as set of techno economic activities carried out for conservation and handling of agricultural produce and to make it usable as food, feed, fibre, fuel or industrial raw material. Hence, the agro-processing industry is regarded as the sunrise sector of the Indian economy. Properly developed, agro-processing sector would not only encourage rural entrepreneurship but also can make India a major player at the global level for marketing and supply of processed food, feed and a wide range of other plant and animal products. Categories of Agro – Industry i) Village Industries owned and run by rural households with very little capital investment and a high level of manual labour. Ex. pickles, papad, etc. ii) Small scale industry characterized by medium investment and semi-automation. Ex. edible oil, rice mills, etc. iii) Large-scale industry involving large investment and a high level of automation. Ex. Sugar, jute, cotton mills, etc Prospects The agro processing sector offers scope for development of several industries such as solvent extraction, oleoresins, kinnow/orange juice, malt extracts, floriculture and a host of other items.

Correlation of Fast food culture

Correlation of Fast Food Culture and the High Rate of Teenage Obesity Nowadays, food is easily accessible In the united States. All we have to do to obtain food Is open the refrigerator, go to the supermarket, or stop at drive- through (Closer and Wilson 208), Fast food even became a trend replacing regular food since decades ago. Every time when we stand In front of a fast food shop, the typical smiling face of a cartoon Like Ronald McDonald always warms our heart. The golden-fried chip, big, juicy, meaty hamburgers together with different sorts of sweetened icy beverages could easily appeal to our appetite.They come fast, delicious and satisfying, which makes it hard for us to resist. However, when we taking the money out of our pocket to purchase for a big luscious meal, we often ignore the sweeping adverse effects that ensue from this kind of sweet, salty and fatty food. As the time went by, the occurrence of fast food was changed from a positive purpose of providing rushing cust omers a convenient halfway stop for food to a problematic culture that arise various physiological problems, with obesity being on the top of the list.According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there as been a remarkable escalation of obese people In the US, from averagely 10% to 14 % In 1990 to over 30% In 2010. Although fast food Is Indeed a shortcut to cater for our fast working pace, It alters our traditional way of eating homemade food. The phenomenon of overconfidence on fast food passes onto the next generation, shaping people's preference for a wider acceptance of the convenience brought along by it at the expense of their health.As everyone knows, fast food culture attracts mixed audience, from children to middle-class white-collar workers as well as high- level officials. But with the chains' cent tactic marketing strategy on kids and parents' attitude toward pampering their children, adolescent obesity rate is remarkably escalating. Many chains now mostly set children as target consumers due to the multiple profits brought along by them.Those restaurants certainly know the theory to achieve a successful business Is to give away toys, which Is the most attractive come-on for children. Companies usually Introduce different versions of the same toy, so that kids will nag their parents to evils the same store again, whose act can bring in both parents that the adults try every means to satisfy their kids' desires regardless of their health. In most cases, both parents and kids fall prey to the selling strategies of fast food chains.Restaurants take the money and the public risk their health. It can be seen there is a close relationship between the marketing tactics on kids and the compromising temptation of parents toward the kids' excessive Correlation of Fast food culture By Aliquot food is easily accessible in the United States. All we have to do to obtain food is open Every time when we stand in fro nt of a fast food shop, the typical smiling face of a orator like Ronald McDonald always warms our heart.The golden-fried chip, big, has been a remarkable escalation of obese people in the US, from averagely 10% to 14 % in 1990 to over 30% in 2010. Although fast food is indeed a shortcut to cater for our fast working pace, it alters our traditional way of eating homemade food. The Those restaurants certainly know the theory to achieve a successful business is to give away toys, which is the most attractive come-on for children. Companies usually introduce different versions of the same toy, so that kids will nag their parents to visit

Pretend You Dont See Her essays

Pretend You Dont See Her essays Title: Pretend You Dont See Her Pretend You Dont See Her is one of my favorite murder mysteries that I have ever read. My favorite part of this novel is that the ending is very unpredictable. This story started out when a real estate agent in New York, Lacy Farrell, who was assigned to a new client, Isabelle Waring. Isabelle's daughter, Heather Landi, had died in the previous year and it was Heather's apartment she decided to put on the market. Isabelle would have never sold it, but her ex-husband, Jimmy Landi, said that it was time for them to move on. Ever since Heather's death in a car accident Isabelle knew that it wasn't an accident. When she was going through Heather's things so they could get the apartment ready to sell she came across her journal. The night before Lacy was supposed to show a potential buyer the apartment Isabelle called her sounding concerned and said that she had proof that her daughter's death wasn't an accident. Lacy didn't want to rush over to the apartment at that late hour, so she told Isabelle that she would talk to her in the morning. The morning came and Lacy went over to show the apartment to Curtis Caldwell, the man who was an interested buyer. Later on that evening Lacy decided to go over to the apartment and see what Isabelle was talking about on the phone. When she got there she was frightened by a scream and hid in a downstairs closet. She had the door opened a crack and saw Curtis Caldwell exiting through the front door with Heathers journal in his hands. She ran upstairs and found Isabelle bloody on a bed and she was holding some of the pages of Heathers journal. Her last words were, Lacy, give Heathers journal to her father. Only to him.....swear that....only to him. Lacy didnt know what to do so she hid the journal pages in her briefcase and called the police. The police men came over and asked her everything that she knew and they got a...

Assignment #1 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

#1 - Assignment Example In addition, the efforts put by the government during the period also made citizens appreciate institutions in general. The article is of the assumption that since the terrorist attack the society perception of the social circles and institutions has never changed. In the article The Strange Disappearance of Civil America, the American population is created with an image that depicts its ignorance on social relationships. Different from ancient American social setting, the modern day society do not value the significance of creating social relationships. Putman acknowledges this trend to numerous factors that derail persons from participating in social activities (2). For instance, the author cites the increased role of women, economic constraints, family acquaintances and technologically based distractions. According to Putman the trend is growing (10). Children are more inclined to television and other technological advances thus ignoring the importance of social circles. With society preferences changing to suit more personal needs, the traditional social setting would never be embraced by the modern

Sustainable tourism and educating the tourist Essay

Sustainable tourism and educating the tourist - Essay Example With such high and definitely increasing demand, protection of culture and environment has become imperative. "Sustainable tourism in its purest sense is an industry which attempts to make a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate income, employment, and the conservation of local ecosystems. It is responsible tourism which is both ecologically and culturally sensitive" http://www.gdrc.org/uem/eco-tour/eco-tour.html ST makes maximum use of environmental resources without disturbing natural heritage and biodiversity, respecting socio-cultural authenticity of the region, and ensuring long term economic wellbeing of the stakeholders. In relation to mass tourism, sustainable tourism is a specialised branch. Mass tourism is economically beneficial, easy to market, but is rather harsh on attractions. It no doubt cares for environment and cultural attractions; but not enough. It does not involve local communities as stakeholders and there is hardly any dialogue between communities, tourists and tour operators. It is a positive force for poor countries, which can, if allowed to go unbridled, also can harm local culture and environment. Pope John Paul II thought mass tourism was another way of exploiting local communities, even though mass tourism is vital for many countries. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/1468503.stm). Responsible tourism like ST minimises the damage that could be caused by mass tourism to environment and culture. MEDITERRANEAN Spain and Mediterranean coastlines offered mature mass tourism for decades now. Mass tourism has created complex issues like demands and pressures and new policies and planning techniques. It has also created the necessity of sustainable tourism application in this area. Uncontrolled tourism almost ruined the freshwater basin here. Italy and Greece too were adversely affected by mass tourism. "The mass model of sun and beach tourism which is characteristic of the Mediterranean coastline has caused both the spectacular urban, demographic and economic growth of small coastal towns once inhabited by farming and fishing families who eventually came to make their living from tourism, and the increasing degradation of their natural setting" http://geographyfieldwork.com/TourismMatureDestinations.htm This statement is true as the involved countries have only recently woken up into the enormity of the problems that tourism has created. Mediterranean holidays deal with all major holiday brands and depend on seasonality. But in recent years, it had been seen as a single major threat to the pristine coastline and equally destructive to valuable wetlands even though tourism is the most important vehicle of growth. STAKEHOLDER Under these circumstances, Sustainable tourism that involves the local community in safeguarding and protecting the cultural and environmental assets of the region comes into picture and gives new hope. ST believes in the economic benefit of the region because tourism is connected with productivity, mobility, communication facilities and broadened horizons. "Obviously, these factors are interrelated, but a greater weight probably should be assigned to productivity than to the others," Smith (1989, p.41). Without further opportunity of productivity, it is difficult to