The term illumination Essay Example for Free

The term illumination Essay In metaphysics refers to an ineffable state of knowledge or communion with a godhood or an absolute ideal. Because the state of illumination is, by nature, a deeply subjective experience, the quantification or definition of the state is difficult to execute through traditional expository methods or scientific investigation. Illumination is a desired state for mystic who maintain the practice of putting oneself into, and remaining in, direct relation with God, the Absolute, or any unifying principle of life. Mysticism is inseparably linked with religion. Because of the nature of mysticism, firsthand objective studies of it are virtually impossible. (Mysticism, 2004) Rather, what can be known, second-hand, about the illuminative state is gleaned through the expression of mystics,artists, poets, and writers who express their subjective apprehensions through various means, often utilizing complex and mythologically driven symbolic systems of reference. The language of mysticism is always difficult and usually symbolic. This is readily seen in the Song of Songs in the Old Testament, in the book of Revelation in the New Testament, and in the writings of William Blake. Mystics, especially those of the Roman Catholic and the Islamic traditions, have made use of a terminology borrowed from ordinary human love. (Mysticism, 2004) In many cases, illumination is closely affiliated with established mystical traditions (as in Zen Buddhism) and also with established religious traditions (such as Roman Catholicism). In all cases, illumination is regarded as a step on the road to union with God or the ideal, but not a conclusion or attainment of the goal in and of itself. In this regard, illumination stands closely in hand with another mystical state known as purgation where the soul undergoes a painful cleansing of its impurities in order to enter into union with God or the ideal. Illumination can be Illumination page -2- regarded, metaphorically, as the light which shines through the cleaned window of the soul, as it has been cleared through the purgative state. The two states are seen as continuing and sometimes overlapping. (Mysticism, 2004) The basic pattern for the path to mystical union with God or the ideal can be generically rendered, although the specific differ widely throughout geographic and culturally specific traditions and beliefs. At the core of the mystical journey, involving periods of illumination, several key archetypal aspects can be cited: The soul undergoes a purification (the purgative way), which leads to a feeling of illumination and greater love of God[ ] after a period the soul may be said to enter into mystical union with God[ ] an ecstatic state to a final perfect state of union with God. (Mysticism, 2004) The process above is quite generally envisioned and the above description is probably as close to anything like an objective account of what mystical experience is and what its goals are; the illuminative feeling indicates that the mystic has successfully enjoined the path to union with God or the ideal. However, it is not the final union with God or the ideal and its ecstacy are not particularly connotative of what mystics have imagined the final union with God or the ideal to be, once actually attained. Rather, illumination is a state of awareness and knowledge that blossoms from mystical communion with God or the ideal. It is not a linear knowledge:We have illumination which is no mere deduction from previous knowledge; but the illumination is at the same time like a leap of recognition. This may throw some light on the problem we noticed earlier the relation between faith described in terms of the energizing of the Holy Spirit, and mans efforts of reason. (Emmet, 1945, p. 133). Illumination page -3- The distinction between ordinary rationality and mystical illumination is an important one, for knowledge that is derived by linear reason is often interpreted by humanity as an achievement of humanity alone, whereas illuminative knowledge gleaned from communion with God or the ideal often comes like a bolt out of the blue and transcends not only individual ego, but racial, national, and cultural biases as well: Thus the community whose way is defined by Torah looks to the moment when Moses stood on Sinai; the Christian Church sees its life as continuing Gods act of reconciliation Prophet as the community of the faithful, committed to God in submission to the stark majesty of His Transcendence; Buddhists look to the moment of illumination under the Bo tree, when Buddha saw the way of release from the restlessness of finite existence. (Emmet, 1945, p. 156). Just as scientific or other types of linear knowledge may cast world-changing ideas or technologies into the flow of history, the mystical tradition reminds humanity that we are all united in the truths of the highest ideals, in the love of God. Illumination often transports the mystic not only to euphoric feelings of ecstacy, but important realizations about the nature of human existence and how human tragedy and pain can be minimized and sometimes overcome. From important illuminations come new ways of living in relation to the transcendent, which have given form to new ways of feeling and of thought. These were not reached by general reflections on the general character of experience but born out of the devotion of individual seekers who looked inward to find the illuminative power and phenomena which every mystic believes emanates directly from God or the ideal. (Emmet, 1945, p.156). The verifiable impact of religious and philosophical movements and doctrines that began in the subjective state if illumination are evidence that illumination represents a process of human reason and knowledge which is as important as linear modes. References Mysticism. (2004). In The Columbia Encyclopedia (6th ed. ). New York: Columbia University Press. Emmet, D. M. (1945). The Nature of Metaphysical Thinking. London: Macmillan Co. Ltd.

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Popular culture can be defined as the general accepted culture in society. Anyone can learn about what is the generally accepted culture in America because it’s usually advertised in music, books, fashion, literature, schools and the mass media to name a few. In the book images of color, images of crime, chapter 1 shows how Indians have been negatively affected by popular culture throughout the years. However, I would say that many races have been affected by popular culture to the point in which the identity and the heritage of different culture is rapidly disappearing. Throughout my life, I have seen how African American have been portrayed by popular culture as a race of people in which it is acceptable for one to be ignorant, loud, conceded, and flamboyant. As a matter of fact, if one does not act in this manner, that person would be considered to be acting white. To uphold a certain image and to not be categorized as a White person, I have seen people purposely behave in a manner to portray trends advertised by the commonly accepted culture in our society. I have also seen how...

Green Mountain Resort (Dis)Solves the Turnover Problem

CSU-Global Campus Organizational Innovation and Change 1. Which of the six change images discussed in this chapter can be identified in the assumptions about managing turnover that were held by Gunter: In the beginning Gunter was taking more of an image of change as a Director as he identified turnover as a problem and attempted to problem solve around this issue. As the story progressed Gunter’s He also became a mentor for began to change with the help of the consultant to more of a Coaching role as his resort became the training ground that other resorts looked for when hiring associates. He also became a mentor for others who were seeking training in providing excellent service in the hospitality industry The hospitality literature: The literature played a role of navigator as it identified turnover as a chronic problem that the industry endures and made several suggestions on how one can help reduce the effects. The consultant: The consultant played the role of the interpreter as he was able to interpret the problem of turnover and how he was able to change the perspective of Gunter in a way that dissolved the problem. Instead of a problem turnover instead, became a way that the resort could use as a way to recruit talent. . How did these assumptions influence prescriptions for dealing with â€Å"the turnover problem†? Each of these assumptions influenced prescriptions for dealing with turnover. For example, Gunter only seemed to make the problem worse when he played the Director when he attempted to solve turnover as a problem, however, when he changed his p erspective he ultimately became the coach and turned the problem into an advantage. The hospitality literature was the navigator as it defined turnover as a problem that was considered chronic and something that must be endured in the industry. It’s prescription for dealing with the problem included streamlining training, simplifying jobs and making the HR process more efficient. (Palmer, 2009). The consultant role of interpreter actually helped Gunter view turnover as an opportunity he could benefit from by dissolving it as a problem and seeing its positive effects to the organization. 3. Choose another change image and apply it to â€Å"the turnover problem. † To what new insights does it lead? Another change image to apply to the turnover problem could be to try to avoid the problem all together by offering less services, outsourcing some work i. . reservations and to hire contract workers for tasks that required physical presence. The new insight would lead to the need for fewer workers needed to be employed physically on the property and acknowledge contractual ties which includes the foreseen departure and therefore could have allowed the organization to strategically plan for new recruits. Although this new insight may have helped deal with turnover it would have created a new problem of delivering top class service to its guests and could have the potential to negatively affect the organization. 4. What conclusions do you draw from this about the statement at the start of the chapter that â€Å"if we only draw upon one particular frame, then this will take us away from thinking about what is going on from an alternative perspective†? The conclusion that I draw from the statement at the beginning of the chapter of â€Å"if we only draw upon one particular frame, then this will take us away from thinking about what is going on from an alternative perspective† is that we get different suggestions on solving a problem or even identifying a situation as a problem depending on the perspective that we take. It is also helpful to get others opinion to your current perspective to understand if there is a different approach one should take when dealing with the situation. In this case study it was interesting to see how the owner, literature surrounding the industry and an individual with no experience in the industry all had different perspectives of how to deal with turnover. Reference Palmer, I. D. (2009). Managing Organizational Change: A Multiple Perspectives Approach . Boston: Mc Graw Hill . Green Mountain Resort (Dis)Solves the Turnover Problem CSU-Global Campus Organizational Innovation and Change 1. Which of the six change images discussed in this chapter can be identified in the assumptions about managing turnover that were held by Gunter: In the beginning Gunter was taking more of an image of change as a Director as he identified turnover as a problem and attempted to problem solve around this issue. As the story progressed Gunter’s He also became a mentor for began to change with the help of the consultant to more of a Coaching role as his resort became the training ground that other resorts looked for when hiring associates. He also became a mentor for others who were seeking training in providing excellent service in the hospitality industry The hospitality literature: The literature played a role of navigator as it identified turnover as a chronic problem that the industry endures and made several suggestions on how one can help reduce the effects. The consultant: The consultant played the role of the interpreter as he was able to interpret the problem of turnover and how he was able to change the perspective of Gunter in a way that dissolved the problem. Instead of a problem turnover instead, became a way that the resort could use as a way to recruit talent. . How did these assumptions influence prescriptions for dealing with â€Å"the turnover problem†? Each of these assumptions influenced prescriptions for dealing with turnover. For example, Gunter only seemed to make the problem worse when he played the Director when he attempted to solve turnover as a problem, however, when he changed his p erspective he ultimately became the coach and turned the problem into an advantage. The hospitality literature was the navigator as it defined turnover as a problem that was considered chronic and something that must be endured in the industry. It’s prescription for dealing with the problem included streamlining training, simplifying jobs and making the HR process more efficient. (Palmer, 2009). The consultant role of interpreter actually helped Gunter view turnover as an opportunity he could benefit from by dissolving it as a problem and seeing its positive effects to the organization. 3. Choose another change image and apply it to â€Å"the turnover problem. † To what new insights does it lead? Another change image to apply to the turnover problem could be to try to avoid the problem all together by offering less services, outsourcing some work i. . reservations and to hire contract workers for tasks that required physical presence. The new insight would lead to the need for fewer workers needed to be employed physically on the property and acknowledge contractual ties which includes the foreseen departure and therefore could have allowed the organization to strategically plan for new recruits. Although this new insight may have helped deal with turnover it would have created a new problem of delivering top class service to its guests and could have the potential to negatively affect the organization. 4. What conclusions do you draw from this about the statement at the start of the chapter that â€Å"if we only draw upon one particular frame, then this will take us away from thinking about what is going on from an alternative perspective†? The conclusion that I draw from the statement at the beginning of the chapter of â€Å"if we only draw upon one particular frame, then this will take us away from thinking about what is going on from an alternative perspective† is that we get different suggestions on solving a problem or even identifying a situation as a problem depending on the perspective that we take. It is also helpful to get others opinion to your current perspective to understand if there is a different approach one should take when dealing with the situation. In this case study it was interesting to see how the owner, literature surrounding the industry and an individual with no experience in the industry all had different perspectives of how to deal with turnover. Reference Palmer, I. D. (2009). Managing Organizational Change: A Multiple Perspectives Approach . Boston: Mc Graw Hill .

George Roy Hills Movie Adaptation of Kurt Vonneguts...

George Roy Hills movie adaptation of Kurt Vonneguts novel Slaughter-house Five is a fairly accurate version that stays relatively close to Vonneguts own vision. Throughout Vonnegut novel Billy Pilgrim, a WWII soldier who was captured by the Germans and held captive as an American POW (prisoner of war), demonstrates several extreme compulsive tendencies due to the horrific events he witnessed as an American POW victim. After reading of Billy’s experiences, I did not have faith in the movies ability to accurately present Vonneguts own personal feelings. On the contrary, after seeing George Hills movie adaptation of Slaughter-house Five, I felt that the he did an extremely nice job in keeping with what Vonnegut had intended to be seen†¦show more content†¦Hill is able to achieve this by making Billy the only fragment of black on an all-white background. This helps to set Billy apart from the rest of the screen and in essence isolates him as the only person around. While I felt the director did a good job of conveying the novel as accurately as possible, just as in other move adaptations, there were some inaccuracies and discrepancies from one medium to the other. One aspect of the movie that really stood out for me was the abduction scene. In the movie, Pilgrim is captured by the alien creatures from inside his bedroom; a white ball of light slowly intensifies until it engulfs the entire screen and after a quick cutaway we find Billy on Tralfamadore. This was not the way Vonnegut describes Billy’s abduction in the book. He was not merely sitting in his bedroom with his dog Spot, instead he had been watching a war movie, and then he walks outside to allow Spot to go to the bathroom. It is at this point, when Billy is outside, that the aliens come and capture him. Billy’s war experience is also very difference from the novel, the bombing of Dresden is the best example of this. Vonnegut describes the aftermath by saying, â₠¬Å"the once beautiful city [looked] like the surface of the moon† (Vonnegut). I envisioned a different scene when reading the book than what was translated onto the big screen. In my opinion, the city appears no different than any other city that has just been bombed. Perhaps I