Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Journal-December 9 (The Final Post!)
Hey--what are you doing??? This is NEXT week's question! Go back to the previous post, labeled December 2...that one is THIS week's question! :)
Look through the novel, Peaceful Warrior. Choose one quote or idea that you learned from the novel (if you want, you may choose more). Make sure that it is an important idea, an idea that made you change your mind about something important, or an idea what made you see the word in a different way. Answer the following questions about the idea or quote:
1. Why did you choose this idea or quote? Please explain.
2. Is the idea different from the way most people think? Please explain.
3. If more people in the world believed in this idea, would the world change in any way? Please explain.
4. If you have children someday, how will you explain the idea to them? Give an example of how you can help a child believe in the idea, rather than lies.
5. If you believe in the idea, when and where are you going to start practicing the idea?
Journal-December 2, 2008
(NOTE to RW3: In class today I think I said that this week is the last Peaceful Warrior Blog post. I was incorrect. Next week is the last one. I apologize for my error).
Please answer BOTH questions
On p. 193, Soc says, "A fool is 'happy' when his cravings are satisfied. A warrior is happy without reason...Happiness is not just something you feel--it is who you are." What does this quote mean? Is there a such thing as "unreasonable happiness"? Is this something parents should teach their children, or should they let children discover it for themselves?
On p. 195, Soc tells Dan the story of Plato's Cave. Can you think of anyone in your life, anyone that you know, who is trapped in the cave? (this should be easy) Can you think of anyone who has escaped from the cave? (this is more difficult) Please be honest, and explain WHY you chose these people.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Journal-November 24, 2008
Please read p. 175-191 and respond to the following questions:
What is a "terminal illness"? How would your life change if you had a terminal illness? Would you behave differently? Would you do anything different than what you are doing now? Please explain, and please give details and examples.
On p. 185, Soc says, "...you do have a terminal illness: it's called birth! You don't have more than a few years left. No one does!"
What does this quote mean? How does this quote relate to the story about enlightenment on p. 186, and Dan's dream on p. 187?
Please give at least one detail from p. 175-191 when you are answering the questions!
What is a "terminal illness"? How would your life change if you had a terminal illness? Would you behave differently? Would you do anything different than what you are doing now? Please explain, and please give details and examples.
On p. 185, Soc says, "...you do have a terminal illness: it's called birth! You don't have more than a few years left. No one does!"
What does this quote mean? How does this quote relate to the story about enlightenment on p. 186, and Dan's dream on p. 187?
Please give at least one detail from p. 175-191 when you are answering the questions!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Journal Questions--November 17, 2008
Please answer BOTH questions 1 and 2:
1. On p. 138, Dan states, "There are no ordinary moments!" Soc agrees. Considering the other ideas in the novel, what does this statement mean? Have you ever been bored? If so, how would Soc or Dan react to your 'boredom'? If you could change society, would you redefine the concept of 'boredom'? Please explain.
2. On p. 161, Soc uses a equation to define "happiness." First, what does this equation mean? Next, Think about your own life. If Soc knew about your life, would he say that you are a 'happy person'? Third, how does your life relate (or NOT relate) to the equation? Finally, how does the equation relate to the concept of "satori" described earlier in the chapter?
1. On p. 138, Dan states, "There are no ordinary moments!" Soc agrees. Considering the other ideas in the novel, what does this statement mean? Have you ever been bored? If so, how would Soc or Dan react to your 'boredom'? If you could change society, would you redefine the concept of 'boredom'? Please explain.
2. On p. 161, Soc uses a equation to define "happiness." First, what does this equation mean? Next, Think about your own life. If Soc knew about your life, would he say that you are a 'happy person'? Third, how does your life relate (or NOT relate) to the equation? Finally, how does the equation relate to the concept of "satori" described earlier in the chapter?
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Journal Question-November 11, 2008
On p. 125, Socrates says to Dan, “You see, any unconscious, compulsive ritual is a problem. But specific activities—smoking, drinking, taking drugs, eating sweets, or asking silly questions—are both bad and good; every action has its price, and its pleasures. Recognizing both sides, you become realistic and responsible for your actions. And only then can you make the warrior’s free and conscious choice—to do or not to do.”
What does Soc mean when he says an “unconscious, compulsive ritual is a problem"? Do YOU have any “unconscious, compulsive rituals”? What are they? Are you trying to change them? If you want to change them, what would Socrates say to help you change your rituals? Also, is Socrates’ opinion of “good and bad” different from or similar to what your parents, and what your society, has taught you? Explain why or why not. Finally, do you agree with Socrates’ opinion about “unconscious, compulsive rituals” and what he says about “good” and “bad”? Why or why not? Please explain.
What does Soc mean when he says an “unconscious, compulsive ritual is a problem"? Do YOU have any “unconscious, compulsive rituals”? What are they? Are you trying to change them? If you want to change them, what would Socrates say to help you change your rituals? Also, is Socrates’ opinion of “good and bad” different from or similar to what your parents, and what your society, has taught you? Explain why or why not. Finally, do you agree with Socrates’ opinion about “unconscious, compulsive rituals” and what he says about “good” and “bad”? Why or why not? Please explain.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Journal Question, Week of November 3-November 7
Please remember that you must post your answer by TUESDAY night. Also please remember that you must post between 400 and 500 words. Some of you posted much less last week....since it was the first week, I will understand. But this week, please post the required number of words, and please answer ALL parts of the questions.
Choose ONE of the following 2 questions:
1) Think about the following 3 quotes from the novel:
a. "The brain is real; the mind isn't" (p. 52).
b. "Neither your disappointment nor your anger was caused by the rain" (p. 55).
c. "My mind is like a pond without ripples" (p.72).
How are these 3 quotes related? What does Socrates mean when he describes the brain as being different from the mind? Do you agree that they are different? Explain why or why not. In your daily life, do you use your brain or your mind--or both? In other words, does your mind have 'ripples'? Or are you more like Dan? Please explain your answer.
2) On p. 51, Socrates says, "Your mind is your predicament. It wants to be free of change, free of pain, free of obligations of life and death. But change is a law, and no amount of pretending will alter that reality." On p. 82, Socrates says, "The body is Consciousness; never born; never dies; only changes. The mind...is all that ends at death. And who needs it?" What is Socrates talking about in these two quotes, and how do they relate to the themes and ideas in the novel? Can you think of a situation in your life when your mind was your predicament? Please explain it in detail. How do most people in the world view death? How is the popular view of death different than Socrates' view?
Choose ONE of the following 2 questions:
1) Think about the following 3 quotes from the novel:
a. "The brain is real; the mind isn't" (p. 52).
b. "Neither your disappointment nor your anger was caused by the rain" (p. 55).
c. "My mind is like a pond without ripples" (p.72).
How are these 3 quotes related? What does Socrates mean when he describes the brain as being different from the mind? Do you agree that they are different? Explain why or why not. In your daily life, do you use your brain or your mind--or both? In other words, does your mind have 'ripples'? Or are you more like Dan? Please explain your answer.
2) On p. 51, Socrates says, "Your mind is your predicament. It wants to be free of change, free of pain, free of obligations of life and death. But change is a law, and no amount of pretending will alter that reality." On p. 82, Socrates says, "The body is Consciousness; never born; never dies; only changes. The mind...is all that ends at death. And who needs it?" What is Socrates talking about in these two quotes, and how do they relate to the themes and ideas in the novel? Can you think of a situation in your life when your mind was your predicament? Please explain it in detail. How do most people in the world view death? How is the popular view of death different than Socrates' view?
Monday, October 27, 2008
Journal Question, Week of October 27-October 31
Choose ONE of the following 2 questions and answer it on the blog:
1) On p. 21, Socrates says, “your feelings and reactions, Dan, are automatic and predictable; mine are not. I create life spontaneously; yours is determined by your thoughts, your emotions, your past.” Explain the meaning of this quote. Connect your explanation to a summary of the important ideas in this chapter. Focus on the ideas rather than the story. Also answer this question: Do you ‘create life spontaneously,’ or do you allow your ‘thoughts’ and your ‘past’ to determine your life? Explain.
2) On p. 28, Socrates tells a story about a construction worker. After the story he says to Dan: We all make our own sand sandwiches.” What does Socrates mean by that? How is this story related to the other ideas in the novel? Can you think of an example of how you make your own sandwiches (past or present)? What advice would Socrates give you if he heard your example?
1) On p. 21, Socrates says, “your feelings and reactions, Dan, are automatic and predictable; mine are not. I create life spontaneously; yours is determined by your thoughts, your emotions, your past.” Explain the meaning of this quote. Connect your explanation to a summary of the important ideas in this chapter. Focus on the ideas rather than the story. Also answer this question: Do you ‘create life spontaneously,’ or do you allow your ‘thoughts’ and your ‘past’ to determine your life? Explain.
2) On p. 28, Socrates tells a story about a construction worker. After the story he says to Dan: We all make our own sand sandwiches.” What does Socrates mean by that? How is this story related to the other ideas in the novel? Can you think of an example of how you make your own sandwiches (past or present)? What advice would Socrates give you if he heard your example?
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Welcome to the RW4 Peaceful Warrior novel blog
This blog will be your "journal" for the class. Every week, I will post a question or quote, based on the class novel. Your job is to respond to the question or quote with insight. Your journal should be 400-500 words. Your grammar will NOT be graded. Rather, your INSIGHT and THOUGHTFUL RESPONSES will be graded. This journal is to help you demonstrate your reading comprehension. Therefore, when you respond to the quote/question, you must show that you read and understand the novel. Do not just write what you think. You must also use quotes and examples from the novel to explain your ideas.
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