Who Sucked Out the Feeling

I come from a family that claims to be religious, yet aside from weddings, funerals and the obligatory holiday service here and there I can't remember any of them ever going to church. I personally haven’t been to church in at least 15 years, save the aforementioned scenarios. My family is predominately "Catholic" so this morning I woke hours before I would on any other Sunday morning in order to make the 9:30 a.m. mass at St. Mark Catholic Church.

As I made my way down Eastwood Road, mind, body and soul barely intact from Saturday night's escapades, I fumbled for the ability to keep an open mind about my impending religious experience. But to be honest, I was most excited about the fact that the Catholic mass usually runs a curt 45 minutes and I'd be home in plenty of time for the 1 p.m. slate of football games. I pulled into the parking lot around 9:15, immediately impressed by the sprawling compound that was St Mark's. It didn’t have the historic beauty I've come to expect from most churches I've seen, but it was impressive nonetheless. Whatever beauty the church lacked externally it made up for on the inside. Admiring the architecture could occupy me for the duration if nothing else.

I wish I could say the same for the people. Almost no one looked happy to be there. It was as if they had dragged themselves there strictly out of habit, kind of like going to the dentist. However, the collective morbid demeanor went hand in hand with the ensuing rituals. Not even the power of song was able to permeate the stoic aura that plagued this church. I was under the impression that church was about community and a celebration of faith. This whole process seemed to be more closely related to a funeral march. The pot-bellied gentlemen to my left sang like a monotone ventriloquist, still managing to break a sweat despite his sloth-like movement. Maybe he had the same idea I did for choosing the cheap seats, maybe he was just there getting the job done in anonymity. What ever his reasons I only hope he prayed for a pair of pants that would touch his shoes. As I sat in the most desolate corner of the church I could find, which was far from desolate in a parish filled to the gills with patrons, I felt the overwhelming urge to burst into a song of my own. During periods of stark silence I envisioned myself belting out the late 90's rock anthem "Who Sucked Out the Feeling?" by Superdrag.

Every archaic ritual, though painfully monotonous, was carried out with surgical precision. Call and response...Stand, sit, kneel, stand...Head down, head up...eyes closed, open...All of this subordinate behavior and not once shred of sincerity. I couldn't help but wonder if the guy hanging so selflessly from a cross over the altar would see through this charade. See you at the next wedding or funeral, I think that’s all I can take.

Defining Happiness

Happiness has no universal meaning. Everyone has a different definition. I know so few people who are truly happy, including myself, so I'm not sure I'd be qualified to give the keys to happiness. Don't get me wrong, I'm not miserable. I am happy. But for me there's always something missing, always something that could make my life better. I can't seem to figure out where complacency ends and contentment begins. For much of my life, when it came time to making sacrifices happiness was the first to go. I've always had the "win at all cost" mentality. But I had to ask myself, is a miserable success even a success at all. If you can't enjoy the victory and your journey there, what's it really worth. Despite my shortcomings in finding true happiness, I have been able to define a few factors that are going to be essential if I ever hope to get there.

I believe the journey to happiness begins with realizing that my life is finite and that every day counts for something. Every day has the potential for greatness. Why waste one day of your life doing what you "should" be doing. If you live your life with that mentality (doing what you should) than your script has already been written. X leads to Y leads to Z and you know how it ends. It seems all too common that people are so eager to give their lives limits, to define and align themselves with a predetermined destiny.

Step Two...Have the presence of mind to enjoy the seemingly meaningless. The Sundays huddled around a TV with your closest friends watching football, the smell of gasoline while you pump your gas, the sound of your mothers voice calling you for dinner, car wheels turning over gravel. All beautiful things. It pains me to think of all of the incredible moments I've missed in my life while I dwelled on the past or labored over the future. How many moments that passed as I waited for the next best thing?

Finally, pursue whatever it is that you feel will make you happy. If its money, so be it. If its promiscuous sex with women you had to pay for, right on. Happiness is happiness, it has no boundaries. There is no excuse for waking up everyday living a life that you don't want. Life is about more than just survival and subsistence. Merely surviving is not truly thriving. I don't want to survive life, I want to live it.

President Arthur Branch

Fred Thompson was recently asked, "What job do you think is harder, playing the President on TV or in real life?" Thompson responded, "I don't think either is very hard."

The actor and Republican presidential candidate, best known for his role as District Attorney Arthur Branch on the television show Law & Order, is hot on the campaign trail selling Americans just want they want...a lethal dose of delusion. Americans would much rather bury their heads in the proverbial sand than hear the truth at this point. The truth is far too painful, the solution far too drastic. Thompson gives one hope in the "TV Dad." He's out to prove that all is right in the world, that America is still the greatest nation on the planet. We've done nothing wrong and everything will be ok. We are not the America you see on TV.

According to Thompson, we have the strongest health care system in the world. Why is it then, Mr. Thompson, that the U.S. is the only industrialized nation on Earth lacking universal health care access? Why are we ranked 41st in lowest infant mortality rate and 45th in total life expectancy (CIA World Factbook)? The World Health Organization ranks the U.S. 37th overall behind likes of Chile, Costa Rica and Saudi Arabia. We are not the America you see on TV.

Fred Thompson is the guy America so desperately wants to trust in a time when he just might be the most dangerous man for the job. His sheer disregard for reality and unshakeable positivity coupled with that good-old-boy southern vernacular has him in the position to make his TV dreams a reality. President on TV, president of the United States of America (in the real world), it's all the same to Thompson.

Reagan has already laid the groundwork; we've seen this sort of thing before. Thompson is often compared to Reagan, the man who sold us a Hollywood version of politics almost 30 years ago. In the wake of the Vietnam War Reagan had America believing that it was as badass as ever. As dreamy and idealistic as Reagan was, he at least kept one foot in reality. Thompson, on the other hand, doesn’t know the meaning of the word. Reality, that is. The less we know of reality the better. After all, what you don’t know can't hurt you, right? We are not the America we see on TV.

Sure, art informs life to a certain extent. But have we really gotten to the point where we can't see TV from reality? Are our next four years going to play out like a made-for-TV movie? If Fred Thompson has his way, he'll write the script. Or better yet, he'll let you write you own. I'm not holding my breath for a Hollywood ending to this one.

An Old Friend

The mind is inconceivably powerful and influential. Consciousness is more than just nerves and synapses, or secretions of chemicals. Consciousness is real and one doesn’t have to be “knocked out” to be deemed unconscious. A friend and teammate of mine in high school first opened my eyes to the power of expanding consciousness. We were teammates on the varsity wrestling squad in the fall of 1996. Mike was average wrestler at best, fairly new to the sport but had a world of potential. Most wrestlers begin their careers between ages 5 and 8, Mike didn’t start wrestling until his sophomore year of high school. His first two years as a wrestler were losing efforts, finishing both seasons well below the .500 mark. Mike worked hard in the off season and was improving dramatically but he had a long way to go to in order to compete with athletes that had nearly 10 years of experience on him. He was severely behind the learning curve. I noticed a marked progression in his ability and we both looked forward to his final season as a senior. Our team opened each season with a tough dual meet against cross-town rival Kenwood High, Mike would be matched up with their best wrestler, a former state champion. Mike fought valiantly but lost the match by a few points. He did better than anyone expected, but he still didn’t win. He was knocking on the door to success but he hadn’t quite put all of the pieces together yet.

Following that meet, Mike met with his counselor who suggested hypnosis and meditation as a supplement to his wrestling training. Desperate for a winning season, Mike followed the doctor’s advice and began to meditate. He underwent a session of hypnosis and then meditated on his own from there on out. Our teammates and coaches knew nothing of this at first; Mike didn’t say a word and went about his normal routine. Two weeks and a few unimpressive wins later, Mike defeated a 2x High School All-American at a tournament in Delaware. He didn’t get lucky, it wasn’t a fluke or aberration. He flat out beat the kid! We were dumbfounded, what happened to this guy in the period of two weeks? “I’m hypnotized,” Mike said. We laughed it off, it sounded comical of course. This was the type of thing you’d see on a made-for-TV movie right? Well, Mike went on to explain the hypnosis and his meditation practice but we were still skeptics to say the least. A week later he did it again. Wrestling for the championship at the Dundalk Tournament, Mike absolutely throttled an undefeated wrestler and eventual state champion that year at 130 lbs. Now we were convinced, something extraordinary was going on here. Mike finished his senior season as a county champion, region champion and state runner-up, defeating some of Maryland’s best wrestlers along the way. I didn’t understand what that extraordinary factor was at the time, but since researching Transcendental Meditation I’m quite convinced that expansion of consciousness was largely responsible for Mike’s new-found success. He was able to make mind-body connections that would have otherwise taken years in a matter of weeks. I’m not claiming that this same process could work miracles on any wrestler, or athlete in general, that wants to step their game up dramatically in a short period of time. Mike had the potential, the foundation was there. He was ready to take shape as an athlete but just need time. Without those tools, none of this would have worked for him. Without meditation, those tools would have taken much longer to sharpen.

With a new perspective and more functional understanding of meditation and consciousness, I spoke to Mike on the telephone a few weeks about this situation. We haven’t communicated much since high school but I still speak to him every now again. He’s now twenty eight years old and works as in the Computer Information Systems field in Alabama. After sharing war stories with Mike for a few minutes I asked to fill me in on his experience with meditation as a wrestler and what role it’s had in his life since high school. Mike initially struggled to put into words exactly how meditation and hypnosis transformed his wrestling career overnight. He eventually described the phenomenon in these words. “Prior to meditation, I was an excellent athlete and an average wrestler with little experience. I understood the sport of wrestling and what it takes to be successful but I just couldn’t make the connection come to life on the wrestling mat. In the practice room I would have moments of greatness but they were too few and far between. I was very inconsistent, I just didn’t have the time or experience to put the pieces together. After I started meditating, those moments of greatness were more and more frequent. At 18 years old I couldn’t really explain what was happening to me mentally, I just knew that I could trust and act on my instincts more often than ever before. I would find myself in a tough situation and I no longer hesitated, I reacted with confidence.”

Mike also went on to mention that meditation had an impact on other areas of his life as well, although they were less obvious. He started to do slightly better in school and was overall a happier, more satisfied person. In the 10 years since high school Mike has gone through phases in which he still meditates but he says it is something that he has been inconsistent with. To this day, he stands by the power of meditation and is thankful that at one point in time it had a profound impact on his life.

For the Love of Poetics & Ezra Pound

In the Credo section of Ezra Pound’s “A Retrospect” he discusses four major characteristics of poetry- Rhythm, Symbols, Technique and Form. Pound states that he believes in “absolute rhythm,” “a rhythm, that is, in poetry which corresponds exactly to the emotion or shade of emotion to be expressed (934). We can see brilliant evidence of this belief in his work readily. In Pounds poem “The Return”, he delivers the words in a very staggered cadence. It’s almost as if it is to be read with staggering hesitation in places. Reading the poem with such a rhythm gives the desired emotional effect that Pound intended. I could see this poem read best by someone out of breath, someone “with fear, as half-awakened; As if the snow should hesitate and murmur in the wind” (350).
Pound next states in his “Retrospect,” “I believe that the proper and perfect symbol is the natural object, that if a man uses symbols he must so use them that their symbolic function does not obtrude…a hawk is a hawk” (934). Taking a look back his wonderful poem “The Return,” we can see evidence that Pound puts another of his beliefs in action with precision. He writes “with them the silver hounds, sniffing the trace of air!” (350). The symbol of the hound in this poem is particularly effective in relaying his message. He further drives home the image of the hound several lines later when he says “These the keen-scented; These were the souls of blood” (350). The silver or grey hound is a natural universal symbol for swift speed and a keen sense of smell, especially when referring to hunting. They are know for their ability to pick up the scent of blood from miles away and follow the smell to the source with precision. The hound is delivers Pounds image with power instead of clouding it.
Next Pound discusses his opinion on technique. He says “I believe in technique as the test of a man’s sincerity; in the trampling down of every convention that impedes or obscures the determination of the law, or the precise rendering of the impulse” (934). What I think Pound is saying is that if a writer or artist can break outside of convention in a way that is sincere and effective then it is acceptable, and encouraged even. Its no secret that Pound was quite successful at trampling convention with his own ideals and techniques as best evidenced by his free verse style. Another when in which he broke from convention was in the form of his work, which leads me to our my final topic- Form.
“I think that there is a ‘fluid’ as well as a ‘solid’ content, that some poems may have form as a tree has form, some as water poured into a vase” (934). I think this concept is quite eloquently put by Pound and again he gives us examples in his work. In “The Return” he uses a form that effectively accents key lines and stanzas in the poem. It gives the poem motion and emphasis in all the right places. His indents group together words and phrases that need to stand alone. In the first stanza he sets the first line left-justified and then indents the next three lines evenly. The opening line stands alone and make a statement while the indented lines back it up with vision and imagery.
In the second stanza he writes:
“And murmur in the wind,
And half turn back” (350)
Here he is indenting the line “and half turn back” exactly half way across the page. The indent drives the image home even further.
“The Return” serves as a prime example that Pound puts his beliefs into action when he writes and it’s certainly not the only example. I’ve seen evidence of his use of Rhythm, Symbols, Technique and Form in almost all of his work.

Quiz on Walden

2. Why is it that Thoreau says he does not experience loneliness out in the woods?

"I experienced sometimes that the most sweet and tender, the most innocent and encouraging society may be found in any natural object." "I was suddenly sensible of such sweet and beneficent society in Nature, in the very pattering of the drops, and in every sound and sight around my house, an infinite and unaccountable friendliness all at once like an atmosphere sustaining me, as made the fancied advantages of human neighborhood insignificant, and I have never thought of them since." Thoreau is comforted with the companion he finds in nature. He also claims that when we have less human contact we appreciate the contact we do get much more.

3. How does Thoreau feel about the expansion of railroads?

Thoreau says that "we do not ride on the railroad, it rides upon us." "If we stay home and mind our business, who will want railoads?" I think he feel that the railroad is an intrusion on the landscape and a burden to to those who are content to travel under their own power.

4. One of the closing lines of Walden is, "Only that day dawns to which we are awake." What message does Thoreau want to send by closing this way To what does he want us to awaken?

Thoreau is trying to say that we can only live life one day at a time. We are in the moment and that is all we can control. If we don't live for the moment we are not truly living. Thourough wants us to awaken to our own consiousness and realize that we are here and now and that we should not waste life by taking it for granted or living for the future.

Quiz 2: Machiavelli, Gracian

Quiz 2: Machiavelli, Gracian

1. What does it mean today when we call someone "Machiavellian"? Is this an appropriate usage of Machiavelli's name and reputation? Why or why not?

When we refer to someone as Machiavellian today we are calling them deceptive, dishonest and cunning. We usually use the word Machiavellian for people who portray these traits in a position of power, most likely political, for personal gain. Despite the fact that the term carries a negative connotation most times, I believe that this is a fairly appropriate use of the name. In most cases, the person being referred to as Machiavellian is demonstrating some of the principles written in The Prince.

2. What concerns in The Prince reflect contemporary politics and world affairs? Choose one such specific situation and explain whether Machiavelli would approve or disapprove of the way leaders are handling it.

George bush used Machiavellian tactics to perfection in the wake of the September 11th attacks on the US. His speeches and demeanor following the attacks were motivated toward instilling fear in his followers, and subsequently winning the blind faith of Americans. Machiavelli says it’s contemptible to be considered irresolute, fickle, and effeminate. Bush did his very best to avoid those labels, even if gross exaggeration and even flat out lying were necessary to maintain order. Though I strongly disapprove, I’m sure that Machiavelli would have patted him on the back for his actions.

3. What was Machiavelli's purpose in writing The Prince? Can his text be applied to the art of living the life of the individual, or is it only applicable to leadership? Why?

Machiavelli’s purpose in writing The Prince was to lay a set of basic guidelines and principles for his successors to live by. He basically wrote a blueprint for future rulers to follow. I think Machiavelli’s teachings are best suited when applied to leadership. Many of his principles don’t hold up when used in an individuals personal life.

4. Name two pieces of advice from Gracian that echo the ideas of the Stoics.

Gracians advice to never talk about yourself is in line with Stoic philosophy. Both Gracian and the stoics say that talking about yourself is a show of vanity. Gracians aphorism about being “A Man of Rectitude” also echos stoic ideals. Gracian explains that a man of rectitude does not stray from the truth and what is right under any circumstance. The stoics would agree that virtue is above all.

5. Name two pieces of advice from Gracian that contradict the ideas of the Stoics.

“The Art of Being Lucky” aphorism written by Gracian is contradictory to Stoic philosophy. The Stoics believe were critical of superstitions and taboos. Gracian also advises that it is sometimes necessary to act on first impulses. I don’t think the Stoics would agree as they would always follow logic and act after coming to a logical decision.


6. What kinds of metaphors was Gracian apt to use to illustrate his ideas? How have these contributed to the longevity of his ideas?

Gracian often uses metaphors of nature to illustrate his ideas. Nature (sun, moon, animals etc) is timeless and his metaphors are still relevant in today.