[Ron]
> Yes, I think it's safe to say I had an epiphany of
> sorts. Culture influences
> Perception more than we realize. I think it is
> possible to learn about
> another culture, I believe it would take years and
> the intent to immerse
> ones self within it to truly gain any sort of
> accurate insight into it.
> I think this is why Pirsig abandoned the idea of
> writing about Native
> Americans, it's not like he couldn't, he just didn't
> have the time
> to immerse himself into the culture of a particular
> tribe.
[SA currently]
I agree culture influences our lives
tremendously. This is what lead me into anthropology
and I got a degree in it. I was in the woods alot,
and couldn't fit into the culture. I was on the
peripheral of this culture every since I was young.
Yet, when it was time to try to get a degree I choose
what I thought would help me. First it was
psychology, but I thought this dealt with the mind too
much. I then thought about English literature,
because I liked to write and I was beginning to read
for the first time actual novels and some adult length
books (Celestial Prophecy was the first book I read
that made me want to read more books). Yet, when I
was in the English department I realized these
students and what we had to learn was (1) years ahead
of me since I haven't read books in my leisure and (2)
many of the books I have to read in the university
were boring and when I think back they still are
boring books that I never heard of and never have come
across again. So, reading and writing as an
occupation seemed to blow out the window. Then years
later to make a long story short, I heard of this
'thing' called anthropology; the study of humankind
anytime, anyplace. Culture is the shared beliefs,
values, and norms of a society. I knew something was
going on with not just me, but this society and I had
to figure it out. I was also looking for an escape at
the same time, and immersing myself in anthropology,
learning about other cultures, learning about
Amerindians, and prehistoric cultures world-wide into
pre-Homo times such as Austrolipithecus (my spelling
by now may be off), and these latter I immersed myself
in constantly. Reading and walking in the woods,
trying to apply what I could and allowing my
imagination for the most part to travel these olden
times. This immersion is what professors would
suggest, especially if one is to visit another
culture, they suggested immersing oneself in all
readings and experience (museums) of these other
cultures before going to be ready for the culture
shock where the U.S. static patterns will find little
foothold (This is why the economy is perceived so
universal by Western civilization. For western
culture views economics as a common starting point to
communicate with any culture. That's why the
Europeans gave trade goods to the Amerindians. The
Europeans believe everybody likes 'things'/trade goods
and thus, even though they didn't know the same
language they could still be friends via trade;
recently this goes for China.). I've found that
culture does not dictate our perspective if one
desires to experience the periphal of any current
culture. This is why I talk about the woods. I've
been in the woods so long that when I experience the
rest of this culture I get lost. I have a tough time
finding a job in this culture that rests well with me.
I know my dream jobs would be maple syrup farming,
outdoor expedition shop salesman, and writing. I find
it difficult to pursue any of these where I live.
Writing I'm currently pursuing again with strong
determination. I usually write when I feel like I'm
goin' nuts. My wife doesn't want to move from this
area due to family. I can't blame her for this. I
don't want to leave our families either. I feel like
I'm on the hot stove and I've got to do something, but
that's another story...
[Ron]
> As far as tidying things up, it certainly clears up
> a lot of
> misconceptions I had and clarifies a few foggy
> issues MoQ wise. I know
> I've been culture
> Boy for the past few weeks but It has just recently
> dawned on me how much
> It entraps the mind, I am studying the concepts of
> the shaman at the moment...
SA:
The shaman. I love reading about the shaman. I
have some books on this person. I find the shaman is
the heart of any culture. The shaman can be in the
U.S. culture, but the shaman is the one who follows
his/her dreams to help society and sadly the shaman in
the U.S. culture finds difficulty hearing his/her
dreams that much anymore.
[Ron]
> And have unearthed in myself a new feeling and
> awareness of spirituality.
> Things are clicking and it's going to take some time
> for my mind to settle.
> Please bear with me, I realize I must come off as
> irritating (or so That's what I perceive from you)
this too shall
> pass, it just the novelty
> Of a new awareness.
SA:
Ron, I'm on vacation this week and it took me
four days off at Christmas, back to work two days,
three days off, work one day, off the next for New
Years, called off sick the next, two days work, and
now I've been off three days and I finally feel
normal. So, that's working 5 days in the last 17 days
and I'm finally feeling my spirit balance out where I
don't feel like a beaten, chained dog anymore. I'm
serious. I was suffocating. I can't stand it
anymore. I'm searching for a new job this week. I'll
do anything, but I can't fall below $9 hour and $10
would be best if I can't get health insurance. I'm
goin' crazy. My father went nuts in this culture, and
I'm fightin' to keep my head straight (not according
to this culture, but according to what I experience,
to feel the cool air without my head spinnin'). I'm
with ya on this spirituality shaman dream your own
dream and let life be alive! I'm going to post an
exerpt from a book ("Keepers of the Game" by Calvin
Martin) I'm currently reading that speaks on this very
issue.
[Ron]
> I think it has run it's course, I find myself
> preparing for a journey..what that means I have no
> idea, but I feel a call.
SA:
I do too. I've got to write a lot tonight!
Thanks.
[Ron]
> Intersecting fields of energy echoing in infinity, I
> no longer see purpose,
> What I understand is intent. The active intent of
> no-mind. Everyday I
> practice quieting my mind, ceasing to allow the
> echos of myself modulate
> In the awareness.
> It aint easy.
thanks.
warm evening,
windows open,
this air feels so good,
SA
____________________________________________________________________________________
Be a better friend, newshound, and
know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.
http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
Moq_Discuss mailing list
Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc.
http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org
Archives:
http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/
http://moq.org.uk/pipermail/moq_discuss_archive/
