Aphorism

"You cant't put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get." - Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps' most famous quote is the one stated above. I chose this aphorism as the best fit to my life because of the connections I make to it. Firstly, the author of this aphorism is, and has always been my idol. I don't only admire him for his talent in swimming, but I look up to his perseverance and mentality to reach his goals. When I read his book, this aphorism showed up. I felt a connection to my life, and since then I've always used this quote as an inspirational tool. Since a little girl, I've always had a big dream in mind. Sometimes I get sad because I doubt my abilities to reach my goals, but, since I've read Phelps' quote, I believe in myself and try to never give up. I wouldn't have achieved past goals without Michael's stories and quotes.

Michael's wise words connect to Joseph Campbell's Hero's journey. We are all born with a mission; we all need to seize our opportunities and reach our goals. Me, and many others, look up to Michael Phelps as a model to follow. He did what we all want to do. He worked, he learned, and he reached his goals.  He did not only win a gold medal in the Olympics (which was his inicial goal), but he became the most decorated Olympian of all times. Michael Phelps is my hero. He completed his task in the world, and now it is other people's turn to finish their 'quest'.

Siddhartha Reading Blog section 4

Siddhartha, the man who was poor, rich, sad, and happy, finally reaches enlightenment. I believe Siddhartha’s struggles were worth living in order to find happiness. I learned a lot from reading the book, and I'll hopefully use it in my life. He lived through hardships, and at the end he used his knowledge to find self peace.

At first I thought he wasn't going to make it; he wouldn't be able to handle all the bad things. Then, I realized that sufferment would give him resistance to go through difficult times. For example: when he left Kamala he was able to resist hunger because of his practice fasting with the Samanas. I have also built up resistance from swim practice.  My hard training is later reflected with my performances at swim meets. In some cases, though, I don’t do as well because I haven’t been disciplined at practice.

 I truly think that  reading this book has taught me to not give up. Siddhartha describes all the things he has learned to achieve inner peace. It was very helpful to read about them because anyone can apply these teachings to their lives. I am glad Siddhartha also thinks hard work pays off, and I hope I will reach my goal as the main character reached his.

Siddhartha Reading Blog section 3

Siddhartha surprised me with his decisions in the third section. He decides to leave Kamala, his only source of felicity, and go off alone. During the years he was with Kamala he lost joy; he didn't hear his inside voice anymore.  His lost of happiness impulses him to take various actions, such as leaving Kamala and trying to kill himself. Thankfully, his inner-voice rejoins him and he finds happiness again.

All the strange occurrences mentioned above made me come up with different questions. Why wasn't he satisfied with his wealthy lifestyle and with Kamala? When did his inside voice disappear? How many years passed while he was unhappy? How old is he now? Why didn't Govinda decide to stay with his friend? What will happen when the Buddha dies? Will he have any sort of relations with another women after leaving Kamala behind? Will he recognize his son when he reaches the river with Kamala?

Section three presented many turning points, and hopefully all my questions will be answered. I have made predictions for the last section regarding my questions. I believe Siddhartha will recognize his son, and that will make him extremely joyful. Then, as soon as the Buddha dies, he will do something with his river knowledge and become the new Buddha. I am anxious to know how the book Siddhartha finalizes!

Siddhartha Reading Blog section 2

Dear Siddhartha,

During these three chapters you have had a significant change in your life. You decided to not belong to a community a travel alone when you left Govinda behind with Buddha. You took a brave decision; now you don't depend on anyone's teaching, and you're getting closer to your inner-peace. I think you will be able to find enlightenment if you learn from yourself.

A teacher I know took similar decisions as you recently did. He wanted to find happiness in what he did, and being an engineer wasn't something he enjoyed. He decided to quit and travel the world on his own. He went all over Central America and volunteered for the communities. There, he found his true self and his passion. My teacher enjoyed helping others, and that's why he then decided to become a professor. "I learned more about myself throughout that year than in my whole life," he says. Thus, I support you with your decision.

All the people you have met on your way have helped you in some way for guidance.  Kamala, for example, helped you get a job, clothes, and a home. If your inner self hadn't told you that you loved her, maybe you wouldn't be as happy as you currently are. There is more to come, so I suggest you to continue with your quest. I assure you that you’ll reach your goal if you listen to your mind.

Cheers to inner peace!

Camila Toro

Siddhartha Reading Blog section 1

I felt a connection to Siddhartha while reading the book. The choices he makes for enlightenment connect to the ones I’m making to find my true self. In this section Siddhartha is getting closer to reach self-peace because of the changes he’s made to his life. I believe I am going through a similar phase because I am also getting ready to leave home and live my own life.

I related my decision to go to boarding school to Siddhartha when he felt he should join the Samanas. When Siddhartha's father finds out his son wants to leave, he gets very upset. My parents were also sad when I told them I wanted to go study abroad. Although they wanted me to experience a new lifestyle, they also wanted me to come back and live with them afterwards. But, after years of insisting them that I wanted to pursue my dreams away, they realized I had a real purpose. They are now letting me leave, just like Siddhartha's father does when he realizes his son's determination.

Siddhartha gets a step ahead in his pursuit of inner peace when he’s allowed to join the Samanas. He uses the skills he learns with the ascetics to talk to Buddha and to come up with his real purpose in life. I hope I’ll be closer to reaching my goals by going to boarding school in the US. I am anxious to start a new adventure, and, from that quest, find my true self and what I want to do when I grow up.

Visual Paradox and Oxymoron

 

The triangle is shown as an impossible shape. The angles are connected one above the other, so it makes it unreal. It implies that the light side is above the dark side, and vice versa.  The beam on the bottom is seen as looking down and up. The angle on the left is seen over the one on the right, but the one on the right is seen over the one above. It is a confusion of angles that makes the shape a paradox.   The only way it could be normal would be if one of the angles was shown below the others. It seems as an infinite triangle to my eyes. 

 The wooden cube represents a visual paradox. The columns on the left are normal, but the ones on the right and at the front aren't possible. If the top beams are parallel, then the column at the back isn't able to pass in front of the beam and at the same time be placed at the back of the cube. The image tricks the mind by whether the cube face is the one at the front right, or the one at the top left. Men wouldn't be able to build a cube as this one, because of the mixture between columns and beams. Therefore, this impossible cube is a visual paradox.

The sign above is an oxymoron because it shows two opposite ideas in one. The sign says 'STOP', but is colored green. Green represents GO in traffic indications, but here it gives opposite orders. The color green and the letters STOP show the oxymoron in the image. It should be red 'STOP' or green 'GO'. If I were to see this sign in the street, I wouldn't know whether to stop or continue going. This represents the importance of visuals and colors in daily life, and how each instruction is placed with an specific color. 

Confucius Wise Words Reading Blog

The analect that I chose was 4.14. "The Master said "Do not be concerned that you lack an official position, but rather concern yourself with the means by which you might become established. Do not be concerned that no one has heard of you, but rather strive to become a person worthy of being known.""

     As we read the Confucius book, I was searching for the best analect for me.  We read through the first pages, and I liked some of the quotes, but when Mr. Ferrebee read analect 4.14, I knew I had found what I was looking for. This quote reminded me of my summer. It felt like a déjà vu; as if I had had that same conversation previously in my life. Also, I felt strongly connected to Confucius words because of my profound interest with 中国人 (Chinese people).  It reminded me of my summers in Andover and China.

     What I understand from these words, they are trying to say that one shouldn't do things to be reminded, but rather do things that will make you feel historical. While I was in Phillips Academy, I asked my teacher assisant if he wanted to be remembered as a great author. "At first, I wanted to be famous like T.S. Elliot, but after thinking about it, why would I want people besides my close friends and family know about my existence? I don't write to be remembered, I write because I love it." Those words impacted my way of thinking. Since a little girl, I've always wanted to do something in order to famous. But after what my teacher assistant told me, I realized that I needed to do the things I loved, rather than the things that would make me famous.

     Confucius has a special talent; he makes the people realize what the true meaning of life is. It also connects to the meaning of 'ren'.  Do things for the goodness of it and not expecting anything back. From this event, and from reading the wise words of Confucius, I have realized a big part of my life that I had previously ignored. I need to do things because I am passionate about them, no matter what is the outcome. Not only when I grow up, but everyday I should do things because of the goodness of the human being. And, as it is written, when someone does goodness, they are expected to be rewarded by Confucius. Thanks for your eye-opening words Confucius!