Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation

In the 20 Minutes that I tried to meditate in, I had thoughts in my mind but later on, it was all black, which according to me means that I was empty minded. At first I could not concentrate and I was thinking about cars, since cars are really important to me, but 2 minutes later I was empty. Everything had gone black. At that time I tried to seek life’s truth and I imagined how a person become rich and spends a lot of money but the truth was that when you are rich, you have to manage your money because if you don’t, you will end up on the street one day. I had trouble not thinking about anything since I cannot sit for a long time not thinking about anything. While I was meditating, I did not receive any inspirations. The reason for that can be because I was trying to be empty minded and after being empty minded, I could not think about anything. Though meditation is really difficult, I think that meditation can take you in a different world where you can relax and don’t have to think about anything.

Reflection #3- Gandhi: Hindu and Activist

Gandhi was a spiritual leader during the peace treaty movement for India's independence.  


 Gandhi idea of Hinduism was that if people do good things in there life, they will be rewarded with good things too. This can be proved by looking at the scene when a Hindu man comes and throws bread and says eat. Gandhi tells him that if he has another child, he should raise it as a Muslim. The man said that he was going to go to hell because of this, and Gandhi said that if he raises the child as a Muslim then he will not. Another idea of Gandhi was the acceptance of all the other religions in the world. This was shown in the movie when Gandhi was in the car and a person says kill Jinnah, and Gandhi gets frustrated and says i am a Hindu, Muslim, Jew, Christian and other religions. This shows us that he appreciated all the religions in the world and didn't let anyone say anything bad about other peoples religion. 


"A vow is a purely religious act which cannot be taken in a fit of passion. It can be taken only with a mind purified and composed and with God as a witness."  Gandhi lived a very pure and simple life.  He practiced what he preached. Gandhi used to meditate everyday for his entire life. He made no discrimination between rich and poor and a Brahman and Dalit. Anyone could talk to him anytime, he did not give preference to people, believing everyone was equal. This was seen in the seen where the man throws the bread at him as mentioned in the previous paragraph. He would sit next to a Dalit or eat along with them whereas everyone else would stay far away from them. Gandhi had a very balanced thinking and never took any decisions in haste.  

Prehistoric Symbol Poem

Lotus flower, grwoing in muddy water
Rising above surface beautiful and clean
Standing so strong even when sun is hotter
Everything around pure and green.

Lotus flower, the symbol of purity and peace
Symbolizing that life is simple and beautiful
Importance of lotus on the increase
To god be always dutiful.

Modern Religious Experience: Assignment #3- Sacred Poetry

Lotus flower, grwoing in muddy water
Rising above surface beautiful and clean
Standing so strong even when sun is hotter
Everything around pure and green.

Lotus flower, the symbol of purity and peace
Symbolizing that life is simple and beautiful
Importance of lotus on the increase
To god be always dutiful.