Friday, May 8, 2009
Ryan Rusbuldt-Outside reading 3
This summer I am going to study abroad in Germany visiting the great cities of Munich, Berlin and Dresden. I was reading a basic book about German called, well.."facts about Germany" (real original right...). Well in this book, it tells the readers all about the history of Germany all the way from the beginning to moderen day. Also, the book describes the cities and primarily the significances they had in both WWI and WWII. I am really excited to see the country because well one, i am 75% German, and two, it is going to be a completely different landscape than I am used to. They describe these cities as magnificent Gothic like creations. Though German does not primarily have old Gothic steeples everywhere it does show a lot of history and is going to be a great trip. I am really excited for the new landscape I am about to witness and I am looking forward to learning much more about the place where I come from!
Ryan Rusbuldt-Landscapes-3
Lane shows a diagram of space vs. place in chapter 8. The diagram made sense to me because I think that to much space in one place can be very frightening. I am from a very big county in Virgina (Fairfax county). I don't get scared when I'm out in the open or anything, it is just the fact that there is so much space in one place. I have lacked the experience of that "small town feeling" because where I come from doubles the population of Alaska, OUR BIGGEST STATE! It is kind of annoying when people think they know much about you because of one acquittance. I wish I would be able to know what it would be like to have that small town feeling, the closest I ever got to that was in upstate New York in a small town called Penn Yan. My grandparents, aunt and cousins live up there and is always fun to go up and see them. I thought this chapter was pretty interesting because Lane shows both the pro's and con's of living the life as a normal human, and I feel he shows us what it is like to be a balanced person in today's world.
Ryan Rusbuldt-Landscapes-2
"In the fullness of primeval time, certain cosmic figures began an upward journey which brought them in the world as we know it Lane,75." Lane explains that there are more important places where there is mythically reconstructed in every ceremonial hogan where the ritual of creation is still rehearsed today. He is talking about the Navajo Indians how they have many ancient myths the tell the world in their prospective. "They emerged from their underground origin at a place which continues to serve as a vertical axis mundi, the location where contact with numinous power is still made (Lane, 75)." Obviously Lane is stating how important and necessary these traditions are and how they are so powerful and meaningful to them.
Ryan Rusbuldt- Landscapes- 1
Lane had three approaches to understanding the "medicine wheel" as Sacred Place. He said that these 3 skills will help interpreter the personal experience of a place. The approaches that Lane teaches are the ontological, cultural, and phenomenological approaches. The ontological approach means that a sacred place is RADICALLY set apart from everything profane, or evil. The cultural approach explained that the "notion that sacred places inherently possess an intentionality and power drawn from within or beyond themselves(Lane,43). The Phenomenological approach was demanding the attention of the people to the realization that the existence between humans and a "more than human world." However, Lane stressed the importance of "embodiment in the human experience of place (Lane, 44)."
Ryan Rusbuldt- Making Nature Sacred-3
In the book, Dillard talks about an experience where she is walking along a creek and then saw "the tree with lights in it. I saw the backyard cedar where the mourning doves roost charged and transfigured, each cell buzzing with flame (Gatta,211). She called this experience a "vision". Dillard's definition of a vision is an imaginative in-sight beyond physical sight. Since I did my paper on Tom Brown, who is well known for his vision quests, I can see the resemblance between both Dillard and Brown's definition of the Vision. I believe that Brown goes much more in detail with his Vision, however he has probably gone on many more vision quests. To me, Dillard seems to have a more general, easy to comprehend definition of her vision. Tom brown was very challenging to figure out what all his Vision quests had to do with his actual vision, but was very interesting how they all somehow puzzled together.
Ryan Rusbuldt- Making Nature Sacred-2
Everyone has an "imagination world", or a place you can find in your mind that can help clear your troubles in life. People also have imagination worlds within certain landscapes, places, and space. "Every landscape is exotic, from the perspective of those who stand apart from it. Even places we assume to be familiar remain, on some plane of perception, implacably strange (Gatta,175)." This passage makes me realize that places can be "exotic", or more or less wild. Even if it is not in the actual wilderness, some people can find places where they can escape from their problems and clear their minds of whatever may be troubleing them.
Ryan Rusbuldt- making nature sacred 1
Reading parts of John Gatta's book, has made me realize that nature serves a much more important role to the body and mind than i thought. Gatta explores the quest of
"Natural revelation". He does this by reading books, primarly the bible, and re-examines the views on which is put upon wilderness. He explains that nature is notoriously elusive, but strong belief and faith in his religion helps his outdoor experiences. Also Gatta believes there is to much secular skepticism in the United States today. Even though religion is still practiced today, he stresses that nature may not be looked upon as good as it would be if everyone was spirtuality developed.
"Natural revelation". He does this by reading books, primarly the bible, and re-examines the views on which is put upon wilderness. He explains that nature is notoriously elusive, but strong belief and faith in his religion helps his outdoor experiences. Also Gatta believes there is to much secular skepticism in the United States today. Even though religion is still practiced today, he stresses that nature may not be looked upon as good as it would be if everyone was spirtuality developed.
May 8-Landscapes of the Sacred 2-Adrienne Jones
In chapter 8 of “Landscapes of the Sacred,” there is a diagram outlining the tension of space and place within American cultural life. On the left side of the diagram is Comfort, “The Myth of the Small Town.” This myth is based on the sense of comfort and security that is associated with a “homey” place. Although this place may be most comfortable for someone, it also presents a sense of restrictiveness in a person’s life. For example, when a person lives in one area for their entire life, they begin to feel restricted and closed in.
May 8-Landscapes of the Sacred 1-Adrienne Jones
One of the readings in “Landscapes of the Sacred” is about the Medicine Wheel serving as a sacred place. Here, Lane attempts to show the reader the importance of the interpretation of a sacred place in order to fully understand it. The Medicine Wheel is a circle of stones on the top of a mountain. The Medicine Wheel was used by Native Americans to worship the gods, and to perform sacred rituals. In order for one fully appreciate a place like this, they must understand the cultural, spiritual, and historical significance it has—otherwise, it will only be a bunch of rocks.
May 8-Making Nature Sacred 3-Adrienne Jones
In “Making Nature Sacred,” Gatta speaks about Wendell Berry, a highly asteemed author. Berry grew up in the Baptist church and practiced many of its structured, religious studies. Soon, Berry decided to move to Kentucky and start a life of his own, not to completely divide from the Christian faith, but to submerge himself with nature so he could better understand the magnificence of God. One point he made that was very significant to me was his ideal of heaven. In the Christian church, Heaven is seen as a reward for those who have done everything they needed to do while they were on Earth and deserved a paradise when they die. Berry slightly disagrees with this. Instead of saying that Heaven is a just reward to man, he sees it as a “divine gift to a fallen people,” meaning that it is because of God’s grace that we will live in paradise when we die.
May 8-Making Nature Sacred 2-Adrienne Jones
In “Making Nature Sacred,” Gatta writes about Thomas Morton’s Idol Experiment. Morton’s book, “New English Canaan” evaluates the idea of ideology in Puritan practices. The Puritans see themselves as being higher than all others, and essentially, being pure. Gatta argues that the Puritan lifestyle is valid, in some ways, but also extreme, in others.
May 8-Making Nature Sacred 1-Adrienne Jones
“The ‘divinely beautiful’ luminosity of these heights sets the tone of his account in The Mountains of California. Pressing toward the summit of Mount Ritter, he perceived the rosy evening alpenglow to be ‘one of the most impressive of all the terrestrial manifestations of God.” Throughout “Making Nature Sacred,” Gatta uses examples from authors to express his feeling toward his belief in combining religious practices with nature.
May 8-Class Adventure 2-Adrienne Jones
In class, Dr. Redick showed us a lot of sacred places that he got to visit. In one place, he spoke of a beautiful tree that he spotted while backpacking. I thought that this was extremely significant because in the picture he showed us, there were no signs of civilization or sources of plant life, except for that tree. This tree reminded me of the story of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden. This was especially apparent when Dr. Redick showed us a picture of the tree a year later, dead and completely fallen over.
May 8-Class Adventure-Adrienne Jones
In one class, we got to go to the Lion’s Ridge. The sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky. Just being able to learn about this place made me have a warm feeling of peace and serenity inside of me. This experience definitely opened up my eyes to something. Newport News is definitely not a place of great wonder and possibility, but this experience showed me that there is always more than what meets the eye. I can only hope that I take this experience and apply it to my personal relationships.
May 8-Coming of Age In Mississippi-Adrienne Jones
In the book “Coming of Age in Mississippi” by Anne Moody, she talks about the struggles she had to face as a young black female in the South. Throughout the book, she is reminded of the prejudices of the world but finds solace and peace within her home. This reminded me of chora, place, where there is comfort, peace, and serenity in the midst of a chaotic world.
May 8-Linden Hills 2-Adrienne Jones
In “Linden Hills,” by Gloria Naylor, a man gives up all he owns to create a housing area. The dedication page was quite stricking to me:
“Grandma Tilson, I’m afraid of hell. Ain’t nothing to fear, there’s hell on earth. I mean the real hell where you can go when you die. You ain’t gotta die to go to the real hell. No? Uh uh, you just gotta sell that silver mirror God propped in your soul. Sell it to who—the devil? Naw, just to the highest bidder, child. The highest bidder.”
This page, alone, shows the importance of finding one’s true self whether it be through nature or through religion because if you don’t, someone else will find you and take everything you have away from you.
“Grandma Tilson, I’m afraid of hell. Ain’t nothing to fear, there’s hell on earth. I mean the real hell where you can go when you die. You ain’t gotta die to go to the real hell. No? Uh uh, you just gotta sell that silver mirror God propped in your soul. Sell it to who—the devil? Naw, just to the highest bidder, child. The highest bidder.”
This page, alone, shows the importance of finding one’s true self whether it be through nature or through religion because if you don’t, someone else will find you and take everything you have away from you.
May 8-Linden Hills 1-Adrienne Jones
In “Linden Hills” Gloria Naylor stresses the importance of a good understanding of self. I believe that we can find ourselves with time and patience. A good way to do that is to explore the world. By exploring the world, you isolate yourself from others to help you become more aware of your likes, dislikes, wants, and desires.
May 8-College Beauty-Adrienne Jones
Going to a new college is quite nerve racking. Trust me, I know. It was not easy to leave the comfort of a nice warm bed to a small room shared by a stranger. But from the moment I came to CNU, I knew it was different. There are so many college brochures that show the “beautiful” side of campus. But CNU is the only school that I experienced to actually emulate that beauty in real life. In the morning, I wake up early so that I can enjoy the sunshine and beautiful trees, grass, and flowers on my way to class. To me, that is peace and serenity. To me, that is sacred.
May 8-My Space-Adrienne Jones
This year I have the privilege of living in the CNU Apartments. As you probably know, each apartment has a kitchen, a living area, and separate rooms for each person that includes a private bathroom and a walk-in closet. This may sound petty, but this is sacred, to me. I have ten classes, three jobs, church participation, mentorship programs, as well as school organizations on my plate. So to have my own room represents me being isolated from the chaos of the world.
May 8-Shiloh Baptist-Adrienne Jones
My church is a sacred place, also. Stereotypically, people will always say that a church is always going to be a sacred place because it is a venue of religious affiliations. But my church has very special significance because I feel like I grew up there. As a military brat, I didn’t have a set place to call home. But Shiloh Baptist Church was always the place we came to visit when we were in Virginia. It also helps that all my family members live in the Tidewater area, and those on my dad’s side of the family grew up in that church.
May 8-My Comfort Zone-Adrienne Jones
In “Landscapes of the Sacred,” Lane, in his diagram, lists Threat as a fear of being lost in space. I will have to agree with this whole-heartedly. My ultimate fear is life is to be alone and forgotten. I cling on to things that are familiar to me which is quite constrictive, but also keeps me from being afraid. But even though these things are there, doesn’t mean they will always be around. My challenge to myself is to stop relying on things and on others and to step out of my comfort zone, so that I can experience the world, and in turn, get to know myself better.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Ryan Rusbuldt-4
I think Cleaning rooms are over-rated. I am sitting in my room right now wondering how long it is going to take me to clean all this junk up and pack it away. My lease doesn't end until Mid June, but I think i should start now if i want to even think about getting out then! Cnu should offer optional maid service for 100 bucks extra a semester! They would make a killing!!! Especially if they offered laundry service. I know so many kids that's don't even know what a washing machine looks like! That would be awesome if cnu did that, plus it would open up more on-campus jobs. However, I feel like there would be a big problem of theft, and would have a lot of people being put through the already backed up honor council. Even though there would probably be some issues, I still think it would be awesome for people to come clean my room!
Ryan Rusbuldt-outside reading 2
I picked up a book in the lib called, "Wild Things". It is a book explaining to children why the wild is important and also explains to them the culture of others.
The book tells stories about children's literature and how they explain the wild. "Surprisingly, very little research has looked at changes in the depiction of nature to children over the years (Rodgers,151)." The book explains the common material which kids are learning. Most books incorporate interaction with nature, then cause and effect of humans in nature. They also touch on survival and how the nature is important so we can breath and have habitats for animal, and the third reason is based upon the good and evil of living and nonliving things. These three main topics are going to keep the children very close minded about the wilderness and most of them will not care. Nature should be more heavily put in the curriculum to give the children a better understand of what it really can do for the spirit and heart as well as body and earth.
The book tells stories about children's literature and how they explain the wild. "Surprisingly, very little research has looked at changes in the depiction of nature to children over the years (Rodgers,151)." The book explains the common material which kids are learning. Most books incorporate interaction with nature, then cause and effect of humans in nature. They also touch on survival and how the nature is important so we can breath and have habitats for animal, and the third reason is based upon the good and evil of living and nonliving things. These three main topics are going to keep the children very close minded about the wilderness and most of them will not care. Nature should be more heavily put in the curriculum to give the children a better understand of what it really can do for the spirit and heart as well as body and earth.
Ryan Rusbuldt- outside reading
I read about the Vietnam war and the terrain they had to fight on. The war has been explained as one of America's devastating leads to hatred world wide. The Americans knew going into the war that the landscape of Vietnam is virtually nothing but jungle. Many soldiers used slang language to explain the jungle. "The Shit", was most commonly known as the Jungle. They call it the shit because of many reasons including the fact that it would always rain and create mud. Others described the whole country as hell in a very small place. The landscape was disrespected in the war, but solders had more important things on there mind at that time, such as surviving. It was hard for solders to learn from nature and understand its ways because of the conflict of perspective between the two countries. Do not get me wrong, i support the United States Troops no matter what! They die protecting me and my fellow citizens, and all of our rights! Many of my family member have activily served in the armed forces and all should be commended, but the issue was with the landscape which they had to fight on.
Ryan Rusbuldt-3
Yesterday I went fishing in the James River Closer to the city of Richmond. We caught a good amount of shad, both American and Hickory, also we caught a good amount of Sand perch and Herrings. I love going fishing and I'm actually going again in Maryland in the Chessapeake to go fish for strippers! I love that feeling reeling in a 40lb fish, the rush, the anticipation to see if the fish is big or not, and the worry of it fallin off the hook. All of those feelings are pouring into my mind, making me react to the fishes every move. If you feel the fish fighting against you let it go fo a bit then reel him back in, sometimes it will take more than 10 minutes to reel one of them in. Other times the fish is so stunned that it go hooked that it is only a minute or two to get him in the boat. Primarly I am a catch and release kinda guy in freshwater, but salt water fish are so much better to eat, so normally i will fish until the max we can get on the boat. To me fishing is a good way of relaxing and getting my mind of other stressful things, like school!!!!!
ryan rusbuldt-2
My life consists of football, school, food, women, cars and lifting. This pretty much sums up my life and explains what i am about. I also enjoy paintballing a lot and I think the NCAA should make it an official sport. Many D1 and D2 schools already have club teams, at CNU we have a half ass club team. We should put forward a plan to force the most extreme action sport into the NCAA's list of programs. Currently paintball is one of the fastest rising phenomenons, and has been very succesful on the professional level. It is something that will make the NCAA more versatile, and mix up the tradition sports such as baseball, football, basketball,etc. I personally think it will draw huge crowds and bring more positive minds toward the sport!
ryan rusbuldt-1
I think that the CNU alcohol policy is stupid. I know that underage drinking is illegal and bad, but we are in college and people tend to make bad choices. The problem is that CNU is so anal about drinking becuase it is a dry campus. However, most people drink off campus and get busted on their way back from parties. I am not talking about drinking and driving I am talking about WALKING!!! I know way to many people that have been stopped WALKING because an officer happens to "smell it in the air" around them. It is rediculious. What where they charged with? A WUI? walking under the influence? Students at CNU are making better choices and are being smarter when they drink. CNU PD are being absolutly unfair, on of my food friends blew a .009.... not even a .01.. and she got a underage chage. I know for a fact that mouthwash can get you as high as a .02. She got FIFTY HOURS of community service!! I think cnu is just trying to save money by using "slave labor" from already hard working students around campus.
Making Nature Sacred 1 - Spencer Beeson
In Making Nature Sacred, Wendell Berry questions the environmental stance of institutional Christianity, claiming it “connives directly in the murder of Creation.” Berry makes a bold statement on an institution so closely related to Creation. I found Berry’s opinion thought provoking and his approach to practicing Christianity quite unique. He does not go to church on Sunday but instead walks in the woods near his home. He thinks that the church is too linked with the economy and fails to acknowledge environmental issues because of it. I think Berry makes a valid point and that the Christian organization is too closely tied with, “militarism and exploitative industry.” I like his approach of still practicing Christianity without going to church and his rebellious act has sufficient reason. I think more emphasis and teaching should be placed on environmental issues given that the Bible seems to show an appreciation for the land that God created. Berry’s poetry and work points out one of many hypocrisies of organized religion today.
Shamanic State of Consciousness - Spencer Beeson
There are numerous ways of entering into SSC including sensory deprivation, fasting, fatigue, hyperventilation, dancing, singing or chanting, drumming, exposure to extremes of temperature, using hallucinogenic substances, and the setting dictated by the beliefs and ritualized ceremonies of the culture. Which methods used is highly cultural and truly depends on the personal preference of the shaman and the tradition of the community. For example: Tibetan shamans emphasize the importance of drums in the journey, Australian shamans look towards the healing powers of crystals, Central and South America, as well as parts of Africa, use hallucinogenic substances to elicit a trance state, and some Native American shamans actually depart on a physical vision quest to find healing. This is a very basic overview and often numerous devices are used; the items used are completely based on the community and what works best for them. It’s important to note that in some practices, such as the use of hallucinogenic substances, the patients will also participate in the altering of consciousness. In Native American communities a bond is often created between the shaman and the patient by smoking from the calumet, which is a long sacred pipe that contains a strong type of tobacco with hallucinogenic effects; the ingestion or smoking of peyote has also become popular in the last two centuries of Native American culture. The ceremony will often begin around dusk and continue on for hours, sometimes until dawn. The trance state that the shaman enters provides spiritual powers that allow him or her to see into the past and future allowing the shaman to determine the cause of the problem or how to act wisely in the future, a process referred to as divination. A shaman who practices this will be slightly different from one who heals mental illness by trying to find a cure or improve quality of life. The point being that there are numerous ways a shaman can use their “magical” powers, not always for the better of the community.
Shamanic Healing 2 - Spencer Beeson
The healing process is often highly ceremonial or ritualized and can go on for hours. The shaman will normally embark on a spiritual journey into the spirit world in search for a lost soul or a way to help the suffering patient. Usually, depending on the patient, the shaman will either travel to the upper world or the lower world, distinct imagery is reported to be associated with each world. The shaman will enter into the lower world in his visions normally through a hollow stump, a cave, a water hole, or a tube or hole in the ground. In the lower world the shaman looks for a power animal, or an animal that will appear numerous times in the vision and is often summoned by the shaman by wearing parts of the animal in the ceremony, such as deer antlers. The lower world is typically an area that brings tests and challenges. The upper world is entered through a vision of climbing a tree, cliff, mountain, ladder, or rainbow, floating up into the sky or flying to meet a teacher. The upper world experience is very different than the lower world and can often be very euphoric.
Shamanic Healing 1 - Spencer Beeson
I decided to write a few blogs on Shamanism healing because it’s a topic I have been researching in another class and it’s a topic that interests me. Healing is a little different than what we are use to with modern medicine. Modern medicine is always looking for a cure for something with a pill or shot, while shamanism provides healing by bringing together the soul and body. Many communities believe that in light of some traumatic event or disease, the soul will leave the body to avoid the pain. When apart from the body, the soul can come into contact with evil spirits or demons of another cosmic reality and it is the job of the shaman to mentally leave his body on a journey to find and return the lost soul. Many of these communities believe that the spirit world can still have an impact on the visible world and it is the job of the shaman to mediate between the two. The shaman has also been known to be able to heal the land and protect it from the evil spirits. Part of shamanism, in particular the healing, is to improve the patient emotionally. For instance, a terminally ill patient isn’t just suffering from physical conditions; it is the job of the shaman to help the patient cope and come to accept their illness in effort to improve the quality of life. A shaman can help the mentally ill, or even somebody suffering from depression, heal on an emotional level and in the end live more of an normal life.
First AT Hike - Spencer Beeson
After a forty minute drive through the hilly rural roads of southwest Virginia we arrived at a small parking lot off the highway where a sign read, MacAfee’s Knob Appalachian Trail 3.6 miles. Anxious to get onto the AT for the first time, my friend and I started up the trail on a beautiful spring afternoon. Since that day I have been back to different locations on the trail numerous times, but for some reason that first hike was one I would never forget. Underestimating the duration of the car ride, we were a bit rushed for time and our leisurely afternoon hike soon turned into a more vigorous trek up the mountain. About a mile into the hike we decided to take a short-cut up a rock face that ran about 200ft at a 45 degree angle along the side of the mountain. The rock climbing, which was not the smartest idea, quickly became a dangerous but exhilarating detour that gave me a scare as I contemplated the consequences of a slip that would most likely lead to my death. Minutes later, and after many cautious steps, we reached the top of the rock which grew out of the earth like a rocky tooth. We climbed down the backside of the rock only to realize we had lost the trail, which my friend had assured me would be at the top. An attempt to climb back down the rock would have been a dangerous and mindless decision, so we had no choice but to walk in the direction in which we suspected to find the trail. We trail blazed for about forty-five minutes up the mountain and we still had not found the trail. At this point I was beginning to think we may be lost but eventually we saw the white paint that marked the trail. We hooked back up following the white marks and finished the mile or so we had left to the top. Upon arriving, and after a bit of exploring, we found small caves below the peak where we sat and enjoyed the serene overlook. As we took in the view, my exhaustion turned into a feeling of joy and the experience sprouted a passion for both hiking and the Appalachian Trail.
Noland Trail - Spencer Beeson
Our trip to the Noland Trail, which started with a short rain, turned in to a good walk on a beautiful day. Dr. Redick introduced looking at the natural landscape up close, from a medium distance, and from afar. I found it interesting the different things I picked up in each of the perspectives. Up close I noticed small details such as the texture of the wood and displacement of logs. In the middle perspective I could start to get the bigger picture but I cold also still notice some details like a squirrel running up a tree. The far perspective is cool because you can get the bigger picture but the details are left out. In our time to walk alone I was able to experience the difference between the near and far perspectives of a particular area. We started our hike by the Lions Bridge which is marked by giant sculptures of lions and its view of the James River and Noland Trail. Later in the hike, when I was by myself, I was able to view the Lions Bridge from a distance across the lake. My experience of the bridge the second time was significantly different, I could barely make out the lions and I could not even see the people walking around the entrance of the trail. What seemed so big and important before now just seemed like an obstacle in the way of an even larger view of the James River.
Space and Place Diagram - Spencer Beeson
Lane lays out a helpful diagram in understanding the relationship between space and place. It is made up of two axis, one vertical representing space as topos and one horizontal showing place as chora. These are the Greek words for place. Topos is “a mere location, a measurable, quantifiable point, neutral and indifferent,” and chora means “an energizing force, suggestive to the imagination, drawing intimate connections to everything else in our lives.” At the top of the vertical axis is freedom, such as the open spaces of the western United States. The opposite end of the axis is the abundance of space that causes fear, like outer space. On the horizontal axis to the left is place as comfort. Lane uses the example of the American small town for demonstrating the axis of place. It can be nice to know everyone and experience the overall happiness of a small town. On the other end, it can also be constricting due to pressures to conform, dullness, and small-mindedness. I think Lane does a good job at laying out the continuum of possible place/space experiences in relation to American life.
Space and Place - Spencer Beeson
Space is everywhere all the time. It is impossible to have non-space in the know world. According to Gretel Ehrlich, “Space has a spiritual equivalent and can heal what is divided and burdensome in us.” So all space has the ability heal, most likely sacredness. The problem with space is that it is so small. A big space would just be an abundance of many small spaces. Therefore, a big space can be considered a ‘place’. Place is any collection of spaces, so a place would also inherit the spiritual characteristics that Gretel Ehrlich described above. When a place becomes spiritual, or “sacred”, it is often referred to as a “power place”. Belden Lane says, “The place presents itself as more than merely the sum of its parts.” (Lane 45) This means that the spiritual qualities of space best come out when they unite together in a place; and although space has spiritual qualities, they cannot truly be experienced without place.
What is sacred? - Spencer Beeson
Sacred, in reference to nature, is when a place converts from topos to chora. These are the Greek words for place. Topos is “a mere location, a measurable, quantifiable point, neutral and indifferent,” and chora means “an energizing force, suggestive to the imagination, drawing intimate connections to everything else in our lives.” (Lane 39) Sacred is also when the individual is able to experience the sublime, which is “the strongest emotion which the mind is capable of feeling.” (Redick 40) When a place becomes sacred the individual and the environment becomes filled with the sublime. In “Landscapes of the Sacred”, Lane gives an example when he experienced sacredness. “Half anticipating some peculiar experience of the holy in walking around the circle myself, I saw nothing unusual – only a woman I noticed on the opposite side of the wheel as I made my way halfway around it. She stood facing my way, looking toward me but seeming so deeply entranced by something in the middle distance between us that I wondered what she saw that I had missed. Her rapt attention to some mystery in turn captured me. …But the circle joined us in that brief moment, making us part of a connectedness that the entire place seemed to share.” (Lane 40) There is a lesson to be learned in this passage. It is that a sacred place chooses the individual; the individual does not choose the sacred place. With this said, almost any place has the potential to be sacred and produce the feeling of sublime.
McCandless Blog - Spencer Beeson
Although I was anticipating the talk by Chris’s parents, I did not know what to expect from the presentation. I knew the parents were bewildered about Chris’s adventure, and were left with a feeling of why? Now I know it’s been a while since Chris’s death but a story like his is not one that could be gotten over quickly, if at all. So this left me wondering what the parent’s attitude would be. John Krakauer obviously thought highly of Chris but he made it clear that the parents did not support Chris’s adventure. So I was glad to hear that they had constantly kept in touch with Krakauer, and with his help, were able to better understand what Chris was doing and why.
To be honest, I was surprised to hear that his parents had traced Chris’s steps, and even entered the bus where Chris deceased. I was, in a way, proud of them, realizing how hard that must have been. His father said how long it took him to read the book, so I can only imagine how long it took them to retrace his steps. The most moving part of the presentation for me was the pictures. The pictures Chris took of his journey left me in awe but his childhood photos were equally compelling. Krakauer told us about his childhood but to see it is entirely different. It was as if the audience was reliving his childhood through the memories of the people who knew it best. I can’t say that the talk helped me understand why Chris did what he did because I already felt like I knew why from the book. But what the presentation did do was show me how intense and spiritual his journey was. It was so moving that even his mother and father could come to accept it. Chris, without a doubt, found something sacred in nature, and that must be one of the reasons he died a happy man. I greatly enjoyed the presentation and story by Chris’s parents because it reinstated a sense of adventure in me.
To be honest, I was surprised to hear that his parents had traced Chris’s steps, and even entered the bus where Chris deceased. I was, in a way, proud of them, realizing how hard that must have been. His father said how long it took him to read the book, so I can only imagine how long it took them to retrace his steps. The most moving part of the presentation for me was the pictures. The pictures Chris took of his journey left me in awe but his childhood photos were equally compelling. Krakauer told us about his childhood but to see it is entirely different. It was as if the audience was reliving his childhood through the memories of the people who knew it best. I can’t say that the talk helped me understand why Chris did what he did because I already felt like I knew why from the book. But what the presentation did do was show me how intense and spiritual his journey was. It was so moving that even his mother and father could come to accept it. Chris, without a doubt, found something sacred in nature, and that must be one of the reasons he died a happy man. I greatly enjoyed the presentation and story by Chris’s parents because it reinstated a sense of adventure in me.
Making Nature Sacred 3 - Spencer Beeson
The term axis mundi is essentially the center of the world, both physically and spiritually. Often a culture will have their own axis mundi, usually a natural object such as a tree, rock, or mountain. But an axis mundi can also be completely individual; there is no certain place that is axis mundi, meaning that there many ‘centers of the universe’. Dominique Susani says, “A great number of traditions identify the center of the world as a navel. The navel not only indicates the center of physical manifestation, but it is also the spiritual center of the world, such as the “ladder” (“bethyle” in Hebrew) in the form of a column, raised by Jacob, or the omphalos of Delphi.” This shows that the axis mundi terminates the duality of physical and spiritual, and brings everything together as one. Susani then goes on to say, “The omphalos (navel) is therefore the site where the cosmos materializes the order of the world, a type of interface between the material and the spiritual.” The axis mundi is a portal, or as Professor Redick says, a pipe that allows earth and the cosmos to flow through and connect. When a human experiences the axis mundi they cease to be just earth, or human, and everything else is forgotten as they experience the cosmos. Finally, it’s important to realize the axis mundi is mental then physical. There cannot be a physical site or object until the idea of a ‘center’ is grasped mentally.
Making Nature Sacred 2 – Spencer Beeson
Although the traditional definitions of wilderness hold true, they also limit its meaning in many ways. Wilderness is anything not made by man, or in other words, anything that can be found naturally on earth. According to Roderick Nash, “There is no specific material object that is wilderness.” This makes wilderness, as Nash says, “elusive”. In looking at traditional definitions of wilderness it’s clear that the land has to be uninhabited by humans, but this makes no sense. When looking back to a pre-human stage of the world, the entire earth was, what is now considered, wilderness. How can it be said that the ground, be it in the middle of the forest or next to an office building, was wilderness at one point but now is not? It’s irrational to denounce a piece of land of its ‘wilderness’ just because humans have settled near or on it. Are humans not nature? Land does not lose its ‘wilderness’ when a family of birds nests in a tree, or when a beaver builds a dam in a river. This is considered wildlife but humans are not? Daniel Williams explains what has recently happened to wilderness. “Though leaders of the wilderness movement sought limits on the spread of modern civilization, they were perhaps unwitting accomplices in the modern machination to commodify nature. …By emphasizing wilderness as specifically “designated” places for moderns to seek reconciliation with nature, and by putting nature on the map as places to escape modern civilization, they tamed nature as surely as the loggers, miners, and road builders.” This means that wilderness as it’s commonly known is nothing but a social construct. The traditional definition is only the ideal, or what we want wilderness to be. In actuality, wilderness is everything; it’s me, the sky, the earth and its many layers, the sky, the birds, the squirrel in the tree, and the deepest parts of the oceans. Wilderness is all-encompassing, which is why it is elusive.
Making Nature Sacred 1
In Making Nature Sacred, Wendell Berry questions the environmental stance of institutional Christianity, claiming it “connives directly in the murder of Creation.” Berry makes a bold statement on an institution so closely related to Creation. I found Berry’s opinion thought provoking and his approach to practicing Christianity quite unique. He does not go to church on Sunday but instead walks in the woods near his home. He thinks that the church is too linked with the economy and fails to acknowledge environmental issues because of it. I think Berry makes a valid point and that the Christian organization is too closely tied with, “militarism and exploitative industry.” I like his approach of still practicing Christianity without going to church and his rebellious act has sufficient reason. I think more emphasis and teaching should be placed on environmental issues given that the Bible seems to show an appreciation for the land that God created. Berry’s poetry and work points out one of many hypocrisies of organized religion today.
Landscapes of the Sacred 3 - Spencer Beeson
After reading, “Given this reciprocity, in face, one may even have to speak of the place as perceiving itself through us” I found it hard to think that place could perceive itself through our senses. What could possibly give it the ability to do that? Does place have a soul or consciousness? These are the types of questions that arise when reading this passage. Upon first reading this I think that this statement is not one that can be proven to be true. But then why would some people believe this way. Well it must be due to the scared or sublime feeling that people often experience in nature. When humans experience the sacredness of a place they enter into a realm of the unknown. For some reason they feel a connection as if they are fully at that place. Lane says, “To be fully present to any locale is to recognize the reciprocity involved in touching and being touched by its particular array of rocks, trees, animals, and geographical features.” This statement builds off of the last entry that nature participates in the human experience of it. How can a place be sacred without a human to perceive it? This would make one think that place could perceive itself through us since we are necessary for a place to be sacred or sublime. Even after this I still find it hard to fully agree with this statement. It may be possible but there is really no way to prove it, and it is more of an observation than a fact. But nonetheless, this statement is very thought provoking and gives me a what if? feeling. The best part of the statement is how it makes the reader think about the possibility of place having a conscious mind or at least some higher force behind it and this is mind boggling in itself.
Landscapes of the Sacred 2 - Spencer Beeson
Lane mentions that, “the traditional native conviction that nature “talk’s back,” that it participates in the experience humans have of it” and at first I thought, how can nature talk back? This abstract concept is hard to wrap the mind around. This brought me to the idea that humans are separate from nature, that nature is some obstacle, something that can be conquered. This is clearly not true; humans are as much a part of nature as the trees or the animals in the forest. So how can nature talk? Well, humans are nature and they talk, birds can chirp. Every animal with vocal chords or a way of producing sound can communicate, but what about trees or a desert? It seems as if every part of nature can communicate in some way or another, but why do we only recognize the nature we can hear? The subtle or even mundane aspects of nature must have a way to communicate, and this is through a feeling. Nature has to participate in the experience humans have of it. If it didn’t then humans could not have the experience of it. How can humans feel in awe or mesmerized by a place if it is not participating in some way or another? This holds true with the first of Lane’s four axioms, that sacred place chooses it is not chosen. There is no doubt that place participates in the sacred experience. If a place can’t physically talk then it must communicate with the human in one of their other senses. Take the desert for example, it makes little sound but the heat is overwhelming. The sun reflects of the dry cracked desert floor and gives the human a feeling. The desert uses other elements to communicate with you. Another example is the forest. The tree itself cannot talk but it does make a sound when the wind blows against its leaves.
Landscapes of the Sacred 1 - Spencer Beeson
Towards the end of the book Lane brings up the difference between kataphatic and apophatic traditions in spirituality. Kataphatic, involving the use of metaphor and images in understanding the divine and apophatic, which moves away from the use of symbols and empties the mind of all efforts to understand the holy. Reading this I began to wonder which would be a better way to understand the holy and which tradition I would fall under. Being raised in a Christian family I have always had a more kataphatic approach to religion simply because I have been taught this image of a man in the clouds and how we experience him through events or symbols on earth. But lately, having not attended church since high school, I have agreed more with an apophatic approach. Part of this could just be the fact that I’m not even sure if a God does exist. I want to believe that there is something out there but I’ve matured past the man in the clouds concept. The apophatic approach fits me now because I believe it is impossible to know what is out there and to define it with our symbols, although it may be all we can do, does not do it justice.
Landscapes of the Sacred 1
Towards the end of the book Lane brings up the difference between kataphatic and apophatic traditions in spirituality. Kataphatic, involving the use of metaphor and images in understanding the divine and apophatic, which moves away from the use of symbols and empties the mind of all efforts to understand the holy. Reading this I began to wonder which would be a better way to understand the holy and which tradition I would fall under. Being raised in a Christian family I have always had a more kataphatic approach to religion simply because I have been taught this image of a man in the clouds and how we experience him through events or symbols on earth. But lately, having not attended church since high school, I have agreed more with an apophatic approach. Part of this could just be the fact that I’m not even sure if a God does exist. I want to believe that there is something out there but I’ve matured past the man in the clouds concept. The apophatic approach fits me now because I believe it is impossible to know what is out there and to define it with our symbols, although it may be all we can do, does not do it justice.
May 7, 2009-What is A Sacred Place?-Adrienne Jones
In “Landscapes of the Sacred,” Lane emphasized the historical, and spiritual significance of sacred place. He challenges us, the readers, to see sacred place as not only a physical venue, but also a place of great importance to people, because of the rituals and activities that happened there. This definitely made me think….could any place be a sacred place? As a person of the Christian faith, it is difficult for me to understand that anything other than a place of religious importance. But when I think of my childhood memories, I can believe otherwise. I remember, when I was a little girl, living in Germany and living at home with my mother, father, and older sister. Each winter, it snowed A LOT—or at least it seemed like a lot to me because I was only about 3 feet tall. I remember putting on my huge snow suit and playing around in the woods with my older sister. When we got really cold, we went back inside to a bowl of chicken noodle soup and hot chocolate with extra marsh-mellows and mom and dad anxiously waited to hear stories of our great adventures in the snow. These types of family experiences really brought us together. Although this is not the physical Heaven where we all wish to be when we pass away, it was definitely Heaven, here on Earth. So is a sacred place just a religious venue? No, it is that is given significance by any particular person because of their experiences there.
Katie Lincoln: 3
Choice
I grew up in a Presbyterian church where fellowship was a big deal. I went on my share of youth retreats, from Massanetta and Paddy Run to Mexico. In my personal experience, these trips combined spirituality and nature through the practice of using God-given resources to thank the transcendent for all we are provided with. In Mexico especially, we were provided with the minor accommodations that come with staying in a Knights of Columbus. Laying amongst cockroaches and spiders, we had no choice but the commune with the creatures with which we share the earth. Although for some of the time this caused tremendous distraction from praising Him, once we were in a more comfortable setting and could focus on the task at hand, it became less of a burden to do so. We traveled to the most unfortunate parts of Mexico, right on the border of Texas, in order to build a home for a poor family with a massive number of residents previously residing in a shack that didn't even accommodate two comfortably. We worked in the immense heat and arid weather with an insufficient source of water to give this family the means to live a live that wouldn't even compare to that which the majority of us are fortunate enough to be provided with. The weather served the purpose of keeping us motivated to be complete, but also with the empathy that I find to be an integral part in helping others. For the two years I went on the trip, and continuing into my adult years, my heart and mind have been opened to the power of community and worship in dire circumstances, and the ability to be thankful for everything I have, whether earned or inherited!
I grew up in a Presbyterian church where fellowship was a big deal. I went on my share of youth retreats, from Massanetta and Paddy Run to Mexico. In my personal experience, these trips combined spirituality and nature through the practice of using God-given resources to thank the transcendent for all we are provided with. In Mexico especially, we were provided with the minor accommodations that come with staying in a Knights of Columbus. Laying amongst cockroaches and spiders, we had no choice but the commune with the creatures with which we share the earth. Although for some of the time this caused tremendous distraction from praising Him, once we were in a more comfortable setting and could focus on the task at hand, it became less of a burden to do so. We traveled to the most unfortunate parts of Mexico, right on the border of Texas, in order to build a home for a poor family with a massive number of residents previously residing in a shack that didn't even accommodate two comfortably. We worked in the immense heat and arid weather with an insufficient source of water to give this family the means to live a live that wouldn't even compare to that which the majority of us are fortunate enough to be provided with. The weather served the purpose of keeping us motivated to be complete, but also with the empathy that I find to be an integral part in helping others. For the two years I went on the trip, and continuing into my adult years, my heart and mind have been opened to the power of community and worship in dire circumstances, and the ability to be thankful for everything I have, whether earned or inherited!
Katie Lincoln: 2
Choice
The other night after a long night in the library, my friends and I went down to the private beach behind school, not expecting anything but a relaxing sit on the water's edge. As time passed and the moonlight grew more friendly as it cast it's reflection on the water, we realized there was only one thing to do: go swimming! We splashed around and swam out way past where you would think it accessible to stand, never thinking twice about our decision. After this experience, I would undoubtedly say that early morning ventures into an earthly, natural body of water is one of the most exquisite, enjoyable ways to blow off steam! During the swim, we were thinking nothing of the fact that we were breaking a law, making it, at least in my mind, totally innocent behavior. We destructed nothing of anyone's property, only enriching the story of the beach for future inhabitants! I was reverted back to the days of my swim team membership, some of the most fun summers of my life when being a child was uninhibited and everything was easier for the moment. It was yet another reminder that indeed; it's the little things in life that matter!
The other night after a long night in the library, my friends and I went down to the private beach behind school, not expecting anything but a relaxing sit on the water's edge. As time passed and the moonlight grew more friendly as it cast it's reflection on the water, we realized there was only one thing to do: go swimming! We splashed around and swam out way past where you would think it accessible to stand, never thinking twice about our decision. After this experience, I would undoubtedly say that early morning ventures into an earthly, natural body of water is one of the most exquisite, enjoyable ways to blow off steam! During the swim, we were thinking nothing of the fact that we were breaking a law, making it, at least in my mind, totally innocent behavior. We destructed nothing of anyone's property, only enriching the story of the beach for future inhabitants! I was reverted back to the days of my swim team membership, some of the most fun summers of my life when being a child was uninhibited and everything was easier for the moment. It was yet another reminder that indeed; it's the little things in life that matter!
Katie Lincoln: 1
Choice
An assignment for my social work and spirituality class was to visit a labyrinth in the area and reflect on the experience. I went to one located at Riverside hospital off Warwick Blvd. I had already walked one a couple years ago at my church back home, but this presented a more spiritual journey as it was outside with close access to the James River. I had an especially uplifting experience as it was a really nice day, with minor wind in addition to the mid-60 temperature. As I walked the maze-like path, many thoughts were recalled as I reflected on recent events. Especially prominent was the sorrow that accompanied the death of my grandfather about two years ago. At the time of the memorial services, we planted a tree in the front of his church to celebrate the great impact he had on the congregation. The atmosphere was similar to that of the labyrinth setting, and almost brought tears to my eyes. Walking was a nice release in the midst of sadness, kind of a distraction from any worse feelings. Being in nature has always had a similar effect on me, which is why I feel most connected the the deceased in such situations. After I had walked in and out of the labyrinth feeling a complete disconnect to the current reality, I made my way down the gravel path leading to the river. Markers with quotes from past theologians and environmentalists were set in place along the path, a nice addition to the experience in my opinion. This was a remarkable way to spend a nice day outside!
An assignment for my social work and spirituality class was to visit a labyrinth in the area and reflect on the experience. I went to one located at Riverside hospital off Warwick Blvd. I had already walked one a couple years ago at my church back home, but this presented a more spiritual journey as it was outside with close access to the James River. I had an especially uplifting experience as it was a really nice day, with minor wind in addition to the mid-60 temperature. As I walked the maze-like path, many thoughts were recalled as I reflected on recent events. Especially prominent was the sorrow that accompanied the death of my grandfather about two years ago. At the time of the memorial services, we planted a tree in the front of his church to celebrate the great impact he had on the congregation. The atmosphere was similar to that of the labyrinth setting, and almost brought tears to my eyes. Walking was a nice release in the midst of sadness, kind of a distraction from any worse feelings. Being in nature has always had a similar effect on me, which is why I feel most connected the the deceased in such situations. After I had walked in and out of the labyrinth feeling a complete disconnect to the current reality, I made my way down the gravel path leading to the river. Markers with quotes from past theologians and environmentalists were set in place along the path, a nice addition to the experience in my opinion. This was a remarkable way to spend a nice day outside!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Landscapes of the Sacred 3-Tabitha Ward
In reading chapter 1 of Landscapes of the Sacred, in the passage about expecting too much from a sacred place, my first thought was how I believed in fairies when I was a child. Though fairies may not conjure the idea of something scared in most people’s mind, when I was a child this was the most sacred thing I could grasp. My idea after purchasing as many fairy books as I could get my hands on was that I could go out into the woods on a special night and find the fairies. I knew that I would be able to let into their world because I believed in them with everything I had. So, I would take my white candle and matches into the woods, along with the fairy incantations. The woods behind my house were the only true wilderness to me when I was young. I knew then that the woods held something very powerful and magic and that is why I truly believed that I would find some sort of fairy life. After I watched the movie “A Fairy Tale,” I was sure my dreams of finding and befriending the fairies would come true. As I look back at my childhood fairy finding days, I realize that I was expecting too much from the woods. The majesty and beauty that the wilderness possesses is the reason why it is so easy for a child to make believe. It is such a vast expansion of the unknown and the unfamiliar. I needed to let the wilderness let me in when it was ready to show me all it had to offer. I could not impost on the wilderness and expect to find some sort of magic.
Wilderness Therapy Programs-Tabitha Ward
When I was a sophomore in college, one of my best friends from high school had to go to wilderness rehabilitation program for a drug addiction. When I found out I was devastated for many reasons, but I was proud of him for accepting the offer for the rehab program from his parents. After 6 long weeks, Matt came back and told me all about his trip. His program was based in the vast desert of Arizona. He had to cook his own food that he held in his pack, set up his own tent, and travel miles a day with his crew to their specific destination. He was hungry, tired and sore almost every day. He told me it was the most pain he had ever been in, but was the best experience of his life. He could no longer be selfish because he had to be there for his crew. He was forced every day to face his issues head on. Since his experience, Matt has been clean and living a much happier, peaceful life. I am a firm believer that the wilderness has such power and majesty that everyone should do something like Matt did. Everyone gets lost and confused sometimes, but being in the wilderness, everything can be put into perspective. I have never met anyone who does not appreciate the wilderness, somewhere that does not have any factories, or houses, or traffic, somewhere just calm and serene. To me, this is true wilderness. Wilderness therapy programs are a new up and coming means of rehabilitation for substance abuse. I feel that advocating for this means something to me because of the fact that Matt went through it.
being in wilderness-Tabitha Ward
A few weeks ago I went to the Outer Banks with my friend for her mother’s birthday. The day after we arrived we decided to take a walk on the beach. I had a lot on my mind that day, and I decided to walk in front of the rest of the group to be alone with my thoughts on the beach. It was a beautiful day, though slightly chilly, and no one else was on the beach, so I felt completely alone and completely at peace. I was not thinking about anything in particular, but I was comforted in the fact that I was alone on the beautiful beach and I was so small and insignificant, but it felt fine. It was not frightening I just could not help thinking that there must be something more powerful and greater than human kind alone. It was a moment that lasted for a couple minutes. I could feel the sand and the cold water beneath my feet. And I saw the birds and realized that I do not impact their life, and when I go they will still be there, and so will the ocean, and the sand and the shells and other people to walk on the beach and contemplate life like I was. The next thing I knew, I looked off into the horizon, just as the sun was about to set, I saw a pack of dolphins, and I felt the presence of God and all of his glory, and the funk I was in completely disappeared and I felt comfort that I was being cared after and loved for by something greater than myself.
Landscapes of the Sacred 2-Tabitha Ward
In chapter 1 of Landscapes of the Sacred, in the passage about the deer in the clearing, I was interesting in what Lane was saying. Most people know and are fully aware that animals inhabit almost every kind of wilderness and therefore, if the wilderness is a sacred place then animals must be sacred as well, right? But then it is interesting to me that animals would be as sacred as the most sacred places, Delphi, Jerusalem, Mecca, etc., that they are inhabiting. Then I think, well animals can not communicate, they can not create art, and they can not create symphony orchestras, all things that humans can do that make us special. But, animals on the other hand, eat, sleep, go to the bathroom, and take care of their young, for the most part. So to think that animals could be as sacred as the places they inhabit is interesting to me because I have never thought about a sacred place in that way. There are some sacred places that are only sacred because of the human interaction with them. The animals that inhabit those places were there long before we were and most likely have no idea that where they live can hold the most powerful title to humans.
Landscapes of the Sacred-Tabitha Ward
In chapter 8 of Landscapes of the Sacred, Lane shows a diagram of space vs. place. I thought the section on place with comfort and constriction made a lot of sense for me personally. I am from a small town in western Virginia where everyone knows everything about everyone else. This is a great feeling at times because there is always someone there to care for you or to offer a helping hand. There have been many things I have been through in my life that everyone found out about and was there right away calling and offering their support. Though this is the case, living in a small town is definitely constricting. There have been many things in my life that I have not wanted everyone to know about, but people in small towns talk a lot and are all about gossip. It is very obnoxious when people around you in your town need to be in your business because they think that they are entitled to do that. I thought this whole chapter was interesting because there is always a negative and a positive way to view a situation-via negativa and via positiva. This, I feel, shows the balance and equilibrium humans strive for.
Nolan Trail-Tabitha Ward
When we went on the Nolan Trail, I thought about the Annie Dillard passage more than I thought I would. I am not a prissy girl, but I have never really loved being in nature, mostly because of allergies and bugs. But, I thought about the passage and it made me think of how much nature has to offer, more than most people realize. Most of the things going on in nature are things that are not seen by the human eye. I also feel that I learned more about nature and how all five senses can be used. Each aspect of nature has its own distinct color, texture, smell, sound and taste. I feel as though I appreciate nature’s beauty, but have always been a bystander and not an active participant in nature. Reading this passage made me really think about even the smallest, most seemingly unpleasant creatures are so vital to nature. They are also so interesting how they each have such extensive communities. I also feel that if there was someone to help explain certain aspects of nature, I would find it more enjoyable. I feel as though I am ignorant about things in nature and the wilderness in general, and I feel the more I learn about it the more I will enjoy and appreciate it.
Justin Ferry 15
It is my belief that somebody can find an escape from anything if they go to a place where distractions are lost. I like to use driving as my escape from troubles. The road is like a wilderness to me and I love to explore the different roads and where they lead. I got into a fight with my oldest brother one night from a basketball game that we were playing. We had a disagreement about the score and certain calls and it caused me to be furious. I knew I had to leave and drive somewhere to calm down. After driving for hours I was so relieved. I found a place that let me relax and be lost from the problems that had occurred. Some people count to ten and take deep breaths but to me if I need to relax or be relieved of stress then I go driving and I would recommend that to anybody to try.
Justin Ferry 14
A couple years ago I was asked to cut the grass at my house. I always hated cutting the grass because my dad would force me to cut it on the hottest days of summer. Along with that we had the worst lawnmower possible to use. I decided to obey my father and went about my way cutting the grass. Before I started the job, I remembered to grab my Ipod to help me get through the time. I put my Ipod on shuffle and it started to play random assortments of music that I had. I realized shortly after that I was done with the whole back yard. With music as a tool and helping hand I didnt even notice the time going by. My suggestion is that music can help anybody get through something that may seem long and treacherous and also is a way of therapy to get you through anything. Try it out.
Justin Ferry 13
Just today I was riding in a car with my brother to Richmond to help with a trip he was planning for a couple weeks down the road. We got there in a good time and explored the area and fulfilled the reason we went in the first place. On the way back my brother was not paying attention and missed an exit that we needed to take to get back. We ended up going through back country roads. At first I was upset at and thinking it would be forever to get home, which it did, but after a few minutes I started to enjoy the beauty of the country. It was a place I have never explored before so everything I was experiencing was new to me. It calmed me down and made my stress level go down. It shows that nature and wildernesses can be a way of therapy in many different ways. So don't always take the easy and quick way home when driving, you might be surprised what you find.
Justin Ferry 12
I went to a Pittsburgh Steelers game recently during the AFC Championship game. When watching a sports event in my family it is like life or death. During the game, you are overtaken by a number of emotions from being excited to being disappointed, and finally upset. During this game against the Baltimore Ravens, I experienced all three of those emotions, but ended with great joy. The point of this piece is that you can become lost in a sporting event like I did during this game. The thrill of the game will take you away from any other thing in your life. Also like me you can hold that place as sacred. I would challenge somebody who is extremely into sports or a certain thing to attend an event of it and realize your emotions throughout the event.
Justin Ferry 11
I was on a trip for a Young life leadership retreat a few weeks ago and experienced a renewal and kenosis. We were asked to go out for prayer and to just spend some alone time with God. I had been working on trying to produce lyrics for a song that I am writing and I was praying in a quiet place by a lake. I felt like something was coming over me to write down and when I was writing down things they didn't seem right. As soon as I felt this I was emptied of everything that I had thought. There was a renewal that took place as I was overwhelmed with different emotions. It felt like God was telling me to forget the words I wanted to write and use what He was giving me. It was a great feeling. I loved the experience and it changed my view on things.
Justin Ferry 10
We were asked to explore the Nolan Trail on our own after starting off with the class. After learning a few things from the professor about natural aspects of the trail I went on my own and made it to a bridge. When looking around it was hard to find something to write about but after about fifteen minutes I noticed a group of turtles. At first I just was thinking that it was cool that they were just sitting in the water swimming around us, but then I realized much more. If you really think about it, the small amount of water that constitutes that lake they were in is like their whole world. They know nothing of other waters outside of that. They relate to us in the same way. We live in our world much of the time and unless we explore the wildernesses outside of our lives we will be limited to certain experiences. The other waters and the rest of the world is like a wilderness that is unknown for both us and the turtles. I just thought it was interesting to look at it this way.
Justin Ferry 9
I have read through most of my Art History book. The art that is highlighted in the book is a very good example of Landscape Art in relation of sacred places. When going through certain pictures it gave me an understanding of certain places and how they are sacred to certain people. It is hard to describe what the feeling was like, but with most of them it was a harmonious feeling and it gives a sense of healing as well. I would recommend that anybody try exploring art as a way of remembering a sacred place because it is a big help and gateway.
Justin Ferry 8
I am a Christian and like to read the Bible on a daily basis if I can. The Bible could be considered a spiritual gateway. I'm not sure if this counts as an oustide reading but it gives me understanding on a certain view of wilderness.
Certain verses give you an understanding and maybe it is from God that I learn this understanding but it makes the unknown wilderness become clear and almost perfect. It does take an amount of faith to obtain this understanding I believe but through reading the Bible you can gain faith. That is how it relates to this class.
Certain verses give you an understanding and maybe it is from God that I learn this understanding but it makes the unknown wilderness become clear and almost perfect. It does take an amount of faith to obtain this understanding I believe but through reading the Bible you can gain faith. That is how it relates to this class.
Justin Ferry 7
I am in the process of reading a book called "The Shack"
This book is about a man who loses his daughter in an accident, and he seeks refuge in a shack near the site of her death. He is looking for healing from a greater being, which is God and learns a good lesson from his experience. I have gone through trials before and submerged myself into a quiet place to find my own feeling of healing or renewal. I don't know why i chose to use this book, but I got a good feeling from the book and it related to my own experiences and I think that is what a book should do. It draws the reader into their own life and helps them relate well. It brought me to a place of seclusion but at the same time of being together with something greater.
This book is about a man who loses his daughter in an accident, and he seeks refuge in a shack near the site of her death. He is looking for healing from a greater being, which is God and learns a good lesson from his experience. I have gone through trials before and submerged myself into a quiet place to find my own feeling of healing or renewal. I don't know why i chose to use this book, but I got a good feeling from the book and it related to my own experiences and I think that is what a book should do. It draws the reader into their own life and helps them relate well. It brought me to a place of seclusion but at the same time of being together with something greater.
Justin Ferry 6
Making Nature Sacred,
"This book concludes with an assessment of the "spiritual renaissance" underway in current environmental writing."
I would have to strongly agree with this statement made by a writer who read the book. It sums up the way our society is today. We are in the middle of a religious chaos, and more and more people are experiencing it. Literature is changing how people think of religion and spirituality. The more that environmentalist writers describe wildernesses and sacred places, the more we will have mixed views about these topics. I am interested to read for environmental literature after this book.
"This book concludes with an assessment of the "spiritual renaissance" underway in current environmental writing."
I would have to strongly agree with this statement made by a writer who read the book. It sums up the way our society is today. We are in the middle of a religious chaos, and more and more people are experiencing it. Literature is changing how people think of religion and spirituality. The more that environmentalist writers describe wildernesses and sacred places, the more we will have mixed views about these topics. I am interested to read for environmental literature after this book.
Justin Ferry 5
In Making Nature Sacred,
"John Gatta argues that the religious import of American environmental literature has yet to be fully recognized or understood."
I like that quote because I personally believe that the whole American society is that way. There will never be a time that the we fully understand the religious significance in how we view places and anything we come across. When writing about wilderness we do not explain the views of the evidence but from our own personal views and the views of other people. This book also discusses how literature takes us through the feeling of a sacred place and helps us reminisce about certain times. I have experienced that exact feeling through this book as well.
"John Gatta argues that the religious import of American environmental literature has yet to be fully recognized or understood."
I like that quote because I personally believe that the whole American society is that way. There will never be a time that the we fully understand the religious significance in how we view places and anything we come across. When writing about wilderness we do not explain the views of the evidence but from our own personal views and the views of other people. This book also discusses how literature takes us through the feeling of a sacred place and helps us reminisce about certain times. I have experienced that exact feeling through this book as well.
Justin Ferry 4
One thing that is discussed in Making Nature Sacred is the concept of the new world as a creation. When it was first explored and discovered it is my belief that the people did not consider the world they were viewing as a creation. They probably were confused at how something could have been created like it was. Back in the day there was not as much knowledge of creation and science. The world we live in is to be considered sacred and a creation from something greater. My personal belief is that God created the Earth and gave us the power to rule it. It wasn't until later in the world that we learned of these theories. This explains why the settlers might not have known that it was a beautiful creation. That is what I think at least.
Justin Ferry 3
I decided to save my posts after writing them down and to submit them all at once. This helped because I was able to fix a few things that might have changed over the time. For Landscapes of the Sacred I did not finish the whole book but from what I was able to read I got a good description of most of the places that were mentioned. I believe Lane did a good job of giving the reader great details about the places he holds sacred as well as the ones we hold sacred as people. I learned a lot about certain places and what makes them sacred. There is much to be learned from this book and I would recommend it to anybody who enjoys learning about geographical places in that sense and the aspect of sacredness.
Justin Ferry 2
In the book Landscapes of the Sacred it also touches on the concept of a place being viewed from a chora aspect. The chora term refers to a certain energy that a place holds that can draw in someone to obtain a certain feeling while around it. I have experienced many of these types of places when exploring the wilderness in my personal time and it has been proven to me that most sacred places have the power of chora to draw you in. I like the way that Lane chooses to define chora in terms of a sacred place. I would describe it the same way
Justin Ferry 1
When we were reading during the beginning of the semester, we discussed the concept of places being viewed as topos. This is related to the geographic terms of a place. It took me a while to understand exactly how a certain place could be both a geographic location and a sacred area. When I related it to myself and I realized that when we are at any place it is automatically going to be considered a geographical location on the map. I learned a good concept from that chapter in the book and it helps my view of places become geographical.
Anne Taylor Robertson 15
Choice
This past summer I worked at a summer camp on Lake Gaston in North Carolina. One of my favorite things to do was at the end of the week when the campers were gone for just a little while, I liked to go down to the boat dock and just sit there for a little while. One time I took a kayak out onto the lake early in the morning and just sat there on the water- it was so cool. The water was lapping around me and water bugs were hopping across the surface of the lake while the sky changed all different colors in the morning. It was a really incredible experience, one of those simple ones that shouldn’t be a big deal but mean a lot in essence.
This past summer I worked at a summer camp on Lake Gaston in North Carolina. One of my favorite things to do was at the end of the week when the campers were gone for just a little while, I liked to go down to the boat dock and just sit there for a little while. One time I took a kayak out onto the lake early in the morning and just sat there on the water- it was so cool. The water was lapping around me and water bugs were hopping across the surface of the lake while the sky changed all different colors in the morning. It was a really incredible experience, one of those simple ones that shouldn’t be a big deal but mean a lot in essence.
Anne Taylor Robertson 14
Choice
The beach is, of course, lots of fun during hot summer days when we want to cool off, have fun with friends, get away to somewhere exciting and experience a little bit of nature. The beach takes a totally different personality at night though. Just from walking along the beach at night I have realized that it’s a totally different animal. It’s almost scary. We only remember how powerful the ocean is when we are in it being temporarily crushed by a 2-foot wave on a boogie board☺. But it’s easy to remember when we are out there at night, even just walking on the shore, listening to the surf. It’s loud, we don’t know where the waves are crashing, we don’t know how big they are and we don’t know what else is in the water. The beach at night is incredible!
The beach is, of course, lots of fun during hot summer days when we want to cool off, have fun with friends, get away to somewhere exciting and experience a little bit of nature. The beach takes a totally different personality at night though. Just from walking along the beach at night I have realized that it’s a totally different animal. It’s almost scary. We only remember how powerful the ocean is when we are in it being temporarily crushed by a 2-foot wave on a boogie board☺. But it’s easy to remember when we are out there at night, even just walking on the shore, listening to the surf. It’s loud, we don’t know where the waves are crashing, we don’t know how big they are and we don’t know what else is in the water. The beach at night is incredible!
Anne Taylor Robertson 13
Choice-natural setting
During fall break I went with some friends to Deep Creek Lake in Maryland. It was kind of funny at first because I didn’t even really believe that there was anything in Maryland besides Baltimore and Annapolis and DC suburbs. But the drive was pretty long and we had to go west, really near Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It was absolutely beautiful there. We went on a hike one of the days. It was 12 miles, so it would take most of the day but wasn’t too bad. Unfortunately, I stepped on a rock wrong (kind of pathetically, it could have been a much more interesting ‘injury’) and my ankle started to hurt really badly. One of my friends stayed there with me while the others had to do the rest of the hike back to get the car and come to the halfway point where we were, and where there was a rest area. It wasn’t even a big deal, but it was a funny reminder of how when we are in nature we are out of control. It was pretty cool!
During fall break I went with some friends to Deep Creek Lake in Maryland. It was kind of funny at first because I didn’t even really believe that there was anything in Maryland besides Baltimore and Annapolis and DC suburbs. But the drive was pretty long and we had to go west, really near Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It was absolutely beautiful there. We went on a hike one of the days. It was 12 miles, so it would take most of the day but wasn’t too bad. Unfortunately, I stepped on a rock wrong (kind of pathetically, it could have been a much more interesting ‘injury’) and my ankle started to hurt really badly. One of my friends stayed there with me while the others had to do the rest of the hike back to get the car and come to the halfway point where we were, and where there was a rest area. It wasn’t even a big deal, but it was a funny reminder of how when we are in nature we are out of control. It was pretty cool!
Anne Taylor Robertson 12
Choice- natural setting
One time I was on a hike with a friend early in the morning. We split off from each other after a little bit to have some time to ourselves before the day really began. It was a really great experience because everything around me was going about its business, but it was all foreign and new. I got out my hammock and just sat in it for a while, journaling and just thinking about how incredible it was to be in that setting and experience it for what it was without any outside distractions.
One time I was on a hike with a friend early in the morning. We split off from each other after a little bit to have some time to ourselves before the day really began. It was a really great experience because everything around me was going about its business, but it was all foreign and new. I got out my hammock and just sat in it for a while, journaling and just thinking about how incredible it was to be in that setting and experience it for what it was without any outside distractions.
Anne Taylor Robertson 11
Natural setting- Rockbridge Alum Springs
“By reading the scriptures I am so renewed that all nature seems renewed around me and with me. The sky seems to be a pure, a cooler blue, the trees a deeper green. The whole world is charged with the glory of God and I feel fire and music under my feet.”- Thomas Merton
A few weeks ago I was in Goshen, Virginia. There’s not much out there near Lexington, but that’s one of the qualities that make it incredible. The springtime in western Virginia is always testy- driving down 81 it will be sunny and warm one minute, and it will snow the next. One morning there, I woke up early and sat on the porch. It was drizzling- a little rain left over from the storm during the night. The flowers were just beginning to bloom and the grass was getting greener along with the trees on the mountains. As the sun came up higher in the sky and began to light the small valley we were in near House Mountain, it was like watching life being restored into the world, as silly as it sounds. Sure, it’s beautiful in the fall and winter when the leaves change or when the snow covers the ground, but I think there is something sacred about watching the life come back into it. Maybe it’s a picture of what happens when God breathes His life back into us.
“By reading the scriptures I am so renewed that all nature seems renewed around me and with me. The sky seems to be a pure, a cooler blue, the trees a deeper green. The whole world is charged with the glory of God and I feel fire and music under my feet.”- Thomas Merton
A few weeks ago I was in Goshen, Virginia. There’s not much out there near Lexington, but that’s one of the qualities that make it incredible. The springtime in western Virginia is always testy- driving down 81 it will be sunny and warm one minute, and it will snow the next. One morning there, I woke up early and sat on the porch. It was drizzling- a little rain left over from the storm during the night. The flowers were just beginning to bloom and the grass was getting greener along with the trees on the mountains. As the sun came up higher in the sky and began to light the small valley we were in near House Mountain, it was like watching life being restored into the world, as silly as it sounds. Sure, it’s beautiful in the fall and winter when the leaves change or when the snow covers the ground, but I think there is something sacred about watching the life come back into it. Maybe it’s a picture of what happens when God breathes His life back into us.
Anne Taylor Robertson 10
Natural setting- A Thunderstorm
“A few minutes ago every tree was excited, bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches in glorious enthusiasm like worship. But though to the outer ear these trees are now silent, their songs never cease.”- John Muir
When I was little, I loved thunderstorms. They meant summer was near or we were in the middle of it. It was always exciting because they came on in the early evening. If they lasted long enough, we would get to stay up late and watch it from the garage. The creek in the backyard would turn from just the little stream we put applesauce-container boats in; to a raging river, four feet deep in muddy brown water.
Last week, thunderstorms were rolling through the Newport News area. As I was walking to the library, I could hear the thunder begin to roll and crack in the distance, threatening the night but offering an exciting show. I saw the sky light up behind the JR fields in gilded shades of blue. It was multi-dimensional. On a beautiful day when the sky is clear, the sun lights up our world but there is no depth or mystery in it. On this night, however, the clouds billowed and brewed as lightning gave it shape and color. I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on up there- I had always been told that God and the angels were bowling. Maybe we are too old to believe that now, but I know that seeing the life in the sky that night was a reminder of God’s beautiful, limitless power.
“A few minutes ago every tree was excited, bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches in glorious enthusiasm like worship. But though to the outer ear these trees are now silent, their songs never cease.”- John Muir
When I was little, I loved thunderstorms. They meant summer was near or we were in the middle of it. It was always exciting because they came on in the early evening. If they lasted long enough, we would get to stay up late and watch it from the garage. The creek in the backyard would turn from just the little stream we put applesauce-container boats in; to a raging river, four feet deep in muddy brown water.
Last week, thunderstorms were rolling through the Newport News area. As I was walking to the library, I could hear the thunder begin to roll and crack in the distance, threatening the night but offering an exciting show. I saw the sky light up behind the JR fields in gilded shades of blue. It was multi-dimensional. On a beautiful day when the sky is clear, the sun lights up our world but there is no depth or mystery in it. On this night, however, the clouds billowed and brewed as lightning gave it shape and color. I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on up there- I had always been told that God and the angels were bowling. Maybe we are too old to believe that now, but I know that seeing the life in the sky that night was a reminder of God’s beautiful, limitless power.
Anne Taylor Robertson 9
Outside reading
I read a brochure about the state parks around Newport News. It was interesting because they are pretty unknown. Newport News seems pretty urban or at least suburban, and it can be hard to find a peaceful place in nature to get away to sometimes. I enjoyed reading this article that described each of the parks around here because it seemed that they offered fun things to do too, like kayak, canoe, paddleboat, fish, and even just play Frisbee golf.
I read a brochure about the state parks around Newport News. It was interesting because they are pretty unknown. Newport News seems pretty urban or at least suburban, and it can be hard to find a peaceful place in nature to get away to sometimes. I enjoyed reading this article that described each of the parks around here because it seemed that they offered fun things to do too, like kayak, canoe, paddleboat, fish, and even just play Frisbee golf.
Anne Taylor Robertson 8
Outside reading
I like to read the magazine Southern Living a lot. It’s fun to read about the places in the South where there are lots of mountains or untouched beaches. Some of these places we would never even know about if it weren’t for publications like this and others. One of the places in an issue was Asheville, North Carolina. I’ve never been there but I’ve hear it’s beautiful and sits in the foothills of the mountains. Exploring places in nature like these would be fun to do one day, where people have build small towns and take pride in the nature around them.
I like to read the magazine Southern Living a lot. It’s fun to read about the places in the South where there are lots of mountains or untouched beaches. Some of these places we would never even know about if it weren’t for publications like this and others. One of the places in an issue was Asheville, North Carolina. I’ve never been there but I’ve hear it’s beautiful and sits in the foothills of the mountains. Exploring places in nature like these would be fun to do one day, where people have build small towns and take pride in the nature around them.
Anne Taylor Robertson 7
Outside reading
I read The Shack a while back, and it was a great book. A lot of it had to do with being outdoors and discovering God there. I would recommend it to anybody because I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s an easy read but it raises heavy questions that I’m pretty sure everybody asks. The characters in the book were always out in nature and saw it as God’s creation as it intended to be. Part of the conflict was trying to understand why the world can seem pretty messed up sometimes, while trying to find out reasons why. The answers in that book are incredible and nothing I ever had thought of before.
I read The Shack a while back, and it was a great book. A lot of it had to do with being outdoors and discovering God there. I would recommend it to anybody because I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s an easy read but it raises heavy questions that I’m pretty sure everybody asks. The characters in the book were always out in nature and saw it as God’s creation as it intended to be. Part of the conflict was trying to understand why the world can seem pretty messed up sometimes, while trying to find out reasons why. The answers in that book are incredible and nothing I ever had thought of before.
Anne Taylor Robertson 6
MNS
Annie Dillard talks about a lot of gross things that she saw in nature, but at least she was fully in it. It’s funny that according to the reading, Thoreau didn’t even really open himself up to nature. He built a house on Walden Pond, which actually restrained him from the elements. Annie Dillard talks about being at the conflicting point between life and death, completely unknown but experiencing full joy in that. That’s pretty neat to think that we can be at that point by being in nature.
Annie Dillard talks about a lot of gross things that she saw in nature, but at least she was fully in it. It’s funny that according to the reading, Thoreau didn’t even really open himself up to nature. He built a house on Walden Pond, which actually restrained him from the elements. Annie Dillard talks about being at the conflicting point between life and death, completely unknown but experiencing full joy in that. That’s pretty neat to think that we can be at that point by being in nature.
Anne Taylor Robertson 5
MNS- The Victorian women’s gardens
In the Victorian era, women were confined to the domestic life. They were not allowed to experience wilderness and nature, and were confined and kept from the true freedom that can come from being outside. This reminds me of how we can so often feel like this even when we are not domestic housewives. I think our society confines us and keeps us from experiencing freedom, and then on top of that, makes us feel ridiculous when we yearn for it. I think we were meant for freedom- maybe that means that we were meant to experience the unknown and be ok with that, ok with not knowing all the answers.
In the Victorian era, women were confined to the domestic life. They were not allowed to experience wilderness and nature, and were confined and kept from the true freedom that can come from being outside. This reminds me of how we can so often feel like this even when we are not domestic housewives. I think our society confines us and keeps us from experiencing freedom, and then on top of that, makes us feel ridiculous when we yearn for it. I think we were meant for freedom- maybe that means that we were meant to experience the unknown and be ok with that, ok with not knowing all the answers.
Anne Taylor Robertson 4
MNS-Squirrels on the street
Squirrels are pretty random. They just hop around and seem purposeless. But seeing them all the time while driving has made me remember something from Annie Dillard. I remember growing up seeing them have to dodge cars in the street all the time. When Dillard talks about the frog that got eaten by the giant bug, it made me think of how much it probably stunk for those unlucky few squirrels that didn’t make it out of the road in time. Some of them are so slow and stupid, it doesn’t make sense, but I guess you’ve got to feel sorry for them.
Squirrels are pretty random. They just hop around and seem purposeless. But seeing them all the time while driving has made me remember something from Annie Dillard. I remember growing up seeing them have to dodge cars in the street all the time. When Dillard talks about the frog that got eaten by the giant bug, it made me think of how much it probably stunk for those unlucky few squirrels that didn’t make it out of the road in time. Some of them are so slow and stupid, it doesn’t make sense, but I guess you’ve got to feel sorry for them.
Anne Taylor Robertson 4
MNS-Squirrels on the street
Squirrels are pretty random. They just hop around and seem purposeless. But seeing them all the time while driving has made me remember something from Annie Dillard. I remember growing up seeing them have to dodge cars in the street all the time. When Dillard talks about the frog that got eaten by the giant bug, it made me think of how much it probably stunk for those unlucky few squirrels that didn’t make it out of the road in time. Some of them are so slow and stupid, it doesn’t make sense, but I guess you’ve got to feel sorry for them.
Squirrels are pretty random. They just hop around and seem purposeless. But seeing them all the time while driving has made me remember something from Annie Dillard. I remember growing up seeing them have to dodge cars in the street all the time. When Dillard talks about the frog that got eaten by the giant bug, it made me think of how much it probably stunk for those unlucky few squirrels that didn’t make it out of the road in time. Some of them are so slow and stupid, it doesn’t make sense, but I guess you’ve got to feel sorry for them.
Anne Taylor Robertson 3
Landscapes- The Jeremiad
“The Jeremiad, in short, was an endeavor to restore the ambiguity of landscape, to see in earth, sky and sea the terror-fraught and over-awing beauty of a loving God,” (Lane 148).
In his book, Belden C. Lane talks about a Pilgrim tradition. When the Pilgrims settled in the New England area, they had an undiscovered world ahead of them. They had to trust that the God that got them there was going to take care of them. The Jeremiad was a tradition that remembered how the ‘benefits of covenant rested on the obligations of covenant’. Basically, the Pilgrims felt that God had allowed them to get safely to the new world in order to do what He wanted them to do. It was a deal of sorts, and they were expected to uphold their end of it. The Jeremiad was a reminder that if God gives, he can also take away. While a lot of people see this as just a threat, Lane makes sense of the idea that the Jeremiad actually expresses a deep longing for God. When they had gone off and chose to do their own thing away from God, He was no longer in their presence. Essentially, they missed God. They missed the wonder and mystery that came with being in His presence. They wanted to meet Him where they had seen Him before- “on the flint rocks at Newport, by the driving sleet carried on winter winds over the Chatham lighthouse (…) and on the path west toward Mount Katahdin… no measured, house broken deity was this, but the God of all ages bursting onto their staid horizon with glory uncontained,” (Lane 148).
“The Jeremiad, in short, was an endeavor to restore the ambiguity of landscape, to see in earth, sky and sea the terror-fraught and over-awing beauty of a loving God,” (Lane 148).
In his book, Belden C. Lane talks about a Pilgrim tradition. When the Pilgrims settled in the New England area, they had an undiscovered world ahead of them. They had to trust that the God that got them there was going to take care of them. The Jeremiad was a tradition that remembered how the ‘benefits of covenant rested on the obligations of covenant’. Basically, the Pilgrims felt that God had allowed them to get safely to the new world in order to do what He wanted them to do. It was a deal of sorts, and they were expected to uphold their end of it. The Jeremiad was a reminder that if God gives, he can also take away. While a lot of people see this as just a threat, Lane makes sense of the idea that the Jeremiad actually expresses a deep longing for God. When they had gone off and chose to do their own thing away from God, He was no longer in their presence. Essentially, they missed God. They missed the wonder and mystery that came with being in His presence. They wanted to meet Him where they had seen Him before- “on the flint rocks at Newport, by the driving sleet carried on winter winds over the Chatham lighthouse (…) and on the path west toward Mount Katahdin… no measured, house broken deity was this, but the God of all ages bursting onto their staid horizon with glory uncontained,” (Lane 148).
Anne Taylor Robertson 2
Landscapes- Masks of the Holy
“Common things, common actions, common relationships are all granted new definition because the holy has once and for all become ordinary in Jesus Christ.” Belden C. Lane
Lane talks about the meaning of holiness in a section of his book. He discusses how often times, the simple things we come across in life are actually holy. Though it seems like only fancy and elaborate things can be holy, the opposite is actually true. We always overlook the things that hold the most importance in our lives. What happens when the holy is masked is this: the most ordinary thing in our lives will somehow seem to be filled with holiness. The divine occupies it for a time (also kairos), and for that moment, the ordinary thing represents what is holy. It does not define holiness or become holiness, but holiness manifests itself in that ordinary object. Lane states it clearly, “The stick reveals its fullness only because of the emptied Christ… Neither the stick, nor the falling leaf, nor the wonder of my own children ever reveals the fully formed face of Christ,” (Lane 72). The stick, the leaf, and his children (his example), is the ordinary object, given the ability to display a small part of Christ’s holiness. So when we are able to experience the outdoors and enjoy the majesty of the ocean or the mountains, we see for a moment a fraction of the holiness of Christ.
“Common things, common actions, common relationships are all granted new definition because the holy has once and for all become ordinary in Jesus Christ.” Belden C. Lane
Lane talks about the meaning of holiness in a section of his book. He discusses how often times, the simple things we come across in life are actually holy. Though it seems like only fancy and elaborate things can be holy, the opposite is actually true. We always overlook the things that hold the most importance in our lives. What happens when the holy is masked is this: the most ordinary thing in our lives will somehow seem to be filled with holiness. The divine occupies it for a time (also kairos), and for that moment, the ordinary thing represents what is holy. It does not define holiness or become holiness, but holiness manifests itself in that ordinary object. Lane states it clearly, “The stick reveals its fullness only because of the emptied Christ… Neither the stick, nor the falling leaf, nor the wonder of my own children ever reveals the fully formed face of Christ,” (Lane 72). The stick, the leaf, and his children (his example), is the ordinary object, given the ability to display a small part of Christ’s holiness. So when we are able to experience the outdoors and enjoy the majesty of the ocean or the mountains, we see for a moment a fraction of the holiness of Christ.
Anne Taylor Robertson 1
1. Landscapes- Kairos
“Tell me the landscape in which you live and I will tell you who you are”- Ortega y Gasset
Chapter eight of Landscapes talks about the ephemeral nature of place. What does that mean? It’s talking about how the sacred religious experience in a place is only temporary, and short-lived. When do we experience this? Often times when we are in nature, a certain moment passes. This moment is called kairos. It is the pinnacle of peace, in this case- when our realization of our need for nothing more collides with the overwhelming beauty that surrounds us. Kairos can be different in different situations, but when experiencing the outdoors, it is this one passing moment. It can last a day, hours, or even just a second. According to Belden Lane, these moments are unrepeatable. Another characteristic of these moments is that they are impossible to capture. We cannot take a picture of it; we cannot even record it in our memories. It cannot even be fully understood by those to whom we try and explain it. This is because it is a highly personal and variable experience. We will never come back to the same point. Every person can and will experience moments like this if they allow themselves to be fully submerged in the nature surrounding them, free of all outside distractions. So, while these incredible moments of peace are fleeting, we know with certainty where to go to find them when we need them most, and that is outside, “Access to what we encountered there is difficult. It shares the ultimate impenetrability of all spiritual experience,” (Lane 218).
“Tell me the landscape in which you live and I will tell you who you are”- Ortega y Gasset
Chapter eight of Landscapes talks about the ephemeral nature of place. What does that mean? It’s talking about how the sacred religious experience in a place is only temporary, and short-lived. When do we experience this? Often times when we are in nature, a certain moment passes. This moment is called kairos. It is the pinnacle of peace, in this case- when our realization of our need for nothing more collides with the overwhelming beauty that surrounds us. Kairos can be different in different situations, but when experiencing the outdoors, it is this one passing moment. It can last a day, hours, or even just a second. According to Belden Lane, these moments are unrepeatable. Another characteristic of these moments is that they are impossible to capture. We cannot take a picture of it; we cannot even record it in our memories. It cannot even be fully understood by those to whom we try and explain it. This is because it is a highly personal and variable experience. We will never come back to the same point. Every person can and will experience moments like this if they allow themselves to be fully submerged in the nature surrounding them, free of all outside distractions. So, while these incredible moments of peace are fleeting, we know with certainty where to go to find them when we need them most, and that is outside, “Access to what we encountered there is difficult. It shares the ultimate impenetrability of all spiritual experience,” (Lane 218).
Anne Taylor Robertson 1
1. Landscapes- Kairos
“Tell me the landscape in which you live and I will tell you who you are”- Ortega y Gasset
Chapter eight of Landscapes talks about the ephemeral nature of place. What does that mean? It’s talking about how the sacred religious experience in a place is only temporary, and short-lived. When do we experience this? Often times when we are in nature, a certain moment passes. This moment is called kairos. It is the pinnacle of peace, in this case- when our realization of our need for nothing more collides with the overwhelming beauty that surrounds us. Kairos can be different in different situations, but when experiencing the outdoors, it is this one passing moment. It can last a day, hours, or even just a second. According to Belden Lane, these moments are unrepeatable. Another characteristic of these moments is that they are impossible to capture. We cannot take a picture of it; we cannot even record it in our memories. It cannot even be fully understood by those to whom we try and explain it. This is because it is a highly personal and variable experience. We will never come back to the same point. Every person can and will experience moments like this if they allow themselves to be fully submerged in the nature surrounding them, free of all outside distractions. So, while these incredible moments of peace are fleeting, we know with certainty where to go to find them when we need them most, and that is outside, “Access to what we encountered there is difficult. It shares the ultimate impenetrability of all spiritual experience,” (Lane 218).
“Tell me the landscape in which you live and I will tell you who you are”- Ortega y Gasset
Chapter eight of Landscapes talks about the ephemeral nature of place. What does that mean? It’s talking about how the sacred religious experience in a place is only temporary, and short-lived. When do we experience this? Often times when we are in nature, a certain moment passes. This moment is called kairos. It is the pinnacle of peace, in this case- when our realization of our need for nothing more collides with the overwhelming beauty that surrounds us. Kairos can be different in different situations, but when experiencing the outdoors, it is this one passing moment. It can last a day, hours, or even just a second. According to Belden Lane, these moments are unrepeatable. Another characteristic of these moments is that they are impossible to capture. We cannot take a picture of it; we cannot even record it in our memories. It cannot even be fully understood by those to whom we try and explain it. This is because it is a highly personal and variable experience. We will never come back to the same point. Every person can and will experience moments like this if they allow themselves to be fully submerged in the nature surrounding them, free of all outside distractions. So, while these incredible moments of peace are fleeting, we know with certainty where to go to find them when we need them most, and that is outside, “Access to what we encountered there is difficult. It shares the ultimate impenetrability of all spiritual experience,” (Lane 218).
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Anne Taylor Robertson 1
1. Landscapes- Kairos
“Tell me the landscape in which you live and I will tell you who you are”- Ortega y Gasset
Chapter eight of Landscapes talks about the ephemeral nature of place. What does that mean? It’s talking about how the sacred religious experience in a place is only temporary, and short-lived. When do we experience this? Often times when we are in nature, a certain moment passes. This moment is called kairos. It is the pinnacle of peace, in this case- when our realization of our need for nothing more collides with the overwhelming beauty that surrounds us. Kairos can be different in different situations, but when experiencing the outdoors, it is this one passing moment. It can last a day, hours, or even just a second. According to Belden Lane, these moments are unrepeatable. Another characteristic of these moments is that they are impossible to capture. We cannot take a picture of it; we cannot even record it in our memories. It cannot even be fully understood by those to whom we try and explain it. This is because it is a highly personal and variable experience. We will never come back to the same point. Every person can and will experience moments like this if they allow themselves to be fully submerged in the nature surrounding them, free of all outside distractions. So, while these incredible moments of peace are fleeting, we know with certainty where to go to find them when we need them most, and that is outside, “Access to what we encountered there is difficult. It shares the ultimate impenetrability of all spiritual experience,” (Lane 218).
“Tell me the landscape in which you live and I will tell you who you are”- Ortega y Gasset
Chapter eight of Landscapes talks about the ephemeral nature of place. What does that mean? It’s talking about how the sacred religious experience in a place is only temporary, and short-lived. When do we experience this? Often times when we are in nature, a certain moment passes. This moment is called kairos. It is the pinnacle of peace, in this case- when our realization of our need for nothing more collides with the overwhelming beauty that surrounds us. Kairos can be different in different situations, but when experiencing the outdoors, it is this one passing moment. It can last a day, hours, or even just a second. According to Belden Lane, these moments are unrepeatable. Another characteristic of these moments is that they are impossible to capture. We cannot take a picture of it; we cannot even record it in our memories. It cannot even be fully understood by those to whom we try and explain it. This is because it is a highly personal and variable experience. We will never come back to the same point. Every person can and will experience moments like this if they allow themselves to be fully submerged in the nature surrounding them, free of all outside distractions. So, while these incredible moments of peace are fleeting, we know with certainty where to go to find them when we need them most, and that is outside, “Access to what we encountered there is difficult. It shares the ultimate impenetrability of all spiritual experience,” (Lane 218).
Justin Mathews LOTS
In chapter 2 of Landscapes of the Sacred Lane describes a clearing as being a sacred place and this definitely seemed familiar to me. Growing up my backyard was my playground. My house was right on the edge of a pretty steep hill which went down to a creek. It was all common land that will never be developed due to the terrain. While playing in the woods in my backyard I liked to make little “forts” out of trees, tree limbs, and leaves. Still at a young age, I was not allowed to venture far into the woods by mom's orders. I had my fun, always in sight or earshot of my parents if they stood on the back porch. As I grew older my range expanded. One day I ventured far, far into the woods (it was really maybe 50 yards haha) and I discovered a clearing. It was oval shaped and just seemed so captivating. I wondered how was it formed? Had this happened naturally or had man cleared this 10 by 20 yard area? Whatever the case it was my new special place. Luckily there was a deer trail near by that went straight back to my backyard so I had easy access to it. I slowly built it up, and it eventually became the greatest fort ever. Today whenever I take a stroll through my woods I always stop by my old fort. There are fallen trees down and it is no longer a clearing really, but it still brings a smile to my face each time as I recollect my childhood.
Justin Mathews MNS
Discussing Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek brought up an interesting memory for me. In class we were told about all the frogs along the paths that Annie liked to watch scurry away and hop into the water. Then there was one frog that did not move as she approached. It sat half in and half out of the water. Then slowly it begin to sink like a deflating beach ball. Then she saw the monster, or in reality a giant water bug. My similar story goes as follows: I was driving home late one night. I had just turned down the road that goes into my neighborhood. I rounded a bend and saw a little bunny hop out into the middle of the road. I slowed down and to myself said “go ahead lil fella” and motioned with my arm. Then out of no where a large owl sweeps down clutches the bunny in its talons and flies off. I didn't get scared or scream like a little girl, but it definitely caught me off guard and I kind of just dropped my jaw for a second or two.
Justin Mathews Choice #3
After the first two essay assignments we did not really have any work or do anything in class that would really seem to be tested. While this was okay with me since the class proved interesting each and everyday it seemed to not sit as well with others. One particular day while waiting for Dr. Redick to arrive for class, a classmate said “I wonder what we're doing today...I wish he would just give us the next assignment so I can leave.” to her friend sitting next to her. This made me think, why am I in class right now? What we talk about probably won't be on the next test, so why should I stay and listen to something I won't be tested on. Being the good student that I am (haha!) I stayed that day. Later on in the semester we talked about the process of going through college. Dr. Redick mentioned how “we're supposed to go to college, take the required courses, get the degree, and then go be successful in life right?” I can't remember exactly how he posed the question, but he basically said are we in college to simply get a degree, or are we here to expand our knowledge and challenge the brain. While not everything I heard in class was tested on nor did I learn something new everyday, that class proved exciting and I heard a good story just about everyday :)
Justin Mathews Choice #2
While I enjoyed learning all about the sater meal, I'm curious as to what the point of it was. I understand it happened before their forty years in the wilderness, but is that it? First, a brief description of all that was. We were given matzos which are cracker like pieces of bread that did not have yeast added to them. Each matzos given out was to be broken into three individual pieces. Later in the meal one piece is to be hidden for children to find, we didn't get to do that though. We were given some haroseth to be put on our matzos. Haroseth was composed of chopped apples, walnuts, cinamin, and sweet wine. We were also given manroar? which was horseradish and symbolized all the bitterness. We were offered hard boiled eggs, which it seems not too many people other than me in the class like, I did not catch the significance of the eggs. The first part of the meal involved taking a piece of parsley and dipping it in salt water to signify the sweat and tears, yummy. Next came the matzos and haroseth, which was to be sandwiched with manroar? And another piece of matzos. A lamb was slaughtered and the shankbone was eaten, but that ritual ended after 70 AD when the Roman's destroyed the temple.
Justin Mathews Choice #1
I'd love to through hike the AT but am not sure if I have to guts to make the commitment. I live in Charlottesville, so not too far away and have gone up on Skyline Drive plenty of times. I have walked several sections of the AT to get to some good peaks out there and totally love the views. Having discussed and listened to a lot of talk about the AT in class has brought a great sense of appeal to hiking the whole thing. My problem is I've never really camped much, and I doubt I could do the whole thing. One other critical issue is my attachment to the real world. I just don't think I could stand being away from everyday luxuries. Not to mention, I have recently become quite competitive in car racing, and each racing season is almost a year long thing which takes much dedication and commitment. Constantly Dr. Redick has said everyone hikes their own hike. I would love to have that, and share all the journeys and experiences on the trail. The companionship and overall good spirit seen with friends and also total strangers is not something new to me. It's amazing seeing people come together for automotive events and what not, I can only imagine how great it must be out in the wilderness.
Justin Mathews Natural Setting #2
Rereading the sheet that was given to us before our walk, and rethinking my walk I remembered a few things. First it is that I really, really hate pollen. The rain had knocked some of it down, but it was still giving my head and nose a lot of trouble out on the Noland Trail. The other thing that I remembered was that I was hoping to see some caterpillar nests around the area. I'm not sure about down here in Newport News, but in Charlottesville this time of year, they are everywhere, and by everywhere I mean everywhere. I don't think so much about them anymore, but whenever I do it takes me back to my childhood. It's amazing how much fascination and entertainment can come from letting one of those little guys inch around on your hand, a stick, or on a friends back haha.
Justin Mathews Natural Setting #1
As I walked at a brisk pace to get ahead of the rest of the class, I had little time to really take in what was around me. The quick shower we had gotten just before our walk was enough knock the pollen off most things. As the sun shined through the trees it glistened off the water covered leaves, but also began to heat up the humid air again. Walking on I finally came to the bridge over the lake that Dr. Redick spoke of. After seeing lots of turtles sun bathing on logs weeks before around the Gatewood Trail, I was hoping to catch glimpse of the same thing here. Sure enough wherever there was a log lying on the water, turtles were lined all up and down crowding it. I tried to make my steps light, but as I crossed the first bridge most of the turtles hopped into the water. As I crossed onto the second bridge I looked over the edge where I could faintly see some fish swimming around a tree that was submerged. It was at this point that Ryan caught up with me and started looking in the water too. He had some goldfish with him. He crunched them up in his hand and dropped the bits into the water. Surprisingly the fish did not go after them at first, but this seemed to attract turtles out of no where. Slowly more turtles came and the fish also began to feast. At this point we were throwing whole goldfish in the water and the turtles were loving them. A good portion of the class was on the bridge now enjoying the sites of the turtles and fish. On the other side of the bridge we managed to stir up several cat fish as well. Then someone spotted a huge fish. One classmate offered that it might be a Coy. Then one girl gasped and said “Look at that turtle!” It was a snapping turtle, much larger and uglier than the rest. We used the goldfish to lure the snapping turtle over to where the catfish were in hopes of a spectacular kill, but no such luck. Soon after it was time to head back. I'm not sure what exactly we were supposed to look for or see while out on the Nolan Trail but I definitely had fun watching all the turtles and different types of fish.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Kim Robinson - Topic of choice #4
This semester is coming to an end, and if someone had asked me last year if I'd take a class on wilderness I would have said no. When the opprotunity arose to take this ULLC course I was adament because I was never one who was big into wilderness. A certain past relationship of mine was ended because he wanted to take a job as a ridgerunner in Colorado and then go on to work for NOLS. After that experience I was completely adversed to anything that dealt with hiking or being outdoors. However some of my closest friends at CNU have helped me realize that just because one person has a bad effect on you, it shouldn't change your opinion about things. I took this class because I wanted more to talk about with these close friends but wound up getting more out of it than I ever thought I would. I've learned to appreciate wilderness and every aspect of it. I want to go on any hiking trip that becomes available to me. I want to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail someday and even branch out into mountain climbing. I feel like it is something that can change my life forever. I'm excited to continue this new found activity in my life and I have this class to thank for it
Kim Robinson - topic of choice #3
So in exactly one week I will be leaving for Tennessee in order to go hiking for two weeks and attend Trail Days. Now that some of my finals are over with, I'm going over the gear I have to make sure I get everything that is left. These two weeks will be a whole new experience for me and I'm excited. My roommates I feel are tired of hearing me talk that I have this many days until the trip. Fortunately I have other friends that are excited for me as I am. I've been talking alot recently to my friend who has gone on this hike before and have been trying to prepare myself for whats to come. I'm excited because I according to my friend I will learn stuff about myself that I wouldn't be able to learn in other setting. To truly learn about one's self, you need to push yourself to your limits. Well at this point in time my limit is not living in a house, it's kinda sad to say but true. I hope that while doing this hike I can become more comfortable with myself and be able to brag about my time. I get so jealous when my friends talk about their hiking trips that they have taken over spring breaks or any other time during the year. The passion that they talk with can't be produced without experiencing these things for yourself. Hopefully I can become more spiritual and have lasting memories that will never be re-created.
Into the Wild Bryce Evason
The book into the wild was an extremely interesting book that opened my eyes wide to different ideas about people and has shown me the need for fulfillment in someone’s life. If someone doesn’t have happiness in there life it is evident from this book that if they are a strong person they can not just sit around and hate there life. The main character shows that even with lots of love and good things going for a person if they are not happy with what is going on in there life. The main character had friends and several people that would help him become what ever he wanted to be but he had an idea about what he wanted to do and until he did that he was not going to be happy. He needed to test himself in the wilderness alone to see what he was made of and weather or not he was strong enough to take on a feet as tough as this. Some bad things ended up happening and the ending was not what it was supposed to be but his life was fulfilled and he inevitably did what made him happy. This is something that is really hard to understand for some people but it makes sense because without happiness than a person can not go through life feeling fulfilled. It is hard then to deal with problems in life when with no sense of being fulfilled.
Choice Topic 3 Bryce Evason
Religion is a very weird idea that different people take more serious than anything else in the world. There are so many wars going on in the world as we speak and most all of them are surrounded by religious ideals and a lack of religious toleration for other people that may have different ideals than you. Religion is to be used by individuals to bring peace and faith into there lives. It should be a personal thing that each person can decide upon on there absolute own. There should be no problem with people wanting to believe different things as long as the ideals that people have do not interfere with someone else believing what they want. Wars should never be fought in a technologically advanced country such as ours. The earth should never have big enough problems that they have to be solved over a war. Intelligence levels in the world today are vastly more advanced than that and if people don’t start to realize that fact people are going to perish slowly and deliberately.
Choice Topic 2 Bryce Evason
Darfur is a country in Africa that is in absolute ruins at this exact moment in time. People are being systematically terminated everyday because of a differing belief system. A revolution broke out a couple of years ago with the attempt to overthrow the oppressive government that was in place in the country. When word of such a revolt broke out the people in power set up a secret police force much like Hitler and Stalin did to get rid of the problem. This started with the police killing off anyone that was apart of the revolution but has gone much farther since then. The revolutionary leaders sought a hide out in the villages so the response was the systematic killing of everyone in the villages to completely wash out all opposition to the government. The easiest way to deal with opposition to something is to get rid of it completely. The problem this is definitely a problem because a genocide is being committed in our lifetime and should not be able to do so. Genocide’s has been a problem before and western countries need to act faster this time than they did earlier on in history.
Night Outside Reading Bryce Evason
The book Night is written by Elie Wiesel about the Nazi extermination of the Jews known as the Holocaust. The book is not a truly a memoir because it is narrated by Eliezer, a Jewish teenager Wiesel created. In the spring of 1944, the Nazis occupied Hungary. Not long afterward, a series of repressive measures were passed, and the Jews of Eliezer’s home town were forced into small ghettos. In a time of complete and terrible destruction of human lives there is no where to look other than to faith. In this book the author discusses the need for faith to get through such a terrible time in a persons life. They discuss how when nothing else is working dealing with a situation like that in order to come out alive one must believe in something more, something that will get them through the impossible odds that people are faced and hopefully come out on top in the end.
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