Caitlin Zeiger

Jesus in the Carols

This is a picture of children singing carols for the parents and other visitors to their school during their Christmas Concert. This is a small Christian school, and my neighbors brother goes to this school. He invited me to come and watch the caroling because their school had not let out yet (the were let out December 18). They sang several songs, like Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls, and others. They had the middle school kids come in afterwards and sing the more complicated songs. They sang Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, a song Im not familiar with. 
The song was written in 1739 by Charles Wesley. This song is celebrating when Jesus was born. It takes about the angels outside Bethlehem praising Christ. 
The birth of Christ is in the scriptures, Luke 2:7. Jesus was born and placed in the manger. 
In this song Jesus is called the "newborn King" and is also called Christ. He is also called Jesus. In the words of the song it says that Christ bring light and life to all the people.

My Shema

I believe that there is a God, or a higher being. I believe he is more like the Jewish God in the sense of He is more powerful than you and is ment to be worshipped not as a human but as a god. This is more of my own conclusion based from church worship when I was younger. I dont fear God, but I do remember Him and revere Him in a way. God is not somebody that you should be afraid of, but somebody you should respect and worship as your creator. 

My Shema:

God is my creator. We may not have a relationship anymore, but I still respect Him. He is my Father and loves me unconditionally, no matter my faults.

Meditation/Buddhism Reflection

I have mixed feelings about the meditation we did in class. It was good for me to clear my mind and think about what Im doing with my life and what I want to do. It also helped me think about how I can be a better student and a better daughter to my parents. It was tough for me to concentrate though, I was really cold and there were some distracting noises. I really liked when we went outside and got some fresh air, it helped me to focus and I really like being outdoors.

I enjoyed the visit to the Bongwonsa temple. It was nice to get to experience what other cultures practice. This temple had the Hall of 1,000 Buddhas, and it was really cool to go in and see it. The people burned incense and the artwork inside and outside the temple was beautiful. On the outside of a meditation room there was a painting of a boy going after a golden cow. I really liked the story that it told, that the boy caught the cow but eventually let it go because it could no longer give him what he wanted. I like that in the courtyard there was a fountain with fresh water coming out that people could drink or fill bottles with. I think this was a really good experience for me, and I would enjoy going back again.

Gandhi Reflection

Gandhi: "An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind." He says this when the British beat the Hindus and his friends suggest retaliation, but Gandhi says no. What he means is that when you fight back, it only gives the provokers the satisfaction of getting to you and starting a war. He wanted the Hindus to take not fight, but to stay out of trouble. But he didn't want them to follow the rules of women having to let guards in or people needing to have a pass to go out. He said they would fight by not giving them the satisfaction of breaking the Hindus, or the Muslims.

Gandhi: "I am a Muslim, and a Hindu, and a Christian, and a Jew; and so are you." He says this as he is driving to see somebody, and they are arguing over what to do with land. Muslims wanted their own land (Pakistan) and Hindus wanted their own land (India) but Gandhi wanted everybody to work together. He wanted to get across that everybody was equal and the same, no matter what religion or race. He wanted everybody to treat each other as equals and fairly.

When we were doing yoga I felt at peace with my mind, but all of the sore spots on my body were burning, even places I didn't know I was sore. I was tired and in pain, but at the same time i was relaxed and aware of myself. I can see why Hindus like this ritual and do yoga everyday. Not only is it good for the body, but good for the mind. I haven't done yoga before, but I think that after doing it in class I might take it up.

Crystal Skulls

       The Crystal Skulls have been found in Mexico, Central America, and South America. Archaeologists found them near ancient Mayan and Aztec ruins and deem them to be any where from 5,000 to 36,000 years old. Crystal Skulls are just another artifact that have trumped scientists over time. They defy logic, the skulls should have fractured or fallen apart when the crystal was carved into but instead stayed together. They also survived hundreds of years buried in the ground.

        After research and asking Indian tribes in the areas near finding the skulls scientist have answers to only a few of the many questions they have. Many people believe that the skulls have magical and healing properties, and worship them as the symbol of death. The biggest question that everybody is asking is where did the skulls come from? Scientists can only guess as to the origin. One hypothesis is that they were left behind from a civilization like Atlantis and Lemuria. I think that they were left behind from life forms not from here.

Poem

Crystal Skull, Crystal Skull

Heal our sick, protect our dead

Keep us safe 

Crystal Skull, Crystal Skull

We worship your powers

A gift from above

Crystal Skull, Crystal Skull

You represent death and healing

We worship you and all your abilities