The Chinese Culture Essay Example for Free

The Chinese Culture Essay Chinese people have had the world’s most successful continuous culture for the past four millennia, and culture and traditions remain prominent wherever they live. Even in the twenty-first century, Chinese people living in China, Taiwan and the United States of America still value their culture and traditions. And people from Chinese culture living in Australia and the United Kingdom follow Chinese culture and traditions in relation to their health beliefs. Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism are the main three philosophies or religions in Chinese culture. Taoism is considered both a religion and philosophy emphasizing the independence of the individual and connection to natural forces of life, Confucianism provides the moral code or ethics of behavior, and Buddhism contains the rituals of the spiritual life. Like all cultures, Chinese culture has a particular perspective on dying and death. Chinese society and its people have developed meanings about death throughout history, particularly in relation to religious beliefs, philosophical beliefs, and cultural practices. Death is a taboo and Chinese families will not discuss issues of death and dying for fear of invoking bad luck. In order to postpone bad luck associated with death, Chinese people will try to prolong the patient’s life as long as possible, while also acknowledging that death is part of the lifespan. When a person is dying Chinese people believe that dying in the main hall of the house enables an individual symbolically to join her/his ancestors represented by these tablets or the family altar. Since cremation is traditionally uncommon, the burial of the dead is a matter taken very seriously in Chinese society. Improper funeral arrangements can cause ill fortune and disaster on the family of the deceased. To a certain degree, Chinese funeral rites and burial customs are determined by the age of the deceased, cause of death, status and position in society, and marital status. According to Chinese custom, an elder should never show respect to someone younger. So, if the deceased is a young bachelor, for example, his body cannot be brought home and must remain at the funeral parlor. His parents cannot offer prayers to their son, either: Since he was unmarried, he did not have any children to whom he could perform these same rites. (This is why the body cannot come into the family home. ) If an infant or child dies, no funeral rites are performed either since respect cannot be shown to a younger person. The child is thus buried in silence. Preparation for a funeral often begins before a death has occurred. When a person is on his/her deathbed, a coffin will often have already been ordered by the family. When a death occurs in a family all statues of deities in the house are covered up with red paper (not to be exposed to the body or coffin) and all mirrors are removed (it is believed that one who sees the reflection of a coffin in a mirror will shortly have a death in his/her family). A white cloth is hung over the doorway to the house and a gong is placed to the left of the entrance if the deceased is a male, and to the right if female. Before being placed in the coffin, the corpse is cleaned with a damp towel dusted with talcum powder, and dressed in his/her best clothes (all other clothing of the deceased is burned) before being placed on a mat (or hay in rural areas). The body is completely dressed, including the footwear. Chinese religion was originally oriented to worshipping the supreme god Shang Di during the Xia and Shang dynasties, with the king and diviners acting as priests and using oracle bones. The Zhou dynasty oriented it to worshipping the broader concept of heaven. A large part of Chinese culture is based on the notion that a spiritual world exists. Countless methods of divination have helped answer questions, even serving as an alternate to medicine. In general, the Chinese are a collective society with a need for group affiliation, whether to their family, school, work group, or country. In order to maintain a sense of harmony, they will act with decorum at all times and will not do anything to cause someone else public embarrassment. They are willing to subjugate their own feelings for the good of the group. Since the Chinese strive for harmony and are group dependent, they rely on facial expression, tone of voice and posture to tell them what someone feels. Frowning while someone is speaking is interpreted as a sign of disagreement. Therefore, most Chinese maintain an impassive expression when speaking. It is considered disrespectful to stare into another persons eyes. In crowded situations the Chinese avoid eye contact to give themselves privacy. The Chinese culture is one of the oldest cultures today. It is rich in diverse beliefs and religions. The culture has very deep and profound history. Many of the the old customs are even still practiced today. It was very interesting learning about this culture, and comparing it to my culture. Works Cited Cultural Approaches to Pediatric Palliative Care in Central Massachusetts . Worlds People in Central Massachusetts. N. p. , n. d. Web. 14 Apr. 2013. Cultural Approaches to Pediatric Palliative Care in Central Massachusetts . Worlds People in Central Massachusetts. N. p. , n. d. Web. 15 Apr. 2013. Cultural Facts. Cultural Facts. N. p. , n. d. Web. 14 Apr. 2013. Johnston, Alastair Iain. Cultural Realism: Strategic Culture and Grand Strategy in Chinese History. N. p. : Princeton UP, 2006. Print.

Schizophrenia Essay -- Schizophrenia Essays

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects about one percent of the population. Generally if you have schizophrenia you cut out of contact with real world reality. The word Schizophrenia is Greek for â€Å"split mind†. It is common belief that a person with schizophrenia or a â€Å"schizo† has a split personality, but actually the person’s thinking, feelings, and behavior are so far from normal that they get to the point where they interfere with their ability to function in everyday life. People who are suffering from schizophrenia think and act in their own world, which sets them apart from the society around them. About one hundred year ago schizophrenia was first recognized as a mental disorder that scientists have been researching sense, hoping to some day find a cure. The exact cause for schizophrenia is still unknown; scientists believe there is more than one cause for the disease. Most people that have this disease accept the fact but are not willin g to receive the necessary treatment, or follow professional advice. To observers, schizophrenia seems like a disease or â€Å"madness† because people who have this disorder behave differently to the people that are considered â€Å"normal.† It impairs a person from doing work, going to school, taking care of themselves or having a social relationship with others. By looking at the symptoms, it is sometimes hard to classify schizophrenia as a disease because it enables those inflicted with it to develop new ways of expressing themselves, such as communication, and creativity. A disease is usually some kind of sickness that leads to death or heavy medication. Scientists believe that schizophrenia may be caused from genetics; this is also under discussion because kids from a parent with schizophrenia don’t always get it. Because of this theory scientists have been studying identical twins, due to the fact that they have the exact same genetic make up. However, evi dence seems to break this theory. This is because in some of the cases both twins have developed schizophrenia, and in others only one twin developed the disorder. Both men and women are just as likely to develop the disorder; generally the males have had more severe symptoms than the females. About ten percent of the people with schizophrenia end their life by committing suicide. Usually schizophrenia develops between the ages of fifteen to thirty. Earlier sympt... ...but it cannot treat other symptoms such as social withdrawal and apathy. Also, there are some side effects to these medications, including dry mouth, blurred vision, muscle spasms or cramps, and tremors. One of the major side affects is tardive dyskinesia, a permanent condition when the lips, mouth, and tongue move without any control. Besides medications and therapies, family intervention programs exist which focus on the families of the schizophrenics instead of the patients themselves. This is particularly useful since family members can learn and understand how to cope with the patient and provide for them a low-stress environment and aiding them as much as possible. Works Cited Eisendrath, Stuart J. "Psychiatric Disorders." In Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 1998, edited by Lawrence M. Tierney Jr., et al. Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange, 1997. Mental Disorders. Videocassette. Winerip, Michael. "Schizophrenia's Most Zealous Foe." The New York Times Magazine 22 Jan. 1998: 26-29. "Schizophrenia." June 2001. Gale Encyclopedia of Science. 17 Mar. 2004 . "Schizophrenia." Psychiatric Dictionary. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1989.

Meditation Essay

Meditation Sit as you wish on a chair or on the floor with your back straight. Turn the palms of your hands up Close your eyes. Take a deep breath, inhaling through your nose and exhaling from your mouth. With each breath, in and out, release the tension in your body more and more. Smile, and imagine each organ in your body, in turn, smiling back at you. Think of what you have to be grateful for in your life. Now start visualizing a fluid white light entering your body through your feet and moving slowly pward, toes to feet to ankles, legs to thighs and hips – saying to yourself I open myself to the light, to the teacher within and without or I honor the divinity that resides within me. Continue to visualize the light rising, filling every inch, every muscle- hips to waist, belly, back, shoulders – lingering everywhere you feel tension or pain -your arms, elbows, hands and fingers. Feel the light move up, neck to chin, to lips, eyes, forehead and hair. Now see how your entire body glows with white light. See a spark of that light leave your body through the top of your head. You are that spark of light. See that spark of light – you – flying high to the sky, to the clouds. Repeat I open myself to the light, to the teacher within and without or I honor the divinity that resides within me. Continue to fly, higher and higher, until you are in a magical place, unseen before, a place of beauty almost beyond imagining. Colors so vibrant they seem unreal, lakes, mountains, waterfalls, flowers, birds and butterflies and unicorns, fanciful creatures of all kinds. Create your imaginary garden, your magical place you will always go to. Here everything is peaceful, and everything possible. When a thought comes to mind Just focus on your breath or repeat and let the thought go like clouds in the sky. Be gentle with yourself. Imagine now a bright white light shining down upon you, reflecting and intensifying your own light – giving you unconditional love. Love as you have never known it before. Rest in this place. Rest here, and magic will happen. When it feels right, begin the return to your body n the same way you left it – slowly, until you are ready to end your meditation. But before you end it, visualize your body filled with light, enter it and stay with for a few minutes. Then, with your hands in prayer position, lift them to your forehead to remind yourself to be aware of your thoughts. Drop them to your lips to remind yourself to be conscious of your words. Drop them to your heart to remind yourself to be conscious of your actions. And last, bow to yourself to honor the master within you†¦ You are saluting the God By satharmk

The Personality I Identify with from the Old Testament Essay

Introduction The personality that I identify with from the Old Testament is David. I was drawn to this character because of his sportsmanship. The universal principles that I learned from him are hard work, perseverance, respect, and pride. These characteristics affect my view of the world, my work, studies, relationships, and life. This paper specifically draws from David’s actions towards Saul, when Saul was trying to kill him. What Draws Me To David My main draw to David is his sportsmanship towards Saul. Saul was very jealous of David because the people of Israel loved him more than they loved Saul. His jealousy lead to Saul trying to have David killed many times. But do to David’s good sportsmanship he would not take†¦show more content†¦Hard work is a value that David prided himself on. Weather it was playing the harp for king Saul, or tending his fathers sheep in Bethlehem, David always worked his hardest. Perseverance is also a key lesson that David taught me. He always trusted in God through the good and the bad and his faith never faulted. David was always very proud of who he was and whom he fought for. David was proud to be a servant of the lord and would sing his praise when something went right. The last characteristic of David that I respect is his confidence. David had more confidence than any other character in the bible. He had the confidence in himself to stand up to a giant, when all he had was a slingshot and a rock. For David to stand up to the giant, it took a lot of courage and sportsmanship. Themes About World View Worldview asks three questions. Where did we come from? What’s wrong with the world? How can we fix it? (Colson) The Christian worldview answers those questions this way; God created us; we have a fallen sinful nature; and we are redeemed through Jesus Christ. Where did we come from? This question is in debate all over the world. 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