Reincarnation Essays (1490 words) - Afterlife, Kabbalah, Death

Reincarnation Biological death is defined and accepted. Winstead- Fry points out that within sensory science, death is the termination of certain biophysical functions. "We can empirically confirm the existence and ending of life." ( 163) The criteria for brain death are accepted as proof of biological death. Of course if one considers the human being and the human body as one, then death must be a definite ending. But what about those who believes the soul never dies? There is the belief that the body is like a set of clothes the soul changes when the body gets worn out. Can the human body be considered such a worthless object? Many say no and yet others believe it truly. The debate about death is in the question of existence after death. It is not possible at present to recreate or validate existence after death using our senses. This is why there is so much of an interest in near-death experiences. Dr. Morse and his team have proven that a person actually needs to be near death to have a near death experience. The team compared seriously ill people with those near the brink of death and people who had near-death experiences were clinically dead at the time of their experience and ?were brought back from the dead.'(183) This is the closest one can get to death ; therefore, it is reasonable to use these experiences to learn about death. Near- death phenomena are as old as recorded history. Such an experience is reported in Plato's Republic, written in the fourth century before Christ.(Blackmore 79) The phenomenon is wide spread. Over eight million adults in the United States have claimed to have a near- death experience. Dr. Stevenson believes that by him writing books it will 7 encourage more people to share their experience. He believes many people may not share their story for fear of ridicule.( Santos F1) Mr. Underwood reveals that one in three people who recover from coming close to death or becoming clinically dead reports having a near-death experience. (245) Some critics argue that the near- death experience results from the brain's response to distress. They claim that the brain reacts to the threat to the body so that fantasies and memories of the ?childhood flood the consciousness'.(264) However, if the skeptics were right the experience would be unique to the individual. We know what the brain is capable of, but to say that the content of every brain is the same is farfetched. There are common components in experiences described irrespective of differences of the people who experienced it. The sense of being dead, being in a tunnel, meeting people of light, life review and the presence of light. These people were different in age, nationality and religion. It is recognized that every human being is unique. Then, why should everyone's brain produce the same images? Children and adults differ in the memories they gather and the way they comprehend the world, yet their core experiences were the same. Therefore, the argument of the brain flooding one with past memories does not seem logical. Some argue that the experiences contain cultural and personal marks of those who have them. Then the near- death experiences of Hindu's would differ from those of Christians and Americans different from Japanese. But here too the core experiences were the same. There is obviously two sides of the story. One must look at both sides with careful eye and determine for themselves what they believe is true. This is where the idea of reincarnation comes in. Because it is 7 incorporated in so many religions, you find an answer to a question which you truly want to know the answer to and do not abandon your faith in doing so. Reincarnation is detected in many religions. Reincarnation is normally thought of as a Hindu philosophy and it is traced back to Hinduism, yet it can be found in Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism and in many more religions. In Judaism, reincarnation is known as Gilgul. Though it has a different name it has almost the exact same meaning. Gilgul was a dominant teaching in Judaism for over three hundred years. Cabala, a book of Judaism which is often studied by Rabbi's, one of the holy books of the Jews which talks of reincarnation. Rabbi Steinsaltz (Cranston 181) is an authority on the Cabala. He states: According to Cabalistic doctrine, the Torah contains not only manifest but also hidden truths: the same transcendent God whom the Bible celebatres as supreme king and

The Tempest Essays

The Tempest Essays The Tempest Essay The Tempest Essay Essay Topic: The Tempest Magic was a notion firmly embedded in the Elizabethan culture. It explained many things. Discuss the importance of magic in the play The Tempest. The Isle is full of noises, sounds, and sweet ones, that give delight and hurt not. Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments will hum about mine ears: and sometimes voices states Caliban (Act III, pg 109) Within Shakespeares text, The Tempest, set in Elizabethan times, magic is indeed of great importance. Shakespeare gives Prospero the ability to perform magic which allows him to carry out alterations to the world around him. His magic will eventually lead to the restoration of order following the disruption caused, or symbolized, by the tempest; the most obvious and important magical achievement in the play. From the start of the play, Shakespeare uses magic to captivate his Elizabethan audience and move his characters from one scene to another, for example, we are introduced to our first characters during the tempest itself, and it is through this created event that they are transferred to the safety of the island. Magic is frequently used by the main character Prospero, sometimes for compassionate reasons to prevent the suffering of his daughter, but often to make others remorseful and change their ways. Initially, one must examine the importance of magic, which was firmly embedded in the Elizabethan culture. Written in 1611, magic within The Tempest would have presented itself to the Elizabethan culture as a most controversial topic. It had been the persecutions of those believed to perform black magic, Witches were still persecuted and witch-hunts did not actually stop until the end of the seventeenth century. 1 Therefore, Shakespeares use of magic was controversial, bound by the fact that Prospero was presented in mainly a good light, a move probably made to make a bold statement; that magic can be used for good not just the stereotypical evil. Magic may have influenced King James that good magic was indeed possible. This may have lead to a wider knowledge of magic within the Elizabethan culture and perhaps more widely accepted. Obviously, magic could also grab audiences of Shakespeares time perhaps being used as a controversial marketing tool. Magic still continues to seize audiences even today, who also delve further into the importance of magic within The Tempest, which certainly do es explain many aspects of the play. Magic plays an important part in The Tempest for Prospero to bring back Ariel, whom he releases from the imprisonment of foul witch Sycorax under his control. However, the authority that Prospero possesses over Ariel is liable to abuse as there would be a very human temptation for him to use Ariel as his puppet to take his revenge on the shipwrecked characters that are effectively at his mercy. This is due to a feeling of resentment, anger and revenge due to the injustice towards him of banishing him to the island. This allows the important theme of magic to be portrayed through Prospero as a ruler, displaying the advantages he takes in his treatment of Ariel. Initially, there are characteristics of Prosperos control over his anger when, as Ariel asks for his freedom. Prospero replies with a harsh if thou more murmurst, I will rend an oak, and peg thee in his knotty entrails, till thou has howld away twelve winters. Thus, magic is an important factor in developing the main character Prospero and his individuality, and also used to gain an understanding of the magical scenes of the play. Solemn and strange music mark the significant magical beginning of the banquet scene. Exhaustion has dulled the spirits and they are thirsty, hungry and in need of nourishment after hours of searching for Ferdinand. It is predictable that they cannot believe the feast set before them. Shakespeare conceivably used magic as a tool of importance to develop other characters of the play. The reactions of the various characters to this spectacle reveal their basic nature. For instance, Sebastians response to the food is purely materialistic2. On the other hand, Gonzalo, being the eternal optimist, looks for a rational and reasonable harmony within this spectacle3 these are people of the island their manners are more gentle, kind, than of our human generation you shall find. Moreover, he demonstrates his common sense by arguing against fear and superstition and recognises the necessity of food and drink. Alonso, being a king, also recognises the necessity of the situation. Again, magic wi thin the text is demonstrated as an important tool in the character construction of Alonso, Gonzalo, and Sebastian. The masque is another illusion that Prospero creates with his magic, portraying the vital theme of love and blessings from goddesses. Chastity, which is supported by the masque, is used as a function of control by Prospero. Prospero uses his magic to restrain Ferdinand and Miranda from physical passion, this would imply that one would be preserving the social order, showing devotion to ones spouse and a dedication to the marriage union4. Hence, Prospero warns the couple that if they are unable to control their passions, barren hate, sour-eyd disdain and discord shall bestrew the union of bed with weeds so loathly that shall hate it both and this is emphasized by Juno with, whose vows are, that no bed-right shall be paid till Hymens torch be lighted. Mirandas virginity is further emphasized as being an essential part of the disciplined control over passions, which is indeed necessary for the marriage. Ferdinand lives up to the task required of him, giving a polite reply, making clear that he desires quiet days, fair issue and long life. In return to that, Juno later blesses them saying Honour, riches, marriage-bless ing, long continuance, and increasing hourly joys be still upon you. Without the magical scene of the masque, Goddesses, blessings and the portrayal of Ferdinand and Mirandas union would be quite different. The magic allows one to understand how immense their undeniable love is. Once more, we must not forget that the masque is essentially a celebration of the Ferdinand-Miranda love plot. Prospero is certainly vulnerable at this time, revealing his true character more clearly to the audience, being considerate to Ferdinand and even affectionate to Ariel, calling him my delicate Ariel, my bird and my Ariel. The language used by Goddess Iris, inspires images of youth, vigour, a temperate nature, chastity, all appropriate to celebrate a contract of true love, a union of two noble households5. Through the wonderful workings of Prosperos magic, one can see how important it is to an Elizabethan audience to keep them visually entertained. The colourful costumes, dancing and singing of the Reapers and the Nymphs are traditional elements for the masque spectacle, which is essentially an elaborate form of entertainment, meant to excite the visual, auditory and tactile senses of the Elizabethan audience. The dance that takes place between the Nymphs and Reapers suggests harmony in elemental nature; the dance also serves as an image and symbol of the continuance of society, of marriage and stability.6 One can understand how important magic would have been to excite and entertain the audience, as well as accentuating the significance of the masque of which portrays love and power within the play. Through the important use of illusion elements like the banquet and the masque, the themes of regeneration and reconciliation are successfully portrayed and one can be sure that Ferdinand and Miranda are the hope for the future of the island. However, it must be taken into account that at the end of the play, Prospero gives up his magic and will bury it fathoms deep. His books also provide a chief power and source of his magic. These he buries deeper than did over plummet sound. Magic had set Prospero above the human hierarchy, making him a ruler. Although this power had given Prospero great power to lead the others on the island, it has been in the nature of a god that he has led7. Magic used by Prospero throughout The Tempest, indeed played in important part of explaining many themes such as the setting and context of the play; the atmosphere, the masque and the banquet and of course love and power. Shakespeare may have also used magic to make the play visually interesting and even controversial to an Elizabethan audience. Thus, without a doubt magic plays a vast role in The Tempest of explaining many ideas and issues. Gonzalo states: We are people of our own minds and no one elses, Indeed, Gonzalo is saying that no one can control what someone sees or does. This is true unless one is of course, using magic.

The Emergency Evacuation and Quarantine Program Assignment

The Emergency Evacuation and Quarantine Program - Assignment Example Additionally, the CDC with the implementation of the programs has planned to reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases and challenges associated with them. In this respect, it can be comprehended based on the evaluation that the CDC with the assistance of the programs will be facilitated in providing better health security. Â  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the national public health institute, which operates in the United States of America (US). The organization was founded in the year 1946 with the aim of developing a better healthy society. Over the last sixty years, the organization has contributed an enormous amount of effort to cure various catastrophic issues. In order to attain the objectives, the organization has performed its operations with the help of the political council, government, business enterprises and non-governmental organizations in the US. The primary goals and objectives of the CDC are to improve the health of the people of the US through preventing as well as controlling the threats of catastrophic issues. Apart from this, the secondary objective is to improve the health measures through promoting health education activities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). Â  The objective of the quarantine program of the CDC has been to eliminate the ill effects disaster. Thus, the CDC has targeted to improve the impact and the effectiveness of its emergency disaster operations along with preventing the non-communicable diseases in the US and certain other nations. Additionally, the CDC’s intention is to reduce the spread of infectious diseases for better protection of public health as well as safety. At the same time, the CDC has planned to assist other nations along with international agencies with different health measures to minimize the effects of the non-communicable diseases with the assistance of disease prevention and control programs for better health security.