Re-writing the Gospels II
Post-modernism i suppose laid grounds to Deconstruction and Feminism. I still have all of these lines of thought pretty much mixed up in my head since college. My Literary Theories professor, was the first to tell me how the bible is a perfect example of man's chauvinism (from a feminist's point-of-view). Until then, I never thought that there was anything wrong with the good book.
Langdon's theories on female symbology throughout the
Da Vincci Code is quite intriguing. What I was made to realize after reading it, was that the female held the most powerful position throughout the history of Christianity.., or any other religion if you'd consider the other forms of worship that Christianity embraced and eventually, manipulated for the Church's well-being. And even though this book is pure fiction, laying out and at the same time twisting some of the facts, especially on Leonardo Da Vincci's works, is a definite good read.
Scholars often find it difficult to share the heaps of information that they find to the masses. But Dan Brown sure did a good job in perking up a common man's interest to the world of the scholarly.
Finally, here's another book that was once in the #1 list in the non-fiction section of the bookstore,
The Bible Code. Here, the bible is treated in its original text, which is in Hebrew. Michael Drosnin tells how the Hebrew bible in itself is a complex code which reveals everything that was, would've, is and may happen throughout existence. He even showed how the code works. And that a computer-generated decoder (talk about programming!!) made it easier to access the information.
The portions of the text are shown on the left page of the book and, just like in crossword puzzles, selected words or phrases are encircled. The interpretation of those words is shown on the right side of the book. The thing is, the bible is supposed to contain the past, present and the future. So everything about life has already been written. (Making the bible synonymous to Destiny's great book, and God as the author of life indeed.)
So where does free will come in? Well, the text also reveals the multi-dimensional past, present and future so it'll be tough to find what you are looking for. I remember reading this during the Nostradamus craze. And it has left me thinking that even if I am be able to crack the code, it's still subject to my own interpretation. Hence, there became a lot of skeptics on this book. Anyway, it's still up to you to decide where the code will lead you.
Addiction
Craving is one thing, but as soon as the craving begins to get nerve-wretching.. you get chills, be a bit edgy and then you drop everything else and rush to the nearest vendor to buy that precious thing. I guess addiction is when it becomes more that a habit. It's like you have to have it and you simply can't get enough of it.
Addiction is a tough thing to break and all the while I'm thinking that I can no longer fall prey for it. But I am still caught up in the wildness and curiosity of youth. And not all the sensibility in the world can save me from it.
Re-writing the Gospels I
To the avid reader
To those who question faith
To the open mind
To the curious folk
I've devoted a quarter of my life to books and for that, I will not always recommend that knowledge is a good thing. For one, it utterly crushed my childhood faith. Ignorance is still bliss. But if you’re up to satisfying those insatiable thoughts on beingness, then I suggest you read the following:
Conversations with God Books 1-3 by Neal Donald Walsch
The Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantsakis
Da Vincci Code by Dan Brown
The Bible Code by Michael Drosnin
Stories on faith, issues on religion and timeless questions on existence often provide award-winning plots and best-selling intrigues. Most of the titles I am recommending are not for the uninitiated. Unless you are satisfied with what traditional Christianity has to offer then spare yourself the trouble.
On the top of my list is
Conversations with God by Neal Donald Walsch. This is non-fiction and as my friend’s mom would say, it should’ve been entitled as “Conversations with the Devil”. She, just like my parents, was utterly blown away by the eccentric approach the author made in his writings.
Conversations with God, as the author claims, is a mere transcription of the author’s ‘divine’ experience. It kicks off as a self-help book as it tackles issues on self-motivation, relationships and career handling. But as you progress from the first to the third book (yup, there are 3 books), current Christian teachings are blatantly undermined. Here, one can perceive God as cool, patient and definitely logical. There’s no sugarcoating in his answers and I didn’t see the egocentric and vengeful God that is often told in the bible. What I like about the dialogues is that it covered pretty much everything, from personal concerns, social issues, even life in the universe. In other words, He addressed a lot of modern man’s issues in a contemporary way.. not the medieval hoopla which for me, sounds so fairy tale-like.
Moving on, how would you feel is you see Jesus as truly, a son of man. In Nikos Kazantsakis’
The Last Temptation of Christ, Jesus is a simple peasant who’s daily struggles involves weighing between his human needs and eventually accepting his fate as the Messiah.
Just like the rest of us, Jesus wanted marriage (yes, with Magdalene, his childhood friend), and to have a family of his own. God has been pressuring him to accept his fate but, initially, he tried to escape the path that leads to abandonment, pain and death. The story unfolds with Jesus as a cross-maker. Little did he know that he will soon be on the cross himself. He’s afraid of speaking in front of crowds because he doesn’t know what to say to them. He speaks in parables because he is a simple man and doesn’t know how else he could convey the message from God.
There’re plenty of similarities between this story and Buddha’s. Sidharta Gautama (Buddha) himself, just like Jesus, has already been chosen since birth. They both struggled physically, mentally and spiritually in the desert as they sought for answers. Their personal life’s journeys eventually led them to achieve divinity (or in Buddha’s case, nirvana).
(End of Part One)
Another Year
A year ago I decided to go job-hunting.
11 months ago I almost said yes to a marketing position in a Manila office.
10 months ago I realized that it's about time that I land myself in a job even if it meant only a 5 month contract.
9 months ago I learned how much we spend on household bills.
8 months ago I felt a knot in my chest and a lump in my throat.
7 months ago I was grateful to survive the holidays.
6 months ago I was relinquishing old ties.
5 months ago I became concerned with old age.
4 months ago I discovered a new sport.
3 months ago I wallowed away in work.
2 months ago I felt like a teacher.
1 month ago I've decided to do something different.
Book and Salad Days
It's become enjoyably chic for my young colleagues to read books and appreciate leafy salads. Most of the first time readers were influenced by the rage on Dan Brown's works. Now I'd get to exchange thoughts with them.. which is more interesting that the usual chatter. Here are some of my recommended must-read titles for readers of the yuppie age:
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
It's much better than the 'Da Vincci Code'. It's witty and fast-paced.
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
This I've yet to read but the author I already like from his Sandman series.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery
Life's profundities are simplified and expolained from the a child's point-of-view.
Who Moved My Cheese by Toni Morrison
A very short, and insightful read on personal success.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Mind-opening. Practical advice on financial stability.
Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling
A good read. It gets more interesting, chivalrous and dark as the boy grows up.
Salad for lunch was an offshoot of the slim-trim vendetta of the noticeably heavy members of the Panda family in our team. We now experiment on dressings and leafy combinations.
Recommended dressings: Vinegrette and French dressing
Recommended extras for the green salad: hard-boiled egg (white only), tomatoes, olives, apples and grilled chicken breast.
To Do List
Fate leads you to where your heart is. This list is inspired by the movie,
A Walk To Remember.
Go to Paris
There’s something about Paris that draws me towards it. Sartre, Hugo, Gidé and Rice helped me appreciate the history, complexity and familiarity of the place.
Skydive
It’s the closest that I could get to flying.
Live in a foreign land
Change, though hard, often ends up being in favor of me. It’s always a challenge to traverse and survive the unknown.
Learn French
I like the language. I’m simply intrigued by it.
Drive in Manila
It’s the ultimate test for a cooped up passenger.
