I Believe: A Code Of Ethics Essay -- essays research papers

I Believe: A Code of Ethics by PHIL 301 Fall Semester, 1996 I believe in the power of Mind... I believe pitchers should bat... I believe Oswald was a patsy... I believe everything is a conspiracy... I believe that people are responsible for their own actions... I believe that The Who is the greatest rock band of all time... I believe in tolerance... I believe in capitalism... I believe we are who we want to be... I believe in choice... I believe in love... I believe that Bert and Ernie are televisions first gay couple... I believe that the 1979 Orioles were robbed... I believe that people who say they like Indian food are just trying to be cool... I believe that people get the kind of government they deserve... I believe in the power of having no god... I believe I can fly... I believe that Barney is the purple Messiah... I believe that the bible was a novel, written for profit... I believe in the mother ship... I believe the Mona Lisa was framed... I believe in Pez... I believe Darwin... I believe in beauty... I believe we have the worst justice system in the world with the exception of every other system... I believe in Wally and the Beaver... I believe I didn't learn anything in kindergarten... I believe we are all in this together... I believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day... I believe the ozone layer is just fine... I believe in dedication... I believe my daughter is a prodigy... I believe that Kathy Lee is the Anti-Christ... I believe my dad can still beat me at arm wrestling... I believe I wouldn't want to beat him... I believe you shouldn't believe everything you breath... I believe in the power of love to warp mens minds and make men great... I believe in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and the seventh inning stretch... I believe in me... I believe I'm done now...   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Developing a code of ethics is the most important thing a person can do. Such a code is necessary for humans because of our capacity to reason. Our ability to apply rational thought to the conduct of our lives is what makes mankind more than just an animal with an interesting thumb. These rational thoughts could very easily lead us to terrible acts, for what is in our best interest is often harmful to others. However there is another ability, peculiar to humans alone, that keeps most of us on the right path. Our ability to know what ... ...assless. And it is not susceptible to the fickle human idea of physical beauty.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  But how to know if a law is just? If it serves to protect, promote and respect the human Mind. If a law or an act works against the cause of Mind than it is unjust. Such laws must not be obeyed and indeed must be worked against. But how is one to know the extent of such civil disobedience? In my case, the answer is found in rule number one. So long as I do not put my family at risk of losing a husband and father, justice must be served. It is through this kind of meshing of the four rules that ethical quandaries can be answered.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Noticeably, the rules of the code, while existing to serve the cause of good and avoid evil, do not make it clear how to know which is which. There is no specific rule that gives a clear definition of what is good and what is evil. This is because the rules, when properly applied to an ethical problem, will lead to the action that is good.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  So then what is good? What is evil? Good is somewhat easier to define in that it is directly related to the last three rules of the code. An act which s

Consumer Behavior Essay

1) How can understanding consumers’ behavior help companies sell products or services in today’s market? Please cite an example from our text or from our YouTube videos and use a personal example. As Steve Jobs states in the YouTube video, all marketing decisions revolve around your customer. Marketing is all about building profitable customer relationships by creating value for customers and capturing value in return in the form of profits. To effectively sell a product/service, understanding how your customers buy your products and services will help you determine when, how and where you should market your products/services and in turn help you grow your business by responding to their needs. Also, if you know what customers buy and how they go about buying particular products, you can more easily spot a need that has not yet been satisfied. For example, if you run a technology company and notice that many of your customers buy educational software from college bookstores, you may recognize that your customers could use a place to buy and automatically download educational software online. Steve Jobs states in the YouTube video â€Å"Give her not what she wants but give her something that she has never dreamt of, and when she gets it she recognizes it as something she wanted all the time†. A very simple example is that of ITunes, which was discovered 10 years ago. Steve Jobs noticed that music fans clearly wanted to download songs they liked in an affordable and easy way rather than driving to Best Buy or some record store to buy them on $15-to-$18 CDs. Jobs took advantage of this opportunity and came out with the iTunes Music Store, which is today the top most online music retailer, and synced it perfectly with a piece of hardware: the iPod. This eliminated the use of Walkman’s, MP3 Players and CD players. Thus, it is important to understand people’s motives (what drives them to buy), and their attitudes (how they feel about a product/service). Knowledge about these psychological characteristics helps companies design and provide products and services that their customers want and need. The book states an example of McDonalds that first started with providing low priced burgers, fries and shakes. But today, with people becoming more health conscious, McDonalds has a reworked menu that provides more choice and variety such as Chicken Nuggets made with white meat, low fat milk jugs, and a line of premium salads. When people think of McDonalds, people think of value – whether it’s a college student buying a burger for a couple of bucks r a working women at the drive through grabbing a breakfast latte that’s a dollar cheaper than Starbucks. I would like to give a personal example of me shopping at the department store called Safeway. I was a frequent shopper at Safeway and every day I would receive emails regarding the deals and discounts on the products I purchase the most. I would also get emails with recommended products to buy and Safeway was able to do this by keeping track of my shopping history. I would actually get lured by reading these emails and go to the store to buy the recommended discounted products. Marketers can benefit from an understanding of consumer behavior so that they can better predict what consumers want and how best to offer it to them. The importance of understanding the consumer behavior is that to know and understand the preferences of different consumers which will enable the marketers to form the marketing strategies accordingly. Businesses that cannot understand how a consumer’s mind operates will have a more challenging time figuring out how to target a campaign that will attract or catch attention. In order to make the right decision, marketing managers must know how their consumers will react. Before introducing/repositioning any product/service, you must first ask questions like, do people want it? Are there enough people who want it so that it will be profitable to produce that product? Do the people who want it have the economical ability to pay for it? Another important point is that when you know how customers behave in relation to the products you’re selling, you have a better understanding of how to provide good service to them, increasing the chance that you’ll have repeat customers. For example, if you know that customers tend to come to your restaurant because they can get healthy food without waiting for a long time, you could continue training your staff to be as efficient as possible. Identifying the buying behavior of the target market and catering to those behaviors is integral in today’s complex society. 2) How can connecting with a culture help influence consumer behavior? Can you give us an example from your personal experience? A people’s culture includes their beliefs, rules of behavior, rituals, style of dressing, religion, etc. Culture is an external factor influencing consumer behavior. Since people with different cultures have different values, they will have different buying habits. A particular company’s marketing strategies should reflect the culture that is being targeted. Failing to do so can result in lost sales/profits/opportunities. Before advertising or introducing any product/service, it is very important to understand the local culture of the population of a particular area, city, or country. For example, the You Tube Video shows that Thailand and Malaysia have a family oriented culture and so the elderly and tradition play a huge part in the commercials as compared to Australia having a very individualistic culture focusing the advert on youngsters. Another example would be if a given country discourages the use of tobacco or alcohol, the potential pool of consumers for these products would be small. Therefore, companies which distribute these types of products should limit advertising in such areas, and focus on other countries where there are no restrictions on the use of such products. A personal example would be that of McDonalds. In India, meat consumption is prohibited in Hinduism. McDonalds did spend time developing a food menu targeted towards no meat eaters. They now offer a lot of vegetarian options, making it a happy place for both: meat and no meat eaters. Another example would be comparing North India and South India. I have to been to both, and have noticed a vast difference in the culture. People in North India prefer breads over rice which is a favorite with people in South India and East India. So many restaurants in South India have 99% rice based dishes. If a restaurant in South India serves more bread based food options, it would likely make less business as compared to restaurants serving rice based dishes. As part of their efforts to convince customers to purchase their products, marketers often use cultural representations, especially in promotional appeals. The objective is to connect to consumers using cultural references that are easily understood and often embraced by the consumer. By doing so the marketer hopes the consumer feels more comfortable with or can relate better to the product since it corresponds with their cultural values.

How to Use the Spanish Word Como

Como is a common and useful word in Spanish that is frequently used to compare two things, persons, or actions that are similar. Como Often Equivalent to Like or As Como is frequently used as a preposition or conjunction that means like or as. Regardless of which of the two parts of speech it is used as, it is generally understood much the same way by English speakers, so this introductory lesson will look at examples of its usage as both parts of speech together. (Note: English translations used in this lesson reflect English as it is frequently spoken rather than distinguishing among proper uses of like and as.) Como nearly always means something similar to in the manner of and/or is used to make actual or implied comparisons: Piense como un millonario. (Think like a millionaire.)Dice que usa las redes sociales como un presidente moderno. (He says he uses social networks like a modern president.)Si se parece a un pato, anda como un pato y grazna como un pato, entonces es un pato. (If it seems like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then its a duck.)Te quiero, pero como amigo. (I love you, but as a friend.)No hay nadie como Francisco. (There is nobody like Francisco.) ¡No me trates como un perro! (Dont treat me like a dog!)Como tu profesor, quiero ayudarte y ser tu amiga. (As your teacher, I want to help you and be your friend.)No duermo como antes. (I dont sleep like I did before.)He decidido vestirme como quiero. (I have decided to dress myself the way I want.)Te odio como jamà ¡s he odiado a nadie. (I hate you like Ive never hated anyone before.)Como era de esperar, la pelà ­cula ha batido todos los rà ©cords. (As expected, the film has broken all records.)Mà ­rame como si fuera la primera vez. (Look at me as if it were the first time.)Salieron como si nada hubiera pasado. (They left as if nothing had happened.)El cine se lo conoce como el sà ©ptimo arte. (Cinema is known as the seventh art.)Quiero la piel como estaba antes. (I want my skin to like it was before.) Como the conjunction/preposition should not be confused with the homonym como, the first-person singular indicative form of comer that means I eat. Como in Approximations Colloquially, como is sometimes used for approximations. Typical translations include about and approximately. Tengo un primo que pesa como 200 kilogramos. (I have a cousin who weighs approximately 200 kilograms.)Maneje como dos millas pasando la gasolinera Texaco. (Drive about two miles, passing the Texaco gas station.)Al final me costà ³ como mil dà ³lares tomar el examen. (In the end, it cost me something like $1,000 to take the text.)Llevo como dos semanas intentando comprar los boletos en là ­nea para el concierto. (I spent about two weeks trying to buy the tickets online for the concert.) Using Como for How With an orthographic accent, cà ³mo becomes an adverb and is often translated as how. This occurs most often in questions and indirect questions:  ¿Cà ³mo està ¡s? (How are you?) ¿Cà ³mo puedo adquirir un pasaporte? (How can I get a passport?) ¿Cà ³mo puede algo tan pequeà ±o hacerte sentir tan grande? (How can something so small make you feel so great?)No sà © cà ³mo bajar los fotos del servidor. (I dont know how to download the photos from the server. Note: This is an example of cà ³mo being used in an indirect question.)No me importa cà ³mo lo haces. (It doesnt matter to me how you do it.)

Lucid Dreaming Dreams And Dreams - 1533 Words

Lucid Dreaming For many centuries, people would think of dreaming as curses or blessings that we can not fend off or operate. Lucid dreaming, a dream in which a dreamer is aware that he or she is dreaming; they may be able to control the dream by exert amount. In this dream stage, we perform superhuman features that would be impossible when we’re awake. While a person dreams, these wonderful things become a temporality reality. Researchers says that a average person dreams four to six times a night(insert). Many people dream every night without even realizing that their dreams can be controlled. Others might not give too much care about the dreams that they might experienced. Lucid dreaming can turn scary dreams into happy dreams, or happy dreams into more relaxed ones. This method of dreaming can provide the dreamer endless ways to control their subconscious which can provide enjoyable experiences. Humans, like any other animals, sleep. No one fully understands why we have to sleep. But if we are deprived of sleep for too long, we die. It is as true as dreams and dreaming. The longer a person sleeps they will reach an advanced stage in sleep where the body begins to experience rapid eye movement(REM). Humans experience most of their dreams during the REM period. While a person is awake or asleep, the mind consciousness functions as a model of the world that was constructed by our brain. While awake, the mind takes in informations throughout the day that it can remember.Show MoreRelated Lucid Dreams. What are the possible benefits of lucid dreaming?2862 Words   |  12 Pagesancient times human was always interested in strange phenomenon of sleeping and especially in dreams. Dreams were described in different ways. For instance, dreams were explained psychologically like images of sub consciousness and feedback of neural processes in human’s brain. Spiritually, it was described like messages of god (C.S. Lewis, nd). Remarkable that not only human have ability to see dreams but several species of animals (Wilkerson R. 2003). For example, rat’s sleep is almost same asRead MoreOutline of Lucid Dreaming1196 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿ Lucid Dreaming Specific Purpose: I will inform my audience about what lucid dreaming is and how to accomplish it. Central Idea: What lucid dreaming is, reasons to lucid dream, and ways you can accomplish lucid dreaming. INTRODUCTION I. (Attention Grabber) How many of you have had a dream where you are flying? Even blind people have dreams like that. It is a known fact that 1/3 of are lives are spent sleeping. When we sleep, we don t really do anything. What if there is a way to makeRead MoreFantasies from Lucid Dreaming1512 Words   |  6 PagesLucid Dreaming When fantasies of the wider vistas of life is spoken about, ‘dreams’ are what pops into the minds of mostly everyone as every human being is free in their dreams. Deep within each and every one lie infinite possibilities, and abilities to experience anything imaginable with the state of consciousness while sleeping that each human holds that are yet to be discovered. The realisation of knowing that you are dreaming also creates another world to escape to. The simple thought of beingRead MoreEssay about Lucid Dreaming1553 Words   |  7 Pagessleeping per night and according to the dream encyclopedia (2009) we spend approximately one-third of our lives in a state of sleep, much of the night filled with dreams (p.16). Judith Duerk, who is a well-renowned writer, refers to a dream as an alternate course which can change a persons entire life. The Dream Encyclopedia points out that the meaning of a dream would be, a spiritual world distant from the physical, in no way deme aning their definition, but a dream is a way to motivate a person spirituallyRead MoreThe Lucid Dreaming And How Can It Be A Method Of Psychotherapy For Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Essay1124 Words   |  5 Pages Those who experience lucid dreaming in the stage of REM sleep are aware of their dreams and able to control their dreams. Lucid dreaming could be a possible treatment for those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who suffer from nightmares. During lucid dreaming in a nightmare, the PTSD patients would be able to let go of their fear by recognizing the threats they have in their dreams are not real. PTSD patients can also transform their dreams into something more pleasant or tryRead MoreEach day, someone in the world dreams anywhere from a few seconds up to thirty minutes. He or she600 Words   |  3 PagesEach day, someone in the world dreams anywhere from a few seconds up to thirty minutes. He or she will experience a good dream and a bad dream in his or her lifetime. Why do people dream? Scientists still do not know why people dream, but some studies say dreams are beneficial for us and help us in different ways. Certain types of dreams occur with different stages of sleep , such as lucid dreaming, nightmares, daydreams, false awakenings, etc. Dreams also help us express our feelings and relieveRead MoreDreams : A Lucid Dream1097 Words   |  5 Pageswhat dreams represent and how they effect a person should be something everyone should understand. Dreams can be a small glimpse or feel so real that it is unbelievable. The issue people have the most is remembering. They can not remember if they spoke with another individual in actually life or if it was all apart of their dream they had. There is so much confusion that the person is almost embarrassed to ask if the event actually happened. A dream like this is considered one of many lucid dreamsRead MoreRapid Eye Movement and Lucid Dreaming1000 Words   |  4 PagesLucid dreaming is a term used to describe a specific state of awareness that can be reached by dreamers while they are in the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage of their sleep cycle (Holzinger, LaBerge, Levitan, 2006, p. 88). This level of co nsciousness is characterized by the sleeping individual’s recognition of the fact that they are in dream, their capabilities to intentionally engage in certain activities within the dream, and their ability to manipulate information and memories created in bothRead MoreInception: Pure Science Fiction Essay857 Words   |  4 Pagesletting it grow (Inception, 2010). Other concepts in relation to inception are dream sharing and a dream within a dream. Dream sharing is a person manufacturing a dream and bringing a person or persons into that dream (Inception, 2010). As an individual dreams or dream shares, he or she can go deeper into a dream and further into the layers of the subconscious also known as a dreaming within a dream (Inception, 2010). As a dream is explored and one is pursing deeper into the subconscious time and spaceRead More The Purpose of Dreaming While Asleep1164 Words   |  5 Pages Dreams are a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind. In our dreams we can portray ourselves as anything, we can go anywhere and do anything. There are many types of dreaming methods such as, daydreams, recurring dreams, nightmares, epic dreams, prophetic dreams, and lucid dreams and so on. You spend six years of your life dreaming. There are five reasons why we dream: so we can satisfy our wishes, to file away memories, to develop and preserve

The World Association Of Medical Editors - 1412 Words

Plagiarism according to oxford dictionary in 1621 was derived from a latin word â€Å"plagiarius† which means â€Å"kidnapper† or abducting .Plagiarism as defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica as â€Å" the act of taking another person’s writing and passing them off as one’s own† without giving credit to the original author (Jawad. F, 2013). The world Association of Medical Editors (WAME) defines plagiarism as â€Å"the use of others published and unpublished ideas or words without attribution or permission and presenting them as new and original rather than derived from an existing source. Proper referencing of borrowed information, or citation, is one of the best ways to avoid unintentional plagiarism (Lorenz JM, 2016). Citation encompasses in-text†¦show more content†¦Plagiarism is something the administration takes note of and can affect a student’s reputation with instructors and with the school. Secondly, plagiarism can destroy professional and academic reputation. Plagiarism when done by a professional person or a public figure can follow them for their whole life. Students can lose can be expelled from the course or program making any kind of meaningful career impossible while a business man can lose their fame or respectable job. Lack of integrity can be viewed as the most dangerous cankerworm that has eaten deep into today’s nurse’s academy but can be avoided by following the proper rules that guides writing with proper citation. Globe university web (2013) Thirdly, according to ithenticate .com legal consequences of plagiarism can be dangerous with Copyright laws being unconditional. Material usage should be with citation and reference. An author has the right to prosecute a plagiarist and certain plagiarism can also be classified as a criminal offense, which can lead to a prison sentence. Writers, such as journalists or authors, are mostly liable to plagiarism and not with the exception of students. Those who write regularly must be watchful not to deviate from the norm (ithenticate.com web).Writers are well-aware of copyright laws and ways to avoid plagiarism. As a professional writer, to plagiarize is a severe ethical and maybe a legalShow MoreRelatedRegistration Of Clinical Trial : Advantages, Disadvantages, And Consumer Perspective1633 Words   |  7 Pagesregistration among Medical journals despite their persistence with noble intentions and wise words. In developing worldwide standards of trial registration, the World Health O rganization (WHO) launched its International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) project. The project intends to take the lead in setting international norms and standards for trial registration and reporting (World Health Organization). Additional the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) made an announcementRead MoreI Am Today And What I Will Be Tomorrow893 Words   |  4 Pagesdisease. Despite the fear of blood and injection I had at that tender age, I started a liking and was inclined towards medical profession which was further amplified with frequent hospital visits during major surgeries of my mother. This drove my passion forward and I achieved the best being the top of my class both in school and college. With strong determination, I enrolled in medical school. Realizing that medicine is incomplete without having strong grasp of basic sciences, I worked hard and scoredRead MoreHealth Care Coverage in the United Staes Essay1021 Words   |  5 Pagessweeping the medical industry in the early 1900’s. The 1910’s saw reformers seeking changes to the way healthcare was handled and seeking some sort of insurance system to offset costs and regulate pricing. This would also allow those in need to receive more costly procedures as they would no longer be solely responsible for the payment of the fees. This idea gained merit but was put by the wayside as the nation went to war during World War I. However, even as a war raged and medical technology progressedRead MoreEssay on Evaluating a Website for Credibility894 Words   |  4 Pagesdiscussions we have talked about American Nursing Journal. There are several reputable accrediting bodies were identified. (http://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/Pages/AbouttheJournal.aspx). After looking into those sources of ANJ, Committee of Medical Journal Editors was identified. (http://www.icmje.org/) After looking into the category of Journals Following ICNJE the American Journal of Public Health website was identified http://ajph.aphapublicat ions.org This website represents an online versionRead MoreEssay on naturopathy history657 Words   |  3 Pagesother developments in conventional medicine† (Fullington). During the 1920s and 1930s many people in the United States were curious about this new form of healing practices that had suddenly evolved in the medical world. Conventions were held attracting people not only from the professional medical field but also several members of Congress. During this period of time several states ratified naturopathic licensure laws. While the 1920s and 1930s were superb for the naturopathy field it was short livedRead MoreNorman Cousins and Albert Schweitzer: An Analysis of Similarities1523 Words   |  6 Pagesturn into collective awareness in different domains such as medicine, world peace, and active citizenship. Norman Cousins is renowned for his work as a journalist, peace advocate, editor, author and professor. He also developed an interest for medicine, but this interest was not nurtured by a traditional point of view, rather it had something of a holistic approach. The term has come to be used today for a specific type of medical initiative that requires a healing process not merely limited to theRead MoreThe Affect of Stress Essays987 Words   |  4 Pagesdepression, insomnia, or anxiety. A lot of times we experience negative stress when we feel our back is against the wall. A poll released by the American Pain Association in 2009 found that 68% of people that experience acute back pain or minor muscle strains and sprains that year were related to the recession this country is experiencing (Editors, Stress in tough economic times add to physical discomfort (TOPICAL ANALGESICS)(Brief Acticle), 2009). Anything from a hard test coming up to a major lossRead MoreThe Negative Aspect Of A n Individual s Mind And Behavior1277 Words   |  6 Pagesis no such thing as an environmental or situational cause of behavior. This is because the behavior has been molded by the consequences of previous behavior. Marilyn’s mother Gladys Baker suffered from schizophrenia, and depression (Biography.com Editors , 2016). This psychological illness is hereditary (Schizophrenia.com, n.d). Depression, and suicidal thoughts are symptoms of this ailment. It is a possibility that Ms. Monroe was suffering from a mild case of schizophrenia. If this was the caseRead MorePsychological Today, An Evaluation Of Psychology Today : An Evaluation801 Words   |  4 Pagesan irrefutable source of relevant knowledge on the subject. The editors of Psychology Today have compiled the information presented on their website, PsychologyToday.com to meet the demand from readers for reliable knowledge about ADHD. Referencing many experts, through prerecorded webinars, related articles, and links to local therapists who specialize in the topic of ADHD. The data given on the site is easier to read than a medical journal, and provides access to helpful snippets of textbooks thatRead MoreSigmund Freud Biography1317 Words   |  6 Pagesanti-Semitic riots then raging in Freiberg, moved to Leipzig. Shortly thereafter, the family settled in Vienna, where Freud remained for most of his life. Although Freud s ambition from childhood had been a career in law, he decided to become a medical student shortly before he entered the University of Vienna in 1873. Inspired by the scientific investigations of the German poet Goethe, Freud was driven by an intense desire to study natural science and to solve some of the challenging problems confronting

Child Soldiers Free Essays

Until recent years, Children have never been used in battles. They have never been forced to participate and be the front-liners in wars.   Although most cultures had trained and prepared children to fight in battles, these children were only given menial tasks when the situation arises such as running ammunition to canon crews. We will write a custom essay sample on Child Soldiers or any similar topic only for you Order Now They were never considered true combatants and legitimate targets by the enemies. â€Å"As the nature of armed conflict has changed in recent years, the practice of using children–defined under international law as those under age 18—as soldiers has become far more common and widespread† (Singer, 2007). Because this condition continued to spread, the United Nations had made this a serious concern for all countries. â€Å"A ‘universal consensus’ appears to be growing against the use of children in hostilities, with more than three-quarters of U.N. member states having now signed, ratified or acceded to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict† (Xanthaki, 2008). The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers had published its third global report about this persistent problem and concluded that although there is a growing awareness of the situation, there has been little improvement in alleviating this predicament. The first used of children in hostilities may be dated as far back as the year 1212. Thousands of unarmed boys from Northern France and Western Germany marched and thought that they can take back the holy land by only the powers of faith (Singer, 2007). From unarmed crusades, the condition of using children in wars grew in severity until children are used as front-liners in battles. They were instructed how to use ammunitions and taught how to become suicide bombers and smugglers of explosives and weapons. The use of children in armed conflicts may directly be the effects of socio-economic disruption caused by globalization and the changes in weapon technology. Although globalization had made the society improve its quality of life, it had also created great social instability. Those who were left behind by globalization found themselves lost in the society. Multiply civil and sectarian conflicts weakened and undermined the societal structures. Orphans and refugee children grew in number. This social group proved to be of greater risk in being pulled into war. Armed groups lure children, especially orphans and refugee children, to join their groups by offering them food, security and shelter. They provide them with identity, empowerment through possession of fire arms and the power to make other people fear them. These offers appear to be appealing to these orphans. â€Å"Very often children are lured into these groups because they romanticize their missions† (Xanthaki, 2008). Armed groups take advantage of children’s innocence, immaturity, vulnerability and desperation. When all else fail, these groups resort to kidnapping and coercion to get children as part of their group. There had been a reported incident in Liberia where a 7- year old child refused to join the rebels but was forced to do so when the rebels killed his younger brother (Singer, 2007). These children are then brought to â€Å"boot camps† where they are trained and indoctrinated. They teach the children how to use ammunitions. Children are forced to kill animals and sometimes human prisoners in order for them to be desensitized to the sight of blood and death. Most of the children are also forced to take drugs to numb their minds and bodies in battles.   The result of this strategy is the children’s breakdown of defenses and memories, making them fighters who do not have empathy and any feelings for the civilian population.    How to cite Child Soldiers, Papers Child Soldiers Free Essays Child soldiers a) The nature of the human rights issue A child soldier is a person under the age of 18 who participates, directly or indirectly, in armed conflicts as part of an armed force or group, in either armed and supporting roles. The use of children in armed conflict is considered to be a form of slavery or human trafficking. Although children join armed groups ‘voluntarily’ it often involves coercion, force or deception, or the child may see no other option for survival but to join. We will write a custom essay sample on Child Soldiers or any similar topic only for you Order Now The UN and human rights watch estimated that the number of children serving in armed conflicts at between 200 000- 300 000. The UN reported 57 armed groups’ worldwide using child soldiers. b) Where the human rights issue occurs. Worldwide conflicts that have involved child soldiers include: * Srilanka * Uganda * Colombia * Myanmar * Iraq * Israel * Palestinian territories * Sudan In Uganda more than 30 000 children have been kidnapped to serve as soldiers and slaves my lord’s resistance army (LRA); the boys are forced to loot and burn villages and to torture and kill neighbours; girls are raped or become sex slaves. c) The legal and non legal responses to child soldiers both include international and domestic responses. Legal responses: International responses include the Geneva conventions, ‘laws of war’. Which is a series of 4 treaties adopted between 1864 and 1949 to regulate the conduct of armed conflict and attempt to limit its affects. these 4 treaties include; the first Geneva convention (1864) which protects wounded and sick soldiers on land during war, the second Geneva convention (1906) which protects wounded, sick and ship wrecked military personnel at sea during war, the third Geneva convention (1929) which applies to prisoners of ar and the fourth Geneva convention (1949) which affords protection to civilians, including occupied territory. Also, additional protocols to the Geneva conventions includes; the problem of child soldiers being recognised and the minimum age for recruitment or use in armed conflict was set at 15 years for government and non-government parties. In addition to these conventions include the convention on the rights of the child (1989), the Rome statute of the international criminal court (2002), the worst forms of child labour convention (1999) and the UN Security Council (2004-2005). An example of these legal responses in action is the Thomas lubanga dyilo case where he was accused of conscripting child soldiers to fight in armed conflict in the DRC during 2002 and 2002. Domestic responses although limited by state sovereignty include the child soldiers accountability act which allowed the US to prosecute individuals domestically who have knowingly recruited or served as child soldiers in or outside the country. Other responses include the amendment of the criminal code act 1995 (cth) where two sections were added to the criminal code to criminalise the use, conscription or enlistment of children as a part of an international or national armed conflict. Non legal responses: International responses include; the United Nations which monitors the use of child soldiers worldwide – the international labour organisation and unicef which play a role in research and studies into the status of the problem, providing recommendations to the UN and to member states and promoting the obligations of the treaties on children in armed conflict – and the coalition to stop the use of child soldiers which compromises many different member organisations wi th a common purpose of preventing the recruitment and use of children as soldiers, securing the demobilisation of child soldiers and their reintegration into society. Domestic responses include domestic NGOs, Groups or individuals and the media. Domestic NGOs focus on issues relating to child soldiers, particularly in countries where recruitment of child soldiers is a significant problem. For example red hand day. Groups and individuals assist in the rehabilitation of former child soldiers, by helping to relocate their families, get back into school, provide vocational training and re enter life. The media informs the public about the existence and problems of child soldiers for example the movie blood diamond focussed on the recruitment and use of child soldiers in diamond related conflict areas. How to cite Child Soldiers, Essay examples Child Soldiers Free Essays string(21) " and acts of sadism\." critical Analysis of the use of Child Soldiers in Liberia 5. 1 Introduction Generally stated ,this paper seeks to establish the role of child soldiers in the escalation of armed conflict in Africa. The previous chapters have discussed the regional armed conflicts where child soldiers were used or are being used like the case of DRC Congo. We will write a custom essay sample on Child Soldiers or any similar topic only for you Order Now This chapter will critically analyse the use of child soldiers in Liberia. There were approximately 120,000 child soldiers who were participating in armed conflicts in Africa. Out of these, approximately 24,000 were in the Liberian conflict. Liberia is not a poor country. It has natural resources that could sustain its estimated population of 3. 2 million people. The question is how the available resources was being utilised and how did it contribute in fuelling the conflict. The availability of precious minerals and hard wood timber in Liberia contributed greatly in escalating and maintain the 14 years Liberian conflict. The age of the child soldier does not guarantee their immunity from being deployed the battlefield because while most are in their teens, some are as young as seven years old. Being so tender in age, they may start out as cooks, messengers, porters or guards, but often end up on the frontlines of combat. In Liberia, many boys some as young as nine or ten man checkpoints. The authority that goes with the responsibility gives them the free rein to harass, loot, terrorize and sometimes, kill civilians. Manning checkpoints gives a child power and influence, even if he is twelve years old. There have been instances where fifteen or twenty boys man a checkpoint and the commander is only ten years old. In long-drawn-out conflicts, children also become a valued resource. Children who have grown up surrounded by violence see this as a permanent way of life. Some having been orphaned, they are left on their own and are often frightened, bored and frustrated, leaving them with little options but to fight. When schools are closed and families fragmented, there are few influences that can compete with a warrior’s life. The human rights violations that occur when children are used in hostilities are not limited to child soldiers killing and being killed or injured. Girls also are used as soldiers, and fall victims of rape and other sexual abuse. The human rights impacts are terrible and far-reaching and have an impact not only on those children directly concerned but also on the families and communities, and continue long after the hostilities have ended . Besides being the continent that has the highest propensity for girls entering forces or groups via abduction or gang pressing, Africa is also the region with the highest number of children in armed opposition forces, numbering to approximately 120,000. In addition to being participant in combat, girl soldiers are often required to perform sexual services. In some cases, girls are in fact primarily recruited or abducted as ‘wives’ or ‘concubines’, a common practice in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Among the common roles found in countries from every region of the world was the use of girl soldiers as porters, cooks or made to perform a variety of domestic labor, as well as spies and looters in villages taken over by armed forces or armed opposition groups. 5. 2Why children become child soldiers The factors which give rise to the participation of children in conflict are complex. No single model can either explain all the factors, or outline a uniform procedure that will prevent child recruitment, and enable procedures for the demobilisation and social reintegration of children who have participated in conflict. Most child soldiers are from poor or disadvantaged sections of the society in conflict. Children, who live in the conflict zones by themselves are often recruited. Also, those children with disrupted families or no families at all are more likely to become child soldiers. In Liberia, child soldiers we often recruited from refugee camps in neighbouring countries like Guinea, Ivory coast and Sierra Leone while others were recruited from Internally Displaced Camps(IDP), within Liberia. In the months following UNMIL’s deployment on 1 October 2003, assessment missions carried out by UNMIL and humanitarian agencies, including into areas of the country until recently inaccessible, revealed large numbers of injured people, mostly children, which was consistent with the widespread use of child soldiers. The proliferation of small arms in West Africa contributed greatly not only to continuing conflict and repeated failure of successive peace agreements in the region, but has also encouraged and facilitated the recruitment and use of child soldiers, as well as other serious human rights abuses against the civilian population. The widespread availability of modern lightweight weapons enables even the youngest child soldier to use weapons efficiently. Technological development of arms today has produces arms weighing less than seven pounds and cost cheaply and yet so advance that even an illiterate child of ten could strip, reassemble, load and fire it. This mere knowledge however, did not make them skilled soldiers. On the contrary, they suffer much higher casualty rates than their adult counterparts, in part because of their lack of maturity and experience that leads them to take unnecessary risks. Their frail bodies are more susceptible to complications if injured, and they are more likely to fall ill in the rough conditions of military camps. Child soldiers are viewed as more expendable and therefore receive less training and must undertake the most dangerous tasks such as checking for mines or spying in enemy camps. Often children are recruited through abduction in massive sweeps of homes, schools, Refugee camp, Internally displaced camps and streets. In some situations, child survivors of village raids and massacres are forcibly inducted. Abduction is only the first step in a process that uses fear, brutality and psychological manipulation to achieve high levels of obedience in converting children into killers. In many conflicts, child recruits are subjected to beatings, humiliation and acts of sadism. You read "Child Soldiers" in category "Essay examples" During the escalation of the conflict, especially in Monrovia in June and July 2003, there was a marked increase in forcible recruitment of children by all sides. A frequently used tactic in indoctrinating children to violence is exposing them progressively to violence, thus numbing them so that they might someday commit acts of sadism on fellow humans. Child recruits in Liberia, were forced to cut the throats of domestic animals and drink its blood. Children are often terrorized into obedience, consistently made to fear for their lives and well-being. They quickly recognize that absolute obedience is the only means to ensure survival. Sometimes they are compelled to participate in the killing of other children or family members, because it is understood by these groups that there is â€Å"no way back home† for children after they have committed such crimes. Evidence indicates that the recruitment and use of children has become the means of choice of many armed groups for waging war. Certainly, not all inductions of children are forced. Those old enough to understand the underlying cause of the conflict want to join adults in a revered cause. Others participate to prove themselves and please adults while yet there may be victims or have family members who were victims, join to seek revenge. There are several cases in Liberia were children decided to join rebel groups to avenge the murder of their kin. Media images may also play a part. In Liberia, opposition forces could broadcast Rambo-style movies as part of its combat training. In such contexts, young boys learn machismo and come to associate military activity with respect and power-compelling attractions for children who otherwise feel powerless. DDRR The implementation of the Liberian peace agreement and consolidation of peace, security and the rule of law were contingent on successful completion of the DDRR program. All other initiatives aimed at post-conflict reconstruction and restoration of basic human rights, including those of child soldier, are predicated on effective DDRR. The importance of completely disarming fighters and destroying weapons is very critical because the ex-combatants can use the weapons to harass civilians, loot properties or attack their opponents . Continued delays in disarmament and demobilization, and provision of the financial incentive to former combatants, can aggravate a precarious security situation. In March 2004 MODEL combatants in Tapeta, Nimba County, threatened harassment of international humanitarian agencies in the area in protest at the delays. Similarly, former government forces fired their weapons at night near Maimu internally displaced people’s camp in Totota, Bong County, and threatened to loot the camp if disarmament and demobilization were further postponed. In early April 2004 LURD combatants, also angered by the delay in disarmament and demobilization, were reported to have harassed civilians and stolen money and property at unofficial checkpoints on the road between Totota and Gbarnga. The previous disarmament and demobilization process which took place in Liberia in the late 1990s was seriously deficient in returning former child soldiers to their families and communities. While up to 20,000 child soldiers were estimated to be involved in the conflict which ended in 1997, little more than 4,000 were reported to have been fully disarmed, demobilized and reintegrated into their communities. As a result, with the resumption of hostilities, rapid re-mobilization of children was possible because many were to some degree still under the control of local commander. The Cape Town Principles, as observed by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), define a child soldier as any person under 18 years who is part of any kind of regular or irregular armed force in any capacity, including but not limited to cooks, porters, messengers and anyone accompanying such groups, other than family members. The definition includes girls recruited for sexual purposes and for forced marriage. It does not, therefore, only refer to a child who is carrying or has carried arms . Application of this broad definition is important: possession of a weapon is not a prerequisite for a child soldier to benefit from the DDRR process. In Liberia, possession of a weapon or ammunition was the criteria for inclusion in the DDRR process. Since not all the child soldiers were armed or involved in the actual fighting, many former child soldiers were not involved in the DDRR process and thus did not benefit from the cash allowances paid to those with weapons to assist them reintegrate into their society. Those who were left out in the DDRR programme simply crossed over to the neighbouring, especially in Ivory coast , joined other rebel group and took up arms. The conflict in West Africa was a vicious circle which saw child soldiers moving from one rebel group to another, for them, it was their lifestyle. The net effect of this was that conflicts in this part of west Africa have continued shifting from one country to the other. Governments international organizations involved in the DDRR process should ensure speedy registration procedures at camps and settlements, as well as at demobilization centres. They should also prioritize the immediate psychological, social and physical rehabilitation of former child soldiers generally and to prevent re-recruitment. The involvement of children in conflict has a devastating effect on their physical and mental integrity. There are higher casualty rates among children because of their inexperience, fearlessness and lack of training. In addition to the inevitable risks of death or serious injury in combat, children suffer disproportionately from the general rigours of military life, especially in the bush, and are particularly vulnerable to disease and malnutrition. The full extent of the impact of the severe psychological consequences of active participation in hostilities, with children witnessing and at times also committing atrocities, may only become apparent over a long period. It takes a matter of moments to abduct and forcibly recruit children; it takes years, owever, for former child soldiers to be fully rehabilitated and reintegrated into their families and communities and able to resume their lives. Child soldiers in Liberia were cynically used as they were perceived as cheap and expendable, and easier to condition into fearless killing and unquestioning obedience. Those resisting refusing to comply with their commanders’ orders risked being beaten or killed. Both the rebel groups and government forces abducted children, both girls and boys and some as young as seven years, and forced them to fight, carry ammunition, prepare food or carry out other tasks. Girls were raped and forced to provide sexual services. While older girls were actively engaged in fighting, younger ones provided domestic services as cooks or cleaners or carried arms and ammunition. Many child soldiers were given drugs and alcohol to induce aggression and inhibit fear. With little or no military training, they were sent directly to the front line where many were killed or wounded. The conflict in Liberia lasted for 14 years due to availability of child soldiers and funds from the illicit trade of Gold and Diamonds run and sustain the conflict. The conflict in Liberia has forced vast numbers of civilians to flee their homes. During 2003 it was estimated that more than 500,000 were internally displaced and another 300,000 living as refugees in neighbouring countries. Child soldiers were recruited from neighbouring countries of Ivory coast, Guinea and Sierra Leone. LURD forces abducted and recruited children from internally displaced people’s camps in Liberia, especially those in Montserrado County as they advanced towards Monrovia during 2003. They were also reported to have abducted children from refugee camps in Guinea. MODEL recruited children from refugee camps in Cote d’Ivoire and further swelled their ranks with children as they advanced towards Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, over which they took control on 26 July 2003. .Rape and other grave sexual violence against children. The rape and sexual violation of children and women is increasingly a characteristic of conflict. Such violence is often perpetrated against boys and girls in a rule of law vacuum that is a consequence of conflict and is exacerbated by the ensuing culture of impunity. In some instances sexual violence has been used as a premeditated tactic of war designed to humiliate or exterminate a population or to force displacement. Reports of high incidence rates of rape and sexual violence against children were received in Liberia. In many cases, the data on incidents, magnitude and scope of sexual violence is unreliable or non-existent due to deep cultural taboos surrounding such crimes, fear of reprisal of victims and their families and a range of other factors. Precise information, critical for combating impunity and for programmatic response, is difficult to obtain or verify. Sexual violence appears to be especially prevalent in and around refugee camps and settlements for internally displaced populations. For children especially, the physical and mental consequences are devastating. Such violations may also take the form of sexual slavery, forced prostitution and marriage or sexual mutilation. The long-term health consequences for the victims include sexually transmitted infection such as HIV/AIDS, fistula, early pregnancy and debilitating psychological trauma. Although cases of sexual violence against boys are sometimes reported, insufficient attention is paid to this particular dimension, and such violations remain largely undocumented. Some research indicates that boys are especially vulnerable to sexual violence during military operations in civilian areas or during military conscription or abduction into paramilitary forces. They are also especially vulnerable in refugee and internally displaced settings and in detention. Sexual violence in times of conflict, in particular against boys and girls, constitutes the breaking of deep social taboos in every culture and as such causes maximum devastation to the social fabric of communities. Therefore, the interventions required in the aftermath of widespread and systematic sexual violence necessitates more comprehensive approaches that begin with the victims but extend to the communities in which they must once again find their place and comfort. The stigmatization of victims of sexual violence, which often leads to their being ostracized or marginalized, requires comprehensive community-level interventions for affected girls and boys. Emphasis must be placed on fighting impunity for rape and other sexual violence through rigorous and systematic investigation and prosecution of such crimes at the national level and an increased focus on this problem by international justice mechanisms. At the national level, comprehensive initiatives to address the issue of sexual violence are required, and national ownership of such programmes is critical. Donors, the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations should accord priority to providing technical and financial support to national authorities for the preparation and implementation of national strategies to address sexual violence. A regional approach to ending the use of child soldiers The conflict in Liberia was not simply an â€Å"internal† armed conflict; it had acquired a regional dimension involving, in particular, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and Sierra Leone. Arms and fighters crossed back and forth across the borders between the four countries. Peace in Liberia was and still is essential for maintaining peace in West Africa; conversely, any increase in hostilities across Liberia’s borders could undermine efforts to maintain peace in Liberia. In order to restore peace and security to West Africa, there was to be a coordinated approach across the region, with harmonization of UN efforts, including those of UN peace-keeping operations: UNMIL, the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) and the UN Mission in Cote d’Ivoire (MINUCI). Structured dialogue on cross boarder recruitment and use of children has already paved the way for dialogue on broader child protection issues and enabled child protection actors in the field to pursue other priorities such as provision of education and healthcare to ex-child soldiers. Convention on the Rights of the Child – fulfilling commitments Liberia ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1993. During the subsequent decade, however, Liberian children have been denied their most fundamental rights. On 17 May 2004 the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child begins its thirty-sixth session during which it will consider Liberia’s initial report on the measures taken to implement its obligations under the Convention. The Committee’s consideration of Liberia’s report offers an important opportunity to highlight the plight of Liberia’s children and to consider ways of strengthening implementation of the rights enshrined in the Convention. Review of the report will lead to the adoption of the Committee’s concluding observations which usually identify positive aspects, factors impeding implementation, principal areas of concern and recommendations. The concluding observations provide an opportunity to urge the NTGL to undertake concrete measures to improve the situation of children in Liberia and, at the same time, to encourage the international community to support the NGTL’s efforts to meet its commitments. The report of the UN Secretary-General on children and armed conflict of 10 November 2003 specifically recommends that the Committee use the occasion of country reports and reviews to promote monitoring and accountability. (18) The NTGL’s responsibility to end the use of child soldiers Under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) was legally obliged not to recruit and use children under the age of 18 years as combatants. An important element of post-conflict reconstruction in Liberia was the formation of a new, professional, well-trained army. The peace agreement stated explicitly that all irregular forces would be disbanded and that the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) would be reformed with a new command structure. Assistance was requested from the international community, including the UN, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the International Contact Group on Liberia. It specifically requests the US to take a lead in restructuring the armed forces. A Military Advisory Commission was established in early 2004, with the new, restructured armed forces deployed by the end of December 2005. This offered an important opportunity for concrete measures by the NTGL to ensure that no child under the age of 18 was recruited by the armed forces. Liberia is a signatory to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child but it is yet to ratify it. Liberia should ratify without delay the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict which raises the age for participation in hostilities to 18 years, and enact legislation making 18 years the minimum age for military recruitment. CONCLUSION As is known, basic survival needs take precedence over psychological during times of war but there is an increasing concern today that the experiences of war will have damaging effects on not only the psychological but also the social skills, attitudes towards the society they live in, their elationship with others as well as their perspective on life itself will be greatly impaired. It is sad that children have to watch their role models that include parents, teachers or elders, torture and kill each other while some trade their children for food and security. This act of breaching the expected moral standards of behaviour by authoritative figures are translated by children as b etrayal, which in turn are manifested in themselves, as they grow up. These manifestations can take many forms. While studies have shown that school absenteeism and juvenile crimes or attitudes favoring gambling, pre-marital sex and smoking could indicate such altered moral learning in children, acts of physical aggression, imitation of military acts and unwillingness to co-operate with peers are also indicators of developmental damage. Even when the war is over, its effects on children linger on long after the stressful event. They may experience numbing of responsiveness to or reduced involvement with the external world. This may be indicated by a marked diminished interest in activities and surroundings, feelings of detachment or estrangement from others, loss of energy or withdrawal. Such negative developments in the child would influence the child’s occupational choice and his relationship with others later in life. 38 Poverty appears to be the motivating factor in most of the countries where child soldiers prevail. It is therefore important for relevant sections of the international community to also look at the flaws in the international economy. The economy disparity between the developed and the developing world must be addressed because it is under these dire economic conditions in the developing world that innocent children are recruited as soldiers. Improvement of standards of living is vital to overcome the menace of recruiting children as combatants Maybe there is still hope for those unfortunate children who are victims of adults’ irresponsibility. A mechanism for international accountability was drafted on 17 July 1998 and open for signatures a year later. However, as in other treaties of the United Nations, it can only come How to cite Child Soldiers, Essay examples

Mind over Matter Essay Example For Students

Mind over Matter Essay Out of the myriad of religions that encompass the earth, one of the least understood is Buddhism. In the pursuit of a higher plane of existence, a Buddhist monk will renounce his worldly secular life, instead embracing a life of meditation and study. While attempting to achieve enlightenment, and therefore nirvana, a Buddhist must first come to eradicate his sense of self, effectively destroying his ego. By doing this, durkha, (pain and suffering), end and one can be at peace and harmony with the world and all who reside in it. A practice that helps monks achieve this enlightened state is meditation. By learing the mind of mundane clutter and distractions, a monk can become in tune with his inner being and body, which results in a greater understanding of the barriers that need to collapse before nirvana can be achieved. This practice of meditation was the Buddhist practice that I participated in, with the intent on a greater understanding of what being a Buddhist means. This exercise taught me the inherent difficulty in calming the mind, along with the negative effects outside influences like other people have on the practice. The first place I attempted to meditate was outside my dorm next to a tree. This proved to be a comfortable place, yet full of distractions. I have meditated before in my martial arts classes, yet it was difficult calming my mind. While concentrating on my breathing, I was easily distracted by outside occurrences such as leaves falling and people walking by. The more I attempted to shut out the outside world, the more my mind focused on the little things around me. I gained immediate appreciation of the Buddhist monks ability to shirk the outside world and focus on his inner self. When I had meditated before in my dojo, it was as a group and in silence. This greatly helped the exercise nd I can see why this is the modus operandi at most temples. The second place I attempted to meditate was in the basement of Reid Hall. I hoped that the familiar surroundings would calm the mind easier and allow me to concentrate on clearing my mind. While not an ideal setting, it was better than outside. As I concentrated on my breathing and felt myself unwind, I was able to tune into the sound of the dryers in the distance and this white noise helped me focus on my spirit and not anything happening around me. I imagined myself first as earth, then air, striving to feel these elements inside f me. However, friends from the hall soon entered the basement and inquired about what I was doing. This broke my concentration, snapping my mind back into the present. I was unable to achieve that sense of oneness again, as people came down to play Ping-Pong, making the exercise virtually worthless. I had come closer than the first time, yet had a long way to go. My third attempt at imitating a Buddhist monk while meditating took place in my room, while my roommates were gone. I sat cross-legged (the lotus position was impossible for me) on the floor and once again concentrated on the ir flowing through my body. I found that just like the dryers in the basement, I was able to concentrate better with classical music on very softly. I guess, for me, the incessant noise of society makes white noise better for concentrating than absolute silence. This time, I quickly sunk into a sense of calm, all my thoughts of school fading away. I imagined myself a monk in the Chin Shan temple, striving for enlightenment. Just to add another level to the activity (by this time is was fairly boring) I attempted to decipher the Zen Buddhist koan What is the sound of one hand clapping? This proved utterly mpossible in the half-hour time period I was meditating, yet it gave me a feel for what a Buddhist monk does and helped focus my errant mind, preventing it from wandering. By far, the last time I meditated was the most successful. There were no major advances, everything was a measure of degree. .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d , .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d .postImageUrl , .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d , .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d:hover , .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d:visited , .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d:active { border:0!important; } .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d:active , .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ua01ae3d6250d42946dabfcada70f5c9d:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Same sex adoption: Do I qualify? EssayYet sitting for a half-hour cross-legged was no longer extremely uncomfortable, focusing the breathing and mind was easier, and I felt at peace which was nice feeling in a usually hectic college day. After trying to emulate the life of a Buddhist monk, even for a total of an hour and a half, I have infinite more respect for these en and women. I have always respected forms of mental concentration and the ability to raise oneself into a higher plane of consciousness. In my study of the martial arts, the ability to become one with your opponent and therefore know how he will move before he actually moves is paramount. This omniscient sense occurs only after years of training, and while a black belt who has trained for six years I am still far from this state of ability. I can readily see why the pursuit of nirvana can span a lifetime, indeed, multiple lifetimes. The mind is, indeed, the hardest element of the human body to control. With the brains need for activity, a combination of seclusion from society and group meditation is of great importance, especially in the beginning of ones path toward the mastery of the Eight-fold Path. The seclusion is necessary so that outside distractions and desires are eliminated. If the mind has nothing to crave or look forward to, it is easier to pursue the task at hand. Unlike the hustle and noise of Oxford, a temple offers a place to get away from life and find the inner life within oneself. Yet this inner self, which is ultimately to be eradicated, is hard to find. One can know who one is and yet ot be able to define oneself. One of the goals of a Buddhist monk is to be able truthfully define oneself and this knowledge will then set ones soul free. Yet this endeavor is the hardest task a human can undertake. To truly face what one really is takes more courage than most people have. To aid this, the community of the temple comes into play heavily. It is easier to meditate and deny oneself the riches of secular life if you struggle beside others. While Buddhism advocates a personal struggle toward enlightenment, humans are gregarious beings at heart and so normally work better in the presence of brethren. Along with ones fellow monks, the abbot and preceptors help guide and direct the learning of the monks. They offer subtle forms of encouragement, often disguised in hardship, that aid the monks in their struggle toward understanding. This is a boon, allowing enlightenment to occur quicker than in the solitary meditation I experienced. A Buddhist way of life is a lot harder than one may suspect, for while they are released from the worries of everyday life, the mental tasks assigned to them are far greater than worrying about what to cook for dinner tonight or paying ones electricity bill. Furthermore, a Buddhist lifestyle is not very conducive to an American lifestyle. I give a lot of credit to the founders of the Zen Mountain Center in San Francisco, creating a microcosm which can support the solitude necessary for personal growth is a daunting task. From my limited venture into the life of a Buddhist, I learned that controlling ones mind and then harnessing this power to delve out truths and desires from oneself is a feat almost inconceivable by the normal mind. Those who accomplish this task are truly Buddhas, masters of the world and therefore outside the grasp of time, free at last.