Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Transformation Project Proposal: The Sacred Space
There is a place that I love to go and meditate, find my center, and overall "get my shit together" when I feel frazzled or lost. That place is called The Sacred Space, and is located in Summerland. Here there is a metaphysical shop in the front with healing tools and books. If you go into the back, there is a large maze like space filled with greenery, ponds, bridges, beds, and couches. Large crystals and statues of Buddha and other various figures. It is an extremely relaxing and meditative space, they are always serving free tea, and even offer their space for one to come and take a nap. In each of these couch/bed spaces there is always a table with a journal (supplied by the shop) for people to come and write in. I would like to take some quotes/clips form these journals (including my own), and accompany them by photography of the place for my project. In addition to some of my before, during, and after journal entries from my personal journal. I was also considering maybe putting a journal I provided there for a few weeks, but I'm not sure yet which one would be better. With that, an added analysis of how this space effects people's - and my - state of mind while we are in it. I truly believe that this place is sacred and provides a service for people like no one else, so this project idea means a lot to me. Below is a photo I have taken on one of my past visits.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Freeing the Writer Within
Writing Down the Bones: I love the use of the term "composting" in this week's first reading. Last quarter I took an ecopsychology course that talked a lot about composting within the psyche and I always really loved that analogy. Now to hear it applied to writing - I love it even more. I think it's important to remember that throughout our lives, thoughts, feelings, and the things we do - there is a lot of good that can grow out of the bad or "ugly" shit that happens - but only if we allow it to fully process.
Goldberg killing it again with the importance of our lives. Her emphasis on the memorials for Holocaust etc. is a really beautiful example of how we can appreciate each other. Acknowledge the importance of all of our detail on this earth. Her advice on going further in the next reading adds to this importance of life in my opinion. Yes - our lives are important - but if we push ourselves we can produce something so much more! I liked that we had to read these one after the other even though they were not in the book that way.
Why do I write? Hmmmm - because I need to. Because most of the time my heart and soul flow better through my fingers and onto paper than out my mouth. Because sometimes I can solve world problems better through a written practice. It brings me to a place where I can really process things.
What she says about using a cigarette hanging out her mouth to help her write is interesting. I never considered the use of props before, however the cigarette would be too tempting for someone like me who quite cold turkey a year and 3/4 ago... not that I've been counting...
Overall - and I know I have said this before - I truly enjoy Natalie Goldberg's writing. I definitely plan to read this book in it's entirety eventually, and am grateful we were assigned to it for this course.
Goldberg killing it again with the importance of our lives. Her emphasis on the memorials for Holocaust etc. is a really beautiful example of how we can appreciate each other. Acknowledge the importance of all of our detail on this earth. Her advice on going further in the next reading adds to this importance of life in my opinion. Yes - our lives are important - but if we push ourselves we can produce something so much more! I liked that we had to read these one after the other even though they were not in the book that way.
Why do I write? Hmmmm - because I need to. Because most of the time my heart and soul flow better through my fingers and onto paper than out my mouth. Because sometimes I can solve world problems better through a written practice. It brings me to a place where I can really process things.
What she says about using a cigarette hanging out her mouth to help her write is interesting. I never considered the use of props before, however the cigarette would be too tempting for someone like me who quite cold turkey a year and 3/4 ago... not that I've been counting...
Overall - and I know I have said this before - I truly enjoy Natalie Goldberg's writing. I definitely plan to read this book in it's entirety eventually, and am grateful we were assigned to it for this course.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Fifth Response: Goldberg, Rubin, & Paulson
Writing Down the Bones: I appreciate her writing about trouble with your inner editor/censor. This is something I experience often during my writing process, and it is nice to read about a possible solution! Giving it a voice seems so obvious after reading it, but is something I will definitely be giving a shot!
The Happiness Project: What she says here about gratitude and perspective are important in life, and both something I have had a big realization with recently. I like how she writes about how reading about catastrophe makes her grateful for what she currently has. Sometimes (like when reading/watching the news) we can see and hear about all these horrible things and not stop to think about everything great we have in our lives, and I think that's an important to take that time to stop and be grateful.
The Last Lecture: I thoroughly enjoy his writing style! In addition I agree with much of what he says about being able to critique - which is a word I prefer much more than judge - yourself. Yes! Stop complaining! This made me happy to read because I feel the same way. Life takes hard work and we all have to do it in order to be successful - so get over it. Harness your inner Jackie Robinson work ethic and keep going! Love it.
His style in getting people's attention was clever too, I would have come back to that class for sure. In addition I have always (and still am) a big fan of a simple card. I am always writing cards, for much more than just thank yous. However I agree that the thank you's are important as well, they are a simple and personal way to show gratitude. It is so vital to human happiness to stay connected to others, especially for me, being the extremely social person I am. Human connection is a life force for me, which keeps me extremely grateful to those close to me. I enjoyed these chapters a lot and his writing style on these topics.
The Happiness Project: What she says here about gratitude and perspective are important in life, and both something I have had a big realization with recently. I like how she writes about how reading about catastrophe makes her grateful for what she currently has. Sometimes (like when reading/watching the news) we can see and hear about all these horrible things and not stop to think about everything great we have in our lives, and I think that's an important to take that time to stop and be grateful.
The Last Lecture: I thoroughly enjoy his writing style! In addition I agree with much of what he says about being able to critique - which is a word I prefer much more than judge - yourself. Yes! Stop complaining! This made me happy to read because I feel the same way. Life takes hard work and we all have to do it in order to be successful - so get over it. Harness your inner Jackie Robinson work ethic and keep going! Love it.
His style in getting people's attention was clever too, I would have come back to that class for sure. In addition I have always (and still am) a big fan of a simple card. I am always writing cards, for much more than just thank yous. However I agree that the thank you's are important as well, they are a simple and personal way to show gratitude. It is so vital to human happiness to stay connected to others, especially for me, being the extremely social person I am. Human connection is a life force for me, which keeps me extremely grateful to those close to me. I enjoyed these chapters a lot and his writing style on these topics.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Fourth Response: Kahn & Kawulich
Putting Ethnographic Writing in Context: This article is a good read that brought to a lot of light to a type of writing I don't have too much experience with. It makes me think of all the times I traveled to new cultures and realize how I should have been keeping journals! However it can be really hard to do that when you're traveling, with all the mental and physical exhaustion that comes with being so stimulated in so many ways for a long period of time. Even a few notes at the end of the night would have helped me to remember the indigenous people I have met and what I was thinking at the time. Definitely going to keep that in mind for all upcoming travel experiences.
I am glad he added an example of his own experience. It is hard to predict how people may react to this kind of writing, even if they sign consent forms and all that jazz. It is really unfortunate that he lost someone in his life that he respected due to this project. This article gave a lot of helpful information (and history) about ethnographic writing; in addition to many of the possibilities within the process, both good and bad.
Participant Observation as a Data Collection Method: Observation as a method of data collection is extremely important and valid for certain fields of research. Especially when researching animal or human behavior, and being a student of psychology, that has been very clear to me. This article (and the other) had me considering how often the ones being observed change their behavior - even juuuust a little - after they know they are being observed. It caused me to consider how I may change if I were ever the one to be observed as well. I appreciate all the information here about the participation of the observer, and the possible lack of understanding to do that. In addition to the many possible effects the dynamic (or relationship between observer and participants) could have on the study. There are so many different things to be aware/careful of in this type of research. These articles definitely helped me understand ways which I had not even thought of before.
I am glad he added an example of his own experience. It is hard to predict how people may react to this kind of writing, even if they sign consent forms and all that jazz. It is really unfortunate that he lost someone in his life that he respected due to this project. This article gave a lot of helpful information (and history) about ethnographic writing; in addition to many of the possibilities within the process, both good and bad.
Participant Observation as a Data Collection Method: Observation as a method of data collection is extremely important and valid for certain fields of research. Especially when researching animal or human behavior, and being a student of psychology, that has been very clear to me. This article (and the other) had me considering how often the ones being observed change their behavior - even juuuust a little - after they know they are being observed. It caused me to consider how I may change if I were ever the one to be observed as well. I appreciate all the information here about the participation of the observer, and the possible lack of understanding to do that. In addition to the many possible effects the dynamic (or relationship between observer and participants) could have on the study. There are so many different things to be aware/careful of in this type of research. These articles definitely helped me understand ways which I had not even thought of before.
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