Thoughts on Power Yoga and Zizek

Yoga philosophy: Accepting discomfort is intentional passivity. Non-acceptance is resistance. But the truth can’t be resisted, so resistance=disharmony….Intentional passivity.  I think Zizek and Yoga have a number of things in common.

Yoga answers criticism leveled against Zizek. Resistance outside of reality is futile, dangerous and enslaving (ideologically in Zizek’s terms. Breaking your back in yoga terms). But this does not suggest a philosophy of non-doing or inaction or full of bitterness and regret.

The Joker’s Tale

Adapted from Mather’s by Jahanzaib Haque

One general view of the Tarot’s message (with a change of strength with justice and the removal of the joker).

The human will (magician) enlightened by science/inner wisdom (high priestess) and manifested by action/growth (empress) should find its realization (emperor) in deeds of mercy and beneficence (Hierophant).

The wise disposition/choice (the lovers) of this will give him victory (chariot) through fortitude/inner strength (strength) and prudence (hermit) over the fluctuations of fortune (wheel of fortune).

Equilibrium/balance (justice) shall be sanctified by sacrifice of self (hanged man), triumphing over death itself (death) and thus a wise combination (temperance) will enable him to defy fate (devil).

In each misfortune (the tower) he will see the star of hope (hope) shine through the twilight of deception (moon) and ultimate happiness (sun) will be the result (judgment). This will be the final reward (world).

Names Jay would like to give to his kids

Mikail – likeness to God

Arsalan – Lion, brave

Shita – Cool, Pleasant feeling

Shanti – peace beyond words

Tara – star, earth, rocky hill

Seth – appointed one

Neha – rain

Maya - the earth

Class observations (PHILOSOPHY, 2003)

Discussion on Nietzsche

Professor: concentrates in bringing out a debate within the class.

Person 1: Stares at his book with intense understanding. The book is closed.

Person 2: Is drawing slow, regular circle diagrams into his journal.

Person 3: Is focused entirely on the class discussion (or lack thereof). He sits leaning forward with pouting lips, ready to release a tirade on his point of view. He is unsatisfied.

Person 4: Is embarrassed at the lack of discussion. The repetitive silence is weighing down upon him. He is slowly wilting in his chair – his hand across his brow.

Person 5: Is stretched out and partially asleep.

Person 6: Doesn’t belong here. His mind is outside playing in the sun as his eyes and body lean towards the open window.

Person 7: Chews His pen; staring out with glazed eyes. The smell of stale cigarettes comes off him strongly.

Person 8: Observes the class and scribbles into his journal.

Person 9: Has a map of the US in front of her. She carefully colors in the various states using her green and yellow markers. She is trying to be fair in her distribution of either color.

Person 10: Is looking into the journal of scribbling person 8. He is shocked at the large number of notes forming here.

Person 11: Feels pity for person 19. Her pretty hair and doe eyes reflect her gentle character.

Person 12: Is carefully examining person 11’s tanned legs.

Person 13: Is frustrated at his inability to speak out on a topic he has focused his studies on for the last 2 years. His arms are crossed and he broods silently; staring at the floor.

Person 14: Examines his fingernails. Stretches out and examines his toenails. He is mildly upset about his right foot.

Person 15: Is the smartest kid in class; sitting in a relaxed pose with full awareness of the disjointed class discussion, the weather outside and person 8 observing him.

Person 16: Crosses and re-crosses her legs as she adjust to the spring shorts she hasn’t worn in the last 6 months. She calls most of the class discussion to herself, talking nonsense but attracting attention to her outfit anyway.

Person 17: Is hiding behind the two stronger personalities (15 and 16) in front of her in hopes of being invisible. She is very shy and inhibited.

Person 18: Is clueless in general but enjoys raising ignorant questions. She is half the reason the class discussion is dead.

Person 19: Stands facing the class in a heightened state of embarrassment. He has failed to lead the discussion and he feels shunned from the class (and society as a whole) – an utter loser. Grasping the podium tightly with both hands is all that is keeping him from crying, running or collapsing. He may commit suicide at some point in life.

Observations in Class (true story)

DURING CLASS (KGS 2001)

Found this little piece in one of my journal’s. Its pretty interesting in its own way. I changed names to numbers; not quite sure any of them would have liked their names here.

Passing Time…

1: sits and taps out various drum rhythms and counts the minutes passing by.

2: Oblivious to all around her, she is in animated conversation with 3. She seems happy.

3: Sits and listens to 2 for lack of any better way of passing time. She seems disturbed; or acting out being disturbed, which indicates a disturbed mind in itself.

4: stares at the teacher nodding her head occasionally. She seems to be absorbing alot.

5, 6: Have their heads down and are asleep. 5 occasionally contorts his face in an effort to keep from waking up from induced sleep.

7: Stares at his shoes for the whole period, occasionally shuffling his feet.

8: Raises his hand every three seconds. He seems anxious to answer every question. His aura steadily changes from blue to grey from all the effort he is putting in to stay attentive.

9: stares out the door at people passing by. Hard to decipher his expression.

10: Rakes away in her journal with a pen. The teacher is making a concious effort to ignore the ragged scratching sound.

11 12 13: sit in the front row. 11 and 12 chose to be there and they seem quite content. 13 seems to be suffering from an on-coming migraine.

14: scratches out song lyrics on his desk, occasionally slapping himself across the face. He seems to be extremely frustrated.

15: is busy trying to meditate. A gentle humming can be heard under his breath as he attempts to transcend the boundaries of this universe.

16: listens to the teacher attentively as has been drilled into her by her parents.

17: is an observer. He spends his time recording actions displayed by the others.

18, 19: Sit in the back and discuss what they plan to do tommorow, or perhaps the day after.

20: Ponders over love and hate, occasionally noting down a few prose.

21: Repeatedly shuffles uncomfortably in his chair, trying un-succesfully to hide a growing erection brought on by 22.

22: Lazes in her seat dreaming of her fabulous entrance at an imaginary social gathering. She occasionally sketches clothes she wishes to have tailor made.

23: Sits and systematically plans out his work-schedule for the coming term, occasionally nodding his head in time with the teacher’s comments.