An End with a New Start

A lot of the times we want to increase our knowledge about different cultures, about different traditions. Many of the times we try to do this by reading books, where most likely are written by someone who is not native form that culture. There is nothing wrong with that learning technique, but one think that I learn this semester from this class is that there are other was to get more close that a particular culture. In this semester, we learn a lot of new information, new ideas. The best part was that it was journey done together as a class. We learn by reading books from people native to their culture. We learn by doing some of this cultures ceremony or rites. Even when we did not feel comfortable to do it, it was a nice experience seeing other do it. I remember when we were studying the Yoga Sutra; we talked about using the books as learning method, but also used as a learning method your everyday experience. I think now I can say that I have a better understanding this; because it is essential what we did in class, understand the culture, the ethical perspective from these various methods not only by reading, but also by doing it. By gaining experience… By having fun…, even when we did not agree with some aspects.

Now I can truly understand when Swami said this quote:

“. . . I feel we don’t really need scriptures. The entire life is an open book, a scripture. Read it. Learn while digging a pit or chopping some wood or cooking some food. If you can’t learn from your daily activities, how are you going to understand the scriptures? (233)”
― Swami Satchidananda, The Yoga Sutras