Analysis and Interpretation of Religion: Upanishads Essay

The concept behind Upanishads is the existence of a universal spirit known as Brahman, and an individual soul known as Atman. Brahman is considered to be the ultimate, in both the transcendent and immanent aspect, as well as the absolute infinite existence, the totality of everything that existed before, now, and the coming future. The Upanishads are very mystical in nature, and it also offers intense philosophical bent, which gave birth to three main schools of self-realization or Vedanta. One interpretation of the Upanishads doesn’t give Brahman a God-figure in a monotheistic sense; instead it is something with no limiting characteristics. This is the one of the three main schools of Vedanta, the philosophy of Shankara known as advaita. Another one, the dvaita, was founded by Madvacharya, which holds the idea saying that Brahman is but a personal god, the same as other Hindu gods like Vishnu and Krishna. The third school, known as vishishtadvaita, was founded by Ramanujacharya, which has similar aspects with the other two schools of Vedanta. Upanishad knowledge means Brahma-knowledge, giving not only spiritual vision, but also a philosophical argument (Universe). Upanishads are responsible for the conception of the major Vedic doctrines, including Self-realization, yoga and meditation, karma and reincarnation, which were previously clouded by the symbolisms of its religious roots. We often see some of the older Upanishads very much related or affixed to a certain specific Veda, through a Brahmana or Aranyaka, though most of the recent ones are not. Upanishads also emphasized on the spiritual meanings of the Vedic texts that they also adhere to, emphasizing it at its own right. Upanishads and the Vedas go hand and hand in shaping both the spiritual and philosophical leanings of the people at that time. The concept of religion that comes out in the Upanishad represents a threat and a challenge to religious group developments in India as well as any kind of religion, based solely on theism. It’s because of the focus that they give on their central figure, the Brahman, which is in some cases, taken as a god, while in some, a much more powerful entity. Upanishad’s Brahman does not really focus on a monotheistic god, instead it is a universal entity, something that can be attained or be aligned with ourselves by properly doing the teachings or following the Vedas. Upanishads propose a similar concept of the soul, which is the Atman. The atman is present in all individuals, and that it still needs to be nourished in order for it to reach a certain desired state, the ultimate, universal Brahman. These two are similar in state, formless, inconceivable, though it is up to the people to realize it through discrimination that can be attained by doing and following the right things that it calls for, as stated on the Vedas. Putting these against the earlier and later religious developments, which undeniable focus on a central God character, distinct from the world we can see that Upanishads stand out because their ultimate end is being one with everything in the world. It is the main concept of the religion that then challenges the existence of the various Gods of the other religions. Still, it teaches people to do what is right, to practice things that would enable them to be at one with the ultimate end, the Brahman, but it offers people a chance to be at one with all that is, was, and ever will be, instead of being with a separate entity. Upanishads gives us an alternate view of the world, a religion with a unique take of what is real, and what is at the end for all of us. Much like other religions, it still focus on motivating to do the right things, in order to achieve one final end, though it may be different because it does not have a concrete god-figure, instead it has a universal entity waiting in the end. Work Cited: Universe, Dharma. â€Å"Upanishads†. 2009. March 5 2009. .

Clinical Psychology OCD treatment and approaches Essay

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has a cognitive-behavioral component that includes a distortion of an individual’s environment. OCD has similar components to many anxiety disorders. Anxiety is a result of a disrupted and dysfunctional thought patterns. Anxiety produces adverse reactions affecting the nervous system and an overload of stimulation. Research suggests a genetic predisposition and hormonal malfunction can contribute to an individual’s suffering from OCD. The obsessions of OCD are impulses an individual cannot control. The individual affected by OCD feels the only relief from the compulsions is to complete the rituals to relieve the anxiety. The behavioral components associated with obsessive thoughts and impulses produce ritualistic practices. The emotional components from a psychodynamic perspective have possible implications from early childhood with negative feelings associated with the relationships with his or her parents. Psychologists suggest the underlying condition later evolve into an OCD diagnosis (Hansell & Damour, 2008). There are four major approaches for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, family systems, and psychodynamic approaches are the four major therapy treatments. These approaches have different perceptions of methods for management. Each approach understands obsessive compulsive disorder as a disorder where an individual exhibits undesirable repetitive and anxiety producing behaviors and emotions followed by a compulsive behavior of repetitive rituals. The individuals affected by OCD believe the anxiety will be reduced by performing the ritual (Hansell & Damour, 2008). Cognitive-behavioral theory establishes the negative behaviors associated to an individual’s environment with positive or negative reinforcements and consequences for the actions. The individuals suffering from OCD respond and adjust to his or her behaviors associated with interaction received in his or her environment. Cognitive-behavioral theory with OCD associates the compulsive behavior of rituals that provide perceived relief from anxiety as produced by disturbing thoughts and impulses (Hansell & Damour, 2009). The approach facilitates a decrease and reduction in the anxiety as it associates with the reinforcement of the rituals. The cognitive behavioral approach focuses on changes in the way an individual responds to the stressor, changing the ritualistic response to the disturbing thoughts. The individual is asked to think about something disturbing to become anxious and not practice the usual ritualistic behavior as part of treatment (Cottraux, Yao, Lafont, Mollard, Bouvard, Sauteraud & Dartigues, 2001). The goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy is focused on the disruption of the ritualistic behavior and allows the individual to experience the anxiety without the ritual to develop coping skills and process the thoughts (Fisher & Wells, 2005). The process of obsessive thoughts and ritualistic behaviors is interrupted causing the behavior to discontinue negative reinforcement of the anxiety breaking the ritual patterns. Treating the individuals with strategies to deal with anxiety teaches self-efficacy when reaching the desired goals. The therapist should specialize in cognitive therapy for training and knowledge to assist the individual in treatment (Barlow, 2007). The focus of this approach is different from Humanistic approach and other approaches by teaching to interrupt the ritualistic behavior The Humanistic approach focuses on the existential assumptions that personal agency and free will are the idea of all individuals. The concepts to the theory are that individuals are basically good with innate desires to become better and make the world better. The humanistic approach emphasizes the self-worth of individuals and his or her values are of good nature. This approach is positive and optimistic theorizing the understanding that humans desire to be free of pain and despair. Maslow theorized personal growth as a primal human motive and personal growth are lifelong. The Humanistic perspective was very popular after World War I (Dombeck, 2006). This approach is less effective in treating OCD than other approaches. Humanism embraces the assumption of an individual is a cognitive aware being. The main principle of humanism argues other schools of therapy apply the approach as the therapy and treatment of the mental illness instead of the individuals actively participating in maintaining his or her emotional state (Plante, 2011). The goals of humanistic therapy for OCD is focused on recreating a positive and appropriate environment. The change in the individual’s environment assists him or her in development for evolving into mature healthy individuals. Psychological dysfunction with OCD is caused by a disruption in the development of individual’s maturity and social skills. The treatment enables the individuals to develop a natural environment and the abilities to live in a healthier environment and mental state. Humanistic therapy has the expectation of normalcy and that is the goal. This behavioral therapy encourages the replacement of bad behaviors with more appropriate ones. The positive replacement of problems assists with less anxiety and fear. Research has not proven the humanistic approach to an effective treatment for relieving the symptoms of OCD (Dombeck, 2006). Unlike the Family system approach that shows best results in treating OCD. Family systems approach consists of assistance from the therapist with the family in assessing the individual’s disorder. The goal is to improve the communication of the unit. There are several techniques applied to accomplish this including for example changing the perceptions of the family. Developing a rapport with the family assists the therapist in understanding the reasons the individuals became OCD with insight to the dynamics of the family unit. The therapist identifies the anxiety producing relationships between family members (Plante, 2011). Developing coping mechanisms to the symptoms of anxiety producing thoughts and ritualistic coping behavior is the main focus of treatment. The focus on reducing the symptoms of OCD of the individual includes comprehension and understanding of the anxiety and distress the individual experiences. Identifying the source of the anxiety producing stressors assists with establishing new avenues to relate to the family unit, interrupting the individual’s obsessive-compulsive behaviors (Zohar & Insel, 1987). The therapist attempts communication repair to re-establish healthy communication within the family and decrease any inaccurate assumptions by the family about the individual’s symptoms that increase the stressors that produce OCD symptoms. The approach focuses on disengaging dysfunctional family behaviors and establishes a better family relationship. The family unit contains the dysfunction that triggers OCD behaviors (Plante, 2011). Family therapy is an effective treatment in addition to other therapies as part of a multimodal treatment focused on emotional disorders however; the severe symptoms of OCD require combined therapies (Stein, 2002). History shows psychological treatment focused on the individual with the family unit as the cause of OCD symptoms and behaviors. Family members were not included in the individual’s therapy. The family members were not considered relevant to the recovery of the individual. Later psychological discipline family system approach was established and applied in clinical applications (Plante, 2011). Family systems therapy focuses on the inadequacies in the family unit. Family systems therapy is less efficient as a single therapy for the treatment of OCD therefore in combination with other therapies increases the successfulness of the treatment (Barlow, 2007). Psychodynamic therapy focuses on anxiety associated with unconscious emotional beliefs. Therapists apply basic psychodynamic techniques to anxiety disorders (Fisher & Wells, 2005). The individual and the therapist establish a relationship where the individual is encouraged to discuss openly the underlying reasons of the anxiety. Guided imagery is applied in the this approach. The therapist assists the individual to identify and understand his or her issues as a reaction to current and past issues. The psychodynamic approach assists to uncover unconscious reactions therefore the therapist assists in interpreting the individual’s thoughts, feelings, and dreams. The therapist assists the individual in identifying the unconscious motives to resolve the negative emotions. Identifying the causes of anxiety is effective with treating anxiety disorders. Psychodynamic therapy develops treatment goals (McLean, Whittal, Thordarson, Taylor, Sochting, Koch, Anderson, 2001). Severe cases of OCD are most effectively treated with a combined cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy in relieving the symptoms of OCD. Training psychodynamic clinicians to apply cognitive-behavioral techniques assist in a more successful treatment plan and successful treatment of individuals with OCD (Barlow, 2007). The major theoretical approaches of behavior assist psychologists with the understanding of mental disorders. Cognitive-behavioral approach focuses on measuring observable behavior by applying classical and operant conditioning to the individual’s behavior. The humanistic approach focuses on the individual’s ability to develop the skills to become a more active with growth oriented goals (Plante, 2011). The family systems approach explains OCD behaviors originate from the consequences of family dysfunction. The psychodynamic approach focuses on the unconscious influence of the individual’s lack of ability to develop healthy mental processes. Psychology assists in developing a healthy relationship in the unit relieving the individual of the symptoms of mental illness. All of the approaches have advantages in treating specific disorders; some are proven more effective with specific challenges and some perspectives. The combination of various perspectives in clinical psychology allows the therapist to apply therapies for a more successful change in the individual’s behaviors. Research and clinical practice assist in uncovering the various human behaviors making development of these approaches change to accommodate these new discoveries of mental disorders and the treatments (Plante, 2011). The path to healthy homeostasis of the mind requires proper treatment to balance mental health.

JEWS HIDING essays

JEWS HIDING essays Why Hiding was so difficult for Jews during WWII When the control of Germany was undertook by Adolph Hitler, the entire world became infected by his Nazi Fascism, especially the European Jews. Through Hitlers beliefs of white skin, blue eyes, light hair being the race of God, Jewish people were oppressed, forced into hard labor, and murdered in concentration camps. Many Jews went into hiding during this time, and it became very difficult for their caretakers to maintain a constant responsibility. The risk involved in helping a Jewish person during World War II became so increasing, that those who were caught were also punished in severe manners. When these Jewish people went into hiding, there was generally a large amount of provisions taken with them, plenty of clothes, food, and cigarettes; however, as the war carried on, these items began to wear away, and diminish. In Nazi Europe food was in short supply, and what was available was generally rotten, cigarettes were non-existent, except on the black market, where they were extremely high priced. Many Jews died of starvation during hiding. The food was only given out in rations, and feeding six with two ration cards became an inside struggle between the Jews in hiding and the Christian who volunteered to assist. Even if the Christian had obtained extra ration cards through the black markets, the delivery of a large amount of goods was difficult due to the constant harassment from the Gestapo (German state police). I you were a family of three, and you had the rations for a family of ten, you were suspicious. The Germans stopped at nothing to find who was assisting in the hiding of a Jewish person. A Jewish person in hiding had to remain quite at all times during the day. They could not go to the bathroom, or run any water, or even talk loudly. If so, they ran the risk of being heard by someone outside and ultimate...

The 5 Best Suspense Thrillers on Stage

The 5 Best Suspense Thrillers on Stage Unlike mysteries in which the audience searches for clues to figure out â€Å"whodunit,† thrillers let viewers know who the bad guys are in advance. Then, the audience spends the rest of the play on the edge of their proverbial seats wondering who will win: the evil doer or the innocent victim? Here are five of the best stage thrillers in theatrical history. Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott In this slick, slightly dated cat-and-mouse thriller, three con-men manipulate a blind woman. They want the secret contents hidden inside a mysterious doll, and they are willing to go to any lengths to retrieve it - even murder. Fortunately, the blind protagonist, Suzy Hendrix, is resourceful enough to use her other heightened senses to combat the criminals. In the climactic final act, Suzy gains the advantage when she shuts off all the lights in her apartment. Then, the bad guys are in her territory. Deathtrap by Ira Levin A reviewer from Cue Magazine calls Levin’s comic suspense play, â€Å"two-thirds a thriller and one-third a devilishly clever comedy.† And the play is indeed devilish! The premise: a formerly successful author is so desperate for another hit, he seems willing to murder a younger more talented writer in order to steal his brilliant manuscript. But that’s only the beginning. Plot twists and treachery abound throughout Deathtrap. Try to see this one live at your local community theater. However, if you can’t wait for it to be revived, the Michael Caine film is a fun ride as well. Dial M for Murder by Frederick Knott Another â€Å"Knotty† thriller, this play became an instant theatrical hit as well as an Alfred Hitchcock classic. Believing that he has planned the perfect crime, a cold-hearted husband hires a thug to murder his wife. The audience members hold their breath as they watch to see what happens next. Will the husband get away with the heinous deed? Will the wife survive? (Don’t hold your breath for too long – the play runs about two hours.) Perfect Crime by Warren Manzi This show is currently the longest running play in New York City history. This off-Broadway thriller has been running since 1987. Believe it or not, lead actress Catherine Russell has starred in Perfect Crime since its premiere. That means she performed in over 8,000 shows – missing a mere four performances during the last twenty years. (Can a person stay sane after all those performances?) The press release says: â€Å"The main character is a Harvard-educated psychiatrist accused of bumping off her wealthy British husband. The play is set in an affluent Connecticut town where this suspected murderess conducts her practice out of her secluded mansion. The handsome detective assigned to the case must overcome his own love-interest in the wife as he seeks to discover who murdered the husband, if indeed he was murdered at all.† Sounds like a good combination of suspense and romance. The Bad Seed by Maxwell Anderson Based upon the novel by William March, The Bad Seed asks a disturbing question. Are some people born evil? Eight-year old Rhoda Penmark seems to be. This play might be seriously disturbing for some people. Rhoda behaves sweetly and innocently around adults, but can be murderously devious during one-on-one encounters. There are few plays in which such a young child is portrayed as such a manipulative sociopath. The psychopathic Rhoda makes the creepy ghost girl from The Ring look like a Strawberry Shortcake.

About Complex Sentences With This ESL Worksheet

About Complex Sentences With This ESL Worksheet Complex sentences are made up of two clauses- an independent clause and a dependent clause. Independent clauses are similar to simple sentences. They can stand alone and function as a sentence: We didnt pass the test.  Angela won the competition. Dependent clauses, however, need to be used together with an independent clause. Here are some dependent clauses with independent clauses. Notice how they seem incomplete: Although he is ready.When it is done.   Independent clauses are combined with dependent clauses to make sense.   Well go to the bank because we need some money.  As soon as we land, Ill give you a call.   Notice that dependent clauses can come first. In this case, we use a comma.   Before she comes, well eat some lunch.Because hes late for work, he took a taxi.   Writing Complex Sentences Using Subordinating Conjunctions Complex sentences are written by using subordinating conjunctions to connect the two clauses. Showing Opposition or Unexpected Results Use these three subordinating conjunctions to show that there is a pro and con  or to contrast statements. although / even though / though Although I felt he was wrong, I decided to trust him.Sharon started looking for a new job even though she was currently employed.Though I couldnt understand a word, we had a great time! Showing Cause and Effect To give reasons use these conjunctions that keep the same meaning. because / since / as Since you need some help, Ill come over this afternoon.Henry felt he needed to take some time off because he had been working so hard.The parents paid for extra lessons as the children were very gifted. Expressing Time There are a number of subordinating conjunctions that express time. Note that the simple tense (present simple or past simple) is generally used in dependent clauses beginning with time subordinators.   when / as soon as / before / after / by By the time you get this letter, I will have left for New York.I used to play a lot of tennis when I was a teenager.We had a wonderful dinner after she had arrived. Expressing Conditions Use these subordinators to express that something depends on a condition. if / unless / in the case that If I were you, I would take my time with that project.They wont come next week unless you ask them to do so.In the case that he isnt available, well look for another consultant. Complex Sentence Worksheets Provide a fitting subordinator to fill the gaps in these sentences.   Im going to the bank _______ I need some money.I made lunch _________ I got home.________ its raining, shes going for a walk in the park.  ________ she finishes her homework soon, she will fail the class.He decided to trust Tim ______ he was an honest man._______ we went to school, she decided to investigate the situation.Jennifer decided to leave Tom _______ he was too worried about his job.Dennis bought a new jacket __________ he had received one as a gift last week.Brandley claims that there will be trouble _____ he doesnt complete the job.Janice will have finished the report ____ the time you receive the letter. Answers because / since / asafter / when / as soon as  although / even though / thoughunlessbecause / since / asbefore / when  because / since / asalthough / even though / thoughif / in the case thatby   Use subordinating conjunctions (though, if, when, because, etc.) to connect the sentences into one complex sentence. Henry needs to learn English. I will teach him.It was raining outside. We went for a walk.Jenny needs to ask me. I will buy it for her.Yvonne played golf extremely well. She was very young.Franklin wants to get a new job. He is preparing for job interviews.Im writing a letter, and Im leaving. You will find it tomorrow.Marvin thinks he will buy the house. He just wants to know what his wife thinks.Cindy and David had breakfast. They left for work.I really enjoyed the concert. The music was too loud.Alexander has been working sixty hours a week. There is an important presentation next week.I usually work out at the gym early in the morning. I leave for work at eight a.m.The car was extremely expensive. Bob didnt have much money. He bought the car.Dean sometimes goes to the cinema. He enjoys going with his friend Doug. Doug visits once a month.I prefer to watch TV by streaming over the internet. It allows me to watch what I want when I want.Sometimes it happens that we have a lot of rai n. I put the chairs on the patio in the garage when we have rain. There are other variations that are possible than those provided in the answers.  Ask your teacher for other ways  to connect these to write complex sentences. As Henry needs to learn English, I will teach him.We went for a walk even though it was raining.If Jenny asks me, I will buy it for her.Yvonne played golf extremely well when she was young.Because Franklin wants to get a new job, he is preparing for job interviews.Im writing you this letter which you will find after I leave.  Unless his wife doesnt like the house, Marvin will buy it.After Cindy and David had eaten breakfast, they left for work.I really enjoyed the concert although the music was too loud.As Alexander has an important presentation next week, he has been working sixty hours a week.I usually work out at the gym before I leave for work at eight.Though Bob didnt have much money, he bought the extremely expensive car.If Doug visits, they go to the cinema.Since it allows me to watch what I want when I want, I prefer to watch TV by streaming over the internet.If it rains a lot, I put the chairs on the patio in the garage.

Operations Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

Operations Management - Essay Example The essence of Operations Management is the need to make rational decisions in difficult circumstances with limited, imperfect information Operations management deals with decision making related to production processes to ensure that the results are produced according to specifications. Information about materials, labor and resources are used to obtain goods or services using one or more conversion and transformation processes. This adds value to the product. (Shim and Siegel, 1999, p. 2) Operations management begins with a step-by-step process and plans which are based on careful analysis and decisions of a product or service. Operating plans are made according to long-term and short-term strategy and are translated into schedules to be followed by production processes. Production planning and material control have to be coordinated with manufacturing in the execution of the plan. Main Points Operations management is basically concerned with the production of goods. But it is now linked to almost all areas of business activity. Operations management is concerned with the ‘design, operation and improvement of the systems’ that focuses on the creation and delivery of the company’s product or service (Lowson, 2002, p. 4). Since this definition emphasizes on the systems of the organization, it also emphasizes the internal and external systems that include resources and technologies for the creation and development of the company’s product or service. ... Operations management started as a concept and planning method during the early 1900s of rapid industrialization and the demands of munitions production in World War I. Management scientists Elton Mayo and Frederic Taylor studied people and productivity in factory. There were many firsts during this time as these social scientists provided theories and applications in their studies. Henry Gantt developed his now-famous Gantt chart which is used in project management. Operations management needs vast amount of information in order to be successful. Computers were then non-existent and with the emergence of mainframe digital computers in the 1950s and 1960s, processing and updating of critical path networks became faster and easier. Du Pont, an old-time defence industry organisation exploited this to produce powerful planning and scheduling tool. Globalisation and information revolution influenced the way operations are run in organisations. The Internet and Information Technology have made the life of the operations manager quite easier. This began in the 1970s when the rapid growth of information technology saw the emergence of automation in industries and manufacturing. Vast amounts of information from databases are now available to planners and operations managers. The emergence of IT brought another different kind of project manager on the scene; they are the IT project managers who possessed technical and mental skills needed to lead teams developing IT projects. (Lock, 2007, p. 3) Operations management can be subdivided into sections to make planning and operations easier: 1. Decision making tools and methods 2. Demand

Ethical Climate Survey Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ethical Climate Survey - Assignment Example Specifically, the issue facing the organization was related to how it paid teenage employees and serving dangerously unhealthy fast foods to people. It is clear that these actions were unethical because the organization was exploiting the ablest employees who are the teenagers and at the same time, serving products that would potentially harm the customer’s health by becoming obese, which can cause heart disease and ultimately death. Some steps were taken by the admin to eliminate the same and currently, the organization wants to have the employees’ views on the progress so that they can possibly come up with additional strategies based on the outcomes. The establishment of a corporate culture is crucial to the success of the overall organization and requires certain steps to accomplish and realize the anticipated results. The culture defines the behaviors exhibited by the employees in the subject organization. The first step incorporates understanding what is important to the employees so as to incorporate that in the culture to be established. Specifically, the leader should take responsibility in determining what motivates the employees and this step relies heavily on communication where the employees hold a conversation with the leader. Here, the two parties outline what is expected of each other. While the leader communicates the goals, the employees communicate how they would like to benefit from the business and with the business. The second step involves taking action while taking the interests of the employees into consideration. After developing the culture, it is then defined to the involved parties who are then involved in the third step of contributing and providing ideas. This should be considered so as to make them feel responsible for its creation.