I just finished listening to the most wonderful speaker in my Religions of China, Japan and Korea class. He was the kind of speaker who made time stand still in the classroom, and made you wonder why you didn't love learning as much before you heard him speak. This only happened to me once before, more than four years ago at the Writer's Conference. I heard a woman named Gita Kar speak, and even though I can't quite remember what she said, the experience has changed me, and has stayed with me for a long time. That was the impetus that made me write in a journal for all those years, something that has helped me immensely. I wonder what this speaker will spur me to do...
His name was Roger Ames, and he's a professor at The University of Hawaii. He's written books about Chinese philosophy, including a recent publication of a new translation of the Dao De Jing, which I WILL be buying. He is talking to the teachers at St. Thomas this week, and he came to speak at our class.
It was... indescribably good. I sat in the front row and every time I caught his eyes I could tell that he just knew.. everything... about what he was talking about, and it was... wonderful. I feel terrible that I took no notes, and terrible that I can't remember everything he said, but even through that I know that it will stay with me. I remember he spoke of translation and the difficulties, and the way thought is transferred, and the way people interact.... and it was beautiful. Someday I wish to be even half as celebrated and impressive as he.
It was not something I'm likely to forget. I'm almost drained thinking about having to go back to real life. I feel like I want to rededicate myself to my study of Japanese culture and language with a passion a hundredfold more, even if it means forsaking my other classes and interests. Don't worry... it'll fade away, likely after dinner.
But still, and still again. I can't allow myself to forget how great, how beautiful, how indescribable that class was. I'm going to go meditate on it, and engrave the moments into my brain now...
But before I go, has anyone had a moment like this?
Posts: 4816 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Yes, in my Roman history classes with the two coolest teachers I've ever known.
*having a surreal moment of her own* Are there supposed to be pictures? What individuals are we comparing?
Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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Nyahaha... Oops. It was a vague reference to a joke the speaker told...
Apparently a philosopher named Dewey was at a function with a friend, and the friend pointed to the two women on the end and said, "Don't those two women look alike?" and Dewey looked at them and said "Yes, especially the one on the left."
And that's the joke. It's meant to illustrate perspective. Really a bad thread title, but OH well... I was vague.
Posts: 4816 | Registered: Apr 2003
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