Substance Abuse And Mental Health Problems - 877 Words

FINAL PROJECT 2 Introduction Substance abuse and mental health problems are serious issues in our society. These problems appear to be associated, so it is necessary to look at both and how they interact (Ramchand). Substance abuse can bring about or exacerbate existing mental health problems, including suicidal ideation and attempts. Medical professionals cannot begin to resolve the issue of substance abuse related suicidal ideation or attempts unless they have an effective solution. A solution cannot be created until there is enough evidence stating that there is a connection between substance abuse and suicide. Researchers need to consider the types of suicidal feelings, environmental factors, emotional factors, and substance abuse factors. Until then this problem will persist with devastating costs. Part of the solution will be determining the type of suicidal feelings the patient is experiencing. If practitioners know why the patient is feeling suicidal, he/she can begin to treat the core of the pro blem and possibly send the substance abuse into recovery as well (Jennings). Literature Review Jennings et al. looked at the different types of suicidal feelings. They identified four types of suicidal feelings. Type one is called Avoidance of Painful Consequences. This is the person who feels he or she has ruined all chances of a relationship with the people he or she is close to. The second type is called The Depressive Experience of â€Å"Crashing†.Show MoreRelatedSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment Barriers: Military Life vs. Civilian Life1259 Words   |  6 PagesSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment Barriers: Military Life vs. Civilian Life Marina Herrera Butte College Abstract This paper explores the interesting relationship between substance abuse and mental health problems among military and civilian life. As well as stigma barriers to treatment within a military vs. a civilian setting. The article â€Å"Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment in the Military: Lessons Learned and a Way Forward† written by Katie Witkiewitz and ArmandoRead MoreThe Affordable Care Act And The Substance Abuse And Mental Health Service Administration?786 Words   |  4 PagesSubstance abuse has been a known topic which has not been recognized and fully treated the way it should. Unlike general medicine, substance abuse treatments have their own facility and services apart from general settings, making it harder to get the recognition and the assistance needed to help the individuals in need. Both the Affordable Care Act and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA), which is a part of the US Department of Health and Human Services have promotedRead MoreThe Mental Health Parity And Addiction Act1533 Words   |  7 PagesThe Mental Health Parity and Addiction Act (MHPAEA) of 2008. This act requires the same level of benefits for substance use treatment and mental services as one would receive for medical care from their health insurance. The MHPAEA’s requirements were expanded by the Affordable Care Act that some health insurance plans should cover mental health and substance abuse treatment and services. This act will allow many social workers to treat more patients with low incomes and that have substance useRead More Treating Concurrent Disorders Essay1700 Words   |  7 Pages Mental health is being aware, accepting yourself, and striking a balance in all aspects of your life like social, spiritual, physical, economical, and mental (Association, 2001). Mental health can be described as our positive interactions with the context and events in our life, and having the ability to cope with life’s stressors. Mental health problems can begin at anytime during your life (CAMH, 2010). In fact anything can make it difficult for an individual’s ability to interact effectivelyRead MoreTaking a Look at Homelessness893 Words   |  4 Pagesthis community, there are a large number of homeless individuals. In homeless population, mental illness commonly present in the forms of schizophrenia, depression, personality disorders, substance abuse, and other affective disorders. According to Metro Vancouver Homeless Count, there are â€Å"400 homeless people in Surrey, representing 15% of the regions 2650 homeless† (City of Surrey, n.d, â€Å"2014†). This problem has been present for many years and there are still people suffering from the basic lackRead MoreSubstance Abuse Among Older Adults Essay1317 Words   |  6 PagesI was surprised to hear that substance abuse is a growing epidemic among our elderly because when I think of the elderly I don’t think falling over on the floor drunk or sitting at a bar knocking drinks back. It really is an â€Å"invisible epidemic†. It was shocking to hear that because of insufficient knowledge, health care providers often overlook substance abuse among older adults and fail to diagnose them correctly. â€Å"Symptoms of substance abuse in older individuals sometimes mimic symptoms of otherRead MoreDrug Policy And Funding Has Not Changed Much Over The Past Two Decades1505 Words   |  7 PagesControl Budget. As of 2014, the majority of funding for this budget went into supply reduction (59.9%), demand reduction (40.1%), and domestic law enforcement (36.8%). Only 35 percen t of the funding was provided for treatment of drug abuse, and 5.1 percent for drug abuse prevention (Sacco, 2014, p.16). These numbers have not changed since 2005, when they were within a 5 percent difference (Sacco, 2014, p.16). These figures are a representation of why drug policy and funding has not worked for decadesRead MoreRelationship Between Mental Health And Addiction1470 Words   |  6 PagesIf you or someone you love is seeking treatment for a substance abuse related disorder in addition to a psychiatric disorder, you will come across two terms in your research: co-occurring disorders and dual diagnosis. Right off you may be more concerned about simply getting help for your addiction. Maybe it has caused you to lose your job and your family is in tatters. It s important to note that when substance abuse and mental illness co-occur specialized treatment is needed. First, however, youRead MoreSubstance Abuse And Its Effects On The United States1050 Words   |  5 Pagesn arcotics were used, but during the 19th century is when the active substances in drugs were found. Many of these substances were given over the counter and weren t regulated, which meant that people could easily obtain substances such as morphine, cocaine, landuam, and many others. During the early 1900s, an estimate of about 250,000 people were abusing a substance within the United States. Substance abuse is a serious problem which can affect one s physical and psychological capabilities, theirRead MoreMental Illness Of The Mentally Ill On Deinstitutionalization1514 Words   |  7 PagesMental illness in America has become an increasingly popular topic of discussion. Rather than being placed in hospitals for treatment, mentally ill individuals are being placed into correctional facilities for their actions. Persons with serious mental illness (SMI) such as bi-polar disorder, severe depression, schizophrenia and etc. have trouble within society. Many lack income and stable living a rrangements to be able to succeed in the community. Side effects of their illness can enable them to

The Handsomest Drowned Man In The World Essay - 1207 Words

Life, a series of transformations. Each small shift building off of one another, perpetually propelling the cyclical existence that is nature. Some manifest as small changes, summer to fall, ice to water; others a grand metamorphosis. Humans the center of this cycle, find themselves changing every day, biologically, developmentally, ideologically, etcetera. Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s â€Å"The Handsomest Drowned Man In The World,† and Carson McCuller’s â€Å"Sucker† are both excellent examples of short stories that, despite having undeniably different plots, feature the overarching theme of transformation: the propellant through life. Transitions come in many forms, physical evolutions being the most obvious. Both authors handle this element towards†¦show more content†¦It is seen in Marquez’s literately work when the preparations are made for the Drowned mans funeral. Villagers care for this drowned man like no other, orchestrating a grandio se funeral bringing people from neighboring villages, and decorating him with charms and tailored clothing. They select people to act as his family in the funeral and then they release the Drowned man back into the water, â€Å"without an anchor so that he could come back if he wished and whenever he wished† (Marquez). This all ostensibly unusual for a funeral in this area, especially for the funeral of a drowned stranger. Villagers great this â€Å"filthy piece of cold meat† with a warmth greater than that for a fallen kinsman. Change in actions is also evident in McCuller’s text when discussing the changes seen in sucker after Pete yells at him. Sucker begins spending time with friends, inviting people over to the house, taking up more of the bed, acting tough, and avoiding conversation with Pete who says â€Å"I don t even want to call him sucker anymoreâ€Å" (McCuller). Sucker’s actions have become apparently contradictory to the past, to the point where Pete doesn t even find it appropriate to use his previous name. Then similar to Garcia’s story, the change in practice is emblematic of other change found around the story, specifically more rooted mental change. Transformation of the psyche, whether entirely or compartmentally, wouldShow MoreRelatedMagical Realism in the Handsomest Drowned Man in the World Essay1096 Words   |  5 PagesMagical Realism in The handsomest drowned man in the world Magical realism is a genre that portrays both reality and fantasy. As defined by Faris (2004) in Ordinary enchantments, magical realism is a genre of writing that includes an irreducible element of magic and details that suggest phenomenon (Faris, 2004, p. 7). He describes the irreducible element as: â€Å"†¦something we cannot explain according to the laws of the universe as they have been formulated in Western empirically based discourse†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (FarisRead MoreThe Handsomest Drowned Man in the World and The Drowned Giant2564 Words   |  11 PagesWrite a comparison of The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World and The Drowned Giant, commenting in detail on the ways in which the authors use language to convey their respective themes. The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and The Drowned Giant by J.G. Ballard are both short stories written with similar plots but explore extremely different themes. In this essay I am going to compare the theme, plot, setting, language choices and stylistic effects betweenRead MoreMagical Realism In A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings By Gabriel Marquez895 Words   |  4 PagesMagical Realism Essay While this genre in itself is an oxymoron, it can be defined as a genre of writing where magical or spectacular elements are introduced to a realistic and culturally accurate setting whose characters accept these events as part of their lives. Some of the genre’s defining characteristics are magical events are set in an ordinary world with historic and cultural realities but there is no logic or reasoning behind the event. There are also cultural influences in the story thatRead MoreAn Unconventional Paper on an Unconventional Childrens Tale1651 Words   |  7 PagesAn Unconventional Paper on an Unconventional Childrens Tale A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings: A Tale For Children by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a lot of things. Its a great story, its a satire on organized religion, its a perfect example of magical realism, and - to be brief - much more, but one thing it is not is a conventional tale for children.1 When one thinks of childrens tales, what does he/she think of? Perhaps the images that are conjured up are princes and princesses, magicRead MoreAncient Sudan (Nubia)1715 Words   |  7 PagesAFRS 2206 Section 001 Essay #2 Dr. Tanure Ojaide August 1, 2012 The Nubians Who are the Nubians? Nubians are people of northern Sudan and southern Egypt. Their history and traditions can be traced to the dawn of civilization. They settled first along the banks of the Nile from Aswan. Along the Nile, they developed one of the oldest and greatest civilizations in Africa until they lost their last kingdom five centuries ago. The Nubians remained as the main rivals to the homeland of Africa’s earliest

Ceballos Lincoln And King Free Essays

I will also discuss at least one thing that separates them, what stands out most in mind twine the two writings mentioned above, and explain how the story Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell adds to my perspective of Lincoln address and Kings letter. â€Å"l have no fear about the outcome of our struggle in Birmingham, even if our motives are at present misunderstood. We will reach the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over the nation, because the goal of America is freedom. We will write a custom essay sample on Ceballos Lincoln And King or any similar topic only for you Order Now Abused and scorned we may be, our destiny is tied up with America’s destiny†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ writes Martin Luther King Jar. In Letter from Birmingham Jail (p. 29). â€Å"With malice toward none; with charity for all; with ermines in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan-to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations† said Abraham Lincoln in his Second Inaugural Speech (p. 815). So as you can understand, both men wanted best for their country. MILK and Lincoln wanted to heal the pain and suffering that our country has sustained. Though it took many years for their dream to become reality it eventually did. Their hard work and dedication made an impact on our country. Martin Luther King Jar. Was an activist, preacher and a civil rights leader. Though, during his time in the Birmingham jail he was being categorized as an extremist. He quotes Abraham Lincoln in his letter by writing â€Å"And Abraham Lincoln: This nation cannot survive half slave and half free† (p. 826). He is trying to explain that isn’t Abraham Lincoln amongst others â€Å"extremist† because they are fighting for something they believe in whether it is love, Christian gospel, or equality. Lincoln was our 16th President had led our country through the Civil War. Lincoln also wanted equal rights for African Americans. So King fought hard for African American rights even though he Was persecuted and Lincoln led us through a War and abolished slavery. Lincoln states his Second Inaugural Speech â€Å"Neither party expected for the war, the magnitude, or the duration, which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with, or even before, the conflict itself should cease† (p. 814). Lincoln wanted to build a strong nation after that. In both Lincoln address and King’s letter they mention God a lot so it seems to me that they both believed in God’s will and power. In Kings letter he writes ‘We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal God are embodied in our echoing demand† (p. 829). Lincoln says in his address†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ As was said three thousand years ago, so still must be said the judgment of the Lord are true and righteous altogether† (p. 814). Both men feel that God is someone they highly believe in and that God is a part of what is happening. What stands out the most to me in both Lincoln address and King’s speech are how many times God is mentioned. I can see in Lincoln address he mentions God at least 6 times. In King’s letter he mentions God at least 14 times. In present day there are so many restrictions on religion. Have never heard any political public figure mention God as much. Like that both have a heavily belief in God. I like fewer restrictions but with so many people having different Gods can see why we have those restrictions. Lastly, the story Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell is about a police officer who is expected to kill an aggressive elephant. The elephant had got loose because it was in heat but was actually a tamed elephant. The police officer in no way wanted to harm this elephant let alone shoot and kill him. Orwell writes â€Å"But at that moment glanced round at the crowd that had followed me. They did not like me, but with this magical rifle in my hands I was momentarily worth watching’ (p. 787). He ends up shooting the elephant but feels terrible because the elephant dies a slow death. â€Å"l often wonder whether any of the others grasped that I had done it solely to avoid looking like a fool† Orwell writes (p. 89) In this case he didn’t do what e believed in, he didn’t go against what he felt was right, he decided to look like a hero instead of a fool in other people’s eyes. The difference between Lincoln and King is that they fought for what they believed in regardless of what people thought. They did the right thing. Of course so many people didn’t like them but that w as important to them. So even though one was our President and the other was a civil rights leader, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther had many things in common. Both men fought long and hard for what they believed in, they both were leaders and they both believed in God. How to cite Ceballos Lincoln And King, Papers

Strategies by Organization in Meeting the Customer Needs

Questions: 1. Strategies by organization in meeting the customer needs 2. Monitoring and evaluating procedures followed in understanding the market conditions 3. Method of collecting customer feedback 4. Consultation with internal and external customers and other stakeholders 5. Managers and Supervisors ensuring team members to possess the relevant skills Answers: 1. Strategies by organization in meeting the customer needs Organizations need to find ways in meeting customer needs and provide quality, time and cost specified products to its customer base (Wilson et al. 2012). A customer who enters into retail outlets expects to purchase a particular product with features and benefits in accordance with their requirements. Purchase decisions of customers include the following parameters: Timeliness Friendliness Attention Level of competence of sales personnel It is advisable to provide appropriate products and service bundles that will help in reducing the chance of and increase the market share as well as retention of customer base. For instance, organizations may have the required product offerings for their customer base but lack in customer service level (Kaufman et al. 2013). This action will pull the customer base and change it into the competitors in next level. It is advisable for the organization to plan in achieving quality, time and cost specification. It is required to identify the needs about the following criteria: Quality of products and services Accessibility of products and services Cost of Purchase Methods of delivery and time allocation Data and records for meeting customer needs Market research helps to analyze the products as well as services in attracting the target groups. This specified target group should meet the needs as well as expectations of customers. It is important to identify the quality requirements of the organization as well as customers (Homburg et al. 2013). Market research helps in revealing the approach of product as well as service level of life cycle. It is required to detect the changes in customer quality with respect to standard expectations. It is necessary to identify new opportunities as well as new markets. Operational changes need urgent attention in pointing out the organizational system in the most appropriate form. 2. Monitoring and evaluating procedures followed in understanding the market conditions It is possible to evaluate the customer needs by formal surveys, questionnaire, observations as well as focus groups. It is essential for any organization to identify target market and typical customers who are interested in the products and services (Hollensen, 2015). It is necessary to gather reliable information from national as well as census statistics. This will help in focusing on cost factors and designing marketing activities in an overall manner. 3. Method of collecting customer feedback Front-line sales feedback consultation The main role of sales personnel is to speak directly with the customers and identify their issues that frustrate them and cause irritation. It is important for these sales personnel to communicate effectively on the problems faced by the customers on a daily basis. These feedbacks will help organizations to come up with new ideas in their product offerings in the most appropriate form. For instance, when a customer calls for placing an issue, it is recommended that the sales personnel task few probing questions (Kotler et al. 2014). These questions will help in collecting a feedback to make the necessary adjustments in product offerings as well as services in an overall manner. Organizations need to use the questionnaire method while collecting information from targeted customers. These questions can be either formal or informal in nature. Some of the possible methods and procedures are as follows: Usage of telephone and written survey questionnaire techniques Conducting on-spot interviews Casual enquiries related to product and service quality from the customers Recording of complaints and resolution procedures Discussion on the customer service interface 4. Consultation with internal and external customers and other stakeholders Organizations need to consult with internal as well as external customers and make its product offerings in an overall manner. Organizations should understand the grievances of employees and view their work performances (Hutt and Speh, 2012). Employees working in an organization should be able to perform well and improve their work in an overall manner. The main aim of organizations is to maximize their profits with minimum utilization of available resources. It is important for the organization to highlight the positive feedback and reward the employees. Motivating the employees for their performance helps them to work more and generate revenue for the business enterprise. Employees working in an organization should be able to attain customer services and share with certain techniques and strategies. It is necessary for the organization to share information and encourage its employees by involving in the healthy work cultures in an overall manner (Sheth and Sisodia, 2015). Workers s hould be satisfied with their work and make efforts in maintaining good customer relationship. 5. Managers and Supervisors ensuring team members to possess the relevant skills Managers should use the 360-Degree evaluation to monitor its team members as well as individuals working in an organization. It is the role of the managers to collect the information as well as analysis of the regular procedures. This includes: Level of Team Performance Adherence towards products as well service quality Identification of improvement areas It is necessary for the managers and supervisors to focus mainly on the team members and maintain balance and communication process. This will help in viewing the individual performance of team members and provide an opportunity for growth factors. Guidance by the managers will help the team members to achieve the quality and maintain delivery standards in the most appropriate way (Foxall, 2014). It is required for the managers and supervisors to manage its team members and enable decision-making solutions in an overall manner. Certain desirable skills possessed by team members working in an organization that need to be identified are as follows: Interpersonal skills Problem solving ability Communication skills Conclusion From the above study, it is noticed that organizations needs to identify the needs of the customers and make necessary adjustments wherever required. It is important to consider the fact that feedback from customers will help the organization in designing products offerings as well as services. Reference List Foxall, G. (2014).Strategic Marketing Management (RLE Marketing)(Vol. 3). Routledge. Hollensen, S. (2015).Marketing management: A relationship approach. Pearson Education. Homburg, C., Kuester, S., and Krohmer, H. (2013).Marketing management: A contemporary perspective. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Hutt, M., and Speh, T. (2012).Business marketing management: B2B. Cengage Learning. Kaufman, D. L., Inglis, A., Weiland, T. J., Darrow, J. E., Nicholson, A. L., Jay, J. R., and Pratt, J. C. (2013).U.S. Patent No. 8,542,816. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Kotler, P., Keller, K. L., Ancarani, F., and Costabile, M. (2014).Marketing management 14/e. Pearson. Sheth, J. N., and Sisodia, R. S. (2015).Does marketing need reform?: Fresh perspectives on the future. Routledge. Wilson, A., Zeithaml, V. A., Bitner, M. J., and Gremler, D. D. (2012).Services marketing: Integrating customer focus across the firm(No. 2nd Eu). McGraw Hill.

The relationship between God and human beings, use the example of Rabia al-Adawiyya and al-Hallaj Essay Example

The relationship between God and human beings, use the example of Rabia al-Adawiyya and al-Hallaj Paper Mysticism, according to Evelyn Underhill is The great spiritual current that goes through all religions1. Mysticism seeks to understand the nature and relationship of the human soul and God. The mystical aspect of Islam is known as Sufism (tasawwuf) and in practice is the seeking of an intimate relationship with God through meditative practice or the behaviour of self-denial, the ultimate aim, to achieve union with God. Sufis want to know God in the heart, as a lover and a friend and, as God is an immaterial entity the union can only be achieved emotionally. In the mystical idea, humans gain knowledge of God not through rational thought or religion but with the fusing of the soul to the divine world. Thirteenth century prophet, Jalal al-Din Rumi explains, All the hopes, desires, loves, and affections that people have for different things fathers, mothers, friends, heavens, the earth, gardens, palaces, sciences, works, food, drink he saint knows that these are desires for God and all those things are veils. When men leave this world and see the King without these veils, then they will know that all were veils and coverings, that the object of their desire was in reality that One Thing They will see all things face to face. 2 In order to embrace the love of God, Sufis must disregard the material world that the rest of us so readily and unquestioningly inhabit. We will write a custom essay sample on The relationship between God and human beings, use the example of Rabia al-Adawiyya and al-Hallaj specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The relationship between God and human beings, use the example of Rabia al-Adawiyya and al-Hallaj specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The relationship between God and human beings, use the example of Rabia al-Adawiyya and al-Hallaj specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The Sufi mystical path has several stages and is open to each and every Muslim who wishes to connect their soul with the divine. The whole of life is spiritually one in its source, goal, beginning and end, with the divine manifest in all our souls (though the soul was created before, and is separated from the body). The attempt to attain unity with God is all the more desirable when earthly matter is deemed evil; no incentive is left, other than for anything other than mystical behaviour. Sufis take the For man was created weak3 aspect of the Quran seriously; scripture like it proves to Sufis the evil status of matter. There are contradictions though in other parts of the Quran: Thy Lord said to the angels: I will create a vicegerent on earth4. Although this is an inconsistency within the Quran, rather than within Sufism itself, it doesnt give Sufis a clear textual backing. We might bear in mind though that if this is the case for Sufis then it will be the case for the Orthodox Muslims too. So, bearing this in mind, a key understanding for the mystics may be that We are nearer to him than the jugular vein5 Such revelations are of great importance to Sufis in giving them an insight into their relationship with God, though they too are also good at expressing themselves: thirteenth century mystic Jalal al-Din Rumi explains that, All the hopes, desires, loves, and affections that people have for different things fathers, mothers, friends, heavens, the earth, gardens, palaces, sciences, works, food, drink the saint knows that these are desires for God and all those things are veils. When men leave this world and see the King without these veils, then they will know that all were veils and coverings, that the object of their desire was in reality that One Thing They will see all things face to face. Our earthly desires are fanciful yet are always seeking a truth that is God. Sufi mystics are highly regarded and specially remembered and revered long after their deaths. Rabia Al-Adawiyya and Al-Hallaj provide us with very interesting examples of how mystical experience had so overcome them that to Sufisms logical extent, existence came to have no meaning for them. Their experience explains a lot about the ideas and ideology of the mystical tradition. Commentaries on Rabbia and her works have been passed down through devotees, historians, translators and commentators for almost thirteen centuries. Our picture of her is created by these scholars and coupled with the passage of thirteen centuries; the picture may well be an accordingly anachronistic one. Her work that was not already poetry seems, through these mediums and the refinement of re-telling 6 to have become such. In this instance however, we might suggest that the accounts of how talented or prolific she was as a writer are greater affected than our understanding of the mystical path which she followed, it being easier to alter what she left us than what she did. Our understanding of Rabbia doesnt suffer through our appreciation of her relative poetic merits but it does if she didnt write them. For our purposes it is necessary to take what we know of Rabbia subjectively and in doing this, we might come to recognise her as a brilliant proponent of Sufi mysticism. Through her poetry, ethic of self-discipline and emotional devotion to Allah she created in herself an icon of Sufi devotion, highly regarded throughout Islam. Islam has embraced Rabia, despite frowning on, not so much the fact that she was a woman, but unmarried life and withdrawal from society as a path to God. Rabbia was a slave who, was seen by her master praying one night (after a hard days work, at the expense of her sleep) and who saw a bright light above her head, so the story goes. He released her immediately and she, in turn, moved to the desert. As people became aware of her and her holiness, they began beating a path to her door in search of spiritual direction. She was the recipient of numerous marriage proposals. Upon receiving one of them she replied, Im not interested, really, in possessing all you own, Nor in making you my slave, Nor in having my attention distracted from God even for a split second. 7 Even love on earth was incomparable to the love she shared with God. The love expressed in her verse, whether it existed or not (why should we be disinclined to believe her? ) is the essence of this mysticism. If I die for love, before completing satisfaction, Alas, for my anxiety in the world, alas for my distress, O Healer (of souls) the heart feeds upon its desire, The striving after union with Thee has healed my soul8 The love and devotion expressed in this verse is the essence of the mystical. There is no rational or formal relationship with God, just love. Love rarely reconciles itself with rational thought and interestingly, in his incomprehensible nature, neither does God. It is romantic for us to think of this (unconventional female) mystic completely absorbed in her love for God, and expressing this through beautiful poetry. Poetry is one of the most highly esteemed vehicles for expressing emotion, what better way for Rabia to get her message across? Rabia helps us see that the Sufi tradition is not about the regularity with which Muslims pray or how closely they follow the rules extracted from the Quran, but is about the raw emotion Sufis feel for God. Al-Hallaj, another prominent Sufi was killed for his devotion to the mystic quest. Louis Massignon gives us an authoritative account of Al-Hallaj in his book of the same name. He was one of Islams most controversial writers and teachers. Because he was the embodiment of the Muslim experience, Mansurs life and death represent to many, a reference point in Islamic history. Al-Hallaj was fascinated with the ascetic way of life, in his teens he memorized the Quran and began retreating from the world to gather with other like minds to study Islamic mysticism. He travelled and soon apprentices began to follow him. The situation in which al-Hallaj taught and wrote was shaped by social, economic, political, and religious stress, which eventually led to his arrest. Sufism was new at the time, and provoked extensive opposition from the Muslim orthodoxy. Sufi masters considered his sharing the beauty of mystical experience with the masses undisciplined at best, disobedient at worst. It wasnt long before the political leaders made a case against him. Al-Hallaj was considered an intoxicated Sufi, who became so enraptured in ecstasy by the presence of the Divine that he was prone to losing his personal identity, blurring the lines between the Divine and the Man. During his arrest he experienced one of these breaks and uttered: Ana al-haqq, or I am the Truth (or God). An inappropriate statement to make in the Islamic tradition. He spent 11 years in confinement in Baghdad, before being brutally tortured and crucified. Witnesses were believed to have stated that al-Hallaj was strangely serene while being tortured, and sincerely forgave his persecutors. He is referred to as Loves Prophet. Al-Hallaj is one of the most influential Sufi writers and an important character in Islamic history. I saw my Lord with the eye of the heart. I said: Who art Thou? He answered: Thou. 9 By proclaiming, I am the truth he had achieved the Sufi goal in that he felt himself to be God incarnate in the world10. He was so overcome with his mystical existence that he felt, to the logical Sufi extreme that he was God. There has been a certain tendency for Christians to view Sufism as an Islamic derivative of Christian mysticism. Islam appears to be sensual, physical an d practical these aspects all being manifest in Islamic law. How can Sufism reconcile itself with this? The Christians seemed to think that it couldnt and mysticism within Islam could trace itself back to the sophisticated Christian tradition and the Holy Ghost. 11 This may be true in certain instances, Al-Muhasibi, for example, has been shown to have borrowed heavily on the new testament for various sayings and commendations of the Sufi life the practice of wearing woollen garments is said to have been done in imitation of Christian hermits, though how recognition and borrowing of ideas can make a religion inferior to the lender is odd. The examples we have looked at of Rabbia and al-Hallaj serve to discredit this idea, in fact the Sufi idea stands up very well on its own: In a human being is such a love, a pain, an itch, a desire that, even if he were to possess a hundred thousand worlds, he would not rest or find peace. People work variously at all sorts of callings, crafts, and professions, and they learn astrology and medicine, and so forth, but they are not at peace because what they are seeking cannot be found. The beloved is called dilaram because the heart finds peace through the beloved. How then can it find peace through anything else? 12 To treat Sufism as a derivative of Christianity deprives Islam of an integral part of its spiritual nature. Sufi practice seeks to achieve a goal of oneness and absorption into God. They seek to attain the state humanity was in before creation13. To achieve this as Rabbia and Al-Hallaj claimed they did, it is necessary to regard emotion, love and spirituality as all-important and all else irrelevant. Few, if any people will deny the existence of emotion despite its un-quantifiable nature and its defiance of physical definition. Many people, regardless of their religion believe that God is emotion or our collective spirit, in that idea and especially in the examples we have looked at, the heart and love are the keys to understanding, despite their un physical nature For the reality that is the goal of the mystic, and is ineffable, cannot be understood or explained by any normal mode of perception; neither philosophy nor reason can reveal it. Only the wisdom of the heart, gnosis, may give insight into some of its aspects. 14 To share in the love of God and to attain existence on a spiritual plane where it is possible to interact with him, the role of the heart is obviously crucial. Another important point to remember is that in the world, of evil matter, all that is then not evil, is emotion. Perhaps the legacy that Rabia and Al Halaj have left us with, is of love and emotion. They did not teach us practical lessons or how to do our best, but simply, how to feel; perhaps this is why they are still so well regarded. Our hearts and souls are individually and collectively the sources of our love. By feeling their relationship with God emotionally, at the expense of all else, the Sufis are quite radical in their approach to him. It is a kind of religious anarchism; the only necessities are the heart and the soul, whilst nothing else matters. Sufis use their hearts to direct their emotions towards God; its importance is not partial but total.

Past Forms of Regular and Irregular Verbs Practice Exercise

Past Forms of Regular and Irregular Verbs Practice Exercise This exercise will give you practice in using the correct past forms of regular verbs and irregular verbs. Before attempting the exercise, you may find it helpful to review Forming the Past Tense of Regular Verbs and introduction to Irregular Verbs in English Instructions The paragraph below has been adapted from the opening chapter of  Black Boy, an autobiography by Richard Wright. Complete each sentence correctly by changing the verbs in brackets from the present tense to the simple past tense. For example, the verb tell in the first sentence should be changed to told. When you have completed the exercise, compare your answers with those at the bottom of this page. From Black Boy, by Richard Wright One evening my mother [tell] _____ me that thereafter I would have to do the shopping for food. She [take] _____ me to the corner store to show me the way. I was proud; I [feel] _____ like a grownup. The next afternoon I looped the basket over my arm and [go] _____ down the pavement toward the store. When I [reach] _____ the corner, a gang of boys [grab] _____ me, [knock] _____ me down, [snatch] _____ the basket, [take] _____ the money, and [send] _____ me running home in panic. That evening I [tell] _____ my mother what had happened, but she [make] _____ no comment; she [sit] _____ down at once, [write] _____ another note, [give] _____ me more money, and [send] _____ me out to the grocery again. I crept down the steps and [see] _____ the same gang of boys playing down the street. I [run] _____ back into the house. Below (in bold) are the answers to the exercise above: Practice in Using the Past Forms of Regular and Irregular Verbs. Answers From Black Boy, by Richard Wright One evening my mother told me that thereafter I would have to do the shopping for food. She took me to the corner store to show me the way. I was proud; I felt like a grownup. The next afternoon I looped the basket over my arm and went down the pavement toward the store. When I reached the corner, a gang of boys grabbed me, knocked me down, snatched the basket, took the money, and sent me running home in panic. That evening I told my mother what had happened, but she made no comment; she sat down at once, wrote another note, gave me more money, and sent me out to the grocery again. I crept down the steps and saw the same gang of boys playing down the street. I ran back into the house.

Alice DunbarNelson's poem, I Sit and Sew Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Alice DunbarNelson's poem, I Sit and Sew - Essay Example Like the tasks of sewing, washing, cooking, etc., the rhyming couplets of a poem echo the 'scheme' of tasks that a woman must perform day in and day out, without reprieve. The refrain, although it is identical each time, does not rhyme with any other line or exist as part of a couplet. This seems to indicate that although it is a repeated emotion that the narrator feels very often, it is nevertheless not repetitive like the chores she has to do. Its repetition instead indicates that it is a powerful emotion that she feels again and again, an emotion that does not find an outlet and remains bottled up inside her. The first stanza contains a striking juxtaposition of the "useless task" of sewing with the tasks that men have to perform, which are instilled with grandeur and dignity, and are located in the public/political sphere, whereas the woman is confined to the domestic/personal sphere of existence: The lives of men are played out against a grandiose backdrop, suggested by words such as "panoply," "martial," and "grim-faced." In contrast, the woman is obviously relegated ton being one of the "lesser souls" who cannot participate in the all-important tasks of war and politics. The word "pageant" in stanza two may be compared with the word "panoply" in the first stanza. While the men are out creating history, women seem to be destined to play pre-determined roles in a pageant or masquerade which does not allow them to determine their own identities, but rather to passively sit back and accept the roles that a patriarchal agendas has created from them; they are defined by someone else's ideal of what they should be like. The first stanza also indicates that women's tasks are full of passivity. The verbs that are used to describe women's actions - "sit," "sew," "aches," etc - are all passive verbs that can be performed while staying in the same position. By contrast, the "martial tread" of men suggests that they are constantly moving forward. They are active while women are passive. Curiously, the appearance of men is described in considerable detail - their faces are grim and their eyes are stern. The woman, contrastingly, is not described at all in terms of her facial expression. It is as if the poet wants to present an external view of men, and an internalized portrait of a woman's thoughts and actions. It is clear that this is a woman's monologue, and that she is only capable of seeing herself as a fragmentary creature; it is only her hands that are described, and only in terms of being "tired." This stanza opens and closes with the refrain, suggesting that the woman's life is circumscribed on every side by reminders that she is supposed to remain passive. The opening lines of the next stanza suggest a burst of passion when the woman says fervently that her "heart aches with desire," but this fire has already been quenched by the "but" that immediately precedes it in the last lines of the previous stanza, reminding her that her task is to sit and sew, to remain passive and obedient. In the second stanza, the tone changes quite dramatically. Whereas the first stanza describes the actions of men in terms of a grand and