I'll · Make · It · To · The · Moon · If · I · Have · To · Crawl

Hopefully this will begin my renewed interest in blogging!

So as some of you know, I am taking a class called Evangelical Cultures. Basically it is a course that studies the cultural production of evangelical churches, which are churches that many would consider fundamentalist, though that is a specific type of evangelical. Anyway, as part of the course, we have to attend an evangelical church service. Today I did so with my friend John Michael. This was the first time I’ve been to church in 11 years, the last time was to see a friend get baptized, it’s been something like 15 or so since I went on my own volition. It went well; I am by no means rethinking my religious convictions, except that I am now surer than ever that Christianity is not for me. It was not as horrible as I thought it would be though, it was fairly sensible, and apart from the disrespect shown to a Jewish prayer shawl, more or less inoffensive. I also think it shows real progress on my part, a few years ago I would have likely taken the optional, alternative assignment. My anger toward the church is subsiding after all these years. But more importantly, this course, and going to church has got me thinking about my Vodoun-esque practice.

I grew up Southern Baptist, in a charismatic church. Charismatic, for those who don’t know, means it is a church that believes in the gifts of the spirit – speaking in tongues, possession by the Holy Spirit, healing, etc. It was a long time before I knew that this wasn’t what church was like for most people, and indeed was bored out of my mind when I went to my first non-charismatic service, indeed I was disappointed that the church I went to tonight was non-charismatic. After we left that particular church, we ended up in several Pentecostal churches (a fact I am willing to bet my mother is unaware), so again this whole idea of gifts of the spirit was prominent in my spiritual life. Is it little wonder that I ended up in Vodoun? Possession and spirit gifts were already in place, it was no big adjustment for me. Indeed, if you watch Vodoun ceremonies, they are not so different from charismatic services. I feel like I wound up in the same spiritual neighbourhood as where I grew up! I still have no real idea why the Loa chose me, I am honoured and flattered that they did, and now I feel I am a little bit closer to figuring out why.

So yeah, today’s been an interesting day for me. I am proud that I was able to go to Church and keep an open mind! I am going next week as well, I am interested in seeing how the services change depending on who comes (this was the evening service which is dominated by students). This was also good practice in case I end up being convinced to go to church in Russia.

Queer Teens have a far greater suicide rate than any other group. I want to thank Dan Savage for creating this new youtube channel. It is in response to the most recent queer teen suicide. As a teen, I very nearly killed myself because of my sexuality (more like I failed my attempt) and so this very important to me. I encourage all people who care about this issue to post a video, even if you're straight because many queer youth have no idea that most of the world doesn't hate them. I think seeing straight allies talking about how much they love their queer friends can be very empowering.

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Hey there Ljers! So year one of university is done, I came out with a 3.7, and that was with only about a half-assed effort!

So I have the travel bug in the worst way! I've already gone to Boulder, and have my eyes set on Seattle and Minneapolis, and if the invite was genuine, I may well go to Bloomington, IN! I am still wanting to go to NYC, but we shall see.

I am fairly certain I am moving in mid-Aug, I should hear back in a day or two. If so, I will be right at the base of campus, this excites me!

I've started a basic exercise regimen. I am tired of my size and out of shapedness limiting me from doing things I like to do (like rides at the fair, hiking, etc). Right now it is simple, namely because I have been tired, but I am joining the gym with C and we are gonna get into the routine!

I feel like I have more to say, but words are not coming forth. Hopefully it won't be a millionty years before my next post!

M

So I took a small break from my yangsheng experiment as I fell down a flight of stair and banged myself up pretty decently. I will resume in a day or two when it doesn't hurt to keep good posture or have my arm at shoulder height. I am still keeping a good attitude though and doing my energy exercises, or at least the ones that don't need a lot of movement.

So far, I am liking yangsheng, I am feeling sharper and brighter already. I even took a test in Russian that I has not studied for and did well. I am just not sleeping as much, I am finding it hard to fall asleep and that I wake up after 4 or 5 hours, I need to draw in calming energy at night.

So I am experimenting with yangsheng. What is yangsheng you ask? Yangsheng is a concept in China, it is not exactly translatable but it loosely means self-cultivation. In China, this is a practice that encompasses a myriad of things. The goal is to cultivate and better the mind, body, and qi. Exercises such as reading books, writing, solving puzzles, singing, listening to music, eating healthfully, jogging, tai chi, massage, bathing, qi gong, going out and enjoying nature, and the like are all part of this practice. More than just the physical actions, ones attitude is also important. This is not about having to do these things, it is about getting to. One must think of these things as pleasurable and delightful, honing oneself creates joy. The idea is to do pleasing things and to take pleasure in the things you do. The goal of yangsheng is to promote good health, a sharp mind, and high spirits.

Now I don't know how to do tai chi or qi gong, but I do know how to do dance meditation, so I am replacing those with that. I officially start my experiment tomorrow morning, though I have done some of it today and yesterday as well, and it did help me get out of my funk. I plan to blog about my exeperiences as part of the practice. I believe that after a week I will feel some results, and if they are good I will try it for a month. So look forward to my blogging, if indeed this intrigues you at all.

PS: This is what anthro students do, we learn about cool stuff and then tinker with it!