Abstract
This paper explores three main areas related to Plotinus' notion of contemplation.

From the Paper
"Plotinus's notion of contemplation is one that defies our standard notions of what this term might mean, and instead becomes a universal cause of action present in, and in some sense composing all things. When dealing with Plotinus's notion of contemplation, there are three main areas we have to consider in order to get a handle on what this idea really represents. First, the complex relationship between Nature, Reason, action, and contemplation. Second, we have to understand how contemplation then acts as a thing which produces. In doing so, we'll see a picture painted of contemplation casting it as a primary generative force in the universe, and also being a sort of unmoved mover in an almost Aristotelian..."

Tags:plotinus, contemplation, reason

Abstract
This paper explains that Donna Usher's 1983 work "Contemplation", which is a multiplicity of depiction of Usher's thoughts, masterfully reflects her ability to blend human aspects with natural symbols. The author relates that the falling leaves fold to the base of the painting, melting from the background to the foreground like a thought. The paper points out that, with the background appearing to shift vertically from cool and bluish at the top to a white hue at the bottom and becoming increasingly sharper, the viewer sees that color clearly plays a pivotal role in this work. The author stresses that the only variety that Usher employs in the piece occurs both between the levels, which vary in size, background color and content, and between the leaves, which vary in form, crispness and value.

From the Paper
"The form of a simple, spatially elongated leaf creeps throughout the piece, as if they are falling towards the ground. The light structure of the leaves, which appear infinitely thin, seem to fall and crumple at the base of each of the four rectangular segments into which the painting is divided. The leaves seem to form sloping edges down the sides of the painting towards each "floor," which is coated, lightly in the first two and more densely in the second two, in the blurred, leafy forms. It is obvious that Usher was trying to create a sense of depth by juxtaposing vivid and blurred leaves."

Tags:texture, space, groupings, organic, geometric

Abstract
In this article, the writer examines the work 'Open Mind Open Heart: the Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel' by Father Thomas Keating. The writer discusses Keating's concept of the historically undervalued power of contemplative prayer.

From the Paper
"Father Thomas Keating's treatise on the historically undervalued power of contemplative prayer entitled 'Open Mind Open Heart the Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel' functions primarily as an instruction manual for the initiation of centering and contemplative prayer. Keating drawing both from his own extensive experience as a contemplative as well as the documented teachings of renowned spiritualist John of the Cross thoroughly defines and offers methodology for centering prayer the ..."

Tags:Father Thomas Keating, Open Mind Open Heart, prayer, Christianity

Abstract
This paper notes that Anne Bradstreet was a female Puritan poet who was not afraid to be open about her feelings in spite of the Puritan belief that it was unacceptable for a woman to openly express her feelings. The paper then examines how, in her poem "Contemplations", Bradstreet openly expressed her viewpoints about life, religion, and nature. Through the use of biblical scriptures and imagery concerning the beauty of nature, the paper analyzes how the overall idea of Anne Bradstreet's "Contemplations" is brilliantly conveyed throughout the thirty-three stanzas of the poem. The paper conclues that, by reading Bradstreet's work, one cannot bypass the primary message that man may not have the beauty and longevity of nature, but heavenly salvation triumphs over all earthy things.

From the Paper
"Bradstreet had a very strong appreciation for nature and the beauty of God's creations. In the beginning stanzas of "Contemplations," she goes into great detail when describing the images she sees, such as the beautiful colors of the leaves that adorn the trees in the autumn. Paula Kopacz states, in her essay pertaining to this poem, that Bradstreet relates her experiences with the beauty of nature with her spiritual beliefs; if God created the wondrous things that exist in nature, then, indeed He must be a spectacular being (2). In stanza three, Bradstreet is filled with awe as she reflects on the strength and stature of an oak tree: "Then on a stately Oak I cast mine eye / Whose ruffling top the clouds seem to aspire" (Lines 22-23). She then ponders about the many hundreds of years the Oak tree has existed on the earth, and she, in turn, compares this to the short length of man's life. "

Tags:puritan, life, religion, nature

Abstract
The paper discusses Josef Pieper's definitions of leisure and how he addresses the importance of regeneration through contemplation. The paper explores the major theme throughout the book of the importance of religion and its relationship to philosophy. The paper contends that
"Leisure: The Basis of Culture" makes a great starting point for the considerations of the purpose and definition of leisure that often is relevant even today, but notes that Pieper's preoccupation with theology's link to philosophy makes some of his assumptions inaccessible to modern workers.

From the Paper
"The book is actually two essays the author placed together because of their common link to the discussion of the nature of leisure and work. In the first essay, which shares the title with the book, Pieper explores the history of leisure, lays out a precise definition of the word, and shows why real leisure (as opposed to breaks and vacations) is necessary for humanity.
"Writing in Germany after World War II, Pieper returns many times to the point that his own culture has become too focused upon work without enough time for contemplative leisure. He traces the roots of the word from Plato's time through the middle ages to his own point in history. He then determines the various forms of leisure, which he maintains is not the same as idleness. Because true leisure for Pieper is often tied to religion, he concludes (as much as he concludes anything in the book) that it is essential to the growth of humanity."

Tags:sport, events, prayer, religion, philosophy, idleness

Abstract
This paper examines how Victor Hugo's poetry can be seen as 'revolutionary' in two senses, by the way it addresses subjects and themes which were unconventional at that time and by the way its style and structure actively defies literary convention. It explores Hugo's attitude towards the themes of religion, love, nature and politics and looks at his use of style and structure, particularly his use of vocabulary, the first-person, dialogue, prose and dynamic structure of his poems.

From the Paper
"One of the key subject areas in which Hugo can be said to have employed poetry for revolutionary purposes is that of religion. In a time of poetic devotion to the rigid, traditional form of French Catholicism, and the supremacy of God, Hugo's treatment of religion in Les Contemplations would have seemed somewhat questionable in a number of respects. For instance, in "Pasteurs et troupeaux", Hugo draws a near blasphemous comparison between God and another poet, Homer: "Car Dieu fait un pome avec des variants; comme le vieil Hom're". In addition, whilst Hugo recognises God as a kindly and benevolent force, he also mentions at various points his unjust and cruel nature, for example: "fatal ma'tre" and "cr'uteur terrible"."

Tags:romanticism, god, religion

Abstract
One of the defining rituals of sports fans in Ontario is sitting at home and watching yet another losing home-ice performance by the Toronto Maple Leafs. One of the more interesting characteristics of this ritual, however, is the fact that the stands are always packed for Leafs games regardless of whether the team is losing badly or losing catastrophically. We can see a related phenomenon at work with the NBA's Toronto Raptors, where the success of the sports team has apparently little impact upon basketball fans in the city. In this context, sports appear to be a mysterious ritual of our times. We may, with reason, ask ourselves what is the value of sports today?

From the Paper
Assignment 2: Contemplative Essay Topic: The Value of Sports One of the defining rituals of sports fans in Ontario is sitting at home and watching yet another losing home-ice performance by the Toronto Maple Leafs. One of the more interesting characteristics of this ritual, however, is the fact that the stands are always packed for Leafs games regardless of whether the team is losing badly or losing catastrophically. We can see a related phenomenon at work with the NBA's Toronto Raptors, where the success of the sports team has apparently little impact upon basketball fans in the city. In this context, sports appear to be a

Tags:contemplative, essay, sports

From the Paper
"According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS, 1991), nicotine (the active ingredient in the tobacco plant) is one of the most toxic and addictive drugs known to man. The USDHHS further states that one in every six deaths in America is attributable to tobacco. This statistic clearly shows that the need to develop programs that help people stop smoking and to prevent people from starting to smoke cannot be overestimated.

However, Papalia and Olds (1992) have noted that in order for these programs to be maximally effective, they must contain two elements: (1) they must be relevant to the specific developmental (age) group targeted, e.g. adolescents, middle-aged people, older or elderly people, etc.; and (2) they must contain..."

Abstract
This paper discusses how Bourdieu, in his habitas theory, seems fixated with the idea that people are purely subject to the whims of the greater society or the external forces of cultural and social interaction. Additionally, he seems to misconstrue the context that free market economies and, by extension, free market societies, operate under. That is, Bourdieu completely sublimates the behavior of the individual to the greater societal forces about him or her. According to the paper, Bourdieu believes that individuals are subject solely to the codes, conventions, mores, and folkways of the greater structural framework of society. Yet, this completely evades a full accounting of what a free market economy and free market society truly is. The paper argues that it is not that one or the other, free market principles or habitas, is more correct or applicable than the other; merely that one cannot be completely disregarded at the expense of the other.

Tags:bourdieu, habitas, freemarket

Abstract
This paper offers an analysis of the play 'A Doll's House' using the criteria from Aristotle, and considering modern thought in the work. It details the criteria set forth in Aristotle's 'Poetics', and answers each element of the philosopher's criteria with examples of adherence or non-conformance. There are seven citations throughout the paper with various opinions of the play, or the theories being discussed.

From the Paper
"Considered a controversial play by many at its opening in Denmark in 1879, 'A Doll's House', by Henrik Ibsen accomplished what no theatrical work had done prior to its time. It demonstrated the life of a woman who was imprisoned in her marriage, and made to be a living object, rather than a true human being. While many critics have noted that the play could not have followed the criteria set down by Aristotle in 'The Poetics' for tragedies because of its negligence in adhering to logic, it is not this element of the structure that Ibsen ignored in his production."

Tags:nora, ibsen, aristotle