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Tachigi
Site Admin
Joined: 06 Feb 2008
Posts: 187
Location: Glen Rock, Pa, 6b
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 Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:01 am Post subject: Lifes a Game |
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This thread is for sharing views on the article Lifes A Game by Graham Potter
Last edited by Tachigi on Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:43 pm; edited 5 times in total |
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bonsapien
Joined: 07 Feb 2008
Posts: 19
Location: Seaville, Nj
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| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:59 am Post subject: |
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I guess we all play life as a game to some extent. I have found that as I get older my priorities have evolved along with my tastes. On a recent trip to Asheville, NC my wife and I visited UNC Arboretum. The bonsai display there floored me. It was if the lights suddenly came on. Now, it seems that the rules have changed. I now see life and potential all around me now, even tho it's winter. Previously for me, when December arrived, it felt as if life went on hold until spring. Now I can play all year long!
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Tom Kruegl
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Tachigi
Site Admin
Joined: 06 Feb 2008
Posts: 187
Location: Glen Rock, Pa, 6b
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| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:28 pm Post subject: |
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| bonsapien wrote: |
| It was if the lights suddenly came on. Now, it seems that the rules have changed. I now see life and potential all around me now |
I know what your saying Tom. If you stay in this hobby/passion long enough and evolve with it its bound to happen sooner or later.
What moved me the most about this particular article is end quote by Mr. Ota, “ Practice for its own sake, let progress take care of itself. Do not corrupt the beauty of learning by becoming attached to an end goal”
This philosophy is what I try and live by, which at times can be a hard thing to do in this day and age.
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Tom Brown
www.shadysidebonsai.com
www.4MAAT.org
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irene_b
Joined: 08 Feb 2008
Posts: 73
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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| bonsapien wrote: |
| I guess we all play life as a game to some extent. I have found that as I get older my priorities have evolved along with my tastes. On a recent trip to Asheville, NC my wife and I visited UNC Arboretum. The bonsai display there floored me. It was if the lights suddenly came on. Now, it seems that the rules have changed. I now see life and potential all around me now, even tho it's winter. Previously for me, when December arrived, it felt as if life went on hold until spring. Now I can play all year long! |
I can truly relate to life changing as we get older.
Being in Love with the wee trees have kept me grounded for many years and no matter the change in and around me the one constant has been the trees.
But now as I grow older I can sit back for a few and really admire their nekkid beauty as well as the first push of the buds of new life.
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Mom
Irene Britton
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Rick moquin
Joined: 08 Feb 2008
Posts: 39
Location: Dartmouth, NS
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:35 am Post subject: |
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Well I guess I don't need to add to Graham's philosophy wrt bonsai. His closing quote is one to cause reflection in all we do. Far to often in today's hustle and bustle we are too consumed with the destiny vice enjoying the moments that bring the greatest pleasures, untainted beauty in its simplest form...
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Bonsai is the journey, not the destination
BonsaiWonders
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Boondock
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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If an author uses analogy to transfer information from a particular subject (the analogue or source--"the game of life") to another particular subject (the target--"the world of bonsai), as structure or foundation for an article, then there should be several easily detected and understood references to each side.
In the second paragraph the author says "is a process we use to guide and sculpt the life force within". This sentence describes BOTH the "bonsai in its purest form" and "the game of life" and is good analogical example.
However, the third, forth and fifth paragraphs make references to either the source--"the game of life", or the target--"the world of bonsai" without making any easily recognizable connections between the two.
I do not know the word "Eeyoreian". I searched google and wikipedia and found nothing. I understand that I may not speak the "Queen's English", but words used in an article meant for mass comprehension should at least contain words that are easily found on modern internet search engines.
The final paragraph, the author describes "Mr Teruhiko Ota, one of Japan's last surviving Khumoso monks", whom I have never heard of, so I performed searches and found that Khumoso (or Kumoso) monks play a type of flute called a shakuhachi as part of a buddhist ritual. I could find very little information about Monk Teruhiko Ota, but I like the quote the author included.
“Practice for its own sake, let progress take care of itself. Do not corrupt the beauty of learning by becoming attached to an end goal”
I like it for two reasons.
1. It analogically connects "LIFE" and "BONSAI". It could apply to both and is appropriate for this article.
2. Its a very buddhist way of thinking and this quote paraphrases a famous line in the Pali Suttra where the Buddha says "don't find fault; remain at ease. Whatever arises, don't grasp-release it on the spot. There is nothing to abandon or practice, Just this."
Human life has been abstractly described as a game, river, path, etc. An article attempting to make a connection via analogy should do it in a readily apparent format using easily identified references.
When I read the title for this article, in the back of my mind I wanted the author to use the analogy of LIFE and BONSAI to come together at the end in a clever or meaningful way. I think he failed.
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Ash Barns
Moderator
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 92
Location: Victoria Australia
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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Boonie great to hear from you and enjoy your input on any site. Still making pots mate?
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Emil Brannstrom
Joined: 08 Feb 2008
Posts: 29
Location: Sweden
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| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:52 am Post subject: |
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| Boondock wrote: |
I do not know the word "Eeyoreian". I searched google and wikipedia and found nothing. I understand that I may not speak the "Queen's English", but words used in an article meant for mass comprehension should at least contain words that are easily found on modern internet search engines.
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COME ON!!! Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger! Ring any bells? 
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Boondock
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:57 am Post subject: |
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| haha, i feel so foolish. I was looking for latin rootwords
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Brett S
Joined: 08 Feb 2008
Posts: 39
Location: Australia NSW Parkes
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| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:52 am Post subject: |
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Don't feel bad Boon It took my a few searches to get and got a good laugh when I found it 
Main Entry: Eeyore
Part of Speech: n
Definition: the gloomy donkey of the Winnie the Pooh book series, by extension a pessimistic or depressed person
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