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Concretization Essay example

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Concretization

As with almost every aspect of “developed” or “first world” culture, a cloud of laziness accompanies any call to a challenge. Although finding an easier means of overcoming obstacles has been rooted in human existence since we came to roam the earth, it appears we have achieved a new level of indolence. Understanding abstract philosophical or religions bares no exception. To witness this one need look no further than todays pop culture. A quick Google search of “celebrity tattoos” yields upwards of 54 million results in a little over 2 tenths of a second. Riddled among the image results are countless crosses, Taijitu’s, words in Sanskrit and other philosophical or religious symbols. Riddled among these are famous …show more content…

This is often portrayed by the Taijitu symbol that most western cultures are familiar with. What is often difficult to understand about Yin-Yang is that it is ultimately a teaching of metaphysical dualism. This is to say that one is only as much itself as it is the absence of its counterpart; light is just the absence of darkness. The concept seems simple when applying it to light and dark but when it comes to questions of existence or consciousness it becomes difficult to understand. Consequently, people, either due to laziness or ignorance, attach themselves to the concrete symbol and the simplest explanation to accompany it. Thus we see that the Taijitu, in western culture, has itself adopted the name the Yin-Yang or more absurdly the “Ying- yang”. I have a friend who to this day thinks he has a tattoo Yin-Yang tattoo. It’s a pretty abstract and unlimited concept to fit in the confines of ones skin; I’m not sure if he even is aware of the word Taijitu; I don’t think I should ask. The development of concretization, however, cannot lay burden solely on the symbol. Symbols have been used to represent religions, philosophies and factions of all sorts for thousands of years. Instead, I believe ignorance, and furthermore the lack of motivation to rid oneself of ignorance, is to blame. This has become increasingly evident in the modernized world we live in today. In a

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