Here’s where I spend the hour and a half between work and class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I’m really enjoying this class (classical thought of India, China, and the West), but the reading can be a pain in the ass when I’ve been at work since 7:30. Ah well.
Last night was especially good, because we’ve started talking about Indian philosophy, which I find far more interesting than Plato. I’ve never really thought much about reincarnation before – although I do understand the traditional ideas that life is suffering and your desires cause that suffering. The professor last night made an interesting point – in the Indian traditions, your desires are what tie you back to earth and force you to continue the cycle of samsara (or rebirth). That’s why the focus is on ridding the self of attachment and desire.