Kumare Assignment PDF

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Kumare Assignment...

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Step Two: Answer the following guiding questions. Cut and paste the questions below into your document and include them in the final submission. 1. Reflect on the film. Write at least a paragraph which offers your unfiltered reaction to the content of the film. I thoroughly enjoyed the film Kumare. I found it to be extremely insightful while still managing to stay light hearted and humorous. The documentary started off by introducing us to Vikram Gandhi, a young man who grew up in new Jersey. He talked about how although he was raised to believe in Hindu practices and teachings, he was skeptical of whether humans actually needed religion. By expressing his skepticism towards religion, I too began thinking about the role religion plays in my life as well as my friends and families lives. Relating back to The Lottery of Birth, many people just accept the environment and the world they are born into without hesitation. I think a lot of the times people are fearful and unwilling to explore the idea that the peace of mind religion brings is possibly an illusion. We are comfortable with the practices and beliefs we are raised with and the way the environment has shaped our world to be. The next section of the film discusses how Indian spirituality starts to take form in America through yoga and gurus. Ghandi believed that there wasn’t anything more special or holy about the gurus than anyone else. He attempts to prove this by posing as a made up spiritual leader by the name of Sri Kumare. Although some may feel the act to be mean spirited, I think this was an extremely creative and brilliant way to investigate the meaning of spirituality. His accent, yoga moves, and chants may have been phony, but the lesson he taught was from the heart: we can all find happiness within ourselves. Even though Kumare was considered to be a fake guru, he taught many of his followers this important lesson. So, would he be considered a real teacher? I have always felt religion was unnecessary, but Kumare makes me ponder this concept. Kumare taught the method of mirror yoga, which allows people to see their ideal selves. I think religion is useful for people in the sense it can help us to connect to own values and beliefs through prayer and meditation, such as it did for Kumare’s followers. However, if you are able to reconnect with yourself through other activities (ex. sports, hanging out with friends and family, art, etc.), then I think practicing a religion isn’t necessary. Overall, Kumare was a very eye opening documentary that teaches us to stop looking for guidance, and start looking within ourselves. I am excited to share it with friends and family!

2. What are three conclusions can you draw about religion (its formation, nature, purpose, function etc) based on the evidence presented in the film? Please number your list. Each conclusion should be first stated succinctly in a sentence. Then explanation of that conclusion and how it connects to

evidence from the film should be provided to support the validity of your conclusion through logical argumentation. 1. An important aspect of religion is human connection. People are continuously searching for someone to help alleviate stress, pain, or suffering in their life. As the film discusses, many turn to spiritual leaders for assistance. Kumare posed as this leader for many, and engaged in meaningful conversations with his followers. People approached him with deep personal stories such as marriage problems, drug addictions, and abuse. Even though Kumare wasn’t a real guru and didn’t feel right in giving advice to people he didn’t know, his followers still found value in speaking with him. I think this all has to do with the notion that humans crave connection with others. Evidence of this is when a doctor of philosophy claimed he “felt energy of him and I connecting in the ritual,” yet Kumare wasn’t doing anything magical. 2. Religion is a mirror for looking within ourselves. Kamare’s main teaching was that you don’t need anyone outside yourself to make you happy; that enlightenment comes from within. People often turn to religion in times of struggle and hope that a higher power will help them through the hard times. However, many of religious practices like meditation and yoga are all about self reflection and peace of mind. They ask you to focus on your breathing and to think about what you want to change in your life. These practices all contain steps that lead you to mental and physical healing. Kumare suggests that in order to reach your ideal self, you need to believe in the power within, not in an external teacher or guru. 3. There is no person, ritual, or practice that is considered inherently true or better than the other. Relating back the main message of the film, you need to decide what religion is best for you. Kumare was born immersed in Hindu mythology and rituals, yet he still questioned the purpose of religion in his life. It wasn’t until he became Kumare that he felt he was on the path to reaching his ideal self. He led his followers in fake chants, yoga poses, and rituals that turned out to be beneficial and even life changing for some. This proves that you don’t need to see a famous guru spiritual leader to find inner peace and happiness. I can also support this conclusion through my own religious experience. I was often conflicted with what to believe in, since I was raised half Christian and half Jewish. When I was a freshman in highschool, I decided to attend a reform Jewish camp where I was able to connect to my Jewish roots. I was surrounded by people who infused my daily life with Jewish values and beliefs. Although I value both Christianity and Judaism, by attending summer camp I was able to discover that I identify more with jewish teachings and practices....