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Show MONDAY'AUGUST 21 - -2006 orientation i//ue Ongoing serious Understanding China Aaron Wood Guest Writer This article and others like it will be based on my travels in China, as well as on books and other resources that I have explored. Before one can begin to understand the complexity of China, it is important to address what perceptions are produced in • large part from various media outlets and Hollywood. One commonly held idea is that an unforgiving communistic government who exercise almost complete control over 1.31.6 billion people rules China. The idea of communism brings to mind movements in Germany and Russia, as well as regimes in Southern Asia and Latin America. It is true that under the rule of Mao Zedong, in the People's Republic of China, which started in 1949 and ended in 1976 when he died, there was born a communist revolution, which followed decades of foreign occupation and civil war. However, any attempt to put China in the same category as the above-mentioned communist societies would be a mistake. China is in a unique situation where conditions in the urban areas seem to be changing every day. As I walked through the streets of China's capital city in Beijing, I saw signs that had English translations under the Chinese characters. The influx of western businesses is very evident as is western consumerism, materialism and commercialism all of which would be suppressed under the communist rule of law. There are many private ventures that exist in Beijing and all across China, which would not be supported nor accepted in a communist government. These same trends of western influence held true in other cities that I visited as well. While several examples, like that of flourishing private businesses, help to dispel the notion of a communist government, it is worth noting that China is lacking in both social and civil liberties by American standards. For example, the majority of China's population identify themselves as Atheists with about eight to ten percent of the population practicing religions like Islam, Buddhism, and Confucianism, while Christian religions are not accepted nor tolerated in China. However, this does not mean that* such religions are not practiced. zAs I was walking through Tian'anmen Square with some friends, we came across a Chinese couple visiting the area. As we talked and took pictures with them, the couple told us about how they were "underground Catholics" which met secretly on Friday nights with others lo worship. That the couple had the courage to tell us about their deviant acts, and that such acts were taking place, speaks volumes on how far the people of China have come in reclaiming liberties in a relatively short period of time. As China continues to both expand and digress, while being subjected to an informal communist government whose power seems to be diminishing (perhaps strategically), the future of such a beautiful and culturally rich country remains in the balance. A7 Stress Stinks allostasis works Jeffrey Hilton News Writer Bruce McEwen and Elizabeth Lasley wrote a book called The End of Stress As We Know It. They describe a process our bodies use to naturally deal with danger and stress called allostasis. When our bodies function properly, allostasis is fully effective. "To keep allostasis functioning on the productive end of the spectrum, the most effective steps you can take are the simplest: exercise, a healthy diet, regular sleep, moderateto-minimal alcohol intake and no smoking," advise McEwen and Lasley. Doctors Daniel Girdano and George Everly also wrote on the subject of stress. They add goal setting and organization to the list of stress relief steps. Below is their creation called The Goal Path Model. Step 1. Define the task. Can the task be broken down into subtasks? Continue to analyze the task. List each subtask and complete the rest of this form for each subtask. Step 2. What personel or help will be needed? List. Step 3. What are possible sources for personel? Step 4. What material will be needed? List. Step 5. What are possible sources for materials? Step 6. Estimate costs for steps 2 and 4. Step 7. Estimate time required. Step 8. Hypothesize Possible obstacles. Step 9. For each obstacle, go back and develop at least one contingency plan, more if possible. Step 10. Begin! Here are some relaxation and meditation exercises provided by Sara Geber author of How To Manage Stress For Success. The first one is a breathing exercise. "Stand with your feet about hip-width apart, your knees soft (not locked) and your hands at the base of your rib cage, slowly breathe in through your nose, without raising your shoulders. Feel your rib cage expand. Hold the breath in for a count of five, then slowly exhale through your mouth, making sure to expel all accumulated air. Repeat this five to ten times. This next exercise is called object meditation. "Sit comfortably in a chair with your feet flat on the floor and your hands resting, open palm, on your knees. Close your eyes. Take a few deep, full breaths. Think of an object. Hold the image of that object in your mind. As other thoughts intrude, gently release them and refocus on the object. Focus on the detail,of the object. What shape is it? What Color? What texture? Is it heavy or light? Is it firm or soft? Focus all your attention on this object in your mind. Keep your focus as long as you like." Gebers last exercise is the sound meditation. "Choose a word or simply a sound. Sit comfortably on a chair or cross-legged on the floor. Close your eyes. Take a few full, deep breaths. Begin to slowly repeat the word over and over again to yourself. You may do this aloud or in your head. Be aware of the sound and feel of the word as it reverberates in your mind. Focus on the sound rather than the meaning. Release the meaning from your mind. Continue as long as you are comfortable." There are many suggestions for dealing with stress. Different methods can work better for some than others. If you would like more advice on stress management, you can look in your local libraries and women's magazines. |