Pre-Lecture Reflection for “Introduction to Zen Buddhism”

INSTRUCTIONS:
For this assignment, you are to ponder some reflection questions before listening to the lecture component. These questions aim to stimulate your thinking and focus your concentration on the topics to be explored in the lecture, as a means of provoking you into thinking philosophically while you attentively listen to the lecture. There will be multiple topics, but do not respond to them all. Rather, pick one topic to respond to that catches your attention or that you otherwise find intriguing. After you have selected your topic, spend 10 minutes pondering the topic’s questions and recording your thoughts. The reason for there being multiple questions within a topic is to assist with developing a response that has depth. For this assignment, do not be concerned about the number of thoughts you have on the topic. Rather, you should be concerned with the quality of your thoughts. In assessing your response, the teaching team will look to see how clearly and precisely you articulate your beliefs and how deeply you explain the reasoning for and assumptions underlying your beliefs. Here are the topics for you to consider:
REFLECTION TOPICS:
Topic #3: What is required on our part to have an open heart? Or, in other words, what characteristics do we need to embody in order to be receptive to caring for others and being cared for by others? Is it easy or difficult to have an open heart? Specifically, what makes it easy or difficult to have an open heart? What causes people to have a closed heart, to not be receptive to trusting others and forming close relationships with them? How might a closed heart be transformed into an open heart? As you articulate your position, clearly explain your reasoning for your position, and if appropriate provide a concrete real-life example that illustrates your position.
Topic #3: What is required on our part to have an open heart? Or, in other words, what characteristics do we need to embody in order to be receptive to caring for others and being cared for by others? Is it easy or difficult to have an open heart? Specifically, what makes it easy or difficult to have an open heart? What causes people to have a closed heart, to not be receptive to trusting others and forming close relationships with them? How might a closed heart be transformed into an open heart? As you articulate your position, clearly explain your reasoning for your position, and if appropriate provide a concrete real-life example that illustrates your position.