Essays on Eastern Philosophy, History, and Literature

One of my favorite thinkers Lao Tzu says, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." For me, this series of essays is that step, in an attempt to understand the often misunderstood philosophical, historical, and literary traditions of the East. The essays in this collection were written during my one year attending the Eastern Classics Program at St. John's College in Santa Fe, during the 2017-2018 school year. And as such, my essays attempt to explore the main ideas of pivotal thinkers of the eastern tradition, rather than more obscure topics. For example, in the case of Confucius I address the importance of filial piety as the primary virtue and the foundation of Chinese governance; in the case of larger works such as the Mahabharata and the writings of Sima Qian the focus is narrower to compensate for the vastness of the ideas. Perhaps my essays in this collection can create a greater appreciation and understanding for the eclectic mind of the East.