The design of the museum by the African exhibit gave me much enjoyment. Right at the entrance, there was a video on a giant screen of a cultural gathering that really caught my eye. I am a huge fan of ethnic dances and thats exactly what the people were doing at the festival. Naturally I strode right to this exhibit. As I kept walking, I saw a statue of an african man dressed in ethnic clothes right next to the video. Around the statue were masks worn by the people. This use of space and arrangement of the art made the culture seem very interesting and appealing. It attracted visitors to go in and explore. It was fascinating learning that the masks worn at these festivals were used to worship their Gods. It made me feel very happy and entertained learning about the diversities of this world and the way Africans live and go about their religious lives.

After reading the book Siddhartha, I realized that the true definition of the Good Life varies upon on the many experiences and sufferings one endures or sees . Although the accurate meaning of the good life is too ambiguous to define, I believe a good approach to it is becoming enlightened and attaining nirvana, both important themes in the good life. Thoughts and emotions such as materialistic beliefs or likings, ego, strong desires and pleasures, hatred, anger, and many others will seem to flow together and find a balance in this timeless world. Self-denial and self-gratification or yin and yang need to have an equal balance. This world is neither completely perfect nor completely cruel. When one understands the interconnection of this world, enlightenment can be achieved. This meditating Buddha statue provoked all these thoughts in me. The very symbolic meaning of a Buddha is wisdom, peace, balance, and courage. Its wise, peaceful face shows that he has defeated pain and desire in this world. This Buddha has reached the final stage of nirvana and has been awakened. I, too like this Buddha, want to reach enlightenment and overcome suffering.