(A)theologies @ 115 Fahrenheit Some Reflections on the ISSJS 2007

"Dr. Mathieu Courville’s reflective essay explores the personal and intellectual transformations brought about by his participation in the International Summer School for Jain Studies (ISSJS) 2007, framing the experience through philosophical and intercultural lenses. The piece engages deeply with the metaphor of travel—not merely physical, but also mental, ethical, and ontological—and outlines three interconnected areas of heightened awareness catalyzed by the journey. Key Themes and Reflections 1) Return as Self-Transformation Courville highlights that the return from travel, especially from India, is often more psychologically and existentially demanding than the outward journey. Drawing parallels with the concepts of reverse culture shock, PTSD, and even re-incarnation, he argues that true transformation often becomes clear only after returning home. The “boomerang effect” of cultural dislocation challenges one's sense of belonging and identity. 2) Critique of the 'Gone Native' Trope Courville critically unpacks the colonialist undertones of expressions like “gone native,” arguing that genuine transformation should not be viewed with suspicion or condescension. Instead, he suggests that reintegration into one’s previous environment often triggers deeper shifts in worldview than the field experience itself. Three Areas of Heightened Awareness A) Lives within Biospheres His ISSJS experience made Courville acutely aware of ecological interconnectedness, especially in light of Jain values such as ahiṃsā (non-violence). Inspired by the bird hospital at the Digambar Jain temple near the Red Fort in Delhi, he recalls parallels with an indigenous protest site in Ottawa, reflecting on the contrast in societal responses to non-human life. Post-trip, he describes becoming more mindful of bugs, birds, and dietary choices, influenced by Jain ethics. B) Necessities vs. Commodities He questions humanity's collective obsession with commodities (e.g., oil, gold) over necessities (e.g., water, food), arguing that misplaced priorities lead to global inequality and violence. Courville suggests that if basic needs were the primary focus, unity among people would be more achievable. He urges a reorientation toward micro-level (what he terms microcosmic) changes in lifestyle and consumption. C) What Unites and/or Divides Drawing on thinkers like Kant and Wittgenstein, he asserts that people can unite around shared efforts to reduce violence, rather than mere ideological similarity. For example, those with divergent views (e.g., on alcohol) can still collaborate to reduce harm. In this, Jain-inspired tolerance and intellectual ahiṃsā are held up as models. Commerce, Dharma, and the Warrior Ethic Courville connects Jain economic ethics to a reinterpreted kṣatriya (warrior) heritage. He notes that both Mahāvīra and the Buddha were from warrior castes, yet their legacies were non-violent. He observes that contemporary Jain professionals and entrepreneurs often emulate a classical āśrama model—accumulating wealth in mid-life only to renounce or redistribute it through philanthropy, reflecting a “commerce as calm passion” ethos (per Charles Taylor).\

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