reading response

title: Jonathan Livingston Seagull 
author: Richard Bach
genre: Philosophy


As you read last week I've now read Jonathan Livingston Seagull in it's entirety. By now Jonathan has met two gulls who seemingly transport him to "heaven" as Jon calls it. There he meets an elder gull named Chiang, Chiang explains to him that heaven is not a place but rather perfection in itself. Over weeks to come he is taught how to use is mind to transport him rather than his wings. When he returns he meets Fletch, a young, eager, ready to learn gull. Over weeks of training Fletch other gulls come to learn who have also been outcast. One day they all return hoping that others will see perfection and make it a quest of their own. A few gulls take the chance and are quickly and swiftly outcast from the flock. Soon there are new groups showing up all the time. And in the end.....?


My favourite part is probably the part when... seriously you want me to choose one? All of it is my favourite! I guess it was pretty cool considering the theory of just being pure thought and being able to go anywhere your mind wanted to, not being limited to just your body.


The only part I still question is why he actually left the flock? But now I think I have the answer, he realized that while they were contemplating whether or not to trust him he could be lifting the knowledge of others and learning, becoming closer to perfection himself.


I made a connection between me and Livingston's teaching. You see his whole thing is that it doesn't matter about your limitations just as long as you can believe in yourself and work. And that's kind of like me in the way that I am in constant pain in my legs and arm but I try my hardest in school and sports, I also don't tell a lot of people about it because I don't like them taking pity on me because then they try to stop me from doing things that I like since they don't understand.


Again I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for an inspiring, quick read.