TOPOLOGIES

Many cultures divide a person’s life into stages and create images or ideals of each stage. The stages are defined by how a certain function is performed. A culture could build a functional topology around any activity affected by changes in age.

Closely related to functional topologies are maturational schemes. These trace the stages of life in terms of mental, physical, or even spiritual changes. Many cultures throughout history have recognized these stages.

MATURATIONAL TOPOLOGY

This is a Hindu system that focuses on spiritual maturation. Life is divided into four stages, depending on one’s progress towards being spiritually full – grown. These stages are:

a.       Brahmacarya: this stage lasts from initiation into the Hindu community at five to eight years of age until marriage.

b.      Grihasthya: one marries, raises a family, and takes part in society.

c.       Vanaprasthya: in this stage, the Hindu leaves the household and prepares for the spiritual search or quest.

d.      Samnyasa: this is when one gives up attachment to all worldly things and seeks spiritual liberation.

Most cultures take maturational topologies are almost poetic in their ability to create images.

BUREAUCRATIC TOPOLOGY

This topology is based purely on where a person falls into some scheme invented by a government or another organization. Cultural traditions have influenced this topology, but it is supported mostly by law and not by belief. Some aspects of a bureaucratic topology may actually conflict with widespread cultural beliefs.


MY PERSONAL OPINION

In my opinion, this lecture was so interesting in many ways.  First at all, it allowed me to improve my knowledge. Without a doubt the most common maturation topology divides our life into childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. In these stages of life, we experiment different changes.
Another important point I liked was rites of passage. As you know, it is important to have rituals for some important occasions like to mark our entrance into a new stage. One example of this could be our birth.