Topic Brainstorm Post: week 2

Lightbulb sparking the topic! from http://s3.amazonaws.com/libapps/accounts/43168/images/noun_89054-white-light-bulb.png

Topics for Brainstorming for Project:

1) Music

Hanuman Chalisa http://s3.india.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/han.jpg

I thought about using music for a project because music has been a huge part of my life for most of my life. I also have realized I love other languages, no matter if I understand or not. Especially in song are these languages really brought into what I like to say, they're fullest potential of revealing the utmost beauty. I listened to Hanuman Chalisa, the goddness of wisdom. I would love to study her more and understand more of the stories that go along with her life and help me learn the translations so I can strategically study the reason behind her songs.

Outside source: http://www.hanuman.com/cha.html

2) Horses

A pair of horses, taken from http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/img/posters/horses-blondes-art-poster-print_u-L-F5BCNO0.jpg

This topic also ties back to my childhood. When I was younger, all I wanted in life was a horse. I was a huge fan of the American Girl doll, Felicity, who owned her own horse at a young age. I would be intrigued to find out how horses play in the religious aspect, as well as the cultural aspect of India. I believe horses have always been known to have spiritual powers and can really discern situations well. I wonder if that might be an option in learning during this project. 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_horse_in_South_Asia#Horse_symbolism

3) Women of the Ramayana

Women of Ramayana, taken from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-gKpq2EN3_CfbzVNGBuPHigVsh-adNXUK5RnJLb-GdMJkVZCutx-lTL9vtQ9h7N75S3LiDquuD8O1V9hFjMTLvPZabu7HfIeJPfNgwrZagj4cvQAb-AHG5CWcmunJ4NsJ0sPLL3oKuZP/s320/kaikeyi-and-manthara_1.jpg

I would specifically like to study family roles in the lives of these women. It seems like the lineage of women has a lot to do with the affects of women of Ramayana. I would enjoy pressing more into these small details I know and digging into facts and foundational information. I personally want to advocate for women in any way I can. If studying in this area of women of Ramayana will help make that happen, I would be honored to do so. 

Source: https://www.theindusparent.com/strong-women-of-ramayana-that-you-must-teach-your-kids-about

4) Yoga

Yoga on the beach, taken from http://georgetownpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/iyengar-yoga.jpg

Last summer I began practicing yoga while in Haiti. We found it extremely enjoyable and useful during the early mornings before the weather got too hot. I remember anxiety being released from my heart and mind. I remember the peace it brought. I still practice yoga at least once a week at home, and though it may not be in the Haitian mountains overlooking the ocean, I can still appreciate practicing in my room with the early morning light coming in while listening to worship music. I am thankful for all that yoga has done for me, and excited to learn about how it originated. I love the gentleness of the activity and that is it so easy for everyone to make it apart of their life, in a big or small way.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga

Feedback Thoughts

Deconstructing Constructive Feedback

https://www.inc.com/amy-morin/6-bad-mental-habits-that-sabotage-your-success.html

1) 6 Bad Mental Habits That Sabotage Your Success
The bad habits for this article were making excuses, catastrophes the future, seeks audience approval, believes self-doubts, puts oneself down and second-guesses oneself. I think for this one I most tend to struggle with seeking audience approval. I tend to be a people-pleaser, which slides right into my need for perfection. This can create a disaster for comparison, essentially robbing me of my joy that was there for success in the first place. My need for approval has been something I have recently discovered in my life, and I'm excited to use these tactics to ultimately get it out and fill it will the opposite--not needing the approval of others. 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/meganbruneau/2016/07/15/5-tips-for-receiving-feedback-like-a-champ/#74c8df6c1899

2) 5 Tips for Taking Feedback Like a Champ
"Realize that feeling uncomfortable is healthy, normal, and part of the growth process — this includes the discomfort we feel when we receive feedback:" For me, this speaks volumes. I think my whole life has been a series of "how comfortable can I get?" Once I reached out of that, I embraced uncomfortableness and went after  it. I can definitely say now when I receive feedback, I am more willing to stand firm and receive if it is beneficial. Whether it may be hard or not, I want to be able to filter rather than choosing flight and running away.

"Remind yourself that having growth areas is a good thing— it means you haven't maxed out on your potential: " Growth, growth, growth. It is one of my favorite things and choices about life. We get to CHOOSE to grow. I am pumped about this ability and how growing enables a healthy feedback intake. 

"Keep in mind 'state" vs. "trait:'" They could not have said it better. I want to be able to say "Okay, this is for right now" rather than "this statement defines who I am". 

"Find the positive intentions behind your deficiency, and notice where it's a strength:" I enjoy seeing the positive. Obviously, it is not always possible but I want to believe there is a positive in most situations and criticism. I want to also take it an extra step and see if the constructive feedback is true of my strengths, and if it is, press into that.

"Use mindfulness and self-compassion to react in a productive way:" I believe it begins with a choice, will I choose to react productively or not? I get to choose. I believe being aware of my own needs and passions is important when receiving feedback.

Review

http://nextadagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/male-hair-loss-treatment-reviews.jpg

My favorite video this week was Carol Dweck's "Mindset". This inspired me to really debrief my idea of perfectionism in my life and how that affects my ability to function. I feel like a lot of stress comes from my struggle against perfectionism (this struggle began a couple of years ago when I realized I was caught up in it). I am encouraged to spread this idea and allow others to be freed from the "straight A's only" mentality and looking forward to the "not yet".

My favorite graphic was from the "Crocodile in the River".

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/Marsh_cocodile_india.JPG

Week #02 Storytelling

Author's Note: I started with the story "The Crocodile in the River" https://sites.google.com/view/marlasportfolio/stories/the-crocodile-in-the-river, originally taken from Vanarinda Jataka, in The Jataka: Volume 1 translated by Robert Chalmers.

The Crocodile in the River

The Crocodile

The Master was sitting at the grove, reminiscing on the days when Devadatta sought out to take his life. He declared, "Devadatta has tried many times to kill me, but has failed to succeed. He will not win the battle then, now and ever again." He then continued with the story.

Once when Brahmadatta ruled over Benares, the Bodhisatta rose to life and became a monkey. When he grew, he was bigger than a baby cow! He was unusually strong. He lived on an island, mostly isolated and barren, so he ate. He ate a lot. This happened to be his very life.

In the same river nearby the island, a crocodile couple did life together. They were expecting newborns very soon. The mother saw the Bodhisatta going back and forth and immediately wanted to feast on his heart. Seeing that the mother was hungry, the father crocodile went after it.

In the meantime, the Bodhisatta is pondering at life across the deep waters. He is wondering about the rock sticking up so high out of the water. When this happens, he strongly suspects crocodiles, for they are known to make this happening occur. He, in a manner of urgency and fear, calls out to the rock three times with a "Hi, Rock!". There are no words. No echo. "Why do you not answer me today?"

The crocodile smiles. He has a plan. He must be the rock's voice in order to allure the Bodhisatta. "Monkey, what must you say to me today?"

"Who goes there?" Bodhisatta says.

"I am a crocodile."

"Well, what are you sitting there for?"

"To eat you and bring your heart to my wife."

Outwitting was the Bodhisatta's game and this croc was no match. So suddenly the Bodhisatta yelled, "I must surrender! You are no match for me my crocodile. Have all of me!"

So the crocodile opened his mouth and ready to munch. Little did the crocodile know, when his mouth opens, his eyes shut, blocking him from seeing the Bodhisatta.

The monkey suddenly bounced off the crocodile's head and headed for the bank.

The monkey was obviously proud of this trickery towards the crocodile. He proclaimed, "This monkey has four great virtues that enable him to overcome his enemies and attackers! I think I bear each and every one."

And, so saying, he repeated this stanza:

Who can be so great?

None, I say. Courage, relentlessness, sovereignty and peace.

He shall examine the fleet of his foe

The crocodile then went back.

_____________________________

The Master said, "Again, Devagatta tried to kill me multiple times before and after this incident." Seeing the Birth, the Master declared freedom over himself.

Bibliography:

1. The Crocodile in the River. (n.d.). Retrieved January 25, 2018, from https://sites.google.com/view/jatakas/crocodile

Reading Notes

1) The Foolish, Timid Rabbit
https://sites.google.com/view/jatakas/rabbit

Thoughts: I read Henny-Penny as a child and this story brings me back to that time. I love the twist made in the story and how relevant it is to every day life!

2) Two Turtle Jatakas
https://sites.google.com/view/jatakas/turtle

Thoughts: I enjoyed the lesson taught here. I also appreciate the sassiness associated with the coals and with the water.

3) The Crocodile in the River
https://sites.google.com/view/jatakas/crocodile

Thoughts: I like the contrast between the past and present and how real this story is to lessons that can be learned today in life.

Jatakas

Reading Options

The Avatars of Vishnu

1. 17 Fascinating Women from the Mahabharata
    http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/search/label/Overviews
I want to learn more on women in India and what life there looks like for them.

2. Krishna Dharma. Two Vedic Tales
http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2017/11/overview-krishna-dharma-two-vedic-tales.html
These are the stories between The Mahabharata and the Puranas.

3. Krishna Dharma. The Panchatantra
http://iereadingguides.blogspot.com/2017/11/overview-krishna-dharma-panchatantra.html
The translation of an ancient story collection.