It's a hard, hard world out there creating. You've got to get the time and space carved out to really focus.
That can be really hard for me to do: if I'm at home, there's a laundry list (or, literally, laundry) of chores that need to be accomplished. Even worse, if my son is home, there's no schoolwork happening, no way, no how... unless he's blissfully passed out in his crib. Which, happens to be the magical hours between 9PM and 6AM, coincidentally when I usually turn in all my assignments for this class. But really, really creating? Getting down to the nitty gritty, and working some creative magic? That's been a challenge for me this Fall. I've enjoyed the process so far, but, man, it has been a challenge.
When we first started exploring the Growth Mindset for this class, I really latched on to this idea, specifically that it's all about the process.Praise the process, not the result.If it's not challenging enough for you (or your child), then apologize for wasting time, and find something more challenging. Grow yourself. Challenge yourself.
It doesn't all happen in an instant. Abracadabra! Done, move on to the next thing. That's not really applicable when we're talking about learning. I feel that I have done a decent job with this particular class in challenging myself to go further and to explore new materials. I've definitely explored down deeper rabbit holes, digested supplemental information, and tried new types of reading. However, there are some areas glaring me in the face to improve upon:
Re-schedule my allotted time for working on this class. So far, most of it is working. What is not working is waiting to work on the StoryBook Project until the end of the week. If there is a deadline, I feel pressure. When I feel too much pressure, the writing juices cease. That's simply what happens. If I have time, space, and enough time for editing and revising, I typically do just fine.
Encouraging any and all feedback. Hey, that's part of the writing process, right? Getting accurate feedback on what your stuff really gets across to people, not just what you think it's getting across. Some peers in this class have been beneficial in challenging me to explore more difficult concepts in my writing.
Ask more questions! This is never a bad idea to keep wrapped around yourself like a shroud. Keep it with you, keep it close, snuggle the idea of questioning. It's so, so, so good for us!
~
I'm just going to go ahead and copy and paste this below to remind myself that growth, challenge, and the curiosity to explore and create are the goals here. Remember this, Danielle. Remember.
Overall, I feel that my Reading Notes are probably pretty lengthy. However, they've helped me to organize and process what I am taking in, as a lot of it is new-ish information combining with new perspectives on older information I already had acquired. I feel that I have been making great choices with the readings, for me, in keeping it varied and interesting. I've chosen several different mediums throughout the semester, and have tried to gain a broad base for important stories from India.
I've actually most enjoyed the extra reading assignments so far this semester, specifically the Video Book format that has allowed me to progress through Devdutt Pattanaik's 7 Secrets of Hindu Calendar Art. This book has been the most informative.
Sister Nivedita's work for the re-read through The Mahabharata was actually quite dry, and not what I expected or anticipated.
R.K.Narayan's book The Mahabharata was more enjoyable to read and went fairly quickly, so I will probably return to him as an author in the future.
I most enjoyed the PDE version of the Ramayana, and would like to revist some PDE editions in the future. The reading guides were so helpful for further exploration! All the extra time I spent in the beginning looking into extra information really laid a great foundation for moving forward with Hindu ideas/philosophies/epics.
Reading Notes: I do feel that I am reading like a writer, where I am trying to pinpoint one aspect that I can hone in on and create a story from that. When I do narrow down, highlight, or emphasize only one point, I find that I can think about my story as I am moving through my day, and when it's time to write, it's almost all there ready to just be penned down. In reference to the semester long project, however, it has been a struggle to incorporate enough information relating to my project to be ready to move forward in the storytelling aspect of the semester project.
Future Reading Options: Weeks 9-14
I'm so exited to move forward in the exploratory readings for the rest of the semester! I feel that I have a wealth of books that I could devour, and only wish that I had enough time to do so! I am going to try and finish most of the books I considered for possible StoryBook Project ideas -- they all interest me, and while I can't use them all for my project, I can still read them!
More Amar Chitra Katha Books (Already Read: Mirabai and Kabir)
Brahma Dreaming by John Jackson (I'm already 1/3 finished with this book, I just haven't written up any reading notes yet. I L-O-V-E this book! It's visually so beautiful!)
Krishna Krishna by Indira Parthasarathy. (Available on Audiobook, perfect for me!)
Twenty-Two Goblins by Arthur Ryder. (I've actually already finished this book, and it wasn't stellar, but it was unique. I just haven't written up Reading Notes for is yet.)
Pashu by Devdutt Pattanaik. Love Pattanaik's work so far, and I already have the physical copy of this checked out from the Library. Just need to sit down with it and read through it.)
Fugitives, Rabindranath Tagore. I still want (and need!) to read through these plays and songs, especially considering it relates to my StoryBook.
Razmnama - The Persian (Mughal) translation of the Mahabharata -- perhaps, thought not a definite.
Fall Writing Review:
Stories I've written so far:
Overall, I am fairly happy with the stories I have written. I definitely feel that the quality of my work is actually weighted to better quality at the beginning of the semester when I had more time and mental capacity to devote to the stories. I've also noticed that if I give myself a few days to ruminate/physical write about the story, it comes out far superior to when I am forced to sit down in one day and write the story. Those stories are still OK, and they're my stories, but they tend to be more lighthearted and playful, rather than seriously incorporating everything I have digested thus far. I want to focus more on this website for inspiration and writing technique development: Writing Laboratory.
StoryBook Review:
I am happy with the choice that I have chosen, although I am unhappy with the hosting site that I have chosen. Admittedly, though, technology and web design are areas that I am least capable in, not to mention areas that intimidate me the most! Plan: Readings need to focus on sourcework from the poets that I have chosen (Tagore/Surdas/Kabir/Mirabai) so that I can digest them, focus on my favorites, and begin to write StoryBook stories incorporating those stories. Digestion and synthesis takes the longest for me.
Looking Ahead:
I found a diary entry style of storywriting from one of my classmates recently, and that looked like an interesting style of writing to try. I would also like to try and revisit writing something in verse, that was really challenging and quite a lot of fun.
Connecting Review:
I most admire the conciseness with which other writers are able to get to the juicy bits. It can immediately get intriguing, or suspenseful or spooky within a sentence or two. I feel like I get really weighed down in the details in my intros.
I think I have probably been doing a good job giving other people feedback, though on the normal, weekly stories that we comment on, it's hard to get into much depth in that commenting. It's much easier to go in depth for the Portfolio or StoryBook reviews. I can probably aim to include one encouraging way to enhance a story on even the regular weekly stories that I comment on, not just saving the in depth analysis for the Feedback groups.
I'm so close to finishing Devdutt Pattanaik's book, 7 Secrets From Hindu Calendar Art, and it is so, so, so informative! I am digesting it through a new "book medium" for me: YouTube Video! It's called "Video Book" format, and it's free and accessible on YouTube. The chapters have been broken down into chunks, and while quite dense, they're only about 20 minutes in total length (each).
I cannot stress how informative, useful, and helpful this book (Via Video Book!) has been for me. Each video is chocked full of information, but as I am nearing the end, everything is tying back to the earlier chapters quite well. I can definitely say that the first 1 to 2 chapters were a little overwhelming with information, and they took time to digest. However, now that I am nearly finished, I can actually sense that I have an understanding, a solid base, for Hinduism and what I am seeing when calendar art images are portrayed in the video before me. I truly, truly cannot recommend this book (video series by Epified) enough!
Vishnu's Secret
(He has a lot of secrets)
Part 1
Detached Engagement Brings Order
Don't kill a cow! Eating beef is taboo! (Duh!)
Cows satisfy man's needs: food, clothing, shelter. Go Daan is the cow charity, which is the greatest charity of all, because receiving a cow means that you are satisfied in all your worldly needs
In heaven, the gods have a MAGICAL COW who can fulfill any wish, and from whom all cows descend: Kamdhenu
Kamdhenu, the mother of all cows,
also known to represent the Mother Earth (komata)
Cows, through their milk that they provide humans, bring us to ecological questioning: how much milk should be reserved for the calf? How much is produced for the humans? Translate that to the earth, and ask the same questions of yourself. Humans alone have destroyed/altered ecosystems.
Earth cow, representing a full, wealthy, Earthly life
Let me just pause and say that there are so, so, so many images from this video that I wish to keep and use. However, I'll refrain from posting them all here, but this video was really the culmination of all the previous information into that "AHA!" Moment for me when I really, really understood all the stories as being linked as one, instead of separate, individual stories.
Earth takes the form of a cow and runs away when humans mistreat her
Vishnu is Gopala: Vishnu brings her back on the condition that humans treat her with respect and kindness
Vishnu principal: harmony between Nature and Man
"We want to be lions and dominate society (and those around us),
but society forces us to become cows --
to create value by producing milk,
and giving that milk not just to our own calf,
but to others as well."
Therefore we are then fit to pull the cart burdened with demands and duties
Vishnu VS Shiva
Shiva:
Mendicant
3 horizontal lines of Ash = inertia
Animal hide, necklace of seeds
Vishnu:
Society
||| 3 Vertical lines of sandal paste = activity
Predictable changes of times
Necklaces of flowers, gems, gold
4 Tools:
conch: announces presence. Represents the rhythm (breath) of the world
Discus: cycle of things, what goes around comes around
Mace: justice
Lotus
Altogether, they represent and maintain Dharma, creating a stable society ---> stable and organized society generates wealth
Lakshmi is the organization of society and wealth (for Vishnu)
Alakshmi: strife. The older, Owl Sister of Lakshmi, and she is recognized every time that Lakshmi is worshipped, so that you never forget that with $$$ comes quarrels and strife, and we can therefore be prepared for it
Vishnu, Lord of Maya (Measurement/Judgement)
Vishnu's scales: love and affection for one another. This seems somewhat contradictory to the last video, where it discusses that there must be a limit to love and generosity, otherwise everything degenerates into chaos. Perhaps I am not thinking deeply enough about this, though.
All rules are flexible:
"Culture and civilization are like a game, leela --
fun if everyone upholds the rules and enjoys the participation"
(my husband would definitely appreciate this perspective)
Avatars of Vishnu:
Matsya:
Manu: 1st Man (I explored this in a Wikipedia Trails post, which you can find here. So I was a bit more familiar with this already, thankfully)
Manu saves a small fish from a big fish, takes him out of the sea and places him in a pot (Pot = arms of society). Eventually the fish grows too big, and goes back to the sea. Manu was too compassionate and should have stopped helping the fish along the way. Now the sea rises and floods Manu's earth home.
"Civilizations starts where compassion begins,
Civilizations collapses when there's too much kindness,
when one doesn't know where to draw the line."
2nd Avatar: Turtle
3rd Avatar: Mohini - woman
Asuras: below the Earth, regenerating of wealth
VS
Devas: above the Earth
They are the force and counter force of Earth, churning it
4th Avatar: Varaha: Boar -- Vishnu brings Earth back out from under the sea
Amrita: nectar of immortality (obtained from the ocean of milk) -- causes Devas to become immortal
5th Avatar: Brahmin Boy -- shoves Asuras under the Earth, different spheres of influence for Asuras vs Devas
Avatar: Parshurama -- becomes warrior to strike down kings who wield too much authority
Vishnu As:
Ram
Bala Ram (likened to Buddha)
Krishna
Kalki (will destroy society that has become corrupt, will start society again, as the fish -- note he is riding a white horse, like the second coming over the son is predicted to do in the book of Revelations in Christianity... this is an interesting little tidbit)
