More Feedback Strategies

Be a Mirror

I really enjoyed the tips throughout this article as it lined up with my main thought in life that I have had in life, which is the golden rule of treating others how you want to be treated. The title insinuates this, as it is important to give and take feedback as you would with yourself, that way it is genuine and humanly. Qualities such as "letting it transfer" and to "focus on what the reader is doing" allows for changes to be made in the current time - things people can change at the moment so they can continue to improve, and not something that can be put off later. It is also important to take yourself out of the feedback, meaning not to use personal pronouns, but rather making it about the reader.


Five Reasons to Stop Saying "Good Job!"

I always admired both giving and receiving personal unique praise. Receiving generic praise or comments never seem to help me, as I feel as thought it is either not genuine, or it is too broad for me to take seriously, and the idea of just saying "good job" to something fits that ingenuity. The article focuses more the loss of interest and stealing away with pleasure, as receiving these generic praises do not seem to affect a person's mindset about how they went about something they accomplished. On the contrary, constantly giving this simple and quick feedback can create what the author calls "praise junkies" who begin to rely on praise constantly.

Receiving Feedback

Topic Research: Reincarnation

Three possible stories:

1. Samsara

Samsara is present in multiple religions such as Judaism, Hinduism, and Sikhism. I would like to focus more on Hinduism, as I have been exposed to it more than the others - so I feel as though I will have more of a background on the topic. My key topic will focus around the circle of life itself, as well the idea of karma.

2.  Sita

I have gathered some background on Sita from our reading on Rama's story, so I feel as though I can approach it with multiple perspectives. My focus of research will be the symbolism present throughout the story.

3. Nirvana

My other topic choices have revolved around some knowledge about the story, but I wanted to start anew with another topic, which is Nirvana, as I am unfamiliar with it. My focus of research on this topic will be of the topic itself, which is the non-self and emptiness.

Revolving My Topics Around Hinduism

Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Part B

The news of Dasharatha dying were carried by messengers to Bharata who had not yet known of the incident. He weeped and mourned once told the news. He knew now that both his father and brother had passed, and he did not know what to do, until he had the idea to bring his exiled brother from the jungle to receive the throne. He swore that he, himself, would not take the throne, but wanted Rama to.

He more and more began to regret banishing Rama and Lakshmana initially into the jungle. He then held a funeral for Dasharatha. The city cried for many days over the passing of Dasharatha.

Bharata eventually met with Rama. Rama speaks to Jabali, the counsellor of Dasharatha, who essentially tells him there is no afterlife for Dasharatha, nor is there one in general. Bharata also insisted that he banish himself to the jungle for Rama then to reign, and he gave him gold slippers. Bharata then left to Ayodhya. Rama's gold slippers symbolized authority, and he was now royal authority.

Rama and Sita traveled to the jungle and witnessed a rakshasa beast. He roared and spoke to them and worried them. Rama then chose to battle him but could not kill him. He then carried Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders into the forest. Sumitra eventually broke rakshasa's arm and weakened him; he was attacked further but would not die. Rakshasa said he was powered by a godly being and could not be slain. This lead to the demon Viradha to go to heaven. Agastya meets Rama later and gives him a sword.

Rama eventually crossed Shurpanakha, an ugly cursed being, who fell in love with Rama. Although she tells Rama she loves him, he rejects her. She does not fancy this, and she attacks them, and tells her brother Khara of the incident. Khara then aids her and attacks Rama.

After Rama defeats Khara and rakshasa, Shurpanakha went to Lanka to tell the King of Lanka, her brother, what occurred.

The story of Maricha was told and how Rama had gone with Vishvamitra to fight rakshasas. It was revealed that he had killed Thataka. Ravana now needed Marciha to abduct Sita. Maricha takes form as a golden deer and enchants Sita and tells Rama to go get the deer for her. The deer masquerade was also able to take on Rama's voice.

Ravana was able to shapeshift and get close to Sita after Rama and Lakshmana are turning a blind eye. Jatayu, a bird watching over the adventure tries to save Sita, and Sita had dropped jewelry, which leads Rama to where she could have been carried off to. This was all according to Brahma, a god, whose plan was to have a human, Rama, slay Ravana.

Ravana tries to rape Sita, but could not due to protection from Brahma. He needs to seduce her to surpass this, but is unable to. Rama eventually finds where they were, but Sita and Ravana had left, and Jatayu explains the situation to Rama. They go on and meet another rakshasa who gives them valuable information.

They eventually meet Shabari who awaited them, as she had been told by holy men that she would meet him; her destiny was fulfilled and she asks Rama to perform her funeral rites.

Rama and Shabari 

Bibliography:
Title: Rama: Retold from the Ramayana
Author: Anant Pai
Link

Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Part A

Setting is set: Ayodhya, Koshala, a kingdom whose king was Dasharatha. It was very beautiful and bountiful, as described to be richly decorated. It is also blooming with life and is seemingly successful, as it was evidently described as prosperous. Although it was introduced that Dasharatha was full of sorrow due to not being able to bear an heir.

Subsequently, he would perform a horse sacrifice to please the gods for them to give him one. This made the gods promise four sons be given to him

Indra, as well as other gods went to the heaven of Brahma and spoke to Vishnu about delivering sons to Dashratha, who obliged; the wives of Dashratha who had eaten the sacrificial food then became pregnant with sons, and everyone celebrated.

Dashratha met Vishvamitra who was known by the gods, and welcomed him; his son - however - had to perform a dangerous service, so Dashratha supported him. The service was to enter a jungle with many predators.

Rama went with Vishvamitra and battled with a terrible woman, Thataka and cut both her arms off, and Lakshmana took away her nose and ears; Rama eventually slays her. They were later attacked by Maricha and his crew, but Rama retaliated by sending Maricha off to sea, and slew the rest, while slaying Subahu with fire.

Vishvamitra told Rama a story of Ayodhya with wives and no children, eventually a brahmin bore him sons and he offered a horse sacrifice. The story was more developed by means of a poem in the next chapter.

Dashratha and Vishvamitra's journey continued and they ventured into the city where they were admired for their beauty; they relaxed in a garden of flowers as Princess Sita made a prayer, which was answered when she was given flowers

Janaka welcomed Vishvamitra and bestowed him the bow of Shiva, and whoever could use it would be given permission to marry Princess Sita. Rama was able to, and he was given permission.

A man appeared and scolded whoever had broken the bow while bending it. The man gave another bow - one of Vishnu - to Rama to bend to prove if he was a hero, who was then able to, and the man praised him.

A poem then described the marriage and glory of Princess Sita and Rama.

The rule of Dashratha was then described which lead to Bharata to be banished to the jungle of Dandaka. Rama was then described to have then been gone into exile. His hardships were described, as were a scene of crossing a river with Sita to protect her.

Dashratha was then faced with karma as he accidentally shot a human thinking it was a boar or human; he showed their parents and they grieved while being angry at him.

Eventually, Dashratha dies of grief due to this incident, and his spirit leaves his body while Lakshmana grieved.



Bibliography:
Title: Rama: Retold from the Ramayana
Author: Anant Pai
Link

Rama had been exiled into a deadly forest