Myths & More

Too Much Internet 3 Ways Too Much Social Media Can Hijack Your Creativity Social media can create ubiquity. Or, where the algorithm of social media becomes commonplace and creates an “echo chamber” of streamline thoughts. Social media can create literary anxiety. Comparing ourselves to famous writers, celebrities and platforms and falling trap to what’s mainstream, rather than authenticity.  Social media creates distraction. Finding oneself easily distracted by social media can kill your creativity. I’m guilty of being distracted by social media, and at one point it was a good distraction from the art block I was going through. It was hard for me to feel inspired and create things, which I found very anxiety inducing. Fortunately, I discovered “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron, which guided me through twelve weeks of creative and personal activities. During that time, I found that being on my phone constantly sapped my creative energy. I was motivate

Buddha Statue at Tōdai-ji in Nara, Japan (taken by yours truly)  Link to story. Title: Siddhartha Becomes the Buddha Publication: 1922 Author: André-Ferdinand Hérold (February 24, 1865—October 23, 1940) Translator: Paul Charles Blum (1898—1981) Notes: André-Ferdinand Hérold (February 24, 1865—October 23, 1940) was a French writer and poet who published “The Life of Buddha” in 1922. It was translated into English by author and translator Paul Charles Blum (1898—1981). Characters: Siddhartha, the hero Events: Siddhartha meditates after defeating Mara, the Evil One Siddhartha has visions of the world in meditation The next morning, Siddhartha becomes the Buddha The gods great the next Buddha

Siddhartha under the Bohdi Tree Link to story. Title: Siddhartha’s First Meditation Publication: 1922 Author: André-Ferdinand Hérold (February 24, 1865—October 23, 1940) Translator: Paul Charles Blum (1898—1981) Notes: André-Ferdinand Hérold (February 24, 1865—October 23, 1940) was a French writer and poet who published “The Life of Buddha” in 1922. It was translated into English by author and translator Paul Charles Blum (1898—1981). Characters: Prince Siddhartha Visvamitra, Siddhartha’s teacher Five traveling hermits King Suddhodana Places: Kapilavastu (city in Shakya, India/Nepal) Events: Visvamitra is instructed to teach Siddhartha Siddhartha masters the scripts Siddhartha goes traveling Siddartha meditates under a tree The five hermits prophesize Siddartha’s greatness as the Buddha Suddhodana is happy to see that his son is doing well Siddhartha tells his father that they “must seek the great truths” Siddhartha return

Surgeon's Tools Once, there was a doctor who did not believe in fate. Though many relied on fortune telling as a way of life, he was an exception. The doctor was kind in nature, but also a man of practicality.The notion of having a set destiny was something of fiction. At the very least, he assumed that those who believed in fate were just wishful thinkers, daydreaming to pass the time.  The doctor often traveled far and wide to treat his patients, as healers were hard to come by. It was on his many journeys that he encountered interesting people from different walks of life, including the occasional fortune teller. One particular day, the doctor encountered an oracle beckoning him over to their stall off the side of the road. Too polite to ignore them, the doctor went over to give the fortune teller a spare moment of his time.  What this oracle said was peculiar, unlike anything the doctor had heard before. “You, my good young man,” they started, “are destined to marry

A Georgian dagger from 1800 Link to story. Title: Fate Publication: 1894 Author: Unknown Translator: Marjory Wardrop (November 11, 1869—December 7, 1909) Marjory Wardrop Notes: “Fate” was originally taken from a Georgian folklore collection titled “Khalkhuri Zghaprebi” (Georgian for “folk tales”), though the author remains unknown. Marjory Scott Wardrop was an English scholar and translator of Georgian literature who compiled many stories into “Georgian Folk Tales,” which was published in London in 1894. Characters: King Prince Angel Man at the palace Weaver Weaver’s wife Weaver’s daughter Places: Palace of the King Palace of Fate Woods Palace in the woods Events: A king had an only son who everyone admired The prince goes to seek out his fate An angel directs him to the palace of fate A man directs the prince to his fate The prince learns he will marry a weaver’s daughter who is ill The prince is determined to

Dinnik's Viper, native to Georgia Link to story.   Title: The Serpent and the Peasant  Publication: 1894 Author: Unknown Translator: Marjory Wardrop (November 11, 1869—December 7, 1909) Marjory Wardrop Notes:  “The Serpent and the Peasant” was originally taken from a Georgian folklore collection titled “Khalkhuri Zghaprebi” (Georgian for “folk tales”), though the author remains unknown. Marjory Scott Wardrop was an English scholar and translator of Georgian literature who compiled many stories into “Georgian Folk Tales,” which was published in London in 1894. Characters:  King Peasant Serpent Places: Kingdom Events: The king dreams of a fox suspended by the tail The king looks for a dream interpreter A peasant heads to the kingdom and encounters a serpent The serpent agrees to interpret the dream if the peasant shares the reward The fox means cunning, hypocrisy and treasury The king rewards the peasant (who doesn’t sh