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 moti...

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...