Bhagavad Gita for the Creative Soul

Ep 5 - Managing Creative Feedback

• The Voice Bank • Season 1 • Episode 5

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In the fifth episode entitled "Managing Creative Feedback," Saurin examines his continuous challenges in dealing with rejection and critique throughout his creative journey. He reflects upon the recent incident's influence on him and delves into the impact of feedback on his work. Finding inspiration from Chapter 2, Verse 14, Saurin begins to welcome feedback, embracing both criticism and rejections as part of his growth process.

We welcome you to join us in building a community of creative souls on this journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Reach out to us at gitacreativesoul@gmail.com or find us on:

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Bhagavad Gita for the Creative Soul

  • Produced by The Voice Bank
  • Concept & Writing: Saurin Desai
  • Executive Producer: Rashmi Sundaram
  • Director: Sundar Sethuraman
  • Voice Artists: Sheetal Sawhney & Saurin Desai
  • Special Advisor: Kushagra Singh (Writer, Spiritual Speaker & Yoga Teacher)
  • Sound Designer: Sushant Sonawale
  • Music Composition: Sushant Sonawale & Ameen
  • Recordist: Agnel & Sushant Sonawale
  • Recorded at Crescendo Studio, Mumbai

00:00:00 Sundar

The voice bank presents Bhagavad Gita for the Creative Soul. Conceived and written by Saurin Desai, narrated by Sheetal Sawhney and Saurin Desai. 

This interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita is not scholarly or literal, but personal and creative, with no intent to hurt the sentiments of any individual, community, or religion?

00:00:26 Sheetal

It is said that the Bhagavad Gita has answers for all and all the answers. Join writer and seeker Saurin Desai, as each week he grapples with thoughts and challenges related to life, work, and creativity, then explore the timeless wisdom of the Gita to discover how to harness creativity with grace, understanding, empathy and timelessness.

00:00:59 Sheetal

Welcome to Bhagavad Gita for the Creative Soul. This is episode 5, managing creative feedback, where Saurin is figuring out how to deal with rejection and criticism of his creative work.

00:01:19 Saurin

Even after 2 decades of writing and having it criticized and rejected by others, I'm bewildered and even upset when I face criticism and rejection.

00:01:30 Saurin

It still feels personal.

00:01:32 Saurin

And it should, shouldn't it?

00:01:34 Saurin

After all, how will it be my best work if I do not feel for it? I'm not proud of it and will not fight for it.

00:01:43 Saurin

One of the worst experiences of my professional life was when a client told me I had a poor command of English and should stop writing for a living.

00:01:52 Saurin

You might say we all have such experiences when we start our creative journeys.

00:01:57 Saurin

Yes, but this happened not in 2001, but in 2021.

00:02:03 Saurin

Now I have received plenty of appreciation for my work over the years.

00:02:07 Saurin

However, this incident devastated me, and I brooded for days.

00:02:13 Saurin

It did work out well. In the end, the work was approved and praised, which was more of a relief than anything else.

00:02:21 Saurin

As I reflected upon it, it struck me as strange that criticism from someone who was neither a friend nor a mentor could affect me so much.

00:02:31 Saurin

And equally, I craved praise and validation from a stranger.

00:02:37 Saurin

Was this situation common among all creatives?

00:02:40 Saurin

And if so?

00:02:41 Saurin

How was I supposed to stay creative yet productive? If my sense of self imagines itself to be a boat with a steady rudder, but is actually a plank floating in a sea of insecurities?

00:02:54 Saurin

Interestingly, there were times when I even offered to pay back the advance after completing most of the work because certain clients were unhappy with aspects of the work.

00:03:03 Saurin

Getting appreciated had become a drug that I sought, and the following verse is helping me detoxify.

00:03:18 Sheetal

mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ 
āgamāpāyino'nityās tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata ॥ 2.14 ॥

00:03:35 Sheetal

Chapter 2, Verse 14

00:03:40 Sheetal

O son of Kuntī, when the senses come in contact with the sense objects, one experiences heat, cold, pleasure, and pain. Such experiences are temporary and impermanent like the changing seasons, so tolerate them patiently, O descendant of Bharata.

00:04:05 Saurin

What I got from the shlok is that both compliments and criticism are temporary, and ultimately, an illusion. And it is in my larger interest to stay balanced and composed when receiving them.

00:04:20 Saurin

If I get affected by criticism, then I will focus less on the work at hand and more on what I could have done or should have said, becoming insecure and eager to avoid a similar situation during the next interaction.

00:04:34 Saurin

In writer and artist Elbert Hubbard’s words, “to escape criticism—do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.”

00:04:42 Saurin

Equally, wanting to be complemented would mean that my self-worth was externally dependent.

00:04:49 Saurin

I would chase carrots rather than focusing on the task at hand, which was as much about writing for the client as it was about writing for the client’s customers. In fact, more so.

00:05:00 Saurin

Now I look at the 2 with a different perspective.

00:05:03 Saurin

Rejections are like a speed bump that slows me down but won't stop me as long as I keep moving and appreciation is like a downward slope where I can enjoy the ride, but it won't last forever. And I still must keep my eyes on the road and my hands on the wheel.

00:05:23 Saurin

Thank you for your time and attention. The greatest gift you can give me. I am Saurin Desai, and each week I delve into the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Together, let's create a community of creative souls on this journey of self-discovery and growth. 

00:05:41 Saurin

If you have any thoughts, questions, or feedback, reach me at gitacreativesoul@gmail.com.

And from this moment onward, I am on a quest to deal with rejection and criticism of my creative work, without tearing up or tearing the other person up.

00:06:06 Sundar

You were listening to Bhagavad Gita for the Creative Soul.

Produced by The Voice Bank. Conceptualized & written by Saurin Desai. Voiced by Sheetal Sawhney & Saurin Desai. Directed by Sundar Sethuraman. Executive producer: Rashmi Sundaram. Special advisor: Kushagra Singh. Music by Sushant Sonawale & Dhirendra. Recorded by Tejas Jadhav and Agnel George. Sound Designing & mixing by Sushant Sonawale. Recorded at Crescendo Studios, Mumbai. Text copyright Saurin Desai. Sound recording copyright: The Voice Bank.