Bhagavad Gita for the Creative Soul

Ep 10 - Embracing Failure for Creative Growth

• The Voice Bank • Season 1 • Episode 10

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In Episode 10, Saurin explores the art of persevering versus seeking new paths in his creative journey. Drawing profound insights from the Bhagavad Gita, and inspired by Chapter 2, Verse 40, he confronts the fear of failure and reshapes his perspective on setbacks. And with a strategy centered on curiosity, learning, play, and seeking feedback, he invites you to embrace failures as stepping stones on the path of creative growth.

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 explores 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 ten, "embracing failure for creative growth ", and Saurin is figuring out when to persevere and when to pursue a different path.

00:01:20 Saurin

Ever since I can remember, I have avoided or hidden my failures. Failing is never fun, and I have always been a sore loser. 

00:01:29 Saurin

As a kid, I would play to not lose, and maybe I still do. That meant passing up any opportunities to lead, whether in a class or on the field.

00:01:41 Saurin

And if I was repeatedly unsuccessful at something like chess, I gave it up.

00:01:46 Saurin

I used to believe that celebrating failures was an oxymoron. Why should anyone rejoice in the absence of success? Why should anyone celebrate the lack of achievement?

00:01:56 Saurin

Let's stop here for a moment. You say celebrating failures means acknowledging that failing forward is inevitable on the path of learning and must be considered as stepping stones.

00:02:07 Saurin

But what if failing repeatedly in something simply means that I'm not cut out for it?

00:02:12 Saurin

As WC fields would say, if at first you don't succeed, try try again, then quit. No use being a damn fool about it. Celebrating my failures would only lead to frustration and disappointment.

00:02:26 Saurin

So, what should I do? How do I balance between persevering and recognizing when it's time to pursue a different path?

00:02:34 Saurin

The following verse throws some light.

00:02:46 Sheetal

nehābhikrama-nāśo'sti pratyavāyo na vidyate। 
 svalpam apy asya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt।।

00:03:00 Sheetal

Chapter 2, verse 40.

00:03:04 Sheetal

On this path, there is no failure, and no effort is ever wasted. 
 Even a small progress will protect one from great fears.

00:03:18 Saurin

The answer is simple, though not easy.

00:03:20 Saurin

If I'm on the path of creative growth, there is no failure, and no effort is ever wasted. Even the smallest progress will protect me from the death of my creativity.

00:03:32 Saurin

The question then is not about balancing between persevering and pursuing a different path, but whether I'm on my creative journey or not.

00:03:41 Saurin

And if I am, then as Samuel Beckett would say, try again, fail again, fail better.

00:03:49 Saurin

And this is how I will do so.

00:03:51 Saurin

Redefine my creative journey: It is nice to say as long as I'm on my creative path. But I must know my path and then continually measure and course-correct.

00:04:04 Saurin

Embrace curiosity: I have always considered being curious to be my superpower. But as it happens with such abilities, I've been taking it for granted. 

00:04:14 Saurin

Invest time to learn: I've invested a lot of money and effort to gather the resources that will help me with my creativity, but I'm skimping on the time and attention to be put in on a daily basis

00:04:30 Saurin

Play: I will try something new each time experimenting with different mediums of expression and pushing my creative boundaries. 

00:04:38 Saurin

Seek feedback: I had spoken in episode five about how I'm working on managing creative feedback and dealing with rejection and criticism of my creative work.

00:04:48 Saurin

Embrace failure: If I do not fail regularly during these experiments, it would tell me that I'm operating within my comfort zone, and that I'm not challenging myself enough. I must push myself beyond my limits so that I stretch until I fall.

00:05:06 Saurin

And why do we fall?

In the words of Thomas Wayne from Batman Begins, so that we can learn to pick ourselves up.

00:05:14 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. If you have any thoughts, questions, or feedback, reach me at gitacreativesoul@gmail.com.

And from this moment onward I'm on a quest to celebrate my failures. As long as I stay on the creative path.

00:05:52 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.