Critical Reflection 1

The Four Noble Truths speak to the reality of suffering and its source in the endless craving and desire we experience. For this assignment, I am asking you to observe your own patterns of craving for two days. In a 900-1200 word reflective essay, please address the following questions: What do you crave? How does it feel when you are craving? What draws you to this craving? Is it something you deem to be good or worthwhile?Is there anything that crosses over from desire to addiction for you? The internet? Your phone? Texting? Coffee? Exercise? TV? Movies? Gambling? Going out? Gaming? The news? Food? Busyness? Being with other people? Being around a particular person? Once you observe your pattern of craving, try stepping back from that craving for short periods of time to observe your reaction to that experience. Are you able to withdraw from the craving? Do you experience agitation or dissatisfaction when you do so? When you return to it, does the experience of satisfying the craving result in contentment or more craving? How did it feel to observe yourself doing things you always do unconsciously? Consider also discretely observing another person briefly for the same patterns and noticing how desire functions in their life. As you observe yourself, do so in a non-judgmental way. Remember, Buddhism critiques how we desire, not what is desired. The goal of the exercise is to become cognizant of the innumerable little and big things we are always wanting, desiring, grasping after, and to observe the ways in which we do or do not suffer as a result. It is essentially putting the first two Noble Truths to the test. Be sure that you are making connections to the class readings (no outside sources) as your describe and reflect on your experience. Submit your paper electronically via Canvas under the Critical Reflection #1 assignment. Papers must be uploaded as a .doc, .docx, or .pdf file (not just typed in the Text Submission box, or as a Pages or .rtf file). Each paper should be 900-1200 words, typed, single-spaced, 12-point font, and 1-inch margins. It should be written in polished, academic style. Do not skip lines. In the upper left corner of the paper, give the following information in this format: Name Spring 2026 TH4480 Critical Reflection #1 Failing to meet any of these expectations will result in a loss of points on the assignment. The papers will be graded primarily on depth of reflection (were the questions at hand genuinely engaged and considered, or did the reflection paper show just a passing interaction with it?). **Remember the Honor Code you signed at the start of this semester. All papers will be run through Canvas anti-plagiarism system, which crosschecks submissions against other student papers and websites. The use of generative AI at any stage of the writing process is not permitted. *This assignment is an adaptation of a project described by Fran Grace in her article Learning as a Path, Not a Goal: Contemplative PedagogyIts Principles and Practices, Teaching Theology and Religion 14/2 (April 2011).