What comes to mind when I think of critical thinking is the analysing facts, questioning ideas, & checking for bias. I viewed it as a method to break down arguments & check their logic. During the class, I discovered that critical thinking goes beyond scepticism. It involves keeping an open-mind & trying to see things from different angles. I also learned that critical thinking means knowing my own limits &  always questioning my beliefs.

As for mindfulness, I thought it meant just relaxing or meditating. Now I understand &  that it is about staying in the moment & noticing my thoughts & feelings without judging them. I have discovered that doing mindfulness can boost my focus & cut down stress, which matters for learning. I can bring mindfulness into my studies by taking deep breaths before I start doing anything, having short breaks to keep me calm, & making an effort to stay focused.

"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes."

Lastly, an eventful moment that I experienced in the class was probably the 'Pooja Nasni' video that was played. I realised that embracing difficulties is crucial as it allows room for improvement & self exploration. Asking questions such as "Where am I?" & "What is my lens?" prompted me to reflect on my environment, emotions, cultural background &  how they shape my view. I want to be able to incorporate who I am as a person into what I am doing. But before I can do that I need to know myself, which I still do not know how to navigate.

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