Ivan M. Granger September 14th, 2009
I was introduced to this video by Johnny Mg Kwlmann, a delightful musical rendition of the recently featured poem by Bulleh Shah:
Ivan M. Granger September 7th, 2009
Something to get your toes tapping today. Give a listen!
Ivan M. Granger August 24th, 2009
The son of a Hong Kong gangster has to hide out in the mountains of Taiwan. This bored troublemaker from the city joins a Zen drumming troupe and slowly discovers rhythm and stillness. I just watched the DVD — a wonderful movie. Highly recommended!
Ivan M. Granger July 31st, 2009
One love, one heart,
Let’s get together
and feel alright…
Ivan M. Granger July 9th, 2009
This is an excerpt from an interview with the poet David Whyte on New Dimensions Radio. Short, but worth listening to. He reads his poem, “Everything is Waiting for You.”
The images in the video have no relationship with the interview, but taunt your brain to find a relationship where none exists.
The central work of my life is to get poetry to as many people as possible in whatever world they live in because it’s such a life saver… It gives you a language that makes you able for the world, large enough for it, and not to hide from it.
- David Whyte
Ivan M. Granger June 26th, 2009
In the realm of the passing away
by Stephen Levine
This is the realm of the passing away. All that
exists does not for long.
Whatever comes into this world never stops sliding
toward the edge of eternity.
Form arises from formlessness and passes back,
arising and dissolving in a few dance steps between
creation and destruction.
We are born passing away.
Seedlings and deadfall all face forward.
Earthworms eat what remains.
We sing not for that which dies but for that which
never dies.
— from Breaking the Drought: Visions of Grace, by Stephen Levine
/ Photo by tipoyock /
Whatever comes into this world never stops sliding
toward the edge of eternity.
Yesterday was a strange day of famous deaths. I woke up and found out that Ed McMahon had died the day before. Then I heard about Farrah Fawcett’s passing. In the afternoon, checking out friends’ comments on Facebook, I started to see messages about “Michael” and “Thriller.” Were they saying that Michael Jackson had died too? A few searches on the Internet, and I found out that, yes, Michael Jackson had unexpectedly died. To add to that, I then was told that the actor Jeff Goldblum had died by falling off a cliff, only to find out later that he had been injured but did not die.
Now, I can’t say I felt a really strong personal connection to these famous figures, but by the end of the day I could feel the world’s shock, especially over Michael Jackson’s death. It would seem strange not to mention such a significant death in today’s email.
In his personal life, Michael Jackson seemed eccentric and haunted, and accusations raised troubling questions. But frankly I don’t know enough about the private man to comment or pass judgment. His genius as a singer and dancer can’t be denied, however. I remember his performance at the Motown awards, singing “Billie Jean” wearing a single sequined glove, and sliding a smooth moonwalk across the stage. A revolution exploded in music and dance at that very moment, the repercussions of which are still reverberating through pop culture today.
Michael Jackson is one of those rare figures, like Bob Marley, Elvis, John Lennon, a defining figure for the entire world. There is a reason that we call the ultra famous “stars.” They are like the planets in astrology; they embody for the world a certain archetypal energy. But that makes normal human relationships next to impossible for these people. We relate to the archetypal aura and not the person. Culture bearers are adored by millions and intimate with none.
This archetypal role they play is also why their deaths are so traumatic to the world. Archetypes are, by their nature, eternal energies of the soul. So when a person embodying a particular archetype dies, the world feels a rupture, the planetary psyche feels disoriented and fragmented. How can that which we instinctively know to be eternal disappear from our midst? But what really happens is that the archetypal energy is released, returned back to each of us. Having seen it enacted outside of ourselves, we are again reminded to look within ourselves for those same qualities.
So, today, sing! Hooo! And dance! Maybe try a moonwalk in socks across the kitchen floor…
Ivan M. Granger June 22nd, 2009
The great tabla player, Zakir Hussain, accompanied by Japanese taiko drums. Hope you enjoy.
Ivan M. Granger May 27th, 2009
I haven’t yet seen this movie, but I’m fascinated by the imagery in the trailer…
You can find out more about this movie from Pakistan at www.kashfthemovie.com
A description of the story from the website:
Unlike the violent and extremist image of Pakistan in the media, KASHF - THE UNVELING takes us on a journey exploring the mystical side of Islam.
Armaghan is born out of an oath his mother makes to a Pir (Holy man) she meets at a Sufi Shrine when she is childless. She promises the Pir who blesses her to let her child “walk the path” when he grows up. Armaghan ‘the gift’ is born in Pakistan but sent off to the US to live with relatives after his father’s death. He returns to Pakistan after 25 years unaware of the family secret about to change his life…
Ivan M. Granger May 5th, 2009
My friend Sandeep introduced me to this video: Central Station of Antwerp, more than 200 dancers, Do Re Mi… This’ll put a smile on your face!
Ivan M. Granger May 1st, 2009
Sent to me by Eliana Gilad (who also created the lovely background music). A quiet video, and quietly inspiring. A meeting of Jewish and Arab peace activists commemorating the pain and loss on all sides of the Israeli / Palestinian conflict.
Ivan M. Granger April 11th, 2009
Stand By Me from David Johnson on Vimeo.
I came across this video just this morning, and trust me, you’ll be moved by this patchwork performance of “Stand by Me” with singers and street musicians from all over the world.
A good reminder too to keep a little extra change in your pocket for the next time you pass by a musician busking on the street corner. They fill our world with music.
Ivan M. Granger April 5th, 2009
I received the link to this beautiful video a few days ago, and just now got around to watching it. I found Don Taxo’s gentle energies and quiet wisdom to be deeply moving. I hope you do too.
Don Alverto Taxo, a Quichua elder and Iachak (community leader/healer) from Ecuador, speaks of the ancient prophecy of the eagle and the condor meeting to bring a new harmony into the world. Don Alverto invites us all to trust the universal human intuition to bring greater harmony into our lives, and to seek after life’s deeper meaning.
Ivan M. Granger March 6th, 2009
A reminder to breathe. And a reminder that our breath is part of the planet’s breath. From the folks at Greenpeace.
Ivan M. Granger February 15th, 2009
The Buddhas say, “Come and dance!”
A beautiful video of Tibetan Buddhist culture and dance, set to a gentle trance groove, and the modern Buddhist teacher Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche reading one of his poems. I think you’ll like this one.
The Sakyong, Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche is one of the most respected lamas in Tibetan Buddhism. In addition to his role as teacher and spiritual guide, he is also a poet and artist, and an athlete who runs marathons to raise money in support of Tibet and its people. He is the son of the much-loved, but somewhat controversial Tibetan Buddhist teacher, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
His title “The Sakyong” means literally “Earth Protector,” and he is considered a spiritual king in the Shambhala tradition that emphasizes courage in the spiritual journey through earthly life.
If you’d like to learn more about Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, check out his website at www.mipham.com.
If you’d like to read more, here are a few of his books. The second two are collections of his poetry:
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Ruling Your World by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche |
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Smile of the Tiger by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche |
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Snow Lion’s Delight by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche |
—
(Thanks, Jill, for sending me this video link!)
Ivan M. Granger February 1st, 2009
A fascinating, experimental animated short about the struggles and breakthroughs of the creative process by the young South American animator Carlos Lascano. I hope it helps you find a window of insight… and inspiration.
Ivan M. Granger January 27th, 2009
“Little Wing” was always my favorite Jimi Hendrix song. There’s something so dream-like to its words and soft groove, but with the quiet growl of Hendrix’s guitar that threatens but never quite roars.
Well, this is not your typical version of Little Wing. Jason Arimoto (http://www.myspace.com/jasonarimoto) gives us a quiet, almost meditative version, but still just that hint of something bigger rumbling beneath the surface — and only playing ukulele. Give it a listen. You’ll be surprised. I guarantee a smile on your face.
Well she’s walking through the clouds
With a circus mind thats running round
Butterflies and zebras
And moonbeams and fairy tales
That’s all she ever thinks about
Riding with the wind.
When I’m sad, she comes to me
With a thousand smiles, she gives to me free
It’s alright she says it’s alright
Take anything you want from me, anything
Anything.
Fly on little wing,
Yeah yeah, yeah, little wing
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