Requiem for a dream [film]

I wanted to know what it would be like to go through an addiction.
I looked up 'best films addiction'
So there it went, 101 minutes of a clear picture.

I guess that's the strongest type of addiction a person can go through. I have a personal friend who went through a similar help although with (I am guessing) more help from family and friends than the characters of the film.

In the end, all that the mother wanted was that love and close relationship with her son. She could have had it if they both listened.

One of the most impacting images is the last one of the Tyronne who cuddles into a little ball, like a child.

It portrays how fragile we are in the end.
How small and yet all-encompassing our inner world and mind is and appears to be.

How we seek so desperately that feeling of bliss, love, connection, purpose (as Sara Goldfarb said, it gives me a reason to lose weight).

I have never been addicted to any drug. But I am certainly aware of looking to substances to make us feel better. Everything ranging from alcohol, coffee, chocolate, cookies, etc. Who decides which substances are deamed acceptable and which don't?

I think our best guide in our lives can be found in our communion either with nature or your own self in silence.

I don't know why, I feel that we all are a little lost. Yet we have the answers inside. I'd love to write a coherent response after watching this film but this is response is what rose immediately. I'd rather not meddle with it as of now.

Before watching this film I saw a beautiful youtube video on addiction: "addiction begins with pain and ends with pain." Instead of asking why, or who's to blaim, it's best to help the person be with their pain instead of trying to run away from it. 'The sure

Addictions are attempts to soothe the pain.

So it all links back to what seems to be our everlasting quest for happiness. Thinner? Richer? Smarter? Braver? Invincible.

These things I say to myself:
Then get to know your self, that's a quest of a lifetime. And commune with nature, it's the simplest way to connect back. Or help out, be there for somebody else (this helps to burst the bubble that your inner world is so goddam important). You're one in

But you're also here. Now. So there must be something to do, something to learn? Something to give, something to improve, something to shine on focus. Who knows. 

You do. If you start listening.

ALSO, this is a really good video on addiction, at least I read the description, haven't seen it all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3p_LuTM73k

QUOTES The Tempest

Prospero:
We are such stuff
as dreams are made on,
and our little life
is rounded with a sleep.

Miranda:
O wonder
how many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world
That has such people in't.

in flame

Mother: It's all a leap in the dark, dear. You spend your whole life leaping.

ConstructionWork Meditation

Construction work in the field in front of my bedroom. Remodeling of the floor above.


The noise has gotten so intense that I cannot get mad at it anymore. It's funny for I have a feeling that it is my hammering thoughts have been translated into the physical realm.


I guess it could be worse.

And then, I stand corrected:

peace.

it does not mean to be in a place

where there is no noise, trouble

or hard work. it means to be in

the midst of those things and still

be calm in your heart.

(Unknown)

Zeitgeist - Part 1

Zeitgeist states that basically all the stories of the bible are copied from pagan rituals, ceremonies and traditions. So the historical Jesus might have not actually existed, just made up to mimic the story of Horus, the Sun God of Egypt. Meaning it all comes down to the movements of the sun across the starry sky.

The video is extremely interesting as it states similarities between veneered people throughout history; even Krishna (900BC) and Mithra (1200 BC, Persia), as well as Jesus Christ. Apparently all these characters where born of a virgin, performed miracles, died and after 3 days resurrected. I wont tell you anything more about the video, you can watch it yourself, which will be much more didactic. Click here to see the video.

For those who have watched it:


This video does not have to be a shocking display of information in terms of spirituality. What if the Jesus from Christianity did not really exist? Does that take away the credibility of your spiritual life?

I do believe that in the past Christianity was used as a medium to control the people and exercise power. The inquisition and crusades as probably the two strongest examples. I believe religion is helpful when it comes to encouraging people to become better human beings and search for the light, or inner peace or God within themselves. But, as I said, a religion loses this whenever it tries to judge what's right, what's wrong and, well, control people.

In truth, I do not follow any religion altogether. I find it a bit presumptuous to even think that one doctrine can be a perfect fit for more than one person. Isn't each person unique? Each person has his or her own path to follow anyways; each person will experience falls and moments of truth or discovery.

Therefore, religions might become fragile in the eye of a historian or scientist, or anyone. We have to remember that all the spiritual leaders (let's not question their existence right this instant to get to the point) said that we should not worship them as physical beings. We should admire their teachings; the truths that helped the people 'see' God/whatevernameyouwanttochoose.

Buddha said so, yet people still do pilgrimages to where parts of his body lie. I am not criticizing this, I am merely saying that we should remember what's truly important.

In this sense, if we are made in God's image and likeness, then we have that divine essence within us, with us. At all times.

What is important then is to try to feel that presence of God through us. I believe this can be achieved through meditation which is known as the 'progressive silencing of the mind'. This can be done using mantras, or repeating a syllable or saying prayers repeatedly as with the rosary in the Catholic religion.

By doing this we become aware of the present moment. All our concentration in this sole, present moment, allowing us to not fuss too much over the future or the past. This is the essence of the ending of suffering as well (and the beginning of true life).

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.

A couple of days ago, I saw on T.V. a show called 'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding'.

What a controversial show. Partly because of the secretiveness of their society, have so few 'outsiders' ever gotten to know their ways of being. I'm not here to describe you the show; either you have already seen it and this would be mere, senseless repetition, or you have not seen it and should do so, for any attempt of description falls short for the uniqueness of this show.

I could not help but notice that almost all the 'travelers' (synonym of Gypsy) had a fervent need to preserve their culture. I believe this to be the root of the problem these people. And yet this is far too common in almost all societies. The famous 'nostalgia' that romantics have, and the people that so desperately try to keep things as they are - alias, Holden Caulfield and his inability to accept change, reflected on his love for museums 'where nothing ever changes'.

The issue here is that this goes precisely against one of the most important truths in life. Everything, absolutely everything is forever changing. Thanks to Charles Darwin who disseminated this concept in the world of his time, we know that species evolve. Even us, human beings, are immersed in such change (just a site that talks about this: http://web4health.info/en/aux/homo-sapiens-future.html). Likewise, all successful businessmen know that the their companies need to be adaptable and flexible to new situations and markets in order to survive the passage of time. 

Perhaps we should not be afraid of change. We should embrace it. We could certainly write about the past, paint it or remember it (mostly through rose-tinted glass), but not expect to maintain a culture exactly as it is for more than its normal lifespan.

Moreover, many traditions distort through time and they no longer make sense. For, in the end, it is we, the ones who are still alive who mold the world and fill it with life. Let us meditate on letting go.

Citas de Juan Salvador Gaviota

Me encuentro leyendo este libro que me acaban de prestar hace unas horas.

Me encanta que sepa que la razón principal de volar no es comer, sino el simple y precioso hecho de volar. Como el fin o propósito de nuestra vida no es ganar dinero, por ejemplo, sino disfrutar de ella!

Como dice el autor, "este modo de pensar, descubrió, no es la manera que uno se hace popular entre los demás pájaros".

"hay tanto que aprender!" 

Quisiera compartir algunas de las frases que mas me han impactado:

Cuando descubrió y perfecciono el arte de volar y quería contárselo a la bandada; "Podremos alzarnos sobre nuestra ignorancia, podremos descubrirnos como criaturas de perfección, inteligencia y habilidad. Podremos ser libres! Podremos aprender a volar!"

Después de ser desterrado, "Juan Gaviota descubrió que el aburrimiento y el miedo y la ira, son las razones por las que la vida de una gaviota es tan corta, y al desaparecer aquellas de su pensamiento, tuvo por cierto una vida larga y buena".

Conversando con la Gaviota Mayor sabia, " las gaviotas que desprecian la perfeccion por el gusto de viajar, no llegan a ninguna parte, y lo hacen lentamente. Las que se olvidan de viajar por alcanzar la perfeccion, llegan a todas partes."

Ya cerca del final de la historia "tienes la libertad de ser tú mismo, tu verdadero ser, aquí y ahora, y no hay nada que te lo pueda impedir. Esa es la ley de la Gran Gaviota, la Ley que Es".

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