Windhorse (1998)

Windhorse (1998)
A remarkable film produced under remarkable conditions, Windhorse dares to present a realistic and scathingly critical depiction of Chinese oppression in Tibet. It's obvious from the opening credits that director Paul Wagner (Oscar®-winning producer of the 1984 documentary short The Stone Carvers) has a message to deliver about the plight of Tibet, and his clunky filmmaking serves a formulaic, melodramatic story. Set in 1998, it's a simple tale, accessible to a wide audience, in which a young Tibetan singer named Dolkar (Dadon) is a rising star on the Chinese-owned nightclub circuit, growing too comfortable with her own integration into Chinese society in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa. Her grandfather had been killed by the Chinese in 1959 for protesting against Chinese occupation, and now, 18 years later, her brother Dorjee (Jampa Kelsang) is aimless and unemployed, hating the Chinese and powerless to do anything about it. Their cousin Pema (played by an actress who must remain unidentified) is a Tibetan nun who is imprisoned and severely beaten for her outspoken protest against China and defiant embrace of the Dalai Lama as her religious leader. She is released to her family, weakened and on the verge of death, and her testimony about Chinese brutality is videotaped by a sympathetic American tourist (Teije Silverman). In depicting this dangerous activity, Windhorse becomes a vehicle for global awareness of Tibet's ongoing oppression. This personal history and family turmoil provides an intimate perspective on the Tibetan cause, and much of the film was shot illegally in Tibet with digital home-video cameras, under the noses of the Chinese police. Many of the Tibetan actors and crewmembers remain unnamed in the credits to protect their identities, and this clandestine production strategy gives Windhorse a sense of urgent authenticity, also resulting in a variety of interesting anecdotes in Wagner's audio commentary, recorded with cowriter/coproducer Julia Elliot and exiled Tibetan cowriter Thupten Tsering. The result is more of a human-rights treatise than a truly satisfying movie, but Windhorse retains enough dramatic impact to provide a powerful and still controversial look at a political crisis that remains stubbornly unsolved.

http://btjunkie.org/torrent/Windhorse-1998/4432954407b5b35a8a42bad11852f8ae675a4ece120c

Krishnamurti Interviews - PBS 1974 (18 episodes)

Not sure why I haven't thought of including any Krishnamurti in this blog? I was really into him 10 years ago but I settled into a Zen practice. But if you've never heard K speak hes a breath of fresh air. Special thanks to Craig for pointing this one out!

At a time of unprecedented outer change in the political and social atmospheres, is there a fundamental inner change that is demanded of each one of us? In the eighteen dialogues with Professor Allan W. Anderson, Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies at San Diego State University, J. Krishnamurti indicates that pinning our hopes on organized religion, science, political ideology or the market economy not only fails to address basic human problems but actually creates them. The way out of our difficulties, Krishnamurti states, can only start in the mind of each one of us, in awareness of the way we actually perceive life, ourselves and others. Professor Anderson, throughout these dialogues, refers to many passages of Western and Eastern religious scriptures that he believes have been misunderstood and which in fact support Krishnamurti's statements. The dialogues took place at San Diego State University from 18 to 28 February 1974.

Torrent

Pilgrimage - A Josh Lowell Film

When I'm not sitting in front of my computer or on my Zafu.
I'm outside in nature and one of favorite things to do is climb. This documentary about world class climber, and self professed Buddhist, Chris Sharma, is an excellent insight into the climbers mind. Shot in Hampi, India.

This groundbreaking climbing movie combines world-class action with a rare and inspiring view into the mind of this extraordinary climber. Along with friends Katie Brown and Nate Gold, Sharma has come to explore the infinite possibilities of this place among ancient Hindu temples

Chris Sharma is known for his spiritual nature and climbing philosophy as expounded in a journal commissioned by Climbing Magazine in 2003. He often uses visualization and meditation techniques before attempting especially difficult routes or boulder problems, and becomes very personally invested in projects, sometimes attempting them for weeks or months before attaining the ascent (see Realization and Es Pontas).

http://thepiratebay.org/tor/3325299/Pilgrimage.3325299.TPB.torrent

Rapidshare

Metta Meditation: Opening the Heart

This is the second gem I found today. Once again a short film about Metta Meditation and community service.

Metta means loving kindness and is a simple, direct and reasonable meditation practice that opens the heart in friendliness to oneself, to others, and to all of life. When practiced mindfully, metta develops tranquility and concentration, provides a way to work with anger and fear, and serves as a means to experience the interrelatedness of life. Traditionally, metta mediation is taught by stories from personal experience - stories that elucidate the method and meaning of the practice, as well as bringing much laughter and, sometimes, poignant tears.

Sylvia Boorstein is a best-selling author and contributor to the Shambhala Sun. Her books include That’s Funny, You Don’t Look Buddhist, and the up-coming Pay Attention, For Goodness Sake. Sylvia is a psychotherapist, and is a teacher and co-founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin, California, as well as a senior teacher at the Insight Meditation Center in Barre, Massachusetts. She is both a sought after Buddhist teacher and an observant Jew.

BTJunkie

Zen Buddhism: Chop Wood, Carry Water

Zen Buddhism: Chop Wood, Carry Water
Known for its spare and beautiful aesthetic, the Zen Buddhist practice of zazen embodies a paradoxical approach - “the truth that can be told is not the truth.” The meditation technique is utterly simple, cultivating direct, undiluted, primary experience. The essence of the practice is to relax the mind by not striving, planning, or strategizing, but by acting simply and directly - just sitting, just walking.

Zoketsu Norman Fischer is a Zen priest and abbot, a husband, father, poet, and author. He is a senior dharma teacher a the San Fransisco Zen Center, where he was abbot from 1995-2000. He has published eight volumes of poetry, including the work “Opening to You: Zen-Inspired Translations of the Psalms,” which reflects his interest in interreligious dialogue, as does his work as co-author of “Benedict’s Dharma: Buddhists Comment on the Rule of St. Benedict.” Norman is the founder of the Bay Area’s Everyday Zen Foundation which is dedicated to sharing the Zen attitude, spirit, and practice in a mutually transformative dialogue with the world.

He is also guiding teacher to the Mountain Rain Zen Community in Vancouver, BC; the Bellingham Zen Practice Group in Washington; Mar de Jade in Mexico; and The New York Zen Circle. In 2003, Harper San Fransisco will publish Norman’s new book on spiritual mentoring.

Mininova

YouTube

Words of my Perfect Teacher - Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

Words of my Perfect Teacher - Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
From the World Cup to the mythical mountain kingdom of Bhutan, Words of My Perfect Teacher follows three students on a quest for wisdom. The only catch is the teacher. Soccer obsessed, charismatic filmmaker and citizen of the world, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche may be one of the world’s most eminent Buddhist teachers, but it’s a job description he slyly rejects at every turn. Featuring appearances by Bernardo Bertolucci and Steven Seagal. Filmed in the UK, Bhutan, Canada, the US, and the World Cup playoffs in Germany. Set to a world beat with music by Sting, Tara Slone & Joy Drop, Steve Tibbets, U.Man.Tek, Kunga 19, and others. Words of My Perfect Teacher is for those who wish they’d met Yoda or Merlin, and long for the opportunity to engage with a teacher who defies convention. Words of My Perfect Teacher was made during the course of a year that included attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, months of tension as India and Pakistan went to the brink of nuclear war, a stock market drop that plunged the world to new depths of economic uncertainty, and the US war on Iraq. If ever there was a time to inspire students to "wake up" and learn the wisdom necessary to engage in compassionate activity, this was that year. The film’s point of view is inspired by Buddhist philosophy — which says that we can’t really change human behavior until we learn to deal with our mind. The mind is the starting point of all suffering and the source of closed hearts and entrenched views. Buddhist philosophy also says that to study the mind and walk a path toward enlightenment, you need a teacher. Though filmmaker Lesley Ann Patten sets out to make a film about her teacher, Khyentse Norbu, he soon turns the tables, and the film becomes part of the filmmaker’s own quest for spiritual growth. Words of My Perfect Teacher lets us share this quest as we accompany Patten on a delightful and intimate adventure.

BTJunkie

Secret Towers Of The Himalayas (Discovery 2003)

Secret Towers Of The Himalayas (Discovery 2003)
Frederique Darragon is a French explorer known for her documentary film The Secret Towers of the Himalayas, which chronicled her expedition of the mystifying stone towers of Sichuan and Tibet. She wrote a book also titled The Secret Towers of the Himalayas. She is founder and president of the Unicorn Foundation, where profits from the film were contributed. She is the co-founder of the Sichuan University Unicorn Heritage Institute.

She made several important discoveries. By carbon-dating bits of wood from the internal structure of the towers, she confirmed that they were built 500 to 1,100 years ago. The fact that many of the towers have survived hundreds of earthquakes and tremors over the years, is probably due to their star-shaped design as well as to their construction method which intersperses masonry with wood planks or beams – an anti-seismic technique specific to this part of China and still employed in the region today. Combined with the vast numbers and size of the towers, this is evidence that a sophisticated civilization once existed in these remote areas.

Darragon believes these areas are now sure to become a major tourist attraction and has lobbied for the towers to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their protection and preservation.

ISO Hunt

Himalaya Soundtrack - Bruno Coulais

Himalaya Soundtrack - Bruno Coulais
Using Tibetan incantations, Mr. Bruno Coulais has composed some of the best musical scores I have ever listened. Every piece of music depicts the real life struggles of these people of Dolpo. The compositions are so strong, so natural, sometimes so haunting, it draws you ever closer to these people. To those magnificent and breathtaking sceneries, Mr. Coulais has added another dimension; his music tells the story, the drama, the struggles of life in its true authentic way of life of the Tibetans. With each piece of music you travel along with the caravan, singing their songs, sharing their moments of joy and sorrow. Unlike other soundtracks this one really belongs to the people of Dolpo.

TPB

Rapidshare 1
Rapidshare 2
Rapidshare 3

Adi Shankaracharya (1983)

Adi Shankaracharya (1983)
Based of the life of one of the greatest thinkers the Indian sub-continent has ever know, Adi Shankarcharya is a stunning achievement in the annals of world cinema. It is also the only film ever made in the classical Sanskrit language. By the 8th century, Hinduism had become a slave to Brahim cults rather than as the all - embracing philosophy of mankind that it was originally conceived as and was thelogically challenged by other belief system including Buddhism. It was into this scenario that Shankaracharya was born. His father made him practice Brahmin rituals. Upon his father's death, the young Shankaracharya was led to reflect upon life and death, the body and soul through philosophical texts. In a quest to broaden his knowledge, he renounced the world and set out on a life and mind affirming journey with death and wisdom as his twin companions. On the way he wrote several commentaries that have changed the way mankind looks at religion and theism and the eternal quest for inner turth. Today there are several centers across the world devoted to the propagation of Shankaracharya's teachings Director : G. V. Iyer himself renowned as the philosopher - Filmmaker of Indian cinema- treats the subject with the asceticism it deserves yet makes it accessible. Accompanied by a resonant soundtrack of Chandts based on the Indian Vedas, The film works both as and audio - visual cinematic experience and as a profound journey of the mind. Adi Shankaracharya was deservedly given the Indian national Award for Best Feature Film, Best Cinematography, Best Audiography and Best Screenplay

http://www.mininova.org/tor/976220

Himalaya with Michael Palin (2004)

You might think that Michael Palin has visited pretty much every nook and cranny of the globe by now, but not so: he's managed to find a few previously unexplored hectares in Himalaya, his latest jaunt for the BBC. Here the format, established originally in his Phileas Fogg-inspired Around the World in 80 Days, remains unchanged: always affable, seemingly unflappable, Palin journeys through the various countries along the world's greatest mountain range, getting friendly with everyone he meets and offering gently witty, gently affectionate observations on the customs and cultures he encounters. From the Khyber Pass through dangerous territory along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, via Nepal then up into Tibet to Everest and down into China, and finally to Bangladesh, Palin is, as ever, unfazed by whatever the world has to throw at him, be it chaotic bull-racing in Peshawar, the threat of kidnap by Maoist rebels in Nepal, Tibetan Yak herding, or rafting down the Yangtze. Even if both the once indefatigable traveller and the programme format itself seem a little tired at times (in Palin's case probably a side-effect of the high altitudes), the trek still provides manna from heaven for armchair travellers.

http://thepiratebay.org/tor/3325166/_Himalaya__with_Michael_Palin_-_2004.3325166.TPB.torrent