Birders: The Central Park Effect

Coleen and I watched a documentary produced by HBO called "Birders: The Central Park Effect". I am not sure why films like this seems to grab me. First of all, I love the fact that there are enthusiasts about little, quirky things like birds. It is beautiful to watch the birds through the seasons. If I lived in New York, I'd like to believe that I would need to be close to that park to maintain my touch with reality.

The Flower Sermon

Among adherents of Zen, the origin of Zen Buddhism is ascribed to a story, known in English as the Flower Sermon, in which Śākyamuni Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) transmits direct prajñā (wisdom) to the disciple Mahākāśyapa. In the original Sino-Japanese, the story is called nengemishō (literally "pick up flower, subtle smile"). In the story, Śākyamuni gives a wordless sermon to his disciples (sangha) by holding up a white flower. No one in the audience understands the Flower Sermon except Mahākāśyapa, who smiles. Within Zen, the Flower Sermon communicates the ineffable nature of tathātā (suchness) and Mahākāśyapa's smile signifies the direct transmission of wisdom without words. Śākyamuni affirmed this by saying: I possess the true Dharma eye, the marvelous mind of Nirvana, the true form of the formless, the subtle [D]harma [G]ate that does not rest on words or letters but is a special transmission outside of the scriptures. This I entrust to Mahākāśyapa.-Wikipedia

meaning for life

People say that what we're all seeking is a meaning for life. I don't think that's what we're really seeking. I think what we're seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonance within our own innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive. That's what it's all finally about. -Joseph Campbell

Elliott Smith - Miss Misery - Oscar 1998

Grouper - Alien Observer

Six Organs of Admittance - River of Transfiguration

David Lynch - On the Air - 1992, Part 1 of 4

Shortly after Twin Peaks in 1992, David Lynch and Mark Frost created "On the Air". Only seven episodes were made, and only three played in the US. David Lynch directed the first episode. He is credited with writing the first and seventh episode. Click on the title for a you tube clip.

Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.-William Shakespeare, Macbeth

The Twilight of the American Culture

"If social inequality is on the rise, for example, then the attempt to close the gap between the rich and poor-the socialist tradition-is one of our greatest treasures. If corporate values are turning our citizens into mindless consumers, then the healthy "elitist" intellectual tradition of our civilization-history, philosophy, literature-is another treasure we have to fight for, and hand down. If the masses zone out on Titanic and Wayne's World at the cineplex, there is the whole world of Truffaut and Kurosawa, which could conceiveable inspire a new generation of filmmakers and moviegoers." -Morris Berman

"The purpose of education is not to provide ultimate answers; it is to enhance one's sense of understanding without dashing one's sense of mystery and wonder."-Howard Gardner

Queen to Play

A film I have been meaning to write about for sometime now is Queen to Play, directed by Caroline Bottaro, starring Sandrine Bonnaire and Kevin Kline. Sandrine stars as Helene, a maid who becomes interested in chess. The plot at times is a stretch but Sandrine wins you over as Helene. Kevin Kline brings to life his "French Kiss" alter-ego, Kroger, and teaches Helene the ins and outs of chess. Her husband suspects there is a liaison going on. And in a way there is. Chess transforms the life of Helene and shows her there is more to herself than she believed. There are many interesting dynamics at play in this movie: a woman at the hotel; Helene and Kroger; Helene and her husband; and Helene and her daughter. In chess, the queen is the most powerful piece. We would all be wiser if we remembered this.