Question:

Lama Surya Das:  Word travels slow up here in Tibet. But I wanna give a shout out to femme filmmeditations of recent years including “Rust & Bone” and the original Swedish version of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”.  “Beasts of the Southern Wild”, and “Silver Linings Playbook”, were both very fine; but I genuinely appreciated the samurai bodhisattva-warrior spirit of the heroines in R & B and TGWTDT, who served their own inner integrity without fail and bent over for no one and nothing, even in the face of gravest harm and danger. (Like “Lincoln” in this regard.) In this awakened femme category I also place “Whale Rider”, “Juno”, and—let’s stretch– the original “The Karate Kid” with Ralph Macchio. There’s nothing like a little Cinema Samadhi to relax and focus the heart- mind and spirit, body, energy and soul!

I actually have my own Lama Rating System for filmmeditation, based on how many z’s I produce during the course of a film. If I don’t sleep at all, it’s a no-Z, the top rating—and so on. Lots of zzz’s for… oh, never mind. Back into the great silence.

If these abovementioned films aren’t spiritual enough for the likes of thee, check out “Kundun” by Scorsese, about the Dalai Lama’s early life in Tibet and roots of compassion; or for even more fun, “Kung Fu Panda” with the voice Jack Black.  And—here’s a scoop!– if you’re a fan of either golf or the ancient yet timeless Indian classic holy tale Bhagavad Gita (Song of God), look into Robert Redford’s “The Legend of Bagger Vance” about Rannulph Junuh and his mysterious, magical & dark-hued Krishna-like caddy (played by the wise and insouciant Will Smith.)

Have you seen anything good lately?  Your own suggestions would be most welcome, at http://askthelama.com.

Remember what Yogi B. said in his Diamond Suture: “Life is like a movie, a sitcom, a ball game.”

Submitted via Facebook

Helen writes: At the moment I am pondering the difference between “never give up” and “grasping”. Perhaps you can help me.

Lama Surya Das: This is a juicy subject, well worth pondering.  Holding on too long is one problem, for sure; on the other hand, letting go too soon and too easily is another extreme (unbalance) or mistake.

Firstly, never say never. Or don’t say it much. Or say always much, either.

Discovering right action and appropriateness for yourself as an active agent and being responsible for your own life (and family etc.) is key, via the pathway of your own experience and discernment, inner wisdom and intuition, etc.  This is a moment by moment and day by day process, as well as in regard to decisions with more long term ramifications— like marriage, commitments and projects, leave-taking, divorce, moving house or whatever.

Some people find it quite hard to say no, as you must know,  or to maintain healthy boundaries and balance in relationships, etc. Yet sometimes saying ‘no’ can be quite affirmative, as in learning not to spoil children. Sometimes one makes errors of omission by not doing what actually needs doing, which can be equally destructive—or just unsatisfying—  as errors of commission. Sometimes saying no to someone or something includes and implies a big yes to yourself or to something else more valuable.

Giving up might sound negative, yet letting go and equanimous nonattachment is often helpful and even prescribed.  And surrender of the right kind (and time and place, and for right reasons INCLUDING NO OTHER VIABLE CHOICE) can have great spiritual value and meaningful purpose.

I would say: Never give in to discouragement, and always cultivate an open and clear heart-mind and attitude—IF pressed to use totalizing words like always and never.

Submitted via www.surya.org on April 22, 2013

Posted April 22, 2013

One allegedly violent 19-year-old boy pretty much shut down our fine city of Boston last Friday. Not to mention the terrible damage he and another are believed to have wrought on innocent lives near the marathon finish line on Monday. Now four young people are dead and scores injured as result of the bombing suspects’ actions. Why? Will we ever really know? As authorities are working to get to the bottom of this, and prevent similar possible future crimes, let’s together strive to get to root causes and origins of our violent society and era, and genuinely do something about it.

As our city and surrounding suburban towns were in lockdown, forcing us to hide in our homes and stay off the streets, while the suspect(s) were intensely pursued, I was praying, meditating, counseling people, and holding the victims in my heart. This lockdown is something I have never experienced in this lifetime, even in the Indo-Pakistani War — with blackouts every night — or when I lived in India under Indira Gandhi’s national state of emergency.

What can be learned from this moment? I believe this troubled time calls on us to open our minds and hearts to the innumerable connections we share with others — in our families, communities, social systems, and on our planet — and strive to understand what it means to be human now, and why it’s imperative that we concern ourselves with the well-being of all others.

The power of one is inconceivable; let’s harness this strength and energy by empowering ourselves and each other to assume the high road of altruism, peacemaking, collaboration and lovingkindness in action. We are all first responders for someone. Let’s remember the power of one.

Homage to the Buddha sitting in your seat.

Don’t overlook her.

I’m praying, meditating, counseling people, and holding the victims in my heart– as our city and surrounding suburban towns are in lockdown; forcing us to hide in our homes and stay off the streets, while the suspect(s) are intensely pursued. This lockdown is something I have never experienced in this lifetime, even in the Indo-Pakistan War—with blackouts every night– or when I lived in India under Indira Gandhi’s national State of Emergency.

What can be learned from this moment?  I believe this troubled time calls on us to open our minds and hearts to the innumerable connections we share with others—in our families, communities, social systems, and on our planet—and strive to understand what it means to be human now, and why it’s imperative that we concern ourselves with the well-being of all others.

The Power of One is inconceivable; let’s harness this power by empowering ourselves and each other to assume the high road of altruism, peacemaking, collaboration and lovingkindness in action. Is there another, better, way?

My minister friend Reverend Kim Harvey was downtown at her Arlington Street Church, within three blocks of the bombings, when the explosions occurred. Reverend Kim helped minister to people’s immediate needs, providing refuge from the chaos. She came to my house on her way home late last night, and we communed and meditated together. Today Kim’s back at work, ministering to those in need and preparing for a candlelight vigil, just another humble hero in our midst.

Obviously, we live in violent, anxious, fragmented times. If we can’t disarm our heart and root out the seeds of anger, hatred, fear and greed, we will inevitably have more senseless killing in front of us. If we don’t pull together, we’ll be pulled apart. Let us join hands and heads, hearts and minds and communities, for a better future to be possible—the future which begins right now.

                               Lama Surya Das, from  “Co-Meditations”