From the preface to Oliver Follmi's Homage to the Himalayas:
"Profound changes have reached many regions of the world over the last century. Undoubtedly, there is a pressing need to improve people's living conditions, facilitate access to education, and develop transport links. However, in passing from one way of life to another, there is a risk of rejecting everything that has stood the test of time, of favoring the new at the expense of the old, and thus of losing all sense of our values...
My aim is not to preach a return to ancient ways of life, for modern civilization offers many benefits for humankind. However, whether they are living in a developed or developing country, people today face a stark challenge: to achieve inner harmony, a source of peace, as traditional communities do, while at the same time enjoying the material benefits of the modern world."
The Dalai Lama very accurately details something that I have witnessed in the last few years around the world; being able to enter into cultures and societies that are on the cusp of that change, that are entering into a new age of connectivity, technology, entertainment, globalization; and wanting to scream, STOP!! SLOW DOWN!! THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE LEAVING!! AND WHAT YOU ARE GETTING IN RETURN!! I cannot fault anyone for desiring goods that make their lives better or easier; these goods have created ease in my own life, ease that I value. But seeing youth who would rather sit and watch a pirated DVD crammed full of Bollywood dancing rather than participate in a community chiefly ritual, a ceremony that has bound a culture together for eons, is heartbreaking. There must be a balance. Access to information is key; as well as giving people the means to strengthen their cultures and traditions, means that bring pride as well as income.
Recently had the fortune to watch a beautiful film with my stepmom at the Quad Theater here in NYC,
A Walk To Beautiful, which details the struggle of five Ethiopian women struggling with Fistula, brought about from primitive childbirth facilities and prolonged, agonizing laboring processes. The film was depressing and uplifting, a story of struggle and wonder, of the glory of the human spirit, and of some wonderful people dedicating their lives to a noble cause. The best part. 100% percent of proceeds from the movie go to benefit the Fistula Foundation. Trailer link on You Tube below.
http://www.fistulafoundation.org/
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cqccULujzJo
