Tag Archives: tea and conversation

New Years Musings

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I was successful in slowing down over the winter holidays and I feel that I caught up on sleep and family bonding.  Immediately after my two weeks off I was spun right back into my frenetic schedule by commencing production on a short film that I was Assistant Director for.  The production was tightly scheduled with many locations so it was a demanding role and I found that I had boundless energy to dedicate to the production.  I have another shoot coming up and am in pre-production for my upcoming documentary trailer as Vancouver is enveloped in snow.

pulling focus

Setting the intention for downtime was the kindest thing I could have done for myself and my family not to mention the productions I am working on.  It was shocking that I found myself feeling anti-social at times and in need of complete relaxation and quietude.  And the personal reward was delicious and insightful dreams that allowed me to connect to my subconscious and re-evaluate my trajectory.  I enjoyed that deep and profound communication with myself which revealed new insights and inspiration.

Last winter I was in India enjoying slowness for 6 weeks.  I didn’t have that luxury this year though I am grateful for the two weeks with family and friends.  I see a bright year ahead with big changes.  Wishing you the ability to actualize your dreams and infinite bliss, there is no time like the present.

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I have watched many movies in the past month and Lars Von Trier’s “Melancholia” stood out on many levels.  After Von Trier’s antics at Cannes this year I was curious to see his new film.  I admire his originality and how he covers complex human issues. In his beautifully shot intro he gives the ending away so that there is no suspense and you are forced to delve into the captivating story.  I would go so far as to say that this film is mindgasmic.  At the very least you will enjoy Kirsten Dunst’s performance.

Sweet Retreat

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As we shift from Winter to Spring in the Pacific North West I am now established into a year long intensive film production program at Vancouver Film School. After coming back from India in February I started to have a strong urge to cultivate more skill and refine my craft. I have immensely enjoyed editing video the past four years and the collaborative process has definitely been rewarding.

I am glad I listened to my gut as the past three weeks have been amazing in that I have learned, laughed and pushed myself to go beyond my comfort zone. I am definitely feeling that I have made the right choice. Last night in my dream I was breaking down a script and then directing it. I have always considered myself as a visionary and a story teller and have finally put myself into an environment in which to hone these skills. By being in an intensive you can really live and breathe what you are doing and the process absorbs into your subconscious quickly!

As this is an intensive program, I am often in class for 11 hours in one day and am taking 10 courses this term, I am not spending as much time with my friends or going to as many events as I did before. I appreciate the support that I have been getting from my community and friends, I truly am blessed. To everyone supporting me in whatever way, I appreciate it more than you know.

snowing blossoms

Spring into action

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I got away for the long weekend to play in nature with friends.  Although my upper body still does not have the strength to pull myself up onto a surf board due to the accident 6 months ago I had fun body boarding on the Pacific waves.  This morning I woke up early (5:20) feeling invigorated and recharged, I feel Spring in my body.  I have an orientation today and next week start a year long film production program,  I am feeling ready to push myself.  Wish me luck.

Post Panchakarma Pontifications

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As we welcome Spring I am coming up to my two month mark after completing Panchakarma treatment.  After leaving Kerala, India, I returned home and for the next month remained low key as the effects from the Ayurvedic treatment settled in.  I felt so much bliss in my body, the process is profound and really does kick start a process of rejuvenation and healing that carries on after the treatment is finished.

devotional destination

I continue to take the Ayurvedic supplements that were prescribed though I have slacked off on my yogic practice which included pranic energization techniques.  After working hard while away I am not too concerned that I have allowed some downtime though I am hoping to resume my morning practice, I like feeling like I have super powers! I have been taking the time to do my one prescribed yoga pose, simhasana, at the very least.  My friends note that I look rejuvenated, I am not surprised that the effects of this powerful transformation are visible.  How I tick has changed too.

temple lights

I deeply feel a strong synchronicity in my life and nothing feels random these days.  I conclude that the accident this past fall that pushed me to seek treatment in India was destined.  Since my return my life has taken on a new course, I have been feeling a sense of fruition.  The seeds that I had been planting the past three years at times felt like they would never germinate though they are now finally poking through the dark soil. Sometimes we need an extraordinary push to change our course or to move forward and accept the challenges that comes with the change.  These challenges always have a hidden gem awaiting for us when we overcome them, I am enjoying recent revelations.  I have so much optimism and passion when I allow myself to look forward, it brightens my present moment.  Amongst the chaos I root into calm.

Sweet Integration

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It has been 18 days since I completed my 28 day course of Panchakarma. I have since returned to my home in Vancouver after a little adventure in Mumbai and have been laying low and getting lots of rest while catching up with my friends and family. Admittedly I had been feeling somewhat reclusive and in need of a lot of rest, I didn’t get this response after my first round of treatment in 2008 and it caught me off guard. As I immersed within this integration period I am feeling a sweet synchronicity and am reintegrating my crazy work schedule with a new focus. There are some exciting projects on the horizon that I look forward to sharing with you. In the meantime, I interviewed the Chief Dr. at the Ayurvedic hospital that I stayed at so if you are wanting to know more about authentic Ayurvedic treatment and what the process can be like please check this video out.

I feel a deep rooted calmness within and ready to tackle certain obstacles that I never had the guts to. There are certain facets of my being that have died, thank God, though my trajectory continues with an accelerating speed with new clarity. As I fought past my physical and emotional limitations in India I can’t begin to describe how inspired I was to hear of the events that unfolded in Egypt and now other nations around the globe. I am hoping that this trend continues and that people living under oppression join together and insist upon living in justice and peace. I adore this video by Bjork and find it fitting and it’s directed by one of my favorites, Michael Gondry.

Buckman Coe Promo Video ‘By the Mountain’s Feet’

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Lucky me, I got to do a promo video for Buckman Coe for his upcoming album being released this spring. When I first heard one of the tracks that I used in the video I became super excited about this album, it’s magic.

Keep your ears peeled and check him out. BUCKMANCOE.COM

Related post: http://sumitramedia.wordpress.com/2010/07/04/not-so-far-fetched/

Panchakarma Day 12; This Is How We Should Be Living.

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Time has a way of slowing right down when I undergo this process. The past twelve days of treatment in this environment have escaped linear time where my days all merge without me consciously tracking it. At the same time I still feel connected to my friends and family. Thank-you Facebook and Skype.

In this environment, with the stress of day to day life taken away, while we undergo such transformation with gentle and profound treatments, we as patients have the time to make deep and meaningful connections with the people around us. We are not in a hurry and we are not living in a bubble. We are a community.

It feels good to make authentic connections with your neighbors, and you don’t have to be undergoing Ayurvedic treatment to live this way. Without sacrificing your energy you can ignite a spark in the people around you. Humans need community, touch, companionship. The more we tolerate others the more room we create within and the more unified we are on this planet.

from my morning walk in the garden

I was reading parts of a 60 year old book on how to live life and there was an entire chapter dedicated to pausing. Yes, this has been my theme since the fall though it seems these days we need to ‘unplug’ then pause. I see the value and importance of taking the time to enjoy a cup of tea, a to engage in a meaningful conversation, to unwind in what ever way your heart desires. When we don’t do this we don’t have anything of any real value to offer others this book stated. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for working hard though I am in contemplation on how to live with more flow.

Remember that it is fun to lift your head up, look in a strangers eyes and smile and catch them off guard. Watch them light up. We can’t possibly know everyone on this planet but we can take the time to care for the people that we cross paths with on a regular basis with more depth. Remember that we all have our own limitations though we all hold beauty within.

Human Behaviour

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Last week the Vancouver International Film Festival wrapped up after two weeks of film galore. This year the theme for me was documentaries and each documentary that I watched had an environmental spin on it even if it was not an ‘environmental’ film; it is a global topic. All of the films discussed an imminent need for conditions on this planet to shift RIGHT NOW, that we are in need of a REVOLUTION.

Sometimes I think about conditions on our sacred planet and I wonder why people aren’t freaking out and being more proACTIVE. There are some amazing people making a difference, creating a future for us to live in balance and all of these people are my HEROS. Although we are making progress it seems as if a great majority of the population are so passive about planetary conditions and current issues. regeneration-themovie.com discussed how we are plugged into the internet, personal entertainment devices, we are consuming more than ever before and this is leaving us DISTRACTED. Our youth is preoccupied and passive. Even with all of this ‘media’ there is such massive censorship that most Americans have no idea about what really is happening in Iraq, there are no major protests like there were when the US ambushed Vietnam & Cambodia.

Our feet in both worlds the key thought for me, leveraging our connectivity and unplugging on a regular basis. Remember that we CAN make a difference. Make time for community, don’t wait for someone to do something. MOVE. I am certain that we are capable of pulling up our socks and focus more effectively at transformation and have ecstatic fun while doing so. Immerse yourself in love, remember that when we keep our vibrations high we have more energy to focus our thoughts and actions, magnetizing momentum.

Irresistible.

Broken Embraces

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During the past few weeks my life has had a poetic commentary, coming from within. Each day, highlights where I feel flow and connection, words spontaneously cluster together and flow through my mind contrasting my usually vividly visual thought forms. I have a collection of poetic blog postings with a photo I have taken around the same time that the spontaneous poetry dances across my consciousness, and perhaps one day I will even post them. For now, they are stored behind the interfaces… I’m feeling shy.

As my expressions shift towards the poetic, I have been watching more movies than I usually do. Notably this week was Almodóvar’s ‘Broken Embraces’ or ‘Los Abrazos Rotos’. I missed it at the VIFF as I just couldn’t manage to see everything that I wanted to. Pedro Almodóvar consistently delivers finely woven films that explore the passions that drive us to cross ‘the line’. This film was well worth the wait.

The story brilliantly weaves a vibrant tapestry from past to present, from character to character, from beginning to end! The film is beautiful with scenes cleverly composed, brilliant colour, and stylized after the 50′s film noir genre. Penelope Cruz has proven to be a very reliable actress, like Johnny Depp, you can just count on her. The cherry on top was Cat Power gracing the effective soundtrack. So, without me giving the rich story line away, go check it out if you haven’t already.

Spring is richly established here in the Pacific North West. Passions thicken, with any luck you will be able to satiate your desires without breaking your heart.