Telluride

Telluride.  Mountain Film and spring run off.  The air is filled with the scent of earth awakening,  aspens budding and unfurling into a green revival.  I sleep on a sofa with a commanding view of Bridal Falls, the valley floor, and the surrounding mountains.  Town is stirring to life after off season, with a flood of documentaries on global/human welfare. There is a bevy of conscious film makers, all wanting to bring awareness to the fragility and sanctity of life. They offer a cross cultural perspective of life on the planet, an expose of the interconnected web that unites us.
Surrounded by conscientious human beings all committed to bringing awareness to the plight of our planet, to those who are suffering and in need in the world, to the absolute necessity of collaborative effort and action.  I am inspired to my core.  There is a sudden awareness of my being in the company of those who share my calling and mission… to simply make the world a happier place to be.
My tribe wanders the streets, partaking in the feast that is offered.  From the thought provoking dialogue with pioneers in ecological conservation, to the awe inspiring life of Prudence.  Prudence, of the Academy award winning documentary film, ‘Music By Prudence’, directed by Roger Ross Williams.  She is a lodestar for humanity. Living proof of our indomitable spirit, of our ability to shine in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.  She honored the truth within her own heart, knowing that despite her circumstances, her life had meaning, purpose and value. Now she brings joy and inspiration to the masses.
Greg Mortenson, the author of “Three Cups of Tea”, presented a beautiful symposium on his work in Pakistan and Afghanistan.  He is so humble, his passion, commitment and love of serving so evident. Greg’s life and calling is a testimony to the powerful impact one individual can have, how true sincerity and love are catalysts of powerful transformation. Greg embodies Gandhi’s proclamation, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
The most profoundly awakening film of the festival was the movie ‘I Am’, produced and directed by Tom Shadyak.  It is the story of his personal journey into the truth of our human potential and happiness.  He investigates our innate nature from multiple interdisciplinary perspectives and asks the ‘big questions.’  At one point in the film he actually gives the viewer the experience of their own capacity for compassion, the visceral experience of our immediate and shared response to the suffering of others.  In one word, BRILLIANT! Science is beginning to come to the same conclusions about the nature of reality and the inherent qualities of our humanity as the sages, seers and mystics throughout time.  That in fact, the notion of a ‘separate self’, is becoming an obsolete and archaic model that simply isn’t true. The gap is rapidly closing between science and spirituality.  Strange, truth is truth no matter who realizes it.
I am inspired by these mavericks who boldly challenge themselves and the status quo. Who determine for themselves what is and isn’t possible.  They are the noble ones who dare to live according to their deepest values.  I believe that each day we make a difference by what we think, what we say, and what we do.  In choosing to be conscious, to be responsible, to be an agent of change in the world we take our place of belonging.  We become the embodiment of the greatness of humanity.
If there was anything you could change in the world what would it be.  What can you do right now?  How can you be the answer? What can you do daily, to be an expression of what you feel the world is lacking?
I believe in you.
santidevi

Written: June 8, 2010