Bauls of Bengal : article by Suhrid Sankar Chattopadhyay (Frontline Magazine)

IN rural West Bengal, they can still be seen, wandering from village to village, singing songs for a few rupees, and maybe food. They are Bauls - itinerant minstrels living on the periphery of society, watching it from outside, objectively yet not dispassionately, and incorporating what they see in their lyrics (sometimes with humour, but always with a profound spiritual message). The word Baul comes from the Sanskrit word batul, which means mad, but not in a pejorative sense. In fact, their madness stems from love of the `Infinite Self' they believe to be present in every human being. They are a kind of grassroots mystics.

The impact of these singers/songwriters is not restricted to rural Bengal. Through their simple tunes, rudimentary instruments and allegorical lyrics, they have captured the imagination of the world and have made a major impact on the international cultural scene. The most famous living Baul, Purna Das, even found a place on the cover of Bob Dylan's 1968 album John Wesley Harding. 

Scholars have traced the roots of the Baul tradition and its popularity to the Bhakti Movement of Kabir, Nanak, Meerabai, Gondol, and so on, which swept the cultural scene of India in the Middle Ages, drawing upon the monotheism and egalitarianism of Islam, the love songs of Sufi mystics and, of course, the Hindu Vaishnav tradition. Their main musical instruments are theektara and the dotara (single and double string strumming instruments) and the khole, thekartal and the dugdugi (rudimentary percussions).

Rabindranath Tagore recognised the philosophy of the Bauls and the beauty of the songs and through his works made them acceptable to the Bhadralok (Bengali gentleman). In his youth, Tagore befriended some Bauls, notably Lalan Fakir, and composed a number of songs to be sung in the Baul style. In many of his plays, there are characters representing the `Baul'leitmotif - not only in songs, but also in outlook and appearance.

Bauls defy all social conventions, religious dogmas and caste taboos; they do not recognise traditional deities or conventional rituals. For instance, Lalan Fakir, in one of his oft-quoted songs, talks about the futility of caste distinctions:

Everyone asks what is your caste, Lalan? 
Says Lalan, what test to apply? 
A Muslim man can be told apart from Hindus 
Because of circumcision. 
But what about their women folk? 
A Brahmin you can identify by his sacred thread 
But what about a Brahmin woman?

The words strike at the root of religious bigotry and fundamentalism, caste prejudices and gender biases, and uphold the unity of humankind. This is a common trait of all sects of Bauls, differently known as Bairiagi, Sahajiya, Darbesh, Sain, and so on. All of them believe in the `God within' and to approach Him they need a guide, called a guru. 

courtesy : Frontline Magazine archives (2005)

Enchanting Chi - by Luk Chun Bond

From the Introduction of the book The First 16 Secrets of Chi:
I teach the Zhang Sangfeng method, a practical combination of the four main disciplines of tai chi. Originally devoleped during the Song Dynasty by the Taoist monk Zhang Sanfeng, this proven style of self-healing is still practiced in urban parks and rural fields in the great country of China. It has often been referred to as the "never changing style" of taichi, and is famous for its nearly magical ability to assist the human immune system in creating a healthier, stronger body and mind.

I've compiled a very simple course of breathing techniques, physical exercises and meditations that are rooted in the high-mountain monasteries of the Buddhist and Taoist monks, where the secrets of longevity have been cloistered for centuries. I've adapted them slightly to fit the lifestyle of the 21st century. The basic concepts of feng shui are an integral part of these techniques for health and long life. 

This book is a way for me to pass on the knowledge handed down from the monks of a Taoist monastery to my grandfather, to father, and to me. To anyone looking for relief from emotional, physical, and spiritual distress, and those who want a healthier and happier life, the secrets of chi revealed in these pages provide a very easy program to follow.

To get the most from these lessons, read each chapter through first, then re-read key elements as you work on your exercises, making sure that your location and techniques are correct. 

The exercises are prescriptive, which means that each one will help to cure certain ailments as well as strengthen your immune system. In life, at any moment, we are either spiraling down towards disease or spiraling up towards health. Every time you perform one of these exercises you are spiraling up, getting better and stronger.

Take this knowledge and make it your own. Just 30 minutes a day will fill you with the healthy vigor of youth.
Good luck, prosperity and good health. 

- Master Luk Chun Bond

Zhuan Falun (Turning the Law Wheel) - by Li Hongzhi

Li Hongzhi : the author of Zhuan Falun

Excerpts from the book "Turning the Law Wheel" :

This nature, to be True, Good, and Endure, is the standard that determines what is good and bad in the universe. What’s good? What’s bad? You use this nature to tell. The same goes for the idea of “virtue” that people used to talk about. Of course, now society’s moral level has changed, and even the moral standard has been perverted. Nowadays, if somebody models himself after that good Samaritan, Lei Feng, people will probably say he’s crazy. But in the 1950s or 60s, tell me, who would have said he’s crazy? Mankind’s

moral standard is on a big downslide, the world is going to the dogs, people are just controlled by greed, they harm others just to benefit themselves a little, and people just compete and fight—they go at it by hook or by crook. So think about it, could this be allowed to continue? When some people do bad things and you point it out to them, they don’t even believe you—they really can’t believe they’re doing something wrong. Some people size themselves up with the fallen moral standard, and they think they’re better than other people. That’s because even the standard for measuring has changed.

But it doesn’t matter how mankind’s moral standard changes, the nature of the universe doesn’t change, and it is the only standard for determining who’s good and who’s bad. So to be a cultivator you have to take the nature of the universe as your guide for improving yourself. You can’t go by ordinary people’s standards. If you want to return to your original, true self, if you want to raise your level by cultivating, you have to live by this standard. For anybody here, only if you can follow the universe’s nature, to be True, Good, and Endure, only then you can call yourself a good person. And a person who goes against this nature, now that’s somebody who’s truly bad. Maybe when you’re at work or out and about, someone will say that you’re bad. But maybe you aren’t really bad. Or maybe someone says that you’re good. But, turns out, maybe you aren’t really good. And for a cultivator, if you assimilate to this nature you’re someone who has attained the Tao. The truth is really just that simple.

Confucius quotes

Donnie Yen  in  the movie  Ip Man - 2 (2010)

Wise People 

Wise people are troubled by their own lack of abilities, not by the failure of others to appreciate those abilities.

Wise people hope to be remembered for what they were ; foolish people hope to be remembered for what they did.

Wise people seek goodness within themselves ; foolish people seek goodness in others.

Wise people are aware of their own wisdom, but do not treat foolish people with contempt. They like to associate with other wise people, but do not form cliques.

Wise people do not judge the abilities of others by what they say about themselves, but by their actions.

Wise people do not try to impose on others what they do not desire for themselves.

Wise people take pleasure in praising those who deserve praise. But they do not condemn people who deserve condemnation.

Wise people know what is right. Foolish people know only what is profitable. 

People may be educated, and they may be able to write with fluency ; but it does not follow that they are wise.

Taking pleasure in your own eloquence, and in your ability to influence others will undermine your virtue. Lack of self-control will undermine all your plans.

Han Yin-chieh  - actor/ action-director  of   the movie  Big Boss (1971)

 Five Qualities

In serving your employer you should perform your duties to the best of your ability; your salary is of secondary importance.

Do not strive for eloquence, but speak plainly . Concentrate on conveying your message, not dazzling your listeners.

All human beings are similar, so they are naturally friendly towards one another. Antipathy and hostility are un-natural.

The most intelligent people are suspicious of change. The least intelligent people are bemused by change. People of ordinary intelligence welcome change.

Benevolence manifests itself in five qualities : respect for others; tolerance towards others; honesty in speech; promptness in action ; and generosity in word and action. If you are respectful, you will not be treated with insolence. If you are tolerant people will feel comfortable in your presence. If you are honest, you will win people's trust. If you are prompt, you will achieve results. If you are generous, people will love and admire you.

- from the book  366 Readings From Taoism & Confucianism 

Life of Lee

Ang Lee :  the Spielberg  of  the  East

The celebrated Taiwanese film-maker Ang Lee bagged this years Oscar for best director for his brilliant 3D-movie Life of Pie. Ang Lee can be aptly called the Steven Spielberg of the East. Like Spielberg, Ang Lee and Oscars seems to be made for each other. Like Spielberg, Ang Lee has proven that he could make movies in any subject or any genre with a fine blend of both artistic and commercial value. Like Spielberg, Ang Lee made movies on versatile topics - such as Sense and Sensibility(English drama), Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (Wuxia-epic), Brokeback Mountain (western drama), Taking Woodstock (music/drama) and ofcourse Life of Pie(3D/adventure).

When an 'unfilmable story' such as Yan Martel's Life of Pie was announced a few years ago, many critics had their misgivings (including me). Infact I was certain that Life of Pie could only be made in animation. Yet, Ang Lee proved all that wrong. Just as a good cook can make delicious dishes in any cuisine, or a good artist can paint brilliantly in any style, good film-makers such as Ang Lee or Spielberg could make fine movies in any topic or subject.

Ang Lee's success in the international arena also brings into limelight the cinema of Taiwan - a small country, yet a power-house in East Asian entertainment industry. Before Ang Lee, Taiwan was most renowned for the art-house movies of Hou Hsiao-Hsien and also the macho action-star Don Wang Tao ! (Interestingly, Wang Tao also acted in a 3-D movie in 1978 called Tiger Man!) 

Wang Tao  starred  in the 1978 3-D  movie Tiger Man

Anyway the success of Life of Pie, with its largely Indian cast and crew, came as a small consolation for Indian cinema which is celebrating its 100-year anniversary. In all these years, Bollywood - reputed as the largest film industry in the world - could not  produce a film or film-maker of true international quality. (Ofcourse, the great art-house film-makers of India mostly came from Bengal and Kerala).While the current Bollywood is mired in nepotism and plagiarism, it took an Ang Lee or Danny Boyle (in case of Slumdog Millionaire) to unearth the potential of original Indian talent. Certainly the success of Ang Lee and Life of Pie is an occasion to celebrate for Asian cinema. Congratulations again to Ang Lee ! 

Leonard Crow Dog - the medicine man

Excerpts from the autobiography of Mary Elizabeth Thunder

The first time I met Leonard Crow Dog was in the 1970s, when he was in federal prison in Ft.Wayne, Indiana. He had been arrested for holding a Pipe for the people at the Wounded Knee stand off, where the (American) Indian people were protesting injustice, abuse , and the outlawing of their sacred traditions.

I went down with a Medicine Elder and some other supporters to visit Leonard in prison. Through the glass separating him from the world, he was like a god - grand, proud, magnificient, and humble, all at the same time. 

As he talked with the Elder by telephone, he looked directly into my eyes and said, "Please help my family back home ..." He was like a proud lion in a very tiny cage. He thanked us for coming and told us not to worry, because he was going to the greatest school ever. He said we must sacrifice to know what this American Indian Movement is all about.

Some of us waited for several hours while the Elder did ceremony. When he came out, he told us to write letters to the people to help free Leonard. A lot of thoughts, energies, and prayers went out for this beautiful man. 

  ******        ***********        ****************    ****************   ********  ********    

I next saw Leonard in 1980, when he came through Indianapolis on the Second Long Walk for Survival. I was in the midst of yet another typical family crisis. It was Richard's sixteenth birthday. He had decided to run away from home , and had managed to get himself arrested and detained. He spent his birthday in Juvenile Hall eating bologna sandwiches and tomato soup. Richard was not pleased with either of his parents at that point, and he was particularly angry with me.

Then Leonard came into the scene, immediately sized up the situation, and announced, " I think he should come with me." Richard travelled with Leonard for some time, and finally Leonard flew him back from Pennsylvania. We went to meet the plane not quite knowing what to expect. My son came up to me, dropped to his knees, and started to cry. He told me how ungrateful he'd been to me, that I was his mother and I had given him life, and he wanted me to thank for that. I had known Leonard could work miracles, but this is amazing ! I thanked Leonard for that , as for so many gifts. 

Richard and I met up with the Long Walk in Greenbelt Park, Pennsylvania, and went on into Washington D.C. There, I helped the advance people get food and money and fix cars, and do whatever else needed to be done. When we got into Washington, we had a huge ceremony led by a Zen Buddhist who was over 100 years old. He blessed each one of us. Then we walked into Washington D.C. Dick Gregory, Marlon Brando, Muhammed Ali, Buffy St.Marie, and all kinds of other celebrities were there. 

from the book : Thunder's Grace - Walking The Road Of Visions With My Lakota Grandmother by Mary Elizabeth Thunder

Carlos Santana - Shaman

album : Shaman (2002)
song  : Aye Aye Aye
written by  : Michael Shrieve,Carlos Santana,Karl Perazzo & Raul Rekow
produced by : Michael Shrieve & Carlos Santana
lead vocals : Andy Vargas
background vocals : Carlos Santana,Karl Perazzo & Raul Rekow
acoustic & electric guitar : Carlos Santana
keyboard : Chester Thompson
bass  : Benny Rietveld
percussion & drums : Karl Perazzo
congas : Raul Rekow

All the details of this song, I got from my own copy of this album, which I bought about 10-years ago.Santana's Shaman came out in 2002 after his multi-Grammy winning album Supernatural(1999). I thought Shaman was as good as Supernatural though it didn't win any grammy. Those who have regularly watched MTV back then will be familiar with its songs.   

When the word 'Carlos' and 'shaman' combines, one may think about Carlos Castaneda and his neo-shamanism. Surely Santana must be familiar with teaching of his fellow Latin-American celebrity of the hippie-era. Santana was always interested in spirituality and mysticism (like many other musicians, including me). He explored Eastern religions in the 70s and was a one time disciple of Sri Chinmoy . His later albums such as Supernatural and Shaman marks the journey to  re-discover his roots. In the elaborate & colorful album-cover of Shaman features typical Mexican art and some brilliant pictures of Santana, posing with his guitar, in a desert with cactus in the background. 

In a caption Santana says, " Shaman is a spiritual healer who brings balance to mind, body, heart and spirit with colors, sound, herbs and song, creating unity and harmony in the world."