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#2509 - Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - Editor: Jerry Katz
This issue is about surfing the ocean and the chruinne, the universe. Featured are a movie review of Riding Giants and an Irish poem by Gabriel Rosenstock with English version.
"These people are centered on living their lives to the fullest, finding out what they are made of, in the face of God's true expression of power, not making money. They know what it's like to be fully present in connection with God, because, that is clearly what it takes to ride those waves. I really respect that."
The above is an excerpt from a movie review which touches on the nondual side of surfing. The lines -- "not making money" ... "I really respect that." -- are totally Sixties and pleasantly nostalgic. I gotta use those lines when I hold satsang at Arunachala: "Sri Ramana emanated a silent power that stilled attuned minds. I really respect that. And he wasn't into making money."
Click on the Blue Crush link http://www.blue-crush.com/, click on Enter Site, and turn up the volume to hear the sound of breaking waves while you read this Highights. I really respect that the Blue Crush website is doing that and not making money off it.
Now get outa here with that tussle of sun bleached hair you crackin' thing and read today's Nondual Highlights.
--Jerry
http://www.slashfilm.com/article.php?story=2006062310524168#comments
DVD Movie Review: Riding Giants
Contributed by: Cheryl Erber
I thought this would be a drama, like Blue Crush, the fabulous modern day Gidget. But this is a documentary, highlighting one of the longest running subcultures, if not countercultures, ever. Whereas the Beats were prompted by writers Ginsberg and Kerouac, who, in many ways defined the ethos, and the hippie movement seemed to also flow out from the art community with writers like Kesey and Tom Wolfe to heighten and define it, the surfer lifestyle long predated the art form, and these other subcultures. There was a cohesive, sun, fun-loving culture around southern California's waves about as soon as the boys came home from the war.
Now when you've got sunshine and skimpy clothes and tans and
waves and fun-loving kids, right near Hoolywood... well, it
didn't take long for someone to capitalize on that. Gidget was a
huge hit that propelled the surfing scene from a few thousand to
a few million in 1959. It spawned a long spate of Beach Blanket,
Frankie Avalon/Annette Funicello hits. The heyday was '65-'69
when the Beach Boys promoted and provided the soundtrack for the
scene, like the Dead did for the hippies.
It's very much a subculture in the sense that it is a lifestyle,
people can be fully immersed in it as a way of life. But, it has
a self-limiting feature in a way. Surfers are not looking to
build anything, they're not trying to change the world like the
Beats, hippies, communes, cults, religious communities and almost
any other type of subculture you could name... they just want to
catch a wave. They're not driven by ideals, or even ideas, other
than to enjoy life in a way most of us dare not.
And actually, at this point, surfing has become a somewhat
codified sport with it's players and hierarchies. Last time I was
in Laguna I had a long talk with someone about the surfing scene
which can be less than pretty because there are lots of surfers,
and a limited amount of waves. They are not seeking to expand
their ranks.
Now, talk about your testosterone, these guys are pretty far out
there, especially the big wave riders, which is the subject of
this film. I grew up a few blocks from the ocean and went there
all the time, especially in HS, and even though I'm pretty
adventurous and have great balance... it's a bit much for me.
I've been churned in the ocean enough times to fear it. These
guys are wailing down 80' mountains, often almost vertical
cliffs, that are, essentially, chasing them. The strength of mind
and body required to do it is greater than any endeavor I can
think of.
But, that's the rush they look for. The risk, not to mention
skill, is huge, but so is the payoff, the thrill of a lifetime.
It's a bit like The Right Stuff, shedding some light on the
mindset of people who are willing to live life on the edge. They
are willing to face their fears and the awesome, uncontrollable
ocean every day. These people are centered on living their lives
to the fullest, finding out what they are made of, in the face of
God's true expression of power, not making money. They know what
it's like to be fully present in connection with God, because,
that is clearly what it takes to ride those waves. I really
respect that.
There is a real brotherhood, I only saw one female surfer in this
whole film (and I guess women don't have "the right
stuff" either). The attitude these guys have toward each
other is different from the mountain climbers who do not feel
particularly compelled to rescue each other, it's sort of every
man for himself. But, with the advent of towing into waves, the
surfers all take extreme risks to pull their buddies out of
gnarly sets of successive breaking waves. When they lost one of
their own, they all lined up their boards in memorial. So, check
out this fantastic indie film, which was bought by Sony at
Sundance. It's chock full of fascinating info on a little
explored sport/lifestyle which has had a big influence on the
American psyche.
GABRIEL ROSENSTOCK
Scaipeann Krishnamurphy Croí
na nUpaniseaid
Cén fáth a mbíonn
sceitimíní ort
An t-am go léir?
Sé mo nádúrsa é, arsa K.,
Agus nádúr na cruinne.
Cá bhfios duit?
Cá bhfios duit nach fearg is
fuath
Is cumaliomachas is bun leis
go léir?
Féach orm.
An bhfeiceann tusa fearg, fuath,
Cumaliomachas?
Ach ni tusa an chruinne
Is mó ná an chruinne mé.
Is dia thú?
Breith do bhéil féin ort.
Is déithe sinn go léir?
Sea, ach níl ach dia amháin ann.
Krishnamurphy on the Heart of
the Upanishads
Why are you bursting
With joy all the time?
It’s my nature, says K.,
And the nature of the universe.
How do you know?
Maybe there’s nothing
behind it all
But anger, hatred,
indifference.
Look at me.
Do you see anger, hatred,
Indifference?
But you are not the universe.
I am greater than the universe.
You are god?
Thine own lips have said it.
We are all gods?
Yes, but there is only the One.
photo from Riding Giants