Workshop Details

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour. —William Blake
Since movies began, luminous actors and actresses have depicted journeys that transform human consciousness. This seminar will show fourteen feature films (1939-2011) from the US, Japan, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and China including some films not seen at our film seminars since 2006, with our first two all-time favorites among them.
Beginning and ending with films depicting pilgrimage — physical journeys that make every moment sacred — our films will focus on the psychological aspects of journey itself. Along the way, we will live this call from the Dalai Lama: “Awareness of death is the very bedrock of the path. Until you have developed this awareness, all other practices are obstructed.’’ As we see film characters undertake their journeys, we will experience what Joseph Campbell described: “The Way of Art coincides with the Way of Beauty. However, there is another and further possible degree or range of the revelation of art that is beyond beauty, namely, the sublime.” Viewing these films will awaken us to living the Eternal Now, where in the words of William Blake, ‘‘Eternity is in love with the productions of time.’’
Since 1990 these co-led film seminars have become a unique Esalen tradition that combine carefully chosen films, reading materials, outstanding AV equipment, and processing of the film viewing both individually and with the group. For more information, contact Francis at francislumd@gmail.com or visit www.gratefulness.org and search for “films” in the search box. This seminar may be of interest to health/mental health professionals.