Exploring Nirvana and Salvation Through Film

by Francis G. Lu, M.D., and Br. David Steindl-Rast

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Since 1990 Dr. Francis Lu and Brother David Steindl-Rast have led annual 5- or 7-day film seminars at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California.  Films on a particular spiritual theme
(such as Healing Through Gratefulness) are shown and discussed, focusing on the participants’ personal experiences. "Exploring Nirvana and Salvation in Film" was one of two themes in 2003.

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Description:

Film provides great possibilities to explore spiritual realities. Yet the range of adventures offered by this medium remains largely unexplored by spiritual seekers. For their eleventh film seminar together, Brother David and Francis led participants on various treks into this still-uncharted territory. This seminar reprised their March 1994 one, which was a favorite of many participants. "Nirvana" and "Salvation" are terms identified with specific religious traditions; we explored them, however, as basic experiences relevant to every human being. Six rarely shown films of exceptional quality shed light on the relationship between Eastern and Western spirituality -- their contrasts, polarities, and creative tensions.

Films shown in this order:

Bagdad Cafe
The Mission
The Harp of Burma
Ikiru
Tokyo Story
Babette’s Feast

See other film themes:

Twenty Favorite Films from the Esalen Film Seminars 1990-2011

Twenty More Favorite Films

Healing Through Gratefulness,
Learning to Forgive,
Renewing Integrity Through Film: The Vision of Truth,
Exuberance, Creativity and Delight in Film,
Renewing Wholeness: The Spiritual Experience of Viewing Great Films,
Families in Film: Now and Forever,
Intolerance, Social Injustice & Reconciliation,
Wisdom and Compassion,
Imagining the Feminine,
Films Envisioning a Hopeful Future