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Tag Archives: violence

“Man Prayer” and “Break the chain” – Ending violence against women

February 9, 2013

“Man Prayer” – A postmodern definition of masculinity

Video information

Violence against women hurts everyone, including men. We invite our brothers to take up this cause, and be free from the limiting structures of our modern definition of masculinity! #MenRise

http://onebillionrising.org

Here’s sharing this video on “man prayer” I watched just now, which is meant to “invite our brothers to take up this cause (of ending violence against women), and be free from the limiting structures of our modern definition of masculinity”. I agree with its postmodern definition of masculinity, which is about having confidence that comes from the depth of his being and understanding that vulnerability is his greatest strength. Yes, perhaps it can be said that a postmodern man is one who creates space rather than dominates it, who appreciates listening more than knowing, who seeks kindness over control, who cries when the grief is too much, who refuses any act of violence, who cherishes touch more than performance and the experience more than getting there, and is brave enough to share his fear and shame as well as gather other men to do the same, as mentioned in the prayer. Yes, and may the resonance of that love translates into loving all women and living things.

1BRSD “Break The Chain” Flashmob San Diego

Video information

The San Diego One Billion Rising Crew pulls off a “Break the Chain” flashmob in Balboa Park on February 2, 2013. This is part of ONE BILLION RISING, a global movement to end violence against women.

On 2/14/13:
STRIKE at 2:14 pm for 20 minutes. See our website for mini-rising locations.
MARCH at 4:30 pm at City Hall with Mayor Bob Filner. See our website for march route.
DANCE at 6:30 pm at the Organ Pavilion with a lineup of special guests and musical artists (free!)

www.1billionrisingsd.com
www.onebillionrising.org

Break the Chain Lyrics

Lyrics by Tena Clark
Music by Tena Clark/Tim Heintz

Intro-
I raise my arms to the sky
On my knees I pray
I’m not afraid anymore
I will walk through that door
Walk, dance, rise
Walk, dance, rise

I can see a world where we all live
Safe and free from all oppression
No more rape or incest, or abuse
Women are not a possession

You’ve never owned me, don’t even know me I’m not invisible, I’m simply wonderful I feel my heart for the first time racing I feel alive, I feel so amazing

I dance cause I love
Dance cause I dream
Dance cause I’ve had enough
Dance to stop the screams
Dance to break the rules
Dance to stop the pain
Dance to turn it upside down
Its time to break the chain, oh yeah
Break the Chain
Dance, rise
Dance, rise

In the middle of this madness, we will stand I know there is a better world Take your sisters & your brothers by the hand Reach out to every woman & girl

This is my body, my body’s holy
No more excuses, no more abuses
We are mothers, we are teachers,
We are beautiful, beautiful creatures

I dance cause I love
Dance cause I dream
Dance cause I’ve had enough
Dance to stop the screams
Dance to break the rules
Dance to stop the pain
Dance to turn it upside down
It’s time to break the chain, oh yeah
Break the Chain, oh yeah
Break the Chain

Dance Break Inst.

Dance, rise
Dance, rise

Sister won’t you help me, sister won’t you rise x4

Dance, rise
Dance, rise

Sister won’t you help me, sister won’t you rise x4

This is my body, my body’s holy
No more excuses, no more abuses
We are mothers, we are teachers,
We are beautiful, beautiful creatures

I dance cause I love
Dance cause I dream
Dance cause I’ve had enough
Dance to stop the screams
Dance to break the rules
Dance to stop the pain
Dance to turn it upside down
Its time to break the chain, oh yeah
Break the Chain, oh yeah
Break the Chain

(Repeat chorus)

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Posted by in Equality, Gender issues, Unity and harmony Tags: , , , , , ,

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Princess – Public Forgiveness Shoot, June 11, 2011 – SMOOCH

March 27, 2012

Video commentary:

On June 11, 2011 we held our second public shoot, asking random people off the street about their perspectives on forgiveness. That is when we met Princess.

North Minneapolis, MN

Director: Dawn Mikkelson
Interview Camera: Heidi Tungseth
Additional Camera: Matt Ehling
Edit: Monte Swann

Posted by in Grace, Psychology Tags: , , , , , ,

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Some thoughts on “The Hunger Games”

March 26, 2012

I have only watched some preview scenes of the movie “The Hunger Games” in Youtube, besides the official trailer. At first, I thought the movie sounded cool, as there was much talk about the great acting performances, which I came across when I was doing research for the movie review for my magazine project, hence I decided to check out the preview videos. But I felt disturbed upon watching a scene of a teenage girl running towards another teenage girl armed with an axe to attack her. Maybe the message of the story is about the sad effects of living in a dystopian society, but nevertheless I can’t help feeling that stories like these based on violence and gore tend to be part of propaganda themselves, and they are probably being marketed to feed the attention of the society that is hungry for action, to stimulate their senses (and perhaps also to escape from having to explore and deal with the inner depths of their own souls).

I think there is a certain danger that over-exposure to media that are filled with violence can cause people to become numb to our basic human emotions and sensibilities. At the same time, I believe everyone has a dark and light side in themselves, and when people feed only on one side, either light or dark, they tend to harm themselves and others indirectly, by becoming either too legalistic and judgmental (by preaching behaviour modification and enforcing conformity – don’t we all hate moralising and condemning sermons by preachers, however well-meaning?), or too soulless and callous (by accepting harm done to a neighbour as a necessity in the name of revenge or survival).

In the face of all this, how can we make a change? I don’t know. I suppose each of us has to find our own answer because ultimately, we do not want to impose our own beliefs or convictions onto other people too. For me, I will choose the way of meditation and contemplation because I am realising more and more that we are all connected as One, so if one being is hurt, the rest of the beings are hurt as well. Similarly, if one of us is peaceful, the rest of us will benefit as well. Maybe the realisation of our interconnectedness and oneness will be able to override the society’s mindset of “us” versus “them” that is based on the illusion of ego and separation.

I believe peace is possible, and yet it is not something that is boring or ethereal or unrealistic. There is a difference between fake niceness and genuine kindness, which I find lacking in the movie story. Maybe it is intended to be that way, since people will watch and despair at how the characters struggle to make sense of the brutal reality of being ruled by a totalitarian government and having their human dignity snatched away by the harsh circumstances in which they have to fight for survival.

Maybe a buddhist might willingly give his or her life in such a scenario. Or anyone who has awakened to the truth of our oneness. To die in such a brutal reality may seem like losing, but then again, much of the society tends to think only in terms of good and bad, or us and them. We can move beyond the concept of duality in order to embrace the totality of our existence. Life is more than “winning” or “losing”. In a war, no one is truly a winner. No wonder by the end of the story (the third part of the trilogy), even those who survive the war (Hunger Games) through bloodshed and violence are left feeling forlorn, each a jaded and crestfallen being. Why? Because the senseless killing of one another does not honour our true Self. I feel that each of us intuitively knows we are designed to be loved and to love. We are beloved and innocent children of Divine Love at our innermost core, when all else is stripped away, when all the conditionings of the society/religion/politics are removed.

Related post:

“Hunger Games–Disturbing? Indeed…”

Posted by in Identity, Love, Meditation, Peace, Unity and harmony Tags: , , , , , ,

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jimmytst

I am a beloved child of God, and so are you. We are spiritual beings on a human journey. My main interests in life include Nature, music, spirituality, inspiration, philosophy, sports, reading and photography.

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