REVIEW:
"WHAT A WAY TO GO —
LIFE AT THE END OF EMPIRE ©
by Lady Raven Ariana
“What A Way To Go – Life At the End of Empire” is a film about the problems that are plaguing our very Earth and the survival of the myriad of species (including ourselves) that share it. Mass extinction, Climate Change, Peak Oil, and Human Overpopulation are among the issues focused on in this DVD.
Privately made by one individual asking hard questions and finding answers from friends and experts, analyzing the historical, social, and psychological factors driving us towards extinction; this movie is a “must see” for anyone working towards positive change on behalf of ourselves and the rest of life on the planet.
At times watching the film feels overwhelming. It shears away our denial and brings us face to face with our personal grief and loss. A friend of mine, Lynn Culver (current president of the Feline Conservation Federation) mourned for a long time after seeing this DVD. She is the one who suggested to me that for my birthday (this past December) I purchase and watch it, then share it with others.
What I really like about the film is some of the authors and authorities it draws on. Among them is one of my favorite thinkers, Daniel Quinn, author of “Ishmael”, “The Story of B”, and “My Ishmael”. He is one of the authors interviewed and credited in inspiring this work. Daniel Quinn has been an artist, visionary, community builder, and writer who thinks and writes “outside the box”. His written works examine the underlying stories that inform our culture, personal lives, beliefs, and behaviors.
Another aspect of this film I enjoyed was the ultimate liberation and freedom to act suggested by facing our fears. “Getting off the train” and “building a boat” are some powerful metaphors that T.S. Bennett, writer/director of this movie, provides. These very metaphors give us a way to look at our current situation and perhaps make different choices.
Facing our fears is never easy. Yet the Shaman’s path requires us to face our fears one day or moment at a time. Through this continual self-confrontation, honesty, appraisal, and application, we (as Shamans) can help hone our healing abilities. We can then use these abilities to help ourselves and the other beings that share our world.
If you decide to purchase this DVD, my suggestion would be to do so in a collective (if possible) and watch it together with plenty of time and room for group discussion.
All in all, this film, for me, has been a thought provoking self-reflective experience that gives language and structure to previous free floating ideas and feelings that I have been experiencing. It has given me verbal tools to communicate thoughts and ideas to others. It has suggested metaphorical guideposts and places for further exploration. I’d have to give this DVD the metaphorical Shamans’ “High Five”* or Five Stars.
(*”High Five” is an American gesture mainly used by young people. It is a physical meeting of hands high in the air in a sort of slap, usually right hand to right hand. The meaning is “you’re on track”, “we are in agreement”, “right on”, “I respect your opinion”, “I resonate with your message”, among other messages indicating positive support and agreement.)
Links to learn more in order of appearance.
How you can purchase the DVD:
http://www.whatawaytogomovie.com
The Feline Conservation Federation:
http://www.felineconservationfederation.org
http://www.felineconservationfederation.com
Note: This site is under change by volunteers and I have had trouble accessing at times. Another source you might try is:
http://www.rexano.org
Author, Daniel Quinn:
http://www.ishmael.com
Lady Raven Ariana has served her community as a priestess for many years. She holds a university degree in psychology, is a former hospice chaplain, and has been active as a teacher, leader, counselor, media liaison, and healer. Her special interests include nature recording, art, music, and spending time with those she cares about, especially her husband, children, grandchildren, and friends.
She is currently retired as a public HP in her local community, but continues to serve the Spirits by volunteering in the efforts to save and conserve wild felines and their habitats. She is an active member of the Feline Conservation Federation and a professional member of the Cat Writers’ Association.
She lives in the USA. Her music website is located at: http://www.shapeshifting.com
Review: What a Way to Go - Life At the End of Empire copyright © 2008 by Lady Raven Ariana, all
rights reserved. Used with permission. Top of Page
Earthsongs: International Journal of the Society of Celtic Shamans copyright © 2008 by Elder Grove Press and content providers. All rights reserved. International copyright laws prohibit reproduction of or distribution of this page by any means whatsoever, electronic or otherwise, without first obtaining the written permissions of the copyright holders. We retain legal counsel to protect our copyrights.
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