Healing Forest Films

3 Chocolate Zen Movies for the Soul

Zen movies:  What can a bar of chocolate teach us about happiness? In this collection of short zen movies a humble bar of chocolate will take us on a journey of envy, expectations and the race called life.The inspiration for these 3 short zen movies comes from one of the basic tenets of Zen, which is simplicity. Simple everyday objects can teach us profound lessons about life. The next time you have chocolate, think about these zen messages!

Zen Movie #1 Rat Race

Making of Chocolate Zen Movies:

These  zen films were shot with the nuns of Themisgam nunnery in Ladakh, India. Situated in a secluded valley, the nunnery is home to a small bunch of nuns from Zanskar. Besides their buddhist teachings the young nuns also get basic education in english, hindi and math. The little nuns had never acted in front of the camera, and were initially very shy. But it was wonderful to see their dedication and energy. In the icy cold desert of Leh, their smiles were heart warming.

Cast: Dolma, Chuskit, Palkit, Rigzen, Padma, Tsondus
Special Thanks: Themisgam Nunnery and Avalokitesvara Trust for facilitating the theatre workshop with the little nuns

Zen Movie #2 Expectations

Music for Zen Movie #2 courtesy: Tashi Morup. Music Produced by Upland Plateaux

Zen Movie #3 Envy


How to use these Zen movies: The surprising thing about these short zen movies is that different people take out different messages from each film. E.g. For many people in the corporate world, the ‘chocolate bar’ represents the annual bonus. When one sees the films with that perspective, we get a totally new meaning. We’d love to know, what your interpretation is?

What next: In case you enjoyed these movies, you might like to watch our collection of 6 more short films for the soul. We are in the process of making more of such films. To stay updated, please subscribe.

 

Healing Forest Films

Fountain of Learning Project, Avalokitesvara Trust

Fountain of Learning a.k.a FoL, is an initiative of Avalokitsvara Trust to nurture and educate children in isolated villages of Ladakh. FoL was born in Likir Monastery and the name remains as a metaphor for acts of loving kindness, creativity, connection and compassion and our children’s right to education. Since then, Fountain of Learning Project has joined hands with other isolated and neglected schools in the Ladakh terrain, Indo-China & Indo-Pakistan borders. So far 8 libraries have been set up, but the trust is in the process of raising funds to build more libraries and reach out to a larger base of children in Ladakh.
This short film was made to highlight their work and support them in raising funds to create more libraries.

FoL aspires to organically build an integrated network of like-minded individuals that can extend their support through care, love, time, effort, their skills or monetarily. A few ways in which you can help:

Spreading & sharing word about this project
Collecting and gifting children’s books
Please visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/192600420842269/
Sponsoring a school library
Sponsoring a child.

If you are an individual who would like to volunteer your skills, creativity and time, have training in Montessori methods, experience with young learners, consider yourself a selfless nurturer, love children’s books or are a natural story-teller, please write to friendsoflikir@gmail.com with the subject-VOLUNTEER. To donate, please write with the subject- DONATE.

WATCH: 3 more Short Zen movies made with the little nuns of Themisgam. Click here>>

FOL Address in Leh:
Fountain of Learning, Avalokitesvara Trust,
c/o. Lachumir House,
Behind Lotus Hotel,
Upper Karzoo,
Leh-194101.
Ladakh.
Phone Number : +91 96221 40328
www.facebook.com/avalokitesvaratrust 

Healing Forest Photography

Blue Gold : 25 Pictures from Leh, India in Autumn

October 2012

Leh, an oasis town set amidst the cold ice desert region of the Himalayas is one of the most amazing places to visit in India. While the major tourist season is from May to August, those who venture out in other months are enchanted by the stunning beauty that awaits. Here’s a collection of photographs from Leh in the month of October.