 |
The filmmaker, reunited with his friend, prepares a traditional song for Tibet in Song, a film by Ngawang Choephel.Photo by David Huang |
How dare one person, one group of political torturer’s come along and even ‘attempt’ to strip away one man, one nations ‘song’. We all were born with a song, with such unique music, that distinguishes our song from any other. There are thousands of songs, different notes created to form a masterpiece. How dare one person come along and tell another through their atrocious actions, “You are not allowed to create, to think, to play”. In essence, what such a person is really doing, is denying the beauty and inner magic that God created within each culture.
People, humans, can only attempt to strip one’s identity away. They can physically prevent you from achieving certain things, they can isolate the talents hidden within, my holding you captive. But they can NEVER take from you, the inner, core essence that lies in the crevices of your soul. What these narrow-minded, poor-spirited police did when they arrested Ngawang Choephel, was attempt hide the jewel that shines within. They hid a jewel in isolation, its beauty, its luminescence, fortunately though, they could never strip these elements away from Choephel.
We, the people who embrace culture, who see the beauty that lies within another’s song, food, people and religion, we are responsible for keeping these rare attributes alive. We are the ‘voice’ for these people. We can free a nation, collectively. It starts with just one person. Some people are denied the right and freedom to support such a cause. Perhaps finances prevent you from helping; perhaps like me, you to are geographically unable to provide help first-handedly. I live in Miami, so it’s difficult for me to go to Tibet, or even head over to New York for the amazing screening of Choephel’s voice in the 'Tibet in Song' until October 2nd. However, it costs absolutely nothing to utilize my gifts, my talents to reach into the inner depths of my soul and capture the thoughts that lie within and voice that to the world, to the people-YOU, and express the truths and the cultural struggles that so many people should be exposed to.
It is through my writing, my freedom of expression, my CHOICE to voice another man’s song to the world, to unite and envelope one’s unique culture and present it to the rest of the world. We must celebrate culture, this helps keep it alive. I alone cannot change the world, but I can spread a message of hope, of love, of truth and empower others through my writing, passion, love and appreciation for ‘culture’.
Today, through reading one man’s story and seeing an excerpt of this touching movie, I learn that I have a choice. We all have a choice. We can choose to plant good seeds. We can plant seeds of hope and love, appreciation for another’s culture and the desire to ‘keep alive’ the beauty and richness that culture provides.
It is people like Ngawang Choephel that have true power. As a political prisoner is captured, his inner essence can never be touched. From one man’s noble act and desire, the world now sees truth, a truth that cannot be hidden. Little do these power hungry authorities know that they were a true blessing to Choephel and Tibet. Why you ask? Because if it wasn’t for this one man’s journey to capture traditional Tibetan music and in turn, become captured himself, then worldly political figures and well renown people such as Annie Lenox wouldn’t have stood up for a cause.
Unfortunately, it takes someone of high power or status to actually bring about change or exposure to an issue that has long endured. It is through the presenting of hardships and barriers however, that bring about strengthening of one’s character and vision, and change. It took Choephel’s journey of hardship and vision to express Tibet’s song (both literally and metaphorically), to bring to surface one man’s dream for a nation to be cultivated. Former U.S. Senator of Vermont James Jeffords and Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy helped secure his release in 2002.
I challenge you today, to think about what seeds you will plant today. Will you choose to plant good or bad seeds today? Remember, that it is through the planting of good seeds that you will reap back in due time the beautiful fruits of the good seeds you plant today.
You can also view more articles from Jaime Perris on www.truebluenenrichment.com and http://culturalwonders.blogspot.com .
