We pride ourselves on our progress. We value the newest, the most advanced and the shiniest products. And as a result we tend to look down on things that are old. We look for the latest apps and the latest developments in technology, while giving little attention to those things that have been around for a long time.
Wisdom doesn’t come out of a bottle and can’t be manufactured. It comes from experience and being fully present with experience.
Our elder cultures, those that predate the industrial revolution, have a wisdom that we have brushed aside. “We are more advanced.” “We’ve gone beyond them.” And of course, the derogatory, “They are primitive.”
We have disregarded these elder cultures and thus have lost and have been unable to benefit from their wisdom as it relates to our earth, personal development and the relationship between the two. These cultures have learned how to be in harmony with nature; with the earth. Modern society has typically tried to overcome or master its environment, rather than harmonize with it.
When the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Ethics presented “The American holocaust” as the theme for one of its peace conferences, its goal was to bring awareness to the wounding of a people, and to help in their healing; because awareness and intention brings about healing. The other goal was to learn the ways that our Native American brothers and sisters live in harmony with the earth.
At a time when we need new lessons of adapting to the environment we live in, it’s helpful to look to these cultures for guidance. On May 24th, 25th and 26th the Garifuna International Film Festival for the preservation of all indigenous cultures will be presented at the Electric Lodge, in Venice, California. The Festival, produced by Freda Sideroff, will have films from around the world. Many of the film makers will be present for Q and A, including Academy award winning filmmaker Victoria Mudd. There will also be a short documentary by the Wallenberg Institute on its “Life Choices through Interactive Drama” program. In addition there will be other cultural presentations and art.
Both the City of Los Angeles as well as the State of California have declared May 26th, Garifuna International Film Festival Day. Click here if you are interested in learning more about this important event, viewing movie trailers and purchasing tickets.