Gross National Happiness

Thanks to my talented art blogging friend, NamasteNancy, I know where I'll be spending part of my Sunday.

The Asian Art Museum just opened an exhibit about the Kingdom of Bhutan, and today there is a free film festival that highlights the artists and general philosophy of this small and unique nation.

I've watched Frank Capra's 1937 film Lost Horizon several times over the years, and up until recently did not realize that the Shangri-la of James Hilton's famous story may have been based on this tiny country.

Later on, after discovering Michael Palin's stupendously fantastic BBC series, Himalaya (get this or rent it, it's completely fascinating and probably my favorite armchair travel set ever), I became enamoured of the idea of a real country where the people (and their government) have a stated goal that the happiness of its people are of primary importance: Gross National Happiness. Bhutan has made great conscious efforts to preserve its culture and identity and natural resources.

I wonder if our country will ever be able to take a quantum leap in heart like this tiny kingdom.

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There is another wonderful movie called Travellers and Magicians, made by a Bhutanese director, Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche who is also a Tibetan lama. This director also made an earlier (and the first Bhutanese film), The Cup, but Travellers and Magicians really shows the beauty and philosophy of the country and was the first feature film shot entirely in Bhutan. I enjoyed it very much.

This Is the Palin We Need

“I know that we shall meet problems along the way, but I'd far rather see for myself what's going on in the world outside, than rely on newspapers, television, politicians and religious leaders to tell me what I should be thinking.” ~ Michael Palin

and

“Armageddon is not around the corner. This is only what the people of violence want us to believe. The complexity and diversity of the world is the hope for the future.” ~ Michael Palin

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Read those quotes again please.

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I'd campaign and vote for this Palin in a heartbeat. Too bad he's not American. (Oh, but John McCain was born in Panama and that seems to be skirting the rules about who can run for president, but I guess that issue has fallen off the radar now.)

For those of you who might only know Michael Palin as one of the brilliant Monty Pythons, his extensive travels have been his passion for many years and he is also a witty, prolific writer.

I've seen all of his series, but Himalaya is my absolute favorite (we've actually worn out these DVDs from watching them--I didn't even know you could do that).

Palin's humility and ability to present the astounding number of cultural, historical and sociological aspects and diversity of the world's countries is fascinating, educational and eye-opening.



Part of his New Europe series (which is not available on DVD yet):



If nothing else, we already know that he can wear women's clothing, too. I wonder what his position is on intelligence and humor in the White House? It's got to be more enlightened that what we've been getting for so long (although these quotes were never intended to be funny)... (This first skit is one of my favorites, but it's so hard to choose... but very appropos for the subject matter here. )