A Land Called Paradise

I found A Land Called Paradise compelling and thought provoking yet at the same time immensely entertaining! So many of the stereotypes we develop about people who are different from us emerge from our not knowing individuals from that group personally. This short film opens up the lives of everyday people and in the process breaks down barriers and undermines prejudice. I'd love to see a series of films like this one where a range of religious or ethnic groups are each asked the same question: "what would you like to say to the rest of the world?"

‘We share one heart, one consciousness and one Divine source.'
Sharon Gannon and David Life, Jivamukti Yoga

A Land Called Paradise is a heart energy film. From the message to the music it is filled with the magic of love. It evokes our true inner spirit which unites us all. There is a strong sense of rising above our lower natures, and jettisoning our fears and our prejudices which separate us from one another. Ultimately, this is a film which transcends all religions. It reaches the heart of the soul. By the end of the film, you feel light and joyful.

We live so much of our lives making judgements. We reinforce our judgements through our prejudices and protect them by believing in the stereotypes we create in our minds. These judgements are a reflection of our own fears. They say more about us than the subjects they describe. Sadly, human history is smeared with the paranoia of individuals and races against those they perceive as different. Hatred, violence and misunderstanding are a legacy we leave behind time and time again. Today's victims are the Muslim communities around the world which makes this film all the more relevant and timely.

Are we ever going to learn from history? I hope so.

Someone once said to me ‘in every moment, through every thought, word and deed, we have two choices: to reach out or to pull away. The first is a gesture of love. It creates positive karma and raises our vibrancy making us joyful, inclusive and generous. It brings us closer to the blissful nature of our souls.

The second is a gesture of fear. It creates negative karma and lowers our vibrancy and our sense of being connected. It makes us distrust, take advantage of and harm one another. It isolates us and creates chaos and disharmony.

To open the heart centre, Anahata Chakra, in yogic tradition is the beginning of the state of enlightenment. This is the seat of the soul where we start to experience more spiritual realities. Lord Muruga, the gatekeeper of Anahata Chakra, resides here. He evokes calmness and stillness of mind, and peace and harmony.

This film reminds us of the tremendous power we each have: the power to influence by the choices we make and the energy we project. Not only can we shape our own lives, we can also create A Land Called Paradise, right here, right now in this very world.

[A Land Called Paradise] In 2007, American Muslims were asked what they would like to say to the world. Their responses, documented with sensitivity and humour by Lena Khan, provide an opportunity to develop a greater understanding of the issues facing diverse Muslim communities and also of our commonalities. A valuable educational resource, particularly for young people.

Is there a difference between being a Christian, and behaving as a Christian?

Perhaps this is merely semantic, but it occurs to me that a common issue in the lives of Christians, especially young Christians, is a disparity between when we call ourselves Christians, and when we behave as Christians.

Usually we best behave as Christians when we’re with friends of similar beliefs and backgrounds, at church, in circles where talking about God it is immediately acceptable. That behaviour probably isn’t as evident in places where religion isn’t as pervasive – the workplace, school, university.

A Land Called Paradise is not ostensibly a ‘Christian’ film, but what I found most encouraging was how it depicted the universality of belief and how it affects your life.

This uplifting film, the result of a comprehensive survey of American Muslims, has a number of Muslims ‘talking’ about what they want to say about themselves, about God and about Islam.

These believers talk about loving God. They talk about relationships and sex, about fashion; you know, normal things. But in all the things they talk about, what becomes clear is that their belief is part of who they are – there isn’t a division between being a Muslim then being a student then being a friend, depending on the circumstances.

The film could easily have featured Christians talking about movies, work and fashion, and the outcome would be the same: a positive movie that shows no matter who you are, where you live, or how you got to be where you are, if you are a follower of God, then you are a follower of God at the movies, at work, and buying clothes. It is an unshakable part of who you are.

[from the introduction] What a great message, and what a great way to convey it. It would seem, according to the media, Muslims are the modern age communists. It is always refreshing to see communication that shows people for what they really are. I especially liked the shot ‘we the people - means all of us'. Human nature is hell-bent on separating us in to boxes when in God's eyes we are all equal.

I liked all of these films for different reasons, and perhaps the one that made me the most cheerful was A Land Called Paradise, because it targeted common prejudices in such an upbeat way. The Baha'i faith teaches that overcoming prejudices of nation, religion, gender and class is absolutely essential if we are to ever have peace on earth, and the founder of the Baha'i faith, Baha'u'llah, says we can easily overcome prejudice if we see the human race as one family, where everyone has a right to be here as a creation of one God. Even children who don't like broccoli!