Music & More
by Mark Maxwell Abushady • New York City

CDs

Secret Journey
Omar Akram
Real Music
www.realmusic.com
I enjoy albums that, rather than a random collection of songs, have a definite progression, and essentially take you to a place different from where you started. The aptly named Secret Journey does just that, starting with the upbeat and youthful Run Away With Me, progressing through the haunting melodies of the lovely Gypsy Spirit and Stargazers, and ending with the world-wise and plaintive Angel of Hope. At times pop-ish, at others jazzy, but with an overall world music flavor (most notably Latin and Middle-Eastern), this well produced and orchestrated album features a sparkling piano, acoustic guitar, violin, flute, duduke, Persian ney and various electronic keyboards and effects. A joy to listen to.

Dreams & Visions
Mary-Kathryn
Rhythm House Records
www.rhythmhouse.com
Well produced, Dreams & Visions is a lush pop/spiritual creation showcasing what a press release labeled a “broad-based sacredness.” Flavors of various cultures season each cut, though the overall musical sound is one of a contemporary, pleasant pop – easy to listen to, but never dull. Enjoyable.

Gypsy Moon
Priyo
Sounds True
www.soundstrue.com
Latin and flamenco guitarwork is the hallmark of this offering from Priyo, who refers to his music as Afro-Mediterranean. With a combo consisting of nylon string guitar, conga and other percussion, and bass, the music is moody, jazzy and danceable, waxing to a trance-like feel. Gypsy Trance is especially notable with a strong Arabian feel.

Love & Peace
Lisa Lynne and George Tortorelli
New Earth Records
www.newearthrecords.com
Ms. Lynne and Mr. Tortorelli delight with a collection of gentle selections all played on Celtic harp and bamboo flute. Music for relaxing, for quiet and introspective times, and no doubt useful for healing and meditative work. Beautifully executed performances. The plaintive Windrise is especially noteworthy.

Films

You Can Heal Your Life
Louise L. Hay
Directed by Michael Goorjian, Written by Gay Hendricks
Music by Jim Brickman and Tracy Silverman
Hay House
www.hayhouse.com

“the journey begins . . .” with a listen to the perpetual mind chatter of one, then many people on the street, briefly yet starkly interrupted by the thoughts of one positive person in the crowd. “The Journey” being defined by Louise Hay as learning to express our full potential in this world.
The film was very much reminiscent of the widely popular The Secret in form, presentation, and message. So what’s the difference?

As I viewed this well scored, produced and paced documentary, I found myself thinking of it as an “adult version” of The Secret; meaning that the joyful “just ask the universe for what you want” message is tempered by the admonition that one must also make a commitment to oneself and the universe – to consciousness, and, as one of the speakers notes, “. . . to (the) action that’s necessary in order to be able to manifest the things that we affirm or that we intend.” Louise Hay, who has always stressed the importance of affirmations, does so here as well: “The power that created me has given me the power to create my new life. I choose positive, fulfilling new thoughts, beginning right here, right now.”
Through a number of excellent speakers, including Wayne Dyer, Christiane Northrop, and Gay Hendricks, we hear different approaches to the Law of Attraction and positive thinking which, as Ms. Hay points out, allows the presentation to speak to many different people who may resonate more to one speaker’s words than another’s. I was very happy to see Esther and Jerry Hicks in this film, who through their collaboration with Abraham, have worked for years to convey this message. “You cannot fake your point of attraction, can you? It is what it is,” comments Ms. Hicks. “Paying attention to what you say is a very powerful tool for understanding what your point of attraction is.” Wayne Dyer adds: “you become what you think about, whether you want it or not.” Gay Hendricks stresses forgiveness work to get beyond obstacles. And throughout, Louise Hay is a strong, positive force. It should be no surprise that at 80 she looks terrific!

Included in the film’s story line (about an anonymous woman who changes her life) is Louise’s recounting of her own story; taking us from horrifically abusive beginnings, through her Science of Mind ministry, to her miraculous outcomes.

The expanded version reviewed here included an “Affirmation Toolkit,” with affirmations recorded by Ms. Hay on the topics of self, relationships, health and wellness, prosperity and work, as well as an additional DVD of the complete interviews/testimonials from the aforementioned contributors as well as Gregg Braden, Doreen Virtue, Cheryl Richardson, Mona Lisa Schulz and Leon Nacson. I believe this film will clarify many of the questions and issues left in the wake of The Secret.


The Laughing Club of India
A film by Mira Nair and Adam Bartos
Directed by Mira Nair
www.spiritualcinemacircle.com

This short film documents the birth and rise of “Laughing Clubs,” now a movement, in India and beyond. Conceived and actualized by Indian cardiologist Madran Kataria through inspiration from the Reader’s Digest Laughter is the Best Medicine column and his own realizations and enlightenment to the power of laughter, Dr. Kataria has made a science of laughter, categorizing laughter, creating laughter exercises, synthesizing laughter and yoga, and noting the health benefits. The film cites 70 laugh clubs in Bombay alone.

With talk of the oxygenating effects of laughter, and testimonials from children to great grandfolks as to how laughter has helped them, it seems a great putting-into-practice of a truth we all inherently know, yet don’t often follow.


Man From Earth
A Film by Richard Shenkman
Written by Jerome Bixby
Directed by Richard Shenkman
release date: 11/13/2007
www.manfromearth.com

Those who remember The Highlander movies and TV series will recognize the story, although the emphasis here is on concepts rather than swordplay. Going back even further, fans of the original Star Trek series will also recognize elements of the story from the episode “Requiem for Methuselah,” and for good reason: Jerome Bixby wrote that episode of Star Trek (amongst others).

While I had planned to start the film and return later to finish it, the story was so well written, with a main character (portrayed with exceptional skill by David Lee Smith) so engrossing, I found it impossible to tear myself away. His manner was appropriately mysterious and seductive as he related his fascinating story and observations of the rise of humankind on the planet. Notable performances are also turned in by Tony Todd, Richard Riehle, Annika Peterson and Ellen Crawford.

Truly science fiction at its finest: challenging, disturbing, amazing, filled with wonder, and engendering an inner dialogue for those with the ears to hear, allowing the imagination to soar. I have no doubt that this film will offend those with strongly religious outlooks, as the validity of the bible, and its characters, are challenged. For those of us who can stand a little challenge to our spiritual concepts and beliefs, I cannot recommend this piece highly enough, and consider it one of the finest films I’ve seen in years.

 

Mark Maxwell Abushady is an actor, singer, designer and photographer based in New York City.