Words of My Perfect Teacher

[TDWoj]

Well, I managed to watch most of the documentary, catching most of Steven's part in it, which is about 5-10 minutes. Rather incautiously, I thought, the filmmaker gave out his personal e-mail address... they had another tulku in the same section, and it was interesting how whenever Steven said one thing, they cut to film of the other tulku who said something that contradicted him. (There was no malice intended by the filmmaker, though - I think the reason for the cuts was to illustrate her own confusion about the whole enlightenment thing, and how contradictory it and her Rinpoche was.)

Tyson (that's the dog) wanted into the room at the beginning. Woof.

There was a shot of Steven's front gate. Very, um, secure.

The filmmaker was warned by her Rinpoche not to interview Steven, by the way - but she did it anyway, because her Rinpoche had annoyed her and she wanted to get even with him (that was the intent, though she didn't come right out and say so).

There were lots and lots of shots from The Glimmer Man in it, as well.

I'll have to rewind and watch the segment all the way to the end, to see what I missed.

Now I have to get back to work. (sigh)

 

[Lotussan]

Wow, you're lucky to have seen it, TD...Thanks for the synopsis...

 

[tora]

Gotta develop a distance thelepathy within me...

 

[yudansha]

Extraordinary, marvelous (as in Lethal Weapon 4 - "marvelous!") documentary:

The documentary was well put together in all. Excellent background music supported all of its scenes with a great variety emphasizing more on the jazzy/bluesy with some raggae, hip-hop ... Professionally edited and very 'enlightening.' The soccer match scenes were fun to watch ... how Reinpoche enjoyed sports so much and had that sense of humour along with his deeply spiritual side. ... and he likes Matrix too :=) like I was saying: there's much more to Matrix than martial arts - very philosophical. Reinpoche was also shown as a movie maker, who is very intended to keep this hobby of his (having Keanu Reeves star in "Little Buddha"). Reinpoche showed how and where he grew up and introduced the audience to the lifestyle that all around him follow.

Steven Seagal's purpose in the documentary was mainly to give insight on what a 'perfect' teacher should be like ... how one should behave and what do students need to learn from one, and how students in effect should behave towards the teacher/master to show their own respect.

At the beginning of the interview (as TD pointed out), Seagal's big Tyson was heard barking, and Steven Seagal said that he was just concerned for his master (he then called out to his dog: "Tyson" with a smile ...).

That kid who was also named a reincarnation ... I see him as a 'joker' ... he actually went on and said that he wants to sell that piece of property that was inherited to him due to his religious meaning as a birth child, and later he went on to say that he rejects any lifestyle of a monk ... and rather follows one of a computer geek on his PC with his online gaming.

I don't know what the meaning was of showing Seagal's and the kid's statements contradict, but I didn't take it as the two people disagreeing with one another, but rather as to the level of wisdom between each other (guess who was portrayed to be more wise ...).

The documentary is not on Steven Seagal but on Reinpoche. I originally planned to watch it (that's why I taped it) only because of Steven Seagal's appearence, but after the first few minutes, I totally forgot that Steven Seagal was going to be 'featured' and just enjoyed what was provided. I do recommend all to watch not only because of Steven Seagal's appearence but also to see what sort of lifestyle Steven Seagal may have followed.

 

[ZenLateralus]

I guess since I didn't tape this (what 3 years ago?) it's too late for me to see it, eh?

 

[yudansha]

<-->Here on Cable May 4th...

What are you talking about? too late? 3 years ago?
Just because something was made awhile ago doesn't mean that it wasn't going to be shown again. In fact it was just shown here yesterday.

 

[tora]

Well,for example,in Russia you can see a movie a year before it gets released on a big screen So make your guesses...

 

[yudansha]

But only the select few.

Then how come you haven't seen any 'upcoming' Steven Seagal's movies?

 

[tora]

I don't live in Russia.And the borders are tight here for smuggling...I thought I knew that you knew what I knew you knew...

 

[yudansha]

LOL ... right Estonia (almost forgot ... almost)

yeah I knew you knew what I knew you knew

 

[Lotussan]

Don't assume anyone one knows anything, because you know the saying about assumptions...

 

[yudansha]

May he rest in piece - the great funny man.

As John Ritter has pointed out: when you 'assume' ... you make an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me' :=)

 

[TDWoj]

I guess since I didn't tape this (what 3 years ago?) it's too late for me to see it, eh?

The documentary was filmed over a period of time, starting just before 9/11 and for about a year afterwards. It takes time to put something like this together; the release or "finished" date is actually 2003.

This is the first time this documentary has been shown, at least on TV. It might have been shown at the Film Festival, but I don't have last year's programme, so I can't be sure that it was.

It's not listed as being available for purchase yet on the NFB website, so I suspect last night's showing really was the first time it's been shown anywhere.