Hey, M.I.A.’s new single looks like a mandala
Yes, it does. And I think it's safe to say that's clearly intentional. But that's not reason enough to check it out.
The fact that it's M.I.A. is reason enough. And, it's streaming for free, so what the heck.
Yes, it does. And I think it's safe to say that's clearly intentional. But that's not reason enough to check it out.
The fact that it's M.I.A. is reason enough. And, it's streaming for free, so what the heck.
Goodbye, The Goodwin Games…. We hardly knew ye
[caption id="attachment_5290" align="alignleft" width="143"]
Photo via flickr user TheeErin.[/caption]
Have you heard of this show, The Goodwin Games? It's currently on the air, having come on as a mid-season replacement on FOX. But, apparently, its finale will air next month.
Too bad. Okay, I've only watched one episode ("Hamletta"), having just stumbled upon the show the other day. I'm not saying The Goodwin Games is brilliant -- how could I, especially after just one episode? But it does seem to be, at least, *good.* Sometimes, that's refreshing in itself. Also refreshing: the main characters -- one sister and two brothers, previously estranged but reunited after their father's death -- all seem to share positive values. They're multidimensional. They love each other and say so. And: one of the Goodwin brothers, Jimmy, is a Buddhist.
Yes, this character is fond of quoting the Buddha, make no mistake about it. In fact, when I first stumbled upon the show, I only caught a sliver of the middle of it, but there was Jimmy saying, in response to his brother's threat to dispatch an unusual creature found in their house, "No, Henry, I won't let you hurt it. In prison I learned the way of the Buddha. And in Buddhist morality, the first precept is, 'Never harm, kill, roughly pet, or squish any other living thing.'" (...Not an actual quote, of course, but Jimmy definitely grasps the idea.)
Then, when I watched the episode from the beginning, there was Jimmy again, with more Buddha talk. Cool, I thought -- but let's hope they don't turn this guy into a cartoon.
Thankfully, they don't seem to have. As I learned as the show went on, Jimmy Goodwin is an ex-prisoner who, during his time in prison, read "48 books about Buddhism" and "almost 1200" books in all. So Jimmy's making all these references to the dharma mostly just because he's taken it to heart. It's not mere zealotry. (Though there's a maybe little of that in there, too, which is perhaps only fair.) Played by the very enjoyable standup comic and actor T.J. Miller, Jimmy has humanity and a gentle silliness. (Miller's role was played by another actor in the show's pilot.)
So, to sum up: A super-positive (but not cloying) portrayal of a dharma-practicing ex-prisoner? Sounds refreshing to me.
I look forward to checking out the reruns and seeing how it all holds up. If you've seen the show and would like to weigh in, please do in the comments. More, including full episodes -- streaming in the US only, sorry -- can be found here.
Photo via flickr user TheeErin.[/caption]
Have you heard of this show, The Goodwin Games? It's currently on the air, having come on as a mid-season replacement on FOX. But, apparently, its finale will air next month.
Too bad. Okay, I've only watched one episode ("Hamletta"), having just stumbled upon the show the other day. I'm not saying The Goodwin Games is brilliant -- how could I, especially after just one episode? But it does seem to be, at least, *good.* Sometimes, that's refreshing in itself. Also refreshing: the main characters -- one sister and two brothers, previously estranged but reunited after their father's death -- all seem to share positive values. They're multidimensional. They love each other and say so. And: one of the Goodwin brothers, Jimmy, is a Buddhist.
Yes, this character is fond of quoting the Buddha, make no mistake about it. In fact, when I first stumbled upon the show, I only caught a sliver of the middle of it, but there was Jimmy saying, in response to his brother's threat to dispatch an unusual creature found in their house, "No, Henry, I won't let you hurt it. In prison I learned the way of the Buddha. And in Buddhist morality, the first precept is, 'Never harm, kill, roughly pet, or squish any other living thing.'" (...Not an actual quote, of course, but Jimmy definitely grasps the idea.)
Then, when I watched the episode from the beginning, there was Jimmy again, with more Buddha talk. Cool, I thought -- but let's hope they don't turn this guy into a cartoon.
Thankfully, they don't seem to have. As I learned as the show went on, Jimmy Goodwin is an ex-prisoner who, during his time in prison, read "48 books about Buddhism" and "almost 1200" books in all. So Jimmy's making all these references to the dharma mostly just because he's taken it to heart. It's not mere zealotry. (Though there's a maybe little of that in there, too, which is perhaps only fair.) Played by the very enjoyable standup comic and actor T.J. Miller, Jimmy has humanity and a gentle silliness. (Miller's role was played by another actor in the show's pilot.)
So, to sum up: A super-positive (but not cloying) portrayal of a dharma-practicing ex-prisoner? Sounds refreshing to me.
I look forward to checking out the reruns and seeing how it all holds up. If you've seen the show and would like to weigh in, please do in the comments. More, including full episodes -- streaming in the US only, sorry -- can be found here.
Reputable news source breaks huge Dalai Lama story
According to a large-circulation media outlet of some repute, the Dalai Lama has retired and taken up a new residence: the infamous Playboy mansion.
In fact, says the report, "Hugh Hefner has named the Dalai Lama the new Leader of Playboy, which the spiritual leader has embraced."
Shocking, no? Read all about this surprising revelation by way of the very reputable news source's website, here.
Posted by theworsthorse in funny -- or not?, HHDL, magazines, weird news on 06 12th, 2013 | No Comments
According to a large-circulation media outlet of some repute, the Dalai Lama has retired and taken up a new residence: the infamous Playboy mansion.
In fact, says the report, "Hugh Hefner has named the Dalai Lama the new Leader of Playboy, which the spiritual leader has embraced."
Shocking, no? Read all about this surprising revelation by way of the very reputable news source's website, here.
NJ sells its lottery with Double Dharma-Burger allure
Posted by theworsthorse in advertising, Dharma-Burger!, Sam DeWitt Specials, tibet, tv, zen on 06 10th, 2013 | No Comments
Thanks to the ever-eagle-eyed Sam DeWitt for pointing out this New Jersey Lottery commercial, which makes odd references to both Tibet and a "Zen guru" -- whatever that is:
Ryan Vanderhoof, formerly of Akron/Family, talks Buddhism and new music
The clearly Buddhist-influenced cover for Akron/Family's 2006 album, Meek Warrior.[/caption]
In a new interview with the Auburn Citizen, Ryan Vanderhoof, formerly of the excellent band Akron/Family, talks about his new music and his Buddhist practice.
Check it here.
Posted by theworsthorse in Music on 06 6th, 2013 | No Comments
[caption id="attachment_5273" align="alignleft" width="225"] The clearly Buddhist-influenced cover for Akron/Family's 2006 album, Meek Warrior.[/caption]
In a new interview with the Auburn Citizen, Ryan Vanderhoof, formerly of the excellent band Akron/Family, talks about his new music and his Buddhist practice.
Check it here.
Dharma-Burger! First there was “Karma Chameleon”…
...now there's "Dharma Protocol." That's the name under which Boy George is releasing new music. The first single doesn't reference a Buddhist concept, though. It's called "Jesus Loves You." Story here.
Of “Zombies & Zen”
The Buddhism-and-Zombies crossover is nothing new. (See, for example, here, and here.) But at Philosophy Now, they've taken things to a whole new level. See Konchog Norbu's excellent and fun commentary about it Shambhala SunSpace, here.
Dharma-Burger! Nike’s new “Zen” sneaker
This new shoe, Nike tells us, was "inspired by the practice of meditation and the concept of Zen.... Almost every part of the shoe reflects an aspect of a tranquil Zen garden: a modified Waffle outsole made to look like stepping stones, an insole that mirrors a raked rock garden, and slightly different midsole side lengths-a juxtaposition of seriousness and playfulness."
Perhaps Nike will also take further inspiration from Buddhism-confluent lines and do what it can to halt its involvement in the propagation of suffering.
This new shoe, Nike tells us, was "inspired by the practice of meditation and the concept of Zen.... Almost every part of the shoe reflects an aspect of a tranquil Zen garden: a modified Waffle outsole made to look like stepping stones, an insole that mirrors a raked rock garden, and slightly different midsole side lengths-a juxtaposition of seriousness and playfulness."
Perhaps Nike will also take further inspiration from Buddhism-confluent lines and do what it can to halt its involvement in the propagation of suffering.
