 "Fantasic Film" | 2009-04-08 |
| - Reviewed By pfratianni |
| For the Spiritual Seeker this is am exemplary film. You can really see the progression of Ram Dass throughout the film and the relation between suffering and spiritual growth. There are also some very touching scenes of people conveying how Ram Dass touched their lives. Some of these people have gone through incredibly difficult experiences making his love even more special. |
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| "consciousness raising" | 2008-09-15 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1YBMAJLRSVG7D |
| This DVD was a sensitive exploration into adversity, how it can impact on our lives, and yet how we can view it from a spiritual perspective and gain greater awareness of how we can transcend the challenges and move through the process. Ramm Dass, a great teacher and learner from life, satisfies again the point between poignancy and clarity. |
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 "Maybe an unfilmable subject . . ." | 2008-09-13 |
| - Reviewed By rockysquirrel |
Knowing the younger Ram Dass from recordings of his talks to devoted and appreciative audiences, I was familiar with an immensely articulate and affective advocate of Eastern spirituality - able to speak with a familiar voice and an accessible vocabulary about a subject that goes beyond language and reason. What is disappointing about this film is how post-stroke aphasia has affected the man's ability to speak so clearly, precisely, and eloquently. Watching the film, I kept thinking that the film's editors were making him seem more articulate than he now is.
I gather from those who speak highly of Ram Dass that you literally have to *be there* with him to fully grasp the impact of his presence as a teacher. A lengthy scene at the end of the film records a session with a young woman who comes to him for help dealing with the violent death of a dear friend. The camera attempts to capture what transpires during that meeting, but I think it's very difficult to tell to what extent the force of his presence (given his difficulty with language) has in the situation. It may have been profound or superficial - it's really hard to tell for sure, and that is, I think, a problem with the film.
Others here have blamed the filmmakers, and I don't know if that criticism is fair. The medium of film, with its attention to surfaces, is handicapped in dealing with a subject like this. I would recommend this film only for people who are already fans of Ram Dass. And if you are older, don't look for much insight into aging. To that extent, the film shows him at a reading of a new book about this subject, and if you aren't troubled too much by the obvious role played by his editor (which we see in one scene), you may find the book more illuminating than this film. |
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| "BRILLIANT!" | 2007-04-12 |
| - Reviewed By jwelshon |
| This is one of the most moving and meaningful documentaries I have ever seen. Mickey Lemle has done a magnificent job of blending all of the significent aspects of Ram Dass' life together into a beautiful tapestry that is at once touching, profound, insightful, hilarious, and heartbreaking. Ram Dass' characteristic willingness to be totally vulnerable, open, and honest, to explore the spiritual challenges inherent in the after-effects of his life-changing stroke, and to continue to share his own magical blend of extraordinarily wise, compassionate spiritual truths is refreshing, delightful, and heart-warming. BRAVO! Thank you for creating this precious gem! |
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| "Ram Dass Fierce Grace" | 2007-04-10 |
| - Reviewed By User: ANZVIPM7HHLW7 |
| Very inspirational with highs and lows. Great for any person who has had a stroke. I totally enjoyed it. Recommended |
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| "A Place of Grace" | 2007-01-23 |
| - Reviewed By fullcirclecreations |
I don't know if it was just me or what, but when I was fifteen, I thought I was somehow going to be the one that magically escaped "old age". But then I got to be in my twenties and I still clung to a shred of hope that maybe I could still escape it. After my thirties I knew I was going to be no different than all the others that preceeded me, age was inevitable, but getting old was entirely up to me.
In this exceptional movie, Ram Dass shows us that even though the body may betray us, the Spirit that is within is always willing to make all things new. He is a "true" Spiritual teacher. He lives what he talks about. I was always kind of suspect of those "teachers" who claimed to be so exalted and beyond this world. What makes a "true" spiritual teacher is someone who shows us the we are in the world, but we are not of it...that our limitations are not here to thwart us, but are given to us so that we may get the opportunity to prove that our soul/our spirit is infinitely stronger than any situation we may be going through.
I have to admit, I've done my fair share of pouting the last few years. My body has had its share of trials and tribulations to overcome and after seeing Fierce Grace, I was actually embarrassed about my physical complaining. Ram Dass has faced his physical limitations with an even greater willingness to "serve God". He truly is the embodiment of Love, Compassion, and Service.
We can all learn from this beautiful movie. Do we curse the things that we are given or do we realize that even the so called difficulties that are in our lives are blessings? We really don't know what is for our Highest Good, but there is something that does and it is that something greater that we need to continually surrender to moment by moment by precious moment.
Every moment of our lives has gotten us to right here and right now and where we will eventually end up will be determined by what we predominantly used our time for. Did we use our time helping others or by seeing what we could get from others? Did we use our time for celebrating or for mourning our losses? Did we realize the amount of grace that is available in each and every moment or did we argue that life isn't fair? We may not be able to escape age, but we can use it to our greatest advantage.
This movie is a blessing. You will feel blessed just by watching it.
Peace to all... |
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