Practical spirituality for a complicated world.
***image1***There are very few television shows we watch in our home. In fact, we've seriously discussed getting rid of our television set altogether. We have created a sacred space in our home, and like it or not, the television brings all sorts of discordant energies into our space. It doesn't make sense to work so hard at creating a peaceful atmosphere where the things of Spirit are honored, and then have an opening through which hatred, violence and filth pour forth on a regular basis. We never watch television news, either. For one thing, there is precious little news on those broadcasts. Since we've pulled back so much from mainstream culture, when we do occasionally tune in to watch a particular show, we are stunned at the blatant, undiluted propaganda of most television ads, shows and news broadcasts. If we were immersed in the energetics of that propaganda all the time, I really don't think we'd notice it at all. When you stop and think about it, it can be quite intimidating, even frightening. Air time is so very expensive, that nothing, absolutely nothing is there by accident or chance. Every word, every syllable is carefully placed for the maximum impression upon the viewer. Actually, my good friends, Sam and Bettina Giancana wrote a best seller, the gripping novel
30 Seconds
, about, amongst other exciting topics, the crafting of a half-minute advertisement to be broadcast during the Super Bowl. If you're looking for a good holiday read, a well-written, entertaining book, then pick up
30 Seconds
.
Although I will criticize television a bit more before today's column is finished, I would also like to share some of what I like about it. I enjoy a well-written comedy, such as
Friends, Seinfeld
, the incomparable
Frasier
, and the classics,
Mary Tyler Moore, Rhoda,
and
Bob Newhart
. I also adore English comedies along the lines of Monty Python, the bawdy
Benny Hill, The Two Ronnies
, and
As Time Goes By. Keeping Up Appear
ances
is, and will remain a timeless classic, for it is about love and devotion triumphing over all sorts of human frailty. My all-time favorite comedy would have to be
Absolutely Fabulous
, although it isn't a family show. It's for adults only, but you won't see smut for smut's sake. The creator and star of the show, Jennifer Saunders, is a comedic genius. As far as I've seen, she has no rival on either side of the pond, with the possible exception of Amy Sedaris. Jennifer Saunders is a terrific writer and actress. I hope I get to meet her one day. If you came of age during the 1960s, you'll understand the optimistic decadence of
Absolutely Fabulous
, especially since we see so many badly aging ex-hippies in Santa Fe.
I don't at all like the way Hollywood portrays most aspects of sexuality. It seems to me that they cheapen and sensationalize sex. They talk about sex the way we used to when we were in junior high. They giggle, use dirty words to show how cool they are, and snicker with their hand over their face….not the junior high kids, the Hollywood writers and producers! I don't consider myself a prudish person, but I do have high standards of personal conduct. I'm amazed by how juvenile and vulgar so many of those people are. They could take lessons in adult humour from Jennifer Saunders and Benny Hill (posthumously).
Another thing that amazes me about the Hollywood writers and producers is their hypocrisy. Most of them say they are political liberals, and endorse sensible gun control, social justice issues and equality. Yet they produce shows filled with people using guns to shoot other people, people bombing others, raping people, blowing up cars, buildings and other people, racial stereotypes of whites, blacks, Hispanics, and others, and it just goes on and on and on. Their characters are all too often spoiled, indifferent, egoistic nut cases who live in the gorgeous splendor of Southern California mansions, surrounded by expensive gadgets, driving around in Porsche convertibles, in a fog of disaffected ennui, complaining the whole time. The hypocrisy of these writers and producers is breathtaking. The violence of their shows is sickening…until you get so used to it that you aren't horrified by violence any longer. They even market this violence to children, who sit with computer games that are incredibly, unbelievably violent. How can we possibly think people aren't being affected by all this violence? If you have any bit of intelligence at all, you'll be able to see that surrounding yourself with shootings, beatings, stabbings, rapes, explosions and car crashes, over and over and over, is going to affect you. Is that really the energy you want around you, or your family, or permeating your home? They tell us that they are only providing the type of shows that people want. This is not true. They are creating a desire, and fulfilling that desire with their shows. The proof is in basic marketing. The best PR people know that you create the desire and provide the product. They get people hooked on the adrenaline rush of violence, and then produce show after show teaching people how to behave, and what is appropriate and allowed in this brave new world they've created. You'll also notice all their shows are formulaic. If you've seen one, you've seen them all. It's a miracle that anything original, like
Seinfeld
, ever gets on the air at all, much less stays there as a hit. Don't you see that?
Much of popular music today is as bad, if not worse. I'm taking other people's word for this, as I don't listen to music that is current. Much of it is violent vulgarity, inspired by gangsters and drug dealers. I won't say much more than that, because Bill Cosby has done a good job trying to bring attention to this cultural virus. However, certain "activists" tried to destroy him, and have effectively silenced him on the subject. If Bill Cosby couldn't do it, what hope do I have? I'm courageous, but I'm not suicidal.
In our home, we occasionally listen to classics from the 1960s and 1970s, but usually, we've got East Indian devotional music playing. My current favorite is
Live on Earth
by Krishna Das. It's a fabulous double CD, and devotional nectar literally drips from each track. Good job, Krishna Das! Then again, everyone is not going to enjoy the same type of music. The main thing is to be conscious of what you're putting into your head. Computer programmers tell us, "Trash in, trash out." It is the same with our brains, which are really sophisticated computers. So, be in control of what goes in, and don't entrust that to anyone else.
Crowds are another source of disruption in our lives. Have you ever had a great day, where everything flowed perfectly, and then you went to a party, a club or a bar, and soon you felt awful? Well, part of that is the energetics of alcohol, which is quite disruptive, and part is the frantic sexual energy so often present in today's gatherings. You can't just go blundering into places and expect your pink bubble of light to protect you. You've also got to use some discernment. We were recently invited to a social gathering, and the host said, "We'll eat around nine o'clock." I politely declined, and explained, "At our house, by 6:30 we've had supper, done the dishes and I'm in my jammies looking for re-runs of
MacGyver
." I'm not saying my way is better. All I'm saying is that I've found a lifestyle that is peaceful, balanced and directed by my spirit. It works for me. Find what works for you. Discover the lifestyle that brings you what you want from life.
OM
To ask Robert a question, visit his website at www.RobertOdom.com, email desertrj@msn.com or send mail to PO Box 33, Santa Fe NM 87504.