BOOK REVIEW: The Bhagavad Gita by Anonymous

 

This is classic Hindu literature that is actually part of a larger work called Mahabharata. It is the narrative of a conversation between an Indian prince and the god Krishna, and is written in poetic form. It puts forward the duality of the individual self and the god self within each being, and the concept of reincarnation. It also asks its adherents to meditate solely to lose their individuality and embody only the god self, with absence of all emotion or desire.

While I respect this book as being extremely important to the Hindu religion and its followers, I have a problem with the idea of paradise being premised on the total loss of the individual. In my opinion, how can one look forward to a time of bliss when all ability to enjoy it has been taken away? Isn’t paradise supposed to be the one place where someone can be happy and contented, not an emotionless lump that simply sits and accepts their surroundings or is merely an infinitely small part of a greater whole? The individual has to be whole and complete to be able to fully appreciate a state of being where conflict and suffering are absent. For this reason, I still prefer a God that accepts the full individual and loves them just as they are without any meditation or work on their part needed.

MOVIE REVIEW: Behemoth

 

This is a 2011 film about a monster that lives in a mountain and the people from the small town nearby that find themselves in a fight to stop it from destroying the world. Concentrated on one family in particular, this has strong mythological links, including a man who, like the legendary Cassandra, tries to warn those around him that something terrible is about to happen but is largely ignored. The special effects are really good and the screenplay, especially building up to the first complete sighting of the monster, is very well done. But the real gem of this is William B. Davis, who made his mark playing the Cancer Man in the television series X-Files, as the pathetic, haunted college professor who is the only one who believes that horrible things are about to happen and is not listened to, even by his own family, because of his recent bout with depression following his wife's death. Made for the small screen, this has no erotica, very little strong language, and no gore. For anyone looking for a decent monster movie to show the kids on family night, this is it.