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The idea that rivers, mountains and streams
could rather literally, speak to the humane soul
is surely an ancient idealisti well worth considering.
In “Entering Shangshan”, for example Du Mu a deep heady Chinese poet
hears a river call but fails to respond to it is lovely song.
But as he begins to contemplate the natural power and beauty of nature,
in this fabled poem he writes …
I enter Shangshan early beneath a hundred miles of cloud.
But under a bridge … the sound of a blue stream is divided.
The waters’ old sound reaches my doddering ears.
But at this time I cannot even bear to listen to it is call.
The Sound of a Blue Stream Divided
Like music in the mind …. the sound of Du Mu’s beauteous blue stream is like a rolling river summoned to appear at heavens’ mountain gate.
The waters of the old sound may reach the poets’ ears … but at this point in time … he cannot bear to listen to it is call.
But is such a calling anything but an ominous event ?
Is it a set of circumstances he may no longer avoid?
To be sure, flowing streams have been related with rippling thoughts that have altered humane cognizance and shaped the whole of humane history. In Chinese culture for example such thoughts have long been related with China’s greatest river, the Yangtze.
The Yangtze River has been equated to a timid girl who irrigates the farmlands and nurtures the people. It has been considered the cradle of civilization. And galore people have even called it the source of Chinese spirituality.
Quite sadly, … in an era in which a lot of Chinese rivers have become horribly polluted, … the sound of flowing water may be a critical cry we may no longer proceed to ignore.
Some humans say a failure to respond to our bothered times will lead to our tragic demise. Others say it is a fateful call for which the world is now only waiting.
Cloud Song Image
Cloud Song Image
Cloud Song Pic
Cloud Song Photo
Jim Henson and his team of artists always knew which stories necessitated to be told to aid children see the larger picture
As a child the story Song of the Cloud Forest had a queer resonance because I was worried when it comes to everything that was happening in the world at that time and the destruction of the rain forests struck me as a tragic lose. Jim Henson and his team of artists always knew which stories necessitated to be told to aid children see the more prominent picture and offered possiblenesses as to how we could make it a little better. I respect mainly that faith Henson’s showed back then, they said what necessitated to be said, it was truthful and it was always empowering. Their artistry was always of the most eminent popular and their artistic innovation was at the works heart as well as it’s artistic message to make a better world. Their work was always highly person and it conveyed the beauty of life because they understood life and at the centre of it all was Jim Henson who actually did carry the whole world on his shoulders at one point – this work is fine example of his love of television storytelling and it is carried forward by his children who believe still in their fathers vision, which is inspiring to see even now. I am delighted Song of the Cloud Forest has found it’s way onto DVD – it is a special piece of work. There is the bonus of a Fraggle Rock episode titled River of Life which again shows Henson’s knowingness and willingness to tackle stories regarding how we must live in concordance with nature.
I include this quote from Lisa Henson which seems fitting for such a release as this and as children, we all picked up on this ….
“I believe that my father had a great deal of kind of direct experience of the spiritual nature of reality, perhaps a vision, that he tried to convey perchance unconsciously in his work – that this world we experience is illusory and that there is a different, more loving and transcendent reality beyond this world of imagined conflicts” – Lisa Henson
Perfect DVD for Earth Day
This is a very instructional DVD, specially because it teaches children in regards to what happens when our rainforests are destroyed and what happens to the creatures that reside in it. This is an idealisti DVD for teachers to show in the classroom on or around Earth Day too.
In The Song of the Cloud Forest the puppets are enjoyable, except the funky monkey looking things. I was amazed that it was very unrealistic equated to other Jim Henson shows. The background was fabulously bogus and the people were distinctly blue screened on the background. The story was great – the quality of the formally presenting something was poor.
Also included on the DVD is an episode of Animal Show. I LOVE THIS! The Animal Show features amazing puppets that are very true to life and more realistic. The characters are funny and the whole show is entertaining. You may genuinely learn a lot from the Animal Show, even if you are adult and think you recognise it all.
There is also a Fraggle Rock episode (I loved them as a child) which a very necessary message in regards to how our selections as humans in truth have a strong inpact on the creatures around us. I thought it was great.
Aside from the poor quality of the Cloud Forest episode I think this is a fantastic DVD over all and well worth adding to your family collection.
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