Review of Television Series My Name is Earl (2005+)

The Buddha identified karma as volitional activity. That is, each volition in the mind is like a seed with tremendous potential. In the same way that the smallest acorn contains the potential of a great oak tree, so too each of our willed actions contains the seed of karmic results. The particular result depends on the qualities of mind associated with each volition. Greed, hatred, and delusion are unwholesome qualities that produce fruits of suffering; generosity, love, and wisdom are wholesome factors that bear fruits of happiness.

The Buddha called the understanding of this law of karma, the law of action and result, the “light of the world,” because it illuminates how life unfolds and why things are the way they are. The wisdom of this understanding allows us the freedom to make wise choices in our life.
- Joseph Goldstein, Insight Meditation

Earl believes in a simplistic concept karma - “If you do bad things, bad things happen to you. If you do good things, good things happen to you.” While this is a simplistic understanding it does motivate Earl to change his life. He creates a list of all the bad things he has done in his life and sets out to make amends . In addition to experiencing better luck, Earl discovers the joy of making people’s lives better.

Although some of Earl’s previous actions were criminal, the series shows that even smaller actions have long term consequences. Earl develops awareness of cause and effect. The series is laugh out loud funny but also poignant and thought-provoking.

Movie Review of Om Shanti Om (2007)

Movie Review of Om Shanti Om

The Buddha taught his students to develop a power of love so strong that their minds become like a pure, flowing river that cannot be burned. No matter what kind of material is thrown into it, it will not burn. Many experiences--good, bad, and indifferent--are thrown into the flowing river of our lives, but we are not burned, owing to the power of the love in our hearts.
-Sharon Salzberg, Lovingkindess

A delightful movie. It parodies itself, yet manages to have epic moments. It’s silly and sad, melodramatic and moving, goofy and sexy. If you enjoy Bollywood, you’ll love all two hours and forty-seven minutes of this wonderful movie.

The musical numbers are sensational, reminiscent of Hollywood musical at their peak with a delicious East Indian flavour and a touch of tongue in cheek (plenty of Bollywood stars in cameo); they make it difficult to stay in your seat. Watching it will make you want to run out and buy the soundtrack.

Although the underlying karma is through Hindu eyes, the messages are universal. Love conquers all. We must have faith in our dreams and take risks to achieve them. The wheel may turn slowly but it does turn.