My thoughts on Avatar.
Beyond the marvelous effects, touching story, and regurgitation of James Cameron's brilliant imagination -- Avatar was an answer. For me at least. I'm one of those people who never stops trying to figure it out. They say "ignorance is bliss" and I can't seem to get there. I wasn't brought up with a specific religion -- I wasn't given any religious rules or guidelines... you could say I was brought up knowing that I was loved and capable of anything; it was as simple as that. I like to look at things from a very neutral perspective. I think we make life out to be more complicated than it is. Here are my simple understandings:
Beyond the marvelous effects, touching story, and regurgitation of James Cameron's brilliant imagination -- Avatar was an answer. For me at least. I'm one of those people who never stops trying to figure it out. They say "ignorance is bliss" and I can't seem to get there. I wasn't brought up with a specific religion -- I wasn't given any religious rules or guidelines... you could say I was brought up knowing that I was loved and capable of anything; it was as simple as that. I like to look at things from a very neutral perspective. I think we make life out to be more complicated than it is. Here are my simple understandings:
-we are all human (the same)
-we are created by something much more intelligent than we (the way our bodies heal itself is a small piece of evidence)
-no one is more "special" than anyone else... we all have the exact same equal potential
-since we were created by something brilliant, we have that same brilliance inherent in us, however, it is up to us (free will) to decide to bring it forth
-regardless of race, ethnicity, language etc. we are all given the same tools (instincts) in order for our survival.
-we all need love
-what I mean by all of us are equal is this: since we are all human, and all are given the same instincts (to survive) and the same potential for what I like to call enlightenment, than any human to ever exist never possessed anything more than what I (or you) have the potential for (there's that word again)...this means, Jesus, the Buddha, any prophets, saints, etc.
-these people, in my opinion (regardless of what any man made book says) were enlightened enough to show us (the "ordinary person") what we are ALL capable of...if we so choose.
-the purpose of the human being is to use free will (we have the power to choose good or evil, to harm or not to harm, to be enlightened or ordinary...)
How this has anything to do with Avatar...
For me, the story of Avatar is a metaphor for what life is. Let's face it - (and this will be hard for some to admit) none of us know the truth. I am fine to admit that, however, I am trying to come from the most neutral standpoint possible. Until God (I use "God" for lack of a better word) itself comes down, looks me in the eyes, and tells me whats up -- everything else is hearsay. Do I believe that God inhibits the body of man?! Yes I do, in each and everyone of us. Do I believe that only one or few human beings are/were selected to inhibit God? No, I don't. We are all the same. God does not favor.
For starters, I don't know why it was written in history that God is a man, The Father, He, His, a male etc. It was brought up beautifully in Avatar (and in The De Vinci Code) that women are the ones who give life. We are closer to God than any man. We bare human beings (and go through hell doing it) -- why wouldn't we naturally assume that God is female? A Mother? The Na'vi people (in Avatar) refer to Eywa as The Mother. The Creator. The Na'vi people are like the enlightened version of humanity. They "get it". What they "get" is the truth inherent in all life -- we are deeply interconnected to our environment, we depend on each other, and we are all in this together. "We are The People" (all of us! around the world!!!!) I wish everyone understood this... The ordinary humans in the movie (the "enemy") don't "get it" -- they are fueled by greed, selfishness, and hate which is the other end of the spectrum. But aha! - they could choose not to be. What I also liked about the story, is that mankind had to move to Pandora (another planet) because they had destroyed Earth. We are self-destructive. If this world ends, it will be because of our doing. We have to fight against that.
There is a pivotal moment in the entire movie that took my breath away. The answer I've been looking for. Without giving anything away -- there is a moment when Jake (the lead character) is asking Eywa (substitute for God) for help as the war between the Na'vi people and the ordinary people is about to begin. His Na'vi girlfriend Neytiri approaches him and reveals this -- "The Mother does not take sides. She protects the balance of life." Whether their talking about Mother Earth or our Creator is irrelevant, it struck something in me. There has to be a balance... in everything. Of good and bad, births and deaths, love and loss... This answered a question I've been pondering for a while. It's a beautiful message and I hope an eye opener for many. I sincerely hope we (the people) keep promoting peace, helping each other out whenever possible, and protecting our Earth. It's all up to us :) Keep rockin' everyone...
