Through the Eastern Gate: Now Available on DVD
March 18th, 2009 | by Alive Mind | Published in Films, Latest Releases, Spirit and Soul, Through the Eastern Gate | 2 Comments
What moves young, educated people to give up lives of material security for a spiritual quest that confronts uncertainty?
Filmed in the gorgeous countryside and ancient cities of India and Turkey, Through the Eastern Gate is a compelling documentary following the journeys of three young people who have turned their backs on the material comforts and distractions of the West to find meaning in the spiritual philosophies of the East.
Sister Yeshe Chodron’s journey leads her from Australia to the foothills of the Himalayas and life as a Buddhist nun. On a riverbank in southern India, Ronela Vainio, a native of Finland, immerses herself in tantric yoga. Lastly, Californian Aziz Abbatiello discovers his calling as a Sufi dervish in Turkey, where he prays, sings, and spins himself into spiritual ecstasy.
The idyllic settings in which these young people practice their disciplines sharply contrast the cramped landscape of the West and the often aimless lifestyle of their peers. The lives of the three spiritual novices, however, are not without challenges. They must leave their family behind and make material sacrifices. Ronela admits, “My family still wonders why I wanted to go so far away, why I don’t live like a normal human being.” In addition, attaining true spirituality requires tremendous effort and the patience to delve deep beneath the surface and not be distracted by the trappings of this world. “It’s easy to go around in circles”, says Aziz, “but to empty yourself of yourself, that’s a struggle”.
look into the deeper meaning of life…”
- IndieWire
To buy the educational version, please visit the Alive Mind Education page.
| Through the Eastern Gate | |
| Price: | $24.98 (Home Use) |
| Item #: | ALV-DV-21 |
| Availability: | Worldwide |
| Running Time: | 51 minutes with 72 minutes of bonus footage |
| Technical Aspects: | 16:9 letterbox, NTSC Region 0 |
| Language: | English |
| Copyright: | © 2007 Vidya Films. All rights reserved. |
- Video Clips - Coming Soon!
- Photo Gallery
- Featured Voices
- The Filmmakers
- Credits
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:00 am (#)
highly recommended - just at the right level: the filmmakers are interested in showing spiritual practice in action, as a daily reality. the film is accessible yet addresses points that will be useful to both the initiate & the more seasoned spiritual traveler, all delivered in an unsentimental, highly personal manner. it is a hard clear look, rare to find in this genre of film which usually sinks into romanticized idealism, superficiality & confusion between spirituality, new-age & liberal politics. this is the real thing!!!
dimitris
June 21st, 2009 at 6:43 am (#)
This film takes you on an intimate journey into the lives of three young people who chose to make their spiritual practice their biggest commitment in life. It lets you discover their worlds through poignant and personal interviews and videos that reveal passionate portraits of rare spiritual seekers. There is no one today looking at Eastern traditions through the eyes of such young and sincere people, and showing that these paths are viable in today’s crazy world. Faith is rewarded with fulfillment. If you wondered whether a fully spiritual life is truly possible in the modern era, the answer is yes and these beautiful souls will show you the way.