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God and Buddha —
A Dialogue with Deepak Chopra and Robert Thurman
Over the years I have worked on many documentary films. Initially, when I returned to the US after 27 years in Europe, I worked with Mystic Fire Video in New York on a number of their documentary films.
The first was a dialogue filmed in 1999 at Tibet House in New York with Robert Thurman and Deepak Chopra, called "God and Buddha: A Dialogue." Since Buddhism doesn't conceive of a "god" per se, and Hinduism is a pantheon of gods, this documentary film is fascinating.
The Prophets' Conference 2002 — Techniques of Discovery
I also assisted Mystic Fire Video at "The Prophets' Conference – Techniques of Discovery" in 2002 at the cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. There was an illustrious group of speakers, who included Ram Dass, Stan Grof, Robert Anton Wilson, Huston Smith, Ralph Metzner, Michio Kaku, Oriah Mountain Dreamer, Russel Targ, Riane Eisler, John Mack, and Gregg Braden. While the speakers were performing, I interviewed most of them on tape in the garden outside. While the resulting video tape was never published, it remains a powerful reminder of these speakers.
I also transcribed the text for a number of Mystic Fire Videos, such as Ciao Federico, a documentary about Frederico Fellini while filming in Rome; The Connection, a film by Shirley Clarke and the Living Theatre;
A Mythic Journey with Joseph Campbell
With this message Campbell prepares us for a journey through the ages. Whether peering though the mists of the Bronze age or relating the myriad aspects of Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity, whether we stand with him pondering the mysteries at the ruins of Ajanta or Ellora in India, Eleusis and Delphi in Greece, or Stonehenge and Glastonbury in England, or contemplate the spiritual presence of an ancient forest; Campbell reminds us that the human soul has always walked the same path in search of the place of bliss.
"Sukhavati is a stunningly beautiful piece of visual poetry. Using the voice of Joseph Campbell as a ground, the film builds up layer upon layer of image and sound until the senses are saturated. The meaning of the myth is evoked, rather than explicated, and the effect is one of profound satisfaction." — Rebecca D. Armstrong, Joseph Campbell Foundation.
Produced, directed and edited by
Maxine Harris and Sheldon Rochlin.
Cinematography by Morgan Harris
and Sheldon Rochlin.
Music by Gabrielle Roth & the Mirrors.I did picture research, located original imagery, negotiated photo, picture and music rights, and advised Mystic Fire Video in 2004-2006.
Spirituality in the Modern World
A Dialogue with Ken Wilber and Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche
This documentary was produced and directed by Raja Choudhury, and AT Mann. Produced by Universal Quest.
The Modern Mystic: Sri M of Madnapalle
A Film by Raja Choudhury
Mumtaz Ali, affectionately called Sri M or just M, is an Indian master of various forms of Yoga Meditation (Kundalini, Kriya and Raja) as well as being an acclaimed expert on Hindu, Buddhist, Sufi and other universal teachings. He is the author of several books and his talks in India attract thousands of people.
Brought up in a liberal Muslim family in southern India, Sri M had his first mystical experiences at the age of nine and subsequently spent many years as a young man traveling across India visiting ashrams, teachers and monasteries studying Vedanta, ancient scriptures and practicing advanced forms of Yoga. While traveling in the Himalayas, he was initiated into the deeper, mystical and more esoteric aspects of Yoga by his Guru who he lovingly calls Babaji. After 4 further years with his Guru, and at his instruction, M returned to the world to demonstrate that one could live as both in the world of Maya and still be a spiritual seeker. He started public speaking, got married, became a parent, started a non-profit school for tribal children and opened a center to teach Yoga and techniques of spiritual awakening to everyone who comes to him with a curious mind. Today, Sri M live with his wife and 2 children in Madnapalle in Southern India and travels around the world teaching meditation.
This documentary was produced and directed by Raja Choudhury, and included an interview with Sri M with AT Mann. Produced by Universal Quest. Raja Choudhury also created a film, "Sri M Speaks on Meditation," a talk he gave in New York City.
Kalachakra Tantra Teachings
Given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in 2000 at Spiti, High in the Himalayas
Kalachakra Tantra Teachings are among the highest and most important teachings of Tibetan Buddhism with a history of many centuries. The original seven days of teachings are here compressed into a seven-hour documentary film. Since the original sound track was difficult to hear and understand due to high winds, I transcribed the entire text of the teachings and revoiced them, interwoven with His Holiness' voice and chanting. The teachings are still awaiting publication by the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of HH the Dalai Lama (FURHHDL) and Mystic Spaces.
Filmed by Rajiv Mahrotra and a co-production of FURHHDL and Mystic Fire Video. Edited by Maxine Harris and Morgan Harris, with transcription and re-voicing by AT Mann.
The Art and Science of Happiness
A documentary film with His Holiness the Dalai Lama's foundation and Universal Quest.
See the trailer here and contact us if you want to support our efforts.
A Documentary Film in Progress
The Quest for Vivekananda
A Universal Quest documentary film documenting Swami Vivekananda's journey to Chicago in 1893.
See the trailer here and contact us if you want to support our efforts.
