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Posted in Movies on 6 February 2010
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Sandy and I have now seen the movie Avatar three times. We both were immediately struck by the similarities between the Na’vi and the Native American cultures. In our opinion, Avatar’s premise reminded us of the historical conquest of indigenous cultures for their land and the mineral wealth it held. (ie. the Native Americans of North America along with others) With the discovery of gold in the Black Hills of our country, the wholesale extermination of the Indian peoples began. The premise in Avatar depicts the same wholesale extermination of the Na’vi (indigenous poeple) because of the mineral wealth of “unobtainium”.
Our society still functions in this capacity, to rape the land and the people for material gain, so the elite few can control the masses through financial gain. Our culture, the society that we live in that is… prides itself on being an advanced civilization. But, it is one that is based on technology and greed versus the peaceful and harmonious relationship with Mother Nature as practiced by indigenous cultures. With this elitist doctrine, your economy becomes war based, war becomes essential to economic survival. If someone has what you want, you make them your enemy and then take what you want from the “hostiles”.
The Na’vi were depicted as having this reverence for Nature, recognizing Eywa (Mother Earth) and the connection of all life. Just as the Native Americans practiced a balance in taking the gifts provided, never taking more than they needed and always giving thanks for the gifts… so the Na’vi recognized the need to thank Spirit for the gift and that all/energy is only borrowed and always returns to Source. To be one with the natural world in spirit, through prayer and reverence, this truly is an advanced culture. Although there are so many discussions about the movie… and even the fact that it is making so much money… we both loved it for it’s beautiful imagry, imagination and the messages. “I See You” not just with my eyes but the real you within you…rather like the meaning of Namaste’, it is a message that we both will carry forward in our day to day lives. “I am you and you are me and we are altogether” …. (gotta love the Beatles) We hope that others will watch the movie with an open mind and an open heart and not let the hype or other’s opinions color what they “SEE”. Luvthyngbr/Terry and Atreedance/Sandy