Passing Through

......

Dear PT,

Thank you. I am seeing the same group of people right now, so I can tell them #7.....I like #7 'cause I don't want to be a fake..

thanks,

...

My Dear Yolanda,

The term: either exist as you are or be as you look, essentially is making a reference to the fact of being a genuine person .. Without pretensions, etc.

Let me know if you decide to learn the Persian Language :)

Take Good Care,

PT

......

Hi! Humility,

      Thank you for your long post and links to the language sites. You must have researched the Internet to find them. I deeply appreciate that! Thank you!! Be very honest with you, none of the original English poems written by Americans or the British had caught my attention before....Persian poems are great, I like the spiritual poems, love poems, and way of life poems (Seven advice of Rumi)........they do impact me and they are very thought-provoking. I have bookmarked a lot of Sufi Poets' sites and saved many different poems. At this point, I don't know Farsi, but I will take your word for that the original Persian poems sound way better the translated version.

Thank you soo much for finding the language links for me. It is very kind of you!!!! I will think about learning the language. I know it is hard, but I will consider it!!

yolanda 

******************************************************

Dear PT,

   Wow! You said that Farsi poems are 10 fold better than the translated ones. I try visualize that! It is just amazing 'cause the translated ones sound great to me always....... I am trying to imagine what Farsi poems are like!!! Thank you for the suggestion. I will give the consideration and visit the links.

  Shakespeare's plays are hard for me 'cause I have problems remembering the story lines and only remember that Othello killed his wife, it was tragic. I am not sure what part of the play I can apply to my life...:O)

  I shared Rumi's Seven advice with 34 people yesterday. I had a great time explaining each verse, it is a good reminder for myself also, but I had problem with the last verse "either exist as you are or be as you look".......I am not quite sure the meaning of that.....I told them that I will find out the meaning and get back to them. If you know what the last verse means, please let me know (if you are not busy). I will appreciate that!

    Last 2 days, I did not get a lot of readings done 'cause I spent 2 hours each day watching "American Idol" and read 2 copies of newspapers and ran out of time......I hope to get more things done next few days.

Thank you for everything and please take care!!!

yolanda 

Hi yolanda!

I thought of dropping you this note to encourage you in seriously considering the learning of the 'Persian Language'!

I agree completely with the statement made by 'PT' in the comment right below mine regarding the fact that your enthusiasm for everything 'Persian' would greatly assist you in learning the 'Persian Language' pretty quickly!

I would like to add a couple of language learning methods to the ones that 'PT' has already provided you with: Berlitz, and Linguaphone.

You have to understand one thing:

All of these methods either focus on teaching you first to speak the language, as a child does, and then build on that to teach you grammer, etc.

Or, they teach you the grammar and the structure of the language first, and then teach you how to speak it!

My suggestion to you is to contact the toll free number of each of these courses, and talk to their customer service representatives - See which one is more to your liking!

Also, all of these courses have a Beginners, an Intermediate, and an Advanced Course! So you gradually develop the proficiency that you need to have to understand poetry, etc. :)

Finally, almost all of the reputable courses have a money back guarantee - By that I mean, that if for whatever reason you are not satisfied with their course, they generally would give you a full refund!

Respectfully,

Humility

P.S. I completely agree with the statement that reading a poem in Farsi (Persian Language) is a totally different experience from reading the same poem in its translated English version :)

It's very much like eating a delicious dessert for yourself, as opposed to having someone explain to you how it tastes :) - Absolutely No Comparison!

...

My Dear Yolanda,

I want you you to know that once you have passion for anything, then that task becomes almost effortless

As I have said before, I believe that with the interest and enthusiasm that you have for the Persian Culture in general, and Persian Poetry in particular, then your learning of the Persian Language would be quite easy

Take Good Care Of Yourself,

PT

P.S. I am quite familiar with Shakespeare's works and writings

It's not easily understood if one only has a command of modern English Language - However, if one develops a taste for the older version of English Language, then it becomes quite enjoyable :)

That poem that you referred to is not the tribute to his Mom :)

......

Dear PT,

     I read your comments in the Moshiri' blog. You mentioned that his mom died at the age of 39.......there is a Moshiri's poem mentioning "mom" in this blog, is that the tribute to his mom? The poem is very beautiful, but sad and emotional. You have too much faith in me. Thank you! If I know Farsi, that will be great. At this point, I feel like my English is worse than a lot of people and I am losing my native language. I have to say that in this world there are no other countries more enthusiastic about poetry than Iran, absolutely not! First there are (were) many great Iranian poets and poetesses, and then Iranians read and appreciate reading poetry. Last year, I watched a 2 hours Iran special on KOCE, it showed elementary school kids visit Hafiz' tomb and read the poems there......I don't see that type of scene anywhere else in the world....secondly many Iranians enjoy writing poems in either Farsi or English. You like to write poems, too! I have read a lot of poems on IC, of course, only the English ones.......I don't see poems on Yahoo or CNN websites......Americans don't have the tradition!

The Persian literature article mentions that Shakespeare referred Iran as land of Sufy's......I have to say that I like Persian poems way more than Shakespeare's stuff. I took an English literature class when I was in college, I had a super hard time with Shakespeare's Othello, I had to rely on Cliffnotes to pass the class.....I guess my attention span is too short to enjoy the long plays....I am not sure if Shakespeare believed in God?

I will go thru the comprehensive list shortly and thank you so much for your recommendation!

Please take care!

yolanda

P.S.    I have asked Iranian.com store to make some Rumi's posters. :O)

I copied this poem from Dr. Noury's blog last week, pretty cool:

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

...

My Dear Yolanda,

I would like to talk to you about something that we have touched upon briefly before:

The more that I have seen your enthusiam and interest for the Persian Culture in general, and Persian Poetry in particular, the more I am convinced that you would benefit tremendously by learning the Persian Language (or, Farsi)

In your comment below, you have made a reference to the various English Translations of Fereidoon Moshiri's Poem The Alley .. You have indicated the variability that exists in the quality of the translations  

Let me say something to you cathegorically: The enjoyment that you would get out of reading a Persian Poem, whether that of Rumi's, or Moshiri's, or for that matter, any other Persian Poets', in the original Persian Language, would be ten (10) fold to that of reading the same work in its English Translation .. Regardless of how great the translation may, or may not, be!

I believe that with the enthusiasm that you have for things Persian, that the learning of the Persian Language would not be a difficult task for you

There are easy methods such as Pimsleur's, Rosetta Stone's, etc. that make such a thing easily possible

I would like you to think about this :)

Take Good Care Of Yourself,

PT

P.S. Please go back to the blog on Fereidoon Moshiri (on Iranian.com) that I listed a few comments below, and listen to some of the various recitations in Farsi of his poem The Alley (Koocheh) that I have posted in the comment section

You'll get a sense of what I'm talking about :)

.....

Dear PT,

Thank you for the complete list! Wow! I have a lot to learn!

1) The Persian Literature article on Wiki has a lot of links. So besides reading the article, I checked on some of the links and discovered some interesting stuff. Apparently UNESCO funded translations for some of  Rumi's poems. I am so glad to hear that! UNESCO sells Rumi's translated poems, too.

2) I visited a different website of Moshiri, it has the "Alley" poem of a different English version. This version is not as good as the version from the website you recommended. It was translated by a different person. I think a poetry translator really has to master English, Farsi, and poetry. If one of the 3 skills is missing or weak, a good poem will be ruined! I am glad that I read the better version of "Alley" first. If I read the worse version of "Alley" 1st, I may not have liked the poem.

3)  I am glad that the article mentioned "1001 Nights", so I have no doubt that it is part of the Persian literature. Yeah!

4) Shakespeare referred to Iran as "Land of Sophy" Yeah!

**********************************************

5)  A Poem by Forough Farrokhzad

                          Life

• O life,  life!
• O naught, O all, the intoxicating nil
• I am filled with thy thrill still
•  
• I am not able to betray thee
• If thou estrange me, I won’t estrange thee.
•  
• O life,  life!
• I hunted thou in thee, in all, in thee
• Ever looking to capture thee,O life, capture thee in me
• running off my haunted tower of dream
• my shimmery palace of fantasies
•  
• The journey’s harsh
• The quest’s unsure
• Nonetheless I went for thee
• None could defeat me, defeat my will
• O life! in my pursuit of thee, pursuit of beauty.
•  
• And I learned thee, life, I learned love!
• In the nearness of Venus
• I loved the morning star
• In the abode of lights
• I loved the mourning clouds
• And in the land of moon
• I loved the raining noon
•  
• O life, I learned thee
• I learned love
• I learned to love thee
• The mother of beauty! 
• ******************

6) A Poem by  Forough Farrokhzad

                     In Front of God

• In my tight prison of darkness
• In the putrid swamp of this world
• You hear my broken sobs.
• Oh God, Oh great unique God!
• For one instant, one instant just,
• Tear apart this dark veil of mine
• May you observe what is hid deep-inside,
• Through all this ruin, this helpless fall.
•  
• In my heart, bleeding goes wild and endless
• And I am inert, chained in this shady harness 
• Oh God, Oh great unique God!
• Set it free at last for once,
• for one fleeting instant set this heart unsoiled with regret
• and with  hate,
• save it from never-ending loss.
•  
• Oh God, Oh great unique God!
• You are the only one who knows,
• My secret thirst for love, for faith,
• for bond
• Oh God, Oh great unique God!
• You are the Holy one who sees,
• Through these stains and these chains
• My lightly truth buried for long deep-inside.
• Oh God, Oh great unique God!
• How can I explain you at last
• How greatly am I tired of this jail
• Of this broken corpse , of my feeble hands
• Redeem me, redeem me!
• redeem me from this detaining wrap!

  *******************************

Thanks,

Please take care!

yolanda 

...

My Dear Yolanda,

This is somewhat of a comprehensive list of Persian Poets and Authors

It was at the very bottom of the article on Persian Literature as a Link

In the 20th century and contemporary part, you'll see a whole list of Persian female poets, including the ones that you have just mentioned :)

Take Good Care Of Yourself,

PT

P.S. Let me know if you have any additional questions :)

.....

Dear PT,

     Thank you for the link. I read the article and discovered some great Persian poetesses! During X-mas, I read poems by ancient Persian poets and all of them were guys.

     Today I read about Simin Behbahani, the lioness of Iran. The lady is amazing that she got nominated for Noble Prize in literature twice in 1997 and 2006. She must be great! I hope she can win eventually! Unfortunately I could only find one poem by her in English. You-tube has her videos in Farsi.

    Another poetess is Forough Farrokhzad. The lady had a tragic life and died at age of 32. I do like some of her poems!

//www.foroughfarrokhzad.org/

Thanks,

take care!

...

My Dear Yolanda,

I would like you to take a look at this link on Persian Literature

This covers a lot of ground including the works of Moshiri and other Modern Persian Poets

Let me know if you like it :)

PT

.....

Dear PT,

Thank you for the link. I bookmarked the website. I think Moshiri's poems are better than Khayyam's, it is just my personal opinion. Moshiri has over 4000 fans on Facebook. The Alley poem is very beautiful! It blew me away, it is also sad. I also like the other 4 poems, equally beautiful! I think the translators did a great job!

Another thing is that Moshiri's poems invoke beautiful pictures in readers' minds! It is amazing that there are so many great Iranian poets and poems.

Please take care!

yolanda

.......

 ***********************

***********************

The voice of one soul, in this desert...

------------Fereydoon Moshiri------------

Hello Sea, Hello Sea,
Hair freely Streaming,
Face freely revealing,
Always shinning, Always searching,
Always Mother, Always beauty

Hello Mother,
Who reflects the breeze of existence,
from each molecule of your body,
Always giving, Always enthusiast,
Always grand, Always the sea,

Hello Sea, Hello Mother,
What do you compose?
What do you play?
The crystal of your Poetry
Always shinning,
The Language of your instrument
Always charming,

What is new with you?
Call upon God, I am blue, I got the blues!
The happiness has escaped from my song
My words are broken in my tongue.

Why are you silent? you are asking,
Why not shouting out the rush of sadness?
Why not scratching the veil of darkness?
Why are you welcoming all wrong and badness?

With broken arms, with no power to fight
How would I break the darkness of night
How would I defeat the troops of sorrow?
With feet all tight, with no helping hands

Did you say "shout out"?
What does it do,
The voice of one soul, in this desert hole?
Did you say "scratch"?
Who has ever built a pathway in granite,
by digging with a fingernail?

Call upon God, I am blue, I got the blues!
In this darkness, from one of horizons
will the sun rise, one of these nights?...

**********************************

Let us be humans

---------Fereydoon Moshiri---------

A dove was nipping seeds,
A weeping willow was dancing,
A sparrow was building a nest,
The Sun was watching.

From atop the aspen trees, dawn was returning.
With swallow's merriment, daytime was beginning.

Nature's musicians freely lay on this wide-open grass,
Making music in Dastan and Nava' modes.

The meadow was decorated like butterfly wings.
The colorful butterfly, flew here and there, Spring.

I've witnessed that in every particle of matter
There's indeed someone's loving soul, someone's bright breath!

This pure and caring soul is blown into all.
This bright breeze pours out of earth's heart
And blows on all.

If eyes are to both the visible and invisible keen,
They would see the commotion within this scene.

Sun, like a mothcr, full of kindness, gleams.
Down the sky's pure mirror, light streams.

Earth's heart beats to the same tune as Time.
Soundwaves of music of growth! 0, what joyful chime!

Clouds arrive, full of giving and self-sacrifice.
Bestow their necklaces to the fields of rice!

So that grass may sing refreshed, river cries.
To turn sap into rosewater, water tries!

Soil toils to let seeds sprout!
Wind dances so buds may sing aloud!

Bird sings so that rock is not alone,
Sun strives to make amber from the stone!

From afar, grapevine steals kisses from the sun, in hundreds.
So that sheaves of grapes may grow, in hundreds!

Cedar helps the newly rising morning glory
Climb up her branches.

Blissful are those who worship sun and earth

For there's only love and kindness, no hostilities, no hatred.
Suddenly, tears well up in my eyes
I choke in my burning chest, ah!

But why then can we not be this way?
Come to our senses and wish to be humans.

***************************************

The Alley

-------Fereidoon Moshiri---------

On a moonlit night, once again
Through the alley, I wandered, without you.
My body, an eye gazing in search of you.
My soul, a cup teeming with anticipation
Of seeing you,
Now, I became the mad lover, anew!

Deep in my soul’s treasure-chest,
A flower, your memory, gleaming.
The garden of a thousand memories, smiling.
The scent of a thousand memories, beaming.

That night, I recalled,
Through the alley, we wandered, side by side.
Wings wide-open, in cherished solitude, soaring.
For a time, by the brook, resting.
You, all the world’s secrets in your black eyes,
I, by your glances, mesmerized.
Clear skies, quiet night,
Faith smiling, time tame.

Moonlight, grapes pouring down into the water.
Tree branches, fingers reaching up to the moon.
The night, the meadow, flowers and rocks,
Silently charmed by the nightingale’s song.

Your words of warning, I recalled,
Avoid this love!
Behold this brook for a while!
Water mirrors timid love.
Today, you care for a glance of your lover,
But, tomorrow, your heart will belong to another.
Leave this town,
Forget this love.

How would I avoid this love,
I do not know how, I said.
How would I leave your side,
I can not now, nor ever, I said.

That first day, my heart became a bird of desire.
Like a dove, I perched on your roof,
Rocks, you cast at me,
I did not fly away.
I did not fall apart.

A prairie deer am I, you the hunter.
Round your traps I wander and wander,
For to be captured by you, to surrender.

How would I avoid this love,
I do not know how, I said.
How would I leave your side,
I can not now, nor ever, I said.

From a branch, a teardrop, falling.
A bitter moan, an owl, flying.
Tears in your eyes, gleaming.
Moon, at your love, beaming.

You fell silent, I recall.
Covered by a blanket of gloom,
I did not fly away.
I did not fall apart.

Many a night have passed in melancholy darkness.
You have abandoned your tormented lover.
You would not set foot in that alley again.
Oh, but how, but how,
Through the alley, I wandered, without you.

******************************

Forever with You

--------Fereydoon Moshiri---------

Being with you,
Near, far,
Starving or well-fed,
Free, captive,
Full of sorrow or joy,
The essence of my existence.
A moment spent without you,
May there never be!

To die for your glory,
By your side,
The purpose of my death.
The purpose of my life.

Being with you,
Always with you,
Existing for you,
The meaning of love.
The pathway of my fate.

.....

A Poem by Fereidoon Moshiri

********************
In That Fair World 

May I be allowed,
To behold the hue of that fresh blossom
As I stand at the base of this wall?

And, through this bloody, thorny fence,
This barbed wire,
May I drink a sip of springwater?

May I be allowed ?Outside, In Front of the Door?1
And to regain my strength,
Rest by this tree, may I?

Or, must I pass through this road,
A stranger, now and always,
Swallow centuries of ?YOU MAY NOT,?
Like a dagger piercing my patient throat?

In the shadowland of this vast cerulean tent,
It would have been fair,
If trees, land, water or sunshine,
Did not belong to anyone!
Or, better yet,
Belonged to all.

A world of friends, all familiar,
One big house, this globe, and its dwellers,
One family,
Bond by fibers of their souls!

Together, for one another,
With helpful hands,
Keeping pace.

In that fair world,
Green meadows have the horizon for border!
Flower gardens have walls of breeze!

With each blooming sprout,
The surging of light,
The rapture of love.
In every song,
The warmth of a caress,
The tune of compassion.
Gardeners? smiles shine like lanterns,
Farmers? chants soar to heavens!

We toil together.
Hearts, abundant with joy of living,
Faces, fresh as gardens of miniature roses,
Eyes, teeming with love!
We sow love like seeds in soil.
We compose poetry like buds on trees!

We, and everyone alike,
Full of music,
Free of bonds,
Emancipated,
Fortunate ...

...

My Dear Yolanda,

The one thing thart you should know about Joe is that he was first and foremost a Great Teacher

Today, I came across this fascinating blog by one of the Modern Iranian Poets name Fereidoon Moshiri

One of his most famous poems is called Koocheh, which literally means Alley 

It' really a love poem

This is his official web-site in English - See if there is anything that you like there :)

Take Good Care Of Yourself :)

PT

P.S. Let me know if you have any questions :)

......

Dear PT,

     I read about "Joe Campbell" on Wikipedia last Monday. I learned more about this guy. Apparently after he met an Indian fellow and learned more about Indian religions, he stopped being a practicing Catholic. He followed his bliss, quit graduate studies in Europe, and did a lot of independent studies in his life. He never got a Ph.D.

    I think it is great to follow the bliss, but in reality, it may not be possible for everyone to follow the bliss. We may have to sacrifice our bliss because of different reasons.

    I also learned that Joe was fluent in German, French, and also knew Japanese. It is just amazing.

I am glad that he was able to follow his bliss and pursued his passions. I am also glad that he was able to record the video several months before his death, so people can learn the "Power of Myth"

   When he died in Honolulu in 1987, I was in Hawaii, but I don't remember hearing anything about him in the news.....

please take care! 

.....

Dear PT,

    Thank you for your answer. During the week, I will keep reading the book. During weekend, I will re-watch the DVD's. I may get the companion book later...I can get it for free 'cause Amazon.com sends me gift certificate once a while for using its credit card. Reality has sunk in 'cause I have to start working tomorrow......well I will aim for Easter break next, I will have 9 days off... :O) Thank you for everything!!!

***********************************

Hi! Humility,

   After Iran is freed, I hope you write a blog if you don't mind, this way Iranian.comers can celebrate with you.....Yesterday when I watched the episode #6, Joe Campbell said that human beings have animal experience like, hunger and greed, the spiritual re-birth can help us find the compassion and mercy.......it reminded me of your post several weeks ago:

It's easy to be rude, condescending, overbearing, and vicious towards others. The measure of one's character is how one controls these animalistic impulses, rise above them, and act considerate, thoughtful, and respectful toward others! I would like to remind you that these are not signs of personal weakness, but indeed a sign of inner strength!

Thank you and take care!

Delaram Banafsheh (Yolanda)

"Cactus in the Desert"

Hi yolanda!

I read your comment regarding the two (2) blogs that I had written about the future of our beloved Iran .. Hopefully, this would be the year for this oppressive and brutal regime to collapse!

I am also glad that you enjoyed The Power Of Myth videos - I would like to totally associate myself with the comments and recommendations below by 'PT' regarding the proper approach of your studying, and re-watching the videos!

As indicated, give yourself some time to absorb and digest everything that you have watched so far - Then, re-watch the videos all over again!

Good luck with the new year on your job - I hope that things would work out well for you!

Respectfully,

Humility

P.S. The Power Of Myth videos are far superior to the World Religions book for teaching purposes - Use the book primarily for reference purposes! 

...

My Dear Yolanda,

Let me explain some of the issues that you have raised:

Regarding the term sublime, it is an elevated state of consciousness and experience - For example, when someone says the beauty of sunset is sublime, that's essentially what it is referring to

Regarding the companion book, as I have indicated, it's a transcript of the entire twenty three (23) hours of the interviews - Not just the six (6) hours that has been edited, and selected, for the series

I do want to say one other thing: This series should be able to liberate you from thinking and beliefs that have a tendency to shackle one down! As I have said before, it's going to take a while for you to fully appreciate what I have just said - But if you are patient, and keep an open mind, you'll see it for yourself!

Take Good Care Of Yourself Sweetheart :)

PT

P.S. As you watch the series again, and again, you are going to notice plenty of gems that you had missed on the first round of watching it! - Please let me know if additional questions come up for you :)

....

Dear PT,

     I just finished watching the last episode. It gives the similar messages your blogs conveyed. At the beginning Joe said."If you think you know, you really don't know, if you say you don't know, you know..." I will definitely keep learning! Joe said that the eternal life (eternity) starts now....Christianity says the same thing.....I am not quite sure about "sublime"...is that the same thing as sureal or divine? I like the part he said that you need "faith" to believe in God....

   I have checked the book you mentioned in your last post. Is the book just like the DVD's? same or different? transcripts of the DVD's? I feel that I was bombarded with religious terminologies when I watched the DVD's....If I keep watching the DVD's and also read the transcripts, I may understand more......I will re-watch next weekend....as you know, my winter break is ending....of course, I will still visit IC daily,:O) but I will spend less time here for sure.

Thank you and Humility for showing me many different things here:

1) Rumi       2)Sufism/mysticism        3) hyperlinks & how to post videos on IC          4) The Joe Campbell DVD's         5) The World's Religions book by Humility         6) Persian Empire    7) The Jabez book

I truly had a great time during my winter break. I will definitely re-visit your blogs, read the posts, read the poems, and watch videos over and over...I hope you will never delete your blogs (IC will never crash) 'cause there are some many interesting stuff in one place.......thank you for setting up the forum for us.

Please take good care of yourself!

Delaram Banafsheh (Yolanda)

"Cactus in the Desert"

...

My Dear Yolanda,

That sounds great :)

Let me know if you any additional questions about the series,

Take Good Care,

PT

P.S. Let what you have seen so far get digested for a few days :) - You are going to see a marked difference in the way you view things - I promise you that :)

......

Dear PT,

     I will watch the episode #6 today and let you know. It sounds like #6 is the best one, I will see....talk to you later...

please take care! 

Delaram Banafsheh (Yolanda)

"Cactus in the Desert"

...

My Dear Yolanda,

I want you to know that when I first watched the series back in 1997, it immediately resonated with me

The part on Following Your Bliss, is an extremely important thing:

I know that it is fashionable these days to use that phrase, however, when it first came out, it was truly revolutionary

In its simplest form, it means to do in your life what you were born to do - If one is following one's bliss, it provides him/her with the greatest amount of enjoyment and fulfillment in his/her life!  

Let me say one other thing: The last program, # 6, Joe talks about the concept of God - I don't know whether you have watched that one yet, but when you do, pay particular attention to that :)

Take Good Care Of Yourself Sweetheart :)

PT

P.S. This six (6) program series was made out of a total of twenty three (23) hours of taped interview - The companion book of the series has the transcription of the entire twenty three (23) hours :)

BTW, have you watched all the six (6) programs - When I counted your favorite programs, and the others that you had watched in your comment, I came up with a total of five (5)!

....

Hi! Humility,

      Thank you for the 2 links. Actually I read your blogs when you posted them in June and July 'cause I clearly remember the beautiful accompanying picture, a red rose over the Iranian map. I was deeply touched 'cause you mentioned about giving Iranian brothers/sisters the financial support! I read them again today. I just noticed that, one of your blogs have over 2000 hits, Wow! people like your blog and your idea, that is great!! I can tell that you love your motherland very much! I hope it is true that we can see secular democracy soon. All the videos I found make me feel excited about Iran: the historical sites and the natural wonders.....I really feel that if there is a secular democracy in Iran and if we can have a government, which truly cares about the country and its people......tourism should become one of the priorities.....Iran has a lot of potential to attract tourists from all over the world, unfortunately Iran is threatened with war and is under the economic sanctions. I hope 2010 is the turning point for Iran and hopefully history will be made this year.

I have to say that the DVD is easier than the book to understand. I will watch it and re-watch it!!

Please take care and God bless you!

Here is a Kish Island video, Kish Island is more luxurious than Hawaii, where I lived for 4 years.

Delaram Banafsheh (Yolanda)

"Cactus in the Desert"

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Dear PT,
     Episode "Sacrifice and Bliss" is my favorite so far! I love the way he explained the relationship between life and death. That part really makes me think!! He said that life is after death. I also like the part he talked about marriage is like a sacrifice, one person has to sacrifice for another person to become one in a marriage. He did a great job on that! I will definitely re-watch episode #4 1st. "Love and Goddess" is my second favorite episode. I recommend these 2 episodes to anyone to watch! I agree with him that we should follow our bliss in life. I also notice that your blogs really match the highlights of the DVD's, for instance, he called the Earth "mother Earth" 'cause the Earth makes plants grow just like a mother gives life. You mentioned "mother Earth" in your previous blog. I also like the part he talked about "love your enemy"......the agape love.....this is a great episode. I am touched! These 2 episodes seem to be easier for me to understand than the other 3 episodes. Thank you again for recommending the DVD's and I feel blessed!

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The reason I feel Uighur music sounds like Persian music is that I can hear the handdrums in both music. They seem to use other similar instruments also, but I don't know the names. On Father's Day of 2009, I had lunch in a Persian restaurant and also bought a Googoosh' CD, "Last Call", the Googoosh' songs sound like Uighur's music to me, it is kind of shocking!

Please take care!

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Xinjiang Tajik Dance 

Uighur song

I love the whirling and juggling in the video!

Delaram Banafsheh (Yolanda)

"Cactus in the Desert"

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My Dear Yolanda,

Tks for these additional videos

If you have any other questions as you are watching The Power Of Myth series, please let me know :)

Take Good Care,

PT

P.S. If you remember, we discussed the great extent of the Persian Culture beyond the present-day borders of Iran - I am particularly grateful for the beautiful videos of the Chinese Uighurs :)

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I love this video 'cause young Iranians are so cool, easy-going, fun-loving and spontaneous! They are funny!

I found out that Chinese uighurs celebrate Norouz also. Uighurs' music, dance, writing system, cuisine, and religion are very close to the Iranians. This video is Uighurs celebrating Norouz. The music and dance are very close to Persians'!

This is Uighurs' pomegranate dance.

Delaram Banafsheh (Yolanda)

"Cactus in the Desert"

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I love the song of this video, I feel like crying even though I don't understand the lyrics.

Hotel Dariush is gorgeous! I hope someone can build a replica in Las Vegas, so I can visit it! It looks absolutely Persian!

This video is very nice, unfortunately last 2 minutes goes dark!

Karimi is my favorite soccer player! If he comes to LA, I will take a day off to watch him play soccer! He wore a green wristband during World Cup qualifier. He is so brave!

Delaram Banafsheh (Yolanda)

"Cactus in the Desert"

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 I read about Kandovan's Rocky Hotels and homes in Payvand News several months ago, finally I found the videos. They are so unique and special. I have not heard anything like this before! I love to visit there one day! Firstly I am amazed by the geologic wonder, the cone-shaped lava formations; secondly Iranians are so smart, they know how to build homes out of the natural settings! I love the Persian interiors, it is beautiful!

Delaram Banafsheh (Yolanda)

"Cactus in the Desert"

Hi yolanda!

It's wonderful to read your very kind and admirable seniments towards the people of Iran!

Hopefully, in not too distant a future, we will have a Secular Democracy there! About six (6) months ago, I wrote a blog predicting that such a thing will come to pass within one year - I'm still hopeful about that :)

P.S. The Power of Myth series will revolutionize your thinking on faith and religion! As already said, you need to be patient, and give yourself time to absorb everything :)