"A human being... experiences himself as something separated from the rest- a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."

-Albert Einstein


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An Awakening Journey - Songs and Voices from the Earth:
A Film by Eric Karlstrom
(DVD - $25)

Three decades in the making, this film features spectacular scenes of rock climbing, mountaineering, hiking, rafting, and exploring in remote locations throughout the world, including the western U.S., Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Norway, Switzerland, Ireland, Nepal, Tibet, and Ladakh, India. The sound track consists of 29 of Karlstrom’s inspirational piano pieces and about 100 “voiced over” quotes from such modern and ancient prophets as John Muir, the Dalai Lama, Rumi, Granny D., and the Buddha. John Muir once observed that: “if the wilderness is to be saved, people must come to love it.” This film is really about falling in love with the beautiful places of the Earth as well as with the people and creatures that live here. It helps us to see, clearly, the relationship between social and environmental justice. And it offers a vision of peace and hope for our common future on this remarkable planet Earth.

Eric Karlstrom’s passion for climbing, hiking, traveling, and photography has landed him in many of the most spectacular spots of the world. And his other passion, playing and writing music, helped him compose the beautiful and relaxing piano pieces of this film. These two passions are combined here in a movie of dazzling visual and musical impact. The program has been described as “beautiful, moving, peaceful, thought--provoking, and inspirational.”

As a geography professor, Karlstrom has been showing versions of this presentation to his students for several years; indeed, their enthusiastic feedback encouraged him to make the movie. Recent student responses include:

"I found the pictures to be absolutely gorgeous and mesmerizing. This video is a window on the Earth's natural beauty. The photography captures these images in such a way that I felt I was there. It is clear to me that it is imperative that our species work as hard as we can to protect all the splendor around us."

"I have to say that this is the most beautiful, interesting and relaxing (all in one) video I have ever watched."

"Staggeringly good, amazing piece of work, really spectacular. We absolutely loved it."

"The photographs shown throughout the video were absolutely amazing. The selected photos, quotes, and music together made this film spectacular."

Photography and Quotes from, "An Awakening Journey: Songs and Voices from the Earth"
Click on pictures for a high-resolution view

"The mountains are calling me, and I must go."

John Muir

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science."

Albert Einstein

"As I went walking, I saw a sign there. On the sign it said, “No Trespassing.” But on the other side, it didn’t say nothing. That side was made for you and me!"

Woodie Guthrie

"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in."

John Muir

"Those who hear not the music
think the dancers mad."

Chinese Proverb

"Adventure is not in the guidebook.
And beauty is not on the map.
Seek and ye shall find."

Terry and Renny Russell

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

Martin Luther King Jr.

"Have we vanquished an enemy? None but ourselves."

George Mallory

"We must now understand that our own well-being can be achieved only through the well-being of the entire natural world."

Thomas Berry

"The wise live without harming nature, like the bee drinks honey without harming the flower."

The Buddha

"I am among those who have suggested that at least fifty-percent of the U.S. as a whole be maintained as wilderness."

Reed F. Noss

"There is enough in the world for man's need, but not for man's greed."

Mohandas Gandhi

"Why, I am richer than (19th century robber baron E.H.) Harriman. I have all the money I want and he hasn't."

John Muir

"We are the people who believe in a world of environmental beauty, of happiness and not exploitation, of justice and not oppression and torture. A world safe for children. Government budgets that invest in our smart babies, not smart bombs. We believe in international law and cooperative action."

Granny D.

"In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decision on the next seven generations."

The Great Law of the Iroquois Federation

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