Ancient Wisdom in the Popular Media

What prompted me to write this essay was that Fox Cable is bringing on, yet a new miniseries based on esoteric genre in February, From writer David Hudgins (“Friday Night Lights”), and inspired by the book “The Reincarnationist” by M.J. Rose, comes PAST LIFE, a new drama series that investigates the world of the unexplained through the eyes of a doctor and a former detective who must work together to solve decades- old mysteries.

Karma, reincarnation, I have never thought upon these concepts before but I just felt that I was lost for nearly 40 years in my world view and in an instant I was back on track.

When I was growing up in Europe these things were taboo, hush-hush, nobody was writing books, let alone making TV series on esoteric matters like past life. In the west we remained in the Judeo-Christian realm, sheltered from the ancient and time honored beliefs the Hindu or Buddhists held Karma/Reincarnation.

Naturally, after moving to America when I came into the teaching a few years back, it was as if I had my eyes opened, it felt like a glove fit my hand perfectly, as if I had practiced these ancient eastern customs and beliefs for a few lifetimes.

But recently, well at least in the last couple of years, I have been noticing the reoccurring theme on the pop media, TV shows and other venues. These two ideas are constantly coming up, being mentioned all over.

Before I took up the path I have never noticed this but strangely this makes me feel, that what was once news to me and seemingly a secret, it wide open. Everybody knows; it is all out there. Only those who do not wish to see, remain closed to these.

Interestingly (and perhaps a little alarmingly) these shows and stories on the TV,  media dabble into reincarnation mainly, while leaving karma behind as if someone were to dilute the meaning and cheaper the effect of these laws. As you know the two goes hand in hand but while the idea of past life could make a viewer warm and fuzzy in the notion that this life is not his fist and last, karma with its message, that of ALL actions and thoughts have consequences[1], I suspect, are not as pleasant to the average Joe, TV watcher.

I am wondering if others have noticed this. Of course the message is not to teach awareness and the usefulness and benefit of these laws but to entertain, amuse and perhaps befuddle.