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This is my 50-minute documentary that follows two first-time volunteer companions at Handicamp, which is a recreational camp for adults with mental disabilities that I directed & produced back in 2000.

I created this film out of a frustration of not being able to communicate the depth of experiences that happen while serving the needs of someone with a mental disability for a week. Over the last 7 years, the film has catalyzed a lot for Lutheran Disability Ministries like helping them secure a number of grants and more importantly it’s helped them recruit enough volunteers to make the camp happen — now with seven sessions each summer. There is also a longer 86-minute version that they use for training the volunteer companions at the beginning of the week.

Handicampplayed at half a dozen film festivals, and there was even one offer of distribution from a small company, but not without giving up the rights to the film forever. And I’m glad that I held off so that I could freely post it online where it will hopefully find more of an audience.

But this film also has a special meaning for us here at Ebb & Flow because it was one of the first things I showed to Jen, and apparently it made quite an impression on her. As recounted by Charles Cohen in a cover story about us:

“I watched it with my dad,” Gouvea says. “And I said, ‘This is the guy I’m going to marry.’ And my dad is like, ‘Oh, right.’ And I said, ‘No, I’m serious. I know I can tell.’”

She says she could tell a lot about its director by watching the film. The story was sweet, with “themes about love and community and questioning human relationships.” Soon, they were inseparable.

So yeah. At least watch the first minute, which is a short teaser trailer. And if it looks interesting, then block off an hour to watch the whole thing.

Here’s a brief overview of the film.

Sean is a long-time camper who has Down Syndrome, and this year he is paired with Jeff for the week. They quickly form a tight bond, and Jeff is able to break down Sean’s jovial facade and get down to the core issues of his life. Sean is aware of his disability, and he wonders why he’s alone and still living at home with his parents. He also wonders why he can’t fall in love and why he doesn’t have many friends. These are tough issues for Jeff to respond to, and he can’t provide Sean with all of the answers. But he can focus on building a relationship with Sean and planting seeds for a long-lasting friendship beyond Handicamp.

Bonnie has been coming to Handicamp for two years and knows how to have a good time. She never stops laughing and is amused with the simple pleasures in life. Bonnie is known to love her volunteer companion one second and then hate her the next second which makes her a difficult camper to match up. Fortunately, Bonnie is paired with a teenager named Diane who becomes one of the best friends that Bonnie has ever had.

Produced by Kent Bye
Music by Gwen Mitchell
More info on Handycamp & Lutheran Disability Ministries can be found here

A lower-quality flash version is also posted over at Google Video — the defacto home of indie docs:

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The Living Waters Project was created to raise awareness of the importance of protecting our remaining pristine water sources as public resources, rather than corporate assets. The project is birthed in the wake of recent purchase agreements by Nestle Corporation, the world’s largest food and beverage corporation, to
control water rights in the Mount Shasta region of Northern California.

To get involved in this project contact Julie at livingwaters@circlecenter.com

Additional informational resources:
http://www.worldwaterwars.com/UnitedStates/California/index.htm
http://www.mountshastaecology.org/14Nestle.html
http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/474

Music:
“Floating Bamboo” by Suzanne Teng via Magnatune.com

Photos:
glueslabs, sp8254, monster, poagao & gen2kk

Additional Media:
WGBH Sandbox
EarthCircle.org

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Noah Levine is a Buddhist teacher, counselor and author of the book “Dharma Punx.” Noah healed himself from addiction and substance abuse after being in the prison system, and now he is a counselor and Buddhist teacher. He comes from a punk background and is able to communicate the Buddha’s teachings in a way that resonates with a younger demographic.

Kent and I attended a day long workshop with Noah Levine at Spirit Rock Meditation Center on April 28th, 2006 where were able to interview him.

I got a chance to read Noah’s latest book “Against the Stream”, which summarizes basic Buddhist principles such as the Eightfold Path
and the Four Noble Truths in easily understandable language.

I like the way Noah interprets the Buddha’s message for contemporary times. By sharing personal experiences, he explains how the path of love is “against the stream” of habitual patterns of the mind and creates freedom. The book offers meditation exercises that can help us to overcome tendencies of the mind toward greed, hatred and delusion. And through meditation we learn to intentionally cultivate generosity, compassion, and understanding.

There is also a documentary about Noah’s path through spirituality, punk rock and inner rebellion called “Meditate and Destroy” that recently premiered in Santa Cruz.

Music: “The Message 2 (Jazz Mix)” by cdk via ccmixter.org

Photos: adobemac, ayahyoung, beija-flor, beija-flor, cathycracks, culturesubculture, davebluedevil, digitalgrace, fredarmitage, grantneufeld, introspectrum, jgarber, k9, kikisdad, nolifebeforecoffee, pefectfutures, stuckincustoms, & timcummins

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We begin this website in 2005 out of a desire to document and share our exploration of spiritual approaches to social change. When individuals are given a sense of possibility and a means for communion, then they have the capacity to come together and birth imaginative solutions rooted from deep compassion.

This vlog explores perspectives on inner peace/outer action from spiritual activists: Jack Kornfield, Noah Levine, Tarra Christoff and Dominic Allamano.

Update: Check out this great article Generation Awakening about an emerging generation of social activists by Tarra Christoff.

Music: “Shhhhhh” by ASHWAN via ccmixter.org

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Jack Kornfield is a founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA. He talked with us about meditation, listening to the wisdom of the heart and finding happiness through a non-judgmental, mindful awareness.

Dharma Seed Archival Center offers insight mediation Dharma talks by various meditation teachers including Jack Kornfield for free or by donation.

This is our sixth & final post for Videoblogging Week 2007.

Music: “Time (Instrumental)” by AudioLogic via ccmixter.org

Photos: sallypics, squeakymarmot, tjt195, omnos, babsteve, delusionofgrandeur, tatianasapateiro, psd, freepal, victoriapeckham, tookie, raincitystudios, noeltykay, stillsearching, madhava

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Somatic Inquiry is an emerging modality that is based upon a tradition of contact improv and nuture dance, and includes the physical and emotional body. Through quieting the whole system, one is able to listen internally and allow a space for internal impulse to be expressed through movement. These practices create a safe space for healing movement, touch and authentic expression. Janice Sandeen and Christina Decossio are both bodyworkers who teach classes in Somatic inquiry.

Gwen Bell brings up an interesting question of whether there are distinctly different masculine and feminine approaches to spiritual practice. She suggests that women are often not as responsive to the solitary sitting practices of Buddhism as men. I wonder if Somatic Inquiry’s emphasis on interconnection and embodiment could be considered an example of a more feminine approach to spiritual practice.

These are some additional links about somatic healing.
http://nurturedance.org/nurturedance.htm
http://movingoncenter.org/
http://bodytales.com/

This is our fifth post for Videoblogging Week 2007.

Music: sad by cdk via ccmixter.org.

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We met Dr. Ann Haiden, DO at Cook Camp in San Francisco. Ann’s training is similar to a MD, but with extra training in musculoskeletal issues and manipulation. She approaches health by addressing the root causes of problems with an emphasis on nutrition and self-care. In this videoblog she describes a sensible progressive approach to medicine.

Integrative medicine combines the use of mainstream medicine with complementary alternative approaches.

Dr. Ann Haiden has a private practice in Kentfield, CA.

If you’re interested in learning more about preventative approaches to health check out Dr. Mercola’s health blog.

This is our fourth post for Videoblogging Week 2007.

Music:
“the Message 2 (Jazz Mix)” by cdk via ccmixter.org

Creative Commons Material:
adrianblack, pwinn, WGBH sandbox

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 3.0

videobloggingweek2007

The CircleCenter is located in downtown Fairfax, CA. It’s a space dedicated to supporting people in developing and sharing their hearts gifts in service to others.

This center represents a new model of how conscious community networks
can be developed and sustained.

This is our interview with CircleCenter founder Matthew Edwards.

This is our third post for Videoblogging Week 2007.

Music:
“Hidden Sky” by Jami Seiber via magnatune.com

Flickr photos:venturevoice, jtowns, jurvetson,smartfat, santarosa, aguinsburg,santarosa, weither, scatti_frullati, santarosa, markop, stephansplace,susanburke, ibu, funnystrangeorfunnyhaha

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videobloggingweek2007

The practice of yoga consists of physical, mental and spiritual exercises that originated in India over 5,000 years ago.

Will Edmonson is a yoga teacher, bodyworker and holistic wellness consultant living in Berkeley, CA. This is Will’s MySpace page.

As an aside, we’ve found some good and free online Yoga videos at Yoga Today that are helpful in either trying out yoga — or attempting to add some variety to your daily practice.

This is our second post for Videoblogging Week 2007.

Music: ( minimal secret #9 ) by cdk via ccmixter.org.

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videobloggingweek2007

I’ve been practicing Qi Gong for the past three years and I’ve found that these simple movements have had a profound impact on my health and well-being. Qi Gong affects the body’s flow of energy and comes from the Taoist and Buddhist traditions, Chinese Medicine and martial arts practice.

Chinese Medicine holds a reverence for the spiritual interconnection of all life and bases its approach to health on a holistic understanding of the body. Preventive care of the body and living in accord with the cycles of nature creates well being. Qi gong practice consists of cultivating chi (vital energy) by coordinating breathing patterns with physical postures and motions that integrate the upper and lower body. This practice breaks down energetic blocks to the free flow of chi throughout the body.

I’m currently taking a class in Chinese Medicine to better understand these profound ancient healing practices. If you’re interested in learning more about Chinese Medicine the book for the class is called “Between Heaven and Earth.”

Mark McKenna teaches Qi Gong on Tuesday mornings at the Circle Center in Fairfax, CA. His teacher is Fong Ha of the Integral Ch’aun Institute.

The artwork in the background is by Lindy Keheo.

This is our first post for Videoblogging Week 2007.

Music: Biodrift by DJ BLUE via ccmixter.org.

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