Happiness

Individual human peace in isolation is difficult, since we are social creatures. However, finding individual human peace in community is even more difficult. An Israeli film from 2009, "Eyes Wide Open", illustrates how religion and human identity can collide in the most cohesive of communities.

The lines between belonging, possession and control are very fine. Conformity readily drifts to oppression. Achieving individual peace is often a challenge of practice within a community context.

A French film, "Queen To Play", reveals another aspect of the quest for personal peace through the development of personal joy. This film, a subtle echo of "Educating Rita", addresses the challenges of developing a personal practice for a married woman/mother in a small town.

As a person who has relied on my practice to achieve peace and happiness in my life, I was moved by both films. Neither film presents an answer to the interplay between identity and community. Each addresses the process of seeking individual peace and joy within a social context.