Jasper JohalShort Cut To Nirvana

With all due compassion for the effort expended by the creators of this "documentary," I must say that it is really quite bad. If you want a truly moving documentary about the Maha Kumbha Mela, watch "Faith Connections" (2013, Dir: Pan Nalin).Firstly, the name itself is awkward at best, and at worst it immediately betrays to the audience that the filmmakers have utterly NO idea what they are talking about. "Nirvana" is a term almost exclusively used to describe Buddhist liberation, whereas the Kumbha Mela is a vedic/vedantic (what later become known as "Hindu") festival. Although "nirvana" is used in a *very* small number of Hindu texts, it was never used so prior to its advent in the Buddhist lexicon. A much more suitable name would be "Short Cut to Moksha" or "Short Cut to Samadhi" or "Short Cut to Brahman" or any other alternative that one could easily find in even the most superficial of introductory academic texts on the topic.Secondly, despite the fact that one of the documentarians has a "BA in religious studies from UCSB," none of the 3 or 4 hosts seem to have any meaningful understanding of the traditions represented at the festival. It seems more like a carnivalized, exotified, orientalist escapade than a serious attempt at producing a meaningful documentary.Thirdly, there is no direction what-so-ever, no deeper insight offered, no compelling story development (other than the sophomoric love story between one of the hosts and a young, english-speaking sadhu, which is totally anecdotal and serves no value in elaborating on the topic of the Kumbha Mela), and really no deeper value what-so-ever.As a PhD student in Religious Studies in the University of California system, I honestly expected more from a documentarian with undergraduate training in Religious Studies. While my review might sound mean-spirited or bitter, I mean no ad-hominem against the filmmakers. If any of them read this, I'd be more than happy to sit down for coffee or have a skype chat to talk about religious studies. I am sure you are sincere and honest people. But judging the film on its own merits alone, this was really quite terrible.

While I watched this movie, I couldn't help thinking that this movie is the reason that God created cameras and movies and technology - to capture and spread across the world the spirit of The Kumbh Mela, the biggest spiritual gathering in history, with 70 million people loving, honoring, sharing and celebrating One Infinite Spirit, one wondrous life expressing in so many colorful ways through all people and through all spiritual traditions. The movie is extraordinarily powerful because its message is the message of truth (truth which seems to be sadly lacking in many spiritual institutions in the West) - truth that no matter what is your spiritual orientation, the Infinite Spirit can be known only through LOVE for ALL. This movie is so incredibly heartwarming because here you get to see people not only talking about the truth, but actually expressing it - living it - they radiate love and so they bring heaven on earth. As you watch this movie, you too may find yourself immersed in an ocean of pure love. That is why the movie compels you to see it again and again. And then, make sure to share it with other people because in the west most people are truly starved for love. Most people need to see that enjoying lots of love begins by giving lots of love to everyone that crosses your path.

If you are interested in viewing a documentary on an intercultural experience, this is the film for you. "Short Cut to Nirvana" shows the largest gathering of humanity on earth: the Kumba Mela. Over 70 million people show up for this humongous festival that happens in India only once every twelve years. As you view the video, you get a private guided tour through this incredible journey of eternal wisdom and joy that exists at this one of its kind phenomenon. There is a yogi who goes, "Ring-a-ding-a-ding. A-ring-a-ding-a-ding-ding. I am blessing you", a Japanese woman who buries herself for three days, a dude that smears some type of stinging/healing ointment in people's eyes for ten rupees, an African spiritual master with a small saucer stuck in his lower lip, and a yogi who does something incredible with a bamboo pole and his privates (you may want to cover the children's eyes for this one). There is even a special appearance by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. This is one video you need to see at least once in your lifetime, or maybe even twice. I am keeping one copy for myself and buying more copies for family and friends.

I really enjoyed this amazing documentary about the Kumbh Mela, something I never even knew existed before watching the movie. I highly recommend it! The footage of the journey across India and all the people who make this pilgramage was very eye opening for me. It really struck me to see so many people who are focused on God/Truth/Spirit and not on just careers (money) like many of us in the West. We have alot to learn from these Truth Seekers. The movie was very well done, interesting and entertaining. After watching this, I am considering doing this someday.

I have to say I don't feel any closer to nirvana after watching this film. The filmmakers treated the Kumbh Mela like a carnival filled with curiosities, rather than viewing it as a spiritual event. I suppose it is hard to capture the deeper spiritual nuances of this circus-like atmosphere but I don't think they had a very fitting host in Swami Krishnanand, who seemed mostly interested in his self-fulfillment and aggrandizement. As one of the women gurus pointed out, only about 20% of those 70 million purportedly gathered at Prayag (although I think that number includes all four sites) are after spiritual fulfillment, the rest are just along for the ride.