Kurosawa's "Ikiru: To Live"

This is the third and last film in the Authentic Happiness Series. Lauded as one of the greatest films ever made, and arguably Kurosawa's greatest masterpiece in a long line of masterpieces, Ikiru narrates the story of a man who has realized he is quickly dying of cancer. The story follows his coming to terms with a life he now deems as largely wasted, and his search for something meaningful to do in the remaining time. It is anything but sappy. I hope you can make it to the screening of Ikiru on Thursday, April 17th, at 7PM in McClendon 2. There will be plenty of delicious finger foods and a lively discussion after the film. Hope to see you there.
To RSVP, visit http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10291379517

Discussing Happiness

Thanks to everyone who contributed to a great discussion last night after the movie about Happiness. We hope to continue the same blend of the personal, philosophical, and spiritual discussion through comments on this blog. Feel free to share any thoughts and opinions you have about happiness, how the pursuit of it manifests itself in your life, its ultimate meaning. Below are some questions related to what was discussed last night among the 10 or so who stayed after the movie to talk:


Is there a point in time when you thought you were happy, but looking back on it you actually were not?

What is some event or thing that makes you happy that makes very few other people happy?

For you Matrix fans: The red pill vs. blue pill question. On a practical level: Would you be okay with having a sense that you are somehow deluded about life or about yourself if the delusions were comforting? [Recommended reading: H.G. Wells' "Country of the Blind"]

Do you feel more happy now or more happy when you were younger? What events/points of view affect your happiness across long periods of time?




Keep an open mind, be willing to act and experiment... With wishes for a more fulfilling life for us all,-- Let the conversations begin!