Drala is a term introduced to the Shambhala community by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche quite a few years ago that translates from the Tibetan as “above the enemy” or “beyond the enemy” and is also defined as wisdom beyond aggression. Quoting from his 1978 book Shambhala: The sacred path of the warrior: “The dralas are the elements of reality – water of water, fire of fire, earth of earth – anything that connects you with the elemental quality of reality, anything that reminds you of the depth of perception.”
Among the programs offered at Shambhala Centres is one specifically on drala, and a couple of years ago I was assisting with this weekend program in Halifax , NS
My definition of a drala film is one in which something elemental is central to the film, is very inspirational or life-changing to one or more of the characters, and this inspiration and intensity is passed along to us, the viewers. The drala in the film could be a force of nature, something very basic like food that we take for granted but that can be very powerful, an animal or setting that’s as important a character as any of the actors.
I made up this list fairly quickly and it’s one of those lists that if I continued to think about it, I could probably keep adding more films to it. But I’m not going to for now, so here it is in its original form. Feel free to suggest some other drala films!
Babbette’s feast (Denmark
Big night
Black Orpheus (Brazil
Chocolat
Eat, drink, man, woman (Taiwan
House of sand (Brazil
In America
Moonstruck
Nowhere in Africa (Germany
Off the map
Pan’s labyrinth (Mexico
Paris je t’aime
Rabbit-proof fence (Australia
Rivers and tides
Snow falling on cedars
Spring, summer, autumn, winter … and spring (Korea
The dead
The illuminated life of Maud Lewis
The red violin
Whale rider (New Zealand
Zorba the Greek
