December 15, 2003
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Yesterday, for the first time in what has to be close to 8 months, I turned my television on. I’m not much of a movie or television fan; I’d rather read the book. I was lucky enough to catch a movie called Heat, with a really great cast of actors. Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, Ashley Judd, Natalie Portman and Tom Sizemore. It’s a really good crime drama, and I recommend it if you like the genre. It ranks right up there with Reservoir Dogs and The Usual Suspects.
During the movie, De Niro’s character expressed a certain philosophy a few times. I quote, “Do not have any attachments, do not have anything in your life you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you spot the heat around the corner.”
Overall, not a socially healthy attitude, or one conducive to the “normal” view of a full life, but it does lend itself to a Buddhist non-attachment to matter and the reality we perceive.
On the other side of the coin, one could say walking away is the coward’s way out. That it’s easier to slink away in shadows, tail between legs, than it is to stay and maintain.
Sometimes I guess it is.“…crashed this side of happiness
hit the floor; a hit or miss
without the strength to follow through
walked right past this life in youjust one more kiss
just one more chance
just one more life
of circumstance
just one more call
taking a chance
on circumstance.“
- Across Five Years, by Boy Sets Fire
Comments (24)
Ahh, interesting how you picked that out of the movie.
I’ve absolutely no problem walking away from anything.
Unless, of course, it happens to be Ashley Judd or Natalie Portman.
Really good film though. Always liked it.
TV? Huh? What’s that??
I live for books… can’t tell you the last time I watched television.
never seen the movie, but I really don’t think the buddhist philosophy takes it that far, if at all. the concept is a little different…to me anyways *shrugs*
i think it’s far harder and takes more courage to be able to walk away. i guess maybe it depends on the person though.
heat is SUCH an awesome flick….personally i think walking away is a combination of strength and cowardice. depends on situation i suppose
Mmmmmm… Resevoir Dogs and The Usual Suspects.. 2 of my fave… haven’t seen Heat.. yet
It takes more courage to stay, I agree with you. People are a lot of work.
I’ve never been able to leave anything behind, it’s all stored up in my head…of course there are things to move on from, but I take so much with me, it’s not baggage though, just decorative wallpaper on the inside of my noggin.
Heat…good film though I haven’t seen it in a while…in truth, after reading this, I just want to hang upside down off the sofa and think of Val Kilmer…heat indeed.
I tossed my T.V. out the window once and lived without one for over 5 years. Truth be told, I wasn’t any more or less productive or happy without it. Now I have Direct T.V. a DVD player, and a VCR. That’s not as much as a lot people, but it’s more than some.
heat always does it for me.
i have to turn the boob off more often than i do.
I don’t think I could live without attachments. People helped mold me into the person I am, good or bad, and people keep me from losing the last shred of sanity I have. Great movie though.
I’ll have to see that movie…
Hey, there’s nothing wrong with ditching out, I mean, it’s not so noble, but clever animals who bail get to live another day.
walking away is not something I do well. I run over things thousands of times in my head, even days, years after they’re over. and I keep asking myself, “Liz, why are you so dumb?” or “Dude, you know that (not) taking that chance was the worst thing you ever did?”
it’s hella unhealthy, I know…
Heat is one my favorite movies ever. Glad you got to catch it.
It is harder “to maintain”. I am always curious how people can “maintain” a marriage for 50 yrs., live in the same house, in the same town, and see the same people year after year. When I was made, they forgot to put that part in me. Is it possible to be happy in the same place, with the same person, seeing the same faces day in and day out your entire life. Don’t we need to grow as individuals to be happy? Doesn’t that mean we need to experience new people and new places to grow??? I just don’t know. On the other hand walking away is hard. But being stagnant is unhealthy… It’s all so confusing. To much to deal with on a Monday night.
~J
OMG. duh, it’s tuesday! i guess it feels like monday…lol
hooray for robert de niro…
is it the Christmas season that’s making everyone’s blogs seem very philosophical lately?
It’s not easy walking away … I get too attached to things/ people/ places
I’ve learned that other than Weed, I can and will walk away from anything, I may not always like it and it may be hard as hell but I will.
I’ve lived like that, once. Believed in it, too. I still don’t care about objects because everything can be replaced. The only thing, other than the animals, I care about is my family albums, and some of my old books.
my ex used to watch Heat on repeat. like the way I do Goodfellas. i guess that’s why he was able to walk out on me in 30 seconds flat?
It’s good to be able to walk away from everything, because everything eventually walks away from you. And when it does, you think, “so it goes.” Nonattachment is one of those tough states because it is a state of potential rather than action; being nonattached means that you could walk away, not that you are doing it or will do it. And that is just an extension of the idea, because nonattachment is quiet – not passive, but patient, still, appreciative, and reflective. Happy new year.