• INTRODUCTION •
Deep down inside, we all know our planet is not sustainable the way it is being run. We need a new economic approach that embraces our environment, with new measures of success – both national and personal, that seeks balance between the material and spiritual. In “Himalayan Notes” we journey to the heart of ourselves to ask a hard question: is there another way?
“Searching for Shangri-la” is the first of the Himalayan Notes series. Laurence meets and is inspired by a unique group of artists, dancers, musicians, lamas, monks and nomads who together are calling for protection of our environment, by getting back to values of culture and spirituality rather than materialism. Among them are: one of Asias greatest composers ethnic Mongolian San Bao, legendary dancer and choreographer and ethnic Bai, Yang Liping, new age music singer Dadawa, ethnic fashion designer diva Flora Cheong-leen, rock star Kaiser Kuo, pop singer Ai Jing, together with Tibetan artist An Sang, art curator Cheng Xingdong, and a host of lamas, monks, environmentalists and nomads, all calling for a new set of values for sustainable living on a planet of diminishing resources.
Together these individuals each in their own way draw upon rich sources of Himalayan values drawn from holistic philosophies of Buddhism, ethnic traditions, music, dance, art, living as a part of nature, not apart from it. Each individual story emphasizes community over individual, greater social benefit over self, and the importance of helping those less fortunate than we are.
Now finally, after ten years, the full multi-media journey documenting this incredible 2002 expedition Searching for Shangri-la is available without borders or censors on the App Store, on iPad/iPhone. With just a tap, you can be part of this adventure.
• ABOUT THE AUTHOR •
Laurence Brahm is an environmentalist, social entrepreneur, lawyer and global spokesperson for sustainable development, Member of the United Nations Theme Group on Poverty and Inequality and author of several books on Asian economics and global development. He is the founder of the Himalayan and African Consensus economic paradigms, and divides his time between these regions.
• APP CONTENT •
Searching for Shangri-la includes a 1-hour documentary film, exclusive interviews with artists, environmentalists, lamas and stars, and Lamas, a 24-chapter book and a 400-photo gallery.