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A Little Message:
News No. 211 The Supreme Master Ching
Hai News magazine is published on the Internet in the following
languages:
As a creator of artistic designs as well as a spiritual teacher, Supreme Master Ching Hai loves all expressions of inner beauty. It is for this reason that She refers to Vietnam as "Au Lac" and Taiwan as "Formosa." Au Lac is the ancient name of Vietnam and means "happiness." And the name Formosa, meaning "beautiful," reflects more completely the beauty of the island and its people. Master feels that using these names brings spiritual elevation and luck to the land and its inhabitants. |
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| Poem of Immortality
Talking to a Stone Buddha
By Supreme Master Ching Hai (Originally in English)
Supreme Master Ching Hai sings “Talking to a Stone Buddha,” which you may enjoy as a magnificent bonus on the Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical CD. This song can also be found in the poetry collection, The Love of Centuries, which includes many of the Poet’s other touching, uplifting verses. The song was composed by Master, and was performed by Chinese platinum pop-star, Kay Tse at the October Golden Year 9 (2012) world premiere of Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical. Our deepest gratitude goes to Supreme Master Ching Hai for sharing this divine composition with the world. We also express our sincere thanks to all the performers and others who worked on the Loving the Silent Tears musical for bringing joy to our lives and helping to purify the world. May our planet continue to be guided toward everlasting peace through heavenly music.
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| Correspondence with World Leaders
Supreme Master Ching Hai Applauds
By USA News Group (Originally in English)
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, His Excellency Barack Obama, President of the United States, truly embodies American values and ideals. In his first term, facing a weakened economy, rising debt, high unemployment, and intense international conflict, President Obama took decisive steps to help turn the tide. For example, he signed the Affordable Care Act to assist people in need of healthcare and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, ended the Iraq war, and began withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan. Mr. Obama also improved his country’s image abroad through new policies, began diplomatic initiatives and constructive dialog, worked to enhance ties with the Muslim world and promoted world peace. For these outstanding efforts, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Golden Year 6 (2009). That same year, in a historic speech entitled “A New Beginning,” delivered at Cairo University, he said: The Holy Koran tells us: “O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.” The Talmud tells us: “The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.” The Holy Bible tells us: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God’s vision. Now that must be our work here on Earth. Thank you. And may God’s peace be upon you. After winning re-election, Mr. Obama began his second term as 44th President of the US in January Golden Year 10 (2013). In his State of the Union address he announced that with the steady withdrawal of US troops the war in Afghanistan would be over by the end of 2014. To commend President Obama for his compassion, peacemaking efforts and wise decisions, Supreme Master Ching Hai sent him a congratulatory letter in February Golden Year 10 (2013). We rejoice with the world for His Excellency Barack Obama’s enlightened leadership and pray for the rapid realization of a peaceful kingdom on Earth as envisioned by God. The following is the full text of Master’s letter.
Letters were sent to Supreme Master Ching Hai by His Excellency Eklil Hakimi, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to the U.S. and Ms. Fatima Gailani, President of the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), expressing their heartfelt thanks for Her contribution of US$250,000 in aid to Afghan war victims. In his letter, Ambassador Hakimi, wrote, “Generous contributions from donors like you provide the financial and moral support needed to continue the mission of bringing much needed assistance to the citizens in the conflict-ridden areas of Afghanistan. With your financial contribution, you’ve demonstrated your deep commitment to helping Afghanistan and the lives of thousands of Afghans. We, at the Embassy of Afghanistan, are truly inspired by your dedication and continued generosity.” May Heaven bless the Afghan people, and all others suffering from war, with a future full of love, peace and happiness.
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| Correspondence with World Leaders
Supreme Master Ching Hai’s
By USA News Group (Originally in English)
In 2001 the European Union banned the feeding of processed animal protein (PAP) to farm animals due to the outbreak of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease, a fatal illness that affected almost 500,000 animals and caused the loss of approximately 200 human lives in Europe. In the last twelve years cases of BSE have declined, so the European Commission proposed lifting the ban on the use of non-ruminant (pig and poultry) PAP in feed for pigs, poultry and farm-raised fish. In fact, new rules authorized early this year allow feed made of restricted parts of pigs and poultry to be fed to fish in June 2013 and to poultry and pigs in 2014. The relaxation of the ban on PAP feed has caused a public uproar. According to a survey commissioned by the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency, a majority of those taking part in the research opposes this decision. Some groups consider the feed both unnatural and unethical, while others are concerned about human errors in implementing the regulation and the non-compliance of farmers. The US news magazine Time reported that French Ecology Minister, The Honorable Delphine Batho said the following in an interview with Jewish Community Radio (RCJ) of Paris: “‘Giving fish meat to eat’ was an aberration of the natural order driven by the ‘absurdity of financial logic.’” Supreme Master Ching Hai expressed deep concern about the harmful effects of re-introducing PAP into fish feed and recommended adopting the vegan diet to benefit public health and the environment. On March 12, Golden Year 10 (2013), She wrote letters to the President of the European Commission, His Excellency José Manuel Barroso, and to European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, The Honorable Dr. Tonio Borg. The following is the text of the letters:
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| Shining World Leadership Award
Supreme Master Ching Hai Commends the EU on Its Nobel Peace Prize ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
By USA News Group (Originally in English)
On October 12, Golden Year 9 (2012), the European Union (EU) won the Nobel Peace Prize for its decades of work in promoting international harmony, democracy and human rights. A forerunner of the EU, The European Coal and Steel Community, was established in 1952. The EU was later created in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome. Since then, the organization has grown to include 27 nations extending from Russia to Ireland. Over the years it has helped rebuild Europe from the devastation of World War II, and bring peace and stability to the region after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Announcing the award in Oslo, Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjørn Jagland said that the EU has transformed most of Europe “from a continent of wars to a continent of peace.” French President, His Excellency François Hollande said that receiving the Prize was an “immense honor.” And then-U.S. Secretary of State, Her Excellency Hillary Clinton offered these words of praise: “Certainly it is quite remarkable to see how unified and peaceful Europe is in the 21st Century, and that did not happen by coincidence. It happened because of the very hard work and dedication of leaders and citizens across Europe.” Upon hearing the wonderful news of the EU’s Prize, Supreme Master Ching Hai sent the following congratulatory letter to the organization:
After receiving Master’s letter, President of the European Parliament, His Excellency Martin Schulz asked his staff to respond, and their letter said in part, “With regards to the award, Mr. Schulz stated, ‘It is a great honor that the EU has been awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.’ He also highlighted the fact that this Award is meant for all European Union citizens.’” For their remarkable achievements, Supreme Master Ching Hai also honored the European Union and the President of the European Council, His Excellency Herman Achille Van Rompuy with the Shining World Leadership Award. Below is the letter that Master sent along with the Award:
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| Season’s Greetings
Supreme Master Ching Hai’s
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| Enlightening Message of Peace
Every Peaceful Plan Will Be Done
In light of urgent world events, Supreme Master Ching Hai offered insightful messages for humanity in a teleconference with the Supreme Master Television staff on April 14, Golden Year 10 (2013). Some of the topics She discussed include:
Master also shared the following loving message with the world:“Should concentrate on doing good things. Pray and meditate whatever way you can to the highest possible spiritual power. Eliminate evil tendencies in all corners of your life. Remember God at all times. Be grateful to whatever you have and all the blessings all over around you and in your life. Pray for the world’s wellness. Be vegan, make peace. And, be grateful for your beautiful life and enjoy your short but beautiful existence.” The full conference with multi-language subtitles can be viewed at www.SupremeMasterTV.com/peacefulplan.
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| FEATURE REPORT
“Live Up to Humans’ Real Standard”:
By Supreme Master Television (Originally in English)
In the midst of the world’s preparations for Christmas and the New Year, on December 22, Golden Year 9 (2012), Supreme Master Television staff had the greatest honor and joy to be graced with a videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai. Setting aside precious time from her deep meditation, beloved Master filled our hearts with gratitude and bliss through this most treasured time with her. She looked beautifully radiant and was dressed in red, the color of holiday cheer. For almost three hours, it was truly Heaven while Master magnanimously answered our spiritual questions, spoke about doing good for the world, and revealed more secrets of the universe for the benefit of humanity. Renewing hope in our hearts, Master spoke of the limitless positive miracles that could happen, such as an all-vegan universe. She explained, “Yes, why not? Everything is possible. It takes some time. It’s a chain effect, you see? When our world is good, many other worlds are good. So first we take care of ourselves, then the world will become good, and the universe will become better.” WORKING FOR THE WORLD We asked Master what she had been doing during her days before the conference and she graciously shared, “I've been checking the universe. I'm checking what's going on in the world and what we can minimize, what we can improve, and of course, always in intensive meditation mood, whether I sit down or I lay down or I am taking some time to walk around or playing with the dogs, always focused on meditation, intensive meditational mood. And sometimes I send assistants out to help the needy people and to give the homeless some financial support, buy food for the food bank where I live, also send Christmas presents to some people. I had to buy many new houses for the dog pounds near where I live, and food and blankets, toys, mattresses and whatever they required from that dog pound center. I did that many years, over the years, not just this year, but mostly anonymously, so they don’t even know me, they don’t even see me. And the children, the orphans, I send them presents and money to buy them new clothes and whatever they need. I also ordered those disaster relief funds and activities and also a special fund of US$400,000 for the homeless monks and homeless people around the world. And I also do some important correspondence. … You are doing these things, every one of our Association members is doing this, and I’m also doing this. We walk the talk. It’s normal by us. … I just feel their needs, so I do it because of their needs. Just natural things to do. Just like it’s a natural thing for you to like to stay there and continue to do whatever you can, spreading the teaching or do whatever video stuff that you’re doing for other people. It just feels natural to you, and you’re happy doing that. Same, it feels natural to me to help people, and I’m happy doing that, too.” LIVE UP TO HUMANS’ REAL STANDARD Master also shared some wonderful news during the conference. She said, “My spiritual merit points multiply zillions of times because of some special events and some special things that I cannot share with you.” As of December 18, 2012, Master’s level above the Fifth Level was at the 8,131,134,133,233rd Level. Another amazing news was that the Earth would continue on for 8,331,171 years. She explained that this was because the Master Power is so strong now and also said, “Thanks Heaven and thanks God for all this merciful decree. Even though I put in effort, but the people have been praying, as well. Other beings on this planet, not just humans, have been praying and putting in efforts, small or big. And Heaven has been merciful, as well.” However, she reminded that the planet’s life is extended but “the screening process will always continue, until at least humankind has changed to a better standard, to the real human standard, with love, compassion, and peacefulness coexisting together.” She said humans must live according to the basic tenets found in all religions, which include no killing of other beings. Master added, “The truth is, we have to make effort to earn happiness on Earth as in Heaven.” When asked why some people commit bad deeds yet still nothing happens to them, Master said that although nothing maybe has happened yet due to leftover good merits in store from previous lives, they will eventually have to pay through bad health, accidents, etc. according to the law of karmic retribution. IMPROVED LEVELS OF SPIRITUAL CONSCIOUSNESS In her deep meditation, Master recently has been checking out the levels of spiritual consciousness of people on the planet, and the levels of spiritual practitioners in our meditation group. It was exciting news as Master shared that the levels of people on the planet have been improving, and will continue to improve as Master keeps donating her spiritual merits. For example, as of December 8, 2012, 47% of the planet’s people were at or above the Third Level. Fellow initiates’ spiritual levels have also improved; for example, an astonishing 53% of fellow initiates were at the Fifth Level as of December 8, 2012. DIVINE CONNECTION LINE Master explained one of the wondrous ways that she was able to have enough power to negotiate with heavens or with the karmic law for the planet. She generously disclosed a universal secret, which is the existence of Divine Connection Lines. She said, “There is a thing called ‘Divine Connection Line.’ That is thousand, million, billion, trillion, zillions times more powerful than Heaven Gates, Heaven Ways, and Spiritual Blessing Lines and Spiritual Blessing Portals. All in the universe are connected by these Divine Connection Lines, from the low earthly realm to the highest heavens. It’s a wonder network. It’s an incredible, intricate pattern of network. It is so wonderful to know about it. I’m very happy.” LOVING THE SILENT TEARS With the Loving the Silent Tears musical premiere still fresh in everyone’s mind, and with all the feedback from the cast, creative team, composers, and the audience about Master’s profound verses, we were moved to ask Master what her inspiration was for writing her poetry collection, Silent Tears. Her answer was, “It must have been, like, 30 years since, something like that… in the 80s. At that time, I was just beginning my little mission, just beginning a little bit in Formosa. So, I was just having a little more leisure time, so I tuned in with all the humans, and then that’s how the poetry came into manifestation, into the book. I never thought that there would be a day when some of the greatest composers and some of the greatest artists would make them into a big world stage like America, suchlike Shrine Auditorium. It’s not in a million years I would dream about it. Otherwise, maybe I would have polished it more, made it more beautiful somehow, more elegant or something. I just wrote it the way I felt. It just came out quick and that’s how it is.” When inquired about the musical’s influence, Master replied that it “will go beyond and continue when we spread it more out. And even before that, the vibration, the frequencies of these verses and music will carry through the whole world, like radio wavelengths. People’s souls will understand it. Even if their mind does not grasp it, people’s souls will understand and be uplifted all the same. And this will continue to the next generations.” We had the opportunity to share with Master some of media reviews, audience feedback, and stories relating to the musical. Master also revealed about how she came to write her song “Talking to a Stone Buddha” which was sung by Chinese platinum pop star and vegetarian Kay Tse in the musical. Master said, “…It’s just at that time, it was very difficult. I was thinking only a stone Buddha can be able to bear all this and still love the world. So it came from the heart. I wrote it with tears – the tears of a stone Buddha. The tears just came out, feeling sorry, sorrow for the whole world. … That’s how the song came out. Maybe that’s why people shed tears, because it’s a real emotion, real experience, yes, real feeling.” We shared with Master that after almost two months, we were still receiving phone calls from people about the event. One such call was from a teacher of Judaism in New York who watched the musical live online and had also ordered the Loving the Silent Tears CD. She said she cried several times throughout the show, adding that “it was meant to be” that she found out about Master. After downloading some of Master’s lectures, she said: “This woman is incredible, incredible. She’s got the right message, to bring the world peace and harmony. And she knows how to convey it. Not many people can do that. It takes me a lot to believe in something. And yes, I believe she is God’s direct contact. She’s going to do something for this world, trust me. I will definitely promote her message in the world.” PRANA In response to a question about prana, Master had replied, “You see, humans, we normally have high prana. But we reduce it, the blessing, and reduce the prana by our less holy, less loving lifestyle, like eating animals, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, cigarettes, etc., and then the DNA keeps transferring from one generation to the next. So, the next generation will also have less and less and less prana. That's why we have to eat a lot.” Master proceeded to share some of the amazing prana percentages, of herself, pranarian individuals of the past, and many animal species. MESSAGE FOR THE WORLD To conclude the conference, Master delivered a beautiful message for the world:
We are so grateful to Master for her guidance and boundless compassion for humanity. We treasure this conference and the blessings Master has imbued within it as the best Christmas present ever for all in the world. In all that she does, whether in intensive meditation, providing physical comforts and gifts for the less fortunate, offering spiritual merit points for the world’s betterment, or imparting her limitless wisdom through her gentle words, Master exemplifies the holiday season’s true meaning of love, of sacrifice, and of giving. As we pray for her continued best of health, may all of Master’s steadfast efforts and vision for a vegan and elevated world soon become a reality. The three-part videoconference may be viewed online at www.SupremeMasterTV.com/Xmas2012.
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Qatar
Loving Hut Presents the Vegan Solution in Qatar
By Canada and USA News Group (Originally in English)
[Doha] In Doha, Qatar, Loving Hut (LH) shared the vegan solution to climate change at the Eighth Conference of Youth (COY8) from November 23 to 25, Golden Year 9 (2012) and at the Qatar Sustainability Expo (QSE) from November 27 to December 7, Golden Year 9 (2012). Encouraged by Supreme Master Ching Hai, the international Loving Hut family of restaurants is committed to offering healthy, affordable, plant-based cuisine to a growing number of individuals who are choosing the diet of kindness. Young people showed sincere interest in the health of planet Earth at the COY8, which was held at Hamad bin Khalifa University before the Eighteenth Conference of the Parties (COP18) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). COY8 brought together over 400 youths representing more than 150 organizations around the world. For three days, the participants went to workshops and took part in discussions on sustainable solutions to climate change. Loving Hut was a proud sponsor of COY8 and provided complimentary vegan dinners to the attendees. Many of the young people at the event were already vegan or vegetarian while others were hearing about the link between diet and climate change for the first time. Meals such as fried rice, kabobs and spring rolls, all free of animal ingredients, were happily prepared by the Loving Hut kitchen team. Gathering around the table at meal time, people were excited to see what was on the menu, with many expressing delight that plant-based foods could taste so good and some deciding to immediately become vegans, including a young Egyptian man who checked in daily to report on his progress in adopting the compassionate diet. In Doha, Loving Hut also participated in the QSE and was an official co-sponsor of COP18. The LH booth was a lively focal point for visitors to the Expo, which took place concurrently with COP18. The venues of COP18 and QSE were connected by buses chartered by the Government of Qatar. Loving Hut provided information about the devastating environmental effects of livestock raising, particularly its contribution to global warming. Cruelty-free recipes and samples of delicious, plant-based foods were also offered at the booth. Visitors seemed eager to hear about the vegan solution to climate change. As Doha is a highly cosmopolitan city, many of its residents come from other nations. People from around the region, including those from Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Mauritania, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, and Tunisia were extremely receptive to learning about a diet consisting of no animal products, and many voiced concern about our planet and future generations. Large groups of school children, many wearing traditional dress, also came by the LH booth and happily received gift bags containing recipe booklets and vegan pastries. Moreover, visitors from India, Pakistan, Iran, China, Singapore, Au Lac, France, and Poland were attracted to Loving Hut. They chatted with the team and received free copies of the book From Crisis to Peace: The Organic Vegan Way is the Answer, which presents Supreme Master Ching Hai’s precious wisdom on the plant-based diet as the solution to climate change, world hunger, water shortages, food insecurity and other problems. Many expressed overwhelming agreement. Thus we felt the message about the lifestyle in which all beings are cherished equally will spread to all corners of the world. Loving Hut also had a stand at the food court located outside the venue, where residents and visitors could sample and purchase tasty vegan meals. Part of the daily entertainment program included a drum performance by a group of local Qatari men dressed in traditional white sand thobes. In addition, as part of our effort in Doha, the Loving Hut team participated in a climate-change procession held in the city center on December 1 that was said to be the first-ever such gathering in Qatar. Through dance and chant, we shared the “Be Vegan, Make Peace” slogan and were joined by several local vegan women in long, flowing cloaks called abayas. Our presence and banner drew the attention of both foreign-language and local Arabic media. Other activities of Loving Hut included a lecture on the nutritional aspects of the benevolent lifestyle. One mother from Lebanon was enthusiastic about the new knowledge she had gained, as she had three young sons who wished to adopt the plant-based diet. A number of individuals and families resolved to go vegan after the talk, and other exhibitors, mostly from the technology sector, were also impressed by the logic and simplicity of the vegan solution. Many attendees from previous COPs greeted the Loving Hut team like old friends, thanking those who had provided them with vegan sandwiches in the past and thus strengthening the sense that the vegan family has reached an international scope. Loving Hut was pleased to learn that a world-renowned figure had also been spreading the meat-free message in Doha. On December 4, Sir Paul McCartney, legendary singer/songwriter and former member of the music group, the Beatles, wrote personal letters to the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, Ms. Christiana Figueres, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Qatar and President-Designate for COP18, His Excellency Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, asking them to formally acknowledge the impact of livestock raising on climate change. Sir Paul wrote, “Although more and more evidence is coming to light showing how the growth of the global meat industry is having alarming environmental consequences, the impact of the livestock sector on global warming does not as yet seem to have been acknowledged by the Conference of the Parties (COP). I therefore call upon you to bring this issue to the attention of the Conference and encourage the adoption of policy and individual actions, such as a weekly meat-free day.” Meatless days are gaining notice worldwide, particularly, Meat-free Monday, a campaign supported by many high-profile environmental experts, including the 45th Vice President of the United States Mr. Al Gore and Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri. In addition, one-day-a-week “meat-free” campaigns have already been implemented in over 20 countries, including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Finland, Formosa, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, UK, and USA. Bravo, Sir Paul McCartney, for your noble efforts! Our deep gratitude goes to Supreme Master Ching Hai for granting the Loving Hut team the blessed opportunity to share the vegan message with many people from around the world in Doha, Qatar. May all humans soon adopt the peaceful diet to produce a paradise on Earth where all beings can live in joyful harmony.
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USA
The USA’s First
By Loving Hut USA News Team (Originally in English)
[Los Angeles] On October 26, Golden Year 9 (2012), the eve of the epic musical, Loving the Silent Tears, the first national US Loving Hut operators’ meeting was held at the Loving Hut in Alhambra, California, northeast of Los Angeles. Approximately 50 Loving Hut owners, managers and representatives from around the country came together in a festive atmosphere to discuss Loving Hut operations and encourage one another. Three enthusiastic representatives from Loving Hut Monterrey, Mexico, also joined the gathering to show their support and meet other Loving Hut workers. A delicious vegan buffet consisting of over a dozen dishes from both Eastern and Western cuisines was served. The attendees also enjoyed freshly squeezed orange and carrot juices as well as gourmet coffee and tea. Loving Hut was inspired by Master’s caring vision of offering the public healthy, flavorful plant-based foods to promote peace, love and harmony among all beings. Cheers broke out when the participants heard the latest update from Loving Hut International: Over 220 Loving Hut restaurants have been opened in over 30 countries, and 11 Loving Hut Express food trucks are operating around the world. The USA, South Korea, and Formosa have the largest numbers of Loving Huts with 43, 39 and 31, respectively. It took only 18 months from the opening of the first Loving Hut in Taipei, Formosa on April 18, Golden Year 5 (2008), to reach the 100th Loving Hut, which began operating in Upland, California on November 23, Golden Year 6 (2009). This miraculous achievement could only have been possible through Master’s blessing. Along with its unprecedented growth rate, our pure vegan franchise has received much recognition and many awards. For example, among US locations, Loving Hut Orlando in Florida received the Best Food Vendor award at the 2009 and 2010 Orlando International Fringe Festivals. In 2011, Loving Hut Honolulu-King Street in Hawaii was an Ilima Award Critic’s Picks winner. Loving Hut in Brea, California has been recognized as one of the top 100 Chinese restaurants in the US. Loving Hut in San Diego-Mira Mesa, California received a certificate of recognition from the 75th District of the California State Assembly, and in 2012 Loving Hut in Tampa, Florida was voted “Best Vegan” restaurant on the Tampa A-List of area businesses. In addition to recognition by government agencies and the press, Loving Hut has won the hearts of countless customers. Many operators at the meeting shared stories about the excitement of first-time customers and the gratitude of regular patrons. Indeed, many customers have posted enthusiastic reviews online, giving Loving Hut a remarkable rating of 4 out of a possible 5 stars on the local online-business directory Yelp, averaged over all 43 of its US locations. Loving Hut also has more than 8,000 Facebook fans and over 6,000 Twitter followers. In addition, Loving Hut USA has received over 60 heartfelt invitations from customers to open Loving Huts in their cities. The participants at the meeting praised Master’s infinite wisdom in inspiring the Loving Hut vegan family of restaurants. Even though each location has its own menu and service style, the common brand name and décor have attracted the attention of people throughout the United States, and in the vegan/vegetarian community, “Loving Hut” has become almost synonymous with “vegan restaurant.” The common name also makes it possible for operators to bargain collectively for lower supply prices. For example, Loving Hut USA has been able to purchase eco-friendly, take-out containers bearing the Loving Hut logo at discount prices. And hard-to-find products, such as non-GMO rice-bran oil, are being made available to Loving Hut operators across the US. Moreover, due to its familiarity, the restaurants’ name can be easily promoted through advertising and sponsorship. Recently, Loving Hut USA began to advertise the Loving Hut brand name on the internet with encouraging results. In July Golden Year 9 (2012), Loving Hut was the co-sponsor of Veganpalooza, the largest online vegetarian conference to date. The Loving Hut operators were also delighted to learn that Loving Hut was to be an official sponsor of COP18 in Doha, Qatar in late November and early December of the same year, bringing to the event the most effective solution to climate change. Franchise registration for Loving Hut USA has been completed in several populous states, such as California, Indiana, and Illinois, and in the near future it will be possible for Loving Hut to be operated as a franchise anywhere in the US. The USA Service Team commended the Loving Hut operators for their dedication, commitment, and courage in opening their restaurants. Thanks to their pioneering efforts, Loving Hut has gained a great amount of knowledge and experience in restaurant operation, from location selection to staff management. The information from so many independently operated Loving Huts has greatly accelerated the development of efficient, sustainable, and replicable business models. At the meeting, Loving Hut USA also revealed a new fast-service concept, suitable for food courts and high-foot-traffic areas. This approach, which provides customers in a hurry with quick, delicious, vegan food from a steam table, and also allows casual customers to order à la carte, will soon be tested in a major shopping mall. Regarding the vegan diet, Master says, “The longer the planet lives, the more people will have a chance to become vegan and spiritually uplifted.” As Master has immensely blessed us with a continuation of Earth’s existence for millions of years, may all of humankind soon choose the lifestyle of kindness through the growing availability of vegan food and other compassionate products around the world. Let’s help make our planet a paradise!
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Formosa
A Joyous Christmas
By Formosa News Group (Originally in Chinese)
[Hsihu] On December 23, Golden Year 9 (2012), approximately 5,200 Association members and VIPs from Formosa, along with temporary-stay residents from around the world, gathered at the Hsihu Center for the Golden Christmas Celebration. Many Centers worked together and set up booths by the Nectar River, the Red Pavilion, the fountain and the entrance to the Rainbow Garden, providing local delicacies, such as millet mochis and Swedish chocolate rolls from Hualian, crystal dumplings and Hakka dumplings from Miaoli, and green bean cakes and vegan meat balls from Changhua. The variety of vegan dishes was so large that one could hardly count them all! Each booth overflowed with guests tasting the delicious food, and the atmosphere at the Center was warm and joyful. A group of sister initiates dressed up as Mrs. Santa Claus to hand out blessed food, adding more cheer to the occasion. Brother and sister initiates of various nationalities sang, danced, played instruments, and performed a comedy routine for the guests, bringing the celebration to a blissful climax. The S.M. Celestial Company also presented a vegan-fur fashion show, which ended the beautiful event on a perfect note.
Ongoing Efforts
Compiled by Formosa News Group (Originally in Chinese)
[Formosa] Promoting the vegan diet and creating a peaceful planet have become long-term projects for Association members in Formosa. Working toward the same ideal, they are striving to bring the “Be Vegan, Make Peace” message to all corners of the island. Sharing Master’s Good News and the Vegan Message Formosan initiates have sent over 1,300,000 copies of Master’s letter on the continuation of Earth’s existence to the media and leaders in various fields, printed more than 40,000 “Be Vegan, Make Peace” vehicle stickers in various languages, and shared the stickers with Centers around the world. In addition, they have produced over 2,000 flags bearing the vegan message in multiple languages, printed 1,210 copies each of the flyers “Vegetarianism: Quotes from Noteworthy People” and “List of the Advantages of a Vegan Diet,” sent the flyers to stores for display, and printed 15,000 copies of a vegan cookbook in English and 10,000 in Spanish. Of these, 4,000 copies of the English version were distributed at the 2012 Olympic Games. Vegan Campaign by Centers The Taipei Center is frequently involved in the local “Lecture Series on Green Health” and provides cruelty-free meals for attendees. They also supported a cycling parade on Earth Day 2012 and served 800 vegan lunch boxes to the participants. Moreover, to encourage people to adopt the compassionate diet, the Center’s kitchen provides daily lunch boxes with plant-based meals to the post office, the local guild, a number of accounting professionals, and the administrative offices of various buildings, companies, and schools. The Jiayi Center arranged healthy, organic-diet seminars and provided free vegan meals to support the “Loving Family Thanksgiving” activities organized by the local county government. In celebration of Earth Day 2012, Tainan Center initiates also served 1,000 hamburgers with no animal ingredients to support the event “A Fan a Day, Reduce a Kilo of Carbon,” sponsored by the Tainan city government, and offered vegan lunch boxes to participants in a cycling parade on Earth Day. The Pingtung Center frequently participates in the “Save the Environment, Eco Enzymes Learning Camp.” Besides serving complimentary plant-based meals, they also gave a copy of the book, The Inspiring Diet Code 2012 to the Pingtung City Office staff, who committed themselves to following a vegan diet for three weeks. The book discusses the secret code hidden within our daily diet, revealing why being vegan improves physical health and sustains planetary continuity. It also provides medical and nutritional information based on scientific research and includes 115 practical, delicious recipes. The Hualian, Tainan, and Penghu Centers have been visiting inmates in local prisons on a regular basis to share the “Be Veg, Go Green, Love the Planet” ideal. In response, the Penghu Prison has implemented a low-carbon diet twice a week. Using the Media to Promote the Benefits of the Vegan Diet The Penghu Daily News frequently prints the “Be Vegan, Make Peace” slogan on its front page to share the message with the public. In addition, the Taipei Center from time to time publishes articles with titles such as “What You Don’t Know about Milk,” “Break an ‘Egg,’ Check inside!” “The Myth about Eating Fish,” “Open Calcium,” “Explore the Truth,” and “List of the Advantages of a Vegan Diet” in the newspaper Upaper, which has a daily circulation of 240,000.
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The Government and NGOs Join Forces to Promote Veganism To implement the “Save Energy and Reduce Carbon Emissions” policy issued by Formosa’s Executive Yuan, the Agriculture and Food Agency has put the Veg Monday campaign into practice, and will order only vegetarian lunch boxes for their staff on Mondays. The island’s Ministry of National Defense is also requiring that military personnel follow its “Eat More Vegetables, Less Meat” policy and consume vegetarian food at least one day a week or one meal a day to reduce carbon emissions. Based on the campaign “Love the Earth, Be Kind to Life, and Reclaim Health,” a group of medical experts worked with prominent members of other fields to establish the Veg Union (http://vegunion.org). Using their own areas of expertise, the group’s members offer valuable, truthful information on health from various viewpoints, so as to guide society to a new, healthy, harmonious, vegan world. The Veg Union website includes sections such as Global Watch, Healthy Vegan Medical School, Environmental Protection Frontier, Love, Vegan Lifestyle, and Fashion. The site’s information is being widely circulated on the internet. In the section, “Celebrities Talk,” renowned individuals from a variety of fields receive much positive feedback for their efforts to help people understand that the vegan diet can save the planet and create a healthy life. In addition, the Veg Union produces a video program entitled “New Adventurism,” which is broadcast on New Talk, an internet platform established by several progressive media channels. The show features information on the health benefits of the vegan diet and how the compassionate lifestyle contributes to a sustainable environment. “New Adventurism” also promotes the New Age (organic vegan) diet concept and presents lively interviews with famous vegans. New Talk has a high viewing rate and has received enthusiastic responses from its audience.
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From November 8 to 11, Golden Year 9 (2012), the Meat-Free Monday Collaboration Platform conducted a series of seminars on the peaceful diet during the Sixth Golden Bodhi Kitchen Contest and Organic Health Exhibition held at Taipei Expo Park. The seminars featured experts in medicine, nutrition, ecology, animal protection, organic farming, and brain development, and attracted a large crowd. Due to the caring appeal of the Platform, light, vegan meals have become a favorite of working people. Many food-production companies have also discovered that the market for vegan foods has an endless potential for growth. The Loving Hut International family of restaurants was invited to take part in the Exhibition, where they set up booths providing a variety of vegan delicacies for guests to try free-of-charge. The visitors were invited to start eating vegan using “chopsticks” (the Chinese word for chopsticks sounds like ‘quickly’) to save the Earth.
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| Noteworthy Articles
Prophecies to Welcome the New Era - Protected by the Guiding Light of the millennium, Earth has passed through the December 21, 2012 Baktun cycle change on the Mayan calendar and entered a new era. The clairvoyants Nostradamus and Jean de Jerusalem predicted the good news of this transition in their writings. For example, in a letter to a friend, Nostradamus described a new leader who would usher the world into an “age of exploration and limitless prosperity” to last more than 1,000 years. And Jean de Jerusalem predicted that the start of the third millennium AD would see a mother of the new age who would help humanity to evolve spiritually. On December 22, Golden Year 9 (2012), during a videoconference with Supreme Master Television staff members, Supreme Master Ching Hai was asked if the disastrous events described by Nostradamus, which seem worse than what has actually occurred in recent years, would have come about if it were not for Heaven’s grace. Master replied, “It could have come true, but we have tried to stop it. So it’s better now. It could have become worse, you see? That’s why you said the prediction sounds worse than the actual events. No, he predicted the truth, but then some of our humans have been very good, and so altogether we have stopped some of the world’s disasters that could have happened to our planet and humankind. But nevertheless, recently in our magazine, they have printed the article of Nostradamus’s prediction, another kind of prediction, and you’ll find a better picture of our world after the big screening.” Nostradamus wrote most of his prophecies in quatrains, made difficult to decipher due to his frequent use of symbolism and anagrams, as a way to avoid possible persecution during his lifetime. One such prophecy appears in Quatrain #2-28 of his book Les Propheties (‘The Prophecies’), where he accurately foretells the name of the Master who will usher in the new era:
The last four letters of the Latinized name Nostradamus, when written backwards, are “SUMA” – a term that has been used in the past to refer to Supreme Master Ching Hai (SU: Supreme; MA: Master). In Quatrain #3-94, Nostradamus describes a glorious outcome of the new Messiah’s divine mission; that is, conferring immediate enlightenment to uplift human consciousness:
Master Ching Hai initiates sincere Truth seekers into the Quan Yin Method of meditation. The Chinese characters “Quan Yin” mean contemplation of the inner Sound Vibration. The Method includes meditation on this Sound as well as the inner Light, both of which have been described in the spiritual writings of the world’s religions since ancient times. Because a person may hear the inner Sound and see the inner Light immediately upon initiation, this event is sometimes referred to as “sudden” or “immediate enlightenment.” The inner Light, the Light of God, is the same Light referred to in the word “enlightenment.” Its intensity can range from a subtle glow to the brilliance of many millions of suns. It is through the inner Light and Sound that we come to know God. Jean de Jerusalem, who was a member of the Knights Templar order between the 11th and 12th centuries, also offered amazing glimpses of the future, predicting and giving detailed information about many current global problems, such as AIDS, widespread hunger, and environmental pollution. The accuracy of his prophecies is truly astounding. The good news is that he also foretold that in the third millennium, after the disasters and wars, the future would be beautiful: “Humanity will evolve spiritually and regain its true greatness, and humankind will learn to live together in peace.” In some prophecies, he writes of a woman as the mother of the new age, and here he seems to refer to our Master:
We are truly blessed and fortunate in this Golden Year to be able to usher our world into an “age of exploration and limitless prosperity” and a “time of light” under the guidance of our most compassionate, most omnipotent Master. However, as we were reminded by Master during Her videoconference with the Supreme Master Television staff: “So the planet is saved for the humans to live on and other beings to live on. Then we must really treasure it, we must think about how to live a worthy life on this planet, how to really determine to make the better days of our lives, how to return the kindness of Heaven. Not just always asking Heaven what to do for us, but asking ourselves what we could do for the world, for others, and for ourselves. That is the right thing to do.” For more details, please read The Supreme Master Ching Hai News Nos. 108 and 210 or visit:
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| Teachings of the Ancient Masters
Light and Sound Meditation
Through the ages, all the world’s great religions have spoken of meditation on the inner Sound and Light, the Quan Yin Method, as the ultimate means for gaining access to our true Self, our true Abode, the Kingdom of God. This Method is named differently in various scriptures, but the practice remains the same. The spiritual teachers who inspired these religions, such as Moses, Jesus Christ, Shakyamuni Buddha, Prophet Muhammad, Guru Nanak and Bahá'u'lláh all practiced the Method and taught it to their followers in order to advance the evolution of human consciousness and uplift the planet. As Supreme Master Ching Hai explains, “Since ancient times, all great Masters have emphasized the importance of the Quan Yin Method. I just follow in their footsteps and repeat their wisdom. It’s fine if you don’t believe me, but you should believe these great spiritual practitioners of the olden times. Jesus Christ talked about the Quan Yin Method, Shakyamuni Buddha talked about the Quan Yin Method, Lao Tzu talked about the Quan Yin Method, other masters such as Master Xuanzang and Master Huineng who was the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, all talked about the Quan Yin Method. Therefore, what method should we practice? Only by practicing the Quan Yin Method can one attain the highest level.” For our readers’ reference, the following are some selections from the scriptures of various spiritual traditions that discuss this topic. However, merely reading about the Method is not enough, because its transmission does not occur through language, but from Heart to Heart. Thus, being initiated by a living Master and practicing the Quan Yin Method is the highest form of grace one can achieve in this life. THE BAHÁ'I FAITH
BUDDHISM
CHRISTIANITY
GNOSTICISM
HINDUISM
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY of KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS
ISLAM
JAINISM
JUDAISM
SIKHISM
SWEDENBORGIANISM
THEOSOPHY
TIBETAN BUDDHISM
ZOROASTRIANISM
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| Master Says
Recognize Our Inner Almighty Power
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Taipei, Formosa, November 4, 1987 (Originally in Chinese) Audiotape # CE3A
Don’t you have such sincerity? Yes, I know, you want to put Master in this world. But people like their lovely karma and have no place for Master. Therefore, this world still always has problems. There are so many material things in this world we can enjoy; however, we human beings still have many troubles. It still seems we cannot survive and that we are going to burst. Why? This is because there is a thing within us that is very difficult to be satisfied. That thing is expectation, longing. We naturally have that kind of entreating quality. *Supreme Master Ching Hai, upon the earnest request of Her disciples, explained some of the meaning of Her poems in the Silent Tears poetry collection during this lecture. How to Get a Response to Our Prayers Most people’s prayers receive no response. Why is that? Today I’m going to teach you how to pray to get a better response. No matter what we pray for, we must first ask ourselves, is this thing really necessary for us? Is it important? Is it really beneficial to us? Will it harm other people? If we know that what we’re praying for is not important, not benevolent, and not necessary, our subconscious won’t accept it. Our Almighty power does not fall from the Western Paradise or Heaven, nor is it bestowed on us by Jesus, or reserved for us by Shakyamuni Buddha; it resides inside our brains. If you can look through here (Master points to Her wisdom eye), you’ll see it’s located in the center. This is the place where our Almighty power resides. The success of our prayer depends on whether it passes through this place. When our prayer passes through this place, our Almighty power knows if the thing we pray for is necessary or good for us, or if it’s harmful to other people. There’s no way we can deceive this power. So we don’t need to waste time praying for things that are unnecessary, unimportant, not benevolent or not loving. If you want your prayers to come true, consider first whether the thing you’re praying for is necessary. Then pray wholeheartedly without distraction, and your prayer will definitely come true. But can you pray to become a billionaire overnight, win at gambling, or win the lotto? Of course not. All Beings Have the Almighty Power What should the Quan Yin Method practitioner pray for? We should pray to become a Master quickly and become one with the Master sooner. Why? First, it’s because once you’re one with the Master, all your suffering will disappear. You’ll no longer have troubles, as they’ll all be taken away. Secondly, you’ll have incredible power and infinite merits. You can help anyone immediately without them praying to you or knowing who you are. At that time, you help without the involvement of the ego. Therefore, it’s said in the Diamond Sutra, “Deliver sentient beings but no sentient beings are being delivered.” That’s what is meant. Sentient beings have no idea that they’re being delivered by you, or helped by you. That’s why I always say that I don’t just give initiation to a small group of people every time, because many people receive initiation without seeing me or knowing my name. Many receive initiation by reading my books, or hearing my name once. A lot of people receive initiation by praying sincerely to Quan Yin Bodhisattva (the Goddess of Mercy), for example. The reason is that I’m not this physical being and I’m connected with the Almighty power. So whenever people pray to this Almighty power, I’m there. This universal, Almighty power is exactly the same as your own. That’s why Lao Tzu said, “All of creation is One.” When we practice to a higher level, we’ll realize this. We’ll realize that all creatures have the same kind of power within. We’ll see it in trees, in animals, in Quan Yin practitioners and in non-Quan Yin practitioners. But Quan Yin practitioners realize and can make use of this power, because they have uncovered it. Other sentient beings, or those who don’t practice the Quan Yin Method, don’t realize this power. It isn’t like they don’t have this power; they do, but they can’t use it. They have the treasure, but it’s locked up and they don’t have the key. When we reach this level in our spiritual practice, we respect all sentient beings, because we see Master everywhere and in anything. At this level, we can bow to our fellow practitioners and our own disciples. That’s why at the last supper, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. All His disciples were startled and said, “Master, why are You doing this?” Jesus’ level was very high and He understood that all beings are equal. He said, “I, Your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet. So you should also wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14-15) What did He mean? He meant that we should practice with an equal heart. But His disciples hadn’t reached this level so Jesus had to explain it through this example. If His disciples had already attained the level of equality, Jesus wouldn’t have had to make such an example and explain it, and the disciples wouldn’t have been so surprised! Only when we’re connected with this Almighty power do we have hope of going higher. Quan Yin practitioners who don’t slander the Master and who do practice diligently are less likely to go lower. You should, however, realize your own Almighty power so that you don’t just rely on Master’s level all the time. If you practice for yourself, your level will be higher, you’ll improve more, and you’ll be able to help others. Whoever you think of or feel sympathy with will receive your help immediately. If we realize the Supreme power, our innermost, omnipotent power, we can do anything, and anything is possible. You just heard my poem: “You can move heaven and earth. / You can change demons into the Angels of Love. / Why, / O Greatest of all Magicians, / Didn’t You change this monkey mind?!” You can do it yourself. We practice to help ourselves, to help the Master, and to help the world. Actually, we can’t help the Master much, but at least we can lessen His or Her worry and suffering. If we practice, our karma will be erased more quickly, our lives will be more peaceful and we’ll do things more smoothly. Of course, then the Master will also be very pleased. Pray for One-Life Liberation to Encounter the Supreme Master You meet the master who is in accordance with your prayers. If in this life or in your previous life, you prayed to attain the highest level and highest wisdom, then in your next life or even in this life, you’ll meet a Master of the highest level. There’s no doubt about that! If, however, in your past life or in this life, you prayed to Quan Yin Bodhisattva to help lessen your suffering in this world, to have things go more smoothly, or to have harmony in your family, you’ll only meet this kind of master. For example, you’ll meet an ordinary monastic person who’s very benevolent, and you can tell him about all your difficulties and worries. He can explain things to you in a logical way, or answer many of your questions. Then, you go home and handle your problems according to his advice, and you find that you’re happy and your life becomes better. It’s just like that. Or, you’ll run into someone who’s very rich, who’s ready to satisfy all your needs. He’ll give you money without you asking. Or, you’ll run into a person who comes unbidden to help heal your illness, bring you to see a doctor, repair your roof when it’s leaking, etc. It’s because you’ve prayed sincerely in your last life for these things. Those who want to be liberated, who want to become a Buddha in one lifetime, or to be totally liberated from the cycle of life and death, will meet a Master of the highest level and a method of the highest practice. Only those who pray for eternal liberation, to attain Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, to be one with God and with Truth, will come across the Quan Yin Method. Also, not everyone can teach the Quan Yin Method. If there’s no real power transmitted during initiation, the one who receives the initiation will have no experiences. Therefore, you can tell if a Master is true or not at the time of initiation. A true Master can enlighten you with the same kind of experiences described in the holy scriptures. All right, I’ll let you go home and work hard. Make good use of this Almighty, pure, and all-positive power. It would be a great pity if you don’t use it. There’s nothing else in this world that’s more precious. There’s no other gift that Master can give you that’s nobler and more precious than this. I tell you many stories all the time, but ultimately my advice to you is to practice the Quan Yin Method – the method of contemplating the inner Sound Current and inner Light.
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| Pearls of Wisdom
Connecting with Our True Self
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai
Videoconference: Premier of English Edition of “Celestial Art” Los Angeles, California, USA - December 12, 2008 (Originally in English) DVD # 852 When we are more connected with our True Self, then more beauty and virtues will reveal themselves, because we are that. We are beauty and virtue and Truth. And they will reveal themselves to us because they came from within ourselves, and we will live in them or express them through art or noble actions. Our true nature is beauty and virtue. So, it’s easier to materialize these qualities if we are on spiritual course, which is the connected journey of rediscovery of our origin. That’s why people who practice spiritual way of life, they are more connected with their great Self inside, their creative power inside. That’s why it’s more effortless for them. It’s natural and logic. Art Uplifts Our Spirits Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai When you see something beautiful, a flower, painting, photo or hear some lovely music or poetic verses, don’t you feel better? Don’t you feel more relaxed and loving? Yes, so at that moment, your heart feels open, your spirit expands, and you love the surrounding, you love the people near you. And the relationship between you and others suddenly has more meaning and deepens, and your thinking is more positive. That’s how art uplifts our spirit. And if our spirit uplifts, then the world is uplifted. Poetry
Is a Very Good Instrument Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai Poetry appeals to the heart, also to the intellect, also to the emotion of human. Therefore, many of the Masters in the old time, they favored poetry as a teaching. Rumi used a lot of poetry to send it to his disciples. Or maybe that is also the mode, mode of that time, the fashion. All the Masters write poetry. Or maybe also, many of the Masters, they are very artistic themselves. Or maybe after they get enlightened, all their dormant talents sprung up to life, and they know how to write poetry, they paint pictures, dance and sing and all kinds. So this is one of the talents that has been awakened in some Masters, after they get high enlightenment. And it’s easy to remember, easier to remember a poem than a whole big lecture. So poetry is a very good instrument to teach people, and make them remember very well.
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| The Poet’s Commentary on Silent Tears
A Truth Seeker’s Journey
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai,
Taipei, Formosa, November 4, 1987, Audiotape # CE3A and November 12, 1988, Audiotape # CG05 (Originally in Chinese)
In the following excerpts, Supreme Master Ching Hai reveals Her own explanations for some of the poems in Silent Tears. The term “Master” in the poems refers to the inner Master, symbol of eternal Life, and the most powerful and gracious of all Beings in the cosmos.
Master: You definitely must not ever try! (Master and everyone laugh) Q: This was written by Master or an initiate? Master: I wrote it, I personally translated it [into Chinese]. Q: Because it’s all our heartfelt feeling. Master: I wrote it for all of you. Q: Master understands us. Master: I was also once a student, a student of my Master. The path you are walking on now, I have already walked. You have to reach a certain level in your spiritual practice to understand. Otherwise, you won’t.
Master: This is a student who had meditated for a long time, but did not have many inner visions and did not see the inner Master. It’s said that we should see the inner Master and that we will have such-and-such good experiences. He didn’t have them. He prayed a long, long time, but he still didn’t have them. So this poem represents his complaint. When we practice, sometimes we have to go through a very dry period where there is absolutely nothing. It looks like our courage and motivation to practice has disappeared, and it seems we are about to fall. That period is called the dark night of the soul.
Master: The meaning is that the Master has numerous disciples and does not care for him alone. Master said do not pity yourself, do not complain so much, you should be patient…… etc., but that person was too tired, and could not bear it any more. Even after several years of practicing, he felt he did not have anything. He could not talk to the Master, so he talked to the outside people. Maybe he used the microphone (Master and everyone laugh) “Hey, people on the road, is there anyone who knows my sorrowful situation?” Even though he’d been practicing a long time, he could not see the inner Master. When he was praying to the Master, Hes didn’t listen, Hes didn’t hear, Hes didn’t see him. Some people who cannot find the enlightened Master after a long time, also will understand this situation. Don’t think that after you have followed Master and practiced, you will be forever happy! Perhaps only after initiation, you will feel happy. After a while, you will come to that painful period, that very dry, very pitiful level. It seems like the whole universe has run away, that Buddha and the Saints have gone to the Western Paradise, that there is no God. It seems like Master has no eyes and no ears. Hes cannot hear, cannot see our yearnings! This level is very painful. However, it is very necessary. If you practice without any sorrow and do not have a truly longing heart, you won’t get anything. Only when you get to that level and go beyond it, then you will truly rise above any hindrances and will reach the carefree state. But during this dry, dark period, it seems like nothing can be explained. We don’t want to do anything – we cannot eat, we cannot sleep, we cannot meditate well even though we want to. But we cannot stop meditating. If we keep practicing the Quan Yin Method of meditation for a long time and get used to it, we cannot live without it.
Master: So we have no choice but to continue walking to reach the Master’s level, to become a Master, to see the Master, to obtain Mastership. What’s the meaning of “The road to Your home?” We practice to reach the Master’s level. But before getting there, we suffer a lot! This path is full of rocks and thorns. We thought they might disappear after walking for a while. But it turns out that the farther we go, the harder it gets, and the more stones and thorns there are. However, since we have already gone halfway, wouldn’t it be even worse if we returned? Therefore, we suffer very much in this dilemma.
Master: Has anyone reached this level in your spiritual practice? Whoever has practiced to this level will put down everything. He or she does not care anymore, not about becoming a Buddha or a Saint. At that time, the Buddha and Saints will appear! Anyone could see the sorrow of the bare-hearted one. Have you ever seen a bare-hearted person? They have existed among our Quan Yin practitioners for a long time. After four or five years of practicing, you will experience this level. At that time, I should congratulate you! (Master and everyone laugh) Come quickly then to read my poetry collection Silent Tears, and you’ll say it seems that Master is describing the feeling that I have today. I have walked this path. It’s full of suffering.
Master: He’s dying down there, so why not “go up”? There are only two ways: staying down there to die or coming up to live.
Master: Every day, the mind fights with us, does not let us meditate, does not let us follow the Guidelines, does not let us relax. It is said that the Master can move Heaven and Earth! Hes can change the whole universe, the whole world, but Hes forgets to change our minds and lets us suffer every day. This Master seems to be difficult, but you still like Hirm. (Master and everyone laugh) It’s because we have already gone halfway; to go back would be even worse.
Master: Originally we practice to attain Godhood, to attain that Supreme Perfect Enlightenment- Anuttara samyak-sambodhi. “If You ever turn away from me, I wouldn’t know what to do with God!” For this person, his Master is more important, indeed! If our Master does not love us or is angry with us, at that time, wouldn’t you even lose interest in spiritual practice? When you have practiced to that stage, nothing will be of meaning to you except your Master. At that time, you will become Master soon! Because you will be One with the Master. The Master represents the whole of Creation, the Truth, so if we think of Hirm all the time to that degree, it means our level is high enough, almost One with the Creation, almost One with the Truth. Only when we are really longing for this inner Master, longing to reach the Truth -- to the extent that we cannot sleep, cannot eat -- then we are able to write those complaints. I have already walked this way. I wrote it down for you so you might also recognize it; so you might realize that Master understands your heart. How can I not understand? The path you are walking now, I have already walked. I must walk it. If not, how could I guide people?
Master: The Master seems to have lost Hiers human heart. Maybe Hes has a saintly heart. With a saintly heart, Hes probably can only understand the Saints. Missing a human heart, Hes probably can’t understand my suffering human heart. Did you get one or two drops [of the life-saving nectar]? Didn’t you receive some at the time of initiation? You did have some at the time of initiation! You just lost it after a while. You had some, but you longed for more. At that time, you seemed unable to go beyond this stage, and you were stuck there! The Sound you heard was getting smaller, and the Light you saw was so dim that it might disappear. It was so dark. You suffered so much at that time. It seemed that no one could hear you when you prayed, that Buddha and the Saints all went to the Western Paradise. It seemed to be useless to tell your Master as well. Hes just listened when you talked, but Hes didn’t help you. Hes didn’t seem to be concerned about you and let you suffer. This is how our body, speech and thoughts get purified. This is how our desire to seek the Truth gets strengthened and intensified. Going through this stage is very necessary. That’s why sometimes even though the Master knows that the students suffer a lot and cannot go beyond this stage, Hes still lets them suffer. Hes does it out of the greatest compassion.
Master: “Master” means our inner power. If the inner Master power leaves us, doesn’t love us, we’ll really die! When we die, we have no more energy or power. Is that right? In our spiritual practice, not everything always goes smoothly every day. Some people can only see a dim Light after practicing for a long time; some hear the same Sound for a long time, and the Sound even gets smaller at times. It can be very difficult to practice. However, if we get anything too easily, we won’t value it. That’s why since ancient times the great practitioners have worked very hard for spiritual attainment. |
| Special Reports: In-Depth Coverage of Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical
The 19th Anniversary of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day
By Supreme Master Television (Originally in English)
When the Supreme Master Ching Hai Day was first officially proclaimed in a grand ceremony on October 25, 1993 by the respected Mayor Frank F. Fasi of Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, it revealed how deeply moved he was by Supreme Master Ching Hai’s far-reaching and unconditional efforts as an extraordinary humanitarian. In addition to countless other awards, honorary citizenships, and letters of commendation and congratulations for her from dignitaries around the globe, the occasion of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day has been honored every year since. The 19th anniversary was commemorated with much exuberance through a charity event featuring the world premiere of the phenomenal musical Loving the Silent Tears. The celebration, held on October 27, Golden Year 9 (2012) in Los Angeles, California, USA, was attended by an audience of over 6,000 at the historic Shrine Auditorium and was simultaneously streamed live online worldwide on SupremeMasterTV.com. ‘The simple honesty of her message’ Unprecedented in many ways, Loving the Silent Tears can be described as an artistic salute to Supreme Master Ching Hai and her positive principles, with the show’s message of love, peace, compassion, and remembrance of one’s own divine greatness within. The event’s distinguished guest speaker George Chakiris, a vegetarian Academy Award-winning actor best known for starring in West Side Story, spoke about the significance of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day and also conveyed his best wishes.
“I think that Supreme Master Ching Hai has always exemplified the kind of humanitarian that she has always been in relation to her beliefs,” observed cast member and 2-time Grammy Award-winning pop star Jon Secada. “First and foremost is that integrity, that transparency of truth in the message that has never swayed. I think that’s what makes this musical so much more beautiful tonight, to represent really just the simple honesty of her message, and what she’s always done for many, many years.” The evening was the result of some of the world’s greatest artists uniting to present a once-in-a-lifetime musical, as well as a special program, in tribute to the philanthropist. They included winners of 15 Grammys, four Oscars, three Tonys, and six Emmys – the four premier prizes of music, film, theatre, and television, respectively. Coming together from the top of their fields – ranging from Broadway and Hollywood, to pop and other genres of music, most of the cast and creative team members had never worked together before. However, they all felt one and the same, compelled to take part in this production, and Supreme Master Ching Hai’s benevolent ideals and moving verses were certainly the shared source of inspiration. “When I read the poems, the content was so beautiful, so positive, I just thought it was a great idea,” said Jorge Calandrelli, the 6-time Grammy-winning composer (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). “That's why when I wrote the music, mainly I responded to what the lyrics were.” Grammy Award-winning pop icon and Loving the Silent Tears cast member Jody Watley expressed, “There is just a gentleness, and a great spirit. She's like a hero. To help bring her words to life, to be a part of that, is very special to me.” ‘Her giving and her positiveness’ Supreme Master Ching Hai’s worldwide contributions as a renowned spiritual leader, humanitarian, poet, and artist bespeak her boundless love for all beings. As an enlightened spiritual teacher, Supreme Master Ching Hai imparts the Quan Yin Method of meditation, which has helped countless people around the world in reconnecting with their true Self, and thus experiencing greater fulfillment, wisdom, and love in their daily lives. In addition, she has been invited by governments and respected organizations to give spiritual lectures throughout the globe.
Having attended the live videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai at the The Real Love musical premiere in 2011, Kristoff St. John, a 2-time Emmy Award-winning actor, vegetarian, and Loving the Silent Tears co-MC, noted, “I certainly know that she knows more than me. And that’s the key when you are traveling life’s journey, is that you meet people who are on another level. I’m pretty sure that’s where Supreme Master Ching Hai is.” Supreme Master Ching Hai teaches by example that love should be shared with others, especially those less fortunate. Over the past 20-plus years, she has contributed more than US$30 million toward disaster relief and various charitable endeavors. Responding to calamities from earthquakes in Japan, to hurricanes in the US, floods in Europe and South America, droughts in Africa, and bushfires in Australia, Supreme Master Ching Hai has extended unconditional material aid, prayers, and words of solace, while asking our Association members to travel to the most affected areas to offer help and comfort, especially to the most vulnerable. Her love transcends any boundaries of race, country, or religious affiliation. “The number one thing… is her willingness to give,” said Emmy Award winner Bonnie Story, the choreographer of Loving the Silent Tears. “It’s amazing. I look at the things that she’s willing to put her time and money and efforts into, and I would love to thank her for her giving, and for her positiveness, and for what she represents. And I think we all should be more like her. She has accomplished a lot and continues to accomplish a lot.” Supreme Master Ching Hai does not accept donations and only encourages others to help their neighbors in need. As a fully enlightened Master, she utilizes her spontaneous talents attained through meditation as an independent source of income for her humanitarian activities. Her diverse artistic creations, including her poetry, also serve to remind people of their heavenly origin and noble qualities. Many of them were presented at the event in an elegant art exhibition open to all guests. Nan Schwartz, a Grammy Award winner and one of the esteemed composers for Loving the Silent Tears, described Supreme Master Ching Hai as “an amazing woman who's doing something very huge in the world by being so influential in a positive way to millions of people, through her works; through her television network; through her shows; through her teachings; through her fashion design; through all the things she does. She's someone that I want to know and want to meet.” With concerned foresight, Supreme Master Ching Hai has called for the protection of our animal co-inhabitants and the environment by advocating the sustainable and merciful vegan way of living. To further assist others to transition to the more healthful plant-based diet, Supreme Master Ching Hai inspired and guided the fast-rising and popular Loving Hut restaurants through which our Association members are able to introduce to the public affordable and exciting vegan cuisine. Through her efforts over the years, millions of people have changed to a compassionate lifestyle and in turn saved countless animal (and human) lives. “The beautiful things that they stand for, being vegan and world peace, and to try to find out the reasons to stop global warming, these are all things that I believe in very strongly,” stated Loving the Silent Tears director and Tony Award nominee Vincent Paterson. “So it's wonderful to be participating in something with a group of people who feel so strong in their heart that it’s important to try to change the world and make the world a better place for everybody – and especially animals, I love animals so much.” ‘Her beautiful poetry’ As 2-time Academy Award-winning composer Al Kasha said about Supreme Master Ching Hai’s philosophy, “She teaches about love and she teaches about peace, and the way she does it is just incredibly honest.” Mr. Kasha was so moved by Supreme Master Ching Hai’s gentle yet courageous messages, that he had first proposed the concept for the new musical, one that would be based on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s Silent Tears poetry collection. Director Vincent Paterson said, “These are her beautiful poetry that some wonderful composers in the United States have taken and made into incredible songs.” The poem anthology Silent Tears articulates the human longing for God imprinted in all truth-seekers’ hearts, as well as the search for everlasting peace beyond the suffering of this world. During a December 2012 videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai and Supreme Master Television staff in Los Angeles, the poet shared that she had written these poems in the 1980s when her mission just began in Formosa. With a little more leisure time then, she was able to “tune in with all the humans,” and thus was inspired to write Silent Tears. She explained, “It’s just the empathy to humans’ struggle to achieve the impossible. I mean the almost impossible, like the higher level of enlightenment. We all go through this, saints, sinners, mortals, all alike. If you want to seek your true Self, this is a struggle like that. So I feel all the humans’ feeling. It comes from within. It comes from my oneness with all humans’ struggle and pain. Even the non-practitioners, they also have moments of despair and moments of need to turn inward, to pray to some power that they don’t even know what, to pray to the God that maybe they do not even believe. Always there is a struggle within the humans’ heart. So my poetry, Silent Tears, is just the reflection of that.” Supreme Master Ching Hai also expressed her surprise that her heartfelt, privately penned verses have become so widely known, saying, “I never thought about it that way, that anybody would even like it. All of my poems that have become music and so-called famous a little bit nowadays, I never thought that anybody would even lay eyes on it, even read it. Truly like that! … I am surprised. Still am surprised. I’m happy about it, I feel good about it, but I’m still thinking, ‘Oh, people like it? Really?’” According to media reports, the poetry from Silent Tears and its musicalized presentation was “inspirational” (The San Marino Tribune), “insightful” (MTV), and “a poetic masterpiece” (THE Magazine). The Beverly Hills Courier newspaper highlighted the poetic aspect of the show with an article titled, “Loving the Silent Tears Brings Poetry to the Stage.” Meanwhile, the premier theatre news site Broadway World announced, “Eminent composers have come together to set Supreme Master Ching Hai’s soulful verses to music.” Certainly, the artists involved with Loving the Silent Tears resonated with Supreme Master Ching Hai’s Silent Tears and from the start were eager to create with her verses. Tony and Emmy-Award-winning composer Don Pippin enthused, “When I started to write to them, I just constantly kept reading them, because there's so much meaning in them. And I try to sort of equal that in the music, if I can.” Apart from the musical numbers, the storyline of the musical also echoed the longing for inner peace expressed in the Silent Tears anthology. Loving the Silent Tears’ book writer Cynthia Ferrell said, “The way I got inspiration for this piece is by reading the poems. The philosophy and the flavor of the poetry, it informed everything.” Tony Award-nominated actress Patti Cohenour said, “Poetry is such a personal expression, and she's a remarkable poet. Obviously an inner light. I just hope [the people] enjoy the music and the poetry, that it somehow touches their hearts as it has touched mine.” ‘I love the name of this musical’ As for the show’s title, the production’s creative team didn’t have to look far. The phrase from Supreme Master Ching Hai’s expressive verse, “Loving the silent tears for You more than the diamonds of the world,” stood out as a main theme. As Supreme Master Ching Hai continued sharing her insights on Silent Tears, she explained the meaning of “Loving the silent tears” in her own words: “I just wrote the way I felt. Like when you’re crying, you feel relieved. Crying relieves the longing emotion, the choking emotion of frustration of not knowing God, of the so-hard-to-find God, so-hard-to-feel-connected-with God. So when you’re crying, at least you feel elated, you feel unburdened. So the practitioner feels some comfort while struggling to achieve the impossible. I mean the almost impossible, like the higher level of enlightenment. That’s why I said, ‘Loving the silent tears,’ because at that time, you are so desperate to feel connection with God, to want to see the Master inside you, want to see your real Self. Even if people offered you diamonds, you would not care! You would love to just sit there and thinking of the Master inside and crying, and thinking of Master, loving the Master, missing the Master, instead of looking at these worthless stones that they call diamonds. That’s what it is. That’s what I felt at that time.” “I love the name of this musical very much,” said Chinese platinum pop star and vegetarian cast member Kay Tse. “Actually, this poetic name came from the poetry of Supreme Master Ching Hai. Many of her poems are talking about the equality of all beings, about their suffering, about how we humans, as one of all beings on Earth, can help others, and how to appreciate other beings’ existence, how to sustain our love.” Acclaimed singer Kay Tse was also the only cast member to sing a song that was composed by Supreme Master Ching Hai herself, which moved some audience members to tears. The lyrical “Talking to a Stone Buddha” was composed in 2007 in Formosa during a difficult time for its songwriter. As Supreme Master Ching Hai recalled, “I felt the world, they were just so much misguided, so much in darkness.” Shedding tears in deep sadness for humanity, her genuine feelings could only be tangibly felt by the audience. Supreme Master Ching Hai had sung this special song spontaneously during a gathering with some Association members. “When I first heard Master Ching Hai singing her song, she sang without music,” Ms. Tse said. “And it moved me, because she sings with a lot of sentiment, but at the same time you feel very peaceful listening to her singing. … I found it very easy to sing along. It moves you along the way very naturally because it’s beautifully written. I think it's a very special piece and I’m honored to be in it.” ‘She reaches people internationally’ The artists came to discover that Supreme Master Ching Hai’s rich poetry encompassed not only feelings of profound sorrow and longing, but also plenty of joy and bliss, as well as humor. As Frank Evans, the award-winning writer/lyricist who adapted the poems for the musical, confided, “I’ve always been attracted to Supreme Master’s sense of humor, and it’s unique. But though we haven’t met, I feel in sync with the humor, so it’s easy to work with the material.” In addition, Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical was, as media reported, “an unparalleled cultural celebration.” As Al Kasha said of Supreme Master Ching Hai, “She reaches people internationally, and I said, ‘Why don’t we do something that is international?’ And so this musical is international.” Tony Award-winning Broadway star Debbie Gravitte further noted, “To see this room full of incredibly beautiful, talented people from all over the world… it was just like, ‘This is too incredible.’ Singing about loving people and finding your spiritual path, it’s a win-win for everybody.” Fellow cast member, Italian tenor and vegetarian Mark Janicello, elaborated on the universal scope of the poetry: “When you read Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry, you know immediately it is from Supreme Master Ching Hai. And that is all one could ever ask from any poet, from any writer, that it be individual and unique to that person. I think any individual who is looking for peace in themselves, in their family, in their community, in their nation, on the planet, can relate to the words that I read in Silent Tears and in Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical. The teachings and the poetry of Supreme Master Ching Hai are leading us, bringing positive energy into the universe.” ‘Her work will be an example’ Although Supreme Master Ching Hai could not be in Los Angeles for the musical due to her intensive meditation retreat, she conveyed words of appreciation and hope to everyone present in a video greeting. As one attendee shared, “Her message really moved me and it has inspired me to take that step forward in my life. I was very, very happy to be able to hear her words – from her.” In keeping with Supreme Master Ching Hai’s philosophy of unconditional love, the anniversary celebration concluded with a special presentation of donations. On behalf of the artists, she honored three charities with gifts totaling US$300,000, as a token of her gratitude for their noble work. “The amount of charitable donations she gave…!” began Loving the Silent Tears musical director and composer Doug Katsaros. “One of my favorite charities is Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS, and when I saw that up there, she didn't give them US$20,000 or US$50,000. US$100,000! This is a sizeable amount of money. It is generous. It is a perfect gift for many people. Each of her gifts touches not only people, but animals. It is a tribute to her title.” Immediately following this event, Supreme Master Ching Hai pledged another US$150,000 for humans and animals affected by the devastating Hurricane Sandy on the eastern US coast. Shortly after, for the Christmas season, she donated US$400,000 to the homeless monks and homeless people around the world, among many anonymous gifts for orphans, dogs in shelters, and others in need. In fact, many of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s charitable works are done quietly and anonymously. Aulacese cast member Hồ Quỳnh Hương remarked, “What she has done for so many people, inevitably many people would know and cherish and support her work. And she’s just one person. But her work will be an example for an exponential number of people to follow. If there are many people as great as her, then this world would really be Heaven.” In commemorating the 19th Anniversary of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day, Loving the Silent Tears went beyond one night of entertainment, becoming a welcome invitation for all of us to renew the noble ideals found within our very hearts. As Supreme Master Ching Hai once said as she was honored with the World Spiritual Leadership Award during a 1994 ceremony in the USA, “To help others, it is our birthright, our privilege. … Our efforts to help our brothers and sisters and to elevate our planet, which is our only home at this moment, so that we all can live in a very reasonable and decent condition, that is the duty of all of us.” We are grateful to Supreme Master Ching Hai for endowing our world with such beautiful and uplifting verses such as those in the Silent Tears anthology. With humble wishes for her well-being and realization of her selfless mission, we join in prayers that the world will soon prevail in peace, love, and happiness for all. Thoughts from Loving the Silent Tears Artists
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Greetings
For the 19th Anniversary of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day, members of the cast and creative team, as well as VIP guests of Loving the Silent Tears respectfully conveyed their well wishes and appreciation for the poet and humanitarian Supreme Master Ching Hai.
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Celebrating
By Supreme Master Television (Originally in English)
On October 27, Golden Year 9 (2012), 6,000-plus audience members emerged from the Shrine Auditorium rejoicing in the show they had just seen. “A life-changing experience!” exclaimed one attendee. Another expressed, “I have walked out there just grateful. I’ll probably hug like ten people that I didn’t know!” The world premiere of Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical, in Los Angeles, California, USA, was indeed a remarkable celebration of peace, love, culture, and charity. The audience included many fans from other states and countries, with members of the media covering the event. With the addition of global viewers tuning in live, Loving the Silent Tears truly united people, and thus aptly commemorated the 19th Anniversary of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day honoring a world-renowned humanitarian and peace advocate. In addition to celebrity veg MCs, guest speakers included vegetarian Oscar-winning actor George Chakiris (West Side Story) and California State Senator Curren Price, Jr. Supreme Master Ching Hai, who was in an intensive meditation retreat, gave a special video greeting, in which she thanked all involved in the musical and shared some good news about our planet. She also said, “It is good that we still can celebrate in whichever way to beautify life on Earth as given by God. It is good that we still love, still enjoy, still share our goodness to all that coexist in this world and the next. It is good that we still believe in everything that is noble and positive, and Heavenly power will definitely prevail. … Though I possibly couldn’t watch the event, and though I am not aware of the content of this program in advance, I trust that it will be great, and all who watch it will enjoy hugely.” Many audience members were deeply impressed by Supreme Master Ching Hai’s loving greeting. “I really would have appreciated if she had been here and said the last words to that musical,” said audience member Brita Millard. “I’m looking forward to reading her poems.” Directed by Tony nominee Vincent Paterson, who was the director and choreographer of Michael Jackson’s and Madonna’s world tours, and choreographed by Emmy winner Bonnie Story of High School Musical 1, 2, 3 fame, Loving the Silent Tears was created based on the poetry collection, Silent Tears, by Supreme Master Ching Hai. Two-time Oscar-winning composer Al Kasha had been profoundly touched by the poems about humanity’s struggle for inner happiness, and wished to express them through a musical. “[Her poetry] comes from a loving spirit, obviously; a spirit that cares about humanity, the universe, nature, animals,” stated Grammy winner Jody Watley, who represented Africa in the musical. “To help bring her words to life, to be a part of that, is very special to me.” Other eminent composers who set Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poems to engaging songs in diverse styles were: 6-time Grammy winner and 2-time Oscar nominee Jorge Calandrelli (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), Emmy winner Doug Katsaros (Footloose), 2-time Grammy winner and 3-time Oscar nominee Henry Krieger (Dreamgirls), Tony and Emmy winner Don Pippin (Mame), Grammy winner Nan Schwartz (Harry Potter), and Oscar and 2-time Grammy winner David Shire (Saturday Night Fever).
Captions: Bethann Carbone from ExpressIt Media in Pennsylvania, USA, said, “The creativity and talent of the professionals that put together this tribute is truly a testament to Supreme Master Ching Hai's vision for a more healthy, joyful, peaceful, and more loving world.” The story followed the bereaved mother Joy and a worldly youth named Pete, who both board a fantasy train with a wise albeit humorous Conductor. They find themselves on an eventful trip across six continents, but more importantly on a journey of the spirit.
Caption: Sixteen of the world’s magnificent cultures were glorified through the cast that included 2-time Grammy Award-winning music icon Jon Secada (Cuba), Grammy winner R&B/pop star Jody Watley (Africa), and Broadway stars: Tony winners Debbie Gravitte (USA) and Kiril Kulish (Russia), Tony nominee Patti Cohenour (lead character Joy), and Emmy winner and Tony nominee Liz Callaway (Australia). The stars also included Grammy-winning Jamaican reggae legends Black Uhuru, Arab singer Camellia Abou-Odah, French singer Flo Ankah, actor Junior Case (the Conductor), award-winning actor Luke Eberl (Pete), Aulacese pop star Hồ Quỳnh Hương, Italian tenor Mark Janicello, Korean pop star Brian Joo, award-winning Israeli singer Liel Kolet, Irish soprano Katie McMahon, Korean singer Heather Park, award-winning Brazilian singer Fabiana Passoni, Persian superstar Siavash Shams, and Chinese platinum pop star Kay Tse.
Their enchanting vocals were complemented by the 21-piece orchestra and culturally flavored dances by 45 premier US dancers. One theatergoer named Kent Tucker said, “The story itself was tender and touching. But all of the entertainment and the costumes and the dances, it was just wonderful!” After the musical, three charitable organizations, Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS, Animal Defenders International, and Worldwide Veterinary Service, accepted US$100,000 each in contributions from Supreme Master Ching Hai, who wished to donate on behalf of all the musical artists and to honor the organizations for their noble work. Government dignitaries presented the checks to the groups’ representatives on stage.
Captions: The event’s uplifting experience was enhanced even further through an ethereal art exhibition of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s creative pieces. One visitor enthused, “Everything is so beautiful. Oh my God! [The jewelry] are beautiful and they seem like they are just to give you a lift, when you were in there. I feel so good right now!” A VIP banquet offered an abundance of compassionate, tasty vegan cuisine in what was a most joyful way to conclude a memorable event. As journalist Molli Carlson of Pasadena Magazine recounted, “It was a full-fledged afternoon of artistic and optimistic altruism for everyone involved.” Read on to find out what some of the media and audience members from around the globe have said, and get to know more about each of the event’s extraordinary artists… plus more, as we take an inside look at Loving the Silent Tears!
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Impressions
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Following are some of the thoughts shared by guests about Loving the Silent Tears.
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Art Exhibition of
Flowing fabric of vibrant hues, illuminating lanterns of natural stone and bamboo, sparkling gemstones of mesmerizing radiance, impeccable spontaneous brush strokes on canvas, dramatic photographs that reveal a oneness with nature… These are the Heaven-inspired artistic creations of poet, artist, and designer Supreme Master Ching Hai. A selection of her elevating works was presented for all to enjoy in the Art Exhibition at the Shrine Auditorium Exposition Hall, held in conjunction with the Loving the Silent Tears premiere to celebrate the 19th Anniversary of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day. Theatergoers visited the exhibition prior to and after the musical performance, which brought together world-class artists to honor Supreme Master Ching Hai as a poet and humanitarian, as well as a spiritual teacher. Her poetry from Silent Tears was set into awe-inspiring songs by acclaimed, award-winning Broadway and Hollywood composers. Upon entering the welcoming atmosphere, one attendee named Tony Castro expressed, “Very serene and simple, and that’s good. That’s what we need in our lives, simple.” Another stated, “Absolutely wonderful! It’s like a fantasyland.” In addition to imparting a meditation method for reconnecting with our inner love and greatness, Supreme Master Ching Hai encourages efforts to beautify the world we live in. Although she has never received formal training in the arts, Supreme Master Ching Hai’s aesthetic creations reveal the latent talents she has realized spontaneously through meditation. These include her oil paintings, fan paintings, decorative lamps, jewelry and clothing designs, culinary art, architecture and landscape designs, as well as her poetry and musical compositions. As she does not accept any form of donation, Supreme Master Ching Hai’s artistic works provide an independent source of funding for her worldwide humanitarian efforts. Those who have the pleasure of seeing her exquisite creations joyously discover their profound expressions of truth, virtue, beauty, and love.
Elegant Roman pillars and arches formed the main decorative theme. A set of eight goddess statues stood at a gateway leading to the exhibit area. Soothing water flowed through the vessels held up in two of the goddesses’ hands. The central lintel was glazed in golden color with Supreme Master Ching Hai’s slogan: Be Vegan, Make Peace. The royal red carpeting of the expo hall brought out highlights of white and gold, which were the theme colors of the exhibition. Artworks were displayed on ethereal curved arrangements, which gave a sense of the harmony inherent in Supreme Master Ching Hai’s style. Looking around in wonderment, one attendee commented, “It’s just all such beautiful work! It’s amazing. Yes, everything’s so beautiful here.” Jacqueline, another visitor, shared, “I live about three hours north of San Francisco at an ashram. I saw her art for the first time in person and her jewelry and her clothes, and I just felt her presence and I was moved to tears. I understand because I have a Master. My Master is not in the body anymore and so I feel very much drawn to her [Supreme Master Ching Hai], and I understand her and the work she's doing, and I am just eternally grateful.” The exhibit was a collection of almost all types of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s loving works from over the years. Among them were Celestial Clothes, Celestial Jewelries, Longevity Lamps, paintings, artistic fans, and photographic prints. In addition, large mural photographs showed her ingenious sculpted, architectural, and interior designs, such as her simple yet elegant cave for meditation, hand-painted paperweight stones, and the colorful Phoenix building she designed for spiritual practitioners. One attendee, a vegan named Terry Flores, said, “We looked all around the exhibitions, wonderful gallery. They’ve got some nice statues over there – but most of all, pictures of Master Ching Hai. I really liked her photo over there, where she’s in like a stone temple, like kind of a getaway to the past.” There were also artistic and spiritual publications in the forms of books and DVD albums. Visitors were drawn to the multi-media center to enjoy watching videos, as well. ‘Silent Tears’ Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry book Silent Tears was the highlight of the book section. Hardcover copies of the anthology were available in English, Chinese, Spanish, Aulacese, and Korean translations. Supreme Master Ching Hai originally wrote Silent Tears in English and personally translated the collection into Aulacese and Chinese. During a videoconference with Supreme Master Television staff on December 22, 2012, Supreme Master Ching Hai recounted: “I just wrote it for myself like a diary. And then one day, the people, disciples read it, they discovered it and they wanted to print some out of it. So it was copied the way I wrote it and printed it out the way I wrote it, by copying my writing. So, if you see the old copy it is like children’s writing, because that kind of pen (dip pen), the more you use it, the more supple it becomes and the more you can write nicely. But the new pen is always too hard. So anyway, I couldn’t bother because I never thought it’s going to be for anybody, so I wrote it for myself. And then later they copied exactly how I wrote it using copy style and then printed it into some books and then gave it to disciples.”
Many people stopped to read Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poems, thus gaining insight into the songs that would be presented in the musical. One of the attendees named Suzy expressed, “My background is in musical theatre and in art. And I have an appreciation, of course, for anything along those lines. And the poetry – just beautifully presented, just beautiful!” Paintings Usually completed in a single, inspired session, the artist’s paintings are purely intuitive in their brushstrokes, and rich in the positive essence of the subjects portrayed. Art critics are often amazed at both the exceptional skill and effortlessness found in Supreme Master Ching Hai’s spiritually meaningful paintings and drawings. One of the paintings on display was titled, “Desert Flowers.” Supreme Master Ching Hai said of this piece, created in California, USA in March 1994: “They’re beautiful. These flowers look very dry but they’re not dry. The plants are still very green inside. That’s the way some desert flowers are. All flowers, when they’re in different conditions, have different colors and different forms. We are similar. All people in different situations and different circumstances appear different, from the outside and sometimes from the inside. I don’t mean the inside soul or the original, eternal person. I mean the character of the person: the personalities and habits he or she acquires through contact with the environment or his/her background. But they are still beautiful, just like desert flowers.” One visitor, Gavin Glynn, said, “The paintings in the back wall, just the use of watercolors, and how they’re just popping off the paper, it’s just very easy and very tranquil. Everything’s very tranquil here. Very Zen!” Fan Paintings Supreme Master Ching Hai has created a series of special fan paintings using a simple set of materials. A limitless creativity bursts forth from these representations of wisdom, childlike innocence, and joy. For instance, one fan painting titled “Luck” depicts, as the artist explained, a rainbow and a sky filled with stars, both auspicious omens that symbolize the inner Light. Visitor Helene Silber responded, “I’ve been walking around, kind of like ‘ah!’ I love fashion and so some of the clothes that are shown here… The artwork’s really wonderful and so interesting because some of it is very old fashioned, some of it so modern. And it looks so complicated to put it all together. There’s so many things here I want to reach out to touch, but I wouldn’t dare, like the fans! It’s quite exquisite.” Longevity Lamps Each of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s decorative lamps represents a wondrous spiritual concept and is carefully handcrafted out of all-natural materials. The designer has called these uniquely shaped sources of light, “Longevity Lamps,” as they symbolize the Eternal Light of the Divine. One example is the lamp she has named “At One With All Creation,” depicting many smaller planets interconnected with one large planet. The sphere and circles represent the perfection and oneness of creation. While some are made of bamboo, other lamps are constructed with pieces of stone, such as “The Four Kindness.” The solid and powerful feel from the use of stones reminds us that the inner Master’s power protects at all times.
‘The Real Love’ Musical In a softly illuminated area were presented the DVDs and newly released hardcover books of the 2011 musical The Real Love, which included photos from the live event, music sheets, and the full libretto. The musical was a collaborative work of Hollywood and Broadway talents, with lyrical poems by Supreme Master Ching Hai. The Real Love depicted the heart-touching love story of a Red Cross worker who courageously sacrificed her happy married life to seek enlightenment for the greater benefit of humankind. The high-caliber production was in fact based on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s real life experiences. ‘Rhythm of Silence’: The Noble Wilds Photography Art Exhibition One section titled “Rhythm of Silence” presented enlarged photographs taken by Supreme Master Ching Hai of wildlife she had intimately come to know, the charming residents of a place she called Lake Amoura. These photographs were published in Supreme Master Ching Hai’s #1 international bestselling book, The Noble Wilds. Supreme Master Ching Hai’s other fascinating animal books, The Dogs in My Life and The Birds in My Life, both also #1 international bestsellers, were on display, as well. These three engaging volumes encourage readers to rediscover pure love, wisdom, and friendship as demonstrated by these animal friends. S.M. Celestial Clothes Supreme Master Ching Hai has created countless unique clothing designs. Elegant, ethereal, vibrant, and fun, S.M. Celestial Clothes are intended to bring out one’s inner beauty. In 1995, a number of these original dresses toured the world’s fashion capitals on runways in Paris, London, New York, and Milan, and were highly praised. At the center of the exhibition area were two staggered C-shaped stages forming an “S” together. On the stages stood ten poised mannequins donning elegant Celestial Clothes designed by Supreme Master Ching Hai. The costumes featured gentle curves, exquisite layers of highest quality fabrics, and balanced colors emphasizing bright golden, yellow, and white. Supreme Master Ching Hai’s designs of vegan “fur” also showed the artist’s practice of compassion. S.M. Celestial Jewelry Appearing as if illuminated from within, every handmade piece of S.M. Celestial Jewelry is given a specific name given by Supreme Master Ching Hai. Many of her jewelry designs have been showcased and highly acclaimed at world-class exhibition shows in Basel, Switzerland and Paris, France. The jewelry display next to the fashion area was always enveloped by a crowd of admirers. Of particular significance is the newly released 15th generation set of Celestial Jewelry named “Eternal Life.” There were three versions of this design, each crafted with gold, diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. A central theme is the pattern of the tree of life with ruby and green leaves springing forth from a large central diamond encircled by a ring of smaller ones. The design shows a spiritual level where one is connected with the infinite divine power, and therefore blessed with boundless love, wisdom, and creativity. One visitor named Antoine Walker enthused on his favorite section of the exhibit, “Mainly the jewelry, just how she took her time to design all that wonderful jewelry.” A very special highlight of this art show was a set of the artist’s original hand drawings of jewelry, clothing, and lamp designs. From these precious sketches, one could glimpse the initial stages of the creation of masterpieces. Like the uplifting musical, Loving the Silent Tears, its accompanying art exhibition brought a heart-warming breeze of tranquility and heavenly beauty for all who were present. “We’re walking around, browsing, and checking out all the different exhibits,” said theatergoing guest Crista Cotton. “It’s really nice! It’s been a great adventure.” As Supreme Master Ching Hai once said, “We are here to learn, to learn to grow as well as to learn to use our power, our limitless power of love and creativity, to make the world a better place wherever we happen to be incarnated.” May we all open our wellspring of creativity and bring Heaven to Earth.
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In-Depth with the Artists and Creative Team
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Academy Award-winning actor George Chakiris has achieved a remarkable international career in film, television, and theatre. His acting, singing, and dancing credits include approximately two dozen films, acclaimed television miniseries which also aired in Europe and Japan, BBC presentations, and concert tours around the globe. His luminous performance as Bernardo in the classic film adaptation of the Broadway hit musical, West Side Story, starring Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, and Rita Moreno, earned Mr. Chakiris an Oscar and a Golden Globe Award. A singing and dancing natural, George Chakiris appeared in films with Cyd Charisse, Debbie Reynolds, and Bing Crosby, to name a few, and in the film classics, There’s No Business Like Show Business and White Christmas, and screen adaptations of the musicals Brigadoon and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes starring Marilyn Monroe. He shared his experience of being one of the dancers in Ms. Monroe’s song “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” from this iconic movie: “Such a fantastic number. Jack Cole, the choreographer who created that number, was one of the greats of all time. I remember, there was Marilyn Monroe, we were all behind her, and she was fantastic. It’s a red background. She’s in a pink dress. Visually, it’s so incredible, and all of us who were dancers at that time, we were very lucky to be part of movie musical history.” Mr. Chakiris was chosen for the London, UK cast of the Broadway musical West Side Story playing the role of Riff, the leader of the Jets. West Side Story’s renowned creator Jerome Robbins, who co-directed and choreographed the film version as well, then cast George Chakiris as Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks, which led to his memorable, Oscar-winning performance. Meanwhile, the gifted performer’s popularity in Europe continued. He starred in Bebo’s Girl and The Theft of the Mona Lisa in Italy and the French film The Young Girls of Rochefort with Catherine Deneuve and Gene Kelly. Mr. Chakiris recounted, “When people were that professional and that good and that kind and everything, it just makes everything you do easier. And it’s a beautiful movie.” He has also starred alongside Charlton Heston, Cliff Robertson, Lana Turner, Yul Brynner, Dirk Bogarde, and others. Mr. Chakiris has been honored with the status of “Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters” by the French Minister of Culture. For Loving the Silent Tears, Mr. Chakiris was the esteemed guest speaker giving an introduction to honor Supreme Master Ching Hai. He spoke about the significance of the premiere of the musical as the celebration of the 19th Anniversary of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day, proclaimed in 1993 by Honolulu Mayor Frank F. Fasi. On stage, Mr. Chakiris said: “I’m pleased today to tell you about someone who has a great appreciation for the arts. She is herself an accomplished poet and artist. But she is known throughout the world as a spiritual teacher and humanitarian. She also loves the arts, because the arts bring us together. And Supreme Master Ching Hai’s message is that all beings are the same, human or animal, and have the right to live in peace and dignity on this beautiful planet; and that each person can do his or her part to save lives, better our planet, and be heroes. And my personal way to be a hero and save these important lives is to be a vegetarian.” Mr. Chakiris has also spoken about the universal theme of Loving the Silent Tears, “May each one find his peace,” as expressed in the musical’s lyrics based on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry collection, Silent Tears. He shared in an interview, “It’d be a wonderful thing if everyone on the planet could be aware of striving for inner peace. It’s important. We always want peace in the world, don’t we? And we don’t get enough of it, do we? It has to start from each of us individually. I think people who search in this direction and achieve something in this direction, it extends beyond them. You’ll see it in what they do and how they work, and how they deal with other people and different kinds of situations. So again, it’s an incredibly beautiful and important thing to strive for.” With the musical promoting both peace and vegan values, Mr. Chakiris commented on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s slogan, “Be Vegan, Make Peace,” as follows: “‘Be vegan’ and ‘make peace’ are fantastic four words to think about in daily life and in everything we do. Being vegan means to me that we not only eat healthy foods, but we have respect for all life on the planet. And that’s important. And ‘make peace,’ that’s important as well. Peace really has to start with us, individually. And then hopefully it will spread, and we emit that, so to speak, in our behavior in general and the things we do, whether it is private or work.” Mr. Chakiris is also a successful jewelry designer and maker who credits the inspiration for his beautiful jewelry collection to his first dog, Sammy the Italian Greyhound. He explained, “I loved this little dog so much. Whenever I was away working in the theater, I was gone for eight, nine months at a time. So the last time I was there working, when I got home I looked at my little dog Sammy, and I thought, ‘Nine months is a long time out of his life. So, I’m not going to do that to him again. I’m going to stay here. I’m going to be with Sammy.’ And then I even started taking classes in silversmithing. And little by little, I started making things. And I ended up without realizing that I had a collection. I now have a Japanese distributor, so I’m selling at a really beautiful department store in Tokyo called Mitsukoshi, and a couple of places here in Los Angeles. But I started because of Sammy, my little dog.” With his inimitable brilliance and exemplary dedication, George Chakiris has indeed made a deep impression in the history of entertainment, bringing joy to many generations. And his compassionate, gentle, and humble nature is surely an integral part of his profound and lasting legacy.
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In 2003, Puerto Rican and Dominican beauty Susie Castillo became the third Latina ever to win the Miss USA pageant, prompting People en Español to name her one of the “25 Most Beautiful” and launching her career in entertainment. Ms. Castillo most recently co-hosted the NBC series School Pride to help empower communities across the US. One of her most notable high-profile jobs was as daily host on the popular youth entertainment channel, MTV. MTV Radio Network developed TRLatino, airing in the US and Puerto Rico, for Ms. Castillo to host. She has also hosted on CBS Sports, NBC, Live! with Regis and Kelly as guest host, and the Miss USA pageant live telecast. As an actress, Susie Castillo portrayed Mercedes Hernandez on the hit TBS sitcom Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, among other shows. She also co-starred in the Hallmark Channel’s A Holiday Engagement, and was featured in the independent film More Than Stars and Disney’s feature film Underdog. Ms. Castillo currently lives in Los Angeles and spends time supporting her favorite non-profits for children and animals. She lives a green, vegan lifestyle.
Q: As a daily host of MTV’s popular show, TRL (Total Request Live), you’ve interviewed some of the biggest celebrities in entertainment. Tell us about one of your most memorable guests. Susie Castillo: I interviewed everyone from Jennifer Lopez, to Christina Aguilera, Shakira, but I think one of my favorite people that I ever interviewed while I worked at MTV was probably Tom Cruise. He was just very gracious to everyone. He stayed for the entire hour of the show and every commercial break, just stayed out there and talked to the kids and it was just really nice. Q: You have so many young teenaged fans who look up to you as a role model. In fact, they inspired you to write your first book, Confidence is Queen: The Four Keys to Ultimate Beauty through Positive Thinking. Tell us about the message you wanted to share through your book. Susie Castillo: The message basically is that beauty, true beauty, starts within. When you wake up in the morning and look in the mirror, are you following your dreams? Are you doing what your spirit truly wants to be doing? And so I encourage the readers to figure that out first, and the first key is about spirituality, which I believe is the foundation of life. And if you’re connected to that and enlightened, then you’re able to build upon that and you have a strong foundation. Q: It’s fantastic of you to encourage young people to lead meaningful lives. Speaking of which, we learned that October 27 is not only the date of the premiere of Loving the Silent Tears musical, but it is also your birthday! So how do you feel about spending your birthday in this way? Susie Castillo: I can’t think of a better way to spend my birthday than by attending an event promoting peace for everyone. And promoting veganism, I think it’s such an important message. And to celebrate Supreme Master Ching Hai and her fantastic poetry. Q: What influenced you to develop a love and respect for animals? Susie Castillo: I remember as a child, my grandma instilling in us that no matter how little you think you have, there are always people and beings that are suffering on the planet and have even less than us. As I’ve grown older, the love just continues to grow for all living beings. It breaks my heart when I see animals being mistreated. As we all know, in agriculture, that’s like one of the biggest mistreatments that animals endure in our country. The more I educated myself about the subject, the more I was able to make wiser, more intelligent decisions in my life. Q: Through your blog and simply by being a good example of healthy living, you have helped others to make beneficial changes in their lives. Why do you spend the time to let others know about the vegan lifestyle? Susie Castillo: I just think it’s really important; you get this one body in this lifetime, and we should treat it appropriately and not trash it. And so many people trash it, myself included before I educated myself. I’ve seen some tremendous positive changes in my health in the last six years when I switched to a plant-based diet and I wanted to share that with the world. I don’t even get colds anymore and that alone is a gift. So I try to just shout it from the rooftops. Q: Is there a motto or principle that you live by? Susie Castillo: I live by the Golden Rule: treat others as you would like to be treated. And to me, that includes animals as well. They should be loved. They are souls on this planet just like we are. With a loving heart and positive thinking as cornerstones in her life, it’s easy to see how Ms. Castillo achieves her inner and outer beauty.
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Throughout his youth, Corey Feldman appeared in over 100 commercials and some 50 television shows including Mork & Mindy, Eight Is Enough, One Day at a Time, and Cheers. With his film debut in Disney’s Time After Time followed by The Fox and the Hound as the voice of Young Copper, he then went on to star in 15 consecutive #1 movies, including The Goonies, Stand by Me, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, The ’Burbs, and Gremlins. In 1987, Mr. Feldman appeared with Corey Haim in The Lost Boys, which marked their first on-screen pairing. They went on to star in a series of movies, including License to Drive and Dream a Little Dream, receiving much acclaim and award recognition. A talented musician, Mr. Feldman has released two solo music albums. With his band, Corey Feldman’s Truth Movement, he would release two more albums and perform throughout the US to dozens of sold-out audiences. He has continued to star in various screen productions, such as the TV series Dweebs, The Surreal Life, Lucky Fritz, Terror Inside, and The Birthday, the latter two of which earned him the Best Actor honor twice at major international film festivals. In 2005, Mr. Feldman made his stage debut in the Off-Broadway play Fatal Attraction: A Greek Tragedy. He also lent his voice for Sparx-77 in Disney’s still-running animated show Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! In 2007, Corey Feldman and Corey Haim began a reality TV show titled The Two Coreys on A&E, for which Mr. Feldman was executive producer. He was also featured in the two sequels to The Lost Boys. Mr. Feldman once explained his outlook in life in dealing with his success and pressures of the entertainment industry as follows: “I’m not a religious person, but I am a spiritual person. I’m a positive person. At the end of the day, no matter how much negative energy has been thrown at me, or just terrible situations – I think my greatest tool and asset is that I’m able to just deflect it. No matter how dark times get, it doesn’t matter, because they can always get better.” The beloved actor, musician, and producer has been a committed vegetarian for 27 years, during which time he has worked with a number of charities for environmental and animal protection. As one of the four veg MCs hosting the premiere of Loving the Silent Tears, he shared, “I feel quite honored and humbled to be here, to be a part of this momentous occasion, to be celebrating the 19th anniversary of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day. It’s beautiful, obviously, to be part of something which is meant to send a message of bringing peace and harmony to all living creatures, all living beings on this planet; it is the most important thing we can do. Because at the end of the day, it’s not those things that we hang on to, the material world, that matters. It can all be swept away, and we’re all going to be the same, whether we have those things or not. But what matters is what you have right here [pointing to his heart] and right here [pointing to the center of his forehead]. So as long as you keep it in your heart and your soul, you’ll be okay.” With Mr. Feldman lending his strong voice for the noble cause of fostering peace and love for both humans and animals, we have one more reason to hope that a loving vegan world may soon be our cherished reality.
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Loving the Silent Tears Kelly Packard, best known for starring in the popular TV show Baywatch, was one of the four veg MCs at the world premiere of Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical. With her eyes shining with excitement, Ms. Packard said she readily joined the red carpet event for its unique, compassionate message in commemoration of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day. In an interview with Time TV, she said, “All I knew at that point was that it was about peace and love and they supported animal rights. I’m like, ‘Sign me up!’ And now that I’ve really come to learn about her [Supreme Master Ching Hai] and her teachings – it’s so beautiful.” Kelly Packard began her career in entertainment by appearing on television commercials at the age of eight before going on to win the title of Miss California Pre-Teen in 1988. The teenage beauty was invited for guest roles on such shows as The Wonder Years, Boy Meets World, Step by Step, and Living Dolls. Her first regular role was on the NBC comedy California Dreams, from Saved by the Bell producer Peter Engel. Barely 16, Kelly took on the role of surfer girl Tiffani and portrayed the character for five seasons. However, the actress is probably best known from the long-running series Baywatch where she starred as a fashion-designing lifeguard, alongside castmates, vegetarian Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, and David Hasselhoff. She recalled, “Being on the number one show in the world, it took me to a whole different level in terms of my spiritual being. Just knowing that I could touch people out there… I have tried to do that every day in my life since then.” Ms. Packard then became a sought-after TV host. One of her most notable shows was Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, for which she traveled the world reporting on incredible feats performed by extraordinary people. Kelly Packard has always been an animal lover. She honestly shared about how she transformed her love into real action: “I’m a vegetarian. Eight years ago it was something that I really wanted to try but I was nervous, I was scared. And my reasonings for wanting to try it is, being the animal lover and activist that I am, I felt like a hypocrite not being a vegetarian. So, I actually went to an Amanda Foundation (animal rescue) event and I walked away going, ‘Okay! Tonight’s the night!’ And I just did it. And I was amazed at how much easier it was than I thought it was going to be. Spiritually, I just felt so great that I was doing something I wanted to do.” Describing her reaction to being a part of Loving the Silent Tears, an event that aligned with her own ideals, Ms. Packard shared, “I was just so excited to be able to be a part of it in some small way. I got a copy of Silent Tears, the poems, and I just was floored. I thought, ‘Oh! This being made into a musical is going to be beautiful!’ And I was so excited that I got to preview it.” The tender-hearted actress also spoke of her expectations of herself as a co-host, saying it would just require “having the ability to relay the message, enjoy the moment, and share the message in your own way.” When asked what the message of the musical event was, Ms. Packard answered in her own words, “Absolutely peace and love. I mean, she [Supreme Master Ching Hai] just emulates that. And everything that she writes emulates that. And what a great time to be promoting that, right?”
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First appearing on television at age eight on the sitcom That’s My Mama, Kristoff St. John is one of the stars on CBS’ The Young and the Restless, the #1 rated daytime television drama for the past 23 years, playing the popular character Neil Winters. With eight Emmy Award nominations, Mr. St. John won the Emmy Award twice, in 1992 and in 2008, for his work on The Young and the Restless. He won a second Emmy in 2008 for Best Supporting Actor on the same show. The outstanding actor has also had the distinct honor of winning the prestigious NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Image Award eight times for Best Actor in a Daytime Drama, with 14 nominations. He has been voted one of People Magazine’s “40 Most Fascinating People on TV” and one of the “Top Ten Soap Studs” of all time by E! Online. Kristoff St. John has also guest starred in over two dozen television shows including Suddenly Susan, Martin, Living Single, and The Cosby Show, to name a few. The well-loved actor is also a talented director and sought-after television host. A true lover of life and a committed vegetarian, Mr. St. John co-hosted the musical extravaganza Loving the Silent Tears, celebrating the 19th Anniversary of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day. Let’s get to know more about this charismatic star and his fascinating thoughts on his life and the Loving the Silent Tears event. We were a very close-knit family, and vegetarian, raw food eaters for a period of time as well. I did a lot of studying of books early on. I vividly remember reading War and Peace at the age of seven, Leo Tolstoy. And not only reading it but understanding it. My parents were very big on English and language and education. My dad was this very eclectic, creative force, a writer, director, actor, and he married a British actress who had studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. So I grew up sort of in a showbiz trunk. By the time I realized it, I was able to memorize [acting lines]. I’m not quite sure how that happened, but maybe just going over and over the material all the time. It’s second nature. It’s not the easiest job in the world, but I have fun doing it. I joined The Young and the Restless in 1991. By the end of the first episode, the creator of the show called me and said, “How would you like a contract?” “Sure, why not?” I was very excited and very proud. And I didn’t think I would be there longer than three years truthfully and this is 22 years later. From early on, I recall working with the Happy Days cast. At the time, Happy Days was extremely popular and the #1 show. I played [the famous author] Alex Haley in Roots and I got to work with Alex Haley along with James Earl Jones. I liked Charlie’s Angels growing up. And so when I got the chance to work with them…! Not only that, Wonder Woman was huge back in the ‘70s when I got to work with Lynda Carter… It’s just so much fun to meet people along the way, this journey that we call life. Oh, what a great event The Real Love musical was last year. I saw it in some paper and I remember vividly looking at this poster going, “Real Love and with special guest Don McLean…” We were listening to Supreme Master talk about a variety of things. But seemingly the essence of it all was love and serving fellow man, and just a real gentle approach to what she had to say. And when the musical play – such a beautiful musical, so well done, so well produced. The singers were incredible, the dancing… But more importantly, the story, this search that this young lady was on in India, it just struck a chord within me because I’ve been to India, and I knew that it was about Supreme Master’s life. And it was all worth it [attending]. It really was. Supreme Master Ching Hai, I got this feeling that she was so balanced and so gentle with her approach. And for me that meant a lot. Having been exposed to Hinduism for ten years, being a Hindu, I am very aware of where she is coming from inside. It felt as if I was watching, at the end of her talk, a saintly lady, someone who has been gifted with things that we haven’t been gifted with. I am on the other side of it this time, the cast side rather than just the spectator side. It’s going to be Jon Secada, Jody Watley, and just so many great people, musically inclined people, I mean, people that are Oscar winners. The dancers, the overall production values I know are even higher than last year which means that this could be mounted on Broadway if it needed to be. So, I’m excited, I really am. Being vegetarian now, I find myself feeling so much lighter and freer and fresher, and I can sleep less and do more. I hear this from so many people who are vegetarians and vegans. I started feeling much lighter. My activities were energized. My thoughts were clearer. Was it just some sort of mental thing that was happening? No, it was an actual physical chemistry that was occurring at that time. It took a minute to release the toxins, the poisons. Finding inner peace is vital. If you don’t have inner peace, you are not living. Everyone has their own personal journey. My journey for finding inner peace has been since the day that I was born. My children have taught me a lot about inner peace. I’d say more patience than peace, but through patience you find peace! I’ve done a lot of studying… but it’s a real personal thing. I think so many people are unaware of what they are truly doing here. I can’t speak for them, but I run into people who appear as if the lights are on [in their mind] but there’s no one’s home, that they may not be aware of their track. Every so often, it takes a little prodding to get to someone. We are all capable. That’s the key though – to find inner peace. Do we leave this planet without finding it? Certainly hope not. I think it’s right there to find, but you really have to look for it.
It’s a dignified, prestigious event. Supreme Master Ching Hai is high on my list – anybody who services love, peace, goodwill towards men, to fellow man, is right up there in my book. … Aerial acts, things that you would not believe. This is six continents gathered in one place. This is diverse cultures, ethnic backgrounds from all over the place. This is what the melting pot is all about. That’s why this wonderful city of Los Angeles is a perfect place to have this. What can people attain from attending the Silent Tears musical? It’s entertainment, so you are going to achieve a great night out of your life. I mean, this is why I’m an entertainer, because as depressed and sad as someone can be, they can come to a show like this and leave out of here feeling like they’ve left their troubles behind. And at the same time, they are getting a little bit of extra food for the soul. And in fact, I’m going to change that and say a LOT of “bit extra food for the soul.” Hi! I’m Kristoff St. John. And I’m here to tell you, Be Vegan, Make Peace. Love, not war. Give back, don’t take. Applaud… and hug your fellow man. Because, man, that’s what we need – a little bit more love.
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Loving the Silent Tears At age eight, Camellia Abou-Odah made her debut performance when she sang Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” a capella style at her school. Thereafter, Camellia performed throughout the Kansas City area, including opening for rapper Yung Joc at age 15 and performing at the mayor’s annual charity concerts. After moving to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California, Camellia co-wrote and recorded a song with rapper AMG that appeared on the 2010 season of HBO’s Entourage, and performed at Expo 2010 Shanghai China. With a debut album scheduled for 2013, Camellia combines the Arabic singing style of arpeggiated vocalizations with Western instrumentation and elements to create a unique style of music. For Loving the Silent Tears, Arab newspapers such as Al-Arab, Al Watan, and Beirut Times proudly published many articles about the 23-year-old singer’s participation in the musical. She was also interviewed by television media such as KCAL Ch. 9’s Best Deals TV Show and Hollywood Weekly magazine. The following are excerpts from these various interviews about her background and the musical. Question: Tell us about your unique heritage, you are a first generation American who embraces her Lebanese and Palestinian roots. And do you believe in Muslim values? Camellia Abou-Odah: I believe the values are universal. I was raised praying five times a day since a child. And it was a moment to just kind of connect with yourself, and try and focus on some sort of a center, of what you can just conceive to be God. But in reality what’s actually happening is that it's really just connecting you to yourself, and that’s what enhances your connection to everything around you. Question: You have worked with Grammy-winning producer Danny Sembello. He praised you, saying, “Rarely do I come across a young artist who can transcend the boundaries of musical genres. Her songs are raw, organic and from the heart.” What inspires your songs? Camellia: What I do is, I hear music, if I feel like I vibe with it, something about it compels me to want to write something to it, a melody line will just kind of come into my head. I don’t really know from where, from the surroundings, it just comes. Question: Tell us about your meeting with the legendary singer Stevie Wonder. Camellia: It was a Living Legends Award ceremony, giving Stevie Wonder an award. We just had a conversation about life. And he ended up saying that I have the spirit of a flower and that there’s something very genuine and heartfelt, and he can hear my spirit. I’m very appreciative of that. Question: We’re going to have a wonderful chance to see you in Loving the Silent Tears. What do you think about it? Camellia: Loving the Silent Tears has been an incredible blessing because I found myself at times with the stresses and pressures that can be associated with the industry and all this. I thought I would just love to do something just positive. And it happened. So I just truly feel that the universe is a really magical place. Question: The lyrics of the songs are based on the poems from Silent Tears written by Supreme Master Ching Hai. Camellia: Supreme Master Ching Hai is a revolutionary woman. Definitely incredibly in tune and in touch with the fiber that connects everyone. She’s just done so much in so many realms, whether it comes to the vegan incentives to make people consider the animals and their feelings and the Earth and how we are destroying the Earth by eating meat. She has so much power in her generosity. I truly feel like she is someone that I can learn from and look up to. Question: What did you think about the poem that you had been given, which was adapted to music by Emmy winner Doug Katsaros to become the song, “Truth, Ego, Soul and Blessings”? Camellia: When you shed the ego in this poem, that’s when you can find the calm, the peace, the happiness, the giving, the unconditional love. I think it’s very appropriate for the artists that will be doing it together and the regions they represent. Question: What does it mean for you to perform onstage with a singer from Israel, Liel Kolet, and one from Iran, Siavash Shams? Camellia: On an individual level, I’ve seen that they are beautiful people. I know that in their countries of origin, there are other beautiful people. And unfortunately, when the ego gets in the way, which is a big theme in our song and in the musical as a whole, we begin to have this sort of delusion of separation and me versus you. When, in reality, we are all entities, parts of the same whole. So, the three of us are going to participate in one song and cooperate together and maximize the experience of the event. And hopefully, people can take that message with them as well to do the same in their daily lives.
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Loving the Silent Tears
Within two weeks of joining the cast of Loving the Silent Tears, Flo Ankah was already on the plane to California to begin rehearsals for the grand production, representing her native homeland of France through the song, “Accept Me the Way I Am” with poetry by Supreme Master Ching Hai and music composed by Grammy winner Nan Schwartz. A versatile performer, Ms. Ankah sings original songs and vintage tunes with a modern twist in her acclaimed shows, Edith Piaf Alive, Floin’ to America, and Love Is French. She is also an actress who has worked with Helen Hunt, Jim Jarmusch, and Jonathan Demme. The award-winning Flo Ankah has been on radio’s NPR, For Your Ears Only, and French national television on France 5, M6, and TV5 Monde. During her time in Los Angeles, she was interviewed and featured in media such as “French Morning,” “Good Morning 90210,” “On Air with Tony Sweet,” and many others. “French Morning” wrote, “Time Out nicknamed her ‘the French Madonna,’ others see her as the new Edith Piaf… Chosen for her original tone and her voice charged with emotion, Flo Ankah stated she is ‘honored to have been selected to participate in this production.’ … For her talents as an actress, for her spellbinding performances as a director, Flo Ankah is praised by the critics.” Let’s follow Ms. Ankah through her beautiful experience with Loving the Silent Tears, in her own words. Artistic Passion Flo Ankah: I found that I was able to grow as a person through my study of different art techniques. And I found that it’s such a beautiful thing to be able to give back through your creativity. Because I think our art is really, hugely important in making people’s lives more beautiful. And everyone has a difficult life and challenges, but if we can make something beautiful that can soothe someone’s soul, then I would like to be a part of that. On Her Musical Role I’m very much French at heart, so the music in French, it really connects for me and it puts me in a place where I can resonate France the way I know it. I really loved the words when I got them. It’s “accept me the way I am.” Everyone should be accepted just the way they are with all their defects and their abilities, and so I really relate with the words as a person. I have the little balloons to hand and there are these moments that are very beautiful. First Day of Rehearsals I am so happy to be in Los Angeles, because I am from France originally, but I live in New York. And it’s really warm here. It’s warm because of the weather, but also because all the people who are cast in this production are so open-hearted. I arrived yesterday, and I didn’t know what to expect and everything was amazing. We just started rehearsals, so I am not going to start expecting things if what I’m going to get is better than what I hope for. It’s a little bit of a dream and it’s nice. Everyone has such pure voices. It feels like the Olympics of voices from the heart. I was very humbled to be with such musicianship. I love everyone’s dedication and personal involvement. Everyone cares very much. On the Red Carpet I’m delighted to be part of this event which has a spiritual connotation. And I think it’s very cool to do a Broadway musical that is trying to enlighten and elevate people. I believe in this work, so I’m happy to be in it. Even though it’s musically tied as a real Broadway musical, each country is represented authentically and I feel that the French song is very beautiful, and I’m very proud to be part of this and representing my country. The Performance I felt I was a lot more powerful. I felt like I was able to just open the party, which is what my song does in the show. There was an incredible momentum, and each piece was shining with its own culture and identity. My involvement in this show made me ask questions to myself. I was happy to rise up with the work of Vincent and Bonnie to really uplift my performance, and I go home with a little bit more confidence in being open about my spirituality. At the Vegan Banquet I'm from the countryside so I love fruits, I love vegetables. And it's different flavors, and it’s authentic food. I come from a farm so since I was a child, we have a deep respect for the animals. Thoughts for the Poet The themes explored in the poetry are very dear to me: a world with no boundaries, music, and the practice of meditation. The message of the words of Supreme Master Ching Hai will come with authenticity, and it would be in French so hopefully it would resonate with someone who is hearing it. I think it's so cool for someone so open spiritually to delve in creativity. I think we need a message like this to the world. This is a very ambitious message and everyone's embracing it, and everyone did the show because they believed in the work. I would like to say thank you very much to Supreme Master Ching Hai. Thank you very much because it’s an honor.
Tony Sweet: Both are going to be in Loving the Silent Tears. And just watching the highlights from it just really touched me in a lot of ways, because it’s bringing people from all over the world together to make this musical, and I love that. I mean, it really is inspiring. Now Mark, I know you’ve done a lot of stuff all over the world too, what attracted you to do this show? Mark Janicello: Well, I was very surprised, quite honestly. In the commercial theatre you very seldom deal with spirituality on any level except the most superficial. And here, the Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry is talking about all of us wanting to have a relationship to a higher power, to God, however you want to call it. And they musicalized these poems, which in and of themselves are quite beautiful, using Grammy, Oscar, Tony and Emmy-winning composers. Eddie Connor: It sort of raises the electricity, don’t you think? Flo Ankah: Yes. There is some momentum that it is going to be spectacular. Mark Janicello: I saw a run-through of the show on Tuesday, the first run-through. The dancing is unbelievable! You have ballroom dancing, you have jazz, you have hip hop. And to see the guy who’s dancing in my number with me, he was on stage with Celine Dion in Vegas for all that time! Eddie Connor: Don’t you find that it completely erases all prejudices? Don’t you find that when you do what you’re born to do, that it completely heals the planet? Flo Ankah: Sure, I find that the very first thing that came to me after reading the script is that it’s like it’s a world with no boundaries. It has performers in the same song with countries that would never look at each other. Mark Janicello: And I think that the organization of Supreme Master Ching Hai and her followers, their whole goal is to bring understanding of different cultures, by showing different cultures working together, singing together. This is the goal of any artist in any case. Tony Sweet: And I love how they’re doing it here in America. Mark Janicello: Of course, it is the media center of the world. And I think they are so ambitious and so generous, the whole production is a generosity. It’s going to knock everybody’s socks off! Flo Ankah: I feel that in today’s entertainment, there is a tendency for everyone to go towards the same norm. And so in this, like the first day, we rehearsed with all the vocalists, I was really stunned because every single person had so much soul and so much heart in the sound. Mark Janicello: We have Black Uhuru, the first Grammy-winning artists for reggae. These guys are reggae legends. And I’m rehearsing my big opera number there, and the guys were sitting in the room in the rehearsal studio because they just like the way I sang. And they said, “Oh wow! That’s just so great what you’re doing.” And I’m like, “I’d kneel before you guys.” And it’s a mutual admiration society because we all respect the others. You know, we’ve got Kay in Cantonese and Hong Kong, she’s a pop superstar, singing in the choir with me and with Flo. Eddie Connor: But that’s the way it’s supposed to be. When you do what you’re born to do, and you’re both doing it, you will rendezvous on the Earth plane with other like-minded people who have higher dreams, goals, and aspirations than everyday people dared to dream. You will find each other on this planet. And you will find each other in a place like the City of Angels (Los Angeles), and you will morph and transform the frequency of this Earth plane. And you will take it beyond, beyond. Mark Janicello: I’m a little bit stunned because that was really impressive. Tony Sweet: Eddie’s a psychic and he has a lot of great insight on stuff like this. Eddie Connor: So I wonder how you guys are going to hold it together when you’re getting a standing ovation, when the entire cast is out on stage, taking your bows, tears streaming down your face, the audience will have tears streaming down their face. I mean, it’s going to be otherworldly. Flo Ankah: Everyone, the audiences and the performers equally, we will just be in the moment together. Mark Janicello: Yeah, and I really feel it has been a gift of the universe toward me, toward Los Angeles, toward all of us. Tony Sweet: I think it’s very important that we have stuff like this. You know, there can be all these shows that tour the country, but I think stuff like this, it brings not just the talent but just the heart and the soul onto one stage. And like you said, not too many other musicals give me goosebumps just watching.
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Loving the Silent Tears With much to be proud of, Jamaica marked her 50th anniversary of independence in August 2012. The influence of this beautiful country’s culture can be seen worldwide, one aspect of which is through its music. This lovely island nation is the birthplace of the legendary reggae group, Black Uhuru, which celebrated their 40th anniversary milestone in 2012 – and their participation in the grand musical, Loving the Silent Tears. Representing their beloved country Jamaica in the show, Black Uhuru was among the stars of Loving the Silent Tears. Original founder Derrick “Duckie” Simpson remarked of this special and significant occasion for the group, “Because I’ve been looking at last year’s performance (The Real Love: The Musical), I think it’s going to be exciting. It’s like a new zone for us. First time representing Jamaica, I have never represented Jamaica worldwide. Never done a musical before, but it's all about one love.” When myKEEtv, a Caribbean television network, interviewed Mr. Simpson on Loving the Silent Tears’ red carpet, he further expressed his admiration for the poet whose verses inspired the show, saying, “All respect due to the Supreme Master Ching Hai.” Reggae legends Veterans in the music industry, Black Uhuru was formed in the Waterhouse district of Kingston, Jamaica in 1972, initially as Uhuru (Swahili for ‘freedom’). Mr. Simpson started the group along with Garth Dennis and Don Carlos. Over the years, Black Uhuru has released many successful albums and remains one of the world’s most important reggae artists. Black Uhuru worked extensively with famed fellow Jamaician musicians Sly & Robbie, and recorded a string of successful singles, featuring guest guitarist Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones. The band solidified their status at the 1980 Reggae Sunsplash Festival. Their album Red reached #28 on the UK Albums Chart. Red also ranked #23 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of “100 Greatest Albums of the 1980s.” With “What is Life?” Black Uhuru reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart. Acclaimed for winning the first ever Grammy for a reggae album, Black Uhuru has opened for The Rolling Stones as well as performed at shows with The Police. In an interview with Supreme Master Television, Mr. Simpson shared, “We won the Grammy in 1984 with the album Anthem and we have been nominated five times. And we have won the Diamond Awards of Excellence in the United States in Washington, DC. We are the only reggae group that ever won that award.” Black Uhuru continues to tour worldwide with Duckie Simpson, Andrew Bees, and Kaye Starh, joined by stellar musicians onstage (often Sly & Robbie). They are currently preparing their newest album and will continue the sound that has defined the group while also exploring new vistas. And this is certainly true through the Loving the Silent Tears musical. Singing Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry On the experience of singing poetry by Supreme Master Ching Hai set to music for the theatrical production, Mr. Simpson related, “You know, it’s funny, that was the way I started. My songs were poems. At first, the song [“Make a Deal”] was kind of hard. But after getting to know it, it’s a very great song. And [Doug Katsaros] who put the song together, he did a great job. It’s a new experience. It’s like a ska/calypso. It’s good to step out of the traditional reggae and into a new zone.”
Having recorded “Make a Deal” for the musical’s CD, Kaye Starh expressed how the lyrics moved her, “It helped me to go within myself. And during the recording, that humility and that burst of exuberance, you know? It was really inspirational.” She had further posted on Twitter, “I am awed by the poetry, which was converted into songs, written by the Supreme Master Ching Hai.” Likewise, Andrew Bees commented, “The song, it gives me an open mind, with a new perspective of ways of getting to God. I see it as, it’s really looking out for the soul, the poor soul, the abuse, the negligence, and all these things that’s created with people over the years, spiritually and physically. And God is there, why is He not attending to all these brutal disadvantages that’s taking place? But it still has direction, where hope is there. It still has a message, looking out for humanity, human rights…” Prior to rehearsals, when asked if they had met any of the other members of the all-star cast, Mr. Simpson replied, “No, we haven’t met anybody else but we are more waiting to meet the Master. First Supreme Lady. I’m waiting to see her vibes and her current. I wish Supreme Master Ching Hai long life.” Ital living With a long tradition of Ital living in Jamaica, Black Uhuru members are very familiar with the concept of veganism and compassion for animals. “It’s amazing, because it’s almost like we think the same,” Mr. Simpson explained. “Like you talk about vegan, but we say ‘Ital food.’ You know, we are the first promoters of Ital food, food without salt, food without meat. That’s the best way to eat. From 1930, we have been promoting, we call it Ital. And you call it vegan. So it’s formally a tradition to us. And Supreme Master Ching Hai, the way she puts her poems together and the things she talks about… The musical is representing a natural form of living and a natural form of eating. That’s the best way and the healthiest way to live. So big up (my respect), Supreme Master Ching Hai.” Kaye Starh also shared a touching story about animals as follows: “The reason I choose to become vegan is because once, I remember we had some fish, and they died because we had just moved. For that evening we prepared some steamed fish, and [my daughter] saw the fish and was like, ‘Mommy, I don’t want to eat fish, this looks like our pet fish.’ It was very difficult just to swallow just a piece of that flesh. And I just changed my mind from eating fish or any other meat that day.” Spreading the love While enjoying the VIP vegan banquet after the musical performance, Andrew Bees said of the US$300,000 contribution that Supreme Master Ching Hai made to honor three charitable organizations, two of which are dedicated to bettering the lives of animals, “My heart goes out to that. You know, it was like the ‘gloriest of glory,’ looking out for the animals. Because there is so much animal abuse all over the world, and it’s so sad. And to see someone who is still looking out, that touches my heart. The animals are proud of you, Supreme Master. I just eat food that’s not animal product, just natural from bean and plants. That’s what I promote all the days in my life.” On the red carpet, amid all the excitement in the air for the anticipated performance, Kaye Starh said, “Spreading the word of peace and unity, and to see that Supreme Master Ching Hai and the rest of the crew here are bringing across the same message, I feel great.” Mr. Simpson also added, “I love her [Supreme Master Ching Hai]. I’d like to really to sit down and just look at her, because to me she is like a modern day Mother Teresa.” Black Uhuru, whose music is all about peace and unity, had a message to share with everyone: “My name is Duckie Gong Gong Simpson. I’m Kaye Starh. And I’m Andrew Bees. Be Vegan, Make Peace.”
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Loving the Silent Tears “At eight years old, I knew I could sing, but I didn't want to sing,” revealed Liz Callaway. “I was a closet singer, so the only time I would sing is if everyone left the house.” Upon hearing her crystal clear voice soaring through an auditorium, one would be hard pressed to imagine this Broadway veteran had to overcome any type of shyness to perform. Fortunately for all music lovers, Ms. Callaway’s destiny as a songstress played out. After her Broadway debut in Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along, she was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in Baby. Of this experience, Ms. Callaway shared with Supreme Master Television, “It was an incredible role and great music. In fact, the score was written by David Shire, who has written the song that I’m singing for Loving the Silent Tears. So I’m thrilled to be doing something of his, because I adore him, and he’s an incredible composer.” For five years she starred as Grizabella in Cats, and was featured in the original casts of Miss Saigon, The Three Musketeers, and The Look of Love. She was awarded an Emmy Award for hosting Ready to Go, a live daily children’s program on CBS in Boston. Ms. Callaway has established a stellar career as a concert and recording artist, and worked with acclaimed artists Burt Bacharach, Dionne Warwick, and Stevie Wonder. Having released four solo albums, Ms. Callaway is also a singing voice for many animated movies, such as Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and the King of Thieves, The Return of Jafar, Lion King II: Simba’s Pride, and Anastasia, which received an Academy Award nomination for the song she sang, “Journey to the Past.” In 2010, at Supreme Master Television’s 4th anniversary concert, Gifting Peace, Liz Callaway mesmerized the audience with her rendition of “Dream in the Night,” based on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poem and with music by 2-time Oscar winner Al Kasha. After Al Kasha was inspired to create a musical based on the poetry collection Silent Tears by Supreme Master Ching Hai, the opportunity arose for Ms. Callaway to be a part of it. She said, “The reason I’m doing this is I had a really nice time doing the TV special. I’m impressed about a lot of things. It’s a huge production. The pedigree of talent. Everyone coming together in the spirit of community and this message. In addition to people’s great talent, I think that everyone seems like a very special soul. People aren’t here just because they can sing. I think there is something more. I think it’s their spirit.” Speaking of the new musical’s through line, she explained, “It’s about the inner search for peace. And I read the script, it’s about an older woman and this young man who are on this train, and both of them are lost souls. And I don’t even know if they know that they’re searching for something, but I guess that’s what we’re all doing, trying to be the best that we can be and find inner peace and understanding.” With her having an upcoming tour that will take her Down Under, it seems most serendipitous for Ms. Callaway to have represented Australia in her role in Loving the Silent Tears. “I love Australia, and I’m actually going there in January, so it’s meant to be that I’m doing this,” she recounted. “I was there three years ago and I sent a message to a girl friend of mine in Melbourne. I sent her the lyrics and I said, ‘Can you do me a favor, can you speak it for me with your accent?’”
The name of Ms. Callaway’s solo song was “Monkey Mind.” Through the use of the set, costume, and dancers, the audience was transported to another continent while Ms. Callaway conveyed her interpretation of it. She shared prior to the show, “It is someone trying to come to peace, and wants to be at peace. It’s beautiful poetry and great music, it’s very fun. They tell me that the dancers are going to be doing free-form things behind me. There’s the didg’ [didgeridoo] in the song. The scene will be of me on the Outback and [the costume] is very Australian but with a little bling (flashy jewelry), just because we are going to be at the Shrine Auditorium.” The show gave Ms. Callaway the opportunity to musically reunite with Academy and 2-time Grammy Award-winning composer David Shire. She enthused, “He has really captured the essence, I think, of Australia. The music is very joyful, and it’s very uplifting and exciting.” Regarding Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry, Ms. Callaway expressed, “As someone who has never written, I admire people who write. The poetry is beautiful. Everything is very inspiring, and in particular, I think, it’s someone coming to terms and being inspired to be a better person and to be a better human being in the world. I travel a lot internationally but just to have everyone in one room from different cultures and different experiences, but all sharing a love of music, and the message of this piece, it was very nice. It was very special.” It was indeed a very special and memorable event with the vocal contribution of Ms. Callaway and the all-star cast conveying the yearning of humanity for a Higher Power as expressed in Supreme Master Ching Hai’s profound poetry.
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Loving the Silent Tears A multi-talented artist with a jovial demeanor both on and off the stage, Junior Case, or formally, Garrett Eugene Case, Jr., played the role of the Conductor in Loving the Silent Tears. The middle child of nine siblings, he began his acting career as the dragon’s left foot in his fifth grade class school play. Junior studied theater and business at Brigham Young University–Idaho, later continuing at BYU-Provo with a focus on theater and film. In an interview with Supreme Master Television, he had shared the pivotal moment he realized the power of live theater. Junior said, “I was in high school and I was doing a show called Shenandoah. And there was a scene that was really intense and the father was trying to get his son and save his son, and it was one of those moments in my life that became so real on stage. It communicated such a powerful lesson to me in my life, that lesson of love.” Junior’s feature film credits include roles in MGM’s Legally Blonde 2 as well as independent films such as Missy and Take a Chance. Stage credits include Jake Blues in the Blues Brothers Show at Universal Studios Japan, Fiddler on the Roof at Sundance Institute with Tony Award-winning Michael Rupert, and Lennie in Of Mice and Men based on the novel by US author John Steinbeck. From 1999 to 2008, he toured the world while performing as a guest artist with Odyssey Dance Theatre. From July of 2009 to February of 2012, he worked with Cirque du Soleil in their show, Viva ELVIS, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He played the prominent role of the narrator and Elvis’ manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Through Loving the Silent Tears, Junior reunited to work with Cirque du Soleil’s amazing director and choreographer, Vincent Paterson and Bonnie Story, respectively. He expressed, “As a director, Vincent had really changed my life. He comes at theatre from a standpoint of love and so, you really feel that power when you work with him. I love Bonnie so much. She sees my potential, she sees where I can do, and so she’s been a real big support in my career.” Explaining the symbolic importance of his Conductor character in the musical, Junior said, “He puts us on a journey, and leads us through, and guides us to what we need in life. And I think each one of us as we go through our life, and if we’re truly listening, we will find those things that will help us progress and move on, and become better people.”
With the songs inspired by Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry collection, Silent Tears, the musical imparts a message imbued with profound spirituality. Junior shared, “As I’ve been reading them [the poems], they just are rich in thought and it makes me ponder about life and how I think. You know, we’re all spiritual beings. I think we all desire to know more about the universe and things around us and how we fit in. And I think if we look at those writings, it’ll open up our minds. And we’ll be able to learn more and ponder and just meditate on life and the things around us, and that calmness comes into our lives. Supreme Master Ching Hai, she’s an amazing woman. I was able to watch some of her speeches, and just her essence, she brings such joy to the world. As I listened to her, I couldn’t help but be happy because what she said and how she said it just penetrated me. And I was able to just see her joy and share in her joy. So I’m so happy that we’ll be able to celebrate this with her.” One of the songs in the musical is “Initiation,” with music written by Tony winner Don Pippin, sung by Italian tenor Mark Janicello and accompanied by a dancer representing a marionette, who by song’s end is released from the bonds of his strings. This represents the joyous moment of initiation upon which one is liberated from the cycle of reincarnation. After the show, while Junior attended the VIP vegan banquet with his lovely wife Natsue, he expressed the impression this song made on him, “The Italian number, with the puppet, and letting go with the strings that tie us down…We each have those little things that keep us and hold us back in our lives, and I think if we can finally just let it go, we are there.” Just as the Conductor in Loving the Silent Tears helped the journey of the two protagonists in the musical, may we all follow our hearts in being guided by the Great Conductor of All Life.
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Loving the Silent Tears Tony-nominated actress/singer Patti Cohenour poignantly played the lead acting role of Joy in Loving the Silent Tears. Her ability to bring the audience with her on Joy’s deep and emotional journey seemed effortless. But in fact, complementing her great talent, there is a tremendous reservoir of experience that Ms. Cohenour draws from. A veritable theatre veteran, she has created and performed numerous roles on Broadway, including Signora Naccarelli and Margaret Johnson in The Light in the Piazza for Lincoln Center, and Rosa Bud in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, winning the Clarence Derwent Award, and a Tony and Drama Desk nomination. She was also Mary Jane Wilkes in Big River, receiving a Theatre World Award and a Drama Desk nomination. One of her many notable roles was Christine Daaé in the original Broadway cast of The Phantom of the Opera (Broadway’s longest-running musical), followed by the show’s Canadian national tour. She recalled, “I finally got to sing for [Sir] Andrew [Lloyd Webber] after ten months. I just remember after the audition, I went back to my friend’s apartment where I was staying, and the phone rang, and it had the little monkey in Phantom that has a little music box. And somebody – to this day I do not know who that was – played that [music box tune] and then they had hung up. It was about five minutes later that my agent at the time called and said, ‘Well, you got the role; we’re thrilled.’” Ms. Cohenour has also been privileged to portray the Mother Abbess in the revival of The Sound of Music, receiving a 2012 Jeff Award nomination for reprising the role at Chicago’s Drury Lane Theatre. Her concert performances have been conducted by such luminaries as Rob Fisher, Peter Nero, Paul Gemignani, the late Marvin Hamlisch, and John Dankworth, and she had the honor of performing the world premiere of Imants Kalnins’ “Rock Symphony No. 4” with the Detroit Symphony and the Leipaja Symphony in Latvia. While rehearsing for Loving the Silent Tears, the productive artist has been preparing to direct workshop performances of a new musical she co-wrote entitled I Will Wait For You, among other projects. When it comes to music, Ms. Cohenour said, “I love original work. I love all of the old music, but to have new original works, to me is most exciting. Like the music in Loving the Silent Tears. It’s some extraordinary music in there, it’s just very touching.” As Ms. Cohenour shared during an interview for the entertainment blog Richard Skipper Celebrates, her role in Loving the Silent Tears is to connect all the poetry of Supreme Master Ching Hai, which are the lyrics for every musical number. This is done through her portrayal of Joy, an aloof middle-aged woman who has lost her faith in God since the long-ago loss of her beloved son. Clinging now to her diary of her past, Joy finds herself going on the train ride of her life. She is joined by the jovial train Conductor (played by Junior Case) and a young man named Pete (played by Luke Eberl), with whom she doesn’t in fact get along. Ms. Cohenour explained, “So this train goes all over the world, and we're deeply influenced by the poetry of Supreme Master. And by that influence we find inner enlightenment by seeing how the rest of the world is finding their enlightenment. It's pretty special.”
After an exhilarating journey with ups and downs, Joy lets go of her inner resistance and finds her way out of despair to be connected with the Divine once again. At this point, Ms. Cohenour is joined by the vegan Aulacese pop star Hồ Quỳnh Hương in singing the lyrical song, “Enlightenment,” with music by 2-time Grammy winner and Oscar nominee Henry Krieger. Ms. Cohenour spoke fondly of her duet partner, Hồ Quỳnh Hương, saying, “She’s an angel. Such beauty inside and out! And I understand she is a huge star in Âu Lạc. I can’t speak Aulacese but there is an extraordinary understanding between us, a camaraderie. It’s pretty magical.”
Patti Cohenour has a keen appreciation of poetry. With a sister who is a poet, Ms. Cohenour has released the solo recording, To an Isle in the Water: The Poetry of William Butler Yeats, which was produced by 12-time Grammy winner Thomas Z. Shepard. Ms. Cohenour said that Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poems have touched her very much: “Again, it's the original works. Poetry is such a personal expression, and she's a remarkable poet. Obviously an inner light. I would've enjoyed meeting her! Obviously, God blessed her deeply that she could reach so many people throughout the world. I just hope [the people] enjoy the music and the poetry, that it somehow touches their hearts as it has touched mine.” Reflecting on her experience with the Loving the Silent Tears production, Ms. Cohenour has expressed, “As an actor, when opportunities [come] like this, you take it and you ride the ride. So I'm on my own little magical mystery tour. It's pretty cool. And I've met extraordinary people and so kind.” She would later note in her blog, “I ate vegan all month and found the food very good.” On show day at the red carpet, a radiant Ms. Cohenour shared about her remarkable theatrical journey. “I’m going to miss it… I’m going to miss everyone. It’s been quite an experience and a blessing.”
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Loving the Silent Tears A multi-talented actor and young film director known as one of the “10 Young Americans to Watch,” Luke Eberl played one of the main protagonists in the musical Loving the Silent Tears. “I play Pete in Loving the Silent Tears, and he has been raised by his father, in this very macho sense of what it means to be a man. And he’s young and kind of naïve. He believes he knows everything about everything, but it kind of stems from this insecurity, from his upbringing. So he encounters this woman, Joy, who is also at a place in her life who is going through a lot of pain, and so they, together, go through this journey, to kind of find a sense of peace.” Luke’s film acting career shines early as he performed in Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning Letters from Iwo Jima and then had a feature role in Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes. In an interview with Supreme Master Television, he said, “I really enjoyed being in the film Letters from Iwo Jima. It’s a movie I’m really proud to be a part of.” He added, “There’s special aspects of every character that you get to portray and every experience working on a film or working on a play, so that’s one thing I love about this job.” Luke was recognized as Best Actor in a Short Film at the prestigious Method Fest for his performance in Sugar Mountain. His short films have been played in film festivals all over the world, and in 2008, the feature film he directed, Choose Connor, won the Jury Prize for Best American Independent Film at Philadelphia International Film Festival. Having acted in many theatrical productions while growing up in Colorado, Loving the Silent Tears gave Luke the opportunity to return to one of his first loves, live stage performance. He expressed, “This is by far the largest theater I've ever performed in and certainly the largest cast, and certainly the most prestigious cast and crew of a play that I’ve ever worked with. Vincent Paterson is brilliant. I love working with him; he’s an excellent director for actors. Patti and Junior are fantastic actors to work with as well.” Having a month-long rehearsal period with the actors and dancers, Luke bore witness to the whole amazing process of putting a show of this magnitude together. “When I think back on doing this show, the thing that I remember is how cool it was, the different layers that were added onto it. At first I was just rehearsing with the other actors, and they were really great. And then the dancers came in. They were unbelievable and danced so many different styles and were so good. And then when the singers came in, that was also really amazing. There were so many different performers and cultures represented from all over the world.” Luke further expressed regarding Supreme Master Ching Hai’s verses, “I really enjoyed the poetry. When I first got the part, I had no idea what the music sounded like, but it’s been interesting to have read the poetry and then be hearing the songs for the first time through the rehearsal process, and seeing that they sort of take on a new life when put to music.” In his own role, Luke convincingly brought to life the character of Pete for the audience. As one guest shared after the show, Pete had gained a precious lesson after “losing all of the material possessions and then getting back to humanity, because the material world is not really what’s important at the end of the day.” Indeed, the story of Pete is a useful reminder in our daily lives and illustrates a key theme in Silent Tears – that lasting happiness is to be found within.
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Loving the Silent Tears The Associated Press calls her “One of the best voices on Broadway.” Variety wrote, “A magnetic stage presence.” And The New York Times proclaimed, “You had better believe she's on Broadway to stay!” Considered one of Broadway’s favorite personalities, Tony winner Debbie Gravitte was one of the stars in Loving the Silent Tears musical. After making her Broadway debut in the original cast of They’re Playing Our Song, she went on to appear in Perfectly Frank (Drama Desk Award nomination), Zorba, Chicago, and Les Misérables. Ms. Gravitte has appeared in the acclaimed Encores! series productions at New York City Center. She won the prestigious Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance in Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. She has sung with over 100 orchestras around the world and has performed with the legendary George Burns, Jay Leno, and Harry Anderson, among others. Ms. Gravitte has released three solo CDs: Defying Gravity, The MGM Album, and Part of Your World: the Alan Menken Album. During an interview with Supreme Master Television, Ms. Gravitte shared about her memorable singing experiences as well as about the unique musical in which she sings “No Place for You,” with lyrics based on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry from Silent Tears and music by 2-time Oscar winner Al Kasha. Following are excerpts from this interview. Interviewer: You've had some opportunities to collaborate with some amazing performers, composers. Have you got any stories that you could share with us about some of those experiences? Debbie Gravitte: I did my first show with Marvin Hamlisch. When I did Jerome Robbins’, I met Leonard Bernstein. I was one of the voices in the movie of The Little Mermaid, and Alan Menken is a friend of mine. And Steven Schwartz, the man who wrote Wicked, I actually do concerts with him. And I got to be the first person to sing “Defying Gravity.” Working on Loving the Silent Tears, this has been one of the most amazing experiences, to work with this diverse group of people from around the world. It is amazing. Interviewer: What is this musical about in your interpretation? Debbie Gravitte: Our director spoke to us, Vince Paterson, who is clearly, incredibly brilliant, and this simple idea of how we’re all searching for inner peace, and through enlightenment, through learning, however you want to call it. And that's I guess what the show is about for me. And clearly the whole experience, and learning so much through that, it really has made me count my blessings. Interviewer: Can you share with us what role you are playing? Debbie Gravitte: I represent the United States of America. No pressure that I'm representing, you know, 300 million people, and I look nothing like most of them, but it's okay. I am USA, which is an interesting song in the show, because it's not one of the happier moments. But sometimes the dark stuff leads to the light, and I think that's why it is there. The lyrics to the song I sing, they are for a purpose. You know, ‘The World is full of troubles / Only I’m so full of YOU!’ I’m basically paraphrasing but if everybody knew of You, then the world would be a better place.”
Tony Sweet: Loving the Silent Tears, the more I read and see the promos, I’m falling in love with it, and I haven’t even seen it. Debbie Gravitte: Well, you know what, that’s exactly how I felt. I really mean that. I went to the first day of rehearsal, and I fell in love with everything about it. To see this room full of incredibly beautiful, talented people from all over the world. Like there’s a big, giant Vietnamese (Aulacese) pop star and the Korean pop star, and Jody Watley and Black Uhuru, and the Israeli girl, and the Arab girl, and the Persian guy. It was just like, “This is too incredible.” Tony Sweet: We love it! Debbie Gravitte: Singing about loving people and finding your spiritual path, I mean, it’s just all like a win-win for everybody. Tony Sweet: Yeah, we were talking earlier about it’s only one night. And to get these stars, it would be difficult to be a long-run musical because you guys are all so busy, you know, Jon Secada, Jody Watley, all these people that are always touring and all over the world. And you guys are always working on projects and new Broadway shows… Is that a lot of pressure, since it’s a one show? Debbie Gravitte: Can I let you know on the 27th at about 9 o’clock, after it’s all over? (laughter) It is a lot of pressure. But I have to say, the people who are putting this on are unbelievably organized for something like this. Because every performer has done their share of benefits, and of course, you know, a benefit, people drop out, they drop in, they drop sideways. You don’t really know who’s going to show up that night. And you sort of show up for rehearsal and you do your thing, and it’s usually something you know how to do. And there's a lot of organization. But for this, to put together this amount of people… I sit in amazement at all of them, I really do. It makes me feel like I am part of something bigger than just me. I really wish that I can convey what it was like to be in that room that first day with all those different people. I can just cry thinking about it because there is conflict throughout the world, not everybody is on equal footing with each country, but the thing that is uniting us all is having better lives, and part of it is through music. Tony Sweet: Music is a great connection. I’m glad that they brought this Loving the Silent Tears to L.A. I don’t think they played this or brought this to any other city. Debbie Gravitte: No, this is a premiere of this. So, it’s never been seen. Tony Sweet: That’s why I am glad they thought about L.A., the place it needs to be. Because I think it has changed so much, and again so many talented people are in this, they’re bringing some top notch talents from Broadway to L.A.
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Loving the Silent Tears To convey the beauty of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetic verses and the Aulacese language, one of the top singers in Âu Lạc, Hồ Quỳnh Hương, participated in Loving the Silent Tears to represent the country in the musical. “It’s like God is bestowing it upon me,” said Hồ Quỳnh Hương. “This is truly a grand production, the grandest that I have ever had the opportunity to be a part of in my life. I am so honored to represent my beautiful country among such great artists and to sing the exquisite poetry of Supreme Master Ching Hai.” Loving the Silent Tears premiere, celebrating the 19th Anniversary of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day, brought together the best talents, both in the US and international in recognizing the world-renowned humanitarian, spiritual leader, artist and poet through the musical. For the past decades, Supreme Master Ching Hai’s unconditional charitable assistance around the world and artistry has brought honor to her homeland of Âu Lạc. With word of a new musical inspired by her poetry, as well the addition of an Aulacese pop star in the show, the media widely covered the news and interviewed Hồ Quỳnh Hương about the musical extravaganza. This included the largest media in the Aulacese community in Southern California and the US: Little Saigon TV, Saigon Entertainment TV (SET), Saigon TV, Saigon Broadcasting Television Network (SBTN), Vietnamese America TV (VNA), Saigon Radio Hải Ngoại, Người Việt Daily News, Saigon Times, Việt Báo, and overseas, the Australia-based Sunrise Daily Newspaper (Nhật Báo Chiêu Dương). Known as the “Queen of Awards,” Hồ Quỳnh Hương is a three-time winner of the Yellow Apricot Award’s Most Favorite Pop Artist and five-time winner of Blue Waves Award’s Most Favorite Singer, with numerous chart-topping albums. She has also represented her country in international music ceremonies and has performed in many countries around the world. During her 2011 live show “Colors of Hồ Quỳnh Hương” at filled-to-capacity venues with thousands of fans, she sang a song titled “Moon of Mine,” based on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poem. The show was a critical success garnering many positive media reviews that notably highlighted the spiritual songs that were presented. In her personal life, Hồ Quỳnh Hương has adopted the compassionate vegan lifestyle. In an interview with Supreme Master Television, she said, “When I decided to be vegan and practice meditation, it changed my life almost totally. I realize there is a huge compassion inside me which I did not realize before. I sing because I want to contribute, and I sing because I want to love people more. I also want to do everything if that will benefit the community.” Excited to join the stellar cast of Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical, Hồ Quỳnh Hương revealed the thoughts of the creative team as shared during the rehearsal process: “They said that when they initially took on this project, they didn't expect it to get bigger and bigger to become such a huge project now. And once they joined the project, they immediately felt something very extraordinary happened to them. It was sort of like an inspiration was brought upon them and the artists all feel greatly elevated. There was a meeting of all performers in which the director made some statements, and when he talked, I could feel that he was emotional. The composers as well as the choreographers or even myself and other artists all feel an immense love sort of seeping into our beings.” The song “Enlightenment” was adapted to music by Henry Krieger, a 2-time Grammy winner and 3-time Oscar nominee. It was performed in Aulacese by Hồ Quỳnh Hương and presented in English by Tony nominee Patti Cohenour, who portrays Joy, the main protagonist in the musical. “This song requires a deeper sense of perception from the singer,” Hồ Quỳnh Hương noted. “In my thinking, the song talks about something from within our soul. It’s like a really beautiful and noble part inside our soul that needs to be awakened. When I sing this song, I hope the beautiful and noble part inside me will also be awakened in the most powerful way.” She further shared, “Every day, I have to pray. And every day I have to practice, so I can clearly convey the things mentioned in this poem, the message that Supreme Master Ching Hai wants to send to the world, to humankind, to all sentient beings.” For the song, Hồ Quỳnh Hương wore an elegant white áo dài, the traditional Aulacese dress, and there was a large lotus behind her to represent “enlightenment.” Being that it was the last country featured in the musical, the director had a vision to make it very grand and involved almost the entire ensemble wearing the regional outfits to represent North, Central and South of Âu Lạc. “And I did not expect that the dancers would be so charming when they performed the Vietnamese dance,” recalled the singer. “I felt as if they had indeed conveyed all the charm of the Vietnamese people, the beauty of the Vietnamese young women and young men. I was really touched. I couldn’t believe that the beauty of the Vietnamese culture was being transported onto the stage in the musical this time.” When asked what she thought the audience would take away from the musical experience, Hồ Quỳnh Hương thoughtfully shared, “And after watching the musical, I believe that each person will have a big change of heart. First, their love will be awakened. Second, they will know about world peace. They will realize it. And perhaps the audience will go home and ask, ‘Is it real? Is there such thing as a beautiful soul? Am I a beautiful soul? Am I truly a great being? Then I have to search, and how do I find it?’ And I believe if they have such questions, surely God will show them, show them the way to find their true Self.”
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Loving the Silent Tears Mark Janicello is a multi-talented artist: an acclaimed actor, author, director, poet, painter, and lyricist. He has starred in more than 20 musicals, 30 operas, 12 plays, and 14 films, and appeared in over 100 international television broadcasts. Mr. Janicello has recorded with Frank Sinatra, and performed alongside stars including Ann Bancroft, Liza Minnelli, Bill Cosby, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Chick Corea. After his debut at Carnegie Hall, he has since performed in concert halls all around the globe. In 1992, he was named “America’s Best Street Performer” out of 3,000 contestants, by impeccably mixing the vocal and performing styles of both Luciano Pavarotti and Elvis Presley. Eventually, he was chosen to play the starring role in the acclaimed Elvis: A Musical Biography. Mark was interviewed and covered by various media for his participation in Loving the Silent Tears including L’Italo-Americano newspaper, America Oggi, Don Giovanni radio, Good Morning 90210, On Air with Tony Sweet, Go Vegan Radio with Bob Linden, Environmentally Sound, PopStop TV, and Times-News, among many others. Let’s learn more about the artist and his thoughts about the musical. THE ELOQUENT ARTIST I communicate in every art form. I paint, I write, I sing, I dance, I own two art galleries. I’ve written books of poetry, and seven musicals, as well as recording 29 albums. I just like to communicate. I think that’s the best way to say it. THE POWER OF MUSIC Music speaks to the soul. Music goes beyond the brain, it goes beyond your understanding, and it speaks to us, to human beings on a very basic level, like at a cellular level. What I love about music is that there is a wavelength: if you put sound on the computer you see a wavelength; sometimes it is just small, sometimes it is just big. That wavelength penetrates and when I sing, whether it is Elvis or Pavarotti, it goes straight to the soul of the person, to the heart, to the feelings. THE ITALIAN HERITAGE My grandparents were all born in Italy - Bari, Napoli, and Palermo. And I have been singing in Italian for 30 years already. A part of my performance will be in Italian, part in English, and I love the language, it’s the most beautiful language to sing in, it’s the easiest to sing in as well. And yes, Janicello is my name, you know, I even have the word “cello,” it’s a musical instrument, and it’s in my name. THE HEALTHY DIET I believe that the body can heal itself if it is given the proper materials. And from one day to the next, I stopped eating all animal protein and I went strict vegan. My family sees I lost a lot of weight, my skin looks amazing. And, of course, the longer you're away from animal products, the more you understand the karma that's involved with it as well. I'm very happy not to have that be a part of my universe any longer. THE INSPIRATION My father, my two brothers are Pentecostal ministers, my grandfather was a Pentecostal minister, my mother is a gospel singer. I grew up in a family that is very aware of the spiritual nature of man. And I myself have even put my life on the line for matters of religious freedom and for human rights issues. Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry is about love, it is about peace, it is about the search for a connection to a higher power, but it is also about the responsibility of the individual, their actions. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, this is physics. And I believe that when we as individuals, we as a community, we as a nation, we as mankind, are willing to take the responsibility for our individual actions, such as being a vegan, and removing the suffering from animals, just as one example, then we will as individuals and as mankind be on a greater and faster path to peace. THE FIRST IMPRESSION Arrived in Los Angeles very late last night. I have a WONDERFUL apartment and the crew from Loving the Silent Tears had a huge welcome basket waiting for me in my apartment. What a lovely surprise. Talk about feeling welcomed!!! Thank you so much!!! I was very, very impressed with the lyrics from Supreme Master Ching Hai. Her words are embracing humanity. And it’s a story about a search for something more than just our temporal life. It has a spiritual through line, which I find very appealing. THE COMPOSER I sent a few of my songs over to the producers. They gave the music to Don Pippin, who has won an Emmy and a Tony, and my God, what all else? He worked with Jerry Herman on Mame. He worked on the production of A Chorus Line. And this gentleman listened to my recordings and he wrote a song to one of Supreme Master Ching Hai's lyrics called “Initiation” that fits my voice like a glove. THE DIRECTOR & CHOREOGRAPHER There is such a depth and breadth of talent in this production, it is extraordinary. You’re working with people who have reached the pinnacle of what you can reach as choreographers, as directors. If you work with Michael Jackson for 17 years, you’re the best there is. And Vincent, he’s a kind and loving spirit and gentle, a gentleman and a gentle person. And Bonnie, she’s just lovely! She’s little, tiny, like a little bird, and she’s got this energy like a mountain. For me, the body has to express the emotion of the text. I’m not a stand-and-sing singer. I like to act a character. And so I have these two amazing choreographers in Vince and Bonnie. Vince as a director is looking that every emotional moment is fulfilled. For me, it’s to make every single moment as alive and as human and as real as I possibly can. With Miguel [Perez, the dancer performing onstage for the “Initiation” song], with Patti [Cohenour] who’ll be singing Joy. And if we do that, because it’s a quiet number in the show, it’ll really touch the audience. It touches me when I’m singing it. So I know if I feel it, they’ll feel it. THE CASTMATES This is an assembly of talent that is unparalleled in my 40-plus year career. I am honored and thrilled to be working with a cast of professionals of this level. I’ve done many, many wonderful projects in my life, but I’ve never worked with such a combination of brilliant talents from so many different disciplines and different cultures. Jody Watley and Jon Secada, and Patti Cohenour, and Debbie Gravitte and my goodness, I’m like a little boy in a candy store going, “Look, look, look at what’s all around me. Wow!” THE REHEARSALS I watched the first run-through of the show. The choreography was just amazing, brilliant dancers, brilliant choreography; a beautiful expression of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry, the lyrics, the music. I can’t rehearse enough because I like being around them. It’s a joy to see people who are doing what they do with such passion and such commitment. In the theatre, there is generally a lot of "sturm und drang" (major drama) going on during rehearsals. There is NONE of that in Loving the Silent Tears. Our producers have worked so hard to make everyone feel at home. What a JOY to go to work!!!
THE SONG I love the song, I love what the song says. The song that I am singing is called “Initiation,” and as all the poems are in this musical, it is again an individual’s search for peace. It’s an individual [saying,] how do I start, where do I start? What is my initiation? It’s the becoming, the unity of the individual with God, and where do I start it? How do I initiate it? Where do I begin? And it contrasts a spiritual life to a worldly life. The lyrics are very telling and it is not judgmental, but it does open your eyes to say, “Look at what we count as success, how does one define success?” THE MUSICAL What I think is wonderful in Loving the Silent Tears is the poetry of Supreme Master, it speaks about an individual, a person looking to a relationship to God, to a higher power, to a universal energy. It’s not just about love, it’s not just about money, it’s not just about fame, it’s about something that is larger than any individual person and it’s about a connection to God, about a connection to a spiritual enlightenment. And all the characters in this piece are looking for that, and then I find it refreshing. All of us have taken on this project to try to communicate that there is something more than the material universe that we all see. In this musical, the Supreme Master’s poetry is talking about “who are you, who is the person inside of you, what do you want your life to be, what is your plan for your eternity,” not just “how do I look today, is my hair right, or my teeth perfect or I have the perfect body,” which in our society has become more and more. We are so busy with beautiful things, instead of becoming beautiful people. And this is what I like about this piece: [It’s about] how I can become a better person, how I can become a more beautiful being, a beautiful soul. THE LASTING IMPRESSION I believe that this production was the universe giving something back to me. It has been from day one the most loving and generous experience. I have been on stage for 46 years, I have never experienced a generosity of spirit… from every detail in this production up until now, as I have with Loving the Silent Tears. Supreme Master Ching Hai’s words have obviously touched the minds and hearts and souls of every person involved in this production.
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(Some of the messages posted on Twitter.com)
His fans’ messages of support (and sheer excitement) have kept on coming from countries around the world ever since they found out about his musical debut in the US with Loving the Silent Tears. Brian Joo, who debuted over 12 years ago as a member of the phenomenal Korean pop duo Fly to the Sky, has been a favorite still today as a solo artist, with his incredible performing talent enhanced by his sense of humor, cool style, and fun-loving, outgoing personality. His participation in the musical also sparked a buzz in the international media – not only in South Korea, but also such places as Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, The Philippines, and Panama, as well as among internet-based Korean pop news sites such as AllKpop. Upon arriving to Los Angeles from Seoul, South Korea for the show, Brian showed his own excitement by documenting the whole process with the production on his social media sites, tweeting to his fans photos of his arrival, his first day of rehearsals and moments backstage, etc. He said, “I just love working. Who can actually go to work and be like, ‘Ah, I enjoyed work.’ No one actually gets to say that all the time. I’m literally going to work like, ‘Let’s go to work, let’s do it!’ Because it’s so much fun.” Brian, who is also an experienced TV and radio host, definitely had some fun between rehearsals when he also took the mic and conducted lively interviews with fellow castmate, French singer Flo Ankah, and musical director, the Emmy Award-winning Doug Katsaros! Brian Joo, as an ordinary kid growing up in New Jersey, USA, had a meteoric rise to stardom. A friend who knew of his passion for music signed him up for an audition without informing him. When called seemingly out of the blue to audition on the spot, 17-year-old Brian was surprised, then ecstatic when he was flown almost overnight to South Korea to sign with the major record label, SM Entertainment. Brian Joo thus debuted as a member of the phenomenal Korean pop/R&B duo, Fly to the Sky, with Korean singer Hwanhee in November 1999. For over the next decade, the complementary duo’s immense success only grew with many more awards and multiple #1 hit singles. More recently focusing on his solo career, Brian once again achieved great heights from the start, with the first single, “Kajima (Don’t Go),” reaching #1 on the charts and his album Unveiled landing on the iTunes R&B charts in the US, Canada, and Japan. Brian said, “To me it still feels like a dream. I guess that’s what really humbles me in the business, to wake up in the morning and realize I’m doing what I’ve always dreamt of doing. And on top of that, it went well.” Over the years, he won the hearts of fans from all over the globe. “Now that the internet is so advanced,” the artist said, “I get emails from fans in Russia, Peru, Japan, Iceland, places I never thought I would reach. My music would reach like Turkey. ‘Really? You know of me in Turkey?’ I'm like, wow! Romania and Germany...” As an actor, in 2011 Brian was a sought-after star in the Korean production of the musical Rent. For the pop star, it was another dream come true ever since he watched the original Broadway production and fell in love with musical theatre as a teen. It was “the same thing with this musical,” he said. “I was like, Jon Secada! Jody Watley! Oh my gosh, Michael Jackson and Madonna's choreographer. I got on board right away. I was like, wow, a higher power has finally answered some of my prayers.” Brian’s schedule during his trip was filled with media interviews, including with major television stations, MBC, SBS, and TVK24; Hollywood media outlets Hollywood Weekly and PopStop TV; radio stations such as Radio Korea, Radio K 1230, and Radio Seoul; and print publications like Korea Daily, The Korea Times, Korea Sunday News, Lady Joongang, KoreAm Journal, and Audrey Magazine, as well as Japan’s KEJ Magazine. As Korea Daily reported, “Fly to the Sky singer Brian and Korean American singer Heather Park are turning heads as they’ve joined a US-produced musical with a star company of Oscar, Grammy, Tony, and Emmy winners.” When Radio Korea asked what specific aspects to look forward to in the show, Brian said that the audience should pay close attention to the special song lyrics, which were based on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry. (Another very important aspect, he jokingly added, is the scene in which he and Heather would be appearing, of course.) On the event day, some of Brian’s fans traveled long distances, including from northern California, Japan, and South Korea, to show their support, calling out his name as he walked the red carpet. He brought with him a special guest, his mother, who flew in from New Jersey, USA to see him in the musical. Brian Joo and Heather Park’s featured duet in Loving the Silent Tears was “Singing Praise,” with lyrics based on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry from Silent Tears and music by Oscar and 2-time Grammy winner David Shire.
In an interview with Asia Pacific Arts magazine, Brian described the performance: “The music that we sing are actually the poems from Master Ching Hai, and it’s basically songs that there's still hope and faith and peace out there. I’ll be singing in Korean, and Heather will be singing in English the same song. It’s like a delayed effect. If Heather sings something, literally right after she's done singing her vocals, I come in and sing the Korean vocals to make it seem like we’re one person, still praising God together.” A devoted Christian, Brian Joo highlighted the importance of being spiritually focused in his own life, saying, “A lot of people try to find peace and comfort in wrong places. When I was younger I was the same way, like, I thought peace was in the right education, the right school. Or a lot of people think peace is in money. For me, I realize it’s not about popularity, the lights, and the glamour. It’s about yourself; you have to find yourself. It’s actually right here (inside) if you think about it.” After the show, the star returned to his home in South Korea and happily shared about his experience on his popular radio show, The Drive-In at TBS English FM: “…I was just very honored to be able to work in this musical. I got to work with amazing people, even artists that I grew up listening to. It was just a fun-filled night for me. I was on a natural high where I got to see all these people, just seeing all these famous people, becoming friends with these people, and it was just amazing. Actually, it was celebrating the 19th year anniversary of Supreme Master Ching Hai who wrote this book of poetry, beautiful poems. Check out the song that I sang in the musical, this is ‘Singing Praise’ by Heather Park. [plays CD track, sings along in Korean] Yes! For those of you who missed out on the musical, I added a little bit of live Korean lyrics, that’s exactly how we sang it, too. … And for those of you who came out to the show, thank you so much. It was a great musical and a great experience.”
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Loving the Silent Tears Since first winning a European talent contest at the age of twelve, the music career of Israeli singer Liel Kolet has gone from strength to strength with her in much demand to perform all over the world. On the Loving the Silent Tears red carpet, while being interviewed by Hollywood Weekly magazine, Liel was filled with excitement and shared, “I’m so happy and so excited to take part in this beautiful musical and perform today on the same stage with an Iranian and a Lebanese singer. And this is a really powerful moment for me. Just to be able to sing with them on the same stage is just a proof that we can share this world together and live in peace.” The show’s director Vincent Paterson also described this number that Liel took part in, titled “Truth, Ego, Soul and Blessings,” as “somewhat a historical situation. In the Middle East, we have representations of Iran, Lebanon, Israel, for the first time on stage together.” But to fully understand the significance of this performance involving the 23-year-old vocalist and peace advocate, who was born and raised on a kibbutz in northern Israel, we need to look at her past. In an interview with Supreme Master Television, Liel explains, “As a child, I experienced the war and I’ve seen the suffering of the children. Actually there were times that I had to go into the shelter with my family, with my little sister, and with my brother.” At age 14, during Liel’s performance at the 80th birthday celebration of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Israeli President Shimon Peres, she spontaneously invited a special guest to join her and a children’s choir consisting of 40 Arab children and 40 Jewish children to sing John Lennon’s famous peace song, “Imagine.” Of this memorable experience, she shared, “So when I asked President Bill Clinton to join me on stage, everyone was like this, ‘What is she doing?’ Everyone was shocked. But I think that that’s what made it so powerful because he came on stage and he sang with me ‘Imagine.’ That was really a turning point for me in my career because he helped me make my message of peace even stronger.” Liel has received the distinguished Radio Award in Germany for her work dedicated to achieving a harmonious world. Furthermore, she has recorded peace songs with international legends such as Herbie Hancock, Julio Iglesias, Patti LaBelle, the Scorpions, and Andrea Bocelli. “With Andrea Bocelli, I recorded a song and we performed it together, a song called ‘Ray of Hope’ which was written by the President of Israel, Shimon Peres, and I had the honor to compose this song.” Recently, Liel had finished recording her US album with the legendary producer and multi-Grammy Award winner Humberto Gatica, and this was shortly followed with the magical experience of performing in Loving the Silent Tears. On KCAL Ch. 9’s California Adventure TV prior to the show, Liel said, “Music is a global language and it touches you no matter where you are and no matter where you come from. And I think that this musical has all of those things together.” She further shared, “I think Supreme Master Ching Hai is very special. And I think it’s beautiful that there are people in the world that still care for these kinds of messages. I read Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poems and I found them very inspirational. It has such a beautiful story, such a beautiful message of acceptance and it’s not just about world peace. It’s about inner peace and peace of mind. I’m very humbled and very honored to take part in this project and sing her beautiful poems.”
After the musical, We Are in America, a Hebrew-language monthly magazine, featured Israeli singer Liel Kolet on the front cover, along with a full two-page article. The article’s main photo showed Liel on the red carpet at the Shrine Auditorium before the musical. We hope that the message of love and harmony found in the musical will continue on through Liel’s angelic voice as a beautiful instrument of peace in the world.
Interviewer: How are you this evening? Liel Kolet: Well I’m doing great, I just had a wonderful time performing in this huge event, and I had this huge show called Loving the Silent Tears. We were singing the songs of Supreme Master Ching Hai who wrote the beautiful poems, which are all about peace and accepting one another, and loving each other, and loving nature and respecting the world that we are living in. Interviewer: I liked your dress, by the way. White and blue. Liel Kolet: It was meant to represent the Israeli flag so I’m very, very proud that I was able to wear this costume. Interviewer: It’s going to be a one-time show? Liel Kolet: It was really special having all these great performers from all over the world. Each one of them represented a different country, it was 16 countries. And I think this is something that was never done before. It was only a one-time show to honor the Supreme Master Ching Hai, for her. Interviewer: You have an amazing voice. And I want to ask you about your new album. Liel Kolet: My new album is called Ray of Hope. And actually I just got to see it yesterday for the first time, printed, just out of the factory, so I’m so excited about it. I’m now in the middle of a PBS special tour, visiting the stations around the country. And I hope that the people will enjoy my music and the album. Interviewer: I want to wish you good luck. And when we came in, at the gate, they gave us a book. And in this book every artist that’s going to sing something in this beautiful musical had a page. And your page looked wonderful as an activist towards peace. Liel Kolet: It’s something that is really important for me. Since you and I come from Israel and we experienced the war, we know how it’s like to grow up in the Middle East. So it’s really important for me to send a message of peace and to share this story with the world, and just let them know that eventually we just want to live in a peaceful world. Interviewer: This musical, it’s worth to mention that it’s proud to be vegan, it’s protecting animals, and it’s pro peace. Right? Liel Kolet: Yes. That’s what her [Supreme Master Ching Hai’s] poems and her message is all about. And that’s the messages that she’s sending through her songs.
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Loving the Silent Tears According to the professional dancers in Loving the Silent Tears, “The World Is a Whirlpool” was one of the most physically demanding numbers. But the featured singer, Kiril Kulish, amazed the audience with every fast-paced move while doing the nearly impossible of simultaneously singing live. He conveyed the lyrics in both English and Russian, the two languages he grew up speaking. Just finishing his exhilarating performance, Kiril, also the youngest principal at age 18, said breathlessly that he felt “fantastic… It's tough work, but I'm happy.” Tony winner Kiril Kulish is a dancing phenomenon and piano prodigy as well as an actor and singer. He received critical acclaim for playing the starring role of Billy in Sir Elton John and Lee Hall’s Billy Elliot the Musical for its Broadway opening in 2008. For his outstanding performance, Kiril won the Tony Award, the most prestigious achievement for theatre work. “I was 15 years old when I won the Tony Award for Billy Elliot,” he recalled in an interview with Supreme Master TV. “It was unbelievable because it was my Broadway debut, and we were going against actors who had been doing Broadway for over 30 years… such dedicated and good actors.... But then when we got nominated and then to winning the actual Tony… it was amazing.” Kiril also won a Fred Astaire Award, Theatre World Award, and Outer Critics Circle Special Achievement Award. The honors were much deserved, but he was rewarded in other ways, as well. “Sometimes I’d come out after the show and little kids, like five years old, would say, ‘I started to tap dance because of watching the show, because of watching you.’ So it's really inspiring to be able to inspire other kids and other people to do what they want to do.” At the tender age of 12, Kiril was the recipient of the Hope Award for Best Overall Performance at the Youth America Grand Prix, the world’s largest student ballet competition with participants representing some of the world’s best young dance talent. He won top honors again at age 13 with the Youth Grand Prix Award. Also by that time, he won a national competition and became a US Ballroom Dance Champion. The gifted dancer went on to perform globally with the San Diego Academy of Ballet’s Junior Company and has scholarship offers from some of the world’s most prestigious ballet schools. Kiril has headlined shows with Patti LuPone and Kristin Chenoweth and has performed with the American Ballet Theatre in eight gala concerts in Mexico City, Mexico. As a concert pianist, he has played for sold-out audiences in Mexico and Europe. Kiril is currently working on various film, television, and theatre projects. He hopes that through his work, he could inspire others to follow their dreams, saying, “I think everyone should be able to do what they love to do, and not let anyone take that away from them.” In 2011, Kiril was a guest star in The Real Love, the sold-out musical inspired by the life story and poetry of Supreme Master Ching Hai. Of that event, Kiril shared, “Last year was an amazing experience. I'm really happy to be able to do this one, too.” In Loving the Silent Tears, Kiril gave 6,000 people his enthralling performance of “The World Is a Whirlpool,” stepping, twirling, and bounding high in the air in sync with the dancers, as he sang the lyrics based on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poem in Silent Tears and set to music by 2-time Grammy winner and Oscar nominee Henry Krieger. Kiril said, “I think Supreme Master Ching Hai has done an amazing job with all the messages [in the poetry]. There’s not many musicals that are all related to a good message like this.” On dancing with the talented ensemble, the cast member continued, “It was super fun and the dancers are magnificent, so I really had a good time. I was amazed at what Bonnie Story, the choreographer, produced.” After giving his all for the high-energy show, Kiril Kulish sat down to a hearty vegan dinner afterward at the VIP banquet. He said, “Everything that I’ve had so far has been really tasty. I’m definitely going to try to incorporate less meat and more of this stuff! It’s very delicious.” Our cheers and best wishes, Kiril, as you continue to promote positive messages through your extraordinary talents, and inspire others to follow their dreams as you have.
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Loving the Silent Tears Katie McMahon may well be best known for her exquisite soaring soprano solo in the original Riverdance single, which topped the charts in Ireland. Her voice was described by the Irish Times as “poetry, perfection and purity.” Before her work in Riverdance, Ms. McMahon, a born-and-raised Dubliner, was classically trained in voice and harp. Early in her career she joined the choral group Anúna and is a featured soloist on their first two CDs. She said, “At that time, we started to get a lot of TV, and we had people from U2 coming to our shows.” When Riverdance composer Bill Whelan heard the extraordinarily talented artist perform with Anúna, he asked her to sing the solo in the interval performance at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest. This went on to become the tremendously successful dance show, Riverdance. Ms. McMahon recounts in her interview with Supreme Master Television, “Bono came to see Riverdance in Dublin when it first started, and he’d also been to an Anúna concert, and all the guys in U2 are very relaxed and nice and friendly, but they’re like gods in Ireland. We were all trying to get into photos with him and he said, ‘Oh, you have an amazing voice.’” Many celebrities and dignitaries have enjoyed Ms. McMahon’s performances, including 42nd US President Bill Clinton. “Meeting President Clinton was at a function,” she explained. “He had a lot to do with the Irish peace process in Ireland, and Senator George Mitchell was the man that he’d sent over and who managed to get both sides together. So, it was a dinner honoring Senator George Mitchell, and when Bill Clinton came in, he took the time to chat to me and said how he enjoyed Riverdance, and that was really thrilling.” While performing in the United States, Ms. McMahon met her husband Ben Craig and has made her home in Minnesota for the past 12 years. During this time Ms. McMahon has formed her own band and troupe of Irish dancers, performing Irish traditional music with a classical style. She has released five critically acclaimed solo CDs. In 2009, she was nominated as one of the “Top 75 Women of Influence in the Irish American Community” by the Irish Voice. Ms. McMahon has also been awarded best folk and acoustic artist by the Minnesota Music Academy. As she was representing her homeland for Loving the Silent Tears musical, several Irish media interviewed her such as IrishCentral and “A Drop of the Irish” radio program on WTBQ in New York. She said, “I am delighted to be representing Ireland in Loving the Silent Tears. My own country has had a very troubled history, and I love the Supreme Master’s message of peace and reconciliation. Her poetry deals with the theme of the whole musical, which is searching for a meaning in life.”
On the red carpet, an excited Ms. McMahon gave a sneak peek into her performance, exclaiming, “Oh, I love it. I love how they’ve dressed me, too. It’s so glamorous. And I’m up in the air playing a harp and singing, and I have my own troupe of Irish dancers. Really, it’s like being a queen. So I’m having a great time!” About her solo song, “Between the Master and I,” which was set to music by Grammy Award-winning composer Nan Schwartz, Ms. McMahon further explained, “My song is about trying to connect with the Master, or Supreme Being, or whatever you’d like to call it, God. And it’s kind of like a conversation and trying to come closer to that spiritual Being.” With a combination of Katie McMahon’s ethereal voice, beautiful traditional harp playing, and the nimble step dancers, the presentation for the Irish number in the musical was truly heavenly.
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Korean singer Heather Park, the Seoul Diva, was first discovered in Manhattan, New York City, USA by the program director of the leading hip-hop/R&B radio station Hot 97. With his help, Heather soon began recording for the Stush Music label, and within months her career took off. In 2005 her debut album Dream in Pictures was released and quickly won international recognition. The following year, Heather’s song “Is What It Is” was chosen to be licensed in Japan by Avex Records. In 2007, her ballad “Leave Me To Dream” was featured in the soundtrack of Michael Kang’s film West 32nd, starring John Cho and Grace Park. She has also opened for Common and performed for enthusiastic audiences throughout the United States and the United Kingdom.
Question: Can you tell us about some of your very earliest singing experiences, and what made you realize that you wanted to pursue music as a career? Heather Park: My parents were both working very, very hard, so they actually sent me to Korea to live with my grandmother for a little bit. I just remember singing with my aunt when I was really little. After college when I graduated, all the school activity of singing kind of stopped, and it was missing from my life. And that’s when I really knew that it had to be some sort of permanence in my life. Question: We’re very excited to see your performance in the upcoming musical, Loving the Silent Tears. And what are your thoughts about working with such a talented and varied cast? Heather Park: I have to be honest. I was so nervous, because I had seen the roster of all the amazing people who were going to be part of this production, and it was just very rattling, and to think that I could be part of the same production with these people, it was very, very intimidating. And the first day when we all walked in, there was such an amazing feeling of just warmth, and everybody was so welcoming, and there were no egos, and there was an understanding that we are all coming together for a celebration. To celebrate each other and to celebrate the writings of Supreme Master Ching Hai. Question: The lyrics for the music are based on the poems from Silent Tears, written by Supreme Master Ching Hai. What are your thoughts about the poetry and your song, “Singing Praise?” Heather Park: It was just so beautiful. When I was able to read the lyrics, it was really, really so beautiful and so moving. Especially the third and the last verse, that was so very humbling, and it was just almost like offering ourselves up to the Divine. And it was very much like the experience I think that artists have when they perform. You just kind of offer yourself up. And so I thought the song “Singing Praise” was just a beautiful little microcosm of what we’re actually going to be doing for the show. Question: Sounds wonderful. So your feature song is actually a duet. Can you tell us about the song and who you’re singing with? Heather Park: Brian Joo and I are both performing in it. And I’m singing in English, and he is singing in Korean, so the same lyrics. So it’s kind of this beautiful call and response, and he is almost this spiritual essence of the country. We’re both wearing traditional outfits, Korean outfits and costumes, and with traditional hair, as well. The choreography for our piece is very steady and solemn. The dancers behind us, they’re just doing these beautiful dances. They’re just stunning. Question: The premiere of Loving the Silent Tears honors Supreme Master Ching Hai’s work as a humanitarian who reaches out to people worldwide. Could you share your thoughts? Heather Park: I think her message and her poetry, they’re so beautiful and so universal. Something that Vincent [Paterson] said to us on the first day was that this was almost like a benediction that everybody will be able to find their inner sense of peace, and it’s a beautiful message that traverses all kinds of nationalities and racial and religious backgrounds, etc. It’s been really the embodiment of her message.
Interviewer: It seems like people usually find you before you do their auditions. In New York, I heard you also got discovered. How did you feel to be cast this time? Heather Park: I was completely honored. I felt really lovely. Brian Joo: And Heather’s voice is so beautiful and comfortable to listen to, so I think her voice will go very well with the musical. Interviewer: And you are called the Seoul Diva because you are Korean American? Heather Park: Yes! Interviewer: And obviously involved with soul music, and you have a very good soul because you’re also vegan. How is it that you became vegan? Heather Park: Two and half years ago, I actually decided to do a cleanse. You just felt so incredibly clearheaded and vivid, and it was unlike anything I experienced. I also became a Buddhist. And then the other thing that happened is I switched yoga studios, and they very, very much promote a vegan lifestyle. They don’t even allow fur in their yoga studio. And when you have a community, I think it’s very, very easy to live a lifestyle and share that lifestyle with other people. Interviewer: And how did you get involved with Loving the Silent Tears, the musical at the Shrine Auditorium? Heather Park: I really want everything I do to have some sort of meaning. So I wanted to understand what Supreme Master Ching Hai’s message was. And when you hear her message and learn about her, it’s such a beautiful, universal, and uplifting and positive message, and it was just such an honor to be a part of the production. It’s so rare to see so many people from so many different parts of the world and so many different ages, quite frankly, to all come together and really, really bring to life and help share this beautiful message through beautiful music and art. So it was really just one of the most memorable experiences I think that I’ll have in my life. Interviewer: Yes, for me too. And so, what do you think the message is that you are hearing? Heather Park: It’s one of the universal messages that each one is able to find their own peace, and we’re all capable of doing that and we all have it inside of ourselves. And then it goes so well with the veganism, and it’s so fluid as far as her message.
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In-Depth with
Loving the Silent Tears
This is the statement by the pioneering Brazil-based radio program, Talk 2 Brazil, as it named Ms. Passoni “Person of the Year 2012.” It is also no wonder that Fabiana Passoni, who is from Poços de Caldas, Brazil, was recognized by the Brazilian International Press Awards’ 2012 Colégio Eleitoral as “Best Brazilian Female Singer” living in the US, or that she was nominated for the 2013 Brazilian International Press Awards. Her albums and singles have enjoyed critical acclaim and months on the Smooth Jazz charts. With her velvety voice and joyful interpretations, Fabiana Passoni’s live performances that combine jazz fusion with the older rhythms of Brazil such as bossa nova, are truly a celebration of Brazilian soul and life itself. Indeed, Loving the Silent Tears was blessed to have Ms. Passoni bringing both her unique voice and positive persona to the stage. Dressed in a vibrant costume and dancing the samba, she created a scene reminiscent of a festive Brazilian Carnival with the upbeat solo song “Your Eyes, Your Ears, Your Heart,” set to music by 6-time Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated Jorge Calandrelli. Media continually featured Ms. Passoni and her new role, including La Prensa de Los Angeles, KCAL Ch. 9's California Adventure TV, Bereavision TV, PopStop TV, Talk 2 Brazil, Brazilian Hour Radio, Brazilian Digital Channel, Opaua magazine, Hollywood Weekly Magazine, Acontece Magazine, Soul Brasil Magazine, BrasilBest newspaper, and Jornal da Mantiqueira (her proud Brazilian hometown’s newspaper). Let’s find out what inspiring thoughts Fabiana Passoni shared throughout her experience with Loving the Silent Tears. Source of Inspiration I think it's positivism. I need to be positive all the time. I had so many struggles in my life that you start believing more and more that things can work out once you get out of that misery, or whatever you're going through. I like to just sit in my studio and if I say, "I want to write a music right now,” I can just do it. It's just like a gift from God, perhaps. So I'm very positive and I think every single person in the world should be, too. The Musical I'm really excited about being part of the Loving the Silent Tears because I literally can relate to it with [the poetry of] the Supreme Master Ching Hai. Because I was there, I struggled with my search for happiness several times in my life. I had cancer, not only once, but twice. So, when you are on the verge of dying, let's put it that way, you start changing your perspective of life and you start giving more attention to the air that you breathe and stuff that you usually were so busy with your life that you just didn't care about. So, it's kind of like, "Wow, I totally forgot… my spiritual life, my Self.” This is different, this is searching for happiness inside of your inner Self. So, it is very spiritual, and I think people need to pay attention a little bit more on the spiritual side of the human being, because that’s what’s going to change the world. Her Musical Role I am so proud to represent my home country of Brazil in Loving the Silent Tears. There’re certain lyrics there, even in one of my songs [“Your Eyes, Your Ears, Your Heart”], that say you have struggles, and who doesn’t? So I think [Supreme Master Ching Hai] is very honest with herself. She showed to the people that the struggles are allowed in our lives and it’s normal to have it. And just keep searching for that thing that makes you happy. I can relate to that so much, that I think the feeling that I’m going through singing in the musical will be really sincere.
On the Red Carpet I am overwhelmed by good feelings. It’s been a wonderful journey and I’m really looking forward to the show. It changed my life in so many ways. I am surrounded by good [people], so it’s really nice. I’m doing the Brazilian dance and samba. Yeah, it’s going to be really fun! After the Show It was beautiful. It’s bittersweet. You know, we put a lot of work into it, days rehearsing, full days. We made family here. I think everybody [in the cast] somehow, someway was touched in our hearts with the message. Everybody was very good, very professional, and everybody put their love and soul into it. And I think that’s why it was a great success. And just so you know, my mom was watching in Brazil, so the whole live stream is wonderful. So it’s pretty cool! Awesome! The Multicultural Stage I think because it’s just one message, which is peace and happiness, so it doesn’t matter if you’re from Brazil, or from Korea, or from Japan, or from Vietnam (Âu Lạc), it’s the same message. We want everybody to find their inner peace and just be happy. Singing “Take Each Other’s Hand” I almost cried. But I held it and said, “Okay, let’s do this.” Everybody feels really inspired. Everybody really liked it. And I’m just honored and happy to be here. Appreciation for the Poet I’m really a fan of the Supreme Master right now, because she is really cool! I think Supreme Master Ching Hai is doing a wonderful job, and I am really happy to be part of the positivism of this play, so that’s really great. And Supreme Master Ching Hai, please keep doing what you’re doing because it’s wonderful!
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| Special Reports: In-Depth Coverage of Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical
In-Depth with the Artists and Creative Team
The Cast
In-Depth with
Loving the Silent Tears Legendary singer-songwriter Jon Secada has written songs for some of the world’s most popular artists including Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, and Mandy Moore. In fact, early in his career he was writing songs for Gloria Estefan, eventually co-creating her #1 song “Coming Out of the Dark.” As Ricky Martin said, “In addition to being a great human being, Jon has an innate talent for writing beautiful songs. All of us artists who have worked with him sincerely admire him.” Added to his impeccable songwriting are Jon Secada’s own extraordinary vocal talents – of which his fan Gloria Estefan said, “I've been a big fan of Jon's since I first heard his beautiful voice. He's one of those special singers that makes my hair stand on end!" In fact, since his early rise to international pop stardom, he has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. Message of compassion For Loving the Silent Tears, the Grammy-winning pop icon performed a song he set to music himself, titled, “All Love, All Forgive.” The lyrics were based on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s verses from the Silent Tears collection combined with a poem she wrote titled “Words from a Child.” The latter poem is published in her #1 international bestselling books, The Dogs in My Life and The Birds in My Life.
“I was very honored to have written a song, and of course the lyrics were written by the Supreme Master,” said Mr. Secada. “So I feel very lucky that I was able to contribute in that way. The song wrote itself very, very easily, especially with her lyrics.”
When asked further about the songwriting process for his musical number, he said, “That’s the magic of songwriting for me, it’s something that is sometimes hard to explain. It just happened to be that the music that the production had in mind for this particular song, in relation to the lyrics of the Supreme Master, worked out fantastically.” Mr. Secada also gave his song the distinct and exuberant style of his native Cuban heritage. He explained, “Especially the way that I’m representing the Cuban heritage in the song, it deals specifically with the essence of the rhythms, and the music, the essence of the kind of the Latin connection that I’ve had being a Cuban/Hispanic American in this country.”
Univision: Tell me about the song. Jon Secada: The song is about the message of Supreme Master. It’s a message that’s, honestly, really nice. I mean about love, about peace, harmony – what the organization is about. A song that reflects love, love to the world, love among ourselves, love for what the universe is. Univision: What the world needs so much nowadays, no? Jon Secada: That [need] is what made this message – and the reason that I’m involved in this project – so simple, so beautiful, and so direct, the one from Supreme Master. Univision: Now, you also are going to be sharing the stage with other great artists, musicians and everything, right? Jon Secada: Really beautiful, the production is incredible. Dancers and everything, an incredible orchestra. It’s going to be a really nice evening and with a message which is the main thing. A very, very special message. Univision: I love that you are involved in this, Jon. A stellar career The year 2012 marked 20 years since Jon Secada’s triple platinum self-titled debut – and hit singles “Just Another Day,” “Do You Believe In Us,” “I’m Free,” and “Angel,” which made the Havana, Cuban-born singer/songwriter become a household name in the US, Latin America, and around the world. With his musical mastery of pop, jazz, and Latin genres, expressed through an inimitable voice, the charismatic Jon Secada has won two Grammy Awards, one for the very popular “Just Another Day” (Otro Día Más Sin Verte) and another for his acclaimed album Amor. He was also featured in a Grammy-winning album of songs from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, has recorded a duet with Frank Sinatra, and shared the stage with Luciano Pavarotti. He has performed for His Holiness Pope John Paul II, at the late pontiff’s personal request. Of note, Mr. Secada has had a significant career in musical theatre, an art form he has loved since his youth. He has starred in lead roles of Broadway revivals of Grease, Cabaret, and a national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, all to critical acclaim. “Doing Broadway for me was the most difficult thing as an entertainer that I’ve ever done in my career, even more than any of my concert tours,” Mr. Secada shared. “I had to dance and act and sing and everything, all at the same time. I think if I hadn’t done those, I wouldn’t be the same performer that I am today. But the fact is that I love theater, period.” On top of these accomplishments, Mr. Secada was a celebrity judge on the international hit show Latin American Idol, where his honesty and objectivity were highly praised. He was also a participant on Univision's highly popular show, ¡Mira Quién Baila! (Look Who's Dancing!). Regarding his successful work on so many projects, Mr. Secada says he has no secret, only this: “The one thing that I have tried to do always is to work as hard as I can, and with a lot of discipline and a lot of sacrifice to do the best that I could, to be the best musician that I could be, and then leave it up to God’s hands to work out the rest. So, maybe that’s the secret, though I don’t think it’s a secret, it’s just a way of life for me. At the end of each day, I count my blessings and I feel nothing but gratefulness to have such kinds of opportunities.” Charitable endeavors For many years to date, alongside a prolific career, Jon Secada has been devoting himself to assisting charitable causes all over the world through his organization, Jon Secada Charities. He has performed at fundraising concerts and local community projects, and supported several causes for health and education. In one of his most recent activities, Mr. Secada traveled to Spain where he teamed up with Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith, David Bisbal, Daryl Hannah (vegan), and other celebrities for the international 2012 Starlite Gala for disadvantaged children. “I’ve always believed that lending my name to charitable causes was an extension of my success and a responsibility,” stated Mr. Secada. “Anytime I’ve had the opportunity, if I can make an extension of my time to do it, I’m there.” Indeed, Loving the Silent Tears, as a musical celebration of the altruistic spirit, was blessed to have the participation of the conscious and caring Jon Secada.
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| Special Reports: In-Depth Coverage of Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical
In-Depth with the Artists and Creative Team
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In-Depth with
Loving the Silent Tears To all his worldwide fans, Siavash Shams is a superstar in the truest sense of the word. Rising to fame at the youthful age of 22 with his debut album Hamsayehaa, which is still one of the best-selling Persian albums of all time, Mr. Shams is considered a legendary icon of Persian music. In an interview with Supreme Master Television, he recounts, “When an artist, for the first time, goes on the stage and sees all the people, and the connection you find with them, and you find yourself so comfortable with the stage, then you know that’s what God meant for you to do. And I always wanted to preach through my music peaceful, happy love songs. And I’m blessed and thankful that I can do this. It’s something I love.” A true pioneer, Siavash Shams modernized Middle Eastern/Persian music by adopting traditional melodies and lyrics and blending them with Western rhythms. His work has inspired a whole generation of Iranian pop and R&B artists. He shares the secret to his musical success as follows: “Just open your eyes and heart, and follow it. As one quote from a movie says: ‘Your heart is free, just follow it.’ And life has so much, so much to talk about. That’s how I’ve been doing my work.” One of the few Persian artists to write his own songs, Siavash Shams has produced seven successful albums, primarily about love, and has sold over one million copies of his albums worldwide. He has performed at sold-out venues around the globe. His hit song “Dokhtar Irouni” made him a household name overnight and his album Sahneh solidified his place in Persian music history. The Daily Star newspaper named Siavash Shams one of the most popular non-religious singers in Iran. In response to his meteoric success, the star had humbly shared, “Music, it breaks all the barriers, all those things that actually we need to break. Through music it is possible to give hope to people. When I see people write to me that because of me and my music, my interviews, they kind of found salvation, peace, and they didn’t get into drugs or they let go of addiction, or, you know, [gained] a sense of family and all the other things, that makes me happy. If I make a difference in one person’s life, I think that’s what it is all about. If everybody does that, [help] one person, I think we will have a beautiful world.” The Persian music legend also has a big heart for good causes. In 2006, Siavash Shams and his wife Caroline adopted Noah Johan Shams, a beautiful baby of Mexican/Guatemalan heritage. In 2008, the couple welcomed a second adopted child, Rocco Cyrus Shams, into their family. “Now that I have my children, I'm in need of them more than anything in life. And without them, I could not breathe really. That's how beautiful they are. Beyond anything in life, I think no child should stay without parents in the world, and we can achieve that.” Siavash Sham’s outlook on life includes “getting out of yourself and doing more with what God gave you: power, money, fame. It's the only reason I think God gives you those things, is to help others, or else it's just a walk to nothingness, emptiness, and you are never going to find true happiness.” This openness to using his God-given talents for a greater good seems to have led him on the path to participating in Loving the Silent Tears. For the Middle East number in the musical, Siavash Shams was joined by two young and talented female singers, Liel Kolet from Israel and Lebanese-Palestinian vocalist Camellia Abou-Odah, in performing the powerful song, titled “Truth, Ego, Soul and Blessings,” based on the poetry of Supreme Master Ching Hai. The music was composed by Emmy winner Doug Katsaros (Footloose) with Siavash Shams composing the music for the stanzas to be sung in Persian. Mr. Shams stated, “When you bring so many different cultures together, there is an energy that is kind of hard to describe, especially when the lyrics and the vibe is so positive, about peace, love, humanity.” There were three groups of dancers on stage all around the trio of singers, each distinctly dancing in Persian, Arab and Jewish styles, yet beautifully in harmony with one another. Siavash Shams opened the Middle Eastern section with the first stanza, which he translated into Farsi language and adapted to Persian classical modal music, in order to best convey the deep message of the poem.
Liel Kolet and Camellia Abou-Odah then sang other verses of the piece in both English as well as their native languages, Hebrew and Arabic. About the song, Siavash Shams stated, “I believe my vision on it: When you think about the Supreme Being, God that is in everybody’s heart, it really goes beyond anything else. I know we love our children, our wives, and our family, our friends and everything. But there is a power above all this that makes this all happen. All we have to do is seek in our heart and we will find it. And I think it is a great, great song and great lyrics.” Summing up the Loving the Silent Tears musical, he added, “Supreme Master Ching Hai wrote very nice poems about life and love and peace. It’s about finding peace and finding God within yourself, and something above all the love we have in this life. I think when you are not self-centered and can erase selfishness, then you can grow. We could build a better, peaceful world together.” With the theme of the musical being one of peace, the event promoted the concept of harmony among all beings, including animals, through the compassionate vegan diet. Mr. Shams remarked, “Actually, I’ve been loving it so much that I am thinking about, really me and my wife, we’re thinking about going vegetarian,” he added, “I’d really love to go vegan because of the fact that it will save nature, species, the beautiful Earth.” Prior to the show, Siavash Shams had expressed, “I thank everybody that is involved working so hard for making it happen. It's beautiful. It is a hard work. But it is very good because politics makes walls and we can break them with music. I will give my hundred percent for this musical. And I hope I can do justice to it.” Based on the overwhelming applause of the 6,000-plus audience as well as the heartfelt feedback for the song, “Truth, Ego, Soul and Blessings,” it was evident that Siavash Shams, along with Liel Kolet and Camellia Abou-Odah, did give their all in the performance, deeply touching all listeners.
VOA: Another person is asking: In the past, Siavash sang songs in English and Spanish. Is he happy with the results? Will he be singing this kind of song in the future? Siavash Shams: As you know, there will be a very big show, a musical, at the Shrine Auditorium on October 27, and they invited me to be the singer from Iran and all of that work is in English. This is good for Iran and for being Iranian. I think it is important when something, somebody can shed some positive light on Iran. And I have always loved to do this kind of work, because I grew up here and write in many languages. VOA: Could you describe your part a little bit and what the show is about? Siavash Shams: You see, Loving the Silent Tears is the name of the show. It has the message of peace and love. And the group that is doing this, is a positive one, and when they invited me, because very famous artists are involved in it too, Grammy winners like Jody Watley. And many other people from other countries are coming here to perform, I was very happy that they invited me. And their purpose is good and that’s why I will be there.
VOA: We will surely try to make a program about the show and air it on Shabahang so viewers and your fans know what the show is about.
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| Special Reports: In-Depth Coverage of Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical
In-Depth with the Artists and Creative Team
The Cast
In-Depth with
Loving the Silent Tears
Joey Yung, Miriam Yeung, Denise Ho, and Kay Tse are names of the four premier female Hong Kong pop stars. Among these, Kay Tse stands out to many as one who brings not only talent and beauty, but plenty of meaning-filled reflections of a perceptive songwriter, as well. Known as the “Queen of Cantopop,” she was first discovered by a music producer when she won a university singing contest, and quickly became a prominent artist in Asia’s pop music scene. With one acclaimed album after another, she has won all of Hong Kong’s four major music awards while also winning TV and radio music awards in mainland China. The platinum artist’s career is an extraordinary success story, not only due to her remarkable vocal range and versatility, but also for her thoughtful songs that raise awareness or offer hope on a wide range of social issues such as poverty. Ms. Tse is not only admired as “Grassroots Singing Queen” but also as a prolific actress, whose recent films include Love Is the Only Answer, Nightfall, and The Legend of Dunhuang. The talented artist further distinguishes herself by using her fame to support environmental awareness, animal protection, and other charitable causes. “Music talent is, of course, a must to pursue,” stated Kay Tse. “But the sincerity, the wish to share with others, is also a must, because apart from working with music in my daily life, I also want to utilize any possible opportunity to engage in charitable work. That includes this musical event [Loving the Silent Tears].” Eager to add her voice to the meaningful message of Loving the Silent Tears, the sought-after artist made special arrangements for a two-week absence, putting a hold on the concert tour that was underway in mainland China, as well as her other work including TV appearances and two upcoming movies. Kay Tse explains, “Many of them [Loving the Silent Tears castmates] must be very, very busy in their homelands, but they still set aside time for this show. Even I myself seldom spend such a long time for a show. For example, if I prepare for a show in Hong Kong, the time for the rehearsal plus the adaptation for the formal show is about two or three days, at most three days. [But] this is a very rare opportunity.” Kay Tse’s musical debut became a hot topic both in Hong Kong as well as internationally, with many inviting her to interviews, conducted in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English with the trilingual singer. These included HK Magazine, Oriental Daily News, OnAirPower Radio, and i-CABLE.com TV channel in Hong Kong; ETTV, CTI, TVB, Hello Hollywood, WCETV, World Journal, Sing Tao Daily, International Daily News, and Asian Weekly in USA and Canada; and others based in mainland China, Formosa, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. She told Hong Kong’s cable channel i-CABLE.com, “I am honored to be able to participate and be the representative of the Asian region. In the musical, I will be playing a Chinese fairy princess, I will come out to sing a song that’s hoping to bring comfort to those in sorrow. I think it’s very good. Also, playing a fairy princess, is there any girl who doesn’t dream of doing that?” Kay Tse’s performance in Loving the Silent Tears, apart from joining the group opening number “Never Set Foot” as well as the finale group song, was a very special solo song titled “Talking to a Stone Buddha,” written and composed by Supreme Master Ching Hai in 2007. The following are some of the thoughts she shared during her interviews with various media about her life and personal experience with the musical production. ARTIST WITH NOBLE IDEALS I was very moved by the fact that the theme of this event is about philanthropy. In addition, all the proceeds will be donated to three different charitable organizations to help different people in need as well as to protect animals. THE CARING VEGETARIAN From last year, my husband [Chinese pop singer Louis Cheung] has gone vegetarian, as well. Actually, he is vegan. A wonderful thing happened this year. When I was in the band room to do a rehearsal, somehow I felt my senses were very sharp. Then, I heard the bass, guitar, rhythm section, piano, keyboard, all the sounds. I could hear them clearly, and then I felt odd that each individual sound was heard so clearly. I could notice a lot of things very well and in detail. After returning home, I shared this with Louis Cheung. He said, “Yes, I told you.” Because being a vegetarian, you would go through a purification process. It purifies the mind. It enhances those senses which were dull before to be keen and sharp. I absolutely think it is due to the vegetarian diet that there are a lot of physical responses to it. And this is just one of them. THE SHOW’S THEME This musical is about great love, about how to coexist in harmony. Among us [the cast], we have different religious beliefs, different languages, and different skin colors and cultures. By gathering together, it shows a great example for the whole planet to know that we can have a harmonious, united one world to live in. It is not just a dream, it really can come true with everyone taking steps to do so. That’s what this musical is about. THE MUSICAL TITLE I feel “Loving the Silent Tears” is like a message to me: some sorrows and sufferings in the world may not be perceived easily. Some may exist in another corner of the world, or in some places you don’t know about. But we still need to prepare our loving heart always, ready to extend hands out to help those in need once they need us. I love the name of this musical very much. I think that it is a very meaningful name. REPRESENTING CHINA Actually, Broadway musicals rarely include Chinese or Eastern elements. Now we have this opportunity. So I really, really want to share the Chinese style music with everyone so that they’d want to listen, and want to be touched. FIRST REHEARSALS At the [musical’s] beginning, there is a song called “Never Set Foot” with all of us singing together. I still remember the first time we rehearsed the song together. It is the first time we met each other. I was still trying to remember everybody’s face with a program leaflet! It was a very amazing thing, first time with a group of people sitting together like secondary school kids. At first, I imagined it’s quite an impossible thing for so many established singers to sing together without clashing or difficulties. Some are baritones. Others are famous sopranos. Our singing ranges are all different. But I don’t know what happened on our first rehearsal, we just did it. It’s like, “Wow, this is it. How wonderful!” We just sang with our hearts, sang happily. And it sounded so good. Even though we did not know each other before, only based on the music as a common language, we succeeded the first time. This was very touching. REHEARSING WITH THE DANCERS You know what? I almost cried. Watched them doing the whole thing for the very first time in front of me. Oh, I tried to hide my tears because it’s so beautiful! I feel the connection between us. Especially when we are looking at each other when we dance. Wow, I feel so touched. I was a little bit rigid at the beginning because I’m not very comfortable with a lot of dancing. So when [the director] tried to suggest like, “You just do this gesture like you’re wiping your tears…” So the whole thing is like full of feelings. It’s not “dance”; it’s a message. I’m wiping my tears in front of you. And please look at me, I have something to say. So wow, the whole thing is beautiful. I hope [the DVD] can be done soon because I want to watch the musical myself. I won’t be able to watch it that day. I have to sing! So hoping it comes out sooner, I will enjoy it dearly. THE SONG: “TALKING TO A STONE BUDDHA” I just love all the musical numbers, and of course especially I like my song the most because it is a very special one. It is actually a song by Supreme Master Ching Hai. It’s like leading the audience to open their hearts. Every tear drop, every smile has meaning behind it. It comes from love. This song also brings calmness in my heart. To find inner peace, not many people can achieve that. Therefore, I’d like to dedicate this song to all the audience and to all busy people, like those who live in cities. This scene is very poetic. It’s a very awe-inspiring and spiritual song.
HER COSTUME The whole thing is beautiful. I think they want to make me feel like I’m a princess or I have a really big message to tell everybody. So the costume helps amplify the message. It’s a really big message about life, love, the beauty of everything on Earth. AFTER THE SHOW I was very satisfied with the performances tonight. Although many viewers may not understand Mandarin, I feel they understand the meaning of the lyrics. And they connected with me while I was singing the song. So it is a wonderful feeling. The musical is not focused on vanity. It’s not about who are Emmy or Oscar winners. The real message of it is that it is such an important and support-worthy activity, that so many celebrities are willing to support. After the musical, the Queen of Cantopop returned home to Hong Kong where she concluded another glorious – and busy – year! Her schedule was filled with concert appearances as well as more media reports about her involvement with the musical, whose beautiful resonance reached her homeland. In December, she added to her vast awards collection three more prestigious Metro Radio Hit Music Awards – including for Most Admired Female Singer and Hit Asia Singer. During the award ceremony, Kay Tse was praised for bringing honor to the Chinese people by having just participated in a musical in the US as the show’s only Chinese representative. The truth is, through her sincere endeavors, Kay Tse brings honor not only to her people but to humanity as a whole.
Interview with Kay Tse by ICN TV
TV Host: Today’s program is very special. Let’s first welcome an international superstar: Kay Tse! How do you do, Kay? Kay Tse: How do you do? The way you introduced me makes me shy. TV Host: It’s real. The reason I said you are an international superstar is because there’s a very challenging and great mission for Kay to accomplish while being here in America. Kay Tse: Yes. In fact, I am here in Los Angeles for a musical called Loving the Silent Tears. TV Host: I feel that you have a very blessed life. You have a very beautiful voice, and you are a very successful singer…. For you, the chance is provided to perform together with so many superstars, with a director who has won accolades, and with such award-winning people, including yourself. I think it’s really a precious life experience. Kay Tse: Yes. Also, life is not full of such great opportunities, having a first-class production and people to work with. So I just got to keep the mind clear and on the stage, not worry about skills, or not to give myself too much pressure. I just need to sincerely sing out the song, like telling a story.
TV Host: Just by looking at the title of this musical, Loving the Silent Tears, the word “loving” gives people a feeling that is heartwarming.
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| Special Reports: In-Depth Coverage of Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical
In-Depth with the Artists and Creative Team
The Cast
In-Depth with
Loving the Silent Tears Fans of Jody Watley didn’t mind the long distance travel to see her perform in Los Angeles, California, USA for the one-time showing of Loving the Silent Tears. And the gracious Ms. Watley thanked those whom she knew of for their support, online on Facebook, a medium through which she likes to share “good vibes” with others: “I was also happy to see one of my youngest fans Iona and her mom who came from Las Vegas (thank you), and a thank you to Patrick Butman who flew from the East Coast.” Throughout her career, Grammy-winning pop/R&B icon Jody Watley has inspired both the public and future artists with her combination of innovative music making and trend-setting fashion, as well as her pioneering work in video and dance. She has been recognized in major fashion magazines like Vogue Magazine, Essence, and Vanity Fair, and has been named one of People Magazine’s “Most Beautiful People.” She said, “I always say beauty is really from the inside out, because it’s what we have within us that exudes, really, on the outer.” Still holding the record as one of MTV’s most nominated artists for her David Fincher-directed video “Real Love,” Ms. Watley has amassed an impressive 32 Top Ten singles and 13 #1 singles combined, in pop, dance, R&B, and electronic music genres over the past three decades. Her multi-format hit singles include “Looking for a New Love” with the popular catch-phrase “Hasta La Vista (See you later) Ba-by,” “Don’t You Want Me,” and the ballad “Everything.” Her single “Friends” with Eric B and Rakim ushered a new era of featuring a rap artist with a singer. The highly active artist continues to share her inspiration through her live shows, new albums, and charity projects. For Loving the Silent Tears, she represented the magnificent continent of Africa. Ms. Watley shared her thoughts about her career and the show in media interviews, such as with The San Marino Tribune, More Magazine, The Examiner, PopStop TV, and California Adventure TV on KCAL-TV. Question: You won a Grammy for Best New Artist. Could you tell us a little bit about that experience? Jody Watley: Well, winning the Grammy is the pinnacle every singer dreams of. And to be named Best New Artist was probably the best music night of my life. So it’s a huge honor and as an artist, I think what it gave me was the confidence that being true to myself and being authentic, it paid off. Question: Where do you get the inspiration for this incredible spread and depth of talent? Jody Watley: It’s a journey of never settling and being satisfied, and always trying to do better. I write a lot [of songs] about love and being strong and wanting to empower women in particular. Question: You have also appeared in Broadway, in theatre. Jody Watley: I made my Broadway debut in the first musical I had done. I had the opportunity to play Rizzo in the very popular musical Grease and it was a great experience. And so when the opportunity presented itself for Loving the Silent Tears, I thought, “Well, this is fabulous. I didn’t think anything could be more fabulous than Grease. So, this will be my second stage endeavor, so I’m very looking forward to it.” All of these people who attended The Real Love, the previous production, I’ve heard from them to say it was such an enlightening experience, as well. And so this one will be… I can’t say enough. I’m going to put 50,000% of myself into it. Question: So in this musical, poems are going to be set to music, and they are poems by the Supreme Master Ching Hai. I’m looking forward to seeing that on stage. How about you? Jody Watley: It’s like having words come to life. They range from enlightenment to peace… all of those messages are very important, and I think that the audience will leave inspired. Supreme Master Ching Hai, her humanitarian efforts really work toward a message of peace around the world. I think Loving the Silent Tears is another way to put that out into the universe and to spread that message. Question: What are some aspects of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry that stand out to you? Jody Watley: Well, one thing, I’ve always been a thoughtful person. I’ve always loved poetry. I’m a songwriter and I grew up writing poems and reading poems. And I love to send cards to friends, to encourage them. And my friends always say, “You have a knack for always knowing something that is needed,” like a positive feeling, or just to be encouraging. And I get that from her poetry. It’s very uplifting and there are layers to it, because it is not absent of the despair that we all feel from time to time.
Question: Besides the musical’s beautiful themes and poetic source of inspiration, what else are you excited about for Loving the Silent Tears? Jody Watley: What a great cast and collection of musicians, such a great diverse cast of Oscar, Emmy, Tony, Grammy-winning composers. Vincent Paterson, choreographer/director, really looking forward to working with him. He’s worked with Michael Jackson, Madonna. He did one of my favorite choreographed pieces with her. Everything that he does just is so memorable, classic, timeless. Everyone has a great resume, and so I am really looking forward to being a part of the collaborative process. The message, the magnificence, just to be a part of something this big, and the message of spirituality and love and peace – we need to be spreading that more. And so, it’s a must-see event. Question: Has the show had any personal effect on you? Jody Watley: I’m eating less meat. The aspect of veganism and loving – I love animals. I don’t eat a lot of meat anyway but maybe this was the universe’s way of pushing me more in that direction. On stage, Jody Watley mesmerized the audience in an elaborate Africa-inspired costume, as Lula Washington Dance Theatre artists danced rhythmically around her and a chorus in Zulu language could be heard in between her exquisite singing. She described it as: “My scene ‘Africa’ near end of show, pivotal moment in storyline - a song about gratitude, very powerful moment.”
As the composer of Ms. Watley’s solo piece, Grammy winner Nan Schwartz, remarked, “I was so excited to know that one of my pieces for Africa is being sung by Jody Watley. I think she’s going to bring the perfect style and the perfect vibe to what I’ve written. So I’m excited to hear her interpret my song for Africa.”
Examiner: Belinda with the Examiner. You always look so beautiful. Jody Watley: Thank you. Examiner: First of all, can you tell us what’s it like to be involved in this musical? Jody Watley: It’s fantastic. It’s like the United Nations of artists. And we’ve all gelled and gotten along so well. I’m in love with Vincent Paterson, I’ve admired him – Michael [Jackson]’s Super Bowl performance, Madonna – and so he’s great. Bonnie [Story], High School Musical. Plus everyone, Al Kasha, the music, it’s fabulous, it’s fabulous. Examiner: How did you get involved in all this? I read about it and I was like, “I got to go see it!” Jody Watley: You know, it really has to appeal to me on a creative level [to do a project]. In this case, it was creative, it was spiritual. It’s not a religious play but it’s just the universal love. And it’s spectacular. I’ve done Broadway. I’ve never – this is something else. This is spectacular and it’s just amazing, just for one performance. After the show, which received a standing ovation from the audience, fans posted their enthusiastic comments. For instance, Chris Keen wrote in reply to Ms. Watley, “Love the vegan theme to the event, too, Jody! Looked amazing and shows your constant evolution.” Alicia Kaye wrote, “Bravo Jody! You looked stunning, sounded wonderful!!! The story was touching, moving, and the production was spectacular! I so wish I could have seen it live, my 5-year-old daughter would have loved it!” This was followed by a note from Silawn Lewis, saying, “Jody, you looked so majestic tonight. I now understand why this production was a one-time only event. As Alicia stated, it was “spectacular”! I can’t imagine putting on a show of that magnitude more than once. So many amazing artists, beautiful set pieces and costumes, and I loved how the story wove through each performance. I hope a video will be available [online] so that I can share it with social networking sites including members of the positiveatmosphere.com site.” It is said the magic of theatre is that the joy of it is simultaneously shared by both the performer and audience. This was certainly true for Ms. Watley who stated: “Loving the Silent Tears - A New Musical is my favorite professional experience of 2012 and one of THE most fun, beautiful and rewarding of my career - and that’s saying a lot!”
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In-Depth with the Artists and Creative Team
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with Loving the Silent Tears
Just hearing him talk, one can feel his passion for music. His eyes are lit up, his hands are in constant motion conveying his excitement, and of course, he has an ever-present smile. The man in question is renowned composer Jorge Calandrelli. In an interview with Supreme Master Television, Mr. Calandrelli explained how the seeds were first planted that eventually produced a fruitful music career. “I started playing the piano when I was four years old. And my mother played piano beautifully, classical mainly. Oh my God, I loved that music! And I think at that very moment, without even having any idea what career a musician was, I decided to be a musician.” He added, “It’s like I was given a gift. I thank God every day for that.” With six Grammy wins and 26 nominations, plus two Oscar nominations, Mr. Calandrelli is highly sought-after in the United States, Latin America, and Europe. A musician of extraordinary versatility, he has been honored for his work in the pop, jazz, Latin, and classical fields. He has arranged, composed, and produced for recording artists including Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Sting, Julio Iglesias, Marc Anthony, Madonna, Elton John, Plácido Domingo, Gloria Estefan, Johnny Mathis, Paul McCartney, Barry Manilow, K. D. Lang, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, Bono, Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, Ricky Martin, and Bette Midler. He said, “I’m lucky to work with possibly the best artists in the world. And I happened to produce an album called Amore Infinito that also had the lyrics written by the Pope John Paul II, which kind of ties up why I’m here right now. Because when you write music for lyrics, it has to do with music. Every poem that has its beautiful contents inspires you to write. And every project that you do, there is a style and a concept. So what I have to do even before I start writing one note of music is to get immersed in the project, in the artist and craft, everything around it. So with a lot of years of practice, that becomes like instant. However, it’s not easy. Sometimes my students have asked me, ‘Master, how do you do that?’ It’s very simple. You do it for 30 years and then you see how easy it becomes.” (laughing) Mr. Calandrelli has collaborated for 25 years with legendary singer Tony Bennett, including recording nine albums and winning two Grammys for his arrangements. He fondly recounts, “Tony has been a very important highlight in my life because we just celebrated 25 years of working with him. Amazingly, before I came to this country, when I was in Argentina, I remember I used to listen to Tony Bennett but like on another planet or something, you know, ‘Oh my gosh, Tony Bennett. How wonderful would it be to even meet him!’ And in the United States, as soon as I arrived, one of my first projects was The Art of Excellence album in 1986. And from that moment on, we really established a wonderful relationship.” Mr. Calandrelli won two Latin Grammy Awards for the Arturo Sandoval CD, A Time for Love, and two Grammys for his works with Yo-Yo Ma. He describes working with the gifted cellist as “very challenging because he’s one of the best players in the world.” But fortunately due to his breadth of knowledge of musical styles, he explained, “I had to write music for him to play that was at the level of his standard, and Tango came out fantastic, and he was very, very happy with it.” The esteemed composer’s highly lauded concert works such as “Concerto for Jazz Clarinet and Orchestra” have been performed worldwide. For film and television, some of Mr. Calandrelli’s most well-known works are Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Oscar nomination for his song “A Love Before Time”), The Great Mouse Detective, and The Color Purple (Oscar nomination for Best Original Score). He shared his memories: “For Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, I was called by Peter Guber, president of CBS and Sony, he called me, says, ‘Look, Jorge, I need a great song for that movie,’ because they had composed the song to Titanic that sold 35 million copies or something like that. So they wanted a song like at the end of the movie, and at that point, someone thought I could be the right person to do it. And The Color Purple, that was my other Oscar nomination. Quincy Jones called me to compose some of the clips of the film. It got nominated and there I was again at the Academy Awards with Quincy and Steven Spielberg and some of the other composers that worked on the film.” Mr. Calandrelli lent his musical talents for the grand musical, Loving the Silent Tears. Prior to beginning composing, he had seen last year’s DVD of The Real Love musical and expressed, “I was very impressed by the quality of the production and the quality of the contents in terms of the message.” In speaking of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry that was being adapted to songs for the musical, Mr. Calandrelli said, “Beautiful! Very inspiring! That’s why when I wrote the music, mainly I responded to what the lyrics were. And the lyrics are all about enlightenment, love, all positive things and that kind of message is so beautiful. Nowadays, it’s what we all need. We all need spiritual, profound, deep thoughts and emotions. So that’s what I really tried to portray in the music.” For Loving the Silent Tears, Mr. Calandrelli composed “Your Eyes, Your Ears, Your Heart,” a song representing Brazil through the samba style and sung by native-born star, Fabiana Passoni. The lyrics are pleading to God to come to the aid of human beings, and to put an end to the painful feeling of separation from the Divine.
Eternal Game is the stirring song Mr. Calandrelli composed for the opening number in the second act. It spoke of the frustration humans feel in the seemingly endless search for a connection to the Divine.
“I chose kind of a 6 to 8 rhythmic pattern that also has a lot of Latin American roots, but it was world music,” Mr. Calandrelli offered some insight into the “Eternal Game” composition. “I had a cast of different people from different countries, so I wanted to have them be comfortable with that environment.” At the event, upon seeing organizations receive generous contributions from Supreme Master Ching Hai, Mr. Calandrelli said, “I really respect what she’s doing. It’s wonderful and it’s a super positive kind of thing that the whole world needs.” At the VIP vegan banquet, Mr. Calandrelli enthusiastically expressed, “The show was spectacular! I never expected it to be so amazing, in every sense. The costumes, the choreography, the poems! I am very happy with everything. It’s amazing! We’ll do it again next year!”
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Loving the Silent Tears Al Kasha has reached the top of every field that he has lent his immense talents to, as a writer, producer, composer, motivational speaker, and executive working in theatre, film, television, home video, music publishing, and recording. As a composer/lyricist, he has hit records spanning the last five decades, performed by artists ranging from Elvis Presley to Aretha Franklin to Helen Reddy and Donna Summer, among many others. His Oscar-winning songs are “The Morning After” from The Poseidon Adventure and “We May Never Love Like This Again” from The Towering Inferno, both memorably sung by Maureen McGovern. Mr. Kasha wrote and produced many acclaimed song scores including Walt Disney’s classic live action animated musical Pete’s Dragon, which received two Oscar nominations, and on Broadway, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, which was Tony-nominated for Best Original Score, and Charles Dickens’ Copperfield libretto as well as song score, which also earned a Tony nomination for Best Original Score. In film, Mr. Kasha wrote the score for All Dogs Go to Heaven, Giant of Thunder Mountain, China Cry, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer starring Whoopi Goldberg. Mr. Kasha has also been recognized with two Grammy nominations, four Golden Globe nominations, People’s Choice Award, and MovieGuide Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition to being the creative force behind Loving the Silent Tears and The Real Love, Al Kasha has written original compositions based on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry for the 4th anniversary celebration of Supreme Master Television.
David Laurell: As we talk today, I think many people will be very familiar with so much of the work that you have done over the years, (Al Kasha: Thank you.) that has become kind of the soundtrack of so many people’s lives. There are two beautiful and highly coveted pieces of hardware sitting to your left here. I wonder if you could tell me about your two Oscar wins. Al Kasha: Sure, “The Morning After,” actually, we wrote the song overnight and walking down the studio, it sounds egotistical but I said to Joel, “We’re going to win the Academy Award for this song.” “Oh there, Al, you’re going crazy again.” I said, “I just sense it and I feel it.” Now, we were up against Michael Jackson with “Ben.” And at the Academy Awards, we were the only award that won for The Poseidon Adventure, except for the special effects award. David Laurell: What about the other Oscar? Al Kasha: We did The Towering Inferno, and they weren’t sure to have a song in the picture. Irwin Allen’s secretary, she got me a copy of the script. I went to the studio with Joel Hirschhorn, and we wrote the song of the scene. I played it for Irwin Allen and he says, “Well, I’m really not sure, I’m not sure.” I said, “Well, I should go and get Bobbi, your secretary.” So Bobbi came in. She said, “Gee, I like the song.” He said, “Oh, we will put the song in the picture.” And that was the second Oscar. David Laurell: You are still working today. (Al Kasha: Yes.) Is it just something that compels you? Al Kasha: Yes, it does. I love music, I really love music. I love other composers. I wrote a book about other composers. Right now, I’m working on a Broadway [style] show called Loving the Silent Tears. And this show deals with six continents around the world. We’ve taken the poems of Supreme Master, and we all wrote music to it. She’s like the Gandhi of this generation, I feel. The Supreme Master’s written poetry that really touches my heart. And it deals with the inner happiness that you could have in life. Jesus once said, “There’s enough anxiety during the day. Don’t give yourself further anxieties.” And she writes that way. David Laurell: How does your current spirituality or religious beliefs tie in to where the Supreme Master is? Al Kasha: Well, all religions have the Ten Commandments. A lot of people don’t know that. Every religion has the Ten Commandments. Islamic religion does, and what she writes about is in the New Testament and it’s peace, love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness, that’s what she writes about. And she does it and she lives that kind of life. She lived in the Himalayas, my God, where you fast for a week or two. David Laurell: Tell me a little bit about the new musical. Al Kasha: Well, it deals with love and harmony between the nations and the species, including animals. And it deals with the Ten Commandments actually, in many ways. So each poem has its own message. It's not the typical musical, but it is a musical, there’s a storyline.
David Laurell: So not only does this particular musical have incredible music but some of the finest talent that roams the planet today: Jody Watley and Jon Secada… So in late October, the coming together of all of this incredible talent is going to make for an amazing evening. Al Kasha: Yes, it’s a musical that will uplift their souls. It’s a musical that deals with hope and happiness. David Laurell: Even if someone were not familiar with the teachings or tenets of the Supreme Master, it transcends what people (Al Kasha: Absolutely transcends.) would feel about religions or spirituality. There really are few things that have brought the world together like music and poetry. Almost everything else in its own way is almost designed to pull people apart, whether it becomes politics or whether it becomes our different cultures, whether or not we want to embrace someone else’s culture or not, or learn from it. But music and poetry and art really is the great uniter. Al Kasha: Yes. Absolutely the great uniter. And what this show has, it hits the continents, you’re going to hear all this potpourri of music that came from one voice, the voice of the Supreme Master. David Laurell: She sounds like a fascinating woman. Al Kasha: Yes, and it’s the music and the poems that, put together, gives the oneness that we desperately need. David Laurell: Every day we’re getting a little bit older and I was wondering if you have adopted any type of a philosophy about aging. Al Kasha: As the Supreme Master says, “Love in action, love animals, and be a vegan,” and I really believe in those three tenets. With hope and love as the prevailing elements in his lifetime of brilliant music, Al Kasha once again helped to bring upliftment and togetherness to people through Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical.
CATV: So tell me what inspired you to create this musical? Al Kasha: Well, the life of Supreme Master Ching Hai, if you think about her life, her life is a musical. She went through tremendous suffering and to a completion of changing the world from her teaching. Last year’s show, The Real Love, dealt with more of the love story. This is more of a spiritual story, a spiritual journey actually through life. So in my mind, it’s a step up. Everyone on the show has either won an Oscar, a Tony Award from Broadway, or Grammy for records, so we put together the best, talented group in the world to communicate the story of Supreme Master Ching Hai. CATV: And what about the poems really inspired you to create music specifically? Al Kasha: Well, the poems this year have much greater depth. All these composers worked on this piece because they saw the spiritual nature of it. CATV: Right, that it had a deeper meaning. Al Kasha: A much deeper meaning. And the music came very quickly, it’s quicker than anything almost I’ve ever done because the words were so powerful. I always feel that words are richness and music is power. CATV: Right. So it’s almost as if the words had inspired you spiritually in addition to just kind of artistically and creatively. Al Kasha: Oh, absolutely, absolutely.
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Loving the Silent Tears Meet Doug Katsaros, the amazing artist who not only was one of Loving the Silent Tears’ celebrated composers, but also the musical director for the singers, the conductor of the orchestra, and the one who orchestrated all the songs of the musical! Virtually all the cast and creative team who had the chance to work with him have become fans of Mr. Katsaros’ fun and vibrant approach to their musical collaboration. Nan Schwartz, Loving the Silent Tears’ Grammy Award-winning Hollywood composer, shared, “I’ve spoken with Doug Katsaros on the phone. I’m excited to meet him. He sounds like a very exuberant – and I know he’s a talented – man. He comes from a different world of Broadway and that’s very exciting for me.” “Doug is the kind of person you’ll never forget,” said Arab cast member Camellia Abou-Odah. “He is amazing, so full of energy. He’s definitely kept the child within alive, and he’s brilliant. He is a musical genius. His skill is so refined, that at any sort of whim, [music] pours out of him. I’d love to work with him again!” In turn, Mr. Katsaros enthused about the cast: “It’s an astonishing group of people. And it’s not like next door. They each had to fly like ten hours to get here…. The fact that these are the special people who are here, and I am the hub inside the wheel of this astonishment, I could not be happier.” About the Composer For years, the greatly talented Doug Katsaros has been conducting, composing, orchestrating, and arranging on and off Broadway for shows like Footloose, The Life, Rocky Horror, Altar Boyz, The Toxic Avenger, and A...My Name is Alice. Currently composing Broadway’s upcoming Somewhere in Time, he has also written and conducted TV and film scores for Sarah Jessica Parker, Robert Loggia, and Sandra Bullock. Mr. Katsaros garnered an Emmy nomination for his score to The Tick and wrote themes for The Jim Henson Hour, Mancuso FBI, and The ABC Sunday Night Movie. He has conducted PBS’s Great Performances and the Boston Pops. He has dozens of gold and platinum CDs for artists such as Gloria Estefan, Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart, Judy Collins, B. B. King, Donny Osmond, Bon Jovi, Cher, Michael Bolton, Peter Paul & Mary... the list goes on! Mr. Katsaros writes special material for Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks and their Thanksgiving Day Parade, with his piece for the latter winning an Emmy for Best Original Song in 2012. He also wrote the well-known three-note jingle, “By Mennen.” The distinguished musician also contributed the arrangements for Supreme Master Television’s 3rd and 4th Anniversary concerts in 2009 and 2010, respectively. In December 2010, Mr. Katsaros was involved in the Greenest Heroes Gala in Cancún, Mexico, where he also had the opportunity to meet Supreme Master Ching Hai. In 2011, the musical The Real Love premiered based on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry, with music composed by Mr. Katsaros and four other award-winning composers. “The entire process of putting together a show is nothing but creativity,” he had observed at the time of The Real Love’s premiere. “As Supreme Master said on the [live] video, it’s the artists that are doing so much to propel joy through the planet. And being part of that creative process every day is great.” Loving the Silent Tears Let’s find out what the creative process for Loving the Silent Tears was like, from Mr. Katsaros’ perspective. The Creative Team I got demos that had been hand played by these brilliant composers, and they were very simple on piano and I had to work with them. And then I got phone calls from the director Vincent who is endlessly creative. And then on top of that, [the choreographer] Bonnie Story who is as creative, on a whole different level. Vincent editing and focusing and then Bonnie creating and moving. And the thing is that I have just a touch of a lot of music, because when I was growing up, my father and mother played all sorts of different kinds of music. So I have orchestral music, and then I was raised on The Beatles. And then I was in a rock-and-roll band, and then I conducted the Boston Pops. So it’s orchestra, and rock-and-roll, and jazz and stuff. So, we were the perfect team to come together to make an evening like tonight happen. The Cast Not only the cultures, but the people: Black Uhuru was here, and Jody Watley, and Liz [Callaway], and Debbie [Gravitte], Kay Tse and Hope [Hồ Quỳnh Hương] from Vietnam. Oh my God! These are enormous stars. As the Composer There’s “The Inner Master,” and it is sort of like a beatnik kind of thing. It was just going to be spoken, but I thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun to put a little rhythm on that, and make everybody do…” you know, have it be a fun moment. I did the Middle East trio, but I started the Middle East trio with one song. And then I thought I’ll just write something generally Middle East, but each of them [the singers] had an idea…. So I worked with them to make a really nice piece. I thought it was a really nice feature. And I can only take credit for starting it, they really finished it. The Poet She said*, “I know it’s going to be wonderful.” And I love that trust of her. Because this is not something that is, “Oh, let’s get a couple of people together and we’ll sing some songs…” This is her poetry, her journey, her message, and that can go around the world. It's not just one night, 6,000 people, but this is a world event. But she was very clear to say*, “I haven’t read it [the musical], I'm working on my…” – she’s doing her job. She is doing her meditation, she's on her retreat. And for the people who are following her, and just for the people who benefit from her who don't even know her and are receiving help from her, that is as important as this is for us. * From Supreme Master Ching Hai’s video greeting on the event day As the Conductor (On the red carpet) I’m feeling hot, but I’m going to go cool down and then get ready to work my arms for two and half hours. Oh my God, the musicians in Los Angeles gathered for this, along with the astonishing talent that’s on the stage, it’s an amazing evening, and I cannot be more thrilled to be just a small part of this! Vegan: Fuel for Creativity When I’m here I’m totally vegan. It’s been a month and a half so far. There’s no reason to go back, it’s like, I feel good! A Gesture of Peace
I am humbled and honored to be included as part of this astonishing collection of artists from around the globe, working together in a way that might not be possible in some other countries. If we can accomplish this small gesture of peace here tonight, we have certainly made a step forward towards a better world.
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Loving the Silent Tears
About the Composer Dreamgirls, Side Show, The Tap Dance Kid… These favorite Broadway shows owe their memorable songs to the brilliance of one composer: 2-time Grammy Award winner and 3-time Academy Award nominee Henry Krieger. As Playbill Magazine once wrote, “Henry Krieger is a composer with a rare gift, that of being able to put the sounds of pop music to successful theatrical use.” His career path itself reads somewhat like a dream. A native son of New York, USA, Henry Krieger’s musical education began while listening to the strains of Chopin and Liszt flowing from his parents’ phonograph. As time went by, his tastes moved into a more modern expression through exposure to the music of great R&B artists such as Fats Waller and Ray Charles. As a young adult, Mr. Krieger first began attending Broadway musicals, where the show-stopping production numbers made an indelible impression on him. His grade school, equipped with a theater similar to one on Broadway, reinforced his interest in the dramatic arts, and he later continued his creative and liberal arts education at the American University in Washington, DC. Mr. Krieger began composing for Off-Off Broadway while in his 20s, during which time he met playwright-lyricist Tom Eyen. Together they created the long-running Broadway hit musical Dreamgirls, which opened in 1981 and received six Tony Awards. Mr. Krieger was Tony-nominated for his now legendary score. The original cast album garnered him a Grammy Award. Years later, Dreamgirls generated new success as a 2006 Dreamworks film starring Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé Knowles, and Eddie Murphy. The greatly loved movie was adapted and directed by Oscar winner Bill Condon, who had also written and directed the musical film Chicago. Mr. Krieger composed four new songs for the Dreamgirls film version, and had the rare distinction of having three of them receive Academy Award nominations in the same year: “Love You, I Do,” which also won his second Grammy Award, “Listen,” and “Patience.” In 1983, Mr. Krieger’s musical The Tap Dance Kid, about a boy who dreams of becoming a dancer, opened on Broadway, winning two Tony Awards. His next Broadway musical, Side Show, on the lives of conjoined twins who became famous stage performers, opened in 1997 and received four Tony nominations, including for Best Score. Currently Mr. Krieger is working on a re-imagining of Side Show for the stage, to be directed by Bill Condon. Loving the Silent Tears For Loving the Silent Tears, the acclaimed Mr. Henry Krieger set Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry from Silent Tears to a powerful tune that closes Act One. It was orchestrated by Emmy winner Doug Katsaros and performed in English and Russian by Tony winner Kiril Kulish. In this lively number, titled “The World Is a Whirlpool,” the unique rhythm in orchestral color was warmly evocative and magnetic. As Playbill noted in the past, Mr. Krieger is able to take various "styles and feed them through a genuine theatrical sensibility."
Then, as the last stop of the spiritual journey in Act Two of the musical, the mystical “Enlightenment” was superbly presented as a duet by Tony-nominated actress/singer Patti Cohenour (as the main character Joy) and Aulacese pop star Hồ Quỳnh Hương (representing her homeland). It was another marvelously written piece from Mr. Krieger. The melodic and effortlessly flowing dance tune gave a sense of harmony and the attainment of enlightenment in unexpectedly easy ways, as the poet described: “But I tell you: / I reached awakening in the middle of my night sleep. / In a plastic tent! / In the heart of a noisy holiday resort.” Indeed, with Loving the Silent Tears, Mr. Krieger deftly translated poetic sentiments into appealing musical tunes, which will be long remembered by delighted audience members.
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One of Broadway’s most esteemed musical directors and composers, Tony and Emmy Award-winning Don Pippin has worked on some of Broadway’s most well-known musicals such as Mame, A Chorus Line, Oliver!, and La Cage aux Folles. For over a decade, Mr. Pippin served as music director of New York’s famed Radio City Music Hall. He has led London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in The Music of Jerry Herman, and the National Symphony Orchestra for Jerry Herman’s Broadway, in homage to his longtime Broadway collaborator. Mr. Pippin has also collaborated with such great singers as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Julie Andrews, as well as movie stars like Rita Hayworth, Ginger Rogers, and Doris Day. In 2011, Don Pippin joined four other esteemed Broadway and Hollywood composers in scoring the musical, The Real Love, which was inspired by Supreme Master Ching Hai’s life story and based its lyrics on her poetry. Attending the sold-out world premiere in Pasadena, California, USA, a cheerful Mr. Pippin had said, “It has been a new experience in my life because I never have the opportunity to work with such beautiful words to set to music like Supreme Master Ching Hai’s. She is so beautiful, what she writes, and it inspires music.” Mr. Pippin thus gladly welcomed the opportunity to compose for Loving the Silent Tears, saying that it was a great honor to do so. Mr. Pippin composed the opening song, “Never Set Foot,” as well as the song for the Italy scene, titled “Initiation,” both with lyrics based on Supreme Master’s poems from her brilliant collection, Silent Tears. “This time I did the opening number, which was really marvelous,” he shared. “And I must say that the arrangement and the way it was done was so thrilling, to see it work. Last year I wrote the opening number. So I seem to have become the opening number writer. But the thing I really loved writing was the Italian number for Mark Janicello. He’s brilliant. I went on YouTube and I saw many of his things and heard him sing. So I felt I really knew his voice. So it was wonderful to write for that voice.” Acclaimed Italian tenor and principal cast member Mark Janicello expressed his admiration and appreciation of Mr. Pippin on several occasions, saying that Mr. Pippin’s composition fit his voice “like a glove.” Mr. Janicello expressed, “I’ve got four-and-a-half octaves, and I sing everything from pop to Elvis to Lady Gaga. And he [Don Pippin] just duplicated what I can do and how I communicate, and he put all of it into this amazing song. The song was written to my voice, it’s beautiful. It does everything that I do best. And I can only say, Don, thank you so much.” During his creative process of composing for Loving the Silent Tears, composer Don Pippin wrote down his impressions of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry. The following are excerpts:
For the glorious operatic song “Initiation,” Mr. Pippin highlighted the power and clarity of Mr. Janicello’s voice through an impressive melody. He also paid particular attention to cultural detail, with the intro featuring the serenading strums of a mandolin – reminiscent of a quaint Italian scene.
“The thing amazing about her poems,” said the distinguished composer, “[is] you cannot just read through it once and say, ‘Oh, well, that’s nice,’ or ‘that’s this.’ You have to really read them different times, when you’re in a different mood, because you’ll get a different feeling about it each time. The opening number particularly, her humor is so strong in that. And then she can become so deep in her thought process. The lady is fantastic.” Both humor and profound meaning indeed are seen in the first two lines of “Never Set Foot,” as well:
Mr. Pippin revealed that while setting the poem “Never Set Foot” to music, he decided to start over after receiving more inspiration:
When the musical’s much anticipated world premiere finally took place, Supreme Master Television sought a few words with Mr. Pippin to find out his reaction to the show. “It would take two hours for me to tell you!” He beamed. “It deals with not only peace in general, but inner peace. So it really has a lot to offer. … It was so wonderful. It was thrilling. Visually, it’s such a feast of… It’s amazing! And how the actors learned to do all of that so fast…! It was a little rehearsal actually for a major show, and it was thrilling.” Mr. Pippin also commented on the work of the dancing members of the cast, saying, “The whole thing is really a dance concert with songs and with principals doing roles. The dancers are brilliant!” Finally, when the conversation turned to the possibility of another new musical, Mr. Pippin’s candid reply was: “We never know from year to year.”
He then added, “But I have a feeling you have not heard the last of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poems. I hope to be back soon.”
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Loving the Silent Tears She has been called the “best-kept secret in Hollywood,” “master of less is more,” and “a storyteller without words.” Grammy winner and seven-time Emmy nominee Nan Schwartz is also lauded as a pioneer of women composers. Ms. Schwartz, who first pursued a career in television production, later began private studies to achieve her secret ambition: film scoring. Utilizing her lifelong devotion to music and her experience studying piano and singing professionally, she has accomplished a very successful career that has included scoring and/or orchestrating music for countless memorable films and television series, such as In the Heat of the Night, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hollows, Part 1, and Uptown Girls. Other highlights include Grammy-nominated arrangements for John Williams and the Boston Pops Orchestra, Ray Charles, famous jazz musicians, and more. Among her many accolades is a Grammy Award for her arrangements for Natalie Cole. Ms. Schwartz has made a unique mark in all musical venues – themes, songs, episodic television, and film. She has earned a sterling reputation as a world-class composer. Following is an excerpt from Supreme Master TV’s interview with Ms. Schwartz about her thoughts on her music, career, and involvement with Loving the Silent Tears as one of the esteemed composers. Question: You’ve had a lifelong devotion to music that partly comes from both your parents, both of them were accomplished musicians. They worked with Frank Sinatra, Tommy Dorsey, Judy Garland, Henry Mancini, Sonny and Cher, for example. Musically, who have influenced you the most in your career as a composer? Nan Schwartz: At a very early age, I was doing a lot of singing as a child, and I was called to do a television show with this new composer from France. His name was Michel Legrand and he wrote “Umbrellas of Cherbourg” and many other beautiful songs. And he gave me a sense of harmony and melody that I think is still with me today in my music. Question: You are one of the illustrious composers writing the music for the new musical, Loving the Silent Tears. How do you feel about being part of this exciting new production? Nan Schwartz: The Supreme Master was new to me, and her teachings and her philosophies. But as I delved into her lyrics, I realized I was part of some large force of positive and goodness in the world. This is the coming together of music in the name of a good purpose, a higher purpose, a spiritual purpose, and I am always seeking films that have a higher purpose, that bring out the best in people, that have a good message. And it’s hard to find projects that are this way, because commercial music and commercial films and commercial television sometimes don’t dwell on these realms of spirituality or positiveness. This project really did. And it was a way for me to bring my philosophy and my gratitude for my life in a project that could use my talents. It was a great symbiosis. Question: Can you tell us about the music that you’re composing for Loving the Silent Tears? Nan Schwartz: Each piece that I wrote for Loving the Silent Tears was written for a different part of the world. One was for Ireland, one was for France, and one was for Africa. And so each was a different challenge to try to write music that encapsulates the flavor of the country, utilizing the Supreme Master’s lyrics. So, I wanted to bring some form and some architecture to the song so that the melodies would be memorable and people could relate to them and maybe subconsciously hum them later or think about them or like them. The Ireland piece, I used a Celtic harp and a tin whistle and the voice that I’m writing for is a very high voice, à la (in the style of) Enya. And the African voice is Jody Watley, and that’s got three back-up singers to be a chorus to sort of support her in their singing and using African percussion. And the France piece, I used an accordion in that, and the lyrics, they start sort of downbeat and questioning and then they turn into something triumphant and big. I decided to make that into sort of a big moment and that became kind of a Broadway-esque kind of piece. Question: What process do you go through to create the music? Nan Schwartz: At times I would find a structure and start singing in my head how I thought the words would rhythmically go, and then I could find a melody that went with that. And then from there, I could develop a harmony behind it and develop chords. And of course, knowing that I was going to incorporate these ethnic instruments into the piece, I had them on my synthesizer palette to play with. And so, I could put a background in and then kind of sing over that and work from there. Question: I read that a composer’s real job is to try to bring emotion to life through music. Did you have to do this for Loving the Silent Tears? Nan Schwartz: With these poems, there was plenty of emotion built into the lyrics because they’re all very emotional in terms of their content and in terms of their speaking to a higher power about how she or he feels. One of them is “Accept Me the Way I Am” which was written for France. That was quite emotional because the lyrics are pleading with this force, “You’ve given me so many tasks to deal with and I’m so challenged. And please accept me,” and the emotion is right there. “Accept Me the Way I Am” was the last song which I tackled, and so perhaps it’s the strongest emotionally, because the engines were running and all revved up by the time I got to that song. But the lyrics themselves are very passionate. They say, “O Master of heaven and earth / Lord of infinite Love / High above all sorrows and pleasures / You own my very heart!” That is such a beautiful message that we all feel, and I feel personally. “Wouldn’t You accept me the way I am / Your hard tests are difficult to pass!” There are life challenges all the time for all of us, but in particular, this lyric is like a plea to a higher force, to accept me the way I am. And there is so much emotion in that, and it was probably the most dramatic of the three songs that I wrote. Question: Supreme Master Ching Hai has a peace slogan, which is “Be Vegan, Make Peace.” She believes that peace begins with each one of us, and that we should look at our lifestyles and bring peace to our lives by spreading peace to others, including the animals. Could you share your thoughts on peace? Nan Schwartz: I know that everybody is going through something, and everybody might have a reason for being difficult to deal with out on a highway, or in a store, or in crossing my path. Everyone has a story, and everyone’s going through something and probably much worse than whatever I’m going through. And so I always try to take the high road and offer peace and love and understanding to people, and hope, so that one little small step reverberates and is passed onto the next person, the next person, the next person. Hopefully all of us together being peaceful and vegan will be able to change the world, one person at a time.
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Loving the Silent Tears Greatly accomplished in both Broadway and Hollywood, Oscar and 2-time Grammy-winning composer David Shire has made outstanding musical contributions in theatre, film, and television. He was also one of the esteemed composers of Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical. About the Composer Mr. Shire received an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “It Goes Like It Goes” from the film Norma Rae. He won two Grammy Awards for his original music for Saturday Night Fever. His more than 100 film scores include those for The Conversation with Gene Hackman, All the President’s Men starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, and Zodiac with Jake Gyllenhaal. Moreover, David Shire’s songs have been performed and recorded by stars including Barbra Streisand, Melissa Manchester, Julie Andrews, and Billy Preston and Syreeta (“With You I’m Born Again”), to name a few. On Broadway, Mr. Shire has had a fruitful partnership with celebrated lyricist Richard Maltby, Jr. Through the collaboration, Mr. Shire composed for acclaimed musicals such as Baby (whose cast included Loving the Silent Tears star Liz Callaway) and Big (based on the movie starring Tom Hanks). Both Big and Baby garnered Mr. Shire Tony nominations for Best Score. Off-Broadway shows for which he has composed include the Grammy-nominated Starting Here, Starting Now and Closer Than Ever, which won the Outer Critics Circle Award and even as of 2012 ran in a successful revival in New York. Meanwhile, his work for notable television programs has earned Mr. Shire five Emmy Award nominations. In more recent years, the brilliant composer has come to know about Supreme Master Ching Hai, and has set her poetry to music on a number of occasions. The first was for Supreme Master Television’s 4th Anniversary Concert, “Gifting Peace.” Mr. Shire composed two poignant art songs based on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s verses, “For the Afternoon Walk” and “A Lonesome Night,” which were performed by his friend, the multi-platinum singer Melissa Manchester. At the time, he expressed his admiration of the poet, as well as spiritual teacher, humanitarian, and artist, saying: “I’m familiar with her spiritual teachings and with her poetry, but I know that she is involved in all these other pursuits. And I’m always in awe of so-called renaissance human beings. I think it’s probably because of the largeness of the Supreme Master’s soul that she has the kind of largeness of artistic temperament.”
David Shire: We’ve written three songs together now. Supreme Master Ching Hai: I can’t believe you did that in a couple of days. You genius you. (laughter) You’re a genius, you know that? (David Shire: Oh, no.) Not just Oscar winner, but you’re a genius! Wrote just like that? David Shire: Monday I rolled around under the piano because I didn't think I could write anything. And Tuesday morning, I picked a poem. And by Tuesday afternoon, it was done. Wednesday, she rehearsed it. And here I am in Cancún. Supreme Master Ching Hai: Even a miracle takes longer than that. David Shire: Well, you must have sent me some energy. Supreme Master Ching Hai: You made a miracle. You know, we humans are powerful. Just have to believe it, and you can do anything. You come here tonight, that’s helping the planet. David Shire: Thank you. Supreme Master Ching Hai: Thanks to you. I love you so much. David Shire: Thank you. You’re wonderful.
Supreme Master Ching Hai: God bless you.
The following year, Mr. Shire was one of the five distinguished composers of the new musical The Real Love, with lyrics based on poems by Supreme Master Ching Hai. The Broadway veteran composer shared, “It’s a unique experience because, I’ve written a lot of musicals, but this, none of us knew what the other ones were doing. The only common denominator was the script and the Supreme Master’s wonderful work. And it was a wonderful experience to come and see a musical that just was suddenly there, (laughs) and was quite amazing.” Loving the Silent Tears Mr. Shire was glad to join the second musical production inspired by Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry, Loving the Silent Tears. “Singing Praise,” with its setting in Korea, was one of the two songs he composed. With its purely spiritual verses telling of the Master’s “boundless Grace,” Mr. Shire created a song that resonated with an Eastern mystic spirituality. He ingeniously gave the piece characteristics of a deeply contemplative Korean traditional song, by asking that it be sung “freely, with appropriate vocal embellishment” and that the ethnic flute be weaved in as well. As a whole, a perfect harmony was achieved amongst the song, the elegant costumes, gently falling snow, graceful dance by the ensemble, and vocals by the Korean singers, Brian Joo and Heather Park. Showing such ease moving from one style to another, Mr. Shire composed a completely different kind of number for “Monkey Mind,” a fast-paced song befitting both the vibrantly imagistic and heartfelt lyrics as well as the exciting setting of the wild Australian outback. Added was an interlude with the airy didgeridoo, an Aboriginal Australian instrument. The song was performed by Emmy-winning and Tony-nominated singer/actress Liz Callaway, who said, “The music is fantastic. David Shire is one of my favorite composers of all time. The fact that I’m doing his music just makes me so happy.” Through his marvellous contributions to Loving the Silent Tears as all his musical creations and positive works, the remarkable Mr. Shire is, as Supreme Master Ching Hai said, making musical miracles for the good of our planet.
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A rare and eclectic artist, Vincent Paterson is a highly sought-after director and legendary choreographer whose accomplishments span the worlds of Broadway, opera, concert tours, film, music videos, television shows, and commercials. The brilliant Mr. Paterson has been known as a key creative energy source in the careers of Michael Jackson and Madonna, collaborating with each of them for many years. He had been a prominent dancer in two of Michael Jackson’s most famous music videos. He explained, “I danced in ‘Beat It.’ I was one of the lead gang leaders in ‘Beat It.’ I was also assistant choreographer and a zombie in ‘Thriller.’ I did that, you know. [Shows the zombie dance moves from ‘Thriller’] (laughs) So I got to know Michael really well.” Mr. Paterson went on to create what would be the King of Pop’s all-time classic “Smooth Criminal” music video. In the years to come, Vincent Paterson also directed and choreographed Michael Jackson’s “Bad” world tour, as well as a number of his other most memorable performances. For Madonna, he directed/choreographed one of her world tours and the famous performance of “Vogue” at the MTV Awards, and choreographing her “Express Yourself” video, among many other projects. Leaving his mark in Broadway theatre, Mr. Paterson received a Tony Award nomination for his choreography of Kiss of the Spider Woman, collaborating with renowned Broadway producer/director Hal Prince. His choreography and/or directing work have been seen as far as on London’s West End (Lenny for director Sir Peter Hall), in Germany for Berlin’s first original production of the musical Cabaret, and in Prague, Czech Republic (Gulliver’s Travels). More recently, he wrote and directed Cirque Du Soleil’s “Viva ELVIS” show. Equally at ease in opera, he directed and choreographed Massenet’s Manon with soprano Anna Netrebko and Plácido Domingo as conductor. He was nominated for Best Television Arts Program at the Montreux Film Festival for directing Anna Netrebko: The Woman, The Voice. Meanwhile, in the film industry, Mr. Paterson also has choreography credits that include the Oscar-winning musical film Evita starring Madonna, and movies of acclaimed directors such as Steven Spielberg (Hook starring Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams), Sydney Pollack (Havana starring Robert Redford), Mike Nichols (The Birdcage), and Lars Von Trier (Dancer in the Dark starring Björk). In addition to work on over 250 television commercials, Mr. Paterson directed and choreographed the TNT special In Search of Dr. Seuss, for which he received an Emmy nomination and five ACE Award nominations. Another Emmy nomination was earned for his choreography in HBO’s Comic Relief VII. In 2008, he appeared as a judge on the reality TV talent search show, Step It Up and Dance. Explaining his remarkable versatility across the art forms, Mr. Paterson shared, “I had my first dance class when I was 24 years old. So, I had had another whole life before that, that didn’t involve dance. So my interests were varied. I was as much interested in opera as I was MTV. And I think having the knowledge of how to choreograph as well as how to direct, and having studied acting for many, many years and been an actor for a while, it opened a lot of different doors, because I could relate to dancers, I could relate to actors, I could relate to singers. And I think that having that kind of knowledge afforded me these unbelievable opportunities in a gamut of genres.” As the director of Loving the Silent Tears, he masterfully carried out a beautiful vision of humanity and peace that involved presenting the profound poetry of Supreme Master Ching Hai through an all-star cast and elevating songs, along with the cultures of 16 countries represented in soul-stirring dances. On the red carpet prior to the premiere of Loving the Silent Tears, he happily affirmed, “We always do the best we can. You never know how the audience reacts, but it seemed that last night the audience loved it so much that this afternoon I’m meeting with all of the stars to tell them that if they keep on applauding, ‘You’ve got to come back and [do] one more bow.”
I majored in drama actually, theatre. I had nothing to do with dance. I used to pass by on my way to work a little dance studio all the time, and I would peek in and I would see the kids in there dancing and stuff. And I was about 23 years old. And finally one day I thought, “You know what? I’m a theatre person. I don’t exercise. I don’t do that much. Let me go in and see if I should maybe take a dance class.” So they didn’t have adult dance classes. And the woman was very sweet and she said, “If you’d like, you could come in and take with the young adults.” And that was kids that were like 11 to 15 years old. I studied very, very hard, and four years intensive training. I auditioned for nine months for everything I could. Never got a job. And finally broke through, and then my dancing career kind of took off. I did everything from touring the world with Shirley MacLaine, to doing commercials. I loved dancing, but I felt that I had more of an affinity for being the sculptor rather than the clay. I was fortunate enough in the very beginning. It was the early stages of music videos. So they called and said, “Would you like to try some choreography on Van Halen or David Lee Roth or something like this?” And I said, “Yeah, sure, I’d love to do that kind of thing.” So I tried it and I really loved it. And that’s sort of how it all began. I collaborated with Michael Jackson for 17 years. Last night actually I went to a private screening [of the documentary Michael Jackson: BAD25] at Sony. The “Bad” tour was Michael Jackson’s first solo tour. Prior to that I had done a few wonderful projects with him. He called me and asked me if I would conceive and create a video for him to a song called “Smooth Criminal.” And then I did one for “The Way You Make Me Feel,” and multiple other pieces that were in his short film, Moonwalker. And then his first tour came up, and he asked me if I would direct it and choreograph it. And I did. And that was the “Bad” tour. But I went on to work with him for many, many years after that, creating performances for him on the Grammys or on the Super Bowl, a couple of commercials for Japan. The last thing that I did with him was at the end of the ‘90s, and I directed and choreographed a video that became number one around the world. I always make notations about things that excite me or something that inspires me, or a new thought. And I not only bring that into the choreography, but in directing and in the conceptions that I come up with, and what I create. In terms of choreography, Michael told me early on, he gave me a beautiful thought. He said, “Don’t try to impose your ideas on the music, let the music talk to you and tell you what it wants to be.” So as a choreographer that’s what I’ve always done. I’ve spent a long time with the music in my head, in headphones. I just sit back and let it sort of flow over me like a meditation. And then those vague and abstract concepts start to take physical shape when I get into a studio. The largest group that I’ve ever given any direction to was when I choreographed the Superbowl for Michael Jackson (“We Are the World”). And I had to talk to all of the people at the Superbowl, in the stadium, because we did a card trick. … Michael loved children, and so one of the things we did was we had all of the people in the audience begin to hold up these cards, and as they went around the whole entire stadium, it turned into a chain of almost paper cut-outs of little children holding hands. That would have been the greatest mass of people. And what is that, 50,000 people or something? I don’t even know. (laughs) Madonna was also another wonderful creative being whom I had the opportunity to work with for many years. I think about 12 or 13 years. I worked on a Pepsi commercial. It was a historical piece; it was a three-and-a-half-minute commercial; it was the longest commercial that had ever been done. And I was asked to choreograph it. And that’s when I met her. She didn’t really want a choreographer when I arrived, and I was a little embarrassed about that. The director had brought me in. But I decided, “Okay, let me work with these kids that are in the background, these dancers.” And I started to play with them, and one day I was working with them and they were all facing me, and I see them sort of slowly stop. And I’m thinking, what are they stopping for? I’m standing here in front of them and telling them what to do. And I turned around, and there was Madonna. And she kind of had on a big robe and kind of fuzzy bunny slippers, and her hair in curlers. And she said, “What are you doing?” And I said, “Don’t worry, I’m not choreographing anything for you, I’m not doing anything for you. I’m just working here with the background stuff.” And she goes, “No, I like it! I’m going to go change, let me learn what this is.” So that’s kind of how it began. We got along really, really well. And I went from that to then choreographing a video for her called “Express Yourself.” And then, she asked me to choreograph and direct the “Blond Ambition” tour. I think I was the only director/choreographer that she’s ever used to do the entire show myself. All the other shows that she’s done after that, she’s hired like five or six or seven different choreographers. So I thought that was a nice feather on my cap. I enjoyed that. Then I did the movie Evita for her, which was a really fun event. I’ve done a lot of other projects with her, Academy Awards, other things, but you know, it all kind of becomes a big blur after a while! (laughs) I was approached by Cirque du Soleil to create a dance show for them. And so I worked with them for a few years, creating the piece, writing the piece. It was about Elvis Presley. So it closes at the end of August, and over a million people have gone to the show. And I really enjoyed having the opportunity to work with acrobats. I’d never done anything like that before. I like to always be challenged. I always like to try something that I’ve not done before. I got a call from Hal Prince, and he was doing a musical, Kiss of the Spider Woman. Terrence McNally had written it and John Kander and Fred Ebb had done the music. And he wanted to know if I was interested in choreographing it. It was a very strange request for me, because one day Hal Prince called; the next day Michael Jackson called and asked if I would direct his next tour. And I had to decide between Michael Jackson or doing Broadway. Well, I’d already done Michael Jackson and I’d already done Madonna, and so I’d done two hugely successful concert pieces. The “Bad” tour broke three Guinness World Records. It was the largest audience that had ever attended a live concert. It was the largest amount of shows that were ever done at Wembley Stadium, and I can’t remember what the third one was. So I thought, “You know what, I’ve done two concerts now. I’ve never done Broadway.” And if I’m going to do it, who better to work for than Hal Prince – the “Prince of Broadway,” John Kander, and Terrence McNally? I also had the wonderful opportunity of working with Chita Rivera who starred in it. In terms of directing this project, Loving the Silent Tears, I liked the idea of it. I liked the idea of having a show like this and what’s behind it. I thought, “Oh, this won’t be difficult,” because it was first presented to me almost as a revue. It was poems that had been created into songs and dances that would accompany them. As we went on, it got bigger and bigger and bigger so that it then became a story attached to the songs. And the cast went from one size to a bigger size to a bigger size to a bigger size. So now we’re talking about something that’s fairly close to almost a cast of a hundred when you figure the orchestra and the principals and the ensemble and the two extra companies that we’re bringing in. I think we might even be going over the cast of a hundred. So, from the first conversation to today, we’ve really expanded this project. We’re literally circling the globe with this project. The show visits 16 different countries, so to speak. How do we do that? Well, we came up with a device. We’re creating a train that’s sort of a train of spiritual enlightenment. While we’re in the reality of the action and the drama that transpires between two people, guided by a third, we go to these moments where something that they’re discussing, even in a very vague sense, materializes, or is appropriately sung about in these beautiful poem songs. It’s deep enough that it has a resonance to it, and I think it’s all interwoven beautifully now. They’re beautiful poetic prayers that have been set to music. It’s beautiful sentiments. I’ve read these poems, I think they’re beautiful. But we wanted to have some narrative that would thinly weave these together. So I had suggested, maybe it’s a story about someone older and someone younger, and they’re both going through problems, seeking some kind of enlightenment, which is what most of the poems are about. And they somehow have conflict with each other, and the resolution of that conflict brings them back to a place where they’re open to step forward in their spiritual life once again. The scope of this project for the amount of time is almost an impossibility. I think, “Oh, well, everybody thinks we’re going to do it, so we’re going to do it. We all have faith so let’s just jump in and make the thing happen.” We have three weeks to create something like 22 dances as well as all of these scenes that pull all of these pieces together. It’s a massive amount of work in a very, very limited amount of time. I had the first production meeting the other day, and I went through the script and talked through sets and sound effects and costumes and things like this. It’s a mammoth, vast production for the amount of time allotted. You come into a new project, you meet new people, it’s new energy, it’s exciting, people come with fresh ideas. I know Jody Watley is going to sing. I know that Jon Secada is going to sing. I know that Black Uhuru is going to do the Jamaican section. And they’re all very, very talented on the world stage. As for the dancing cast, I’m absolutely blown away, because the project that I did for Cirque du Soleil is closing at the end of this month, and we were fortunate enough to have some of the most amazing dancers who exist in the United States. And the majority of them are now going to come over and do this project with us. Most of the creatives are new to me. Our set designer and our lighting/projection designer are two gentlemen whom I’ve known of for a long time and have respected their work for a long time but never had had the joy to collaborate with. It should absolutely be a magical evening. They’re going to hear great music. They’re going to see great dancing. It will be a wonderful evening of theatre. You have a fun time; beautiful costumes, great sets to look at. So all of that I think is one reason to come, but also, I think there’s some beautiful messages here, about enlightenment and self-realization, and that’s always nice to hear, and that’s always a nice reminder to have throughout life.
An Interview with Vincent Paterson on Saigon Radio Hải Ngoại
Radio Host Mộng Lan: Mr. Vincent Paterson, It’s an honor for me to be talking with you today. Vincent Paterson: Oh, thank you. Well, first of all, it’s an honor to do this interview, Mộng Lan. It’s wonderful, and I’m so excited that so many people are listening and are excited about the show. Radio Host Mộng Lan: The poetry, is that from Supreme Master Ching Hai? Vincent Paterson: These are her beautiful poetry that some wonderful composers in the United States have taken and made into incredible songs. Radio Host Mộng Lan: So Mr. Paterson, do you happen to know Supreme Master Ching Hai before the show was being put into place? Vincent Paterson: No, it’s my introduction to the entire organization. It’s the first time I know anything about them. And I think it’s terrific. The beautiful things that they stand for, being vegan and world peace, and to try to find out the reasons to stop global warming - I mean, these are all things that I believe in very strongly. So it’s wonderful to be participating in something with a group of people who feel so strong in their heart that it’s important to try to change the world and make the world a better place for everybody. And especially animals, I love animals so much. Radio Host Mộng Lan: It’s an honor for the Vietnamese community to welcome you into our community. Vincent Paterson: Speaking of the Vietnamese community, I have fallen in love with Hồ Quỳnh Hương, who is here working with us. And she is so incredible, she is so sweet. Radio Host Mộng Lan: Mr. Vincent Paterson, you’re going to be in collaboration with the top artists with 15 Grammy Awards, 4 Oscars, 3 Tonys, 6 Emmys. I understand that you can be very busy because they are top performers in the world and from six continents, right? Vincent Paterson: Oh absolutely. The exciting part is when you hear this wonderful… We’ve been listening to recordings on tape to create this piece. And the last two days, the performers have come in and sung live while the dancers are dancing. And everyone just danced around and said, “Oh my God, I have goosebumps on my flesh because it’s so exciting to hear beautiful voices in person.” And it’s really going to be an incredible event.
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| Special Reports: In-Depth Coverage of Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical
In-Depth with the Artists and Creative Team
The Creative Team
In-Depth with
Loving the Silent Tears
Choreographer Bonnie Story is no stranger to large-scale, elaborate productions. She won the Emmy Award for the much-loved dance scenes in High School Musical 1, 2 and 3. These mega-hit movies were seen by hundreds of millions around the globe, setting new movie records, and involved up to 2,000 extras in a scene. Ms. Story also served as co-choreographer for the jaw-dropping opening and closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics, halftime shows for the gigantic Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl stadiums, and more recently, Cirque du Soleil’s dance extravaganza, “Viva ELVIS.” One of her next spectacular projects was the musical Loving the Silent Tears, which called for dances to represent 16 distinct cultures – in effect making the global journey come alive, all on one stage. And Ms. Story, once again, expertly rose to the challenge. She had been brought on board by the musical’s director and her cherished mentor, the esteemed Vincent Paterson, as they had worked together at Cirque du Soleil (Mr. Paterson was the writer/director) and in other projects over many years. In fact, one of Ms. Story’s first collaborations with Mr. Paterson was when she was a dancer in Michael Jackson’s famous “Smooth Criminal” music video, for which Mr. Paterson was the creator and choreographer. “‘Smooth Criminal’ was probably one of the most incredible experiences of my entire life,” Ms. Story recalled. “Michael was amazing! He was so brilliant and trusted Vincent very much. So it was an incredible time to work with Michael. It was a privilege and I learned so much theatrically on these jobs watching Vincent work with Michael.” Bonnie Story described her approach to Loving the Silent Tears as follows: “For me, it’s a journey through all these beautiful poems. I think they are beautiful and universal; you don’t have to be a certain kind of person to relate to these. The dancers, they’re the paint that I get to paint with and that Vincent gets to direct. They get to make the story come alive for people.” Ms. Story said that the 26-member main dance ensemble for Loving the Silent Tears included “some of the top dancers in L.A. and New York; a lot of dancers that both Vincent and I used in the ‘Elvis’ production – so we kind of get to do a little reunion, which we are really excited about. We have three ballroom dancers who have won all kinds of huge ballroom awards around the world. The dancers are going to play a huge part of the overall picture.” Much of Ms. Story’s success as a choreographer can be attributed to her innate love of storytelling which began with childhood productions involving family and neighbors, and an early career as a dancer which she embarked on after winning a scholarship to study ballet at the University of Utah. A principal dancer with dance companies including Ballet West, Ms. Story eventually made her way to L.A. where her career as a choreographer was launched. She shared, “I think it's really valuable when as a choreographer, as you remember how it was to be a dancer, how it was to be in rehearsal, you know, ten hours, you can have empathy for the dancers.” In turn, the dancers she works with, including for this production, express their appreciation for Ms. Story. “Bonnie is just such a light,” said dancer and Loving the Silent Tears ensemble member Ivorie Jenkins. “It is always a pleasure to work with her, because she is happy and she keeps morale up, no matter what she is asking us to do.” Through Ms. Story’s skillful choreography and her dedicated team of dancers, a rich tapestry of dance was woven with routines representing the traditions of France, South Korea, Brazil, USA, Australia, China, Russia, Cuba, Italy, Ireland, Iran, Israel, Arab region, and Âu Lạc. Grasping the unique essence and beauty of the world’s dance traditions was a role Ms. Story took seriously, as she went through extensive research: “It was difficult at first, because I didn't want any of them to look the same, and I just wanted to make sure I was very respectful to each country. And so I studied. I did a lot of research, so I think each one had its own special style.” Ms. Story, whose task was also to reflect Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poems in each number, said, “In some ways it was a little daunting because you want to make sure you bring out the deep thoughts of [the poetry]. But it was really beautiful, really beautiful. So it was very much my honor to do it.” Meanwhile, the choreographer expressed her enthusiasm about working with the international cast, whose movements needed to coordinate with those of the dancers: “They’re all brilliant, my goodness! I just love the experience of working with so many different kinds of artists from different countries and different backgrounds. Very seldom do you get this opportunity. When do you do this? You just never get this!” On the red carpet, she said, “We saw the dress rehearsal last night, and I’m really pleased. I’m really excited how each piece came out and I think it really represents each country quite well, so I’m excited. It’s visually really pretty – and really fun!” Speaking to Supreme Master Television directly after the performance, Ms. Story summed up the palpable feeling of excitement: “The dancers and the actors, everybody was so good, and everybody came and did their very, very best!” As the event commemorated the 19th Anniversary of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day, Ms. Story saw Supreme Master Ching Hai as the event’s source of inspiration, not only as a poet but also a humanitarian and peace advocate. The choreographer had these final words of appreciation for the poet whose soul-stirring words she helped bring to life through her expansive talent and creative artistry: “I just want to thank her [Supreme Master Ching Hai] for all the many wonderful things and the humanitarian things that she has done throughout the world. I feel very respectful of that. I think that the whole organization does so many amazing humanitarian projects and they promote the right things. They promote peace. They promote unity. I see all these countries on stage at one time, and I just it’s overwhelming. It’s very touching, and we all are showing how we feel through art together. It’s an amazing thing.”
Thoughts on the Choreographer
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| Special Reports: In-Depth Coverage of Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical
In-Depth with the Artists and Creative Team
The Creative Team In-Depth with
Loving the Silent Tears John Iacovelli has designed over 300 theatre productions across the US. He won a prestigious Emmy Award for the A&E broadcast version of Broadway’s Peter Pan starring Tony nominee Cathy Rigby. He has been honored with the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Lifetime Achievement Award, 14 Drama-Logue Awards, the Bay Area Drama Critics Circle Award, and Backstage West Garland Award. Always on the innovative front of integrated digital art direction, he has designed extensively for film and television, including as art director on Honey, I Shrunk the Kids! and The Cosby Show; supervising art director for Telemundo Network’s West Coast operations; and production designer for The Wild West and National Lampoon, among others. Some of his other credits are NBC’s The Book of Daniel, the syndicated TV show Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and TNT’s Babylon 5, as well as industrial designs for NASA, Disney World, and for the Atlanta Olympics. One of the master scenic designer’s most recent projects was, in his own words, “a unique challenge,” that is, creating an exciting world (literally!) for Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical.
Q: You designed the fantastic 1999 revival of Peter Pan. Then you were honored in 2001 with an Emmy Award for your art direction of the A&E broadcast of Peter Pan. John Iacovelli: In my career, I’ve been very lucky to work on a Broadway musical that was iconographic in the Broadway kind of idea. And Peter Pan that I designed with Cathy Rigby, which was Tony-nominated, that is one of those shows that you think that it’s a magical place. You know, that was a surprise in a way, winning an Emmy for Peter Pan because Peter Pan, let’s face it, was a Broadway show that went on tour. I was very lucky that year…. I was up against a Cirque du Soleil show, and The Grammys and The Oscars, and I feel what set Peter Pan apart was again the storytelling. It was a great honor and I feel that it was a great thing for me because it was the intersection of my two careers in theatre and in television. And it was like a theatre thing that then got a television award. How weird is that, but how wonderful! Q: Tell us about some of your most interesting TV design work. John Iacovelli: I started on a TV show called Babylon 5 about 15 years ago now. It was a sci-fi show set in the future, and we were the first show to take advantage of computer-generated graphics and the idea of immersing characters into the backgrounds. Working on The Cosby Show was really fun. It really was the number one show at the time. The cast was so wonderful. I think that changed all of America and really the world. I mean, when I was in Mexico working on Honey, I Shrunk the Kids!, I remember looking at the television one time and it was a re-run of The Cosby Show, dubbed into Spanish… it was so universal. And that was the joy of working on that show and it was a beautiful show to work on. Q: It's said that production designers create dreams and exciting places. What do you think? John Iacovelli: Really, a lot of making those dreams is the practical. So it's sort of the marriage of taking the idea of the play or the show or the script, and trying to transport the audience into a magical or a new world. If it’s a written story, like in this case [of Loving the Silent Tears], it's a series of poems that are webbed together by kind of a wonderful journey. Q: What has it been like working on Loving the Silent Tears? John Iacovelli: Loving the Silent Tears is a unique challenge because the energy of the show is it’s a one-time event. And to get it right with only one shot, it’s hard. We started out with working with these beautiful poems. Vincent has taken the idea with the writers of a journey on a train. And it’s a kind of journey that is of the imagination and of a spiritual level. So what we’ve done is I’ve come up with a beautiful curvilinear set that things can glide on and glide off. We have a train car like maybe in that movie Hugo or in other fantasy movies where the train is not combined to the tracks. We have a beautiful curved shape for the opening, these feathery, kind of gauze portals, and a beautiful projectable screen in the back. Then also distilling down different cultures and ideas into something graphic – for example, the Chinese section will have big red lanterns – and things that are sort of emotionally tied to these different cultures. Q: That’s fascinating! Tell us more about the magical train. John Iacovelli: Style-wise, I took the old 19th century kind of steam locomotive and the 1930s sort of art modern, streamlined thing, kind of smooshed them together, a little bit of sci-fi thrown in there for the skeletal version of it, so that it should feel like this really cool train journey that you would want to take. Q: The musical is based on the poem collection, Silent Tears, by Supreme Master Ching Hai. Have you been drawing ideas or inspiration from the poetry? John Iacovelli: These are beautiful poems and that is the inspiration for the whole show. The cool thing about the poems is they do tell a journey. I think you go into this kind of dreamlike state in these poems, where they appeal to you on a deeper level than just reading them. I find every time I read them, it’s like, “Oh, I didn’t realize that.” So that’s good poetry, when poetry speaks to us on a level that is not surface. Q: The poet, Supreme Master Ching Hai, will also be honored at the musical’s world premiere for her worldwide humanitarian contributions. John Iacovelli: Supreme Master, and, for me, someone that sacrifices so much of their own personal life, I put them right up there with anyone in the great service of people, because basically they have taken their life and put it over to a greater good. And so for me that’s the message: is that we all can do that at a certain level. You know, I think that’s her message to me. It’s about how do you make the world a better place. I am really excited about the idea of getting to know these poems better and this teaching better, and I think that by being able to manifest it in this work of art, it will have a life after the show. And that’s what is going to be exciting.
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In-Depth with the Artists and Creative Team
The Creative Team In-Depth with
Loving the Silent Tears
The greatly talented Frank Evans co-wrote the Off-Broadway musical Abie’s Island Rose, named one of the ten best shows of the year 2000 by The Palm Beach Post. His musical version of Dinner at Eight garnered him the Jerry Bock Award. His Back Home, the War Brides Musical won the Spirit Award for Best New Work, as well as nominations for Best Lyrics and Best of Fest at The New York Musical Theatre Festival. Credits also include the musicals, Ravenswood, Nobody’s Perfect, and No Speed Limit, plus a number of notable plays such as the biographical Puma. Mr. Evans is on the faculty of the Tony-winning BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, and is producing director of Musical Mondays Theatre Lab in New York. He is currently completing the book and lyrics for a musical about the billionaire Howard Hughes.
Question: You were one of the writers of the book for The Real Love musical last year about Supreme Master Ching Hai’s life story. And now you’re working on more of the spiritual journey as written in her poetry collection, Silent Tears. Frank Evans: After The Real Love premiered last year, I was fortunate enough to receive a letter from Supreme Master, which I was so incredibly touched. But what I was touched most by was that she said, “Thank you for finding the humor in my character and putting it on stage,” and that meant so much to me, because we worked so hard to show that someone who you might think is so holy, is also a lot of fun. Question: How was it working on the Loving the Silent Tears project? Frank Evans: The compiling and putting together of this particular show was a small miracle. We were able to choose the poems and find the order they should be in and how to find a build in it in three days, and this has never happened before. Finding the bones of the piece, the structure and the skeleton, it just came like a gift. Question: Could you share your interpretation of the meaning of the “Master” that is referred to in the poetry collection Silent Tears? Frank Evans: In the poems, there are references to “Master,” and it’s quite clear that Supreme Master is not referring to herself. She’s referring to whatever It is that created this Earth, whatever force It is that allows the Earth to bear fruit, to bear grain, to have wonderful animals, to have all these diverse cultures, diverse music. And there’s someone, some Being, some Force, and that is the Master. And we need to recognize this, and we need to share a belief in this Force, this Deity that everyone shares. Question: Please tell us more about the title of the musical. Frank Evans: The one poem that was sort of the center… and the phrase is “Loving the silent tears,” and we said, “That’s the title of the show!” Tears are very strange gifts we’re given. It isn’t just for sadness. It’s for joy, and it’s for compassion, and when something moves you so much, [it’s] not because you’re sad, you’re just moved. And that’s what we’re trying to do with this show. Question: As a lyricist, please share with us the process of choosing the verses from the poetry collection so that they can be adapted into music. Frank Evans: In this particular collection of poems, what really jumped out at me were the wonderful rhythms, and they cry out to be sung. But on top of that, there’s some incredible word play, just the way that one word is juxtaposed to the other. Some of the poems just leapt out at me and they said these have to be songs. This song is called, “No Place for You.”
Oh what a great song! And sometimes you say the exact opposite of what you mean, and it comes across so clearly. Question: There is another song titled “Enlightenment” that is about a person reaching awakening in a plastic tent in a noisy holiday resort, while sleeping – rather than in the more expected manner of the great spiritual practitioners. Tell us more about that one. Frank Evans: Again, it leapt out. It said, “Oh, we’ve got to set this to music.” That poem is adorable. We never know when enlightenment is going to come to us, when a revelation is going to come to us. We never know when music is going to come to us. And I worked with one composer and she said: “Somehow the tunes are there in the air, and I have to pick them up and I have to write them out and then somebody has to sing them.” And it’s the same thing with the poems. They have to be read, they have to be sung, and people have to hear them. And that’s why there’s so much music involved in this. Question: Please tell us, what do you think will be the legacy of Loving the Silent Tears? Frank Evans: I forget which politician it was who said, “You think the countries are going to be remembered for the wars they’ve waged? No, it’s going to be because of the art and the culture which they leave behind.” And so we’re doing our small step with Loving the Silent Tears to reinforce this. This is what we leave behind. We leave behind the love, the good deeds, the art, the joy of music, the joy of song, the joy of dance, it goes beyond mere speaking, the joy of poetry. And I think more and more about how Supreme Master encourages the arts. If music and poetry can unite the world and the thoughts in here can unite the world, and a number of the theories and beliefs from Supreme Master can unite the world, oh what a better place we’d have.
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In-Depth with the Artists and Creative Team
The Creative Team
In-Depth with
Loving the Silent Tears
“I think I was almost born writing,” Cynthia Lewis Ferrell shared in an interview with Supreme Master Television. The international award-winning author, playwright, and librettist added, “I would dictate poetry to my father who would sit down and type it out for me. And then I’d illustrate it. I fell in love with consonants and vowels and the cadence and the rhythms and the beauty of the language. That’s just who I’ve always been.” Ms. Ferrell’s most recent works include El Canguro opera, sponsored by Herrenhaus Edenkoben and KUSC Radio, which debuted at 2011’s California International Theatre Festival. Furthermore, in 2012, National Geographic Traveler named her animated Santa’s Workshop at Callaway Gardens among the world’s ten best light shows. She has written and produced the music video Shermania! for Disney’s Destination: D, and performed her solo What a Wife Doesn’t Know to sold-out New York audiences. Her musicals include The Rightful Monarch of America with Tony winner Jeff Marx. Among Ms. Ferrell’s honored plays are 3DB Inside (Arts & Letters International Competition); Mean High Tide (Writer’s Digest International Competition); and Snapshoot (Jerome Lawrence Prize). Current projects include her novel, Rattler in the Ivy, and her newest play, Holy Cows of Oxnard. The poetic, vibrant storyteller is published by Doubleday NY. For Loving the Silent Tears, Ms. Ferrell wrote the narrative through line about the protagonists Joy, Pete, and the Conductor, whose story would interweave between the featured musical numbers that were based on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry. She said, “What interested me most in Loving the Silent Tears, honestly, was the poetry. The poetry is so beautiful and the message of the poetry, it’s so consistent throughout the piece and the nuances of it are gorgeous and it’s just so inspiring. It just makes you come to the project with a happy heart.” In the beginning, Ms. Ferrell found herself faced with a daunting task, which was to finish writing the libretto in a couple of weeks. She described this as “an impossible mission,” explaining, “Generally, it takes years to create a musical, it really does. Of course, we had such a leg up by having the lyrics already existing, and the basic philosophy, the underpinnings of the musical already pre-existing in this beautiful free-verse poetry. That being said, it still should take months and months to be able to really create characters, believable, intriguing, complex characters. It took short of two weeks. Creative collaboration can be tough and this was like a miracle. Everyone was on the same page, believing the same possibilities, knowing it could happen, watching it all come together and in these flowing colors; and just being open to the possibility, the probability, the reality, that it could happen that well, that fast, and be so much fun to put together.” Ms. Ferrell describes one of the serendipitous moments which occurred while working on the musical: “One of the most fun moments was when we had a conference call with the director, and he was instantly talking about how much dialogue was between songs, very happy to know that we’d constructed it the way we had, and then he was saying, ‘The Russian song should be the first act closer.’ And so we were going, ‘That is such a good idea.’ And of course round the table we’re all going, ‘Because we’d already had it that way.’ And it was just one of those marvelous moments where everyone was already thinking the same thing across all of these poems, all of the possible ways the characters could have been constructed. We were all so much on the same wavelength putting this together, it was really magical. It was truly a wonderful time. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” “The way I got inspiration for this piece is by reading the poems,” Ms. Ferrell said, describing how the story started to come to life for her with Joy, the bereaved mother; Pete, the brash young man; and the all-knowing Conductor, who helps to guide the two on a journey to finding their inner peace. “The philosophy and the flavor of the poetry, it informed everything. We wanted to keep the story simple, so that the poems could be that heartbeat behind it. And so it is a simple story, but a profound story, and I think I love that best.” As she began to write, she realized the underlying message of the entire piece: “‘Loving the silent tears’ as a concept runs like a heartbeat throughout the entire musical: the silent tears, the longing, the separation from God and then feeling the reunion and the joy of that reunion.” Ms. Ferrell added, “The poetry, of course, really spans Supreme Master Ching Hai’s philosophy, so that there are some songs that really talk about loving the animals. There are certain songs that talk about peace and conflict resolution. There are portions of the poetry that discuss celebrating yourself, celebrating life, celebrating God in all forms. And I think that’s the themes combined.” On the red carpet for the musical’s premiere, Cynthia enthused, “I’m absolutely thrilled. I saw the dress rehearsal last night, and it’s just astounding. All the work that everyone’s done! It’s just spectacular! I’m so happy.” Indeed, it was a collective happiness that was shared by all who viewed Loving the Silent Tears, which was a culmination of the beautiful poetry, soul-stirring music, and incredible talents of all involved.
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Following the world premiere of Loving the Silent Tears, Supreme Master Ching Hai wrote letters of appreciation to each person involved in the production of the musical – the radiant cast, eminent composers, and others in the brilliant creative team, magnificent orchestra, and dedicated crew – for their great devotion to the arts and the delight they bring to the world. Supreme Master Ching Hai also received heartfelt letters from the stars, creative team members, and composers expressing their gratitude for her poetry and humanitarian efforts. Here is a small sampling of these touching correspondences.
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Celebrating
Compassion:
Veganism, or living without harming other beings, has always been a part of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s way of advocating peace on Earth by example. As a humanitarian, she gives generously not only to humans, but to our animal friends, as well. Thus, the October Golden Year 9 (2012) premiere of Loving the Silent Tears, celebrating the 19th Anniversary of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day, highlighted not only the charitable spirit, but also the compassionate lifestyle. Here, we explore some of the ways that the event – all the way from the production rehearsals to the after-show VIP banquet – was one fabulous vegan celebration, inspiring audience members and artists alike. ‘All Love, All Forgive’ The musical itself featured a song about loving the animals, titled “All Love, All Forgive,” performed by legendary 2-time Grammy-winning artist Jon Secada. This song was based on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poems from Silent Tears and “Words from a Child” (The Dogs in My Life and The Birds in My Life). An excerpt of the verses reads:
In a statement, Mr. Secada described the songwriting experience as “inspirational,” saying, “I think the audience will find listening to the lyrics of the songs, which are from Supreme Master Ching Hai's poems, a transformative and enlightening experience.” With energetic dancing, Jon Secada’s performance, which was presented in both English and Spanish, won the audience’s enthusiastic applause. Veg in the Cast and Crew All four of Loving the Silent Tears’ MCs – TV hosts/actors Susie Castillo, Corey Feldman, Kelly Packard, and 2-time Emmy-winning Kristoff St. John – as well as the guest speaker, Oscar winner George Chakiris, are examples of compassion with their plant-based diets. In addition, a number of the talented cast members of Loving the Silent Tears are vegetarians and vegans, such as vegan Aulacese pop star Hồ Quỳnh Hương, vegan Korean singer Heather Park, vegetarian Italian tenor Mark Janicello, and vegetarian Chinese platinum pop star Kay Tse. Behind the scenes, contributing her talents was Cricket Meyers, the Tony Award-nominated sound designer who is also a caring vegetarian. During an interview with Hong Kong radio, On Air Power, days before the show, the Queen of Cantopop Kay Tse shared about her childhood being primarily vegetarian: “When I was little, my family raised some arowana fish, which were very popular at the time, huge ones. Every day when I got home from school, I started to dance with them, like this from left to right. I felt that I was connected with them. I felt that they were very happy, waiting for me to come home every day. Because of this, I did not eat fish since I was a small child. Then I thought there was no reason to love only fish. Why couldn’t I love other animals? They are the same.” Meanwhile, speaking about the health aspects after switching to a plant-based diet, Italian cast member Mark Janicello said, “I have advanced arthritis, and I had read a book about the effects of animal proteins on the body, about how you can heal the body by removing animal proteins from your diet. They wanted to replace my hip nine years ago, that's how bad my arthritis was. By going vegan, I've never had a shot of cortisone. I don't take pain medication. I'm still dancing. I'm still performing.” Dedicated to Animal Protection During the charity presentation part of the program, two of the three organizations that were honored by Supreme Master Ching Hai with US$300,000 in donations are dedicated to protecting our animal co-inhabitants. They are Worldwide Veterinary Service, a non-profit group that provides support in various ways to improve the healthcare of animals, and Animal Defenders International, which works to stop animal cruelty in the entertainment industry through campaigns and cooperation with governments. Accepting the check of US$100,000, Animal Defenders International’s vegan president and co-founder Jan Creamer stated, “Our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to Supreme Master Ching Hai. We dedicate ourselves to the cause of animal protection. And we have in Supreme Master Ching Hai a great leader and teacher about the way that humans should relate to animals, and that is certainly something that is a dedication of Animal Defenders International. We are so grateful and we can promise that many animals will be saved with this very kind and generous donation.” The third charity, Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS, is dedicated to helping humans in need. However, the compassionate work of the organization also extends to our animal friends. As its executive director Tom Viola wrote in a letter, “I was very taken with the Supreme Master’s great love for animals. Every summer BC/EFA produces an event, Broadway Barks, that supports over 24 rescue organizations and shelters in the New York City area.” “I love the fact that she donated money for the protection of animals. That’s something that we really need in the world,” said 6-time Grammy-winning and 2-time Oscar-nominated composer Jorge Calandrelli (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), who is an animal lover and has a menagerie of animals companions including cats, birds, dogs, and horses. Advocating the Life-Saving Diet Many of the Loving the Silent Tears cast members were already familiar with and supportive of the vegan way of living, such as Black Uhuru co-artist Kaye Starh, who stated, “I think people should go vegan and go green because there are so many things that are happening in the world, like the melting of the ice, the killing of the animals. And it touches me to see animals’ tears.” Vegetarian MC Kristoff St. John, the 2-time Emmy Award-winning actor from The Young and the Restless, said, “What mankind has done not just with war but with animals has been just atrocious. [The vegan aspect] is another reason that attracted me to the event.” A vegetarian for 27 years, co-host Corey Feldman, an award-winning actor famous for films such as The Goonies and Stand By Me, noted the importance of giving “peace and love to all beings on this planet, not just the humans. All those beings are just living harmoniously already. Our job is not to interfere with that.” In an interview, vegan co-MC Susie Castillo, a TV host and former Miss USA, spoke about the quality of vegan meals, saying, “My meals now are much more satisfying than the meals that I used to prepare when I was a meat eater. I tell people that all the time, and they don’t believe me, and I’m like, ‘Come over for dinner!’ I make them a feast and they are like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe this!’” First Rehearsal to Finale Feast – Vegan Style Tasty and nutritious vegan cuisine was provided throughout the 4-week rehearsal period for the cast and creative team. The catering was provided by acclaimed Los Angeles area vegan restaurants: Loving Hut, Âu Lạc, Freesoulcaffe, Green Earth, and One Veg World. Tony Award-winning cast member Debbie Gravitte shared, “I'm really close to being a vegetarian.” She further noted after tasting her first vegan lunch, “It was one of the best things I've ever had!” Dance ensemble member Marc Spaulding said, “I have been eating the vegan lunches every day. Coming back from lunch, going in to rehearsal, I’m definitely more energetic, my attention span, my muscles are firing quickly, it’s definitely having a positive effect on my body.” On show day, after a rigorous evening of conducting the orchestra, Emmy-winning music director/composer Doug Katsaros enthused, “I’m feeling well, I’ve been eating great. When I’m here, I’m totally vegan. It’s been a month and a half so far, and I feel good!” What Guests Had to Say
After the show, a sumptuous VIP vegan banquet offered a wide range of meat-and-dairy-free appetizers, main course cuisines, and desserts. “We had imitation shrimp, we had dessert, we had (vegan) sushi – everything was delicious,” film producer Allison Chaney said. “I’m very filled. I enjoyed having that life source brought to us at the end of a great show that was about life.” Yet another attendee, a musician named Verno Urquiza, concluded, “In this world, in this upheaval of situations that we are going through, [the vegan message] is something we all need to look deeper into. Now it finally makes sense to me that it’s the music, it's the words, it's the being, it's the food. That goes back to a holistic aspect of what experiencing joy on this planet is about. And if we can do that, we might be more prepared to flourish.” ‘Be Vegan, Make Peace’ From the musical to the banquet, the event commemorating the 19th Anniversary of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day truly brought out the “humane” aspect of true humanitarianism, as expressed in Supreme Master Ching Hai’s slogan, “Be Vegan, Make Peace.” Supreme Master Ching Hai once stated in a 2009 videoconference with the public in Washington, D.C., USA, “We are compassion. We are merciful. We are caring. … Being vegan worldwide is the advancement of compassion that will uplift and unify all cultures, bringing tranquility to humans and animals alike. The inner peace that comes from replacing killing with respect for all life will spread like a wave across the globe, elevate human hearts, and create a harmonious Eden on Earth. MEDIA In her firsthand report about the musical for Canyon News, a weekly newspaper serving California’s Beverly Hills area, journalist Ivette Babadjanian described the VIP vegan feast experience as follows: “The room was filled with creative food sculptures and friendly chatter as each guest went back for second and third helpings as the food was simply delicious. The notion that the food was beneficial for the body and the environment was the added bonus that made each helping worthwhile.”
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| Special Reports: In-Depth Coverage of Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical
Loving the Silent Tears
The 2-disc studio recording of Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical recreates the magic of the one-time show which had its world premiere at the 6,300-seat Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, USA. The album will continue to enchant audiences all over the world with soaring ballads (“Singing Praise”), lively songs (“All Love, All Forgive”) and memorable anthems (“Take Each Other’s Hand”). Directed by Tony nominee Vincent Paterson (Michael Jackson’s and Madonna’s world tours) and choreographed by Emmy winner Bonnie Story (High School Musical 1, 2, 3), Loving the Silent Tears was an impressive collaboration of a cast and creative team with over two dozen Academy, Grammy, Tony and Emmy Awards. Together, they transformed the profound verses in Supreme Master Ching Hai’s Silent Tears into a musical sensation that takes listeners across six continents. As MTV noted, the composers are “titans in their musical fields” with 6-time Grammy winner & 2-time Oscar nominee Jorge Calandrelli (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), 2-time Oscar winner Al Kasha (The Poseidon Adventure), Emmy winner Doug Katsaros (Footloose), 2-time Grammy winner & 3-time Oscar nominee Henry Krieger (Dreamgirls), Tony & Emmy winner Don Pippin (A Chorus Line), Grammy winner Nan Schwartz (Harry Potter), and Oscar and 2-time Grammy winner David Shire (Saturday Night Fever). Loving the Silent Tears explores humanity’s universal search for inner peace through superb acting by Tony nominee Patti Cohenour (Joy), Luke Eberl (Pete), and Junior Case (Conductor). The phenomenal vocals, including those of music legends and international pop stars, and representing the world’s glorious cultures, are Camellia Abou-Odah (Arab), Flo Ankah (French), Grammy winner Black Uhuru (Jamaican), Emmy winner & Tony nominee Liz Callaway (Australian), Tony winner Debbie Gravitte (American), Hồ Quỳnh Hương (Aulacese), Mark Janicello (Italian), Brian Joo (Korean), Liel Kolet (Israeli), Tony winner Kiril Kulish (Russian), Katie McMahon (Irish), Heather Park (Korean), Fabiana Passoni (Brazilian), Siavash Shams (Persian), 2-time Grammy winner Jon Secada (Cuban), Kay Tse (Chinese), and Grammy winner Jody Watley (African). Songs in the album are presented in full in both English as well as native languages. To make this possible, it required a large team of dedicated translators and ethnic composers to adapt the lyrics while ensuring the nuances and prosody would sound perfect in the foreign language. One of the ethnic composers, Brian Hunter, who is an Irish tenor and the president of the Musicians Club of New York, remarked about “Between the Master and I”: “This is just a beautiful song in Gaelic! It can also give a welcome reminder to many fast-paced lives that God is available to calm and soothe, at least while listening to this song!” As a special bonus, included is the song “Talking to a Stone Buddha,” with music, lyrics, and vocals by the poet. This was a recording of Supreme Master Ching Hai's spontaneous singing during a gathering with Association members in Austria. The full color booklet comes with the English lyrics, along with biographies and photos of the singers and composers.
The album is also now available at major online retail outlets including:
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| Special Reports: In-Depth Coverage of Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical
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“Beautiful!” “High energy and uplifting!” “A fantastic evening!” With the musical featuring an epic journey spanning six continents, the news coverage of Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical likewise reached a global audience with international media reporting from as far away as Australia, Jamaica, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, and Hong Kong. In addition, with an active online presence through social media like Facebook and Twitter, news spread quickly to fans in places like the Netherlands, Canada, Singapore, Germany, and Nigeria. Various major media, including newspapers, magazines, television, radio, websites, and social media, were abuzz announcing, featuring, and reviewing the musical’s one-time premiere. They ranged from local media such as Los Angeles Times newspaper, The Hollywood Reporter magazine, and KCAL Channel 9, to the largest ethnic media groups including Univision (Hispanic), World Journal (Chinese), Voice of America (Persian) and MBC 9 News (Korean). In all, well over 400 media outlets helped to inform the public about Loving the Silent Tears, both before and after the event. The following are a sample of what they have said: Pre-Event Coverage One of Los Angeles’ top rated radio stations, KOST 103.5 FM, announced the event, describing the musical as “unique and uplifting.” “The show was inspired by the poetry anthology of Supreme Master Ching Hai,” wrote Andrew Gans from Playbill, a definitive source for all theatre shows on Broadway and around the globe. “A host of composers have come together to set the soulful verses to music.” Known as one of the world’s premier youth entertainment channels, MTV featured a story on its website, with Janine Bower writing, “Why in fact would you want to miss this musical extravaganza? The answer is you won’t as this Broadway-esq musical boasts an ensemble of some of the most acclaimed international artists on the musical scene. Other than Brian Joo, the K-pop icon originally from Fly To The Sky turned… soloist, and Heather Park, the ‘Seoul Diva’ known for her deeply powerful R&B style, the cast of Loving the Silent Tears is a veritable potpourri of titans in their respective musical fields.” Airing on L.A.’s major TV channel, KCAL 9, Best Deals TV Show is Southern California’s most watched consumer report TV show, bringing the best values on products and services, including entertainment. Journalist Lynda Halligan reported: “We’re told that Loving the Silent Tears will have an ensemble of well over 30 of the finest dancers alive in America. If that’s not enough, you’ll also hear enchanting voices from around the world – from opera to samba to… Middle Eastern style melodies. The universal themes of the musical coincide with the global and noble values that are exemplified by Supreme Master Ching Hai Day. The event is celebrating the 19th anniversary of this special holiday. … With the Shrine Auditorium being the longtime venue of the Oscars and the largest stage of its kind in North America, you can only imagine how much fun the show’s going to be.” Beverly Hills Courier, a leading media outlet with over 180,000 readers in the prominent Beverly Hills area of California, published an article titled “Loving the Silent Tears Brings Poetry to the Stage.” An excerpt reads: “Loving the Silent Tears, a new musical to debut Oct. 27 in Los Angeles, promises a fascinating tale of humanity’s search for true happiness. … Jon Secada will also debut a song he composed for the musical, based on Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry.” On Air with Tony Sweet on Global Voice Broadcasting is a top entertainment talk show with over half-a-million listeners. Having interviewed several cast members in the studio, radio host Tony Sweet enthusiastically remarked, “Just watching the highlights from the announcement video really touched me in a lot of ways, because it’s bringing people from all over the world together to make this musical, and I love that… it really is inspiring. … I think this type of cast and this type of project is wonderful for the world right now, because we need more like this that brings people together to bring understanding, and music is always the best way to do it.” During an interview with 2-time Oscar-winning composer Al Kasha, Life After 50 Magazine’s David Laurell commented about the musical, “It transcends someone’s religious beliefs. No matter what you may think, even if someone were not familiar with the teachings or the tenets of the Supreme Master, it transcends what people would feel about religion or spirituality. … Not only does this particular musical have incredible music but some of the finest talent that roams the planet today. So in late October, the coming together of all of this incredible talent is going to make for an amazing evening.” The monthly THE Magazine of Pasadena, California, USA wrote, “This autumn, we will have the gift of an extraordinary collaboration of Broadway stars, pop icons and Hollywood composers on a new musical… Loving the Silent Tears is the title of a new Broadway-scale musical that promises to be as spectacular as it is unique.” Awareness Magazine, the Southwest US guide to conscious living distributed to more than 70,000 readers, stated, “A new musical, glittering with stars and Hollywood glamour, is about to lift our consciousness a little higher. … And seeing how this new musical shines brightly – not only with celebrity, but also an elevated awareness, it’s likely to be another winner among peace-loving hearts.” Conducting interviews with talents involved in the upcoming show, radio host Bob Lebensold of the radio talk show, “Environmentally Sound” on the New York-based WVOX radio station, introduced the musical as follows: “Our next guest is Mark Janicello. He is an Italian American tenor born in Brooklyn, raised in North Carolina, and now he lives in the Netherlands and that’s where we speak to him from. Mark is one of the stars in an upcoming musical based on the poetry of our good friend Supreme Master Ching Hai. We have had her on this radio program. She’s a great lady, I have a great deal of affection for her. The production is called ‘Loving the Silent Tears.’ The show combines the magic of theatre, the mystical beauty of traditional dances, soul-stirring realm of poetry, and more. Wow! And it’s only one time.” Diverse ethnic media members reported about Loving the Silent Tears, as well. With 52 million viewers, Univision is the leading US Spanish-language television network, and also one of the top five of all television networks in the US. Univision introduced the show: “The musical, Loving the Silent Tears, comes to Los Angeles, and for this the production has assembled a cast, most of whose members have been winners of the most major and recognized awards in entertainment in this country, like the Grammys or the Oscars. Jon Secada is one of them. … The Cuban singer Jon Secada is one of the first Latinos to get a starring role in the Broadway musical Grease, and now a new staging, this time with Loving the Silent Tears.” French Morning, a French web magazine with 80,000 visitors per month, featured cast member Flo Ankah (also known as Floanne) in an article written by Ghalia Kadiri. An excerpt reads: “Time Out nicknamed her ‘the French Madonna’, others see her as the new Edith Piaf. Flo Ankah is a French singer and actress rarely found nowadays. Used to New York stages and cabaret shows, Floanne is about to join the cast of the promising musical ‘Loving the Silent Tears’. … The musical is actually based on a work hitherto never adapted to the theatre. It is the poetry of the Supreme Master Ching Hai, ‘Silent Tears’, which addresses the theme of the pursuit of happiness and inner peace. … Chosen for her original tone and her voice charged with emotion, Floanne stated she is ‘honored to have been selected to participate in this production.’” The Chinese-language channel ETTV (Eastern Television) America, the local version of its namesake parent TV company in Formosa, broadcasts to over 1.25 million households. They reported: “Kay Tse, the famous singer from Hong Kong, has been invited to join the performance of the new musical Loving the Silent Tears in the USA. Not only is she the only Chinese principal cast member in this show, she will also collaborate with other internationally renowned artists on the same stage. Lots of Chinese Americans in southern California are looking forward to her performance.” Meanwhile, in an interview talk show with Korean cast members Brian Joo and Heather Park, the host of TVK24, a Korean-language network broadcasting to 20 million households, stated, “On today’s episode, we are going to talk about ‘Loving The Silent Tears’ which is regarded as a monumental musical that would mark a new era in musical history, and we’ll speak with two Korean performers who have been firmly cast and are to proudly introduce Korean culture in this musical…. Now that the whole world is becoming one cultural community, we have a new type of musical, ‘Loving the Silent Tears.’ We hope there comes a wider understanding about Korean culture through this musical.” The second most read newspaper in L.A. after The Los Angeles Times, La Opinion is one of the largest Spanish-language newspapers in the USA. Having conducted a telephone interview with Jon Secada for Loving the Silent Tears, Lucero Amador Miranda wrote, “The new musical, Loving the Silent Tears, for which Jon Secada has written a song, has, according to the Cuban singer, ‘a very rhythmic, tropical style,’ he explained in a telephone interview with ¡holaLA!. … To be in a theatrical setting, he says, is not foreign to what he has done in his career, because it is precisely in the theatre that he began his artistic adventure….” The newspaper also reported in its La Vibra entertainment magazine, “Jon Secada has been involved in many charitable causes of late and this event is no different in its meaningful cause for peace. … You can be among the first to enjoy Jon Secada’s new song, ‘All Love, All Forgive,’ and be a part of this inspirational event.” Meanwhile, Irish American newspaper, The Irish Herald, announced the show in an article: “She was the voice that enchanted the world in the original ‘Riverdance,’ the show that ushered in a renewed appreciation of Irish arts. Now, Katie McMahon, the native Dubliner also known for recording with the vocal group Anúna, proudly represents her Irish culture this time in a phenomenal US-staged production, a star-studded musical titled ‘Loving the Silent Tears.’” The major Persian language publication, Tehran International Weekly Magazine, also printed a report: “Alongside distinguished American artists, Siavash Shams will be promoting peace in the new musical ‘Loving the Silent Tears.’ … Considering Siavash’s great status in Iranian pop culture, it is hard to think of a better person to be a cultural representative for Iranians.” Alessandra Mastroianni of the Italian and English language newspaper L’Italo-Americano wrote in an article titled, “Loving the Silent Tears – Tenor Mark Janicello to perform in an amazing show”: “Los Angeles is ready to welcome ‘Loving the Silent Tears,’ the musical based on a collection of poems by Supreme Master Ching Hai, world-renowned spiritual teacher, humanitarian, poet and artist. Her work has been transformed into music by composer Al Kasha, for a show that will transport you into the spiritual dimension of 16 different countries and will leave you amazed. The musical features big names such as Grammy Award winners Jon Secada, Jody Watley and Black Uhuru. And of course, tenor Mark Janicello.” In a program on Little Saigon TV, an Aulacese language channel reaching up to 14 million viewers across North America, an interview was conducted with Aulacese pop star Hồ Quỳnh Hương. The host introduced her and her new role, saying, “Dear viewers, today I’m here to introduce to you a very unique entertainment show, a new musical entitled ‘Loving the Silent Tears.’ A group of acclaimed singers and artists will gather on the same stage to deliver their creative production to you. Our Vietnamese people also have a part in the program – a very charming female singer from Vietnam.” In Brazil, the Jornal da Mantiqueira newspaper wrote in Portuguese, “A singer from Poços de Caldas city is very successful in the United States. Recognized for her work abroad and winning the award for best Brazilian singer living in the North American country, Fabiana Passoni now takes part of a major musical, for which she was named to represent her home country. … The fact that, every day, she has been gaining more notice inside the American music scene and the award for Best Female Brazilian Singer living in the USA by Brazilian International Press Awards has earned Fabiana Passoni an invitation to be the representative of Brazil in ‘Loving the Silent Tears.’ This is a musical theatre production based on a book of poems by Supreme Master Ching Hai, a Vietnamese woman of peace. In the Jewish community, Los Angeles Jewish News, with 100,000 readers, reported, “With a meteoric rise to success from childhood, 23-year-old Israeli singing sensation Liel Kolet will be joining a dazzling cast of pop icons and Broadway stars in Loving the Silent Tears”…. Liel is proud to represent her homeland Israel in this production, which takes a marvelous journey around the world through 16 countries across 6 continents.” Post-Event Coverage After the event, reviews were seen from across the media. The following are some examples: Known as the largest and most comprehensive theatre site, Broadway World posted the event’s highlights video and observed, “The show went deeper than most similar events do with its theme about humanity’s universal search for inner happiness, as was inspired by the poetry anthology, Silent Tears, by Supreme Master Ching Hai.” Molli Carlson of Pasadena Magazine, a lifestyle publication with up to 25,000 readers monthly, wrote: “On Saturday, October 27, general merriment filled the air as crowds gathered outside Los Angeles’ famed Shrine Auditorium for the world premiere of a unique musical experience entitled Loving the Silent Tears. …It told the tale of two troubled protagonists and their universally understandable quest for inner harmony. The finished product took its captivated audience on a visual, aural and spiritual journey across 16 countries as a 30-member ensemble performed to a live orchestra, in what can only be described as a musically-enhanced melting pot. The stage was elaborately set, the performers were exceptional, and the philanthropic spirit was as beautiful as the songs; $300,000 was rewarded to three charitable organizations in honor of the event. It was a full-fledged afternoon of artistic and optimistic altruism for everyone involved.” California Adventure TV, which seeks out noteworthy places and events and airs on Los Angeles’ KCAL Channel 9, stated, “An extraordinary new musical certainly proved itself a great boon for Los Angeles music and theatre lovers on October 27. Loving the Silent Tears was a phenomenal show with superstars galore hailing from Broadway and pop music industries, songs and cultures from all over the world, and on top of it all, a beautiful message about humanity’s eternal search for inner happiness.” Look to the Stars, an established source of news on celebrity giving, had an article titled, “Stars Come Out for Loving the Silent Tears,” in which is reported, “Among the stars who attended were Jon Huertas, Corey Feldman, Kyson Lee, Craig Robinson, AJ Buckley, Kristoff St. John, Kelly Packard and many more. … Celebrities, dignitaries and special guests turned out for this special one night only celebration, with proceeds benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Animal Defenders International and Worldwide Veterinary Service. Each organization received $100,000 each for a grand total of $300,000 given to charity.” Ivetta Babadjanian, from Canyon News newspaper serving the Beverly Hills area, summed her experience of the show: “The production was dedicated to the belief that kindness is never overrated and should be shown to people of all cultures. … By the end of the night, many couldn’t help speaking with fellow guests about their favorite scenes or the emotional connection they made with its overall theme. Supreme Master Ching Hai’s contributions to society have influenced people to convey her message through art which then inspired the audience to give back as well. Her work has caused a never ending cycle of humanitarianism that will prove beneficial to this world’s future.” Averaging over 6 million visitors around the globe per month, PopStop TV conducted interviews with some of the stars on the red carpet and published them online. The interviewer, Xixi Yang, shared a personal note about the experience with her followers, stating, “I’ve done tons of red carpet events in Hollywood… But on Saturday, Oct. 27, I experienced something totally unexpected! Just imagine an event powerful enough to bring together some of the most well-known stars from 16 different countries! YES, I’m talking about ‘Loving the Silent Tears’ musical! I had an unbelievable time attending the red carpet of the musical. In addition to being greeted by folks from Thailand, China, Vietnam, and more, I got a chance to talk to legendary Grammy winner Jody Watley, Chinese platinum singer Kay Tse, K-pop star Brian Joo, and more!” In the online magazine titled Asia Pacific Arts, published by the University of Southern California, journalist Mai Nguyễn’s review read: “There was nothing silent about the tears shed during Loving the Silent Tears, a musical inspired by Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry. … Poetry is already an artistically discerning selection of words to convey a message, but to couple that with a melody and transpose these meaningful words into song takes the message to a whole other level. The two arts combined form a hybrid medium to reach out to new audiences. That’s not even to mention the incredible visual feast that was the costuming of each performance. The splendor and colorful array of the outfits brought out the diversity of every individual country’s culture, taking the audience along on the journey and pulling them into a new place with every act. …The story follows the musical leads as they slowly explore the universal, yet ever-challenging, predicament and finally discover their answer in a simple yet profound revelation, which evoked cathartic relief in the form of tears and applause. Loving the Silent Tears reassures people that even without a magical train, peace and happiness can be found anywhere in the world – because it can be found within.” Voice of America is the US government’s international broadcasting service, with an estimated global audience of 123 million people. Voice of America - Iran offered substantial coverage of the musical on its program, “Shabahang.” The show’s host opened his presentation in Persian, saying, “Now it is time for the report that many of you have been waiting for. A few weeks ago, the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles hosted a musical with famous international artists and singers. The musical, called Loving the Silent Tears, received much appreciation from art lovers. Siavash Shams, the beloved Persian pop singer, represented Iran, and along with other singers, performed in different parts of this program. … This program was performed on the occasion of the 19th anniversary of the day of the world-renowned spiritual Master, Master Ching Hai. Known as Supreme Master Ching Hai, the writer, poet, painter, musician, and jewelry and fashion designer was born in Vietnam. …because of her philanthropic and peaceful activities around the world, she has received many plaques and awards from numerous famous people of different countries.” CAL Review LA, a Los Angeles-based online newspaper informing readers around the world of interesting news and events in the city, also attended the event and enthused: “Directed by the highly acclaimed Vincent Paterson, Tony nominee and director of two world tours (Michael Jackson and Madonna) comes this new musical, Loving the Silent Tears. And its simple and deep message was not overshadowed by its evidently star-studded performers, Grammy Award-winning music icon Jon Secada, Grammy-winning R&B/pop star Jody Watley and dozens of Emmy and Tony-winning cast members. Kindness, compassion, generosity, love and spiritual evolvement through adversity is the lesson and thread woven through this high-energy and wonderful uplifting show.” Patricia Foster Rye from Larchmont Chronicle, a newspaper serving more than 77,000 readers in one of Los Angeles’ most historical residential areas, wrote, “The one-time only performance of Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical featured the poetry of poet and vegan Supreme Master Ching Hai set to a variety of musical styles from seven composers. On the Shrine Auditorium stage, there were an amazing number of performers from many countries, and the logistics were accomplished masterfully.” America Oggi, an Italian language newspaper, featured Italian tenor Mark Janicello, highlighting his thoughts on the musical. America Oggi’s Giuseppe Greco also explained, “This wondrous musical premiere is a joyful commemoration of the 19th anniversary of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day, which was inaugurated by the esteemed Mayor of Honolulu, Hawaii Frank Francis Fasi in honor of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s exemplary humanitarian and spiritual contributions to the world. In Italy, she has offered assistance in times of disaster and has been invited to lecture in Rome. In 2006, she honored former Italian Health Minister Girolamo Sirchia with her Shining World Leadership Award for the government’s successful smoking ban law.” Sing Tao Daily, the most popular overseas Chinese newspaper, published an article titled “Kay Tse Moves Hearts in ‘Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical,’” which reported: “Kay Tse was recently in Los Angeles to star in ‘Loving the Silent Tears,’ a new musical that celebrated the beauty of the world’s cultures. … Fans applauded as she appeared on stage dressed like a Chinese angel. The dancers around her were choreographed by Emmy winner Bonnie Story. The lyrics made some cry: ‘Hallo Buddha, why do you cry? / In your stone heart how much desire? / Why do your tears stream down the sea? / Why give your love to the pebble?’” Distributed nationally in the US and internationally, the largest Lebanese and Arab American newspaper, Beirut Times, highlighted the Arab singer Camellia Abou-Odah and the musical’s portrayal of Middle Eastern culture: “With the musical representing the glorious cultures of 16 countries, Camellia proudly represented her Arab culture, singing in both English and Arabic. She promoted a touching message of peace by singing one song during the show with Persian singer Siavash Shams and Israeli singer Liel Kolet. They were accompanied by a dance troupe of more than 30 Arab-style dancers, including several magnificent belly-dancers.” Particularly proud of Fabiana Passoni, the cast member who represented their culture, the award-winning BrasilBest newspaper said, “…the show, ‘Loving the Silent Tears,’ at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, was as fantastic as the Brazilian Carnavale. … Fabiana Passoni enchanted the audience with a vibrant performance charged with emotion in the fabulous musical. It was an unforgettable event that resonated with love and music of the world’s cultures.” Circulating 10,000 copies throughout California, the Russian monthly, FACT Magazine, wrote: “Kiril Kulish the 18-year-old Tony Award-winning performer from Broadway’s ‘Billy Elliot the Musical’ shone in the new musical ‘Loving the Silent Tears’… which was presented in front of a sold-out audience of over 6,000 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on October 27. … While singing his solo number, partly in Russian and partly in English, Kiril was accompanied by energetic dancers dancing in Russian folk style. Handpicked among the best in the nation, many of the dancers in the musical had just performed for Cirque du Soleil. Kiril Kulish, an award-winning dancer himself, joined the ensemble in some of the feats of high jumping and twirling as he sang – a truly impressive performance to watch.” Iliana Salguero of the monthly Spanish-language magazine, La Prensa de Los Angeles, wrote in her review, titled “Loving the Silent Tears, Culture and Talent”: “The city of Los Angeles is world famous for being home of the biggest stars, besides being one of the sites hosting a large number of ethnic groups and cultures in the world. … It is for that reason that ‘Loving the Silent Tears’ was graced by a sudden influx of cultures, and world-renowned artists from sixteen different countries gave life to a story that chronicles the search for peace and happiness, inspired by the poetry of Supreme Master Ching Hai, a spiritual teacher, artist and poet. To the beat of sublime musical chords, the world’s… voices intoned a magical world of dreams and hope… and… made all the seats vibrate in the auditorium that in complete silence admired each scene of the musical. … The show was really wonderful. A perfect setting, colors, culture, perfect lighting and ambience and much talent, made the evening a memorable event. The attendees did not stop applauding each of the presentations of the artists who came to convey messages of peace, love, hope and tolerance. Jon Secada, Fabiana Passoni, Debbie Gravitte, Liel Kolet and Mark Janicello, among others, were part of the cast of the musical that captivated the whole Shrine Auditorium of Los Angeles.” The top Korean American newspaper, The Korea Times is published in Los Angeles and covers 10 major US cities with a 300,000 circulation. In her review titled “Loving the Silent Tears Starring Brian Joo and Heather Park a Success,” journalist Ha Eun Sun wrote: “The multi-cultural musical ‘Loving the Silent Tears,’ starring Fly to the Sky’s Korean singer Brian and ‘Seoul Diva’ Heather Park, was very well attended at a packed LA Shrine Auditorium this past October 27. On that day, Brian Joo and Heather Park appeared in beautiful palace traditional costumes for the fifth number in the first act. They touched heartstrings with their song, sung both in Korean and English, to introduce ‘Korea,’ receiving the audience’s cheers and applause.” Saigon Broadcasting Television Network (SBTN) is viewed by 1.6 million people on major North American cable networks. On its program, “In Focus,” host Thủy Phan began a segment on Loving the Silent Tears as follows: “If ever the notion of world peace were to ever find its way to the stage, it would be in the form of Loving the Silent Tears, the musical. Celebrating the work of Supreme Master Ching Hai, Loving the Silent Tears was not only a musical event, it was also a time for charity. … Loving the Silent Tears is by far one of the most inclusive examples of what it means to have peace and unity between different nations. Through art, music and poetry, people from every walk of life were able to join together for a common cause.” Karibbean Expressions Magazine and the affiliated myKEEtv, both showcasing Caribbean talent on a worldwide platform online, featured stories and video coverage about the Grammy-winning reggae legends, Black Uhuru, on the red carpet and the stage for Loving the Silent Tears. The magazine wrote: “Loving the Silent Tears is an unparalleled cultural celebration with a cause. It’s a Broadway-style production that tells stories of compassion, humanity and the universal language of music.” Likewise, We Are in America, a Hebrew-language monthly magazine with a circulation of 10,000, featured Israeli singer Liel Kolet on the front cover lighting candles for Hanukkah, the traditional Jewish holiday. A full two-page story showed as its main photo Liel at the Shrine Auditorium red carpet before the show, and explained how she dedicates her career to peace: “Last month the well-known artist performed in a musical, Loving the Silent Tears.”
Although space does not allow us to present excerpts from all the media involved, we would like to thank them all for sharing the uplifting experience of Loving the Silent Tears with their audiences. The features before the event helped to make the show a success while the thoughtful post-coverage pieces have allowed the musical’s message of peace and love to live on. May Heaven bless the media’s noble work of informing and benefiting humankind.
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The Love of the Inner Master
By a Loving the Silent Tears: The musical Reception Team Member
Los Angeles, California, USA (Originally in English) Being part of the reception team for Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical was a moving and unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry collection, Silent Tears, which inspired the amazing event, speaks to the inner Master, or the Supreme Wisdom, Truth, Virtue, Beauty, and Love within all of us. And working at a musical featuring its profound verses faithfully reflected this fact. The world-renowned composers, writers and performers whose extraordinary talents were presented in the musical were greeted by reception-team members as they entered the venue, the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, USA. As the artists and other VIP guests walked down the red carpet in the radiant sunshine, with eyes lit up and faces glowing, they were cordially welcomed by the reception team and a group of our Association members dressed in colorful, traditional costumes from around the world. Grammy-winning pop and R&B icon Jody Watley smiled joyfully and beamed with loving energy while strolling through the entrance. Another superb artist, the Italian tenor Mark Janicello, said during an interview with Supreme Master Television that in his lifelong career, he had never been a part of a production that was done with such a generosity of spirit like Loving the Silent Tears. This heartfelt comment was a testament to the bliss of the inner Master being manifested in the performers. In Her loving message to the audience, Supreme Master Ching Hai said, “Though I couldn’t possibly watch the event, and though I am not aware of the content of the program in advance, I trust that it will be great, and all who watch will enjoy it hugely.” May the heavenly songs of Loving the Silent Tears continue to uplift and enthrall human beings for generations to come!
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Gods and Goddesses By Loving the Silent Tears Exhibition Team News Group (Originally in Chinese) It was clear from the enthusiastic responses of many VIP guests who attended Loving the Silent Tears and visited its exhibition that they deeply appreciated the musical, Supreme Master Ching Hai’s artwork, and the interior design and decoration of the exhibition venue. Many performers, theatre staff, and contractors made it a point to express their heartfelt gratitude to working team members with comments like, “Thank you and your association for bringing such an incredible musical and such an otherworldly art exhibition to us. I feel like I’m in paradise!” “Thank you for recommending the musical. It was so extraordinary, so breathtaking!” This positive feedback gave the team members a feeling of fulfillment as well as gratitude, because they knew such results could not have been possible without Master’s abundant grace and blessing. While waiting for the exhibition hall layout to be finalized, some initiates on the exhibition team took the opportunity to hold small group meditation sessions. During one such session, a sister who was sitting in front of a large portrait of Master entered samadhi and saw two celestial beings appear before her. For no particular reason, she noted the headwear and clothing worn by one of the beings. Two months later, the working team began decorating the exhibition venue. While the sister was busy doing her work, she paid little attention to the overall progress of the project. Then one day during her free time, she noticed that the larger frames for the exhibition had been put up. The scene nearly moved her to tears because the overall feeling and style of the exhibition hall exactly matched the headwear and clothing of the celestial being she had seen over two months earlier. The musical would not have progressed so smoothly and been so successful without Heaven’s love and blessing, as well as the assistance of many gods, goddesses and angels. Although obstacles were encountered during the preparations, many miracles also occurred that allowed the workers to complete all their “impossible” tasks on time. It seemed that the closer the project got to being completed, the stronger Heaven’s blessing power grew. Once, while meditating, a sister saw many celestial beings, gods and goddesses descend on the venue to support and assist the staff. The entire venue shone with a kaleidoscope of lights, taking her breath away with its beauty. The guardian angels of the performers and dancers from six continents and 16 countries were also present, adding a tremendous amount of blessing energy to the venue. Mother Nature helped too, as even small blades of grass eagerly sent their blessings. All events that honor Master in some way have special, divine significance and incredible blessing power, and Loving the Silent Tears was no exception. For example, one sister said that during the musical she felt her soul soar out of her body each time a song began, and then return exactly at the song’s end with impeccable timing. Also, when Master’s contributions were being presented to various charities, the sister experienced a strong, otherworldly fragrance permeating the auditorium. She had had a similar experience in 2011 during The Real Love: A New Musical, and was filled with deep gratitude for Master’s love and blessing. A brother said that when he entered the Shrine Auditorium on the day of the event, the tremendous energy he felt was out of this world. All the fatigue and discomfort he was feeling vanished instantly, making him feel transformed. As the musical began and the performers came onstage, the energy grew even stronger. He felt as if the stage was a giant, heavenly portal, and as it opened layer by layer, leaders of various heavens and galaxies came through, bringing with them powerful, divine blessing energy. A colossal spaceship also seemed to be circling above the venue, emitting bright lights of a transcendent nature. Blessed by this immense power, the performers gave the totality of their beings at a level beyond normal professional standards, with each movement transmitting a highly refined yet penetrating love energy that was so powerful that it elevated not just the venue, but also the entire planet. All during this experience, the brother was steeped in ecstasy, and his soul ascended effortlessly to a higher realm. As the musical progressed, he felt strongly that those present seemed to be no longer on Earth, but in a different dimension of eternal bliss. He knew in his heart that such an enormous, cosmic symphony, which orchestrated so many divine realms, galactic leaders and international artists harmoniously on one stage to concentrate the universal energy and uplift the Earth at this critical time in history, was only possible through God’s power and grace! We are deeply grateful to the inner Master for constantly teaching us both on the inside and out, and giving us the opportunity to introspect and grow. We also feel God’s almighty power operating in all aspects of the event and taking care of every minute detail. We will spare no effort in sharing the precious gift of Loving the Silent Tears so that more people around the world can enjoy the musical and sing its songs.
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The Peace Message
By Rainbow Messenger, Auckland, New Zealand (Originally in English)
In July, Golden Year 9 (2012), I was excited to receive an email announcing Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical. At first it seemed impossible for me to participate, as I would have to make arrangements regarding family duties and other matters. However, through God’s grace, I was able to go. After arriving in Los Angeles, I joined the flyer-distribution team, which had already been working for about a month. The team members distributed flyers on the streets, and in stores, supermarkets, local markets, schools, universities, concert venues, and theatres. Wherever we were, we tried to inform as many people as possible about the extraordinary musical and its message of how to bring peace and happiness to the world. After a few days of being in Los Angeles, I discovered that it is indeed a culturally rich and music-loving city. Perhaps due to the influence of Hollywood, the people there, no matter what age level, ethnic group, or social status they belong to, deeply love music and the other arts. Also, during my stay in the city I found that people in the US are very kind, loving, and generous, so it is no wonder that this meaningful event was held there! While distributing flyers, I had many delightful conversations, including one with a woman who had seen the 2011 production, The Real Love: A New Musical, and was eager to attend Loving the Silent Tears as well. Another man said he would love to see more positive music in our world. From these encounters it became clear that people from all walks of life were interested in attending the musical. Some were drawn by Master’s sublime poetry being set to music by renowned composers, some by the superb dancers involved, and some by the star performers. Through my experience with the musical, I came to realize that Loving the Silent Tears brings an uplifting, serene energy to the world. It warms hearts, helps to elevate the consciousness of humanity and assists our planet in ascending to a new level, where peace and love prevail, a True Paradise on Earth.
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A Dry Cleaner’s Amazing Encounter
By Loving the Silent Tears Flyer Team (Originally in English)
One day the flyer-distribution team visited a dry-cleaning shop in the city of Glendale, California, north of Los Angeles, and asked if they could leave some flyers to inform customers about the upcoming musical. However, when the team members walked in, they saw that a stack of flyers was already lying on the counter. This was unusual because the team had not yet visited the area, not to mention this shop. The owner explained that a young lady –she pointed to Master’s picture on the flyer – had come to the shop about a week or ten days earlier asking if she could leave the flyers with her. The shop owner remembered the lady well, saying that she was extremely bright and beautiful and had a lovely, flawless complexion. She said she immediately fell in love with the lady and asked if the lady would be attending the musical because then she would go to the event to see her. Our team members could not believe what they had heard, so they asked the shop owner, “How tall was The Lady?” and “At what time did she visit the shop?” The owner replied, “The Lady was about your height” (pointing to a petite flyer-team member), and added that “The Lady” was wearing a skirt and high heels and had come around 3:00 P.M. This confirmed to the team that it was indeed Master’s transcendental body that had visited the shop because Her clothing and shoes were not like those typical of a flyer-team member. Also, the team noticed that the flyers had been set in a nice area and the poster had been put up in a high place, showing how much the store owner respected “The Lady” in the flyers and poster. Our team members continue to be astonished and elated when remembering this incident when one of Master’s myriad transcendental bodies appeared, bringing joy and blessings to the shop owner and the world.
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Strive to Be an Effective Tool of God
By Yi Long, Nantou, Formosa (Originally in Chinese)
When I heard about the upcoming musical, Loving the Silent Tears, I thought that since 2012 was such a unique and meaningful year, it would be a very special event. So I applied as a member of the working team at this extraordinary occasion. Also, I wanted to use the trip to Los Angeles to reflect on my 20 years of spiritual practice since being initiated. Before leaving, I gave myself a piece of psychological advice, which was to fully dedicate my body, speech, and mind to God, surrender to the situation, and not be picky about the type of work I did. In the end, God blessed me with a spiritual journey that I will never forget. As soon as I arrived in Los Angeles, the first task I was given was helping in the kitchen. I had done all kinds of work since my initiation except being a kitchen helper, and it’s not my favorite job, so I initially wanted to resist. However, remembering one of my promises to God -- not to be picky about the type of work I did-- I immediately walked into the kitchen, fighting against my feelings! There I wiped the table, opened cans, washed vegetables, cut onions until my eyes watered, and eventually became the assistant to the main chef. As soon as I finished one task, I actively sought the next without idling for a second. Then at midnight, a member of the exhibition-team came to get me, saying that they urgently needed help. That was the end of my one-day lesson in the kitchen, where I had not disappointed myself and had been a good helper. However, little did I know that it was on the exhibition team that my spiritual training would truly begin! On my first night on the team, the group leader reminded me, “The closer one is to God’s work, the more easily one’s negative traits come out! Please handle it wisely so that you don’t affect the work of the team.” Wow, my rebellious nature had been discovered! My mind was full of arguments and obstructive thoughts and I completely forgot about my promise to surrender to the situation. God had reminded me of this trait in time, but it didn’t go away at first. During the next few days, I made a great effort to change my thinking. To control the negative thoughts that arose, I kept listening to Master’s voice through my earphones and reciting the Holy Names so I could hear no sounds that were not related to work! I managed to barely pass the test. However, that was not the end of my trials. My main job on the art team was to assist other workers. In the special area near the theatre designated as the exhibition hall, the team’s major task was to transform the place into a beautiful space for displaying Master’s art work. After the initial structures were erected, all the fine tasks of carpentering, painting and metal work were to be done by the assistants. It was a chance to practice attentiveness to detail, patience, and efficiency. I had always been proud of myself for being highly detail-oriented, but God taught me to also be humble through work. At one point I was responsible for making “golden bricks” to be placed on the arched door that welcomed the guests. I spent three days patiently putting putty onto pieces of wood, polishing them, adding more putty, and then polishing the pieces again until no seams were visible on their smooth faces. I felt proud in the end, thinking, “How many people can be as patient and detail-oriented as I am?” However, when gold paint was sprayed on the pieces, the areas with putty stood out. Seeing this, I felt like I had been struck by lightning! Not only had I wasted my time for three days, I had also delayed the work that was to follow. Feeling regretful, I prayed to God for forgiveness and asked for a solution. After this experience, I carefully controlled my arrogance while working, knowing that God’s power was behind all the work and I had to become pure and positive to be one with God and act as an effective helper! A week before the event, the art team began to enter the theatre to decorate, meaning that all the items crafted by the workers had to be in place and the countdown to the musical had begun. However, many important display tables were not yet finished. With most of the working staff moving to the theatre, I, along with some brothers who were carpenters and one who was a painter, had to finish all the remaining work by ourselves. Again, I prayed to God for help, knowing that the task seemed beyond my abilities. At that time, I came to understand the meaning of the phrase “surrendering 100 percent” and said to the inner Master, “I rely on You to complete the rest of the work.” Then suddenly I felt Master’s love and presence as if She were standing right next to me. As I began to cry, my hands and legs started to move quickly and I was able to think more quickly and clearly! We finished the work on time and I finally understood how to be a pure, efficient tool of God. My thanks go to God for all the arrangements and training I experienced, as well as to the exhibition-team members who worked together to help me grow spiritually. I also congratulate all who endure trials and pass tests on the spiritual path.
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Changing the World
Based on an interview with Sister Shin-Cheng, Formosa
By Loving the Silent Tears Working Team News Group (Originally in Chinese) Initiate sister Shin-Cheng was deeply grateful to Master for the chance to be on the exhibition-working team for The Real Love musical in 2011. At that time, she performed her cleaning duties with great devotion and humility, winning the gratitude of her fellow team members. Sister Shin-Cheng loves all things related to art and beauty, and in her youth won many prizes in school art competitions. As a housewife, however, she has been too busy to paint or do other art work for many years. Thus, before joining the exhibition team for the Loving the Silent Tears event, she hoped to be part of its decoration division so that she could do some of her beloved art work. Her wish was not fulfilled, however, as she was again given a cleaning job. Naturally, she felt disappointed, and this time did not dedicate herself fully to her work. Whenever she felt she had done her cleaning job well enough, she would leave immediately to ask the decoration workers if they needed help. But although she meant well, she was reprimanded each time. It seemed that she was being treated like an outsider, so she felt sad and depressed, and wondered why others were acting this way when she had done nothing wrong. Then one day while complaining inwardly about her situation, sister Shin-Cheng suddenly remembered what Master had said about others treating us unkindly – it sometimes happens because we need to correct some aspect of ourselves. So every day she began to look within – perhaps it was because her vibrations were too low or her ego was too big. But despite such diligent introspection the situation did not change. Then one day she suddenly realized that she needed to focus on her own work, and not be choosy about the type of work she did, or desire to do her favorite type of work just to show off her talents. After this inner breakthrough, she began doing her cleaning chores with diligence, and the situation suddenly took a 180-degree turn. Everyone began treating her well and people even came to her for help with decorating. Nonetheless, to avoid slowing down the work of both divisions, she would say that she had to finish her cleaning first before coming to help with the decorating. Interestingly, it turned out that she was always able to do both jobs efficiently. At first she could not understand why this dramatic transformation had occurred, but later realized that it was because her attitude had changed. Her test involved letting go of her discriminatory mind and doing her duty well. She was then deeply grateful to Master for arranging a perfect situation, in which the fellow initiates around her played various roles to help her experience a breakthrough in personal growth.
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A Musical Journey
By Sister Shirley Liao, Taipei, Formosa (Originally in Chinese) Having worked in the field of children’s music education for many years, I immediately decided to participate when I heard news of another musical based on Master’s poems. After making the necessary arrangements I traveled to Los Angeles to join the event’s reception team and serve the attendees. As I was flying alone, I brought my ukulele to keep me company since it was light and easy to carry. I also thought it could help create joyful moments with other initiates. The day before the show, the working teams had a chance to watch the rehearsal. I was impressed by the politeness and respect the director showed to the performers, as well as their eager cooperation. During the break, one of my favourite musicians, Emmy Award-winning composer for the musical, Doug Katsaros, happened to walk by me, so I greeted him happily and he cordially welcomed me to visit the United States. The song “Talking to a Stone Buddha” was extremely soul-stirring. When I listened to it performed by Hong Kong pop star Kay Tse onstage, my eyes filled with tears. Later, I heard Master sing the song on a CD* and I cried even more. No matter how many times I hear it, I always love “Talking to a Stone Buddha.” In addition to having many amazing experiences while participating in the musical, I was also pleased to play my ukulele and sing with working-team members under the California sun. Once, before some mainland Chinese initiates were taken to the airport by bus, we had a joyful party under bright moonlight at 3:00 AM. Thus, during my Loving the Silent Tears journey I grew spiritually and also made many new friends with the help of my ukulele.
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A Chance Meeting
By Sister Hsiung, Tainan, Formosa (Originally in Chinese)
When I entered the Shrine Auditorium the afternoon of the Loving the Silent Tears performance, the second floor was already full of enthusiastic audience members and my ticket was for that area. While I was worrying about finding a seat, some initiates from France waved to me, indicating some available seats around them. After sitting down I soon found myself conversing with the friendly gentleman next to me, who said he was a general manager/journalist for a Los Angeles-area, Arabic-language newspaper. The man said he had read about Loving the Silent Tears in the newspaper and decided to attend to find out why so many famous musicians had dedicated themselves to a musical inspired by the poetry of Supreme Master Ching Hai. He then said lovingly, “At this time on Earth, we need to be united together by love. When we can solve problems with love, cultures can be exchanged and the world will be peaceful; no more war.” At that moment I was deeply touched by the man’s sincere words and my soul was elevated, as through them God was showing me the oneness of humanity. We then stopped talking because the show had begun, and although Master did not attend in person, the power of Her love filled the hall. During intermission the gentleman introduced me to his wife and said they had been vegetarians for more than ten years. While watching the donation ceremony after the performance, he was deeply impressed and said, “In this world, many rich people only take without giving, but Master Ching Hai only gives without taking!” After the show I watched the journalist and his wife leave for the VIP banquet. Holding the business card he had given me, which contained his contact information, I felt a strong desire to communicate with him again. So that night I sent him an email and asked the front-desk clerk of my hotel to mail him a copy of the DVD offered at the musical. I thought that for a journalist the DVD would provide lots of wonderful information. Everything went on smoothly and perfectly! I returned to Formosa the next morning, and upon my arrival received a warm, grateful e-mail from the gentleman. Thank God for giving me the opportunity to feel the presence of love in such a beautiful way. This experience truly demonstrates that the seeds of peace have been sown around the globe and will soon be blossoming with fruitful results!
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A Happy Reunion
Narrated by Sisters Li and Zeng
Written by Taipei Newsgroup, Formosa (Originally in Chinese) The day after the Taipei Center announced news of Loving the Silent Tears, sister Li registered for the event, and then telephoned her daughter, who was living in New York, USA, to ask her to register as well. On the day of the musical, sister Li arrived at the venue to welcome guests on the reception team, and eagerly looked forward to seeing her daughter, from whom she had been separated for a long time. After finishing their reception-team duties, sister Li and her companion sister Zeng were directed to seats on the right side of the auditorium. They thought their seats should be on the left, however, since they were afraid they might disturb others on the right, but decided to accept the arrangement. Not long after, two people sat down next to them, and as soon as sister Li looked at the couple, she was pleasantly surprised: Her daughter and son-in-law were sitting next to her! Sister Li then thanked God for the clever arrangement, since over 6,000 people were attending the event, and this was indeed an amazing coincidence! Reflecting on their Loving the Silent Tears experience, sisters Li and Zeng feel deeply that Master uses many means to uplift the world and awaken our innate understanding, by reminding us to use love to open our hearts, and guiding us to view the world from the innocent perspective of a child. Thus, we can grasp the glorious meaning of each stage in our life’s journey.
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A Blessed Trip to Attend
Based on an interview with Brother Huang, Formosa
By Loving the Silent Tears Exhibition Team News Group (Originally in Chinese) Fellow-initiate Dr. Huang initially thought he would be unable to attend Loving the Silent Tears due to his busy schedule as a traditional Chinese physician. Also, he had just taken over the operation of a fledgling Loving Hut restaurant and could not easily take off from work, so he felt he could only help with the event remotely from Formosa. However, a working-team member encouraged him to overcome his difficulties and participate in person because when it comes to Master’s projects, we need to give them our full support. When he finally made up his mind to attend the musical, as if by Master’s perfect arrangement a professional chef came to apply for a job at his Loving Hut, thus allowing him to take time off from the restaurant. Then, after also delegating his medical work, he brought his family with him to the US to enjoy the musical. Regarding his Loving the Silent Tears experience, Dr. Huang said, “During the entire musical, I was very touched, and cried throughout the performance because I was filled to the brim with Master’s divine love and blessing power. I experienced the same kind of spiritual elevation that I felt when I once had the chance to talk to Master in person. It’s an amazing feeling; I felt like I was being uplifted while being in a semi-lucid state, and my body seemed so light that it felt as if I was floating in mid-air.” After returning to Formosa, Dr. Huang said the following to the working-team member who had urged him to attend the musical and to the initiates from his Center who did not: “All of Master’s activities, whether Master is present physically or not, are infused with great blessing and love!” He felt the same way he had felt years earlier after attending international retreats – his long-accumulated karma and fatigue disappeared. Although this was an event of much shorter duration than a retreat, he felt completely cleansed. Despite expending energy on a sightseeing trip after the musical, he and his family, initiate and non-initiate alike, still felt blissful a month after returning to Formosa. And although he returns home late from work each night, he goes online regularly to watch videos related to Loving the Silent Tears, and feels as if he is back at the musical; his body again fills with bliss and joy and his fatigue dissipates. For this he is immensely grateful and says, “I feel really honored by Master’s divine love because of the way Master uplifted me. I cannot describe how blessed I feel. I really wish for and encourage all fellow initiates to cherish every opportunity to participate in Master’s events.”
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The Pure Blue
By Xiao Yu, Germany
(Originally in Chinese and English) When I sat down at the Shrine Auditorium to begin watching Loving the Silent Tears, I felt as if I was being enveloped in a sea of radiance. During the prelude, the stage filled with splendid, blue light and white angels descended from the crystal clear “sky,” immediately bringing the audience into the divine world. Meanwhile, the song “I Will Forever Love You” resounded gracefully through the loving, peaceful Heaven and penetrated the hearts of the audience members. In the later scenes, the blue light appeared again and again, wordlessly highlighting the theme of the spiritual journey, since blue is the color of the sky and sea and a symbol of profound peace and harmony. Experiencing Loving the Silent Tears was a kind of baptism for my soul! I came to realize that even though the world is divided into different continents and nations, and people’s appearances and cultural backgrounds vary, we all come from the same source and are all children of God. Moreover, although the external world is colorful and fascinating, a wisp of quietly elegant blue is always present in our hearts, constantly reminding us of a dormant, archetypal memory, and calling us back to our real Home. I wish that more and more people will follow in the footsteps of Supreme Master Ching Hai and walk together with us on the blue, spiritual journey to find the light of the perfect Self.
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| Story World - Reflections on Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical
Cherishing the Eternal Love of Master
By a fellow initiate from China
(Originally in Chinese) Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical warmed my heart and left me deeply touched! Master well understands Her disciples’ yearning for Home, for Her love, and for Paradise! Master knows everything! In fact, every one of us knows that Home is the safest place, infused with the Mother’s love, with bliss and with endless happiness! In the physical world, even the most romantic human love can often bring us endless grief and heartache. Master is the One who wipes away our tears, who loves and understands us the best. Only Master’s love can touch us so deeply and last forever!
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| Story World - Reflections on Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical
Boundless Love Spread through
By a fellow initiate from China
(Originally in Chinese) On October 27, Golden Year 9 (2012), I and a group of other initiates from China attended Loving the Silent Tears, a splendid, divine, once-in-a-lifetime event that has left us in bliss ever since. Upon arriving at the Shrine Auditorium before the musical, we were mesmerized by the layout of the venue, the costumes of the various ethnic groups in attendance, and the array of participants from around the world. As we entered the exhibition hall, the first thing that caught our eyes was a large, powerful photo of Master that made us feel as if She were right there in front of us, bringing us immense joy! We couldn’t wait to take photos with Master’s picture. When the show began, Master’s image appeared on the screen and excitement overtook me. Although I do not understand English, tears kept running down my face. I was deeply moved by Master’s love. Then the story of the musical unfolded. Amazing scenes, beautiful music, and gorgeous, graceful dancing brought an elegant gift to our eyes and hearts. Through the simple prop of a lone train carriage, the drama of life was on display. The development of the plot reminded me that only when we have learned to put down fortune, emotion, and attachment to the world can we board the train to the other Shore, and that all of humanity is one, big family under the guidance of God. The musical ended with a grand finale in an atmosphere of joy and peace, symbolizing the advent of the new, Golden Era. When we returned to our hotel, we were all still extremely excited, and shared our thoughts and experiences of the musical with one another. The next morning, a sister in our group had an inner vision in which Master’s transcendental body had come to visit us at the hotel in glorious apparel. Master smiled and said, “You should take the Love home!”
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| Love in Action
Master is always deeply concerned when disasters occur in any part of the world. Upon hearing news of such events, She immediately provides financial assistance and sends relief teams. Through such efforts, Her unconditional love and support are conveyed to those affected, thus reducing their suffering while helping them to rebuild their lives. In recognition of the selfless actions of governments, organizations and relief workers around the globe, Master expresses Her gratitude as follows: “Thank you, all the international help that brings care and necessities to afflicted victims. Thank you all the relief workers for taking time and forsaking your own comfort, even traveling great distances on unfavorable roads and conditions to bring love and assistance to people in a time of need. May Heaven bless you abundantly for your generosity and noble sacrifice.”
Italy
Master’s Love Brings Hope
By Paris Relief Team, France (Originally in English)
On May 20, 2012, an earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck northern Italy, leaving thousands homeless and damaging over 100 historic structures. With Supreme Master Ching Hai’s blessing and fund of EUR20,800, a relief team of our Association members from Paris, France arrived in the area on May 24 to render aid. After assessing the needs of those affected, the team visited makeshift shelters through the arrangement of the Ferrara Civil Protection Department, and purchased a large quantity of basic necessities. The team then distributed the items and made more trips for supplies as new requests were received. They also contributed EUR10,000 to the Association of Volunteers of the Ferrara Civil Protection Department to ensure that earthquake-relief efforts would continue, and another EUR1,500 for the purchase of protective clothing for local relief workers. Concerned about others affected by the quake, the team then traveled to the city of Cento, where the mayor directed them to more shelters. Relief materials were next given to residents of the hard-hit municipality of Finale Emilia in Modena, and EUR6,000 was presented to Mayor Fernando Ferioli to aid people in hard-to-reach areas. Only when they were sure they had visited all the camps in the region did the team members return to France, encouraged by the thought that Master’s love had helped alleviate the suffering of many people, and had brought hope and joy into their lives. Expressing the community’s thanks for Master’s financial contribution, a Finale Emilia newspaper said it was “a gesture that goes beyond symbolic value and that will place the first brick for the rebuilding of our Finale.” May all those recovering from the earthquake be blessed with a speedy return to normal life, and such calamitous events cease as humanity grows in kindness toward all beings.
Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai
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| Love in Action
Iran
Providing Comfort
By Iran Relief Team (Originally in Persian and English)
On August 11, 2012, two earthquakes of magnitudes 6.4 and 6.3 struck northwestern Iran, with the area near the city of Tabriz suffering great damage. It was reported that over 300 people lost their lives, 5,000 were injured, and hundreds of residents had to be rescued from under the rubble of collapsed buildings. On the first night after the quake, approximately 16,000 people in the affected area were given emergency shelter but were still in need of food, water and tents. Upon receiving Master’s loving contribution of US$30,000, our Association members in Iran quickly prepared relief supplies, organized a relief team, and travelled to Tabriz on August 14. The team packed the items in 1,000 bags, each containing blankets, a tent, food, and daily necessities, and on August 16 and 17 distributed the bags to affected families in 45 villages, while conveying Master’s deep concern and sympathy. From September 25 to October 30, with the remaining US$2,000 from Master’s fund and a US$4,000 contribution from local Association members, more relief teams travelled to earthquake-affected regions near Tabriz in East Azerbaijan Province, where they distributed much-needed bread and medicine, and 350 safe, efficient heaters suitable for use in tents. The team also gave cash assistance to families in need, the disadvantaged and the elderly, and distributed bicycles and dolls to children in rural areas. The villagers, both adults and children, were deeply grateful for Master’s kind gesture of providing them with much-needed items in their time of need. The Iranian initiates thank Master for the love, care and support She showed their fellow citizens, and pray that calamities such as the recent earthquake will subside as more people adopt the compassionate way of living, the vegan diet. Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association for Earthquake Relief Work in Iran
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| Love in Action
True love is not possessiveness, but giving unconditionally. When we see that someone is in need and help him spontaneously, we are expressing love. As Supreme Master Ching Hai says, “In your heart you seem to have become him; you can feel his pain. After you give him [the necessities], you see that he is very happy. You feel so warm in your heart, as if you have given yourself something. Then you know what love is.” Supreme Master Ching Hai has always been deeply concerned about the well-being of the homeless and other vulnerable individuals around the world. She not only asks our Association members, including Her personal attendants, to provide aid to the needy and disadvantaged, but also purchases food, daily necessities and gifts in person, and sends them anonymously to organizations such as homeless shelters, orphanages, and animal sanctuaries. This winter, Master has established a special fund to help homeless monastics and other less fortunate people in all parts of the globe. As lovingly instructed by Master, all of our Association’s international Centers again conducted charitable, “Warmth in Winter” activities to help ensure that those in need stay warm during the cold season. Reports on these efforts are included in this issue of the News and more will be published in the future.
India
Master’s Love Brings Comfort to Indian Monastics and Street Friends
By Formosa Relief Team (Originally in Chinese)
In December Golden Year 9 (2012), temperatures plummeted in northern India. With concern for the plight of local monks and the homeless, Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately made a loving contribution of US$25,000 to help local monastics and street friends stay warm and safe in the frigid weather. Bearing Master’s contribution, our Association members from Formosa arrived in Delhi, India on December 13. With the assistance of local Association members, they purchased over 4,000 soft, warm blankets and contacted the Santosh Puri Ashram near Haridwar, which had helped our Association distribute blankets in 2009. The Abbott of the Ashram, (Mataji) Narmada Devi Puri Ma, joyfully praised Master’s divine love and charitable deeds and asked her son, Yogacharya Ganga Puri, to help our Association in distributing the blankets to those in need. Our local Indian Association members also drove for eight hours to help. With the assistance of Ganga Puri, the blankets were delivered to four orphanages, three shelters for leprosy patients, and over a dozen ashrams. Every day along the way, our Association members also distributed blankets to monastics and street friends in need in Haridwar and nearby Rishikesh. In total, more than 3,000 blankets were given out in the area, bringing comfort to children, patients, monks, and homeless friends. The remaining 1,000 blankets were distributed to sadhus congregating at the Kumbh Mela religious festival held in January 2013 in Allahabad. We thank God for the divine love that brings blessings to those in need. May the citizens of India find much warmth and comfort during this cold season. Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai for Winter Relief Work on Behalf of Indian Monastics and the Homeless
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| Love in Action
Bangladesh
Master’s Love Dispels the Wintry Cold
By Formosa Relief Team (Originally in Chinese)
On December 12, Golden Year 9 (2012) the Formosa relief team traveled to Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, to bring Master’s love to the area’s less fortunate, and help them stay warm in winter. After assessing the situation, the team used Master’s loving contribution of US$20,000 to purchase 500 thick blankets and 1,400 fleece blankets. After an 11-hour, nighttime drive, the team arrived at Kurigram District in northern Bangladesh on the morning of the 14th. That afternoon, they distributed 400 blankets to the needy and homeless in Babarihaat, and 240 blankets to those in Bhurungamari. That night, they also delivered 45 blankets to the orphans of Shesushadon Children’s House and 45 blankets to orphaned students at a Muslim school. On the 15th, the team went to Majipara, Nageswari, and Nakhalgong, distributing a total of 635 blankets to the residents. On the 16th, they handed out another 525 blankets, mostly to underprivileged families, the elderly and the homeless in Chorbarobish, Kaligong, Kadhar, and Morua. Upon receiving the loving gifts, the recipients were deeply grateful and touched, tearfully thanking Master, and some immediately wrapped themselves in the warm blankets. Finally, the relief team presented the remaining 21,500 takas of Master’s contribution to the Shesushadon Children’s House. The facility’s administrator said they were self-supporting, and had never received contributions from other groups or organizations. Thus the staff was deeply moved by Master’s love and care. They also promised to use the funds to improve the children’s living conditions and purchase school supplies. Thanks to Master’s boundless love and blessings, the relief team accomplished their “Warmth in Winter” project smoothly and successfully, thus helping many less fortunate Bangladeshi people stay warm through the winter.
Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai for Relief Work Benefiting the Less Fortunate in Bangladesh
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| Love in Action
Mainland China
Warmth in Winter:
Compiled by China News Group (Originally in Chinese)
Shandong Province Upon receiving Supreme Master Ching Hai’s notice to help the homeless stay warm in winter, our Association members in the Shidao Administrative Zone immediately began financing a relief effort and gathering gently used clothing. In a short time they also purchased cotton quilts and coats, and on December 11, Golden Year 9 (2012) delivered the items to the charitable group Handy Community Fund and later sent the used clothing to the same organization, which will distribute them to the homeless. Our Association members are grateful to Master for Her abundant blessing and for giving them the opportunity to do their small part in helping others and bringing more love and warmth to the world. Beijing Contributing to Charitable Organizations After receiving Master’s instructions, many Beijing Association members participated in a project to help the homeless by providing monetary assistance and emergency items to the Handy Community Fund and the China Social Welfare Foundation. Some Association members also distributed daily necessities to the less fortunate in person. Distributing Emergency Supplies on the Streets On the cold evening of December 17, a group of our Association members went to Nan Zhang to visit more than 20 homeless people, most of whom were staying under shelters made of cardboard and plastic, and distributed emergency supplies such as warm cotton coats, water-proof cushions, cotton-padded shoes, gloves and socks. Then on the snowy evening of December 18, the group visited homeless people near the Yongding River and offered them bread, instant noodles, vegan sausage, dried tofu and cotton coats. Upon receiving the much-needed supplies, the homeless were deeply grateful, and some even shed tears of joy. Our Association members thanked Master for allowing them to understand that the world still contains many suffering people who need help, and in comparison, their own everyday problems are nothing. Moreover, they are extremely fortunate to have met Master and to practice the Method of true liberation. Jiangxi Province On December 10, a team of our Association members from Nanchang City purchased warm cotton coats, hats and quilts that were designed for military use and sought out homeless people living under bridges, overpasses and footbridges, as well as at parks, train stations, and store entrances, to conduct winter charity work. Some of the homeless were sleeping on the cold ground without warm accessories, and when the team first approached to offer them coats and quilts, they became frightened because they were used to being chased away. However, when the team lovingly helped them put on the coats and laid out the quilts, the people felt Master’s love, gladly accepted the items, and expressed appreciation for the kind acts. Henan Province Compared to the past few years, in the winter of 2012-13 Henan Province has experienced unusually severe winters due to persistent cold waves. Thus, in December 2012 a group of our Association members from Luoyang City quickly purchased quilts and jackets to distribute to the homeless on the streets, giving them some measure of warmth. Upon hearing that the Luoyang Children’s Welfare Institute urgently needed assistance, the group immediately drove to the Institute and delivered quilts. The Institute houses approximately 500 adopted children, 90% of whom have disabilities and need daily assistance from childcare workers. Caption: Giving quilts to the Luoyang Children’s Welfare Institute Shaanxi Province In mid-December, due to the cold wave, the temperature in Xi’an City dropped to below zero degrees Celsius, and some homeless people had to spend the night on the streets without help. Feeling sympathy for the people’s suffering, on December 16 our Association members provided them with cotton quilts and conveyed Master’s love. Sichuan Province Baiyu County – Contributing to Yaqin Temple The spiritual practitioners at the Yaqin Temple, Bayu County, Ganzi Prefecture were living very ascetic lives, so many had fallen ill with the flu or developed arthritis due to the extreme cold weather. Perhaps because the Temple residents’ sincerity in spiritual practice had touched Heaven, a group of our Association members went to Chengdu City on December 18 to bring them food supplies and Master’s love. The abbot of the Temple praised our Association’s kind deed and sent representatives to Chengdu to receive the loving gifts. The rice and flour purchased by the group were handed over to Temple representatives and transported to the Temple using their special-delivery vehicle. To express their appreciation and respect, the representatives offered traditional Buddhist ceremonial scarves called khatas to the group. Our Association members pray that Heaven will bless this beautiful land, and wish that these sincere practitioners will gain much merit and be successful in all their endeavors. Yunnan Province Kunming City: Helping Stray Dogs A group of our Association members recently contributed to three dog shelters. On October 14, the group purchased cooking oil and rice and sent the supplies to Auntie Kang’s Stray Dog Shelter in Bijiguan Village. The shelter houses approximately 200 stray dogs. When the group arrived, the dogs appeared to be very happy and welcomed them enthusiastically. Upon learning that the roof tiles and fence walls of the shelter were damaged, the group purchased asbestos tiles and cement, which were given to the landlord to repair the shelter. Then in the afternoon the group purchased more rice and cooking oil and distributed the items to two more dog shelters in Chenjiabi Village and Bijiguan Village. Baoshan City: Assisting the Disadvantaged and Less Fortunate The Vama Yi Ethnic Township in Longyang District, Baoshan City is located in a cold, mountainous area where the life of the local residents is filled with hardship. In the spirit of helping the needy, our Association members used their remaining disaster-relief funds to help 103 households in the communities of Yanqiao River, Damofang and Zhujiazhai, which contains the most remote and needy village of Anbang. Apart from pants and other clothing shipped from the Association’s headquarters, a team of local members also purchased cotton quilts and rice for distribution. Considering the ruggedness of the area’s mountain paths, the team decided to ask the township government to help arrange transportation and thus ensure safe delivery of the supplies. On October 6, the team went to Anbang Village and gave the rice, quilts and clothing to the villagers, who were overjoyed to receive the supplies and repeatedly expressed their appreciation. The project was completed smoothly, and the team members were also very joyful. All were bathed in Master’s divine love. Mile County: Helping Schools and the Disadvantaged A number of disadvantaged villages, including Pindi and Gantian, are located in the area of Jiangbian Township, Mile County, Honghe Prefecture. The villagers there live in a zone beginning halfway up a mountain and extending to the top. Some of the families can hardly afford daily necessities and school supplies for their children. Thus, following Master’s instructions, our Association members continued sharing God’s love, and extended their relief effort to help meet the local children’s school needs and assist disadvantaged people. In addition to distributing clothing contributed by various Centers, they also purchased supplies needed by local schools, based on information provided by the principal in Jiangbian Township. On November 9, the Association members distributed the supplies to elementary schools in three villages and the Central School of Jiangbian Township, according to the number of students in each village and their family conditions. Both the teachers and students were delighted and thankful to receive the items, and the village heads expressed their gratitude on behalf of the villagers. Most of the 400 fifth- and sixth-grade students at the Wanquan Elementary School in Jiangbian Township are from disadvantaged families living in the local mountains. Responding to the request of the principal, our Association members purchased dictionaries, stationery supplies and other reading materials on November 10 to give to the students. They also contributed several copies of Green Life, a book on environmental protection, to the school. The principle was deeply touched and repeatedly reminded the students that not only should they study well, but also learn to share with, care for and help others. Bidding a happy farewell to the teachers and students, our Association members prayed that through divine grace their area will regain ecological balance and become green and prosperous once again. Guangdong Province For many days in December 2012, southern China was under continuous attack from a severe cold wave. Temperatures dropped steeply in a short time, making the lives of the homeless more difficult than usual as they shivered in the chilly winds. Thus, on Christmas Eve and Christmas night, our Association members in Zhuhai City purchased cotton quilts and bed cushions and distributed the items to homeless people living under overpasses, giving them warmth and conveying Master’s boundless love. Datong City, Shanxi Province Caption: Giving vegan meal boxes to homeless people Gansu Province Caption: Providing warm, cotton coats, cotton-padded shoes and stationery to children from disadvantaged families in a mountainous area Zhejiang Province Caption: Distributing warm clothes and food to the homeless Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association for Activities to Help the Disadvantaged, Orphans and Animals in Mainland China October to December 2012
* Association members from Suzhou City, Jiangxu Province, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, and Yibin City, Sichuan Province contributed CNY20,000, CNY9,950, and CNY10,000 respectively to Love in Action activities conducted by Yunnan initiates.
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| Master Tells Jokes
The Party
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai, There were three friends who lived near each other. One was a waterian, one was a raw foodist, and one was a breatharian. The raw foodist just ate raw. The waterian just drank water, and the breatharian just ate the breath. Not the “bread,” the “breath.” One day they decided to have a birthday party. So they had to also decide who would host the party. The raw foodist said, “I’ll do it; my house is bigger. I’ll cook, also.” And the waterian said, “No, that’s nonsense. I’ll cook.” But the breatharian said, “Since it’s my birthday, I’ll cook!” So, if you see the three of them getting together to make a party and if you still like Chinese food, stay away, because you’ll have nothing to eat there!
Please visit the following website to enjoy the original soundtrack of this joke, and also to share the joy of Master’s humor with those around you:
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| Master Tells Jokes
Mother Mary!
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai,
International Gathering in France December 28, Golden Year 4 (2007) (Originally in English) DVD # 822 A six-year-old ran up and down the supermarket aisles, shouting frantically, “Mary, Mary, Mary!” When the mother was finally reunited with him, she told him, “You shouldn’t call me by my name, Mary. I am your mother, you know that?” The child said, “I know, but the supermarket is full of mothers!”
Please visit the following website to enjoy the original soundtrack of this joke, and also to share the joy of Master’s humor with those around you:
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| Supreme Art
Vegan Fur Is Cool!
For vegan fur apparel, please visit http://smcelestial-mag.weebly.com/
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| Elevation of the Soul
Supreme Master Ching Hai’s
☆ Please visit the following website to browse the summary of the DVDs ☆
◆ Art and Culture Series
◆ Group Meditation and Retreat Series
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| Elevation of the Soul
DVD-999
The Real Love: The Musical DVD The Real Love is a Broadway-style musical about the extraordinary love story of Thanh, a young Aulacese Red Cross worker helping war-torn refugees, and Rolf, a handsome and gentle German doctor. From Âu Lạc of Thanh’s school days to Germany in the late 1970s, to the deep Himalayas, Thanh goes on an adventure of self-discovery and love. In celebration of Supreme Master Television’s 5th Anniversary, The Real Love premiered on August 27, Golden Year 8 (2011) at the prestigious Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California, USA in front of more than 3,000 people, who gave it a standing ovation. After the performance, Supreme Master Ching Hai spoke via videoconference as the event’s guest of honor. She said, “This is once-in-a-lifetime that we can see all these great people together in one cast, in one musical. I can never thank all of you enough for your incredible, loving dedication and support to art and love. This is the real love – your love.” The evening also included a special gift presentation to six charities and a concert by American music icon Don McLean (“American Pie,” “Vincent”). This 3-disc edition has special features such as Supreme Master Ching Hai’s fascinating stories of the Himalayas, behind-the-scenes interviews, media reports, the celebrity red carpet, and rehearsal scenes. Like the book, The Real Love DVD is also available on Amazon.com.
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| Elevation of the Soul
The Real Love
book reaches #1
on Amazon.com Inspired by the true life story of Supreme Master Ching Hai, The Real Love: The Musical is a moving experience, as we journey together with the lovely Thanh in her search for the key to enlightenment. Now, the book that further brings to life the words, images, and songs, The Real Love: The Complete Book, Lyrics and Sheet Music of the Musical, has reached #1 on Amazon.com’s Best Sellers lists in both the Books and Poetry categories. At its sold-out world premiere, The Real Love featured lyrics based on the poetry of Supreme Master Ching Hai, original music by Academy, Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Award-winning composers, a 38-member company with Tony and Academy Award-winning stars, and a 21-piece orchestra. The Real Love is a Broadway-style musical about the extraordinary story of Thanh, a young Aulacese Red Cross worker who feels deeply for the suffering in the world, and Rolf, a handsome German doctor who immediately falls in love with her. Although they are happily married, a higher calling compels Thanh to make a difficult decision: to hold on to her life of personal contentment or sacrifice it all for the chance to seek happiness for all humanity.... Whether they’re just discovering The Real Love or have already laughed and cried upon watching the live show or DVD, readers will enjoy exploring the full script, poems, and sheet music, with vibrant full color photos throughout. The #1 best-selling book, The Real Love: The Complete Book, Lyrics and Sheet Music of the Musical, inspires us all toward greater courage and compassion in our daily lives.
To order Supreme Master Ching Hai’s publications online, please visit
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