Mindfulness : The Dharma of Wonder Woman

 I saw this clip of the movie "Wonder Woman 1984" showing a young Diana taking part in the Amazon Games. She was leading in the tournament until nearly towards the end of the game when she lost her focus and was thrown off the back of a horse. Then she thought of an idea to use a shortcut route towards the end line and still be able to win the tournament. She was about to win when one of the referees withheld the spear she was about to throw, thus preventing her from being the winner. They knew she was not being truthful and honest, which are the ideals of a true hero. Basically, that's saying she cheated. Her mother, the Amazon Queen, told Diana that her time has not yet come to be a hero. We can also ponder on these words... 

"It is not a shame (not being a winner)"
"Knowing the truth and not accepting it...no hero is born out of lies"

I thought that this is a great example of applying mindfulness in what we are doing and staying focus. She was distracted and kept looking back at her opponents, instead of focusing on her own game. Due to the lack of mindfulness, she did not see a branch of a tree in front of her and therefore was thrown off her horse. While I have yet to see the entire movie, I have seen the first one, also starring Gal Gadot. I thought she portrayed the Amazon warrior very well. The producers enhanced  her abilities and focuses more of her origins from Zeus (i.e. the Greek God), instead of earlier takes that focus more of her human-ness.  

So, this is my take of a movie with an element of the Dharma. But mindfulness is not strictly a Buddhist Dharma. It is a universal virtue to be focus and mindful in whatever our current task at hand. If you enjoy this post, do read my other comments on movies, including one on Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love. It stars the lovable and amazing actress Julia Roberts. Read here https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2010/12/gilberts-eat-pray-love-vs-our-own-3.html

#GalGadot #wonderwoman #wonderwoman1984 #mindfulness #juliaroberts