FORBIDDEN KINGDOM: ASIA’S RISE, SEEKER’S PATH
Bro. Erle Frayne Argonza y Delago
Asia’s rising. Pacific Asia, to stress. But likewise are other regions moving up. And the pace of progress has been sustained.
The ‘culture offensive’ of Bollywood and Sinowood movies internationally is more than enough to show the rise of Asia as a whole. Greater China (China + Chinese overseas) and India lead in this effort.
We have one movie around that I just saw recently (last 14 May 08), the Forbidden Kingdom. The plot is heavily mythic-legendary in its semiotizations, and it was satisfactorily done. Plot, cinematography, suspense, comedy, tragedy were woven into one nice fabric.
Much as there is a transcendent element to the plot, the divide between the ‘space after the portal’ and the human world suggests actually the divide between the physical and etheric dimensions. That divide is a thin line, per my knowledge as a mystic.
The ‘heavenly king’ in the movie signifies the ‘etheric high beings’ who reside in majestic cities in the etheric plane, but who by sheer will could easily move back to the physical plane and materialize in front of disciples and adepts. As a mystic, the experience of mingling with these beings is ordinary, as my own spirit Guides (masters) hold ‘office’ in the said plane, though they don’t have to manifest to me physically as I perceive them directly using my higher faculties.
Since the plot was in the area of the Middle Kingdom and its surrounds, the etheric city that is alluded to is no other than Shamballah. This city is in the etheric belt of the Gobi desert, and it connects directly to dozens of other etheric cities all over the planet. But it is located indeed near the Middle Kingdom.
The ‘monkey king’ and the ‘warlord’ are archetypal of two types of ‘warriors’ or leaders: the wise, knowledgeable, incorruptible yet seemingly naïve at times (monkey king) and the greedy, tyrannical, domineering, libidinal, manipulative leader (warlord) whose own vices are his downfall.
The ‘monkey king’, signifying the advanced Adept or Initiate, is a most individuated person, has no need to be with herds (he doesn’t even possess armies), is fulfilled and contented in his life. S/he is therefore “a king unto himself” (to use Aristotle’s words). To rule over the self (lower self) is in fact the goal of self-realization. This person taps Light directly from Above, and then radiates it to people around him/her.
The opposite is the person who may be intelligent, but cunning and devious. S/he needs large people, flocks from whom s/he sucks Light (is vampirical) rather than suck Light from Above, and is predatory (plunders the common folks to procure logistics to sustain life). S/he cannot live an entirely autonomous life, is always dependent on people, is prawn to Left Hand (sexual magic, limitless libidinal consummation), is very mistrusting and insecure. Just like most leaders today of state, business, church, civil society, international organizations and global corporations.
The ‘middle kingdom’ is not just the physical China. More significantly, it is the middle space within us where the ‘higher self’ and the ‘lower self’ do engage in ceaseless battle. This is also the ‘armageddon within’. The role of the ‘heavenly king’ is to show the way to Oneness, making us evolve to that state where we are beyond the influence of ‘good versus evil’.
That was what the film did: to show the loving nature of divine beings, who teach the way to Oneness. The ‘heavenly king’ came, summoned all leaders notably the warlord, even the uninvited guess ‘monkey king’ was entertained, offered them to drink the ‘elixir of immortality’ (high knowledge leading to ascension and etherialization of the material body which is factual), and reiterated the call to Oneness. All kings/leaders must live in harmony, be at One with each other, to build the harmony in the social world.
I wish there would be more films like this one. They offer wisdom lessons, delivered in semiotizations that people (notably the ‘middle class’ who can afford movies) can appreciate. The lessons penetrate the Unconscious Mind directly, as the images are archetypal. And they do elevate the soul of the viewer a bit.
[Writ 15 May 2008, Quezon City, MetroManila]