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County Lines - Movie Review

14/7/2023

Five Stars - Excellent

Many of us are aware that there is a drugs crisis in Ireland.

Drugs are available everywhere from the local GAA to the pub.

Treatment centres in the past used to mostly deal with cases of alcoholism
they are now seeing more and more 'cross addicted' cases. Alcohol and drugs. You could actually say it is a silent pandemic - one of addiction.

So this movie County Lines that was released in Dec 2020 is a very important and realistic depiction of what it is like to live or even better, fall into the drugs world as a minor.

I saw it this week on BBC 2 quite late. Quite late because I don't think the BBC wanted too many people to see it. Not to understand what is taking place.

This is also a problem now in Ireland, rarely reported on, along with knife crime and child prostitution. Kids in Ireland are now being targeted in children's homes by pimps in much the same way they were in Manchester.

The UK National Crime Agency estimates over 10,000 children are involved.

We could have a similar figure here soon. Nonetheless the culture is here.

County lines is a form of criminal exploitation. It is when criminals befriend children, either online of offline, and then manipulate them into drug dealing. The 'lines' refer to mobile phones that are used to control a young person who is delivering drugs, often to towns outside their home county.
- Children Society UK

Knock Knock You Owe Us 5K?

Some parents get to suddenly discover two things some night up and down the country. The first is John or Jilly have a sudden debt of 5,000 Euros and secondly that they are a drug addict.

The debt will be enforced and is for immediate payment to the drug dealers who will use all sorts of tactics including harassment and violence.

So this is why RTE should broadcast this movie to help people understand what is taking place.

Conrad Khan Shines in Movie
County Lines

County Lines is a powerful and moving coming-of-age film about a 14 year old boy who is groomed into a ‘county lines’ criminal network.

Inspired by the stories he heard while mentoring kids at an East London pupil referral unit, writer-director Henry Blake’s powerful feature debut boasts a compelling central performance by Conrad Khan as 14-year-old Tyler, with strong supporting performances from Ashley Madekwe and Harris Dickinson.

Children are used by dealers as they are treated differently in the courts until they reach 18.

Irelands youth detention centre, Oberstown, is now officially full. A judge recently had to release a juvenile due to lack of capacity at the centre.

Conrad Khan is such an amazing young acting talent. He wonderfully acts the protagonist Tyler at a key stage in his life. This is where he is vulnerable and ends up being groomed into the drugs underworld by Simon who is played by enigmatically by Harris Dickinson.

Dickenson is fantastic at embodying the duplicitous and psychopathic and entitled drug dealer Simon. Low on empathy and high, high, high on entitlement. Exploitative. People to Simon are like utensils, a means to an end and if they get broken you just throw them away and replace them with someone else. With rules of omertà 'no comment' covering everything.

If people don't listen to Simon and what he is entitled too then he makes them listen with violence.

Simon may not have started off in life like this but this is where he and anybody that gets involved ends up. You could say its the 'company culture'.

Madekwe is a single mom Toni struggling to raise two kids and keep a roof over their heads. She try's her best. She's drowning. Working a minimum wage job. Money is low, very low. Another excellent and convincing performance. Relatable.

You can tell this is a heartfelt public information film from writer director Henry Blake that is alarming as it is compassionate.

Blake does not shy away from doing true justice to the testimonies he has heard from the teenagers caught up in County Lines and the criminal underworld.

If you love the writer Mike Leigh movies then you are going to love this.

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Karmapa Europe 2023 Tour

10/7/2023

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His Holiness The 17th Karmapa will be visiting Europe to deliver a number of teachings and empowerments from July to Oct 2023.

Here are the dates and venues for the European tour 2023;

14-16 July / Dhagpo Möhra - Schedrub Tschöpel Ling, Germany (Approaching the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Amitabha Initiation.)
21-23 July / Bodhi Path Renchen-Ulm, Germany (Approaching the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Chenrezig Initiation.)
28-30 July / Karma Migyur Ling, Montchardon, France
2-4 August / Europe Center, Immenstadt, Germany
11-15 August / Dhagpo Kagyu Ling, France
1-6 September / Karma Guen, Vélez-Málaga, Spain

14th 16th July 2033 Approaching the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Part 1 & Amitabha Initiation

In this text by the Buddhist teacher Gyelse Togme Zangpo, the state of mind and daily practices of a bodhisattva are described in 37 points.

In the beginning, a bodhisattva is an ordinary being who, over time, develops an understanding and application of enlightenment mind. Enlightenment mind is the deep wish that all beings experience lasting happiness and protection from all causes of unhappiness. In other words, enlightenment mind is kindness and compassion.

A bodhisattva is motivated by this enlightenment mind and practices to attain a clear mind. Such a person becomes aware of thoughts, emotions, and mental events immediately as they manifest, without them becoming a source of confusion or misunderstanding.

Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, will guide us through the text himself, explaining it to us and showing how we can walk this path of kindness and compassion in our present framework to become true bodhisattvas ourselves.

The Karmapas are a lineage of bodhisattvas, embodiments of kindness and compassion, dating back to the 12th century.

July 28th-30th 2023 Green Tara France

Afternoon from 3pm(1): Green Tara initiation (2) and lung (oral transmission) of the practice

Tara the Liberator is the feminine aspect which embodies the spontaneous activity of all Buddhas. Her practice protects from fear, removes obstacles for oneself and others, and ultimately leads to the realization of Buddhahood. The initiation will deepen the connection with the practice, allowing participants to know it better and to receive its benefits.

July 21-23 Part 2 & Chenrezei Empowerment

The 17th Karmapa can never repeat enough that the veritable essence of Buddhism is compassion practice.

What is an empowerment? It is a transmission that is carried out in Vajrayana practice by a master who has himself received it from the uninterrupted lineage from the Buddha; it is a pre-requisite to properly do yidam practice. So now we can ask, what is a yidam! Even though this word is generally translated as “deity”, a yidam is in fact a support which links (dam) the spirit (yi) to the enlightened dimension. It is not about an entity which might truly exist outside of ourselves; it is simply the expression of enlightened qualities present within us but not yet realized.

The 17th Karmapa explains to the listeners that the attributes associated with Chenrezig (as all the yidams) are symbolic – the four arms for example, refer to the four unlimited thoughts: love, compassion, joy and equanimity. The empowerment is thus a transmission from one mind to another which authorizes the disciple to meditate on the yidam, benefiting from favorable conditions for his realization.

Traditionally, it is said that the master “plants a seed”, but it is then up to the disciple to take care and to the make the seed germinate (meaning to cultivate the qualities that represent the yidam)!

Photo by petr sidorov on Unsplash

Karmapa Diamond Way Europe Centre

Wednesday, 2 August
Milarepa empowerment with H.H. 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje (16:00)
Thursday, 3 August
Teachings with H.H. 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje: Buddhist Refuge (16:00)
Friday, 4 August
Teachings with H.H. 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje: The Six Liberating Actions (16:00)
Presentation Evening
Saturday, 5 August
Stupa Consecration – Rabne
Sunday, 6 August
Mahakala empowerment with H.H. 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje (16:00)

Dhagpo Kagyu Ling 11-15 August 2023

Karmapa wished for the program of his stay to be in accordance with Lama Jigme Rinpoche’s requests: in the continuity of his last visit, his teaching will focus on the practice of Chenrezig, and he will confer the empowerment.

Karmapa’s visit is part of the implementation of a study and meditation curriculum that is accessible to all. During his stay, he will also perform the final consecration of the Sukhavati Garden.

Over 3,000 people are expected to attend.

Karma Guen Spain September 2023

Sunday 03-Sep-23
White Tara Empowerment (Benalmadena Stupa)

Wednesday 06-Sep-23
Karma Pakshi Empowerment (Karma Guen)

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Think Local Festival July 19th - 20th 2023

9/7/2023

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Enjoy a fantastic ‘feast’ comprising of locally grown, sourced produce and amazing raffle prices.

Meet the growers and farmers behind the produce. Enjoy wonderful entertainment and conversations!

Think Local 2023 all happening close to Mullingar.

Supermarket Price Gouging Ireland

As our food and energy industries face increasing challenges, the time has never been more right for a movement like Think Local to support communities.

You just need to take a quick look at the 'price gouging' at the supermarkets to be encouraged.

Supporting German supermarkets rather than Think Local producers sends all the money to Germany into the pockets of people who will never live in your community in Ireland. We rapidly need to create something sustainable together.

The will is absolutely there to do so.

Despite all the money that the Irish nation pays into supermarkets supply contracts only last a year for producers. Little security in those contracts for Irish producers.

Ireland has zero horticultural exports to date.

A number of people now in the UK now find themselves shoplifting baby infant formula as they can no longer afford it due to the supermarket price gouging and the cost of living crisis there.

Experience the essence of community revival at this captivating festival that immerses us in the timeless traditions of ancient Ireland.

Join everyone in the enchanting backdrop of Ireland's historic landscapes as they embark on a journey to rediscover the profound roots of our ancestral heritage and perhaps get a glimpse of the bright future that lays ahead for Rural Ireland.

Think Local Festival integrates live music, stunning vistas, engaging children's entertainment, mesmerizing poetry and powerful conversation.

Enrich your mind at the enlightening Think Local Summer School, where vital conversations about politics, economics, and social issues will take centre stage.

But for this to happen buy ticket by clicking this text, they need your support!

Purchase Tickets

International & Local Speakers

Mattias Desmet Professor of Psychology & Educational Sciences, Author and Clinical Psychologist.
Sandi Adams Writer, researcher, mother, & grandmother. Expert on all things Agenda 2023.

Dr Peter McCullough (remote) - a practicing internist, cardiologist, epidemiologist in Dallas Texas and the volunteer Chief Medical Advisor of the Truth for Health Foundation.
Feargus O'Connor Greenwood Author 180 Degrees: Unlearn the Lies You've Been Taught
Dr Dilis Clare - GP & Medical herbalist now based in Galway
Dr Anne McCloskey GP from Derry
Dr Pat Morrissey - GP Adare
Alex Krainer - Author and Hedge Fund Manager
Mark Hurst - Regenerative Farmer

Brendan Guinan - Regenerative Farmer

Photo by Aranxa Esteve on Unsplash

Engage in a free exchange of ideas during our Think Local Town Sessions, featuring scheduled and impromptu talks and performances.

Enjoy an exclusive screening of an important new short film exploring the challenges faced by Dutch Farmers, hosted in-person by the film's director, who joins us from America; or simply amble through our breathtaking open-air venue, adorned with a splendid 25-stall Food Market showcasing locally sourced products and ingredients.

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The Biggest Little Farm - Review

6/7/2023

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Five Stars
This is such an excellent documentary and now available on Netflix.

I came across this when I was studying for a QQI Level 5 Vegetable production course. The course was great and enabled me to ‘grow my own’ organically which I have now turned into the growth of organic herbs such as calendula, peppermint and lavender to use in our products. The guy that taught it was the best grower in the country with years of experience.

When you start eating fresh organically grown vegetables from the garden you just won't buy imports again.

This is a wonderful documentary, The Biggest Little Farm, that takes place over a number of years with a couple who are new to organic horticulture. You witness them go through the trials and tribulations and you see on a macro level, through very clever arial footage of the estate, its complete transformation.

The Healing Power of Natural Agriculture

The farm starts off as a type of dessert and ends up being extremely green, lush and vibrant.

All transformed by organic, biodynamic and permaculture agricultural practices. This is a great documentary for all those of thinking of becoming growers.

There are a few scary moments when things don’t go according to plan. You end up routing for the couple and all the team. So there are a couple of places of intense suspense.

Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash

From Dead Soil to Living Soil

This is a lovely documentary The Biggest Little Farm for a Friday night family viewing and the weekend to discuss.

You end the documentary convinced with powerful evidence of the benefits of producing vegetables we eat in living soil full of minerals as opposed to conventional ones full of chemical pesticides. Plus why conventional farming is quite crazy and that we could feed everyone in Ireland if we started to grow vegetables and sell them locally.

We just need to get the locals to buy into the movement. Salad bags grown locally and eggs do really well for local farmers.

The best feeling you are left with is a feeling of how wonderful the natural world is and how healing. You see nature and all its spirits respond en mass when the right natural conditions are created and nature is respected. The Tibetans call this the drala principle.

All of this reminds me of the Cree, a Native American tribe from what is now called Canada who once prophetically warned,

“Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realise we cannot eat money.” - Cree Proverb

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The Irish Organic Revolution

You may or may not know this but there is a quiet revolution taking place in Ireland at the moment in agriculture and more and more farmers are getting into organic farming and its methods.

The government recently put up 60% grant aid amount of funding for organic agriculture through an organic farming grant aid scheme of up to 90,000 Euros.

Two years ago there was 200 registered organic farmers and now there are over 2000 which is great for Ireland.

We currently make no exports in terms of horticulture in Ireland.

With the recent exit of the UK from the EU, the effects of climate change and the Ukraine war there has been major pressure put on our national food security.

Increasingly, we are seeing more and more food shortages.

When you spend some time or ideally live on the continent you realise that Ireland really is on the periphery of Europe.

However we have a really good growing climate for organic horticulture.

We just need more and more people to buy from local organic growers. Even if the growers don’t have the certification they will more than likely be using organic practices.

Anyways enjoy the The Biggest Little Farm perhaps you might start growing your own and save on the massive electricity bills?

Our latest has made me determined to put up 15 solar panels and a windmill to come off grid. When that happens I will be sharing with you all how I did it on a budget. The windmill cost 350 Euros.

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Mindful Beauty Blog
Discover your beautiful mind...

County Lines - Movie Review

Knock Knock You Owe Us 5K?

Conrad Khan Shines in Movie
County Lines

Mindful Beauty Sweet Dreams Box

ArthroAroma Massage Oil 250ml - for aches & pains

Eau de Cologne - 10ml Rollerball (box of 2)

Karmapa Europe 2023 Tour

14th 16th July 2033 Approaching the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Part 1 & Amitabha Initiation

July 28th-30th 2023 Green Tara France

July 21-23 Part 2 & Chenrezei Empowerment

Karmapa Diamond Way Europe Centre

Dhagpo Kagyu Ling 11-15 August 2023

Karma Guen Spain September 2023

Mindful Beauty
Discover Your Beautiful Mind

Mindful Beauty Bestseller Box

Mindful Beauty Nurses' Gift Box

Mindful Beauty Sweet Dreams Box

Think Local Festival July 19th - 20th 2023

Supermarket Price Gouging Ireland

International & Local Speakers

Mindful Beauty Made in Ireland

Mindful Beauty Bestseller Box

ArthroAroma Massage Oil 250ml - for aches & pains

The Biggest Little Farm - Review

The Healing Power of Natural Agriculture

From Dead Soil to Living Soil

Mindful Beauty Footcare Box

The Irish Organic Revolution

ArthroAroma Massage Oil 250ml - for aches & pains

Author

Mindful Beauty Newsletter - Special Offers & Blog Updates

Archives

Categories

Mindful Beauty Blog Discover your beautiful mind...

County Lines - Movie Review

Knock Knock You Owe Us 5K?

Conrad Khan Shines in Movie ​County Lines

Mindful Beauty Sweet Dreams Box

ArthroAroma Massage Oil 250ml - for aches & pains

Eau de Cologne - 10ml Rollerball (box of 2)

Karmapa Europe 2023 Tour

14th 16th July 2033 Approaching the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, Part 1 & Amitabha Initiation

July 28th-30th 2023 Green Tara France

July 21-23 Part 2 & Chenrezei Empowerment

Karmapa Diamond Way Europe Centre

Dhagpo Kagyu Ling 11-15 August 2023

Karma Guen Spain September 2023

Mindful Beauty Discover Your Beautiful Mind

Mindful Beauty Bestseller Box

Mindful Beauty Nurses' Gift Box

Mindful Beauty Sweet Dreams Box

Think Local Festival July 19th - 20th 2023

Supermarket Price Gouging Ireland

International & Local Speakers

Mindful Beauty Made in Ireland

Mindful Beauty Bestseller Box

ArthroAroma Massage Oil 250ml - for aches & pains

The Biggest Little Farm - Review

The Healing Power of Natural Agriculture

From Dead Soil to Living Soil

Mindful Beauty Footcare Box

The Irish Organic Revolution

ArthroAroma Massage Oil 250ml - for aches & pains

Author

Mindful Beauty Newsletter - Special Offers & Blog Updates

Archives

Categories

Mindful Beauty Blog
Discover your beautiful mind...

Conrad Khan Shines in Movie
County Lines

Mindful Beauty
Discover Your Beautiful Mind