Friendship is Magic- Lessons for All Audiences

The television show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has generated a wide fan base beyond the target audience. Entire documentaries have been made about the reasons behind this phenomena, but the one that struck me the most is that My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (or MLP:FiM for short) delivers messages with unusual depth for a children’s show. As the title implies, the show focuses on the adventures and escapades of six ponies. The episodes generally involve the characters learning something about the meaning and value of friendship. This may sound very simple at first, but does this show contain more subtle wisdom than the average viewer might guess? After viewing the show itself, I believe it does, and would like to elaborate on the subject here.

The main character Twilight Sparkle is a dedicated student to the majestic-looking mare Princess Celestia, and she is given an assignment in a town called Ponyville. While there, she meets five other ponies and together they represent “The Elements of Harmony.” Each pony has her own “element” all of which include loyalty, honesty, generosity, laughter, and kindness.  These elements play a significant role throughout the series, and often the characters rely on them to overcome conflicts and havoc-wreaking adversaries such as the villain Discord. (Does any of this sound familiar? Regular readers may recall my article “Elements of Harmony” from several weeks ago J )

The characters are very relatable and the animation style is superb. Both of these things contribute greatly to the overwhelming popularity of MLP:FiM, but perhaps the greatest charm of this show comes from the actual storytelling regarding the virtues (or Elements) of each character. There are many instances in which the pony friends face great and overwhelming difficulties. Many times these troubles are overcome when they are reminded that the Elements of Harmony exist within themselves. They are there; they just need to be “tapped into” for them to flourish. I believe this is the type of encouraging and empowering message that children- and people of all ages, for that matter- need today. MLP:Fim delivers that message in a delightful, expertly executed children’s show.

As someone who has lived periods of my life in deep negativity and also great happiness, I find that I much prefer the latter. That is a major reason why I appreciate MLP:FiM. It’s something positive. Also, as an artist and fiction writer, I enjoy anything that has strong and representative characters. The show has that too. Last but not least, in the title of my blog I identify myself as a “sincere seeker.” Twilight Sparkle is the “seeker” of MLP:FiM. She looks for the truth in things, and she is devoted to her teacher and mentor. She is smart, but is not conceited and open to learning new things. This allows her to grow and develop as a character, and watching her do so was one of my favorite aspects of the show.

Aside from all that, what can I say? Those ponies are just darn cute!

For anyone interested in learning more about MLP:FiM and the “Brony” fandom that emerged around it, check out the link to the trailer below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohnuyqJyEW0 

Are Villains Valuable?

What characterizes a villain? What makes the “bad guys” so bad? In just about every art form that involves storytelling, there is usually an antagonist who display negative characteristics and does evil things. Of course, there are people in our world who do evil things- and their deeds might make those of the fictional villains mild by comparison. It is common and natural to hate the villain and favor the hero in any story- but is this necessarily the best approach to take? Maybe, but why not give the proverbial “devils” their due? Let’s examine the features of some villains and think of why they might be just as valuable (or more so) than the heroes we love and admire.

Heroes and heroines are generally viewed as such because they exhibit positive values and maintain harmony wherever they live. This gets disturbed when a villain arrives. The villain upsets the peace and harmony, creates chaos and confusion, and sometimes even tremendous suffering among harmless and innocent individuals. Often times the actions of villains are heinous and cruel. But despite this, many people often enjoy and celebrate the villains within both pop culture and classical literature and theatre. Take for example the popularity of Heath Leger’s Joker character in The Dark Knight and Sephiroth from the video game Final Fantasy VII. Recently there is a growing trend in modern films and television shows that give a sympathetic portrayal of many long-established villains. The evil queen from Snow White and Grendel from Beowulf might not be evil, but simply misunderstood.

If the villain is actually a misunderstood victim, that is one thing, but this is usually a motif common to modern entertainment- and it’s a welcome one, because it really freshens things up. Nevertheless, there are still many truly evil and malicious villains out there. This begs the question, “If people are supposed to strive for goodness and peace, why are there some who do such evil things? Where is the justice in this?” Let’s think about what the villains do for the people they torment. When a villain emerges on a scene and upsets the harmony that previously existed- those who suffered have a greater appreciation for that harmony once it returns. Thus, the roles of villains are beneficial because they remind people of the value of what’s good and reaffirm their resolve to maintain it. To reference a previous blog post- the camaraderie of Peter Pan and his Lost Boys is strengthened when they are threatened by Captain Hook and the pirates. The characters of the popular television series My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic come to remember the value of the “Elements of Harmony” after the villain Discord invades their land and ensnares their world in chaos and disorder. When the harmony is restored, it is cherished all the more. The Hobbits from Tolkien’s books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings appreciate their peaceful homes in The Shire after trekking through the dangerous lands of Middle-Earth. We come to understand the value of The Force in the Star Wars series after observing what the adherents to the Dark Side do. Our hearts are touched and we recall the value of family after Harry Potter’s parents are destroyed by Voldemort and the young boy must grow up without them. There are numerous examples of this aspect of villainy from the times of historical literature to modern pop culture.

The true value of these villains comes from the fact that they show the audience what is right- at their own expense. Many times the villain will be slain or sent to prison, and in some more optimistic instances they may see the error of their ways and reform. But when they were representing wicked behaviors and questionable values, they reminded the viewer of what is right and good. This same concept can be applied to daily life. There are people out there who may exhibit behaviors that are reprehensible to all humanitarian values. This is unfortunate, but it may be beneficial for us to observe these things, and instead of becoming angry, learn from them. Instead of hating the perpetrator and continuing the cycle of negativity, be glad that someone else is making the mistake and reminding you of how virtuous you are by comparison. Use it as an inspiration to do good deeds to counter the suffering brought about by their harmful deeds. This can be very helpful.

Recall how Americans and many other peoples in the world found renewed values and strength of character after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. A vicious act of murder and hatred, with no justification, was committed. But those who survived and witnessed it found renewed vigor to do well and help other people. This is very inspirational.

Somebody once asked spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, “It is said that we should honor and respect everybody, but how can we honor and respect terrorists who do so much harm to innocent people?” His answer was, “You should honor the terrorists because they show you the path at their own expense.” The spiritual guru also described how very intelligent people not only learn from their mistakes, but also learn from the mistakes of others. Learn from everything- even other peoples’ mistakes. This can be helpful in finding peace.

A picture featuring heroes and their respective villains from various world cultures: Hindu, Norse, Celtic, Greek , and Folklore.

Internal Fires

Being a resident of northeastern Pennsylvania in the USA, I can really appreciate the season of Spring when it comes around. I love soaking up the sweet, fresh sunshine after the cold winter months. The sun is a beautiful and pleasant thing, and can always be appreciated. I noticed this especially during my Seva trip to India, where the weather was nice and sunny even in December. Sunlight and heat are a good symbol for a metaphor I thought of a while ago that I would like to share.

In the ancient Norse folklore, there is a god of sunshine known as Frey. He has a powerful magic sword and is king of the Elves (the word the ancient Norse used to describe positive spirits). He is a benevolent god in the folklore and has a significant role as god of the sun and harvest. He is described as a fertility deity and brother to the love goddess Freya. But Frey has an enemy in the Norse lore. A fire demon called Surtur is his enemy, and this foe rages against the Norse gods during the Ragnarok battle. Frey valiantly battles Surtur, but loses. Surtur is then consumed by the very flames he emits. This is a tragic tale, like many in the Norse lore. But what does it mean?

Perhaps the duality between Frey and Surtur is a symbol to describe what happens within each and every one of us. This is a very common thing in ancient mythology- characters and events represent the internal struggles of a person’s life. Frey is cheerful and kind-hearted. The fire that burns inside him is a fire of love and life, virility and positive energy. Surtur, on the other hand, represents the intense fire of hostility, hatred, and aggression. Frey can be compared to the warm and soothing sun, which elevates the mood. Surtur represents a wildfire that is out of control and can cause severe destruction. If we foster “Frey’s fire”- the positive fire of life and goodwill, we will be happy. If, however, we lose sight of ourselves and let the raging “fire of Surtur”- anger and hostility- consume our mind, we will drive ourselves crazy and “be consumed by our own fire” as Surtur was. Let’s let the duel between Surtur and Frey be a symbol for our own emotions and mental well-being. Having a fire inside is a good thing. Let it burn and shine, but do not let it consume your entire world!

Perhaps the best defense against “Surtur’s fire” is to observe all our emotions within ourselves as they occur. When you are becoming bitter or angry, instead of identifying with that emotion, simply step back and say- “Oh no, I can see Surtur is getting the upper hand in this duel. Hopefully this can be turned around!” This way you have already distanced yourself from the negative and made yourself an observer. This can be immensely helpful in negating the effects the negative emotion might have over you. You will still feel the emotion, but you do not have to let it control you. Try it sometime and see for yourself! You might be glad you did.

On a final note, if the symbol of Frey and Surtur is a little too obscure for you, simply use the image if an angel and a demon. Imagine them battling it out inside you, and then you can be the observer that way.

An illustration I completed in 2011 featuring Frey and Surtur

Second Star to the Right

It’s often said that it’s a good thing to keep your inner child alive. This means that one should foster the sincerity and openness that children exhibit, usually lost by adulthood. This is very beneficial to one’s mental and even physical health. British poet William Blake wrote two separate collections of poetry titled “Songs of Innocence” and “Songs of Experience.” These show the contrast between a childlike and adult perspective on life respectively.

When someone reaches adulthood, a myriad challenges awaits them. Sadly, many children are exposed to difficulties that youth should never have to undergo- such as bullying, trauma from exposure to criminal activities, and hostile neighborhoods and household environments. Early life experiences such as these can sow the seeds that come to fruition in adulthood. When this occurs it often creates problems in peoples’ lives. This might not have to be the case, however.

People have a choice in how they react to and more importantly how they will let life’s circumstances influence them. A look at J. M. Barrie’s iconic story Peter Pan will be helpful in considering the approaches people may take in life. Please keep in mind that I am using the original novel by Barrie for this piece. Please don’t get me wrong, I am a huge fan of the television series Once Upon A Time and I think the twist they put on the Peter Pan story is awesome. However, it is not consistent with Barrie’s work, which is my only point of reference here.

The story of Peter Pan takes place mostly in Neverland, a mythical island where Peter and his band of Lost Boys are in perpetual conflict with the pirates led by Captain Hook. Wendy Darling and her brothers are brought to Neverland by Peter to share in his adventures. The contrast between Peter Pan and Captain Hook is useful in comparing to modern life. Captain Hook is a pirate, which by its very definition is someone who gains a living by taking from others, usually by unethical means. Peter Pan, on the other hand, uses his abilities to foster a welcoming environment for the Lost Boys who are orphans. Both the orphans and pirates can be seen as societal outcasts in some way. They do not fit a standard mold. The pirates react aggressively to their situation while the Lost Boys help each other.

Peter’s association with the fairy Tinker Bell can be symbolic of him having a transcendental nature. Tinker Bell can represent a guardian angel-like character that watches over the kind-hearted, even if somewhat naïve, Peter Pan. Captain Hook, on the other hand, has no fairy and is filled with anger and envy toward Peter. To add a bit of complexity to the situation, Hook is seen to have some admiration toward Pan and even refers to him as a “worthy adversary.” This can mean that Hook secretly respects the carefree and youthful enthusiasm that Pan exhibits. However, because he wants to have it for himself he is also very envious of Pan. Pan’s Lost Boys love Pan whereas Hook’s pirates only obey Hook out of fear.

The negative emotions and perspective of Hook are represented by his physical attributes. He has a Hook for a hand, which in the storyline Peter cut off. Thus Hook operates with limited functionality in his hand (the right hand in the book- usually the dominant hand in most people). In place of the hand he has a hook, an object mostly used to tear and destroy. Pan not only has both hands and full functionality, but through Tinker Bell’s pixie dust and “happy thoughts” (= a positive attitude), he can fly. Pan’s flying is symbolic of him being able to rise (or fly) above the mundane and “adult” (stressful) situations that torment Captain Hook. Hook does not understand that he can have this by looking into himself and finding his own happy thoughts. He cannot do so because he is hindered by fear- symbolized by the predatory crocodile.

Captain Hook’s greatest fear is the crocodile. This creature swallowed Hook’s hand after Peter Pan severed it. The crocodile also swallowed a clock, which can be heard ticking from the creature’s stomach when it is near. The presence of the crocodile sets Hook into a panic. Even just hearing the ticking causes him great distress. This is symbolic of Hook’s adult fears and concerns. The clock is ticking down to his doom, and it’s only a matter of time before he is swallowed up by the creature. It is notable, however, that only Hook has the extreme phobia of this creature. Even Hook’s first mate Mr. Smee is not as affected by the creature as Hook is. This is because the crocodile is a figment of Hook’s imagination. It is Hook’s insecurities and fears made manifest. Hook fears the crocodile because it represents the internal difficulties he cannot overcome. This is a dreadful state to be in.

I suppose what I am getting at by discussing all this is: keep your inner child and inner spirit of youth alive, or else you might end up like Captain Hook- fearful and constantly aggravated. Keep your happy thoughts and let them help you fly beyond the troubles of the world, even if just for a brief moment, and don’t let the ticking of the crocodile trouble you.