Events to include screening of “The Last Dalai Lama?”
By Dana DuGan
The Sun Valley Wellness Festival & Conference is always brimming with ideas, advice, newfangled tools and people in search of and sharing information. This year, the event’s 22nd, will feature everything from an expert on the brain to a Sioux chef.
“The four pillars of our festival—body, mind, spirit, and environment—are well-represented in this year’s program, and we remain committed to providing powerful, life-changing presentations,” said Andria Friesen, SVWFC board president. “We’re excited to feature experts on leading-edge wellness topics.”
The keynote speaker for the 2019 festival will be bestselling author Dr. Joe Dispenza, an expert on the brain, mind and human potential. Dispenza is the author of “Becoming Supernatural: How Common People are Doing the Uncommon.” Fellow featured speakers will include Roshi Joan Halifax, a Buddhist teacher; Roger McNamee, author of “Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe”; Dr. David Hepburn, one of Canada’s foremost medical cannabis educators and an internationally sought-after speaker to policymakers, physicians, pharmacists, and the general public.
Also on tap will be Dr. Zach Bush, a doctor who has focused on science, the strength of humanity, and the intelligence of nature to transform the world. For those seeking edible information, chef Sean Sherman will discuss the health benefits of an indigenous diet. Sherman is an Oglala Sioux, founder of “The Sioux Chef,” and a James Beard medal winner. He will discuss his work to educate and make indigenous foods more accessible to the public. The New York Times bestselling author of “The Plant Paradox” and “The Longevity Paradox,” Dr. Steven Gundry will translate the complex science of aging into an actionable plan for longevity.
“The diverse yet integrated conference program will be of interest to anyone seeking to prioritize their wellness,” Friesen said.
A special film screening of “The Last Dalai Lama?”, with renowned filmmaker Mickey Lemle, will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, at the Sun Valley Community School Theatre. Tickets are required, and can be purchased online at the festival’s website.
Lemle, a renowned New York City-based filmmaker, has known His Holiness the Dalai Lama for many years.
“I first met him in 1984 at the World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland,” Lemle said during a phone interview. “He wasn’t what I expected. He’s so funny and human and wise. He is the world’s most passionate human being. After that, I’d see him when he was in New York. Then I realized it’d make a really good movie.”
In 1991, Lemle released the groundbreaking film, “Compassion in Exile: The Story of the 14th Dalai Lama.”
The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, 83, escaped Chinese-occupied Tibet in 1959, and still lives in exile in Dharmsala, India. The film takes a fresh look at what is important to the 14th Dalai Lama, the historic confrontation between Tibet and China, his influence in political, spiritual and educational spheres, as well as his work with neuropsychologists.
“He is passionate about what he feels is most urgent to communicate to the world,” Lemle said. “Tibetan Buddhism is both a religion and a science of the mind.”
Whether or when or where he might reincarnate became an active question in 2015, when His Holiness expressed concern about the wisdom of taking a future birth.
“He must decide whether or not he will reincarnate as the 15th Dalai Lama, or will he be the last in this ancient lineage,” Lemle said. “All Buddhists believe in rebirth, only Tibetans believe a spirit can reincarnate into a position such as the Dalai Lama.”
When Lemle showed “The Last Dalai Lama?” in Dharmsala, the theater was packed.
“In less than a minute in, a woman started crying and cried the entire time,” Lemle said. “Not having a Dalai Lama is inconceivable to many, many people.”
Enhanced by a beautiful original music score composed and performed by Philip Glass and Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal, the film uses new footage as well as clips from the original Lemle film and includes intimate interviews with the Dalai Lama, shot 25 years apart, along with interviews with his family. Lemle remains involved in Tibetan issues, including serving as the chair of the board for The Tibet Fund, based in New York City.
In addition to the wide-ranging lineup of speakers and workshops, the Sun Valley Wellness Festival offers its Movement Studio and Experience Hall, where attendees can shop for the latest in innovative wellness products, and sample wellness services, including massage, reflexology and intuitive readings.
New this year, the Experience Hall will also feature an Insight Stage in the center of the hall where free short presentations on a variety of wellness topics will be offered throughout the day. There is no admission fee for the Experience Hall and it is open to the public all weekend.
Sponsors of the Sun Valley Wellness Festival include Spirituality & Health, Limelight Hotel, Wild Tonic, Friesen Gallery, Blue Farm Wines and Rising Springs.
Event Information
22nd annual Sun Valley Wellness Festival, Friday, June 28 – Monday, July 1 at Sun Valley Community School in Sun Valley and the Argyros Performing Arts Center in Ketchum
- 30 presentations and workshops by top wellness experts addressing diverse aspects of body, mind, spirit, and environmental wellness
- Movement Studio, a Wellness Experience Hall, a special film screening, music, and more
- For more information, schedule and passes, visit sunvalleywellness.org