SUPPORT THE FILM – CONTRIBUTE
REACTOR has been a labour of love from the start. We’ve raised approx $10,000 through crowdfunding and fundraising events over the past year. That has covered (almost) the entire cost of the film. But to give the film the proper polish and get it out in the world, it’s going to take a bit more. If you feel moved to help, please support this project by spreading the word on Facebook, Twitter and all of your networks. If you can donate funds, that would be much appreciated.
Donate NowTHE STORY SO FAR…
After a successful crowdfunding campaign, in early 2012, Michael and Ian completed initial filming in Japan from April 16-30, 2012. We’re aiming to get the completed film to the festivals in April/May 2013, before releasing online to the world.
THE SOUNDTRACK
I’m extremely excited to have amazingly talented composers featured in REACTOR, including:
IN THE PRESS
After a beautiful event at W2 Media Cafe in Vancouver in Dec 2012, Adbusters shared Michael’s talk from the journey.
ADBUSTERS – Waking Up Body, Mind, Culture
ABOUT THE TEAM
Michael Stone (Co-Producer) – Michael Stone leads Centre of Gravity. He is a psychotherapist, yoga teacher, Buddhist teacher, author and activist, committed to the integration of traditional teachings with contemporary psychological and philosophical understanding. His research and teaching explore the intersection of committed spiritual practice and social action.
Ian MacKenzie (Director / Producer) – Ian MacKenzie is a media activist and filmmaker from Vancouver, BC. His first feature documentary was One Week Job (2010), about a guy working 52 jobs in 52 weeks to find his passion. Ian next joined veteran filmmaker Velcrow Ripper to co-produce the upcoming feature Occupy Love (2012). Ian has also produced numerous shorts, including the viral video The Revolution Is Love, and Sacred Economics.
Contact:
Ian MacKenzie / ian@mettamedia.ca
Michael Stone / michaelstone@centreofgravity.org
WATCH THE ORIGINAL FUNDRAISING TRAILER
PRODUCTION VLOGS
Shot during our shooting in Japan in April, 2012.
DHARMA CLIPS
During post-production, I released these short dharma clips offering insight into key spiritual terms and practices.
MICHAEL’S STATEMENT
When I was 8 years old, I started visiting my uncle Ian at the Mental Asylum where he lived his entire adult life. He taught me about meditation and spirituality. He always said: “Everyone is asleep. Don’t fall asleep. Spiritual Practice is Action. If you’re not asleep, there are ways to see what’s coming.”
When The Tsunami hit the coast of Japan last year, the devastation was tragic. The failing nuclear power plant, in a country totally reliant on nuclear, is a crystall ball for all of us who rely on nuclear to power our modern lifestyles. As a monk, I had to leave my home in Toronto and go on a pilgrimage to Japan to see the unfolding accident firsthand and learn how the Japanese our responding.
One of the core teachings of the Buddha is that our lives are dominated by stories. We all need stories to live meaningful lives. But the story our culture is caught in us not serving us anymore. Old stories are a kind of addiction. How can we change our collective story and what is the new narrative emerging as Japan and modern industrial society is forced to deal with the economic and environmental precipice in front of us.
Our culture is addicted to a way of life that is not sustainable. Personal stories need to change. Anyone involved in contemplative practice knows this. But cultural stories must change too.
The meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is showing us that we need to find a way to change what we think of as a meaningful lifestyle because our biosphere can’t handle it. The promise of safe nuclear to power our lives is turning out to be a failure.
Political change isn;t the only option. Every political and economic problem is also a spiritual crisis.
When I recognize that all living things are interconnected, how can I be free if others are in pain? So instead of pursuing my own enlightenment, I see that my freedom is bound up with the freedom of others. I roll up my sleeves and see how I can serve.
What are the creative ways the Japanese are responding? How is it instructive to us? How can cultural stories change? What if we replaced our current idea of enlightenment to a distant “nirvana” with a social awakening?
The same solutions that will solve our ecological problems, our economic uncertainties, and our social imbalances are the very same solutions that will help us psychologically and spiritually. Social actions and spirituality go together.
- Michael Stone
Ian MacKenzie is a filmmaker based in Vancouver, BC. He shoots video journalism, documentary films, and original webseries, with a focus on "new paradigm" thinkers, artists, and activists. 
