SBS DATELINE
KOREA’S FAKE FUNERALS
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PRE-TITLE TEASE |
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PICK MOST ENGAGING SHOTS |
Hei Yeon
[03:31:58] Don’t get upset or depressed because I’m not here |
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DATELINE TEXT GFX |
This is a
funeral (animate this line first) But nobody has died (then animate second line) |
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Actuality Lids on coffin |
[01:45:03] It's a
beautiful day today so it's a perfect day to die…. |
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DATELINE TEXT GFX |
IN KOREA SOMEONE SUICIDES
EVERY 33 MINUTES |
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More note reading? |
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And after the coffin
experience they found that life is more beautiful |
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DATELINE TEXT GFX |
ARE FAKE FUNERALS AN
ANSWER? |
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[00.19.55 - 00.20.20]
INTERVIEWEE: I expect to feel the rebirth. |
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DATELINE TITLES |
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STORY TITLE |
KOREA’S
FAKE FUNERALS |
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MAP |
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SCENE HERE OF FAST PACED
LIFE IN SOUTH KOREA PACY MONTAGE |
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this
is the commuter belt of one of the busiest cities in the world… row
after row of high rise apartments where office workers live they
travel DAILY TO HIGH-PRESSURE JOBS IN SEOUL. THE
TWO HOUR COMMUTE AND LONG WORK DAYS leave little time for rest. ONE
OF THEM IS INSURANCE SALESMAN BEON, HE MEETS ME TO OPEN UP ABOUT HIS STRESS. GD
ATL: insurance
salesman beon is one of them, and the daily stress – is getting him down ONE
OF THEM IS INSURANCE SALESMAN BEON, I’VE ARRANGED TO MEET HIM TO TALK ABOUT
HIS DAILY STRESS [00.26.05 - 00.26.30] INTERVIEWEE: Koreans live in a very
fierce, competitive society. With bali bali culture you have to get things
done and it's all about money. There's no time for us to look back |
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The Bali Bali culture Beon talks
about literally means ‘faster faster’… and it’s become the modern mantra for
living in South Korea beon
feels caught in a bali bali trap [00.52.17 - 00.53.33) Sometimes
I just want to end my life, but I think there is a better way. (Beon walking around bleak
high rise apartments) but
he saw an advertisement on TV that he hopes WILL change his life… and possiblY
even save it UPSOT: UNUSUALLY…THIS
commercial promises you can (PAUSE) ‘recharge your life’ by having a FAKE
FUNERAL |
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CARD 9 [00.18.09 - 00.18.53] Beon: I watched it on TV and
thought "Oh! This is good stuff!"
Beon
having his own fake funeral in a few days time and has invited us TO COME
along – he hopes the death-like experience will snap him out of his
depression PAUSE
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[00.19.55 - 00.20.20]
INTERVIEWEE I’m in a difficult situation, but I need a moment to feel that
I'm born again. And start anew. |
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SCENE HERE OF FAST PACED
LIFE IN SOUTH KOREA PACY MONTAGE |
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South
Korea’s gone from poverty to power in just one generation But
THERE’S BEEN A COST… as
young people chase success and money, confuicionist family values have been
forgotten and
old people have been left behind as
a result south korea sadly has the highest suicide rate in the OECD - IT’S A COUNTRY IN CRISIS |
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Psychologist And Head of the Suicide
Prevention Centre |
SUBTITLE: [4] TIMEIN: 00:00:55:16 DURATION: 04:19 TIMEOUT: 00:01:00:10 In Korea, there is a
suicide every 33 minutes, 00:00:23:20 the culture of respect for
life has recently suffered great
damage. |
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the
pressure to conform and succeed is everywhere… CHILDREN
ATTEND SCHOOL FOR UP TO 15 HOURS DAY INCLUDING EVENING CRAM SCHOOLS… The
job market is highly competitive… South
Korea ALSO tops the tables for cosmetic surgery… BUT
these are pressures for the young. Surprisingly,
the AGE GROUP MOST AT RISK OF SUICIDE,
ARE THE OVER 65’s IN A SLUM CALLED GURYONG, I TRY TO FIND OUT
WHY |
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GURYONG SLUM SCENE –
ELDERLY POVERTY |
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GURYONG SLUM CARD 4A |
(WS of Gangnam towers –
pull back to reveal we are in a slum) Vision of elderly people in
the slum Music vision breather |
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THIS
GENERATION, WORKED HARD THEIR WHOLE LIVES TURING AROUND THE FORTUNES OF THE
NATION BUT
NOW 49% of them live in poverty |
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Cardboard collector Translations done 00:26:00 walking off with
cart |
00:23:04 I have to work, I
make 2-3 dollars a day, collecting cardboard 00: 23:58 I get 200
thousand won a month from government subsidies and on top of that |
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V/O 200 thousand won a month ISN’T much. It’s a
little less than $200. It’s
exactly why this slum is overflowing with people – too old to work, AND
living off miniscule welfare payments USE OSMO SHOT OF US
STUMBLING UPON THE OLD MAN, OUR FIXER HELPS HIM WITH HIS PANTS AS HE WALKS
INTO HIS HOUSE |
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USE
SLUM GVS |
TRADITIONALLY
South Koreans relied on their family to look after them in old age – in
modern south korea, traditional family values are falling apart some
say, With Bali Bali culture people are simply too busy to look after their
ageing parents. ENTER HOUSE We
meet a lady who was moved into the slum by her only son. He drops by
occasionally to dELIVER food MY LOCAL TRANSLATOR
TAEHOON TELLS ME THAT SHE DIDN’T WANT TO GIVE HER NAME OUT OF EMBARRASSMENT… USPOT: Sorry the house is
so small but
SHE KINDLY invites us inside her home ITS
ONLY about 2 metres long and 2 metres wide with a low ceiling 01:01:33-
There are many elderly people here, many children that have left their parents
here they moved out - I have seen
many elderly people who have died here. HER HANDS HAVE SEEN HARD
DAYS- SCRUBBING FLOORS AS A CLEANER FOR OVER 40 YEARS… NOW AT 81 SHE HAS NO
INCOME AND FEELS SHAME FOR THE HARD TIMES SHE HAS FALLEN INTO…. |
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METRO
SCENE
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MUSIC UPSOT CARD 7A – 00:47:35 VO as
I make my way through Seoul, I discover different ways the nation is trying
to tackle this epidemic. these
performers are trying to brighten up the lunch time office crowd in one of
the city’s subway stations… (SIGN THAT ADVERTISES CONCERT) The
concept is branded as a cure for low energy… Cutaways of glum faces –
00:49:30 / 00:50:35 / 00:51:13 …IT MAY NOT BE WORKING TOO
WELL ON THIS AUDIENCE - BUT THE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT'S DOING WHAT IT CAN TO TRY
AND FIX DEPRESSION… (shot of old man asleep on floor) |
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VENDING MACHINE |
GVs students inside library
where vending machine is Not
far away I find another GOVERNMENT
initiative aimed at boosting SEOUL’S spirits A
vending machine that delivers little packages of hope for anyone feeling
down. For
50 cents you can get advice on your problems [02.21.44] Shots of vending machine + GIRL in black and white
coat A
young women has selected Number 22: Feeling of Loss GIRL: reads out what the
contents of the box “Did you have a
tough day today? I give you a little solace, to you, to your heart” |
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Inside
the box, are suggestions for movies to go and see, some candy, and a map for
a healthy stroll around a park. |
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these
efforts may seem small but these so called soul pharmacies have tapped into a
need. i’m told this one prescribes 83 boxes a day…. |
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the
government’s ATTEMPTS TO CURB SUICIDE HAVE EXTENDED TO A CITY LANDMARK WITH A
TRAGIC REPUTATION… DEANL:
PTC 00:31:15 [00.31.14] DEAN: This is the Mapo Bridge |
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[00.11.04] TRANSLATOR: So it says... it
says, 'the world's nicest guy.' [00.14.48]
TRANSLATOR: It says 'the most precious person in the world.' So I guess
everyone, every individual, is the most precious person in the world to
someone. I guess it will give them a meaning of life |
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everyone HERE seems to have a connection to SUICIDE
- INCLUDING my fixer tae-hoon. |
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[00.16.57]
DEAN: So what is it about Korean society that you think means so many people
get to this stage, 00:17:28
TRANSLATOR: Probably in our urban society, I would say depression due to
highly competitive society 00:17:46 DEAN: Can you
identify with that? PAUSE [00.22.31] one of my relatives
tried to kill himself, because he went to the top university in Seoul, which
is Seoul National University. And realised that everyone was going abroad, to
do their PhD. His family could not afford it. He felt defeated. / 00:23:12 So out of frustration
he tried to kill himself. And worse off, he became half disabled. So he's
living a very unhappy life. BREATHER GV |
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I’m
leaving the city behind, AND heading to Korea’s farming heartland TO MEET A
SOCIAL WORKER.. |
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Bae
Sun HAS A PARTICULAR JOB OUT HERE– SUICIDE PATROL. |
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02:49:14] I meet at least
one person a month, who has attempted suicide for the first time. I also
regularly visit the grieving families of suicide victims, |
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He’s
taking me to meet a woman who lost her husband only 9 months ago. They were
both farmers. |
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I can say that the main
reasons for the suicide is disease, loneliness and
economic hardship He’s
checking in with her because he’s worried that she’s sliding further into
depression and becoming a suicide risk herself |
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HELLOS, GOING INSIDE – pick
ups at end of IV 02:34:00 Shots of Dean sitting with
group, mandarins being eaten |
We’re
invited in for tea and mandarins. PAUSE (Settle in) SOON
AHN tells us a story THAT’S SADLY COMMON fOR
aging farmers who are struggling to get by.. |
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Shots
that show geography of scene. Social worker and Dean sitting with her |
My husband secretly saved
his money, He didn't even go to hospital or buy medicine. |
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SOON AHN’S HUSBAND BROKE A RIB
AND WAS UNABLE TO CONTINUE WORKING… THEY HAD BEEN MARRIED AND
WORKING FIELDS TOGETHER FOR 52 YEARS- ALL HE COULD THINK ABOUT AFTER HIS
ACCIDENT WAS BEING A BURDEN TO HIS WIFE. PHOTOS OF HUSBAND 4 days before he did it, when
I was watching tv he said come here and hold my arm (lie in my arm) and
I didn't want to and just said let's go to bed and four days later, he took
his life. And I regret that day, I should have held his arm. |
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HE TOOK HIS LIFE WITH
POISON - |
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BAE
SUN EXLAINS TO ME Pesticides are a common METHOD of suicide in rural Korea. this
led to the government passING an act in 2012 banning them…but the ban hasn’t
been completely effective |
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GOODBYES SCENE |
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ONCE
WE’RE BACK IN THE CAR, the visit has got Bae Sun upset, he fires up on
government inaction on suicide The budget is too tight Local govt or small centres
can’t handle all the cases it’s nonsense
GRAB: Not only experts that
need to solve this problem, Everyone needs to create a
culture that will prevent suicides happening. |
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DAY TO NIGHT TRANSITION |
-pond
5 preview on omneon- sUGGESTED
SHOTS 056299238-seoul-korea-namyangju
(DAY TO NIGHT) 056314369-seoul-korea-waterfront-bridges
(NIGHT) |
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Scene reset |
NIGHTLIFE
BREATHER AND THAN STRIAGHT INTO THIS VO |
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SOUTH
Korea tops the world in many tables – including heavy drinking… They
consume twice as much LIQUOR as the Russians. SOJU,
THE NATIONAL DRINK, is a spirit AND IS AROUND $2 PER BOTTLE… |
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a
night out after work is often compulsory for officer workers ‘team building’
with their bosses … |
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WOMEN STUMBLING ALONG
STREET |
BUT IT’S NOT JUST A MEANS TO
BUILD BUSINESS BONDS - FOR SOME IT IS THEIR ONLY SOURCE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT… |
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Psychologist:
People used to have family and relatives who listened to their feelings and
gave them support. Nowadays the culture is more individualistic. When they
have emotional problems they have no one to depend on. |
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Today
is the day that Beon is going to FACE DEATH AT HIS FAKE FUNERAL THIS
IS RUN BY A PALLIATIVE CARE EXPERT, WHO GOT HIS PHD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
QUEENSLAND…. HE
CALLS THIS THE ‘HAPPY DYING EXPERIENCE’ …it
will be interesting to see if |
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It's a beautiful day today so
it's a perfect day to die. I hope you have a good experience |
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THE PROCESS TAKES 4
HOURS AND COSTS AROUND 40 DOLLARS. KIM
HO HOPES THAT FACING DEATH WILL MAKE HIS STUDENTS REALISE THEIR LIFE IS WORTH
LIVING… KIM HO: I have found the miracle is inside death and
dying. So
that is why I combined together death and dying and meditation. bEON
OPENS UP ABOUT THE PROBLEMS IN HIS LIFE... |
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Beon: I recently had a big fight with my girlfriend// We both find it difficult financially and mentally. That's
why I think I might have a new life. |
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EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM IS UNDER
50 AND HAS HAD SUICIDAL THOUGHTS.
THEY ARE HERE BECAUSE THEY HOPE THIS PROCESS WILL HELP THEM
RE-DISCOVER A PURPOSE IN LIFE… |
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I want to give my son
everything, but I can’t. I feel like everyone and
everything around me are all... pushing me to death. I feel like I’m useless. I’m a single mum. |
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NOW THAT THEY HAVE
EXPLAINED WHY THEY ARE HERE, THE DEATH EXPERIENCE BEGINS AND I NOTICE IT’S
ALREADY VERY EMOTIONAL FOR SOME GD ALT: AND NOW THEY ARE READY
TO START THE DEATH EXPEREINCE… Actuality:
Teacher: Now my families and friends come and put flowers on my coffin |
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they begin to visualise their own funeraL AND START
TO SURRENDER TO THE NOTION OF DYING.. And now my coffin will go to the
crematorium What
can you see on your tombstones? after they’re lead through every aspect of their
supposed ‘deaths’ - they’re encouraged to say goodbye…with a suicide note Writing
with music and crying |
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Korean funerals are filled with symbolism and
mythology… and here no tradition is spared. THE
PARTICIPANTS ARE DRESSED IN TRADITIONAL ROBES OF THE DEAD, (Dressing
in robes) THEY
ARE NOW PREPARED TO FACE THE ANGEL OF DEATH… (angel
of death appears) |
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A FIGURE IN KOREAN MYTHOLOGY THAT’LL LEAD
THEM THROUGH THEIR LAST MOMENTS IN THIS LIFE…. |
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But
now everything is in the past and our time is up TO KNEELING BESIDE COFFINS |
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VO: The
fake funeral might feel dark and morbid, but it gives people a chance to say
things they’Ve been holding in.. like this confronting goodbye note from a
mother to her son… WOMAN: 00:05 ~ 00:09 My one
and only dearest son, I am truly sorry that mum
has to made this choice. Please forgive your weak
mother. I've let go your tiny hands
I'm so sorry // I hate
myself for being a weak mum. // I don't think I've ever said I love you. ~ 01:50 I love you. |
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BEON’S
DEMONS CENTRE AROUND THE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS DAD HE
CONFESSES HE IS HAUNTED BY THE TOLL THE ‘BALI BALI’ LIFESTYLE TOOK ON HIS
FATHER Beon:
Mum and dad thank you for raising me When
I was young I didn't want to become like dad And
now I am his age I understand how hard it must have been to be him. I
hated it when he had to work even on holidays. And now I don't want to be
at home on holidays. I can't remember the last time we had dinner all
together and all my friends - be happy |
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..
I hope you have a life that you won't regret in the next life. Now it's
time for you to go in to your coffin |
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They
get in coffins –faces covered |
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Hands
and feet bound…
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Hammer
on lid The hammer signifies the coffin being nailed shut |
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AND
NOW FOR 30 MINUTES THE STUDENTS SUBMIT THEMSELVES TO THE IDEA OF DEATH - IN A
HOPE THAT THEY WILL BE REBORN |
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What
do you regret in your previous life? .. It's
time for you to have another life. What kind of life will you lead? |
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THE CEREMONY NOW
COMPLETE, I’M KEEN TO FIND OUT IF BEON HAS REDISCOVERED THE VALUE OF LIFE.. Come out of Coffins |
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So I cried a lot. I
actually felt a lot, it was more than I expected Salesman: I think the
experience will help me a lot. There are many things that I can do now. I used to blame my father,
now I sympathize with him |
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beon
entered the coffin caught
up in the pressure of bali bali culture and
emerged thinking of his parents perhaps
reconnecting him with old cultural values that once held this society
together |
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It
seems south korea’s runaway economic success has left the nation searching
for its soul… |
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as
the old approach mortality with lonliness and despair, the young turn to
death for a wake up call |
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In Korea... the younger
generation especially believe that, even if they die, they can just reset and
revive, like in a computer game. If they can sit down calmly and think deeply
about what will happen after they die, they can learn that suicide would be a very foolish decision. |
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As
I reflected on their experience, it occurred to me they had all come to the
same realization |
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the
importance of family… |
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AND
THAT RESTORING THIS LONG CHERISHED CONFUiSIONIST TRADITION COULD BE an ANSWER TO HEALING FOR BOTH YOUNG AND OLD. |