This article is a Guest Post written by Barbara Richardson, author of Guest House. 

        What is Your Favorite Spiritual Movie?

      I’m going out on a ledge here. When asked  “What is your favorite spiritual movie?” I have to admit a gaping chasm opened, and hence the ledge in front of me. Moviemakers don’t often grapple with how their films can suggest the profoundly wonderful.

        So I gave myself time. And while my own inquiring mind circled back, I asked friends the same question. What is your favorite spiritual movie? The first person said without any hesitation, “Midnight Cowboy.” Which makes me want to see this film again! A friend of hers said, “The Big Lebowski.” Goodness, people are interesting.
 

        I read lists of spiritual movies online, to see if that would inspire. The obvious titles don’t stir me. So the next question became, “What is spiritual?” I believe the answer is another question: “What moves you beyond yourself?”

        In this spirit, a few movies have come to mind. “Enchanted April,” in which four soggy disillusioned British women choose love. In Italy. And I don’t mean escapist love. They take their dreary lives and infuse new life into them. They make what they have bloom. (I am strongly influenced in this by Elizabeth von Arnim’s great novel Enchanted April. Some call it fluff, but I would ask them to take their dreary lives and embrace them into beauty.)

        “Wit,” a one-woman show starring Emma Thompson, requires no distractions and allows for none. The entire movie takes place in a hospital room. An academic is dying of ovarian cancer, accompanied mainly by her own clear memories of her life and all its distances. An unflinching overview of a life, given final “simplicity and kindness.” This film will move you beyond your everyday self.

        But I am choosing “Ponette,” a quiet French film featuring a four-year-old girl coming to grips with the death of her mother. Transcendent in the most grounded way. You will see life through Ponette’s eyes.

       What movies do you value as spiritual pole stars? What leads you beyond yourself? What lifts you out of worldly constraints awhile? Let us know, and we’ll tune in!

This review is a guest post written by Chris Cade, Creator of www.Spiritual-Short-Stories.com

I feel seriously challenged about how to review this movie. Of course, whenever I notice something like that what I’m really saying is “WOW! There’s a lot here and I have no clue where to start. So I’ll start typing and see what happens…” It also means there’s enough to the movie that I don’t want to give the farm away.

In some ways Inception shares the “What is reality?” characteristics of The Matrix albeit from a different angle. It also shares similarities to Groundhog Day with regards to what it takes to live in the present moment at peace with ourselves (Inception isn’t funny though). It’s got a lot of What Dreams May Come in it in many obvious and not so obvious ways (I won’t expand so that you can explore this yourself). Yet it’s also none of these movies (even if all combined).

Inception is a movie that will challenge the masses to consider momentarily that reality might not be as it seems. For the more conscious and aware individual, Inception will take you on a journey of deep reflection and questioning more deeply what is the reality we choose to create. It will create conversations with friends and family that you will remember, and perhaps even dream about.

On the more technical side, Leo’s acting is superb and brings realism to a movie that challenges our reality. It is very violent (much like The Matrix), and fortunately it’s mostly guns and explosions so there’s no notable gore (just a little bit blood here and there). The effects were also realistic – not necessarily in terms of what we’d expect to happen in our world, but rather, very aligned with what we (or at least I) experience within the dream world.

This sense of realism within a movie that questions all of reality brings a depth that will challenge the viewer’s experience of themselves. For those more familiar with psycho-spiritual work like that of Byron Katie and A.H. Almaas, there’s a lot of subject matter that will be familiar, though perhaps disguised under the veil of mass media language and metaphor. We’re challenged to ask questions like, “What really is a ‘projection’ and how does it affect me?” and of course The Matrix question: “If you knew the Truth of your world, would you choose reality or illusion?”

There is a quiet sub-theme in this movie that timing is of utmost importance. Most people probably didn’t even pick up on this aspect of the movie, yet it’s perhaps one of the most important because it infiltrates the movie’s dynamics in so many different ways and scenes. It’s almost like we have to ask not only “What is time?” but also “What is right timing?”

If you haven’t already watched Inception, hold these questions closely while you watch. And if you have seen the movie… allow them to take you into a deeper state of reflection on the importance of time and timing in your own life. And if you really want to dig in, reflect upon what exactly is “creation.” Yeah… that’ll be a fun one to explore.

I personally wrote down several questions for further reflection (a great inner-world exploration technique I learned by watching Spiritual Cinema Circle). But those are really just for me. The real reflection question is…

After watching Inception, what questions do YOU want to reflect upon further?

(Note: If you enjoyed this movie review, be sure to visit my spiritual movie reviews page.)

Your support in purchasing through these links enables me to empower more people worldwide to live more conscious lives. Thank you!

This Eat Pray Love movie review is a Guest Post contributed by Betsy Thompson, author of Walking Through Illusion.

When I went to the movie, “Eat Pray Love”, I had expectations, which I suppose always happens when a book precedes a film. Some of those expectations had to do with story but, for the most part, they had to do with the evolution of Elizabeth Gilbert, the main character. I wanted the film to visually give me the emotional experience that reading the book gave me. In this respect, I was disappointed. Mainly because the angst Elizabeth went through in terms of ending her marriage was either left on the editing floor or was never in the screenplay. And unless we see where she came from at the worst time of her life, we have no reason to root for her through the rest of the journey. Although some of the acting was outstanding, the film as a whole didn’t stand on its own for me.

This post was written by Betsy Otter Thompson, Author of six books, the most recent, Walking Through Illusion – Jesus Speaks of the People who Shared His Journey, pub date May 28, 2010.

Walking Through Illusion is a series of interrelated stories that, regardless of one’s faith, give a better understanding of one’s spirituality. The book is not about Christianity, it is about people who lived long before Christianity began. The book is more of an emotional accounting than a historical accounting, based on the premise that we don’t take our beliefs with us when we leave here, we take the love we found from having them.

For more information on Betsy, you can visit her web site at www.BetsyThompson.com

I’m here to confess – I am a voyeur. I prefer to call myself “an observer of human behavior”. It sounds far better than voyeur by a long shot. But then, I’m not alone. If statistics concerning the viewership of reality television are to be trusted, the vast majority of the American population could be considered consummate voyeurs. It’s human nature. We slow down when passing the scene of an auto accident because we’re curious about the extent of the damage. Was anyone injured? How many cars were totaled? We drive away thankful that it wasn’t us.

Therein lies the power of reality television. Reality TV enthralls us and, arguably, changes lives. Take the popular truTV show Hoarders as an example. You find yourself wrapped up in the emotions of those who hoard. They are trapped, often in an unhealthy environment. Their family members are ashamed and, more often than not, have no idea how to help their loved one stop filling their house with trash and useless items. Although I’m far from a hoarder, I am always overwhelmed with an intense desire to clean and organize my own house after watching.

Becoming a more organized person is just one example of the many “lessons” I have learned through the lens of reality TV. Watching reality television has fundamentally changed the way I perceive my fellow human beings. Hoarders and shows like it make us appreciate how fundamentally flawed we all are. While it is highly unlikely I will ever end up living in a house full of trash and knick-knacks, I have my own flaws to work through. I have a renewed appreciation for how easily a minor behavior flaw/quirk can turn into a major emotional handicap under the right circumstances.

Most importantly, we observers of our fellow men and women are more likely to become attuned to the needs of others. It saddens me how unsupportive some family members can be when faced with their loved one’s legitimate emotional need. As an outside observer, I can see the desperation involved with hoarding behavior. Judgment from family members only serves to exacerbate the problem.

In the end, I’m proud to be a voyeur/observer of human behavior and a consumer of reality television. If there’s a reason why we enjoy watching the misadventures and triumphs of our counterparts, it’s because we learn best by example. Although we should not rely on television to define our worldview, it doesn’t hurt to occasionally indulge in the random drive-by viewing.

Bio: Alexis Bonari is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at onlinedegrees.org and performs research surrounding online colleges and education. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

This guest post is brought to you by Thea Westra – and she needs your help! Please vote for her in the Next Top Spiritual Author competition by visiting http://www.budurl.com/NextTopAuthor – you’ll even be sent several special free gifts after you vote!

Dream Beyond The Common Order Of Things
by Thea Westra – www.selfimprovementplus.com

I heard that line – dream beyond the common order of things – in an advertisement for tea, of all places. Yet the words jumped out at me like a vivid memory. I know that I have had many times in my life when I have created things bigger than I thought I knew how to achieve, and personally produced results that even left me in a state of bewilderment about what was possible for my life.

Have you ever experienced those moments? They are well worth revisiting and building on. They are your key to producing such results again, if you still have some more big dreams to accomplish. If you have achieved something in your past, it means that you can achieve it (or something similar), again in the future. You now have the tools you need, and cellular memory of what it takes to create anything outside of yourself.

This article lists a few of the thoughts that came up for me as I recalled a few monumental achievements in my own life, and I write them here with the intention of making a difference to the life of somebody else, who may read these words.

These pointers, about living out your dreams, are not in any particular priority order. They are simply a collection of random thoughts that I know to be true, about accomplishing large goals.

If you have a massive goal and you are continually procrastinating, perhaps this is indicative of a misalignment somewhere in your life. Is there something that is not in integrity with who you believe yourself to be, or is there something for which you haven’t forgiven yourself. Those are the areas that must first be cleared up, to enable forward movement.

At some stage, when you notice that the goal you have created is not for you, then at very least do it for others. Create a purpose outside of yourself, if your own is not yet strong enough. You will build the muscles you need as you step forward. Collect all the crutches you can until you have generated some personal momentum. Soon the goal will again be yours and will no longer feel foreign to you.

Build in structures and systems that keep the dream alive over extended periods of time. Add props like quotes, images and posters in your daily surrounds. Have pop up messages on your computer, use the screensaver area on your screens, and add material to inspire you. Include supportive friends who know about your intentions, so they will ask you about it each time you speak. Ask for lots and lots of help with all the things about which you do not yet have enough knowledge. Hear the voices of experience around you.

Dreams need wheels, foundations, and time lines. Begin incorporating daily actions and habits to move you forward. Set up files, folders, calendars and other structures for being able to immediately collect material and information that you need for your projects. Set short and long-term timelines for specific phases, and for specific completion points. Then live your days toward those dates of completion, and targets that are easily measured.

Have big reasons for wanting to achieve the results you declare. Make these reasons large enough and truly heartfelt, so that they ignite passion and strong emotion behind your dreams. You need to always be able to instantly get in touch with wonderfully powerful feelings about your dream goals. Those emotions will inspire consistent action and will inspire others around you. You will need those inspired friends on the days you feel a bit too flat for taking action.

Reach for those stars, there is no mud up there. Keep your eyes focused on the end prize, in fact, a little way beyond where you say you want to be by a particular time. If you shoot a bit beyond the desired end result, then you are sure to arrive at your intended destination.

Decisions must be made. A real decision is measured by the fact that you have taken a new action. If there is no action, then you really have not decided. Check in with yourself. Have you honestly made a decision regarding your dream? If not, then make one. Either completely drop the goal or get on ahead full-steam with it.

Never use time as your excuse. Wedge dream projects into your current lifestyle, and commitments. Even if you crawl forward at ten minutes each day, do something every day toward that end goal. When you go to sleep each day, rest yourself in the knowledge that you have done something that day, to move you closer to your dream. At some time during every day, put one foot in front of the other toward that dream. Slow is better than never.

Build on positive results, and create some wins for yourself. Each time you win a little victory over yourself, you create impetus for moving forward even more. It helps you to grow, and become the person you must become for having that dream live for you. There will be changes, this is inevitable when working toward a big dream and when growing into the person who is to fit such a large dream. Allow, accept and actively encourage that level of personal growth.

All the points listed above are by no means a comprehensive collection, or a complete formula for success. They are purely a few things to consider and check in with, if you are up to some big things in your life. Throughout them all is the common thread of managing yourself. Watch the language you use, and how you speak with yourself. Live with awareness and recognize the many faces of fear. Continue to build harmony in your every day living. Never lose touch with the miracle and dream life that you already live. Inhale gratitude with every breath. You have today as a gift, now go spend it!

This guest post is brought to you by Thea Westra – and she needs your help! Please vote for her in the Next Top Spiritual Author competition by visiting http://www.budurl.com/NextTopAuthor – you’ll even be sent several special free gifts after you vote!

Education and Fulfillment
Finding your path: A Huna perspective
By Matthew B. James

I have a cousin who chose to become a carpenter rather than going to college. Fortunately for him and those who benefit from his beautiful work, he did not heed the many family members who told him he would fail and never make money without a college degree.

Once while he was on vacation he came to my home in Hawaii. It was hot. At the time the only air conditioning I could afford was a window unit, but I had no window to put one in.

My cousin took one look around and said “I can put it in this wall.” He went out, bought a saw, cut a hole and installed my air conditioner — on his vacation. After that, my whole house was cool.

Since then he has built an extension onto my stepfather’s home that looks better than original parts of the house. My cousin pursued his passion, and now he makes more money than most of my other cousins.

It is great that he is financially successful as a contractor. But more important to me, he is fulfilled. My cousin comes home each day from doing what he loves. You can’t put a price on that.

Huna, the traditional Hawaiian philosophy of my lineage, teaches we will know we have found our true path when it resonates with our spirit, Your vocation is no longer work. It transcends a job or career. It is who you are.

In Huna, you are what is known as “pono.” This word does not have a direct English translation, but loosely translates to being “right” — not as in I am right and you are wrong, but right with yourself and others. When you are pono with yourself, it is a sign you are on your path.

I am not saying that everyone should skip college and learn a trade instead. As an educator and trainer, holding a doctorate in psychology has opened doors for me and expanded the knowledge base from which I teach.

My studies gave me theories but not actual tools for helping other people. The techniques I teach that allow people to create shift in their lives come from Huna, an indigenous system that dates back thousands of years in Hawaii.

One example is a psychiatrist who attended my trainings and has since become a good friend. After decades working in the prison system, he told me he is seeing results in the prisoners he works with as a result of his training in Huna.

Among the many teachings of Huna is the importance of finding your path. So how do you know if you have found yours?

For one thing, work will not seem like work. I have students who ask me how I can teach eight, nine or 10 hours and come back the next day with more energy. And I look at them and say, this is not work to me. It is not something I have to put a lot of effort or energy into. Instead, it energizes me.

In contrast, if you are pursuing a vocation or career that is not your path, you will only be able to do it for so long before you burn out, no matter how good the money, perks or prestige.

If you are not doing what you love, it will not resonate with your soul. Everything trickles down — spiritual, mental, emotional, physical. And at some point you will just say “I can’t do this any more.”

This is why I have seen people walk away from some of the most amazing high-paying jobs. Other people ask “why did you do that?” It didn’t resonate.

So what does this mean for our kids as they head back to school? Not that we try to dissuade them from getting a good education. I have a 10-year-old son and a daughter soon to be 3 and I absolutely will encourage them to go to college.

I will also tell them not to confuse their education with their path. An education, no matter how good it is, can put you into a box if you begin to think your academic learning is superior to other people’s practical life experience.

As our kids and other loved ones head back to school, be it elementary or graduate school, we should find out what they love and cultivate that, accepting them for who they are. If they are pursuing their path, they will find happiness, fulfillment and purpose.

==================================

About the Author:

Matthew B. James, Ph.D., international trainer, lecturer and educator, is President of American Pacific University and the Empowerment Partnership. His work is dedicated to created personal transformation by teaching Huna, the ancient science of consciousness and energy healing, using cutting edge therapeutic techniques. To contact Dr. James, please email him at info@Huna.com To learn more, visit www.Huna.com.

This article is a guest post written by Lily Prazsky.

The movie Harold and Maude is a 1970’s movie that is a cult classic today. Few people see the value and meaning of it beneath its eccentric plot. It tells the unusual story of a relationship between a 20 year old young man and a nearly 80 year old woman. Harold is a morbid young man that is obsessed with death and going to funerals. Maude also goes to funerals for fun, but because she loves to see “the great circle of life.”

After they meet at a funeral one day, Maude takes him on an inner journey of discovering how to live life without attachment or fear. The interaction between Harold and Maude is hilarious, but it represents this inner journey quite well. For example, Maude’s free-spirited and seemingly reckless behavior, such as stealing a tree from a city and fooling authorities, worries Harold but also shows him how to live life without fear. An example of showing how to live life without attachment is when Maude throws the ring that Harold gave her into the lake.

One line that sums up the movie pretty well is spoken by Maude during a picnic with Harold. Harold asks; “Maude, Do you pray?” Maude replies “No I communicate.” Harold: “With God?” Maude: “With Life!” It is a sensitive yet funny film with depth and childlike honesty. The plot is reminiscent of a spiritual journey and the words resonate with truth. As a seeker of truth, I really enjoy watching movies like Harold and Maude that are simple, yet full of meaning. Harold and Maude is highly recommended for anyone looking for some humor and profound meaning at the same time.

In addition to movies like this, there are online resources that may be of interest to truth seekers. Here is one of the best resources I have ever seen for those seeking truth: The Truth Contest I have noticed a lot of similarities between the content of the current entries and the dialogue in inspirational movies like Harold and Maude. Check out the website and share your thoughts about the entries!

This article is a guest post written by Lily Prazsky.

This article is a guest post about the inspiring effect of Cirque du Soleil written by Kamelia Sojlevska, author of Quantum Woman – Celestial Man.

When I was getting ready to write something that deeply inspires me, I was thinking why some ideas inspire some people. I noticed that people are not inspired by the same idea, subject or a story. Something that moves me doesn’t mean that will move the other and opposite. I understood that what moves us all is some internal lack of something, some deep urge for certain emotion that we recognize in the action of other, feeling or experience. So I decided to write about my experience when I first saw the performance of Cirque du Soleil. I want to let you know that I live in Macedonia and here news, world art, movies etc come very late. So I’ve never heard of Cirque du Soleil. And then, that early morning in Los Angeles I saw their performance on TV. And I was stunned. If some spiritual leaders talk about coming to present time that’s what happened to me. I came to the present time in a part of second. I was all there at that moment. I saw all their performances that were on TV that morning, and I was more than 8 hours in front of the screen.

Hope you will understand me that I can’t write about some precise performance that inspired me most, because they all are inspirational and fascinating. They communicate with the highest level of esthetic deeply embedded in all of us, and it is easy to be recognized…that urge is inside of every human being on this planet. That morning I said goodbye to all the preconceptions of human possibilities.

First what I heard was the music. The unique, universal language of music they perfected to the highs that communicates through the channels of the spirit not only soothing the senses.

The costumes were the work of art and imagination that challenge the freedom in creation in everyone of us. They are the perfection of the design and realization. The expressed the power of freedom in movement and performance yet didn’t dominate to the whole picture.

Make up…oh…such a creation and imagination. When I was looking at their faces on the screen I couldn’t believe that somebody can invent so perfect fantasy and a story with the art of make- up. It was art in highest performance.

The scene was totally different in every single act. The design was pure imagination of a human mind that communicates with every single person in the audience. It wakes up the challenge for perfection, for creation and yet is so simple.

Every single story was a challenge, from the title, from the beginning to the end. Every story had a message that was leading the audience to highs of human possibilities and Faith in humanity and togetherness. The performances gave us history, passing of time, social changes that follow it, connection with the universe. It was touching the feeling inside that we all want the same thing, to be happy as a whole, to live life to the fullest possibilities, that the Earth is our home, and what we give we will receive back, no one will be safe if we do not save ourselves. That’s why the titles on every performance are so universal.

Finally… how they perform? It is Extraordinary, sensual and breathtaking experience. Their acts full with unbelievable energy are changing the inner believes of gravitation, possibilities and power of a body, freedom and beauty of movements and artistry. They are on the edge of human possibilities and potential. The dancers, performers, show that everything is possible and achievable, that what have in our imaginations we can have in our realities. And they make it with such an ease full with esthetic and grace in their bodily movements. There is no a single mistake. Their performance is the state of mind. It is magic in action.

One can only imagine how many rehearsals are inside of every movement, how much support from the others in their community, how much belief and faith in each other, how much work so they can give us such and quality and value that touches our hearts and at last how much togetherness. With them you should be ready to arouse your senses and imagination. With every performance you celebrate the art in every kind. The limitations and inhibitions seize to exist.

After watching and enjoying their performances I started reading about their history. I learned that they started on a street, Guy Laliberte and some of his friends. But they had a dream, and dream is everything if you believe in it.

Their performance inspired me to write a libretto that can fit their excellence. They inspired me to believe in myself and to learn how to make it possible to live my life the way I deeply desire. Did I succeed…NO. I am far from it, but at least I know the feeling that everything is possible. I have a secret desire that my work one day will inspire others like I was inspired that morning in Los Angeles.

This article is a guest post written by Kamelia Sojlevska. Kamelia Sojlevska is a Macedonian published author, documentary scriptwriter and director and TV host for Macedonian national TV, and University lecturer. Her book Quantum Woman–Celestial Man explores the issues relating to love, identity and belief, and Kamelia’s electrifying book gathers a range of characters around the concept of a journey with potentially wide-reaching implications. You can purchase Quantum Woman–Celestial Man on Amazon by clicking here or watch the video trailer for Quantum Woman–Celestial Man below for more information.

This article is a guest post contributed by Guy Finley on Choosing to Rise above Yourself…

 Here is a great spiritual secret: the only time we ever “fail” at anything in our lives is  when we mistakenly walk away from what has challenged us before we’ve allowed it to  teach us its secret ways.

  Imagine we want to learn a new skill; for fun, let’s say we’d like to run the high hurdles (a   lot like life, isn’t it?). Perhaps we buy an instruction book; maybe go watch runners    compete at the track. A good beginning, but eventually we must learn by doing; we must    leap for ourselves. Our first attempts to sail over the hurdle usually fail. More than likely,  we crash! And we know we missed the mark because we’re on the ground. So, we pick  ourselves up. We try again. Maybe we try running at a different speed, or we work to better time our jump. And we progress because each time we come up short, we make changes. We have realized that part of what it takes to succeed requires that we let go of what hasn’t worked in our approach.

Here’s the point: the same laws that help us learn how to clear hurdles on a track (or anywhere else in life) also hold true when it comes to rising above ourselves. Making the leap to the Higher Life our heart longs for begins with coming to recognize and release the parts of us that now hold us down.

Let’s take an example: whenever we fall into a familiar dark state or recurring state of stress, we need to welcome these moments for what they can teach us about ourselves. Clearly, our aching in such moments is evidence that our past responses to similar crises are inadequate. That we are still crashing into these old hurdles proves that our past responses no longer serve us. We must let them go, because they can take us no higher. This is why the Wise ones see any crisis in life as a “close encounter of the truthful kind.” Which brings us to the main lesson:

We will never realize what heights we can reach in life until we stop blaming reality for what happens to us as we go through it. This deliberate break with the “blame game” is the first leap — especially as it pertains to crashing twice into the same place in life. Despite appearances, our pain is not because life has set the hurdle too high; no, we only “fall” into fear and judging ourselves when we fail to learn the lesson in the pain — which is something we are empowered to do. Once the lesson is learned, where’s the hurdle or our hurt? Behind us! Discovering the truth of ourselves has taken us above and beyond that former barrier. Let’s review:

A crisis only becomes a breaking point when we fail to use it as a turning point. And a “turning point” is just that: rather than fall into old resentments or regrets, instead of returning to that defensive mindset that believes blaming others is the same as changing ourselves — an action that changes nothing except what we lash out at — we learn to look in a whole new direction for correction.

Now we are learning what it means to use those times when we “fall” as a window of opportunity: to see that we have gone as high as we can with what we know; and then, right there we quietly let go of “who” we have been up to that point. Our wish and our inner work to actualize it sows for us the seeds of a Higher Life. And for our interior work is born in us a new level of self, one that never collapses before a crisis because it knows it lives in a world where nothing has to fall that chooses to rise.

(This article was excerpted from Guy Finley’s Let Go and Live in the Now: Awaken the Peace, Power, and Happiness in Your Heart

Guy Finley is the best-selling author of The Secret of Letting Go, The Essential Laws of Fearless Living, and 35 other works that have sold over a million copies in 18 languages worldwide. His work has been featured on hundreds of radio and TV networks including NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, NPR, and PBS. Guy has spent the last 30 years showing individuals the authentic path to a higher life filled with happiness, success, and true love. Finley lives and teaches in Merlin, Oregon where he is Director of non-profit Life of Learning Foundation (www.GuyFinley.com).

This guest post is brought to you by my friend Chris Cade – and he needs your help! Please vote for him in the Next Top Spiritual Author competition by visiting http://www.ThinkWithoutTheBox.com – you’ll even get a free gift after you vote!

The Time I Thought I Was Going To Die
– by Chris Cade

“There was a time when we were not: this gives us no concern – why then should it trouble us that a time will come when we shall cease to be?” – William Hazlitt