Earth Cinema Circle recently celebrated its first anniversary.  According to its spokesperson, Ed Begley Jr., Earth Cinema Circle is an informative, earth-friendly film club. 

The films for this volumn include Fridays at the Farm, which is about supporting a local neighborhood farm, Coffee to Go, a movie about buying free trade coffee, Flow:For Love of Water, a film about water conservation and Pollen Nation.

The trailers for these films are all contained in the video clip below:

In the audio-visual clip below, Dr. Michael Beckwith talks about how to overcome obstacles.  He states that we can overcome our obstacles by asking, what quality do I need to develop or what do I need to learn in order to move through this?  He goes on to say that we need obstacles in life because that is when grow spiritually.  The amount of strength it takes to to overcome an obstacle does not develop when times are easy and everything is going our way. 

Additionally, he explains that we should write down what our life would look like if it were perfect and then to allow ourselves to feel how good that would feel.  Focusing on what we want, rather than dwelling on the obstacles in front of us, recalibrates our nervous system and opens us up to receiving direct inspiration about how to manifest the life that we desire.

You can listen to Michael Beckwith in the audio-visual clip below.

Katie Holmes appeared on the Eli Stone show last night in one of Eli’s visions.  The rest of the episode Eli tries to figure out what if anything his vision means and whether or not to meet with the woman in his vision.

This raises some metaphysical questions.  For example, all of us have moments where we see what is possible for our lives in the future or we have a dream or vision that incorporates unfamiliar people and places.  Sometimes the significance of these dreams is obvious.  Other times, the meaning is not immediately revealed.  We are left to grapple with the meaning of these places and people that appear in our dreams and visions.  Many people report having seen a particular place in a dream and then being at that exact location many years later without any prior knowledge of its existence.

The show does not offer any direct explanation for the occurrence of these esoteric events.  However, it does suggest that sometimes we experience certain phenomenon for the soul reason of reminding us that something greater than ourself is active in our life.  This episode does an effective job of asking these questions and leaving it up to us to find our own answers.

The video clip of Katie Holmes in Eli Stone’s vision is below.  Viewer warning:  Some of the dancing and images is suggestive.

In the video clip below, Will Smith talks to Tavis Smiley about creating the life you desire.  He emphasizes how important it is to decide who you are going to be and what you want in your life.  He says in that moment of decision, the Universe will open up and get out of your way.  The underlying message is that you need to develop the mindset that you deserve to live the life of your dreams and that you are in the process of living the life of your dreams.  Once you become committed to to following your dreams, all of the obstacles in your life transform into building blocks that help you develop the necessary muscles to carry out your life purpose. 

Will Smith not only talks the talk, but he walks the walk.  He knows that his calling in life is to be actor and once remarked that it would be spiritually criminal for him to ignore his talents as an entertainer.  This type of mindset propelled him into stardom and also inspires him to give back to his community by spending his time working with inner city youth.

Will Smith’s interview with Tavis Smiley is below:

Fields of Fuel is a documentary that offers a practical solution to the economic and energy crisis facing America.  The filmmaker Josh Tickell, author of Biodiesel America-How to Achieve Energy Security, Free America from Middle-East Oil Dependence and Make Money Growing Fuel, believes biofuel is the best alternative energy source for America to pursue.  There are appearances in the movie by Richard Branson, Sheryl Crow, Woody Harrelson, Willy Nelson and Julia Roberts.  The film received 11 standing ovations at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. 

Tickell explains how the energy crisis in America today has economic, natonal security, environmental and spiritual implications.  If America pursues its own domestic sources of energy, such as biofuel, the more jobs and money will be generated in America and less money will go to support Middle-East governments with ties to terrorist organizations.  This will give the United States more independence and leverage in foreign policy issues.  Further, by reducing fossil fuel use and pollution, America can be seen as a leader in the green-movement.  Spiritually, these practices are in alignment with the belief of respecting the Earth and preserving our natural resources.  Fields of Fuel examines the connection among these pressing issues.  The trailer for it is below.

The video below shows vivid scenes of nature during Autumn.  This reflective clip shows colorful leaves falling to the ground and drifting streams catching and carrying them through a forest.  The music is subtle, contemplative and has a quieting effect.  The images and sounds remind us to pay attention to and appreciate the beauty of nature that is present during the months of Fall.

The popular memoir, Eat Pray Love, is being adapted into a movie starring Julia Roberts and produced by Brad Pitt.  In the memoir, Elizabeth Gilbert moves to the suburbs of New York to get pregnant only to realize that is not what she really wanted.  After a painful divorce, Gilbert takes a journey of self-discovery around the world to Italy, India and Indonesia.  She says her experience taught her the importance of saying no to other people and taking time for ourself even if it is just for a few minutes a day.  Below is a video clip of Gilbert discussing what else she learned with a book club.

The Heartland Film Festival starts this weekend in Indianapolis.  This festival is devoted to Truly Moving Pictures and films that inspire.  It was started 16 years ago and has grown in prestige.  Last year 600 films were submitted and only 25 were selected.  A couple years ago the winning film, August Rush, starred Robin Williams.  This year marks the first time a major studio has had its North American premiere in Indianapolis with the film The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.  The movie tells the story of the Holocaust from the perspective of a German boy who doesn’t realize Jews in a nearby concentration camp are prisoners.

The clip below is an interview with Heartland’s president Jeff Sparks taken from a local news show.  The first two minutes of the clip are a bit of sketch comedy and the last few minutes is a substantive interview with the President and Director of Operations of the Heartland Film Festival.

Eli Stone, the drama on ABC about a lawyer who receives prophetic visions, had its season two premiere this past Tuesday.  The episode begins with Eli questioning whether he wants to continue to receive his visions or return to what he believes to be normal.  He wrestles with this decision and is given direction along the way.  His psychiatrist, played by Sigourney Weaver, bluntly tells him, “Eli, you are one of those people who normal is considered a failure of potential.”  This causes Eli to reconsider what his role in life should be.

This show does an effective job of asking whether faith and vision can be accepted and useful in a society that often value logic above all.  The main character is a lawyer who needs documented evidence to advocate for his clients.  Yet, he must use Divine inspirations as a resource to gather the hard facts needed to win his cases.  This asks us whether we can trust that a Higher power or God is actively providing beneficial instruction in our life.

It is exciting to see a major network bring this show back for a second season and promote it during its prime time lineup.  It aires Tuesday nights at 10:00 pm on ABC.  The promo for season two is below.

The latest docu-drama about how to achieve wealth and happiness is Quest for Success.  This movie stands out because it stars todays leading business and spiritual leaders including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Sir Richard Branson, the Dalai Lama, Marci Shimoff, Jack Canfield and Russell Simmons.  Lili Fournier, producer of the award winning Quest series on PBS, is one of the creators of the movie.  The trailer is below.