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What recent films have had the most powerful effect on how you see yourself, the world, and the future of human consciousness?Posted March 7, 2011 by IONS Staff in Big Questions |
commented on May 14, 2013 |
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What recent films have had the most powerful effect on how you see yourself, the world, and the future of human consciousness?
Movies are transportive. When we enter a theater or settle in front of our television or computer screen, we willingly suspend our concerns about everyday affairs and surrender to the images and storylines that play out before us. More and more of those screens are reflecting back to us both the harsh realities and remarkable potential that define this time in history – this "age of uncertainty" – as we wonder which direction we are headed: civilizational collapse or civilizational breakthrough.
IONS has been keenly aware of the impact of films on consciousness, and we have been tracking many that are trying to expand our sense of who we are capable of becoming against a backdrop of unprecedented challenge. Provided below are a handful of links about the genre of “transformational films,” but we also want to hear from you: “What recent films have had the most powerful effect on how you see yourself, the world, and the future of human consciousness?”
Related Links:
- "Consciousness in Film," a 2011 interview with Stephen Simon, co-founder of Spiritual Cinema Circle (part of IONS’ Shifting Paradigms teleseminar series)
- "Transformational Films: A Genre on the Threshold" (feature article in Noetic Now – February 2011)
- "The Power of Media to Transform" from IONS blogger Kate McCallum
- "Movies on a Mission" (feature article in Shift magazine, Fall 2006)
- The IONS’ Community Group film blog.
Please join this discussion by sharing your response to this question in the comment space below.
It's not exactly recent, but Baraka has had an enduring effect on me. The whole movie is a wordless meditation on humanity's relationship with the natural world and itself. The visuals and soundtrack are stunning and incredibly moving. "Baraka" is a Sufi word meaning "breath of life which leads to spiritual awakening".
In that I'm dedicated to adherence to constitutional law, "Lincoln" impressed me. Lincoln, a humble man with bigger than life ideas, like me, suffered terribly over the war to free America's slaves. The corrupt politicians in his day, no different than today's, impressed me. "Lincoln" is a message to the American people. A house divided does not long stand.
"Amour" the french film about a loving elderly couple, former piano teachers, at the end of their life together.
They attend a concert recital of a student and the next morning Ann has a stoke.while having breakfast.
It is the beginning to the slow difficult march into the darkkess, alone in our thoughts, Summing ones will to explain.
The house grows quieter , sadly quieter.
I recently saw a documentary called Beyond Though: Awareness Itself. Very thought-provoking and inspirational.
This is a film that will have a powerful effect on how you see yourself, the world, and the future of human consciousness?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BFe8TBhLeQQ#!
<i>Fearless.</i> This movie, starring Jeff Bridges, made me think of the following questions:
When we experience a traumatic or an unexpected event, we might feel that we leave our bodies, as if our mind shuts down.
What is this separation of body and mind or spirit?
Where does the mind/spirit go?
How is it brought back to join the body?
"What the Bleep Do We Know" woke me up in college and I couldn't get enough after that. ;)
A Christmas Carol, the OLD one, Dickens version.
A Chrsitmas Carol.
#Vanilla sky, the fear of losing the physical...
Almost every movie that has ever lifted my spirits has had Robin Williams in it. World According to Garp, Dead Poet's Society, Good Will Hunting... but not One Hour Photo which was brilliant, but creepy.
The Lorax by Dr. Suess Later a sweet movie.
So many great ideas from all! I have to mention "Pay It Forward". This movie has inspired me to change the way I live, teach, and believe. I think it's one of the most important concepts to embody right now.
Also loved "I AM" - It was so fun to watch something deep that was really funny at the same time :-)
One more is "The Gerson Therapy, Vol. 1" with Charlotte Gerson. Whether you believe in the nutrition therapy or not, she is so knowledgeable and confident about our body's amazing ability to heal you can't help walking away with Motivation and Hope.
First and foremost, I agree with the quote, "Books and movies are not so important for what they say as what they make you think." I have watched many films that launched me into a frenzy of reading everything I could get my hands on regarding the subject of the film or closely related. My presence here is a direct result of a film i recently re-watched, "Suspect Zero".
I think the best advice I ever received was from Tom Brown, The Tracker; "Do not shut out any source of knowledge, good or bad in your opinion. You cannot properly defend your point of view without being able to understand what you are defending against." This also relates to the old saying, "even a blind pig finds an acorn now an then". It's a balance of nature thing.
My collection of DVDs is somewhere around 500 and each one was selected because it still has some kind of thought provoking lesson for me every time I watch it. I am looking forward to many discussions on this site.
'KNOWING' left me with 2 ideas of scary beings until the last 10 minutesf the film where it then seemed they were of a heavenely nature and also the potential that we have been guided by some intervention from higher beings...that would include' lighter bodies of consciousness'...... The end was most interesting when the beings garbed in 'black coats' or something peeled them off when the 'space ship' landed to take up the children for what seemed like a rescue from 'the cleansing' or what looked like a cosmic event from the SUN. The etheric bodies of these 'angels' looked like see thru skin and you can see all the innner lights within each entity moving all within the humanoid form.
The space ship or some wonderful designed moving geometical pattern 'vehicle' was there to take entities and 2 children to another 'planet' to start the new human process over again. I saw it 2 or 3 times. Love it. Can stimulate a good discussion on aspects that include science,technology, UFO, Spirituality, dimensional realities, black holes.... and the uncanny reports of crop circles, abductions and HIGH Sttrangeness.
Happy New Year to all !
The Tree of Life
There are no words except: THANK YOU
I was profoundly moved by the movie Kite Runner. Saw it on a flight in a small screen, but still, that magic was there inspite of the form factor. This is an amazing story of transformation of an individual from a self-centered kid who is afraid to face up to a painful situation where he could have helped, to an adult, whom life forces him to face related circumstances again. The choices he has, and the he path he eventually takes - that brings up an amazing, heart warming denouement.
Another movie that I would like to cite is the Groundhog day - another great story of personal transformation.
"I AM" and "Wake Up" are both great movies. I blogged/wrote about "Wake up" because it was so amazing. A must see for anyone who is interested in understanding how science and rationality is responsible, in important ways, to the veil we have between us and increased consciousness.
An oldie but goodie: What the Bleep Do We Know.
Inception is only one of the many windows on the very tall skyscraper that portrays the realms of human conciousness and how deep our thoughts and dreams can really go. Also, it has shown how thoughts and dreams can be interconnected to a fraction of the human population.
The "Force" in Star Wars depicts how we are connected to each other.
Emmanuel's Gift is a movie that reflects on morale and lifestyle.
Hi all,
So many good movies out there, and new ones coming out all the time. That's quite a list, kimflores, many I hadn't heard of. Thanks to everyone for sharing their favorites.
We've made our selections for the upcoming conference, and to make a long story short, we'll be showing Brian Swimme's new film Journey of the Universe (http://www.journeyoftheuniverse.org/) on Friday night July 22, and Wake Up (http://wakeupthefilm.com/) on Saturday the 23rd.
And stay tuned for IONS' inaugural film fest in early 2012!
I know it's not so recent but I ve just seen it:
On youtube but also on DVD: 'what the bleep do we know'. The interview section is really amazing!
Fiction: 'Afterwards' - by Gilles Bourdos, with John Malkovich and Romain Duris - very very touching...
Hello life.
Life saying hello to life.
My choices are:
I Heart Huckabees, clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOgQAMdKdyg
Breakfast Of Champions, based on the book by Kurt Vonnegut, clip montage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gQ8YoWxPYQ
clip from the audiobook: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6Wtx2NanJA
The Green Beautiful, a rare French film about awakening, trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8m3Vy8bto4
Film in 9 parts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5CmMm_SRpM
3-Iron, Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-S5n0JniDw
Film in parts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5oN6IMV8g8
Harold and Maude, fan made trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR-OojNoVDg
Ivan's Childhood, full film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0krUdI0SkjI
Opening sequence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG1in3yqGaQ
Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind, trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wSba9hwCaU&feature=related
Princess Mononoke, trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyX89c3nSHw
Making of documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi3LRn7EKx8&feature=related
I appreciate a lot of Miazaki's and studio Ghibli's work
Rude Awakening, low quality trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kEEZETvctg&feature=related
Credits sing along: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-pRvrsrcsM&feature=related
Tekkonkinkreet, Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gWxUVcXyPA&feature=related
Opening 10 minutes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FfXWg7_AGI
Slacker, trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9f9M6UAYb0
Full film: http://www.youtube.com/movie?v=jB4xlYKAVCQ&feature=mv_sr
Waking Life, trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk2DeTet98o
Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yJE1iiO0qI&feature=related
Together, trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD7Wv1q-S18
Full film in parts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxwuvGb-VMw&feature=fvwrel
Where The Wild Things Are, trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01-PqqifyjA
The Sixth Sense, trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG9AGf66tXM
The Taste Of Tea, Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NcBL6cYGL4
Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01wOhgg27dM
Full film in parts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21YoeSAUi54
The Eel (Unagi), Original trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HdVs0mN9ZY
Warm Water Under A Red Bridge, Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYHJnqrx7aw
There are some other fiction films and a few documentaries, but I am tired and have ignored my intuition to do something else and then sleep for long enough, whatever that means.
Peace and eternal love to you all
If you want to know more about any of these let me know
The Inward Journey is a documentary about inner world. A very good explaination of subtle components like Chakras, Formation of Chakras in spinal cord, How Energy evolved slowly into a world of today, Granthis (Subtle Glands) and why puncturing of these Granthis is required for progress on the path of divine life etc etc
The promo is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONzbfAyIUac
http://www.cprize.org/cjzz.org/specials.html (pick the mp3, or slideshow)
Mythic Journeys by Steven and Whitney Boe is a very thought provoking and beautiful film . Our group divided it into two sessions. Now we have some of our Honolulu IONS group planning to meet in June to begin a group project around the book, The Map, 'Finding the Magic and Meaning in the Story of Your LIfe'. The author is Colette Baron-Reid.
DIRT!! This Thursday Evening our IONS Honolulu Group is viewing DIRT..by Common Ground Media..It is astonishing and humorous!
I ordered it on line. We are starting a sub group of IONS Honolulu called. GROW WHERE YOU ARE...we're all 'growing' at least one plant which is edible.
How could i leave out star wars from my list!!!! Thank you louise for re-opening my eyes to the wisdom of master yoda!!!!
Transcendent Man
http://transcendentman.com/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1117394/
For me the planet, humanity and all living creatures have always been interconnected more than people realize and our abilities as spirit or our higher selves is slowly evolving from something thought of as a gift of the few to the recognition of our true selves in many. I've always thought we were on a path to civilizational breakthrough since I was a child and that has not changed one bit, no matter what is happening in the world or presented on a movie screen. But I find something in just about every movie that moves us towards this idea and expanding human consciousness. Whether it was intented or not, it's always there. Sometimes it doesn't even have to do with the subject matter of the movie and at times it's subtle. So I can't name just one movie, I find there's something in each movie that effects how i see myself, the world or consciousness and a movement towards waking up to all the possibilites of our true selves.
Star Wars.
Yoda says it all; "Life creates it, makes it grow, its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. you must feel the force around you, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere......"
The Forgotten.
The mother's instinct, love and will transcend the impossible.
Ender's Game.
The interpersonal relationships (described in many Card's novels) made me think about human behavior.
Avatar
Like Faith said, I would have to say that the Quantum Activist exemplified consciousness more than most movies I can think of. I did just see "The Wonder of it All" in which this project was mentioned as each Apollo Astronaut was allowed to reflect on how that experience affected them and what their thoughts on that were.
Would like to know how to get hold of these movies?
Have been watching some top quality children's movies lately and I can surely recommend Spiderwick. It has a double bottom referring to my own religion.
There is also The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus that gave me some insight that sometimes good choices can be cloaked bad choices and vice versa. It basically is a funny movie about good and evil, the infinite story of God and the devil.
A movie just yesterday spoke volumes to me, about humanity and the dangers of closing one's mind to those things which connect us all : Agora
(movie trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRxmJRkcqGc)
I found it totally fascinating, how the 'old school pagans' had cast out the upstart christians, and persecuted them for their faith - only to receive a similar treatment after the tables turned.
The atrocities that can be committed in the name of love and peace (reads: religion and enlightenment) are ever astounding, and even through to this day remain something that continues to repeat.
Fear begets fear, hate begets hate, love begets.. ?
Perhaps when we collectively learn the lessons of the coined 'Noetic Sciences' on a global scale of consciousness, we'll break free of these cycles.
The Dark Crystal !! This is my all time best one.
not based on new releases i would say Walt Disney's Pinocchio
the concept of the trinity ( the holy spirit, the farther and the son) came to mind.
the holy spirit represented by the fairy
the farther represented by gepeto
and the son pinocchio
when pinocchio doesnt listen to his farther and his conscience ( jimminy cricket) he turns towards temptations and becomes a lost boy who gradually turns into an ass ( donkey )
when he listens to his conscience and finally realises that the farther was right the fairy blesses him and turns him into a real boy.
Can it be that as with someone deeply in love, they seem to see loving people everywhere? To find significance in a movie or book may reflect the witness in many ways, actually.
A recent movie that had great meaning to me is the Japanese film "Departures" (which says something about me I suppose). It is a solid story that deals with the business of undertaking, dignity, transparency, etc. .... a somewhat unlikely subject in American society.
Based on current releases, I'd recommend "The Adjustment Bureau."
I'd also recommend just about any of the films in the book, "Get the Picture: Conscious Creation Goes to the Movies," a very interesting read.
one more movie i would like to add to the list is "The Peaceful Warrior"
its A true Gem of knowledge.
The Last Mimzy, The Celestine Prophecy, Inception, The Matrix trilogy, Avatar. The Last Samurai.
All these movies Reinforced my mind to believe in what i had learned as a child. Each movie was a transforming experience.
I passed through these stages after watching each movie.
Information+ Experience+ Analysis = Knowledge+ Enlightenment+ Better World!!!!
:):)
yeah..me too..agree to what my brother (AKASH) said but i would like a few more..
* 3 idiots (hindi)
* manichithrathaazhu ( malayalam)
* I am legend (english)
AND MY FAVOURITEs
"THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS"(ENGLISH movie starring Will Smith)
Of corse Avatar...In malyalam ananthbhadram and atharvam movies are there i think they suits the question more........
Most religions reference, in some manner, the interconnectivity between all living things. Most religions also reference, in some manner using verbiage particular to that religion, the idea that you get what you give (Golden Rule, Law of Attraction, etc.). Though I am not currently tolerant of a man-made religion with man-made rules, I do rather prefer the common thread that runs through them all. Therefore, it is natural that the two films that most speak to me regarding human consciousness, the power of the human mind, the power of love, and the power of positive thinking are “What Dreams May Come” and “Avatar”. Both films move me, both make me think, both make me want to be a better person, both influence me to spend more time in quiet meditation, holding others in light and love.
inception, Avatar, Black swan, Apollo 18.
One thing I would say that any movie you watch, if you study it you will surely find something that could bring change in you....only if you allow.
If you want spiritual inspiration, this is it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qym7XbQ7ApE
What changed my view on life, me, mankind and the world, was not a film but books. The books Jozef Rulof, a Dutch metaphysical writer (1898-1952) wrote. Each book I already read, disappeared from my bookshelves, and the 27 Jozef Rulof wrote are there now. On YouTube are several videos about that Jozef Rulof wrote about: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=0128509B7B1A8485
Website for the books: http://www.rulof.org/index.html
The film which is the most fitting to the books Jozef Rulof wrote is: "What dreams may come" (with Robin Williams; 1998): http://multerland.com/blog/?page_id=1461
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbn0taB5Yjk&feature=player_embedded
It's not a film but a talk explaining the current revolution in the Middle East.
The future is now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVb8nKj6iYo&feature=related
Alice in Wonderland.
Wizard of Oz.
The Last Mimzy.
The Lion King.
HOME.
how about Inception?what do you think about this movie?it can be real?or it`s just fiction?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU
11th Hour.
The world needs this or it will die.
Of late, my love turned me on to "The Civilization of Maxwell Bright" and "Cold Souls". Warning re: former: make yourself get thru the start of of and you will feel redeemed at end. The latter awoke me to Paul Giametti, whose tragic-comedian performance was superb about loosing one's soul. I watched Kundun for the 12th time as the twin towers fell. (oldie but goodie.) What hit me there was "if the Tibetans can have compassion for the Chinese, can we also have an ounce of compassion for violent madmen?" In light of HHDL's statement today, the question seems pertinent.
Thank you. Peace.
There is a wonderful documentary called "Flight from Death". It highlights Ernest Beckers Philosophy that organized religion is a coping mechanism established to deal with our fear of death. Contrary to blasting all religions, one comes away with a commitment to live for today,
and not wait until the afterlife.
Tonight, our first meeting of Sociology 103, at a local university. I'll be reviewing the above to see whether they might meld with our course outcomes, and I'm very open to suggestions (or dialogues) about other films appropriate for a soc. class. We'll be seeing Precious, this evening. My hope is to honor the university's intentions for the class, while speaking to the hearts an spirits of the students.
Hello fellow IONSees, I'm typing away from a cold & overcast Hong Kong...
In terms of recent, I must say AVATAR had the biggest impact on me! I have watched it 4 times already ;-)) & will probably watch it again with some more beautiful people whom have not seen it or whom want to watch it again. It speaks to me directly in a very empowering & emotional way. I have cried 3 times :-( when the Mother Tree is destroyed because that is what is happening to our Mother Earth (& us of course) except on a much slower scale... I resonate with the Navi Tribe & see them as a mirror of our Conscious Tribe that is spread all over this beautiful planet....
However, although not recent, it is BARAKA (1992) that gets 1st prize as the movie with the biggest impact on my life so far.... I understand Ron Fricke the director is releasing the sequel called SAMSARA in 2011 sometime... Can't wait.
Much Love to you all from a tiny Island in the South China Sea called Lamma Island.
Bobsy
Cocoon.
I would love to have a body totally composed of light.
No more eating each other which I see a a cruel way to run a planet but can't see any other solution! Everything, including plants, hurts when destroyed to feed something else.
"I AM" by Tom Shadyac, an incredible documentary at the Rafael Film Center... SO HEART-OPENING! Dean Radin and Marilyn Schlitz are featured, as well as Desmond Tutu, Lynne McTaggart, Noam Chomsky, (the list goes on!) It was truly moving -- sort of like "The Secret" in connecting our thoughts/intentions with energy and matter, (quantum physics,) but OPPOSITE in the material sense. (I feel "The Secret" was ruined with their "Get rich by thinking it!" approach. Too much focus on the (false) promise of riches through money.)
Oh, no... this is higher-minded. Tom is an honest, open, adventurous, loving man (and successful Hollywood director,) who, by facing his own desire to move past this life on earth, felt compelled to give a meaningful message to the world before he died. (He's not dead yet! :-) And the result is transformative! Very emotional, gut-level feelings, mind-opening, whole-being understanding... and afterward, most of us in the audience remained seated and started talking to each other! Our hearts were wide open! We felt connected! Even standing in line in the bathroom, I commented to a "stranger" how the movie made me feel and she said, "It makes me want to hug everyone!" So we hugged! And then the next lady wanted a hug, so I hugged her too! Then they started hugging others -- we had a hug fest in the bathroom! ;-D
The movie was SO validating to me, personally, as I've always been "overly sensitive" (emotional, compassionate, empathetic, wanting to help others,) and have been taught that being so sensitive isn't good, it's a handicap... it takes away from doing things for myself, furthering my own goals. (Some truth to that, and that's OK.) But it's who I AM, who I was born to be, and I thank Tom and all the other great souls in his movie for shedding light on the value of feeling so connected to other living things.
Also, the way Tom tied all the loose ends together at the end of the movie... BRILLIANT! It was like puzzle pieces coming together to form a complete and amazing picture. Thank you Tom! Thank you Dean and Marilyn! (You guys should have an article about it on your front page!)
Peace, Peeps.
K
I have recently enjoyed the filming of "The Quantum Activist" with Amit Goswami Ph.d. Connecting quantum mechanics with God is gaining momentum and greater understanding in how it all comes together! Enjoyed this film very much.
I was profoundly moved by the movie "Fur..an Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus".
In this movie a woman's creativity drove her to push beyond her comfort level by embracing her curiosity about the dark, mysterious and unknown. At one point she even submerges herself into water (the unconscious) with an unknown and yet unseen creature who seems dark and foreboding and therefore discovers herself and her creative side through a magical reflection of a "beast". It could have almost been a take-off from Beauty and the Beast..but was much deeper. (as it were!) She discovers her higher self through her ability to step into a dark abyss. I was amazed at her courage and thrilled by her own self-discovery. She gained amazing insight into life and was able to say "no" to the collective ideal of a "respectable" life in favor of self-discovery. In so doing she also helped the unconscious (the furry beast) become familiar with the light of consciousness and he also was able to transform. There was even a hint of an alchemical coniunctio in that the dark and the light came together during the transformation at the end of the movie. She definitely had gained insight into the divine hidden in the profane, and that could only have happened because of her courage in having stepped into an abyss, facing her shadow and denying pressing collective norms.
I would agree that Avatar did a very good job of illustrating the unity of being of all that we recognize as living matter.
Avatar, to be sure, for pretty much the same reasons krussell gave above. The disconnect between humanity and Earth portrayed in the movie was also very effective if not disturbing.
Avatar 3D.
The concept of a connective web between the plant and animal kingdoms was illustrated with poignancy for me. I was swept away and profoundly moved by that movie.