Movies that Enlighten: Redfield & Millman
I would like to talk this week about some new movies out that inspire, while giving more evidence to the weight of mindfulness and meditation. There are so few movies out there that set the stage for enlightenment that I felt compelled to share. They may not get an academy award, but they can help you to begin to awaken spiritually and that is a good thing. Both of the movies are selective showings, so they might be hard to find in your theaters, but persevere, it is worth it. I don’t buy many movies, but I would buy both of these movies for the inspirational qualities they can bring to your day.
The Celestine Prophesy — Movie
The Prophesy was produced by the author, James Redfield and his wife Salle M. Redfield and since they kept creative control it was true to the book. I felt torn by the notion of keeping it true to the book, and some of the possibilities that might have been missed due to funding, which also means giving up creative control. One argument might be that a more experienced Director/Producer might have added to the movie overall quality. Nevertheless, The Redfield’s did fine job in bringing this movie to the screen. There were some great visual effects, and the movie still retained the depth of spirit and awesome scenic qualities of Peru.
While the movie has some of the same flaws as the book does it still worked for me. Having read it (a couple of times) when it first came out, probably 10 years ago, I found it a pleasurable journey. The Celestine Prophecy is a spiritual adventure film chronicling the discovery of ancient scrolls in the rainforests of Peru. The prophecy and its nine key insights predict a worldwide awakening, arising within all religious traditions, that moves humanity toward a deeper experience of spirituality. We have power beyond our imaginations and remain so limited by our minds, but if we let go and anything is possible.
Peaceful Warrior — Movie
Dan Millman’s novel “The Way of the Peaceful Warrior” is another journey into the possible with one exception. Millman let go totally of creative control. The end result was more creative use of the camera and a clearer presentation of the main concepts. The spiritual lessons are universal and, adapt well to all sorts of belief systems.
Millman was training for the UC team during his junior year at Berkeley when a terrible motorcycle accident shattered a lot of his bones but not, entirely, his dreams.
Millman’s 1980 book created a rare movie that can present profound transcendental concepts in an easy-to-understand way. Although my first thought was that it was an updated “Karate Kid” the “Warrior’s” soul lessons go much deeper, to universal places that inspire, “Rocky Style.”