The first time I heard this well-known Timothy Leary quote (from Terence McKenna, if memory serves) it struck a nerve, for what is it we all do when we experience something astonishing? We look for someone to tell and in the telling, seek to discover the others who understand the experience. Such were my first thoughts immediately after awakening; I think I even said out loud, “I have to write a book! I have to tell people!”, statements which give you some idea of how disorienting an awakening can be as I haven’t a clue how to write a book. (Apparently this happens a lot as there are alot of books about awakening; probably why Eckhart Tolle often jokes about counseling the newly awakened to “wait a bit on the book”.) In fact, what I really needed were the books – and films and websites – of those who’d already explored altered states of consciousness and could help answer the questions whizzing around in my mind: “What the hell just happened? Has it happened to anyone else? What does it mean? What do I do now?”
In my search for the others, I came across a group of films in which ‘awakened’ men and women share their experiences, a few of which I’ve already mentioned. In this post and the next, I’ll share links to several more titles, including some films that address the use of psychotropic substances. As I listened to the encounters of these people, I recognized numerous details from my own awakening but more importantly, I recognized the fundamental truth – a single shared awareness (Source) whose nature is pure and eternal love – they all spoke about. And after the mental tumble of an awakening, hearing the stories these people were willing to share gave me a sense of regained footing – an assurance that I hadn’t broken my brain or lost my marbles and that what I had experienced was as real as I had perceived it to be. It was also interesting to notice the wide variety in spiritual backgrounds of the speakers, demonstrating how the experience of awakening is available to anyone in any walk of life.
After I got connected to the nondual ecosystem, finding the answers to many more of my pressing questions was limited only by the amount of time I devoted to learning. Now, some fifteen months later, I look back on how much knowledge I’ve been able to access with so much gratitude for the teachers and technology that allowed my search to be both immediate and fruitful. Because so many have opened up to share their experiences, much of my path so far has not been one I had to create but only to follow. And it occurs to me – this is why I found the others.
“I think that humanity at this point is on the verge of a rebirth. We are experiencing collectively a shift, a slow but powerful shift in the energies of life on the earth. So it’s a time of birthing; as with all births there will be perhaps some drama involved and maybe even a little discomfort. … But in the end, I think that we will find ourselves recreated in the next grandest version of who we are.” –Neale Donald Walsh, spiritual teacher
In this movie, filmmaker Catharina Roland tells the story of her spiritual awakening. At the beginning of the story, Catharina is a single mother who, feeling confused and worn out by personal and global worries, decides to break with routine and find a new path. After realizing that ancient spiritual teachings all point towards a ‘big awakening’, Catharina empties her savings, buys some video equipment and sets off with her young son to travel the world in search of those who teach this spiritual wisdom. As she shares each stage of her journey, Catharina interviews spiritual teachers and scientists who share their relevant insights on the nature of consciousness and reality. So while the story is not unique – person faces crisis, breaks routine, seeks teaching, awakens to acceptance and begins traveling a new path – the beautiful images and effective teachings captured by Catharina make this film one of the better examples of this type.
“Living your life is like sailing; you’re constantly making adjustments and corrections. But once you take the wheel and set your course, you can go anywhere. And after this long journey of my own, if there’s any wisdom I can offer it is simply this: follow your heart, discover your gift and get ready for the greatest adventure of your life.” –Demian Lichtenstein, filmmaker
Based on the book of the same name, this film shares the story of Demian Lichtenstein, a successful producer and director of films and music videos. After experiencing a lack of fulfillment from his material wealth, Demian begins to re-examine his life and relationships, leading to a reconciliation with his sister and ultimately, this book and film. Accounts from the brother/sister team are interspersed with numerous interviews and teachings that advise us how to open up to our life’s true purpose – the gift we’ve been given that we are meant to give to others. Like other films of this type that I’ve found helpful, this one offers both inspirational messages and practical tools to use daily to remain awakened in the face of life’s challenges.
“When [Near-Death-Experience patients] do return, incidentally, then the story becomes very interesting from the point of view of human psychology because we find that these patients are profoundly changed, that they are imbued with a totally new value structure … After this experience, their value primarily is to love others and seek loving relationships with their fellow human beings. And also they tell us that they have no more fear of death whatsoever.” –Raymond Moody
Based on his bestselling book, this film provides a series of interviews with philosopher and psychologist Dr. Raymond Moody interspersed with accounts from several of the near-death-experience (NDE) patients whose experiences informed the book. After first hearing about the near death experience of a colleague in 1965, Dr. Moody continued to record several similar accounts from others and in doing so, discovered numerous common features, a pattern for which he coined the term ‘near death experience’. It was this pattern that convinced him that these accounts were more than just phenomenon produced by a dying brain and which eventually lead him to present his argument for life after death in his groundbreaking book. Dr. Moody continued his research into the process of death and NDE’s and is now considered one of the foremost authorities on the topic. He has authored several additional books on NDE’s and related psychic phenomenon, including a follow-up to this book titled Reflections On Life After Life, in which he presents new evidence for life after death and discusses reactions to the original book. Dr. Moody has also lectured on these topics to audiences around the world, many of which can be found on YouTube.
