Awaken is one of the most unusual films I’ve ever seen.

I was intrigued and a little intimidated by the theme. 2012 is one of those troubling concepts that sits — sometimes deliberately ignored — on the fringe of the New Age, spiritual and scientific communities.  (Not that those groups are mutually exclusive, of course.)

So, even after my copy arrived, I placed it next to my DVD player and eyed it warily.

Last night, I finally decided to take a look at it… peering (metaphorically) from between my fingers.

This is a very quirky film.  It’s also an important one.

For one thing, it hits the ground running with Barbara Marx Hubbard talking about concepts that can be downright scary, except that she delivers them in such a chirpy, cheerful manner.  (Having spent some brief time with Buckminster Fuller, I agree that she’s among the heirs to his visionary gifts.)

Awaken, the movie, has a knack for delivering concepts that leave the viewer in awe… or perhaps slightly in shock, if the person is locked into the doom-and-gloom model of 2012.

To be blunt: The year 2012 (or, more correctly, the process indicated by that number) is not the end of the world.

The speakers in this film are talking about transformation on many levels, and the many predictions that have been pointing to it (and perhaps lighting the way) for thousands of years.

From Ms. Hubbard, Awaken shifts to Bonnie Serratore’s views, then to Rita Rivera Fox’s, then to Tulku Tsori Rinpoche’s, and finally there’s an almost whirlwind presentation by William Linville.

(He has a way of blurting concepts in rapid-fire mode, and then pausing to look straight at you, whimsically.  It’s almost unnerving.  I laughed.  He’s clearly brilliant — at an astronomical IQ level — and connects apparently disparate concepts as some people might whirl their way through solving a Rubik’s Cube.)

Those who recall the late 1960s may feel like they’ve stepped into a time warp.  Throughout this film, you’ll hear echoes of spiritual and prophetic concepts from the most idealistic visionaries of the hippie era.

(Some of it can feel a little jarring.  Then, it starts seeming familiar and… well, almost a relief. Admittedly, this is a little difficult to articulate.)

Repeatedly, each major concept (or series of concepts) is followed by a brief visual/aesthetic break, which is one of many brilliant aspects of this film.  It gives the viewer a chance to ponder what’s been said, so it’s not completely overwhelming.

My best advice is to turn on the subtitles (or use closed-captioning) when you view it.  I think an extra learning modality (reading + listening) is necessary to get the most from the film, at least the first time through.

In fact, I don’t think there’s any way someone should watch this just once. I’ll be surprised if I even begin to grasp its full impact after my tenth viewing.

The messages are consistent throughout the film.  Each speaker is coming from a different background and frames his or her views in a different context.  However, they’re all speaking in honest and consistent terms about 2012 and how we can remain in flow as events unfold.

That may be one of the more powerful aspects of this movie:  Not just its frank optimism, but the fact that the underlying message is the same, despite contexts that are — literally — founded in beliefs from opposite sides of the world.

I won’t pretend that I fully understood what any of the speakers were saying.  Not all of it… not even close.

In fact, I regularly blinked and thought, “What is this person talking about…?”  Some of the sages spoke in a way that seemed to resonate with me, more than others.

But, I did understand one important point:

Changes are in progress.  They won’t always be comfortable.  Those changes are necessary, and — whether we realize it or not — we did arrive on this planet, at this precise moment in time, prepared for what’s ahead.  We’re going to be okay.

The journey may be rocky, short term, but we’re on the brink of something momentous, important… and wonderful.

For anyone who’s feeling unsettled, frightened, or as if they’ve lost their moorings, this can be an important movie.  It provides answers. Above all, it assures each of us that we’re not alone.

This documentary is well described at the Awaken website: It brings “the experience of being in the presence of an enlightened sage, into the dwelling space of the viewer.”

In about 90 minutes, Awaken shares many important concepts including:

-What the Toltec teachings are saying about 2012
-Techniques to advance your conscious awakening
-How to break free from fear and limitation
-An awakening to love and oneness

I highly recommend this film for forward-thinking individuals and study groups.  It’s a documentary that deserves to be viewed multiple times, with thoughtful discussion each time.

Also, filmmaker Danisa Perry — the Executive Producer/Director/Creator — deserves applause for bringing together such diverse sages, and creating a film that feels so deeply personal.

This isn’t an easy film to watch or understand.  The concepts may seem frightening to some, and it may seem simplest to reject these ideas at first.  Avoid doing that, as much as you can.

Those who take this film seriously will find serenity — and optimism — at the foundation of what each speaker presents.  The synergy of Awaken‘s messages will affirm what’s profound and true in all of them.

Rating:

Click here to visit the Awaken website

– reviewed by Sarah Skye

Photo credits:

Path amid trees – Hamid Zender, Canada

Sunrise – Timo Balk, Australia

Arches Nat’l Park (Utah) – Cimmarron, U.S.A.

Colt O’Brien Sees the Light, by George Matthew Cole, is an engaging book suited to mature teens and adults.

The story is well-written, with passages like, “Colt O’Brien flashed down the main hall of Highline High School.  The five-foot, four-inch senior was dressed to garner attention.”

I like that use of words.  It doesn’t stop at a fifth-grade vocabulary, as many teen books do.  The author respects his readers, and correctly estimates their intelligence.

The story line also escapes the frequent folly of  many”young adult” authors: It doesn’t talk down to the reader.

The book’s description is accurate:

Colt O’Brien doesn’t think that he has to prove anything. He is the most savvy computer technician at Highline High in Burien, Washington. When a PC needs fixing, Colt is called in to save the day. The short, energetic senior, with his bright, colorful attire and cocky attitude, knows that he is the best. He expects the respect that is showered upon him by peers and teachers. School will soon be over and freedom beckons. No more girl friend to tell him what to do. No more schoolwork to bore him to death.

Colt is cruising through senior year, but his life is about to be turned upside down.

Two freshman nerds start a computer class that will put Highline High on the map and challenge Colt’s credibility. Three women will show him the meaning of love. One will show him the meaning of hate. And, his hidden psychic powers will emerge when he least expects them to.

Hang on, Colt.

One of the most important issues this book tackles is the challenge to discover one’s own identity.  The story shows the impact of others’ attitudes and expectations, and the importance of finding a strong sense of self in a challenging world.

It also portrays the effects of adults’ standards, sometimes from a place of low self-esteem.

Many of today’s parents had no one at home to show them effective parenting; they were part of that generation where moms had recently started full-time jobs, and the community wasn’t ready to fill in the role model gaps.

The proverbial “village” hadn’t come into its own voice, yet.  In this book, the support systems are evolving, but many of the adults seem in an awkward, colt-ish phase (no pun intended) when they deal with teens.

I think Colt, his friends and his schoolmates are representative of many of today’s teens.  Even better, Cole — the book’s author — has written his characters very well.  Instead of littering the story with two-dimensional stereotypes, each of the main characters has a clear backstory.  These kids and adults seem very real.

Though their flaws and features are timeless, they’re written in an up-to-date context with a raw honesty that teen readers will appreciate.

What makes this book especially intriguing — and worth mentioning to fans of New Age literature — is the added ingredient of Colt’s psychic awareness.  It’s one thing to escape narcissistic external cues and find one’s inner confidence.

It’s quite another to accomplish that while also discovering the inner/outer voice of psychic gifts.

The book includes themes related to sexuality.  For many teens, there will be nothing “shocking” in this novel.

However, for those with sheltered upbringings — and especially their parents who are oblivious to the gritty, honest conversations in most high schools — some plot elements may seem too frank for an average teen.

Though armchair editors may spot a few technical errors in the writing, this is one of those rare books that wasn’t over-written or over-edited.  I’d rather read a book like this,  that could have more paragraph breaks, but has also retained the fresh voice of an energetic, interesting writer.

That’s what this book delivers.

I recommend Colt O’Brien Sees the Light for mature teens, and adults who’d like better insights into what’s really going on with today’s high school students.

It’s a good, engaging read.

In addition, George Matthew Cole is an author to note. One doesn’t have to be psychic to predict a great future for his books, and the movies likely to be made from them.

Rating: Rating:

Buy this book at Amazon.com

Audio guided meditations can be convenient and reliable ways to relax, remove mental barriers, and clearly visualize your goals.

Whether you download guided meditations or purchase them on CD, audio guided meditations are easy to use.  Using any audio player, you’ll sit or rest comfortably, close your eyes, and follow the clear and simple directions for a healing journey of the mind, body and spirit.

These are ideal for breaks from your workday, or when you return home after a long day.  Any time you need to pause and re-center, guided meditations can help.

For more information about meditation audios in general, see our article, Audio Guided Meditations.

PRODUCTS

Meditations 2GO are among the best meditation audios in the field.  I highly recommend them.  Though I have the CDs — and they’re impressive — you can download Meditations 2GO‘s guided meditations online.  Their prices are also about half what I usually pay for downloads of equal or lesser quality.

Higher quality meditations

So far, I have listened to the first CD, which includes Restoring Balance and Clarity, and Releasing Emotional Tension.

From the start, I was impressed by the voice of the person speaking throughout these guided meditations.  He sounds like the kind of person everyone knows and likes… the guy with the great, relaxing voice that’s just cheerful enough to put you at ease.

In other words, he’s not Mr. Happy-happy-happy, driving you up the wall with boisterous energy when you just want to unwind.

I like that.

I also like the ease of these guided meditations.  I’ve listened to meditation audios (from other companies) that left me puzzled, and I’ve even hit “rewind” to figure out the next steps in the journey.

Every step in these Meditations 2GO audio guided meditations is clear, simple, and enjoyable.  In fact, the first time I listened to Restoring Balance and Clarity, I dozed off.  (I woke up about 20 minutes later, feeling as if I’d had a full night’s sleep.)

Restoring Balance and Clarity

Restoring Balance and Clarity takes you on a relaxing journey, about 26 minutes long, and it effortlessly brings you back to center.   If you’re mentally, emotionally, or spiritually exhausted by the rush-rush world around you and conflicting messages (and demands) from a variety of sources, this is the audio guided meditation you need.

As the CD description says, “Using the rich, balanced energy of the earth, you’re re-established and reinforce your true, peaceful rhythms and natural pace.”

You connect with Nature.  You draw your energies back to yourself, untangle yourself from the confusions and artifice of the outside world, and find renewal within that centered place in your soul.

As the name of this meditation says, you’ll restore balance and clarity to your day.

Listen to a sample from Restoring Balance and Clarity

Releasing Emotional Tension

In Releasing Emotional Tension — a meditation lasting about 27 minutes — you methodically let go of tension in your mind and body.  The process is simple and very self-empowering.

In addition, this meditation helps you locate and release the “inner voices” that trigger stress… the self-blame, shame, fear, and regrets that often undermine our confidence.  With those chains released, you can find the peace of mind you seek, and heal yourself at a deep and profound level.

This audio guided meditation is generic enough for any situation that’s making you tense.  However, it also speaks to your soul and helps you release the burdens that have been weighing you down.

Listen to a sample from Releasing Emotional Tension

I’m looking forward to listening to the other audio guided meditations in this series.  I’ll review them as I do.

However, from these first two audios, I can confidently recommend Meditations 2GO.  At their website, you can purchase their CDs or download guided meditations immediately.

– reviewed by Sarah Skye

Photo credits: Meditation graphics (c) Meditations 2GO