The Conscious Filmmaker!

The Conscious Media Movement is about encouraging filmmakers, storytellers, and artists to use the power of the media to elevate society by raising individual and therefore mass consciousness. So that warrants another blog on what it takes to become a conscious filmmaker.

Why conscious media? Conscious media opens the mind and heart. Conscious media can be applied to any genre and it doesn’t matter if it’s fiction or non-fiction. It can be woven into all types of films for a general or mature audience as well as for children.

Story can be used to build character, integrity, awareness, wisdom. It can open our hearts to compassion, empathy, kindness, understanding, and love. It can make us aware of the importance of taking responsibility for our actions. It can make us aware of injustices and suffering in the world. It can make us aware of the incredible beauty in the world. Through story we can become mindful of our connection to each other and all there is, illuminating that there is more to us than our physical existence. It shines a light to reveal that everything we do influences the whole. Conscious Media can motivate us to work towards becoming our higher selves, which would vastly increase the quality of our lives, and the lives of those around us.

Nelson Mandela talked about it:

"The producers, directors and actors of films have in their hands a powerful and evocative tool for fostering understanding and, through that, tolerance in the world. It is furthermore a medium that is not bound in its reach. It can reach out to all strata and sectors of society and across national and linguistic boundaries."

One good film, hitting just the right cord at just the right time can spark an epiphany, though usually becoming more conscious is a long journey that requires a sustained effort. So, consistent exposure to a wide range of exciting, entertaining, conscious stories would greatly help everyone, as well as the planet. That's why we also need variety in our conscious filmmakers, in age, gender and race...to help us see the world through a diverse lens of perception.

Unfortunately, so much of the media we have been absorbing daily for decades is destructive and speaks to our lower nature. We have grown used to it and it has harmed society. What we absorb every day, day in and day out, most certainly influences us. Therefore, for the positive changes that need to happen (and rather quickly, I might add) for humanity and this planet to thrive, conscious media needs to become prevalent, outnumbering the destructive variety.

Can an unconscious person create conscious media? It depends on just how unconscious they are. The answer would highly likely be that they cannot (unless they had a team around them that was more awakened). There is a saying by Lao Tzu, “If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself”. If you are a filmmaker who wants to creatively take part in bringing in this vital healing shift, there are actions you’ll need to take.

The good news is that most of us with an interest in conscious filmmaking are, at the very least, on the start of the path to becoming more conscious, which is a big plus. Some genres are easier than others to produce conscious media in. For example, if a filmmaker produces a cause driven documentary, it is easier to stay on track in creating a conscious media project, because the subject matter itself, and the people being interviewed or the research, should produce consciousness raising results. It becomes much harder to produce conscious media, if you haven’t done the work on yourself, in the fiction genres, where one starts with a clean slate and needs to write and develop the story and characters. That’s when it matters the most, regarding how far along on the path you are to raising your own consciousness. We will always be learning in life, but to write and execute such a film, you need to be relatively further along on the path to awakening yourself.

Part of becoming conscious is recognizing that it requires work and action. Faking it won’t bring the same results and it most certainly won’t bring the gifts that embarking on the spiritual journey will bring.

So, how does one start? Everyone has their unique path to discover. Most will agree, however, that a practice of meditation of some sort is an important starting point. I’ve loved Christopher Wallis’ meditations, as well as the Jen Powers Yoga videos on YouTube...though the practice I still do the most is Zhineng Qigong, which is a moving meditation, with which one directs energy (chi). So, prayer, meditation, yoga, qigong...find a practice or a mix that is right for you. You want to do it daily, or at least 5 days a week. It needs to be regular.

Get out in nature and take your time to look around. Observe and take it all in. Notice the birds, the plants, the insects all living and going about their tasks. It is not just us here. Fill yourself with wonder. For we have lost our connection to nature and the soul of the earth. It is imperative to reconnect.

After starting a practice, do research, read, explore deep spiritual living...yet be discerning regarding the messages you are allowing in. Opening our hearts and consciousness, increases our love, compassion and empathy for others and all of life. There is something wrong if you are being directed to do otherwise. Jesus taught to love our brothers and sisters and so did the Buddha and the many others. It is a common thread through religions and spiritualities.

Practice putting yourself into someone else’s shoes. Practice gratitude. Read the blogs on this ConsciousMediaMovement.org website and/or find other websites on spirituality or consciousness that you resonate with. Watch some documentaries. You continually will be learning, and that is exciting...but don’t expect it to always be smooth sailing. Transformation can have its painful moments. Learn the lesson and come out the other side wiser, kinder and stronger. Love yourself and others. A purposeful life of contribution to humanity, the planet and cosmos is a great life indeed. We are all connected and part of the whole. This is one of the most important things to realize. Everything we do matters. You matter.

I have posted a few resources for filmmakers on the Conscious Media Movement website and will be adding more. Wishing you all the best on your creative life journey.

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