15+ Top Meditation, Mindfulness or Spiritual Movies of All Time!
/Drum rolls! Or should I say mindful bells! Here’s my list of the top meditation, mindfulnes or spiritual movies of all time. You may or may not agree with me. But I will practice mindfulness and let go of your judgments. :)
How I Put Together the Best Meditation, Mindful and Spiritual Movies
I created this list using a combination of the best movies I’ve seen over the years. Some are quite recent, others old. Some movies are documentary style, whilst others are more like films.
By offering a variety of styles, I’m hoping there will be one or two movies here that you haven’t seen yet and can enjoy.
Kumare (2011)
I want to start with one of my favourites. This is a great find. A fascinating true story of a man who dresses up as a guru in the US and ends up with a cult following, just as an experiment. Shows you how easily we end up following someone and the joys and dangers of that process. Amazing.
I Am (2010)
Director Tom Shadyac speaks with intellectual and spiritual leaders about what's wrong with our world and how we can improve both it and the way we live in it. A fascinating personal story and interviews with amazing teachers including Desmond Tutu.
A Mindful Choice (2016)
Two modern day monks meet a diverse range of people making a choice for a better life through meditation. Ballet dancers and writers, stressed business people, a cancer patient, foster children and maximum-security prisoners; their stories show peace is possible for individuals and communities - and suggests it may be possible for all of humanity. Stunning cinematography combined with the power of people sharing from a place of profound peace delivers a palpable and moving experience.
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6916554/
Buy online: https://www.choicethefilm.com/en/shop
The Dhamma Brothers (2008)
A fascinating journey of a set of prisoner in a maximum security facility go on an intense meditation experience and have a transformation and realisation about true freedom.
Room To Breathe (2013)
Many schools across the country are facing an epidemic of students struggling with poor attention, low academic performance, lack of self-control, bullying and stress.
ROOM TO BREATHE explores one promising solution that has been tested in dozens of public and private schools – a self-awareness technique called mindfulness that increases kids’ focus and concentration, self-control and classroom performance.
The film presents a hopeful story of transformation, following a young mindfulness teacher, Megan Cowan, who spends several months attempting to teach the technique to troubled kids in a San Francisco public middle school that tops the district in disciplinary suspensions.
Cowan is confronted at first by defiance and contempt. But under her guidance, the students begin to learn the mindfulness technique and eventually use it to take greater control over their lives, decrease stress, and better focus in class and at home.
Based on the experiences depicted in the film, as well as results at other schools and independent academic studies, mindfulness appears to have broad potential to significantly improve kids’ social interactions with peers and adults, to reduce bullying and violence, and to improve academic performance and graduation rates.
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2181898/
Buy Online: https://www.videoproject.com/Room-to-Breathe.html
Inside Out (2015)
Absolutely brilliant must see. Such a fantastic and entertaining way to look at the range of emotions and thoughts we have in our head, and how to navigate them. Make sure your children watch this - they’ll love it and learn so much too.
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/
Buy online: https://amzn.to/2kRjaMY
Walk With Me (2017)
With unprecedented access, ‘Walk With Me’ takes us deep inside the world-famous monastery of Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh, and captures the life of a monastic community who have given up all their possessions for one common purpose – to practice the art of mindfulness.
Filmed over three years, this visceral film is a meditation on a community determined to develop a deep sense of presence, not just for themselves but for all those they love.
As the seasons come and go, the monastics’ inner journey is amplified by insights from Thich Nhat Hanh’s early journals, narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch.
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2331100/?ref_=fn_al_tt_3
Watch online: https://amzn.to/2livSEX
The Matrix (1999)
A great movie to show you how our minds can create our reality, and also how many of us can get lost in an automatic pilot state of mind. You can learn about mindfulness and spirituality on many different levels in this film.
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/
Inner Worlds Outer Worlds (2012)
"Inner Worlds Outer Worlds" is a mind-bending documentary that takes you on a captivating journey of self-discovery and exploration. Through a combination of stunning visuals, thought-provoking interviews, and profound ancient wisdom, the film delves deep into the nature of reality, consciousness, and our interconnectedness with the universe.
The director skillfully weaves together scientific discoveries, spiritual teachings, and philosophical insights to offer a holistic perspective on existence. "Inner Worlds Outer Worlds" offers a profound invitation to ponder the mysteries of life and inspires you to delve deeper into your inner self. This thought-provoking moive is a must-watch for anyone seeking enlightenment and self-transformation - most probably that’s you!
A Joyful Mind (2016)
Today, life is moving fast and it's tough on our wellbeing. But there's good news. We now know more about meditation and how it can change our lives. "A Joyful Mind" is a film that reveals the true meaning of meditation and shares the scientific proof of its benefits. It also shows how we can use meditation and mindfulness at work and school. This film is groundbreaking because it clears up the confusion caused by the media. It features stories from both beginners and experts in meditation, including the wonderful monk, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. His teachings have inspired people worldwide and he shares his wisdom on how meditation can make a positive impact on our daily lives. If you’re not aware of Mingyur, check out this movie.
Meditation, Creativity and Peace (2012)
"Meditation Creativity Peace" is a compelling documentary by David Lynch Foundation Television. It features exclusive footage from Lynch's world tour in 2007 and 2008. Lynch speaks to government leaders, film students, and the press. His unique presence grabs your attention. The film also includes insightful quotes from great thinkers and revered texts. These quotes reveal the birthright of everyone to practice meditation, develop creativity, and find inner peace. Lynch states in the documentary that Transcendental Meditation (TM) is for all human beings, regardless of where they live.
So this movie isn’t about mindfulness, but certainly is about meditation. In my opinion, TM is a form of mantra meditation, and you can use any mantra that suits you to meditate. This is what Dr. Herbert Benson discovered in his research at Harvard and explains in his book ‘The Relaxation Response’.
My Year of Living Mindfully (2020)
Health journalist Shannon Harvey was struggling with insomnia and autoimmune disease. Looking for mental health solutions, she spent a year exploring meditation with the help of 18 scientists. She traveled the world, from Manhattan to refugee camps, testing mindfulness on herself. Her book, "My Year of Living Mindfully," shares her personal experiences and scientific findings on the impact of mindfulness on health.
I enjoyed this film as it focuses on mindfulness and aims to take a scientific approach, which I often enjoy.
Free The Mind (2012)
"Free the Mind" is an enlightening documentary exploring the intersection of science, mindfulness, and human potential. Directed by Phie Ambo, this film showcases Professor Richard Davidson's audacious experiment to rewire brains through thought alone. Inspired by a conversation with the Dalai Lama, Davidson aids three individuals: two traumatized war veterans, Steve and Rich, and a young boy, Will, struggling with ADHD and anxiety. The compelling journey into the human psyche raises profound questions - Can thought alone bring peace to restless minds? Can it free individuals from the grip of trauma and anxiety? A must-watch for those intrigued by the power of mindfulness.
Awake: The Life of Yogananda (2014)
"Awake: The Life of Yogananda" is a captivating 2014 documentary that beautifully depicts the journey of Indian yogi and guru Paramahansa Yogananda, who introduced yoga and meditation to the Western world in the 1920s. Expertly crafted by independent American filmmakers Paola di Florio and Lisa Leeman, the film, commissioned by Yogananda's Self-Realization Fellowship, offers a riveting blend of interviews with Yogananda's disciples and notable personalities like Ravi Shankar and George Harrison. Filmed over three years across thirty countries, including spiritual sites in India and esteemed institutions in the US, it's an insightful exploration of the intersection of science and spirituality.
Wizard of Oz (1939)
Dorothy Gale is swept away from a farm in Kansas to a magical land of Oz in a tornado and embarks on a quest with her new friends to see the Wizard who can help her return home to Kansas and help her friends as well.
In this classic, enjoy a playful look as Dorothy goes on her heroine’s journey to truth. Brilliant!
If you have any further suggestions, please share in the comments below. Thank you!
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