Personal growth movements often come and go in the blink of an eye – fads that wax and wane with a guru’s passing or a book publisher’s marketing interests.
One that continues to have staying power is Discover the Gift. First covered by this Examiner in July 2011, this movement brings together the collective wisdom of many of the world’s most respected spiritual and personal growth leaders, presenting and unifying their teachings with such clarity and warmth that individuals from all walks of life are taking notice and joining in.
It seems an appropriate time, with the dawn of the New Year, to revisit the book and talk more about the feature-length documentary, Discover the Gift: It’s Why We’re Here.
Executive produced by the San Francisco Bay Area’s own Michael and Sydney Cresci, and produced and directed by Hollywood filmmaker, Demian Lichtenstein, the PG-rated documentary was released at the same time as the book which bears the same title. Lichtenstein co-wrote both with his sister, Shajen Joy Aziz, M.Ed.
The film is a visually and aurally impressive work of art – a feast for the eyes, ears, and soul that has been described by the brother-sister duo as:
“...a simple road map to a journey of self-discovery that will change your life forever.”
This is not hyperbole. This film is that powerful.
Interwoven with the compelling true story presented by Lichtenstein and Aziz, Lichtenstein’s inspiring film imagery and the dazzling mandala designs of Paul Heussenstamm, are the insights of Sir Ken Robinson, Marianne Williamson (Healing the Soul of America), Dr. Barbara De Angelis (How Did I Get Here?), Michael Bernard Beckwith, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup for the Soul), and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, among others.
One of the most thought provoking questions raised in the film was asked by Aziz of her brother:
“When is the work you’re doing in the world going to match the man I love?”
Cherif Aziz and others speak about losing their way in the corporate world before finding their true calling, and how they have learned to share not only their own gifts, but to inspire those around them – colleagues, employees, friends, and family – to discover and use their gifts in ways that have changed the world for the better, and also improved the bottom line. (For one example of how one American corporation is already doing this, click here.)
Underpinning these insights at key moments throughout the film is the music of Carlos José Alvarez. Often soothing but sometimes appropriately pricking you like the deftly placed needles of an acupuncturist, the music of Alvarez carries you away from your worldly cares to that place of mindful serenity where you can finally think clearly about how you will go about changing your life and the world for the better.
“Change,” says Barbara De Angelis in the book, “is the wonderful ride we are all on, and if we can partner with it instead of feeling it’s ruined our plans or trying to control it, we can be in tune with the law of the universe expanding us to more and more majesty, and mystery, and bliss.”
Whatever stage you have reached in life, wherever you are on your journey, there will be a message for you when you view this film, which is available by DVD and Video-on-Demand at: www.discoverthegift.com.
Watch. Awaken. Breathe. Be.
Comments