The Waking Dream (2003)

Um monge mora em uma pequena casa sobre um lago com uma criança que educa para uma relação simples e contemplativa com a vida. Mas o tempo é implacável, e as mudanças do caráter e as necessidades da vida desviam o jovem para o mundo dos homens.

Por sugestão de um amigo hétero, o gay Leo se junta a um grupo de homens, onde provoca alguns transtornos ao declarar sua atração por um de seus membros.

I Am Curious (Yellow), foi um marco cinematográfico que ajudou a definir a emergente mudança no cinema sueco da década de 60, realizado por Vilgot Sjöman. Como a New Wave francesa, o filme usa jump cuts e a sua história não está estruturado de uma forma convencional tipo Hollywood. Além disso, contém elementos documentais, por exemplo, ele apresenta uma breve aparição do Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, que é entrevistado por Sjöman sobre a sua opinião sobre a desobediência civil. A obra inclui inúmeras cenas de nudez e encenação sexual. Numa cena particularmente controversa, Lena (Lena Nyman), beija seu amante no pênis. Em 1969, o filme foi proibido na Commonwealth de Massachusetts, por ser considerado pornográfico. No entanto, após uma longa batalha judicial, o filme acabou por ser considerado aceitável, e tornou-se num êxito de bilheteira.

Um espírito simples e fiel é Muharrem. Trabalha incessantemente para o patrão Ali e vai à mesquita sem faltas. Já beira a velhice e vive sozinho de forma casta. Até que o chefe religioso o convoca para cobrar o imenso dinheiro mensal que a mesquita fatura com a comunidade, lhe oferece carro, roupas e acessórios de luxo que Muharrem nunca teve e ainda mais. Ah, tentação! Tradução do título original: Piedade.

As well as providing the subject for Luc Besson’s The Big Blue, Jacques Mayol did more than anyone to establish the sport of free diving to enormous depths without an oxygen supply. Using breathing techniques derived from yoga, he went to 50, 60, and even 100 meters—depths no one had considered to be within the bounds of human possibility. Mayol was a sportsman, a mystic, a vagabond, but above all, a man who believed in testing the limits of experience. This visually stunning tribute shows a man’s quest to be at one with the vastness of the ocean and to have no fear of the abyss within, where lurks serenity, freedom and finally, death.

In an effort to end family feuding, a young gypsy travels back in time to kill mammoths to ensure Hungary becomes rich by killing mammoths in order to create a massive oil reservoir. Things don't go entirely according to plan...

Samadhi Part 1 (Maya the Illusion of the Self) is the first installment in a series of films exploring Samadhi. Samadhi is an ancient Sanskrit word which points toward the mystical or transcendent union that is at the root of all spirituality and self inquiry. The saints, sages and awakened beings throughout history have all learned the wisdom of self surrender.

Eddy and Patsy prepare to go on a skiing holiday to hopefully indulge in the jet-setting lifestyle of the international celebrity elite when Saffy is proposed to by her stuffy, upper-class boyfriend, Paolo. Eddy hits the slopes and has a near death experience where God appears to her and tells her it's not yet her time. When Eddy comes to, she waits for a sign that she should get involved in Saffy's wedding. As she returns to the house, it appears all hell has broken loose- relatives piling up, practically squatting, and Saffy about to lose her mind. Eddy calms her by throwing money at her as they bond together, planning Saffy's dream wedding. What could go wrong?

Every individual confronts fundamental questions about the nature of reality, self-identity, and elusive happiness, yet few make these their life goal. An international group of students have traveled to a monastery in a remote area of southern India with the single purpose of discovering these answers. GURUKULAM is a journey into their lives, a wisdom tradition, and the contemplative space in which it is carried.

Ivan uses experimental meditation to induce out-of-body experiences that might make it possible for him to escape a mysterious illness. His training takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself getting between the marital engagement of two old friends, Emily and John. Unaware of Ivan's secret relationship with his fiancé, John invites Ivan to go on a hiking trip with him. In order to keep up appearances, Ivan agrees to go along. On the trip, John grows ever more suspicious of Ivan's intentions with Emily. A dangerous game of cat and mouse ensues that might provide Ivan an unexpected route to a cure.

The navy captain Avanti Planetaros is inspired by his astronomer-father to travel through outer space to reach other worlds. He becomes an aviator and, along with the young scientist Dr. Krafft, the driving force behind the construction of a space-ship. Despite oppostion from the mocking Professor Dubius, Planetaros gathers a crew of fearless men and takes off. During the long voyage, the crew becomes restless; a mutiny is narrowly avoided. Finally, they reach Mars and discover that the planet is inhabited by people who have reached a higher stage of development, free of diseases, sorrow, violence, sexual urges, and the fear of death. Avanti falls in love with Marya, daughter of the Prince of Wisdom, the head of the Martians. Marya shares his feelings and decides to return with him in order to bring the wisdom of the Martians to the backward Earthlings. (stumfilm.dk)

This insightful and informative documentary explores the popular world of Mindfulness from the perspective of four people who study and teach it. Mindfulness is defined as a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

"O Grande Silêncio" é o primeiro filme sobre a vida interior da Grande Chartreuse, casa mãe da Ordem dos Cartuxos, uma meditação silenciosa sobre a vida monástica. Dezessete anos depois de ter pedido autorização para filmar no mosteiro, é dada autorização para entrar ao realizador, que filmará a vida interior dos monges cartuxos. Sem música à exceção dos cânticos do mosteiro, sem entrevistas, nem comentários, ou artifícios. Evocam-se unicamente a passagem do tempo, das estações, os elementos repetidos incessantemente durante o dia ou as orações. Um filme sobre a presença do absoluto e a vida de homens que dedicam a sua existência a Deus. O filme ganhou os Prêmios de Melhor Documentário no Festival de Sundance e nos Prêmios Europeus do Cinema.

"Be Still" is an extraordinary film that demonstrates contemplative prayer as a vital part of our everyday lives and as a remedy for the ills of the frenzied, fast paced modern world. Featuring interviews with some of today's most highly respected authors, educators, and ministers, like Dr. Henry Cloud, Dallas Willard, Max Lucado, and Beth Moore, "Be Still" examines the importance of silent reflective prayer as a way to truly be open to receiving God's guidance. This remarkable film also features a useful "how to" section that shows how contemplative prayer can be used by anyone at any time to better one's life and reaffirm that which is truly important.

Following the journey of a caterpillar along the Japanese islands from Nagasaki to Hokkaido, this allegorical and oblique first feature film by Kuroki depicts in exquisite images a series of encounters and life's turning points.

The film shows Shiva in a very traditional representation--in bronze and standing within a circle of bronze flames. Suddenly, a fly lands on Shiva's arm--one of many arms to be exact. Slowly, the bronze statue comes alive and swats the fly--missing again and again and eventually smashing the bronze circle.

Set in the frozen steppes of Mongolia, a young nomad is confronted with his destiny after animals fall victim to a plague which threatens to eradicate nomadism.

'Ki or Breathing' is a spare concoction assembled from slow motion shots of nature and set to a score by the much-acclaimed Tohru Takemitsu.

Inner peace and self-fulfillment are possible for each of us. Two modern day monks set off on an international journey to film a diverse range of people making the choice for a better life through meditation. Stunning cinematography combined with the power of people sharing from a place of profound peace delivers a palpable and moving experience. Available to rent or buy in 11 languages - English, Spanish, Portugese, Norwegian, Mandarin, French, German, Finnish, Italian, Dutch, and Swedish. https://vimeo.com

A short film about what happens when you get too good at meditating.