The Celestine Prophecy (the Movie)
April 28th 2009 03:08
The Celestine Prophecy (2006)
MPAA Rating: PG for some violence
1 hour 39 minutes
Genre: Dramas
Director: Armand Mastroianni
Starring: Matthew Settle, Thomas Kretschmann, Sarah Wayne Callies, Annabeth Gish
US Box Office (so far) about: $1,036,886
In 1993 James Redfield wrote a book about an adventure, but unlike any other adventure, this one was an adventure that took us into the very experience and meaning of life itself and the awakening of human consciousness on a grand scale. I remember when I read it, how I couldn*t put it down. Redfield had managed to synthesize decades of interest and research from the fields of modern physics, ecology, mystical religion and interpersonal psychology into recognising a new kind of emerging *common sense; *a mass awakening within the human mind and how it percieves reality.
An awakening that revealed things as I had already been seeing them for years! Redfield highlighted how more and more minds would start to also awaken and question if this heightened *common sense* would indeed mould the new dominant paradigm of the coming new age of peace, heralded by spiritual and religious leaders across the planet.
Many years later, and based on Redfield's book, which captured the minds of the world to become a best seller, The Celestine Prophecy was finally put onto celluloid in 2006, to become the spiritual adventure film of the year. Chronicling as it did, the now almost famous discovery of some ancient scrolls in the rainforests of Peru, which had been secreted away during the Spanish invasion. The same scrolls which had previously predicted the first nine key insights into the human psyche, when Redfield first wrote about them nearly ten years earlier.
I must have been dozing when I read the book, because i found the film revealed more to me, whilst remaining absolutely true to the story line of the book in all its vivid and poignant details, acutally clearer in so many respects? Unusual.
The timing of the film was also hailed as another unmistakable coincidence, undisputedly showing that the timing of this information in reaching its audience was exactly as it should be for (a) the discovery of the ether and (b) a worldwide awakening of consciousness, arising within all religious traditions to being able to accept the insights themselves, moving humanity toward a deeper experience of spirituality for the coming age of the Mayan 5th Sun. (See previous post on the Mayan prophecy of the 5th sun era of the ether as told by an elder ~ the first four being the elements themselves: earth, water, air and fire).
Perhaps what always remains the most memorable part of this film apart from our ability to raise our own vibrations, is the key around the eighth insight and how it pertains to the harmony in relationships. The way the insight explains so clearly why guys are so often rejected in their advances and why relationships often don*t make it through. Why we so often hear people say they have *outgrown* their partner, or indeed in what the Bible was talking about when it spoke of being *evenly yoked* when choosing a partner . . a fascinating issue.
WARNING CONTAINS SPOILERS
But to sum it up for those interested in all the storyline it is as follows :
John Woodson has reached a crossroads in his life. After losing his job teaching history at a local high school, he finds himself facing an uncertain future. Disillusioned and temporarily rudderless, he is about to experience a dramatic and profound metamorphosis. John's phone rings with a call from an old girlfriend (Charlene), a journalist who just happens to be in town on a brief layover after covering a story in Peru. Over dinner, she explains to John that she couldn't stop thinking of him when she visited a beautiful retreat called Viciente, where a dedicated group of people is studying a set of ancient scrolls.
There, she met a priest named Father Jose, who explained that this manuscript is s a prophecy, written sometime before the birth of Christ. The scrolls consisting of 9 insights predict a time when violence and unrest, would reach a peak in the world which would lead to a new awakening, arising within all religious traditions, moving humanity toward a deeper experience of spirituality, to redefine human life and culture in the 21st century for those left alive to live it after the chaos had passed.
That time is now. She goes on to tell him that for some reason she feels he should go to Peru, and see for himself. At first somewhat cynical, he's amused when synchronicity starts to kick in and his mail includes a travel brochure on Peru amongst other coincidental connections.
John discovers that although the scrolls were written in 5 or 6 B.C., they were found in a wooden box that the professor confirmed as having been created in the 1600s. It's led him to believe that someone in the early Franciscan Church, inspired by Pope Celestine the Fifth, had buried them. Eight scrolls were discovered. The ninth was yet to be found.
By another chance, Woods also meets meets Father Jose. Their brief conversation is interrupted by the sudden arrival of armed men. The father cautions John to leave as he deals with Robert Jensen, a high level operative who confronts the priest about the whereabouts of the missing ninth scroll.
The action advances from here with kidnappings, armed rebels and many forces, and as the sirens wail, a stranger suddenly pulls John to safety. The man, Wilson James, explains that he is a guide who was with Father Jose when he discovered the scrolls. The danger they are facing is real. Rather than take John to the American Embassy or back to his hotel, Wil insists that he accompany him, coincidentally or perhaps not, to Viciente.
On the road, Wil tells John more about the scrolls and the insights they contain. John is dumbfounded at the series of coincidences that have led him here. Wil explains that John is beginning to experience the manifestation of the first spiritual insight the prophecy says we're going to discover, the realization of how events shape our lives and seem to be moving us somewhere for a reason. John grapples with the information confronting him. His dreams are filled with visions of a little girl and ancient ruins that are strangely familiar.
Moving on, Wil and John arrive at the crest of an exquisite panorama, hauntingly similar to what he saw in his dreams. They have arrived at the Celestine Ruins, the very place where the first eight scrolls were found. On the edge of a hillside is a mission built by Cardinal Sebastian, (the highest-ranking church official in a country where church and state struggle for power and rebels roam the mountains a short distance away. They travel along rutted roads to arrive at the mystical oasis known as Viciente.
Welcomed by Miguel, Wil introduces John to Julia, a dear friend who excitedly tells them that they have just learned that the missing ninth insight may not be on a scroll after all. It is said that it will just appear.
John may be joining them at a most auspicious time. As John explores the extraordinary beauty of his surroundings and the true meaning of the remaining eight insights, it becomes apparent to Julia that if he is truly here to help, he has to learn the rest of the insights quickly. So his training begins in earnest with him having to acknowledge the synchronicity that brought him here, and begin to open up to a higher level of perception than he previously though possible.
As he does, he soon notices a beautiful woman named Marjorie (Sarah Wayne Callies), whom he had briefly spotted at the airport in Lima. Rather than receive him with the grace he met in Julia, Marjorie recoils from his controlling energy. Unaware of what he's doing, but willing to yield, he allows Julia to show him how to see the energy operating around him, and explains that to open up fully, he must stop his controlling of others. Only then can he complete his destiny here.
It is not long before the sanctity of Viciente is invaded. Forced to flee and take the scrolls for safekeeping, the women are separated from John and Wil and the adventure heightens as he is pursued by the military, and at the moment of his greatest despair, finally opens up to the new perception of beauty the prophecy is describing.
Now he must follow his destiny, and find the remaining ninth scroll. In a riveting ending, where in a transformation of colour and light, the future of humankind is revealed.
This is a Five out of five from me and a must see for those even mildly curious to move beyond what they already know to the possibilities of what can be, with a little faith.
Courtesty of © Celestine Films
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Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
I read your post but stopped at the storyline because I don't like knowling too much about a movie before I see it. Some years later I might just enjoy the story as I am sure I was probably going through a "stage" when I read the book.
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
This is exactly how it happened for me too. Like I said I must have been asleep!?
I would love to know if you have the same *Oh Wow* reaction to the film that I did?
Perhaps the book was to plant the seeds, the film to create the conditions for them to grow; then again, perhaps too, we have become so unable to imagine in our minds eye because of too much film?
I look forward to your review. .
Lilla .
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Cool site by the way - just signed up!
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Welcome! Thrilled that I was able to tip you off to this one being in film. . and such a good film too.
As I said to Janet I missed something in the book, and this film just *bought it to life* so clearly, that it has finally shifted the conscousness the way I had wanted the book to at the time. Unusual.
I would love to hear your impressions after you see it?
Thank you for joining me in the bookshop, I have so many good books here, it is hard to know where to start!
Lilla . .
Comment by Michelle Sweeney
Competition Queen
Always Learning
Cinema Voyage
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I would very much love to hear your opinion if you find the time to return and let me know?
Lilla . .