Raking in more than $380
million, the top-grossing film of 2005 wowed audiences with special effects,
exciting battles and high-intensity action and suspense. Moviegoers may have
walked away from the epic with racing hearts, salty hands and sticky shoes,
but probably not much in terms of inner peace, human connectedness or spiritual
awakening. Not that audiences expected as much from “Star Wars, Episode
III: Revenge of the Sith.”
We poney up our $8.50 to escape and be entertained. We want to ogle the stars,
rev up our ordinary lives with high-drama fantasy, or perhaps laugh away the
frightening state of the real world for an hour or two. We’re not looking
for expanded consciousness at the local Cineplex—are we?
According to the “Hollywood Insider” (trusted source of the latest
dirt on Brad, Jennifer and Angelina) a growing number of us are, in fact, looking
for inspirational films. At a conference sponsored by Lifestyles of Health and
Sustainability—a $228.9 billion U.S. marketplace for goods and services
focused on health, the environment, social justice, personal development and
sustainable living—a panel of filmmakers concluded that Hollywood studios
and networks are more willing than ever to distribute and air inspirational
content that deals with issues of consciousness. In a related online story,
producer of “The Celestine Prophecy” Barnet Bain said, “For
the first time ever, we have a perception that there is a marketable community
here that has a unique set of values.”
Life alumnus Dan Ribley, D.C., reflects that new mindset. He is passionate about
personal and spiritual development and sees films as a great catalyst for individual
and societal change. With a background in the entertainment industry (before
becoming a chiropractor he had brief roles on “General Hospital,”
“Days of Our Lives” and “Santa Barbara”) he understands
the power of the multidimensional medium. “Film can exert a huge pull
at your heartstrings and get people to change,” he says.
“Film has the potential to inspire you to be a better person,” Ribley
says. “If you watch something and it changes you, it succeeded. If I don’t
pull anything out of a film, I think the film failed. Just being entertained
by an action flick is not all there is.”
He points to the power of the popular film “What the Bleep Do We Know!?”
starring Marlee Matlin and featuring numerous scientists, chiropractors and
philosophers exploring the world of quantum physics. “That movie reached
people and expanded their consciousness. I went to a conference that was standing
room only because of that movie. It has introduced people to concepts that were
completely foreign to them and motivated them to become more aware, more awake,”
says Ribley.
He wants to see more films that exert that tug in a positive, life enhancing
and inspiring direction. A bit frustrated in trying to find inspirational films
to enjoy with his family, he joined Spiritual Cinema Circle, a DVD club that
provides members with films of consciousness, shorts and documentaries each
month. That led to his next step of attending a film festival cruise sponsored
by the movie club.
“Some people on the boat were interested in writing screenplays or getting
into the movie industry on their own with independent films. Others had just
been motivated by the power and influence of film. There were big-name directors
and producers there like Bruce Rubin who wrote ‘Ghost’ and ‘Jacob’s
Ladder.’ But first and foremost all were on a journey of awakening,”
says Ribley. He’ll head out to sea again this spring on another film cruise
and be privy to the world premier of “Conversations with God” by
Neale Donald Walsch.
Ribley uses powerful films to expand his thinking and his ability to communicate
the vitalistic message of chiropractic to his patients and others. “If
someone comes into the office with low back pain, I might be able to offer some
new understanding and enlightenment about the cause of those problems. I can
give people a new lens through which to view health. I try to help them understand
that they are not just a physical being, but a spiritual being as well, and
that mind, body and spirit are all connected.”
Ribley feels that chiropractic has yet to see its greatest moment. “People
don’t want their back pain taken care of, they want their life taken care
of,” he says. “Chiropractic is the great facilitator that can make
sure that wisdom comes through.”
Although he is committed to his growing chiropractic practice, Ribley is also
batting ideas around with Life University President Guy Riekeman, D.C., and
alumnus Shawn Ferguson, D.C., about writing their own movie to share the chiropractic
message. “We have an idea for a movie that looks at world issues through
the lens of chiropractic philosophy,” he says. He plans to bounce the
concept off several independent filmmakers during this year’s film festival
cruise.
“Entertainment and chiropractic both run in my blood,” says Ribley.
“Chiropractic is about adjusting consciousness on this planet. Films of
consciousness are about waking you up and helping you see things differently.
Everything relates back to how I can change my life, how I can be a better person
and how we can change the world. The kinds of movies I’m talking about
help support those choices in my life,” he says.
Part of his awakening and growth process has been understanding that he creates
his own reality. “If I take that responsibility, I’m no longer a
victim. I’m responsible for every single thought and action and the creativity
that comes through me,” he says. “In life, you really do get to
be the director, the producer, the talent scout and the actor in your personal
movie. That’s a powerful concept.”