Spiritual Romance?
Today we look at the relationship issues and the fear of intimacy. What is spiritual romance and is it even possible? Check out these movies below and then let’s talk…
“All upsetting thoughts and feelings are based on interpretations of what seems to be happening on the screen, whether it is the screen of life or the silver screen. The miracle of movies is that they can be used to heal upsets in the mind without having to play out dramas on the screen of life.” David Hoffmeister
About a Boy – 2002
Emotion/Theme: Unworthiness, Isolation, Fear of Commitment, Fear of Love, Opening Up to Love, Teacher/Student
Genre: Comedy, Romance
We need our brothers. The ego’s deep commitment to remaining separate is healed through joining and interacting with others. When we turn in this direction, things can at first seem disorienting and upsetting, but with determination and perseverance, we begin to experience shifts in the mind as our hearts begin to open and we face our deep fear of intimacy.
The good news is that we were simply mistaken. Love, though a threat to the ego, is never a threat to the Self. Keep taking those steps and keep following your heart and you will find that all the support you need is given you along the way. And then together, we will laugh where once we could only cry—we will forgive where once we would have condemned—and we will continue to fall deeper and deeper in love with each other until even the idea of there being another is also dissolved into an awareness of the One Self.
Visit our About a Boy movie page.
Along Came Polly – 2004
Emotion/Theme: Forgiveness, No Private Thoughts, Self Concept, Healing, Fear of Love, Opening Up to Love, Assignment
Genre: Comedy, Romance
No amount of planning can guarantee safety or a happy outcome in form. True happiness comes from forgiveness and opening to a present moment of love. Private thoughts and unhelpful beliefs can be released in the presence of the non-judgment of a true mighty companion; this is the basis of holy relationship. Love is letting go of fear and forgiving the need to protect a limited self-concept. Over and over again we see that when the moment comes to expose private thoughts, the threat was never what it seemed. Everything works together for good in the Spirit’s plan. The present moment is all there is! Let my love open the door!
This movie is also about laying aside the fear of accepting a relationship assignment and committing to the healing opportunity that comes with such an assignment. This was perfectly illustrated when Reuben said to Polly, “So you’re going with the no plan, plan,” about her not daring to accept the gift of joining in relationship.
Visit our Along Came Polly movie page.
Chocolat – 2000
Emotion/Theme: Holy Relationship, Opening Up to Love, Roles, Repression, Inspiration, Shame
Genre: Drama, Mystery
The rules and rituals of formal religion are ego attempts to focus on the letter of love while missing the experience of love. This story is a reminder that love does not judge and in acceptance of the healing is everyone freed from guilt. Take the stranger in. Spread the joy of living. Open the door to the heart, and see that everyone is invited. Love blooms when it is nurtured and allowed to be Its Self, free from the traditions and limits of the past and far, far beyond the things of man. Be a free spirit by extending freedom and acceptance to everyone you meet. They are our very Self! Spiritual romance is really releasing the idea of ‘trying to get’ and learning to give.
Visit our Chocolat movie page.
The Lake House – 2006
Emotion/Theme: Time, Communication, Vibrational Connection, Opening Up to Love
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
This movie is a classic for undoing the idea that time is a barrier to healing. A man and a woman communicate through a letterbox while living in different years, which shows that Love has nothing to do with time. Through expression and intimacy, the Spirit collapses the past and the future. When we open up to all possibilities, the Spirit can replace meaningless relationships with meaningful ones. All present occupations and concerns dissolve in a desire to join. Time is not an obstacle to love. This is definitely a spiritual romance movie in the sense that it uses attraction to move towards real love.
Visit our The Lake House movie page.
The Sessions – 2012
Emotion/Theme: Love, Willingness, Healing, Unhealed Healer, Sex, Opening Up to Love, Present Moment
Genre: Comedy, Romance
The Sessions is based on a true story about opening up to love and new, unexplored experiences. Mark O’Brien has complete muscle atrophy due to childhood polio; he cannot move his body at all. With tremendous willingness he is able to face his fears and open his heart to love and joining—with the gentle help of a sex therapist. Though the means are unconventional, Mark’s willingness lights the way. Those around him respond to his genuine presence; they too begin to open their hearts to love.
This is a lovely and heart-opening movie about joining, healing, and forgiveness. Visit our The Sessions movie page.
To go deeper into the topic of spiritual romance and how to let the Spirit use your relationships for healing, enjoy the video below with David Hoffmeister.
