9 Top Movies To Watch For Mindfulness Meditation
The movies we watch and the music we listen to have an undeniable effect on our state of mind. And so why not harness the influential power of cinema by watching movies with inspiring mindfulness rich themes? Let’s watch films that inspire peace, happiness and beauty! With that intention in mind, for todays post I’m sharing my 9 top movies to watch for mindfulness meditation. I hope you love them!
Tip/ Movies, like music, have a profound effect on your state of being. As a meditative activity, why not explore watching your movies mindfully. You can start by simply noticing the responses that happen in your mind and body during and after the movie.
This post was first published in May 2016 and has been updated for added resources in June 2022. The films and books are reviewed by Emma Mills London, however if you make a purchase through one of our links we may make a small commission on your purchase at no extra charge to yourself.
9 Of The Best Movies For Mindfulness Meditation
Quite a few people have been in touch to ask if I can recommend any mindfulness movies to watch. Here are 10 (the list keeps growing!) of the best mindful movies to watch from home this season. These are films with a mindfulness theme or movies with a rich philosophical or spiritual element. They’re thought provoking, inspiring and fun. If you’ve seen them leave me a comment below, I love hearing what you have to say.
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Baraka
Baraka is a cinematic adventure from director Ron Fricke. A non-verbal film, the stunning soundscape and exotic scenes share the story of the various people from 24 countries and 6 continents. Baraka is a Sufi word, it means ‘blessing’ or ‘breath of life’
Perfect for: Those days where you’re tired of talking or hearing others talk and you just want to sit back and be swept away. Nature, beauty and the magic of being alive.
Seven Years In Tibet
Based on the 1952 memoir of Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer, 7 years in Tibet follows Heinrich (Brad Pit) on a journey through Tibet during the time of China takeover. Heinrich escapes a prisoner of war camp in India, going on spend 7 years in Tibet learning the customs and practices of its people. He befriends the young and upcoming Dalai Lama and through their friendship learns many important life lessons.
Perfect for: Those nights where you want a sweeping epic tale of far away lands, love over fear, lessons learned and friendships made.
Ram Das, Fierce Grace
This is a documentary mindfulness film based on the life and works of the American psychologist and spiritual teacher Ram Das (Richard Alpert.) The film explores his work at Harvard, his spiritual journey through hippiedom and his poignant realisations later in life.
Perfect for: Grown up hippies, remembering to stay on your path, finding inner peace when the road is rocky and of course some light hearted memories of the 60’s and all it promised.
Read on IMDB
Books by Ram Das:
- Be Here Now (paperback) – Buy On Amazon
- Becoming Nobody: The Essential Ram Dass Collection (Audible Audiobook) – Buy On Amazon
Walk With Me. A movie for mindfulness in every day life.
A charming, beautiful documentary about the life of mindfulness master Thich Nhat Hanh. The movie is set at Plum Village, the stunning ashram he created in France.
“Directed by Marc J Francis & Max Pugh, Benedict Cumberbatch’s meditative voice reads extracts from Thich Nhat Hanh’s early journals, the daily routine and rituals of monks and nuns on a quest to develop a deep sense of presence, slowly unfolds across the four seasons.”
Walk With Me Website
Watch on Amazon Prime
Books by Thich Nhat Hanh about mindfulness and meditation
- How To Relax ( Paperback) – Buy On Amazon
- The Miracle Of Mindfulness ( Audio Book) – Buy On Amazon
Perfect Days, Wim Wenders
A beautiful, quiet film set in Tokyo about finding contentment, joy and beauty in day to day simple living.
Perfect for when you want to step away from the ambitions and complications of modern life and remember how nice it is to live simply and enjoy the little things. Plus, fantastic and unexpected soundtrack. Think Lou Read, The Kinks, Rolling Stones, The Animals and Nina Simone.
Wild Country
A Netflix documentary series about the controversial Indian guru Osho, well known for his unusual methods (free love and shaking meditations, to name just a few.) Osho is one of the best known spiritual teachers of our age and this documentary gives us a glimpse behind the ashram doors. Set in the 1980s, we’re introduced to former disciples, court room scandals and lessons learned on the path to enlightenment. Beneath the controversy and sensationalism, the series points to Oshos real message: love!
Perfect for: When you want to be spiritual, but you also want a Rolls Royce.
Watch on Netflix.com
Books by Osho on meditation and mindfulness
- The Book Of Secrets ( I have this, It’s great) – Buy On Amazon
- Learn more on the the Osho Website
9 Top Movies To Watch For Mindfulness Meditation
Food For Thought: Pop culture films with a philosophical twist.
- The Truman Show: Staring Jim Cary, this movie follows an insurance salesman in his day to day work. That is until it slowly dawns on him that his life is just a Television programme. A classic food for thought film.
- I Heart Huckabees: This lovely film, often described as an existential comedy, stars Dustin Hoffman and lilly Tomlin as a pair of coincidence detectives who promise to solve your existential conundrums.
- The Matrix Series: In the original movie with Keanu Reeves, Neo, a computer hacker and quiet philosopher discovers that reality isn’t what it seems. With the help of his super friend Morpheus, Neo finds that life as he knew it was merely a computer simulation. Oh dear! But what will he do now he has woken up from the dream of life? A mind bending sci-fi tale with many parallels to our own sense of every day reality. A movie to enjoy again and again.
- Being John Malkovich: Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) works as street puppeteer, but has a job on the side as a filing clerk. His life is quite routine, that is until discovers a portal in the office – a portal that takes him into the mind of John Malkovich. When he enters the portal, he gets to experience life though the eye of (mind of) John Malkovich. He gets the John Malkovich experience, the ultimate head trip. Soon after that he makes plans to capitalise on the portal by selling entrance tickets to others. Very funny!
- 2001 A Space Odyssey: A classic sci-fi film from Stanley Kubrick and Arthur Clarke. Part of the genius is that while the movie takes us on a spiritual journey, from mans first appearance on earth, to inhabiting space and living with AI – the spiritual message we come away with at the end of the film is up to us.
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