What Are the Spiritual Messages in Avatar, the Movie?

My husband and I took our kids to see the movie Avatar during Winter break and we loved it so much we went back to see it again.

The reason why I loved the movie so much is because of one of its themes: "We are all one with each other, as well as with the animals, plants, trees and all of nature".

Here's a few examples of how this theme is demonstrated in the move:

The Na'Vi people live on a planet called Pandora. They can physically connect themselves to the consciousness of the animals and trees on their planet using tendrils at the end of their pony tails!

Meanwhile, the human scientists have discovered how to create physical bodies similar to that of the Na'Vis called Avatars. They have also invented a way for humans to connect consciously with these man-made, living, breathing, blue Na'Vi look-alikes and deposit them into the Na'Vi culture to mix and mingle with the natives for "research" purposes. To help visualize this, think The Matrix - but different.

Here's some other cool things about the Na'Vis:

They can hear the voices of their ancestors long gone and feel their spirit by literally plugging into the tree of voices.

It's also revealed that their planet has a network of trees which the Na'Vi can tap into and receive unlimited useful and life-saving data and information - a network which is more complex than the network of the human brain. This is yet another example of how the Na'Vi people are connected with each other, nature and their planet.

However, as you might suspect...the macho/military humans aren't interested in the so called "we are one with nature" sappiness and just want to steal the Na'Vis natural resources to save their dying earth no matter what the cost. (Yes, you can surely see another old, familiar theme emerging here: stealing the native's home right from under their feet.)

But still - like other human cultures both ancient and existing who live off the land and still hunt for their meals, the Na'Vi's senses are sharpened to survive in the forest. They remind me of the American Indians, the African tribes and the Australian aborigines with their rituals, skills and views of their world.

"I see you," is what they say to each other. Interpretation: "I see your soul. Your true essence. I see who you REALLY are." What a great message for kids and adults alike, although there's your typical fighting at the end.

The Messages Conveyed in Avatar

I watched the film Avatar for the second time yesterday. The story is in fact quite a simple one; that of the newcomer invading and trying to take land and possessions from the indigenous people, with no thought for their lives or values. But there are many deeper complexities woven into the structure of this film.

Nobody could help but notice how one became hooked into the lives of the "aliens", identifying more with them than our own human species. The aliens became far more human than the majority of the humans! I don't "do" alien movies; but this film is not about aliens - it's about the real values and balance of life on this planet.

There are a lot of basic themes and concepts of life which are portrayed within this film. It is interesting to notice Jake's reactions when he first encounters life on Pandora. He displays the natural instinct of fear when we perceive threat. He has to learn to face the various panther-dog and rhino-like animals in the jungle. But as he learns the ways of the indigenous peoples, he comes to understand that it was his own fault that he ever had to confront these beasts at all.

It was pointed out to Jake that if he had moved more quietly or displayed more subtlety and understanding he would never have been confronted by these beasts; it was he who had (through lack of understanding which had led to fear) intruded upon their lives and posed a threat to them. When you think about it, most fear which we experience in life is indeed caused through a lack of real understanding of things.

This basic tenet is displayed in many occurrences throughout the film. Once Jake understands the ways of the huge flying birds, he learns to bond with them and gains a loyal cohort for life. If you work with them, they work with you. You become a dedicated team. But the only way in which this relationship can get off the ground is by overcoming your fear and displaying equal "heart".

As you watch Avatar you see again and again how one has to "feel" with your heart and not just see in a way which is superficial. It comes across in their greeting "I see you" which means so much more than those few words usually mean to we human beings. How many times have you used the phrase "I see" when you clearly did not see?!

There are many ironies such as these which "pop up" in Avatar. The name Pandora of course says so much and Jake did indeed discover that having lifted the lid, he could never close the lid again.

It is pointed out that if your cup is full, there is no room left for new learning. Jake displays the open mind of someone whose cup is empty and open to being filled. He has great motivation as he has been promised the operation to give him back the use of his legs so long as he carries out a specific task.

There is also the insight that it is easier to face fear when you feel that you have nothing to lose. The more you have, the more there is to lose, and hence the more fear there is to hold you back. We would all benefit from emptying and refreshing our cups on a regular basis. In Jake's case he quickly realizes that his earlier motivation which had seemed to be so important was nothing as compared to the importance of saving Pandora and its people.

A further message in the movie is that the more possessions you have the more you want. Hence the reason for humans being on Pandora at all - their quest for "unobtanium". Again, we see an example of a greatly ironic name. The unobtanium is, needless to say, beneath the position of the home that the indigenous peoples have chosen, its epicenter being beneath the tree of spirits - the spirit of Ewya.

The indigenous people also do not attempt to possess this "unobtanium"; they recognize that it is not a possession to be mined, sold or worn. It is a spiritual energy which everyone can share and benefit from merely by being open to its presence. It is there because of the people's spiritual understanding, their respect for their ancestors and the balance of life. When Jake goes to Ewya to ask for help, it is explained that Ewya does not take sides, but merely promotes balance.

The message of course is that if you live in accordance with the natural spiritual understanding and way of life and respect its balance, you will be richly rewarded. But to those who do not gain that understanding and insight that reward will always be both craved and unobtainable.

A journey into spirituality does give great understanding and creates a feeling of balance and harmony. Avatar is not about aliens; it is about mutual respect, spirituality, community spirit, banding together as a team, balance and ultimately how in the long run good will conquer over evil.

If what you desire takes from another, or does not display respect for others, it destroys life's balance, and puts life upon this planet in jeopardy.

Roseanna Leaton, specialist in hypnosis mp3 downloads to help "refresh your cup" and to create balance and harmony.

P.S. In need of a mental massage or more balance? Grab a free hypnosis mp3 from my website.

Avatar - Five Spiritual Messages

The script writers for the movie Avatar, directed by James Cameron, embedded several powerful spiritual messages in every aspect of the story. As I watched the story unfold to the end, I was delighted to identify five spiritual messages.

o The Universe is a collaboration of energies. Everything and every individual contributes to these energies. Everything and everybody has a unique purpose in life. Living life on purpose puts everything and everyone in attunement with the entire universe. The life force energies come to aid us when we are in attunement with our purpose and betterment of the universe. All energy is there for us to use for our betterment and we each need to contribute to this energy force. The universe works in a give and receive mutual exchange.

When there is an imbalance in the give and receive mutual exchange everything and everyone is impacted. "All energy is only borrowed. You have to give it back." Thus, the movie script reveals the dynamic of how energy of both living and non-living things interacts and creates our universe.

"Everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission. This is the Native American theory of existence." - Mourning Dove [Christine Quintasket] (1888-1936) Salish

"Our land is everything to us... I will tell you one of the things we remember on our land. We remember that our grandfathers paid for it - with their lives." - John Wooden Leg, Cheyenne

o Balance is essential to all life. "Mother Earth does not take sides, she protects only the balance of life." This quote from the Avatar script clearly reveals that Mother Earth promotes balance and harmony over everything. Hindu and Zen spiritual theories promote balance and harmony. Nothing takes precedence over balance to create long-term sustainability of this planet. Balance is essentially forgotten in Western culture.

"We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can't speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees." - Qwatsinas (Hereditary Chief Edward Moody), Nuxalk Nation

o Everything has energy - everything is alive. Every particle of every creation is filled with awareness, a life force energy, spirit and intelligence. Thus, animals, creatures, birds, rocks, dirt, plants, air, mold, and all 'created things' (i.e. man made), etc. has consciousness, albeit different than humans.

Universal consciousness, 'Animism,' is integral to primitive cultures. Mother Earth is not a dead lump of dirt, rocks and water whirling around the sun. Everything on this planet is pulsating with energy. Every culture describes it differently. India Indians call the energy, Prana, Chinese call it Chi, Japanese call it, Ki.

The bio-botanical neural network described in Avatar is real and it can be experienced by increasing our consciousness.

Native Americans and many other cultures have lived with love and respect for all things since the beginning of their existence. Why then has the Western culture come to have disregard and/or apathy for all living and non-living things?-something to ponder.

"Being Native American is an attitude, a state of mind, a way of being in harmony with all things and all beings. It is allowing the heart to be the distributor of energy on this planet; to allow feelings and sensitivities to determine where energy goes; bringing aliveness up from the Earth and from the Sky, putting it in and giving it out from the heart." - Brooke Medicine Eagle

"The Native American is of the soil, whether it be the region of forests, planes, pueblos, or mesas. He fits into the landscape, for the hand that fashioned the continent also fashioned the man for his surroundings. He once grew as naturally as the wild sunflowers, he belongs just as the buffalo belonged...." - Luther Standing Bear, (December 1868 - February 20, 1939) Oglala-Lakota Chief (1905-1939)

"We did not think of the great open plains, the beautiful rolling hills, the winding streams with tangled growth, as 'wild'. Only to the white man was nature a 'wilderness' and only to him was it 'infested' with 'wild' animals and 'savage' people. To us it was tame. Earth was bountiful and we were surrounded with the blessings of the Great Mystery." - Luther Standing Bear, (December 1868 - February 20, 1939) Oglala-Lakota Chief (1905-1939)

"There is no death. Only a change of worlds." - Chief Seattle [Seatlh], Suquamish Chief

"A very great vision is needed and the man who has it must follow it as the eagle seeks the deepest blue of the sky." - Crazy Horse, (1845-1877) Oglala-Lakota Chief

o Love is the most powerful energy of all. Only love is real - love creates - all else is ego driven and destroys. When your heart is filled with love, it heals. Love carries a positive frequency from one to another and resonates with everything. The heart filled with love creates a electromagnetic field that affects the emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual well-being of all beings and things. Love cleanses the soul and spirit.

"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agree, as you can all read the Book?" - Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket." Senaca

o Everything is infinite. Your physical birth is the beginning of your consciousness. What you do with your life is up to you-you have 'free will.' How you earn your place on this earth plane is your legacy this time around. Few people reach the level of consciousness to complete what they came to complete this time around. To complete what one came into body to complete one needs to cultivate unconditional love by resolving old issues and patterns, create harmony, live in integrity, maintain fearlessness without aggression.