Photos by Jsu Garcia, photo slideshow by Teri Wunderman
“Spiritual Warriors are people — men and women — who confidently make choices about where to focus their internal attention, even when the external realities of their everyday lives are chaotic, troublesome, or just plain annoying.”
– John-Roger (From Spiritual Warriors, the movie, and Spiritual Warrior: The Art of Spiritual Living, p. xix)
Along with a warm, tropical breeze, Jsu Garcia arrived early at the beautiful campus of the University of Miami this past Monday evening for the screening of Spiritual Warriors. Even after having checked out the theater and equipment at noon that day, Jsu showed up ahead of time to help with all the details. David Raynr, Director, and Michael Hubbard, Producer, soon joined Jsu along with all the local spiritual warriors who turned out to enjoy and support the powerful, loving and healing message of this movie.
On Monday afternoon and then again early Tuesday morning, Jsu promoted the movie in Miami on two major radio talk shows reaching an audience of over forty thousand listeners. Many of us in the local community distributed flyers through email and by posting them around town to spread the word about the screening. University of Miami supported the screening by emailing all students, faculty and staff and inviting them to enjoy the movie for free. Others generously donated to the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness in honor of John-Roger, MSIA Founder, and co-writer along with Jsu of Spiritual Warriors.
Jsu offered two consecutive showings on this one evening in Miami. Students in evening classes were grateful to be able to attend the later showing, and both screenings had eager, mesmerized fans. Everyone attending was blessed with a free copy of Spiritual Warrior: The Art of Spiritual Living by John-Roger, the wonderful book which inspired the movie.
Movie goers who arrived early had a chance to chat with all three of our beloved movie makers as well as radio station executives and university representatives. A number of Jsu Garcia’s family members from Miami showed up as well, even his beloved abuelita, who smiled proud and joyous throughout the evening. After the movie, folks got to have their copies of Spiritual Warrior: The Art of Spiritual Living signed by their choice of movie maker as well as a chance to pose for momentous photos with our star.
Between the first and second showings, we were treated to a delightful and inspiring Question and Answer session with Jsu, David and Michael. Taking turns at the microphone supporting each other with humor and love, our Spiritual Warrior Team answered many diverse questions from the audience. Fans inquired about technical procedures and choices of special effects to how to help make this special movie available to all those looking for these powerful, yet practical teachings.
Jsu, David and Michael explained how it took two years to make the movie, including forty weeks of editing, and how they had faith and trust in Spirit to guide this movie to its completion and readiness to be shared with others. David noted how the team disagreed and then came to agreements each time that were better and with higher visions than they had ever imagined. And they all let us know that it is with their enduring faith, trust and gratitude that they will continue to bring Spiritual Warriors into the world.
Throughout the evening, I was especially touched by Jsu’s generous, loving heart as he extended his warrior spirit to all who came. Even when folks were just walking by the cinema, Jsu offered them a book and invited them to watch the movie. The university student working in the cinema box office let me know how Jsu had taken the time to chat with her about her career choices, encouraging her to explore her options and open her heart to more possibilities than she had considered. As she bubbled with enthusiasm, she tenderly held her free copy of Spiritual Warrior: The Art of Spiritual Living.
I was also moved by Jsu’s caring and devotion to his family, friends and fellow spiritual warriors. After joining his family for dinner while the second screening played, Jsu returned by himself late into the evening to help take down posters and clean up from our gathering. He even brought cafecitos for those of us who stayed to help late into the night. And he chose to leave several Spiritual Warrior: The Art of Spiritual Living books neatly displayed outside the theater with signs welcoming passersby, “Free Book. Take One.”
A highlight for me was the blessed opportunity to chat informally for a few moments at the end of the evening with this movie’s star and co-writer. Even though it was nearing midnight and the tropical breeze had turned into mucky humidity, I loved hearing Jsu talk about his openness to however Spirit will lead him to share this glorious co-creation with others as well as his gratitude to John-Roger and all those in support. As Jsu neatly tucked away his Spiritual Warriors DVD and then loaded boxes of more Spiritual Warrior: The Art of Spiritual Living books into his car for the next screening in Texas, I realized I was blessed to get to watch not only the movie, Spiritual Warriors, but to share a heartfelt moment with a true spiritual warrior in this world.
As we said good night, I noticed sweat pouring off Jsu’s brow as well as down my back. Yet, I found it refreshing to share this love for the teachings of John-Roger and the joy of how this movie will bring those teachings to so many and in such a beautiful and powerful way. What a blessing to know that this wonderful adventure of Spiritual Warriors is just beginning, and above all, it is in good hands.
