“Hosting the Spiritual Warriors in Mystic was an amazing experience — seeing people come together in such great Light! The movie is an excellent vehicle for helping people understand what spirituality really is. Being able to share the Spiritual Warriors movie and book with so many people we know and love, and many people we didn’t know, was also an amazing experience. When we looked all around at the 150+ people – we saw a theater full of Angels, and we knew it was good.”
– Valerie Walsh & Rick Bloeser
“You guys did a fantastic job with the Spiritual Warriors screening. I may own the theater, but the theater really belongs to the people; the community. In my point of view, all of the films are a success whether there are 2 or 200 people in the theater. I like to do these art films and screenings because I like to do things outside the box. I would definitely recommend the Spiritual Warriors movie to other theaters.”
– Bill Dougherty, Owner Olde Mistick Village Art Cinemas
“I enjoyed the film. It was visually creative, and the music was great! I loved the white haired teacher character. He was very cool!”
– Ellen Cameron, CT
“Spiritual Warriors was over the top Unbelievable!”
– Carol Martin, CT
“Riveting! So much to take in at once … I have to go home and process it! I loved it!”
– CJ, CT
“For me, the movie depicted how darkness comes in many forms, in many ways, and how the Light overcomes. This movie shows people how to win the battle!”
– Elaine Tetlow, CT
“Although I have seen Spiritual Warriors multiple times, in multiple cities… I LOVED being in the audience in Mystic, sharing this film with a theater full of spiritual pilgrims. Many knew nothing about MSIA, but they were receptive and responsive to the many nuances of the film. They laughed at the subtle humor, and at the same time, they reverenced the serious message. The theater itself was a comfortable vessel and the personnel were accommodating and most helpful and pleasant. Their loving in service was palpable, and icing on the cake was when they reported to us that Spiritual Warriors had outsold Harry Potter! John-Roger’s generosity for signing books at the end was a very special offering. Hurray for the organizers who succeeded in filling the theater through their dedication to this event and their hard work.”
– Barbara Cunha, RI
“I loved viewing Spiritual Warriors in Mystic, CT. A great community theatre, a large attendance — seemed like lots of new folks, and great reconnecting with other friends. But what really struck me is that I am finding that each time I see the film, I get more out of it, go deeper, and this time in particular, I was more aware of being inwardly worked with in profoundly loving ways by the Traveler. I think the first time I viewed it awhile back, I thought it was for beginners, etc, but now I am claiming it for myself, and eager to share it with others. I am deepening my commitment to live moment-by-moment as a Spiritual Warrior. And the film was a great reference point for self acceptance, forgiveness, and opening my heart to myself when I fall short, choosing right back into the loving with as little downtime as possible. The Spiritual Warriors film is helping me be more aware that I am the loving, and the negativity in all its forms just presents choice-points for me to strengthen and choose back into the knowing of who I am, no matter what the outer circumstance. I bought two more DVDs—I already have one for personal use—and I intend to use one of them for seminar night, and give the other to one of my clients who couldn’t make the screening. Unspeakable thanks to John-Roger, and so much gratitude to Jsu for creating such a powerful avenue for Spirit to work with us and to share the teachings. Thanks too to Valerie and Rick for hosting this event, and all of the loving creativity that made this possible!”
– Monica Simpson, MA
“There is nothing like seeing an independent film in a small community theatre. While this is my third viewing of the movie, I got more from the story — or should I say the experience — than ever before. I see the events of the movie as magical, but also events that have occurred in my spiritual journey as well. So, I am reminded of how magnificent my spiritual journey is but also it is unpredictable, not yet over (Spiritual Warriors II is coming!), and certainly not as I had planned. Being an artist myself, I was deeply moved by the devotion of the artists who have put together this film and continue to promote it; they have put their heart and Soul into it. I was also in awe of the audience, who were moved and inspired by the movie, and the expansive ideas that circulated during the Q&A afterward. And that brings us back to the fact that there is nothing like seeing an independent film in a small community theatre – with a bunch of Light bearers!”
– Leigh Hamel, CT
And the official commentary from Angel Gibson …
This Spiritual Warriors road trip really is a magical mystery tour. We get on the bus around 12:30pm and the Lord only knows when we’ll arrive at our destination in Mystic, Connecticut and what will happen in between. But, one thing for sure, it will be magical, mystical, fun, and loving.
At first we do a loop around Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod. This quaint seaport has some of us oohing at the sweet looking antique homes and buildings in the town and aahhing at the glimpses of sailing ships and ocean in between. Light to this town and whatever is needed as we pass through. Now we start south. Along the way some of us do spiritual exercises, or chat, share goodies, read or just plain snooze. The fellowshipping is heartwarming amongst us…and there’s lots of good-natured teasing. We come upon a Starbucks and, like the kids we are, we jumble off the bus for a little hit of coffees or smoothies…it’s tea-time after all.
Next stop Providence, the capital of Rhode Island. We travel through the heart of the town, round the capital building (which is reminiscent to me of Austin’s capital building) and take a break for dinner. I love this kind of sight-seeing that combines history and Spirit. During dinner our table erupts into a belly-laughing fit that is as healing as it is fun…just sweeps away any irritations that might have snuck up on us through the day…the giggling continues in ripples as we get back onto the bus for the last leg of today’s travel. We arrive at our Mystic hotel late evening and are happy to shower and get horizontal for a good night’s sleep. Thank you, J-R and Jsu, for all the wonders of today!
It’s Thursday and we’re up and at ’em with Jsu and Zoe to go check out the sound system for tonight’s screening. The theater is the Olde Mistick Village Arts Cinemas. Valerie Walsh and her husband, Rick Bloesser, who’ve been instrumental in getting Spiritual Warriors to Mystic and doing the promotion, are on hand to introduce us to the theater’s owner, Bill Dougherty. While we’re waiting for the sound man, Greg, to come for the sound/screen check, Bill takes time to tell us about the history of this theater. When Bill’s father owned the Olde Mistick, Bill used to take tickets there. As a young boy, Bill dreamed that he would some day own the theater himself. When Bill fulfilled that dream, he renovated the theaters by going to some of New York’s older classic movie theaters that were closing down and purchased sconces and other furnishings to lend that “classic old-time theater” feel to his cinemas. On the wall he has pictures of classic cinema theaters from Detroit, Washington D.C., New York and other cities. Bill makes a point of telling us that though he and the people who work there take care of the building and all that’s in it, the theater itself belongs to the community and is for the community. Even the popcorn gets special treatment and has real butter and smells beyond tempting!
Greg arrives and Jsu and Phil spring into action. I now have a new appreciation for the care and thoroughness that Jsu takes to make sure Spiritual Warriors will get the best possible viewing for all those coming to see it. Phil Danza assists with the fine-tuning at the sound board. While the sound check is in motion Zoe, like an energizer bunny who keeps on going, is fine-tuning the logistics for tonight’s ticket-taking and DVD/book buying. Finally the picture and sound seem the best that it can be and we’re on to more for the day.
Though our little band take off in different directions, we all manage to go to the same spots…Mystic Seaport, Stonington for a dreamy by the sea lunch, and downtown Mystic for a little homage visit to the Mystic Pizza store made famous by the movie, Mystic Pizza.. Jsu looks hopefully for Julia Roberts to appear, but the closest we all come to seeing her are pictures and posters on the wall of her and the movie in the Pizza place.
We walk or drive back to our hotel and grab a little SE’s or Szzz’s to re-charge before showtime. When we get to the theater, people are crowding the lobby. Valerie, Rick and Barbara are busy selling tickets, and accompanied by Zoe, Melba Alhonte and Deborah Kovitz also greeting folks and handing out Spiritual Warrior books. The smell of that wonderful popcorn floods our senses. With my popcorn in hand, I’m excited to see so many people I don’t know…all these new faces getting their first experience of Spiritual Warriors and the Traveler’s teachings. Mixed into the group are some familiar faces too who have traveled from Boston and New York City as well as from other Connecticut and Rhode Island towns. I love the buzz of anticipation that only increases as the lights are lowered.
We’re treated again to a preview of Who Are You, the next chapter in our Spiritual Warriors series, and then we settle back for another journey within as the Spiritual Warriors movie unfolds. I must have seen this movie well over 20 times and again I find that there are parts or scenes that seem new to me. Much like reading a Soul Awareness Discourse, this movie seems to bring forward with each viewing a blessing of clearing, healing and expansion in my consciousness and in those around me. As the credits roll, Jsu stands in front of us and beckons Leigh Taylor-Young and Rick Ojeda to take some questions and answers from the group. Quite a few of the hands are first-time viewers with testimonies and exclamations of how wondrous this movie is to them, how powerful.
Again I am so grateful that J-R and Jsu have been so willing and so persevering with showing this movie as many places and ways as possible. Seeing and listening to the ways so many are being touched, uplifted and expanded as they look at and hear J-R’s voice and words, extends this inner experience for me….and on J-R’s way to these screenings who knows how many are touched by this Traveler in that perfect magical mystical way. I know I am and continue to be.
If you hear the call inside to come to a screening whether in London, Japan, Los Angeles (to name a few) or to create one happening in your home town, please contact Zoe Golightly at zoe@msia.org. She is delighted to assist you in all the ways she can. And please do continue to spread the word, Twitter, Facebook, hey, just call your friends and tell them to buy the Spiritual Warriors DVD. It is truly a gift that will keep on giving.
With love, Light and Gratitude,
Angel
Read more articles from the Spiritual Warriors Northeast Tour, 2009
