Get the Picture

In the Spirit of the Season

2008-12-17T20:02:00Z

I decided to change probabilities for the holidays this year. In lieu of giving presents, I chose to use my gift money to make charitable donations. I realize that I may not be doing my part as a good little consumer to help the economy, but given how many people are struggling and how many worthy causes are hurting for support, I felt the resources I could spare would be put to better use by assisting those who are truly in need. In late October, I sent an email to those with whom I usually exchange...(read more)

"Milk"

2008-12-09T14:07:00Z

A Visionary Hero Heroes arise from every conceivable milieu. Some may seem like obvious candidates, while others are the unlikeliest of champions. But no matter what backgrounds these noble souls may hail from, once they come into their own, they’re forces to be reckoned with, for the impact they have in reshaping their worlds is formidable. One such hero provides the focus for what is undeniably one of the year’s best movies, the recently released biopic “Milk.” This outstanding new film tells the...(read more)

It’s the Beliefs, Stupid

2008-11-26T16:05:00Z

When Bill Clinton ran for president against incumbent George H.W. Bush in 1992, the country was languishing in a recession that the administration was reluctant to acknowledge. Realizing that this was the central concern of voters, Clinton picked up on it and made it the central theme of his candidacy, going so far as to hang a sign in his campaign offices that read “It’s the economy, stupid.” It helped him win that election and put him on a path to re-election four years later. The present-day parallels...(read more)

Express Intent

2008-10-21T17:32:00Z

"The Express: The Ernie Davis Story" Sports movies are, admittedly, often among some of the corniest and most formulaic films out there, riddled with ubiquitous clichés, manipulative plot devices, and predictable story lines. But every so often, one comes along that, if it doesn’t break the mold, it at least bends it enough so that its cinematic lineage is not quite so obvious. And, if we’re lucky, that movie just might teach us a few things about conscious creation in the process. Such is the case...(read more)

Immerse Yourself

2008-10-13T13:33:00Z

Over the years, I’ve found that one of the most effective ways to further one’s conscious creation education is to attend conferences on the subject. These events are excellent learning forums for those who are just starting out, and they’re great refresher courses for students who are a little further along the path. They feature a wealth of learning resources, including excellent presentations by knowledgeable speakers, valuable experiential exercises (like guided visualizations), great opportunities...(read more)

Something To Believe In

2008-08-25T14:16:00Z

“The X-Files: I Want to Believe” and "Henry Poole Is Here" As we all know, conscious creation is all about beliefs. No matter what aspect of life we concern ourselves with, beliefs always factor in as the driving element. That’s especially significant when we consider the big picture issues of life, such as our overriding worldview, because the core beliefs we hold in that regard underlie those that support everything else. Coming to terms with those beliefs can be a seriously challenging task, particularly...(read more)

Hear It on Your Terms

2008-08-25T13:00:00Z

One of the real joys associated with Get the Picture is participating in internet and broadcast interviews, and now on-demand podcasts from two of my recent internet radio shows are available for listening and download. The first is a 90-minute interview I did with host Catherine Bradford for the show Dot to Dot: Creating Global Community, which was originally broadcast on July 23. The show is archived at http://www.contacttalkradio.com/hosts/bradford-dot.htm in two installments, one each of 60 and...(read more)

Summer Heroics

2008-07-07T13:14:00Z

Every summer, like clockwork, the motion picture industry trots out its annual crop of action-adventure and superhero films. To many movie buffs, such pictures might make for dazzling eye candy, but they’re generally regarded as little more than fluffy, escapist special effects extravaganzas. Yet, from a conscious creation perspective, they often offer us more, even if such contributions are not readily obvious or recognized. As I wrote in Chapter 6 of Get the Picture , courage and heroism are essential...(read more)

Thoughts on a Passing

2008-05-30T12:28:00Z

Rob Butts passed on last Monday, May 26. Many of you no doubt know the man and his works. But for those of you who don’t recognize his name, Rob is someone you should know. Rob Butts played an integral role in bringing the philosophy and principles of conscious creation into the world. He was the soft-spoken scribe who diligently recorded the metaphysical insights delivered by his wife, author Jane Roberts, during sessions with her noncorporeal channeled entity, Seth, over the course of 20 years....(read more)

Continuing Education

2008-03-24T13:49:00Z

Sometimes we all have to go back to school to get remedial (or refresher) training in a given subject. I found that out for myself recently in an area I’d like to think I know a few things about – conscious creation, the metaphysical practice that provides the philosophical foundation for Get the Picture . Last week, I completed a long and often frustrating search to find a new apartment. I believed (key word there) going in that it would be difficult, and, of course, that’s exactly how it turned...(read more)

Get the Picture in New York

2008-02-22T18:08:00Z

On a recent trip to New York, I had the great pleasure to visit lower Manhattan ’s East West Living bookstore and café. I had the opportunity to sign copies of Get the Picture and meet with book buyer Cami Aronowitz (pictured with me here). Be sure to check out the store’s Web site to learn more about its product line and its schedule of upcoming events. And, speaking of New York, to quote the city’s colorful former mayor, Ed Koch, “How’m I doin’?” I’d really like to know! Drop me a line at brentmarchant@momentpoint.com...(read more)

Conscious Creation on the Small Screen

2008-02-12T21:43:00Z

Movies are undoubtedly my greatest entertainment passion, but every so often something on the small screen catches my attention that’s well worth a look. That’s especially true when the material illustrates conscious creation principles at work. Such is the case with the quirky new comedy-drama-fantasy offering, Eli Stone (Thursdays, ABC, 10 p.m. Eastern). The series follows the life of the show’s title character, a high-powered San Francisco lawyer (Jonny Lee Miller) who begins experiencing unexplained...(read more)

A Gem of a Film Comes to DVD

2008-01-15T14:24:00Z

One of the movies I had the great pleasure to profile in Get the Picture was “Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse” (1991). This superb documentary provided an in-depth look at the gut-wrenching ordeal that went into the making of Francis Ford Coppola’s Oscar-winning Vietnam War film, “Apocalypse Now.” It showed, in unflinching detail, how the director toiled to produce a picture that effectively captured the madness of this insane conflict, an undertaking that pushed him to the limit and...(read more)

GET THE PICTURE at Transitions Bookplace in Chicago

2008-01-15T14:15:00Z

Readers and movie fans anxious to hear how conscious creation principles are portrayed through film turned out in force for an in-person author event featuring yours truly on January 11 at Transitions Bookplace in Chicago. The event, which was held in the bookstore’s spacious and comfortable café, opened with a brief presentation on the subject, followed by discussion, questions, and book signing. Many thanks to those who attended, and a special thanks to Transitions for hosting. Photos © 2008 by...(read more)

Author Event, Transitions Bookplace, Chicago

2007-12-17T17:17:00Z

Hi Everyone, I’ll be doing a talk and book signing on January 11, 2008 at 7 pm at Transitions Bookplace, 1000 W. North Ave. , in Chicago (www.transitionsbookplace.com). If you live in metro Chicago (or will be visiting the area at that time), stop by. I’d love to meet you! In the meantime, happy holidays! Brent...(read more)