by Edie Weinstein-Moser

In the past seven years, a newly recognized demographic phenomena has come to the fore.  Known as the Cultural Creatives, in this country alone, their numbers exceed 50 million. These are the people who are concerned about the sustainability of the planet, about creating and maintaining harmonious relationships, who are active in peace and social justice causes, as well as engaging in personally meaningful spiritual practices and healthy self-expression. 

Identified in the book The Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People Are Changing the World by Paul H. Ray, Ph.D and Sherry Ruth Anderson, Ph.D, they are depicted as volunteers and contributors to good causes - more so than other American demographic. And they are a growing force in the marketplace. Ray and Anderson write, "A new industry is appearing: Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability, (both for the individual and the planet) and it's $230 Billion in the U.S. this year, and $540 Billion worldwide. And the Cultural Creatives are their entire market."

Cultural Creatives are in all lines of work, are from varied socioeconomic and educational backgrounds, age ranges, faiths and ethnicities. It is an ethically cohesive, yet not a homogeneous group. It is this particular growing cluster that has led the way in creating a new force in cinema, better known as spiritual media.

The extraordinary success of such films as What The Bleep Do We Know!?, which 'de-nerdifies' quantum physics and makes it palatable for the masses, is a case in point. The movie focuses on the life of a high-anxiety photographer played by Marlee Maitlin, and explores how her thoughts and feelings play out, not only  through the camera lens of her over-active mind, but in the resultant world around her. Scientists and metaphysicians narrate as her life unfolds, rather like a Greek chorus.  www.whatthebleep.com [1]  The premise of the film is simply this:  thoughts and feelings contribute to our experience in the world. Thoughts are the cause and the lives we lead the effect. Abraham Lincoln expressed it eloquently: "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

Following on this film’s heels and also publicized through what is now being called 'viral marketing' is a New Zealand movie called which is about "the Law of Attraction." As Dr. John Demartini, one of the series of teachers, doctors, spiritual leaders, authors and motivational speakers who narrate this 90 minute piece sums up its theme: "What we think about and thank about, we bring about."

Other notables, such as Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup For the Soul) and John Gray (Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus) share their perspectives.  www.thesecret.tv [2]   The movie is generously interspersed with quotes from historical figures, such as "All that we are is the result of what we have thought," (Buddha) and, "Whatever the mind of man can conceive, it can achieve"  (W. Clement Stone).

Cable TV and the internet are jumping on board this new spiritual media trend, eager to provide viewers with a veritable feast for consciousness and the senses, with programming that encourages life-affirming entertainment, and steers away from the normal fear-based, adrenalin pumping fare. Harmony Channel is one example. A small, independently owned company located in Chadds Ford, PA, it offers a television network oasis of peace - in a sense, health food for the eyes and ears. It turns the television into an entirely new appliance - a digital spa! Imagine immersing yourself in waves of sound and eye soothing imagery. Visualize a 'spiritual MTV' and you get the picture.

According to founder Ed Lantz, "There's a lot of information about how to improve your quality of life, through a healthier diet or exercise, and I view the Harmony Channel about using media as a means of improving the quality of your consciousness. It is ultimately a huge factor in your quality of life. We are presenting the work of artists and musicians whose goal is to transport you into higher states of consciousness.” These artists include Kenji Williams, R. Carlos Nakai and Patrick O'Hearn, as well as visionary artists such as Alex Grey and John Banks whose mystical painting, from Illuminated Manuscripts DVD, accompanies this article. www.harmonychannel.com [3]

New Century TV is based in Newtown, PA, and, for a nominal subscription fee, provides a convenient way to watch targeted programming 24/7 via the internet that matches specific interests of viewers. Two more TV channels in particular are designed with the Cultural Creatives in mind, The Spirituality Channel and the Near Death Experience Channel. These two channels have viewers in over 50 countries and new content will be added to the channel on a monthly basis.

According to Susan Duval, Producer of the Spirituality Channel, "It provides an opportunity for viewers to explore topics that they may not be familiar with such as reincarnation, after death communication, channeling, metaphysics and the Kabbalah. With the popularity of TV shows such as "Medium" and "Ghost Whisperer", these subjects are becoming more mainstream. This goes beyond organized religion and brings us all together under the umbrella of spirituality, rather than being confined to one dogma or doctrine. Often, for people who may have been skeptics, when faced with the death of a loved one or crisis in their life or in an attempt to comprehend what is going on in the world, exploring these spiritual subjects does help bring clarity and peace and a greater understanding."    www.newcenturytv.com [4] 

With such an extensive menu of books, movies, websites and television programming that speaks to the needs of this growing audience, there in truly nothing else to do, but joyously indulge and feed your soul!


Edie Weinstein-Moser is a journalist, author, interfaith minister, speaker, workshop facilitator creative guide, reiki and massage practitioner and yes, a cultural creative. She can be reached via her website www.liveinjoy.com [5] or bydivinedesign@comcast.net [6]