In this compelling film, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer explores the spiritual journey from ambition to meaning. The powerful shift from the ego constructs we are taught early in life by parents and society - which promote an emphasis ... more »on achievement and accumulation - are shown in contrast to a life of meaning, focused on serving and giving back. Through the intertwined stories of an overachieving businessman, a mother of two seeking her own expression in the world, and a director trying to make a name for himself, this entertaining film not only inspires, but also teaches us how to create a life of meaning and purpose.« less
Kathleen O. (Kathleen) from WALDPORT, OR Reviewed on 6/11/2012...
I thought it was rather egotistical of Dyer to star in his own movie. I guess he feels no one can teach or explain things like himself? I don't know. He's a good teacher and has a way of sounding intelligent but I didn't buy into whatever he was selling. I also thought a lot of his answers became very boring.
Dyer is a thinker but he mixes a lot of new age mumbo jumbo philosophy in with a lot of religions - very Buddhist in his thinking. We were born like gods and need to involve back into one. I also had flashes warning of the word CULT, CULT, CULT popping up in my brain.
Nothing wrong at all with his wonderful thoughts on serving others but there is too much focus on the higher plain of self than putting your focus on other people.
I think he's out there on a broken limb somewhere with Shirley MacLaine. Just my thoughts.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Previous Movie RePackaged!!!!!
Dawn Johnson | Murphy, NC | 06/02/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"First of All, I love Wayne Dyer and I own everyone of his books, CD's, wisdom cards and now DVD's etc. He is an amazing teacher. I cannot for the life of me understand why his previous movie, "Ambition to Meaning" was sold under the new title, "The Shift". Hay House (where I made my purchase) should have made it clear that it was the same movie re-packaged. Nowhere was that mentioned in the write-up. Now I have two of the same and I really felt duped. I'm very careful these days where I place my money and it should not have happened. Yes, it's forgiveable!"
Be warned.
Venice J. Rembold | TX United States | 05/24/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is an expanded version of the DVD "Ambition to Meaning". It contains the same movie along with some extras and interviews. It is not a totally new DVD."
Perfect movie to illistrate the most recent teachings of Dr.
MJK | Great white north | 05/26/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In the last 8 to 9 years Dr. Dyer's message has changed significantly. He went from self help psychology to spiritual transformation. I got a little lost. I tend to be a pragmatist..."give me proof" type person. His story was a bit above my head. This film is very much a narrative of what he's been trying to get through. It helps connect the dots. It was also very nicely done, well acted, very nice scenery.
It's a very good film and I recommend it.
In 2000 I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Dyer at a seminar he was putting on at Washburn High School in Minneapolis. I doubt he'd remember who I am, there were hundreds of us. He stayed and talked to anyone and everyone that wanted to talk to him. It was hours! He is one of the most peaceful people that I have ever encountered. I can say that he practice what he preaches, he is in service of others. I think I get it now,...Dr. Dyer...It took 9 years...but I get it. Namaste! Thanks for the lovely film."
"I've been a student of Religious Science for thirty years. That said, I've been like a fish out of water for the last three or four. After watching his movie, and taking notes, I understand now that what I have been experiencing is a Shift from the morning of my life to the afternoon. I just didn't understand it was normal and had a name. I just knew, before I watched the movie, that I wasn't aligned anymore.
The movie is broken into real life examples of people experiencing The Afternoon Shift, and Dr. Dyer giving us little jewels of lessons about why the values and virtues of The Morning of our Life no longer serve us in The Afternoon of our Life. Our need to simplify our lives, the de-valuing of materialistic "stuff," the search for more meaning to our lives is explained in this beautiful and lovely film. In the Afternoon, Dyer teaches us that life becomes about serving others and letting go of EGO which no longer serves us in this new Shift. I was experiencing this but thought it meant I had lost my drive, or was in a different place. As Dyer says, I have ambitions now with meaning that transforms into purpose. I'm learning to live in process, sit still, and not force things in the universe. I'm preparing and believe when I am fully prepared, everything I need will show up with perfect timing. It is a difficult, but attainable approach for a Type A personality. But each time I watch The Shift (a much more appropriate title by the way), I feel a great sense of inner peace and joy.
The film teaches us that we're here to enjoy life and live in peace. We don't have to push so hard anymore. If you are feeling any of the lost feelings I was, then this film will, once again, align you with the universal source. I love this film, and wish there were more like them. I wish for everyone who is feeling worried, alone, scared, or older, to watch this film and learn. it is transforming in a glorious way.
PS I was disappointed to learn that the film had a previous title and wasn't disclosed when the expanded version was released, causing negative energy. I lived in PS and went to Ms. Hay's church. I put both Louise Hay and Dr. Dyer in high esteem, and they should repair this mistake and not let it , in any way, harm the trust so many of us have in both of them to bring us only the finest as the four virtues outlined. Sincerity and Honesty being vital components.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this golden nugget of a gift.
The Shift, expanded version Pamela Kostmayer Whitney"
Review of the origianlly named: From Ambition to Meaning
Leslie J. Estes | Colorado | 09/05/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This review is based on the originally named "Ambition to Meaning" which I was told by Hayhouse is exactly the same as the renamed version "The Shift". They couldn't remember why it was renamed but said these two DVD sets are indeed identical.
This is a two-DVD set: the first DVD is the "movie" (which is more of a docudrama) and is 2 hours long. The second is a supplemental disc containing about 2+ hours of interviews, additional movie footage, and music. Both DVD's are excellent and worth a few dollars more for the set, as compared to the single DVD version that is also available. The second DVD contains the taped interview with Dr. Dyer that the movie was ultimately written around. It goes into depth into areas sometimes only touched on in the movie itself.
The movie follows the stories of various guests checking into a beautiful resort along the California Coast: a young family; a wealthy couple with a troubled marriage; and my favorite, an ambition-driven director, wonderfully played by Michael Deluise, whom I remember as a frequent guest star on the Gilmore Girls. (Some trivia here - he is also the son of Dom Deluise.) The director and his small crew are filming a docudrama starring Dr. Dyer (played as himself).
All of the key characters in the film experience what Dr. Dyer describes as a "quantum moment". It opens the door to transformation for them as they recognize and begin to live "the music inside" that Dr. Dyer teaches we were all born with but too often push aside while we are busy living our lives. One of the key points in the movie: what if we come to the end of our life and discover it was all wrong?
The three stories (as well as some additional, interesting character development) are expertly woven throughout the movie and accompanied by voice-over's from Dr. Dyer. His deep, soothing voice always seems to hit the mark and works perfectly within each scene that it is added to. (Not too much, not too little.) The dramatizations are used to illustrate Dr. Dyer's timely teaching (mostly Taoist) of transformation from a life of ambition into a more meaningful life; a life that can be just as successful and full of prosperity and ambition as you desire but with greater significance through a deeper, spiritual motivation. It is a wonderful departure from the usual "live-audience seminar" format of his previous DVD's.
The narrative and story lines used as a way to exemplify the ideas presented here remind me of another Hay House production also directed by Michael Goorijan "You Can Heal Your life" starring Louise Hay, and of another docudrama, not related to Hay House or Goorijan, "What the Bleep Do We Know?" (I recommend the "Quantum Edition" only, as you can edit out the sometimes tasteless dramatizations & it offers hours of additional interviews). Although both of these are excellent DVD's and highly recommended, "Ambition to Meaning/The Shift" is so expertly written, directed, acted and produced that it has raised the bar and taken this genre to a whole new level. The cinematography of the Monterey Coast is absolutely breathtaking. The tranquil original musical score is worth noting as well. Especially nice are the original piano pieces played by "Joe, the Janitor" mid-way through the movie. (Don't ask... you just have to see the movie - it really does work.)
I have watched this DVD countless times now and continue to learn something new and unexpected about myself with each viewing. This is not a "spiritual addiction" response as a previous commenter on "Ambition to Meaning' asserts of another reviewer who also said they have watched this movie repeatedly. But rather it is to be encouraged if you wish to explore your true purpose in life - or just want to make sense of life's struggles and challenges. You might learn something new with each viewing. Also worth pointing out is that I am a Christian and find these teachings well attuned to the teachings of Jesus. I believe, whatever your faith, you will find the movie inspiring if not life-altering.
"Seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to you". God bless all who watch this DVD in the spirit it was intended. You will be all the richer and wiser for it."
Kathleen O. (Kathleen) from WALDPORT, OR 
