Newsletters, Caroline Sutherland

Dr. Wayne Dyer ~ A Recent Cancer Diagnosis ~ Opens Up About His Film, His Life

Read This Interview With Arielle Ford

Dr. Wayne Dyer, who is affectionately called the "father of motivation" by his fans, began his career as an author in the early 1970's by traveling the country alone and selling his first book, Your Erroneous Zones, from the trunk of his car. That book went on to sell more than 30 million copies, and became the best selling book of the 1970's.

Despite a childhood spent in orphanages and foster homes, he has overcome many obstacles to make his dreams come true. Today, he spends much of his time showing others how to do the same. As an internationally renowned author and speaker in the field of self-development, he has written more than 30 books, 18 of which have been national bestsellers. Several of his books have been featured as PBS specials, which has resulted in raising over $150 million for national public television.

There is now a film that encompasses his core teachings, The Shift, which is available through Spiritual Cinema here. Dr. Dyer appears as himself, along with a star-studded cast. In The Shift we discover that every life has a turning point, a shift, a choice to make about what really matters.

AF: What's the most important, life-changing thing that you'd like people to walk away with after seeing this film?

WD: That everyone has a dharma, a destiny, a "calling of the soul." Every bird, every tree, every person comes into this world with something it is destined to do. All of the creatures on the planet don't get confused about this. They are what they are. Human beings, because they take on a false self, or ego, start to believe that what they do or what they have defines them. The Shift illustrates that when you are at peace and you let go, you will be guided into your dharma. You will be living a life of meaning rather than ambition. That is the "shift."

AF: What's a memory that stands out about the making of the movie?

WD: At one point, after I had done a scene many times, I realized that I was trying too hard. I was trying to be an actor and remember my lines. Then I remembered that the words in the script were guidelines. I just needed to be myself. At that moment the movie shifted from being a trial to allowing myself to just be me.

AF: What are some of your all-time favorite movies that have touched or inspired you?

WD: My very favorite is Déjà Vu by Henry Jaglom (featured in Spiritual Cinema Circle's Vol. 10 - 2007) I've seen it 50 times. This film opens up all the possibilities about life, love and fate - you begin to realize that this universe has endless possibilities. Brother Sun, Sister Moon, the story of St. Francis of Assisi is my second favorite movie. I also loved Forrest Gump and A Man for All Seasons.

AF: You've recently been diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. What can you share about this experience?

WD: When you come into this world with big dharma, you get big challenges. This is just another one of them. As a child I lived in an orphanage. My parents left me when I was little. My wife left me. I have had serious addictions in my life that I have let go of. I will be able to understand it, make it work for me, and help other people. I haven't judged it or been angry with it. I am not worried about healing it. I am working to live with it. I think when you fight anything, you weaken yourself. I am inviting it to stay in peace and harmony with me or leave. It's up to it. It's just another life force. Elisabeth Kubler Ross said, "When you shield the mountain from the windstorms, you will never see the beauty of the carving."

You can receive The Shift plus three great short films for FREE when you sign up for a trial membership of Spiritual Cinema Circle (just pay a small shipping fee). This is the only DVD service dedicated to films about love, compassion and inspiration. Simply join here.

For more information about Wayne Dyer, his
books and workshops, please visit www.DrWayneDyer.com.