Customer Reviews

The Shift

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

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.

"The Shift" is a self-help "manifesting" movie, disguised as an interview with Dr. Wayne Dyer, within the framework of a movie about people living out the concepts Dr. Dyer talks about. All of the characters are staying in the same resort area by the ocean. While Dr. Dyer is interviewed for a fictional project within the movie, the other characters in the movie experience the concepts he has been talking about.

Yes, Dr. Dyer says some interesting things. Yes, the actors in the movie were mostly likeable. The two just didn't fit together. I felt pandered to - if I'm a good girl and listen up, I might learn something. The unfortunate thing is what I might learn is pretty obvious. For example, a workaholic, unkind, driven businessman suddenly realizes that money isn't the most important thing and that he doesn't have to work at a job he hates.

I don't imagine my opinion will be valued by Wayne Dyer fans, but I thought his role in this movie was cloying. Also, for being so spiritually evolved it seems he is getting a big head, although he downplays it and makes it seem like it isn't the case. You will either see what I mean by this, or you won't. (symbolically his head is ACTUALLY about five times bigger than anyone else's on the cover art!) I think Dr. Dyer's own ego is involved in his popularity. Oh, well, we are all human. I undoubtedly have lots of my own ego issues that caused me to notice this!

Give me a person who DOESN'T think he has all the answers to life -- but is interested in the quest -- I would love to hear him talk all day.

I agree that "You can heal your life" is a much more enjoyable and worthwhile film. I liked hearing from the variety of people in YCHYL and also that movie didn't pretend to be something else.

Some of the manifesting materials out in the world seem quite simplistic and full of platitudes.

I'll be honest I haven't watch more than the first 5 minutes. Only because the first 5 minutes of the movie was the same as a movie I bought 2 months ago called Ambition to Meaning. I just read on a different review that it's an expanded version of Ambition to Meaning but maybe next time they can keep the title and say new expanded version.

I would rate this work an easy 10 Stars if I could! I have followed Wayne Dyer for many years. This product is well worth the time to view it, even several times. Wayne is truly a master in bringing his insight to the world. He is easy to follow and understand. This work of his,"The Shift" even having been put out under a different title before is very on target to his most current work of "Excuses Be Gone". The cast and story line mix to a magnificent understanding of what is presented by Wayne as the viewer follows his taping and questions presented by the story line film crew. The viewer will see "The Shift" in those of different scenarios who have all come to a fantastic resort for their particular reasons. The scenery in this film is splendid, I am sure with the excellent portals of Wayne, and the other actors will leave the viewer in aw after watching.

Without a doubt, Dr. Dyer gives us some gifted insight into our own world. Few people can be able to relate to each and every one of us like he can.

If you get this movie, make sure you get the expanded version 2 DVD set. Why? Because it shows a different side of him, a side that reveals he isn't much different than any of us. He shows where he sometimes fell/falls short of the mark.

I highly recommend you view it at least a couple of times. Especially the opening seconds of the movie. It sets the tone of how we should live our lives.

Being a big fan of Wayne Dyer I am certain that my review of this video will be biased. But I must say that I went from a disappointed viewer to caught up in the message by the end of the film.

This video has a few story lines going on at once. All characters in each story are portraying the messages that Dyer is speaking throughout. Kind of an series of examples making the point of his message a little clearer and "real". You will have to pay attention as the flow of these tales doesn't grab you like a traditional movie - at least they did not for me.

I will also admit that in the first 30 minutes, I felt that there were far too many moments that reflected the brilliance (or the not so brilliance) of a late night t.v. infomercial. I believe this was Dyers first attempt at a movie like scenario, and at some points it showed. It is more like a documentary within a made for t.v. movie. A touch unnatural at times.

However, and this is a huge "however"..... Dyers skill in dialogue is always compelling and inspirational. He is a true Master at relaying these ideas. So, when it comes time to deal out the stars, I cannot help but to still award him and the video a full 5. By the end you will have no choice but to allow the message to come into your awareness, as with all of Dyer's material.

If you liked the DVD The Celestine Prophecy, I think you will like this as well. Each is definitely unique unto itself, but I would put them in the same category in relation to delivering inspiration. I was hooked by the end as the negatives and awkwardness were elevated into "character". A nice add to any home library.

The Master Within by Gary Hopkins

I really enjoyed the DVD and to have the expanded version was great it gave me an inside view of all the individuals and Dr Dyer in an informal setting. I loved it.