The Life of a Mystic: Welcome to Groundhog Day!

In 1993, Columbia Pictures released a modest film billed as a "romantic comedy fantasy" that stars Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. "Groundhog Day" continues to be a favourite for many people. It's a feel-good movie, a tale of redemption. Bill Murray is in top form as TV weatherman Phil Connors, a man who starts out arrogant, nasty, judgmental, angry, impatient, and not especially talented or competent (although he thinks he's quite brilliant). In short, he's a typical middle-aged North American. By the end of the movie, he's kind, empathetic, polite, patient, and very talented. At the beginning, he has no heart. At the end, he finds his true heart. Only then does the universe consent to release him from the time warp he's caught in.

The film Groundhog Day is set in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on Groundhog Day (February 2). Photo credit: “Marmota monax UL 04” by Cephas – Own work, Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

This film is about the the universe's refusal to accept Phil Connor's excuses for his nasty behaviour. As Phil gradually comes to understand he's part of a bizarre karmic "catch and release" program, it's apparent the universe also refuses to accept his initial handling of the situation. The universe steadfastly ignores his denial stage, his angry stage, and his depressed stage. Only when Phil himself decides he wants to be a kind, empathetic, polite, patient, talented person, and only when he decides that he likes being such a person, does time start to move forward again. The message is clear: Phil can't control the environment the universe has chosen for him -- the time warp reality of Groundhog Day -- but he can control his own thoughts and feelings about the situation.

This film is the best representation I've seen of what it feels like to have a mystical connection with God.

That's why I put it at the top of my list of "best spiritual films." By way of contrast, I don't have a spot for Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" on my list of helpful spiritual films. To my way of thinking, "The Passion of the Christ" is a propaganda film, not a spiritual film.

"Groundhog Day" makes a number of powerful claims:

1. The universe (God) pulls out all the stops for everyone, not just for specially chosen Messiahs or the specially chosen sons of kings, presidents, and CEO's. Phil Connors is a regular guy with a regular job, not a person at the top of the fame chart.
2. The universe (God) knows Phil isn't choosing to be the best person he's capable of being. The universe has an opinion on this.
3. The universe (God) never gives up on Phil. Despite Phil's initial resistance, and despite the length of time it takes for Phil to decide he wants to be his best self, the universe is consistent and steadfast towards him. (This can be called God's Tough Love.)
4. The universe (God) sets up the painful learning environment. God is in charge of this part, and no human can control it.
5. The universe (God) gives each person free will.
6. People can change.
7. People won't change unless they want to (free will).
8. People are capable of amazing transformation once they decide they want to change.
9. It takes lots of time for changes to unfold. Redemption isn't an instant process!
10. It takes lots of sincerity for changes to become permanent. You can fake out your neighbours, but you can't fake out the universe. The universe (God) always knows your true intent, so you have to mean it when you say you want to change.
11. It takes hard work and consistent effort on the part of a person who wants to find redemption.
12. People need help from others as they struggle to change! They can't do it on their own. They need help from people who care about them.
13. People make mistakes on the journey of change and redemption. That's okay!
14. Engaging in active learning helps the process of change. (In the film, Phil starts to take courses -- piano lessons and medical training, for example.)
15. Engaging in active service in the community helps the process of change. (Phil develops a Good Samaritan routine in the timeloop community where he's living.)
16. The more Phil learns and the more genuinely empathetic he becomes, the more humble he becomes.
17. The more Phil learns and the more genuinely empathetic he becomes, the more dedicated he becomes to serving his community . . . and bonus -- the help he offers is actually needed!
18. Phil finds his heart when he finds himself.
19. Once he's found his heart, he's still a regular guy. But now he's able to trust himself. And he's finally able to like himself. He feels inner peace at last.

This is the process I had to go through, so I can really relate to it. My "Groundhog Day" initiation into the journey of redemption lasted for years. I had no idea at first what I was trying to do, and I made the same mistakes over and over again, but -- thank goodness for me and my family -- my angelic guide refused to give up on me.

And the 19 point summary I've posted here is the work I had to complete BEFORE I could begin to call myself a practising mystic!

I tell ya' -- those angelic guides are tough sons of bitches. And I wouldn't have it any other way.