Finding Happiness

Up in Northern California there is the Ananda Community. It is community that practices sustainability and kindness and looks at these attributes as being the key to prolonged happiness. This of course runs counter to our western capitalistic ideals that teach that material things and success equate happiness. The film follows a fictionalized reporter who travels to Ananda community at the behest of her editor. At first she is dismissive, but as she learns more about their practices she becomes open to their way of life (even trying yoga for the first time!) The end result is a changed perspective that we can leave a more benevolent and synergistic lifestyle. The movie's message left me feeling inspired!

Finding Happiness showcases the journey of an individual through a Spiritual Community which has been founded based on the Indian teachings of Sanaatan Dharma. It is a very inspiring film which seeks to provide solutions to a lot of modern day problems of stress, poor health, strained relationships, unethical business practices, mediocre education, and showcases a whole new way of living based on high spiritual ideals. The idea of these communities was first mentioned by Paramhansa Yogananda, author of one of the best known spiritual books, "Autobiography of a Yogi".

If you've ever wondered what's missing in your life, despite having everything, WATCH this film. It will touch your soul and leave you inspired!

First off I have to admit that whenever I see anything that appears to be "New Age" I start to roll my eyes. I usually dismiss it as hokum or as a scam. The whole enlightenment thing is very off-putting to me. It was with this bias that I watched "Finding Happiness", the premise is a skeptical reporter visits the Ananda community in Northen California armed with a pen and a fair amount of doubt. As she meets more members of the community she comes to the realization that yoga, communal living and a more cooperative approach is actually the key to Finding Happiness. The movie serves as an introduction to their principles and I have to admit afterwords I was perusing their website and thinking about how I can live a more in tune lifestyle.

The film tries to come across as a documentary, but much of it feels obviously (and at times poorly) acted and scripted and has the fake plasticness of an infomercial. Because of this approach in creating the film, it does not feel like a genuine representation but rather a one sided narrative trying to sell you on something by only telling you or showing you the best qualities, while hardly, if at all, bringing up or addressing other angles. The film does have some lovely sentiments which in another film style would feel more inspiring, but unfortunately too often it has the sense of infomercial quality appeal leaving the potential inspiration flat and wondering if you subscribe now, perhaps you might get a free yoga mat!

(2014) Finding Happiness DOCUDRAMA

No plot to speak about, but more like a promotional historical infomercial tour or docudrama of the the yoga/ meditation of an actual communion who practice the art of "Ananda" . Actress Elizabeth Rohm plays the fictitious reporter, Juliet Palmer, given an assignment to write a report on the pact, as she is visiting one in California from New York City. Although, the character journalist asked all types of questions, it still feels like it was not enough. I was fascinated since Elizabeth Rohm is an actress herself who may have practice yoga herself which may mean this is what she herself does in her spare time.