Disney has become an iconic part of American culture. Reaching into the mythical stories from cultures around the world, Disney recreates those stories to bring the messages from those narratives into modern light. Pablo Picasso famously stated, “Good artists copy, great artists steal.” Pablo was a dramatic Spaniard; I prefer to say the secret of creativity is to borrow well. When Disney gets it right, the movie is a hit. Enter “The Lion King,” one of the highest grossing animated films of all time.
Watch the inspirational opening sequence and song to the movie below. “The Circle of Life” brings us the ancient concept that all life is interconnected, interwoven, and sacred. We are not alone and disconnected from the planet, but we are woven into the fabric of life.
The Line becomes a Circle
From the time of Descarte in the 18th century, Western thought applies a linear model to life and its cycles. Beginning, middle, and the final end. We focus on the beginning and middle, climbing up and up and up. Anything less is failure and death. This model often crashes and burns into disorders of anxiety and depression. Many indigenous cultures honor the circle of life. This cultural mythos is one of hope. The final end is not final, but ultimately just a new beginning. The circle honors the interconnections of life, one to another. Just as life supports life, death also supports new life. An end is an opportunity for a new beginning. We can find hope by moving from the line to the “Circle of Life.”
Upcoming Workshop
The teachings of the Native American Medicine Wheel are also based on the interconnectedness of life. The Wheel is another representation of the circle or cycle of life. In the upcoming New Year’s Release and Renewal Retreat this January, we adapt the teachings of the Medicine Wheel and apply the wisdom to our lives in the modern Western context. Sitting in circle as a community, we create and manifest our personal New Year’s intentions as a prayer that honor the circle of life, the cycle of hope, and sacredness of all things. Visit the Courses Page for details.
Watch the Opening Song from The Lion King – Circle of Life
Lyrics: Circle of Life
From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There’s more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
There’s far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round
It’s the circle of life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life
It’s the circle of life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life
Songwriters: Elton John / Tim Rice
“Circle of Life” lyrics copyrighted by Walt Disney Music Company
Watch the movie … The Lion King
