10 Best Spiritual Documentaries Streaming on Gaia
Challenges abound today, both individually and collectively. As a result, many people continue to search for answers, guidance, or information to help them cope, grow, and transcend. Spiritual documentaries are a beneficial resource to help with this, showing us more and more about the universe and our role within it. Use them to expand your awareness, heal from emotional trauma, and change your life for the better. To help begin or continue on your journey, Gaia offers a vast collection of spiritual documentaries and films to choose from.
As an on-demand streaming service, Gaia offers subscribers the largest resource found online today for consciousness-expanding video content. The platform shares informative and creative films, original shows, and yoga and meditation classes.
Wherever you are in your journey or starting one, these resources are helpful and even life-transforming. Below is a list of the ten best titles to check out today.
The best spiritual documentaries include:
Must Watch Top 10 List
Although different topics and documentaries will attract different individuals, the following list of the 10 best spiritual documentaries on Gaia will set you on a path to discovery. Get started on these must-watch films today and see where it leads you next.
1. Chasing the Present
Searching for a way out of crippling anxiety, panic attacks, and fear, successful entrepreneur James Sebastiano decides to embark on a worldwide, life-changing journey of self-discovery and documents what he finds in his film, Chasing the Present.
Along the way, he listens to thought leaders from a variety of backgrounds, becoming immersed in plant medicine and meditation. This documentary includes interviews with experts including Zelda Hall (psychotherapist), Graham Hancock (journalist), Alex Grey (artist), and Gary Weber (meditation and yoga teacher).
Sebastiano finds that no one is immune to mental health issues and anxiety while discovering that true happiness and beauty lies in the struggle inherent to the human condition. A Best Documentary winner at the Chelsea Film Festival, Chasing the Present is one of the best documentaries on spiritual awakening.
Year Released: 2019
Length: 1 hour, 33 minutes
Director: Mark Waters
2. Becoming Nobody
Becoming Nobody encompasses the life and teachings of Harvard professor Richard Alpert, who later became known as the spiritual guru Ram Dass, presented in stories, archival footage, and engaging interviews with director Jamie Catto. Ram Dass explains how the majority of human beings are born into the “somebody” type of training and that choosing to become nobody instead will release you from the overarching demands of the ego and lead to ultimate freedom.
Ram Dass bridges the gap between Eastern and Western philosophies, sharing his discoveries of truth and wisdom learned during his travels throughout India. In this documentary, he reveals how disguises and old roles become much like a prison to us. To free ourselves, we must move past these definitions of who we are or are meant to be.
Release Date: 2019
Length: 1 hour, 22 minutes
Director: Jamie Catto
3. Awake: The Life of Yogananda
Discover how the concept of spiritual living and the practice of yoga came to America in the 1920s with the arrival of Paramahansa Yogananda, and learn how influential his teachings still are today. Yogananda was the first to bring Eastern teachings into the West and provided an inspiring example of how all people can live with authenticity and purpose.
Throughout the film, you’ll explore the teachings by the author of the spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi, accompanied by interviews with yoga teachers, students, and scientists. You’ll hear from spiritual thought leaders, including Deepak Chopra, Ravi Shankar, and Krishna Da. You’ll also hear from physicist and Harvard Professor Dr. Anita Goel, as well as modern-day followers of Yogananda’s teachings, such as musician George Harrison. Within these interviews, you’ll gain an understanding of the profound impact his teachings have had and continue to have today for any spiritual seeker.
Year Released: 2014
Length: 1 hour, 27 minutes
Directors: Paola de Florio and Lisa Leeman
4. Finding Joe
Mythologist, philosopher, and American author Joseph Campbell coined the concept of “the hero’s journey,” depicting an archetype found deep within all stories. In this inspiring and uplifting spiritual documentary, writer, producer, and director Patrick Takaya Solomon examines Campbell’s life and work by showcasing the wisdom of notable names, including Deepak Chopra, Rashida Jones, Robin Sharma, and many others.
Taking it a step further and centering in on Campbell’s “follow your bliss” advice, interviews with skateboarder Tony Hawk, drummer Mick Fleetwood, and pro-surfer Laird Hamilton provide more insight into the hero’s journey and what it means for them.
Overall, Finding Joe is an inspirational film that reveals the journey we all must take in order to discover our purpose.
Year Released: 2011
Length: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Director: Patrick Takaya Solomon
5. What the BLEEP Do We Know!?
The What the BLEEP Do We Know!? film is one of the most successful spiritual documentaries of all time.
At the center of the story is Amanda (Marlee Martin), a neuroscientist whose life seemingly begins to unravel after the death of a friend. As she enters into the unexpected quantum field that hides behind what is considered reality, Amanda struggles with her newfound spiritual abilities and the true nature of reality.
Mystics and scientists, share ideas and wisdom on quantum physics, quantum mechanics, neurology, evolutionary thought, and spirituality, all leading to an interwoven conclusion explaining how all things are connected. A combination of story, inspiring animations, and visuals, this film elicits an Alice in Wonderland effect that will leave you thinking.
Year Released: 2004
Length: 1 hour, 48 minutes
Directors: Mark Vicente, Betsy Chasse, William Arntz
6. I AM
In an attempt to understand what is so wrong with this world and what can be done about it, successful filmmaker and comedian Tom Shadyac embarks on a journey for answers by seeking out spiritual and intellectual leaders across the globe. He shares eye-opening discussions with philosophers, religious leaders, scientists, and more, finding answers about the nature of humanity, the escalating attachment to materialism, and the important role of human connection.
Those he interviews include historian and playwright Howard Zinn, intention author Lynne McTaggart, linguistics professor Noam Chomsky, evolutionary biologist Elisabet Sahtouris, geneticist David Suzuki, and South African Anglican Bishop and Theologian Desmond Tutu.
Year Released: 2011
Length: 1 hour, 17 minutes
Director: Tom Shadyac
7. Unlocking the Secret
Returning to the law of attraction many learned about in Rhonda Byrne’s successful book and movie, The Secret, this documentary film digs in deeper.
Follow along as three college students embark on a journey to investigate the truth behind the law of attraction phenomenon and experience what they unexpectedly discover along the way. You’ll hear from compelling religious, scientific, and spiritual leaders as they share what makes the law of attraction work, why it sometimes fails to work, and ways to avoid mistakes so that you can use it to the fullest.
From understanding how negative thoughts and limiting beliefs influence your subconscious to the impact of positive thoughts on your life, this film shares what you can do to improve the outcomes.
Year Released: 2008
Run time: 58 minutes
Director: David Priest
8. The Reality of Truth
Could ancient wisdom and spiritual practices be the solution to today’s modern problems? Find out as you join the journey to explore the myths surrounding reality in this documentary guided by Mike Zapolin and Michelle Rodriguez.
Explore the relationship between religion, spirituality, and the healing potential of plant medicines such as Ayahuasca, which is used by ancient cultures throughout the world. You’ll also hear from spiritual leaders, including Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Ram Dass, Bruce Lipton, Michael Beckwith, and more. The Reality of Truth was the winner of the Van Gogh Award at the 2016 Amsterdam Film Festival and continues to be one of the most thought-provoking documentaries streaming online today.
Year Released: 2016
Length: 1 hour, 9 minutes
Director: Laurent Levy and Mike Zapolin
9. Yogic Paths
In this docuseries, Gaia takes you on a trip across India, exploring mystical landscapes and ashrams while providing insight into various yoga traditions through unprecedented conversations with spiritual leaders.
These interviews will speak to your heart and provide encouragement to pursue your own journey of self-discovery, helping you go beyond the physical and ordinary to guide you to true freedom.
Year Released: 2017
Length: Varies
Producer: Tatyanna Wright
10. Kalachakra: The Enlightenment
Kalachakra, or “the wheel of time,” is the highest initiation within Tibetan Buddhism. This secretive ceremony, often led by the Dalai Lama, is rarely filmed, which makes this documentary an important addition to the available spiritual resources today.
The story begins with a woman who suffers the loss of a sister early in life and, once older, begins to question what purpose her life has in this world. Set in the vibrant location of Dharamsala, India, the woman, as well as three individuals with differing backgrounds, begin to face their fears as the transformational power of the initiation and spiritual experience approaches. During the ritual, they each enter into an unknown and ancient dimension, which will change them forever.
Year Released: 2017
Length: 1 hour, 24 minutes
Director: Natalie Fuchs
Start Your Spiritual Journey with Gaia
On your journey of self-discovery and personal growth, spiritual movies can be beneficial by providing new ways of looking at reality and learning how to live a more meaningful life.
With access to Gaia’s streaming service, you can choose from our Spiritual Growth collection of videos and watch them at your own pace.
About the Author
What Is the Third Dimension and What Is Its Spiritual Role
The third dimension is the level of existence in which form, matter, and the linear perception of time predominate. It is the plane where consciousness is experienced through the body, the senses, and duality. In this article, we explore what the spiritual 3rd dimension is from the perspective of Matías De Stefano, as explained in the series Initiation, available on Gaia.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Third Dimension?
- Differences Between the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Dimensions
- Depth and Matter in the Third Dimension
- The 3rd Dimension as the Plane of Sensory Reality
- Is Reality Real? The Illusion in the Third Dimension
- Spiritual Third Dimension: The Soul Incarnated in the Physical
- Why We Shouldn’t Escape the 3D
- The 3rd Dimension as the Foundation of the Higher Dimensions
What Is the Third Dimension?
The third dimension is one of the nine dimensions of the universe and represents the plane where energy takes physical form. Here, figures that arise from subtler dimensions acquire volume, density, and depth. It is not just a material space, but a structure of consciousness designed to experience reality through the tangible.
This plane is characterized by the perception of height, width, and depth, which allows for interaction with the environment through the senses. Consciousness at this level identifies with the body, with the linear passage of time, and with the idea of separation. It is at this point where contrasts are experienced: pleasure and pain, success and failure, light and shadow. All learning is built upon direct experience.
In the series Initiation, available on Gaia, it is explained that the third dimension is the setting where consciousness becomes matter to recognize itself through the senses. It is a necessary stage of the evolutionary process, where the soul can explore, practice, and transform its own energy into concrete experiences.
Differences Between the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Dimensions
These three dimensions are present simultaneously, but each one offers a different way of perceiving and processing reality. Understanding their differences helps to integrate the evolutionary path with greater clarity and awareness.
- Third dimension: This is the level of existence in which form, matter, and the linear perception of time predominate. Everything here is experienced through the body, the senses, and logic.
- Fourth dimension: This is the plane of time as a flexible structure, emotions, dreams, and energy in motion. It allows us to observe the internal processes behind what happens.
- Fifth dimension: This is the plane of expanded consciousness and a global vision. At this level, the unity of all things is perceived, and the soul’s purpose is accessed without judgment.
Depth and Matter in the Third Dimension
The main feature of the third dimension is depth. Unlike previous dimensions, which only allow for lines and flat shapes, this plane adds volume, enabling figures to become objects. Thanks to this depth, the abstract takes form and becomes tangible. This is the foundation on which all our material experience is built.
Matter in this dimension is not just something physical: it is the result of an energetic structure that has been densified. Every object is made up of patterns that originate from subtler dimensions but are organized in the third to form what we consider “real.” That is why, although objects appear solid, at their core they are fields of information vibrating at a specific frequency.
Understanding matter from this perspective allows us to see it not as something static, but as something in constant transformation. Nothing is completely solid or separate: everything is sustained by invisible relationships and by the energy that constitutes it. The third dimension is the point where those relationships become visible so we can explore them through the body and the senses.
The 3rd Dimension as the Plane of Sensory Reality
The third dimension is the only plane in which consciousness can be experienced through the five senses. Here, everything that is seen, touched, heard, smelled, or tasted acts as a path to knowing the world and oneself. This sensory interaction turns every experience into a learning opportunity. Consciousness immerses itself in matter to discover who it is through what it perceives.
This plane also allows the passage of time to be registered in a linear way, generating a sequence of moments: past, present, and future. That structure is essential for experience to have a narrative development, with causes, effects, and a sense of continuity. Thanks to this, we can build memories, make plans, and evolve within a logical framework. Without this sequence, organizing learning would be difficult.
Living in the third dimension does not mean being disconnected from the spiritual. On the contrary, this plane allows higher consciousness to be integrated through concrete actions. Every gesture, every relationship, and every decision offers the opportunity to align what we think, feel, and do. In this way, the physical doesn’t become a limitation, but a means to expand consciousness.
Is Reality Real? The Illusion in the Third Dimension
Although in the third dimension everything seems solid and separate, what we call “reality” is, in essence, a perception. What we touch, see, or feel is mediated by the senses and by the mind’s interpretation. That’s why what one person considers real can be completely different for another. Reality is not absolute—it is subjective and depends on the consciousness that observes it.
From a deeper perspective, matter is nothing more than energy organized into visible forms. What seems fixed is actually a vibration in constant motion. Even the most solid objects are made of expanding atoms, voids, and force fields. What we perceive as a “thing” is a mental construct based on stimuli and prior memories.
This understanding leads us to see the third dimension as a game of perception. It’s not a lie, but an illusion created so that consciousness can recognize itself in different scenarios. Understanding this doesn’t mean denying the physical—it means living it with greater awareness, knowing that what we experience is only one part of a much broader reality.
Spiritual Third Dimension: The Soul Incarnated in the Physical
The third dimension is not a realm foreign to the soul. On the contrary, it is the space where the soul projects itself in order to experience through the body and matter. To incarnate does not mean to “fall” into the physical, but to adopt a temporary form that allows one to feel, choose, create, and transform. From this perspective, living in this plane is an opportunity to explore consciousness from its limits.
When the soul incarnates in the third dimension, it faces the illusion of separation. This experience is necessary to develop identity, will, and a sense of self. It is through contrast that the possibility arises to recognize love, empathy, truth, or coherence. Each experience becomes a reflection that helps the soul remember who it truly is.
Embracing physical life as part of the spiritual path completely transforms how we inhabit this plane. Every sensation, every relationship, every obstacle has a purpose within the evolutionary process. The soul is not trapped in a body—it is using that body as a tool to expand, learn, and manifest its potential in a concrete plane.
Why We Shouldn’t Escape the 3D
There’s a common misconception that one must “escape” the third dimension to evolve spiritually. But this view stems from a rejection of the physical and the human experience, as if they were a mistake or a burden. In truth, this plane is not a punishment or a lower stage, but an essential part of consciousness’s journey. True growth happens by integrating it—not by avoiding it.
The third dimension brings challenges, but it also offers unique tools: the body, time, emotions, direct action. This is where everything learned in subtler levels is put into practice. If this plane is not fully lived, it becomes impossible to sustain the frequency of higher dimensions. Skipping stages only creates imbalance and confusion on the inner path.
To accept and inhabit this plane with presence does not mean resignation—it means embracing its purpose. The soul chose this dimension to evolve, and to escape it is to deny itself a vital part of the process. Only someone who has fully lived in the physical can integrate higher consciousness with stability, clarity, and coherence.
The 3rd Dimension as the Foundation of the Higher Dimensions
Far from being a separate dimension, the third is the base upon which the others are built. Every spiritual experience requires an anchor point in physical reality. Ideas, emotions, and intentions cannot expand unless they find a structure to support them. In this plane, that structure is the body, the environment, and everyday action.
Higher dimensions don’t float in some “beyond”; they are constructed from here. Every clear thought, every balanced emotion, and every coherent action creates the conditions to access more elevated states. There is no ascension without roots. The third dimension gives us those roots—the stability necessary to grow without losing center.
That’s why the more conscious life is in this plane, the more possibilities there are to open doors to other levels of reality. The depth developed through physical experience allows for expanded perception without disconnection. Instead of being an obstacle, the third dimension is the essential support for the soul’s evolution through all the other dimensions.
