I. Love. This. Movie.
Not just because I love Hawaii and the Hawaiian culture. Granted, I’ve been to Kauai three times and would happily go back. I could even see me and my husband living in a tiny house on a plot of land with a garden and fresh water to drink from the stream out back….sigh.
Moana is the poster girl for self-empowerment and following your bliss. Her grandmother the epitome of unconditional love and role model for self-love. They show such a beautiful balance of beauty and strength in this film.
The call of our bliss, like the call of the ocean for Moana, is undeniable and will remain until we heed it. Our inner compass will guide us to it again and again, no matter what we do to go in another direction, it will point us toward where our heart wishes us to be every time.
This may present as obstacles along our path, of bumps or blocks along the road. They are not to be disliked or fought against, they are merely little loving nudges from the universe to move in a different direction. They are signs that we are “meant” to be doing something other than that thing.
Human/ego tendency is to be upset when we don’t get what we want. Another way to look at it is that there is something else, something perhaps we couldn’t even imagine for ourselves or maybe we have but don’t think we’re worthy of or strong enough to go for it, something that is waiting out there, beyond the reef and we are meant to go find it. To move through the fear of the turbulent ocean, of the possibility of unknown dangers, knowing we will be guided and guides will show up for us if we are courageous enough to take the adventure.
Much Love and Mahalo to you! xox
Krista Gorman, PA-C
Matters Of Life And Death 
10 thoughts on “The Symbolism of Moana”
Dawn
Krista, you’ve inspired me to want to see the movie, “Moana” now. I love the “idea” of “following your bliss”, but have often strangely felt “guilty” for thinking I could or “should.”.
On another note, but still speaking of movies, I just saw for the first time, “A Monster Calls”. It was so profound for me that I’m still “reeling” from the experience. It came at a time when I needed it, though, as a family member just died. It’s amazing when Divine synchronicities occur.
Peace!
Krista Gorman, PA-C
Thank you for sharing your experience Dawn :). I believe it is the same kind of experience many of us (especially women) have. Fundamentally, for me it was about loving myself and honoring what my intuition was telling me, which direction it was guiding me in. I said “yes” to it! Fear and all, I kept saying yes and have moved into such a beautiful space of love and real JOY within myself. I could not have imagined I’d ever be JOYFUL and am so gratefully happy to say I am now. Wow! Just talking about it I’m once again amazed at the power of (self) love and what it can gift us with in this life. I’m going to watch “A Monster Calls” now and see how it affects me. Sending lots of Love your way! xoxo Krista
Dawn
Krista, reading your words on (self) love inspire me. Thank you. I know I just need to “get into the habit” of practicing it more faithfully – no matter how strange it feels.
I plan to watch “Moana” this weekend.
Love to you too!
Krista Gorman, PA-C
Let me know what you experience 🙂 xo
Dawn
Krista, I finally watched, “Moana”. It was absolutely beautiful. And, yes!!! Filled with so much symbolism. Finding who you truly are against all odds AND being who you truly are no matter what. Honoring the call that is INSIDE YOU and not “out there.”. That was powerful, especially the song. I also loved, loved, LOVED the symbolism of honoring the Earth and treating her with love and respect. We receive so much from her. Too often, especially in our “current dominant culture” across the globe, we don’t realize how much we are taking from her without love, honor and respect. Many of the indigenous cultures are said to understand the Earth does not belong to us, but rather we belong to her. As I watched this movie, this was a theme that was very prevalent to me, especially lately as I’ve been doing something called, “earthing” (aka “grounding”). I learned about it through an acquaintance who referred me to a video called, “Grounded: The Documentary”. Ever since then, I have been going barefoot as much as I possibly can when outside. I have also become accustomed to touching trees and walking on rocks, speaking to them. Perhaps it’s the indigenous part of me (my Mom, who just died, was Mexican Indian), or perhaps the energy of the places I’ve visited, but honoring the places where I do “earthing” (on the rivers, near the ocean), seem “normal” to me. Watching, “Moana”, and listening to the beautiful soundtrack has added a new dimension to my “earthing” now. Thank you so much for posting it on your blog. Peace!
Pat Glenn
I feel the same way about Molokai! I learned recently that I have 1% Polynesia and 1% Micronesia in my DNA. I claim it with joy. I’m the only one in the family who feels this way about the Islands, so I relive my trip to Molokai often. In my heart, that’s where I live. Great thoughts as usual. Always appreciate your insights.
Krista Gorman, PA-C
Ahhh that is so awesome!! 🙂 It’s my feeling there are many who have incarnated here that were the “original” inhabitants and lived in the area of the Hawaiian Islands, India, Egypt, etc. We have this calling to go home and thus the deep sense of connection with the energy of the area. Thank you so much for sharing yours! xoxo
Krista Gorman, PA-C
Dawn,
I’m so happy you connected with the movie :). Yes, earthing is so important and I have also been feeling the need to do it more. I live in Florida with the fire ants so barefoot in the grass is not a fun thing to do lol! The sand of the beach and water of the ocean is where I tend to find my balance with our Mother Earth. I also spend time looking at the stars when I can. At least a few minutes each night, and watching the sun go down. Touching the trees is so so connective. One of my favorite scenes and one I felt so deeply touched by was when Moana and Te Ka touch foreheads (in Maori tradition) and she sings remember who you are. Te Ka is a Goddess and helps to bring forth life, she is the force of life itself. We, as women, are all Goddesses and it is a call for us to bring forth our feminine energy into the world and help heal it. We exist in a society/world where the masculine energy is emphasized and it is up to us to bring the balance back. So, for me, I am more loving, softer, gentler, etc first with myself and then with others. Working in an ER is my training ground for this! LOL. Much Love! xox
Dawn
Krista, the ER is some training ground. I hadn’t been to one in awhile and was there last month for a family member. It was a small one in a big city and was jam packed. The energy was so intense I had to start praying for myself, the doctors and nurses, as well as the patients. Bless you for your work there!!!
I loved the scene with Moana and Te Ka, as well. I almost cried when I realized Te Ka was the volcano who had her “heart” stolen. But the song took me “out of that place” and shifted everything for me in that moment.
I asked my husband to watch the movie with me. I told him about it and he’s interested. I think it’s a very important movie and now I understand why there were special viewings of it at places like the VA hospital, community centers, etc.
Oh, yes, I love earthing on the beach, specifically on the ocean. That’s where I can earth/ground the best. Oh my goodness! Fire ants?!!! I’m suddenly grateful I’m way up North on the East Coast. I’m terrified of fire ants, LOL. Although, I have been talking to the huge spiders I’ve come across on the Hudson River when I visit there. Anyone seeing me would probably think I’m crazy, but besides being afraid of them, I always have this inner need to honor them. Watching Moana inspired me to keep talking with nature.
Much love and peace!
Krista Gorman, PA-C
Thank you again, Dawn for your words! Yes, the ER is a training ground for all sorts of areas of ourselves we wish to heal. I endeavor to be the eye of the storm ;). We truly are seamless with nature, which is our nature. Love that you are communicating! There is such energetic wisdom in all things. We all know that but not all are aware. It helps to be, I feel. It helps to feel more connected to the world around us and the greater, expansive world within. Much Love! xoxo