Forty years ago, the astronauts of Apollo 8 orbited the moon for the first time and snapped the iconic "Blue Marble" photographs of the earth from space. It was not only an image of stunning beauty; it represented a powerful new perspective of earthly life and its place within the cosmos. It produced a radical shift in self-awareness. The earth has a unity and cohesion we understand intellectually, but which we have only been able to see and feel viscerally through this astonishing view from the outside. This short film, "Overview," brings together astronauts, who convey their first-hand experience of the "overview effect," and philosophers, who place this cosmic perspective in theoretical context. The film explores how the image of earth from space is a critical catalyst for transcending our sense of individuality and separation, development of a whole-earth perspective, and changing patterns of behavior that can lead to a sustainable approach to life on a fragile planet.

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  • srikanth narasimhan

    The video gave me a glimpse of what it is like seeing the earth from the space. I have already watched it about 5 times - it is amazing feeling. Learning from one of the astronauts speaking at 10:45 minute that the term “savikalpa samadhi” sounded like the experience he felt in the space. In this state, one lets go of the ego and becomes aware of Spirit beyond creation. wow - that is the experience one gets at the climax of meditation in the earth- very few claim to get that experience. Amazing video, thanks

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  • Diane

    Talking about inbterconnectedness and unity and being aware and seeing non separation..this is true YOGA...maybe he should have called the film "A Yogaview"?

  • Taha

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  • Sarah Andy

    God's creation is trully magnificent

  • Young

    Our island earth is small and fragile, just a dot in space. Earth is alive, we are of earth, and of the universe, and we are all connected. Experiencing earth from the perspective of space must evoke emotions of awe and humility that are indescribable.

  • Julius

    I definitely love your blog, it was soo amazing! Your site is a great find..

  • WalcottZelda

    Experiencing earth from the attitude of area must evoke feelings of awe and humility that are indescribable. It’s nicely beyond time to wrap our heads around the spaceship mom Earth concept; we have to all strive more difficult to get human beings to suppose lengthy-term, due to the fact Dissertation Help economic greed and civilization’s brief interest span is significantly mismatched with the tempo of humankind’s self-inflicted environmental troubles.

  • Gina Obrien

    Beautiful and so important. Trump and his cronies of denial and ignorance need expediently to be educated on the extreme importance of a healthy environment. They just don't care- so we must make them care- to act in favor of our planet!!

  • Barbara morgan

    A comment from a Montessori colleague about what is happening in the world today....and she suggested this amazing video...puts a lot into perspective for me. Everyone should view it and then step back and think about what we consider important and especially what we are doing to our beautiful planet! Thank you for this!

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  • sandy

    So much beauty and its being destroyed by man on a daily basis. We are but a small particle on this vast orbit.

  • Yoshie

    Our island earth is small and fragile, just a dot in space. Earth is alive, we are of earth, and of the universe, and we are all connected. Experiencing earth from the perspective of space must evoke emotions of awe and humility that are indescribable.

  • Star Gazer

    Where looking for more life in space...Maybe God wanted us to see what he gave us here on EARTH. Are we really capable of taking care of another planet? Look at what we're doing to are own beautiful World?

  • Nancy

    Er, Edgar Mitchell wasn't part of the Apollo 11 flight (Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in the LM, Michael Collins in the CM in orbit to pick them up...tough job!), unless he was part of the back-up crew. :-/ Other than that, this is awesome! :-)

  • Percy

    God so loved the WORLD, John 3:16.

  • Scott

    How simply complex the interrelationship is between all of us and what supports our existence. A potent reminder of our obligation to others and our home planet.

  • Kristin Pedemonti

    We are ALL Interconnected. Thank you for the beautiful reminder. <3

  • Spudnut

    The feeling of connection with the all that there is

  • Heather

    Thank you-this film brought tears to my eyes. I have been a member of the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) for many years now. It was started by astronaut Edgar Mitchell as a result of the spiritual epiphany he experienced on seeing our glorious planet from space for the first time. IONS website iswww.noetic.org. Please have a look at the extraordinary work IONS is doing to advance a new understanding of our place in the cosmos.

  • navin sata

    we are part of universe, we are made from universe,oneness of mankind mother earth..............I salute all those man and woman who have dedicated their life for this noble science ,all the astronauts of all the countries who have died in space program trgick accident,their life will be guiding light for future generation, just like international space station is many countries working together I wish all human family work together for mankind family one mothership earth we are all her children our father is infinite like sky without any boundries always love navinchandra

  • sandra

    Wonderful film this! Thank you! Dorothy was right, “There’s no place like home”. One People, One Planet (see astronaut Rusty Schweickert’s film by same name with beautiful photography of Earth taken from 1969 Apollo 9 flight; the original film was released in the mid-1970’s). Stewart Brand’s ‘Whole Earth Catalog’, published 1968, is another excellent example of how for 45 years folks have been attempting to educate the public that we are all in this together. It’s well past time to wrap our heads around the spaceship Mother Earth concept; we must all try harder to get people to think long-term, because financial greed and civilization’s short attention span is severely mismatched with the pace of humankind’s self-inflicted environmental problems. See also, God is a Verb by Buckminster Fuller: http://www.wholeearth.com/issue/1010/article/194/god.is.a.verb

  • Joe K

    It was a time when the entire nation was focused on something positive. We all had something in common. A far cry from what seems to be the norm today.

  • Catherindd

    This is one of the most beautiful, the most important videos I have ever seen. Thank you so much to the producers for creating it.

  • Steve

    The beautiful photos of the earth glorify its Creator. What an amazing and powerful God we have.

  • Sharon

    I have felt in my heart a tremendous pull from the universe; to be the best I can be so I can go out into the universe one day and am fascinated with expansion of myself and my mind. I am aware of my connection to all that is due to a near death experience. I long to be out there to explore all the diversity available in life!!

  • lynda leonard

    I would like to substitute the word regenerative for sustainability . The life force of cosmology is awe inspiring.

  • JAMES WARNER

    JUST LIFE ITSELF MAKE YOU LOVE IT MOORE & MOORE JUST LOOK THATS ALL

  • Jean

    Seeing is believing! Space is Spirit, Matter is crystallized Space, so indeed Matter is Crystallized Spirit. What a beautiful sight to recognize our self in spaceship Earth.

  • steve zimmett

    A great video. We are all in this together. I just wish everyone would see it that way. Amen

  • Brian

    Thanks Guys! 1world...sustainable solutions...everything we do has an effect one way or the other...Operation save Planet Earth...peace...1

  • Diane Bracy

    I think we all are overwhelmed at this shot , powerful , God's Creation ! how wonderful to see

  • Page 1

  • The "Overview Effect" was developed and coined by writer Frank White in his 1987 book of the same title.  Listen to a radio interview with Mr. White as he discusses our spiritual connection to space.
  • Enjoy International Space Station Commander Chris Hadfield's beautiful photographs from space and hear him express the "overview effect" in song from far above earth.
  • Look at the stars tonight (and imagine them looking back at you) while you ponder the words of Apollo 11 astronaut Edgar Mitchell that "we are stardust."

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