Commitment, focus, and integrity are key requirements for waking up from the dream. A clear and uncompromising teacher can guide the student through the pitfalls of mind training. Coach Carter is such a teacher: demanding respect, honesty, and dedication from his basketball team. He provides a loving demonstration of clear-mindedness that is not always readily embraced by those who are used to thinking only about themselves and doing whatever they wish. The students in this tough inner city high school are undisciplined, unfocused, and, underneath it all, very frightened.

 

Coach Carter calls them to collaborate and promises that if they sign his contract, they will win games. The team members soon find out, however, that it is about something deeper: they are playing for their lives. Coach Carter knows that most of the young men in their neighborhood end up dead or in jail. He offers the boys a mind training program that allows them to move through their thoughts of fear, unworthiness, and lack—giving them a chance for a better life. Coach Carter is a symbol of forgiveness and love, seeing beyond what his students can see in the moment and having their best interests at heart.

 

This is a gem of a movie that will have you cheering on the sidelines. When the student is ready, the teacher appears. Love, worthiness, and humility lead the way. The old defenses, no longer needed, are laid aside and replaced by a true inner strength and gentleness of the Spirit.