Things That Star Wars Has Taught Me
April 13th, 2008
I’m a massive Star Wars fan. I grew on the original trilogy of films when I was a small boy and have continued my love affair with George Lucas’ most recent offerings Episodes 1- 3. As a Sci-Fi fantasy saga it is unrivalled in my opinion and is an amazing body of work. Not only that but there are also loads of guys running around with LightSabers!!! How cool are they?! I was in my element when in The Phantom Menace there was a Sith Lord who fought with a double ended LightSaber.
I was thinking the other day that Star Wars is not just a set of films that I love to watch and have grown up with but it has also taught me a great deal about life. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 31 years you’ll be familiar with the Star Wars Saga and Jedi Knights but for all of you who have no idea what I’m talking about go jump on Wikipedia before you continue reading.
The Jedi Knights, the Jedi Order, and the Jedi Code of Ethics have shown me many things that can be followed by anyone wishing to lead a life of purpose and harmony like I try to do. I’ll discuss only a few in this post.
Fostering the Light Side of the Force
The Jedi encourage the fostering of the good (light) side of the force, which centres on things like friendship, loyalty, courage, compassion, and heroism. Like most warriors found in world history the Jedi are very courageous and fight for good over evil however the Jedi are also compassionate and respectful to all living things, in any form. Jedi’s focus there minds on the Light Side of the Force and try to avoid the many traits that make up the Dark Side of the Force, including anger, hate, and fear. These lead to suffering and are therefore avoided.
You can foster these attributes as well by focussing your energy on establishing and maintaining friendships, being eternally loyal especially to those you care for, and be compassionate to all living things.
To Serve and Protect
The Jedi Code, that by which all Jedi live their lives, states that a Jedi should only use their powers to protect and defend, not to attack others and that they should serves others rather than ruling over them. The Jedi’s link to the living Force around them means they are holders of a great power. The constant training they put themselves through only increases the effectiveness of this power, so to misuse it would be wrong. They are also duty bound to serve the public so that they may bring balance (good) to the universe.
You may have powers and gifts yourself. Powers of persuasion, perception, and understanding and you should only uses these for good and the benefit of others. Using your powers and gifts for selfish ends will not bring harmony and peace to your life only suffering. You can easily do this by devoting part of your life to a public service that will support or even motivate your community.
A Life of Learning.
A Jedi knows that to master the Force and to properly serve the Galaxy he or she should seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training. The Jedi learn about everything they can, not just their skills with a LightSaber but also diplomacy, language, spiritual understanding, spaceships, star systems, races, and much more. With knowledge also comes great power and because of this the Jedi only use their power for benefit of others and not themselves. This devotion to learning is even stated in the Code of Ethics.
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
You to can live a life of learning and knowledge. There is always something to learn and you can never have too much information. If you ever find that you have learnt everything you will come to realise that you have really learnt nothing. To become a master of your own field of expertise you must learn everything you can and train your brain and your body to increase your mastery.
Be Calm and Pay Little Attention to Your Anxieties.
A Jedi is always calm, even when faced with adversity. Jedi Knights have both a calm body and a calm mind choosing to still their mind so that they may think clearly when necessary. A Jedi is also mindful of their thought so that they don’t be come distracted by fear and anxiety.
You can also learn to quieten your mind through stillness and meditation which will allow you think clearly as well as allowing you to experience a more peaceful existence. I’m not an expert in meditation, in fact I am still learning how to meditation properly, but there are some great blogs and websites out there which will help.
And Finally…
Good always triumphs over evil. Even when all seems lost in Star Wars good overcomes and wins the day. This is an important point to remember; even when bad and evil things happen in your life, good will always overcome.
Time to Start Your Jedi Training?
Is it about time your started to focus on the good side of life rather than the bad? Are you always feeling drained by your fears and anxieties as well as feeling stressed by anger and hate? Then maybe its time you started to live a little more like a Jedi Knight.
“Training to become a Jedi is not an easy challenge and even if you suceed, it is a hard life.” Qui-Gon Jinn (Phantom Menace)
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April 14th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Hmm, stuff SW has taught me… too much to remember off the top of my head! Here are a couple:
1. “Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter.” - Yoda, Ep. V
2. “Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them, do not. Miss them, do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is.” - Yoda, Ep. III
3. “Luke, you’re going to find that many of the
truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point
of view.” - Obi-Wan, Ep. VI
4. “All those who gain power are afraid to lose it.” - Palpatine, Ep. III
April 15th, 2008 at 1:36 am
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April 15th, 2008 at 3:24 am
Star Wars has taught me quite a bit.
Through pondering the spiritual issues in the films and doing a lot of other reading, uber-villains like Palpatine and Anakin Skywalker have taught me an awful lot about what is happening in the minds of human beings who do evil things and how people like this should best be approached.
It’s hard to go into much detail on a blog comment, but suffice it to say that the Star Wars universe contains much sadly untapped wisdom.
April 15th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I appreciate the wisdom the author has shared with us. I, too, grew up with these movies. When Yoda spoke his wise words in Dagobah, I knew there was more to it than just fantasy … even as a child. Like the author, I have studied to seek more knowledge in hoping to increase my wisdom. I hope all reading these following old writings find they compliment what the author has shared with us.
(1) Fostering the Light Side of the Force
“You can foster these attributes as well by focussing your energy on establishing and maintaining friendships, being eternally loyal especially to those you care for, and be compassionate to all living things.”
John 13:34&35 A new commandment I give unto, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love on another.
Galations 5:22&23 But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, FAITH, MEEKNESS, TEMPERANCE: against such there is no law.
(2) To Serve and Protect
Romans 12:1&2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Ephesians 6:10-19 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
(3) A Life of Learning.
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
2 Timothy 2:15&16 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
2 Peter 3:17&18 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
(4) Be Calm and Pay Little Attention to Your Anxieties. [Meditation is addressed by author here.]
Philippians 4:6 – Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be made known unto God.
IMO: PRAYER is speaking freely to the Lord as with a parent or friend, no memorizing or repetition required. After all, He can be your best friend and Heavenly Father! SUPPLICATION is expressing needs and wants. THANKSGIVING is count your blessings - giving thanks - and letting the Lord know how happy and thankful you are.
(5) And Finally…Good always triumphs over evil.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
(6) Time to Start Your Jedi Training?
Matthew 11:28&29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
John 10:10&11 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
(7) Qui-Gon’s quote
2 Timothy 3:12-15
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
God Bless, JJJ
April 15th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Oops, I misquoted my first reference …
John 13:34&35 A new commandment I give unto, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love ONE another.