Growing up in the 1980s I loved nothing more than Star Wars!

The first Star Wars film, Episode IV – A New Hope was released in 1977, followed by Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back in 1980. The final film in the Original Trilogy was Episode VI – Return of the Jedi and this was released in 1983. I was lucky to be old enough to see this one at the cinema.

These three films followed the journey of Luke Skywalker to becoming a Jedi Knight, defeating the evil Darth Vader and thus destroying the evil Galactic Empire.

The Jedi were a group of robed monk like warriors who used “The Force” for good and to maintain peace throughout the galaxy while Darth Vader and the Emperor used “The Force” for evil.

The Force was also introduced as a mystical energy field. Obi-Wan Kenobi explained the force to Luke Skywalker as:

“It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together.”

The Force is also referred to as the dark and light sides. The villainous Sith (Darth Vadar) draw on the dark side to act aggressively while the Jedi use the light side for defence and peace.  This is very similar to Yin and Yang or Duality.

The Force could be described as being similar to Prana, Ki or Chi.  Those who were sensitive to The Force had special, psychic abilities such as telekinesis, mind control, and extrasensory perception.

Like many other people my age, I grew up dreaming of having these abilities.  These three films have become part of our culture.  Star Wars is regularly referenced in many other films and TV programs.

My favourite Star Wars reference is from the film Human Traffic (1999). This film is about five friends, Jip, Lulu, Koop, Nina and Moff enjoying a weekend partying. While incredibly high on drugs Moff has the epiphany “The Emperor… wants to conquer outer space. Yoda… wants to explore inner space.”

In 1999 the first of Prequel Trilogy, Episode I – The Phantom Menace was released. This was followed by Episode II – Attack of the Clones in 2002 and Episode III – Revenge of the Sith in 2006.

These three films were about the journey of Anakin Skywalker becoming a Jedi Knight, embracing his fear, descending to the Dark Side and finally his transformation into Darth Vader.

While the Prequel Trilogy in my opinion lacked the magic of the three Original Trilogy films, it also changed the overall plot of the six films. The complete story is now about Anakin Skywalker becoming a Jedi Knight, his transformation into Darth Vader, then re-embracing the Light Side and due to the love for his son sacrificing himself while killing the Emperor. His last breaths are spent as Anakin, looking at his son, Luke.

This is a very powerful example of love and forgiveness.

In 2015 Sequel trilogy started with Episode VII – The Force Awakens. In one of the trailers the first words were “there has been awakening. Have you felt it?”

At the time I was amazed by this! Recently I heard that a critical mass of people have spiritually awakened.  Once these people are fully awakened this will cause the awakening of the rest of the population. Essentially the Hundredth Monkey effect has occurred.

Could this be another example of life imitating art or is there a writer dropping hints?

Episode VIII – The Last Jedi is due to be released later this year and the first trailer is due anytime soon.

There are many theories on what will happen in the new film. One theory is that Rei or Ben Solo (Kylo Ren) will bring balance to The Force.  The Force would then be in unity!

Will the Star Wars universe be leaving duality?

If the Star Wars universe is leaving duality, will we soon be following too?

If we take the Human Traffic quote: “The Emperor… wants to conquer outer space. Yoda… wants to explore inner space.” and we remove the Light and Dark side (duality) then outer space and inner space will be in unity!

May the Force be in Unity with you!

 

Mark –The Alchemist’s Journey