When I was five years old I went to the cinema for the first time with my sister. I saw the first instalment of Star Wars. I still remember the opening scene when Darth Vader boards the rebel ship. For a long time he appeared to me as the scariest movie character ever. Then there was Princess Leia; I couldn’t take my eyes of her – the innocent fascination that only a 5-years old is capable of. Star Wars have become my favourite movie. I watched it many times growing up, peeling the layers of truth behind it. At first it was the Galaxy far, far away, a science-fiction dream of every young boy. For some reason I was always fascinated by space ships, star systems and galaxies. Then, there was the lightsaber “a weapon for more civilized times”. It wasn’t as crude as laser guns and blasters. It reflected the character of its owner, a Jedi Knight. You can imagine how much I wanted to be a Jedi, wield a powerful weapon and be respected wherever I go. The countless adventures on a board of the fastest starship in the galaxy.
Although I couldn’t put it in words back then, I always felt attraction towards Star Wars that was beyond the obvious. Have you ever thought why millions and millions of fans are so deeply, one may say religiously, attracted to the franchise? Why Star Wars became to many so much more than a movie? I guess, every fan has its own answer. At first you follow your eyes, mesmerised by the fast action and twists in the plot. The more you watch it the less you pay attention to the adventure itself and start recognising the underlying dynamic that governs it. Some may say it’s about the eternal battle between good and evil. A bad guy shows up ruling the first part of the movie and then the good guy makes his appearance and saves the day in the second part. Well, maybe. For me however the secret ingredient is THE FORCE.
Force […] a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes. Even between the land and the ship.
Yoda
I just came back from the cinema, 30 years after seeing Star Wars for the first time. I must confess I’m a bit shaken…not because the movie was good or bad, I let you judge it yourself, but because the emphasis on the force. Even Han Solo (played by Harrison Ford), who was always a non-believer, admits in the movie that the force it’s real!
The FORCE AWAKENS not only in the main character but in the whole franchise. I dare to say that if Star Wars admits to spirituality that we no longer have a choice but to admit that we also are “Luminous beings, not this crude matter”. The time has come to recognise our true nature and rich our full potential!
Rob Monroe in his books invites us to explore the nature of the reality in his famous affirmation:
I am more than my physical body. Because I am more than physical matter, I can perceive that which is greater than the physical world.
Even modern science recognises the role of consciousness and non-physical in the fabric of reality. The famous double-slit experiment that baffled Einstein and other scientists is one example. Emerge of quantum physics that explains so much and yet does not make any sense to many (not because is difficult to understand, it just does not make sense at times!). Every respected scientist (I’m talking nobel prize winners like Planck, Heisenberg and Schroedinger) admitted to existence of non-physical. So, how wide can you open your eyes? What is there, outside of the box? Are you not too afraid to look?
I invite you today to simply recognise the unknown, the mystery, the incomprehensible and sit quietly in its presence.
MASTER YODA MEDITATION (5-10 PRACTICE):
- Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed for the next couple of minutes.
- Sit or lie down so you feel comfortable. Close your eyes.
- Breathe deeply through your nose and on exhale release all the tension from your body. Take as many breaths as you need to relax.
- Tune into your body. Feel the blood flow, feel the breath, the heartbeat.
- Now expand your awareness outside of your body. Recognise the presence of the objects around you, the floor you are sitting on, the room. How do you connect with everything and everyone around you?
- With your eyes closed imagine a vibrant, white energy that surrounds your whole body. Imagine that energy expands and encloses everything around you. Imagine that energy being a binding force in the fabric of reality. Stay with it for a couple of minutes and enjoy the connection, knowing that you are a part of larger reality.
- Come back to your body. Take a couple of deep breaths.
- Bring your attention to your the centre of your heart and express gratitude for this time you’ve been given. Thank the Universe (perhaps send gratitude to the galaxy far, far away!).