Star Wars

This is perhaps one of the most loved and popular films of All times. It’s a cult film with a fan following that defies logic. Now, since I don’t live in a well or rather that my well has a good healthy radius I too had heard of this and though for some strange reason or the other hadn’t managed to watch the entire series, had seen enough in snippets to know its jist.

Now when Star Movies(a while ago) decided to show all the Episodes “In Order” someone like me couldn’t have been more excited. Finally, I figured I could actually see what the hype was all about, I presumed it was just the camera tricks and laser fights which caused the frenzy. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. It is conceptually perfect. George Lucas got it bang on right. I found the concept of the Jedi warrior more real than anything else. It is always the truth in fiction that makes them so endearing. If we see the teaching they preach it is the very same that is written in the Holy Scriptures. One must know no fear, fear leads to anger, jealousy & aggression. Isn’t this very often the premise of most paths? In my opinion, it is a resounding yes.

Now the basic concept is this: In the future to come there exists society with democracy ruling and the Jedi’s maintaining peace in the galaxy. The Jedi are a group of chosen people who are trained from a very young age to become the guardians of peace. They are people with whom the Force is particularly strong. They are exceedingly wise, strong and just. But, no matter how advanced this race is, the dark side still exists. And its lure is stronger and more apparent than before. When this very dark side begins to cloud the Jedi the problems begin and they cannot see the Evil force which exists right before them in the Dark Lord.

Then we begin to see the true meanings of the Jedi teachings and why attachment is the root of all problems. We see a truly gifted young one turn to the wrong side because of the very exalted emotion we call “Love”. There is a dialogue between Aniken & Padame in Episode III which I find exceedingly poignant
A: “ You are so beautiful”.
P: “ I am only so, because I am in Love”
A: “No, you are, because I am so in Love with you”

That I thought was more often than not, very true. We so often color everything with our emotions. When we are happy everything is yellow and lovely and when we are melancholy everything is blue and dark.
We then see how Ani becomes Darth Vader, how Padame dies and the birth of their twins who then restore the balance that Vader had shaken.

Darth Vader we then realize was not born a monster (as is generally the case), it was when his belief’s were shaken that he began to turn. The tragedy of his mother, his deep attachments, their tragic demise and his loss of faith in the Jedi cult became his undoing.

With the light speed with which we are advancing, the Star Wars kind of world doesn’t really seem so distant. We seem to be taking giant technological leaps with each passing year and as for our spiritual ones, the bridges are already built & are awaiting those brave enough to tread and cross over to the other side. May the Force be with us all.