Complete, Star Wars is

Star Wars is now complete. I rejoice in the amazing and elaborate story that somehow came out of George Lucas' head. A boy was found, then lost, then found a son and found himself. I have already seen 'Episode 3' two times, and it’s been out for less than a week. My roommate had never seen any of the Star Wars movies before he met me. After a week or so of "Star Wars education'"(it included watching all 6 movies and almost buying some toys- we didn't ,thank god)- My dreams have been inevitably taken over by lightsaber duels. I find myself sensing my way through the day and sometimes think about what Yoda would say. (Sacred wisdom, he would give me). The truth is that Star Wars is a very complete and elaborate story. It connects with people in very many different levels. Even if you have never seen any of the movies, you will at some point be draged to the theater by someone who has. I've dragged many people already. And some of those people have dragged other people and so on.

THE STORY-
The story follows the life of Anakin Skywalker. It starts with his discovery in a remote planet where he and his mom are slaves. There is talk of a prophecy that says the boy will "bring balance to the force". We are shown Anakin's shaky Jedi training. He has much fear. He is immature, arrogant, and impatient. He feels unappreciated by the Jedi Masters. He is attached emotionally to a girl-(something forbidden by the Jedi code). He is manipulated into turning to the "dark side" by a "Sith lord". A man set on turning the Galactic Republic (that is set in a democratic system of senators representing planets and so on), into an empire where he will be the supreme ruler. The Sith Lord knows Anakin is young and can be easily swayed by the "seductive dark side". He is constantly reminding Anakin of all the ways the Jedi masters are being unfair to him. This leads Anakin to join the "Dark side" and his name is changed to "Darth Vader".

A NEW HOPE-
The second part of the story- The original trilogy (Episodes 4,5,and6) Focus on Anakin's twin children. The children that were hidden from him when they were born because it was at that time that Anakin was transforming into Vader. Luke Skywalker (Vader's son) follows in the foot steps of his father and starts Jedi training. He believes his dad is dead and finds the disturbing truth from his father in probably the most well-known Star Wars quote- "Luke, I am your Father"( I saw this episode a couple of days ago and was surprised to see that this famous quote is never actually mentioned. Vader says "I am your father" - but not in the way that has been parodied over and over). He also discovers that princess Leia is his sister and audiences cringe because the 2 characters had smooched earlier in the series. "They didn't know!"- George Lucas mentioned in defense. All in all young Luke Skywalker manages to bring out the human side of father Darth Vader and in the end the prophecy really does get fulfilled. He does bring balance to the force and ends up taking his last breaths as a Jedi.

THAT'S THE MAIN STORY
In between all that there are political messages and timeless spiritual wisdom. The Jedi training offers many New Age concepts and eastern advice. It can almost make you wish you could go through Jedi training yourself. In these times of spiritual search, many people will find themselves drawn to the spiritual life the Jedis model. They are taught to quiet their minds and practice listening and feeling the "force" flowing through them. This is already a concept that someone who practices meditation regularly can easily relate to. The Jedis use psychic abilities, they "feel" and "sense" things around them. They are always calm and fearless. Their fearlessness is based in confidence, not in arrogant foolishness.( A trait of the dark side, that would be). My favorite character throughout the whole series is Yoda. And for those of you who don't know who he is, he is the backwards-talking little green dude. He is the wisest of the Jedis and provides most of the teachings that form the bulk of the Jedi training.

STAR WARS QUOTES-
When talking about death Yoda says:
"Rejoice for those who have crossed into the force. Mourn them, do not. Miss them, do not."

In episode 3 he mentions:
"Train yourself to let go of those things you fear to lose"
In a scene with Luke where he is being trained as a Jedi, Luke is told to lift his plane out of a swamp using the force.
Luke: "I’ll try"
Yoda: "Don't try. DO...or do not"
Luke starts lifting the plane but fails and the plane slips back into the swamp.
Luke: "I can't. It's too heavy"
Yoda: "Judge me by my size, do you?"
Yoda goes on to lift the plane out of the swamp and place it safely on the ground.
Luke: "I don't believe it"
Yoda: "That is why you fail"

The Jedis teach that the Force' is one with everything. You can train yourself to be aware of this connection, and confident faith with manifest your reality. In our current times, we've had many references to this exact principle. Most recently the documentary "What that Bleep do we know?" in which a team of scientists explore quantum physics and conclude that we are in fact part of an universal field( or force, if you will) that literally responds to your expectations and creates what you believe. We therefore are manifesting our own reality with our thoughts and expectations. This is the same "power" that the Jedis develop and use for the greater good. The movies show what can happen when fear rules your decisions (cloud your judgment, it does) and provides a governmental system that could be very fruitful should it ever find its way into our reality.

STRONG, THE FORCE IS
This movie and its success is validation to the growing awareness and need for people to find their truth. We are all going through some sort of training, and although not all training will lead to us being able to fly in lightsaber encounters, they will lead us to a new place. We should embrace this new place we are going to. Fear it, we should not. Humanity is going through some rapid changes and we all "sense it" in some way or another.

May the force be with you.