Most movies revolve around human notions of good and evil, at least to some extent, but the Star Wars saga stands head-and-shoulders above the rest. Its enduring appeal, however, lies more in its deep spiritual underpinnings, which explore ancient truths that mainstream religion has conveniently forgotten. Interestingly, in a 2011 UK census, 177,000 people declared themselves as Jedi in the religion section, making it the seventh most popular faith.

Unfortunately, although somewhat predictably, Star Wars presents light and dark in terms of good and evil behaviour, rather than what these words actually signify: Truth and Illusion. Human behaviour — which at the extreme ends of the spectrum make for a great movie — is certainly relevant, but we live in a world of grey, where few things are as black and white as we might like to believe. And even if they are, for a particular culture or generation, they seldom stay that way indefinitely. Indeed, if we look at human history, we find that misguided do-gooders have actually been responsible for the vast majority of ‘evil’ in the world. You might like to think about this phenomenon with respect to your own life. For example, has your suffering been predominantly the result of malicious acts towards you… or something else?

In the Beginning…

Of course, the ultimate Star Wars prequel would have to take us back to where it all began: The light of Consciousness itself. For then we would see that darkness, by comparison, is not a ‘thing’, in its own right, but merely the absence of light; the absence of truth. Or, in other words… illusion (Maya). Illusion itself isn’t darkness, but it becomes darkness when it’s believed in and mistaken for reality. And that’s exactly what’s happened here, on planet Earth.

The Jedi do not recognise any god. If we hypothesize one, however (in the traditional sense of the word), then consciousness is not something that even God could have chosen; since, obviously, one would have to be conscious in order to make a conscious choice. That being the case, Consciousness can only be the uncreated ground of being. It’s not something that individuals ‘possess’, as they might like to believe, but it’s certainly something that can expand; not, however, as the result of faith or ‘good actions’, but rather when the shutters of one’s mind begin to open. That is to say, when illusions are seen through.

Cosmic Existentialism

As humans we don’t tend to see consciousness as being a problem, since we obviously wouldn’t exist without it. Indeed, most people fear death and attempt to extend their conscious experience of life. And that’s really quite ironic, because Consciousness (being eternal) is very much a problem. As we’ve already established, no one has ever chosen to be conscious; it’s just something that we all have to deal with… forever. And that pretty much explains why lucidity (the awakened state) is undesirable for most people. Truth simply can’t offer them what illusion can.

Killing Time

In the absence of distraction or perceived meaning (which is what this is all about), people will quickly become bored, despairing and even suicidal. Strange, isn’t it, that our natural state is so painfully uncomfortable? In fact, it’s so uncomfortable that solitary confinement is considered a form of torture. Why is that, do you think? I mean, why can’t we find contentment in simply being, without the need for anything “external?” It’s really quite sad that most people can’t even be with themselves for a few minutes, in a waiting room, before reaching for some faded magazine to help pass the time.

As humans we may like to differentiate between work time and leisure time; meaningful pursuits and frivolous distractions. But these are just different labels, not different phenomena. And if we peel those labels away, we find that they’re covering the same one problem that we’ve always had and always will have: eternal consciousness and what to do with it. We’re all essentially engaged in a game of “let’s pretend,” only we’ve forgotten (or have chosen to forget) that we’re just pretending.

The Force Awakens

A real Jedi doesn’t battle the forces of darkness head-on. What would be the point? Instead, a Jedi uses his skills to liberate those who are beginning to awaken (that is to say, see through the illusion). This awakening only becomes a ‘rebellion within the Empire’ when enough individuals see that Empire (of illusion) for what it truly is; and, more to the point, transcend their need for it. This is rather different from the more obscure kind of awakening that might be spoken of in various spiritual/New Age contexts. I mean, this is the real deal. One can’t go any further than this. Ultimately, it’s why I am here, now, writing this article, and why you are here, now, reading it.

“Crazy thing is… it’s true. The Force, the Jedi. All of it. It’s all true.”

Han Solo, The Force Awakens