Explores how popular religions and philosophies have influenced and are manifested in the world of Star Wars.
You have watched Luke Skywalker destroy the Death Star in A New Hope, seen Yoda merge with the Force in Return of the Jedi, and heard Rey contact the Jedi of the past in The Rise of Skywalker. But did you know that the Star Wars films contain parallels to religions and philosophies from around the world--from Christianity to Buddhism, and from Native American teachings to the Vedic knowledge of ancient India?
In One with the Force: 18 Universal Truths in Star Wars, Krista Noble explores these parallels, starting with the profound similarities between the philosophy of Star Wars and Vedic knowledge. Noble compares the Force to Brahman, the light and dark sides of the Force to sattva and tamas, the Jedi to the ancient yogis, and more. She discusses the purpose of life, collective consciousness, enlightenment, and immortality, before revealing that the Star Wars films have a universal perspective on life. Readers will learn the connections between these films and the religions and philosophies of the East and West, including Buddhism, Taoism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Native American/First Nations traditions.
Ultimately, One with the Force collects 18 universal truths in Star Wars--principles that are "true for all time, all places, and all people." Readers will see that the philosophy of the Jedi does not only apply "in a galaxy far, far away," but is also highly relevant to everyday living. Like Luke Skywalker, everyone should search their feelings and discover the deepest truths of life, in pursuit of their individual destinies, while striving to reach their full potential as human beings. In these ways, readers will learn how to embody the wisdom of the Jedi.
Industry Reviews
Dr. Nobel's book brings the Star Wars saga to life for us, helping us to live its principles in the present by showing parallels between the concepts portrayed and the ancient knowledge of Vedic Science as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. She brilliantly explains the Force--the universal level of consciousness--and details the path available for through the practice of transcendental meditation for everyone to become a Jedi.
--Tara Schmid, Maharishi Vedic Science Researcher
An intriguing addition to Star Wars scholarship, which reveals the timeless substructure underpinning the space-age saga. If you watched the Star Wars movies with a feeling in your bones that you were seeing something unfold that was not merely the product of modern creative storytellers but something ancient and powerful, this book will tell you why.
--Joe Holland, Maharishi International University
This lucid study takes up a topic dear to my heart--the uses of fiction as a wisdom path--and traces essential principles from South Eastern and other traditions of wisdom and spirit appearing in Star Wars. The parallels mentioned by the author are evocative and even archetypal. The image of a path of spirituality emphasizing balance, experience, mindful action, and unity found in difference speaks strongly to our time of culture wars and increased questioning of traditional creeds.
--Craig Chalquist, PhD, author, "Soulmapper"
