Star Wars: Words of Wisdom

When Star Wars first came out, I thought the best part was the spaceships.

As I grew older, and became interested in the martial arts, the Jedi and their light sabers took center stage.

Later, as my interest in martial arts turned from the physical to the mental and philosophical, I focused on the words of the Jedi—Yoda and Obi-Wan, in particular.

Luke: "Okay, I'll give it a try."

Yoda: "No. Try not. Do, do. Or do not. There is no try."

What Yoda is teaching is akin to the practice of Zen—do not think; do not not-think. Act without doing. Work without effort.

Some of you are probably snickering. "That doesn’t make any sense!" I can hear you saying. But it does make sense—if you think about it in the right way.

Luke: "I don't believe it!"

Yoda: "That is why you fail."

Now, wisdom from Obi-Wan.

"You're going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our point of view."

From your point of view, the Zen way of thinking makes no sense. And that's OK. You must follow your own path. I will follow mine.

More from Yoda.

Luke: "But how am I to know the good side from the bad?"

Yoda: "You will know when you are at peace…calm, passive."

You'll get nowhere if your mind is littered with emotions and thoughts. Discard them. Empty your cup, so that it may be filled.

Which brings me to the reason I decided to write this piece. As I was reading a computer gaming magazine (the publishers saw fit to give me a free 1 year subscription to a magazine about non-PC games, without my asking for it. Go figure.), I saw an ad for a new Star Wars game, which contained more words of wisdom (in the background, of all places!)

There is no emotion, there is peace
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge
There is no passion, there is serenity
There is no death, there is only the Force
Jedi are guardians of peace in the galaxy
Jedi use their powers to defend and protect,
never to attack others
Jedi respect all life, in any form
Jedi serve others rather than ruling over
them, for the good of the galaxy
Jedi seek to improve themselves through
knowledge and training

I immediately sat down and copied the words into a file. This is the Jedi creed, one which (for the most part), I live by.

OK, I hear you! Stop shouting! I know it's just a movie. But take wisdom from wherever you find it—even movies.

Page last updated 2012-03-29