MAY THE FORCE BE WITH US

In the early 1970s, a very young George Lucas made up a script that was every inch of his spiritual background: from Arthurian mysticism to Taoism through Zen philosophy.

He based the story partly in “The Hidden Fortress”, a classic film by Akira Kurosawa. The Japanese influence is also present in the handling of swords by the main characters, though this samurai wisdom do not only relate to martial arts only. Two unforgettable Masters, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda, teach the Eastern secrets of Force to a young Luke. The Jedi Knight played by Alec Guinness describes its essence:

“The Force is what gives the Jedi his power. An energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. Keeps the galaxy together.”

In another scene in the film, Obi-Wan Kenobi himself says: “In my experience there is no such thing as luck”.

What does he mean? Probably, what we call luck or chance is simply a function of unknown parameters. In other words, as the Jedi Knight takes control of the Force, he also chooses to summon courage, responsibility, humility, commitment, generosity or the defense of life and dignity and other virtues to transform reality and sow chances against marasmus or ignominy.

The other Master in the film, the beloved Yoda, also gives advise for the Jedi apprentice about negative emotions: “Anger, fear, aggression, the dark side of the Force are” and points out to fear as the main culprit of that abyss, as it “is the path to the dark side, fear leads to anger, anger to hate, hate is to suffer”.

Wise lessons in a film that was a landmark in entertainment cinema. Now that  economy and politics seem to have fallen on the dark side, more than ever we need Jedi knights, with intelligence and kindness as weapons, to extract the best from others.

To all who seek the light and the end of suffering caused by human greed and irresponsibility, may the force be with us.

Álex Rovira and Francesc Miralles