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|  | The Jedi Philosophy – A Critical View
« Thread Started on Dec 26, 2006, 6:23pm » | |
For many people, the main appeal of George Lucas’ “Star Wars” movies is the “Jedi Way,” the philosophy/religion that guides the mystical Jedi knights. But where does this philosophy come from, and does it hold up under scrutiny?
At root, the Jedi Way is a synthesis of three Eastern religions or philosophies, with an overlay of courtly behavior drawn from the medieval knights of Europe.
The most important source for the Jedi Way is Taoism, an ancient Chinese philosophy whose name is generally translated as “the Way” or as “the Way of Nature.” The two main goals of Taoism are to achieve balance and to exist in harmony with nature (and with all living beings). There is no deity as such in Taoism, which conceptualizes ultimate reality as a primal energy. This energy is expressed in the world in the form of two equal and opposing forces, the “yin” or passive female force, and the “yang” or active male force. These forces are neither good nor evil, and what is desirable is that they be in balance at all times.
The tension between yin and yang creates “qi” (pronounced “chee” and sometimes transliterated as “chi”) or life energy. Qi is found in all things, but particularly living creatures. The manipulation of qi is at the root of many traditional Chinese practices including acupuncture, feng shui and tai chi. According to legend, command of qi flow (as practiced by “qigong” masters) brings many mystical powers similar to those of the Jedi, such as the ability to move objects with the mind. In the movies, the name of Jedi Master “Qui-Gon Jin” is probably a deliberate reference to “qi gong.”
More from this article to be found from http://kitoba.com/pedia/Jedi%20Philosophy.html:
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djo
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| | Re: The Jedi Philosophy – A Critical View
« Reply #1 on Jan 14, 2007, 3:42pm » | |
Hello,
While what you have said is somewhat accurate...you might be well informed that the Jedi parrallels are not solely eastern. Actually western occult tradition in particular Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Hermeticism, Christianity (mysticism) and Islam (mysticism) are all quite well represented in the Jedi.
Without going into too much detail...I think you will find that every culture on Earth has some notion of the Force...understood in some way...perhaps unique to their particular cultural conceptual viewpoint. The Force, as it were, is a common theme in every spiritual tradition by some name or another whether we are talking about shamanism, animism, polytheism, monotheism and so forth. It is all resolvable...being that all these various spiritualities are indeed branches of the same tree. It is all inter-related.
The real world Jedi that are currently called together to train and develop are a part of something much bigger in the scheme of things. There is a special kind of sanction granted to this undertaking...but the way is not easy...and the challenges will be great. Within the present ranks of real world Jedi are a few very special beings who bring great hope with them for humanity and its present levels of consciousness. This is not to say that the Jedi are the only ones who have beings such as this. Though be encouraged. Those of you who are sincere are being guided in your callings...nothing you do is a coincidence without inherent meaning. Many are called...few are chosen. Consider your calling and subsequent training to be a process of selection.
May the Force be with you. Peace.
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neo
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| | Re: The Jedi Philosophy – A Critical View
« Reply #2 on Jan 19, 2007, 1:45pm » | |
where did i read this One Religion thing and some Bible prophecy about that it is a sign of catastrophies on this planet.
Seems like the Force is this one religion uniting all concepts. at least it does fits for it.
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JeRegretRiens
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| | Re: The Jedi Philosophy – A Critical View
« Reply #3 on Jan 8, 2009, 5:29am » | |
Admittedly, I haven't done enough research to chip in as a terribly competant person, but I'll offer up my two pence anyway. I see a lot of representation for the Eastern Philosophies, but also influence from older Western mysticism as well. Not much from -modern- Western religion, which is probably why it gets discounted a lot of the time. I think a lot of it is that Western thinking is totally divided nowadays--Religion is supreme, Science is from the Devil; or alternately, Science is supreme, Religion is just superstition--whereas the Eastern way of thought meshes the two easily.
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Empress Palpatine
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| | Re: The Jedi Philosophy – A Critical View
« Reply #4 on Jan 8, 2009, 12:15pm » | |
I think a lot of it comes from Freemasonry which is an eastern and western mix.
The west does seem to have a habit of dividing things. It is either this or it is that. I like 19th century (or even earlier) scientists because the division between science and spiritual is not so strict.
Galvani experimented with what orientals would call chi:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvani
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"The most virulent poisons are the most sovereign remedies, when given in due proportion. The Evil is the shadow of the Good, and inseparable from it." Albert Pike |
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JeRegretRiens
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| | Re: The Jedi Philosophy – A Critical View
« Reply #5 on Jan 8, 2009, 6:45pm » | |
Mn, a parallel between bioelectricity and chi? Now there's a connection I wish we could look more indepth into.
I don't know too much about freemasonry. Time for more research, I guess.
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