#16,
June 9, 1999
(I
wrote this essay in 1986, during the Cold War. Now, while we view the new
"Stars Wars" episode and bombs rain down on the doorstep of the old
Evil Empire, it seemed a good time to take another look at the original film
trilogy.)
"Star
Wars," President Reagan's space-based defense shield, is in the news -- so
much, in fact, that Lucasfilm Ltd. tried to stop the mis-use of the phrase,
taken from his film of the same name.
But
why? Does young filmmaker George Lucas' vision really conflict with the dream
of President Reagan? Or could Lucas' laser-laced "Star Wars" film
offer an alternative to strategic weapons in space?
Perhaps
it's time for a closer-look at the fictional "Star Wars" as we
prepare to commit our future to the real thing.
The
first evidence of an alternative appears in "The Empire Strikes
Back," the second film of the space saga. Luke Skywalker, the young Jedi
Knight-aspirant, seeks wisdom from Yoda, whom he calls a "great
warrior."
But
Yoda quickly responds, "Hah! Wars do not make one great." The
greatness of a Jedi, we learn, comes from an ability to "control your
anger," to feel the Force flowing through and connecting to everyone and
everything.
Anger
and hatred blind the Jedi to that unity, creating the illusion that violence to
the "other" does not harm one's self and one's cause.
This
central principle of non-violence becomes clear in "Empire," when
Luke challenges the apparition of Darth Vader in the jungle cave. With an angry
swing of his light saber he brings Vader's head to the ground, only to see his
own face appear behind the black mask.
In
an instant, Luke learns what the evil Galactic Emperor has long known: The
"dark side" of the Force feeds on the anger and hatred of violence,
ultimately consuming whoever gives in to it.
Later,
Luke learns Vader is his father, who fell to the dark side when Luke was a
child. Thus, he realizes the only hope in defeating the darkness lies in
extending his love to Vader, appealing to the light that remains behind the black
mask.
At
the climax of "Return of the Jedi," the trilogy's last episode, enemy
starships clash while father and son cross sabers in a final duel. The action
dramatically symbolizes the real war of good against evil, which is waged
within the hearts of men.
At
the darkest, most desperate moment, the emperor sparks an explosion of Luke's
anger. Luke strikes, cutting off Vader's hand, just as Vader had done to Luke
in an earlier battle. That's the turning point for Luke and the rebellion.
Luke
looks at Vader's smoking stub and then at his own mechanical hand. Luke and his
enemy are one; he cannot kill his father and live. He drops his saber, for he
has conquered the dark side.
But
it is Luke's suffering at the hands of the Galactic Emperor, an act of powerful
non-violence reminiscent of Gandhi, that moves his father back to the light.
The Jedi return, not by the force of weapons, but by acts of compassion and
forgiveness.
Lucas'
"Star Wars" trilogy is a metaphor of war in the nuclear age. People
are dazzled by high-frontier technology, pursuing the illusory technical
solution to a problem of heart and mind. We severely limit our options by
clinging to the mindset that lets us see others only as evil imperialists whose
gain must come at our expense. Our "enemies" see the same in us, and
the spiral of darkness is reinforced.
The
survival of freedom, or even humanity, will no longer be assured through war.
It cannot be assured by pitting death star against death star. Technology has
made war an extinction mechanism.
To
survive, we must change ourselves and the way we think. We must learn to feel
the vast and timeless life force that dwells within everyone, regardless of
race, nationality or ideology. Equally important, we must act, applying our
compassion, creativity and courage to bring out the best in those with whom we
share Spaceship Earth.
The
great and enduring popularity of the "Star Wars" trilogy arises from
something deeper than special effects. We are drawn to Luke's heroic journey
because it reflects our own potential. We have the power to transform enemy to
ally and despair to hope, beginning with a decision to transform ourselves.
Preventing
real wars in the stars and ending Earth wars will require a heroic effort, by
hundreds, thousands, millions of individuals all over the world, rising from
the grassroots: the common humanity.
This
journey will not be easy, or without risk, for the darkness of violence is deep
and wide. But Luke Skywalker rose to meet the challenge, just as people through
history have risen above dark habits holding back the advancement of our
species: cannibalism, human sacrifice, slavery.
Like
Luke Skywalker, we can rise above violence and war. It's a new hope for the
survival of freedom and humanity.