Star Words: Episode V, Part 25
Jun. 11th, 2020 11:14 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
And now we come to one of my favorite scenes in the entire saga.
Luke is in the midst of his training, which in this case involves both physical and metaphysical exertion. It would surely be challenging enough to stand upside-down on his hands with the additional weight of Yoda himself on top, but Luke is also practicing his telekinesis by levitating rocks. He's already come a long way from struggling to budge his lightsaber in the ice cave.
Still needs to work on his focus, though. Artoo's frantic beeps are enough to send him, and hence his master, toppling to the ground. Let's take a moment to appreciate that marvelous visual:
"Concentraaaaaate!"

Okay, okay. That's not the line I'm actually going to explore today, even if the image is delightful. It's after Luke realizes his ship has fully sunk into the swamp and despairs of ever getting it out. I mean, this is a pretty serious issue. Without a ship, he's trapped on Dagobah for good (unless he has sufficient equipment to contact someone off-planet, but that's all idle speculation). Yoda counters his assumption with quiet weariness. So certain are you? Always with you it cannot be done. Hear you nothing that I say?
Luke is confused, then incredulous as he realizes Yoda's meaning. He's used the Force to move rocks; why not his ship? Because his ship is a thousands of times bigger, right? It's totally different.
"No. No different. Only different in your mind."

You'd better buckle in, because this scene is going to yield more than a few entries. This is the core of Yoda's teachings, the paradigm shifts he requires of his students. You must stop thinking of things in terms of their physical qualities. Comprehending the physical world is only the beginning of understanding, and remaining within its limited strictures will only hamper one's progress in the spiritual realm. Those differences that seem so vast and important are only granted power as long as we believe they are significant. Let go of those assumptions, and we are freed to see a much wider view of the universe.
Now, we're unlikely to access the power of levitation and such other fantastic abilities in our own lives. We can, however, transcend the mundane and the literal through a change of mindset. I'm a big believer in the power of symbols. My very enjoyment of the Star Wars saga springs from the power of its metaphor. Luke is a intergalactic hero who destroys massive space stations, battles dire villains in laser-sword duels, and wields arcane powers beyond comprehension. I'm an unassuming writer, wife and mother living in a quiet neighborhood; I've never even been past the borders of my own country. That's totally different.
No. Only different in my mind. And within my mind, I can see the parallels of Luke's struggles with my own. As I strive to raise my children to be capable and kind, particularly a son with significant disabilities. As I dream of creating art that is meaningful, powerful and life-changing. As I try every day to be a better person, more resilient, more empathetic, more optimistic. Everything shifts from the mundane to the epic. Because the only difference between the mundane and the epic is within one's own mind.
Next, more wisdom from Yoda.....
Luke is in the midst of his training, which in this case involves both physical and metaphysical exertion. It would surely be challenging enough to stand upside-down on his hands with the additional weight of Yoda himself on top, but Luke is also practicing his telekinesis by levitating rocks. He's already come a long way from struggling to budge his lightsaber in the ice cave.
Still needs to work on his focus, though. Artoo's frantic beeps are enough to send him, and hence his master, toppling to the ground. Let's take a moment to appreciate that marvelous visual:
"Concentraaaaaate!"

Okay, okay. That's not the line I'm actually going to explore today, even if the image is delightful. It's after Luke realizes his ship has fully sunk into the swamp and despairs of ever getting it out. I mean, this is a pretty serious issue. Without a ship, he's trapped on Dagobah for good (unless he has sufficient equipment to contact someone off-planet, but that's all idle speculation). Yoda counters his assumption with quiet weariness. So certain are you? Always with you it cannot be done. Hear you nothing that I say?
Luke is confused, then incredulous as he realizes Yoda's meaning. He's used the Force to move rocks; why not his ship? Because his ship is a thousands of times bigger, right? It's totally different.
"No. No different. Only different in your mind."

You'd better buckle in, because this scene is going to yield more than a few entries. This is the core of Yoda's teachings, the paradigm shifts he requires of his students. You must stop thinking of things in terms of their physical qualities. Comprehending the physical world is only the beginning of understanding, and remaining within its limited strictures will only hamper one's progress in the spiritual realm. Those differences that seem so vast and important are only granted power as long as we believe they are significant. Let go of those assumptions, and we are freed to see a much wider view of the universe.
Now, we're unlikely to access the power of levitation and such other fantastic abilities in our own lives. We can, however, transcend the mundane and the literal through a change of mindset. I'm a big believer in the power of symbols. My very enjoyment of the Star Wars saga springs from the power of its metaphor. Luke is a intergalactic hero who destroys massive space stations, battles dire villains in laser-sword duels, and wields arcane powers beyond comprehension. I'm an unassuming writer, wife and mother living in a quiet neighborhood; I've never even been past the borders of my own country. That's totally different.
No. Only different in my mind. And within my mind, I can see the parallels of Luke's struggles with my own. As I strive to raise my children to be capable and kind, particularly a son with significant disabilities. As I dream of creating art that is meaningful, powerful and life-changing. As I try every day to be a better person, more resilient, more empathetic, more optimistic. Everything shifts from the mundane to the epic. Because the only difference between the mundane and the epic is within one's own mind.
Next, more wisdom from Yoda.....