One with the Force: 18 Universal Truths in Star Wars

by Krista Noble

Overview

Explores how popular religions and philosophies have influenced and are manifested in the world of Star Wars.

You have watched Luke Skywalker destroy the Death Star in A New Hope, seen Yoda merge with the Force in Return of the Jedi, and heard Rey contact the Jedi of the past in The Rise of Skywalker. But did you know that the Star Wars films contain parallels to religions and philosophies from around the world-from Christianity to Buddhism, and from Native American teachings to the Vedic knowledge of ancient India?

In One with the Force: 18 Universal Truths in Star Wars, Krista Noble explores these parallels. She discusses the Force, collective consciousness, enlightenment, and immortality, revealing that the Star Wars films have a universal perspective on life. Readers will learn about the connections between these films and the Vedic tradition, Buddhism, Taoism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Native American/First Nations beliefs. They will see that the philosophy of the Jedi doesn't only apply “in a galaxy far, far away”; it is also highly relevant to everyday living. Like Luke Skywalker, we should all search our feelings to discover the deepest truths of life, pursue our individual destinies, and strive to reach our full potential as human beings. In these ways, we can embody the wisdom of the Jedi.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538198711
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/19/2024
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Krista Noble, PhD, is an expert on the Consciousness-BasedSM Vedic paradigm and received Maharishi International University's Veda Vyasa Award. She is also a lifetime member of the World Association for Vedic Studies. Dr. Noble is a professor of Vedic studies at Maharishi International University and at the Holmes Institute. In addition, she has taught this subject at the University of Philosophical Research. Dr. Noble has published works in the proceedings of the 2018 international World Association for Vedic Studies conference and the 2022 international Science of Consciousness conference. Her writings have appeared in national magazines and literary journals, including New Age Journal, Nature Friend, Grit, Farm & Ranch Living, Countryside, Home Educator's Family Times, The Penwood Review, WestWard Quarterly, The Storyteller, Ceremony, The Acorn, and Advocate: P.K.A.'s Publication.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Part I. The Wisdom of the East in Star Wars
Chapter 1. Setting the Scene
Chapter 2. The Force and Universal Consciousness (Brahman)
Chapter 3. Light, Darkness, Sattva, and Tamas
Chapter 4. Balance and Dharma
Chapter 5. Mind-to-Mind Effects and Collective Consciousness
Chapter 6. Death and Immortality
Chapter 7. Purpose, Karma, and Right Action
Chapter 8. Intuition and Non-Attachment
Chapter 9. Knowledge and Strength of Mind
Chapter 10. Our True Nature
Part II. Universal Truths in Star Wars
Chapter 11. The Blind Men and the Elephant
Chapter 12. Opposites and Balance
Chapter 13. Death, Immortality, and Purpose
Chapter 14. Selflessness, Right Action, and Karma
Chapter 15. Intuition, Non-Attachment, and Positivity
Chapter 16. Knowledge and Strength of Mind
Chapter 17. Spirituality and Redemption
Chapter 18. The Big Picture
Appendix A. Different Styles of Meditation
Appendix B. Scientific Studies
Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the Author

Editorial Reviews

An intriguing addition to Star Wars scholarship, which reveals the timeless substructure underpinning the space-age saga. If you watched the Star Wars movies with a feeling in your bones that you were seeing something unfold that was not merely the product of modern creative storytellers but something ancient and powerful, this book will tell you why.” —Joe Holland, Maharishi International University

“One with the Force reveals why Star Wars touches the souls of its fans, showing that this iconic film series has much more to it than meets the eye. Noble's book expounds on the universal principles in Star Wars that inspire us and sustain the cosmos.” —Marci Shimoff, #1 New York Times-bestselling author, “Happy for No Reason” and “Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul”

“Fascinating, thought-provoking, insightful, memorable, and a fun read from start to finish, One with the Force: 18 Universal Truths in Star Wars by Krista Nobel is a unique and welcome pick for community and college/university library Philosophy, Religion, and Cinematic History collections and supplemental Contemporary Popular Culture curriculums. A 'must' for the legions of dedicated Star Wars fans.” —Midwest Book Review

“This lucid study takes up a topic dear to my heart-the uses of fiction as a wisdom path-and traces essential principles from South Eastern and other traditions of wisdom and spirit appearing in Star Wars. The parallels mentioned by the author are evocative and even archetypal. The image of a path of spirituality emphasizing balance, experience, mindful action, and unity found in difference speaks strongly to our time of culture wars and increased questioning of traditional creeds.” —Craig Chalquist, PhD, author, “Soulmapper”

“Krista Noble's insightful presentation of the Star Wars trilogy highlights and magnifies the inherent nobility of this blockbuster film series, as she unearths and identifies age-old universal principles of life and living embedded in the story. Noble's book provides a happy hunting ground for exploring the profound truths of the world's cultural, spiritual, and religious traditions. A magnificent read!” —Judy Booth, PhD, former faculty member and advisor, Maharishi International University

“This is a provocative work that will thrill Star Wars fans and those who have a passion for Eastern philosophy.” —B. Steven Verney, author of “The Best of All Possible Worlds”

From the Publisher

An intriguing addition to Star Wars scholarship, which reveals the timeless substructure underpinning the space-age saga. If you watched the Star Wars movies with a feeling in your bones that you were seeing something unfold that was not merely the product of modern creative storytellers but something ancient and powerful, this book will tell you why.

Joe Holland

One with the Force reveals why Star Wars touches the souls of its fans, showing that this iconic film series has much more to it than meets the eye. Noble’s book expounds on the universal principles in Star Wars that inspire us and sustain the cosmos.

Marci Shimoff

This is a provocative work that will thrill Star Wars fans and those who have a passion for Eastern philosophy.

B. Steven Verney

This lucid study takes up a topic dear to my heart—the uses of fiction as a wisdom path—and traces essential principles from South Eastern and other traditions of wisdom and spirit appearing in Star Wars. The parallels mentioned by the author are evocative and even archetypal. The image of a path of spirituality emphasizing balance, experience, mindful action, and unity found in difference speaks strongly to our time of culture wars and increased questioning of traditional creeds.

Craig Chalquist

Krista Noble#39;s insightful presentation of the Star Wars trilogy highlights and magnifies the inherent nobility of this blockbuster film series, as she unearths and identifies age-old universal principles of life and living embedded in the story. Noble#39;s book provides a happy hunting ground for exploring the profound truths of the world#39;s cultural, spiritual, and religious traditions. A magnificent read!

Judy Booth

Dr. Nobel’s book brings the Star Wars saga to life for us, helping us to live its principles in the present by showing parallels between the concepts portrayed and the ancient knowledge of Vedic Science as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. She brilliantly explains the Force—the universal level of consciousness—and details the path available for through the practice of transcendental meditation for everyone to become a Jedi.

Tara Schmid