Why is Star Wars So Popular? Because It’s a Spiritual Film Experience [VIDEO]

It's so much more than just a movie.

Buy why?

It's because it has a basis, a root, an anchor in something much bigger than itself.

The Force, a central aspect and theme of Star Wars, takes the film series to a new level. This is a battle between good and evil on the biggest stage possible. They are fighting for all the marbles. Only one can win, good or evil.

Since I was a kid, Star Wars has defined God for me as well as any person, book or prophet.

Saith Obiwan:

It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, it binds the galaxy together.

Any questions?

I sure hope so. Like, is the dark side stronger?

Yoda:

No. Easier. More seductive.

 

Ain't it the truth. It's easy to slide into the dark side, isn't it? If we allow it to take over, it can be suffocating, overwhelming and all-consuming. It's brutal. Have you ever felt that?

When the light side is dominant, that's when the real magic happens. Nations are fed. People are freed from bondage. We sing from our soul with happiness.

And, this choice is a thing we all have in common with Luke and Darth—we get to decide which side we like.

When I was growing up in church, I'm not sure what they said, but they certainly didn't say it in a way that I could remember, or understand.

A little green puppet named Yoda said it better than any of them.

Anger, fear, aggression, the dark side of the Force are they.

I only recently was reminded that fear is the root of so many of my problems. I thought to myself, "I've heard that somewhere before..." Was it a lesson learned from church? Was it a priest, a pastor, a rabbi, a reverend?

No. It was Yoda.

I don't think George Lucas set out to help me in my spiritual journey when he created Star Wars, but help me he did. As I moved through adulthood and needed God more than ever, the lessons from Star Wars echoed what I was hearing from the people in my life. That was, that there is a massive power surrounding me, penetrating me, connecting me, and it can help me immensely, but I have to decide to tap into it. I have to, as Obiwan would say, "Use the Force, Luke."

Look at him. Silly Luke, thinks some computer can help him blow up the Death Star. If he wants to accomplish something like that, he better be connected to the Force. He better tap in and realize there is only one thing that is really important.

Just about every athlete that scores nowadays throws it up to something in the sky. You think they are being showy with their religion as they cross home plate or the goal line? I don't. I think they are aware that to perform at a super human level, they need to be tapped into a force that is bigger than themselves. They homer. They round the bases. They cross home plate with a kiss of the fingers and a point to the sky. I believe they are saying something like "Thanks for giving me the strength to homer, the opportunity to be here. None of this is possible without you."

Gratitude is a huge part of keeping my connection open and fluid. When I see a player on their knees after a touchdown, I assume they are expressing the same thing.

And athletes are the Jedi of our world. They defy physical laws and perform feats of magic that few have the power to do.

Luke kicking Darth Vader's ass wasn't possible without his use of the Force. Home run hitters, strike-out pitchers, touchdown scorers and all other types of athletes and high performers (there are many more people that use this power, the athletes just happen to be the ones most commonly on TV) seem to realize that performing their amazing acts is more possible when they are tapped in, rather than not.

It's not just athletes. As was mentioned before, they just happen to be the ones in front of the camera most often.

I put these videos up because many consider these people to be at the height of achievement. If you could switch places with any human on Earth, it might be one of the people in those videos, right?

I don't care if you think it's right or wrong. I'm just saying that for me, for many of the folks in these videos, and for countless others, including Jedi Knights, none of it is possible, none of it even happens without the higher power.

Have you ever felt like your soul is so much more than your body? Me, too.

Saith Yoda:

Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter.

 

A very wise man once said, "Plant a seed and it will grow." The seed of the idea that there is something unimaginably powerful operating in this universe was planted in my mind more effectively by Star Wars than by anyone or anything else.

Yo, religious leaders, a nerdy film major from USC is eating your lunch!