I am a child of the 70s. I was 10 in 1977 when Star Wars first hit our screens and I loved it and have done ever since. The idea that there was a ‘force’ that moved through the Universe and all of us, and that some were able to harness its power impacted me greatly. Even when I was small I had an idea of something bigger. I argued in Sunday School that this idea of something more than me couldn’t be a ‘man god’ and I questioned the idea that our world was created in 7 days somehow knowing that this was symbolic language, not literal, as I was taught. So when I saw the Star Wars move in 1977 I remember feeling I had found some answers and I remember feeling the ‘force’ within me and back then I knew I was right. We are all part of the rich fabric of our connection to the Universe.
Nearly 40 years later, I visited the movies again to watch the latest Star Wars – Rogue One, and have come away smiling. Actually, that is an understatement. I’ve come away with a huge grin on my face. It was a brave piece from Hollywood as all the main characters in it die as they fight for hope and for freedom. Darth Vadar, ever present and menacing, representing the Shadow of the collective and of us individually. The Death Star, threatening annihilation, perfectly formed, yet with hidden flaws that will render it useless and ineffective. All juicy wonderful stuff for someone like me who loves analogy and symbolic messages.
My favorite character in the film is a blind man, with extreme fighting power. Why? Because he repeats the mantra ‘I am the force and the force is with me’. He uses the force to see, to feel, to respond and to express its power. He seems disabled, yet he is not, because he believes in his connection to something greater than himself. He knows he is supported and he feels its energy flowing through him.
Many of us living today are blind, not in the literal sense, but blind to the things that are difficult for us to see within ourselves, and blind to all that we have in our lives. We live without truly seeing the beauty of our planet, of our bodies, of our souls. This blindness disconnects us from the force. This blindness makes us feel separate from the greater power that is the One.
I have lived with this ‘spiritual blindness’ in my life but now count myself as blessed that 20 years ago I was given the opportunity to open my eyes to myself and see what was there. In doing that I connected to my life force and to the Universe.
I know I am supported, I know I am part of something far greater than me. I feel the energy of the Universe flow through me and I am excited and uplifted everyday to be more, to give more, and to feel more life.
As I am writing this it occurs to me that many who read it may not get what on earth I am talking about.
That’s ok, when you are ready to see you will.
