May-June

May 31: This is the month that we ended a 28 year Mythological Cycle, called "Star Wars." George Lucas was a good friend of Joseph Campbell ("The Power of Myth"). One day, they were talking.......and Campbell said to Lucas: "This era in which we live has no mythology of it's own. Other eras have their myth, but we do not." Thus began the Era of Star Wars, our very own myth for today. It was a similar motive that caused J.R.R. Tolkein to write "Lord of the Rings," only he was doing that service for Britain.

Though there is talk of a TV Show in days to come, I felt as though I had to complete this cycle before I allowed any more in. The movie was adequate for the purpose, good in some spots, and it also continues to perpetuate the CGI frenzy that George Lucas has been on since Episode One. I am looking for more depth in the writing, more facts about "The Force," and more impetus for growth. However............you know what? I can also provide those things for myself. I've had enough time with Obi-Wan to go on myself, if I need to do so.

I remember a conversation I had with my younger son one day, one of the rare times we ever had a full-blown argument. He was going on about something I didn't do for him as a parent, and I responded: "I will admit that I can't always give you what you need or want. I can only give you what I have." I must give Papa Lucas the same slack. He gave us what he had, all these years, and it has amounted to a helluva lot. He deserves all the praise that he has gotten, since 1977.

The message about integrating "The Dark Side" into our life itinerary is big here. And it comes at exactly the right time. That which is in the "dark".........that which is hidden from us, especially the things about ourselves, are now starting to come to light. Many are hungering, wildly, for someone to pin this dark stuff on. We want it to be THERE instead of HERE.

In regards to the use of "The Force," what would "The Dark Side" be? The Recons tell me that it amounts to administrating the use of our "powers" from the Ego, rather than the Oneself Energy of All That Is. In the movie, Anakin describes the Jedi as being "selfless"..........only using their powers for good. Emperor Palpatine looks down his nose at that description, and says: "Are they?"

When he finally makes his move into the SITH Fellowship, Anakin tells himself that he is doing it to protect Padme and the Baby. (I won't reveal more about the plot, in case you haven't seen it yet). IS HE doing it for her and the baby? At one point he also confesses that: "I can't live without her." Ah, well............who are we protecting then?

The "Light" use of Oneself Power is a kind of OPEN-ENDED SPIRITUALITY which draws its direction and path from ALL THAT IS.......whatever Agenda fits both who we are (personally), along with what fits those around us as well. It's an exact parallel with John Nash's Prize-Winner Formula that was spoken about in the movie "A Beautiful Mind." Instead of adopting the old social philosophy of "every man for himself," which seems to support our current capitalist economy, he theorized a concept of "every man doing what is good, both for himself and for the group." My integrating those two ideas, everything about the system began to change.

Herein is the key to the (temporary) downfall of the Jedi. They aim for being "selfless," which eliminates a very relevant component to any picture. Anakin, who was supposed to be "The Chosen One," is not impressed. He wanted (no, he NEEDED) to know the relationship of the Jedi to the outcomes they sought. When Palpatine suggested that their motives were covertly selfish ("They want to take over control of the Republic").......Anakin readily bought it. After all, who among us is REALLY "selfless" anyway?

The "Dark" use of Oneself Power is CLOSED-ENDED. It focuses the Ego into a set "goal," and then uses force to conform those people and things around them to an individual WILL. There is no dealing with resistance or opposition to the goal. All opposition must be smashed, in favor of attaining that (pre-determined) goal. It is this usage that turns off those who are awakening in spirituality at this time. Who knows what we will want tomorrow? Who even knows what we'll be like 2 hours from now?

Arguing for freedom is a powerful thing. But freedom also implies responsibility, doesn't it? What does the Old Religion say? "Harm no one, do what thou wilt." It includes a confession of what you want (personally), but it also takes into account the cost that will be paid by those around us.

We could go on and on about this. It's big. It has implications on family values, societal structure, leadership, rebellion, and a whole host of other topics. For now, it's just nice to see the WHOLE STORY.........although it was played out in a curious way. You begin in the middle, and then you work your way forward, then backward from there. But it worked. It worked BIG TIME. --DJ.