For quite a few years I have wanted to write about the Star Wars series of films, but haven't actually done so. I suspect the problem is that there is so much to write about, so I'll just do this as a first instalment, perhaps ...
First, if we look at the prequel and original trilogies, some random thoughts are as follows:
- the story arc - or one of the main ones, at any rate - could be said to be about the fall and rise of Anakin Skywalker aka Darth Vader;
- one of the key parts of that is the apparent implication that Anakin becomes Vader because he is in love and cannot bear to "lose" those he loves to death. However:
- in the real world, survival after death is a fact, and those who are spiritually evolved know that. In consequence, those who are spiritually evolved know that relationships continue after death - for instance, see this book.
- Furthermore, many of those who are spiritually evolved know that reincarnation is also a part of existence (see here, for instance), and that relationships can continue from life to life - e.g., see this book (and, to some extent, this book).
- Some nuns and monks in Tibet were married;
- The implication that people who experience a positive primary emotion such as love cannot handle physical separation is just not correct.
- However, there can be conflicts owing to demands of time for relationships and family (especially if children are part of the family - or illness reduces independence), and thus there may need to be some resolution of that, but, again, the "Jedi" (which term I am using as a surrogate for "spiritual" in this post) way is to discuss, negotiate, and come to an agreement.
To be possessive and controlling is domestic violence, which is neither Jedi nor spiritual nor decent in any way - and is illegal in better judiciaries; - More broadly, possessiveness and attachment can be problems spiritually and environmentally.
The quest for more or fancier stuff (especially bigger or less minimalist houses [they're not home]), which I attribute to materialist desire for social status above others, is responsible for a lot of GHG emissions - especially as the superficial people indulging in that never look past the surface finishes to whether the fabric is air tight/insulated/sustainable; - Other emotions are also raised - hate, which I consider often related to bigotry - both on the part of the bigots and also potentially their traumatised victims, and fear & anger, both of which are, in my opinion, generally secondary emotions: they have hidden (underlying) emotions which are the true cause.
Of course, emotions are not the problem hypocritical dinosaurs in the workplace (and the Jedi, as some think they are portrayed in the films [the Jedi are actually in favour of "positive" emotions, but lack a BPM approach to that] ) think they are: emotions are a tool to learn and grow, and be a better human being, as Karla McLaren has made clear.
In the case of Anakin, jealousy is, in my view, a significant part of the problem. Part of that is underestimating other people's strengths, by thinking they need your protection against something - such as unpleasant news, facts of life, emotions, etc. It is a form of control - in parenting, when it goes beyond ensuring age-appropriate life experiences it becomes the problem of helicopter parenting.
It is also important to be aware of one's internal emotions when developing psychism, but those emotions are often how subjective psychic impressions are received. - There are philosophical aspects around attachment and other emotions which are dealt with in some religions, such as Buddhism, Stoicism, Daoism, etc. I won't get into those, but I know there are books which are publicised as addressing this, so I'll point you their way - with a caution that I haven't read them. So, subject to that caution, you may wish to consider this, this, and this - and, for a psychological view, this.
That last one is possibly the most important here, as none of what Anakin goes through is consistent with the spiritual training I know and have experienced, and, in fact, I consider much of the thought underlying the Jedi as portrayed in the prequel and original trilogies (and at least one of the books on "Jediism") to be more along the lines of New Age / right wing victim blaming / toxic positivity (e.g., see here, here) - the sort of thinking that has poisoned the psyche of the USA for so much of its existence, the sort of simple minded view that says "overcome whatever you are facing in life, no matter how wrong it is" (do they really want to try that with, say, victims of child abuse?).
Much as I detest neochristianity, those who are genuine Christians know and manifest generosity, caring, and social responsibility / justice, and the USA's approach to poverty traps people in it, rather than ensuring a society that prevents and reduces poverty. - And on simple mindedness, the manipulations of Palpatine/Sidious provide many examples of the need for checks and balances on power - not the trite and glib reliance on customs that #45 p****d all over, but true and genuine checks on abuses of power in the forms of human rights laws (especially Global Magnitsky type laws - see this book on that), anti-corruption bodies, educating voters from a young age on how to be a good citizen (including "civics", but also "clear and present thinking", rhetoric and seeing through advertising).
From a spiritual perspective, the Anakin/Vader story arc shows the importance of doing shadow work.
The sequel trilogy has a few advantages (it is less sexist, IMO, for a start, and it starts to counter - a little - the glib desensitisation of violence that the use of robots and completely enclosed soldiers provides), and I may extend these thoughts into that series at some future date.
In the meantime, despite their psychic and spiritual flaws, I do enjoy the films, and will watch them - even if I do fast forward / skip some of the more egregious violence.
