John M. Porter

The Tao of Star Wars John M. Porter

The Tao Te Ching, after the Bible, is the most translated book in the world. Its reputed author, Lao Tzu, lived about 2600 years ago. Faced with a corrupt, competitive, egocentric society, which had lost its way (sound familiar), he left society riding upon an ox. He felt that society had lost the Tao and that was the cause of the decline of the civilization. Humans have always had an insatiable hunger for spiritual guidance and recently westerners have had a rekindled interest in the Tao. Perhaps it is because we see the same problems today that Lao Tzu saw in his day. The "Star Wars" series contains, for some, a philosophical basis. "The Tao of Star Wars" uses the motifs from the "Star Wars" series to explain the basic tenets of Taoism. Although some of these concepts are relatively familiar, such as acceptance, patience and simplicity, their nuances as they apply to Taoism are invigorated utilizing the "Star Wars" motifs. Other tenets, such as wu wei, yin-yang and p'u, may be completely foreign to the western mind and deep philosophical explanations are not practical for application to daily living. Since following the Tao is walking a living path in harmony with the way the world is sensible definitions are needed. These Taoist concepts have life breathed into them by the "Star Wars" themes. This will allow the reader to apply these concepts to one's life as the essence of the Tao is to experience life in the present moment.