STAR WARS AND BUDDHISM

Star Wars and Buddhism

by Eli Williamson-Jones

This reading was discussed on June 5, 2005

Universal Saga


The story of the hero's journey, or mono myth, as it was called by Joseph Campbell, transcends race, economics, culture and religion. The psychologist and mythologist, Jonathan Young has said that, “when enmeshed in a larger purpose, you are yourself, truly for the first time,” and this is why we identify with the heroes of a story. As a universal, this identification is sparked by the deepest longing within us that seek to be connected to something greater than the self. Theaters feed this part of us in a dark setting where a projector's light flickers on the screen much like the faces of our ancestors in the light of a campfire during story telling sessions.