Human Experience Is the Manner in Which

¶ … human experience is the manner in which certain themes appear again and again over time, in literature, religion, mythology, and culture -- regardless of the geographic location, the economic status, and the time period. Perhaps it is the innate human need to explain and explore the known and unknown, but to have disparate cultures in time and location find ways of explaining certain principles in such similar manner leads one to believe that there is perhaps more to myth and ritual than simple repetition of archetypal themes.

In a sense, then, to acculturize the future, we must re-craft the past, and the way that seems to happen is in the synergism of myth and ritual as expressed in a variety of forms (Bittarello, 2008). The idea of myth is so tied into culture that even our motion picture industry epitomizes the need for particular stories to remain focal themes.

In Star Wars5- The Empire Strikes Back, there are certainly archetypes from numerous philosophies, epics, and myths surrounding the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia as they flee the Empire. In this episode, Luke meets Yoda and receives his Jedi training; Han is captured and encased in carbonite -- sent to the criminal Jaba the Hut, and a final confrontation between Luke and Vader leaves the audience in a true cliffhanger.

In terms of philosophy, though, there are numerous similarities to Shintoism, the indigenous philosophical spirituality of the Japanese people. Shintoism is quite ancient, but there is no unified religious structure, rather a loose conglomeration of philosophies that surround the name Shinto or "way of the Gods." It is somewhat animistic, but more associated with more natural forces in the world (nature and the essence of nature) -- or, the energy that flows throughout every living thing (Herbert, 1967).

Certainly George Lucas, author of the Star Wars Saga, was influenced by some of these Shinto themes. In Shinto and Star Wars there is the light (the good) and the dark (the evil) side; constantly at war with each other for domination of the universe. This is a duality in most cultures -- the yin/yang and the explanation for the duality of the individual and universe (e.g. light and dark, winter and summer, etc.).

Because Shinto generally follows some of the same principles as Confuscianism, there is often a master/student relationship in which learning takes place (in Episode V this is clearly Yoda and Luke Skywalker). Humanity is core, similar to the core belief of the Jedi Knights and their quest to do only good, regardless of the adversary. For Shintoism, it is the path towards and event that matters, and if on the correct path, the individual will be rewarded.

Similarly, Yoda continually tells Luke that he must balance his inner self in order to be at one with the Force (nature/the universe) and find the correct path. Much of Episode 5 focuses on Luke's training with Jedi Master Yoda. Until Luke is able to master his own feelings, to delve into the concept of the Force and to understand that the very duality of the universe (dark and light) are present within us all, he cannot be whole.

Luke is frustrated by this, exclaiming, "How am I to know the good side from the bad?" To which Yoda replies, "You will know. When you are calm, at peace. Passive. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge…" Thus, there is a moral dichotomy, much as there is.