Imagination & The Jedi
I lived my formative years during the 70’s, and as any male child growing up during this time in history experienced, was the introduction to Star Wars, the dying off of disco and subsequent rise of the “big hair” (Glam) bands, the waning off of “hippies” giving rise to “yuppies”, and the withdrawing of “boundary dissolving” psychedelic drugs for the use of designer, chemically refined “white drugs” like cocaine.
I was a child of parents who had not awaken to the beauty of life and the endless possibilities which are available to us in any given moment. These entrusted guardians, given the opportunity to be participants in the nurturing the flowering growth of “being” within the youngling, were mired in the unawaken state, incapable of remembering their own sovereignty. They sought through external technologies such as alcohol and drugs to access the feeling of presence which comes with false empowerment of intoxication of some of these substances. Often during these moments of intoxication, particularly with alcohol, their ability to merge with mystery of life and the creative process were severely depressed and most often nonexistent. The separation from the connection of the innocence through the imagination was lost for them as I witnessed them in the continual cycle of suffering and craving.
I develop amazing powers of observation during this period occupying space with these sleeping giants. I began to refine my understanding of the of tone of voice, movement in body structures, dynamics of language and the positioning of hierarchy in the family unit. In short, I learned how to remain still before acting. To escape the regularly ensuing chaos, often resulting in inflicted violence, I would often slip into the imagination. As stated earlier, the end of the seventies brought the birth of Star Wars on the scene with all its far-off distant galaxies and strangely familiar characters. The character which I resonated most with, was the mystery of the elusive Jedi, who, through extensive training and diet, could cultivate practices to quiet the emotional mind and connect with the “Force”.
My stepbrother and I acquired quite a collection of various Star Wars toy figures and array of ships and weapons. We would spend hours on end created worlds under tables, chairs, closets, under beds, or a multitude of exterior locations in nature. We generated distant planets and magical worlds with their own unique languages and just laws. We separated the oppressed “good guys” and ruling “bad guys” and created incredible wars which usually ended with the victors using the “Force”. The entirety of these fantasies accessed within the innocence of the present moment through the vessel of the imagination.
What is the imagination?
The word imagination has its roots in Latin which refers to the process or faculty of forming images or representations in the mind, which isn’t far from our modern understanding of the term. The Webster dictionary also list “creative ability” as a definition which best fits the narrative seeking birth in this writing.
What fascinated me most as a child was the ability of the Jedi to create the outcome of a situation which they desired by tapping into the “Force” as portrayed in the movie by Ben Obi Wan Kenobe in the infamous scene, “these aren’t the droids you’re looking for”. What is a Jedi? What is this “Force” the Jedi refers to?
The “Jedi” in the Star Wars universe are an ancient order of peacekeepers and philosophers, deeply intertwined with the mystical energy field known as the “Force”. Jedi believe in and harness the Force, which they describe as an energy field created by all living things that binds the galaxy together. They focus on the “light side” of the Force, emphasizing peace, knowledge, and serenity. They strive to maintain balance in the Force, often seeing themselves as guardians against the dark side, which represents fear, anger, and aggression. Jedi are taught to control their emotions, avoiding attachments that could lead to fear of loss, which might turn them to the dark side. A modern interpretation in contemporary culture, the Jedi ethos might resonate with those who practice mindfulness, seek personal growth through self-mastery, or engage in ethical activism, striving for justice and peace in a balanced, thoughtful manner. The Jedi , therefore, are not just fictional characters but can be seen as an amalgamation of various real-world philosophical, spiritual, and martial traditions, adapted into a space-fantasy setting to explore themes of power, responsibility, and the nature of good and evil.
What I have come to understand today is the importance of the imagination and its role in the desire outcome of the creative process. To create one must be able to define the creation. To define the creation, one only needs to drop into innocence in the present moment and ask yourself “what is it I really want to create in this life”. When we drop into innocence it is like being that child where the imagination runs wild, and anything is possible. For some individuals it may be creating a beautiful piece of music, others may want to build a sculpture, or create a painting, others may want to travel the world and meet other cultures or perhaps one wants to build a home and create a family. Whatever the creation maybe it starts in the imagination but doesn’t end there. Creation is a process. Creation has a beginning and an ending.
The Role of the Jedi In The Creative Process.
Through training the role of the “Jedi” could be interpreted as an individual who has developed a heightened sensitivity within himself and/or his environment, much like the Tai Chi practitioner of today. Through training the “Jedi” can become aware of their current reality, their vision for creation and the necessary steps to get to that creation. Beliefs about oneself become irrelevant when the light of consciousness is shone on them and instead can be realized and understood as just a story, one can choose the vision of what one wishes to bring into creation instead. But creation requires effort on the part of the individual. There are steps. Creating requires discipline of oneself in the inner world and the outer world. Old dysfunctional structures need to be recognized and abandoned so a new structure can be established through the imagination and executed with Jedi precision.
What dream are you ready to bring to life today?
