May the 4th be with you! As if I needed any excuse to rewatch one of my all-time favorite series, I recently re-watched (for about the 100th time) all my beloved Star Wars content and (in similar fashion to my Harry Potter blogs) decided to create a blog series filled with all the amazing spiritual life lessons I picked up along the way!
In honesty, this is exactly why I love Star Wars so much because there truly is so much wisdom, so much knowledge and while it may seemingly be a galaxy far far away, in actuality, every lesson fits so well within our own world.
I am a fan of all Star Wars media. I love the originals, the prequels, the sequels, Mando, Boba, The Clone Wars, Bad Batch, Rebels, Rogue One, Solo and I think all of them are brilliant in their own way. I may have my favorites (looking at you The Mandalorian and Rebels) but I genuinely appreciate each of them for the enchanting, adventurous stories they are.
While initially I thought it’d be awesome to do one giant blog post with everythingfor May the 4th, I realized that would literally be a novel’s length. A 50,000 word dissertation on Star Wars Life Lesson is a bit lengthy for a simple blog post (though I know my boyfriend Justin would excitedly read all of that heheh love you! <3) so my plan here is to divide each film and tv show up into 7 categories and give you the life lessons in a readable fashion.
So, first things first, we’re going back to the ones that started it all!
Here are my takeaways of life lessons within the original trilogy: Episode IV: A New Hope, Episode V: Empire Strikes Back, and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.
Episode IV: A New Hope
The one that started it all! I’m so in awe of this film because of the special effects. I’m forever mindblower at how they did all of it without computers - it was all on film! They had to paint frames and make models - so that alone is proof that nothing is outside imagination. If you have an idea, even if the technology doesn’t exist, find a way to make the technology! Be creative, use your head and you can create amazing, incredible things.
So the entire reason I made the connection between Star Wars being one giant metaphor for our real world is because of the Force and the way it’s described.
As first mentioned by the GOAT Obi-Wan Kenobi, “The Force is what gives a jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together.”
That’s literally the Universe verbatim. We exist in one big energy field. Every human, animal, plant, object, landmark - everything is all made up of matter and matter is energy. There really is a force that surrounds and connects all living things and truly binds the entire galaxy together!
Kenobi even later says: “a Jedi can feel the force flowing through him” and notes “it controls your actions… partially, but it also obeys your commands!”
We as sentient beings made of energy are also blessed with the ability to wield that energy in our favor to manifest great things. In other words, yeah we’re allJedi!
We may not be able to lift rocks (or maybe we can’t because it’s a universal human limiting belief 🤔) but we surely can use our thoughts, our feelings, our visualizations to bring into existence exactly what we want. Every thought and feeling we have carries a vibration, we ourselves carry a vibration! We’re just many tiny vibrating atoms. Those vibrations we project and embody get sent out into the energy field. Since like energy attracts like energy, whatever we put out, comes back to us! We become an energetic magnet to all similar vibrations. This isn’t science fiction it’s just legit science!
So the Force is indeed a very real thing.
“I find your lack of faith disturbing,” Vader infamously retorts when Admiral Motti tells him the force didn’t help him conjure up the stolen data tapes or find the rebel’s hideout.
A.k.a me to anyone who says they don’t believe in universal energy 😂
This part does hit home because there’s unfortunately so many people in this world who think manifestation is just a fake pseudoscience. They think they have no control over what happens to them. Or some of them try manifestation without really understanding it, but because it doesn’t work instantly in the exact way they want it to, they give up and deem it doesn’t work forever.
Imagine trying anything once (without even really understanding it) and then writing it off completely when it doesn’t work?
Vader is a reminder that yeah, manifestation totally does work, but you have to be open to the magic of it. It’s not always straightforward. There’s a purpose to everything. He couldn’t manifest the rebel hideout or get back the stolen data tapes because they needed to reach Luke so he would take them to Kenobi which would start Luke on his Jedi path and which would reunite Luke with Vader and help him return from the Dark Side, take down the Empire, and bring balance to the force! There’s always a greater reason at play - the key is to just trust in the force, trust in the Universe. Trust that it’s always rearranging to bring the highest good forth for all involved.
So when you try to manifest something, just remember, the Universe has a plan. You might not be able to see it, but know that one day in hindsight it’ll all makes sense why it happened the way it did.
In the beginning of this film, when Kenobi asks Luke to assist him to Alderaan and learn the ways of the Jedi, Luke says, “I can’t involved I’ve got work to do!” And tells Kenobi is such a far way away from here (Tatooine). Kenobi tells him: “That’s your Uncle talking!” and I love this because we truly are so influenced by those around us, especially those who raise us!
Luke’s attitude of: I could but… (insert excuses) is very much how most people treat life. They want to but they don’t act upon it because it’s too far or they have other things to do or it’s not the way things are usually done … but really it’s because people are so often hesitant to change. They’re afraid of doing, that they’d rather just make up excuses to why not instead of shaking things up and plunging into the unknown, into something that very well could change their life for the better. This idea of not acting usually does get passed on from other humans: our peers, our parents. Who we surround ourselves with matter - if we are around people who make excuses as to why not, who don’t travel, who don’t chase their dreams, who don’t take chances - we get that embedded within us and adapt that “not me” attitude. Uncle Owen very much was this way. He chose to just stay a simple farmer in the middle of nowhere within the Outer Rim because it’s safe and the way things have always been done (since that’s what his father did, and not doubt his ancestors before him, too). He passed that attitude onto Luke, who despite having ambition (yearning to become the best pilot in the galaxy), instantly reverted to making up excuses as to why not go even though he really wanted to!
It’s truly interesting how our guardians shape and form and mold our minds. That’s why we always have to check inwards on our actions and see - is this my mom/dad/grandma/grandpa/uncle/aunt/guardian/friend talking? Is this their belief system? Then ask yourself, how can I let their beliefs go and operate from my own? This is something you can journal on, meditate on, or even just become more consciously aware of. Always try operate from your own heart instead of just the influence of others!
I love Force Ghosts showing up because they show us that the ones who love us never really leave us (wait wrong series 🤣). But it’s true! Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, and since we are made of energy, it shows our souls truly can never be destroyed. We merely change forms. Therefore think of your loved ones on the other side as Force Ghosts, you can communicate with them, send them love, ask them for help, and just know that they truly are always, always with you.
In the end of the film, it’s Luke’s feelings, trusting his instincts that help him destroy the Death Star. He very easily could’ve relied on technology, his operating computer, to get the job done, but in the end of it, his instincts were way more accurate. I think as humans have progressed we have relied less on our own natural intuition and more on technology. Now, I love technology, I think it’s fabulous, and I do believe in reincarnation so I believe we chose to exist in this time period with all this technology for a reason, so we definitely should use it! However, I think it’s such a good idea to hone your intuition and practice trusting yourself, trusting the force, trusting that voice inside your head and gut feeling within in order to get some things done. Technology is great, but it’s not foolproof - but with practice, your intuition can be foolproof. So, meditate more, use divination tools, and really hone your Jedi powers so you, too can trust in the Force, and use your intuition to achieve amazing feats (like some kid from Tatooine blowing up the Death Star!)
Manifestation Exercise: The Jedi mind trick: Next time you want to make something happen, connect to the force, feel the energy flowing around you, and wave your hand ala Obi-Wan and declare what you want to be so! Know without a doubt it’s happening, it’s yours, and have no doubt in yourself or the force!
Episode V: Empire Strikes Back
Iconic amazing film that proves that sequels can be better than the first one! Seriously, greatest sequel of all time. One of the greatest films of all time. Truly brilliant in every way. 12/10.
In the beginning of this film, Han Solo iconically says: “Never tell me the odds!” which I think is such a great energy to embody. You don’t need the odds because anything is possible! Embody that Han Solo confidence and know a human makes their own luck and what others believe is impossible isn’t actually ever impossible. The only limits are the ones that exist inside your mind. You are what you believe. So believe the odds are in your favor and they absolutely can be!
“Sometimes I just don’t understand human behavior,” C-3PO says, which made me laugh a lot. I say that all the time. It’s true! Some people really do act from such a traumatized, hurt place that they don’t realize how their past experiences are causing them to act certain ways and bring others down or even limit themselves. So, always keep in mind that people are just a product of their experiences. Not everyone has done enough inner work to heal any wounds, nor may they even be conscious of their wounds! So if someone is continually being mean or rude, keep in mind they’re just operating from a lower vibration, so try not to let them get you down, ask the Universe (the Force) to bless them in light and help them heal!
When Luke goes to Dagobah to train with Master Yoda there are soooo many amazing life lessons within.
First of all, my all-time favorite lesson is when Luke is trying to use the force to lift his X-Wing out of the swamp. He says to Master Yoda he can’t do it, it’s impossible. He says moving rocks is one thing, this is so different. Yoda says “No different! Only different in your mind!” I know this is so true on manifesting. People think manifesting a million dollars is so different than a free slice of pizza, but in reality they’re exactly the same. Everything is energy. The only reason the free slice of pizza comes easier is because you have little resistance to it. You don’t feel like you desperately need it or want it so you put zero pressure and zero expectations on it. A bigger thing, like money, is often harder because you want it so badly. You also have picked up all these limiting beliefs about money within your life time, either from guardians or society, that money is hard to come by, it’s this scarce resource and you need it or else. But at the root of it all, it’s all just energy and we’re connected to everything from the Force. The Universe truly can bring us anything we desire so long as we let go of our resistance around it. There really is zero difference in manifesting something large or small, it’s only different in our minds.
After Luke is still adamant Yoda wants the impossible, Yoda uses the force and completely recovers Luke’s X-Wing, bringing it out of the swamp onto standing ground. Luke looks at him remarkably and says “I don’t believe it,” and Yoda goes: “That is why you fail.”
So brilliant.
If you want to achieve anything, you have to believe it. If you don’t believe it, you can’t achieve it, and you won’t receive it. You have to believe it before you see it. Believing in it is the first step and maybe most important step (tied with taking action, of course). The world is always responding to your energy, so project the vibe of believing, see it happening in your mind’s eye, and believe with all your heart it’s happening for you.
Of course there’s also the iconic Yoda lines: “Do or do not, there is no try.” Along with “You must unlearn what you have learned.”
Both are so very true. Don’t just try - do it!
I always laugh with this line because I think of in Rebels when Kanan repeats this wisdom of Yoda’s to Ezra and Ezra wonders how he can do something without trying, which yes okay you obviously have to try, but the point is know you can do it. Make it happen. The power is in your hands, just winging it and giving it a go for the sake of it isn’t enough determination. You have to know with all your heart and be absolutely adamant that you can do it.
“You must unlearn what you have learned” really stands out to me because this one deals directly with limiting beliefs. We’ve spent a lifetime being told so many “truths” about this world. “Truths” about humans, about money, about love, about success, about body image, etc. and majority of them are so not truths at all. We most likely have even accepted “truths” about ourselves based on how others have spoken to us: either telling us we’re not good enough, not pretty enough, not smart enough, not talented enough, too lazy, etc. etc. And all of this we’ve adapted as our identity, as our story, and we’ve concluded a story about how the world is and how things are.
But again, all this is is just a story. You can make your story anything you want it to be. In order to grow as a soul and reconnect to your truest self, you have to shed the limiting beliefs about this world you’ve adapted. You have to discard the limiting beliefs about yourself you’ve accepted. You have to let it all go and recreate new beliefs that support the life you want to live and the person you want to be. You can reprogram them into your brain by repeating them (as affirmations or via journaling) or just even embodying these new truths everyday and making sure those old ones don’t creep back in and run the show.
Unlearn all the limiting things you’ve learned, and re-learn new truths in order to make a new, thriving you!
Also on Dagobah, when Yoda instructs Luke to go into the cave, Luke asks what’s in there. Yoda replies: “Only what you take with you.” Which so amazingly represents our fears and insecurities which is exactly what Luke faces in the cave. When we give into our fears and hatred and even our limiting beliefs, we carry them with us. Fear truly is self-created, it’s of course always very valid, your feelings are always valid, but in the end, we can’t let fear control us or dictate who we are. So, it’s time to go into your cave and face your fears. Don’t take your them with you. You are not your fears. You are brilliant and powerful and strong and you truly can conquer anything!
Lastly, Yoda describes Luke by saying: “always his mind on the future, never where he was.” This is another great lesson that reminds us to be present. Being present truly can bring you so much peace. We only ever exist right here in the now and “always in motion the future is” so things could change, for better or for worse, but either way there’s no point in worrying about what hasn’t yet happened. We can’t live in the past either because there’s no way to change it. Focusing your mind on where you are in the now truly is a great way to not only relieve anxiety but to honor each experience.
Personally, this past weekend I was at a friend’s wedding in another state. During the three days I was gone, I realized I wasn’t on my phone. I wasn’t worrying about work or money or life or the troubles of the world. I was just focusing on the present moment, on laughing with my best friends, on dancing, on having joy, on celebrating my friend’s love story, and just enjoying being alive. I felt so happy, so calm, so pain-free, because I was just living in the moment.
Take this lesson from Master Yoda and spend more time focusing on where you are currently! Be grateful for everything you have, appreciate each moment, and by doing so that actually sends an amazing vibration into the universe to help manifest even more blessings.
Manifestation exercise: rewatch all the scenes with Yoda’s trainings and really absorb his wise words! Keep in mind his wisdom as you go about your days: remember to do it, not just try, remember to live in the moment, and remember to believe!
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
I would love to start this one going on about how Boba Fett’s near death experience of falling into the Sarlacc Pitt was ultimately for his highest good, as it forced him to reckon with his current path and accept that working for “idiots” was going to get him killed, so he needed to grow and evolve and become his own boss and be smart about things so he could help others prosper as well (we love Boba, he’s a personal development king), however I’m definitely going to save all of that for my Life Lessons: Book of Boba Fett blog post that will come in the future!
However, exactly like Boba, at the end of this film, when Luke is battling Vader, as he chops off his hand and sees the mechanical wiring within, Luke realizes he’s repeating history and becoming his father. This is mirrored perfectly to Boba with Jango Fett as both men realized their fathers went down paths that didn’t end well for them, and both want to do better and be better themselves.
Again, much like in A New Hope when Obi-Wan tells Luke his words of reluctance are his uncle speaking, this moment here is so symbolic of how our parents and guardians influence us and it’s up to us to not repeat their mistakes and become them. Luke gets a glimpse of his possible future when he sees Vader this way because by giving into his anger, he’s leaning down the same path as him. Luke has already proven to be incredibly impatient, he has a temper, he’s impulsive, he force chokes Jabba's guards, and he fiercely loves those he cares about (ie: Vader threatening to turn Leia to the Dark Side makes Luke completely lose it). He truly is like a younger version of Anakin!
This is actually why I find it so funny when angry fans on the internet are like: the last jedi ruined Luke’s character, he never would’ve been a shadow of himself like that. Because anyone who watched Return of the Jedi can see, Luke really was never 100% good boy light side hero. He had a bit of the dark side and held onto major, massive doubts and fears. He had a lot of Anakin within him and both Skywalker men care so deeply that when they fail it really haunts them. So future Luke wallowing in self-pity over causing not only a student, but his sister’s son (and we know how deeply he cares for Leia, again, Vader threatening to turn Leia to the Dark Side making him completely lose it) would absolutely cause him to go into a depressed funk, the same way failing to save the love of his life caused Anakin to completely turn into Vader.
Regardless of his actual future, in this moment Luke seeing a possible outcome for his life, causes him to stop and re-evaluate. He actively chooses to change his heart in order to change his path. I think it’s definitely something we all need to do once in a while: to really check ourselves and see if the current path we’re on is aligned to who we really want to be. We can change at any time. We have the power and as both Luke and Vader represent, there is light and dark in all of us. It’s just about trying to find that balance and not letting one overpower the other.
Force Ghost Obi-Wan also iconically tells Luke what he told him was correct from certain point of view. Luke, very understandably, gets mad, but Obi-Wan replies: “Luke, you’re going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.”
Love that Jedi wisdom.
This is so in line with everything I’ve discussed earlier in this blog. Our expectations, our point of view, create our entire reality. What we believe to be so, is always what’s going to show up in our life. Your brain always wants to prove you right and support your beliefs and truths. So energetically, when you believe a certain truth, you’re going to attract (manifest) more proof to support your beliefs and further cement that truth. This is exactly why people get so caught up in adamantly believing their point of view is right, because in their brain, they are.
In terms of Vader, when re-watching this film again, I was thinking here how Anakin always had someone to listen to. First as a slave to the Hutts and Watto, then as servant of the Jedi order, then to Emperor Palpatine. Really life is kind of the same for all of us. We grow up having to listen to and obey our parents and teachers, then we must please our bosses. I think that’s why so many of us have worthiness issues, Anakin certainly does, because we’re always putting our worth in the hands of others. We’re allowing ourselves to be judged by our “Masters”. At the root of it, we all just want to be free and answer to no one and live our own life. And Vader really finally starts to understand that in Return of the Jedi and takes back control of his life by turning on Palpatine and saving Luke. Albeit, it is a bit late as his move is fatal, but at least the end of his life comes with dictating his actions on his own terms and as a free man, so to speak. We all need to be like Vader at the end and make moves to finally stand up for ourselves, take back control of our lives, and live it on our terms. We don’t need to please anyone but ourselves, we are our own masters, and not a single soul should be allowed to decide our worth or how we live our lives. We have the power. Always.
