One with the Force: 18 Universal Truths in Star Wars

by Krista Noble

Explores how popular religions and philosophies have influenced and are manifested in the world of Star Wars .



You have watched Luke Skywalker destroy the Death Star in A New Hope, seen Yoda merge with the Force in Return of the Jedi, and heard Rey contact the Jedi of the past in The Rise of Skywalker. But did you know that the Star Wars films contain parallels to religions and philosophies from around the world—from Christianity to Buddhism, and from Native American teachings to the Vedic knowledge of ancient India?



In One with the 18 Universal Truths in Star Wars, Krista Noble explores these parallels, starting with the profound similarities between the philosophy of Star Wars and Vedic knowledge. Noble compares the Force to Brahman, the light and dark sides of the Force to sattva and tamas, the Jedi to the ancient yogis, and more. She discusses the purpose of life, collective consciousness, enlightenment, and immortality, before revealing that the Star Wars films have a universal perspective on life. Readers will learn the connections between these films and the religions and philosophies of the East and West, including Buddhism, Taoism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Native American/First Nations traditions.



Ultimately, One with the Force collects 18 universal truths in Star Wars—principles that are “true for all time, all places, and all people.” Readers will see that the philosophy of the Jedi does not only apply “in a galaxy far, far away,” but is also highly relevant to everyday living. Like Luke Skywalker, everyone should search their feelings and discover the deepest truths of life, in pursuit of their individual destinies, while striving to reach their full potential as human beings. In these ways, readers will learn how to embody the wisdom of the Jedi.

191 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2024

About the author

Krista Noble is the author of One with the Force: 18 Universal Truths in Star Wars, which was published by Bloomsbury in 2024. Her other writings have appeared in national magazines and literary journals, including New Age Journal, The Penwood Review, WestWard Quarterly, The Storyteller, Ceremony, The Acorn, Advocate: P.K.A.’s Publication, Nature Friend, Grit, Farm & Ranch Living, Countryside, and Home Educator’s Family Times.

Noble is a professor of Vedic (ancient Indian) studies at Maharishi International University (MIU). She has also taught at the Holmes Institute and the University of Philosophical Research. She holds a PhD and an MA in her field.

Noble is an expert on the Consciousness-Based Vedic paradigm and received MIU’s Veda Vyasa Award. She is a lifetime member of the World Association for Vedic Studies.​ She has published works in the proceedings of the 2018 World Association for Vedic Studies conference and the 2022 international Science of Consciousness conference.

Noble is a seasoned and dynamic public speaker, having presented at international academic conferences, universities, Nerd Nite, podcasts, spiritual centers, meditation centers, and more.

Reviews

[B Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

n her book, One with the Force, Krista Noble has systematically laid out a lucid unfoldment of the ancient knowledge that George Lucas incorporated into his Star Wars movie trilogy. The book is well written, insightful, and superbly researched, illumining the timeless principals from such ancient sources of wisdom as the Vedas and the philosophy of Taoism which made these films so memorable.

I remember seeing the first film, Episode IV; A New Hope, in a theater in Boston in 1977. As a newly minted teacher of Transcendental Meditation I came out of that movie house just enthralled by what Lucas had created! The Force as a unifying energy and concept that organized and sustained life and indeed the universe itself was so close to what I had just spent the previous two years studying – namely Vedic Science. I just marveled at what Lucas was able to convey to the general public in such an entertaining way.

Now Krista Noble has lifted the veil to see what Lucas was drawing upon in creating his Star War films, identifying 18 Universal Truths. As a Star Wars fan, I’m grateful to have all this laid out so clearly and convincingly and I highly recommend this book!!

B Steven Verney - Author of The Best of All Possible Worlds – A Novel

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
Timeless wisdom for our modern world
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2024
This is a fabulous read! I recommend it to Star Wars enthusiasts, lovers of truth and all the rest of us ordinary mortals! Perennial wisdom from ancient Vedic and world traditions is presented simply yet profoundly. That these principle are relevant to our modern lives is no surprise. They are timeless. To find their expression so clearly elucidated in the Star Wars characters and story makes them even more accessible, meaningful and relevant to our ordinary daily living as human beings.

[Kay Verney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here’s a book that begged to be written --- point by point revelations of the foundational principles underlying the most successful movie serial ever made. Why does fascination with the Star Wars films continue to endure through time and successive generations? Obviously a seasoned Star Wars fan herself, the author of this book accesses and organizes the universal principles reflected throughout Lucus’s celebrated series, principles which naturally and fundamentally resonate with its viewers. Call this armchair access to understanding the nature of The Force and essential reading for any true lover of Star Wars!

[Paul N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profoundly inspirational! In easy-to-follow language, One with the Force expertly articulates the driving principles that underlie not only the Star Wars universe, but life on Earth as well. As the author explains, these principles were intentionally embedded by George Lucas in his movies; he wanted to enliven in his audiences our shared spirituality. In One with the Force, the author draws out these deep principles, showing that they are found in our most influential and valued religious/philosophical traditions. A must-read not only for the Star Wars enthusiast, but for anyone who would like to be exposed to, reminded of, or inspired by that which underlies and drives life.

[marco panama · Rating 5 out of 5]

One with the Force: 18 Universal Truths in Star Wars offers an insightful way to see the Star Wars universe. By connecting the Force and other themes to philosophies like Buddhism and Native American teachings, it adds a layer of depth I hadn’t considered before.

I appreciate how it reframes the franchise as more than just epic storytelling—it’s a thoughtful look at universal ideas that connect both galaxies. Perfect for fans looking to explore Star Wars in a new light!

[Arnold Dash · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing addition to Star Wars scholarship, which reveals the timeless substructure underpinning the space-age saga. If you watched the Star Wars movies with a feeling in your bones that you were seeing something unfold that was not merely the product of modern creative storytellers but something ancient and powerful, this book will tell you why your bones felt that way.

[Josh Dygert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Noble wove the familiar ideas and adventures of the Star Wars canon together with the ancient beliefs of the world's major religions to find the common ground on which all cultures and all people can agree. Along the way, the book was very informative, especially in its treatments of various Vedic texts. Ultimately, the book was informative, entertaining, and inspiring!

[Alexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, informative, and intriguing read! The book explores universal religious principles in Star Wars, with a particular emphasis on the Vedic tradition, by which Lucas was likely especially inspired. I am personally familiar with the Vedic tradition, but I very much enjoyed the step by step breakdown of parallels. It was also very interesting to see the parallels in other religions, especially those with which I am less familiar. All in all, a wonderful, educational debut—I look forward to reading future installments!