Underground Knowledge — A discussion group discussion

Is there any truth behind this idea in the Star Wars movies that "the force" runs through everything in the Universe?

How does it compare to concepts like Qi/Chi in China or the Indian/Yogic force known as Prana? Or how about the God particle in modern science? Or even the spirit molecule that DMT users talk about?

One of my favorite books is The Way of Wyrd which is a novel set in 6th Century England when the pagans still controlled the land. It's based on a real manuscript found that was written by a monk from that era.


Basically, the plot is a young German monk arrives in England to attempt to convert the "heathens" to Christianity, but ends up being semi-converted to the Pagan religion...And in the story the monk learns that these people believe in something called the Wyrd (a word that the 60s generation recaptured with the usage of "weird"). However, the original meaning of the word Wyrd meant some kind of invisible fabric or spiders web like substance that connects everything and every being in the entire universe...

I think if you dig deep enough all ancient peoples believed in something similar to George Lucas' "the force" concept. Only later, with the advent of organized religions, did this universal spirit or God seem to become something separate or unconnected to the rest of us. At least that's my observation.

Good point, James.

As you pointed out, almost every culture has had a similar theory, so yes, I do think it exists in some form.

Leylines are connected, too, somehow, though I will admit, I don't know alot about them.

"The force" is just what they named it, and can go by any name you please. But it does seem to have uncanny effects on your environment. I'm sure we've all heard of the power of positive thinking? Same thing.

Erma wrote: "Leylines are connected, too, somehow, though I will admit, I don't know alot about them...."

I agree with what you say about leylines, Erma. They somehow relate although like you I don't have a clue how.

Re the Australian Aborigines, I found this:

Leylines and Songlines
The Aboriginal people of Australia believe that the land is alive and that to keep it alive, they must sing to it. In fact, they can navigate the landscape of Australia by singing songs about the sacred landmarks that traverse it. The tradition of singing songs as a map or guide is known as songlines. Also known as Dreaming Tracks they trace the route of ancient creator spirits from the Dreaming Time. By singing these songs an initiated person could navigate thousands of kilometres across a track.

Full article here: http://www.greencauldrontours.com/fle...

James Morcan wrote: "Also known as Dreaming Tracks they trace the route of ancient creator spirits from the Dreaming Time. By singing these songs an initiated person could navigate thousands of kilometres across a track."

I actually heard about these in an anthropology course I took! I didn't know they were related to leylines, though, but it makes sense.

Some people do seem closer to the 'old magics' and naturally occurring anomalies of the world.

Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda is another book that may gel with "the force" concept. I think the Yogis (and Yoginis!) of India hold a lot of secrets for humanity...ancient knowledge if you will...So I loved reading this particular book...



As a footnote, this was Steve Jobs' favorite book and the only book he ever downloaded to his iPad...

The Field: The Quest for the Secret Force of the Universe

The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force



The Gospel According to Star Wars: Faith, Hope, and the Force

The Force (Star Wars) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_For...

"The Force is a metaphysical and ubiquitous power in the Star Wars fictional universe. It is wielded by characters in the franchise's films and in many of its spin-off books, games, and comics. In the story, the Jedi utilize the "light side" of the Force, while the Sith exploit what is known as the "dark side". The Force has been compared to aspects of several world religions, and the iconic phrase "May the Force be with you" has become part of the popular culture vernacular."

On the same lines, when they mean by the Dark side of the force. Do you think that it is related to the Dark matter or Antimatter present unexplored in our universe?

Jayanth wrote: "On the same lines, when they mean by the Dark side of the force. Do you think that it is related to the Dark matter or Antimatter present unexplored in our universe?"

Either that or George Lucas was giving an analogy to sociopaths in this world who are without light...

Maybe the answer might be in this quote:
“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
― George Lucas, Star Wars - Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Sounds very Buddhist.

You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished BY your anger.

True, it does sound Buddhist.
Also you can perhaps see those who subscribe to fascist ideologies in Lucas' statement - as those Far Right ideas always seems to begin with fear of certain peoples...which eventually devolves into hatred of those minority groups...

Then again, maybe it's just a movie and I am reading too much into it!

I think that Lucas was saying that "The Force" can be whatever you want it to be, honestly. Maybe it is just the power of the human spirit!

The force has two sides: light and dark(Jedi and with). This concept is very Taoist in nauture. The yin and the yang both exist and are complimentary of each other...they give rise to one another. Neither is bad or good, but interconnected.

Philosophically, the Sith are painted as evil by whom? The Jedi.

Do they Jedi not fear the sith? Do the Jedi not impose strict rules on love,friendship, and use of the force?

I think George Lucas had a perfunctory understanding of eastern thought and attached his own morality/values to a concept which is far more complicated than good vs evil.

Taoism/Daoism is an amazingly complicated, intricate and contradictory philosophy because it seeks to explain life itself which is all of those things. If anyone is interested in "the force", read Tao Te Ching by Laozi in multiple translations. Prepare to have your mind blown.

What is the usefulness of a cup of it is already filled?

Jedi and *sith

I see your point about the two sides of the force and its relation to Taoism, I think another comparison one could make would be to compare the force to religion in general; through religion people may believe that their deity/religion seeks to protect those who follow the religion, thereby giving them some sort of "power" more than other people, an excellent example of this is the afterlife for many religions where the good are rewarded and the bad are punished; and the idea of the force is kind of an extension of this idea that some religious extremists really believe, that through their faith they will be made more than human - superhuman. But honestly it would seem that most scientists especially physicists toy with the ideas of some of these sci-fi force powers/abilities and at times attempt to create a realistic version of them. Besides that, there has been no proof of super human powers/abilities, unfortunately haha

Abilities like that are remarkably hard to pin down. See The Trickster and the Paranormal.

There are a lot of anecdotes showing some remarkable things but we probably can't rely on those. There are some pretty good tricks out there.

Jim wrote: "Abilities like that are remarkably hard to pin down. See The Trickster and the Paranormal...."

That's a book? Or a movie?

A book, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

Jim wrote: "A book, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6..."

Good one, thanks, I plan to check out The Trickster and the Paranormal in future...