What Yoda and Luke Skywalker’s X-wing can teach us to believe again

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the galaxy far, far away, I can wholeheartedly affirm that the scene between Luke Skywalker and Yoda in “The Empire Strikes Back” holds a special place in my heart. This moment, more than any lightsaber duel or space battle, encapsulates the essence of what it means to believe, to trust, and to have faith – not just in the Force, but in oneself.

In the whirlwind of action and daring exploits that characterize the Star Wars universe, it’s fascinating to note how each Skywalker saga film delves deeply into a spiritual journey that shapes the very psyches of our beloved characters. It’s not only Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa who grapple with a poignant devotion to an ancient faith; even Han Solo, the man of few words, acknowledges the Force as something real and profound, saying, “It’s true. All of it.” Let’s delve into one of the most impactful character development scenes in the original trilogy today.

“No different. Only different in your mind.”

One memory I cherish from my classroom days centers around a scene from “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back.” At this time, I was in the midst of missionary training, and our instructor chose an innovative method to demonstrate teaching techniques that transcend deeply held beliefs. Instead of presenting a conventional sermon or quoting scriptures, he opted for a DVD screening, allowing Yoda to deliver the message. We witnessed Luke’s struggle as he tried to harness the power he had been cultivating and failed to lift his stalled X-wing from the swamp near Yoda’s dwelling.

By the finale, everyone was giving knowing nods, as if they’d grasped the message. My tech-savvy buddy disagreed vehemently when the professor halted the film right as Luke said, “I can’t believe it,” followed by Yoda’s retort, “That’s why you failed.” It mirrored the disappointment of trust shattering in the face of an apparent miracle. The profound teachings from that moment weren’t about a X-wing submerged in weeds and oozing swamp water. Instead, they lay in the concepts imparted before Luke surrendered to levitate objects using his mind.

In this scene, I was observing as part of my spiritual education, though it’s not limited to that context. Everyone lives their life shaped by some form of belief or another. These beliefs can be called confidence, trust, faith, or conviction. It’s true that Luke is accurate in his practical assessments when he says, “Master, shifting stones is one thing, but this… is on a whole different level.” It’s a matter of extent and magnitude, and Luke tends to focus too much on tangible aspects like weight and measurement.

However, the Force isn’t something that can be explained through mathematical equations or textbook physics. George Lucas gave it a biological dimension with midi-chlorians, but it’s crucial to recall that Yoda’s power as a Jedi is rooted in an immaterial principle.

For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you, here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes. Even between the land and the ship.

Luke is frequently perceived as a relatable character due to his humble origins and tireless pursuit of success. He employs the Force to bring down the Death Star, but it’s important to remember that he was an exceptional pilot long before this, honed by years spent mastering skyhoppers in Beggar’s Canyon on Tatooine. During the Battle of Yavin, he relied on his flying skills and companions to guide him, not just the Force. In this scene, we find ourselves identifying with Luke as Yoda encourages the pursuit of the seemingly impossible.

In Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, there’s a scene that mirrors a memorable cinematic moment. Previously, Luke had to learn that “the greatest teacher is failure,” but now, he acknowledges his mistake by saying, “I was wrong. It was fear that kept me here.” After reflecting in the afterlife, Luke demonstrates growth by teaching Rey that “Overcoming fear is a Jedi’s destiny.” As Yoda’s theme plays and his X-wing appears, we see that the once hesitant Skywalker has mastered trust in the Force, using it to raise the ship from the water.

“You have that power, too.”

In simpler terms, this love letter’s message applies to us, regardless of our Midi-chlorian counts. Yoda encourages Luke to have faith in himself, and the Force, much like he urges him to listen to his words. It could be that Yoda is asking Luke to trust himself because that’s how one unlocks the power within the Force. Sometimes, we need to trust what may seem illogical to achieve remarkable feats in our lives.

The hero’s journey is a framing device for great storytelling, but it often overlooks the fact we don’t have to be involved in an epic quest of some kind to do great things. Ambition and aspiration are not dirty words but have the potential to call us to be more “luminous beings.” When we unlearn what we have learned, we can find the courage to change the world, teach others, commit to passions, and find light in the darkness. Most importantly, we can believe in the principles of the Force when we “are calm, at peace.”

It’s easier said than done, but it’s only when we don’t believe it that we truly fail.

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2024-10-05 18:52