Use the Force: Star Wars Day Bonus Blog
Happy May the Fourth! As a nerdy therapist, I wanted to take this opportunity to tie some of my favorite mental health concepts with some Jedi concepts. Specifically, let’s look at what The Force and Jedis can teach us about Mindful Self-Compassion.
If you’ve seen any Star Wars movies or tv shows, you have heard of "The Force," an invisible energy field that binds the galaxy together. Jedi Knights are known to use The Force to achieve seemingly superhuman abilities like telekinesis, precognition, and mind control. But did you know that The Force has similarities with the concept of "Common Humanity,” a key factor from Kristin Neff’s Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) practice?
Common Humanity is one of the three components of Self-Compassion, which Neff defines as "a combination of mindfulness, self-kindness, and a sense of common humanity." Common Humanity refers to the idea that all humans suffer and make mistakes. It's the recognition that you're not alone in your struggles, and that everyone experiences pain, frustration, and difficulties at some point in their lives. This Common Humanity binds us together, even in moments we feel alone.
Similarly, The Force connects all living things in the Star Wars universe, and Jedi believe that every individual has access to it. The Force is the energy that flows through all living things, and the Jedi's connection to it gives them access to an interconnected web of knowledge and power. As Yoda says, “You must feel the Force around you. Here. Between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes.”
The Jedi's use of mindfulness is another parallel with MSC. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment with openness and curiosity. Jedi are trained to be present in the moment and to focus their attention on the task at hand. They use mindfulness to become more aware of The Force and to better understand their connection to it.
One of the key teachings of mindfulness is to let go of judgment and criticism. Jedi use this same principle to release their attachments and to let go of their ego-driven desires. They understand that their attachment to their own needs and wants can cloud their judgment and prevent them from using The Force to its full potential. As I often tell my clients, mindfulness enables us to respond rather than just react. It helps us see the opportunities before us and helps us access our inner wisdom to make the most effective choice.
So, there you are! Both Mindful Self-Compassion and The Force remind us of a fundamental truth: everything is connected, especially all of us. The next time you watch Star Wars, notice how characters access mindfulness to effectively respond in the present moment, as well as how those aligned with the Force tend to be pretty darn good at practicing compassion. And finally, I hope this inspires you to to practice mindfulness in your own life. Access your inner Jedi!
“All his life he looked away. To the future. To the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. What he was doing.” - Yoda
“Don’t center on your anxieties … keep your concentration here and now, where it belongs…. Be mindful of the future, but not at the expense of the moment.” - Qui-Gon Jinn