Zen and the Art of Yoda
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| Title: | Zen and the Art of Yoda |
| Creator: | Izzy Guerriere |
| Date(s): | March 1982 |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Star Wars |
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| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Zen and the Art of Yoda is a 1982 Star Wars essay by Izzy Guerriere.
It was printed in The Lost Jedis #2.
The topic was philosophy, the meaning of the movies and how this relates to one's personal life.
When the author refers to "The Lost Jedis" with capital letters, they are referencing the fan club of the same name, and to which they are addressing these questions in hopes of starting a dialogue.
From the essay: "And what of this curious STAR WARS philosophy? Is it so curious? Is it existent at all? Is it theology? Does a belief in the "Force" constitute anything? After all, we do refer to It, as the 'Force'?"
Excerpts from the Essay
STAR WARS provided me with much insight, into myself, and into the world around me. It gave me a sense of things, put events into a certain perspective that few other experiences have accomplished. I can only hope that there are others as fortunate; and perhaps, I am destined to seek them out.
I had experienced a certain sense of philosophical apathy with other STAR WARSgroups and I was determined to find one that really understood. Lost Jedis understands. I sent various panicked letters to Indiana, groping for some sort of sympathetic ear. JEDIS, THE EAR IS HERE!!!
As Janice [1] said to me last night in a monumental long-distance phone conversation, "y'know, when people hear that you like STAR WARS, they say, oh that's great! Han Solo, blasters, lasers, spaceships zooming all over the place!', but," she hesitantly continued, "didn't anybody HEAR Yoda?!!!".
I could do nothing but agree. I inserted that perhaps his words seem jumbled only to those who don't bother listening. These are but a few of the major points that I have been trying to express all along.
As with some beliefs does It require formal places of study, or "worship"; or as with other beliefs does It find its sacred home in one's soul? Does it need an Alliance or are we all bound as it binds "the rock, the tree, the land, the ship"? Is it a belief at all, and what are WE doing about it? Who are the Jedis, and are they really lost? Was there really an ancient order; were there, or are there ancient rites and teachings that we are yet to discover? Perhaps we are Lost Jedis because we are lost within ourselves? And if we are these Jedis, what or who is the opposition?
For such a belief, or commitment, we face fierce opposition!! Perhaps this ominous Dark Side looms a little closer than we think. Try these on for size:
"Aww, STAR WARS, yeah, I saw it. So what??"
Or, "It's a rip-off. Just like every other Sci-Fi movie!!"
Or the ever popular: "STAR WARS? I didn't like it. It had NO meaning."
No meaning? Well, I realize that everybody is entitled to their opinion just as I am to mine. But, perhaps these "people" find it a little unnerving that a small green puppet has a better hold on life than they do.
Lost Jedis feels that it is important to have these things discussed in a manner that is as intellectual and open as possible. I am no expert, merely a private philosopher and student, constantly learning from the elements around me. I am here to try to answer your questions, and provide as much information about the Jedi philosophy as possible. As everyone knows you need Jedis to have Jedis, the word "Jedi" cannot stand alone. Only the Force does that, (or does it?).
So, let's hear what is on the contemporary Jedi's mind. Are we real? Is there anyone else out there? Which one of us is a potential Yoda?
References
- ^ Janice Liedl is the president of The Lost Jedis fan club, and editor of this zine this essay was printed in.