Fwd: [Abhinavagupta] Re: Jeffery Long, "The Yoga of Yoda" - HAF's Chicago Benefit Dinner (01 Feb 2020, 6:30-9:30pm)
A K Kaul
From: Rajiv Malhotra RajivMal...@gmail.com [Abhinavagupta] <Abhina...@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2020, 17:54
Subject: [Abhinavagupta] Re: Jeffery Long, "The Yoga of Yoda" - HAF's Chicago Benefit Dinner (01 Feb 2020, 6:30-9:30pm)
To: Sunthar Visuvalingam1 <sunt...@yahoo.com>
Cc: Abhinavagupta egroup <Abhina...@yahoogroups.com>, Hindu-Buddhist <Hindu-B...@yahoogroups.com>, Chicagoland Desis <Chicagol...@yahoogroups.com>, Ontological Ethics <ontologi...@yahoogroups.com>, Indo-Greek <Indo-...@yahoogroups.com>
Dear Jeffery,
Having watched the entire Star Wars series from the beginning, I enjoyed
“Yoga of Yoda” esp. as your own personal (American) introduction to (and
existential confirmation of) Vedānta:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V5mp_yVe1E (The Yoga of Yoda)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars
As you repeatedly indicate, the influences transmitted by Joseph Campbell
through George Lucas are not merely from India but also the Far East (qi,
wuxia, samurai, eccentric Immortals, etc.). Some of the distinctly Indic
themes, which are difficult to reduce to the bráhman (as unifying absolute
consciousness) that Advaita hardly represents as a (much less ‘Dark’)
‘Force’ (
Śakti), are more amenable to the immanent (parādvaita) non-dual tantric
perspective of Abhinavagupta that also embraces Jaina ‘relativity’
(syād-vāda) and Buddhist notions of perennial flux.
Though I’ve also seen (your recommended) Interstellar, Arrival, and other
such science-fiction movies, I was less impressed. Instead, I’d strongly
recommend the “Babylon 5” TV series (more than Star Wars):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon_5
for fundamental themes of order vs. chaos (distinct from good vs evil),
character development by theatrical actors, thought surveillance (becoming
an actuality in social media), (caste-) hierarchy, etc.
As you know, I’m currently working on esoteric (not just Buddhist) themes
embedded in popular Chinese movie-variants of ancient folklore (White Snake)
to highlight the Hindu parallels. Hence, my interest.
Regards,
Sunthar
From: Hindumind
Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2020 11:49 AM
To: […]
Subject: Invitation from Hindu American Foundation
Hindu American Foundation
You're Invited: HAF's Chicago Benefit Dinner 2020
Join us for HAF's Chicago Benefit Dinner on Saturday, February 1 for a
delicious dinner and stimulating conversations about HAF... and Star Wars!
Yes, you read that correctly. Our guest speaker, Dr. Jeffery D. Long will
discuss the Hindu themes that are interwoven in the iconic Star Wars movie
series. George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, drew much of the inspiration
for this major cultural phenomenon from the teachings of his mentor, Joseph
Campbell, a lifelong student of Hinduism/Vedanta.
Bring your kids, friends, neighbors, and anyone who'd love to support a
great cause!
Date: Saturday, February 1
Time: 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Location: The Community House | 415 W. Eighth Street | Hinsdale, IL 60521
For tickets and other details, visit:
https://www.hafsite.org/media/pr/hindu-american-foundation-chicago-benefit-
dinner-2020
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Nagaraj Paturi
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venkat veeraraghavan
Being ignorant I asked him if they would be taking a third peetaadhipati ....obviously i was mentally connecting with the Kanchi system.
He solemnly replied: "No. They have the rule of two."
We were both standing outside the Vidyashankara samadhi shrine.
Unable to hold the gravitas we both burst out laughing.
So yes the world of Yoda and Vedanta have a rather close connection atleast in the psyche.
Nagaraj Paturi
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Nagaraj Paturi
True, Star Wars has been interpreted as having an underlying spiritual message. There have been books about the Christian dimension of the film;[1] others that explore it from a Buddhist point of view; and even a volume dedicated to studying Star Wars in terms of general philosophical principles. This latter book includes an essay on how Star Wars relates to Eastern wisdom. But even here, it goes too far East, looking at the science fiction/fantasy more from a Taoist perspective than from anything else. No Hinduism. The question is, ‘Why?’ Why the great silence in terms of the Hindu religious tradition? There have been a few articles on the subject over the years, but too few to fill the gap, especially since full-length books have appeared in relation to the world’s other great religions. It would be one thing if there were no connection, no overlap, in the themes and ideas conveyed in the epic film series and in the Hindu religion. But, as this book will show, there are multiple connections and overlap, so much so that one could conceivably argue that Hinduism was a major influence – either directly or indirectly – in the making of Star Wars. And so, again, we must ask, ‘Why?’ The book you hold in your hands seeks to fill this curious lacuna. [pp. 17-18]
Early on in my life, as a teenager, I became a ‘Hindu’ monk. Gradually, I also became something of a Star Wars fan, the first of the series’ films having been released when I was 22 years of age. In due course, I lost interest in Star Wars, and though I continued my passion for Hindu theology, I left the monastery to pursue the academic study of Vaishnava Hinduism. Thus, Vaishnavism is the branch of the religion that will inform most of this book, though we will also draw on other Hindu traditions. My focus on Vaishnavism is not merely personal. Vaishnavas make up nearly 70% of the Hindu world, thus accounting for hundreds of millions of people. More, since the vast majority of Hindus are Vaishnavas, looking at the Vaishnava tradition will afford an overall sense of what Hindus in general actually believe. Regarding my own connection to the tradition, let me be clear: I still consider myself a practitioner, even though I am no longer a monk. And so when Rajiv Malhotra of the Infinity Foundation, a non-profit Hindu organisation, commissioned me to write a book on the parallels between Star Wars and the Hindu religion, I quickly became excited about the project. [pp. 35-36]
Or consider Yoda, best of the great Jedi adepts in Star Wars, who is reminiscent of a yogi or a spiritual master, his teachings quoted almost verbatim from the Bhagavad-gita. For example, Yoda tells Luke not to view him in terms of his size or outward appearance. He says that, in reality, we are ‘luminous beings’ – we are not the dull matter that we perceive with our crude senses. In short, he tells Luke that we are not our bodies but are instead a spiritual spark within. This is one of the Gita’s central teachings: ‘That which pervades the entire body you should know to be indestructible. No one is able to destroy the imperishable soul.’ (2.17) And further: ‘As the sun alone illuminates the entire universe, so does the living entity, one within the body, illuminate the entire body by consciousness.’ (13.34) Notice that the Gita also refers to the ‘luminosity’ so clearly expressed by Yoda. Yoda also teaches Luke self-control, the importance of restraining the senses. Every Jedi, he says, must overcome desire and anger. The Gita must have been Yoda’s sourcebook: ‘A faithful man who is dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge – and who subdues his senses – is eligible to achieve such knowledge, and having achieved it he quickly attains the supreme spiritual peace.’ (4.39) Again, ‘By the time death arrives, one must be able to tolerate the urges of the material senses and overcome the force of desire and anger. If one does so, he will be well situated and able to leave his body without regret.’ (5.23) It is interesting, too, that Yoda locates the source of the Jedis’ strength: it is not accessed independently but rather it flows from ‘the Force’, which he essentially defines as the ground of all being. Indeed, Yoda tells Luke that all ability comes from the Force, but that this is especially true of the Jedis’ supernatural powers. The Gita also says that all power flows from the ‘Force’, i.e., the metaphysical source of all that is: ‘Of all that is material and all that is spiritual, know for certain that I am both the origin and dissolution. . . .Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread. . . . I am the ability in man.’ (7.6-8) [pp. 41-42]
Rosen, Steven J. The Jedi in the Lotus: Star Wars and the Hindu Tradition. Arktos. Kindle Edition.
Nagaraj Paturi
How movies embraced Hinduism (without you even noticing)
Nagaraj Paturi
Seriously, Star Wars creator George Lucas is a long-time practitioner of TM and [it is said that] he based the Jedi Master character on Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the man who left the Himalayas in 1958 to bring this ancient and much needed practice to the modern western world. The same man who taught my teacher, Harry Martinian, TM in NYC in 1968.
A certain band from Liverpool also studied with Maharishi and practice TM. In fact, Paul and Ringo still travel the world with the David Lynch Foundation raising awareness and resources to teach children and veterans the method.
Blake Ian, “OK, for starters, Yoda practices TM” (TM Blog, 07/08/2014)
George Lucas has taken the instruction in Transcendental Meditation in the 1970's as a student at the University of Southern California and is reportedly still a daily meditator. He is familiar with the principles Science of Creative Intelligence that describe the practice and help to understand the experience during meditation.
This web page lists the similarities that can be found in his science fiction writings and cinematic work, especially the Star Wars literature. Many non-meditators may miss the significance of many of the quotes and ideas, without the experience to connect them to.
Regular practice of the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhis Program helps to understand the message that George Lucas is trying to convey. Those who are "in the know" can appreciate more of the deep message contained in his films.
George Lucas has known of Sidha Master Yogi - Maharishi Mahesh Yogi from the time he learned to meditate. Maharishi means "great teacher" in the tradition of Vedic Masters. It is apparent from his speech, small stature, and mannerisms that Maharishi has served as George's inspiration model for Jedi Master Yoda.
The intensive 6-month TM Teacher Training Course (TTC) and 3 month TM-Sidhis Program (including levitation) inspired the training program for Obi-Wan Kenobe, Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader), and Luke Skywalker.
Whether George Lucas sought to convey these deep principles of Vedic Science consciously or unconsciously, the Star Wars literature and movies have had tremendous Support of Nature (with "The Force"). The theme of "mind being more powerful than matter" are in tune with fundamental truths of the universe, the latest thinking in Physics - and Vedic Science.
The Washington Post published an article: "George Lucas: To feel the true force of 'Star Wars', he had to learn to let it go"
Here is an article about George Lucas and TM. http://tm-ireland.org/george-lucas
George Lucas taps into a fundamental desire we all have, to become more in tune with, and master our environment. He provides the examples of Anakin and Luke Skywalker studying, training, and growing up to become Jedi Masters. This can explain why George Lucas has become a multi-billionaire through his work, and why the Star Wars movies were one of the highest grossing films of all time.
“George Lucas, Star Wars, and Transcendental Meditation”
George Lucas learned the Transcendent Meditation technique more than 40 years ago. The internet is full of rumors that the concept of “The Force”, in his Star Wars films, was inspired by Maharishi’s “Science of Creative Intelligence”, the more theoretical background behind the Transcendental Meditation technique. George Lucas has recently given his full support to the initiatives of the David Lynch Foundation. A video was recently published on the website of his Edutopia project (the George Lucas Educational Foundation) about the exceptional success of Transcendental Meditation (Quiet Time) in a school in San Francisco see TM Edutopia Video.
The main editor of Edutopia, after his visit to a school in San Francisco where TM was practiced, said: “Every once in a while, when visiting a successful school, you see something that makes your jaw drop, something so extraordinary, you have to stop and make sure what you saw is actually what it appears to be.”
“George Lucas” (Transcendental Meditation)
Hello Paul,
Thanks for bringing to our attention this Maharishi Mahesh angle that adds to the list of Hindu influences on Star Wars that Steven Rosen, Jeff Long and HAF are compiling and disseminating.
The SW levitation scenes coupled with the fact Lucas has been a student of TM and continues to support its practice and pedagogy clinches the case.
Considering that the final trilogy is the production of JJ Abrams at Disney, we may wonder how well it continues to reflect the Hindu and Eastern influences that Lucas had channeled…
We hope all is going well and not just with your intense TM seances.
Sunthar
venkat veeraraghavan
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