This essay is from paraquem
Published on October 7, 2001

George Lucas & Carlos Castaneda in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

• Introduction
• A definite influence
• Basic commonalities, clear differences
• Yoda, the shaman
• Mystical initiation
• "Do or do not ... there is no try"
• "Remember your failure at the tree"
• Gaining an ally, and the Trials
• "Luminous beings are we ... not this crude matter"
• Fortuitous meetings in the Star Wars saga
• Disappearing Jedi (and the relevance of lineage)
• Jar Jar Binks, vegetation spirits and re:birth
• Summary

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Introduction

In 1960, an anthropology student named Carlos Castaneda was to meet an individual who would change his life forever. This individual was named Don Juan Matus, and their association was to be documented over the course of many books. Don Juan was revealed to be a sorcerer (also referred to as seer, man of knowledge, shaman), and took Castaneda under his tutelage and on an incredible journey - sometimes humorous, often perilous. Castaneda and his books became famous worldwide, though there were eventual questions as to the veracity of the stories told in the books. Could his experiences be real, did Don Juan even exist etc, etc ... ?

Regardless of those questions however, the purpose of this piece is to demonstrate the influence of Carlos Castaneda’s books on the Star Wars saga.

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