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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Mystical initiation

In "The Empire Strikes Back", we see Luke Skywalker’s Jedi training begin for real. He is introduced to new ideas, and compelled to abandon those he had previously clung to. He is subjected to great exertions, both physical and psychological. It is a perpetual test/evaluation of the student by the Master.

What we witness in this training is the destruction (of sorts) of Luke Skywalker - as Yoda says, "you must unlearn what you have learned". It is not possible to gain access to the larger world of the Jedi/sorcerer still holding on to one’s old ideas. Just as Luke is subjected to this breaking down of the old self, so is Castaneda under Don Juan’s tutelage. A few comparisons -

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