Explores how popular religions and philosophies have influenced and are manifested in the world of Star Wars.

You have watched Luke Skywalker destroy the Death Star in A New Hope, seen Yoda merge with the Force in Return of the Jedi, and heard Rey contact the Jedi of the past in The Rise of Skywalker. But did you know that the Star Wars films contain parallels to religions and philosophies from around the world—from Christianity to Buddhism, and from Native American teachings to the Vedic knowledge of ancient India?

In One with the Force: 18 Universal Truths in Star Wars, Krista Noble explores these parallels, starting with the profound similarities between the philosophy of Star Wars and Vedic knowledge. Noble compares the Force to Brahman, the light and dark sides of the Force to sattva and tamas, the Jedi to the ancient yogis, and more. She discusses the purpose of life, collective consciousness, enlightenment, and immortality, before revealing that the Star Wars films have a universal perspective on life. Readers will learn the connections between these films and the religions and philosophies of the East and West, including Buddhism, Taoism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Native American/First Nations traditions.

Ultimately, One with the Force collects 18 universal truths in Star Wars—principles that are “true for all time, all places, and all people.” Readers will see that the philosophy of the Jedi does not only apply “in a galaxy far, far away,” but is also highly relevant to everyday living. Like Luke Skywalker, everyone should search their feelings and discover the deepest truths of life, in pursuit of their individual destinies, while striving to reach their full potential as human beings. In these ways, readers will learn how to embody the wisdom of the Jedi.

Krista Noble, PhD, is an expert on the Consciousness-BasedSM Vedic paradigm and received Maharishi International Universitys Veda Vyasa Award. She is also a lifetime member of the World Association for Vedic Studies. Dr. Noble is a professor of Vedic studies at Maharishi International University and at the Holmes Institute. In addition, she has taught this subject at the University of Philosophical Research. Dr. Noble has published works in the proceedings of the 2018 international World Association for Vedic Studies conference and the 2022 international Science of Consciousness conference. Her writings have appeared in national magazines and literary journals, including New Age Journal, Nature Friend, Grit, Farm & Ranch Living, Countryside, Home Educators Family Times, The Penwood Review, WestWard Quarterly, The Storyteller, Ceremony, The Acorn, and Advocate: P.K.A.s Publication.

Acknowledgments Part I. The Wisdom of the East in Star Wars Chapter 1. Setting the Scene Chapter 2. The Force and Universal Consciousness (Brahman) Chapter 3. Light, Darkness, Sattva, and Tamas Chapter 4. Balance and Dharma Chapter 5. Mind-to-Mind Effects and Collective Consciousness Chapter 6. Death and Immortality Chapter 7. Purpose, Karma, and Right Action Chapter 8. Intuition and Non-Attachment Chapter 9. Knowledge and Strength of Mind Chapter 10. Our True Nature Part II. Universal Truths in Star Wars Chapter 11. The Blind Men and the Elephant Chapter 12. Opposites and Balance Chapter 13. Death, Immortality, and Purpose Chapter 14. Selflessness, Right Action, and Karma Chapter 15. Intuition, Non-Attachment, and Positivity Chapter 16. Knowledge and Strength of Mind Chapter 17. Spirituality and Redemption Chapter 18. The Big Picture Appendix A. Different Styles of Meditation Appendix B. Scientific Studies Notes Bibliography Index About the Author

An intriguing addition to Star Wars scholarship, which reveals the timeless substructure underpinning the space-age saga. If you watched the Star Wars movies with a feeling in your bones that you were seeing something unfold that was not merely the product of modern creative storytellers but something ancient and powerful, this book will tell you why.
— Joe Holland, Maharishi International University

One with the Force reveals why Star Wars touches the souls of its fans, showing that this iconic film series has much more to it than meets the eye. Noble’s book expounds on the universal principles in Star Wars that inspire us and sustain the cosmos.
— Marci Shimoff, #1 New York Times-bestselling author, “Happy for No Reason” and “Chicken Soup for the Womans Soul”

This lucid study takes up a topic dear to my heart—the uses of fiction as a wisdom path—and traces essential principles from South Eastern and other traditions of wisdom and spirit appearing in Star Wars. The parallels mentioned by the author are evocative and even archetypal. The image of a path of spirituality emphasizing balance, experience, mindful action, and unity found in difference speaks strongly to our time of culture wars and increased questioning of traditional creeds.
— Craig Chalquist, PhD, author, “Soulmapper”

Krista Nobles insightful presentation of the Star Wars trilogy highlights and magnifies the inherent nobility of this blockbuster film series, as she unearths and identifies age-old universal principles of life and living embedded in the story. Nobles book provides a happy hunting ground for exploring the profound truths of the worlds cultural, spiritual, and religious traditions. A magnificent read!
— Judy Booth, PhD, former faculty member and advisor, Maharishi International University

This is a provocative work that will thrill Star Wars fans and those who have a passion for Eastern philosophy.
— B. Steven Verney, author of “The Best of All Possible Worlds”