“The Force is in all of us”

“The Force Will Be With You Always” – Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi

So we’re a month away from the most anticipated film of this holiday season: Star Wars – The Force Awakens!!! I am a huge Star Wars fan, Nerdy Level Huge! I started thinking about the connection between THE FORCE used by the Jedi for good and the Sith’s for evil and the same mental power that resides within each of us & how we’re using it to make our lives better or worse, sometimes without even knowing it.

If you’ve followed Star Wars at all, you already know this saga is really about the inner battle we all face over which power within will control THE FORCE, the darkness of the ego and the wounded inner child or the light of the truth self that is not distracted by illusions of the outer world. Being neutral, THE FORCE will shape itself to whatever state of consciousness you choose. If you focus on the truth within and the goodwill of all including yourself, then your path is that of the JEDI and if you focus on anger, pain & destruction, that will lead you to the Dark Side. I wonder how many of us are in the Sith camp throughout the day rather than working towards a Yoda-like mastery of ourselves? I sometimes think we forget that it truly is a CHOICE.

Yogic philosophies and numerous world religions all have mindfulness practices that are the key to happiness, well-being and success. Hospitals & prison use it to rehabilitate; marriage & family counselors use it to heal relationships and in our personal lives we can use it to master ourselves and our reality. Mindfulness means being present in the NOW. As modern day Jedi Master, Thich Nhat Hanh once said, “Mindfulness is the energy that helps us recognize the conditions of happiness that are already present in our lives,” it’s not ten years away or trapped somewhere in the past, it all here right now!

When Anakin’s mother is killed, he begins to entertain feelings of powerlessness, anger and hatred; and it consumes him. Yoda said it best, “Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” Before long Skywalker turns completely to the dark side, becoming one of THE GREATEST villains of all times, the Sith Lord – Darth Vader.

Check out our fun November Spa Specials inspired by my obsession with everything Star Wars.