 |
Star Wars And Psychology: Embracing The Dark Side
Author: Kyle Varner  | Posted: 02-03-2006 | Comments: 0 | Views: 306 | Rating: (50)  (?) 
A few evenings ago, some friends and I decided to watch the latest Star Wars film, Return of the Sith. This film got me thinking about a concept that is key to much of the hypnotherapy that I do, and is an excellent example of how not to lead one's life.
Much of what makes the Star Wars story so alluring is the puzzling change that occurs in Anakin Skywalker. How is it that a man can turn from supremely good to the embodiment of evil? We're led to love Anakin the Jedi and hate the same man, only a few days later. It is both puzzling and troubling. What is even more puzzling (and perhaps troubling) is that, on the surface, it seems that Anakin's love for Padmé is what leads him, ultimately, to the dark side.
This is an excellent example of the way the Jung claims that the human shadow works. The shadow, according to Jung, is a huge portion of our personality that we disown. We disavow it, and lock it away. Once it is locked away, it becomes destructive. We can see this in many ways: a person who denies something about themselves turns to self-destructive behaviors such as excessive drinking, or even worse, becomes violent. It is commonly accepted that many anti-social behaviors have their roots in a person's inner conflict.
Anakin's inner conflict is severe. He lives like a Jedi—which is, more or less, a monastic life. So many of the other Jedi do this very well—and Anakin fails. He fails the moment he starts to let his shadow express itself. What has been locked up for so long has grown vicious, and now consumes and destroys him. The image of Anakin locked into the hood of Darth Vader shows that he has really become consumed; he shadow has gotten loose; all that is good about him has been destroyed.
There is a lesson to be learned from this; and it's a lesson that goes back thousands of years. There are parts of us that we, or society, don't like. We have instincts, desires and urges that are, in some ways, unacceptable. It is only natural that we should try to repress them—by doing so we can be accepted by those around us. Unfortunately, when we oppress what we don't like about ourselves, it causes problems. It is the root of many neuroses and other problems in our lives.
The solution to this problem seems simple and is a monumental task: we must strive to make ourselves whole. That means, when we feel an urge to do something unacceptable, we must step back and examine that urge. We have to figure out what is at the root of that urge, and we have to integrate it into our lives in a positive way. We must understand that we are good—and that applies to everything about us. Something that has been shoved aside and allowed to become bitter and vicious is simply a natural part of us gone bad, and it is incumbent upon us to address that. In order to live good, healthy and happy lives, we have to embrace our dark side.
If Anakin Skywalker (and the Jedi) were to embrace the Dark Side in a healthy way, they would be more powerful than ever. They would feel emotions—love, anger, fear, and hate—and all of those emotions would be in proper perspective. Additionally, they would have access to the power that all of these emotions affords their adversaries, the Sith. Keeping the ill effects of some human emotions at bay does not help the Jedi at all; it just leads to dramatic outbursts of those same emotions. The lesson here is simple and very important: embrace your dark side in a healthy way, and you will be happier and more powerful.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/self-help-articles/star-wars-and-psychology-embracing-the-dark-side-16669.html
About the Author:Kyle B. Varner, CHt is a Clinical Hypnotherapist practicing in Annapolis, Maryland. He maintains a blog, Mind Changing Hypnosis that contains free advice, scripts and hypnotic recordings. He also offers online Self-Hypnosis coaching.
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Slimming Down Using Hypnosis
By: Todd Stofka | 19/08/2007 | Health
More and more people are becoming aware that to effectively lose weight, to slim down and to be able to keep the weight off one must use a sensible approach. While there may be more and more slimming aids entering the already saturated market for weight loss products, most of them are known to be a complete waste of money. Hypnotherapy for slimming down is highly effective because of the reasons that people become overweight in the first place.
Hypnosis And The Unconscious Vs. The Subconscious Debate
By: Barrie St John | 14/06/2007 | Self Help
When we talk about hypnosis or hypnotherapy, we often hear the terms subconscious mind or unconscious mind. It's become clear to me that there is some degree of confusion over the meaning of the terms, and the difference between the two.
It bears clarifying where the terms came from and...
The Psychology of Quitting Smoking - Now How to Quit Smoking
By: Jane Olsson | 18/01/2008 | Quit Smoking
Most people dont know the psychology behind smoking and that is a major reason why they cant quit smoking.
From Aaaaah To Ahaa! - Treating Phobias Through Hypnotherapy For Phobias
By: Richard Mackenzie | 14/07/2006 | Motivational
Are you one of those who mortally fears flying in airplane or getting into an elevator; are you one of those people who would rather live on take out food for days if you found a rat in your cupboard while cleaning?
Break Up Doesn't Have To Mean Break Down
By: Richard MacKenzie | 30/08/2006 | Advertising
Fact: Break Ups and Divorce are on the increase worldwide. There are many reasons for this and it was even reported last week that biggest growing issue is infidelity. It is also one of the harshest reasons to cause a slit.
A Commonsense Approach To Business Growth
By: Richard MacKenzie | 07/02/2007 | Management
Hypnotherapy is known the world over for being a great tool for self change and personal development; however it is capable of much more such as, it is a fantastic tool for business growth and development for business' of all sizes. More and more in the twenty-first century, entrepreneurs and...
Three Common Uses of Medical Hypnosis
By: Dane Bergen | 07/03/2007 | Self Help
When most people hear the word "hypnosis," they think of magicians or parlor tricks. Perhaps they picture a hypnotized person clucking like a chicken or barking like a dog. The truth is that hypnosis represents a state of deep relaxation, somewhere between being asleep and being awake...
Are Eye Lids Heavy? Do You Feel Sleepy?
By: Jeff Clare | 10/04/2007 | Non-Fiction
Do you want to lose weight? Do you want to stop smoking? Do you want a better golf game? Do you want to be more confident? Yes, all this can be yours, and there's more, much more.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Dreams
By: marion | 10-07-2008
i have been having recurring dreams for the past year and a half, they are driving me crazy. It has to to with my deceased mother and deceased stepfather and other things from the past. I was wondering if my parents are trying to tell me something.
Grieving process for a 12 year old
By: petunyabug | 10-07-2008
What is the "normal" grieving process for a 12 year old? (It was his dad) I'm sure that is why he is sleeping a lot and staying in bed and being smart alecky. (yes, I know part of that is his age in general) I just need to know signs to look out for that there may be trouble brewing. Thank you!!
Do any women in New Jersey have the guts to kick ...
By: someoneyoudontknow | 09-07-2008
Do any women in New Jersey have the guts to kick me in the balls? I bet $200 that no women have the guts to kick me in the nuts without feeling bad about it. The same day that happens is the same day I'll put on panties and dance to a Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, or Pussycat Dolls song. That's how sure I am! You can pick out the song and panties, I don't care!
Dependent Personality Disorder?
By: wendi | 09-07-2008
My ten year old stepdaughter was adopted. Her adoptive mother died when the child was 3 years old. Now she can't do anything on her own. She can't make even minor decisions like what to wear. When she is asked a question or is asked to do something she will just stand there and stare like you are speaking another language. She constantly wants to be near her dad. I understand that it was hard losing a mother at three years old, but how do i get her to become more independent with minor decisions?
Tania and peggy so
By: voterperson | 09-07-2008
You see this is the part that bothers Peggy. What she cannot understand is if she was always skinny why would Tania say "Girl you are skinny" ALSO CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY TANIA WOULD SAY ?YOU ARE SKINNY WHEN PEGGY IS ALREADY SKINNY MY QUESTION: DO YOU AGREE WITH WHAT I TOLD PEGGY?. ALSO IF SOMEONE IS ALREADY SKINNY WOULD THE COMMENT ?GIRL YOU ARE SKINNY, YOU LOST WEIGHT? STILL BE SAID ANYWAY (REGARDLESS). PEGGY AND TANIA STORY:QUESTION after you read the story: Did I give the right answer? STORY: Peggy was out sick for two days in a row with food poisoning. When Peggy came back to work she met Tania by the ladies roomTania: ?Girl you are skinny, you lost weight?(Peggy thought Tania was implying that Tania never thought Peggy was skinny before her two day illness - everyone is always telling Peggy she is skinny - all of her)Then at 3PM the following conversation took place:Peggy: ?Tania do you think I still look sick and pale?Tania ?You do look pale?Peggy ?Do I still look drawn like you told me earlier?Tania ? I didn?t say that. What I said was your face looked like it lost weight and when one isn?t smiling one looks paler and their face looks thinner? Peggy called me that night and related the story to me.Peggy ?Is Tania implying that she never thought I was skinny before my two day illness.I said: ?No Tania was not saying that at all. All Tania said was that your face looked skinnier
Describe someone who is your opposite number
By: qzmaster591 | 09-07-2008
Try to describe someone that's the opposite to you, in every detail.Then ask to yourself: may he/she be your friend?
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Self Help Articles
Prayers - How They Work
By: Andy Smith | 19/07/2008
Prayers have been talked about since many centuries. Every time, someone falls in a trouble, he/she wants to pray. But many people complain that their prayers are not getting answered. People of every religion believe in prayers. Internet is full of websites that have prayer requests. A prayer is asking the God what ever we want. In ordinary life we ask people what we want. Similarly in a prayer we ask God what we want.
Several Tips Towards a Younger Body and Mind
By: Lauren B. Wallace | 18/07/2008
As we get older, many of us are wishing that the fountain of youth was in fact a reality. And if you doubt the power of the fountain of youth, then maybe you are wishing that someone out there has created a magic pill that will keep you forever young. Well, unfortunately neither one of these things exists. As a result, we have to rely upon our own smarts to prepare ourselves for a healthy and youthful future.
Personality Types - Aggressive and Passive
By: Andy Smith | 18/07/2008
I am the world. The world must obey me. I can never be wrong. I know what is to be done and how. All of you must follow what I say without any protest, because I tolerate no dissent. I am the storehouse of all the knowledge and what I do not know is not worth knowing. I am the most intelligent person going around and though I do not show it clearly, I know that all of you are much lower than me in intelligence. I am the boss.
Persuasion Techniques – How to Use Persuasion Techniques in a New Working Environment
By: Michael Lee | 17/07/2008
The best persuasion techniques are usually the simplest. These influence tactics won't require you to get your hands dirty; they won't even force you to do a lot of research.
Are You Caught in Societal Eating Habits? Here's a Health Quiz for Eating and Weight Issues
By: Kathleen Fuller | 17/07/2008
Are you caught in societal eating habits? Does your life really consist of healthy eating? Your healing journey is unique, but certain behavioral similarities are fundamental at the start for nearly everyone who is affected. The answers can be found in taking this Health Quiz for weight issues and eating issues, created by Dr. Fuller
Self-esteem and False-esteem!
By: nadia cherubin | 16/07/2008
Will you love yourself enough to not perpetrate a fraud?
My Autobiography II - Health
By: Eileen Kelley | 16/07/2008
I have shared by autobiography with you and wanted to take a moment to explain the life threatening illness I went through a few years ago.
The year was 1981, place Sutton. The whole of South Central Massachusetts and Black Stone Valley was hit hard by a plague of gypsy moth...
5 Ways to Feel Great, Now
By: Angelo Campione | 15/07/2008
How often do you get up in the morning and feel great?
For most people, the answer is not very often if ever at all. The standard mode is getting out of bed because you have to and from there living the rest of the day with a low level feeling...
|
|
Self Improvement 
