The Tao of Star Wars

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This little book is an excellent explanation of the fundamentals of the Tao- and to the principles of the Force. This is because it cuts right to the core principles at the heart of all true religious paths, just as Lucas intended. The author draws heavily on the Tao Te Ching and other Taoist classics, but he also makes excellent use of Buddhist texts, as well as the Old and New Testaments. At their heart they all share the same belief in a unifying power from which we all came, all belong, and to which we shall all return.Yet, it is pointed out that the Tao is also highly personal. Studying a check list and trying to superficially conform to it isn't going to cut it. Knowledge and experience are not the same thing. As is pointed out, in school you receive the lesson, study it, and there is a test. In life, the test comes first, then it is up to you to learn the lesson from it afterwards. This only happens if you are open enough to receive it- open enough for your ego to get out of the way. Perhaps this is a book for latter life. If you do not seem to connect with it now, then put it aside for another day, perhaps another decade. One day, when you have traveled farther down the Path it will make perfect sense.Do not despair if you can find no master to study with. The Tao itself will initiate and teach if you merely meet it half way. When the student is ready, the teacher will come... This book will serve as a validation (though your inner voice is the true validator.)Why should you listen to this author? Besides his obviously being a perceptive and intuitive student of the Tao, he is also a chief surgeon and a student of Aikido. This is obviously not a trivial person.

From the high number of 5 star reviews, I expected a great deal from this book and was disappointed. The book itself is quite short at 114 pages, and contains a large number of illustrations which do not add to the content. If condensed down to just text, the books might have been something less than 50 pages.As regards content, the author provides quotes from the Tao Te Ching and references to the Star Wars films that he feels illustrate the themes of the Tao Te Ching. While there are eastern mystical influences in Star Wars (George Lucas and others have spoken publicly of this) the title of this book suggests Taoism as the major philosophical inspiration for the films which I don't believe is supported by watching the films. Lucas himself says that he was influenced by multiple sources, and a balanced treatment of the mystical influences of Star Wars should discuss Zen Buddhism, Shinto, Hinduism, and Christianity in equal proportion to Taoism.In my opinion, Star Wars itself seems like a poor place to begin if you want to discuss Taoism. A book like The Tao of Pooh does a much better job of expressing the spirit of Taoism, not to mention reading the source material directly in the Tao Te Ching and Chuang Tzu which are intended to convey the ideas of Taoism directly and in parable form. Star Wars is certainly greatly influenced by Samurai films, and so can't help but carry shades of the philosophy that underpin those films. But the reliance on The Force as a plot device, which is so critical in Star Wars, has nothing to do with Taoism. The characters of Star Wars (both good and bad) spend most of their time and energy involved in epic conflicts and struggles, which directly contradicts the spirit of Taoism.While discussing the influence of Taoism and other religious and mystical sources on Star Wars is an enjoyable activity, in my humble opinion, this book is too expensive and poorly supported to be worth reading.

This is a very well written and structured book. It first offers an overview of what The Tao is and how it breaks down for those unfamiliar with the concepts. The following chapters explore the different parts of the Tao while relating them to events in the Star Wars Saga. Works for me!! I found the book to be very accessable to those who are not in the know as far as The Tao. Relating the ideas to events and characters of the S.Wars films does help the Tao novice to retain the lessons..... and for those who are already in the know it is simply a good read. A great book to use to introduce younger people to the world of self awareness..... my only problem with the book would be the HORRIBLE. HORRIBLE cover which can be misleading. The cover looks like it was designed to be on a book in the bargin bin or the cover of those cheap little books found at the supermarket check out.

I have to confess when I bought this book I did not have high expectations. I may have been judging the book by its cover, but reading it was a pleasant and meaningful (if brief) experience. Porter successfully, in concise and clear language, illustrates some essential concepts of Taoism and the Tao Te Ching, and shows their relationship to Star Wars. At times I thought that he reprinted too much dialog from the movies, and in rare instances I was critical of his interpretation of Taoism. But overall I think Porter has done remarkably well in illustrating Taoism in its basic essence, and its reflection in the popular Star Wars movies. So yes, overall I give an encouraging recommendation to the dubious. This is a good book, but just expect a short book!

He did not use much information of start wars, but he made his point clear and in the process was very lucid about the Tao itself. Good reading

Merita di essere letto! E' un approccio interessante ed originale ai concetti chiave della filosofia Taoista con un pizzico di humor che non guasta.