The Tao of Star Wars [Paperback]

John M. Porter (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0893343854 | ISBN-13: 978-0893343859 | Publication Date: January 31, 2003

The Tao Te Ching, after the Bible, is the most translated book in the world. Its reputed author, Lao Tzu, lived about 2600 years ago. Faced with a corrupt, competitive, egocentric society, which had lost its way (sound familiar), he left society riding upon an ox. He felt that society had lost the Tao and that was the cause of the decline of the civilization. Humans have always had an insatiable hunger for spiritual guidance and recently westerners have had a rekindled interest in the Tao. Perhaps it is because we see the same problems today that Lao Tzu saw in his day.

The "Star Wars" series contains, for some, a philosophical basis. "The Tao of Star Wars" uses the motifs from the "Star Wars" series to explain the basic tenets of Taoism. Although some of these concepts are relatively familiar, such as acceptance, patience and simplicity, their nuances as they apply to Taoism are invigorated utilizing the "Star Wars" motifs. Other tenets, such as wu wei, yin-yang and p’u, may be completely foreign to the western mind and deep philosophical explanations are not practical for application to daily living. Since following the Tao is walking a living path in harmony with the way the world is sensible definitions are needed. These Taoist concepts have life breathed into them by the "Star Wars" themes. This will allow the reader to apply these concepts to one’s life as the essence of the Tao is to experience life in the present moment.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John M. Porter, M.D. has been studying the Tao and traveling along the Way for the past ten years. He integrates his practice of Taoism with the practice of Aikido. He is a Professor of Clinical Surgery and the Chief Trauma Surgeon at the University of Arizona. He lives with his wife, Lee, and two children, Jayson and Jourdan, in Tucson, Arizona.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Humanics Trade Group (January 31, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0893343854
• ISBN-13: 978-0893343859
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #350,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IMHO - The clearest, most useful introduction to the Tao!, September 4, 2003

By 

D. Walker "Dan" (Merritt Island, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tao of Star Wars (Paperback)

I can't say enough about this book. After reading many books on Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching, I have found this to be the clearest, most concise, and most useful yet! I have read and re-read this book many times now and continue to get new insights each time I read it. If you are even the slightest fan of Star Wars, and are looking to flow with the Tao, this book is, IMHO, for you! I found the Tao of Star Wars more edifying, and with less rambling, than what I found in the Tao of Pooh.

Chapter titles are: Taoism - An Overview, The Force as the Tao, Acceptance, Patience, Uncarved Block, Wu Wei, Simplicity, Humility, Life Experience, Present Moment Living, and Yoda the Sage Master.

I would also recommend getting a copy (you can find it online for free) of Stephen Mitchell's translation of the Tao Te Ching since most of the quotes in the Tao of Star Wars are quoted from it.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational Introduction to the Tao Te Ching, December 7, 2004

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tao of Star Wars (Paperback)

The Tao is a path...the only logical act is to travel it. ~John M. Porter, M.D. (Professor of Clinical Surgery in Arizona)

John M. Porter has been studying the Tao and believes following the Tao is like "walking a living path." I loved how he takes The Star Wars series and explains how it is connected to the basic tenets of Taoism. He shows how Taoist roots touch every aspect of life from feng shui to qu gong or I Ching.

If you are new to The Tao Te Ching, it will be interesting to read the translated portions from Stephen Mitchell's translation. If you are a Star Wars fan, then you will enjoy a wealth of quotes. The author's comments are interspaced between quotes from the movie and The Tao Te Ching. You may also find the Chinese characters to be interesting. There are drawings throughout.

The Chapters Include:

Taoism - an overview and an explanation as to why the Tao is highly personal. There is a brief summary of the concepts to follow in each additional chapter.

The Force as the Tao - Quotes from George Lucas and the connection between his movies and Joseph Campbell's teachings.

Each additional chapter takes one quality and explores how it shows up in the movies:

Acceptance

Patience - This chapter was of special interest to me since I once prayed for patience and since then have been thrown into the patience journey. (You sometimes get what you pray for...) In this chapter he shows how Luke needs patience. He then quotes "Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are" from chapter 67 of The Tao Te Ching. Then he gives these quotes:

Yoda: (signing) Will he finish what he begins?

Then the author shows how patience and perseverance work together to yield good results. Thinking of "patience in action" was a new concept for me.

Uncarved Block
Wu Wei
Simplicity
Humility
Life Experience
Present Moment Living

Yoda the Sage Master - I loved the "Traits of a Master" in the Yoda chapter. These can be wonderful goals for anyone seeking to live a more spiritual existence.

John M. Porter is a natural teacher who knows how to take examples and fill them out into life teachings. This book made me want to go rent the entire Star Wars series and it is a must-have for Star War fans. I found this book to be a peaceful, healing read and I can highly recommend it to you.

~The Rebecca Review

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SUPERB BOOK FOR UNDERSTANDING TAOISM, March 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Tao of Star Wars (Paperback)

There are many "Tao of" books on the market today. Most, if not all of them deviate from the essence of Taoism. That is not that case in this book. This book is excellent, both for beginners seeking to learn the Tao, as well as for those with experience who may need to be renewed in the Tao. The Star Wars analogies make it an enjoyable read. I recommend this book highly to all.