“There is no death, there is the Force”
This line of the Code is harder for me to explain because I am in a point in my life where I am re-evaluating my beliefs. I see this line of the code two different ways. One would be stated as “There is life after death,” and the other “There is always hope.”
In giving meaning to this line, you first need to give meaning to the Force. In Star Wars it is described as “an energy field that is created by all living things. It binds the galaxy together.” I see it and feel it a little differently. To me, the Force is not created by life but is energy that creates and sustains life. It may also be the energy that creates and sustains everything we see, living and non-living. If so, then the Force is the energy that does bind all matter in the universe together and is an energy from a higher power than our own. It creates us, sustains us, guides us, is always there when we need it and we become one with it when we die.
All living things at some point in the course of their life will die, our bodies and minds no longer function for whatever reason. This is a sad and grieving time for humans and possibly for other species as well. It is my belief that the body is a vessel that houses our true spiritual being, our luminescent being. Our spiritual being is an energy that can not be destroyed but lives on after we die.
I have heard many beliefs of what happens to us once we die. I was brought up to believe that our souls go to heaven and live for eternity with God. From the little I have read about other religions, most seem to believe that we live in another place after death and join others that have died before us. I feel that we do go to a place where there are others waiting to help us but I also believe that these others, our soul or spiritual groups, also help us throughout our lives. Some believe in eternal life and others in reincarnation. Whichever is true, if not both, I believe we are joined by the Force in life and join the Force at death.
There are many accounts from people who have had near death experiences. The experience of leaving their bodies, seeing bright light, the feeling of joy and peace are told by almost all. In the books by James Redfield, he tells of dying and joining our soul groups to evaluate the life we lived and see what we were supposed to do during our life. We are then reborn to continue our journey to complete our purpose in life and move towards human spiritual evolution. I like what Redfield says. Being an optimist, I look forward to peace and heaven on Earth. So as believed by many cultures, there is no death, for we continue to live in realm beyond us, we live as one with the Force.
“There is always hope,” is the other way I see this line of the Code. It has to do with being one with the Force while we are alive. A person who is experiencing extreme problems in their life can feel like their life is worth nothing or there is nothing they can do to fix what is wrong. Depression, stress and the feeling of being helpless to whatever is happening can make someone feel like their life is dying around them. They lose confidence and trust in themselves and they loose hope that their life can get better. Everything seems to go wrong and they feel completely alone. Under the right circumstances this could happen to anyone, but it is not the end, “There is no death, there is the Force.” As a Jedi and a believer of a Divine power, I believe you are never alone, the Force is always with you. In meditation you can feel its warmth, calm, loving peace. Use the Force to help you feel safe and secure and allow the Force to guide you in your future. Trusting in the Force will give you hope and strength to see you through even the toughest times. No matter how bad things may seem, there is always hope.
If someone you know is having problems and they feel like they are at the end of their rope, do your best to be there for them. Gain strength from the Force and give that strength to the other person, either through words, deeds or healing meditation. Show them compassion, ask them what you can do to help. Sometimes just showing you care can be enough to give them a glimmer of hope.
At the times I feel helpless in dealing with my husband’s illness or just feel the pressures of life, I find comfort in the Force. I either pray to my God or meditate and allow myself to be absorbed by the Force. I give myself to it, feeling the unconditional love and peace it gives me. It gives me new strength to continue and a new hope for the future.
May the Force be with you,