As I have done with the film saga, I would like to comment on and analyze the TV show from a Zen perspective. Star Wars is clearly influenced by Zen and the two work well together. This is because Zen is a practical and immediately useful philosophy that can improve the quality of anyone's life, whether they be atheist, Christian, Jew or Jedi. In the first episode, Ambush, Yoda makes this perfectly clear.

We find Yoda and his three clone companions in a cave, obtaining a momentary respite from their battle against the Separatist forces. Outnumbered and with limited weapons, the clones are discouraged, ready to give up.

Yoda speaks to each clone in turn, encouraging them with individualized advice designed to address their particular fears. Then he says, "Clones, you may be, but the Force resides in all life forms. Use it, you can, to quiet your mind."

It is certainly a trait of Zen Masters to recognize the unique and-seemingly contradictory-universal nature of all "life forms." This is an important topic. One that reveals to us how closely we are tied to each other. It is often touched on in Star Wars, but I will skip it for now. Instead, I want to comment on the second part of what Yoda said. Namely, using the Force to quiet the mind.

The Force, as we all know, is an energy, a power created by all living things. Yoda says the Force can be used to quiet the mind. He says this to non-Force wielders. Clones. People like us. How can we use the Force? We are not Jedi. We cannot draw upon the Force to turn Super Battle Droids on their allies or catapult Battle Doids into spare parts. No such power resides in us. Ahh, but this is where a Zen Master would disagree. Power does reside in us. A power not so spectacular as the Force, but one that the Jedi use everyday.

The power I refer to is "mindfulness." It may sound familiar to you. Qui-Gon spoke of it, as did Obi-Wan and Anakin, as well as Yoda. Mindfulness is a power that "quiets the mind" and when the mind is quiet our actions are purer, more direct and in perfect balance. When the mind is not quiet, when thinking is discursive and random, it is hard to know the right thing to do. In such a state we are prone to errors.

Yoda and the clones were hiding from a full battalion of enemy droids. They were nearly without ammunition and one of their number was injured. It would be easy to give way to thoughts of fear, defeat and death. But Yoda spoke to them, settling them down and offering them a way to quiet their minds. With their minds quiet, Yoda told them, "Know the time to help me, you will." With mindfulness it is much easier to know when, and when not, to act. The clones knew the right time and were able to help Yoda and ultimately achieve their mission.

We don't usually have Jedi or Zen Masters at hand to help us achieve the inner quiet Yoda spoke of, but mindfulness resides in all life forms. We can develop that power to see the puzzles and problems of our lives more clearly and know the best course of action to take.

If you are interested in training yourself in mindfulness, please read on. Otherwise, thanks for reading and may the Force be with you.

As with the Jedi, Zen students train themselves in mindfulness. It is a very simple training that can be done anywhere at any time. Let's try it now. Focus your attention on your breath. Notice your in breath and your out breath. Keep your attention on your in breath through the entire length of your inhalation. Keep your attention on your out breath through the entire length of your exhalation. Maintain concentration on your breath for as long as possible. Don't change your breath. Don't breathe deeply. Just let your breath be natural and watch it. It is a good idea to do this as often as possible. At first you may want to be alone and in a quiet place when you try this. As you become more accustomed to following your breath, you will find it easier to do it anywhere.

Mindfulness will help you in a variety of ways. For some, it helps them be better students. Others are able to be kinder to those around them. It has helped me understand myself and my problems better. I am a better and happier person because of it. There is no belief necessary to train in mindfulness. Your religious or non-religious background will not be threatened. In fact, it will be enhanced. Mindfulness gets you in touch with you, not with a new belief system. That is why it is effective for all people.

One more thing: it is not quite right to say mindfulness will "quiet" the mind. It's better to think of it as collecting the mind, gathering together the scattered pieces so there is less clutter, more order. Kind of like how Vader wanted to "gather" Luke to him to bring "order to the galaxy."