This is a really fascinating piece about the Jedi, their values/methods, and the view of them through the lens of therapy, as written by a psychologist–in that their methods are analogous to actual therapy methods–especially the focus on mindfulness as something that I think applies a lot to Anakin:
Jedi or not, mindfulness has many physical and psychological benefits. In fact, regular mindfulness practice can reduce anxiety and depression, reduce symptoms of PTSD, improve mood, improve brain functioning, and potentially prolong life.
It struck me, while reading, that anxiety is a big focus of this essay as through the lens of what mindfulness (paying attention to your feelings, being in the present moment with them, which is what the Jedi teach) is something incredibly applicable to Anakin Skywalker, that the list of symptoms I often see in him (whether narratively intended or not, I certainly see them!) are pretty spot on.
It also talks about what non-attachment means (” Non-attachment refers to allowing things to be as they are.“), how the Jedi’s methods are about psychological flexibility, and how, “it turns out that the Jedi might have been onto something”.
Obi-Wan Kenobi: “Master Yoda says I should be mindful of the future.”
Qui-Gon Jinn: “But not at the expense of the present moment.”
“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.”
—biomedical scientist Jon Kabat-Zinn
Sure, it looks cool to wield a lightsaber and fight against the Imperial Stormtroopers, but what does it actually take to become a Jedi? Which Jedi practices resemble mental health practices currently used to help people with various mental health disorders? What are the main differences between a Jedi and a Sith, and how do they relate to mental health?
The Jedi Knights study and serve the Force, a mystical energy that connects all things. They fight as a last resort. They are guided by the Force and follow principles of non-attachment and self-discipline. The Jedi also value mindfulness, acceptance, and compassion, all of which have been shown to help people with various psychological disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, substance addictions, and other disorders. Therapies that specifically focus on some of these “Jedi” skills are known as mindfulness-based therapies, and include acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy.
Learning Psychological Flexibility:
Mindfulness
Each Jedi spends a lifetime training to use and be one with the Force. The Force is a kind of metaphysical power that guides the Jedi. It is said to be everywhere and in everything. The Jedi Masters teach their Padawans from an early age to quiet their minds in order to be able to connect with the Force. This connection with the Force is a form of mindfulness, which refers to paying attention to the present moment on purpose, without judgment or distraction. It turns out that the Jedi might have been onto something. Jedi or not, mindfulness has many physical and psychological benefits. In fact, regular mindfulness practice can reduce anxiety and depression, reduce symptoms of PTSD, improve mood, improve brain functioning, and potentially prolong life.
Many people spend a great deal of time feeling devastated about the past, as Anakin Skywalker does about not being able to see his mother anymore after she dies, and worrying about the future, as Anakin does when he fears losing Padmé. Instead, mindfulness focuses on the present moment. This practice may include noticing the sounds that are present in the environment, observing emotions, or paying attention to one’s own breath or other physical sensations that arise naturally in the body. The key is to notice when the attention drifts away from the intended focus and to bring it back nonjudgmentally, accepting the experience as it is. Sometimes when a person is engaging in an unpleasant task, such as cleaning out the refrigerator, or is feeling a painful emotion, like sadness or anxiety, focusing on this experience might be difficult. However, research shows that people who are more mindful of their experiences, who connect with their feelings and tasks, even if they are unpleasant, are generally significantly happier than people who try to distract themselves or focus on something more pleasant.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a type of therapy that uses similar skills to those that the Jedi teach. The primary idea behind ACT is that mental disorders stem from psychological inflexibility, such as thinking only in absolute terms (as the Sith do)—“If you’re not with me, then you’re my enemy.” To help people who struggle with psychological inflexibility, ACT focuses on the following six skills to increase psychological flexibility:
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