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E.J. Gold and Robert Anton Wilson take a wonderful and playful look at the major symbolic metaphors of this contemporary archetypal story. Tongue-in-cheek but totally artful and impeccably outrageous!
The talk explores esoteric and mythological themes within *Star Wars*, delving into its deep symbolic underpinnings, connections to Buddhist and Hindu cosmology, and insights into time perception influenced by science fiction. The discussion extends to broader topics like mythmaking, societal structures, technological evolution, media influence, and the transformation of human consciousness in response to scientific and cultural shifts.
The conversation begins with a provocative assertion that *Star Wars* contains hidden esoteric teachings, often dismissed by mainstream critics, whom the speakers classify as the "Illiterati." The opening crawl of the films is interpreted as aligning with Buddhist philosophy about cyclical realities and infinite universes, paralleling discoveries in cosmology about the immensity of galaxies.
The discussion expands to science fiction's role in reshaping human understanding of time and history, arguing that exposure to expansive timelines in stories fosters a broader, less ego-centric perspective. References are made to historical and literary figures, from Heinlein to Joyce, pointing out how different narratives prepare audiences for a shift in consciousness.
A central theme revolves around the mythological and symbolic structures embedded in *Star Wars*, particularly the hero’s journey of Luke Skywalker, the dark seduction of the Force, and the philosophical tension between mastery and surrender. The speakers discuss archetypes like the Fool, Magician, and Great Mother, framing their existence in a broader spiritual transformation process reflected in various mythologies.
The conversation transitions into contemporary cultural and technological changes, especially microcomputers as carriers of intelligence beyond the biological brain. The speakers argue that advancing technology and space exploration signal humanity's evolutionary next step—a shift from neurochemical processing to something more expansive.
Parallels are drawn to historical mysticism, with references to Gurdjieff, Crowley, and Castaneda, positioning *Star Wars* as an emergent modern myth that deliberately embeds teachings for future generations. The speakers emphasize how mass media, merchandising, and culture inform mythology and subconscious beliefs long before explicit understanding takes root. They conclude by reinforcing the idea that reality itself is constructed through interconnected symbolic frameworks, leaving the audience to contemplate the inescapable web of meaning woven into human experience.
"A surreal landscape blending deep space with ancient symbols: a colossal, shadowed tarot 'Hanged Man' figure suspended amidst swirling galaxies; faint Buddhist mandalas interwoven into a nebula; a timeless, mystical desert with twin suns setting like an ancient prophesied sky; a cloaked figure standing at a crossroads, one path leading to a futuristic metropolis filled with neon-lit hieroglyphs, the other disappearing into an infinite fractal recursion of mythological echoes. Cinematic lighting, artwork resembling a fusion of Moebius and Giger, textured with subtle alchemical motifs."