Walking the Wall

Much of the second half of my mythology class has dealt with the theme
of compassion (coming together in passion) which is a central theme in
the Star Wars movies (which we
have watched the first three in class–first as in orignal three). I
think this concept is the second powerful truth that I have gained this
semester.  George Lucas, in an interview with Bill Moyers on Star Wars and Joseph Campbell,
puts the compassion theme of Star Wars in a nutshell when he says that
every day is a choice for compassion, for dignity–or not–we can be a
positive force or we can be a part of the problem.  Its as simple
as that.  Rollo May wrote a book entitled, “Man’s search for himself” where he touches on compassion as well. He writes that it is humanity’s capacity for consciousness
of self that allows compassion for others–or empathy. Further, that a
person is defined by his or her ability to empathize with others–we
are defined by compassion.  So the journey each person has to
“know thyself” is not only an internal journey, but it is a journey
inward in order to come to a place of compassion for others.  Life
is pain, Campbell says, but compassion is what gives it the possibility
of continuing.