The Jedi Mind: Interview with Amy Ratcliffe

2020 has brought many challenges, with escapism becoming a truly important part of our lives. The ability to travel to a galaxy far, far away—whether it’s through movies, TV shows, or the publishing world—allows the mind to pause the stress and concerning thoughts of our world. The Jedi Mind: Secrets from the Force for Balance and Peace—written by Amy Ratcliffe and beautifully illustrated by Christina Chung—goes beyond the escapism that is Star Wars, exploring mindfulness through the wisdom of fans’ all-time favorite characters.

“The Jedi Mind came together from a few different points. I was thinking about the fortune cookies at the beginning of each episode of The Clone Wars—like you do. They’re full of wisdom we can take out of the galaxy far, far away and bring into the real world. When talking with my editor Steve Mockus, who I wanted to work with again after Women of the Galaxy, this idea evolved into what became The Jedi Mind,” Ratcliffe shared in an interview with TatooineTimes.com.

“We realized the lessons of the Jedi and the way they and others talk about the Force tied very closely to mindfulness. Although mindfulness doesn’t exist by that name in the Star Wars universe, it’s a pretty natural fit. A goal early on was to include brief exercises to make mindfulness accessible and do so through a Star Wars lens—along with gorgeous illustrations of course. Christina Chung did the art for the book, and her work is soothing and lovely. My hope is that the book will bring those who read it some small measure of peace and calm.”

Ratcliffe shared her writing process for The Jedi Mind—delving into the connection between some of the most iconic quotes and wisdom from Star Wars with mindfulness practices.

“It really did start with quotes and moments from Star Wars. Qui-Gon Jinn of course is practically a mindfulness teacher with lines like ‘Your focus determines your reality.’ But I looked beyond him and Yoda to other Jedi and to beings familiar with the Force like Bendu and Maz Kanata,” Ratcliffe said. “As I made a long list of quotes about the Force and being in the moment, I started imagining mindfulness exercises I’d tried and learned about to pair with them. I tried to put together practices and quotes to complement each other, and I was surprised by how easily it all came together.”

Among the many mindfulness practices collected in The Jedi Mind, Ratcliffe admitted that some (for example meditation) work well for her all the time while others will depend on her mood.

“One I feel in my core is forest bathing. Developed in Japan to great success, forest bathing is about being in nature wholly. You don’t have your phone out taking photos, you’re not listening to a podcast while you take your walk. You soak in the forest (or urban park or backyard or whatever green space you have nearby) using all your senses,” Ratcliffe said. “Being in nature simply makes me feel more me, so forest bathing is an excellent mindfulness practice for me. Plus I think Yoda and also Ewoks would really appreciate it.”

The Jedi Mind gives the opportunity to Star Wars fans to discover the beautiful gift of mindfulness—which can be unwrapped by anyone anytime.

“I think it’s important for everyone to learn about mindfulness. Data supports how mindfulness can alleviate stress, mental distress, and physical ailments. It’s all about being in the now, not losing yourself in worrying about the future or ruminating on the past. You’re aware, you’re in the present moment. That can have incredible value in how you interact with yourself and the world around you,” Ratcliffe shared.

The Jedi Mind is by no means an academic textbook or a comprehensive study of mindfulness, but it’s a great tool for achieving a new state of mind through the emotional connection we all have with the beloved galaxy far, far away.

Are you interested in learning more about mindfulness, the Star Wars way? Then make sure to grab your own copy of The Jedi Mind: Secrets from the Force for Balance and Peace and make sure to stay updated with Amy Ratcliffe’s upcoming Star Wars project by following her on Twitter and Instagram.