From Publishers Weekly
Bortolin, an ordained member of Thich Nhat Hanh's Buddhist community, may be the ideal person to write about the Buddhist themes in Star Wars: he camped out for tickets to all of the movies—even the less than stellar ones—and possesses his very own set of Jedi robes. In short, consistent chapters, Bortolin explores themes such as suffering, mindfulness, karma and transcending the dark side. One especially helpful chapter examines what nirvana is, comparing it to the all-pervasive Force of Star Wars, and clarifying that nirvana isn't a sort of Buddhist heaven or a blissed-out mental condition. Rather, Bortolin asserts, it is "the very absence of ideas and conceptualization." Bortolin looks to Jedi meditation as a parallel discipline to the Buddhist practice of mindfulness meditation. In this state, Jedi knights "get in touch with reality as it truly is," observing their minds with calm compassion and allowing greater understanding of the present moment. One of the book's greatest strengths is Bortolin's stubborn determination to find something redeeming about the two most recent Star Wars films, and he does actually recover enough of these nuggets to make some fans take a second look at those overhyped flicks. With humor, strong examples and timeless wisdom, Bortolin offers a new way to think about a pop culture phenomenon. Lead us to Yoda, he does. (Apr.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Jeff Cioletti, producer/director, Millennium's End: The Fandom Menace
"Bortolin takes readers on a journey like no other -- into their own hearts, minds and spirits."

SFRevu
"A light-hearted exploration of the Star Wars movies, providing a new take on the six-part space fantasy epic."

Jana Riess, author of What Would Buffy Do?
"Bortolin helps readers understand the truth that Yoda speaks: "Luminous beings are we; not this crude matter."

Publishers Weekly
"Lead us to Yoda, he [Bortolin] does."

Robert A. Johnson, author of He and She and We and Owning Your Own Shadow and Inner Work and Contentment: A Way to True Happiness
"Star Wars fans will find Bortolin's pleasant humor and simple directness immensely enjoyable and thought provoking"

Book Description
Brings together the phenomenon of 'Star Wars with humanity's profound hunger for the spiritual.

From the Inside Flap
Includes instruction in THE JEDI ART OF MINDFULNESS AND CONCENTRATION, and "THE PADIWAN HANDBOOK: ZEN CONTEMPLATIONS FOR THE WOULD-BE JEDI."

About the Author
MATTHEW BORTOLIN has camped out for tickets to all the Star Wars movies, and a set of Jedi robes hangs in his closet. He is an ordained member of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Buddhist community, and has lived in Buddhist monasteries both in the United States and abroad. He lives in Ventura, California.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

What might Jedi training be like?

Is the story of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader part of a spiritual epic?

The answers-as well as excitement, adventure, and a lot of fun-are here!

The Dharma of Star Wars uses George Lucas'' beloved modern saga and the universal discoveries of the Buddha to illuminate each other in playful and unexpectedly rewarding ways. Bortolin even reveals satisfying depths to the second trilogy of movies-the ones that met with what can understatedly be called a less-than-warm critical reception. The Dharma of Star Wars gives you an inspiring and totally new take on this timeless saga, from A New Hope all the way up to 2005''s Revenge of the Sith. Great fun for any Star Wars fan. Imagine The Power of Myth... with lightsabers!

Includes instruction in THE JEDI ART OF MINDFULNESS AND CONCENTRATION, and THE PADIWAN HANDBOOK: ZEN CONTEMPLATIONS FOR THE WOULD-BE JEDI.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly