...What we still don't know is just how independent a (ahem) force the Force actually is. The whole "controls your actions" thing implies that the Force can actually make people do this or that...sort of...
It's not an independent force at all. As Ben explained to Luke, "It's an energy field created by all living things.
It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together." And later Yoda restates this when he tells Luke, "Life creates it, makes it grow.
Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter.
You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes. Even between the land and the ship." It is not
independent from anything, but rather
connects everything. Using The Force isn't really a matter of it controlling your actions, but of the user allowing it to
enhance their actions. And this is why the Jedi need to train, to learn how to disengage their conscious actions and allow The Force to guide them (i.e., don't think about it, just let it happen).
...Luke needs to believe that it is possible -- at all -- for this stuff to be done through the Force. Then, on top of that, he needs to believe that he, himself, can do it. Both are hurdles he needs to clear. First, he needs to believe that the Force lets you do stuff like this, and then he needs to believe that he can personally do it...
Spot on. Luke's uncertainty about The Force is his biggest obstacle; his mind is telling him it's not possible, so it isn't. But once he begins to listen to Yoda and see for himself that these things
are possible, his newfound belief and confidence grow and allow him to progress.
...Let's not forget that the films do make it clear that it's not as if anyone and everyone can use the Force to the same degree if they just believe in themselves. There's a degree of natural affinity involved, too. But once you have the natural affinity, you need to understand what's possible, and then get out of your own way and believe that YOU have the power to do it. I see the scene with Yoda lifting the ship as Yoda trying to get Luke to recognize his full potential. But I don't think he'd ask that of just anyone.
Also spot on. Anyone can learn how to golf, or play basketball, or become a boxer, but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll ever be as good as Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, or Muhammad Ali, unless they also have a level of natural affinity that is greater than that of the average person.
