From Sweltering Gibbon, 11 Years ago, written in Plain Text.
Embed
  1. THE WISDOM OF THE JEDI
  2.  
  3. In this dangerous era, a Jedi must always be prepared for conflict.
  4.  
  5. To know where evil grows and permit it to flourish is to accept
  6. responsibility for all that follows. Sometimes you have to listen to the
  7. silence. And give yourself the time to understand.
  8.  
  9. There is a thing inherent and natural, which existed before heaven and
  10. earth. Motionless and fathomless, it stands alone and never changes; it
  11. pervades everywhere and never becomes exhausted. It may be regarded as
  12. the creator of the universe. I do not know its name, I call it the
  13. Force, and I name it as supreme.
  14.  
  15. Don't you know that if you do evil, evil will come back to you? Out of
  16. the Great Void came the universe, its galaxies, star systems, and suns.
  17. Everything that exists, and will ever exist, was spawned from the
  18. primordial plasma of time's beginning. Over billions of years planets
  19. formed and life arose through a steady progression of increasingly
  20. complex organisms. Woven into and intertwined with all of this --- from
  21. the smallest molecule to the largest star --- was the Force. As
  22. civilizations grew upon these newly formed planets --- newly formed on a
  23. celestial time scale, that is --- They began to sense, if only
  24. subconsciously at first, this mystical energy. Over the millennia the
  25. Force has been called by an uncountable number of names: The Unity, the
  26. Way, the Power, Magic. All hint at one aspect or another of the Force's
  27. all-encompassing presence, but none completely reflect its true nature.
  28. And perhaps none shall, for the Force defies explanation. At times it
  29. seems dualistic, yet it has no separate components. Most prominent among
  30. the contradictions is the fact that the Force has two aspects, the light
  31. and the dark, yet without one the other would cease to exist. For most
  32. people these concepts hang well out of reach, celestial nonsense better
  33. left unconsidered. But for the select few, the Force is everything.
  34.  
  35. The Jedi is a vessel for the channeling of the positive energies of the
  36. Force. This power is not something that is derived or conjured, however,
  37. but ever present in the universe.
  38.  
  39. Jedi minstrels, a group known for its epic storytelling. The minstrels
  40. prefer to weave their tales as if the occurrences were happening at that
  41. moment of the recounting.
  42.  
  43. The truth or falsity of any individual event will
  44. forever remain a mystery. Jedi stand for peace; they must use their
  45. weapons only as a last resort. Concentrate, Feel the Force flow. Not
  46. outside or inside, but part of all. Through the Force you may see many
  47. things. It reaches across time and space. Other places, the future, the
  48. past. Old friends long gone. Size does not matter. A Jedi seeks not to
  49. know the answers, but to understand the questions. To know is not what
  50. is important to a Jedi. Even to learn is not important. What is
  51. important is to study. There is a tale among us, a legend preserved by
  52. the old tellers from the farthest distance of our past . It is said that
  53. upon the edge of the Earth at the end of time stands a lone man who
  54. holds the meaning of it all . It is said that he has mastered all skill
  55. and prowess that we desire, all restraint and calm, and has become
  56. perfection --- passion and mastery like onto the poised grandeur of
  57. mountains. And it is said, should ever one of us seek him out . and
  58. contest with him, we will learn the measure of our worth, in defeat or
  59. triumph. Therefore we are a seeking people. In each heart among us beats
  60. a yearning for this test and the knowledge it offers. Yet the path,
  61. which leads to him, is unknown, has never been known. It is said that
  62. this path must not be known --- that it may only be found by one who
  63. knows without knowledge and has not come seeking the thing he seeks. You
  64. are that one. The Force is a Jedi's ally, and a powerful ally it is.
  65. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. We
  66. are luminous beings . not this crude matter. You must feel the Force
  67. around you. A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious
  68. mind. A Jedi's strength flows from the Force. Don't give into hate. That
  69. leads to the dark side. We cling to many truths; most depend greatly on
  70. our own point of view. If you do not believe you will succeed. You will
  71. fail. Fear and confusion are some of the weapons of the Dark side. A
  72. Jedi must learn to sense the tension between the light and the dark. You
  73. must remain strong in your commitment. You must preserver, and you must
  74. always embrace the light side. Do not believe that you can experiment
  75. with the darkness and come away unscathed. The taint of the dark side
  76. will remain with you forever after, and the temptations to use that evil
  77. power will come all that more often and all that more strongly. I say
  78. these things not to scare you, nor to dissuade you from your training.
  79. On the Contrary, I wish only to make you stronger in the light by
  80. offering you the knowledge that so many before you spent their lives
  81. discovering. Remember that knowledge and the Force will always be your
  82. shield against the darkness. Do not resist the Role the Force wishes you
  83. to play, for things are not always what they seem. A Jedi must rely on
  84. introspection to discover his destiny rather then on outside
  85. intervention. A Jedi who tries with all his being never fails. It is the
  86. Jedi who gives up that fails --- Fails not only himself, but the Force
  87. as well. When you demand something of the Force. Then by your own
  88. actions, you have proven that you are not ready to commune with the
  89. Force. One must surrender oneself to the Force and allow it to decide
  90. your destiny. There is no difficulty. There is only Effort. He who knows
  91. others is wise; He who knows himself is enlightened. He who conquers
  92. others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty. He who knows
  93. contentment is rich. He who keeps on his course with energy has will. He
  94. who does not deviate from his proper place will long endure. He who may
  95. die but not perish has longevity. The Force is our power and our ally;
  96. The Force has always been with us. That is its nature. It surrounds us
  97. and penetrates us. It binds the universe together. Those who become
  98. sensitive to its presence can learn to use it .. For good or for evil.
  99. Every action, every seemingly insignificant effort --- no matter the
  100. source --- influenced the future, intertwining and building upon one
  101. other to create a new state of the universe, which lasted in such
  102. equilibrium for less then a moment, when it is shattered by the next
  103. series of actions. A Jedi must learn many things among these things are
  104. the skills needed to control one's own inner Force. A Jedi with these
  105. skills learns mastery over the functions of his body and harmony with
  106. nature. A Jedi must also learn the skills needed to sense the Force in
  107. other things beyond the Jedi's own body. The Jedi learns to feel the
  108. bonds that connect all living things; this gives the Jedi the ability to
  109. understand how all things are interconnected. A Jedi must also learn the
  110. skills need to change the distribution and nature of the Force. A Jedi
  111. must learn how to move things with their mind, help others control their
  112. own Force, or change the Force in the Jedi's own Body, As well as change
  113. the perceptions of others and make them come to incorrect conclusions.
  114. Serenity allows a Jedi to view the universe in its true form rather then
  115. in the shaded perceptions that most others see it in. A wise man always
  116. walks with his head bowed. Evil began in a time before recorded history,
  117. when magicians made themselves into kings . and gods . using the power
  118. of the dark side of the Force. The weak-minded have ever been ready to
  119. obey one who wields great power. Those who learned the powers of the
  120. dark side were quick to exploit this weakness --- to make war. Again and
  121. again the dark side has surged forth, like a storm . devouring whole
  122. nations and entire civilizations. Those who mastered dark power became
  123. dark power. They unleashed destruction, for no other reason then selfish
  124. gain. Some of them, I am ashamed to say, were Jedi. The penetrating
  125. light dissolves the dark. The gentle wind disperses the gathering
  126. clouds, leaving the sky clear and serene. The tiny soft roots of the
  127. wood pierce the hardest rock, breaking up those dark intrigues, which
  128. shun the light of day. All the while, the whispering music of the wind,
  129. and the gradual uncurling of the leaves produce tranquility and peace,
  130. appearing soft, gentle, un-threatening. The results of gentle
  131. penetration by the wind are less striking then the effects of aggressive
  132. force, but more enduring and more complete. This principle, wielded by a
  133. Jedi, is powerful and irresistible. In this age of conflict, law and
  134. order is often enforced by those who fight only for pay, or by those who
  135. are willing to seek justice through force. Even after you have mastered
  136. the basic tenets of the Jedi Way, and you have learned many of its
  137. techniques, you have only taken the smallest of steps into a greater
  138. world. Much remains for you to experience. The Force possesses many
  139. subtleties that hide from the uninitiated, revealing themselves only
  140. after years of practice. These will come in time, but you must at least
  141. begin to prepare yourself for this part of the journey. One of the most
  142. important concepts to assimilate concerns the difference between the
  143. light and the dark aspects of the Force. Many foolishly believe that
  144. each is immediately recognizable. Here the light there the dark. But it
  145. is not so. The two have no separation --- you should not consider them
  146. distinct entities. What links these two sides of the force is a nebulous
  147. area of gray wherein the allegiance of any given person is not
  148. immediately apparent. The light and the dark stand at opposite ends of
  149. the spectrum, as beacons respectively. But the multitudes of people lie
  150. somewhere in the center, some leaning toward the light, others falling
  151. toward the dark. These are the people who must be protected, who must be
  152. shown compassion and understanding, who must be guided to the light.
  153. These are the people who can be brought together beneath our luminescent
  154. banner to help us defeat the dark side. A Jedi should realize that no
  155. one species be it humans or another is more important then any other.
  156. The world and the universe thrives on diversity; nature is but an
  157. amalgam of elements randomly assembled into finite entities, people,
  158. creatures, and objects that quickly fade and rise again in new forms.
  159. This concept, then, is the heart of all. It is the central tenet
  160. required to understand the universe. All is one, and one, therefore is
  161. all. Duality does not exist in this statement. This is how you must
  162. think. This is what guides you, what tells you how to conduct yourself.
  163. This is the Force, the energy that lives in everything, that is
  164. existence itself --- You must concentrate on gaining understanding in
  165. this concept. It may seem impossible. Many Jedi, even some of the
  166. greatest Masters, will devote years to this very issue. Do not give up.
  167. Some Jedi can actually speak with animals, forming a bond with them that
  168. can often be unnerving to those who can't. The Jedi is guided by what he
  169. feels and not by what he sees. The hard and strong will fall. The soft
  170. and weak will overcome. The truth often sounds paradoxical. So-called
  171. "sentience" does not equate with importance in the structure of nature.
  172. All creatures --- no matter their size, no matter their intelligence, no
  173. matter their station --- all beings in this universe have the same
  174. impact on this very moment. If a ladybug in Vermont flaps its wings, a
  175. star two dozen light-years away may erupt in a spectacular supernova.
  176. This is how closely bound all entities are. Remember what you have heard
  177. so many times before: the Force penetrates all existence and links it
  178. together, making every element dependent on every other element. You
  179. must bear this concept in mind whenever you come to a crossroads. Let
  180. this understanding guide you; let the Force grant you the wisdom to
  181. choose the correct path. Though what is about to be said may seem
  182. obvious at first, listen closely for the true meaning behind and within
  183. the words. Somewhere therein lies important understanding. As
  184. civilization advances, its technology becomes more intricate, enabling
  185. sentient life to break through one boundary after another. First
  186. learning to traverse the world on beasts. But eventually each society
  187. develops machines that can propel its members over land and liquid, or
  188. high above the planets surface through the atmosphere. These vessels now
  189. bring members of those civilizations together into a single community,
  190. where ideas and beliefs may be shared. Unfortunately, so, to, does war
  191. erupt between some that would never have meet had they remained confined
  192. to their native lands. Notice that technology in itself does not possess
  193. good or evil. It does not have a light or dark nature. Those who use
  194. these devices may cause a vehicle, a ship, or even a weapon to seem to
  195. belong to one side of the Force or the other, but rarely do these items
  196. contain such an essence. This distinction is one of the keys to
  197. unlocking the secret of existence; remember it well. A Jedi always takes
  198. advantage of the tools at hand. The ways of the dark side are often
  199. subtle and deceptive, so those who cling to the light must constantly be
  200. on guard. Many technological devices can aid in this task, especially
  201. those involving communication and healing. There are weapons, as well
  202. --- but these must be used only in times of dire need when lives hang in
  203. the balance and the Jedi must engage in battle to stave off the dark
  204. side. As a Jedi you may be appointed the guardian of a system. Anyone of
  205. the countless systems in use. To effectively watch over your charge, you
  206. must understand it, as well as its history and its functions. You must
  207. come to know the systems as well as you know yourself. If not, your
  208. efforts will be wasted. So how are you to know which system to research?
  209. Study them all. While a Jedi may be a force for peace he must remain
  210. vigilant against evil. Many people who do not take the time to
  211. investigate it thoroughly too often reject the Jedi Way, all to quickly.
  212. Its growth-orientation, instinct-to-spirit spectrum, and transpersonal
  213. nature earn it instant dismissal because it is seen as "too mystical" or
  214. "The foolish fancy of those who are to heavily influenced by a series of
  215. films." Also the fact that it is a tradition that must be experienced
  216. --- it cannot be learned from books. Cause many who are unwillingly to
  217. take the leap required of them to realizing this psychology in their
  218. lives frequently attack it in word and print with remarkable lack of
  219. understanding. The Jedi have been, and continue to be, widely
  220. misunderstood and viciously attacked due to their insights into the
  221. nature of reality and their creativity. It is one of those unfortunate
  222. facts of life that insight and creativity have never been welcomed by
  223. societies at large; the majority of people seem to prefer, instead,
  224. theories and lifestyles that imprison them. It is easier to live within
  225. the dictates of someone else's philosophy than live with the fear
  226. incurred through developing freedom, individuality, and personal wisdom.
  227. The more you rely on technology to do the work for you, the farther you
  228. get from the essence of the creative power of your own channeled
  229. intentions. Be aware that technology can blind you to perceptions of
  230. broader realities. As a Jedi you must learn to control your emotions.
  231. This does not mean to ignore them. On the contrary, you should make
  232. certain to understand how you are feeling at all times. Your task is to
  233. observe these thoughts and emotions, not to blindly act on them. Step
  234. back for a moment from the cage that is your corporeal existence. Enter
  235. the vastness of the Force, where all beings and objects exist as one.
  236. There you will discover the answers to all your queries, where you will
  237. find guidance, where you will finally recognize your role in the
  238. universe. Throughout the adventures of your limited life you must always
  239. come to this place to find the true path, the way of light. Few beings
  240. receive the Force's call to join the Jedi, this band of scholars,
  241. healers, and warriors. And of those who begin the journey, only a
  242. dedicated few eventually become full-fledged Jedi. Premonitions and
  243. Visions: Some Jedi experience premonitions, dreams and visions.
  244. Sometimes these events seem to be little more than random,
  245. impressionistic images, but at other times they are crystal clear
  246. glimpses of past, present, or possible future events. There will be much
  247. debate as to the cause of these phenomena --- perhaps it's the Jedi's
  248. subconscious at work, or perhaps it's simply a different way of sensing
  249. tremors in the Force --- but these occurrences can warn a Jedi of
  250. impending danger or summon the Jedi to "crisis areas" where their unique
  251. abilities are needed. The Jedi Way is more then just a system of
  252. techniques for controlling, sensing, and altering the Force. It is a
  253. philosophy of existence in which the individual sees his true nature as
  254. a part of a larger whole. The Jedi seeks to live in harmony with the
  255. universe, focusing on discipline and awareness to reach his goal. Many
  256. are the temptations to grasp at ephemeral equilibriums, to create
  257. conflict between nature and the mind, to fall onto easier paths. This
  258. the Jedi strives to avoid at all costs, no matter how dear. A Jedi
  259. should focus his efforts on creating harmony between all beings. They
  260. detest violence of any sort; reluctantly engaging in combat only after
  261. all other attempts at conflict resolution have failed. A Jedi must
  262. always act from a position of peace and understanding, never out of fear
  263. or anger. Using the Force for selfish purposes --- self-gain, egotism,
  264. even convenience --- crosses the boundary between the light and the dark
  265. sides. A Jedi must not allow evil to take place once they become aware
  266. of its working. To remain aloof in situations where a Jedi's
  267. intervention would prevent the dark side from attaining another foothold
  268. is the same as helping it do so. A Jedi must constantly be wary of his
  269. path, making certain he does not stray toward the dark side, but remains
  270. firm in the light. While the dark side does not outclass the light side
  271. in any way, it does offer a seemingly quicker --- yet more costly ---
  272. path to power. The dark side thrives on black thoughts, words, and
  273. actions, inducing beings to engage in such wickedness in exchange for
  274. ability to wield the Force to commit subsequent evil acts. Often the
  275. darkness manifests itself in a subtle way to mask its presence from an
  276. individual as it coaxes him to stray further from the light. Only after
  277. the being has performed the act does the dark side reveal itself,
  278. pointing out how simple and easy power comes to those who fulfill its
  279. wishes. With such black-hearted deeds, the being steps further down the
  280. path to full immersion in the dark side, losing most of his former self
  281. in the process. Remember we ALL have darkness within us. It is what
  282. makes us living beings, bound by the Force. We can never brush that
  283. darkness away. It is within us always. We can only learn to control it,
  284. like a dangerous beast that must be kept upon a chain. The first goal of
  285. a Jedi is to maintain order and further the cause of peace.
  286.  
  287. Being a Jedi
  288. will not be an easy thing. Though the very name conjures images of
  289. gallant heroism, Jedi themselves do what they must for the good of all
  290. life. Neither embracing adventure nor avoiding it, Jedi bring peace and
  291. justice wherever beings have lost their way. Jedi wield the energy they
  292. call the Force. They use it to perceive and affect the world around them
  293. in ways incomprehensible to others. The Jedi should be a defender and
  294. protector of justice. By his example, belief in the Force will be
  295. accepted if not always understood. There are some beings attuned to the
  296. Force. Whether they understand it or not, they can feel the Force
  297. flowing through them. Of those that are sensitive to the Force, Any who
  298. study it's ways can learn to manipulate its energy. The Jedi fall into
  299. this category, using their knowledge of the Force to give them their
  300. powers. But they are not the only ones. Understanding of the Force
  301. manifests in many ways. Even those who don't believe in the Force and
  302. aren't particularly attuned to its flow can call upon the Force without
  303. understanding what they are doing. When a stroke of amazing luck occurs,
  304. or fate seems to be on their side and helps them accomplish a difficult
  305. objective, it is the force coming to their aid. A Jedi is aware, but he
  306. does not waste time in mindless contemplation. When action is required,
  307. a Jedi Acts. It is a foolish Jedi who thinks he has the strength of
  308. character to walk the path of the dark side and not be touched by it;
  309. that he can use the power of the dark side for the benefit of the
  310. universe. The deep subconscious of a Force-sensitive person is shielded
  311. by a protective barrier, which prevents another Force wielder from
  312. penetrating his or her inner mind. This shield pushes violently back at
  313. the intruder. This "shield" is an involuntary defense mechanism
  314. maintained by every Force-sensitive person. The magnitude of the
  315. backlash generated by the shield depends on the person's strength in the
  316. Force. The dark side philosophy is very different from the Jedi Code.
  317. Whereas a Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, a dark side
  318. user uses the Force to bend the universe to his will. The Jedi
  319. manipulates the Force passively, while in a state of calm and control.
  320. The dark side user gives himself over to his passions, and channels the
  321. Force by harnessing the power of anger, fear, hate, love, and jealousy.
  322. To use any dark side power is to relinquish any claim to call oneself a
  323. Jedi. Even the minor powers of the dark side are extremely dangerous for
  324. Jedi to use. Since they lead to the darkness. While it is true that a
  325. Jedi uses his power only for defense, never for attack, it is equally
  326. true that a Jedi must nevertheless prepare with great vigilance, for
  327. only the Force knows when you may face your greatest battle. The Force
  328. is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all
  329. living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us. It binds the galaxy
  330. together. The mysterious energy field known as the Force permeates the
  331. universe. It is created by life, found everywhere, a part of everything.
  332. It lies beyond that which can normally be perceived, yet a few beings
  333. know how to feel its ebb and flow. With practice and study, Jedi learn
  334. to manipulate that energy, gaining control over life, thought and
  335. matter. The Force is the foundation of the beliefs of the Jedi. A Jedi's
  336. aim is not to encourage fighting but to minimize it and curtail it. A
  337. Jedi who kills innocent people, causes unnecessary or gratuitous injury,
  338. or uses the Force while angry or hateful is already well on his path to
  339. being a servant of the dark side. The Force is an essential part of
  340. nature --- like energy or matter --- but it has yet to be quantified and
  341. analyzed. The Force is not to be understood in the same manner as the
  342. physical qualities of the universe. The laws of physics are observable;
  343. technology is predictable and readily controlled. The Force is neither
  344. controlled nor controlling --- it is a part of life itself; asking if it
  345. controls or can be controlled is like asking if a person controls his
  346. component cells or if they control him. It is not known whether the
  347. Force has always been, came about as life evolved into intelligence, or
  348. if it coerced the evolution of intelligence. To the Jedi, it does not
  349. matter. It's enough to know that the Force is. Even those who don't
  350. believe in the Force can unconsciously manipulate it and be manipulated
  351. by it. They may not be truly "Sensitive" to its flow, but they still
  352. call upon the Force without even realizing. These people seem to have an
  353. almost unnatural ability to accomplish their objectives, whether their
  354. intent is good or evil, or somewhere in between. The skeptical call it
  355. luck. The unbelievers may call it destiny or fate. It is the Force. A
  356. Call to Action: A Jedi cannot allow evil to occur by inaction --- A Jedi
  357. who voluntarily stands by and allows evil to be committed is encouraging
  358. the forces of darkness. Jedi are bound by the actions of those around
  359. them. It is not acceptable for a Jedi to associate with those who
  360. willfully commit evil. When a Jedi is confronted by a situation where
  361. evil is being committed, the Jedi must act to prevent that evil. There
  362. are a variety of means at the Jedi's disposal --- persuasion, creating a
  363. distraction, armed action or simple mind tricks --- but intervention is
  364. necessary. Tremors in the Force: The Jedi lives in harmony with the
  365. Force, sensing its flow, drawing upon its energies . and sometimes
  366. perceiving "disturbances" and "presences" in that flow. The actions of
  367. others can cause disturbances in the Force. A lone individual's
  368. impression might be like a candle flickering in the wind, while a great
  369. tragedy or act of great good may be like a sudden burst of lightning.
  370. Those who manipulate the Force often and with great power shine like the
  371. light of a sun. Each time a Jedi draws on the Force, there is a slight
  372. tremor as the Force is subtly altered. If the Force is used sparingly
  373. and with harmony in the natural order of things, such tremors are slight
  374. and barely detectable even at close ranges. Those who frequently use the
  375. Force cause many, many tremors. When the Force is relied upon --- used
  376. constantly to bend the universe to fit the will of the user --- such
  377. tremors may be great enough that Jedi even at great distances may detect
  378. them. Those who use the Force as a crude instrument of power are very
  379. likely to come to the attention of others. New Jedi students are
  380. particularly likely to be detected. In their desire to master their
  381. powers, they often manipulate the Force . yet their dabbling, if to
  382. frequent, draw the attentions of other nearby Force-users. The dark side
  383. is perhaps the greatest threat a Jedi can face. It's always lurking in
  384. the shadows, a quick and easy temptation for an undisciplined Jedi
  385. filled with anger and frustration. The Jedi must be honorable and noble
  386. since Force-sensitives who act ambiguously are easily corrupted to the
  387. dark side. A Jedi does not grasp at power. A Jedi is not a dominator,
  388. nor an oppressor. To grasp for power is to abandon the ways of the
  389. Force. Such a one ceases to know the Force, except in his dark side. To
  390. grasp at power is to take up the path that leads to destruction. The
  391. Dominator is the enemy, yes. But the Jedi does not use the dark side of
  392. the dominator against him. Thinking is closer to trying then doing.
  393. Changing the future has got to require action, not just planning for
  394. action. While a Jedi acts in defense and not out of aggression, that
  395. doesn't mean aggressively putting a defense into place is bad. Everyone
  396. is equal because the Force is in everyone. Jedi should not reject or
  397. look down or up to anyone because of social class, race, and creed
  398. because these things are artificial and because they stop the Jedi from
  399. seeing others as the Force sees them. In all matters success depends on
  400. preparation; without preparation there will always be failure. When what
  401. is to be said is previously determined, there will be no difficulty
  402. determined, there will be no occasion for vexation. When general
  403. principles are previously determined there will be no perplexity to know
  404. what to do.
  405.  
  406. MAKING THE WILL SINCERE
  407.  
  408. What is meant by "making the will sincere" is that one should not
  409. deceive oneself. This sincerity should be like the sincerity with which
  410. we dislike a bad smell or love what is beautiful. This is called
  411. satisfying your own conscience. Therefore a Jedi is watchful over
  412. himself even when he is alone. People usually lose their sense of
  413. judgment toward those whom they love, toward those whom they despise or
  414. dislike, toward those whom they fear, toward those whom they pity and
  415. towards those whom they pamper or are proud of. Therefore, there are few
  416. people in this world who can see the bad in those whom they like and see
  417. the good in those whom they dislike. As Jedi we seek to overcome these
  418. habits in ourselves. Thus seeing the truth in all people. A Jedi first
  419. searches himself before he demands it of others, and makes sure first
  420. that he himself is not a transgressor before he finds transgressions in
  421. others. Jedi should try to avoid completely four things: Arbitrariness
  422. of opinion, dogmatism, narrow-mindedness and egotism. It is difficult to
  423. see examples of true Jedi. Everybody errs a little on the side of his
  424. weakness. Therefore it is easy for others to point out the shortcomings
  425. of those who follow the Jedi way. Then it is to point out their good
  426. qualities. Humility is near to moral discipline; simplicity of character
  427. is near to the Jedi Way; and loyalty is near to sincerity of heart. If a
  428. man will carefully cultivate these things in his conduct, he may still
  429. err a little, but he won't be far from the standard of the Jedi Way. For
  430. with humility or pious attitude, a man seldom commits errors; with
  431. sincerity of heart, a man is generally reliable; and with simplicity of
  432. character, he is usually generous. You will seldom make a mistake if you
  433. use these points to begin from. A Jedi has no worry and no fear. For if
  434. he looks within himself and is sure that he has done right in all
  435. things, what does he have to fear or worry about? A Jedi should be
  436. ashamed if his words are better then his actions. If you have the
  437. insight to perceive a truth, but not the wisdom to keep to it, you will
  438. lose it again, though you have discovered it. A Jedi Knight must Remain
  439. Focused. Mastery of the Force requires that one purge all unnecessary
  440. activities from daily life. A monk cannot fulfill the Jedi Way if he
  441. does not manifest compassion without and persistently store up courage
  442. within. And if a warrior does not manifest courage on the outside and
  443. hold enough compassion within his heart to burst his chest, he cannot
  444. become a Jedi. Therefore, the monk pursues courage with the warrior as
  445. his model, and the warrior pursues the compassion of the monk. A Jedi
  446. Knight seeks excellence in all endeavors, martial and otherwise, seeking
  447. strength to be used in the service of justice, rather than in personal
  448. aggrandizement. A Jedi strives to excel physically, mentally,
  449. emotionally and spiritually, and can put these in motion instantly. This
  450. requires discipline, patience and perfect practice, for a Jedi is always
  451. mindful of what lies behind and what lies ahead.
  452.  
  453. Being a Jedi Knight often means choosing the more difficult path, the
  454. personally expensive one. Be prepared to make personal sacrifices in
  455. service of the precepts and people you value. At the same time, a Jedi
  456. Knight should seek wisdom.This also means taking the side of truth in
  457. all matters, rather than seeking the expedient lie. Seek the truth
  458. whenever possible, but remember to temper justice with mercy, for the
  459. pure truth can bring grief. However, it must also be noted that to a
  460. Jedi, to be brave in battle proves nothing, as bravery itself proves
  461. nothing. A Jedi should be prepared to put aside fear, regret, and
  462. uncertainty and either act, retreat, surrender or perish.
  463.  
  464. Value first the contributions of others; do not boast of your own
  465. accomplishments, let others do this for you. Tell the deeds of others
  466. before your own, according them the renown rightfully earned through
  467. virtuous deeds. In this way the office of Jedi Knighthood is well done
  468. and glorified, helping not only the gentle spoken of but also all who
  469. call themselves Jedi Knights.
  470.  
  471. Seek great stature of character by holding to the virtues and duties of
  472. a Jedi Knight, realizing that though the ideals cannot be reached, the
  473. quality of striving towards them ennobles the spirit, growing the
  474. character from dust towards the heavens. Nobility also has the tendency
  475. to influence others, offering a compelling example of what can be done
  476. in the service of rightness.
  477.  
  478. It is true that actions speak louder than words. However, behind every
  479. action is motive and a purpose. Without a sound motive and purpose,
  480. action has no meaning, no destination, and lacks a foundation. Action
  481. without motive and purpose does nothing other than to move for the sake
  482. of moving, beating the air to appear to doing something, when in fact is
  483. doing nothing, the proverbial spinning wheels in the mud. A Jedi moves
  484. with the Force. He meditates upon the Will of the Force. A Jedi's
  485. actions are firmly based upon a deep motivation to serve the Force of
  486. Light, and is deeply rooted in purpose. There is no wasted movement, or
  487. the need for action when none is required, for to a Jedi, action means
  488. nothing without a pure motive, or a sound purpose. A Jedi's mind is a
  489. calm ocean, like a sea of glass. He realizes that it is in conquering
  490. the tides of the emotions as well as reactions to stimulus that allows
  491. the Jedi to be victorious in all things, for he is vessel for the Force,
  492. an extension of the Will of the Force. This inner stillness requires
  493. much discipline: mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. A
  494. Jedi by nature is highly disciplined in all levels of his being, that in
  495. the fiery moment where the Force must be released to defend self or
  496. others who deserve that loyalty, the action is a clear extension of many
  497. years of training and inner discipline. It is sometimes necessary for a
  498. Jedi to practice discretion. Jedi do not actively interfere with the
  499. lives of the common people. Jedi stand for order and justice; however,
  500. Jedi prioritize and streamline their involvement, and do not allow the
  501. misdeeds of the few to interfere with the conscious direction received
  502. as to the Will of the Force and how their office as Jedi helps brings
  503. these into fruition. The goal of the Jedi should be to create and
  504. preserve an atmosphere where justice can flourish, rather than try to
  505. create justice themselves. A byword of Jedi could be, "I may not always
  506. agree with your choices, but I will defend your right to choose with my
  507. very life." Being a Jedi Being a Jedi involves a commitment within the
  508. person and a devotion to higher ideals. While a diplomat may choose the
  509. lesser of two evils or a scoundrel the more profitable of the two, a
  510. Jedi is held to a higher standard, and with his greater abilities comes
  511. increased responsibility. The Goal Of Peace The Jedi works first for
  512. peace, acting without consideration of costs to themselves or with an
  513. eye toward personal power or gain. Peace is not the result of a strong
  514. emotional drive (for emotions cloud the correct use of the Force) but
  515. rather a clear, dispassionate goal for the Jedi. Peace born of anger is
  516. no peace at all, and cannot last. Individual Jedi strive for the goal of
  517. peace without emotion both within and without. The Jedi works toward his
  518. goal with unflinching devotion, untroubled by strong emotions. As a
  519. result, powerful Jedi have a cool, detached demeanor that some mistake
  520. for apathy. Situations that challenge the Jedi often involve combat,
  521. particularly mindless combat for no clear purpose (this doesn't just
  522. mean physical combat). For a Jedi, peace is much more then a cessation
  523. of war. For a Jedi to meet this goal, he must look to root causes and
  524. complaints, and to deal with basic conflicts between the participants. A
  525. Jedi who wins the battle but sacrifices the ability to judge
  526. dispassionately has lost his own personal war. The Goal Of Knowledge
  527. Ignorance kills as surely as anger. A little knowledge might be
  528. dangerous, but a lack of knowledge is deadly. Ignorance of others,
  529. ignorance of facts, and ignorance of truth sets individuals apart and
  530. leads to contention and violence. A Jedi spreads knowledge that unifies,
  531. binding peoples and countries together. This knowledge begins with the
  532. Jedi knowing their own capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Pride
  533. can cloud the mind and make them blind to their own flaws, which might
  534. be exploted by others. Failure causes doubt, which causes the Jedi to be
  535. less capable of realizing their own strengths. Jedi continually test
  536. themselves to see where the limits of their abilities lie, not as a goal
  537. in itself, but as a means to the goal of better understanding
  538. themselves. The Goal of Serenity In striving for serenity, the Jedi
  539. seeks more then just remaining levelheaded in a crisis. He finds a calm
  540. place within, and then projects that inner peace outward to affect
  541. others by word and deed. This serenity grants the Jedi a firm resolve
  542. The center of serenity is moderation in all things. Excessive emotions,
  543. whether positive or negative, upset a Jedi's touch with the Force and
  544. create an imbalance within the self, similar to an imbalance within the
  545. Force. Challenges to a Jedi's serenity are many. The forces of the dark
  546. side always encourage the Jedi to give into hate, anger, and rage, and
  547. facilitate those feelings by giving the Jedi good reason to feel those
  548. emotions. Those close to the Jedi might be targets of attacks, or the
  549. ideals of the Jedi themselves might be sullied. The seduction of the
  550. dark side is more insidious, becuase less powerful or less positive
  551. emotions might be harnessed to provoke a rash action. Concern,
  552. affection, and even love can upset the balance of a Jedi's serenity and
  553. force the Jedi to choose between personal desires and the good of the
  554. Order. The Unity of the Force The Jedi Code represents the embodiment of
  555. the universal nature of the Force. The Jedi see themselves as the
  556. guardians of society, holding themselves to a high moral standard. They
  557. are role models, leading by example. The Jedi do not desire to rule, but
  558. rather wish to instruct so that society as a whole acts with greater
  559. justice and equality. The Force is not inherently good or evil. it has
  560. it's light side and it's dark side. It is a tool, and like any other
  561. tool it can be misused. Ignorance leads to improper use of the Force;
  562. the unwise use the Force emotionally. Incorrect use of the Force can
  563. lead to death and destruction. Only through proper training can the
  564. Force be justly applied. In addition, the Force is a necessary and vital
  565. part of the universe. Think of the Force as more than merely the means
  566. by which you gain skills and power. It is a metaphor for the universal
  567. nature of life itself, vibrant, dynamic, and dangerous. All Jedi are
  568. permeated by the Force, just as all beings are, but the Jedi are most
  569. aware of it. Events in one region might affect another, as if the
  570. universe were one interconnected being, with the Force as its blood and
  571. life. The Internal Journey A Jedi grows in power as he experiences the
  572. world, gaining more proficiency in combat and in applying the Force. In
  573. turn, the Jedi affects the world around him, spreading the doctrine of
  574. the Jedi Code and making the universe a better place for all. This
  575. external growth and effect, reflects an internal growth of the
  576. individual Jedi. As a person becomes more attuned to the Force, he is
  577. challenged to fully embrace the tenets of the Jedi Order. Every Jedi to
  578. the humblest student to the greatest Master has room to grow and
  579. develop. The nature of the universe is such that new challenges
  580. continually arise to test a Jedi, as he questions old assumptions and
  581. deals with new situations. When teaching Jedi, stress the internal
  582. development of the student. Often a Jedi may have to sacrifice personal
  583. desires or goals for the good of the greater number. Jedi must deal with
  584. their own self-denial for the good of others. The Challenge of
  585. Temptation Temptation poses the greatest threat to a Jedi, and the fall
  586. of a Jedi Knight often begins with one rationalized decision or errant
  587. choice. The nature of temptation provides a continual challenge for
  588. Jedi. Temptation takes myriad forms. The simplest urges the Jedi to
  589. provide an easy answer to a complex question. The answer might be
  590. immediately satisfying but creates long term problems. The arrest of a
  591. crime lord, for example, might be immediately fullfilling, but unless
  592. the crime lord's empire is also shut down, the arrest merely creates a
  593. situation in which another being will assume the crime lord's role.
  594. Usually after a bloody civil war within the group that almost always
  595. endangers countless innocent lives. Another form of temptation comes
  596. from power of adulation and the threat of success itself. Accepting
  597. personal rewards is dangerous for a Jedi, for it inspires belief in his
  598. own abilities that might exceed the truth. In effect the Jedi comes to
  599. believe his own hype. The Jedi should learn instead that true
  600. satisfaction comes from the sense of well-being within, not from the
  601. approval of others. A Third form of temptation is the nature of power
  602. itself. The Jedi should be a force for good, which keeps them from using
  603. their abilities to rule others. This is an extremly powerful temptation,
  604. becuase Jedi often face ignorance and folly in their daily lives. The
  605. Jedi can be tempted to deal with such folly (bureaucracy is particularly
  606. rife with it), yet once that kind of interference starts, it soon
  607. escalates to a point where a Jedi encourages the very ignorance he once
  608. fought against, in the name of ruling others "for their own best
  609. interest." Temptation starts small - using the Affect Mind skill to deal
  610. with a petty argument, losing your temper when making a point, taking
  611. pleasure in battle. From these small blemishes the corruption grows.
  612. Rising From The Ashes Would-be Jedi must understand that failure should
  613. never be the end. The Jedi Code places a heavy load on the Jedi,
  614. requiring almost superhuman abilities for them to accomplish all it's
  615. demands. In large and small ways, all Jedi eventually fail the
  616. challenges posed by the code in some way. They might feel anger or
  617. succumb to temptation. They might work against the balance of the Force,
  618. even with the best of intentions. They will fall from the high ideals
  619. they hold. The true failure of a Jedi is not stumbling or failing to
  620. live up to the ideals of the Order. The true failure occurs if, once
  621. having fallen, the Jedi fails to rise again. Many Jedi who have failed
  622. in one of their tasks consider themselves beyond redemption or
  623. forgiveness, and in doing so open themselves to the dark side. Jedi
  624. strive to live up to the Jedi Code and the teachings of their masters.
  625. When (not if, but when) a Jedi fails to attain those goals, the only
  626. choices are to let the failure dominate his life, or to rise from the
  627. ashes of that defeat and strive to make peace with himself through the
  628. Force. That is the way of the Jedi.
  629.  
  630. Life As A Jedi Knight
  631.  
  632. Upon completing his training, a Jedi apprentice becomes a Jedi Knight.
  633. His life suddenly loses a great deal of structure. He no longer lives
  634. and trains on his Teacher's schedule, though he might still cling to it
  635. out of habit. Instead, he stands ready to undertake any task that a Jedi
  636. can undertake, or resolve any problems that he discoveries on his own.
  637. In gaining this freedom and taking on responsibility, the Jedi Knight's
  638. life becomes considerably more complicated than when he was simply
  639. required to heed his Teacher's instructions and follow his advice. He
  640. gains a great deal of autonomy, but loses an equal amount of direction.
  641. The Teacher still has the responsibility to provide the newly titled
  642. Jedi Knight with a task, one that gives the new Knight time to adjust to
  643. his new status. For some Knights, this is a solo mission, not unlike the
  644. mission they might have taken at the culmination of their trials. They
  645. might be assigned to assist another Jedi Knight. Others recieve an
  646. appointment to an office within the Jedi hierarchy based on their skills
  647. and talents. They become archivists, researchers or other similar
  648. positions. Some might even help train their Teacher's new student as a
  649. primer for training their own, or go on a journey of discovery, during
  650. which he could find a place or a problem that needed a Jedi Knight. He
  651. might also join a group of others to help a noble cuase. Such a Jedi
  652. Knight has great autonomy. He might wander the world, lending his skills
  653. where they are needed. Alternatively, he can pursue a specific goal such
  654. as watching over a person or researching Jedi lore to it's completion,
  655. even if that means spending the rest of his life in one place. Such
  656. descion are subject to change if the Order has more important tasks for
  657. the Jedi Knight.
  658.  
  659. Training Duels
  660.  
  661. When Jedi need to practice their fighting skills, they call upon one
  662. another to duel. When they choose to use weapons capable of killing one
  663. another, Jedi must be careful not to seriously injure one
  664. another.Similarly, when a Jedi Teacher teaches an apprentice the art of
  665. combat, he must be mindful of not only his own attacks but those of his
  666. student, who might lack the control to attack without harm. Jedi in
  667. Training Duels check their attacks. Jedi also observe certain customs of
  668. dueling etiquette, both to preserve harmony and to guarantee the safest
  669. possible duels. Much of this thinking carries over into the day-to-day
  670. behavior of the Jedi Knights. Fighting Duels are for Practice, not for
  671. Resolving Disputes. The Jedi realize that temptation to solve problems
  672. with fighting is often very strong. especially for younger Jedi. Thus,
  673. this rule is generally the first imparted to a Jedi when his training
  674. begins. Never Endanger Bystanders The Jedi Teachers should sternly
  675. reprimand Jedi who duel in public, specifically becuase they wish to
  676. avoid accidents. The Duel Ends if Someone is Injured An injured Jedi who
  677. insists on continuing a duel might not be thinking clearly. Thus, the
  678. duel ends the moment one of the participants suffers a wound.
  679. Paradoxically, most Jedi do not consider wounding an opponent in a duel
  680. as a victory. Instead, it tells them that they have unconsciously wanted
  681. to injure their opponent, which is cause for meditation. A Jedi who has
  682. injured an opponent in a duel generally does not participate in a duel
  683. again until asked. Some even wait until the opponent they have injured
  684. asks for a duel. Always Honor a Request to End the Duel When a Jedi asks
  685. for the duel to end, it is considered good form to immediately do so.
  686. Customarily, the person who makes the request puts away his weapon or
  687. bows if in hand to hand fighting when he makes the request. However,
  688. some Jedi Teachers use this point as a test. They leave their weapon out
  689. to see whether their apprentices are unwise enough to lower their
  690. defenses against an armed opponent - even one they otherwise trust.
  691. Never Strike an Unarmed Opponent Jedi Consider armed attacks against an
  692. unarmed opponent possible evidence of the dark side's influence. Of
  693. course, the same thinking does not apply to unarmed attacks against an
  694. unarmed opponent. Never Strike an Opponent Who is Unprepared Even an
  695. armed opponent may not be ready for an assault, so the Jedi customarily
  696. indicate battle readiness either with a formal salute or by adopting an
  697. "on guard" stance. Any other stance indicates that the combatant is not
  698. prepared for combat, though he could still verbally indicate otherwise.
  699. A weapon held to one side and directed at the floor signifies the
  700. default "at rest" stance. Never Use the Force During a Duel Duels are a
  701. test of combat skill, not of proficiency with the Force. If a Jedi uses
  702. the Force against his opponent during a duel, it is taken as a sign of
  703. desperation. This provides a good reason to end the duel, before someone
  704. gets hurt. Unfortunately, the habit of not using the Force in combat
  705. practice sometimes works against the inexperienced Jedi It does not
  706. occur to them that their opponents might not respect this custom.
  707. Similarly, using the Force to improve fighting skills is allowed if both
  708. participants agree to such beforehand. Calling upon the Force however,
  709. is considered extravagant and disrespectful to the Force. When
  710. Practicing Armed Combat Un-Armed Combat Tactics are Considered Fair Game
  711. Despite the injunction against using the Force, other combat tactics are
  712. perfectly legal, since weapon combat involves more than simply
  713. exchanging blows. Jedi frequently employ rushing, disarms, knockdowns,
  714. and trips, though grapples are generally frowned upon. Attacking an
  715. opponent's weapon to try and destroy it is a gross sign of disrespect,
  716. since it damages the personal property of a fellow Jedi. Consequently,
  717. few Jedi resort to this tactic. Except in life-or-death struggles.