- THE WISDOM OF THE JEDI
- In this dangerous era, a Jedi must always be prepared for conflict.
- To know where evil grows and permit it to flourish is to accept
- responsibility for all that follows. Sometimes you have to listen to the
- silence. And give yourself the time to understand.
- There is a thing inherent and natural, which existed before heaven and
- earth. Motionless and fathomless, it stands alone and never changes; it
- pervades everywhere and never becomes exhausted. It may be regarded as
- the creator of the universe. I do not know its name, I call it the
- Force, and I name it as supreme.
- Don't you know that if you do evil, evil will come back to you? Out of
- the Great Void came the universe, its galaxies, star systems, and suns.
- Everything that exists, and will ever exist, was spawned from the
- primordial plasma of time's beginning. Over billions of years planets
- formed and life arose through a steady progression of increasingly
- complex organisms. Woven into and intertwined with all of this --- from
- the smallest molecule to the largest star --- was the Force. As
- civilizations grew upon these newly formed planets --- newly formed on a
- celestial time scale, that is --- They began to sense, if only
- subconsciously at first, this mystical energy. Over the millennia the
- Force has been called by an uncountable number of names: The Unity, the
- Way, the Power, Magic. All hint at one aspect or another of the Force's
- all-encompassing presence, but none completely reflect its true nature.
- And perhaps none shall, for the Force defies explanation. At times it
- seems dualistic, yet it has no separate components. Most prominent among
- the contradictions is the fact that the Force has two aspects, the light
- and the dark, yet without one the other would cease to exist. For most
- people these concepts hang well out of reach, celestial nonsense better
- left unconsidered. But for the select few, the Force is everything.
- The Jedi is a vessel for the channeling of the positive energies of the
- Force. This power is not something that is derived or conjured, however,
- but ever present in the universe.
- Jedi minstrels, a group known for its epic storytelling. The minstrels
- prefer to weave their tales as if the occurrences were happening at that
- moment of the recounting.
- The truth or falsity of any individual event will
- forever remain a mystery. Jedi stand for peace; they must use their
- weapons only as a last resort. Concentrate, Feel the Force flow. Not
- outside or inside, but part of all. Through the Force you may see many
- things. It reaches across time and space. Other places, the future, the
- past. Old friends long gone. Size does not matter. A Jedi seeks not to
- know the answers, but to understand the questions. To know is not what
- is important to a Jedi. Even to learn is not important. What is
- important is to study. There is a tale among us, a legend preserved by
- the old tellers from the farthest distance of our past . It is said that
- upon the edge of the Earth at the end of time stands a lone man who
- holds the meaning of it all . It is said that he has mastered all skill
- and prowess that we desire, all restraint and calm, and has become
- perfection --- passion and mastery like onto the poised grandeur of
- mountains. And it is said, should ever one of us seek him out . and
- contest with him, we will learn the measure of our worth, in defeat or
- triumph. Therefore we are a seeking people. In each heart among us beats
- a yearning for this test and the knowledge it offers. Yet the path,
- which leads to him, is unknown, has never been known. It is said that
- this path must not be known --- that it may only be found by one who
- knows without knowledge and has not come seeking the thing he seeks. You
- are that one. The Force is a Jedi's ally, and a powerful ally it is.
- Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. We
- are luminous beings . not this crude matter. You must feel the Force
- around you. A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious
- mind. A Jedi's strength flows from the Force. Don't give into hate. That
- leads to the dark side. We cling to many truths; most depend greatly on
- our own point of view. If you do not believe you will succeed. You will
- fail. Fear and confusion are some of the weapons of the Dark side. A
- Jedi must learn to sense the tension between the light and the dark. You
- must remain strong in your commitment. You must preserver, and you must
- always embrace the light side. Do not believe that you can experiment
- with the darkness and come away unscathed. The taint of the dark side
- will remain with you forever after, and the temptations to use that evil
- power will come all that more often and all that more strongly. I say
- these things not to scare you, nor to dissuade you from your training.
- On the Contrary, I wish only to make you stronger in the light by
- offering you the knowledge that so many before you spent their lives
- discovering. Remember that knowledge and the Force will always be your
- shield against the darkness. Do not resist the Role the Force wishes you
- to play, for things are not always what they seem. A Jedi must rely on
- introspection to discover his destiny rather then on outside
- intervention. A Jedi who tries with all his being never fails. It is the
- Jedi who gives up that fails --- Fails not only himself, but the Force
- as well. When you demand something of the Force. Then by your own
- actions, you have proven that you are not ready to commune with the
- Force. One must surrender oneself to the Force and allow it to decide
- your destiny. There is no difficulty. There is only Effort. He who knows
- others is wise; He who knows himself is enlightened. He who conquers
- others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty. He who knows
- contentment is rich. He who keeps on his course with energy has will. He
- who does not deviate from his proper place will long endure. He who may
- die but not perish has longevity. The Force is our power and our ally;
- The Force has always been with us. That is its nature. It surrounds us
- and penetrates us. It binds the universe together. Those who become
- sensitive to its presence can learn to use it .. For good or for evil.
- Every action, every seemingly insignificant effort --- no matter the
- source --- influenced the future, intertwining and building upon one
- other to create a new state of the universe, which lasted in such
- equilibrium for less then a moment, when it is shattered by the next
- series of actions. A Jedi must learn many things among these things are
- the skills needed to control one's own inner Force. A Jedi with these
- skills learns mastery over the functions of his body and harmony with
- nature. A Jedi must also learn the skills needed to sense the Force in
- other things beyond the Jedi's own body. The Jedi learns to feel the
- bonds that connect all living things; this gives the Jedi the ability to
- understand how all things are interconnected. A Jedi must also learn the
- skills need to change the distribution and nature of the Force. A Jedi
- must learn how to move things with their mind, help others control their
- own Force, or change the Force in the Jedi's own Body, As well as change
- the perceptions of others and make them come to incorrect conclusions.
- Serenity allows a Jedi to view the universe in its true form rather then
- in the shaded perceptions that most others see it in. A wise man always
- walks with his head bowed. Evil began in a time before recorded history,
- when magicians made themselves into kings . and gods . using the power
- of the dark side of the Force. The weak-minded have ever been ready to
- obey one who wields great power. Those who learned the powers of the
- dark side were quick to exploit this weakness --- to make war. Again and
- again the dark side has surged forth, like a storm . devouring whole
- nations and entire civilizations. Those who mastered dark power became
- dark power. They unleashed destruction, for no other reason then selfish
- gain. Some of them, I am ashamed to say, were Jedi. The penetrating
- light dissolves the dark. The gentle wind disperses the gathering
- clouds, leaving the sky clear and serene. The tiny soft roots of the
- wood pierce the hardest rock, breaking up those dark intrigues, which
- shun the light of day. All the while, the whispering music of the wind,
- and the gradual uncurling of the leaves produce tranquility and peace,
- appearing soft, gentle, un-threatening. The results of gentle
- penetration by the wind are less striking then the effects of aggressive
- force, but more enduring and more complete. This principle, wielded by a
- Jedi, is powerful and irresistible. In this age of conflict, law and
- order is often enforced by those who fight only for pay, or by those who
- are willing to seek justice through force. Even after you have mastered
- the basic tenets of the Jedi Way, and you have learned many of its
- techniques, you have only taken the smallest of steps into a greater
- world. Much remains for you to experience. The Force possesses many
- subtleties that hide from the uninitiated, revealing themselves only
- after years of practice. These will come in time, but you must at least
- begin to prepare yourself for this part of the journey. One of the most
- important concepts to assimilate concerns the difference between the
- light and the dark aspects of the Force. Many foolishly believe that
- each is immediately recognizable. Here the light there the dark. But it
- is not so. The two have no separation --- you should not consider them
- distinct entities. What links these two sides of the force is a nebulous
- area of gray wherein the allegiance of any given person is not
- immediately apparent. The light and the dark stand at opposite ends of
- the spectrum, as beacons respectively. But the multitudes of people lie
- somewhere in the center, some leaning toward the light, others falling
- toward the dark. These are the people who must be protected, who must be
- shown compassion and understanding, who must be guided to the light.
- These are the people who can be brought together beneath our luminescent
- banner to help us defeat the dark side. A Jedi should realize that no
- one species be it humans or another is more important then any other.
- The world and the universe thrives on diversity; nature is but an
- amalgam of elements randomly assembled into finite entities, people,
- creatures, and objects that quickly fade and rise again in new forms.
- This concept, then, is the heart of all. It is the central tenet
- required to understand the universe. All is one, and one, therefore is
- all. Duality does not exist in this statement. This is how you must
- think. This is what guides you, what tells you how to conduct yourself.
- This is the Force, the energy that lives in everything, that is
- existence itself --- You must concentrate on gaining understanding in
- this concept. It may seem impossible. Many Jedi, even some of the
- greatest Masters, will devote years to this very issue. Do not give up.
- Some Jedi can actually speak with animals, forming a bond with them that
- can often be unnerving to those who can't. The Jedi is guided by what he
- feels and not by what he sees. The hard and strong will fall. The soft
- and weak will overcome. The truth often sounds paradoxical. So-called
- "sentience" does not equate with importance in the structure of nature.
- All creatures --- no matter their size, no matter their intelligence, no
- matter their station --- all beings in this universe have the same
- impact on this very moment. If a ladybug in Vermont flaps its wings, a
- star two dozen light-years away may erupt in a spectacular supernova.
- This is how closely bound all entities are. Remember what you have heard
- so many times before: the Force penetrates all existence and links it
- together, making every element dependent on every other element. You
- must bear this concept in mind whenever you come to a crossroads. Let
- this understanding guide you; let the Force grant you the wisdom to
- choose the correct path. Though what is about to be said may seem
- obvious at first, listen closely for the true meaning behind and within
- the words. Somewhere therein lies important understanding. As
- civilization advances, its technology becomes more intricate, enabling
- sentient life to break through one boundary after another. First
- learning to traverse the world on beasts. But eventually each society
- develops machines that can propel its members over land and liquid, or
- high above the planets surface through the atmosphere. These vessels now
- bring members of those civilizations together into a single community,
- where ideas and beliefs may be shared. Unfortunately, so, to, does war
- erupt between some that would never have meet had they remained confined
- to their native lands. Notice that technology in itself does not possess
- good or evil. It does not have a light or dark nature. Those who use
- these devices may cause a vehicle, a ship, or even a weapon to seem to
- belong to one side of the Force or the other, but rarely do these items
- contain such an essence. This distinction is one of the keys to
- unlocking the secret of existence; remember it well. A Jedi always takes
- advantage of the tools at hand. The ways of the dark side are often
- subtle and deceptive, so those who cling to the light must constantly be
- on guard. Many technological devices can aid in this task, especially
- those involving communication and healing. There are weapons, as well
- --- but these must be used only in times of dire need when lives hang in
- the balance and the Jedi must engage in battle to stave off the dark
- side. As a Jedi you may be appointed the guardian of a system. Anyone of
- the countless systems in use. To effectively watch over your charge, you
- must understand it, as well as its history and its functions. You must
- come to know the systems as well as you know yourself. If not, your
- efforts will be wasted. So how are you to know which system to research?
- Study them all. While a Jedi may be a force for peace he must remain
- vigilant against evil. Many people who do not take the time to
- investigate it thoroughly too often reject the Jedi Way, all to quickly.
- Its growth-orientation, instinct-to-spirit spectrum, and transpersonal
- nature earn it instant dismissal because it is seen as "too mystical" or
- "The foolish fancy of those who are to heavily influenced by a series of
- films." Also the fact that it is a tradition that must be experienced
- --- it cannot be learned from books. Cause many who are unwillingly to
- take the leap required of them to realizing this psychology in their
- lives frequently attack it in word and print with remarkable lack of
- understanding. The Jedi have been, and continue to be, widely
- misunderstood and viciously attacked due to their insights into the
- nature of reality and their creativity. It is one of those unfortunate
- facts of life that insight and creativity have never been welcomed by
- societies at large; the majority of people seem to prefer, instead,
- theories and lifestyles that imprison them. It is easier to live within
- the dictates of someone else's philosophy than live with the fear
- incurred through developing freedom, individuality, and personal wisdom.
- The more you rely on technology to do the work for you, the farther you
- get from the essence of the creative power of your own channeled
- intentions. Be aware that technology can blind you to perceptions of
- broader realities. As a Jedi you must learn to control your emotions.
- This does not mean to ignore them. On the contrary, you should make
- certain to understand how you are feeling at all times. Your task is to
- observe these thoughts and emotions, not to blindly act on them. Step
- back for a moment from the cage that is your corporeal existence. Enter
- the vastness of the Force, where all beings and objects exist as one.
- There you will discover the answers to all your queries, where you will
- find guidance, where you will finally recognize your role in the
- universe. Throughout the adventures of your limited life you must always
- come to this place to find the true path, the way of light. Few beings
- receive the Force's call to join the Jedi, this band of scholars,
- healers, and warriors. And of those who begin the journey, only a
- dedicated few eventually become full-fledged Jedi. Premonitions and
- Visions: Some Jedi experience premonitions, dreams and visions.
- Sometimes these events seem to be little more than random,
- impressionistic images, but at other times they are crystal clear
- glimpses of past, present, or possible future events. There will be much
- debate as to the cause of these phenomena --- perhaps it's the Jedi's
- subconscious at work, or perhaps it's simply a different way of sensing
- tremors in the Force --- but these occurrences can warn a Jedi of
- impending danger or summon the Jedi to "crisis areas" where their unique
- abilities are needed. The Jedi Way is more then just a system of
- techniques for controlling, sensing, and altering the Force. It is a
- philosophy of existence in which the individual sees his true nature as
- a part of a larger whole. The Jedi seeks to live in harmony with the
- universe, focusing on discipline and awareness to reach his goal. Many
- are the temptations to grasp at ephemeral equilibriums, to create
- conflict between nature and the mind, to fall onto easier paths. This
- the Jedi strives to avoid at all costs, no matter how dear. A Jedi
- should focus his efforts on creating harmony between all beings. They
- detest violence of any sort; reluctantly engaging in combat only after
- all other attempts at conflict resolution have failed. A Jedi must
- always act from a position of peace and understanding, never out of fear
- or anger. Using the Force for selfish purposes --- self-gain, egotism,
- even convenience --- crosses the boundary between the light and the dark
- sides. A Jedi must not allow evil to take place once they become aware
- of its working. To remain aloof in situations where a Jedi's
- intervention would prevent the dark side from attaining another foothold
- is the same as helping it do so. A Jedi must constantly be wary of his
- path, making certain he does not stray toward the dark side, but remains
- firm in the light. While the dark side does not outclass the light side
- in any way, it does offer a seemingly quicker --- yet more costly ---
- path to power. The dark side thrives on black thoughts, words, and
- actions, inducing beings to engage in such wickedness in exchange for
- ability to wield the Force to commit subsequent evil acts. Often the
- darkness manifests itself in a subtle way to mask its presence from an
- individual as it coaxes him to stray further from the light. Only after
- the being has performed the act does the dark side reveal itself,
- pointing out how simple and easy power comes to those who fulfill its
- wishes. With such black-hearted deeds, the being steps further down the
- path to full immersion in the dark side, losing most of his former self
- in the process. Remember we ALL have darkness within us. It is what
- makes us living beings, bound by the Force. We can never brush that
- darkness away. It is within us always. We can only learn to control it,
- like a dangerous beast that must be kept upon a chain. The first goal of
- a Jedi is to maintain order and further the cause of peace.
- Being a Jedi
- will not be an easy thing. Though the very name conjures images of
- gallant heroism, Jedi themselves do what they must for the good of all
- life. Neither embracing adventure nor avoiding it, Jedi bring peace and
- justice wherever beings have lost their way. Jedi wield the energy they
- call the Force. They use it to perceive and affect the world around them
- in ways incomprehensible to others. The Jedi should be a defender and
- protector of justice. By his example, belief in the Force will be
- accepted if not always understood. There are some beings attuned to the
- Force. Whether they understand it or not, they can feel the Force
- flowing through them. Of those that are sensitive to the Force, Any who
- study it's ways can learn to manipulate its energy. The Jedi fall into
- this category, using their knowledge of the Force to give them their
- powers. But they are not the only ones. Understanding of the Force
- manifests in many ways. Even those who don't believe in the Force and
- aren't particularly attuned to its flow can call upon the Force without
- understanding what they are doing. When a stroke of amazing luck occurs,
- or fate seems to be on their side and helps them accomplish a difficult
- objective, it is the force coming to their aid. A Jedi is aware, but he
- does not waste time in mindless contemplation. When action is required,
- a Jedi Acts. It is a foolish Jedi who thinks he has the strength of
- character to walk the path of the dark side and not be touched by it;
- that he can use the power of the dark side for the benefit of the
- universe. The deep subconscious of a Force-sensitive person is shielded
- by a protective barrier, which prevents another Force wielder from
- penetrating his or her inner mind. This shield pushes violently back at
- the intruder. This "shield" is an involuntary defense mechanism
- maintained by every Force-sensitive person. The magnitude of the
- backlash generated by the shield depends on the person's strength in the
- Force. The dark side philosophy is very different from the Jedi Code.
- Whereas a Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, a dark side
- user uses the Force to bend the universe to his will. The Jedi
- manipulates the Force passively, while in a state of calm and control.
- The dark side user gives himself over to his passions, and channels the
- Force by harnessing the power of anger, fear, hate, love, and jealousy.
- To use any dark side power is to relinquish any claim to call oneself a
- Jedi. Even the minor powers of the dark side are extremely dangerous for
- Jedi to use. Since they lead to the darkness. While it is true that a
- Jedi uses his power only for defense, never for attack, it is equally
- true that a Jedi must nevertheless prepare with great vigilance, for
- only the Force knows when you may face your greatest battle. The Force
- is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all
- living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us. It binds the galaxy
- together. The mysterious energy field known as the Force permeates the
- universe. It is created by life, found everywhere, a part of everything.
- It lies beyond that which can normally be perceived, yet a few beings
- know how to feel its ebb and flow. With practice and study, Jedi learn
- to manipulate that energy, gaining control over life, thought and
- matter. The Force is the foundation of the beliefs of the Jedi. A Jedi's
- aim is not to encourage fighting but to minimize it and curtail it. A
- Jedi who kills innocent people, causes unnecessary or gratuitous injury,
- or uses the Force while angry or hateful is already well on his path to
- being a servant of the dark side. The Force is an essential part of
- nature --- like energy or matter --- but it has yet to be quantified and
- analyzed. The Force is not to be understood in the same manner as the
- physical qualities of the universe. The laws of physics are observable;
- technology is predictable and readily controlled. The Force is neither
- controlled nor controlling --- it is a part of life itself; asking if it
- controls or can be controlled is like asking if a person controls his
- component cells or if they control him. It is not known whether the
- Force has always been, came about as life evolved into intelligence, or
- if it coerced the evolution of intelligence. To the Jedi, it does not
- matter. It's enough to know that the Force is. Even those who don't
- believe in the Force can unconsciously manipulate it and be manipulated
- by it. They may not be truly "Sensitive" to its flow, but they still
- call upon the Force without even realizing. These people seem to have an
- almost unnatural ability to accomplish their objectives, whether their
- intent is good or evil, or somewhere in between. The skeptical call it
- luck. The unbelievers may call it destiny or fate. It is the Force. A
- Call to Action: A Jedi cannot allow evil to occur by inaction --- A Jedi
- who voluntarily stands by and allows evil to be committed is encouraging
- the forces of darkness. Jedi are bound by the actions of those around
- them. It is not acceptable for a Jedi to associate with those who
- willfully commit evil. When a Jedi is confronted by a situation where
- evil is being committed, the Jedi must act to prevent that evil. There
- are a variety of means at the Jedi's disposal --- persuasion, creating a
- distraction, armed action or simple mind tricks --- but intervention is
- necessary. Tremors in the Force: The Jedi lives in harmony with the
- Force, sensing its flow, drawing upon its energies . and sometimes
- perceiving "disturbances" and "presences" in that flow. The actions of
- others can cause disturbances in the Force. A lone individual's
- impression might be like a candle flickering in the wind, while a great
- tragedy or act of great good may be like a sudden burst of lightning.
- Those who manipulate the Force often and with great power shine like the
- light of a sun. Each time a Jedi draws on the Force, there is a slight
- tremor as the Force is subtly altered. If the Force is used sparingly
- and with harmony in the natural order of things, such tremors are slight
- and barely detectable even at close ranges. Those who frequently use the
- Force cause many, many tremors. When the Force is relied upon --- used
- constantly to bend the universe to fit the will of the user --- such
- tremors may be great enough that Jedi even at great distances may detect
- them. Those who use the Force as a crude instrument of power are very
- likely to come to the attention of others. New Jedi students are
- particularly likely to be detected. In their desire to master their
- powers, they often manipulate the Force . yet their dabbling, if to
- frequent, draw the attentions of other nearby Force-users. The dark side
- is perhaps the greatest threat a Jedi can face. It's always lurking in
- the shadows, a quick and easy temptation for an undisciplined Jedi
- filled with anger and frustration. The Jedi must be honorable and noble
- since Force-sensitives who act ambiguously are easily corrupted to the
- dark side. A Jedi does not grasp at power. A Jedi is not a dominator,
- nor an oppressor. To grasp for power is to abandon the ways of the
- Force. Such a one ceases to know the Force, except in his dark side. To
- grasp at power is to take up the path that leads to destruction. The
- Dominator is the enemy, yes. But the Jedi does not use the dark side of
- the dominator against him. Thinking is closer to trying then doing.
- Changing the future has got to require action, not just planning for
- action. While a Jedi acts in defense and not out of aggression, that
- doesn't mean aggressively putting a defense into place is bad. Everyone
- is equal because the Force is in everyone. Jedi should not reject or
- look down or up to anyone because of social class, race, and creed
- because these things are artificial and because they stop the Jedi from
- seeing others as the Force sees them. In all matters success depends on
- preparation; without preparation there will always be failure. When what
- is to be said is previously determined, there will be no difficulty
- determined, there will be no occasion for vexation. When general
- principles are previously determined there will be no perplexity to know
- what to do.
- MAKING THE WILL SINCERE
- What is meant by "making the will sincere" is that one should not
- deceive oneself. This sincerity should be like the sincerity with which
- we dislike a bad smell or love what is beautiful. This is called
- satisfying your own conscience. Therefore a Jedi is watchful over
- himself even when he is alone. People usually lose their sense of
- judgment toward those whom they love, toward those whom they despise or
- dislike, toward those whom they fear, toward those whom they pity and
- towards those whom they pamper or are proud of. Therefore, there are few
- people in this world who can see the bad in those whom they like and see
- the good in those whom they dislike. As Jedi we seek to overcome these
- habits in ourselves. Thus seeing the truth in all people. A Jedi first
- searches himself before he demands it of others, and makes sure first
- that he himself is not a transgressor before he finds transgressions in
- others. Jedi should try to avoid completely four things: Arbitrariness
- of opinion, dogmatism, narrow-mindedness and egotism. It is difficult to
- see examples of true Jedi. Everybody errs a little on the side of his
- weakness. Therefore it is easy for others to point out the shortcomings
- of those who follow the Jedi way. Then it is to point out their good
- qualities. Humility is near to moral discipline; simplicity of character
- is near to the Jedi Way; and loyalty is near to sincerity of heart. If a
- man will carefully cultivate these things in his conduct, he may still
- err a little, but he won't be far from the standard of the Jedi Way. For
- with humility or pious attitude, a man seldom commits errors; with
- sincerity of heart, a man is generally reliable; and with simplicity of
- character, he is usually generous. You will seldom make a mistake if you
- use these points to begin from. A Jedi has no worry and no fear. For if
- he looks within himself and is sure that he has done right in all
- things, what does he have to fear or worry about? A Jedi should be
- ashamed if his words are better then his actions. If you have the
- insight to perceive a truth, but not the wisdom to keep to it, you will
- lose it again, though you have discovered it. A Jedi Knight must Remain
- Focused. Mastery of the Force requires that one purge all unnecessary
- activities from daily life. A monk cannot fulfill the Jedi Way if he
- does not manifest compassion without and persistently store up courage
- within. And if a warrior does not manifest courage on the outside and
- hold enough compassion within his heart to burst his chest, he cannot
- become a Jedi. Therefore, the monk pursues courage with the warrior as
- his model, and the warrior pursues the compassion of the monk. A Jedi
- Knight seeks excellence in all endeavors, martial and otherwise, seeking
- strength to be used in the service of justice, rather than in personal
- aggrandizement. A Jedi strives to excel physically, mentally,
- emotionally and spiritually, and can put these in motion instantly. This
- requires discipline, patience and perfect practice, for a Jedi is always
- mindful of what lies behind and what lies ahead.
- Being a Jedi Knight often means choosing the more difficult path, the
- personally expensive one. Be prepared to make personal sacrifices in
- service of the precepts and people you value. At the same time, a Jedi
- Knight should seek wisdom.This also means taking the side of truth in
- all matters, rather than seeking the expedient lie. Seek the truth
- whenever possible, but remember to temper justice with mercy, for the
- pure truth can bring grief. However, it must also be noted that to a
- Jedi, to be brave in battle proves nothing, as bravery itself proves
- nothing. A Jedi should be prepared to put aside fear, regret, and
- uncertainty and either act, retreat, surrender or perish.
- Value first the contributions of others; do not boast of your own
- accomplishments, let others do this for you. Tell the deeds of others
- before your own, according them the renown rightfully earned through
- virtuous deeds. In this way the office of Jedi Knighthood is well done
- and glorified, helping not only the gentle spoken of but also all who
- call themselves Jedi Knights.
- Seek great stature of character by holding to the virtues and duties of
- a Jedi Knight, realizing that though the ideals cannot be reached, the
- quality of striving towards them ennobles the spirit, growing the
- character from dust towards the heavens. Nobility also has the tendency
- to influence others, offering a compelling example of what can be done
- in the service of rightness.
- It is true that actions speak louder than words. However, behind every
- action is motive and a purpose. Without a sound motive and purpose,
- action has no meaning, no destination, and lacks a foundation. Action
- without motive and purpose does nothing other than to move for the sake
- of moving, beating the air to appear to doing something, when in fact is
- doing nothing, the proverbial spinning wheels in the mud. A Jedi moves
- with the Force. He meditates upon the Will of the Force. A Jedi's
- actions are firmly based upon a deep motivation to serve the Force of
- Light, and is deeply rooted in purpose. There is no wasted movement, or
- the need for action when none is required, for to a Jedi, action means
- nothing without a pure motive, or a sound purpose. A Jedi's mind is a
- calm ocean, like a sea of glass. He realizes that it is in conquering
- the tides of the emotions as well as reactions to stimulus that allows
- the Jedi to be victorious in all things, for he is vessel for the Force,
- an extension of the Will of the Force. This inner stillness requires
- much discipline: mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. A
- Jedi by nature is highly disciplined in all levels of his being, that in
- the fiery moment where the Force must be released to defend self or
- others who deserve that loyalty, the action is a clear extension of many
- years of training and inner discipline. It is sometimes necessary for a
- Jedi to practice discretion. Jedi do not actively interfere with the
- lives of the common people. Jedi stand for order and justice; however,
- Jedi prioritize and streamline their involvement, and do not allow the
- misdeeds of the few to interfere with the conscious direction received
- as to the Will of the Force and how their office as Jedi helps brings
- these into fruition. The goal of the Jedi should be to create and
- preserve an atmosphere where justice can flourish, rather than try to
- create justice themselves. A byword of Jedi could be, "I may not always
- agree with your choices, but I will defend your right to choose with my
- very life." Being a Jedi Being a Jedi involves a commitment within the
- person and a devotion to higher ideals. While a diplomat may choose the
- lesser of two evils or a scoundrel the more profitable of the two, a
- Jedi is held to a higher standard, and with his greater abilities comes
- increased responsibility. The Goal Of Peace The Jedi works first for
- peace, acting without consideration of costs to themselves or with an
- eye toward personal power or gain. Peace is not the result of a strong
- emotional drive (for emotions cloud the correct use of the Force) but
- rather a clear, dispassionate goal for the Jedi. Peace born of anger is
- no peace at all, and cannot last. Individual Jedi strive for the goal of
- peace without emotion both within and without. The Jedi works toward his
- goal with unflinching devotion, untroubled by strong emotions. As a
- result, powerful Jedi have a cool, detached demeanor that some mistake
- for apathy. Situations that challenge the Jedi often involve combat,
- particularly mindless combat for no clear purpose (this doesn't just
- mean physical combat). For a Jedi, peace is much more then a cessation
- of war. For a Jedi to meet this goal, he must look to root causes and
- complaints, and to deal with basic conflicts between the participants. A
- Jedi who wins the battle but sacrifices the ability to judge
- dispassionately has lost his own personal war. The Goal Of Knowledge
- Ignorance kills as surely as anger. A little knowledge might be
- dangerous, but a lack of knowledge is deadly. Ignorance of others,
- ignorance of facts, and ignorance of truth sets individuals apart and
- leads to contention and violence. A Jedi spreads knowledge that unifies,
- binding peoples and countries together. This knowledge begins with the
- Jedi knowing their own capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Pride
- can cloud the mind and make them blind to their own flaws, which might
- be exploted by others. Failure causes doubt, which causes the Jedi to be
- less capable of realizing their own strengths. Jedi continually test
- themselves to see where the limits of their abilities lie, not as a goal
- in itself, but as a means to the goal of better understanding
- themselves. The Goal of Serenity In striving for serenity, the Jedi
- seeks more then just remaining levelheaded in a crisis. He finds a calm
- place within, and then projects that inner peace outward to affect
- others by word and deed. This serenity grants the Jedi a firm resolve
- The center of serenity is moderation in all things. Excessive emotions,
- whether positive or negative, upset a Jedi's touch with the Force and
- create an imbalance within the self, similar to an imbalance within the
- Force. Challenges to a Jedi's serenity are many. The forces of the dark
- side always encourage the Jedi to give into hate, anger, and rage, and
- facilitate those feelings by giving the Jedi good reason to feel those
- emotions. Those close to the Jedi might be targets of attacks, or the
- ideals of the Jedi themselves might be sullied. The seduction of the
- dark side is more insidious, becuase less powerful or less positive
- emotions might be harnessed to provoke a rash action. Concern,
- affection, and even love can upset the balance of a Jedi's serenity and
- force the Jedi to choose between personal desires and the good of the
- Order. The Unity of the Force The Jedi Code represents the embodiment of
- the universal nature of the Force. The Jedi see themselves as the
- guardians of society, holding themselves to a high moral standard. They
- are role models, leading by example. The Jedi do not desire to rule, but
- rather wish to instruct so that society as a whole acts with greater
- justice and equality. The Force is not inherently good or evil. it has
- it's light side and it's dark side. It is a tool, and like any other
- tool it can be misused. Ignorance leads to improper use of the Force;
- the unwise use the Force emotionally. Incorrect use of the Force can
- lead to death and destruction. Only through proper training can the
- Force be justly applied. In addition, the Force is a necessary and vital
- part of the universe. Think of the Force as more than merely the means
- by which you gain skills and power. It is a metaphor for the universal
- nature of life itself, vibrant, dynamic, and dangerous. All Jedi are
- permeated by the Force, just as all beings are, but the Jedi are most
- aware of it. Events in one region might affect another, as if the
- universe were one interconnected being, with the Force as its blood and
- life. The Internal Journey A Jedi grows in power as he experiences the
- world, gaining more proficiency in combat and in applying the Force. In
- turn, the Jedi affects the world around him, spreading the doctrine of
- the Jedi Code and making the universe a better place for all. This
- external growth and effect, reflects an internal growth of the
- individual Jedi. As a person becomes more attuned to the Force, he is
- challenged to fully embrace the tenets of the Jedi Order. Every Jedi to
- the humblest student to the greatest Master has room to grow and
- develop. The nature of the universe is such that new challenges
- continually arise to test a Jedi, as he questions old assumptions and
- deals with new situations. When teaching Jedi, stress the internal
- development of the student. Often a Jedi may have to sacrifice personal
- desires or goals for the good of the greater number. Jedi must deal with
- their own self-denial for the good of others. The Challenge of
- Temptation Temptation poses the greatest threat to a Jedi, and the fall
- of a Jedi Knight often begins with one rationalized decision or errant
- choice. The nature of temptation provides a continual challenge for
- Jedi. Temptation takes myriad forms. The simplest urges the Jedi to
- provide an easy answer to a complex question. The answer might be
- immediately satisfying but creates long term problems. The arrest of a
- crime lord, for example, might be immediately fullfilling, but unless
- the crime lord's empire is also shut down, the arrest merely creates a
- situation in which another being will assume the crime lord's role.
- Usually after a bloody civil war within the group that almost always
- endangers countless innocent lives. Another form of temptation comes
- from power of adulation and the threat of success itself. Accepting
- personal rewards is dangerous for a Jedi, for it inspires belief in his
- own abilities that might exceed the truth. In effect the Jedi comes to
- believe his own hype. The Jedi should learn instead that true
- satisfaction comes from the sense of well-being within, not from the
- approval of others. A Third form of temptation is the nature of power
- itself. The Jedi should be a force for good, which keeps them from using
- their abilities to rule others. This is an extremly powerful temptation,
- becuase Jedi often face ignorance and folly in their daily lives. The
- Jedi can be tempted to deal with such folly (bureaucracy is particularly
- rife with it), yet once that kind of interference starts, it soon
- escalates to a point where a Jedi encourages the very ignorance he once
- fought against, in the name of ruling others "for their own best
- interest." Temptation starts small - using the Affect Mind skill to deal
- with a petty argument, losing your temper when making a point, taking
- pleasure in battle. From these small blemishes the corruption grows.
- Rising From The Ashes Would-be Jedi must understand that failure should
- never be the end. The Jedi Code places a heavy load on the Jedi,
- requiring almost superhuman abilities for them to accomplish all it's
- demands. In large and small ways, all Jedi eventually fail the
- challenges posed by the code in some way. They might feel anger or
- succumb to temptation. They might work against the balance of the Force,
- even with the best of intentions. They will fall from the high ideals
- they hold. The true failure of a Jedi is not stumbling or failing to
- live up to the ideals of the Order. The true failure occurs if, once
- having fallen, the Jedi fails to rise again. Many Jedi who have failed
- in one of their tasks consider themselves beyond redemption or
- forgiveness, and in doing so open themselves to the dark side. Jedi
- strive to live up to the Jedi Code and the teachings of their masters.
- When (not if, but when) a Jedi fails to attain those goals, the only
- choices are to let the failure dominate his life, or to rise from the
- ashes of that defeat and strive to make peace with himself through the
- Force. That is the way of the Jedi.
- Life As A Jedi Knight
- Upon completing his training, a Jedi apprentice becomes a Jedi Knight.
- His life suddenly loses a great deal of structure. He no longer lives
- and trains on his Teacher's schedule, though he might still cling to it
- out of habit. Instead, he stands ready to undertake any task that a Jedi
- can undertake, or resolve any problems that he discoveries on his own.
- In gaining this freedom and taking on responsibility, the Jedi Knight's
- life becomes considerably more complicated than when he was simply
- required to heed his Teacher's instructions and follow his advice. He
- gains a great deal of autonomy, but loses an equal amount of direction.
- The Teacher still has the responsibility to provide the newly titled
- Jedi Knight with a task, one that gives the new Knight time to adjust to
- his new status. For some Knights, this is a solo mission, not unlike the
- mission they might have taken at the culmination of their trials. They
- might be assigned to assist another Jedi Knight. Others recieve an
- appointment to an office within the Jedi hierarchy based on their skills
- and talents. They become archivists, researchers or other similar
- positions. Some might even help train their Teacher's new student as a
- primer for training their own, or go on a journey of discovery, during
- which he could find a place or a problem that needed a Jedi Knight. He
- might also join a group of others to help a noble cuase. Such a Jedi
- Knight has great autonomy. He might wander the world, lending his skills
- where they are needed. Alternatively, he can pursue a specific goal such
- as watching over a person or researching Jedi lore to it's completion,
- even if that means spending the rest of his life in one place. Such
- descion are subject to change if the Order has more important tasks for
- the Jedi Knight.
- Training Duels
- When Jedi need to practice their fighting skills, they call upon one
- another to duel. When they choose to use weapons capable of killing one
- another, Jedi must be careful not to seriously injure one
- another.Similarly, when a Jedi Teacher teaches an apprentice the art of
- combat, he must be mindful of not only his own attacks but those of his
- student, who might lack the control to attack without harm. Jedi in
- Training Duels check their attacks. Jedi also observe certain customs of
- dueling etiquette, both to preserve harmony and to guarantee the safest
- possible duels. Much of this thinking carries over into the day-to-day
- behavior of the Jedi Knights. Fighting Duels are for Practice, not for
- Resolving Disputes. The Jedi realize that temptation to solve problems
- with fighting is often very strong. especially for younger Jedi. Thus,
- this rule is generally the first imparted to a Jedi when his training
- begins. Never Endanger Bystanders The Jedi Teachers should sternly
- reprimand Jedi who duel in public, specifically becuase they wish to
- avoid accidents. The Duel Ends if Someone is Injured An injured Jedi who
- insists on continuing a duel might not be thinking clearly. Thus, the
- duel ends the moment one of the participants suffers a wound.
- Paradoxically, most Jedi do not consider wounding an opponent in a duel
- as a victory. Instead, it tells them that they have unconsciously wanted
- to injure their opponent, which is cause for meditation. A Jedi who has
- injured an opponent in a duel generally does not participate in a duel
- again until asked. Some even wait until the opponent they have injured
- asks for a duel. Always Honor a Request to End the Duel When a Jedi asks
- for the duel to end, it is considered good form to immediately do so.
- Customarily, the person who makes the request puts away his weapon or
- bows if in hand to hand fighting when he makes the request. However,
- some Jedi Teachers use this point as a test. They leave their weapon out
- to see whether their apprentices are unwise enough to lower their
- defenses against an armed opponent - even one they otherwise trust.
- Never Strike an Unarmed Opponent Jedi Consider armed attacks against an
- unarmed opponent possible evidence of the dark side's influence. Of
- course, the same thinking does not apply to unarmed attacks against an
- unarmed opponent. Never Strike an Opponent Who is Unprepared Even an
- armed opponent may not be ready for an assault, so the Jedi customarily
- indicate battle readiness either with a formal salute or by adopting an
- "on guard" stance. Any other stance indicates that the combatant is not
- prepared for combat, though he could still verbally indicate otherwise.
- A weapon held to one side and directed at the floor signifies the
- default "at rest" stance. Never Use the Force During a Duel Duels are a
- test of combat skill, not of proficiency with the Force. If a Jedi uses
- the Force against his opponent during a duel, it is taken as a sign of
- desperation. This provides a good reason to end the duel, before someone
- gets hurt. Unfortunately, the habit of not using the Force in combat
- practice sometimes works against the inexperienced Jedi It does not
- occur to them that their opponents might not respect this custom.
- Similarly, using the Force to improve fighting skills is allowed if both
- participants agree to such beforehand. Calling upon the Force however,
- is considered extravagant and disrespectful to the Force. When
- Practicing Armed Combat Un-Armed Combat Tactics are Considered Fair Game
- Despite the injunction against using the Force, other combat tactics are
- perfectly legal, since weapon combat involves more than simply
- exchanging blows. Jedi frequently employ rushing, disarms, knockdowns,
- and trips, though grapples are generally frowned upon. Attacking an
- opponent's weapon to try and destroy it is a gross sign of disrespect,
- since it damages the personal property of a fellow Jedi. Consequently,
- few Jedi resort to this tactic. Except in life-or-death struggles.