Jediism

The Way of the Force

Compiled and Edited
By
The Anonymous Padawan
Dedicated
To the United Jedi Order UJA!" where # compiled $arious Jedi
Techni%ues from& To the Jedi 'ealist Academy J'A!" who" since
learnin( there" used my own )nowled(e and some of their lessons in this
*oo)& To the Forsa)en Jedi+Jedi Academy" whose many stories (rant
wisdom& # would li)e to than) the ,hadow Academy for their
perspecti$e& # would li)e to than) the Force Academy for their Dar) Jedi
-ectures& And" # would also li)e to than) JED# Academy for the lectures
on the Force" Trials" Enli(htenment" and Poetry
Than) .ou All&
Ta*le of Contents
The 'oots of Jediism p& //
By Anonymous Padawan
The Way of the Jedi p& /0
By Anonymous Padawan+ JED# Academy
The Path of the Jedi p&/0
The 1irtues of the Jedi p& /2
,marts on Common ,ense p& /2
The Power of E%uili*rium p& /2
Be E3act p& /4
Patience as a Two5Ed(ed Blade p& 67
The Wal)in( Dictionary p& 67
What is Jediism8 p& 66
Jedi 'eli(ion p& 66
Jedi 'ealism p& 69
The Jedi #deal p& 69
Taoist Ethics p& 69
Bushido p& 60
Chi$alry p& 62
The Jedi Code p& 97
:There is no emotion& There is peace&; p& 97
:There is no i(norance& There is )nowled(e&; p& 9<
:There is no passion& There is serenity&; p& 9=
There is no chaos& There is harmony&; p& >7
There is no death& There is the Force& P& >6
Jedi Template p& >>
Tao of the Jedi p& >=
Types of Jedi p& >4
Jedi Words of Wisdom p& <7
The 6/ ?a3ims p& <>
By the CA Jedi Assem*ly
Prowess p& <>
Justice p& <>
-oyalty p& <>
Defense p& <>
Coura(e p& <<
Faith p& <<
@umility p& <<
Fearlessness p& <<
Ao*ility p& <0
Franchise p& <0
Pure ?oti$e p& <0
Discipline p&<0
Focus p& <=
Discretion p& <=
?editation p& <=
Trainin( p& <=
#nte(rity p& <2
?orality p& <2
En(a(in( in Conflict p& <2
#nter$ention p& <2
@armoniBin( p& <4
Jedi -ectures p& 07
By Forsa)en Jedi+Jedi Academy ?em*ers" UJO ?em*ers and ,hadow
Jedi ?em*ers
Positi$e+Ae(ati$e p&07
E(o p& 06
Cuilt p& 09
#t #s A @ard -ife p& 0>
@onor p& 00
The Cray ,ide Pertainin( to the Code p& 0=
@ammerin( Down the Une$en Pe( p& =7
Coura(e to 'un Away p& =/
Coin( with the Flow p& =6
Destiny and Freewill p& =9
-oyalty p& ==
Eastern Wisdom p& =4
Ei(ht Fold Path p& 26
The Four Ao*le Truths p& 29
Earth Force" ?artial Arts& And Taoism p& 2>
,hadow Jedi -ectures p& 20
#nner Balance p&20
'eality" Truth" Perception" and Balance p& 2=
Unlearnin(D An #ntroduction p& 22
Emotions and Unlearnin( p& 22
#ntroduction to ?editation p& 24
Perspecti$e and Perception p& 24
Action in #nactionD Followin( the Will of the Force p& 47
Dar) Jedi -ectures p& 49
A Code p& 49
Dar)ness and the #ndi$idual p& 49
?indfulness p& 4=
?editation p& /77
,trate(y p& /76
Trials p& //9
By the JED# staff
Philosophy /7/ p& //6
The A*ility to -e$itate p& //6
-ifeEs -essons p& //9
The #nfinite Point p& //9
'ipples Throu(h Time p&//>
.es is .es" Ao is Ao p& //<
@e ,aid # Was p& //<
The ,ecret ,tory p& //0
Time As Our Dictator p& //=
The Philosophy p& //2
The Awareness p& //4
The Just ,hall -i$e *y Faith p& /67
-et Co p& /67
.our Focus Determines .our 'eality p& /6/
Fnow Thyself p& /6/
#nspiration p& /66
Paper Ti(er p& /6>
The Pled(e of Doctrine p& /6<
-ost and Found p& /6<
A ,imple Came of Chess p& /60
Oa) and 'eed p& /6=
This Crude ?atter p& /6=
The -and of Aod p& /62
'ole ?odels p& /64
The Potential of Worlds p& /97
-an(ua(e of the ,pirit p& /9/
Barriers of #ntellect p& /96
#nfinite Faith p& /96
The All of E$erythin( p& /99
Our Creation p& /9>
Craspin( the #ma(ination p& /9>
,u*Gecti$ity $s& O*Gecti$ity p& /9<
Enli(htenment p& /90
By the JED# ,taff
The -on( 'oad to Enli(htenment p& /9=
Truth as a Whisper p& /92
Paradi(m ,hift p& /92
The Ultimate -esson p& /94
Feelin( $s& Thin)in( p& />7
Time" Destiny and Creation p& />7
Use the Force p& />/
The Balance of the Force p& />6
The Talent p& />9
A Jedi Can Chan(e p& />9
Tin ?an p& />9
,treenEs Journal p& />>
The ?osaic p& />4
The Perfect E%uation p& />4
Balanced or Aeutral8 p& /</
.our -ife as the Cala3y p& /<6
A @ero -ies in .ou p& /<6
There is Ao Pain p& /<9
We Define Oursel$es p& /<9
The 1alue of ,i(nificance p& /<>
Thou(hts p& /<<
Treatise of Unity p& /<2
Cause and Effect p& /<4
What #s Our Destiny p& /0/
Cood and E$il p& /0/
The Createst #llusion p& /06
The Force p& /09
By JED# ,taff+ 'elan 1ol)um
What is the Force8 p& /09
What is the Force8 p& /09
Aature of the Force p& /0>
A Form of Cod8 p& /09
Force .ourself p& /0>
Ao Try p& /0<
Usin( the ForceD Balance p& /0<
The Force p& /0<
Principles of the Force p& /00
The -i$in( Force p& /0=
Way of the Force p& /02
The ?ysterious Force p& /02
Use the Force p& /04
Applications of the Force p& /=7
The Dar) ,ide Perspecti$e p& /=7
The ,hadow ,ide Perspecti$e p& /=0
Jedi -essons p& /29
By the United Jedi Academy
And
The Jedi 'ealist Academy
Force Powers p& /26
Force @eat p&/26
Force ,ense p& /29
Force Buildin( p& /2>
Calm Breathin( p& /4/
Jedi ?ind Tric) p& /4/
Jedi -essons p& /49
Effecti$e Communication p& /49
Persuasion p& /40
@ow to ,ee an Aura p& /4=
Circlin( Palms p& /4=
?a(netic @ands p& /42
@ow to Awa)en .our Force Awareness p& /44
E,P p& 67/
Empathy p& 672
Empathetic Protection p& 6//
,elf Awareness p& 6/6
Feelin( the Force p& 6/4
Feelin( the Force -i)e a Fish p& 667
?editation p& 666
By #nsi(ht ?editation
A Comprehensi$e -oo) p& 669
At ?editation p& 69>
Ener(y @ealin( ?editation p& 69<
'ela3ation ?editation p& 69<
Color @ealin( ?editation p& 690
#nner li(ht ?editation p& 69=
?indfulness ?editation p& 692
Centerin( 'oom ?editation p& 692
Buddhist ?editation for Jedi p& 694
,tudents of the Force p& 6><
Jedi ,tories p& 609
By the 1arious ?em*ers of
Forsa)en Jedi+Jedi Academy
Primordial Echoes p& 609
The 'eason p& 609
Our Place in the Force p& 60<
Cifts and Crud(es p& 60=
Eat and Drin) p& 602
What is it8 p& 6=7
The Droplet of Chan(e p& 62>
The Desi(n of the Force p& 6=<
Con$ersations with Cod p& 6==
,unrunner and ,untoucher p& 629
True Power p& 62<
#ntentions and Conse%uences p& 62=
The Tale of Fyp Durron p& 64<
Order 00
The Jedi AcademyD Destroyed
The -ast Days of the Jedi Academy
Jedi Poetry p& 96/
By the ?em*ers of JED# Academy
#nternal Epiphany p& 96/
The Path -ess Tra$eled p& 96/
Belie$e This p& 96/
Untitled p& 969
,erf p& 964
The #ndi$idualEs 1oid p& 964
The Death at @ea$enEs Cate p& 99/
-esson to the Dar) ,ide p& 999
The ?irror p& 99>
Clone p& 99>
The 'itual p& 99=
Breath of the Force p& 992
Calm Unity p& 992
The Tao of .ou p& 9>7
@uman 'ace p& 9>7
-una 'isin( p& 9>/
Our Colden Truths p& 9>/
Dreams of Dreamers p& 9>6
Ode To -ife p& 9>6

The Roots of Jediism
Jediism started in the 07Es" when Ceor(e -ucas went to film school at The Uni$ersity of
,outhern California Film ,chool& Aow at this time" the ,tar wars sa(a that spurred
Gediism into e3istence had not e$en *een thou(ht of *y -ucas& But earlier in his life"
-ucas wanted to *e a race car dri$er& @e had a horrendous crash" and that is what turned
him to film ma)in(& #f he did not ha$e this crash" he would *e a race car dri$er" star wars
would not e3ist" and neither would Gediism& #t (oes to show" once a(ain" that one small or
hu(e! thin( in a person life can spurn on such (reat thin(s as -ucasE film career&
-ucasE student wor) reflected the pop culture o*sessions of his youthD /D>6D72" a racin(
mini5epic, and The Emperor, about a disc jockey named Emperor Hudson, were
signature student works, which Lucas would later revisit and build upon in
merican !raffiti"
After (raduatin( from U,C in /400" -ucas was hired as a teachin( assistant assi(ned to
train cameramen for the #"$" %ilitary" &t was during this time that Lucas found an
opportunity to shoot TH' (()*+ an abstract science fiction short which went on to
win several student awards at #$,, and which would later be adapted to the big
screen for Lucas- first studio feature" &n (./0, Lucas re1enrolled as a #$, graduate
student" &n the same year, he was selected as one of four student filmmakers from
the #$, film programs to produce a documentary about the making of the film
%c2enna-s !old" 3n the strength of his many student awards, and his own
perseverance, Lucas won #$,-s annual scholarship to become a production
apprentice at 4arner 5ros"
#n /4=9" -ucas sold the script for American Craffiti to Uni$ersal ,tudios for H=77"777"
and it was shot in 62 days" The film, which was about teens in (./6-s %odesto, was
estimated to have grossed over 786 for each dollar spent on its production, which is
a lot of cash" &t was also one of the most profitable films released from a major
studio, and Lucas became a bona fide director, no longer standing in the shadow of
his mentor, 9rancis 9ord ,oppola"
This mo$ie would *e the *asis for the ,tar Wars series" released four years later& Durin(
the four year period that -ucas formed the first mo$ie" he created his own company,
Lucasfilm Ltd" He studied ancient mythology, fairytales, and read the book The
Hero with a Thousand 9aces, to formulate the plot" The plot was based on the
concept of the basic myth set forth by Joseph ,ampbell"
The first three mo$ies" the (ood ones" as most people would say, are a story of hope, of
struggle, and in the end, of victory" These movies were a role model for that
generation of people, and it still is for some, even after almost thirty years since the
first movie, :ew Hope, was released" &t became such a moral archetype for the
generation of the ;06s that it even spawned the religion of jediism, now that truly is
an achievement for any film" &n the ne<t paragraph the model for the movies is
shown"
The first three star wars mo$ies were founded on this basic structure" The diagram for
myths and how they were interpreted in star wars, by Joseph ,ampbell is below+
?o$ie Archetype
Joseph Camp*ell ,tar Wars
Departure
The call to ad$entureD
'efusal of the callD
,upernatural aidD
Crossin( the first thresholdD
The *elly of the whaleD
Princess -eiaEs messa(e
?ust stay home for har$est
O*i5wan rescues -u)e from ,andpeople
Escapin( Tatooine
Trash compactor on Death ,tar
#nitiationD
The 'oad of TrialsD
The meetin( with the (oddessD
Temptation away from the true pathD
Atonement with the fatherD
ApotheosisD
-i(htsa*er practice
Princess -eia
-u)e is tempted *y dar) side
Ana)in and -u)e reconcile a*oard Death
,tar
-u)e *ecomes a Jedi Fni(ht
The ultimate *oonD The Death ,tar is destroyed
'eturnD
'efusal of the returnD
The ma(ic fli(htD
'escue from withoutD
Crossin( the return thresholdD
?aster of the two worldsD
Freedom to li$eD
-u)e wants to remain on Death ,tar to
A$en(e O*i5wan
The millennium falcon escapin( from the
I,tar
@an sa$es -u)e from Darth on the Death
,tar destruction mission&
?illennium Falcon destroys pursuin( T#E
fi(hters
1ictory ceremony
The 'e*ellion defeats the Empire
Common ?ythic ElementsD
Two Worlds mundane and special!D
The mentorD
The oracleD
The prophecyD
Failed heroD
Wearin( enemies s)inD
,hapeshifter may*e untrustworthy!D
Animal familiarD
Chasin( a lone animal into the enchanted
wood and the animal (ets away!D
Planetside $s& Death ,tar
O*i5wan Feno*i
.oda
-u)e will defeat the Empire
Bi((s
-u)e and @an wear stormtrooper uniform
@an ,olo
Chew*acca
The ?illennium Falcon follows a lone T#E
fi(hter into ran(e of the Death ,tar
The first star wars mo$ie" A Aew @ope" went on to recei$e awards from the Academy
and *ro)e all pre$ious *o3 office records& This mo$ie spar)ed the world5wide craBe for
star wars and also the Gediism mo$ement&
The world5wide5we* was the o*$ious place to start" and in /44= Baal -e(ato created one
of the first we* sites to lie down the foundations and after se$eral false starts" shutdowns"
splits and mer(ers the Force Academy came into e3istence in June /444&
The Jedi Creed" as somethin( completely different" was formed *y the impressi$ely
named 'elan 1ol)um who laid down the Jedi spiritual and philosophical issues& The
e$en more nota*ly named ?itthJrawJnurida if you read any star wars no$els" you will
)now this is the name of a faction of *lue5s)inned" red5eyed humanoids called the Chiss!
wrote the actual creed while ,treen" one of ?tthJrawJnuridaEs aspirin( pupils tried to )eep
e$erythin( in the ri(ht place and in the ri(ht order&
The Force was Gust (ettin( started and in addition to The Creed" 'elan 1ol)um set up
his own Jedi United that %uic)ly *ecame the Jedi Or(aniBation and ,treen turned his
altruistic s)ills towards other e%ually Jedi5*ased sites&
Then followed a maGor set*ac) as the Force showed its mysterious sense of humor& This
was the moment when the Aew Kealand Census pre5emptin( the UF Census! (a$e a
(reat many people the opportunity to answer Jedi to the reli(ious %uestion& And the
media could not resist such an easy tar(et" and naturally attac)ed it with the full power of
their i(norance& With no re(ard for their (ood intentions and despite all their worthy
references and all their colorful names" the followers of the Jedi 'eli(ions were no match
for the hardened asses of the press and what started as a silly media story on a slow news
day left JediEs ar(uin( and fi(htin( amon(st themsel$es for the ne3t two years& This
certainly isnEt the Jedi way" now is it8 They werenEt true forcerers meanin( people of the
force" li)e sorcerers" if you e$er listen to The Power of #ntention!
One unfortunate (roup to *ear the *runt of the attac) was The Jedi Creed" who althou(h
wisely refusin( all media temptations and T1 inter$iews" was still falsely accused of
*ein( the IOfficial We*siteE of the Jedi Census&
While the Jedi Creed was still an esta*lished site for information and culture the
#nternet spawned a rash of sites" fanBines came and went and the search for the ultimate
unifyin( force stepped up a (ear or two&
Two forces" )nown as Jedi 'ealism and The Jedi 'eli(ion" came into e3istence at this
time" and had a (ood year in 6776 when Attac) of the Clones came out&
The same man who created The Jedi Creed created a new we*site aptly named JED#"
which now accepts students who study under the self professed masters and e$entually
(raduate and print out a de(ree callin( themsel$es JediEs& Aow we all )now that you canEt
really say youEre a Jedi until you ha$e really done the thin(s a Jedi does" *ut that isnEt the
point ri(ht now is it8 The reformed JediEs raised the Jedi United fla( and proclaimed the
6/ ma3ims of Jediism" which spar)ed an online fer$or for the faith& Forums went insane
for all thin(s Jedi& There was the Official Code of Jediism to ponder" the True Path of
Jedi Fni(hts to follow and the croo)ed ladder that (oes from Apprentices to ?asters to
clim* up or fall down&
The reli(ion itself will not *e chan(ed" *ut it will (i$e the JediEs online somethin( to
de*ate and comment on& -i)e Ana)inEs fall to the dar) side" or the meticulous dissection
of any new characters to (i$e e3amples of what to do and what not to do" as well as how
the hell Ana)in could not sense his damn )ids in the force& # mean" come onL @e was
IThe Chosen OneE" the stron(est creature in the force" and he couldnEt sense his )ids8 #
surely hope the mo$ie will e3plain this&
@istorically" Jedi are $ery similar to the ,ohei warriors of Japan" who were mon)s and
fou(ht for their *eliefs" much li)e the Jedi& @ere are some of their attri*utesD
Attri*utes of the ,ohei Warrior ?on)!
in any time" in any place" anywhere the ,ohei remem*ers himself as such
The ,ohei is the hei(ht of controlled $iolence and uncontrolled (entleness&
The ,ohei does nothin(" says nothin(" which stems from e(o&
The ,ohei is the personification of discipline&
The ,ohei disciplines himself to *e disciplined&
The ,ohei has reason for e$erythin( he does or says&
The ,ohei accepts no e3cuses for failure&
The ,ohei (i$es no e3cuses for failure
The ,ohei has no time for mediocrity&
The ,ohei does not deny fearM he em*races it and uses it&
The ,ohei is a protector&
As a protector" the ,ohei ceaselessly de$elops those s)ills which allow him to protect&
The ,ohei see)s perfection of ?ind Body and ,pirit&
The ,ohei is compassion&
The ,ohei is the ultimate parado3& The ,ohei pursues the arts of peace& The ,ohei
pursues the arts of war&
The ,ohei pursues )nowled(e&
The ,ohei realiBes his own shortcomin(s in all these areas and see)s to correct them&
The ,ohei uses discipline to o$ercome his faults&
The ,ohei has time for all thin(s&
The ,ohei )nows $ictory and defeat" shuns $ictory and defeat" so that he will )now
$ictory and defeat&
The ,ohei is empty& The ,ohei is full&
#f the ,ohei does not )now" he see)s until he does&
Aothin( is *elow the ,oheiJs interest&
Aothin( is a*o$e the ,ohei&
The ,ohei see)s truth in that which repels him&
The ,ohei lo$es all thin(s&
The ,ohei sees with his ears&
The ,ohei listens with his eyes&
The ,ohei has (reat dou*t& The ,ohei has (reat faith&
The ,ohei )nows his emptiness&
The ,ohei )nows his form&
The ,ohei ta)es his path seriously&
The ,ohei lau(hs at himself&
The ,ohei is distinct" separate&
The ,ohei is connected to all thin(s&
The ,ohei *ecomes the situation as water ta)es the shape of its container
The ,ohei constantly see)s his own flaws& The ,ohei see)s to correct his flaws&
The ,ohei reco(niBes himself as nothin(& The ,ohei reco(niBes himself as e$erythin(&
The ,ohei )nows pain& The ,ohei )nows sadness& The ,ohei )nows indecision&
The ,ohei )nows these thin(s within the core of unreasona*le happiness&
The ,ohei )nows it is all a dream& The ,ohei doesnJt care&
#n the ne3t chapter" # will e3plain what Jediism is" and *oth perspecti$es of Jedi 'ealism
and The Jedi 'eli(ion" as lon( as the Jedi ideal&
The Way of the Jedi
The Path of the Jedi
We all ha$e a different path in the force" for all thin(s di$erse ha$e their own
places&&&@owe$er how we wal) those paths is up to us&
The same path for one person can *e hea$en or hell at one time or another& We reco(niBe
this as perception" as our minds interpretin( life around us to the specifications that ha$e
*een *uilt into us *y the circumstances and e3periences of our li$es&
The mind is our conduit *etween the pure ener(y of life+spirit+force and our Physical
*ein( or $ehicle&&&@ow the ener(y tra$els from the physical to the spiritual and $ice $ersa
depends on the condition of the conduit&&&
#f the conduit is completely clear than ener(y will flow naturally *ac) and forth *etween
realms li)e water creatin( an e%uili*rium&
@owe$er if the conduit is *loc)ed the ener(y will not *e allowed to pass naturally and
will create pro*lems and deficiencies *etween the two realms&&&@owe$er life will *alance
itself out and the force will *alance itself out in the form of luc) and un(uided power" *ut
that ener(y will ne$er *e used for the potential and the power it was intended&&&#t will
play out and we will wal) away from the e3perience once a(ain the $ictims of fate or
circumstance&
To clear the conduit we must ali(n all of our perceptions so that they allow the ener(y of
pure potential to flow in and out of the material or N?atri3N realm" N?atri3N meanin(
mother or wom*" where the laws of physics apply directly to the amount and direction of
ener(y in our uni$erse&
The process of ali(nin( perceptions is )nown as unlearnin(&&&We must find the
perceptions in our li$es that allow us to *loc) the ener(y&&&they can *e simple thin(s such
as NThat is impossi*leN or they can *e much more complicated and can *e lin)ed to the
*ase perceptions of our personality" similar to the person who *elie$es that some people
are capa*le of doin( amaBin( thin(s howe$er they themsel$es are not" all of these
perceptions are intertwined to one root perception that is often instilled *y insecurity with
their world&&&The reason people (o on %uests of )nowled(e is not for understandin( itself"
*ut *ecause of fear and insecurity with their places in the world&&&rather than accept where
they are and at the same time accept their inherent power as sentient *ein(s with a spirit!
they choose to instead %uest for understandin( that cannot *e o*tained&&&The force is not
meant to *e understood it is meant to *e accepted and used for (uidance& @owe$er (ettin(
someone to chan(e these perceptions will *e difficult *ecause they are caused *y
fear&&&often times fear is the (reatest defense mechanism there is on the planet and it is not
somethin( to *e ta)en li(htly when teachin( your students&&&Fear can destroy them& # ha$e
seen it many times and those who are destroyed *y their fear often times wish to pull
others alon( with them" N?isery lo$es companyN& When approachin( the process of
unlearnin( if you disco$er that your student has deep seeded fear you must approach the
situation li)e you would if you were tal)in( someone down off a led(e while they are
suicidal&&&One of the )ey principles to stic) to when doin( this is the simple realiBation
that life is not meant to *e theoriBed a*out it is meant to *e li$ed&&&
Dou*t" @esitation" Fear of Failure" these are all defense mechanisms created *y the
intellect&&&They are desi(ned to ma)e our world rational&&&
@uman *ein(s ha$e de$eloped rational minds and as a side affect of that they ha$e
de$eloped the defense mechanisms necessary to )eep it a rational world&&&#&E& the mind
tries to reGect anythin( that cannot *e e3plained rationally&&&therefore it creates *loc)s that
will not allow that irrationality to seep into life&
People ha$e difficult times acceptin( the irrational" and they ha$e near impossi*le times
acceptin( the fact that they ha$e that same irrational and unscientific power&
,o what we ha$e done is create a N'ats wheelN to )eep oursel$es from realiBin( that we
ha$e that power" we run in a circle& We ne$er realiBe that we are in the wheel *ecause we
always seem to *e (ainin( (round and (oin( forward&&&*ut in actuality the wheel is Gust
spinnin(& That is a)in to us creatin( *loc)s and limitations that )eep us from *ein( a*le
to use irrational power&&&much li)e the illusion that the rat is (oin( forward&
The rat needs to mo$e off of the wheel to (o forward&&&much the same we need to mo$e
off of our wheel to (o forward&&&our wheel is our dou*t" hesitation" dis*elief& Our $ery
need to loo) *efore we leap&
Usin( the force can *e loo)ed at as a leap of faith&
#f you let (o of your fear" your hesitancy and your dis*elief than your mind will no lon(er
*e *loc)ed&&&it will *e open and free and ener(y will flow throu(h it in desperately needed
e%uili*rium and *alance&&&Aow you ha$e the power that ma)es a Jedi" the force is with
you&&&
There is ener(y in all life and all situations" sometimes it is not our purpose to put out
ener(y" either for physical techni%ue or for radiance of emotion&&&,ometimes it is the Go*
of Jedi to siphon ener(y out of a situation and *ac) into the spirit realm&
When ener(y amasses and (athers at a focal point and than intensifies it naturally
e3pands and when ener(y $iolently e3pands it destroys that which is around it&
This is similar to a 'iotM much ener(y (athers and rapidly e3pand in e$er widenin(
$iolence until they ha$e e3panded enou(h for the ener(y to ha$e dissipated&&&
That is when it is our Go* as Jedi to let the ener(y flow from the physical realm *ac) into
the spirit realm where it is naturally dispersed into the li$in( force&
Our Go* as Jedi will *e e$er chan(in( and will always depend on our place with the
force&&&do not *ecome upset if you cannot achie$e somethin( you *elie$ed to *e
$ital&&&always remem*er that in the eyes of the force all is ri(ht and nothin( can *e the
NEnd of the WorldN that is important to hold on to&&&whene$er all seems out of control
pull *ac) and focus on the *i( picture of the force&&&we all ha$e our places in it and we
must accept that&&&Our Go* is to let the li(ht shine into the dar)ened material realm&&&To
allow life to flourish&
The 1irtues of the Jedi
,marts and Common ,ense
The functions of the mind are precious" and not to *e ta)en li(htly& A thou(ht can help
create" or destroy& #t can help fi3 pro*lems" or *rin( pro*lems& #t can ta)e and it can (i$e&
As they say" NA mind is a terri*le thin( to waste&N
Bein( smart and intelli(ent" # ha$e found" is simply displayin( )nowled(e in order to
(ain& E$eryone has the a*ility to )now" and e$eryone )nows somethin(" yet if not used in
the present situation" it cannot *e seen *y another& Common sense" thou(h" is usin( your
instincts to apply what you )now" or in other words" sensin( what is there already and
usin( it& What is the $alue of common sense8
.ou can )now many thin(s" apply what you )now in situations around you" yet if you do
not apply your instincts" as a Jedi is supposed to do" and sense for yourself what you
realiBe e$eryone understands already" you will *e trapped& Wisdom is another form of
common sense" applyin( what you )now" what you e3perience" e$erythin( you are in
order to understand the situation& A wise person has learned" not Gust throu(h trial and
error" yet thou(h e3periencin(" and )nowin(" he or she can apply themsel$es in the *est
way they can& People who donJt understand the wisdom they (i$e to other people may see
it as comple3" simply *ecause they donJt understand it&
A Jedi must *e a*le to sense and use their instincts to apply how they thin) and what they
feel to the situation at hand" and" in return" one will succeed in what one does& Fnowled(e
without wisdom (ains nothin(& -earn to apply" and understand it&
The Power of E%uili*rium
Jedi *elie$e in the power of *alance and moderation& They )now to a$oid e3tremes which
can lead them astray from the path they should (o& By *ein( in e%uili*rium" a Jedi is in
control of oneself" as well as the situations around him or her&
Thin) of it this way& AewtonEs ,econd -aw of Cra$ity states" NFor e$ery action" there is a
reaction&N Whene$er somethin( is pushed one way" somethin( else is pushed *ac)& But
we can also apply this to our emotional li$es& When you (et $ery happy" it is normal to
(et $ery sad later on& #t is simply your *ody *alancin( yourself as it should&
When a Jedi does somethin( wron(" or *rea)s a $ow or oath" it can *e de$astatin(& .et
this doesnJt mean you are e$il& .ou are as human as anyone else" donJt ta)e it so hard&
E$en thou(h" a Jedi should always *e accounta*le for his or her actions" accept
responsi*ility and admit the flaws he or she has committed& #t is simply a process of
*alance of what you are e3periencin(& When it happens a(ain" *e aware of it and
maintain your sta*ility&&&yet accept your wron( doin(s as a lesson and tool to *e a *etter
person&
.ou see" e$ery Jedi must focus on chan(e and accept chan(e& Without chan(e" our
desires and moti$ations stand still" and seldom ta)es off a(ain& By chan(in( yourself and
reconstructin( yourself" relearnin( what has *een learned" you can accomplish more&
E%uili*rium is li)e a wei(ht scale& When you wor)" donJt for(et to play& When you are
%uiet" donJt for(et to spea) up when you are a*le to& When you are so *usy readin( and
writin(" ta)e time to e3ercise and (o for a wal)& By understandin( how nature wor)s" and
how e%uili*rium is a reoccurrin( thin(" you can prepare yourself for chan(es and
e3periences to come&
Be E3act
Thin(s and situations in your life may not *e illustrated as perfect" yet it is& Thin(s are as
they are supposed to *e for the moment& ,ituations happened e3actly as it should of
happened& ,ure" it may seem to you it could ha$e wor)ed out *etter or could ha$e *een
more li)e this than li)e that" *ut itJs o$er& Accept it and mo$e on&
#n real life" thin(s can seem complicated& Complication is the $iew of seein( thin(s which
you cannot understand the (uidelines for& ?ath may seem complicated to you *ecause
you may not ha$e practiced it enou(h" or too) the time to li)e it or learned all the rules to
use it properly& All thin(s are as simple as you ma)e it& #f you are ha$in( a hard time
stri$in( to *e a Jedi and followin( the rules of the order" loo) to the Force for (uidance&
.ou see" the Force will ne$er as) you to do somethin( you canJt do& #t may seem li)e you
canJt do it" yet you can& .ou need to *elie$e in yourself and not (i$e in to your dou*ts&
As you *ecome more rounded" you will see thin(s as $ery simple 5 all you really had to
do was learn and e3perience in order to understand these simple thin(s& Perfection is
realiBin( the full potential of a thin(& The Force )nows the full potential of all thin(s"
therefore is perfect" and all thin(s it e3ist in are as perfect as they ma)e themsel$es&
Be e3act& DonJt cheat yourself& Ta)e ad$ice when it is (i$en to you" study math until you
find out how easy it could *e for you& The Jedi path is a hard path" *ut with practice" with
understandin(" with learnin( and with e3perience" it will (et easier and *ecome as
instinct& .ou can *e perfect& Thin(s can *e simple& Act *y actin( with precision&
Patience as a Two5Ed(ed Blade
#t is wise to *e patient& A Jedi must practice patience in order to achie$e the will of the
Force& Without *ein( patient" one cannot fully ac%uire )nowled(e or e3perience
)nowled(e& Patience is a crucial $irtue of a Jedi which cannot *e i(nored nor for(otten&
#n the meantime" one can *e o$erly patient" or use it as an e3cuse not to do somethin( at
the present moment& There are many who ha$e pro*a*ly said to you somethin( li)e" N#Jll
(et to it& Just *e patientLN And then you find later on they for(et or )eep sayin( it to (et
out of their responsi*ility& A Jedi must *e responsi*le for his or her actions" or one isnJt
ta)en seriously or ne$er as)ed to pro$ide ser$ices which re%uire responsi*ility&
Therefore" we must )now when patience is used as a $irtue and when it is used as an
e3cuse&
When an opportunity comes which you find will accomplish your (oals" ta)e it" donJt
wait on it or e3pect it to come a(ain *ecause it may ne$er happen a(ain& #f you see
yourself waitin( and waitin( for no reason" Gust to not (i$e in to a certain responsi*ility"
stop what you are doin( and (et it done&
#t is $ery simple to understand the $alue of patience" as well as realiBin( the e3tremes& Be
patient when you need to *e" *e acti$e when you need to *e& #f you follow and listen to
the will of the Force" you will )now the difference" and the fine line will *e drawn out for
you& Trust in the Force" and it will show you what you need to do&
The Wal)in( Dictionary
@ow to say a word& @ow to spell a word& @ow to use a word& @ow to understand a word&
What more do you want&
We find that this *oo) is $ery easy to find" actually $ery ine3pensi$e" and *asically easy
to comprehend" all in the reach of your fin(ertips& There is also the encyclopedia" the
lan(ua(e translation *oo)s" and the thesaurus" filled with so much )nowled(e that we
literally ta)e it for (ranted& #ma(ine someone a thousand years a(o with a simple
dictionary we ha$e today" a collection of all the words you can always loo) up and
understand itEs meanin(& Could it ha$e pre$ented wars&&&could it ha$e (i$en peace8
Would life ha$e *een different&&&for *etter or for worse8
A simple *oo)" with a uni$ersal meanin(& A *oo) containin( words" definitions and
usa(es& Can determine our ne3t (rade in class" can show someone happiness" can (i$e
hope to others" as well as tear us down into nothin(ness& The power of words has stuc) us
all&
DonEt *e afraid to loo) at these *oo)s& Understand and learn somethin(& Enli(hten the
uni$erse you e3ist in&
A mountain of )nowled(e&&&donEt let it intimidate you&
What is Jediism8
Basically" Jediism is a *elief *ased on Taoist ethics" the code of chi$alry" and *ushido
the way of the warrior!& ,ome say it is *ased solely on the -ucas mo$ies& Others *elie$e
it started o$er <"777 years a(o" and that it *ecame whole when the -ucas mo$ies came
out& Whate$er you *elie$e" the ideal still remains the same&
Jedi 'eli(ion
For an indi$idual in the Jedi 'eli(ion camp" to *ecome a real Jedi and wor) his or her
way alon( The True Path" much help is pro$ided *y we*sites" *oo)s and clu*s who ha$e
made the time and e3erted the effort to (et a (rasp on what the twenty one ma3ims of the
code of Jediism truly mean" Gust for your $iewin( pleasure&
These are the usual mi3 of *ene$olent one5word *om*shells li)e -oyalty" Coura(e
and @armony some of the characteristics seen *y O*i5wan and -u)e in the mo$ies! and
when understood" points the way towards the (oal of spiritual peace" calmness and
resolution&
And ha$in( chosen to follow the path" the result is the sort of inner peace that comes
from *elie$in( that somethin(" somewhere really cares a*out each indi$idual" which is
tau(ht in most A*rahamic *eliefs" li)e Christianity and Judaism yes" # WA, a Jew once!&
#t asserts that the Force really is with you&
And after a period of email study" a couple of )ey stro)es can print out a certificate of
alle(iance to the cause which *y fillin( in the *lan)s! ensures the recipient will IDefend
the -i(ht" Uphold the ?a3imsE and for e$er more can *e called a Jedi Fni(ht&
,omewhat further alon( The -i(ht Path" the Jedi 'eli(ion offers a theolo(y and
philosophy showin( The Force as the way to Cod or (oddess for those feminists out
there!&
The Force" they say" is somethin( that *inds e$erythin( to(ether& Aot Gust e$ery
reli(ion and e$ery theolo(y" this is The Force That Connects E$erythin(& And they do
mean e$erythin(& Pretty much theyEre sayin( the Force #,&
#t is responsi*le for the really *i( stuff li)e the creation of the uni$erse and for the
really important stuff li)e maintainin( a healthy *alance *etween opposin( human traits"
the *asic concept of yin and yan(&
The Force itself" they say" is neither (ood nor *ad& #t may ha$e a li(ht side" a dar)
side and e$en a shadowy side there is a we*site de$oted to shadow JediEs" who are pretty
much followin( the middle way& Aot thatEs its completely rele$ant" *ut if you played
Fni(hts of the Old 'epu*lic" you should remem*er that Jolee Bindo was a (ray+shadow
Jedi" as well as *ein( a (rumpy old man!" *ut (oodness and *adness come from people
and only people can choose which path to follow&
And for those on The 'eli(ious Path it is (ood to )now that the all per$adin( force
surroundin( us is nothin( other than CodEs Will and althou(h Cod still allows us the
freedom of choice" the *est choice would *e they say! to follow the path to where the
force ori(inates and such&
Jedi 'ealism
Jedi realism is a fairly simple philosophy" and" true to its name" doesnEt ha$e outlandish
and craBy *eliefs that are so common in reli(ion& #t is a*out realism" and it ta)es lessons
from the first mo$ies" and applyin( them to daily life& #t also teaches most of the *asic
tenets of all types of JediEsM compassion" pacifism" selflessness" fearlessness" coura(e"
amon( other thin(s&
The Jedi #deal
Besides the two (roups" The Jedi 'eli(ion and Jedi realism" there are two main *eliefs
that di$ide the JediEs& One" that Jediism started o$er <"777 years a(o in ancient reli(ions"
and that o$er the years it ripened and finally came to fruition in the star wars series"
which spurred its completion& The other *elief is that Jediism has no ancient ties" that it
only came into *ein( when -ucas fathomed it& The latter *elief needs no e3planation"
*ecause it is purely simplistic& The former" howe$er" *e(s one&
The JediEs who follow the first ideal *elie$e it has roots in Taoism" the warrior Code of
Bushido" and was de$eloped" o$er time" *y and within many cultures& #t is also *ased on
the European )ni(htEs ideal of chi$alry" and com*ined many aspects from other reli(ions&
The common phrase in the star wars uni$erse" :may the force *e with you;" is *ased on
the Christian sayin(" :?ay the -ord *e with you;" and the awesome powers *elie$ed
wielded *y true force users can also *e *ased on powers Jesus and the forcerers of olden
day Asia used" li)e stories of Taoist immortals and the *asic concept of Oi" or the life
force" which can *e used in ways a)in to the Force& # will e3plain the concepts of Taoist
ethics" *ushido" chi$alry" and Ken Buddhism *elow&
Taoist Ethics
Taoist ethics can *e defined as selflessness" moderation" em*racin( the mystery" non5
contri$ance" detachment" and humility&
,elflessness can *e descri*ed as a redefinition of NselfN or Ne(o&N The Taoists *elie$e that
the way we try to stand outside our *ein( in the attempt of self5o*ser$ation is the source
of most of our unhappiness and loneliness" simply *ecause in order to o*ser$e as such"
we must see our NselfN as separate from other Nsel$es&N This creates many unnecessary
and trou*lesome illusions" and is *ased on an untrue assumptionD those or(anisms are
mutually e3clusi$e& ,ince we thin) we are uni%ue" we try to *e that way" and it creates
the illusion that we ha$e to *e uni%ue and that if we are not we are doin( somethin(
wron(& #t is not (ood for peace&
?oderation can *e defined as transcendin( limitation& E$erywhere" and e$ery day" we
ha$e limits& @ow far we can Gump" how much we can eat" how fast # can type these
words& We cannot rid oursel$es of these limitations" *ecause it is lo(ically impossi*le&
Aothin( can stop the force of (ra$ity" and nothin( e$er will& -imitations are imposed on
us from many frontsM our parents" our school" our Go*" and our nation& The notion of
un*ridled freedom is implausi*le& We may *e a*le to choose which laws to a*ide *y" *ut
the conse%uences will most li)ely come *ac) to *ite us in the ass& True freedom lies in
the reco(nition of our limitations& #f we reco(niBe how far we can (o" we ha$e unlimited
freedom within that space& The true sa(e li$es *etween the upper *ound and the lower
*ound" or in other words" moderation" or the middle way as in Buddhism&
Em*racin( the mystery can *e defined as em*racin( all thin(s mysterious that we may
sometimes fear& Fear is an inherent emotion within a creature& We cannot escape it" only
control it& #t is what allows the Nfi(ht or fli(htN response& By *ein( afraid" we )eep
oursel$es away from dan(er" safe and sound we must *e& @owe$er" *y hum*lin(
oursel$es with the )nowled(e that we are a part of nature" not a uni%ue or(anism" li)e
what is tau(ht in the ethic of selflessness" we )now that you ha$e to rely on nature for
your needs& Aot e$erythin( can *e Nout to (et you"N and" in fact" most of our fear
reactions are o$erreactions li)e homopho*es" they really o$erreact!&
Despite all we )now of nature" throu(h *iolo(y and art and li$in(" there are still many
thin(s which we donJt )now& @ow could we )now anythin( more than what we see8 We
only ha$e a *rain a few cu*ic centimeters in $olume& The truth is" weJ$e stored only those
thin(s which help us to sur$i$e in nature" with perhaps a few added (oodies li)e the
)nowled(e of computers and how to ma)e a soufflP a)a useless stuff! which ena*le us
with the potential to enGoy a happy life and pursue our own dreams and aspirations& -i$e
the American dream people&
But what of all the thin(s we donJt )now8 ThatJs what reli(ion is for& To tell all the people
that we were created in CodEs ima(e" *ut then we (ot )nowled(ea*le and too) hold of the
earth& Or that we are all spawned and interconnected *y the all powerful Force& Or" we
sprun( from the Tao" and that we are not how we should *e" li$in( in harmony with
machines instead of nature& Well" despite what we may claim is true or not true" despite
all our opinions and *iases" *eliefs and dis*eliefs" the Uni$erse is still a (reat mystery to
us all" and much of life is ta)en up with copin( with this mystery& -i$in( life in an
en$ironment which you )now nothin( a*out" any wonder that weJre so scaredL But
Taoists ta)e a different approach& Taoists embrace the mystery& They enGoy e$ery
confusion and misunderstandin( and mysterious thin( they see" *ecause to them" life is a
(ame" and (ames" as you )now" arenJt fun without *oth the possi*ility of winnin( and the
e%ual possi*ility of losin(& ?ystery is what ma)es (ames fun" and to Taoists" mystery is
what ma)es life fun&
Aon5contri$ance is defined as no contri$ed or hi(hly defined morals that some preacher
tells you to *elie$e or youEre (oin( to hell& Because nature is dynamic" and contri$ed
morals are stiff" contri$ed morals (o a(ainst nature& Furthermore" the purpose for these
morals is usually not *etter li$in(" *ut (reater control" either for yourself or for others&
-i)e the stiff morals of the Church in ?edie$al times& #t was either their way" or the
outlandishly desi(ned heathen5)illin( machine& There was no freedom" and their
contri$ed morals *rou(ht the peasants a(ainst them& By dictatin( your morals" other
people feel a sense of control o$er your life" and itEs no different Gust *ecause you dictate
your own morals& The *ottom line is that whether youJre li$in( *etter or not has no
*earin( on morality" only if youEre more controlled. Aature is not somethin( that can *e
controlledM it controls itself& Anytime someone has e$er tried to control nature" it has
re*elled& #t is li)e a mustan(" always wild and untamed& .ou neednJt impose your control
on it" or let others impose their control on you&
#f you want to *e a (reat leader" you must learn to follow the Tao& ,top tryin( to control&
-et (o of fi3ed plans and concepts" and the world will (o$ern itself& The more
prohi*itions you ha$e" the less $irtuous people will *e& The more weapons you ha$e" the
less secure people will *e& The more su*sidies you ha$e" the less self5reliant people will
*e& Therefore the ?aster saysD # let (o of the law" and people *ecome honest& # let (o of
economics" and people *ecome prosperous& # let (o of reli(ion" and people *ecome
serene& # let (o of all desire for the common (ood" and the (ood *ecomes common as
(rass& Chapter <= of the Tao Te Chin(&
Detachment is descri*ed *y not *ein( attached to anythin(& Be it life" e(o" or that really
tasty chocolate candy *ar that widens your waist" Taoists thin) it is *etter to not *e
attached& The Tao Te Chin( teaches that learnin( is a part of life" *ut what you learn
doesnJt *elon( to you& To attach to your learnin( as your own" struttin( your stuff and
tryin( to scare people with your *i( concepts" or to e$en thin) that your )nowled(e is all
that important" is to misunderstand the )nowled(e& #n such a (ame" )nowled(e *ecomes a
priBe" and i(norance is the enemy& Fnowled(e *elon(s to all" and anyone who thin)s
otherwise pro*a*ly has a $ery lar(e e(o&
The Tao Te Chin( teaches that life and death are cycles of nature& One day somethin( is
allowed to li$e" the ne3t day it dies& One thin( li$es at the e3pense of another" and this
creates a chain of dependence of one species upon another& This is neither *ad nor (ood"
it Gust is& The (oal of all species is to sur$i$e" *ut only as a part of the li$in(+dyin( (ame&
To attach to life and fear death is to misunderstand life& -ife is a cycle" not a (rand
$ictory or (rand loss& To not accept the ultimate truth that you will e$entually die is
i(norance" and it *rin(s fear to your life& -i$in( in constant fear of death is a terri*le
thin(&
#n the most (eneral sense" all of these can *e summed up as the *attle *etween ha$in( and
not ha$in(" *ein( and not *ein(" e3istin( and not e3istin(& The frantic stru((le to control
and possess more and more things *ein(" or manifestation!" li)e in the west" where more
thin(s and more money and more power means the world to many people" and eliminate
lac)" misfortune and emptiness non5*ein(!& The stru((le" of course" is what ma)es life
fun" *ut without the thin( to *e stru((led a(ainst" there is no stru((le& Therefore" the Tao
Te Chin( teaches to honor the enemy" to hum*le yourself in )nowin( that youJll ne$er
win" *ut that doesnJt mean to %uit playin(" it Gust means to play with honor and fairness&
To use the (ame analo(y" it means to not pull a IDirty @arryE on your opponent in the
middle of a monopoly (ame *y ta)in( out a ma(num&
@umility can *e defined as the %uality or condition of *ein( hum*le& The e(o is pretty
much what controls this& #f you ha$e a hu(e" o$er5inflated e(o li)e napoleon or Oin
,hihuan(di" struttin( your stuff e$erywhere and thin)in( you are *etter than others" this
is the antithesis of selflessness& #f you are hum*le howe$er" you are not detached from the
world li)e people of lar(e e(os" *ut are a part of nature& To do somethin( without carin(
anythin( a*out the outcome" (ood or *ad" and acceptin( it either way& Where as napoleon
would whine and scream and *itch if he lost a maGor *attle" the hum*le person would ta)e
the outcome with (race&
NCon(ratulationsL .ou Gust wonL What are you (oin( to do now8 &&& #Jm (oin( to
Disneyland&N This is a classic Disneyland commercial that most people ha$e heard
*efore& #f you e$er watch the World ,eries" the team will always say" in a sweat soa)ed"
tired scream" that theyEre (oin( to Disney land and ne$er comin( *ac)& .ou )now"
whene$er someone does somethin( outstandin(" theyJre (oin( to ha$e that :what are you
(oin( to do ne3t; moment" and they would reply that theyJre (oin( to Disneyland in my
case it would *e ,eaworld" *ut thatEs Gust me!
The proper %uestion is" what else is there to do8 Ao one is (oin( to play trumpets for you
and ha$e the whole world *ow& .ouJll (et a *it of reco(nition no matter what you
succeed at" *ut you canJt e3pect too much& Disneyland happened to *elie$e the *est thin(
for someone to do once theyJ$e succeeded at somethin( is to (o to Disneyland& -ao TBu
would a(ree&
@umility means doin( your Go* with detachment from the outcome& #t means to commit
yourself from moment to moment" all that it ta)es& ,uccess happens e$ery moment you
do thisM itJs not somethin( that only happens when you ha$e no more to do& Actually"
thatJs the time that youJ$e stopped succeedin(" and" of course" the time to (o to
Disneyland&
Bushido
Bushido comes out of Buddhism" Ken" Confucianism" and ,hintoism& The
com*ination of these schools of thou(ht and reli(ions has formed the code of
warrior $alues )nown as Bushido&
From Buddhism" Bushido (ets its relationship to dan(er and death& The samurai
do not fear death *ecause they *elie$e as Buddhism teaches" after death one will
*e reincarnated and may li$e another life here on earth& The samurai are warriors
from the time they *ecome samurai until their deathM they ha$e no fear of dan(er&
Throu(h Ken" a school of Buddhism one can reach the ultimate NA*solute&N Ken
meditation teaches one to focus and reach a le$el of thou(ht words cannot
descri*e& Ken teaches one to N)now thyselfN and do not to limit yourself& ,amurai
used this as a tool to dri$e out fear" unsteadiness and ultimately mista)es& These
thin(s could (et him )illed&
,hintoism" another Japanese doctrine" (i$es Bushido its loyalty and patriotism&
,hintoism includes ancestor5worship which ma)es the #mperial family the
fountain5head of the whole nation& #t awards the emperor a (od5li)e re$erence& @e
is the em*odiment of @ea$en on earth& With such loyalty" the samurai pled(e
themsel$es to the emperor and their daimyo or feudal landlords" hi(her ran)in(
samurai& ,hintoism also pro$ides the *ac)*one for patriotism to their country"
Japan& They *elie$e the land is not merely there for their needs" Nit is the sacred
a*ode to the (ods" the spirits of their forefathers & & &N Aito*e" />!& The land is
cared for" protected and nurtured throu(h an intense patriotism&
Confucianism (i$es Bushido its *eliefs in relationships with the human world"
their en$ironment and family& ConfucianismJs stress on the fi$e moral relations
*etween master and ser$ant" father and son" hus*and and wife" older and youn(er
*rother" and friend and friend" are what the samurai follow& @owe$er" the samurai
disa(reed stron(ly with many of the writin(s of Confucius& They *elie$ed that
man should not sit and read *oo)s all day" nor shall he write poems all day" for an
intellectual specialist was considered to *e a machine& #nstead" Bushido *elie$es
man and the uni$erse were made to *e ali)e in *oth the spirit and ethics&
Alon( with these $irtues" Bushido also holds Gustice" *ene$olence" lo$e" sincerity"
honesty" and self5control in utmost respect& Justice is one of the main factors in
the code of the samurai& Croo)ed ways and unGust actions are thou(ht to *e lowly
and inhumane& -o$e and *ene$olence were supreme $irtues and princely acts&
,amurai followed a specific eti%uette in e$ery day life as well as in war& ,incerity
and honesty were as $alued as their li$es& Bushi no ichi5(on" or Nthe word of a
samurai"N transcends a pact of complete faithfulness and trust& With such pacts
there was no need for a written pled(eM it was thou(ht *eneath oneJs di(nity& The
samurai also needed self5control and stoicism to *e fully honored& @e showed no
si(n of pain or Goy& @e endured all within55no (roans" no cryin(& @e held a
calmness of *eha$ior and composure of the mind neither of which should *e
*othered *y passion of any )ind& @e was a true and complete warrior&
These factors which ma)e up Bushido were few and simple& Thou(h simple"
Bushido created a way of life that was to nourish a nation throu(h its most
trou*lin( times" throu(h ci$il wars" despair and uncertainty& NThe wholesome
unsophisticated nature of our warrior ancestors deri$ed ample food for their spirit
from a sheaf of commonplace and fra(mentary teachin(s" (leaned as it were on
the hi(hways and *yways of ancient thou(ht" and" stimulated *y the demands of
the a(e formed from these (leanin(s a new and uni%ue way of lifeN Aito*e" 67!&
Chi$alry
ProwessD To see) e3cellence in all endea$ors e3pected of a )ni(ht" martial and otherwise"
see)in( stren(th to *e used in the ser$ice of Gustice" rather than in personal
a((randiBement&
JusticeD ,ee) always the path of Jri(htJ" unencum*ered *y *ias or personal interest&
'eco(niBe that the sword of Gustice can *e a terri*le thin(" so it must *e tempered *y
humanity and mercy& #f the Jri(htJ you see rin(s a(rees with others" and you see) it out
without *endin( to the temptation for e3pediency" then you will earn renown *eyond
measure&
-oyaltyD Be )nown for unwa$erin( commitment to the people and ideals you choose to
li$e *y& There are many places where compromise is e3pectedM loyalty is not amon(st
them&
DefenseD The ideal )ni(ht was sworn *y oath to defend his lie(e lord and those who
depended upon him& ,ee) always to defend your nation" your family" and those to whom
you *elie$e worthy of loyalty&
Coura(eD Bein( a )ni(ht often means choosin( the more difficult path" the personally
e3pensi$e one& Be prepared to ma)e personal sacrifices in ser$ice of the precepts and
people you $alue& At the same time" a )ni(ht should see) wisdom to see that stupidity and
coura(e are cousins& Coura(e also means ta)in( the side of truth in all matters" rather
than see)in( the e3pedient lie& ,ee) the truth whene$er possi*le" *ut remem*er to temper
Gustice with mercy" or the pure truth can *rin( (rief&
FaithD A )ni(ht must ha$e faith in his *eliefs" for faith roots him and (i$es hope a(ainst
the despair that human failin(s create&
@umilityD 1alue first the contri*utions of othersM do not *oast of your own
accomplishments" let others do this for you& Tell the deeds of others *efore your own"
accordin( them the renown ri(htfully earned throu(h $irtuous deeds& #n this way the
office of )ni(hthood is well done and (lorified" helpin( not only the (entle spo)en of *ut
also all who call themsel$es )ni(hts&
-ar(esseD Be (enerous in so far as your resources allowM lar(esse used in this way
counters (luttony& #t also ma)es the path of mercy easier to discern when a difficult
decision of Gustice is re%uired&
Ao*ilityD ,ee) (reat stature of character *y holdin( to the $irtues and duties of a )ni(ht"
realiBin( that thou(h the ideals cannot *e reached" the %uality of stri$in( towards them
enno*les the spirit" (rowin( the character from dust towards the hea$ens& Ao*ility also
has the tendency to influence others" offerin( a compellin( e3ample of what can *e done
in the ser$ice of ri(htness&
FranchiseD ,ee) to emulate e$erythin( # ha$e spo)en of as sincerely as possi*le" not for
the reason of personal (ain *ut *ecause it is ri(ht& Do not restrict your e3ploration to a
small world" *ut see) to infuse e$ery aspect of your life with these %ualities& ,hould you
succeed in e$en a tiny measure then you will *e well remem*ered for your %uality and
$irtue&
The Jedi Code
There is no emotion& There is peace&
There is no i(norance& There is )nowled(e&
There is no passion& There is serenity&
There is no chaos& There is harmony&
There is no death& There is the force&
This is the fi$e5stanBa Jedi code" in its simplest form& Easily learned" *ut Gust as easily
misunderstood" it is& # will attempt to e3plain it to you from my own point of $iew" *ut
the code is a )oan& ?ost people pro*a*ly donEt )now what a )oan is" so # will e3plain it&
A )oan is a %uestion a Ken master as)s a student& Ao one answer is correct" *ecause each
student has their own& The master )nows when the student (ets the ri(ht answer& ,ince
the Jedi Code is what you ma)e of it" # will only (i$e you my e3planation&
: There is no emotion& There is peace&;
This stanBa sym*oliBes a Jedi lettin( (oin( of the constraints of emotion" and attainin(
peace& Aow" we all )now that the a$era(e Joe li)e you or me is not (oin( to *e a*le to do
this without a lot of e3ertion& Jedi are almost ne$er allowed to ha$e emotional
attachments" and that is why they can control their emotions so effecti$ely& This is why a
li(ht Jedi will always *est a dar) Jedi if they ha$e the same amount of s)ills *ecause his
emotions do not affect him+her& With emotions" the Jedi is held *ac) from focus and
peace *ecause the emotions cloud his+her Gud(ment and ultimately lead to the dar) side" if
they rei(n unchec)ed& Too much emotion is dan(erous" *ut too little is inhuman& .et
a(ain" the middle way of Buddhism manifests itself within Jediism&
A main teachin( within the Jedi Order is to control emotion to achie$e perfect peace and
harmony *etween mind" *ody and spirit& That is one reason Jedi are ne$er allowed to
ha$e children or emotional attachments to others" li)e a wife" hus*and" or child& They
were also separated at *irth from parents so they would ha$e no emotional ties
whatsoe$er& #f there were no restrainin( emotions" peace was easier to attain&
#n the final star wars mo$ie" 'eturn of the Jedi" -u)e loses control when he hears 1ader
tal) a*out turnin( -eia to dar)ness& #n that *rief amount of time" -u)e falls to his
passions and emotions" an(er and hate consume him" and he hac)s off his fatherEs hand&
'ealiBin( what he has done" he throws his li(htsa*er aside" and rei(ns in his emotions&
On another perspecti$e" howe$er" the attac) can *e seen as a pre5empti$e stri)e to protect
his sister from the e$il clutches of Darth 1ader and Darth ,idious& #t all depends on your
perspecti$e" howe$er&
Peace is ultimately achie$ed when you rule o$er your emotions" not the other way
around& .et another e3ample of peace in the mo$ies is O*i5wan& #n all of the mo$ies
where O*i5wan is an old man" he ne$er loses control of his emotions and always attac)s
only in defense of another" li)e at the ?os Eisley cantina& E$en thou(h O*i5wan would
pro*a*ly lo$e to see the death of 1ader for the (reater (ood of the (ala3y" he does not
)ill him in the final fi(ht *etween them to show -u)e" and 1ader" a lesson& That peace
and lo$e defeat all& The e3ample of 1aderEs emancipation when -u)e calls for help
whilst *ein( attac)ed *y ,idious is proof of this& -u)eEs undyin( lo$e and compassion for
his dar)ened father" e$en thou(h he was *ein( tortured" let the inner (oodness within
1ader sprin( forth" and he sa$ed his son and redeemed his soul in the final act of self5
sacrifice" when he forfeit his own life to preser$e his sonEs&
A different e3ample of control o$er emotions is in Episode ##" Attac) of the Clones" when
Padme Amidala is thrown off a troop carrier onto the sands of Ceonosis& -o(ically"
Ana)in wants to help Padme *ecause he cares for her" a natural reaction when in the (rip
of lo$e& Ana)in had always had a fee*le (rip on his emotions" and his (rip faltered at this
time& One of the reasons he fell into dar)ness&
@owe$er" O*i5wan held his emotions in chec)" and a*andoned Padme for the (reater
(ood& O*i5wan and Ana)in *oth )new if Doo)u escaped Ceonosis" many *ad thin(s
would happen to the (ala3y" and it was later re$ealed he carried plans for the Death ,tar&
E$en thou(h O*i5wan cared for Padme" and she was in his protection" he a*andoned her
to protect the (ala3y& ,he turned out to li$e&
Throu(h all of -u)eEs trainin( and impatience" O*i5wan e3uded only peace" lo$e" and
patience" as did .oda when trainin( youn( -u)e e3cept for the natural (rumpiness of an
277 year old dwarf that is!& Both Jedi masters held a firm (rip on their emotions" and
attained peace and wisdom&
Un*ridled emotion and passions are said" *y those of dar)ness" to lead to power& But at
what cost for this power you supposedly attain throu(h an(er and hate8 Ao matter how
much power courses throu(h your $eins *ecause of your ra(e and malice" it will
ine$ita*ly destroy you in the end&
#n e$ery ,tar Wars no$el or mo$ie with the ,ith in it" there will always *e a time of
immense power and considera*le tyranny& The ,ith" for a time" controlled the (ala3y and
ruled e$eryone with an iron fist" who were in turn ruled o$er *y ruthless and e$il ,ith
-ords& They had so much power" *ut were afraid of the other ,ith -ords that they ruled
with" so they tore each other apart" and in turn destroyin( their own empires& Throu(h all
of their ne(ati$e emotions and e$il" they undid themsel$es completely and utterly& An
alliance in dar)ness is a fra(ile alliance" at *est&
There are many emotions" some dama(in(" some $ery dama(in(" and there are $ery (ood
ones as well& @appiness" compassion" lo$e& These are emotions of the li(ht side of the
force" ones that will help" not destroy you& An(er" hate" despair" of the dar) side" are they&
These dama(in( emotions will hurt you in different ways" which # will e3plain *elow&
An(er" a $ery common" and e%ually *ad" emotion& E$ery day" you will pro*a*ly
e3perience some type of an(er" whether it *e in annoyance at a fly pesterin( your face" or
the an(er of your *oyfriend+(irlfriend *rea)in( up with you& An(er will come in small or
lar(e pac)a(es" *ut it is" and always will *e" a ne(ati$e emotion&
An(er is sometimes $ery hard to deal with& ?y father" when # was still a fetus" a*andons
my mother for another woman& That is $ery selfish" a*andonin( a *a*y child" your *a*y
child" *ecause you donEt li)e the mother that much& .ou still ha$e the o*li(ation of
ta)in( care of the child which you created&
After # *ecame fully aware of the situation" # was considera*ly an(ry that my father
a*andoned me" and on top of that" # had to $isit him when he li$ed with the woman he
a*andoned my mother for& #t was ne$er pleasant" and # really hated the woman& #
$isualiBed myself *eatin( her up for what she did& # was dis(usted Gust to *e around her"
and # hardly tolerated her presence" howe$er # )ept up a false pretense of cordialness&
E$entually" around the a(e of /6" # completely renounced my an(er and inwardly for(a$e
them for what they had done& But that didnEt mean # would let her off the hoo)&
An(er" as # ha$e shown" is a hard emotion to )eep up and a hard emotion to (et rid of"
)ind of li)e dru(s" *ut without any pleasure& #t twists you up inside and ma)es you feel
misera*le" and wantin( to rain pain and sufferin( on the cause of your an(er&
@ate" # *elie$e" is a different form of an(er& But worse& #nstead of Gust *ein( plain an(ry"
you are an(ry and want to destroy what you are an(ry at& #t" as well as an(er" will twist
you up inside" eatin( away your former self until you are Gust a hateful" e$il monster& A
moc)ery of what you once were&
As # stated in my a*o$e e3ample of an(er" # hated my father and his new wife for the
hardships they *estowed on my mother" *rother" and #& But really" what (ood will hate do
anyway8 .ou canEt act upon what the hate worm inside of you yearns for you to do" and
all it does is ma)e you an(rier& This emotion is one of the worst of all emotions&
Fear& Fear is a terri*le thin( to feel& Fear manifests itself e$erywhere" whether it *e the
fear of losin( a lo$ed one" as Ana)in had" the fear of what people will thin) of you" or the
fear of death& Fear is e$erywhere" and it is as *eneficial as it is *ad&
Fear is sometimes what )eeps people and other li$in( *ein(s ali$e& #f you fear (oin( out
in the dar) *ecause *easts lur) there" it is in the safety of you and your own life& #f you
fear swimmin( in the middle of the ocean *ecause shar)s are in it" then it is a *eneficial
fear& #f you fear fi(htin( someone *ecause you mi(ht hurt them or $ice $ersa" then it" too"
is a *eneficial fear&
But sometimes fear is what ma)es us do terri*le thin(s& ,ay" if someone threatens your
life if you donEt )ill someone" you mi(ht do it" *ecause you donEt want to die& #f" li)e
Ana)in ,)ywal)er" you fear the loss of your lo$e" you will do e$erythin( in your power
to stop it& After his dreams of Padme dyin( a horri*le" painful death on an alien world" he
searched e$erywhere to find the power to sa$e her& E$entually" it *ecame more a*out
power than a*out Padme" and he slau(htered the Jedi" and" e$en thou(h he lo$ed her so"
ended up )illin( Padme himself& @is fear of loss was his downfall" and the downfall of
the 'epu*lic" the downfall of li*erty" and the downfall of the Jedi&
Candhi is a $ery (ood e3ample of peace& E$en thou(h there were only a little o$er
/77"777 British soldiers in #ndia" and there were almost a *illion #ndians" Candhi still did
not ta)e a $iolent stand& @e )new that if he did not ta)e a peaceful stand" many #ndians
would die" and e$en if they did o$erthrow all of the British" the Brits would come *ac) in
force and )ill off many more people& #nstead of a $iolent stand li)e most people would
ta)e" he too) a peaceful one" and this peace paid off with the freedom of #ndia from the
British *rutes& E$en thou(h he could ha$e effortlessly rallied the people and massacred
the British" he did not" *ecause peace will always pre$ail in the end&
#n this day and a(e" the hectic lifestyle of most people pre$ents them from attainin(
peace& ?ost wor)in( people are under some amount of stress" whether it *e a small
amount or a hu(e" almost un*eara*le amount of stress& ,tress is a $ery dama(in(
emotion" and some people *ecome depressed or e$en commit suicide *ecause they are
under so much stress and pressure& There is almost no time for meditation or peaceful
rela3ation& Only wor)" wor) and e$en more wor)&
The (ood news is that we are slowly" *ut surely" easin( out of this dama(in( lifestyle and
turnin( to a more peaceful" rela3ed one& There are many ads on the tele$ision a*out
$acation and happiness" and there are an increasin( num*er of people who practice yo(a
and meditation& There are *oo)s" mo$ies" and other forms of media in this country and
others that will help you alon( the path to peace&
ThereEs this (reat story # )now" # first heard it on the Power of #ntention *y Wayne Dyer"
and itEs a*out peace&
There were two prime ministers" who were tal)in( a*out politics in a pri$ate room&
,uddenly" a man *urst into the room" and started poundin( his fists a(ainst the wall and
*an(in( thin(s to the (round&
The resident prime minister said" :Arnold" please )indly remem*er rule num*er 0;&
Arnold instantly re(ained his composure" apolo(iBed" (a$e a *ow and left the room&
Twenty minutes later" another person *urst into the room in a hysterical ra(e" hittin(
thin(s and scatterin( papers across the space&
The resident prime minister a(ain said" :?arcia" please remem*er rule num*er 0;&
?arcia" Gust li)e the man *efore her" instantly re(ained her composure" curtsied" and
politely left the room& A(ain" the prime ministers resumed their discussion&
When a similar incident happened yet a third time" the $isitin( prime minister as)ed"
:(ood friend" # ha$e seen many thin(s in my life" *ut ne$er ha$e # seen such a thin( as
your rule num*er 0& Could you please tell me what rule num*er 0 means8;
The resident prime minister replied" :DonEt ta)e yourself so (od damn seriouslyL;
:Ah&; ,aid the (uest prime minister and the he pondered it for a moment *efore as)in("
:What are the other rules8;
The other minister said" :Oh" there arenEt any;&
Wayne Dyer later went to (o on that when he felt stressed and worried (reatly o$er
(ettin( to a certain place or doin( a certain thin( in time" he reminded himself of rule
num*er 0" and calm instantly descended on him& @e also said he called upon rule num*er
0 numerous times in the day" and e$ery time he calmed down and peace descended on
him& #t (oes to show you that Gust a few words can create calmness for anyone&
To truly understand emotion" we must loo) at its source&
?any people (et $ery an(ry and e3ude (reat ne(ati$e emotion a*out such tri$ial thin(s as
a mess on the floor& # ha$e seen people scream" shout" cry" and *itch Gust a*out a mess in
the house& We donEt really ha$e anythin( to *e an(ry a*out with such small thin(s" *ut
we are anyway&
Why is this8 #s it *ecause we can" *ecause we li$e in this country where we can *e
whate$er we want to *e" and not *e reprimanded8 Or is it *ecause we are li)e Ana)in"
with no emotional (rasp on our li$es8
# would (o for the latter& But we Gust can loo) at the surface emotions" and )now there are
others *eneath& ,ome people are under so much stress and pressure they will e3plode at
such small thin(s& There is always a source *elow the source& An emotion under an
emotion&
The surface emotions pro*a*ly are a faQade of what is really there& Creat hurt& 1ery (reat
hurt& The surface emotions ser$e to push away this (reat hurt" to )eep it off your thou(hts
so that you can focus on the now instead of the *efore& Or the hurt is so (reat you ma)e
yourself into what you are now with emotions that are not your own&
A (ood e3ample with this is my *rother& When he was si3" my father left my mother for
the $ery first time& # wasnEt *orn until my *rother was 2" *ut the story says that my
*rother put a ru**er *and on the door handle to )eep my dad from lea$in(&
@e later too) the dad5summonin( ritual from the mo$ie" I,ecret CardenE" and used that to
try to *rin( him *ac)& #t apparently wor)ed" and he came *ac) some time later"
whereupon # was *orn& @e then left a(ain&
?y *rother e$entually (ot used to it" and he was no lon(er *othered *y his fatherEs
a*sence& When he entered hi(h school" howe$er" *ad thin(s started to happen& ?y dad
had a heart attac) ri(ht in front of my *rother" and almost died& #t traumatiBed him so
much" that he warped himself into a moc)ery of what he once was& This was not Gust
*ecause of his father" it was *ecause of his friend" who # will *e callin( *o**y ray not
real nameR!&
?y *rother met *o**y ray in hi(h school" and he was slowly manipulated into
systematically dumpin( all his friends in fa$or for his one friend" *o**y ray" who was
rich we were not so rich!" and satisfied my *rothers needs for lu3ury& ,tep *y step" he
was turned from a cool *i( *rother who listened to roc) music and set a (ood e3ample" to
a *orin( intellectual who read Proust and 1oltaire" listened solely to classical music" and
*ecame a racist" constantly commentin( on how other minorities who are not of white
decent should *e *anned from the T1& # miss the (ood old days when Adam ,andler
would sin( crappy" o*scene *allads to the tune of an acoustic (uitar" and my *rother
would listen and hum& ,i(hR
But the point is" my *rother destroyed himself to *ury his pain in dar)side emotions" and
now he is a no*ody& @e still hides the pain *ehind his well5constructed we* of intri(ue
and emotion" *ut you can still see it in his eyes&
An emotion li)e stress is a hu(e factor in many physic traumas&
,tress is" a lot of the time" a factor in many peopleEs emotional out*ursts" failin(s" etc&
,tress can dri$e someone to an(er at family mem*ers" co5wor)ers" friends" your pet
(oldfishR e$erythin(& ?any people not only *ecome an(ry" *ut depressed *ecause of
stress&
-ets say someone was tryin( $ery hard to (et into @ar$ard& This person wor)ed day and
ni(ht" meticulously loo)ed o$er homewor) for errors" ne$er missed a day of school" and
always did a (ood Go* on tests& #n short" wor)in( really" really hard" and under a lot of
stress to succeed and (et in&
And then they donEt (et in" they fail some trumped up test or re$iew" and are not
accepted& Thin) of how this person would feel li)e& ?any dar) side emotions would swirl
around in a maelstrom of an(er" surprise not dar)side" mind you!" sadness& Then" once
these emotions start to fade" they *ecome depressed" and after all that hard wor)" did not
feel li)e wor)in( anymore& Then" later on" committed suicide in one way or another
*ecause they no lon(er felt li)e li$in(
: There is no #(norance& There is Fnowled(e&;
#(norance can *e defined as unawareness" o*li$iousness" unfamiliarity" unconsciousness"
*eni(htedness" ine3perience" (reenness" innocence" simplicity" and naS$etP& Fnowled(e is
defined as *ein( )nowin(" familiarity" awareness" apprehension" co(nition" (rasp"
understandin(" discernment" consciousness" conception" or insi(ht&
#(norance is the complete antithesis of )nowled(e" and so a Jedi must ha$e insi(ht and
e3perience" not ine3perience" or else he+she will fail& #f you thin) a*out it" tryin( to do
somethin( when you are completely i(norant of what you are doin( is li)e a paper do(
chasin( n as*estos cat throu(h hell& #t Gust doesnEt wor)& #t has always shown that if
someone has i(norance of somethin( they will always *e unsuccessful& An e3ample of
this in the ,tar Wars uni$erse is the empire underestimatin( the 'e*ellion&
The Empire thou(ht that the 'e*ellion was Gust a localiBed threat" and that it could *e
easily dealt with& They sorely underestimated the resol$e of the 'e*ellion" as their priBed
possession" the Death ,tar" was destroyed not Gust once *y the re*els" *ut twice& ,uch
i(norance of the enemy was the EmpireEs downfall" and they were destroyed&
Another e3ample in the ,W uni$erse is the final *attle *etween -u)e and 1ader&
Emperor Palpatine is e3tremely sure that he can ma)e -u)e fall" as he did with -u)eEs
father& @e constantly throws temptation after temptation and insult after insult at -u)e to
try to ma)e him fall" or to ma)e -u)e attac) him& @e finally struc) a chord within -u)e
when he tal)ed a*out the )illin( of his friends" and -u)e instantly too) his li(htsa*er and
commenced a *attle with 1ader& Thin)in( he had succeeded" he watched the fi(ht" *ut to
his horror" -u)e threw away his sa*er after he incapacitated his father& The EmperorEs
i(norance of -u)eEs persona is what led -u)e to a*andon the attac)" as the li(ht was so
infused in him&
The Emperor also deeply underestimated his apprentice" Darth 1ader" lord of the ,ith&
When the emperor used his powers to attempt to murder -u)e $ia force li(htnin(" the
inner :Annie; within 1ader sprun( forth" and he was redeemed" as he threw his master
off a *alcony" and into o*li$ion& #f the emperor had )nown -u)e Gust mar(inally *etter"
he pro*a*ly would ha$e made him turn to dar)ness" 1ader would *e dead" and the
re*ellion would *e crushed& Because of PalpatineEs i(norance" and mostly *ecause of it"
1ader was redeemed" the e$il Empire toppled" and -u)e was e$en stron(er within the
li(ht&
#(norance of an enemy will always cause failure" and it can *e seen e$erywhere& Ta)e
WW## for another e3ample& When we were fi(htin( the Japanese" they thou(ht that with
their code of *ushido and their hi(hly disciplined soldiers they would )ill us all and send
us *ac) home with our :tails *etween our le(s;& But their i(norance of us" and our
resol$e to win after the atrocity at Pearl har*or" that we atom5*om*ed two of their cities&
Ao one would ha$e thou(ht that we would resort to nuclear weapons to end the war" *ut
we did" and another act of $iolence capti$ated the world& They surrendered to the mi(ht
of the United ,tates soon afterward& Ae$er underestimate a country that was founded *y
re*els&
#f a country has many spies in another country" they will ne$er *e i(norant of the
administration within the country *ecause they will *e pri$y to all the details a*out it& A
spy could (i$e you sensiti$e information" li)e where the army will *e ne3t" or where the
shipment of uranium powder will su*se%uently will arri$e at" and where the stealth
*om*ers will stri)e& Throu(h such information" an am*ush could *e laid for the army" the
powder could *e seiBed and used for your own purposes" and the stealth *om*ers could
*e shot down& Throu(h such manipulation" one could turn the tide of a war" and *rin(
either peace or destruction& Without such information" the enemy army mi(ht defeat and
seiBe a )ey city" the powder could *e turned into a nuclear weapon and used a(ainst you"
and the stealth *om*ers would *om* an important weapons facility or maGor ur*an
center& Without such information" you could lose the war&
#f a country is de$oid of such )nowled(e" wars cannot *e won" and the i(norance of one
side will *e the $ictory for another& #f you do not ha$e )nowled(e of your enemy" you are
*ound to fail&
#n some reli(ions" li)e Buddhism" i(norance is considered as a terri*le state of affairs&
The Buddha" when he *ecame enli(htened" was freed of his i(norance of the uni$erse& #
ha$e ne$er )nown how it feels to *e enli(htened" and # pro*a*ly ne$er will" in this
incarnation anyway& #n my own room" # ha$e a than()a a Ti*etan Buddhist paintin(
attached to a *ed of sil)! with a demon5eatin( monster" which holds heads in some of its
massi$e hands and stomps on demons of i(norance" sym*oliBin(" o*$iously" the triumph
o$er i(norance&
#(norance is a dou*le5ed(ed sword" it can help" and it can hurt& #f you do not )now that
someone you lo$e is dead" you will not feel :downer; emotions and passions" which you
would feel if you did )now& This can *e considered (ood *ecause you do not ha$e an out
of control psyche" *ut *ad as well *ecause you ha$e no resolution&
: There is no passion& There is serenity;
,erenity can *e defined as peace" peacefulness" tran%uility" %uiet" stillness" or placidity&
Passion is defined as a stron(" *arely controlla*le emotion" an out*urst of an(er" an
intense se3ual lo$e" or stron( enthusiasm&
#n *attle" serenity is achie$ed throu(h con%uerin( your inner demons" li)e an(er" hate" or
fear& When you ha$e a passion for somethin(" say" *ase*all" you are dri$en to watch
e$ery (ame" collect the cards" *uy some cool memora*ilia that your fa$orite player or
team wore" and catch those homeruns& .ou can always (et more money with a home run
than with anythin( else&
Or" a *etter e3ample would *e the passion of re$en(e& #n many action mo$ies and $ideo
(ames" most recently The Punisher" a*out some e35FB# dude whose family (ot massacred
*y the mafia and he went on a murderous rampa(e" )illin( all of them& This man had a
stron( passion within him to )ill e$ery sin(le person connected to the massacre& But then
he lost complete control" and started to murder not Gust the mafia that murdered his
family" *ut also people who murdered" or raped" or molested" or any other *ad thin(& @e
let his inner demons" his passions" possess him" and dri$e him to mass murder&
?ost people would say that re$en(e is a warranted" natural response to such a thin( as
mass murder of your family& But the stron(er man would ne$er let his passions ta)e hold
of him" and instead he would (o for a more peaceful approachM huntin( down and
*rin(in( to Gustice e$ery sin(le person" so they would rot in Gail for their crimes& But this
could *e seen as e$en worse" instead of (rantin( them a merciful demise" they would
waste away for the rest of their li$es" sufferin( until their deaths&
#f a Jedi is to succeed without succum*in( to dar)ness in the world is to *eat down
his+her passions& Just li)e emotion" passion can cloud your Gud(ment and e$entually lead
to the dar) side&
#n the mo$ies and $ideo (ames" the ,ith ha$e always tau(ht that your an(er" hate and fear
will set you free" that with no moral restraints you will *e unhindered in your %uest for
power& They say that you must let (o of your hi(h morals and let your passions rein" so
you will realiBe your true potential& @owe$er" many would a(ree with me that an(er"
hate" and fear are not the ways to power in this day and a(e& #tEs more li)e money"
cunnin(" and *ri*ery that ma)e the man& But thatEs not the point& The Point is that passion
and emotion always" somehow" lead to the dar) side if they control you& Passion is not
somethin( that can *e completely *anished from the psyche of any person& E$eryone is
suscepti*le to fallin( to his+her passions" if whate$er mental *low you ta)e is (reat
enou(h or whate$er person that influenced you to dar)ness" then you will e$entually fall&
Ao one should *e surprised that Ana)in ,)ywal)er fell from the li(ht" *ein( that he was
the friend" unwittin(ly" of Darth ,idious for many years" who was silently trainin( him"
waitin( for the ri(ht moment to sic him on the Jedi&
A prime e3ample in the star wars uni$erse of someone fallin( to their passions is the 675
some year old Ana)in" in Attac) of the Clones" on Tatooine& One ni(ht on the planet of
Aa*o*" Ana)in had a terri*le ni(htmare a*out his mother which could ha$e *een a force
premonition!" and he could not i(nore his thou(hts of her any lon(er& Betrayin( his oath
to the Jedi and O*i5wan to remain on Aa*oo and safe(uard ,enator Padme Amidala" they
tra$eled to Tatooine to find his mother& @e found out *y his old sla$e master that she had
*een married off to a man named -ars&
Ana)in went to the -ars homestead" and found his mother missin(" and that she had sired
a child with the man named -ars" who was Owen& This :Owen; was the Uncle Owen
from the first mo$ie& But findin( that his mother" ,hmi" was missin(" Ana)in went off in
search of her" and found her *ro)en *ody in a ,andpeople camp& Possessed *y a
murderous ra(e to a$en(e his mother" Ana)in murdered e$ery sin(le ,andperson" and fell
to the dar) side for a *rief moment in time" a moment that would *e o$ershadowed *y all
his e$il deeds that would come&
As you may )now" Ana)in had to lea$e his mother on Tatooine so he could ha$e a *etter
life as a Jedi )ni(ht& E$en at so youn( an a(e" his fall to dar)ness was already set in
motion& #f he had not left his mother" who had always stayed in his mind e$ery since he
left Tatooine" he would not ha$e fallen to his passions when he disco$ered her dead"
which showed how fee*le the (rasp he had on his passion" and he pro*a*ly would not
ha$e :died;" as O*i5wan put it when descri*in( him&
,erenity is almost always achie$ed throu(h meditation and (ood deeds& Cood deeds are
fairly o*$ious" they ma)e you feel (ood& They always ha$e made me feel (ood" anyway&
#f # e$er (i$e a homeless person some money" # always feel *etter *ecause # ha$e made
their life a little easier and it shows me how luc)y # am& #f # ma)e a person feel (ood on
their day" it will almost always ma)e me feel (ood as well&
A prime e3ample of serenity is the Buddha" ,iddhartha Cautama" not all the other ones
that sprun( up after him& As you may already )now" ,iddhartha was *rou(ht up as a royal
prince" and his *irth was somewhat of an odd thin(& When he was *orn" he was already
the hei(ht" wei(ht and siBe of a two5year old" as well as possessin( remar)a*le intellect"
*ein( a*le to articulate many words upon *irth& Before his *irth" howe$er" his mother had
a wondrous dream" in which an elephant with many a tus) sta**ed her" and she instantly
)new that she was pre(nant& @is father had a yo(i a holy man! di$ine what would
happen in the life of his son& There were two scenariosM one" he would *e a (reat )in(" his
father li)ed this scenario& The second was that he would *e a holy man" *rin(in( peace
and tran%uility to many" e$en after his death& But he would sacrifice his royal herita(e"
and (o into a life of fru(ality& @is father" e3pectedly" did not li)e this scenario at all" and
decided to )eep his son from seein( all thin(s *ad" li)e sufferin(" disease" oldness" death"
etc& ,o ,iddhartha (rew up in many palaces" only eatin( the finest foods and only seein(
the finest thin(s and the finest people& @e ne$er saw the thin(s his father deemed as *ad"
and li$ed a peaceful" fairly une$entful childhood& Up until his teens&
One day" ,iddhartha called his charioteer" *ecause he wanted to (o out for a ride& On his
way out" he was surrounded *y handsome men and *eautiful women" and no one was
wrin)led" old" or ill& But out in the crowd" almost undetecta*le" was an old man&
,iddhartha *ecame trou*led at the si(ht" and as)ed his charioteer" :Why does that man
loo) li)e that8; The Charioteer replied" :That man is old& When you are $ery old" you
will loo) li)e that as well&; ,iddhartha was trou*led *y this" and was ta)en *ac) to his
palace&
The ne3t day" ,iddhartha went out a(ain" and a(ain he was (reeted *y handsome me and
*eautiful women& But" yet a(ain" he pic)ed out a person in the crowd" *ut this time" the
man was ill& ,iddhartha as)ed his charioteer" :Why is that man li)e that8; @is charioteer
replied" :That man is ill& When (erms enter your *ody" you will loo) li)e that&;
,iddhartha was a(ain trou*led" and a(ain as)ed to (o *ac) to his palace&
The ne3t day" ,iddhartha solicited his charioteer to (o out for a ride in his chariot once
more& ,iddhartha a(ain passed the same people" who were" as always" deli(hted to see
him& But a(ain" he found an anomaly within the *eauty that surrounded him& A dead man"
co$ered in a shroud" which was carried *y stron( men" and was do((edly followed *y a
strin( of weepin( mourners& ,iddhartha as)ed his charioteer" :Why is that man li)e that8;
And his charioteer answered" :Well" that man is dead& When you are $ery old" your *ody
will fail" and you too will die&; ,iddhartha was trou*led *y this" and he went *ac) to his
palace&
When he returned to his home" he thou(ht lon( and hard a*out the thin(s he had seen in
his chariot rides& After much thou(ht and serious ponderin(" ,iddhartha decided to (o on
a Gourney to find the way to end sufferin(& @is wife and his father *oth tried to dissuade
him" *ut he relin%uished his royalty" and went on the path of star$in( himself and
e3treme fru(ality&
One day" after many years of *arely eatin( and hea$y meditatin(" a youn( (irl offered to
(i$e him a *owl of rice& @e accepted" and ate it all& @is other comrades" who were
followin( the same path" refused to tal) to him" and he was forced to a*andon them&
,iddhartha then tra$eled the countryside" tryin( different thin(s and many philosophies
that he encountered& One day" he Gust decided to meditate under a tree until he was
enli(htened& The (od of hell" who heard of his attempts at reachin( enli(htenment"
lau(hed at him and tried to *rea) his focus& 'epeatedly" he sent demons at him" to scare
and taunt ,iddhartha" *ut ,iddhartha ne$er flinched& E$entually" the demon lord (a$e upM
when he saw that he could not affect ,iddhartha& ,oon after" ,iddhartha *ecame
enli(htened&
,iddhartha realiBed that there was a middle path" which he *elie$ed was the *est for
people& @e thou(ht that you should not li$e all hi(h and mi(hty" a*o$e the people" and
also you should not li$e in star$in( pain and the se$ere fru(ality that he had tried years
a(o& That you should Gust li$e a re(ular life that was neither too (ood nor too *ad" Gust in
the middle&
The Buddha achie$ed serenity *y findin( his true path within himself" and *y helpin(
many others find the truth within them& @e *ecame enli(htened" in some part *ecause of
the serenity he achie$ed&
#t is always important to find your own path your own way& Ao one person should *e a*le
to tell you it& E$eryone will e$entually find their path and achie$ed serenity throu(h it&
But serenity can ne$er *e achie$ed throu(h the dar) side& #n our world" # li)e to thin) of
the dar) side as the fundie repu*licans and the li(ht as socialistic democrats& The
democrats care deeply a*out the en$ironment most" anyway! *ecause they )now we will
all parish without it to sustain us& ?ost are out there for the (ood of the people" not the
corporation or *usinessmen&
@owe$er" the repu*licans are out there to destroy the en$ironment to further their own
ends" and usually to help the corporations that *rou(ht them to the top& Aot to say that the
demEs are all hi(h and pious compared to the repu*licans" *ut some of the conser$ati$es
li)e Du*ya are sure )iss5asses to the American corporations&
?any of the political issues in my country # see as a *attle *etween dar) and li(ht" and it
doesnEt loo) li)e the li(ht is winnin(" either&
: There is no chaos& There is harmony&
?any countries are in the (rip of chaos and anarchy at this $ery moment& #ra%" which the
United ,tates in$aded" is mainly in chaos and disorder& Aationalist forces continue to
*erate the American soldiers" whilst the new" fled(in( democracy can do nothin( to stop
it& People are dyin( on *oth sides" American and #ra%i ali)e&
#nnocent people are senselessly murdered in car *om*in(s and *y the fanatic suicide
*om*ers that pla(ue the war5torn countries of the ?iddle East& Children die& Adults die&
E$eryone dies& And not Gust #ra%i people" *ut wor)ers who want to help *uild the new
#ra%" who is there to help" not hurt&
But they are ta)en anyway" filmed *y fanatic terrorists" and either are *rutally murdered
with swords" most commonly" or" rarely" set free&
E$en more ad$anced countries li)e the United ,tates are in chaos" the dollar is rapidly
fallin( in $alue amon( European countries" the stoc) mar)et is in the toilet" there is a
steadily increasin( unemployment rate" and corrupt corporations rule the administration&
#n some ways" my country is in more chaos then #ra%" *ut at least people arenEt )illed in
massi$e num*ers& At least we arenEt *om*ed all the time" and at least we donEt ha$e to
watch our *ac)s e$ery second of the day&
Thin) of Africa& #t is also in chaos" tremendously so& People are dyin( left and ri(ht" from
malaria" A#D," and other diseases& And the nati$es donEt e$en try to stop it& ?en are
always rapin( women" contractin( and passin( on the deadly $irus to others" not carin( if
they li$e or die&
Chaos is not a (ood state to *e in& #nner turmoil does not turn you to dar)ness as
emotions and passions ha$e the potential to do" *ut it still clouds your Gud(ment as they
would& #nner chaos causes a person to ma)e decisions *ased on fear and an3iety" and
usually without a clear head&
With so much chaos and disorder in the world" how can there really *e harmony8 ,tart
small& There is harmony *uBBin( around you" *ut some cannot sense its presence& #n
nature" it is e$erywhere& Wol$es feed on *irdsM *irds feed on sna)es" sna)es on mice"
mice on plants& Without one" the others cannot sur$i$e& They li$e in perfect
synchroniBation and harmony *etween themsel$es&
Thin) of what thin(s would *e li)e if Gust one of these animals did not e3ist& #f the (rass
did not e3ist" the mice would die" and the sna)e would die" and the *ird" and the wolf&
And what else feeds on (rass8 Deer" el)" ra**it& They too" would die& And the animals
that ate them" li)e *ear" would die as well& The sna)es and reptiles would die *ecause
there were no more mice or ra**its in their territory" and *erries and $e(eta*les would not
wor) for them& The fun(us that fed off of dead creatures would die as well" *ecause there
would *e nothin( dead to feed off of& The smaller species would die from a lac) of food"
and the lar(er species would die *ecause of the smaller species were their food& #f one
plant" the (rass" Gust went e3tinct" this entire ecosystem would Gust collapse&
@umans can currently ne$er achie$e true harmony" *ecause we donEt ha$e the option to
e$en try& We *uild s)yscrapers" stone and wooden *uildin(s and we destroy more and
more ha*itat to create our fri$olous" $ile" dis(ustin( creations& We destroy the homes of
other creatures to create our useless *uildin(s" animals (o e3tinct *ecause of our
selfishness" and ecosystems die from the $acuum the e3tinction of that one animal has
caused&
We humans cannot achie$e it *ecause all of our creations" the machines" the *uildin(s"
the computers" they pre$ent us from achie$in( harmony with the rest of the world& We
may li$e in a false harmony with our lifeless machines" *ut these machines do not li$e in
harmony with the rest of life" so" we" too" do not&
To actually achie$e harmony and a*andon the chaos that society has *rou(ht down on
our heads" we must renounce all that is human& All of our precious /402 Cor$ettes" our
laptops with the ad$anced 'A? power" all of the useless iPods that store thousands of
son(s& We ha$e to renounce our manmade dwellin(s and demolish our lar(e *uildin(s"
until nothin( is left& And then" when all of our useless creations are (one" we will finally
*e in harmony" and in *alance with the Force" as we were meant to *e&
But that seems fairly drastic" no8 Ao one is (oin( to renounce all of our machines and
lu3uries" *ecause humanity is a selfish" arro(ant" and o$erly5indul(ent race& Especially
the capitalists" whose (reed *linds them to the truthM that they are )illin( us all with their
lust for power and money& -o((ers who ta)e down our maGestic forests for our homes"
ta)in( away o3y(en from the air and disruptin( the entire ecosystem of the world"
to*acco companies who poison our people with addicti$e smo)e" and the car companies"
who create their $ile metal *easts that pollute our air and melt our icecaps into mush&
E$ery action" no matter how small" will send a ripple throu(h the Force& From the
smallest of acts" (reat thin(s can *e achie$ed& Creed and lust will all destroy us in the
end& # Gust hope that it wonEt come too %uic)ly&
: There is no death& There is the Force&;
Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter.
We all )now this one" *ut what does it mean to you8
Death is only the beginning
The *e(innin( of what8 The after5life" worm food8
On a simple physical le$el" we are made up of ener(y& Physics tells us that ener(y cannot
*e created or destroyed it can only *e altered or transferred& At the point of death" the
*ody is either *uried" thus pro$idin( food for small in$erte*rates" insects etc and compost
for $e(etation" or is *urned to produce heat and ash& The ash can then is sprin)led onto
the earth" where it acts as a fertiliBer& The ener(y that we contain is transferred and the
cycle of life continues& #n some cases" or(ans and tissues are remo$ed to *e transplanted
into other people" to sa$e or impro$e their li$es&
Aow #Em Gust speculatin( here" *ut if # died" ri(ht now" and was *uried" that would mean"
e$entually" the *u(s would (et to my corpse" and di(est me into nothin(ness& # then
would *e e3creted to ma)e fertiliBer" which will feed the plants" which mi(ht feed people
and which will also produce o3y(en" sustainin( others& The ener(y really does )eep
chan(in( hands&
On a spiritual le$el" many of us *elie$e that the *ody is simply the $ehicle for the soul& At
the point of death" the soul returns to its ma)er" to a (reater collecti$e conscious or to
Ihea$enE& There ha$e *een many attempts to pro$e+dispro$e the e3istence of an afterlife&
The closest many come is a near5death e3perience" where indi$iduals are a*le to descri*e
what was happenin( to them at a point of clinical death" often from a $iewpoint Ia*o$eE
their own *odies& ,cientists ha$e tried to de*un) this myth" su((estin( that the patient
was somehow physically aware of their surroundin(s" also su((estin( that the often5cited
Iwhite li(htE was simply the (lare of the theatre+o$erhead li(htin(& @owe$er" this does
not sufficiently e3plain the detail and accuracy with which these indi$iduals recall what
was happenin( to them when they were clinically dead&
,o" our *odies are the temporary $ehicles for that Isomethin(E which ma)es us who we
are& Call it IpersonalityE" call it IsoulE& We come from and return to the Force& Or do we8
.ou mi(ht recall" in the ori(inal trilo(y" that when .oda and O*i5wan die" there *odies
completely dissol$e into the Force& But what e3actly happens when you return to the
Force8 Are you in complete and utter paradise" your e$ery desire fulfilled" li)e in the
Christian hea$en8 Or" li)e Buddhist nir$ana" are we ta)en *ac)" and if we ha$e not yet
achie$ed enli(htenment" we are cast *ac) in a new *ody" either a human or an animal& Or
a stone& But if we are worthy" we are rea*sor*ed into prefect harmony with Air$ana& The
,tar Wars uni$erse tells us that we lose our identity once we die and return to the Force"
and that we will ne$er return to this plain& But as you all )now" nothin( is impossi*le
within the Force& And that is how Oui5Con Ginn was a*le to return" teachin( o*i5wan and
.oda to )eep their identities and not *e completely rea*sor*ed upon death& ,omehow"
1ader learned it as well&
This ma)es thin(s )ind of confusin(& What happens at death8 To really )now" let us hear
the stanBa a(ain& There is no death" there is the force& #f the Force is e$erythin( around
us" permeatin( around us and *indin( us to(ether" then anythin( is possi*le& ?ay*e we
all die differently" we will ne$er )now& #t is true when they say :death is the (reatest
ad$enture&;
The ForceE8 An intan(i*le ener(y which *inds us all to(ether8 The manifestation of a
Ihi(her powerE8 ?a(ic8
All thin(s are made up of atoms" which are nuclei or*ited *y electrons spinnin( at hu(e
speeds& At certain times" if all the electrons are on one side of the atom" the other side
will ha$e a small positi$e char(e& #f an atom close *y has a small ne(ati$e char(e on one
side" the two atoms will *e attracted& This is called 1an De 1aals force& ,o e$en
somethin( as seemin(ly JlifelessJ as a roc) or pe**le has all these little forces within it all
the time&
#f you are wearin( plastic soled shoes and you slide your feet o$er a nylon carpet" thereJs
a (ood chance youJll (et an electric shoc) the ne3t time you touch somethin( metal" due
to the *uild up of static electricity&
# could *ore you silly with more of this )ind o f e3ample" *ut # wonJt& ,uffice it to say"
there are lots of Jlittle forcesJ e$erywhereL And they are capa*le of Jconnectin(J and it is
possi*le to manipulate them&
@owe$er you descri*e it" or relate to it" most of us a(ree it e3ists& The Force is its own
reward& The (ood thin( a*out *ein( in touch with the Force is *ein( in touch with the
Force& For those of us luc)y or s)illed enou(h to connect with it on a daily *asis" it is a
real (ift&
# *elie$e the Force is neither -i(ht nor Dar)" (ood nor *ad" althou(h it has the capacity to
achie$e results that may *e considered such& The Force Gust IisE& #t is the Force users who
chan(e its perspecti$e& # *elie$e that the Force is always mo$in( towards *alance"
e%uili*rium and harmony& #n many ways harmony is *ene$olent" *ut we my ha$e to
suffer some hardships in order to achie$e that *alance&
Jedi Template
NJohn went to the store to *y a loaf of *read&N
What does that statement mean to you8
,ome of you are pro*a*ly lau(hin( ri(ht now& NWhat do you mean" Nwhat does that
statement meanN8N you as)& The (uy is Gust (oin( to the store& ThereJs nothin( hidden in
that&
.ouJd *e surprised thou(h" Gust how far others mi(ht ta)e it&
NJohn had really (one to a temple to (ain the secret of sustainin( life& Bread is called the
staff of life" and thus it sym*oliBes that he is (ettin( special )nowled(e for his own life&N
NJohn is (oin( to an outside source for answers to his life" rather than loo)in( within& @e
is see)in( his nourishment elsewhere" loo)in( for someone else to pro$ide" rather than
nourishin( himself& @e canJt ma)e his own *readM he canJt pro$ide his own nourishment&
#n other words" he canJt sustain himself&N
NJohn is self sustained and fully aware of what he has to do& @e )nows he has to (et the
*read" he )nows where it is" and )nows how to (et it" plus he has the means to do it& John
is a natural leader&N
NWhy does he ha$e to *uy a stac) of money8N
There are a lot of different" craBy thin(s that one can come up with for that little sentence&
There are tons of different $iews on that one statement" and people will adamantly *ac)
them up too" formin( their own *eliefs on who John is" and what he is doin(&
Of course" there is also what the statement actually says&
NJohn went to the store to *uy a loaf of *read&N
ThatJs it&
There are Gust some thin(s that are Gust uni$ersally o*$ious& Ao matter what )ind of craBy
thin(s you can come up with" e$en if they are true" there are a few simple truths that
pretty much say whatJs needed& Ao condiments" no artificial colors or additi$es&
The reason why # *rin( this up" which has pro*a*ly *rou(ht a few chuc)les to people!" is
*ecause in a few seconds" #Jm (oin( to *rin( up another statement" actually a %uestion"
that is a wee *it more contro$ersial& # wonder how many people will still *e chuc)lin(
when they read it&&&&!
NWhat is a Jedi8N
Aow" #Jll *e the first to admit here that the word Jedi means a lot of thin(s to a lot of
people& We all (ot different $iews on what one is" in terms of our own little world& And
we all )now what and who they are in the mo$iesM at least" # hope we all do& After all"
thatJs where it all came from& Thin(s (et a *it cooperated thou(h" when we use the term
in our own li$es& #tJs a *it easier fantasy wise # li)e my fantasy medium rare!" *ut thin(s
(et shadier after that& And it (ets e$en fo((ier when tryin( to e3plain it to others without
loo)in( li)e you needs a straitGac)et" *ut thatJs another story&
Anyway" we all (ot our own different $iews on what a Jedi is& But the truth of the matter
is" there is a template& .ou ha$e to )ind of *e close to that template you )now" if you are
(oin( to use that word for yourself& -ucas pretty much set up that template when he did
the mo$ies" so letJs see the *asics of it& #f anyone sees somethin( essential that # missed"
please feel free to add&!
Jedi Template
A Jedi stri$es to flow with the Force nature" or the cosmos" if you will!&
A Jedi upholds Justice&
A Jedi de$elops personal powers which flow with the Force&
A Jedi is hum*le&
A Jedi is well trained in martial art s)ills&
A Jedi will do whate$er it ta)es to a$oid a $iolent situation" and will loo) for a peaceful
solution& But when faced with no alternati$e *ut to fi(ht" will do so without hesitation&
A Jedi stri$es to )eep oneJs emotions in moderation" and will not let them control them&
A Jedi will help others when they are a*le to do so&
A Jedi will do what has to *e done in any (i$en situation&
O)" #Jll admit thatJs a crude list" *ut # thin) # (ot the essentials&
Aow" in Nreal lifeN" there are o*$iously (oin( to *e some chan(es& We donJt ha$e
li(htsa*er here" well" real wor)in( ones anyway& We donJt ha$e Force powers&&&not to the
e3tent of the mo$ies anyway& We pretty much le$itate thin(s *y pic)in( them up& The
only spaceships we fly well" *esides the AA,A (uys! are in $ideo (ames& At least some
of us ha$e the cool loo)in( ro*es&&&&
Anyway" there are some %uir)s& But still" there is a *asic (uideline here that is pretty
much adapta*le& Plus" many of us are on spiritual paths that reflect this template" which is
why it is easy for us to adapt the name for the purposes of this site& We may ha$e some
e3tra $iews" and different ways to (o a*out this& But there is still a common thread" and a
*asic definition one has to follow& #f you arenJt followin( it" why call yourself Jedi here8
Of course you can do whate$er the hell you want" *ut you ha$e to admit" there are some
*asic principles here that cannot *e *ro)en&
,o if some*ody points out these principles to someone else" and tells them that this is
what a Jedi does and is" would we a(ree that it would *e wron( to then say that someone
is wron( *ecause a Jedi is different thin(s to different people8
.eah we (ot a lot of different $iews& DoesnEt chan(e the underlyin( principles& .ou canJt
*e a cop if you didnJt pass the tests& Cops are different thin(s to different people& ,ome
see them as upholders of the law& ,ome see them as protectors of capitalist property&
,ome see them as pi(s& But no matter the $iews" you )now a cop when you see one&
The same with all this Jedi Academy stuff here& Thin(s are what they are& For e3ample" it
would *e )ind of weird for me to ta)e nuncha)u and call them my li(htsa*er& A
li(htsa*er is *asically a sword" not a flail li)e weapon& #t would ma)e somewhat more
sense if # too) out my Jian Chinese sword! and called it a li(htsa*er& ,ee what # mean8
This is not *y any means forcin( my opinions on what a Jedi is to anyone& We all pretty
much )now what a Jedi isM #Jm Gust restatin( it and puttin( it on the ta*le& ThatJs *asically
what # do hereM # ta)e thin(s out in hope and put it on the ta*le& #tJs up to you whether or
not you want to pic) it up& But that wonJt chan(e what it is& # donJt put thin(s on the ta*le
unless # am a*solutely sure that itJs true& # donJt li)e to waste my or your time& #f #Jm
(oin( to post somethin( up here that # feel is *eneficial for you (uys" #Jd *etter ma)e sure
it is worth your time to read it& Otherwise" why *other8 E$en when # post up as)in( you
(uy a %uestion *ecause # donJt )now a*out somethin(" # still want to ma)e sure it isnJt a
waste of time&
This is not a master tal)in( here& # ne$er claimed that title" and # ne$er will& Witnesses
will *ear me out" and those who thin) # ha$e are pretty much loo)in( for trou*le& # cannot
*e a master at somethin( that # am still learnin( a*out" it" my path& When # post up a
lesson" #Jm postin( up somethin( that was tau(ht to me" and that # (ladly place *efore you
(uys to *enefit from& #tJs for your sa)e" not mine& # can pretty much )eep all this stuff to
myself& # donJt ha$e to post here& But # do *ecause # li)e it& There are a lot of thin(s that
ha$e helped me out" and it would *e $ery selfish of me not to spread it around for others
to *enefit from& #f we are all wal)in( in the same direction supposedly" why not help each
other out8 And entertain each other alon( the way8
The Tao of the Jedi
With all the recent tal) a*out the Way of the Jedi and such" # thou(ht it would *e nice to
*rin( up some topics that would allow e$eryone an opportunity to Gump on the
sprin(*oard of the Academy without feelin( stepped on& # *elie$e my (ood friend Tian
,hen had a wonderful %uote in his Gournal" NThere is only one destination 5 *ut many
paths to tra$el&&&N
As often seen in Ken or Taoist *oo)s" itJs not the (oal or destination that matters as much
as the Gourney" or in this case" Jthe many paths to tra$elJ& After a *as)et*all (ame"
e$eryone (oes home& ThatJs the destination" win or lose& But how will you (et there8 Will
you ma)e those players around you *etter8 Be a stron( leader8 @it those clutch free
throws8 Punch a referee8 Commit a((ressi$e and *rutal fouls8 #n a way" it can *e a tool
*ecause you can find out a lot a*out your character" *eha$ior" and determination amon(
other thin(s!& #s the Jedi concept much the same8 Perhaps it is also Gust a tool" a
wonderful tool nonetheless" to e3plore many of these %uestions and ha$e the deli(ht or
dis(ust in findin( the answers as we (o alon( in a ne$erendin( %uest&
As for the $aryin( le$els of Jedi realism" # donJt thin) it really matters& True or 'eal Jedi"
Gust a person of Jedi philosophy" Jedi warrior" 'PC Jedi" or whatsoe$er& After all" *ein(
'EA- doesnJt necessarily mean you are a person with su*stance or character& For
e3ample" you could *e a 'EA- idiot& Or" Gust *ecause you wear a shirt that says NCal$in
FleinN across the front doesnJt mean itJs necessarily a real Cal$in Flein made shirt& .et" it
can *e" e$en if it #,AJT plastered across the front li)e an ad$ertisement& The difference is
how itJs made and the quality&&& and that carries o$er to mean your quality as a human
*ein(" and how you apply these Jedi aspects into your life& A nice shirt is a nice shirt5
only superficial people ma)e a *i( fuss Gust *ecause a hi(h profile *rand name is written
up" down" left" ri(ht" and all across it& To di(ress for a %uic) moment" # find this to *e
e$ident on the main site where Baal refers to many *oo)sJ authors as Jedi" not so much
*ecause they ha$e somethin( to do with ,tar Wars" *ut *ecause their character em*odies
certain Jedi traits&
On the same to)en" *ein( Jnon5realJ # donJt really want to use the word fa)e! doesnJt
mean you are lac)in( su*stance or depth" either& ,ome of our (reatest sources for
inspiration" character" and role5models come from an actorJs portrayal" or e$en a *oo)&
Ci$en how many people loo) up to O*i5Wan or Oui5Con *ecause of the stellar
performances *y ,ir Alec Cuiness or -iam Aeeson" #Jd hesitate to say there is anythin(
inherently wron( with not *ein( JrealJ& ,ome people find cy*erspace where they can most
*e themsel$es" e$en thou(h itJs in a way! a fantasy world of te3t and (raphics& DonJt
)noc) someone elseJs $ehicle Gust *ecause itJs not the same as your means of
transportation&
# thin) the whole Jedi an(le is difficult *ecause we are always on the outside loo)in( in5
this ran(es from the citiBens of Coruscant to people who watch ,tar Wars& Thin) a*out it&
#n this day and a(e" most people who are JmastersJ of their s)ill" *e it writin( or *ein( a
Ken mon)" often ha$e people come to them who are wide5eyed and completely hum*led&
.et when people as) them %uestions a*out what they do" most of them shru( and simply
say they are Gust li)e e$eryone else" *ut ha$e wor)ed hard at what they do& #tJs really the
same with JED# of ,tar Wars& ,ure" e$eryone $iews them as these awesome (alactic
police" *ut inside their order" e$eryone stru((les to maintain their *alance" follow the
code of Jedi that has *een passed down for o$er a millennia" and to li$e up to the
awesome le(acy that is a Jedi Fni(ht" all the while tryin( to maintain their identity& They
donJt prance around wa$in( their li(htsa*ers shoutin( that they are Jedi& ?ost are e$en a
little turned off *y the idea *ecause it places them in an aw)ward situation in an off5
world planet" where they are demanded to assume responsi*ility" or denied pri$ile(es
*ecause some en$y their position& Well" no" we donJt li$e in the ,tar Wars uni$erse" *ut
often times we try to cast the Jedi concept on oursel$es in a way that doesnJt %uite fit in
with who we are& A(ain" itJs the pro*lem of *ein( on the outside tryin( to loo) in" rather
than *ein( a @U?AA BE#AC first" and usin( these thin(s as (uides" resources" and
tools& We all really need to start *y sayin( N#Jm a human *ein(&N" *ecause ri(ht away we
can ta)e into account faults" e(o" error" mista)es" and different $iewpoints& #t cuts across
racism" feminism" miso(ynism" nationalism" e$en Jediism if you want to call it that!&
And that" in my opinion" is always a (ood start&
,o # thin) the important %uestions to as) are" N@ow can # *e ?E8 What tools are at my
disposal in order to accomplish this ne$er5endin( tas) of actualiBation8 @ow can # set
(oals and standards that are hi(h" *ut not out of reach8N
The )ey is" in your %uest for )nowled(e and wisdom" donJt for(et that you are ultimately
a human *ein(& #t Gust so happens all of us are different& @ere at the Academy" we share
this common (round of interest in Jedi philosophy for the most part!&&& itJs up to us to
ta)e the steps to communicate T@'OUC@ this& #tJs almost li)e the lan(ua(e of this
place5 we all ha$e different e3periences" *ac)(rounds" and styles" *ut if we donJt attempt
to communicate on the same le$el" we can yell at each other until weJre *lue in the face&
The JED# concept allows us to spea) to each other on a more fluent and elo%uent le$el5
the more we learn and share" the *etter we can con$ey our point without it *ein( man(led
in the process throu(h lac) of understandin(& Unfortunately" some of us Gust happen to
ha$e different Jedi dialects" and refuse to learn JBasicJ in order to *e a*le to hold a decent
con$ersation with anyone& Or as # li)e to %uote it" NAo one can tal) to me unless they
accept and learn ?. way of Jedi&N Aot a (ood way to (et ahead&
Of course" there are people who inherently do not see eye to eye on what the core of Jedi
$irtues and arts are5 thatJs fine& After all" as -ucas pointed out" people in$est ideas into
thin(s of ,tar Wars that he hadnJt intended for& DoesnJt mean you canJt *orrow words"
phrases" or concepts metaphorically spea)in(! into your own in order to *e a more
complete person in your %uestL
,o with all the ,tar Wars films" Ceor(e -ucas is tossin( the *all into our court& What are
we to do now8 'un with it8 ,hoot some hoops8 @it it *ac) across the net8 Throw it at
some*ody8 Beats me& Use your ima(ination" and thin)L #tJs an e3citin( time to *e
e3plorin( your spirituality throu(h the way of the Jedi" *ut only as much as you ma)e it
so& Or as Bruce -ee once wrote" NWe will turn it into play" *ut we will play seriouslyLN
Types of Jedi
As # listed in another post" # differentiate Jedi into different types" or cate(ories& The four
#J$e added one to my own list! most prominent ones that # can thin) of are the
N*ureaucraticN types" the )ni(hthood" and healers" and the academics& -et me e3plain a
little of what # see" so as to ma)e some sense&
Councilors ser$e as political dele(ates& They are the more diplomatic Jedi that wor) with
(o$ernments to settle disputes and act to represent Jedi within (o$ernment& E3ampleD
-eia
Cuardians are *est prepared for com*at& These are the )ni(hts of the order" the N(alacticN
heroes& Pro*a*ly the most common conception of Jedi *ased on their more o*$ious
presence in the minds of the a$era(e person& E3ampleD -u)e
@ealers are the NdoctorsN of the Jedi& Pro*a*ly the least li)ely to (et into physical
confrontations" healers are Gust that& #t is throu(h them that *etter techni%ues in self
preser$ation are disco$ered& E3ampleD Cil(hal
Academics are the historians" the lore masters" and our memory& # see them as partly )in
to the (uardians as they are li)ely to pursue history and lore where e$er it is to *e found&
They may e3press it dryly" as a professor" or as poetically as a *ard& E3ampleD Tionne
these are the distinct classifications that # ha$e *een a*le to deri$e" and was wonderin( if
anyone else had noticed this )ind of thin(" and if so" how do they *rea) down8 Also" does
anyone ha$e somethin( to add to the list8
# am interested in this *ecause # do not see Jedi simply as @oly Warriors" as is the
impression # am sure many people ha$e of Jedi Fni(hts" *ut rather as a comple3 (roup
with differin( a*ilities as ?asters Aaya and Fett show as healers and as ?aster ,ahJar
shows as a Fni(ht& ?aster Jil5Oun has shown that he is an incredi*le artist" and # wonder
how such a fantastic a*ility would add to the constructs that # ha$e $iewed& #f it would
e$en fit in" as # do not )now& #t may $ery well *e an indi$idual interest e3pressed *y a
Jedi" as is always possi*le" as not all thin(s fit nicely into nice little *o3es with pretty
ri**ons& # also *elie$e that all the different types e3ist *ecause they further understandin(
of the Force in different ways& #f it were not for the diplomats" we mi(ht not ha$e an
understandin( of mind influencin( and calmin( a*ilities" as the )ni(hts pro$ide e$er
increasin( )nowled(e of how to apply the Force to physical thin(s" the healers to
disco$er *etter ways to perfect our *odies" and the academics to pro$ide us with the
)nowled(e of who we are and what we ha$e done and why we do it still& ,o" # would li)e
your opinions on this" what differin( types of Jedi do you see" if any8 Or is it all the same
to you8
Jedi Words of Wisdom
This lecture was written a*out the %uote" JThere is no tryJ" after # found out that many
youn( Jedi donJt understand thin(s li)e it& # hope these help with your trainin(&
NDo or do not" there is no tryN 5 .oda&
A pretty *asic line" which will *e the *asis of to days lecture& ,o many of you ha$e heard
it" Gust as many say it to other youn(er Jedi" *ut how many of you )now what it really
means or why it is used in the Jedi way8 #f you JtryJ to do somethin( there are only two
outcomes" you can do it" or you canJt" there isnJt a in *etween& For e3ample you can JtryJ
le$itatin( a roc)& The outcome is either the roc) floats or it stays where it ori(inally was&
There is no half way& #f you try it lea$es dou*t in your mind and dou*t will cause you to
fail& Therefore the Jedi Way teaches that there is no try to (et rid of any dou*t& Aow with
this )nowled(e of only ha$in( two outcomes when you JtryJ lift that roc)" you are already
willin( to reach out with the force and lift it and FAOW that you can lift it" else you
wouldnJt *e feelin( the force and (oin( throu(h a le$itation techni%ue!" then you will&
N#n my e3perience thereEs no such thin( as luc)N 5 Ceneral Feno*i&
,aid *y Ceneral Feno*i and one of my fa$orite lines" it shows that the Jedi are truly
masters of their life e$ents&
What is luc)" nothin( *ut random e$ents that (o in your fa$or& But to the Jedi there is no
luc)" the force (uides us" or we can (uide oursel$es when not listenin( to the force& When
we acti$ely use the force to control our selfEs or en$ironment" we can sway e$ents in out
fa$or" as seen in the mo$ies& ,o a Jedi can ma)e their own Jluc)J" allowin( the desired
outcome to *e made& ,ince these outcomes are no lon(er random" therefore they are no
lon(er luc)& ?any people may thin) it is *ad Jluc)J to *e *usy at wor) or ha$e trou*le at
school" *ut a fully trained Jedi can control thin(s li)e stress and wor) load" hence a Jedi
shouldnJt ha$e pro*lems with *ein( tired or stressed& # would now li)e to mo$e on to my
ne3t %uote ofD
NAothin( happens *y chanceN 5 Oui Con&
-i)e # mentioned a*o$e" we can acti$ely control what e$ents are happenin(" or we can let
(o and allow the force to (uide us& When we do the later we are actin( on instinct and the
outcome of A-- e$ents ha$e purpose& By droppin( a coin and stoppin( to pic) it up" you
could start the *all rollin( on a chain of e$ents that could chan(e yours or someone elseJs
life for e$er& Thin)" What would of happened if O*i5Wan and Oui5Con werenEt pic)ed as
the am*assadors8 Possi*ly Ana)in wouldnJt of *een disco$ered and you can fi(ure out
the rest& What if -u)e and Ben werenEt stopped *y troopers in ?os Eisley8 The Falcon
could of arri$ed at Alderaan early and the ship and its car(o could ha$e *een destroyed
alon( with the planet& A(ain #Jll let you play with what happened ne3t&
,o all e$ents are chan(in( the course of time for the *etter or worse& Aow if you apply
the a*o$e %uoteJs e3planation with this one" you can see how a Jedi can control many
thin(s and always (et a positi$e outcome&
# ha$e decided to roll these three %uotes into one *ecause they are all $ery similar and can
*e lin)ed to(ether easily&
The first %uote is rather important as when this state is reached" you will actually *e
doin( what you want& Basically you are usin( the force to (uide what you want to do&
This can *est *e seen *y what Ana)in did durin( the pod race& # can also descri*e a
personal e3perience #E$e had relatin( to this& # was once out playin( an arcade (ame when
# was momentary distracted *y some people wal)in( past& # too) my eyes off the screen
and while they were still off the screen" # scored two direct hits on two separate enemies&
This could not ha$e *een done if # wasnJt in a calm and rela3ed state" feelin( where #
should of *een shootin(" while loo)in( somewhere else& A person not in tuned with the
force could of easily put that down to Jluc)J& That was a simple use for the techni%ue" *ut
it can *e used for many maGor applications& Fnowin( if and what to do if somethin(
happens while you are dri$in( or in com*at is a (reat ad$anta(e& ,o remem*er" a Jedi
must remain calm and at peace to listen to their instinct and let (o" to allow these instincts
to ta)e o$er&
N,iBe matters notN" NOnly different in your mindN" NUnlearn what you ha$e learntN 5
.oda&
Possi*ly the most important piece of wisdom from the mo$ies& These lines try and free
your mind from what has *een drummed into you all your life& Possi*ly why Jedi trainin(
should start from a youn( a(e& From this a(e we are told what we can and canJt do& #Jm
not tal)in( a*out (ood and *ad" *ut thin(s li)e not *ein( a*le to affect our surroundin(s
with our minds" that muscle mass is some how proportionally relates to the amount that
we can lift" or that you ha$e to $isit a doctor to (et *etter& But as Jedi we )now this is not
all true" *ut for people who donJt )now or understand how a person can do what has *een
deemed physically Jimpossi*leJ" it is $ery difficult& Therefore you ?U,T unlearn what
you ha$e learnt to *e a*le to use the force to its full e3tent& ,o what ma)es us see
*oulders as hea$y and fire as hot8 #t is what has *een placed into our minds" many of the
thin(s we percei$e are *ecause of our minds" such as pain and what we percei$e an o*Gect
to *e& #n actuality e$erythin( is made up of the same matter" so there is not much
difference *etween o*Gects" the only difference *etween a roc) and a ship is the amount
and arran(ement of their molecules" wei(ht is insi(nificant as it is only a state of mind&
Once you can realiBe and o$ercome the fact that JsiBe matters notJ" you will *e a*le to
control the outside world much more easier& There is little chance that this realiBation will
happen o$erni(ht" *ut with time and meditation" you will *e a*le to (ain this insi(ht&
N-uminous *ein(s are we" not this crude matterN 5 .oda
This is an e3cellent line" you could well say that it wraps the word Jedi up into a line&
.oda says that we are luminous" *ut what does that mean you mi(ht as)& For the answer
you only ha$e to loo) at the second half of the %uote& Crude matter can *e descri*ed as
somethin( solid" somethin( that will not let another pass throu(h it& -ets ta)e metal and
water& #f you pour the water on to the metal will it pass throu(h8 What if you do the same
with air or the force8 #n all cases it will not" e$en for the force& This is *ecause the metal
is not li$in(" nothin( can permeate throu(h it& But for us it is different& ,till water and air
canJt pass throu(h us" at least not in hi(h $olumes" *ut the force can& #t flows throu(h us"
(i$in( the Jedi their stren(th and power& ,o since the force flows throu(h us" AOT
around us li)e the piece of metal" we are luminous&
What else does this %uote tell us8 #t also tells us that a Jedi can o$ercome (reat odds&
@ow you mi(ht as)& Well lets use and e3ample of a lar(e *ody *uilder and a Jedi who are
in a confrontation" what would happen8 The *ody *uilder could *e associated with the
crude matter" no connection to the force" at least that he )nows of" and ha$in( to rely on
his own physical attri*utes& But the Jedi has an ally with him" the force& Because it flows
with him and is A-WA., with him" therefore the Jedi has the ad$anta(e" what e$er his
le$el of trainin( is and if he uses that ad$anta(e wisely he will win&
The line also tells us that we can *e one with the force& For when the force flows throu(h
us" we are part of the force" and the force is part of us" creatin( one&
These are only a few of the lessons that can *e learnt from this one %uote& There are many
more that # could (o on a*out" *ut it would ta)e many pa(es to co$er them all&
These are important lessons that A-- Jedi must learn to fully appreciate what the force
has to offer& # will lea$e you now to ponder what you ha$e read& ?ay the force *e with
you&
The 6/ ?a3ims
Prowess
To see) e3cellence in all endea$ors e3pected of a Jedi Fni(ht" martial and otherwise"
see)in( stren(th to *e used in the ser$ice of Gustice" rather that in personal
a((randiBement& A Jedi stri$es to e3cel physically" mentally" emotionally and spiritually"
and can put these in motion instantly& This re%uires discipline" patience and perfect
practice" for a Jedi is always mindful of what lies *ehind and what lies ahead" and
prepares for the encounter with his destiny& A Jedi Fni(ht en(a(es in the *attle to *e
$ictorious 5 on whate$er front he is faced with in the modern world&
Justice
,ee) always the path of Jri(htJ" unencum*ered *y *ias or personal interest& 'eco(niBe
that the sword of Gustice can *e a terri*le thin(" so it must *e tempered *y humanity and
mercy& #f the Jri(htJ you see a(rees with others" and you see) it out without *endin( to
the temptation for e3pediency" then you will earn renown *eyond measure& ?editate
often upon the Force as a means to discern Gustice" as well as discernin( *oth (ood and
e$il&
-oyalty
Be )nown for unwa$erin( commitment to the people and ideals you choose to li$e *y&
There are many places where compromise is e3pectedM loyalty is not amon(st them& Jedi
can e3ist in this uni$erse *ecause the Force e3ists& But the Jedi Order needs moreD it
re%uires loyalty& #t (oes without sayin( that Jedi should *e loyal to one another& They
should not s%ua**le or fi(ht& ?ore importantly" thou(h" each Jedi should *e aware that
he must act in accordance with the wishes of his ?aster" who must in turn act in
accordance with the wishes of the Jedi Council& This is not a %uestion of seniority" *ut
rather of understandin( the will of the Force" and in this re(ard" the mem*ers of the Jedi
Council are wise council indeed&
Defense
The ideal Jedi Fni(ht is sworn *y oath to defend the li(ht& ,ee)s always to defend you
nation" you family" and those to whom you *elie$e worthy of loyalty&
Coura(e
Bein( a Jedi Fni(ht often means choosin( the more difficult path" the personally
e3pensi$e one& Be prepared to ma)e personal sacrifices in ser$ice of the precepts and
people you $alue& At the same time" a Jedi Fni(ht should see) wisdom to see that
stupidity and coura(e are cousins& Coura(e also means ta)in( the side of truth in all
matters" rather than see)in( the e3pedient lie& ,ee) the truth whene$er possi*le" *ut
remem*er to temper Gustice with mercy" or the pure truth can *rin( (rief& @owe$er" it
must also *e noted that to a Jedi" to *e *ra$e in *attle pro$es nothin(" as *ra$ery itself
pro$es nothin(& A Jedi should *e prepared to put aside fear" re(ret" and uncertainty and
either act" retreat" surrender or perish&
Faith
A Jedi Fni(ht must ha$e faith in his *eliefs" for faith roots him and (i$es him hope
a(ainst the despair that human failin(s create& A JediJs stren(th flows from the Force& A
JediJs faith is in the -i(ht" and to the One from which it emanates" as his (uidance" as his
path" as his friend" and as his destiny& The path of a Jedi is a path of inner illumination
and the con%uerin( of the lesser self" that the Creater #nner ,elf" *etter )nown as Jedi"
may in turn ta)e dominion o$er the life purpose and destiny of the Outer ,elf" or Jedi"
who resides in the physical&
@umility
1alue first the contri*utions of othersM do not *oast of your own accomplishments" let
others do this for you& Tell the deeds of others *efore your own" accordin( them the
renown ri(htfully earned throu(h $irtuous deeds& #n this way the office of Jedi
Fni(hthood is well done and (lorified" helpin( not only the (entle spo)en of *ut also all
who call themsel$es Jedi Fni(ht&
Fearlessness
Fear leads to the Dar)side& Fear leads to an(er" an(er leads to hate" and hate leads to
sufferin(& There is so much superstition and hypocrisy around that one is afraid e$en to
do the ri(ht thin(& But if one (i$es way to fear" e$en truth will ha$e to *e suppressed&
The (olden rule is to act fearlessly upon what one *elie$es to *e ri(ht& Fearlessness does
not mean arro(ance or a((ressi$eness& That in itself is a si(n of fear& Fearlessness
presupposes calmness and peace of mind& For this" it is necessary to ha$e a li$in( faith in
the -i(ht& @e who has awa)ened his spirit to the -i(ht is free from fear& Fear lies in
illusions in the mind& -isten always to the still small $oice within 5 commune within *y
meditation" *oth mo$in( and sittin( still& Practice coura(e and *e unmo$ed 5 a mountain
of *ein( remains unmo$ed& When fear is displaced within" A-WA., replace it with
-i(ht& Aature a*hors $acuum&
Ao*ility
,ee) (reat stature of character *y holdin( to the $irtues and the duties of a Jedi Fni(ht"
realiBin( that thou(h the ideals cannot *e reached" the %uality of stri$in( towards them
enno*les the spirit" (rowin( the character from dust towards hea$en& Ao*ility also has
the tendency to influence others" offerin( a compellin( e3ample of what can *e done in
the ser$ice of ri(htness&
Franchise
,ee) to emulate e$erythin( here as sincerely as possi*le" not for the reason of personal
(ain *ut *ecause it is ri(ht& Do not restrict your e3ploration to a small world" *ut see) to
infuse e$ery aspect of your life with these %ualities& ,hould you succeed in e$en a tiny
measure than you will *e well remem*ered for your %uality and $irtue& Usin( the Force
for selfish purposes 55 self5(ain" e(otism" e$en con$enience 55 crosses the *oundary
*etween the li(ht and the dar) sides&
Pure ?oti$e
#t is true that actions spea) louder than words& @owe$er" *ehind e$ery action is a moti$e
and a purpose& Without a sound moti$e and purpose" action has no meanin(" no
destination" and lac)s a foundation& Action without moti$e and purpose does nothin(
other than to mo$e for the sa)e of mo$in(" *eatin( the air to appear to do somethin("
when in fact is doin( nothin(" the pro$er*ial spinnin( wheels in the mud& A Jedi mo$es
with the Force& @e meditates upon the will of the Force& A JediJs action on firmly *ased
upon a deep moti$ation to ser$e the Force of -i(ht" and is deeply rooted in purpose&
There is no wasted mo$ement or the need for action when none is re%uired" for to a Jedi"
action means nothin( without a pure moti$e" or a sound purpose&
Discipline
A JediJs mind is a calm ocean" li)e a sea of (lass& @e realiBes that it is in con%uerin( the
tides of the emotions as well as reactions to stimulus that allows the Jedi to *e $ictorious
in all thin(s" for he is a chalice for the Force" an e3tension of the Will of the Force& This
inner stillness re%uires much disciplineD mentally" emotionally" spiritually" and
physically& A Jedi *y nature is hi(hly disciplined in all le$els of his *ein(" that in the
fiery moment where the Force must *e released to defend self or others who deser$e that
loyalty" the action is a clear e3tension of many years of trainin( and inner discipline&
Focus
A JediJs focus is in the moment" in the now" realiBin( that the stylus of time cuts in the
present and that history is perpetually in the ma)in(& A Jedi Fni(ht realiBes that past is
important" as well as the future" wor)in( to de$elop the spiritual faculties to percei$e and
discern such" *ut not at the e3pense of the present" of the here and now&
Discretion
#t is sometimes necessary for a Jedi to practice discretion& JediJs do not acti$ely interfere
with the li$es of the common people& Jedi stand for order and GusticeM howe$er" JediEs
prioritiBe and streamline their in$ol$ement" and do not allow the misdeeds of the few to
interfere with the conscious direction recei$ed as to the Will of the Force and how their
office as Jedi helps *rin( these into fruition& The (oal of the Jedi should *e to create and
preser$e an atmosphere where Gustice can flourish" rather than try to create Gustice
themsel$es& A *yword of Jedi could *e" N# may not always a(ree with your choices" *ut #
will defend your ri(ht to choose with my $ery life&N
?editation
NE$ery Jedi should spend time meditatin( each day on the Will of the Force& The reason
for this is simpleD if one has unwittin(ly acted contrary to the will of the Force"
reco(niBin( the mista)e soon after may still (i$es one time to ma)e amends&N By
re(ularly e3aminin( oneJs own moti$ations" a Jedi could *e certain that they would not *e
allowin( emotion" i(norance" or passion to intrude upon their clarity& A Jedi who has no
time to meditate ?ay more easily *ecome lost& ?ore to the point" a Jedi who refuses to
meditate may already )now that their moti$ations are not pure" and is thus lyin( to
themsel$es& NThe Jedi who needs not the counsel of the Force" to the Dar)side listens&N
Jedi ?aster .oda! Because a Jedi is an inte(ral component of the -i(ht side" it is
therefore a prudent practice for the Jedi to also meditate upon the luminous essence of
*ein( the inner li(ht! at least once a day" which purifies the mind" moti$es and direction
Trainin(
A JediJs trainin( in the Force ne$er ends& A wise Jedi should stri$e to remem*er that
there is always somethin( more to learn a*out the Force& The Force re$eals itself to those
who ha$e the desire and )nowled(e to see it" and merely heedin( the ForceJs will is much
the same as loo)in( at an elephantJs toe and sayin(" NAow # understand elephants&N To
continue to (row" a Jedi should train each day&
#nte(rity
A JediJs responsi*ility to the Force is to *e honest with himself& As lon( as the Jedi is not
actin( for his own self5interest and o*ser$es the Code" he is o*eyin( the will of the
Force& A Jedi can and should offer ad$ice to those that need it& From a certain point of
$iew" a Jedi is not *ein( dishonest if he allows people to *elie$e what they wish to
*elie$e& #t is not incum*ent upon the Jedi to con$ince anyone to follow his ad$ice&
When a Jedi is ser$in( the Force" he may employ deception" su*terfu(e" misdirection"
and e$en fraud" as lon( as he does so with a ri(hteous aim& Do not confuse this with
Jmoral fle3i*ilityJ& A Jedi does what needs to *e done& But also remem*er that a Jedi is
not a*o$e the law&
?orality
Jedi Fni(hts practice noninterference with differin( cultures and while Jedi can *rin( or
restore order and Gustice" they do not themsel$es it in Gud(ment of others as a rule&
Jud(ment lead to $en(eance" and $en(eance leads to the Dar) ,ide& Therefore" as a rule"
JediJs are not enforcers of morality per se& @owe$er" at the same time" while not Gud(es"
JediJs can *e mediators& #t is a role they are suited for" and one that wor)s in accordance
with the Force since mediation leads to *alance&
En(a(in( in Conflict
Conflict is a fact of life in the (ala3y for far too many *ein(s" and no Jedi can hope to
remain apart from it& But a Jedi need not em*race conflict& N#f a weapon you show" JA
warrior am #LJ you say& And who is *est" must all other warriors )now of you&N ,o" to
a$oid unnecessary fi(htin(" a Jedi should not ad$ertise his s)ill& But when it is necessary
to acti$ely en(a(e in conflict8 The Force will show a Jedi when he has no other options"
and a wise Jedi trusts the Force in this re(ard&
#nter$ention
A Jedi Fni(ht must not allow e$il to ta)e place once they *ecome aware of its wor)in(&
To remain aloof in situations where a JediJs inter$ention would pre$ent the Dar) ,ide
from attainin( another foothold is the same as helpin( it do so& This a Jedi Fni(ht must
ne$er do& A true Jedi Fni(ht must constantly *e wary of his path" ma)in( certain he does
not stray toward the Dar) ,ide" *ut remains firm in the -i(ht& Therefore" when the
situation warrants it" the Jedi acts as an e3tension of the Will of the Force" and is
therefore sponsored and *ac)ed *y that will&
@armoniBin(
The path of a Jedi Fni(ht is more than Gust a system of techni%ues for controllin("
sensin(" and alterin( the Force& #t is a deep spiritual ideolo(y of e3istence" a deeply
meanin(ful and mo$in( panoramic Gourney and path of the soul and spirit to fully
em*race the -i(ht" in which the indi$idual sees his true nature as a part of a lar(er whole"
and claims his own ri(htful place in the sym*iotic whole of the way of thin(s& A Jedi
see)s to li$e in harmony with the uni$erse" focusin( on the most serious and intent
discipline and (ained spherical awareness to reach his (oal& There are inherent
temptations that seem to create conflict *etween nature and the mind" which mista)enly
ur(e the Jedi to fall onto easier paths& This the Jedi stri$e to a$oid at all cost" no matter
how dear or how temptin(& A Jedi should focus his efforts on creatin( harmony *etween
all *ein(s& They detest $iolence of any sortM and reluctantly en(a(e in resol$in( in
com*at as a last resort when other attempts at conflict resolution ha$e failed&
Jedi -ectures
Positi$e and Ae(ati$e" Cood and E$il" -i(ht and Dar)
This is a lesson that # ha$e learned from a few masters" some human" others e$ents& #Jm
sure many of the readers here ha$e seen this e3plained elsewhere in the academy" *ut #
will present it here as well" in a clearer fashion" for # feel that it is $ery important for
those who wal) the Path to learn&
There is some confusion out there as to what actions are *ecomin( to a JediM what would
*e more fittin( to someone who practices the ways of the Nli(ht sideN as opposed to the
Ndar)N& There ha$e *een those who ha$e stated that there are some thin(s that
Nli(htsidersN canJt do" for such actions in %uestion *elon( to the Ndar) sideN of the Force&
,uch *eliefs are foolhardy howe$er" as the Force is not comprised of NsidesN" *ut is a
neutral entity& #t is in itJs usa(e that determines what NsideN is *ein( used& The Force Gust
is& #t is not N(oodN or N*adN" Nli(htN or Ndar)N" it Gust is& Water Gust is& #t can *rin( life as
well as end it" for one can drin) of it when dyin( of thirst and feel replenished" or drown
*eneath its crushin( wa$es& Water can *e used for N(oodN or Ne$ilN purposes" as one can
feed plants with it or artificially flood a town" *ut in itself" it Gust is& The same with the
Force& And the same with actions&
Throu(hout our e3istence" we all ha$e to pic) and choose what actions will affect our
li$es& -i)e the Force" these acts in themsel$es ha$e no affiliation of their ownM they are
neutral in nature& There really is no such thin( as N(oodN or Ne$ilN actionsN" these are
la*els placed and supposed *y humans" who see thin(s in the fo( of their emotions& What
ma)es actions seem *ene$olent or male$olent is the ener(y *ehind them that causes the
mo$ement" i&e&" emotion& Ener(yT?otionUemotion& Whate$er one puts *ehind the action
determines its resultin( nature& But in essence" the act in itself is neutral&
One mi(ht then as)" what a*out )illin(" maimin(" stealin( and so forth8 ArenJt they e$il8
ArenJt they of the dar)side8 Aot so" for each one of these acts has *een used for
*ene$olence many times in the past& The pro*lem in seein( this lies in not understandin(
the true nature of actions&
All acts fall into either of two cate(oriesD Positi$e and Ae(ati$e& ?any ha$e confused the
term positi$e for N(oodN and li)ewise" Ae(ati$e for Ne$ilN& But this is not necessarily
what they are" for the re$erse can *e true& As we (o on you will see how&
Positi$e actions are acts that are (eared toward nurturin(" conser$in(" sustainin(" and the
*uildin( up of somethin(& E3amples of such actions areD the (i$in( of a (ift" the feedin(
of a person" curin( someone" pro$idin( a helpin( hand to a certain proGect or function&
These acts are all e$olutionary&
Ae(ati$e actions are (eared towards harmin(" spendin(" *rea)in(" destruction& E3amples
of such acts areD )illin( a form of life" smashin( a *uildin(" lyin(" stoppin( an act or
e$ent from occurrin(" stealin(" and fi(htin(& These actions are all re$olutionary&
Aow" many people would lean towards the positi$e actions" sayin( that they are e3amples
of N(oodnessN" and that ne(ati$e acts are e$il" *ut they are sadly deludin( and limitin(
themsel$es& The truth of the matter is" one must understand and master BOT@ )inds of
actions" and )now which ones to use at what times" if they are to *e full human *ein(s&
This is especially so for those who wal) the unlit path of the Jedi" for one such person is
stri$in( to *rin( themsel$es to a hi(her le$el" and to chose such a discipline means to *e
in full control and awareness of their thou(hts and deeds" as well as )now their natures"
their usa(e" and their results&
'emem*er my friendsM do not *e fooled into thin)in( that Positi$eVAe(ati$e is the same
as Cood+E$il" for as # said" the re$erse can *e true&
For instance" the act of (i$in(& Ci$in( sounds li)e a $ery (ood thin(" doesnEt it& #f # (a$e
someone a (ift" out of the )indness of my own heart" and also to ma)e you feel (ood" that
would *e considered N(oodN& But what if # (a$e you the (ift *ecause # wanted somethin(
in return" may*e a little somethin( NsweetN if you happen to *e a woman #Jm tryin( to
N(et withN8 DoesnJt seem so an(elic anymore" does it8 What if the (ift #J$e (i$en is
actually made to harm you" and #Jm (i$in( it intentionally Gust to see you hurt" e$en
)illed" Gust for my own amusement and+or (ain& Aow weJre really (ettin( mali(nant& But
isnJt the act of (i$in( supposed to *e N(oodN8 Ao" itJs not& #tJs Positi$e& Whate$er ener(y
is *ehind it emotion" intent! determines its morality&
The same can *e said for )illin(& Aow if #Jm runnin( throu(hout the country wipin(
people out for the fun of it" and+or for personal (ain somethin( that is (oin( on e$en as
we spea) throu(hout the world e$en as this is written!" that would o*$iously *e
considered as e$il& But what if # happen to open a car down and out of nowhere a
motorcyclist comes speedin( around the corner" smashin( ri(ht into the door" flyin( off
the *i)e" and lands completely wron(" *rea)in( his nec)& Am # e$il for that8 WhatJs
more" what if # was faced with the horri*le *lood5thirsty person # descri*ed earlier" and
the only way # was to stay ali$e as well as to stop the atrocities from continuin( was to
end his life8 Would that *e e$il8 Or somethin( that Gust had to *e done8
As one can see" actions can *e used towards any end" no matter what the act may *e& #t all
depends on the ener(y *ehind it& When learnin( of this" the first step is to understand the
nature of actions and when to use them for *ene$olence or in the Jedi Way& The ne3t step
is to *e a*le to chose actions without *ein( influenced *y stron( emotion" for it is throu(h
an unclouded mind" that one will act clearly&
For e3ample" the ne(ati$e act of fi(htin( is somethin( that a Jedi should ne$er do
li*erally" for it can result in pain and sufferin(" as well as the loss of life& .et" many Jedi
are well trained in the arts of com*at" for they )now that it is a necessity that they *e a*le
to defend themsel$es as well as others" and that at times one has no choice *ut to fi(ht& #n
the mo$ies and *oo)s" Jedi donJt carry li(htsa*ers for nothin(" you )now&
-etJs ta)e a *ar scene" in which Fred see a woman (et slapped& Aow Fred (ets an(ry
a*out that" and remem*erin( his s)ills in @un( Car Fun( Fu" he %uic)ly confronts the
trou*lema)er N,o you li)e hittin( women" eh8L!& #nfused *y his fury" he lets the (uy
ha$e it& Unfortunately" as it usually is the case with thin(s li)e this" he didnJt come alone&
And a few of them are pac)in( steel" sharp steel called )ni$es& With the ta*le sli(htly
turned" fear *e(ins to creep up Oh this" theyJre (oin( to try to )ill meL!& ,o out of fear for
his life" Fred (oes craBy and fi(hts franticly" throwin( *ottles and chairs" ine$ita*ly
startin( a *ar fi(ht& The ne3t thin( you )now" heJs *ein( hauled off in handcuffs But
officers" # was only tryin( to helpL!&
,ee how important a calm mind is in choosin( actions8
Positi$e and Ae(ati$e actions are *oth e%ually important in life" no one has precedence
o$er another& -i)e yin and yan(" they are *oth needed" and e3ist *ecause of each other&
#ndeed" they e$en flow and chan(e into one another& A stormJs stron( winds and li(htnin(
*lasts can wrea) the land" *ut the rain can cause new plants to (row and flourish& The
ne(ati$e act of )illin( a $irus easily flows into the positi$e act of sa$in( a persons life&
.ou must all understand this&
#n the end" as #J$e said" there is really no (ood or e$il" li(ht or dar)& There Gust is& This is a
reality that few ha$e disco$ered" and e$en fewer ha$e understood fully" much less
mastered& #t is a reality that we must accept" especially with our actions" if we are to
continue to wal)
E(o
E$eryone one of us has an e(o& Our e(o is what (i$es us our indi$iduality" *ut our e(o
can also create a sense of self5importance& For instance" when you worry a*out how
others see you or treat you&&& that are self5importance& ,elf5pity is a form of self5
importance *ecause it (i$es you the sense that you are *ein( treated unfairly" there*y
instillin( the *elief that you should *e treated *etter than you are&
This is (oin( to *e a *i( shoc) to some of you&&& # )now it was for me when # first
realiBed it&&& *ut T@E WO'-D OWE, .OU AOT@#AC&
# )now&&& hurts" doesnEt it8 But itEs the truth&
.ou donEt deser$e to *e treated any *etter than your *ein( treated" you donEt deser$e
reco(nition for e$erythin( you do or say" you donEt need to *e in control of e$ery
situation" and no one is responsi*le for ma)in( you happy or for your well5*ein(&&& you
are responsi*le for your own thou(hts and feelin(s" so if you (et an(ry or upset a*out
somethin(" then the pro*lem is with you alone&
#tEs self5importance that ma)es these thin(s seem so important to us&
An(er is the *est detector of self5importance& Ae3t time you find yourself (ettin( an(ry
as) yourself why8
#s it *ecause you ha$e hi(h e3pectations of those around you and they fail to li$e up to
your e3pectations8
#s it *ecause you feel your not *ein( treated fairly8
#s it *ecause :they Gust donEt listen;8
.ouEll find that your an(er almost always re$ol$es around you and your needs&
Whether you are aspirin( to *e a Jedi or not" lettin( (o of self5importance can *e one of
the (reatest thin(s you can do for yourself& .our self5importance only ser$es to (i$e you
the impression that itEs more important to *e ri(ht than it is to do what is necessary to (et
thin(s accomplished effecti$ely& #t lies to you and creates false realities& ,elf5importance
is what ma)es humans *elie$e we are a superior species" when in reality we are no more
or less important than (rass we wal) on&
#f youEd rather li$e a lie" then *y all means )eep doin( what youEre doin(&
#f you want to let (o of self5importance and see what it means to truly *e free" then start
now *y facin( each new situation *y as)in( yourself this simple %uestion&&& :#f # )new #
only had one more day to li$e" would this really matter8;
#f anyone has any %uestions then feel free to as)&&& if you ha$e an opinion or e3perience
relatin( to this then share it&&& *ut # as) that there *e no de*ates& #f you feel you must
de*ate" then you feel your opinion is more important than someone elseEs" when in fact"
itEs not&
Cuilt and the ,elf
#n (oin( with the concept that you are your (reatest enemy until you are your (reatest
ally" # wanted to ta)e a moment to discuss one aspect of your enemyD (uilt&
There are two )inds of (uilt" at least& One" when we actually commit a crime" lie to a
friend" cheat on a test" etc& But the other is tric)ier" and the one that is often most
dama(in( *ecause it is far less easy to fi3&
This other (uilt is a self5made (uilt& Often we ha$e done nothin( wron(" we are simply
e3periencin( the essence of *ein( human& @owe$er" somewhere inside of us our
e3pectations of oursel$es and how we actually are come into e3treme conflict& We e3pect
oursel$es to ma)e the perfect choices at e$ery moment" say the perfectly ri(ht thin("
thin) the perfectly ri(ht thou(ht" and in (eneral *eha$e to some ideal that is unrealistic&
Certainly" we should stri$e to do our *est& .et" we must *e realistic with oursel$es&
Otherwise when we donJt li$e up to these unrealistic e3pectations55and we DOAJT li$e up
to them55we *e(in to punish oursel$es& We feel (uilty for the actions" thou(hts" and
wishes that are so di$er(ent from our e3pectations& This then *ecomes a cycleD
Unrealistic e3pectation555(uilt at failure555punish self555promise not to fail a(ain with an
e$en more unrealistic e3pectation555fail555(uilt555punish&&&&well you see where #Jm (oin(&
Before lon(" you ha$e made yourself sic) and misera*le& The (uilt turns to an(er at
yourself and often at others& The hi(h e3pectations turn to (reat amounts of stress that
then ma)e oursel$es and our relationships hard to maintain in any sort of healthy fashion&
#f you find yourself in these situations" then it is time to ta)e a step *ac)" ta)e a deep
*reath" and (o easy on yourself& .ou must accept your human5ness" your indi$iduality"
and your limitations& There is no shame in them" yet so often we feel shameful& This is
not fair to our souls&
# especially feel that often youn(er persons who are startin( out on this Jedi path and
want to do so well on it come into a conflict *etween themsel$es and the percei$ed Jedi
Code& This is a $ery hard path" and not e$en the (reatest Jedi ?aster is perfect& @ow
much harder is it to wal) this path and *e a youn( person Gust *e(innin( to find your way
in the world8 ,o many new e3periences and situations you ha$e to deal withL Of course
you cannot ma)e the perfect choices all the time& That is $ery much human and also $ery
much part of *ein( a youn(ster& .our spheres of freedom are widenin(" you are *ein( put
into harder situations" meetin( more di$erse people& #t is a time of (reat conflict as you
try to esta*lish yourself in your new role&&&it is a time of transition from childhood to
adulthood& #t is frau(ht with perilsL E$en the *est Jedi amon( us has fallen&
One of the most important Jedi s)ills or traits you can learn is to *e fair to yourself& Cut
yourself some slac)& Be understandin( of all the thin(s you are (oin( throu(h" learn how
all of these thin(s affect you& Push yourself to do *etter" *ut donJt punish yourself&
#t #s a @ard -ife
#t will *e a hard life
One without reward
Without remorse
Without re(ret
A path will *e placed *efore you
The choice in yours alone
Do what you thin) you cannot do
#t will *e a hard life
But you will find out who you are
W Oui5Con Jinn
# ne$er *elie$ed this path would *e an easy one&
# ha$e already (i$en up so much so that # can help others& ?ost people do not e$en
appreciate what # do for them&&& some turn it around on me to ma)e me loo) li)e the *ad
one& # ne$er e3pect anythin( in return for helpin( someone" *ut the Goy # feel in my heart
at ha$in( helped someone&&& that is the only true reward # will e$er )now&
,o # ne$er *elie$ed this path would *e an easy one&
# was told from the start that # would ha$e to ma)e decisions that would *e the most
difficult #Jd e$er ha$e to ma)e& Part of that means lettin( (o of old ways that no lon(er
ser$e me& #tJs hard to ima(ine how lettin( (o of somethin( that has *een a part of you for
so lon( can hurt" *ut it does& .ou learn to li$e with it" thou(h&&& and accept that you had to
chan(e in order to (row&
,o # ne$er *elie$ed this path would *e an easy one&
,ometimes the chan(es cause you to distance yourself from those you used to spend a lot
of time with& #tJs not *ecause you stopped lo$in( them" *ut *ecause for someone not on
this path" itJs difficult for them to understand the chan(es& .ou feel yourself chan(in( so
dramatically and in so many ways" that you pull away to protect those around you&&& and
to )eep your own sanity& ,ometimes it hurts" *ut you accept it as part of the path&
,o # ne$er *elie$ed this path would *e an easy one&
,hamanism is not somethin( # wanted for myself" *ut that did not stop the NpowersN from
presentin( it to me& We all ha$e our paths to choose&&& some easier than others&&&
But # ne$er *elie$ed this path would *e an easy one&
?y decision to accept shamanism as my path did not come to me easily& # was not willin(
to do the thin(s # would ha$e to do in order to *ecome a shaman and a healer& To accept
this path is to accept that your life is no lon(er yours alone& .ou now ser$e humanity and
the (ood of humanity has to ta)e precedence in your life& #t was a hard choice" *ut the
fact is&&& it was always my choice and one #Jm (lad # ha$e made&
E$en thou(h # ne$er *elie$ed this path would *e an easy one&
# recently had an e3perience where # nearly steered myself from this path *ecause of my
fear& The fear of whom # would *ecome and the thin(s # would ha$e to do& # didnJt thin) #
had it in me to do these thin(s" *ut my teacher showed me that # did& @e e3pressed his
faith in my a*ilities and reaffirmed the fact that he would *e helpin( me e$ery step of the
way& This (a$e me the stren(th # needed to push forward once a(ain&
,o # ne$er *elie$ed this path would *e an easy one&
# loo) in the mirror now and # can *arely see a shadow of the person # used to *e&
,ometimes # want that person *ac)" *ut then # see who # am now and # realiBe that itJs the
person # ha$e always *een& The real me comin( throu(h without all the e3tra *a((a(e #J$e
ta)en on o$er the years& Aow #Jm curious to see this person in her true li(ht&&&& she must
*e %uite an amaBin( person with incredi*le talents and # canJt wait to meet her&
# ne$er *elie$ed this path would *e an easy one& # donJt e3pect people to understand it or
a(ree with how # feel a*out it& # donJt e3pect people to understand or accept me for the
decisions # ha$e made for myself& But )now that # will ne$er a(ain re(ret any decision #
ma)e re(ardin( my path and # will ne$er let anyone stand in the way of doin( the thin(s
that # ha$e *een called to do&
Oui5Con was ri(ht&&& it is a hard life" *ut #Jm findin( out who # am&
@onor
'ecently" # completed my first readin( of Forrest ?or(anJs *oo)" :-i$in( the ?artial
Way;& # say Nfirst readin(N *ecause it is a *oo) # plan to re5read periodically& To those of
you who recommended that the *oo) *e added to the Jedi AcademyJs *oo) list" than)
you& Aot only did # learn a (reat deal from it" it also helped me put into words many
thin(s # understood" *ut didnJt )now how to e3plain&
Chief amon( the latter was the concept of warrior honor& # had always defined honor
more or less as inte(rity& That definition is close" *ut is not %uite sufficientM the concepts
are in some sense parallel" *ut they arenJt the same&
?or(an defines honor as *ein( *ased on three interdependent conceptsD o*li(ation"
Gustice" and coura(e& Of the three" o*li(ation is pro*a*ly the most forei(n to modern
westerners& #t is *est descri*ed in terms of the Japanese concept of X#Y(iriX+#Y" or Nri(ht
reasonN& When someone does somethin( for you" you *ecome o*li(ated to him or herM the
Japanese would say that you carry that personJs X#YonX+#Y" or *urden& 'epayin( the
person" thus relie$in( you of the *urden" is X#Y(iriX+#Y&
#t is important to *e careful whom one *ecomes o*li(ated toward" howe$er& #f o*li(ation
is the root of honor" Gustice it its heart& ?or(an defines Gustice simply as N)nowin( the
difference *etween ri(ht and wron( and doin( ri(htN" which admittedly is a *it $a(ue&
The important thin( where honor is concerned is that no o*li(ation fulfilled is actually
honora*le if the act of fulfillin( it creates inGustice&
Coura(e is the most o*$ious of the three tenets" and the one most often associated with
honor" e$en in the minds of people who donJt understand the other two& ?oral coura(e"
the fortitude it ta)es to do what is ri(ht no matter the personal cost" is the form of coura(e
most often called on in e$ery warriorJs life& #n (eneral" a warrior would analyBe all of his
actions to see what o*li(ations are *ein( met" for the Gustice of the action" and would then
use coura(e to act appropriately&
Once e3plained" ?or(anJs definition of warrior honor seems fairly strai(htforward" *ut
consider the implications& ,ince o*li(ations are *urdens to repay somethin( that someone
else has done" one cannot ha$e an o*li(ation to oneself& This in turn means that there is
no honor in acts done for oneself& Althou(h this doesnJt mean that such acts are
dishonora*le" it does mean that they can *e neutral at *est& One should remem*er"
howe$er" that one cannot meet ones o*li(ations unless one ta)es care of oneself&
#t should also *e understood that *ecause the martial s)ills warriors practice ma)es them
potentially dan(erous" they ha$e an o*li(ation to society to e3ercise self control"
restrainin( them from a*usin( their s)ills to tyranniBe wea)er mem*ers of society& With
(reat power comes (reater responsi*ility&
At this point" one may *e wonderin( what this entire means for modern day Jedi" not all
of whom are necessarily warriors in the martial sense& # feel that Jedi should *e
honora*le" usin( this definition" for much the same reason warriors are& .ou see" the
concept of honor which ?or(an claims is common to all warrior (roups" re(ardless of
culture! came a*out from $ery pra(matic reasons& ,ince a warrior without honor could
easily *ecome a tyrant" it is only honora*le warriors that society can trust in positions of
power&
While non5martial Jedi may not *e physically dan(erous" *ein( a Jedi sets one apart from
the crowd& ,ince Jedi see) to *ecome the most they can *ecome" they are in some sense
Nstron(erN than the a$era(e person who wastes much of his or her potential& A(ain" with
(reat power comes (reater responsi*ility& ,ociety will only trust Jedi with a stron( sense
of honor&
Cray ,ide in the Conte3t of the Code
O$er 6 decades a(o" in a (ala3y that we li$e in" there was a mo$ie that came out& #t was
called ,tar Wars& A fantasy tale ta)in( place in a hi(hly ad$anced technolo(ical settin(
thou(h *y some of the clothin( some people wore" it would *e hard to tell!" the mo$ie
would capture the ima(inations of the audience" span into a trilo(y" and a much later
arri$ed pre%uel" *illions of dollars worth of merchandise" and tons of fans callin(
themsel$es Jedi and formin( sites much li)e this one&
,tar Wars *ecame $ery popular" and spanned many *oo)s" $ideo (ames comics" and
ine$ita*ly for the people who wanted to *e Jedi" 'PCJs& There were actually two to come
out&&&the one that has recently *een put out is not the first one& # for(ot the name of the
company that produced the first one&&&when # remem*er" and if anyone cares" #Jll let you
)now&
Aow" the (uys who made the ori(inal 'PC )new %uite a *it a*out the minds of the people
who play such thin(s&&&after all" it was their *usiness& They )new that of all the people
who were (oin( to want to play as Jedi and there would *e a lot!" there would *e
*asically 9 types of peopleD
Those who wanted to *e the $irtuous Fni(hts" and would play the part throu(h and
throu(h&
Those who really wanted to a*use the Force powers cho)e fools and those with a lac) of
faith" and fry people up with that cool Force li(htnin(&
Those that wanted to ha$e their ca)e and eat it too&
Aow" for the first two (roups" it was easy settin( up their class system& #t was a no
*rainerD (i$e the (od (uys the Jedi class and set it up accordin(ly" and (i$e the *ad (uys
the ,ith class" and set that up accordin(ly& But what a*out the third (roup8 .ou FAEW
that there would *e people (oin( to (ame masters and sayin( NWell" # want to *e a Jedi"
theyJre the heroJs and theyJre cool with li(htsa*ers and the Force and stuff" #Jm down with
that& But Dar) -i(htnin( is cool man& Any way # can (et that8N or NDo # really ha$e to (o
to the dar) side Gust cause #Jm an(ry at this (uy for wipin( out my team and slicin( him to
finely cut deli meat8N
Thus" the (ame ma)ers came up with a solution& Enter the Cray Jedi" the (uys who are
Nin *etweenN" the (uys who wor) with the Nli(htN while playful courtin( the Ndar)N& The
(uys who try to ha$e the whole *uffet ta*le& Pro*lem sol$ed" *oo)s went to print" and
money was made&
Their *rainchild not only made thin(s easier and interestin( (ame wise" it also spawned
countless de*ates in (ame shops and internet forums e$erywhere" terms such as the NCray
WayN and N,hadow JediN" and the erroneous *elief that while Nli(htN Jedi are (oodie two
shoes" Crey Jedi Ndo what they ha$e toN&
Thus the ori(ins of the NCray JediN& #f you all donJt *elie$e me" #Jll find the ori(inal
source *oo) for you (uys and post the pa(e up& # )now it e3ists *ecause # read it" and to
this day # re(ret not *uyin( the thin(&
Aow" this doesnEt really ma)e the whole Cray Jedi thin( any less N$alidN than the other
stuff not unless you want to (et into canon&&&after all -ucas ne$er mentions anythin(
a*out NCray JediN&&&not once!" *ecause in the end" all of this is Gust a lot of philosophy
*ased on someone elseEs ideas&&&as well as a character class made up in an old 'PC thatJs
turned into somethin( of a Fran)ensteinEs monster& The fact of the matter is" if this stuff
wasnJt made up *y someone else" many of you (uys wouldnJt *e here now discussin( it&
#tJs really hilarious to see people ar(uin( o$er how (reat their NwayN is" or that they are
defendin( their way and *eliefs&&&when you thin) a*out it" it really isnJt your way& # mean"
if you had a particular path *efore you came here" and you simply Gust interchan(ed Jedi
terminolo(y with what you were actually wor)in( to *e" li)e a Taoist" or some )ind of
spiritual warrior" or somethin(" thatJs one thin(& But if youJre Gust ta)in( a lot of stuff that
was made up for > soon to *e < then 0! mo$ies and an 'PC" without somethin( that you
life day to day" in real life" donJt you thin) that ar(uin( all this adamantly as your Nway of
lifeN" is Gust a *it" oh # donJt )now" *om*astically idiotic8
# canJt say it isnJt entertainin( howe$er& .ou (et to seem some really funny posts *y
people" witty lines" and a few well crafted insults" not to mention some really (ood posts
on the su*Gect dotted in and out of these threads& ,till thou(h" Einstein was ri(ht a*out
one thin(D
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and !m not sure about
the former."
-et me Gust ma)e one thin( clearD # really donJt care what you call yourself& Jedi" ,ith"
Crey" ,hadow" droid" Dar) Emperor" ,t& Do(*ert&&&# couldnJt care less& The only thin(
that concerns me when you come here is if you really are (rowin(" and how you truly act&
-a*els are one thin(" *ut what is what is& .ou canJt chan(e that& This ar(uin( la*els thin(
and sayin( Nmy la*el can *eat up your la*elN" Nyou donJt )now what my la*el isN" is
ridiculous& Cray Jedi" -i(ht Jedi" Dar) Jedi" li(ht *eer" dar) *eer" root *eer&&&please& Just
drin) it and shut up&
There is much too much # can say on this topic" *ut # donJt ha$e the time" or the desire to
do that now& ,uffice to say there is a whole lot of confusion" e(otism" and stupidity
strewn a*out this particular topic and itJs nothin( new& Please peopleM letJs not turn this
into some )ind of reli(ion" with people li)e ?uslims and Christians ar(uin( on either
side of the fence" while the Jewish la*el *oth stupid& -ater on Gust li)e reli(ions weJre
(oin( to ha$e little su*(roups in the maGor (roupsD Born A(ain -i(ht ,iderJs" Palpatine
Witnesses" the Church of Oui5Con of -ucus Day ,aints& We already (ot some people
*elie$in( people li)e us are in a cultM we donJt need to (i$e them more ammunition& Just
do what wor)s for you" )now the ins and outs of it to ma)e sure itJs (ood for you" and
really )now a*out what another so called NwayN is *efore openin( your mouth a*out it"
much less ma)e it Nyour way&N And then -i$e it& #f it wor)s" fine" if not" find somethin(
*etter and shut up&
555
O)" that was pretty much it& After that it addressed other issues that arenJt important ri(ht
now&
Personally" # thin) the Jedi code essay # recently put up helps pretty much to dispel the
N(oodie5two shoes $s& Cray+,hadow JediN myth that # )eep hearin(& Aotice too" that in
the code it tal)s a*out ser$in( the Force&&&not the -i(ht side of the Force" Gust the Force&
ThatJs also somethin( to ta)e into consideration&
Also" to throw in somethin( else" # hear a*out Cray Jedi not denyin( their emotions" or
usin( them" unli)e N-i(htN Jedi who try to *e emotionless& This stems from a
misunderstandin( a*out what itJs meant *y actin( without emotion&
We are human *ein(s& @uman *ein(s are emotional *ein(s& Therefore" it is impossi*le *e
totally emotionless and *e human& Once you lose all emotions" a part of you dies& Those
without emotions usually donJt function well in some parts of life&
,o Jedi are capa*le of emotion& The )ey here lies in not lettin( emotions control them&
They ha$e to *e in control of their emotions" not the other way around&
Ao matter what you may thin)" any emotion clouds whate$er you are doin(& Those who
are ecstatic see rain*ows all day" and their actions will reflect this& Those who are an(ry
will see in red" and will find confrontation anywhere" somethin( to tear apart" and their
acts will con$ey this& These thin(s cloud whate$er is actually in front of them& There are
certain thin(s that you will not see when immersed in any emotions& Those who are
e3tremely happy will hardly notice the homeless on the (roundM itJs a *eautiful day&
Those who are enra(ed wonJt notice the %uaint *eauty in the childJs drawin( on the
frid(e& Those whose minds are clear will *e a*le to see what!s in front of them. ThatJs
what actin( without emotions means& #t is a way to )eep your mind clear so you can see
whatJs in front of you and act accordin(ly&
@ammerin( Down the Une$en Pe(
There is a *eautiful sayin( that the Japanese ha$eD NThe une$en pe( will *e hammered
down&N
They use this in reference to their social mores& The Japanese ha$e a ri(orous social
structure and e3pectations for performance and interactions& This sayin( is used
especially in elementary school" where children learn what is e3pected of them in their
society&
.ou mi(ht thin) that this Nhammerin( downN refers to use of punishments we (enerally
resort toD $er*al punishments" span)in(s" etc&
yet this is not the case& Those ways of punishment are the way of resistanceM they are the
way of confrontation" and of interaction& ,uch ways are hard and often fruitless& They
may (o on for months and months with no real effect&
,o how do you thin) this ada(e is applied8
OstraciBation&
There are times" itJs true" when Ni(nore it and it will (o awayN merely is puttin( your head
in the sand& And yet" there are other times when it is a most powerful tool&
To apply this ada(e" the unwanted *eha$ior is scorned& The teachers turn their *ac) on
the students" i(nore the *eha$ior" and do not respond to it& They do this in unison" as a
(roup& For if only one or two people do it" while the rest (i$e the *eha$ior any re(ard"
then the Nhammerin(N will fail&
# hope you ha$e all understood this $ery important lesson& To not re(ard someone in the
least sends a powerful messa(e& #t is one of the (reatest techni%ues you can learn& #
encoura(e you to thin) *efore you reply to thin(s" and see if this hammerin( mi(ht not *e
a *etter method of dealin( with a malcontent poster&
Coura(e to 'un Away
?any of us are so conditioned *y tele$ision and mo$ies that we cannot concei$e of
simply turnin( tail and runnin( for our li$es as any sort of Nhonora*leN fi(htin( strate(y&
And yet #J$e studied under some *rilliant" *ra$e" honora*le sensei 55 e$ery one of whom
has stressed runnin( from dan(er as a perfectly respecta*le fi(htin( techni%ue&
Aow" in the mo$ies we ne$er see Chuc) Aorris" Arnold ,chwarBene((er" ,te$en ,e(al"
or AA. hero runnin( away& Ao matter what the odds" e$en if theyJre outnum*ered 97 to
one" e$en if the *ad (uys ha$e (uns 55 the hero stays" he fi(hts" and he wins& Pro*lem is"
thatJs the mo$ies& ,ome*ody W'OTE a script which says the hero will win" and all those
N*ad (uysN are professional stuntmen hired to ?AFE ,U'E the hero wins&
Farate" and for that matter A-- martial arts" are *asically a form of science 55 science of
the mechanics of the *ody" and science of the mind& They also all employ the science of
strate(y 55 and in$aria*ly (ood old5fashioned common sense&
Almost from my first class" sensei ha$e told me that there is AOT@#AC no*le a*out
(ettin( the crap )ic)ed out of you in order to show youJre tou(h& That Ntou(h (uy" ta)e it
li)e a manN attitude in a doGo in$aria*ly results in much lau(hter" and comments to the
effect that allowin( yourself to (et *eat up only shows that youJre stupid&
'i(ht a*out now" # suspect that some of you are sayin(D N# could ne$er do anythin( that
cowardly&N But coura(e and cowardice are $ery relati$e terms& Who would thin) you a
coward8 The (an( of pun)s whoJ$e Gumped you so they can ha$e four5to5one odds in the
fi(ht8 Are they actin( *ra$e8 And %uite fran)ly" what do you CA'E what a pun)" or a
*unch of pun)s" thin)s8
,treet fi(htin( isnJt li)e in the mo$ies& #tJs so $icious that you can W#A and still carry
away permanent scars or inGuries&
# (uess the *ottom line is thisD Do you possess the coura(e to employ the strate(y of
runnin( away8 Or are you such a coward that you would stay and let yourself *e
murdered Gust so some pun)s who donJt )now the meanin( of the word honor wonJt thin)
youJre a chic)en8
And" if you want a ,tar Wars analo(y" in the openin( of Episode One" Oui5Con and O*i5
wan ran from the spaceship and escaped to the planet& Apparently to Jedi" runnin( away
and li$in( to win the war is more important than a pointless death&
# as)ed Carl @ennin(" a man who readily tal)ed not only of (reat $ictories *ut also of
runnin( li)e craBy to sa$e his life" if there was e$er a time when honor would re%uire you
to stay and fi(ht to the death& @e thou(ht a moment" and then said yes" if you were with
your wife or children& Under that situation" Carl said you wouldnJt want to sa$e your life
if the cost was somethin( you couldnJt *are to li$e with& Then" he said" fi(ht honora*ly"
and as hard and $iciously as you can&
Coin( with the Flow
As many of you )now" this is my first lecture in se$eral months& # ha$e had time off for
reflection after my resi(nation from the Jedi Council& This first returnin( lecture is an
attempt to $oice some insi(hts into the Force that # ha$e learned durin( my time of
seclusion&
The Force" it has *een said" is li)e a ri$er" flowin( throu(h all thin(s" *ein( the ener(y
that ma)es up e3istence" that sustains life& ,tudents and adepts of the Force are inclined
to attempt to learn to harness and control the Force" first and foremost& Throu(hout my
studies of the Force" # too ha$e had the (oal of learnin( more a*out the Force in order to
harness it" to use it to the (reatest possi*le e3tent& But # realiBed that to harness the Force
is" in many ways" to cheapen it" to lessen it from an all5encompassin( )nowled(e and
awareness of -ife to Gust a tool to *e used for whate$er purposes a Force adept may
desire& ,imply attemptin( to harness the Force is" in many ways" a path wal)ed *y the
*lind& #n truth" there is no harnessin( the Force&&& *ecause the Force is that which flows
throu(h and around us&
#t is my e3perience that nowhere is the Force felt so stron(ly" so purely as in nature&
Consider the roc)& #t has mass 5 wei(ht lent it *y the earthJs (ra$itational pull& #t also has
)inetic ener(y& A roc) may lay motionless" or dependin( upon the force e3erted on it" it
may *e propelled" thus *ecomin( a mo$in( o*Gect& The roc) is at one with the Force
*ecause of one simple reason&&& it is made up of the Force& The roc) is a product of the
Force" and is therefore constantly in harmony with the e** and flow of the Force&
@uman *ein(s" howe$er" (enerally e3ist in opposition to the Force& We are part of the
Force" *ut are constantly di$erted from the path we are destined to wal)" *y our own lac)
of *alance& The most e3perienced adept of the Force can really ha$e no more true
understandin( of the Force than the a*o$e5mentioned roc) possesses& #n fact one mi(ht
say that the roc) has an ad$anta(e *ecause the roc) merely e3ists made up of" and
empowered *y" the Force& For the roc)" there is no NwhyN" or NhowN" or e$en NwhenN or
NwhereN& The roc) Gust #,&
The maGor re$elation that # had in my seclusion is that in my %uest of learnin( to use the
Force" to control it" # had *e(un to ne(lect the fact that # already FAEW the Force&&& it is
e3istence" it is -ife and encompasses the nature of thin(s& # too) a cue from the roc)&&& it
is not necessarily the usa(e of the Force that is important" *ut the harmony that we ha$e
with it" that ma)es our connection with the Force stron(& .es" a Jedi can learn to di$ert
that stream of the Force to achie$e certain (oalsM howe$er" this di$ersion accomplishes
comparati$ely little since it realiBes only a small percenta(e of the true potential of the
Force& #n other words" the whole of a stream possesses much more ener(y than Gust a little
ri$ulet of water& 'ather than di$ert a portion of water to achie$e our tas)" it is *etter for
us to *rin( our tas) into the stream" and *e a*le to wor) with it more handily& ?any
Force adepts ha$e it *ac)wards& #t is not necessary to reach out to clutch the Force" to
(rasp the little *it your hands can reach& Why settle for a handful when you can open
your whole self to the flow and *ecome a conduit for the free5flowin( Force ener(y
rather than merely a dispenser8
#n summary" #n order to use the Force" one must first flow with the Force& #n order to
flow with the Force one must first learn to *e part of it&&& learn to come to peace with
e3istence" and the nature of e3istence& A Jedi does not fear death" a Jedi )nows only
e3istence" and the $alue of affectin( the li$in( world throu(h e3istence& One must come
into *alance with nature and into *alance with the Force" *efore learnin( to use and
control the Force& Only *y flowin( with the Force does a student truly comprehend the
Path of the Jedi& A Force Adept must not simply see) to use the Force as a tool" *ut rather
*e a tool of the Force" and flow with the stream as it flows in" throu(h and around us"
around all thin(s&
# would" of course" li)e to clarify some of my ideas& The harmony in the force which #
address in this lecture is not the same harmony of which the ,hadow Jedi spea)& # simply
spea) of truly *ecomin( )nowled(ea*le a*out the Force *y the mere act of *ein(& #t is
powerful indeed to (o out and affect peopleJs li$es" helpin( at the Food Ban)"
$olunteerin( to help those less fortunate" etc& These are all thin(s that would amount to
usin( a JfractionJ of the Force" not the whole& These are wonderful thin(s" and are the
hallmar) of a true Jedi& ?y point is simply that to use the FU-- force" we allow it to
encompass us" and encompass our li$es& #f we stay at home and lead a normal life" and
ha$e *rief flashes of (oodwill" then we are usin( part of the Force" and not usin( the full
amount of the Force& But if we allow the Force to fully en$elop us" the Force is e$ident in
all our actions" and instead of usin( flashes of the Force occasionally" we use the full
power of the Force in all thin(s& A Jedi does not need charity to do (ood" we use the
simple act of *ein( to ha$e a positi$e effect on the world&
Destiny and Freewill
#& Destiny 5 #s there a plan and purpose for the world" for Creation" for life8
To answer this" we must address this much li)e a Ceometry theorem and pro$e this as a
postulate& -etJs start with our Ci$enD a Creati$e Power does e3ist" which is itself
uncreated and eternal& Which is possessed of intelli(ence and foresi(ht& Belief in this is
essential in order to mo$e forward&
"roof #$ 5 Aature& Aature mo$es in set cycles and follows set natural and physical laws
which (o$ern it& Each li$in( thin( on earth has its own set lifespan and is interdependent
upon the others& Plants pollinate" sprout and (row" to *e eaten *y her*i$ores" which are
then preyed upon *y carni$ores& The planets spin on their a3es in set formations" at
precise an(les" which ne$er $ary& The stars (o throu(h life cycles of their own" and the
Cosmic Dance has a set pattern of steps&
"roof #% 5 E$olution as tau(ht in schools" namely macroe$olution" or the NBi( Ban(
theoryN amon( other thin(s" is hi(hly impro*a*le& This can *e pro$en *y an e3tensi$e
treatise on physics and *iochemistry see yfiles&com if you want some neat papers on
this!& @owe$er" for reasons of *re$ity" letJs Gust say that the odds a(ainst the Bi( Ban(
theory are not Gust lon(" *ut astronomical& E$olution maintains that the purpose of all life
is to e$ol$e from its present state into somethin( more ad$anced and more a*le to
sur$i$e& To that end" life pic)s up and adapts sur$i$al mechanisms which may ha$e *een
disco$ered and de$eloped" and passes them (enetically to each (eneration& Correct8 .es"
on a limited scale& ?icroe$olution occurs %uite often within a species" allowin( for
(rowth and adapta*ility& We see some interestin( mutations in order for certain species to
sur$i$e in certain areas or en$ironments& The Creati$e Power set thin(s up" for e3ample"
so that lions remain lions" *ut lions mi(ht" if they li$ed on snow5co$ered mountains"
de$elop a thic)er coat and a white camoufla(e coat& -oo) at the wonderful di$ersity of
human *ein(s" from the dar)5s)inned African" whose increased melanin dar) s)in!
allows for optimal sun e3posure" to the stoc)y Es)imo whose slow meta*olism and
relati$ely hi(h fat ratio allow sur$i$al in the *itter cold& @owe$er" all life stic)s to the
templates" and stays interdependent upon each other& We see no cross5*reedin( of species
in any *ranch of *iolo(y& All thin(s in nature remain in *alance" and act accordin( to
their set function" i&e& lions hunt" )ill and eat prey& This is not chance" not coincidence&
This is the product of an omniscient" far5si(hted #ntelli(ence which planned all thin(s
*efore actually *rin(in( them into e3istence&
"roof #& 5 Why human *ein(s8 Why us8 Face it" you run into people e$erywhere you (o&
Ao escapin( that& ,o why are we here8 E$ery culture has a Creation myth& Each culture
has predominant philosophies to e3plain the fact 5 *ut these are only parts of the story&
-etJs loo) at the nature of this Creati$e Power& Why would the uni$erse *e created as it
has *een8 Well" not to *rin( reli(ion into it" *ut loo)in( at the relationships *etween
human *ein(s" we can see that one fundamental need of humanity is a need for lo$e"
companionship and a return of lo$e (i$en& One philosophy states that the Creati$e Power
was lonely and wanted companions& To that end" human *ein(s were made in the that
ima(e" each with a spar) of the Creati$e Power in them& And to human *ein(s was (i$en
the tas) of populatin( the earth and *ein( (ood stewards of creation 5 that is" usin( it
wisely&
"roof #' 5 Creati$e power& #f you dou*t the power of our words" loo) at what effect a
compliment produces on a sullen" sad person& They smile and *ri(hten immediately& OF"
perhaps not much" *ut the chan(e is there& Or loo) at what hurt and dama(e a cuttin("
sarcastic remar) can cause& #f you dou*t the power of our dreams" loo) at the TaG ?ahal"
or the ,tatue of -i*erty& Or at the pu*lic li*rary system Andrew Carne(ie esta*lished& #f
you dou*t the power of our deeds" loo) at what ci$iliBations human hands ha$e wrou(ht
o$er the centuries from natural resources" hard wor)" and determination& A(ain" we each
ha$e a spar) of Creati$e Power within us& We come to earth to co5create with the
Creati$e Power to *rin( a*out that which has *een fashioned on the spiritual plane into
e3istence here on the physical& Each of us has a set Plan" a purpose" for our li$es& We
come to earth to learn" to (row" to e3perience" and to de$elop spiritually& To that end" we
choose our (enetic characteristics" our families and friends" our challen(es and o*stacles
and so forth& #n other words" we are creatin( oursel$es as well as the world around us&
##& Free Will 5 DonJt we ma)e our own choices8
OF" so we ha$e a set reason for our e3istence" and a specific purpose in our li$es& And
Creation follows an o$erall plan& Why all the foul5ups8 We ha$e read the @olocrons& And
we ha$e found out a little *it a*out each other at the Force Academy" and in our day5to5
day li$es8 Why do some people learn and (row from their challen(es" their pain" their
e3periences" and others allow their pain and hatred to fester and (row" e$entually
consumin( them8
To answer this" we must loo) a(ain at the spar) of Creati$e Power within us& This
Creati$e Power includes the power of choice& All life is a series of choices" and the
pro(ress of our li$es depends on the conse%uences of the choices we ma)e& -oo) at the
template of our li$es as a tree& There are many *ranches and many lea$es on the tree 5
many ways in which to (et to the top" *ut the tree (rows in the same (eneral direction"
and remains a tree" no matter what part of it you happen to *e loo)in( at at any point in
your clim*&
This choice 5 conse%uence phenomena" or if A then B" follows a law" not of physics" *ut
of the spiritual& -i)e attracts li)e& Our words and actions create ener(y" which can *e
either positi$e or ne(ati$e& The ener(ies we create attract li)e ener(ies to it" and to us&
.ou see this in the )ind of people we attract around us& Positi$e intentions and thou(hts
attract positi$e ener(ies" and positi$e people 5 and (reat wor)s can *e accomplished&
-i)ewise the opposite is true& We ha$e all seen people in the paralyBin( (rip of ne(ati$e
ener(ies such as fear and depression which stifle any action they mi(ht ta)e for chan(e&
?any philosophies and schools of thou(ht reco(niBe the importance of #ATEAT#OA in
our words and actions" in order to achie$e a desired effect&
-i)ewise" li)e spreads li)e& This is also )nown as the ripple effect& Our words and actions
create ne(ati$e and positi$e ener(ies& These spread outward and impact others" who in
their turn spread and impact" and so forth& Each act of )indness" lo$e" Goy and so forth we
do touches another" who in turn shows )indness to others" and so on and on& -i)ewise" an
act of an(er" hurt" a((ression" fear and so on spreads pain and hurt to others" who spread
it to others in their turn& .ou may ha$e heard the statement NThe do( )ic)s the do( )ic)s
the do(&&&N This is certainly true&
Each of us has the power to stop the spread of the ripples" to chan(e and redirect the flow
of ener(y& This can *e done *y counterin( an act of ne(ati$e ener(y with one of positi$e
ener(y" or $ice $ersa& We learn in chemistry that opposite polarities neutraliBe each other&
@owe$er" in the spiritual realm" and on this plane" the ener(ies *alance each other" and
they carry lessons to their creators& We can show others the power of lo$e" a(ape" *y
li$in( this lo$e& Aot easy" *ut $ery effecti$e when done in a proper manner usin( the
three *ranches in *alance& -i)ewise" we can learn much from someone who does us a
hurt *y studyin( them" studyin( their moti$ations" understandin( where they are comin(
from and wor)in( with them throu(h compassion not pity" *ut acti$e" carin(
compassion! to help them to learn" (row and e$en heal& To spread the li(ht of the Jedi to
all around us&
###& Faith
Belie$e it or not" this concept is what ties destiny and free will to(ether& We all accept the
fact that there is a Force" which cannot *e accessed throu(h the fi$e senses& There is no
actual scientific proof that the Force e3ists" yet it is a palpa*le reality to all Force adepts&
Aot all people can feel the Force" and for those who cannot feel or sense the Force" the
Force does not e3ist& Faith is the *elief in somethin( that cannot *e pro$en& Faith is
trustin( that there is a Plan and purpose for our li$es& Thin) of the Plan a(ain operatin( in
our li$es as a tree& Each decision that you ma)e is a *ranch on the tree& The tree remains a
tree the *asic template for your life! *ut the *ranches of free will pro$ide you with an
infinite num*er of ways of e3plorin( that tree and e$ol$in(&
Alon( with faith (oes intention& We choose to ha$e faith" Gust as we choose e$erythin(
else that we do" e$erythin( else that we are" in our li$es& #f you say N# choose to *e a JediN
and ha$e faith in your Path to re$eal itself" and ha$e faith in yourself to do the necessary
wor) and (rowth" to meet the necessary challen(es" that is (ood& @owe$er" if you do not
ha$e the proper intentions 5 a desire to help others" a desire to learn and to (row" to see)
)nowled(e for its own sa)e and not Gust to earn a title or a ran) 5 all else is lost& .ou ha$e
heard the statement N.ou are what you eatN many times& -i)ewise" you are what you
T@#AF 5 what you *elie$e yourself to *e&
#t is important to mention that" while faith and the accompanyin( intention are needed to
pro(ress" all that is really re%uired to start down the Path is an open mind and a
willin(ness to e3plore and suspend dis*elief until you can Npro$eN to yourself that the
Force is NrealN su*Gecti$ely at least!& ?any people who start on the spiritual path with a
$ery healthy cynicism and %uestionin( attitude ha$e to (et )noc)ed *ac) on their heels a
few times *efore any faith de$elops& The Uni$erse has a tendency to re(ard s)eptics with
amusement&
The path a Jedi follows can *e lon(" lonely and often e3tremely difficult& At times you
will feel un*eara*le pain and e3treme fear& .ou may *ecome depressed at times& .ou
will come to a point where you must face and accept your Dar) ,ide and your
wea)nesses as well as your stren(ths& .ou will come to a deeper )nowled(e of yourself
than you thou(ht possi*le& This is not meant to scare you& Only to instruct& Ao matter
what the o*stacles we face" the end result remains the same& To (et to our (oal" we must
face and (et past the o*stacles& And faith is the ultimate tool to allow us to do this
successfully&
?ay the Force *e with you" and may you rest in the lo$e and care of the Di$ine&
-oyalty
Ae$er dou*t that a small (roup of thou(htful" committed citiBens can chan(e the worldM
indeed" itJs the only thin( that e$er has&N
5?ar(aret ?ead
One of the (reatest attri*utes of human nature that seems to *e lea$in( us alto(ether is
loyalty& There was once a time in which we *ou(ht our (oods" did our Go*s" and li$ed our
li$es *ased on this principle& # do not want what # am sayin( to *e in any way
misconstrued& # am not ad$ocatin( (oin( *ac) to Jthe (ood old days&J There is no such
creature& # do" howe$er" *elie$e $ery stron(ly that we as an or(aniBation need to a*ide *y
principles that (o *eyond the *oundaries of reli(ion" common decency" or e$en desire to
help our nei(h*or" whether that nei(h*or is ri(ht ne3t door" or thousands of miles away
and communicatin( to us *y computer&
-oyalty is a *i( commodity these days& There are courses tau(ht to *i( *usiness on how
to ma)e loyal customers and loyal employees& There are cards that (rocery stores use to
trac) customer loyalty and *uyin( ha*its& There are professional spea)ers who will spea)
to or(aniBations and *usiness on the importance of loyalty& The incredi*le thin( is" all of
this loyalty that they spea) of is loyalty that will hopefully result in personal (ain of the
person payin( the *ill& The most ironic thin( of all is that most of these or(aniBations
WOU-D ha$e loyal customers and loyal employees if T@E. were loyal to their
customers and employees& Where loyalty for personal (ain is concerned" yes" the sayin(
is trueD what (oes around certainly does come around&
,o" what is so important a*out loyalty8 Josiah 'oyce once said" NUnless you can find
some sort of loyalty" you cannot find unity and peace in your acti$e li$in(&N #n many
ways" loyalty is the crown Gewel of e$erythin( we hold dear& #t crosses all *oundaries"
transcends all philosophies" and in the end" is one of the stron(est foundational *ases for
all ethical *elief systems& # would li)e to consider three areas of loyaltyD loyalty to
oursel$es" loyalty in relationships and loyalty to commitments&
Before we can *e(in to comprehend what it means to *e loyal to others" we must first
)now and understand loyalty to oursel$es& There is a life5lon( pro(ression that ta)es
place to de$elop this& These steps follow us throu(h our life and at times are present
alone" and at times are present to(ether& At times one aspect is prominent o$er others" and
at times they are fairly well *alanced& As the cares of life come as *umps in the road" our
reactions to them can often result in a chan(e in the aspects of personal loyalty&
First" our *asic human needs must *e met& We need shelter" food" warmth" someone to
lo$e" etc& O*$iously" from *irth this aspect is always with us& ,econdly" after *asic needs"
our $iews are important to us& Cenerally" our $iews will *e a matter of personal loyalty at
first in ways that conform to a chosen standard& This chosen standard can *e a reli(ion" a
philosophy or adamant stand a(ainst a chosen set of conformin( *eliefs& #t is ironic that
those who fi(ht the *attle for the non5traditional and non5conformin( end up 97 years
later with traditions and philosophies all their own& Thirdly" after *asic needs and *asic
*eliefs are met" (enerally we see) to *ranch out and determine those areas in which we
can find uni%ue slants and ma)e our mar) on the world&
-oyalty in relationships means considerin( the needs" *eliefs and uni%ue %ualities of
those who ha$e a special place in our li$es& Woodrow Wilson once saidD -oyalty means
nothin( unless it has at its heart the a*solute principle of self5sacrifice& Wow" here is the
Bin(erL #t would seem then that this would contradict that fact that we ha$e a loyalty to
oursel$es& ,o" how is this not the case8 Balance& We must *alance our need to *e loyal to
our own needs" desires" $iews and uni%ue %ualities with those with whom our li$es are
wo$en&
This is particularly true of the relationship of marria(e& # ha$e often heard it put this way&
?arria(e is not a <7+<7 relationshipM it is a /77+/77 relationship& Each mem*er *rin(s
their whole self into it and has full partnership in the relationship& While we cannot say
the same of *rother+sister or child+parent relationships" many of the principles still apply&
#n considerin( our loyalty in relationships" we can first consider the emotional *ond that
*rin(s us to(ether in life& #n some cases" as in marria(e" or lon(5term domestic
relationships" these *onds are chosen& #n others" such as our *iolo(ical families" these are
formed from our early sta(es of de$elopment& -et me Gust say here" that # realiBe that we
all come from different *ac)(rounds and # want to *e $ery sensiti$e to the fact that not all
chosen or *iolo(ical relationships ha$e had an outcome that fostered a stron( emotional
*ond& #t is unfortunate when acts of $iolence and se3ual a*use force us to *rea) this
emotional *ond& # feel $ery stron(ly for those who ha$e *een throu(h an e3perience such
as this and do not mean to indicate that one ?U,T ha$e a relationship with an a*usi$e
parent" spouse or other family mem*er& The purpose of this tal) is not to draw out
specific e3amples" *ut to ma)e us all aware of the *asic principles of loyalty and how it is
played out in our li$es&
The second step after the emotional *ond is the functional role that the person plays in
our life& O*$iously" throu(hout different sta(es of our li$es" different people will ha$e the
most important role& For e3ample" when we are children" our parents may ta)e the most
important role& When we marry" our spouse may ta)e the most important role" and so on&
@ere is where this (ets a little confusin(& # do not want to confuse what # am sayin( here
a*out loyalty with another dynamic in our li$es55 incenti$e& -oyalty in this situation says"
# am with you" here for you etc&" *ecause& And you ha$e to fill in the *lan)& #ncenti$e
says" whatJs in it for me8 -etJs not (et the two confused& As we loo) at these two le$els of
loyalty in our relationships" we can see that there is the potential for *oth Ja*soluteJ
loyalty and loyalty that is merely for our own con$enience& The *alance then" must *e to
determine the percenta(e of self5sacrifice to that of loo)in( out for our own interests&
And there may *e times in which (i$in( in to the other person will actually ha$e an
outcome that ser$es the hi(her (ood *etter in the lon( run&
The third area that we must consider is loyalty to commitment& What is really the core
here is honesty and inte(rity" with *oth others and oursel$es& #nte(rity means tryin( e$en
if you thin) you ha$e failed& #t means" (i$in( your all e$en when that is difficult to do& #t
means doin( what is ri(ht and decent and fair" e$en when e$eryone else has (i$en up on
those $irtues& @onesty means see)in( to li$e *y the truth no matter where that truth leads
us& #t means *ein( truthful to self and others& -oyalty to commitment 5 what DOE, it
mean8 # often hear in my line of wor) a statement from people that (oes somethin( li)e
thisD IZ num*er of years a(o # could come into your *an) and as) for a loan and the
officer would fill out a piece of paper and # would (o to the teller and (et the cash& Aow"
we ha$e to (o throu(h all this red tape&J Others put it this wayD # can remem*er a time
when a handsha)e meant somethin(& ?y dear friends" that red tape is the thermometer
that (au(es our health as a people" a wider community& ,omethin( has chan(ed in recent
years and it has not Gust *een the underwritin( policies at *an)s& -oyalty to our
commitments is such an important aspect of this" *ecause it affects us all& # hear people so
often state" What happens *ehind closed doors *etween two people has no effect on me&
# am not here to promote any particular set of $alues" $irtues or *eliefs& @owe$er" # will
say this& The way we as mem*ers of the human race carry out our loyalty to commitment"
the way we e3ercise our honesty and inte(rity DOE, ha$e ripplin( effects on all of us&
We see it in the *an)in( e3ample a*o$e& #t could easily *e stated that *oth sides of that
handsha)e ha$e chan(ed& We see it in the hi(h prices in stores to ma)e up for those who
steal& And we see it in the Ndum*in( downN of our society as more and more turn away
from their commitments to what they *elie$e" and turn away from entertainment that
fosters *eauty and the arts& #nstead" they turn toward ta*loid ma(aBines and tele$ision
shows li)e Jerry ,prin(er" which always ta)e us to the lowest common denominator"
rather than liftin( us up to hi(her standards& We as a society" a culture" and a world lie to
oursel$es if we feel we can continually su*Gect oursel$es to that in the name of
entertainment and maintain loyalty" honesty and inte(rity&
As we mo$e into this new century and new millennium" let us ma)e a commitment to
*rin( *ac) to its ri(htful place this important principle" loyalty& For many" these ideas
will stretch us out of our comfort Bone& @owe$er" to do (reat thin(s we must thin) and
act li)e (reat people& # ha$e heard it put this way" There are no traffic Gams on the e3tra
mile& # close with thisD ?adison ,arratt" former president of 1ander*ilt Uni$ersity once
said" NToday # am (oin( to (i$e you two e3aminations" one in tri(onometry and one in
honesty& # hope you will pass them *oth" *ut if you must fail one" let it *e tri(onometry"
for there are many (ood people in this world today who cannot pass an e3amination in
tri(onometry" *ut there are no (ood people in the world who cannot pass an e3amination
in honesty&N -oyalty to our commitments means *ein( honest with oursel$es" and doin(
the ri(ht thin( a*out it&
Eastern Wisdom
The ,a)ya N(ray earthN! school is one of the four maGor *ranches of Ti*etan
Buddhism" named after the ,a)ya ?onastery founded in /7=9& Of the fi$e (reat
,a)ya (uru5lamas who li$ed in Ti*et *etween /746 and /627" ,a)ya PanditaJs
erudition em*raced all worldly and reli(ious disciplines& @is translations
of early Buddhist te3ts from the ,ans)rit made him )nown in #ndia and also
?on(olia" where one of the (randsons of Cen(his Fhan" Altan Fahn" in$ited
,a)ya Pandita to $isit him& The efforts of ,a)ya Pandita to teach the Fhan
and the ?on(ols! Buddhist philosophy" ethics and lo(ic were so successful
that the Fhan conferred rulership of all Central Asia upon the ,a)ya school
in /6>4&
,a)ya PanditaJs NA Jewel Treasury of Cood Ad$iceN is one of his most
important wor)s& #t has *een called a Nprofound" down5to5earth" and
practical (uide to the art of li$in( as a wise and (ood human *ein(&N
Aumerous Ti*etans ha$e drawn from it inspiration and (uidance in the conduct
of their li$es& #n has *een e3tensi$ely studied *y scholars and has *ecome
one of the most hi(hly $alued te3ts *y all the Buddhist traditions of Ti*et&
555555555
,alutation to the Buddha
The supreme (ods" the na(a )in(s" adepts" )nowled(e holders"
The (reat ascetics A)shapada and Balmi)i" and so forth"
All paid homa(e with pleasin( *eGeweled crown ornamentsD
,o also we prostrate to the omniscient leader of sentient *ein(s&
When analysis is done ri(ht" (ainin( e3cellence
throu(h all temporal deeds and proper spiritual methods
Corresponds to how the sa(es practiceM
this teachin( is thus! NA Jewel Treasury of Cood Ad$ice&N
Ordinary Wisdom
,a)ya PanditaJs Treasury of Cood Ad$ice
An E3amination of the Wise
/
The wise who nourish a treasury of (ood %ualities
Cather to themsel$es precious (ood ad$ice&
The (reat ocean is a treasury of ri$ers
To which all runnin( waters descend&
6
People may or may not *e )nowled(ea*le" *ut
The wise are Gudicious in what to do and what to a$oid&
A ma(netic stone is a*le to e3tract
#ron filin(s that are mi3ed in with dust&
9
,)illed in (ood ad$ice" the wise )now"
But foolish people do not&
When the radiance of the sun appears"
Owls *ecome *lind&
>
The wise can eradicate faults"
But the foolish cannot&
The (aruda colorful oneL! can )ill poisonous sna)es"
But crows cannot&
<
When the $ery wise *ecome destitute
Their intelli(ence (rows e$en stron(er&
When the )in( of *easts *ecomes hun(ry
#t swiftly attac)s the elephantJs head&
0
Until the learned are thorou(hly %uestioned"
Their depth cannot *e assessed&
Until a drum is *eaten *y drumstic)s"
#ts distinction from other drums is un)nown&
=
E$en if one is to die the ne3t mornin(" today one must study&
Thou(h one may not *ecome a sa(e in this life"
Fnowled(e is safely deposited for future li$es"
Just as riches safely deposited can later *e reclaimed&
2
When a person possesses (ood %ualities"
Others spontaneously (ather around&
The fra(rant flower may *e distant"
But *ees are drawn li)e (atherin( clouds&
4
A sin(le wise person who has fully de$eloped
All (ood %ualities illumines the earth&
But the mean5spirited" li)e stars"
E$en when numerous" cannot illuminate&
/7
Althou(h the wise ha$e immeasura*le learnin("
They still em*race the lesser )nowled(e of others&
By means of continuously practicin( thus"
They %uic)ly proceed to omniscience&
//
Thou(h enemies are numerous" when the wise
Are protected *y wisdom" how can they *e harmed8
,in(le5handedly" the Brahmin *oy of UGGayini Triumphed o$er an entire assem*ly of
foes&
AoteD the *oy used his in(enuity to *ecome Fin(" and
his period of rule was called NProtection *y the One of Wisdom&N!
/6
When offensi$e tal) from small minds creates %uarrels"
The wise s)illfully restore harmony&
The ri$erJs tur*ulence muddies the water"
But the spar)lin( water5Gewel purifies it&
/9
@owsoe$er the wise *ecome destitute"
They do not ta)e the path of fools&
E$en if thirsty" *irds who cra$e rain
Will not drin) water fallen to the (round&
/>
E$en if the wise are decei$ed"
They are not confused a*out what they do&
Althou(h ants are si(htless"
They are speedier than creatures with eyes&
/<
When two wise people en(a(e in discussion"
Further worthy wisdom can arise&
By mi3in( turmeric with *ora3"
Another color is produced&
/0
The no*le wise ones who ha$e (athered merit
Will *e $ictorious o$er all" e$en if they stand alone&
The lion" )in( of *easts" and uni$ersal monarchs
@a$e no need of allies for their rule&
/=
When s)illed in method" why should it *e hard
To employ e$en the (reat as ser$ants8
The (aruda" thou(h $ery powerful
#s ridden *y the (olden5clad one&
/2
Wisdom is what achie$es happiness
#n *oth this and future li$es&
Prince CandraJs wisdom protected Fin( ,udasa
#n his lifetime and in those to come&
/4
Thou(h people may *e $ery *ra$e and stron("
Without wisdom they cannot *ecome heroes&
Thou(h people may *ecome wealthy"
Without $irtues how can their wealth endure8
67
Distinct (ood and *ad are clear to all"
But the wise distin(uish them when mi3ed
Anyone can ta)e mild from the cow"
But swans separate mil) from water&
The Ei(ht5Fold Path
@ere is the Ei(htfold PathD
/& Correct understandin(& Without a proper understandin( of the nature of our pro*lems
we are lost& #t is essential that we loo) deeply into our moti$es and needs&
6& Correct thin)in(& ?uch of what passes for thou(ht is in fact preconception and
misunderstandin( *ased on preGudice& To thin) properly demands o*Gecti$ity and a settled
purpose to achie$e a solution&
9& Correct speech& #t is essential to refrain from un)ind (ossip and lyin( and to culti$ate
ways of communication which are constructi$e and creati$e&
>& Correct conduct& To a$oid *ein( destructi$e" cruel and dishonest" we must li$e up to
our promises" do what we say we will and act in such a way that the world *enefits&
<& Correct $ocation& To harm others *y oneJs occupation or to ta)e ad$anta(e of them is
destructi$e& #n our day" with so much harm *ein( done to the en$ironment *y careless"
heedless ways of li$in(" itJs hard to say what the correct $ocation is" *ut each person
should consider their carefully&
0& Correct effort& This is the ener(y and will to (et on with oneJs wor)" not *e deflected
more than one can help" and to *e constant in oneJs determination to tread the path&
=& Correct alertness& The (oal of this step is to culti$ate proper attention and awareness so
that one is in control of oneJs actions& #t is capturin( the attention and *rin(in( it to *ear
on what is happenin( now" at this moment" without memories and anticipations to cloud
the scene" so that one sees thin(s as they really are in a sharp and clear consciousness&
2& Correct concentration& This is practiced durin( meditation& #t is a form of mind trainin(
in which thou(ht is persuaded to die down alto(ether and a tran%uil one5pointed ness is
encoura(ed" which is usually accompanied *y feelin(s of Goy and well *ein(& Then these
feelin(s themsel$es are allowed to die away so that all that remains is a clear
transcendent awareness&
XiYThese steps lead to insi(ht into oneJs fundamental nature" said the Buddha" and they
*rin( a*out four su*lime states 55 *ene$olence" compassion" Goyous sympathy and
e%uanimity&X+iY JBe not afraid of (ood actions" *rethren& #t is another name for happiness"
for what is desire" *elo$ed" dear and deli(htful 55 this word N(ood actionsN&J The ei(htfold
path is the *est of all paths" the four truths the *est of all truths& Freedom from cra$in( is
the *est state" and the one who has eyes to see is the *est person& This is the no*le path"
the way which leads to freedom from delusion" to clarity& The one who sees this path and
follows it comes to the end of sorrow&
The Four Ao*le Truths
NCarl Jun( once said that almost all the psycholo(ical pro*lems *rou(ht to him were
*asically reli(ious ones& People *elie$e that the Jworld of the *orn" created" made and
formedJ is all there is" and their i(norance of the Jun*orn and uncreatedJ causes them to
clin( to all that is material" and to drown the hopelessness of this attitude in all sorts of
addictions&
#n response to this e3istential dilemma" the Buddha carefully laid out a path of (rowin(
awareness which would ta)e the follower as (radually as he or she wised to a deeper
understandin( of e3istence& Aothin( in this path depends on *eliefM all can *e disco$ered
*y the senses" and thus there is no moment at which reassurance is not present&
First he (a$e four statements a*out human e3istence" which are )nown in Buddhism as
the Four Ao*le Truths& #n a similar way to a doctor" he stated first the presence of an
illness in humanityM second the nature of that illnessM third that it can *e cured" and fourth
the way to cure it&
These are the Four Ao*le TruthsD
/& -ife as we ordinarily li$e it is often full of unhappiness& As well as the pain of *irth"
old a(e" sic)ness and death" there is separation" (rief and despair& At a less intense le$el
there is an(er" resentment and frustration" which often fill our minds to the e3clusion of
anythin( else&
6& The main cause of such unhappiness is cra$in( 55 cra$in( for pleasure" cra$in( for
indi$idual e3istence and cra$in( for release from our present situation&
9& ,uch cra$in( can *e transcended& We can li*erate oursel$es from the demands of the
insatia*le e(o and find a way of life which leads to a supreme happiness" Air$ana&
>& That way of life consists in ei(ht steps" )nown in Buddhism as the Ei(htfold Path&
They who ta)e refu(e in the Way and Gourney with those who follow it" clearly see the
four (reat truths& ,ufferin(" the cause of sufferin(" the ceasin( of sufferin( and the
ei(htfold path that leads to the end of sufferin(& Then at last they find safety& They are
deli$ered from sufferin( and are free&N
Earth Force" ?artial Arts and Taoism
First" to (et N*rute forceN out of the way" this really isnJt a martial arts term& Brute force"
in any form" is (enerally used as an e3pression for relyin( upon unthin)in( physical
stren(th" as opposed to utiliBin( your mind& #t usually has ne(ati$e implications" implyin(
a lac) of intelli(ence or wits&
To understand Earth Force" you need to ha$e a (rasp of Taoism& Tao" meanin( Nthe path N
or Nthe way"N is $iewed as lyin( *eyond e3istence AAD none3istenceM thin) of it as the
NForceN *ehind the Bi( Ban(" and you *e(in to understand the si(nificance of Tao to
those who accept this philosophy&
Earth Force" in Taoism" reflects the Chinese Tao $iew that the fundamental component of
Tao is ener(y 55 Chi or Fi pronounced Chee or Fee" as # in most Asian lan(ua(es is
sounded as a lon( E!&
This is at the heart of .in and .an(" the $iew that the uni$erse is composed of opposite"
yet complimentary" forces 55 male and female" li(ht and dar)" hot and cold" hard and soft"
ad infinitum& #t is the constant transformations *etween the separate forces that (i$e the
uni$erse *ein( *et you didnJt )now a %uestion a*out Earth Force would lead to
somethin( this complicated" did you8L!&
Taoists applied this philosophy to the Nreal world"N and came up with a philosophy of
NEarth Force"N composed of elements& Unli)e the Cree) philosophers" who de$eloped
similar concepts" *ut from an e3ternal perspecti$e" i&e& elements as a*solute" static
Nthin(sNM in Taoism" elements are fluid and multi5dimensional&
The fi$e elements of Tao areD Earth" Water" Fire" ?etal and Wood 55 %uite similar to the
early western concepts of elements& @owe$er" Tao assi(ns NnaturesN to elements almost
li)e personality traitsL!" and states that elements react accordin( to their nature& Water" for
e3ample" is flowin(" mo$in( and chan(in(& #t (i$es us life and yet can e3tin(uish a fire&
#Jm sure youJ$e heard of martial arts references to water" and how it is fluid and can adopt
any shape as needed& This is an e3ample of Taoistic Earth Force philosophy as it is
applied to martial arts& ThereJs more to this philosophy" *ut # thin) this at least starts to
e3plain how Earth Force relates to martial arts&
@ere are a few %uotes that mi(ht helpD
N?an when li$in( is soft and tender" when dead he is hard and tou(h&&& the hard and tou(h
are parts of deathM the soft and tender are parts of life&&& the tree when it is too tou(h will
*rea)& The position of the stron( and (reat is low" and the position of the wea) and tender
is hi(h&N -ao TBu X
@ereJs another way of sayin( this" which #Jm sure youJ$e heard" *ut pro*a*ly didnJt )now
represented Taoist philosophyD
NA mi(hty oa) tree and a small willow (rew side *y side& The oa) was proud and
arro(ant" and often insulted the willow" claimin( J# am stout and stron(& # yield *efore no
one& .ou are wea)" and *end in the softest *reeBe&J
NOne day a (iant wind storm *lew across the land" en$elopin( the two trees& The oa)
stood solid and unyieldin( *efore the wind" *ut it was to stron( for him" and he *ro)e and
fell to the (round& But the supple little willow tree *ent effortlessly in the face of the
wind" and no matter how hard the wind *lew" the willow tree *ent and flowed with it 55
and so the wind had no effect on the willow& #n time the wind died down" lea$in( the
willow untouched" and the mi(hty oa) *ro)en and dead&N
+V
+ V
+ V Fu 5 1oid
V +
V +
+555555V
+ V Fu 5 Wind
V +
V[[[[[+
!
+ V
+ V Fa 5 Fire
+ V
+ V
+ V
\ [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ \
\ \
\ [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ \
+ V
+ V
+ V
+ V
+ V ,ui 5 Water
+ V
V +
V +
V +
V +
V +
V +
[[[[[[[[[[[[ V[[[[[ + [[[[[[[[[[[[
\ \
\ \
\ \
\ \ Chi 5 Earth
\ \
\[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[\
,hadow Jedi -ectures
#nner Balance
#nner Balance& As ,hadows" this is a $ery *asic concept we tend to rely on a lot& But what
is it8
To put it simply" itJs what happens when the aspects of the self mind" *ody" and spirit!
wor) to(ether in harmony& This is where inner *alance is deri$ed from" at any rate&
-etJs *rea) that down real %uic)& We may not all a(ree on this" *ut the way # see it" there
are three *asic aspects of the self& There is the mind" which is where thou(hts and
emotions ta)e place& ThereJs the *ody" which is totally physical" *ut responds to stimuli
from the mind" actin( on thou(hts or emotional impulses& And then thereJs the spirit" or
soul" which" in a way" powers the *ody and the mind& #t is my *elief" and seems to *e the
(eneral consensus" that the soul ]#,] the true self& We can ma)e these three aspects wor)
to(ether in harmony" or we can (o on li)e we do" )eepin( them separate&
The )ey to ma)in( these *asic aspects wor) to(ether is de$elopin( them at the same time&
That is to say" do not ne(lect the de$elopment of one while specialiBin( in the other& #
would stron(ly ad$ise that" if at all possi*le" one would loo) into some physical acti$ity& #
tend to prefer martial arts" which seems to *e predominant" *ut e$en tennis" aero*ics" or
(olf would wor)& ?ost physical acti$ities li)e this tend to not only help you de$elop your
physical aspect" *ut also the mind" throu(h focus and concentration&
The mind can further *e de$eloped" o*$iously" throu(h learnin(& Pic) up a *oo) on
philosophy" or some (reat piece of literature" or e$en a decent science fiction or fantasy
*oo)& Anytime you read" you e3pand your mind& Or" ta)e a wal) throu(h the woods"
ma)e o*ser$ations" and try to learn from that& There are any num*er of thin(s you can do
to wor) on de$elopment of the mind& # )now the $ast maGority of students here are also
still in hi(h school or colle(e" *ut if youJre not" # would thin) that ta)in( a class of some
)ind would pro$e enrichin(&
The spiritual aspect is a little tou(her to e3pand upon" *ecause we all ha$e different
*eliefs& ,ome of us are Christian" some are Buddhist" some refuse to affiliate themsel$es
with any reli(ion at all& There is a fundamental difference *etween reli(ion and
spirituality" *ut thatJs a discussion for another time& The point is" we all ha$e our own
*eliefs& Coin( to your church" your temple" your syna(o(ue&&&whiche$er&&&as lon( as you
(et somethin( out of it" instead of (oin( Gust to *e (oin(" youJre de$elopin( your spiritual
side& ?editation also helps %uite a *it" and ties in nicely with the de$elopment of mental
focus&
These are only e3amples of ways to achie$e inner *alance& There is no one set way to do
it& # canJt (uarantee youJll immediately reco(niBe inner *alance when you find it& #t wonJt
ma)e lifeJs pro*lems (o away& But it will (i$e you a new perspecti$e on them" and allow
you to deal with them more effecti$ely& That is the main purpose of inner *alance&
#nstead of panic)in( *ecause some set*ac) has occurred" you should *e a*le to loo) at it
in a less emotional way" and see what you can do a*out it" or e$en determine ]#F]
anythin( should *e done a*out it& From there" inner *alance will lead to e3ternal *alance&
'eality" Truth" Perception and Balance
This lecture will e3pound on the first three #deas of the ,hadow Jedi that # wrote& These
ha$e to do with 'eality" Truth" Perception" and Balance& As we mo$e more into the Ten
#deas of the ,hadow Jedi" # will *e e3panded this to co$er other su*Gects" such as the
Force" 'eality ,hifts" Uni$ersal Ener(y" and the Ten ,tatements of a ,hadow Jedi&
To understand the ideas *ehind reality" you first must understand what reality is& 'eality
is not an a*solute settin( in which e$eryone e3ists& 'eality is" rather" a simple path" a path
which you wal) on& #t is a path that you pa$e yourself" as if you are trail*laBin(& The
Uni$erse as we all )now it is created *y the paths of e$eryone *ein( mi3ed to(ether&
E$ery person" e$ery *ein( in the Uni$erse has a sli(htly different reality& As they ha$e
different realities" they ha$e different rules as well& This can ma)e communication
difficult& When one person thin)s that a plane is a Cessna /<6 and one person thin)s a
plane is a Boein( =>=" communication is difficult& To communicate" you must first
esta*lish a common set of rules&
@umanity does this *y definin( our realities in (enerally similar ways& That is what has
created" o$er the years" this illusion of a unchan(ea*le" fi3ed reality& #n truth" the fi3ed
reality that we refer to is simply the reality of the (roup" all 0 *illion humans on this
planet contri*utin( to it& #t is (enerally similar to allow for communication *etween
people of different indi$idual realities& #f you alter your indi$idual reality so that it is
drastically different from the (roup reality" then you are seen as insane&
This is *ecause the (roup reality does not allow the perception of thin(s that are different&
,ince indi$idual people form the (roup reality" when you alter your reality you alter the
(roup& This causes others to *e a*le to see your reality" to a limited e3tent& The more
drastically you depart from the esta*lished (roup reality" the less people can e3perience
it& E$entually" you will *e the only one who can witness your reality and therefore you
are seen as insane&
,ince reality is different for all people" truth is a comple3 illusion& The truth" the almi(hty
(od of reason and rhyme that so many people ta)e for (ranted" is an illusion *ased in the
(roup reality& There is no truth& #f you loo) carefully" you will see why& E$ery person has
a sli(htly different reality& Truth is defined *y the laws of reality& ,ince they are different
for all people" truth is different for e$eryone& There is no real truth&
Truth is an illusion created *y the human mind in order for it to cope with the idea of a
limitless uni$erse in which anythin( is possi*le& E$erythin( is possi*le& Aothin( unreal
can e3ist&
Finally" *alance& Balance is *ased upon a $aria*le" reality& Because of the fact that reality
is not a set thin(" *alance also chan(es dependin( on what your focus is& This means that
no one can successfully force a code of *alance on you& Only you can force a code of
*alance upon yourself" *ecause only you truly e3perience your reality&
From these conclusions" we can draw the first three statements of a ,hadow Jedi&
/&! Focus and perception are the ultimate creators of reality&
6&! Truth is an illusion created *y the human mind in order for it to cope with the idea of
a limitless uni$erse in which anythin( is possi*le&
9&! Balance is an internal measurement of your relationship with your reality&
Unlearnin(D An #ntroduction
Welcome to the ,hadow& As you read throu(h lectures and posts you may come across
familiar ideas and terms& @ere is where people tend to (loss o$er the content" s)immin(
it Gust to ma)e sure they )now what itJs a*out so they can mo$e on to the JnewJ material&
The trainin( material here is placed for a reason" mainly that we hope you *enefit from
whatJs written down to its full e3tent&
This" then" is the first lesson you will come across" one that will *e a staple for later
de$elopment& # spea) of Unlearnin(&
People ne$er chec) on what they J)nowJ" after all" they )now it forward and *ac)" what
could anythin( new a*out it come from8 This is somethin( to *e a$oided" as it closes the
mind and hinders the trainin( process&
The other part of Unlearnin( we loo) out for is the )nowin( $s& doin( a thin(& # can read
and understand how a car wor)s" *ut *e completely una*le to wor) on an en(ine& Boo)
)nowled(e and wor)in( )nowled(e must *e com*ined if you are to ta)e anythin( of
$alue away from the information posted here& All concepts" no matter how mundane they
may appear" must *e (i$en e%ual attention and seriousness&
This is the point of Unlearnin(& Unlearnin( is a two5way lens& For it to wor) properly it
must *e used to e3amine all personal *iases" and the limits of what you J)nowJ& ,o really
the first tas) is )nowin( yourself to a deep enou(h de(ree that you can reco(niBe some of
your more powerful personality traits" so that they can *e side stepped should the need
arise& After accomplishin( the a*o$e it will *ecome common practice to *e a*le to
approach a topic with a clean slate mentality&
Emotions and Unlearnin(
Welcome to the ,hadow& As you read throu(h lectures and posts you may come across
familiar ideas and terms& @ere is where people tend to (loss o$er the content" s)immin(
it Gust to ma)e sure they )now what itJs a*out so they can mo$e on to the JnewJ material&
The trainin( material here is placed for a reason" mainly that we hope you *enefit from
whatJs written down to its full e3tent&
This" then" is the first lesson you will come across" one that will *e a staple for later
de$elopment& # spea) of Unlearnin(&
People ne$er chec) on what they J)nowJ" after all" they )now it forward and *ac)" what
could anythin( new a*out it come from8 This is somethin( to *e a$oided" as it closes the
mind and hinders the trainin( process&
The other part of Unlearnin( we loo) out for is the )nowin( $s& doin( a thin(& # can read
and understand how a car wor)s" *ut *e completely una*le to wor) on an en(ine& Boo)
)nowled(e and wor)in( )nowled(e must *e com*ined if you are to ta)e anythin( of
$alue away from the information posted here& All concepts" no matter how mundane they
may appear" must *e (i$en e%ual attention and seriousness&
This is the point of Unlearnin(& Unlearnin( is a two5way lens& For it to wor) properly it
must *e used to e3amine all personal *iases" and the limits of what you J)nowJ& ,o really
the first tas) is )nowin( yourself to a deep enou(h de(ree that you can reco(niBe some of
your more powerful personality traits" so that they can *e side stepped should the need
arise& After accomplishin( the a*o$e it will *ecome common practice to *e a*le to
approach a topic with a clean slate mentality&
#ntroduction to ?editation
?editation is an art as old as ci$iliBed man& #t is used to do anythin( from relie$e pain
and heal inGuries to add stren(th" power and e$en increase consciousness&
#t is easy to do and infinitely helpful" ma)in( it one of the fastest (rowin( art forms
practiced& To do it you need only the *are minimum" yourself" loose5fittin( comforta*le
clothes" a rela3ed en$ironment and /< minutes of free time& #t is recommended that you
do it for at least /< minutes and at re(ular inter$alsM e$ery mornin( when you wa)e up or
e$ery e$enin( *efore you (o to *ed etc& etc& Try to ma)e it at or around the same time&
This puts your *ody into a routine of )nowin( that Nat this time #Jm (oin( to rela3 and *e
calm for the ne3t& how e$er lon(N&
'i(ht now #Jm Gust (oin( to (i$e you the *asics" later on #Jll (et into more detailed
techni%ues *ut for ri(ht now practice sittin( with your eyes closed and try not to focus on
anythin( Gust let your mind drifts from thou(ht to thou(ht& Do not hold on to any idea
simply let it flow& This is a techni%ue called mindfulness& Do not try to control your
*reathin(M normal is always *est" and do not (et discoura(ed if you find it difficult&
#f your mind wanders on itJs own" simply *rin( it *ac) to itJs flow and *e(in a(ain& This
usually ta)es se$eral tries and the *e(inner normally finds it hard to maintain this state
for more than a minute or two without needin( to *rin( it *ac) on trac)& For now (o with
what youJ$e (ot so far and #Jll add the ne3t installment soon&
()ditor!s note* will add this* +hen practicing meditation of any ,ind, you may start
with good posture and your bac, straight, but do not be alarmed if you start to slump as
your body rela-es. .e mindful, of course, because you don!t want to end up in a position
where breathing is restricted. /owever, a slight curve in your bac, is normal as the body
rela-es and you slip deeper into a meditative state. 0ou may e-perience other sensations,
such as a slight roc,ing bac, and forth, or your arms may feel weightless and sort of
float. 1nless the sensation is physically unpleasant, simply ride it out and go with it.2
Perspecti$e and Perception
#n the %uest to understand *alance and apply it to life" ,hadow Jedi focus on the concepts
of perspecti$e ^ perception& ?any people nonchalantly throw around phrases such as
NPerception is realityN and N#t all depends on your point of $iew&N ,hadow Jedi ta)e
perspecti$e ^ perception *eyond these clichP statements to a deeper understandin(& Just
as they (o hand5in5hand" the ,hadow Jedi must *e aware of the two sides to perspecti$e
^ perceptionD the self and the world&
-etJs *e(in with the indi$idualJs understandin( of the Ntwins&N What is perspecti$e8
Perspecti$e is the point of reference that a person ta)es when thin)in( or doin(&
Components that are factored into an indi$idualJs perspecti$e may *e past )nowled(e"
and o*ser$ation& #n a manner of spea)in(" perspecti$e is the raw data on our world that
we ta)e in& Perception is the spin or interpretation made or applied to our perspecti$e&
Ta)e the followin( e3ample as a *ase" then apply the concepts to your own
understandin(D
There are many $arieties of sit5down restaurants& They $ary in *ein( ele(ant and
e3pensi$e to practical ^ afforda*le& 'e(ardless" there is a (eneral perspecti$e a*out
ser$ice55a ser$er should *e prompt and courteous ta)in( your order" *rin( your food
prepared correctly! in a reasona*le amount of time& These are the elements of
perspecti$e in a dinin( situation& Perception is applied when the diner ma)es a
distinction on Nhow (oodN the ser$ice ou(ht to *e& At the more e3pensi$e restaurant" one
mi(ht percei$e more attenti$e ser$ice than the e3pectation one mi(ht ha$e for a cheaper
esta*lishment& Why is that8 #tJs the interpretation of the situation that leads the patron to
ha$e a different point of $iew&
#t is important for the ,hadow Jedi to understand his own perspecti$e ^ perception so
that he )nows how and why he understands the world as he does& This re%uires
mindfulness" and self5awareness continuously& .et" thou(h one must pay attention to
indi$idual perspecti$e ^ perception" the ,hadow Jedi must also learn to *e aware of how
this operates simultaneously in other peopleL @ow does one (o a*out understandin( the
perspecti$e ^ perception in another person8 First" thou(h the ,hadow Jedi must )eep his
own NtwinsN *alanced" in this case" he must also *e a*le to transcend them& #n other
words" the ,hadow must *e a*le to set aside his $iew to truly and clearly )now this
e3terior point of $iew& #t is o*$ious that a certain de(ree of empathic s)ill comes in to
play& The sayin( is that Nthere are two sides to e$ery storyNM there are infinite
perspecti$es and perceptions really& Awareness of that truth alone and mindfulness of it
is paramount&
To recap" perspecti$e (i$es the ,hadow Jedi facts" information and data a*out his
en$ironment& The way perspecti$e is understood is *ased on that personJs whole ma)e5
up& The perception a ,hadow ta)es on that information is interpreti$e and instinctual&
While one must monitor his own perspecti$e and perception" the ,hadow Jedi also factors
in that of those around him&
Be mindful&
Action in #nactionD Followin( the Will of the Force
One of the (oals of the ,hadow Jedi" and of any Jedi in (eneral" really" is to for(e a
connection with this mysterious power we call the Force& To wor) within its *ounds for
whate$er cause we support& But what is the Force8 .ou will often hear people spoutin(
lines from the ,tar Wars mo$ies in order to e3plain what it is and how to touch it& #n my
opinion" this is pointless&
-etJs ta)e a loo) *ac) at our roots as ,hadow JediD Eastern philosophy& Our philosophy"
as ,hadows" is *ased primarily in Ken Buddhism and Taoism& # will not (o into a lon(
lecture here" as this is not a thesis on how Eastern philosophy relates to the ,hadow& That
in itself is an entirely different and much lon(er! discussion& ,uffice it to say that in *oth
Buddhism and Taoism" the *asic doctrines hold that in order to li$e as we are meant to" in
close relation with the #neffa*le or the Tao the Way"! we must %uiet our minds" still our
thou(hts" and open oursel$es up to (uidance from this hi(her order&
We" as ,hadow Jedi" ha$e also found this to *e *eneficial& #n order to follow the Will of
the Force" one must not force action& That is not to say that we should simply sit in
meditation all the time" waitin( for the Force itself to do somethin(& As we wal) our
paths indi$idually" we come to for)s in the road& Decisions must *e made" for *etter or
for worse" *i( and small& All decisions are of e%ual importance& All will influence your
life to some e3tent& #nstead" as we come to these turnin(s in our paths" we first loo)
within& 'eflect upon which choice you want to ma)e& @a$in( done this" loo) *eyond
yourself& Open yourself up to the Force& Do you feel that this decision is ri(ht8
There will *e times that you (et no answer& This could *e simply *ecause you ha$e not
%uieted your thou(hts enou(h& #t is possi*le that you are too focused on what you want"
than what is actually *est for you& Or it could *e that there is no specific Nri(htN or
Nwron(N choice in that particular instance& Other times" howe$er" you may not need to (o
throu(h any process& There will *e those times when you are faced with a decision" and
almost *efore all the options are presented to you" you will )now which is the one to ta)e&
#n times of a*solute certainty li)e this" it is imperati$e to follow throu(h&
,o you see" it is not truly inaction which leads to followin( the Will of the Force& #t is
merely a lac) of forced action& O$er time" you will *ecome more adept at sensin( the
delicate currents of the Force" and thus you will su*consciously mo$e with it& There will"
e$entually" come a point where there is no lon(er any need to loo) separately within and
without to find your answers& When you release the e(o" the sense of self" you will truly
*e one with the Force&
Dar) Jedi -ectures
A Code
Belie$e this&
Belie$e that e$ery second spent followin( this code is a second not spent leadin( your
own life&
Belie$e that e$ery second spent contemplatin( this code is a minute not spent actin(&
Belie$e that you cannot dismiss e$ery concei$a*le situation with a con$enient %uotation
from this code&
Belie$e that e$ery situation deser$es indi$idual calculation and contemplation" and
Belie$e that this code cannot help you&
Belie$e that that this code is indeciphera*le&
Belie$e that li$in( *y this code is conformin( with this code&
Belie$e that e$ery do(matic word of this code is a chain around your nec)&
Belie$e that this code says you should do what # thin) is ri(ht" not what you thin) is ri(ht&
Belie$e that to challen(e this code will mar) you out as a dissident and your prospects for
ad$ancement will *e automatically reassessed&
Belie$e that once you accept this code" you will *e Gust li)e all the other people who
accept this code&
Belie$e that learnin( this *y heart means that you can recite it without thin)in( of its
dama(in( implications&
Belie$e that there is nothin( to *elie$e here&
Belie$e that there is nothin( to see here&
?o$e alon(&
Dar)ness and the #ndi$idual
Dar,ness is about the individual.
We are all *ound to(ether& But the dar)sider )nows that" no matter what connections
e3ist" real or percei$ed" he is his own person" responsi*le for his own destiny" responsi*le
for shapin( his own path&
Dar,ness is about ,nowing the individual.
We must cut throu(h the lies we wea$e around oursel$es" we must (o *eyond the way we
shield oursel$es& This means untan(lin( )nots in the way we thin) and *eha$e which
pre$ent us from )nowin( what we are" and actin( as we are& We must find out how we
thin)" what we thin)" what we *elie$e" what we are capa*le of&
Dar,ness is within the individual.
We are called to an internal Gourney& We must e3plore oursel$es" throu(h action and
contemplation& We are physical *ein(s" and so e3ploration of what we are" means placin(
oursel$es in relation to the world" feelin( thin(s a*out the worldM passions" *eliefs" ta)in(
positions" *oth on the *asis of emotion and tactical reason& We are also spiritual *ein(s"
and truth is not to *e found simply *y *ecomin( aware of *eha$iorM we must *ecome
aware of those desires which may only enter our consciousness on occasionM for e3ample
when we stripped *are *y a traumatic happenin(" or suddenly feel alone in the ni(ht" or
are suddenly Goyful& Throu(h meditation" contemplation and prayer" we can *e(in to loo)
within to find our spiritual self" and see thin(s with an eye which is not purely materialM
an eye which )nows" for e3ample" that music is not simply a pleasura*le aural sensation"
*ut an e3perience which affects the whole indi$idual&
Dar,ness is e-plored by the individual.
The map of the world has *een filled& The land is claimed" and each feature has *een
(i$en its name& And yet" the world around us is entirely new to us& Certainly" we wal)
alon( our street" find our way alon( familiar paths& And yet" we are unaware& Aot mindful
of the colla(e of feelin(s" actions" of thin(s *ein( constructed and *ro)en all around us&
We are not mindful of the reality within which we e3ist" *ut mo$e" confident that we
)now our way around a place we ha$e ne$er e$en dared to loo) at& Each drip of paint"
each fly poster" each *lade of (rass has meanin( for us to find" and we are connected" as
thou(h *y an um*ilical cord" to the world around usM the force within us reaches out to
ma)e itself a manifest consciousness in the world" and so the self *ecomes Goined to" and
dependant on the uni$erse in which it is placed& E$erythin( we e3perience is a *rother
and a sister to us" and yet we i(nore it& #t is shrouded in un)nowin(& We must peer into
this dar)ness&
Dar,ness is individual.
#t falls to each of us to disco$er what dar)ness is for themsel$es& To piece to(ether the
mosaic from *rief (limpses of thin(s we fear and thin(s we desire& To shape our own
aspirations" to wal) on our own Gourney& Certainly" there are times when we cra$e
companionship on the Gourney" times when we see) hands to hold& But ultimately" we
must confront the self& We cannot offer a pu*lic dissection of a corpse" so that all can
understand the anatomy of dar)ness& Dar)ness has an anatomy which is constructed
differently for each person& Therefore" the only answers are the ones you can find
yourself& Certainly" the world has tools to offerM for e3ample" psychoanalysis" meditation"
prayer" artM all of these allow us to find ways of e3pressin( and e3plorin( what the self
means& ,o" while it is worthwhile to learn and understand methods of e3ploration" and we
hope that the dar) path at this academy will help you to e%uip yourself with such tools"
ultimately" you must pic) up these toolsM you must e3plore yourself" you must e3plore
your uni$erse& -oo) into the dar) une3plored and see what mi(ht ma)e itself )nown&
-i)e a snowfla)e you too are uni%ue amon( countless others& @owe$er the differences
can *e difficult to detect and indeed you mi(ht need to e3amine yourself closely to
determine what e3actly it is that ma)es you a uni%ue indi$idual&
As the foundation of your *ein(" your (enes can *e assumed to *e the root of e$erythin(
else a*out you& ?ost prominent would *e the matter of your physical appearanceM
howe$er two or more persons can easily loo) e3actly the same& Therefore it is the inside
of yourself you must e3amine to determine what ma)es you the indi$idual you are&
One of the more dominatin( factors in definin( who you are is the choices you ma)e&
@ence e$ery time you for(o ma)in( up your own mind" you for(o a chance to define
yourself& Each time you limit your choices you limit the ways in which you could define
yourself& Whene$er you fail to stand *y the choices you ma)e" you fail to stand up for
who you are&
1alues" or ideals" are another *i( factor of what defines you as an indi$idual& What
matters to you should to a (reat e3tent dictate your choices" in that your choices should
always *e in the interest of what you deem important" or otherwise $alua*le& #f they are
not" they are not really your choices and as such will not truly ser$e you as an indi$idual&
-i)e a thic) crust" your thou(ht pattern surrounds your personality" containin( all other
aspects underneath its layer& At times it will dictate all other factors of your personality
and at other times they will dictate it&
?ore so" the way you thin) re(ulates how you interpret the world around you and the
e3periences within it& Two or more people can interpret the world in e3actly the same
manner" and so it alone does not ma)e you uni%ue& What does is the *asis of your
interpretation" the thin(s you e3perience& #n turn your interpretations of e3periences will
alter your thou(ht pattern" and there*y your whole personality& The more you e3perience"
the more opportunities you ha$e to define yourself&
-ar(ely *ased on your thou(ht pattern and your $alues" there will *e certain (oals that
mainly your choices will determine if you reach or not& The most o*$ious (oal will often
*e that of self preser$ation" *ecause if there are no you" there are no $alues" or choices of
yours to ta)e and hence no (oals in the first place&
,elf preser$ation as a priority in this day and a(e mi(ht seem a little paranoid& @owe$er"
there is more to it than what first appears& As your $alues" and choices define you as a
person you must ma)e sure that they are preser$ed as well as your physical *ein("
*ecause without them you would not *e who you are& Aot to say that you should not
chan(e or compromise" *ut merely that when you do" it should" where$er possi*le" *e a
choice of your own" and not that of others&
Fnowin( your $alues" *ein( mindful of your choices and (oin( for your (oals will
(reatly assist you in furtherin( you as an indi$idual in the sense that you will ha$e an
easier time reco(niBin( yourself as someone uni%ue as opposed to Gust another stereotype&
The importance of which cannot *e o$erstated&
+hen snow falls on your shoulders it is a mere nuisance, when a snowfla,e is e-amined
it is truly beautiful. +hile the snow outside the windows is ultimately insignificant to
your life, it is the snowfla,e that rests in your palm you remember and that has such
impact on your life.
?en who follow idols rarely (et as far as those they follow&
People follow people for a num*er of reasons& A reli(ious leader may *e followed *y
people in search of spirituality" a politician *y people who *elie$e in a particular political
creed" and a philosopher *y those who see) learnin(& This essay will attempt to e3amine
the principle *enefits (ained from *ein( a philosopher" how *est a follower may learn
from the teacher and the importance of reason and an open mind&
The *enefits of discipleship are as $aried and di$erse as the num*er of people who ha$e
e$er written or uttered a few thou(ht pro$o)in( words& From Jesus to Feynes" *efore"
*etween and after" there lie many men worthy of study& #t is a desire to learn which draws
one towards these people& These J(reatJ people encoura(e the in%uisiti$e mind and
challen(e them to understand" to study these (reat people" and to learn from what they
tau(ht&
-earnin( from (reat men and women does not" howe$er" mean imitatin( them& #t means
learnin( from their ener(y and creati$ity& #t means studyin( their ways and *ecomin(
I(reatE yourself& What the (reat men and women of the world do is show you that you"
must *e creati$e .OU',E-F& .ou must follow in their footsteps and doin( as they did"
learn from past philosophers& .ou must then a(ain follow in their footsteps and do as
they did *y wal)in( away from the steps which ha$e *een ta)en *efore and *ranchin( out
upon a path of your own&
-earnin( is where the *eauty lies in discipleship& Be it Judas" Peter or Paul the dedication
to learnin( of these fishers of men was what made them holy& Jesus ne$er wrote a word
and heJs messa(e was simple and yet he demanded heJs followers to (i$e up all they had
to *e with him and learn" somethin( which is *y no means simple& -earnin( is the )ey to
success in our li$es" in whate$er it is you may desire& @owe$er learnin( (oes *eyond that&
As a fly or dun( *eetle has the a*ility and therefore the role of helpin( *rea) down waste"
a human has the a*ility and therefore the role of learnin(& #n ne(lectin( this role" which
placed humanity at the pea) of e$olution we ne(lect our duty and surrender the tas) for
which we were made& #n essence" a day in which you learn nothin( is a day wasted& Who
do we learn from8 Creat men and women&
What may *e the *est way to learn from these teachers8 -earn from as many and di$erse
a num*er as possi*le& Do not study the (reat thin)ers of the West alone howe$er&
-earnin( from the philosophers of the East" of Africa and of the Ara*ic world will teach
an indi$idual far more then seein( the world throu(h the eyes of a few Westerners& ?any
Jdisco$eriesJ which the Western world claims for itself came from afar and many written
thou(hts (o i(nored due to the arro(ance many ha$e within our Western culture& #t is also
worth remem*erin( why you learn& While the learnin( and )nowin( of old facts may *e a
worthwhile $enture" the creation of new thou(hts is far *etter& # would e$en (o so far as
sayin( that the purpose of learnin( old facts is solely for the creation of new and *etter
thou(hts& Creati$ity (rows out of di$ersity and so you must enrich your mind with the
words of many (reat people& A thou(ht worth remem*erin(&
# thin) #Jll finish with a %uote *y 'alph Waldo Emerson from his essay J@istoryJ& #t co$ers
the last point # desire to ma)e and fits %uite nicely here& A (ood description of our a*ility
to empathiBe&
JThere is one mind common to all indi$idual men& E$ery man is an inlet to the same and
to all of the same& @e that is once admitted to the ri(ht of reason is made a freeman of the
estate& What Plato has thou(ht he may thin)M what a saint has felt he may feelM what at
any time has *efallen any man" he can understand& Who hath access to this uni$ersal
mind" is a party to all that is or can *e done" for this is the only and so$erei(n a(ent&J
?indfulness
?indfulness is a *yword for a num*er of aspects which" alon( with meditation and
strate(y" are a )ey part of the foundation *loc)s of the Dar) Fni(htJs psyche& #t means
*ein( aware& Aware of yourself" your en$ironment" your past" your present and a*o$e all
your own will& #t is a steppin( stone that is located somewhere *etween meditation and
strate(y" as the only way it may *e comprehensi$ely achie$ed is throu(h meditation and
the only way a competent strate(y may *e reached and enforced is throu(h a well
informed state of mindfulness&
For an indi$idual to *e mindful he or she must understand and attempt to further their
understandin( of what he or she is and why& .ou must *e aware of your thou(hts" the
reasons for them" the way your emotion moulds your thou(hts" and the conse%uences
which they ha$e upon your actions&
To *e mindful you must *e aware of your en$ironment" your en$ironment *ein( *oth the
people around you and the resources at your disposal" as well as the resources not at your
disposal& A mindful person understands the effects his or her actions ha$e upon the
en$ironment and the effects which the en$ironment has upon themsel$es& Awareness of
your en$ironment is a two way process with the indi$idual chan(in( the en$ironment and
the indi$idual learnin( and adaptin( in accord with the en$ironment&
A further aspect of mindfulness is the understandin( of the past" present and future and
the way in which they interact& When studyin( the present you must *e aware of its past
so as to ena*le you to *etter control the outcome of the present&
Bein( aware of your own will is perhaps the most important aspect of mindfulness& .our
will" dri$en *y your emotions" sets out the whole purpose of your path and is the li(ht
that (uides you alon( it&
As your proficiency with mindfulness increases your natural awareness will *e(in to
present itself more firmly& -i)e intuition" it is a feelin( or )nowled(e a*out thin(s around
which will occur to you and *e o*$ious to you with far less effort then was necessary
*efore& -i)e all thin(s you wish to e3cel at you must practice mindfulness too& #t will
emanate from *oth your conscious and non5conscious mind" and the Force which is
present there" which will *ecome clearer the more adept you *ecome&
O$er$iew
A&
Awareness of yourself
.ou must stri$e to understand your mind" *ody and actions" the relationship which they
ha$e with each other and what has caused them to *e what they are&
B&
Awareness of your en$ironment
.ou must *e aware of your en$ironment which means *oth the people around you" the
resources at your disposal and those not at your disposal& .ou must understand the effect
your actions ha$e upon your en$ironment and the effect your en$ironment has upon you&
'emem*er it is a two way process&
C&
Awareness of your past" present and future
.ou must maintain awareness and understand the chan(e and continuity inherent in the
thin(s around you&
D&
Awareness of your will
.ou must )eep in mind your dream and hi(her purpose when you act&
E&
#ntuition
#ntuition is an outcome of mindfulness" the more mindful you *ecome the intuiti$e
*ecomes your mind& #t is an outcome and a result of continually attemptin( to (ain
mindfulness&
A" B" C and D must *e continually studied" impro$ed and applied *y the indi$idual to the
indi$idual" and E will follow from these& #f there is any sin(le most important precursor
of mindfulness it is to *e aware that it in$ol$es wor)in( for continual self impro$ement&
see a mindfulness on the airfield& There are fi$e aircraft and only one small han(ar" so
e$ery time itJs a *i( puBBle to (et them out" and at the end of the day" in a(ain& After the
(liders are ready to (o a list has to *e made so we all )now what to do& We wait and help
the other pilots to (et the planes ready to fly a(ain&
#t is my turn to fly& # am still flyin( with an instructor" *ut #Jm the one doin( the wor)&
After the concentration re%uired for the coc)pit chec) itJs time to start& This is the time
when you ha$e no control" you are launched from 7 to /77)m+h in one second& When you
are up you ha$e no time to thin)" *ut you must drop the ca*le" ma)e speed and re(ain
total control of the (lider&
Aow the most fun part comes& # sit *ac)" concentrate" and *ecome almost one with the
(lider& Aow # loo) at the situation and let random thou(hts control the (lider" and if #
canJt find any thermals" # pic) another spot that feels as thou(h it contains a lot of
thermals& # (o on feelin( my way throu(h these pieces of air&
,uddenly" the instructor says #Jm too low& # say to him that # )now" *ut that # will *e at the
ri(ht altitude when # arri$e at chec)point& @e does not *elie$e it" *ut # succeed at thisM #
ha$e succeeded three times now" *ut the instructor )eeps i(norin( it& Ae3t # come in for
the landin(M that is the hardest part of the fli(ht" *ut my *ody is actin( stran(ely& #t is
tellin( me not to land& But # ha$e to land" so # put the feelin( away" and the connection #
had with the (lider disappears" so # ha$e to land *ased upon my reactions and what # ha$e
already learned& The landin( was not a real success if you as) me" *ut another (uy says it
was the *est landin( of the fi$e # ha$e made so far& We roll the (lider *ac) to the start
place and (et *ac) to wor)&
Constant concentration and )nowled(e a*out what happens around you is necessary& #f
you lose this" there is a chance of losin( your life& #t may sound a little e3a((erated" *ut
people ha$e lost e$erythin( *ecause of losin( their concentration" and their connection&
3n Truth
We are all liars&
We lie in e$ery social pretence" in e$ery miti(ation of e$ery word& All our ceremonies" all
our customs" all our traditions are li)e coral reefs where dead lie encrusts upon dead lie"
which we dust with fra(ments of li$in( lies" created *y us in order to escape from that
which ma)es us feel uncomforta*le& E$ery social nicety is a lie crafted in order to escape
confrontation& E$ery time we say N# feel fineN when really we feel a thro**in( and painful
emptiness" a lon(in( or lust for somethin( lon( hidden&
And it is a lust& #t is the ta*oo desire to enter and *e entered *y somethin( we ha$e lost
any concept of e$er ha$in( e3isted" somethin( we were alienated and ostraciBed from
lon( *efore *irth" and whose em*race seems far away&
Our lies are to deny this lust throu(h stic)in( a $eneer o$er our internal dou*t& #t is a
$eneer of $acant smiles" of noise pretendin( to *e music" of purchase power&&& so many
lies" which cannot *e listed here" *ecause they ha$e leeched into e$ery aspect of our li$es&
Our e$ery action is directed towards lies en(ineered as attempts to a$oid as)in( oursel$es
the critical %uestions which we imprison within our heart *ecause we are too terrified to
as) them&
Why e$en now do # need to write in the most con$oluted prose8 Why is it impossi*le for
me to escape the pretence of *ein( Jsu*limeJ8 Am # afraid of *ein( understood8 This is
possi*leM to *e understood is to run the ris) of *ein( challen(ed and pu*licly humiliated"
and your appearance in the face of the community is" of course" e$erythin( in our
artificial li$es where our role in the community is not *ased upon interdependence and
lo$e" *ut rather fear of isolation" and the loneliness in which we mi(ht find oursel$es
posin( the dan(erous %uestions which we do not wish to as)&
But # *elie$e it is not fear of you understandin( me that leads me to craft so much
pretentious nonsense" *ut fear of understandin( myself& Because to e3press it in the most
simple way is simply to e3pose me to myself&
.es" lan(ua(e is a means of communicationM it is a simple means *y which we can
attempt to e3press meanin(M to e3plain our will and desires and comprehensions to others&
But it can also *e used as a facadeM an attempt to e3plain away those thin(s # understand
e$ery time # play a de$astatin( chord on the piano" an attempt to draw the curtains as #
see myself lur)in( in the distance as the su*Gects of a Bach fu(ue interact&
We are accused of lyin( and manipulatin(" of *earin( false witness to achie$e our ends&
This is i(noranceM e$ery social act is a lie and a manipulationM turnin( a *lind eye in the
name of e3pedience& We lie" yes& But the lies we should fear are not those $isi*le lies" *ut
the lies so internaliBed that we for(et we are tellin( them&
We are fri(htened of strippin( away these lies and findin( the un)nown underneath& But
we must listen to our deeply lon(in( lust" listen to that internal lon(in( we suppress& We
thirst for somethin( more" and we must see) it& This is to strip away the facades" the
(ames" the pettiness" the )itsch" the denial" the lies& To cast them off and to loo) o$er the
ed(e&
We fear the dar)ness which is o$er the ed(e *ecause we cannot see what lies within& .et
within this dar)ness is a Gourney" a pil(rima(e upon which we must em*ar)M a %uest
which must *e central to our li$es& We must stand in the midst of the dar)ness" and as our
eyes and senses *ecome more attuned to it" we will fear it less" and realiBe that there is
nothin( to fear a*out the un)nown" for while there is dar)ness ahead" there is also hope
that what is in front of us may *e the $ery o*Gect which we as indi$iduals must choose to
wal) away from society to see)&
The core of philosophy is thisM we must see) to em*race truth& To peer into the dar)ness
of un)nowin(& Truth" the complete e3position of what we are" the complete a*andonment
of all the illusions we hold dear" *ecause they are Gust that555 illusions& -ies whose truth
we ha$e con$inced oursel$es of&
To understand" firstly" and most importantly" that we are all liars" and this is a lie&
?editation
?editation is not an escape& #t must always *e a*out confrontin( life" confrontin( lifeJs
lies and truths& When we meditate" we are searchin( to understand the whole picture of
the forceM the unima(ina*le di$ersity and oneness of e$erythin( which e3ists" and the
uni%ueness of the indi$idual and his will to power&
We are yearnin( for fullness& We want complete awareness of the self& When we
meditate" we are not turnin( our heads away" *ut loo)in( strai(ht at reality&
Our reality is internal and worldly& We want to e3plore our shiftin( meanin(s and *eliefs"
to try and understand our purpose" and what we desire& But this can ne$er *e cut off from
the world& Without the world" we are lost in idle fascination of our own floatin( sel$es&
'eality does not e3ist simply loc)ed away in a secret world of mind or spiritM it is to *e
seen and found in creation" in our interactions" in how we feel a*out people and thin(s&
Our reality is one of e3istin( in the world& We want to )now the world" not Gust loo)in(
out of the corner of our eyes" *ut loo)in( strai(ht at it with all the stren(th we can muster&
Are our internal and e3ternal worlds loc)ed to(ether" wrapped around each other8 #f so"
meditation cannot *e a self disco$ery in the a*sence of outside influence" or an
e3perimental o*ser$ation of the world without the su*Gecti$e influence of the self&
?editation is the attempt to find complete mindfulnessM it is an attempt to see the whole
in the uni%ueness of e$ery pulse of e3istence&
The meditations we will present here represent this idea of understandin( the self as a
*ein( within the world& We must e3plore physicality" emotion" the su*Gecti$e mind and
its interpretations" and wor) not towards emptiness" *ut towards wholeness&
Be mindful&
The warrior stands in meditation& This is *ecause his meditation is in the moment" not out
of it& @e is standin( at the centre of his life" he is not a*le sit on the ed(es of it&
@e must li$e& When the moment comes" he must act& ,o he stands" ready to respond&
With his feet on the (round" he can feel desires and feelin(s rise from the world& Up"
throu(h his *odyM to his mind" where they ta)e shapeM and outwards" to the lim*s" where
they can *e (i$en *ac) to the world throu(h action&
DesiresM our hopes of the day" the thin(s we want and need" (oals" dreams& They rise up
from the earth" throu(h the *ody" to the mind" and out throu(h the lim*s *ac) into the
world&
EmotionsM feelin(s a*out the world" a*out how youJd li)e to *e" a*out how you respond
to what youJre seein( now" to what you saw yesterday" to what you mi(ht see tomorrow&
They rise up from the earth" throu(h the *ody" to the mind" and out throu(h the lim*s
*ac) into the world&
PassionsM our fears" our an(er" our Goy" our hate" our lo$e" the thin(s which fill our hearts"
ener(iBe us" electrify us" *oth (i$in( us the will and the ener(y to li$e& They rise up from
the earth" throu(h the *ody" to the mind" and out throu(h the lim*s *ac) into the world&
#n this way" the warrior stands communin( with the earth" communin( with himself and
his emotions" completely filled with life" always ready to act&
Be mindful&
The flow of all thin(s is to *e *orn" to li$e and to die& This flow is eternal" and is reflected
in the *reath of all creatures" and in the life of all matter" and e$en all thou(hts&
Throu(h meditation" we can *ecome one with the wholeness of the world around us& We
can sin( in tune with the flow of life itself& ?editation is not a*out retreatin( into
nothin(ness and emptiness" *ut is a*out em*racin( the simplicity and immortality of the
whole of which our li$es are one important part&
@ere we will chant the mantra NAU?N&
A ma)e the sound NahN! is a sound which comes from the throat" which leads into the
resonance of U ma)e the sound NoooN!" which leads into the closin( of the mouth and
the hummin( of ?&
The (uttural sound of A emer(in( from the throat is a *irth& The sound emer(es
suddenly" Gust as we enter the world from the wom*" or an idea flashes into our mind& U
is the $i*ration of life& #t is the fire of the sun" the flow of a ri$er" the daily happiness and
stru((le of our own e3istence& E$entually it dies and su*sides" and the mouth closes" and
there is ?& There is ener(y in this hummin(" *ut it is an ener(y chan(ed and dispersin("
ready to *e transferred to (i$e *irth to other life&
The rise and e** of life is in each *reath" each pulsin( of the heart" each flic)er of ener(y
in the mindM and this same rise and e** is shared *y all life& To chant AU? is one way of
resonatin( with the flow of life" in its sound is a $i*ration which e3presses the *irth" life
and death of all thin(s&
Be ?indful&
,trate(y
The Dar) Paths do not ma)e moralistic calls on whether or not an action is ri(ht or
wron(" *ut will state that an action can cause more lia*ilities than *enefits if not properly
considered& The )ey is thin)in( throu(h oneEs actions and ta)in( complete responsi*ility
for them re(ardless of what happens&
.ou are in control of what happens" therefore you must act accordin(ly&
The Fisherman" The Farmer" The Wolf
This is the account of three lessons which were presented to me durin( a period of
meditation&
The first lesson was of the archetype of the Fisherman& The fisherman lured in the fish
with sweet *ait" so sweet that they swam from miles around simply to smell it& The *ait
was so sweet that they fou(ht amon( themsel$es to *e the first to (ra* the *ait and"
un)nown to them" s)ewer themsel$es on the hoo)!& #t was as thou(h the fisherman
promised the *ait as an offerin( only to those of (ood tasteM and the fish were ea(er to
pro$e that they were of (ood taste" that they were capa*le of appreciatin( the fishermanJs
(ift" which hid the hoo) on which they would *e cau(ht& Throu(h pride and (reed they
spurred themsel$es forwards to *e the successful $ictim&
And when the hoo) which lur)ed *ehind the sweet tastin( *ait *ecame $isi*le" the fish
had no means of escape" for the fisherman had cast out his net to contain the fish" and
restrict where they could mo$e& The fisherman had hemmed in his fishM on one side they
were restricted *y pride" on the other side *y fear of the un)nown" on a third side *y their
own laBiness" and on a fourth *y their sense of ri(id morality& This was a net which
surrounded the fish" a net which surrounded them with the )nowled(e that there was no
alternati$e than to *e contained within the net" that there was no means of escape&
And so the net *ul(ed full" and throu(h the wei(ht and siBe of his catch" he *ecame the
wealthiest fisherman&
Throu(h this lesson" # saw that there is stren(th and power throu(h the accumulation of a
lar(e catch" and the means throu(h which such a catch is achie$ed in the world&
As # meditated further on the archetype of the fisherman" his *ul(in( net of fish *ecame
rollin( hills" and on these hills (raBed sheep& # then learned the second lesson" which was
the archetype of the Farmer&
#t was clear that this farmer had studied the ways and *eha$ior of the sheep& @e was
aware of their e$ery mo$ement" and could understand the path they wal)ed& @e had not
*een too proud to see their ways" to see their concerns" to reach a full understandin( of
their li$es" and how they li$ed& Throu(h this )nowled(e" the farmer was a*le to control
his sheep" and )new how *est to lead them&
The farmer )new well that if he ran at the sheep flappin( his arms" he would loo) a fool&
And so the farmer employed sheepdo(s who would chase the sheep" restrict their options"
and throu(h fear" force them to mo$e in the directions he re%uired& @e )new all too well
that the sheep feared pain" pain of all )inds" physical and emotional painM and also the
pain that comes from confrontin( reality&
But the farmer also )new well that sheep can collapse throu(h fear and fati(ue" and was
ready to massa(e the sheepJs e(os throu(h wily politeness and respect" throu(h
*efriendin( and offerin( (entle nud(es throu(h su(ary smiles and promises& Throu(h lies
he led" always *ein( sure that he did not lie to himself& And the so the sheep followed
throu(h what they thou(ht was their own will" as they lac)ed the a*ility to listen to their
own will&
Those sheep who had their own will" who would eat differently" and at different times"
who would appear indi$idually minded" would *e shunned *y the floc)" and thou(ht
dan(erous& @ere" the farmer pic)ed up the reGected sheep and put him around his
shoulder" sayin( Nyou are no sheepM you are awa)e while the others still sleep" and so you
ha$e *ecome somethin( (reater" more aware than them& .ou are my *rother& And the
farmer was thou(ht stran(e for seein( a *rother where other farmers saw only a sheepM
for the *lind e3ist e$en amon( farmers" and they could not see that this was no sheep&!
And the farmer also found *rothers amon( those sheep who had fallen on their *ac)"
watchin( them as they failed to return their feet to the (round& These sheep he returned to
their feet and said N.ou are my *rother" *ecause the foundations of your world ha$e *een
ripped apart" and that is why you could not stand& .our reality failed you" and now you
will see a new" *roader reality& .our world has *een destroyed" and you will soon see a
thousand new worlds" and in this" you are my *rother&N
Throu(h this lesson" # saw the means throu(h which the world leads the sheep" throu(h
predictin( their patterns of *eha$ior and concern" and manipulatin( this )nowled(e& # also
saw the ways in which # could reco(niBe those amon( the herd who were not of the
sheep&
The third lesson came to me a (reat deal later" and in$ol$ed much internal stru((le& #t
occurred while # was meditatin( on the scene of the Farmer herdin( his floc)& Another
farmer approached him and sou(ht to sha)e his hand and em*race him as a *rother" *ut
the farmer stood *ac)&
NTrue" you are a farmer li)e me" *ut in *ein( a farmer" you lon( to steal away my sheep"
and in this" you are no *rother of mineN&
Followin( these words" the $isitin( farmer ripped off his s)in" for underneath he was a
wolf" and said N.ou are to *e con(ratulated for seein( my intentions" *ut it is no matter"
for # will eat your sheep anyway&N
With these words" the wolf )noc)ed the farmer to the floor with a $icious stren(th" and
proceeded to tear a sheep apart" deli(htin( as its *lood tric)led down his muBBle and onto
his fur& The farmer" returnin( to his feet" ran at the wolf" and wrestled with it& @e
understood the mo$es of the wolf" and preempted them" for he was wise in the ways of
com*at& @owe$er" the wolf was e%ually wise" and e%ually rational as he countered the
mo$ements of the farmer& And yet the wolf was stron(er" for their was (reater stren(th in
his passion to taste the flesh and *lood of the sheep than there was of the farmer to
protect the sheep" for the farmer was only a simple economist" and truly had no lo$e for
the herd with which to parry the wolfJs o$erwhelmin( lust&
And so the farmer turned and fled" for he was not too much of a coward to accept failure&
Throu(h this lesson" as the Farmer fled" # saw that there is wisdom in retreatin( and
learnin( from failure" and *uildin( stron(er in the )nowled(e of this failure& But throu(h
the ascent of the wolf" # saw the (reat power that lies in passion& The wolf was a strate(ic
fi(hter" and used reason in his stru((le with the farmerM yet this reason was dri$en *y
passion" a passion which could not *e matched *y the farmer& And so # saw that
employment of reason alone is mere (ame playin(" *ut passion without reason leads to
failure throu(h lac) of direction& The wolf was $ictorious *ecause he deployed reason
alon(side the o$erwhelmin( force of passion" which the farmer lac)ed&
And so" throu(h the net full of fish" the mo$ements of the sheep on the hills" and finally"
the passion of the wolf" #" as a dar) )ni(ht" (ained some understandin( of how power is
wo$en in this world&
The Chess Pieces
The (atherin( of )nowled(e can *e a powerful tool&
Why are you here at the Force Academy studyin(8 #s it merely social interaction you
see)8
#f so" there are many other chat channels that are a$aila*le&
# hope all here are see)in( )nowled(e&
What )nowled(e is useful to us8 All )nowled(e is useful& Anythin( learned can *e
applied elsewhere" in your daily wor)in( or social li$es&
All )nowled(e is learned for a reasonR and can *e e3ploited in some mannerR The
mindful Dar) Warrior will find and *e a*le to apply e$erythin( their mind a*sor*s to
their *enefit&
All Dar) Warriors should $iew life as a political *attle or a (ame of chessR A *attle to
*e won at all costs& ?y personal philosophy in life is to see what you can (ain from
peopleR Aow" this doesnEt ha$e to apply to e$eryone& # *elie$e that people can *e
friends for no thou(ht of (ain" *ut then a(ain" e$en they can *e useful" *y coincidence&
Ta)in( this thou(ht further" you can continue alon( this $ein and place your pieces in
*uc)ets& -et me e3pand&
Ta)in( the classical chess *oard to heart is a fine way to (rasp this theorem& There are
se$eral le$els of piece& All e3penda*le" some only to *e sacrificed at (reat (ainR
We ha$e the pawn& The fodder of the conflict5 the true sheep of the field& They ha$e little
intellect and merely plod alon( in a forward motion" usin( no thou(ht pattern of their
own& They can *e useful" to e3ploit an enemies wea)ness" or merely to :feel out; the
opposition and their stance on items or a(endas&
By this" # mean the pawns only ha$e the info they are passed& 'arely pri$y to any (reat
(ems of information" *ut can *e useful for seein( what the enemy is tryin( to present&
Ta)e for instance a facet of the ForceD
The lowest soldiers or merest Apprentices in their early days shall mirror what they ha$e
learned as :accepta*le;& This is where insi(ht into the thou(ht pattern of your opponents
can *e $iewed& @as the proGection seemed su*$ersi$e8 Are the Pawns *ein( used for
misinformation8 Are they to *e sacrificed to shadow an opponents hand8 This is where
the $alue of such lowly and non5thin)in( pieces is placed& Do not underestimate the
pawn" for they ha$e stren(th in num*ers" e3penda*ility and as sources of information or
disinformation&
We also ha$e the 'oo) Castle!& ?o$es forward" *ac)wards and side to side& A
formida*le opponent in his determination& They are the li(ht artillery of a conflict and
can cause some serious dama(e& They are the swift a((ressi$e players on the *attlefield
of life& They are the ri(ht arm of their leaders and are usually wielded with some s)ill& #n
the circles we )eep they may *e considered as a Fni(ht of the Force& Doin( as they are
*idden" *ut with some s)ill& They are to *e considered possi*ly dan(erous" *ut not to an
e3perienced user& They are an e3cellent opportunity for misinformation& They are oft $ery
self5important and can *e used *y ta)in( ad$anta(e of this handle& A 'oo) can also *e
used wisely *y a s)ilful master to achie$e o*Gecti$es throu(h sacrificin(& Be warned that
a s)ilful 'oo) can *e dan(erous& They can stri)e and swiftly retreat" lea$in( a swath of
destruction in their wa)e&
The Bishop& They are a little *etter than pawns and not %uite on a par with a 'oo)& They
attac) dia(onally in any direction& As such they can *e a real distraction to a well placed
fi(ure& They can *e for(otten in the scheme of thin(s and this can return to haunt any
com*atant not ?indful enou(h& Their stri)e can *e swift and painful" *ut they usually
lac) the direction or s)ill of their own to wrea) any real ha$oc& A threat to *e mindful of"
*ut can *e put on low priority&
The Fni(ht& One of my fa$orite opponents or tools& They mo$e in an erratic pattern of
two spaces in one direction" then one in another& They are useful to any side who would
wield them correctly& Their attac)s are oft hard to notice and they can wrea) a swift"
$en(eful" hateful attac)& # see them as free thin)in( and with the common (ood at mind&
A )ni(ht can easily seal the (ame and can sway other pieces with its facades& #t is this
a*ility to thin) for itself that ma)es the Fni(ht such a useful tool& Be mindful that # do
AOT e%uate a Fni(ht of this Academy with this com*ati$e e%ui$alent& This player may
*e of nearly any ran) or station and as such can present an uno*$ious assailant& They are
wise in their plannin( and attac)s& They are constantly plannin( and calculatin(& They
can *e lethal at the most une3pected times& This is a rare piece in this academy& They are
the true Wol$es clothed as sheep& #f you ha$e one" utiliBe them wisely& ,hould you
encounter one" BewareL
Aow the Oueen and Fin(&
The Oueen& An interestin( Com*atant in her a*ilities and e(o& This piece can stri)e thee
dead" and she )nows it& A rare case when E(o does not lead to a downfall& A )ey player
for any side" thou(h not all :sides; seem to ha$e one& ,he wields (reat power and
influence& And )nows it& ,he can (o anywhere and )nows it& ,he can confront and
destroy any" and she )nows it& Beware her frontal attac)& Confrontin( this opponent
openly is not the way& They need to *e *aited and lured to a place of your desi(n& They
need to *e destroyed with wits" not with *rute stren(th& A collection of well placed pieces
will con%uer" *ut at what price8 This you need to decide& As for usin( your OueenR
,tri)e hard and fast with her& Use her to threaten from one an(le and attac) with a
Fni(ht& ,he offers you the ultimate ,word with which to swin(" *ut stri)e with the
da((er& A $alua*le piece which can *e used li)e a *lunt clu* or (racefully arcin( li)e the
swiftest sa*er& To sacrifice her you must ha$e the ultimate (oal in thy reach& To *attle her
you must ha$e the ultimate plan in place&
The Fin(& One s%uare at a time" any way you please& A dodderin( old fool8 Aay& @e may
*e slow to flee or hard to stri)e with" *ut the reason is clear& #t is hard for him to wear the
Car* of the ,heep& @e is o*$ious& @e stands out& But his true $alue is in the Fnowled(e
of .ears& ?ayhap he cannot stri)e tellin( *lows" *ut the *lows that are dealt are usually
his doin(& A strate(ist& ,afe from harm within the Amour of his troops he amasses&
Aow" Gud(e for yourself in which *uc)et your friends (o" your allies (o" your opponents
(o and lastly yourself&
Where do you want to *e8 What (oal do you reach for8 #t can *e achie$ed with the
?indful thou(ht of the Dar) Warrior& Cate(oriBe your enemies& Fnow their wea)nesses
and stren(ths& Amass your armies and troops& Fnow T@E#' wea)nesses and stren(ths&
-astly )now yourselfD Fnow your stren(ths and wea)nesses& The most ?indful ?aster
has (larin( wea)nesses if they are searched forR The pawns ha$e their own& ,ee) and ye
shall find&
Aow to wrap this upR and answer the %uestions of the less mindfulR
:@ow does this apply to me8; :# am Gust a pawn" # ha$e no armiesL;
#f this is the case" Etis your own doin(& Cather your forces" (ather those who would call
thee :Friend;& Build the *rid(es necessary to (ain your (oals" whether they *e the
claimin( of a Oueen to your army or the mo$in( of a Fni(ht to your opponentEs Fin(&
.ou decide your place on this *oard of life& .ou decide where you wor)" how your -ife
pro(resses" whether you (et a promotion" how your relationships are conducted& .ou are
in control if you want to *eR
#f you wish to *e a sheep" that is fine& All armies need fodder" all wol$es need food& #
)now where # place myself& Perhaps # shall see you at dinner8
Always ?indful" always Dar)&
# ha$e now descri*ed the way # classify allies and foes on the chess*oard of life& Today #
would li)e to discuss the Board itself&
Far too many disre(ard strate(y in their li$es& ?ost are all too happy to float alon( in
whate$er current carries them" or allow themsel$es to *e swept alon( *y the :floc);& Aot
enou(h people ta)e the truly ?indful warriorEs $iew of lifeR That it can *e planned" and
(oals achie$ed *y the use of the correct strate(y&
#n order to achie$e a desired result" a Warrior must ma)e *est use of what they ha$e at
handR or who they ha$e at hand& Too many people do not wor) opponents towards the
desired sections of their *oard& @opin( that someone will ma)e a mo$e that suits your
needs is not only foolish" it is wasteful& Chances and opportunities are lost&
,ometimes an opponent needs the correct coa3in( or e$en *aitin( to maneu$er them to
where you wish& This could *e a well worded statement" or carefully placed information&
Ae$er underestimate the importance of )nowin( your opponents& ,tudy their wea)nesses
and e3ploit them at your will& As with all these theories and strata(ems" they can *e
applied to all facets of life" the wor)place" etc& ?aneu$erin( opponents into a corner or
allowin( them to perhaps thin) that the direction you wish for them is their own decision&
@ow you do this is completely up to you" *ut do not dismiss this idea&
Allowin( opponents to run to the A$enue you choose is simple" allow them no other
option& This can *e done in con$ersation or de*ate" simply (uide the con$ersation to
where you want it& Ae$er underestimate the $alue of spectators& Always *e mindful of
who hears or sees what& Ae$er re$eal a hand you may wish to )eep for later& Especially
a(ainst one of the spectators&
These discussion points are deli*erately $a(ue& The reason is that they are fle3i*le
theories for fle3i*le application& The true $alue here is the understandin( that these tactics
e3ist& .ou must determine your own *est use for them" as usin( any strate(y that feels
unnatural will result in the opposite result to the one desired& This is not a discussion or
lecture in which # can say :Ae3t do thisR; .ou need to fill in the *lan)s& This is an
e3ercise in awareness of strate(y and surroundin(s&
Be mindful&
E$eryone readin( this is in school" or has *een in schoolM
WE see the constant intimidation of people& We watch the wea) pretend to *e stron(& We
see this pretence" and we see it ,UCEED& # tell you this is a corrupt system& For these are
,een warriors&
The real warrior is the unseen" and that is what we must *eM the unseen warriorM the
duplicati$e warrior&
We loo) at these tall muscular popular types" they are feared *ecause e$eryone )nows
they ha$e muscle" and that their tall" so" as cause and effect would ha$e happen" no one
challen(es them" they mo$e neither *ac)wards or forwards" and they are hated *ecause
they show off what they ha$e&
Aow" the unseen warrior has none of the reputation of the ,een warrior& @e plays the
wea) lin)" he plays the dum*& @eJs %uiet and doesnJt do anythin( that shows his true
stren(th" so he is underestimated&&&
Aow" lets say some seen warrior is out to reinstate his s)ills" he sees you" the unseen
warrior as easy pic)in(sM you are %uiet&
@e thin)s Nyou are a foolN&
@e thin)s Nnow # will *eat you up and pro$e my own stren(thN&
.ou do nothin(" you are still the unseen warrior as he throws his hits at you" you do
nothin( *ut defend these" ne$er mo$in( into an offensi$e point of $iew& When" and
OA-. when he (i$es you a clear opportunity to )noc) him down" you do it" then say
nothin(& .ou lea$e" eyes wide open" in case he tries to Gump you" or one of his sheepish
friends does&
The unseen warrior is cunnin( and ne$er shows his true power until its called for&&&*e
another face in the crowd" *ut ma)e sure you can lea$e that position in a seconds notice&
But now" you ha$e a pro*lem& .ou ha$e defeated the supposed undefeata*le" and people
will *e intimidated *y you" and the wea) will admire you& you are now willin(ly or
unwillin(ly a seen warrior& Aow" you shouldnJt want this position now" *ecause thou(h
your feared" people of your former opponents type are so e(otistical and attention5
addicted" that they will try to *eat you" so they can say N# *eat him or her! up" he or she!
is a synchN& Aow" you must fall *ac) into the unseen cate(ory& To do this you must not
(i$e into the temptation of their praise and respect" do not show off" these sheep are
wea)" so wea) that they donJt e$en )now they are sheep" *ut they can tempt you into
*ein( one of them&
,o youJre i(norin( the praise" *ut that doesnJt erase peoples memories" they )now your
power now& ,o you act as if it didnJt happen" and you mi(ht ma)e up a lie to (o with it"
li)e N# didnJt )noc) him down" didnJt you see it8 # tried to (et away from him" and as he
tried to stop me" he fell&N
And # assure you" the person you )noc)ed down will follow your lie too& Aow
people may still not *elie$e you" *ut" people for(et&&& in time" you are a(ain
the unseen warrior" *ut now stron(er" and more e3perienced than *efore&&&
A darksider should have an idea of their end goal. Without this, tactics are meaningless;
they serve to (roughly) achieve that goal in the way the darksider wants for example, in
the most effective way, the way that involves least work for them, the way that will avoid
offending people, the way that will oviously display power etc.
This idea of #ATEAT or the COA- is a concept )ey to Auftra(sta)ti) or Nmission
tacticsN& This is a way of thin)in( and or(aniBin( an army that depended on e$ery soldier
)nowin( the o$erall (oal" and :to do without %uestion or dou*t whate$er the situation
re%uired" as he personally saw it& Omission and inacti$ity were considered worse than a
wron( choice of e3pedient& E$en diso*edience of orders was not inconsistent with this
philosophy&N
A )ey thin( the dar)sider can ta)e from this is F-EZ#B#-#T.& As said *efore" ha$e an
idea of your end (oal on whate$er scale it happens to *e _ whether it is leadin( a fulfilled
life" or simply passin( your ne3t e3am at school& ThereEs no point in continuin( with a
way of doin( thin(s if it isnEt wor)in( out for you _ if youEre chasin( after that elusi$e
fulfilled life" itEs not necessary to (et %ualifications" (et a Go*" find a house" find a partner
and ha$e 6&> children in that order& -ife is not a series of cans on a wall to *e hit with
stones in a particular orderM life is unpredicta*le" and the way to cope with that is to ha$e
sufficiently fle3i*le plans so you can mo$e and adapt to it" instead of *ein( shattered
when thin(s donEt (o in the way you e3pect them&
Fle3i*ility is also in the e$entual (oals themsel$esM for e3ample" in the course of your life
you may decide that the (oals you set for yourself as a teena(er arenEt what you want at
all when youEre in your mid5twenties" and a(ain" the plans you made in your mid5
twenties may not *e feasi*le in your mid5thirties& #n this case" why continue to pursue
them8
Fle3i*ility can also *e e3pressed in the way we interact with people& For e3ample" when
you ar(ue with people" you can use points that will appeal to them" or e3amples they can
relate to& # am addressin( this to the audience of the FA _ a fairly di$erse (roup" *ut
lar(ely informal& #f # were addressin( this to a different audience _ for e3ample" a more
formal one" an older or youn(er one" or from a different social standin( within that (roup
5 # would use different e3amples that would illustrate the point to them" and *rin( what
#Em sayin( into their world _ ma)in( it rele$ant for them" which will allow them to see
my ar(ument more easily& We are fle3i*le in e$ery encounter we ha$e with people"
treatin( them differently dependin( on factors li)e their relationship to us and our recent
history with them&
The dar)sider should show #A#T#AT#1E _ *ut here itEs important to realiBe NRinitiati$e
is a desira*le characteristic in a soldier only when its effort is concentric rather than
eccentricD the rifleman who plun(es ahead and seiBes a point of hi(h (round which
common sense says cannot *e held can *rin( (reater Geopardy to a company than any
mere malin(erer&N
@ere" the strate(ist warns a(ainst sudden *ursts of acti$ity that donEt seem to help the end
(oal _ for e3ample" losin( a chess (ame *ecause you saw a sudden openin( that loo)ed
(ood *ut failed to realiBe your opponent had set you up& Althou(h the mo$e may loo) as
if it will *enefit you in the short term" in the lon( run it could hamper or *e detrimental to
your (oals&
#nitiati$e could *e the desire and passion for action" *ut also to )now when itEs *etter to
retreat or to call off a proGect when it no lon(er supports a (oal& @owe$er" it is also
important to realiBe there are times when it can *e more costly to withdraw from an
action or plan you ha$e put into motion than to continue with a no lon(er helpful plan&
,ometimes" the cost is less if you press on re(ardless& #t is ne$er an easy decision to
ma)e&
But how does the dar)sider )now what action to ta)e8 @e has set his (oals" so he )nows
where he wants to (o& But what thin(s should inform him8
@e is aware of what his lo(ic tells him" *ut he is also aware of other thin(s _ for e3ample"
his emotions and passions and desires" his physical senses such as si(ht" smell" sound"
taste and touch and his sense of morality& These will affect the dar)siderEs actions _ what
may *e lo(ical may not *e somethin( he desires to do& #n short" the dar)sider aims to let
e$erythin( he is conscious of inform him and direct his actions&
Althou(h the dar)sider aims to li$e *y his passions and needs" he is not a sole or(anism
*ut part of a community& #ne$ita*ly he draws on others for support and )nowled(e" and
relies on others to help and support him& A dar)sider may find others who ha$e similar
$isions to him and as such" will wor) with him to achie$e their (oals& People specialiBe in
different areas and ha$e different s)ills" therefore the dar)sider can DE-ECATE tas)s to
others more suited to carryin( them out&
@owe$er" this re%uires the dar)sider to ha$e confidence in the a*ilities of those around
him& A dar)sider is mindful of where his own stren(ths and wea)nesses lie" and de$elops
his awareness of what the stren(ths and wea)nesses of those around him are&
#n order to *e effecti$e" a dar)sider must reco(niBe the limitations of their a*ilities and
allow those stron(er in that area to ta)e o$er without interference& This can *e a difficult
thin( to accept" (i$en that we want to control how we achie$e our (oals" *ut the principle
of Auftra(sta)ti) means that you lea$e the specialists to their roles without hindrance&
For e3ample" if # am the editor of a ma(aBine or newspaper # ha$e $arious people to wor)
with& ,ome people are writers" each with their own specialist area such as sports" music"
films or current affairs& Other people are in$ol$ed with the layout and desi(n of the
pa(es" and others are responsi*le for artwor) and photo(raphs& ?y tas) is to see it all
comes to(ether" with the (oal of (ettin( it to the printers *y the deadline and fulfillin( the
paperEs *rief" whether this is an entertainin( and li$ely ma(aBine" a critical and witty
student paper or an informati$e and analytical newspaper&
To do this" # ha$e to trust my collea(ues to do their wor) without interferin( and hasslin(
them& # canEt write the articles on my own as # lac) the )nowled(e to co$er all the
sectionsM instead # rely on my specialists writers& # canEt sort out the desi(n on my ownM
instead # rely on the (raphical artists" and so on& Throu(h dele(ation" the wor) is *etter
%uality and # feel happier )nowin( that the proGect #Em passionate a*out is (ood&
,ummationD
/! #ntent _ de$elop your awareness of your (oals and intentions&
6! Fle3i*ility _ *e fle3i*le in how you (o a*out achie$in( these (oals" and (i$e yourself
room to adapt to sudden chan(es& ,how fle3i*ility in the way you interact with the world
around you" such as the people you meet& Be fle3i*le in the end (oals themsel$es" and
allow them to chan(e if they no lon(er suit you&
9! #nitiati$e _ itEs important to realiBe when an action is counterproducti$e in the lon(
term" and whether or not to discontinue an action e$en if itEs *een set into place as it may
cause more harm to call it off& Act when youEre aware of all your reason and passion can
tell you&
>! Dele(ation _ sometimes you ha$e to accept that your (oals will *e more easily
fulfilled if you allow others to help you& Be mindful a*out this" and who you let help&
Trials
Philosophy /7/
NTreat many as one" treat one as many&N
When put under a lot of responsi*ility" it is easy to *e assimilated with a sense of ina*ility
to complete the needed tas)s& -i)ewise it is Gust as easy to set out of mind what seems
li)e a small o*stacle easily to o$ercome" findin( it irrele$ant&
A (ood way to loo) at this is in a ?artial Arts perspecti$e& #f one was suddenly
surrounded *y multiple opponents" the situation would loo) near impossi*le& But instead
of loo)in( at the e3perience as one (iant o*stacle" or wall" one should *rea) it down into
sections& Treat such an attac) as one attac)& DonEt let yourself (et o$ercome" instead step
out of the circle and face one opponent at a time&
Just as easily" one may loo) at a sin(le opponent or tas) thin)in( nothin( of it" when
really it may *e *eyond your power to o$ercome&
But as a Jedi we must stay clear headed and treat e$ery threat" as a serious threat& Or in a
non ?artial Art perspecti$e" the followin( %uote comes to mindD
N#f somethin( is worth doin(" itJs worth doin( ri(ht&N
#n other words" treat e$erythin( around you with the respect and di(nity it deser$es and
you will li$e a much happier" fulfilled life&
Ta)e care" and may The Force *e with you&
The A*ility to -e$itate
# wondered what would happened if" *y some stran(e fate of destiny" # suddenly had the
power to fly anywhere # wanted to (o& # could (o see other places" other countries" ha$in(
no limitations on how # could depart or how # would (et there& What would such power
(ain8
After thin)in( a*out it for a while" # wondered if human *ein(s were meant to *e on foot&
We do not ha$e win(s li)e *irdsM machines thou(h are there to let us ho$er or (lide
within our EarthEs firmament& # also thou(ht of the pro*lems one could ha$e if one had
the a*ility to le$itate o$er the (round& # could do what Jesus did" float and wal) upon the
waters& People could concei$e of me as a $alua*le person indeed" to the point of fi3ation&
And what if # did fly all o$er to see e$erythin( # could see8 E$ery terrain e3plored" e$ery
landmar) $isited& What would # do ne3t8 ,urely # could (o on tal) shows and do neat
little tric)s" possi*ly ma)e a fairly (ood income&
Then # thou(ht a*out actually *ein( up in the s)y" possi*ly thousands of feet away& @ow
scared # would *e& @ow fast would # (o8 Would # *e pressured to act certain ways to my
society8 What a*out my family8 Would they see me as a frea) or *e Gealous of me8 There
are so many holistic factors" so many connections to so many different thin(s& Aow #
wonder why # would e$en want to ha$e the a*ility in the first place& What would # trade
in order to ha$e somethin( else8
Aoticin( my feet" # see # was (i$en a (ood reason to use them& ,ometimes your head
needs to *e out of the clouds and down to Earth where it *elon(s&
-ifeEs -essons
# (o throu(h e$eryday with a $ery calm and collected attitude on thin(s& There isnEt much
an(er inside me" therefore # donEt e3press much an(er outside& # ha$e e3perienced early
on in life that an(er is really not a useful emotion unless one is in complete control of it&
This is hard for me to tal) to you a*out this" *ut lifeEs lessons are the most important& ?y
dad *eat my mom durin( the time they were married" my mom used to tell me a*out her
weddin( day" standin( there in her weddin( dress tryin( to conceal the *ruises& ?y dad
had much an(er and he didnEt ha$e control& @e ne$er had control& # $owed to myself that
# would ne$er use an(er to sol$e a matter ri(ht then when # first heard that my mom was
*eaten& #t hurt me so much that someone could actually harm another human *ein( that
they are so close to& #t still hurts" e$en after all these years&
-ifeEs lessons are some of the hardest moments you will e$er ha$e to (o throu(h& But you
learn a tremendous amount from them& They ma)e you stron(er emotionally and
spiritually& .ou may not li)e (oin( throu(h them *ut you will respect them in the future&
# donEt respect the fact that my dad *eat my mom" # respect that my mom had the coura(e
to (et a di$orce& # feel that sharin( what you ha$e (one throu(h and what people you
)now and lo$e ha$e (one throu(h shows that you donEt need to conceal your feelin(s&
Why hide& Bottlin( up your emotions (ets you nowhere *ut a one5way tic)et loneliness"
depression" an3iety" etc&
The #nfinite Point
When you ma)e a point with your pen or pencil" you may realiBe that it is not really a
point at all& .ou pro*a*ly Gust made a small circle" or possi*ly a poly(on shape& The fact
is that once you create a point" you are (i$in( dimensionM *y (i$in( dimension" you are
creatin( shape& .et realiBe that a point is actually a non5dimensional shape" for it
represents a particular point in space" not an actual section of space& That would *e a
hi(hli(hted area of points&
# find that once somethin( is placed into the physical world" one will loose the true
conception of infinity" for infinity can only *e presented in a*stract thou(ht or
sym*olo(y& The same it could *e said of ultimate perfection& Ao one can really draw a
circle" for when drawn" it will *e shown flaws e$en under the closest of speculation& Once
somethin( is in mo$ement" the notion of time de(rades the factor of infinity& Only *y
*ein( at a standstill at all parts of history at the same time can one fully contemplate how
infinity in mo$ement truly is created&
Therefore" a point" in theory" is of all space and no space at the same time& @ow
insi(htful&
'ipples Throu(h Time
@a$e you e$er thrown a stone into a pond" and saw the ripples ener(y from around the
spot you tossed the stone8 Do you see how it (rows and (rows" (ets more finer and finer
until it effects e$erythin( within the *ody of water you threw the stone in8
E$ery dropped a *as)et*all" and saw it slowly *ounce less and less &&& until the *ounces
*ecome so small and so fine" it *ecomes still as if you ne$er dropped it at all8
Do you )now when molecules are mo$ed" they )eep mo$in(8 They )eep doin( what they
are doin( until another force or ener(y affects its mo$ement& This is called inertia&
Finetic ener(y" as named in science" is ener(y which is in motion" such as when you
throw a *as)et*all up in the air& Potential ener(y" the other type of ener(y" is the ener(y
which is stored" such as after you thou(h the *as)et*all up in the air and it starts comin(
*ac) down due to (ra$ity and other factors& @ow can we use these understandin(s and
apply them to other situations8
A life effects the world& @ow come8 Well" a life effects the people it e3periences within
oneJs lifetime& Those people effect other people within their lifetimes&&&and so on and so
forth until the hold world is effected& But we can e$en see more than this& A life can
effect the world e$ery day" e$ery minute and e$ery second& By you readin( this pa(e"
others act in a certain way" in which others act in a certain way" until e$eryone is effected
*y your action" and *ecomes so fine to the point you canJt e$en see the effects at all& #t
*ecomes a part of life&
Thin(s may seem to do what they ha$e always *een doin(" such as the *as)et*all which
seems to stop *ouncin( after you let it *ounce" or when the ripples were so disperse
within the *ody of water" you couldnJt e$en tell you throu(h a stone in& But this doesnJt
mean it didnJt happen& Just *ecause thin(s seem to stay they way they are" doesnJt mean
you ha$enJt chan(e it at all&
'ealiBe what you do" is not only who you are" what e$erythin( is& Just as the Force
effects and *inds all thin(s" so can you& .et what do you want the world to effect8 Are
you willin( to throw the stone8 Are you willin( to *ounce the *all8 Are you willin( to
act8
.es is .es" Ao is Ao
?y former apprentice" Allowat ,a)ima" said this to a (roup of us one day at a discussion
*oardD
NE$erythin( has a simplest e%uation" a simple answer& E$erythin( can *e made into a yes"
and a no&N
As Jedi" thin(s can *ecome comple3" or at least" seem comple3& #n reality" # ha$e found
nothin( is really e$er as comple3 as it seems& #t is simply the fear of not )nowin(
somethin(" for there is a simple solution& There is a simple answer and there is a way to
(o& Whene$er you are in a situation you *elie$e you canJt (et out of" thin) a(ain&&&*e
mindful of what you )now" and what you can do" *ecause in most instances" you can do it
and you can o$ercome the o*stacle&
Throu(h my e3perience as a human *ein(" # ha$e learned somethin( else& What is" is&
What isnJt" isnJt& The truth is the truth& There is no point in confrontin( somethin( which
cannot *e confronted& There is no point in ma)in( somethin( if it cannot *e made 5 yet
thin(s can *e made& Thin(s can *e accomplished& #t is your Go* to *e aware of these
thin(s&
Thin) of thin(s in a hi(her le$el" yet )eep your answers to the point& ?a)e them count& #f
somethin( can *e said in a easier way" for someone to understand" say it& #f somethin(
should *e said with more depth" say it this way& As a Jedi" )eep it simple" yet e3planatory&
Feep your comments clean and understanda*le& DonJt o$ercomplicate your life with little
nothin(s which will Gust cause you more stress and lac) of ener(y&
There is a yes" there is a no& Fnow what they are& ,tudy them" learn them" and use them&
DonJt *e so concerned a*out what you donJt )now" as much as what you do )now 5
*ecause you )now more then what you (i$e yourself credit for you )now this already"
donJt you8!&
@e ,aid # Was
There are a few people in my life which has (i$en me what # ha$e now here on the
#nternet" as well as helped me *ecome inspired into what # am today& These few people
are the ones that created me" and *y creatin( me" # also created them&
A personal situation in my life has always conflicted with my wor)s as a spiritual (uide"
and that was to hurt one of my friends who # trust with my life to lo$e another life in
whom # trust& There has *een many dar) times for this (roup of people that # am tal)in(
a*out" and some of us seem to ha$e *een in *etter positions than others& .et really why #
am writin( this is the fact that # had failed to realiBe how much my friends ha$e helped
me to what # am today 5 and thou(h you may say this factor out loud" sometimes it ta)es a
lifetime to understand that&
# )now that we all ha$e personal li$es" yet # find that sometimes one must tell a certain
understandin( of a situation and *lend it into somethin( one can comprehend without
ha$in( to )now secreti$e happenin(s& This life of mine has really only one purpose" and
that is to ser$e" rather it *e to ser$e myself" my fellow man" or my ma)er& # ha$e *een
called a what # ha$e *een called first from those that (a$e me my stardom" and it is for
this point # ma)e up now that # still (o on with my Jedi duties&
#f you search for *ad thin(s" you will easily find it& .et if you search for the (ood" it will
ta)e all your life&
This is the reason why # stri$e to find the (ood in those that # care a*out" e$en when # had
e3perienced childhood moments that ha$e (i$en me a *ias a(ainst certain friendships& #t
is that desire to show someone that you are worth *ein( a friend" e$en if they donJt li)e
you 5 and that Gourney is a path to self disco$ery&
Than)s for the one that helped me see this& .ou will always *e my *rother" whate$er may
happen" and for that which does not meet my outcome" # hope that you will ha$e it
instead& For it is # that owe you&
The ,ecret ,tory
Each of us share a piece of the truth& E$ery sin(le one of us& Do you feel it8
They say that the truth shall set you free& What we see inside&&&is what we )now that e3ist
within our uni$erse& We are all connected to the truth" and share a story&&&a story so old
and so flawless&&&that e$en today we )eep them within oursel$es&&&and sometimes" we tell
others a small sli$er of the story& ,ome of it is still *ein( passed around to this day&
A story is hidden within us&&&time and a(e has made it different& We share it&&&canEt you
see it8 ,ome see the story&&&throu(h a distincti$e culture&&&throu(h a uni%ue reli(ion& They
see the story& They *elie$e in the story& CanEt you see&&&that it is all the same thin(8 That
it is all the same story8 A story of hope" of peace" of lo$e" of happiness" of Goy" of faith" of
(oodness" of re$erence" of mercy" of sal$ation" of )indness8 .ou can see it&&&playin( in
your head&&&that moment in time in which you hold a )ey to the truth& And it will open a
door for others&&&if you let them use it&
Unity is the )ey" my friends& And we unify to tell the (reatest story e$er )nown& The
story of our -#1E,& Of our uni$erse& Of how we came into *ein(& #t is still *ein( written
to this day" as others are e3istin( to share the story with us& We are all the authors as well
as the readers of this awesome non5fiction masterpiece& The `/ *estseller&&&the fi$e5star
achie$ement& An // from a scale of / to /7& Filled with craftsmanship&&&and
wor)manship& Aothin( else can top it& Complete and intact&
#snEt it coolL
#tEs perfection as *est as # )now it& ,hare your secret story&&&tell others&&&help others& Ci$e
them peace& DonEt let it stay a secret any lon(er& There are those that want to )now
you&&&those that want to li)e you& .ou only ha$e to want to&&&and *elie$e that anythin( is
possi*le& Anythin(& And it will *e& #t will *e&
-ay down your fears& Pic) up you coura(e&&&and carry on& Feepers of the promise&&&hold
your head up hi(h&&&and *e than)ful for what life has (i$en you&
We are the reason to li$e&
Time As Our Dictator
What is time&&&a tool or a lesson8 We find that we rely so much on time" that it seems to
control our e$ery mo$e& E$erythin( we do" it seems" we are always watchin( out for the
minutes that (o *y& ,lowly and surely" time dictates us" and calls us to attention&
We must understand that time is a protector" not a pre$entor& To control our own sel$es"
we must realiBe that we control time" and not the other way around& #t is the way we use
it& ,ometimes we must let time (o as it may" and simply not worry a*out it" not to thin)
a*out the ne3t deadline& #tEs a*out now" and how we preser$e it& The rest will ta)e care of
itself&
By lettin( oursel$es control the ne3t mo$e" not the cloc)" we control our own destiny& By
facin( the fact that life (oes on" and that we are part of it& The Force (i$es us a tool"
teachin( us that we55yes we55are our own dictators and decision ma)ers of what happens
ne3t&
The Philosophy
=4ho is the more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him>=
We create so many comple3ities in our li$es" itJs time we step *ac)" ta)e a loo) at
oursel$es" and fi(ure out what is really important&
One of the *i((est pro*lems that most people ha$e is they are always dwellin( on the
past& The past has no meanin(& #f somethin( *ad has happened" donJt hold on to the
memory" let it (o" and flow with the present&&&&what is& There are e3ceptions of course& A
criminals actions cannot *e simply for(otten& Only when that person is truly sorry for his
actions" can he *e for(i$en" and should *e for(i$en&
When you dwell on the past" you create NfrictionN *etween yourself" and what is" and
thin(s *ecome e$en more difficult& Flow li)e the moon reflected in the ri$er& The wa$es
in the water are oneness&&& totality&&& life&&& and you are the moon& The past and present
canJt *e chan(ed&&& only the future can *e chan(ed& -earn from your mista)es of the past"
and use that )nowled(e in the future& Do not let the past o$er5power the present&
#t is also important that you do not tear yourself up o$er inGustices" corruption" and
wron(doin(s" simply accept thin(s as they areL That doesnJt mean thou(h that you should
Gust sit *ac) and ha$e no compassion for others& As # said" Gust donJt tear yourself apart
o$er thin(s you truly canJt do anythin( a*out& This can *e applica*le to many thin(s&
Flow with the disease" only then can you rid yourself of it&
#f you want the truth to come forth to you" do not see thin(s from your point of $iew" do
not li)e or disli)e" do not *e for or a(ainst&&& see thin(s as they are& Do not li$e in a Nstate
of denialN&&& all will then *ecome clear for you&
When you do not let your mind and your thou(hts flow" then it is no lon(er the mind&
As e$en O*i5wan said"; -et (o of your conscious selfN& Open up&&& flow freely&&& your true
self is your soul& Do not merely *e with e$erythin(&&& *e a part of it& Do not see thin(s&&&
feel them& For(et a*out the matter you are made up of&&& for(et a*out your pride" your
e(o" your desire for $ictory" and simply *eL Do not *e *ound *y techni%ues&&& do not limit
yourself&&& truly *e who you are& When you learn that&&& then" and only then&&&can you fully
realiBe the totality&&& life&&& the Force" or whate$er you mi(ht call it&
'emem*er&&& thin(s happen" *ecause they happen& There is no JwhyJ&&&
Drop a pe**le in a pond" and let the ripples form& Do not reshape the pond& Do not di(
another pond& Followin( the Force seems to ha$e *een misunderstood *y many& ?any
ha$e said that they are the ForceJs ser$ant" or that they surrender to it& This is wron(&
Thin) of it as if you were controllin( a *oat tra$elin( down a ri$er& Those who would
surrender to the flow would e$entually hit a roc)& Those who do not flow with it at all"
and attempt to tra$el upstream a(ainst that flow" will not (et anywhere& Those who )eep
control of their *oat yet let the ri$er ta)e them to their destination" are truly wise&
!he Awareness
Complete and total awareness is not simple to achie$e& First of all" you must for(et what
you ha$e learned a*out concentration& Concentration creates conflict *ecause you are
attemptin( to shut out e$erythin( else around you to sin(le out one thin( you actually
wish to *ecome aware of&
Throu(h meditation" awareness can *e achie$ed and perfected& When you do not
discriminate anythin(" and ta)e in e$erythin(" you are *ecomin( aware& When you do not
see thin(s from your own personal point of $iew" then you are seein( it as it truly is& .ou
must also for(et a*out lo(ic& For(et a*out N# am thin)in( this nowN and N# am closin( my
eyes nowN& -et (o of the lo(ical" and accept the a*stract& When you ha$e %uieted your
own soul" then the $oices of the Force can *e heard&
When you are aware" you can understand peoplesJ feelin(s& Once you ha$e actually felt a
personJs pain" or their Goy" then you )now awareness&
As for how to *e(in learnin( awareness" # would su((est *ein( outside& @a$in( a nice
place to sit durin( a cool part of the day is ideal *ecause you can rela3 and feel
comforta*le& #f weather doesnJt permit this" then # would su((est to simply find a %uiet
room and ma)e sure you donJt ha$e any distractions& ,ome su((est li(htin( a candle or
incense" *ut those are not really necessary& @owe$er" they do allow the mind to realiBe it
is time to rela3&
The Just ,hall -i$e By Faith
NThe Gust shall li$e *y faith&N
?artin -uther was an interestin( indi$idual& @e li$ed in the /0th century" and was raised
in a particular reli(ion as a mon)" a teacher as you may call it" teachin( others the truth
that he was tau(ht of&
.et" he *e(an to realiBe the flaws of his reli(ion" e$en thou(h he still *elie$ed it& That
they were doin( thin(s that well&&&to him Gust didnEt feel ri(ht& They thou(ht that they
were the only ri(ht way" and that there was no other& @e *e(an to %uestion the Bi*le and
studied it" to see what was so wron(&
One day he stum*led upon a te3t that )noc)ed him out with clear realiBation&
NThe Just shall li$e *y Faith&N
#t meant to him that the honest and the $irtuous people shall li$e in confidence" and with
assurance& To *elie$e what they canEt see& #n other words" Creed& That you shouldnEt
ne$er chase physical thin(s and say that yes" this is the OA-. truth out there&
And he started his own thin(& @is own way of life with his own answers" *elie$in( that
anythin( is possi*le if you *elie$e in it& Of course" other mon)s and other lon( admires of
him did not li)e his new way of life" and they tried to stop him&&&and (et rid of his new
ideals& .et they couldnEt& @e *elie$ed in connection" and to stay in contact to others that
)ept the Faith& And he *ecame well )nown&
,o must we also do the same& As Jedi" we must study for oursel$es the pieces of
)nowled(e that we ha$e" and come up with our own answers" e$en if others donEt see it
the same way and want to destroy you& #t will ne$er *e ta)en for (ranted& This is the way
of the Jedi" to stay firm and to *elie$e in what you feel" e$en thou(h you cannot see it&
The Just shall li$e *y Faith&
-et Co
#ma(ine thisD a little child" learnin( to ride a *icycle" falls" and scrapes his usin( NhisN for
sa)e of reference only! )nee& @e can either (et up" clean out the wound" and (o on 5 or he
can sit on the (round" cryin(" *emoanin( his inGury&
Are you with me so far8 O)ay&&& then picture that same child" now a teena(er" wor)in( up
the ner$e to as) a (irl out on a date 5 and *ein( turned down& @e can swear off the
opposite (ender entirely" or he can sprin( *ac)" and as) the same (irl a(ain or find
someone new&
,o far" so (ood8 E3cellent& Aow ima(ine that your *est friend" whom you ha$e trusted
for many years with your deepest secrets" has *een tellin( those secrets all alon(& Will
you hide in a hole in the (round and *ecome a hermit" or will you push forward" and let
(o of the *etrayal8
.ou see" # was once told that you can let life s)ewer you to the wall" or you can (ra* the
*ull *y the horns& This is the %uestion # want to as) you" as well as the point # am
attemptin( to ma)eD will you *e s)ewered" or will you (ra* the *ull *y the horns" and
mo$e on8 Will you *e capti$e to misery 5 or will you let (o8
.our Focus Determines your 'eality
What most people see) in life is not terri*ly complicated& We want only the peace of
mind that is so hard to achie$e& To not ha$e to worry would *e a *lessin(& To hope and to
dream& To ha$e the freedom to choose howe$er we wish without outside influence& This
is the ideal situation& @owe$er" life is simply not so& Why is this8 Because we ma)e it
that way& The lac) of these %ualities is what ma)es us stron(& As unfortunate as it seems"
we (au(e our li$es *y our sufferin(" and the sufferin( of those around us& #t is how we
choose to deal with these sufferin(s that ma)es us who we are&
@owe$er" do not let society lead you to *elie$e that these freedoms are inaccessi*le to
you& .ou can (et these *ac)& But it is up to you whether or not you will allow another to
influence your decisions" or whether or not you choose to waste your ener(ies on worry&
Co out there and dream& Dream until youJre tired of dreamin(& E$en if your lo(ical mind
tells you otherwise" do not *elie$e for a second that what you *elie$e can *e" will *e
anythin( other than your future& What you intend to do" directs the flow of your destiny&
Fnow Thyself
When # first *e(an to learn of the ways of the Force" there was nowhere for me to turn& #
had to learn completely on my own& This was the case for three years *efore # met my
?aster" CediM in that time" # de$eloped my own Code and the philosophy which has
*ecome the *asis for my learnin(&
First and foremost" a Jedi must learn to )now themsel$es in e$ery aspect of their *ein(55
from the mundane to the esoteric& When you interact with another person" as) yourself
why you say what you say" or why you do what you do& E3amine your interests" your
li)es and disli)es& Why are you interested in particular acti$ities8 Why do you li)e or
disli)e somethin( or someone8 #f you (o into chat rooms" as) yourself the same thin( my
?aster as)ed meD why did you choose the name you did8 What si(nificance does your
name and the color of the te3t you choose ha$e for you8 .ouJll *e somewhat surprised at
the depth of the answers& For e3ample" # chose the name NTionneN" *ecause # related
stron(ly to the character in the Jedi Academy trilo(y& # am a musician" poet" and scholar&
# )now of my wea)nesses" *ut # also turn them into my stren(ths" as Tionne did& ,he
could ha$e crumpled when E3ar Fun *elittled her lac) of Force talents" *ut instead" she
concentrated on her stren(th55music55sayin( that she would *e the one to sin( the son(s
of his defeat& ,o it is with me& All my life" # ha$e *een *elittled for one reason or another"
ran(in( from the color of my eyes to scathin( opinions a*out my music& But my music
and poetry are two of my maGor stren(ths" and # concentrate on those and not wea)nesses&
As for the color # normally use in either the Cantina or the Jedi Creed chat rooms" it is a
medium sil$ery5*lue" li)e the ocean on a sunny day& To me" that color means Goy&&&
peace&&& lo$e&&& sta*ilityM this is dou*ly si(nificant" *ecause # (rew up two minutes away
from the ocean& E3amine yourself closely& The Force is comprised of all li$in( thin(s"
includin( yourself& When you *e(in to understand yourself" you are well on the way to
understandin( of the Force&
For now" # lea$e you with this" the Code # de$eloped o$er years of trainin(& #t is so
simple" yet it too) me so lon( to realiBeD
Trust yourself&
Belie$e in yourself&
Be patient with yourself&
Feep your cool&
#nspiration
NWe hope to inspire you into realiBin( your a*ilities&N 5 The Jedi Creed ?otto
#t is inspiration which creates life& To realiBe what it is that we see)" the con%uest of our
Gourneys& We are inspired to e3ist and to pursue our destiny" whether it *e of wisdom" of
coura(e" of )nowled(e" or of anythin( we aspire to o*tain& ?oti$ation is what helps us
accomplish our dreams in order to *ecome realities" encoura(in( oursel$es to *e of
(oodness and contentedness&
One of our main (oal as Jedi is simply to inspire people" to inform indi$iduals of their
true *ein(& #n connection with *ein( a Jedi myself" # wish to allow for those who want to
learn these ele$en simple steps for recei$in( the inspiration to do the pro*a*le as well as
the impossi*le& # modestly call them The 2eys to &nspiration +&
&nte(rity
:o*leness
$i(nificance
?assi$eness
&ma(ination
Responsi*ility
ffection
Truth
&nterest
3ptimism
:aturalness
&ntegrity+
This is one of the most important )eys to inspiration& #nte(rity means to *e complete"
comprehensi$e" to *e honest of thyself& To *e of principle" and to ha$e simple morals
of (ood& As # ha$e said many times *efore" unity is the )ey& .et in order to ac%uire
unity" you must ha$e a common distinction of what is ri(ht and what is wron(& #f this
is not the case" corruption and mistreatment will come from within&
:obleness+
Ao*leness means to *e maGestic and of hi(h %uality& This does not mean you ha$e to
*e famous cele*rity to the pu*lic" yet simply to *e respecta*le" seein( yourself worthy
to *e who you are& #ts acceptin( who you are and )nowin( that you are uni%ue"
distincti$e" and unli)e no other& #f you place yourself in that frame of mind" then you
will start actin( no*le towards others around you&&& and their respect towards you will
come your way&
$ignificance
,i(nificance is almost li)e no*leness" yet it refers more to how you insi(ht the
uni$erse you are part of& ,i(nificance means to that which has meanin( and
importance in relation to *eholdin( the hidden splendor and *rilliance of the world
around you& #f you *e(in to loo) at thin(s in a deeper sense" you will *e(in to realiBe
the connection of all effects in nature 5 as with $iewin( a simple insect" smellin( a
daffodil" hearin( the sound of fallin( rain" or feelin( the *reeBe flow past you& #t is
si(nificance which *roadens your capa*ility to hold the infinite )nowled(e and
wisdom of our (ala3y&
?assiveness
Passi$eness means to acted upon without actin( in return" to *e calm and patient in
awaitin( for your moment to encounter a spectacle& #t is to *e nonresistant when
others would enforce action& To *e passi$e" you must achie$e why you must do so at
a certain point in time& #f you are too careless into constantly actin( upon somethin(
without )nowin( the conse%uences of your actions" you will o*tain the ris) of
fi(htin( for the wron( cause& .et if you are constantly inacti$e" nothin( will *e ta)en
into effect& .ou must disco$er *alance *etween them and to discern how much
dosa(e is suita*le for your personality&
&magination
#ma(ination is e3tremely meanin(ful when see)in( inspiration& #t is the act of
formin( mental conceptions of what is not present nor e3perienced" to create new
ima(es and ideas with your e3periences& #ma(ination is the proGection of your true
self" the picture of an e3istence without actually e3istin( in relation to a physical
sense& This is what completes your own ideals" and e3presses them in a way ne$er
done *efore *y others& #t is findin( the want of o$ercomin( the *arriers of a falsified
reality which (i$es you the moti$ation to *e inspired in findin( li*erty and peace
from within&
Responsibility
This is another crucial )ey for anyone who wishes to *e encoura(ed& 'esponsi*ility
means to *e o*li(ated of a function" to *e accounta*le for oneEs *eha$ior& #t is when
your way of thin)in(" feelin(" and actin( are dependa*le and relia*le to others as well
as yourself& To *e responsi*le is to ta)e action when others would not" to ta)e char(e
of the situation& This comes in connection to passi$eness" in which one must *alance
them self *etween these two a*ilities& #t is responsi*ility which de$elops e3perience
and (uidance towards your destiny&
ffection
Affection is simply to affect someone or yourself with tender thou(ht and sympathy&
#t is carin( for somethin( which pro$ides the influence to defend what is ri(ht and
what is Gust& ,uch e3amples can *e of simply (i$in( your attention to another who is
depressed" in which you will yearn to help the indi$idual into percei$in( a *etter
e3istence of themsel$es& This implies to the indi$idual self as well& #f you are not
concerned a*out yourself" it will *e e3tremely hard to *e concerned for other people&
Truth

This is the core of inspiration& #t is truth" the accuracy and precision of the uni$erse
which surrounds us and penetrates us" that assists us to %uench the understandin( of
the realities of life& #t is the answer that we search for which )eeps us intact as a
*ein(& Truth will always lead you towards who you are" for it is the )ey to your fate&
,ometimes you must *e careful of how much truth you are to percei$e at a certain
point of time& #f you are not" the alteration of your enli(htened destiny may *e at
sta)e&
&nterest
#t is interest which (i$es us the encoura(ement to carry on& #t the want to *e of
e3istence" the *reath of life" which )eeps us in constant reach of our (oals& .ou ha$e
to want to do somethin( in order to do anythin(& #f you are indeed interested in
see)in( what you are after" you will find the moti$ation to find it& #n my opinion this
is the *asics" pro*a*ly one of the first steps you must master to recei$e inspiration&
3ptimism
,imilar to interest" optimism is *elie$in( that this is what is meant to *e" in which
(oodness pre$ails and hope e3ist within the (ala3y& .et to *e interested in anythin(
you ha$e to *elie$e that it is possi*le" not impro*a*le& #t is to )now that you will
unco$er what you were meant to find" and doin( so with confidence& This is what will
lead you to success" and to o$ercome the fears and stu**ornness of an indi$idual as
well as an entire community which e3ist *eside you&
:aturalness
Be you& Be free from the *urdens that are re(ulated upon you& All you ha$e to do is
*e in control of yourself and you will find the ur(e to do more& #t is independence and
freedom which captures the human spirit" in which helps those to stri$e *ecome what
they are cra$in( to *ecome and to spread it to others around them& #t is the naturalness
of *ein( which )eeps *alance within the uni$erse&
# am sure you ha$e noticed how all these )eys interact and relate to each other& #n
fact" if you ha$e e$en one of these )eys" other )eys will come to you& .et you may
seem to find that you do not e$en ha$e any of these )eys to inspiration& Well" to those
who see it in that sense" # remind them of a )ey (uaranteed to *e within them as a
*ein(& That my friends is faith& The faith in *elie$in( in somethin( will lead you
towards findin( the first of these )eys&
We must constantly remind oursel$es that our reason to li$e is to *elie$e in li$in(& #f
nothin( was to *elie$e in us" then we could ne$er e3ist& #t is creed which leads us to
stimulation" to *e inspired into realiBin( our a*ilities&&& the stir to fa*ricate your
surroundin(s into a *etter atmosphere& Thou(h we mi(ht fail" moti$ation will )eep us
(oin( until we ha$e prospered& This is the reason why The Jedi Creed has succeeded
where others ha$e failed 5 it is inspiration that will lead us home&
?aper Tiger
A lon( time a(o" in a distant forest" two ti(ers li$ed& One was of flesh and *lood&&& claw
and sinew&&& hide and *reath& The other was only made of oran(e and *lac) lines on paper
cut to loo) li)e a ti(er& One day" they went out huntin( to(ether& The flesh5and5*lood
ti(er said to his companion" N,ee that deer o$er there8 .ou distract him from the front"
and # will circle around *ehind him for the )ill&N The paper ti(er a(reed to this&
,o the two ti(ers e3ecuted their plan to *rin( down the deer& The paper ti(er *e(an
roarin( and (rowlin( and (enerally raisin( a ruc)us" tryin( to hold the deerJs attention
lon( enou(h for his companion to sprin( in for the )ill& But the deer could see the
shadows of *ranches throu(h the paper ti(erJs *ody" and )new there was not much more
to him than noise& The deer char(ed the paper ti(er and trampled him into the (round&
At this" the flesh5and5*lood ti(er spran( at the deerJs throat and latched on with (reat
ferocity& Chaos rei(ned as the deer stru((led for its life& But the flesh5and5*lood ti(er
won outM he tore out the throat of the deer" thus a$en(in( his slain companion& @e let the
deer drop to the (round" and padded o$er to where the paper ti(er lay on the (round&
N.ou should ha$e put some su*stance into your roars" friend&N
] ] ]
This tale is *ased on a comment a former )arate instructor made to me many years
a(o& To this mentor" # owe a (reat deal" and pass the same lesson alon( to youD NDonJt
*e a paper ti(er&N
The ?ledge of @octrine
We must see) the principles of assurance&&&
-ife is full of promises& #t is when someone or somethin( re$eals to us what has *een
(ranted& There are times when we )now what there is to )now" thou(h we seem to *e
apprehensi$e towards (raspin( the )nowled(e and wisdom of the situation& And
while we remain in slum*er" we rely on the Force to pro$ide us the answers to our
e3istence&
.et we must also assure oursel$es that we fa*ricate our own li$es& ,ometimes the
answer does not come out so o*$iously in the *e(innin(" and that we must (i$e
de$otion to oursel$es that we will see) what needs to *e found& There are many
points of $iew to discern what life has *estowed upon us which captures our
spirit&&&and *y teachin( others our principles in life" we find the (oodness in which
The Force has promised us& That life is a pled(e of doctrine& -i$e the awa)enin(&&&
Lost and 9ound
NThey say the man that finds his life will lose it" and mine was slippin( away& But Oh
the man that has the faith to loose it" will find that his life is sa$ed&N 5 Da$id ?eece
,ometimes thou(h it may seem that we loose" we actually win& ,o is it that sometimes
it may seem that somethin( is lost" it is actually found& ,o must a Jedi understand to
not *e afraid of failure" and if one chooses so" to see failure as passin(& That if you
ne$er fail and loose some" you will ne$er succeed& ,ometimes it is *etter to fail" and
to re$iew our mista)es and learn from it" then it is to pass" and to ne$er put thou(ht
into it a(ain& Passin( and failure is an in(redient composed within oursel$es" and
remains part of our completion&
All thin(s happen for the *est and are always meant to happen& E$en the worst of
thin(s can turn out to *e the *est of thin(s& Another manJs curse can *e another manJs
*lessin(& Another manJs trash can *e another manJs treasure& #t is the same for the lost
and found& One may seem lost" yet is found& #t is all on how we inspect thin(s" and
our points of $iew&
Thin(s are not always as they seem& That is not to say that there is one definite
answer" yet to say there are many ways of $iewin( that one answer& The answer of
truth& The same as it with a crystal& A crystal is perfect" pure" and of infinite worth"
and as we loo) at itEs perfection" we see different perspecti$es of the same thin(&
From oneEs $iew of shape" siBe" and focus&&&it (i$es the admirer a uni%ue $iewpoint of
the crystal& ,o is it with truth& There are many ways and tales to tell from one point of
$iew to another" and that there are many points of $iew we still must consider& There
is much more then we already (rasp within us&
We must find our own answers 5 seein( the truth in all thin(s" e$en from falsehood&
Because to someone" to another *ein(" it is crystal clear&&&and ma)es perfect sense&
$imple !ame of ,hess
A simple (ame really& A pastime that is simple to learn from" yet it can ta)e a lifetime
to master& For (enerations upon (enerations" chess has *een a (ame of wonder" of
intri(ued interest& A simple (ame where there is only one winner& A (ame of strate(y"
ne$er chance& E$erythin( is thou(ht of *eforehand" e$ery piece counts for somethin(&
E$eryone has a price" as well as a price to pay& #t can ta)e a lon( time or a short time"
yet it will *e finished sooner or later& Patience is a $irtue& E$ery action and e$ery
thou(ht55counts&
As with any (ame of Chess" the Pawns are the first in line and are used for sacrifice&
The soldiers& All those in the playin( area" or the *attle Bone" those who suffer first"
and ta)e the *lows& As with any match" sometimes the Pawn reaches to the other side
of the *oard" and then chooses itEs shape" or to chan(e to a new piece" when it reaches
itEs (oal after a lon( and hard Gourney tra$elin( towards their destiny& #t can *e
anythin( it wants&&&e3cept for one piece 5 the )in( 5 in which it must defend and
spread its (lory& #t can *ecome a uni%ue piece" to ser$e a $ital function& #t can turn the
(ame around& E$en thou(h Pawns are wea)" they are a must in a Chess (ame& And
somehow" carry an ur(e of power so (reat and mi(hty&&&that we can ne$er ta)e them
for (ranted&
There are others" such as the 'oo)" the Fni(ht" and the Bishop& They are precious
pieces" yet are willin( to sacrifice themsel$es for others& All ha$in( an uni%ue
function& All ha$in( a choice& All with one o*Gecti$e in mindD To win& They )now the
rulesM they )now the ris)55and still" they put themsel$es in dan(er" all wor)in( as a
team" to(ether" protectin( their Fin( from the foeJs attac)&
And there is also a Oueen& The main enforcer& The one who )eeps control" and )eeps
e$erythin( in line& ,ometimes it is sacrificed" yet doin( so is e3tremely $ital& .es"
there can *e more than one Oueen& A Pawn has the a*ility to do so when it reaches
the other side& And some" yes some" ha$e done it" e$en thou(h they seemed at one
point to *e so wea)&
The Fin(& The whole point of the (ame& #t has a simple mo$e&&&and it can ne$er *e
destroyed& The Fin( ne$er dies& #t surrenders to the other" su*mits itEs powers" and
chan(es form& And all is well&
.es" there are Draws and ,talemates& .et this doesnEt stop the ur(e" the wantin( to
spread and ta)e o$er& And yes" the (ame can *e renewed" as the will of a cycle" and is
played all o$er a(ain& And as with any other (ame" it is played a(ain& And a(ain& And
a(ain& Until the ur(e and moti$ation stops&
#n the (ame of our uni$erse" the *attle *etween (ood and e$il ta)es place& There is our
main faith" The Force& The *elief in which can ne$er die" only to *e chan(ed into
somethin( purer and ma(nificent& And their are the enforcers and the main
pieces&&&who defend it& And there are those that sacrifice all" and are willin( to *e
destroyed&&&and ris) it all for what they *elie$e in& We e3ist as one of these pieces of
our (ame of life& And we (o on&&&until the (ame is o$er&
.et the mind has itEs own (ame of chess" where the player" the owner of the mind"
*ecomes and e3ist as all the pieces of one side& .et there is another side& ?ay it *e
our conscience" or another side ur(in( us to do somethin(" our mind (oes a(ainst this
resistance" and your conscience (oes a(ainst itEs dou*t& We )eep playin(" and e$en
when we win or lose" we sometimes find that ur(e and moti$ation to play a(ain&
E$ery mo$e counts& #t all means somethin(" and we decide who will win or lose&&&*y
how we play the (ame&
A simple (ame of chess& #ntri(uin( it is&
3ak and Reed
What ma)es a Jedi what they are8 That is hard to tell& #f it were Gust Force talent" then
many more would *e Jedi& ,ome *ein(s would say that it is hardship that ma)es a
Jedi& ,ome would say the e3act opposite thin(& ?yself" # *elie$e a Jedi is the
composite of all their e3periences" (ood or *ad& @ardship stren(thens" true55*ut it can
*rea) a *ein( with the force of a superno$a& -o$e lends its own *rand of stren(th"
more li)e a reed *endin( in the *reeBe than the mi(hty oa) that falls to the storm& .et
e$en the oa) endured& Those in whom the hearts of oa) and reed meld are the ones
that *ecome true Jedi&
This ,rude %atter
The (eneral *elief of the world is that your *ody is the real you& This is not so& .ou
remem*er what .oda said to -u)e&
.our *ody is a part of you" yes" *ut it is merely a shell with which you can
demonstrate and communicate& Those who ha$e felt the Force for what it is" ha$e no
time for concernin( themsel$es with the words that attempt to descri*e it& Words do
ha$e some power" as 'elan has noted" *ut it is limited&
,o" the idea is" you should not wince at the thou(ht *odily harm" *ecause it may Gust
come& Bruce -ee called the hands and feet" NtoolsN which were your weapons of
defense& #f you were to punch a punchin( *a( and were to worried a*out hurtin( your
hand" you would not stri)e as powerfully as you would if you simply thou(ht of your
fist as a weapon& ,omethin( you are sendin( at the punchin( *a(& Act with
Nemotional contentN" as Bruce -ee also said once& Aot with self5preser$ation&
,imply ta)e care of your *ody& Eat healthily& E3ercise& Feep it in (ood shape"
*ecause doin( so" ultimately allows your mind and spirit to heal as well&
When meditatin(" *e aware of your *ody" *ut do not allow it to *ecome you" *ecause
you will then *e too preoccupied *y it&
N-uminous *ein(s are we&&&N
The Land of :od
We li$e amon(st a field of poppies&&&a field of dreams& 'est ho$ers o$er our
shoulders& We snooBe" and we snore& All is comforted *y The Force itself& #t (i$es
this land to us& And if we decide so" we can li$e here as lon( as we want& #t is our
choice&
Thou(h it seems that this is our purpose in life&&&we find that it isnEt& 'ealiBe that we
must (et up and ta)e action& We ha$e *een asleep for too lon(& The Force is lettin( us
decide for oursel$es to (et up and ser$e the purpose you were (i$en as destiny" as
le(end& And all we ha$e to do is (ra* it from the hands of The Force&&&who holds it up
for us to reach and want us to achie$e it&
There are some that li$e in holes&&&and ca$es& ?ainly those in the mind& And we sleep"
and we rest&&&and we wait&&&for somethin( to happen yet it *ecomes nothin(& -i)e our
flaws which seems we cannot fi3& What we must realiBe is that WE are that
somethin(& As the Jedi helps others" we must also help oursel$es& That is the will of
The Force&&&that we can find the moti$ation if we *elie$e it is possi*le& And trust in
purest faith& The li(ht of truth&
O)ay& ?y true story&&&yeah&&&this is me&
# )now in my life" # ha$e li$ed in many of my own holes and ca$es that # du( for
myself& ,ome of me still li$es in those ca$es& And yeah" # want to stay there and sleep
it off& .et what is the reason8 What is the purpose8 # feel that there is still some of me
in those ca$es" s%uanderin( parts of my life" in which # ta)e for (ranted&&& and # let
others *ecome my own Gud(e of who and what # was and is&&&&when # also needed to
Gud(e myself&&&and let The Force Gud(e me as well& # canEt let other thin(s restrict me
from what is ri(ht and what is Gust55what is truth&
,ome are out of the ca$es& .et are scared from the ca$es that they ha$e du( up& And
some as we spea) are ta)in( a sho$el and *uryin( these holes up" wantin( them to *e
no more& ,ome seem so impossi*le to co$er&&&and it seems that how hard we want our
past mista)es to lea$e us&&&some seem to ne$er lea$e at all& We can *ury and mend the
situation&&&as *est as we can&
And now" as you read this" # )now at least one of these ca$es inside me are now
empty& ,ince you wanted to read this& And that person is with you ri(ht now" in your
mind and in your heart& @e is yours now" whether you li)e it or not& @eEs part of
you&&&part of your uni$erse& @e will always *e& And if you want him to" he can help
.OU come out of your own ca$es& Why donJt you let him help you8 -et him wa)e
you up in the -and of Aod&&&and help you (et up&&&and reach out to what The Force is
offerin( you& And *e happy&
Role %odels
E$eryone tal)s a*out the importance of role models" yet there is little e3planation as
to why it is so important&
#t *e(ins with a $ision& Usually it is somethin( su*5conscious& This $ision is of what
we all wish oursel$es to *e some day in the future& We all ha$e some sort of an idea
what we want to *e" *ut we lac) the coura(e to underta)e the challen(e of *ecomin(
Gust that&
,o" when we attempt to *ecome our ultimate $ision of our *etter self" we run into
difficulty" *ecause we find oursel$es to *e unworthy of (randness& This is when the
role model appears&
Because there are many accomplished people out there" we search for someone who
had a similar past" and+or someone who is li)e us in some way& Therefore" we are a*le
to see oursel$es as that (reater $ision" e$en if that $ision appears to *e li)e another
person&
As # ha$e come to e3perience it" this situation is o)ay& As a *e(innin(& We all need
some )ind of inspiration" or a *oost of ener(y" or willpower to start us off& After this
has *e(un" then we (ain somethin( we call self5confidence" which is turn" helps us
learn to *e who we really are" and who we want to *e" without the false ima(e" or
Nrole modelN" which helped us (et there&
The ?otential of 4ords
Words are a part of connection 5 it is a way of e3pressin( oursel$es to others in a way
we can e3press them& #t (i$es meanin(" it (i$es ima(ination" it (i$es warmth and
comfort& To understand and comprehend the definition and the meanin( of words" of
lan(ua(e and speech" people will dare to listen& And will *e (i$en hope" faith" and
lo$e&
To listen is what a Jedi focuses on& To learn and to heed is our $ision& And to (ain
literacy and to *ecome literate" this o*Gecti$e will ta)e place& To *e impartial"
unpreGudiced" un*iased of discernin( othersE $iews& To listen and to reco(niBe all
aspects of the e%uation& The e%uation of truth&
We tal)" write" and e3press55 yet we must also thin) *efore we leap& The matter and
the element of illustration is to adapt to the phase and to understand itEs an(le& #tEs
definition and itEs meanin(& To the *est of our a*ility&
Others will turn and notice" more will listen and learn& #t can tear a compassionate
heart or sa$e a hopeless soul& People notice itEs flaws as well as itEs e3cellence" and
notice it well& The potential of words is (reat *eyond measure& #t is a (ift to us from
The Force& Use it wisely&
Language of the $pirit
As with all of us" we ha$e a lan(ua(e in which we e3press oursel$es& E$en thou(h we
learn of other lan(ua(es" we can mostly relate and (i$e more feelin( to the lan(ua(e
we were raised in or more familiar to& Our mother lan(ua(e&
And Gust li)e any lan(ua(e" you can translate it for another lan(ua(e and (i$e a
meanin(& E$en thou(h you can do this" you can ne$er ac%uire a precise definition& #n
other words" e$ery word from any lan(ua(e&&&has itEs own and e3act meanin(& And
e$en if you use the same e3act word to another" it may not come out the same way to
another& The definition of the words is undefined or infinite&&&many answers& ,ame as
it is with a lan(ua(e" which uses words to e3press feelin( to someone else&
That is a physical approach& Aow thin) of it in a spiritual comparison&
Thin) of lan(ua(e as a reli(ion" a way of feelin( and e3pression of an indi$idual&&&and
thin) of the words (i$en from our apparent dialect as our way of life" or what we
understand and fathom" in that reli(ion& And as always" you can learn another
lan(ua(e& .et e$ery word" e$ery form of e3pression" remains perfect and uni%ue& As
with a (roup of people that spea) a certain lan(ua(e" their are (roups that *elie$e a
certain reli(ion&&&and tell it to others so that they can also learn of itJs meanin(&
'eli(ion&&&or our *elief&&&is the lan(ua(e of the spirit& And as we find our own Creed"
we find that we must find our own reli(ion" our own way of life" uni%ue" and li)e no
other& These are the words of e3pression throu(h our lan(ua(e&&&that defines it& And
yet" to not *elie$e is to *elie$e in not *elie$in(& .ou still *elie$e in somethin(& We all
ha$e a reli(ion" e$en if it is to not *elie$e in reli(ion& .ou see" it is still a reli(ion&
We ha$e our own form of e3pression" each and e$ery one of us& We must all find our
own Creed& Our own lan(ua(e of our own souls&
5arriers of the &ntellect
As humans" we each ha$e a $ery uni%ue perspecti$e& We each loo) at the world in a
completely different way *ecause of our e3periences" and our *iases& #t is somethin(
we should *e (rateful for& #ndi$iduality&
.et" there is a pro*lem& Alon( with indi$iduality" comes opinion" and sides to an
ar(ument" and different $ersion of T'UT@&
'elan tau(ht me somethin( $ery important& #f we are e$er to ha$e unity" we must
)noc) down these *arriers that separate us merely *ecause of our point of $iew&
#nstead of only seein( a certain part of the picture" loo) at the whole thin(& Come to
understand other perspecti$es" e$en if you donJt necessarily a(ree with them& #n fact"
donJt a(ree& DonJt disa(ree either& Just loo) at it as it is" and the truth will come forth&
.ou see" the world has *ecome $ery se(re(ated *ecause of stu**ornness" and
unwillin(ness to at least listen to another side& Be the open5minded one& Open your
eyes to the world& 'emem*er" thou(h" you need unity within yourself" *efore there
can *e unity in the world&
N# say itJs time to )noc) the *arriers down& #Jm tired of seein( thin(s only as one way&
#tJs time to see it all&N N#J$e *een loo)ed down auponb for *elie$in( that& They say #Jm
not one of them sometimes& ,ome say # spea) truth" yet # stri$e to see it in them&N
&nfinite 9aith
-on( time a(o in #taly" a Cree) named Keno came up with an interestin( situation
which" in a lo(ical settin(" could not *e sol$ed& @e called it Achilles and the Tortoise&
Usin( simple lo(ic" he couldnJt pro$e that Achilles" a (reat warrior" could e$er win a
race *etween a slow tortoise& ,ure" Achilles was physically fit" yet could mathematics
pro$e that he would win" e$en if we )now he will win8
#n order to (et anywhere" Keno would insi(ht" you must (et halfway there& @owe$er"
to (et to the halfway point" you must first (et halfway to that point" and so on and so
forth& #n other words" in order to (et anywhere" e$en to *e(in to mo$e" you must first
perform an infinity of other mo$ements&
@ow do we mo$e8 Can we pro$e that we mo$e from one place to another8 Keno (a$e
a situation where it seems impossi*le for anythin( to mo$e at all& .et we mo$e&
Why8 Do we assume that someone li)e Achilles will win a tortoise *ecause of our
e3periences8 Or is it *elie$in(8 CanJt we pro$e somethin( that is so simple and
elementary in or li$es8 A small infant could fi(ure it out *y Gust e3istin(" yet still to
this day" the (reatest (enius cannot pro$e why&
Achilles and the Tortoise tau(ht me a $alua*le lesson& ,ome thin(s" simple as they
seem" cannot always *e pro$en to another& ,ometimes one has to e3perience and
understand it for themsel$es& That is when they )now it is true& We *elie$e thin(s
happen as they do 5 that is why they happen& We call it Faith" or Creed&&& to *elie$e in
somethin( that we canJt comprehend nor fathom& #t is when lo(ic cannot sol$e all our
pro*lems& ,ometimes we Gust need to *elie$e in somethin(& ,omethin( we )now e3ist
that canJt *e pro$en *eyond a reasona*le dou*t&
We *elie$e that Achilles will win the Tortoise" so he does& .et we must realiBe that it
is possi*le that the Tortoise could win" if we *elie$ed it Gust the same as will Achilles&
With Faith" we can mo$e mountains 5 all we need to do is *elie$e it is possi*le& And it
is&
Thin(s e3ist *ecause we *elie$e in somethin(& With infinite Faith" anythin( is
possi*le&
Anythin(&
The All of E$erythin(
#f you are not familiar with the term Nmytholo(yN" then # shall e3plain& #n most myths"
you may reco(niBe many similarities& There is usually one main JcharacterJ" from
which comes the story of a path to (reatness& There is also a teacher& One whom
directs the main character" or ultimately the hero" onto this path" which e$entually
leads to either the $an%uishin( of a certain e$il person" or to the le$el of a (reat
warrior or wise man yet we )now now" that war does not ma)e one (reat!& .et" many
of these are told as stories" and are more often than not *elie$ed to *e nothin( more
than fairy tales& Do not ma)e this mista)e for yourself& .ou" ri(ht now" are also li$in(
a myth& .ou A'E that hero& Trust in this truth" and the Force" and you will see where
this can lead you& We are all the heroes& We are all the chosen ones& .es& Belie$e it&
.ou ha$e *een chosen for (reat thin(s& #f you choose to follow this path" and accept
the opportunity that has *een (i$en to you" you will therefore see the (rand thin(s in
life&
There is an old sayin(M one that seems to *e o$er used amon( the Jedi today" and has
led many apprentices to *elie$e it is untrue& That sayin( is" NWhen the student is
ready" the master will appear&N The ?aster can come in many forms& Whether it is a
physical teacher" or the realiBation that the true master lies within" it will happen only
at a time that it was destined to& All thin(s happen for a reason" and nothin( happens
outside of the ForceJs plan&
Destiny" howe$er" is $ery misunderstood& #t is said that destiny is that which is
prewritten in past" present and future& Do not *e led to *elie$e thou(h" that this means
that you ha$e no choice a*out the path of your life& The fact is that no one" and no5
thin( can force you to do anythin( e3cept what it is you want to do in life& Of course"
many would use that statement to Gustify horri*le acts& Ao" you see" that statement is
meant to free you from your indecision& Do nothin( *ut what you lo$e to do" and you
will see how (rand life can *e& Choose nothin( *ut lo$e in your decisions" and the rest
flows easily& But then what8 What of fate8 -et us come to a crossroads" Gust as an
e3ample& #ma(ine you are on the $er(e of ma)in( a $ery important life decision&
Others encoura(e you to (o left" while your feelin(s tell you to (o ri(ht& What is your
destiny8 The answer is $ery simple& Whiche$er you choose" #, your destiny& Ao one
in the realm J*eyondJ has anythin( planned for you other than what .OU ha$e
planned for .OU&
3ur ,reation
The part of this philosophy that most will ha$e a difficult time understandin( is that
the idea" which you ha$e planned for you" as # stated a*o$e" wor)s constantly& ,o not
only are you responsi*le for the positi$e in your life" *ut you is also responsi*le for
the ne(ati$e& .ou your soul! create e$ery situation in your life accordin( to what it
your soul! wants& Of course" some may ar(ue that they didnJt want to (et sic)& They
didnJt want to (et into a car accident& This is true& A lot of the time" we do not
consciously select these *ad situations& But this is where our thou(ht comes in&
Thou(ht is one of the most powerful thin(s we ha$e in life& -earnin( this and
e3periencin( the a*ility that we all ha$e comes with some responsi*ility" howe$er&
Our thou(ht races around the world and *ac) a(ain *efore you can e$en finish sayin(
the word& The mind5set we are in determines (reatly how thin(s turn out in our li$es&
,o not only can you create hea$en in your life" *ut you can also" unfortunately" Nput
yourself throu(h hellN& ,o what do we do a*out this8 A little somethin( called thou(ht
monitorin(& #f you ha$e a ne(ati$e thou(ht" recreate the thou(ht into somethin( new&
But ri(ht here is where one can run into pro*lems& -etJs consider somethin( that
happens re(ularly to all of us& -etJs say that you start feelin( as if you are a*out to
come down with a cold& The first thin( that pops into most minds is to resist it& 'esist
it with all your a*ility& But what does this show to the mind8 #t shows that the cold is
there" and you are then admittin( to ha$in( the sic)ness" and then you will most li)ely
*ecome sic)& #f" howe$er" you simply o*ser$e what it is that made you thin) you were
(ettin( sic)" you will see it in a different li(ht& .ou will see it simply as it is&
Our minds are $ery powerful tools& #Jm sure that many of you ha$e often hoped for
the a*ility to heal yourself with the power of thou(ht" or perhaps the a*ility to push
yourself *eyond your normal limits& These a*ilities are not far fetched at all" and are
in fact %uite common& @owe$er" they do not come with a price& They ta)e a (reat deal
of control so that you do not accidentally use that same a*ility to create more limits"
as opposed to (oin( past them& A ne(ati$e thou(ht pattern" coupled with a powerful
mind" can *e a dan(erous thin(& #nstead of practicin( your a*ility in the power of
your thou(ht" maintain control itself first& Practice an a*ility to control your thou(hts&
Concentrate" while *ein( aware& For e3ampleD if you had the power to le$itate thin(s
with your mind" yet had no control o$er any o*Gects" what would pre$ent you from
throwin( a roc) throu(h a window8 Practice )eepin( Nthe roc)N steady first&
!rasping the &magination
Why are these *elie$ers doin( the weird thin(s they do8
There are some people that a*etted me to percei$e that what # am doin( is $ery
demented and senseless" to the point they want to reGect my words and teachin(s
entirely& # myself often wonder at times" when # truly *e(in to notice and o*ser$e the
ri$etin( thin(s # am doin(& ,ometimes it is perple3in( for me to (rasp them& NDid #
really say that8N # often say to myself& And # realiBe&&&that what # Gust said did not
e3actly come from within my own ton(ue&
Enli(htenment ad$ances from the eyes of your heart" the hands of your soul" and the
$oice of your mind& Our teachin(s here are $ery metaphorical and $ery soothsayin( to
the point that if one does not open the door to the other parts of themsel$es" and loo)
always throu(h the eye yet not with it" they will not understand the eccentric speeches
and lectures that we spea) of& We are here to open your ima(ination" in any way we
can possi*le do so" howe$er *iBarre" in order for you to realiBe yourself and who you
really are& When we use the a*ilities of the Force" and when the Force enters us"
causin( us to spea) and perform thin(s that are so peculiar to another" it is simply
wantin( to recapture us& @elp us understand the mi(hty parado3 we contri*ute to our
fellow *ein(&
We are not a*out tellin( the future as much as we are a*out tellin( the now& The
chan(es of now& Our soothsayin( and predictions lead us to comprehend what we are
doin( ri(ht now as we spea)& Are we li$in( the way we should li$e8 Are we doin( the
ri(ht thin(s that will lead us towards a con$alescin( future8 Can we mend the
wron(s" and impro$e the ri(hts8
The Force is wantin( us to wait" wait for it call" howe$er lon( it may ta)e" howe$er
hard it may seem& And when it is ready to use us" and mold us into its own li)in(" we
will recei$e the )nowled(e and wisdom to succeed in our cause& .ou cannot lose& #t is
not Gust truth&&&it is the words that ma)e us true&&&
As) yourself if you truly" truly that is" want to find peace within your heart" soul" and
mind& Do you want to *e more then you are8 Truly8 DonJt lie to yourself" for a lie will
simply ma)e matters worse as it spreads throu(hout your *ein(& As a $irus" it will
corrupt you and it will ra$a(e you& 'ealiBe what you truly want in life" and focus on
that in e$erythin( you do&
# ha$e realiBed" mostly from some of my peers" that the ima(ination which )eeps me
(oin( and stri$in( to e3pand the (oodness *eyond the shadows of death and sorrow"
that seem to hide in unreacha*le corners that # can achie$e" is $ital to my sur$i$al& #
cannot e3ist if # do not (rasp and en$isa(e the perfection that can e3ist&&&and will
e3ist& And is e3istin(& This is why # )now # cannot (i$e up so easy" yet e$il will
simply notice me more" and will ta)e more e$asi$e actions to silence me shut&
Thou(h # may *e in pain" # will stru((le to find the path of interpretation" the ways of
wisdom" and of credence& # hope you will do the same&
Crasp your ima(ination& #t is wantin( you to understand its true meanin(&
$ubjectivity vs" 3bjectivity
Another way of loo)in( at O*Gecti$ity $s& ,u*Gecti$ity is that all su*Gecti$ity could *e
*ased around o*Gecti$ity&
That thou(h we may Npercei$eN that our su*Gecti$e $iews of spirituality are ri(ht for
us" or you" or whoe$er they seam to *e ri(ht for" all re$ol$e around an o*Gecti$e
essence" in which the su*Gecti$e parts of this o*Gecti$ity ma)e up that o*Gecti$ity
itself&
# myself *elie$e that a NpathN is different for e$eryone" thou(h e$eryoneEs path
re$ol$es around a constant in the uni$erse" such as" say" the Force" or perhaps Cod&
The fact that # use the term the Force rather than the term Cod is inconse%uential" as
whate$er # N*elie$eN this o*Gecti$e essence to *e" in my su*Gecti$e opinion a*out it"
can only *e *ased around what really is here&
What is here is here" and there is nothin( else that isnEt here with it&
Aow when you as) yourself then" what is this ultimate o*Gecti$ity that this
su*Gecti$ity is deri$ed from" you ha$e to understand that this o*Gecti$e essence of the
uni$erse is infinity" or rather the infinite& Thus" all su*Gecti$e $iews of any truth in life
are $alid&
Enlightenment
The Long Road to Enlightenment
Why is there so much s)epticism surroundin( this thin( called the Force or Tao
dependin( on your *elief!8 #s it that un*elie$a*le8 Thin(s happen so often that cause
us to drop our Gaws and hide our eyes *ecause of their le$el of dis(ust or *ecause of
their $iolence& .et" we *elie$e it *ecause we see it on T1" or hear on the radio" read
a*out it in the newspaper& ,o if we are capa*le of *elie$in( such horri*le thin(s" then
why not (ood thin(s8 Thin(s that could" in time" lead to the enli(htenment of all
ci$iliBation& Thin(s that could help is realiBe what is really important" and to *e more
)ind& But no" most people donJt see that& ?ost *elie$e that such a power is only (ood
for mo$in( o*Gects with their minds" or for influencin( people" or for (ainin( wealth
and power" instead of usin( it to spread peace" and help others& Power is nothin(&
What (ood does it do8 #t is corruptin(" and utterly destructi$e& ,o what if you ha$e
power for a time8 #f it has not helped anyone" then whatJs the point8 # see none&
For the most part" people donJt *elie$e in such thin(s *ecause of mo$ies" and
tele$ision" and how their (reatness has *een turned into science fiction" doin( it the
(reatest inGustice& #t cannot *e *ou(ht& #t cannot *e used in such a way& ,o much has
*een lost& ,o many people ha$e missed the point& They ha$e *ecome i(norant and fail
to see the *eauty of it& They ha$e lost the way& What is the way then8 # donJt )now& #
hope to find it" howe$er& # also hope to find ways of lettin( others )now& But a(ain"
few listen& # cannot ma)e people listen& They ha$e to do it on their own free will& #f
they donJt want to learn then why should # *other to teach them8 But now # sound as
if # am some (reat teacher and that # )now somethin( no one else does& ?ay*e # do"
may*e # donJt& There are others who ha$e seen it" who that somethin( lies *ehind the
thin) wall we call reality& But how do # )now it e3ists8 # donJt really& This whole
thin( may *e completely pointless& ?ay*e #Jm wastin( my time on some idealistic
crusade& What is the answer8 What am # really supposed to do8 Am # here for a
specific purpose8 What is the point8 ,hould # *other8
.es& .ou should& E$eryone has their place" and you must disco$er what that place is&
For some it ta)es years& For others it may ta)e months" or days& .ou are one& .ou are
your self& Aot whatJs on the outside" *ut whatJs on the inside& What canJt *e seen with
your eyes& -earn to )now that& Do what you feel is ri(ht& Aot what looks ri(ht&
,ometimes you must stop and thin)& Other times you must act& @a$e patience" *ut do
not waste your time& -ead a simple life& 'est when you are tiredM e3ercise when you
ha$e timeM meditate when life is confusin( and let the answers come to you *ut do
not let meditation ha$e priority o$er e$erythin( else!M eat when you are hun(ry that
doesnJt mean unhealthy food!M do not force people to do thin(s" only ma)e
su((estionsM help another when they are in need&
#t will *e a lon( road& Ta)e your time and remem*er what is important& The old
Chinese sym*ol for Tao represents a person runnin( alon( a path& That is you& That is
e$eryone& E$eryone ma)es the Gourney& Use wisely what you ha$e learned
Truth as a 4hisper
We li$e in a world where most of us are tau(ht that one needs to fi(ht to sur$i$e" that
whoe$er ma)es the *est show (i$es the *est ar(ument& We see this concept in
courtrooms" elections" and other )inds of social acti$ities in society& There are some
of us thou(h who are tau(ht to accept how thin(s are" ne$er stri$in( to ar(ue with
people o$er somethin( that simply cannot *e concluded& #n the end" we find oursel$es
in a (reat predicamentD what is the truth we are attemptin( to con$ey with our
audience8
# find that sometimes truth comes as a whisper& Althou(h there are people who ha$e
(reat points of $iew and hold much e$idence to pro$e their side" # find those who are
ri(ht to *e the ones whisperin( in a crowd& This whisper" so surrounded *y yells and
screams" is faded in the *ac)(round" so faded indeed" that many cannot hear it&
?ay*e if we are silenced for a while" we can hear the truth call to us in a whisper&
This sta(e of silence will pro*a*ly come at a time when we are tired" %uieted from
ar(uin( so loud that our ears e3plode" or when our mouths (et too dry& .et what
a*out now8 What if we are already hearin( the truth" *ut *ecause we are so focused
on the $oices that seem to leap out" forcin( us which way we need to turn" we canEt
hear it at all8 What a sad thou(ht&
@ere is a su((estion& ,top what you are readin(" stop the $oices that are inside your
head" and actually attempt to hear a whisper& #s it your conscious8 Perhaps it is Cod
or the Force& Whate$er it is" it is truth&
?aradigm $hift
# ha$e noticed when Episode # was (ettin( tirin( to tal) a*out" those who were
influenced realistically a*out the Jedi *e(an to ta)e on a maGor paradi(m shift& One of
these shifts was the e3perimentation of other sides of the Force& A -i(ht ,ider wanted
to *e Dar)" a ,hadow ,ider wanted to *e -i(ht& After that %uieted down" # noticed
many seemed to dou*t the a*ility to *e a Jedi could ne$er really *e maintained& ,ome
*e(an to not ta)e it as literally as they did *efore&
There was also another shift in $iews& People *e(an to see thin(s so (enerally" that
ideas *e(an to con$er(e& Only a few Jedi sites are still acti$e" sadly to say" and there
are those who attempt to *and to(ether to )eep some of them from *ein( lost&
We are in a period when anythin( could happen& Personally" many are simply waitin(
for somethin( to happen& ?any of the leaders in the past ha$e %uieted down o$er
time" pro*a*ly *ecause they were discoura(ed *y the many failures& ?any simply
dou*t their own a*ilities" which is sad" and *e(an to see the Jedi as an omniscient
character& Personally" some of us still ha$e this notion that we ha$e to act and tal)
li)e those e3actly in the ,tar Wars mo$ies" and we ta)e its fiction so literally" that it is
hard to li$e *y it& Which is why we are ha$in( the pro*lems we are ha$in( now&
The Jedi has only *een de$eloped" realistically *ased" within a short period of time&
,ome of the o*ser$ations we ha$e created are ones which are reacha*le& One of them
is that anyone can *e a Jedi if they stri$e to *e& Another is )nowin( that a Jedi is more
a*out philosophy than it is a*out ritual&
What paradi(ms will come when Episode ## emer(es8 # can already see a maGor
paradi(m shift ta)in( place at this site& #t is startin( out small" yet this time" it seems
to *e more concrete and more steady then the other attempts& ?any mi(ht come to
JED# and thin) this is another e$olutionary sta(e for the Jedi Creed& # *elie$e it to *e
this and more& #t is the con%uest to (ather who we are" what we )now a*out the Jedi"
and put it to(ether&
Our Jedi 'ealism (roups are (ettin( smaller and smaller *ecause they do not
understand the importance of the (roups& ?ay*e you can create another paradi(m
shift alterin( the course of our small history& All it ta)es is a leader with a contrastin(
point of $iew to spice thin(s up& Aew *lood and new ideas" the willin(ness to chan(e"
the *elief in re$italiBation& This is the only future we can depend on if we are to e$er
ta)e oursel$es seriously&
The #ltimate Lesson
#f only we could sa$e e$ery lesson e$er tau(ht *y any one of us& WouldnJt this *e
(reat8 ,ure& ,till" we can do somethin(& The ne3t *est thin(" we find" is sa$in( what
we can whene$er we ha$e the chance& Belie$e it or not" the chance" our chance" is
now&
There are so many of us" those who ha$e *een practicin( the ways of the Jedi for
years" who ha$e ima(ined a moment in time when we would *e a*le to pro$ide a
detailed li*rary" full of (reat Jedi content" for *e(inners to come and learn of the
teachin(s $ery little of us were a*le to e3perience for oursel$es& ,ome of the ori(inal
founders of we*sites ha$e stri$ed to put as much Jedi material to(ether as possi*le&
Why8 Well" *ecause we )now how hard it was for us to find lessons or te3ts which
held the specific )nowled(e we were searchin( for&
# am (lad many of us now ha$e learned our lesson 5 finally" fine (roups of dedicated
Jedi ha$e come to(ether and attempted to create somethin( (reat& Of all the material
which has *een deleted or lost o$er the years" we now ha$e the a*ility" and
technolo(y" to sa$e what we can&
We as) you to help us not only in preser$in( these te3ts" *ut also *y learnin( from
them& When you learn these teachin(s" you spread them to others around you $ia your
e3istence& This )eeps these precious lessons ali$e and well& We )now with your
dedication" we can )eep these creati$e pieces of wisdom ali$e not only in us" *ut also
in the hearts and minds of those around us&
9eeling As" Thinking
?any ha$e as) me somethin( li)e" N'elan" arenJt we suppose to feel the Force8 Why
then do we apply )nowled(e and thou(ht8N
Both are important factors of who you are" yet they should *e controlled& For
e3ample" if you said e$erythin( you thou(ht" you could (et yourself into trou*le&&&and
if you always felt for e$erythin( and for e$ery situation" you mi(ht *e ta)en
ad$anta(e of&
The Jedi Code also states NThere is )nowled(e&N .et Jedi" li)e the fictitious Oui5Con
Jinn" said in Episode #D The Phantom ?enace" NFeel" donJt thin)& Use your instincts&N
O*i5Wan Feno*i" in Episode ##D Attac) of the Clones" stated to Ana)in" NBe mindful
of your thou(hts&N NThin)LN
For e3ample" # notice # focus more on thou(ht and reason then # do feelin(" while
others" such as ,treen" may focus on his feelin(s more then his thou(hts& The *est
thin( for you to do is to *e aware of *oth& Use your instincts when the time calls for
it& Feel for those when they need it& Thin) of yourself when you should& These are
(ifts for you" and no Jedi should *e told they cannot use them&
,ome Jedi may *e #ntro$ert" those who (ain ener(y alone" (ainin( indi$idualism and
focusin( on )nowled(e more than other thin(s& E3tro$erts are those who seem to (ain
ener(y from *ein( with others" *ein( dependent and carin( of other people and
(ainin( precious e3periences& These are simply *alances of personality and *ecause
Jedi *elie$e in the *alance of the Force" we should welcome these opposites&
,o when someone wishes to care" or another wishes to reason" do not *e trou*led& Be
happy they are usin( these a*ilities to do the will of the Force&
Time, @estiny, and ,reation
Time does not e3ist& The only reason we e$en understand time" is our perception of
mo$ement& #n wal)in( from one place to another" one can count the seconds it ta)es a
person to mo$e& But in the realm of the a*solute" namely the Force" time does not e3ist"
*ecause there is no mo$ement& The Force is already e$erywhere so it has no place to (o&
Thin) of the uni$erse as if it were a roc)& A roc) restin( on the (round does not appear to
*e mo$in( at all when percei$in( it from the outside& But inside" there are atoms
*ouncin( around li)e craBy in e$ery direction& The roc) is mo$in(" yet not mo$in(& Just
li)e us& We may thin) we are mo$in( around" *ut we are all one (iant Nroc)N and really
not mo$in( at all& We" li)e the Force" are already E1E'.W@E'E& Therefore" time does
not e3ist& Aothin( has happened" nor will happen& #t Gust #,& E$erythin( is in a moment of
AOW&
Our li$es ha$e already *een li$ed& Aothin( happens in this world that (oes a(ainst the
flow of the Force& But what does that mean8 WE A'E the Force& Aothin( (oes a(ainst
the flow of usL This is where a lot of people ha$e trou*le with the concept& To ma)e
thin(s clearer" here are what # *elie$e to *e the Three 'ealiBations on the path to
Enli(htenment&
The first realiBation is that Nthe Force and # are oneN& Once the mind stops
thin)in( of Force+Cod+Tao and the ,elf as two separate *ein(s" philosophy
*ecomes so much simpler&
The second realiBation comes ri(ht after the otherD if the Force+Cod+Tao is the
creator and creation of all thin(s" therefore" the ,elf is the creator and creation of
all thin(s&
The third realiBationD ,elf is all there is" and is the ultimate creator of reality&
Of course" these may help you on your path to enli(htenment" howe$er" they will not
re$eal the truth to you& .ou must e3perience it&
,o" to say that e$erythin( is predestined would *e correct" and to say that e$erythin(
is the product of our own creation would also *e correct& Thus enters the
contradictory nature of the uni$erseD two thin(s e3istin( side my side which appear to
*e opposites" yet are *oth a part of one lar(er truth&
#se the 9orce
The Force is a profound and comple3 thin( to understand& # ha$e not yet e$en (rasped
it completely& @owe$er" to the *est of my a*ility" # can teach you what it is to *e a
Jedi& The JediJs purpose is not to *ecome (ood in the Force" and to see how s)illed the
can *ecome" *ut it is to preser$e life" and to protect and help those that need it& Their
purpose is not to see) happiness" *ut to *ecome more )ind& 'emem*er" a Jedi does
not see) aid" aid see)s a Jedi& The Force is what helps and (uides the Jedi to protect
others& Only when calm and at peace Wle$elW with himself and nature can the Jedi act
with the assurance of control& To act from an(er would *e to succum* to the powers
of the Dar) ,ide& 'emem*er" as .oda himself said" NOnce you start down the dar)
path" fore$er will it dominate your destiny&N There can *e a return to the -i(ht"
howe$er& But a difficult process it is" and $ery few ha$e e$er done it& Althou(h" the
dar)ness does not e$er lea$e& #t remains with you" to tempt you e$ery step of the way"
to draw you away from your path&&&&&&&&Nfore$er will it dominate your destinyN& One
must realiBe that the Force is not in itself (ood or e$il" *ut instead it holds a mirror up
to the spirit& #f one is naturally e$il inside" then he will most li)ely use the dar) side"
*ecause that is what he )nows& One that is naturally (ood will use the li(ht side of the
Force& # ha$e also learned that perception is a )ey& #f you percei$e somethin( or
someone as dar)" without first findin( out more a*out the thin( or person" then it may
*e a reflection of yourself that you are seein(& #f you donJt %uite understand" itJs o)ay
5 you will understand in time& 'emem*er" donJt see with your eyes&&& with the Force
and )nowled(e at your side" you will see with truth&
The Force is a tan(i*le ener(y field of sorts& #t flows throu(h e$erythin(& E$erythin(&
Aothin( is outside of itJs reach& #t connects us all& ?any ha$e dismissed it as a
ridiculous *elief for fools& Do not also ma)e that mista)e& .ou do of course ha$e the
ri(ht to your own opinion" *ut # must tell you&&&&&&&it is there& #n some form& .et" it has
no form& Open up to it& Do not run away" let (o& When you are ready" it will come&
E$eryone has dou*ts& #t is part of our nature to dou*t such thin(s& When you say
somethin( stran(e" or new to a person" somethin( they donJt %uite understand" their
reaction is usually fear& #f you teach that person the *eauty of that thin(" it *ecomes
part of them" and they are no lon(er afraid
The 5alance of the 9orce
#n one of -ucasJs first scripts of ,tar Wars" he refers as -u)e *ein( Nthe ,on of the
,unsN" descri*in( a NForce of OthersN which one can percei$e and e3perience& One of
the most as)ed %uestions that The Phantom ?enace sites ha$e is thisD Windu tal)s of
a prophecy that there will *e one who will pro$ide a N*alanceN the force& @e as)s if it
is Ana)in& .et is the prophesy referrin( to Ana)in" or may*e his son -u)e8 As # $iew
these li$es from the old trilo(y" # see that the Jedi Windu is mista)en&&&it is -u)e& #J$e
loo)ed at the earlier scripts" and # see an e3ample of my claim&
#n the third draft" the one with the %uote NThe ,on of the ,unsN" Dea)" the *rother of
,)ywal)er is claimed to *e this sa$ior of con%uerin( the ,ith to *rin( *ac) the Old
'epu*lic& That is what was spo)e of in prophecy to NA *alance to The ForceN& .et"
while captured *y Darth 1ader" he is seen to not *e the redeemer& #t is a youn( *oy
named -u)e ,tar)iller" a person who seems so helpless forces himself to sa$e his
*rother" as well as destroyin( the Death ,tar" etc& 'eturn of the Jedi is suppose to *e
the clima3 of the films" to which 1ader is chan(ed *ac) as Ana)in with help of his
son -u)e& This alone pro$es that *alance The Phantom ?enace refers to& This is the
true prophesy& Where (ood stares at e$il to show to e$il what he truly is&
O*i5Wan )new that he was to *e a mentor to the person who would pro$ide the
*alance of The Force" relatin( to the prophecy& @e thou(ht he was Ana)in" yet he was
wron( in teachin( him" as mentioned in 'eturn of the Jedi& -u)e thou(h *ecame his
hope" to *rin( NThe Balance of The ForceN the prophesy tal)ed a*out& O*i5Wan )new
that -u)e would pre$ail his destiny& By seein( WanJs eyes in A Aew @ope when he
died *y 1aderJs *lade" pro$ed that he )new the future from the force& @e loo)ed at
-u)e" then *ac) at 1ader" and saw ri(ht then in there that it was not his fi(ht" that it
was -u)e who would )ill 1ader and *rin( out Ana)in& O*i5WanJs fi(htin( would not
chan(e this& #t had to *e someone more personal to 1ader" his own flesh and *lood&
That is why he put up his li(htsa*er" and died with di(nity& The Force told him that he
had ser$ed his purpose& And that is why a Jedi e3ists 5 to ser$e his purpose&
The Talent
E$ery Jedi has a special talent in the Force& #t is somethin( that # ha$e not yet come to
understand& #n time" you will disco$er what that a*ility is& .ou may ha$e already
noticed it" *ut ha$e either ta)en it for (ranted your whole life" or ha$e simply
dismissed it as coincidence& # )now how difficult it can *e to *elie$e in somethin(
li)e this" *ut there is more to us than the flesh and *ones& We are not made up of
matter& Our *odies are only shells which are used to affect" and react in the physical
world& -et (o of your conscious self" and truly *e&
Jedi ,an ,hange
# once as)ed my master" ?itth" if there are so many thin(s in a personJs life that can
a((ra$ate them" then how do you a$oid fallin( to the dar) side8 @e simply replied"
NA Jedi can chan(e&N At first" # was confused" *ut he told me to thin) a*out it and #
would understand e$entually& # did& #f you ha$e also *een as)in( yourself this
%uestion" then # su((est you remem*er what he said 5 thin) a*out it&
The Tin %an
NOB ne$er did (i$e nothin( to the Tin ?an" that he didnEt already ha$e&N America"
?usic Band!
What do we consider life&&&a li$in(" *reathin( entity that e3presses feelin(s and thin)s
for oneEs self" enforcin( a decision as well as puttin( it into action8
Androids" droids" or whate$er you may call them&&&are they li$in( thin(s8 They may
not *reathe&&&yet they are operational&&&they thin) for themsel$es&&&they enforce a
decision&&&and yes" they put it into action& .et someone has pro(rammed them&&&are
they *ein( told to do somethin( which they do not ha$e the decision to o$erride8
.et&&&is it possi*le that they ha$e the choice&&&to *e unrestricted from the re(ulations
from their user8
To *e free8
'emem*er the Tin ?an in The WiBard Of OB8 @e told Dorothy that he didnEt ha$e a
heart" so he went off with her to see the WiBard& .es" the Tin ?an did indeed find the
wiBard with the rest of the *unch" yet he was told that he must do a tas) first *efore he
could recei$e his heart& .et&&&throu(hout the rest of the mo$ie&&&he cares and lo$es
others&&&e3presses feelin(s&
All of them could ha$e (ot what they wanted without the WiBard& They all had the
power&&&within their own sel$es& They had it already& #nside themsel$es& All they had
to do was *elie$e&&&and ha$e faith&&&and it *ecame truth&
E$en the Tin ?an had the power&&&&within his own self&
,o what a*out clones8 #t may not seem moral to us&&&yet we see them& Are they still
human8 Do they carry their own indi$idual soul 5 and only rely on themsel$es 5 not
from the ori(inal8
@ow a*out those that are Forced attuned8 #f they are cloned" is it possi*le that they
are still prone" adept8
Past all the morality of what can *e" we find a certain feelin( from the heart&&&ne$er
e3perienced e3actly the same way *efore&&&as with the Tin ?an& And we start to
realiBe&&&if we are androids or droids&&&if we are Gust a *unch of humanoid and
unhumaniod clones& We ha$e *een procreated" *orn to li$e a purpose& ,omeone"
somethin(" (a$e us our Cenesis" whether it *e a pro(rammer or a clone ori(inal& A
user" a creator& The )nowled(e is passed on" and others can learn from it& A lesson is
learned" a patron&&&our disco$erer&&& is tau(ht from our e3istence&
And we carry on&
# remem*er when # acted as the Tin ?an did&&&and was loo)in( for a heart&&&a heart
that lo$es and cares&&&until # realiBed&&&it was already in me& Than)s to that special
someone that helped me understand that&&&yes" you )now who you are D!
$treenBs Journal
Pride is a sense worth that comes from somethin( that is not actually a part of you& #t
is a false identity& ,elf5esteem on the other hand comes from achie$ements that you
ha$e made in your life& Pride can *e your downfall& When you are proud" you usually
are thin)in( of yourself as what you are not& .ou *ecome o$er5confident and you put
yourself up on a pedestal& 'emem*er" war does not ma)e one (reatL #t seems that the
less confident people ha$e a (reater need for pride& This is" unfortunately" *ecause of
self reGection& There is" howe$er" a (ood side to ha$in( pride& #f it inspires us to
achie$e somethin(" it can turn into real self5esteem& ,ometimes pride can snea) up on
you howe$er& ,uch as people insult others" de(radin( them" e$en if not directly to
them" you would still *e raisin( yourself a*o$e that person&
Before you can chan(e" you must first realiBe what" and how you are now& Only then
can you understand what it is that needs to *e chan(ed" and then you can mo$e on&
'emem*er thou(h" if you no lon(er reco(niBe the reflection in the mirror" itJs time to
fi(ure out who youJ$e *ecome&
Totality" oneness&&& can *e realiBed only when you ha$e disco$ered who you are& .ou
will not flow with what is" if you remain ri(id" and you are without open5mindedness&
-ife is li)e a leaf floatin( down a stream& #f you push it" it may sin)& #f you let it *e"
the leaf will remain with the flow of the stream& There is more in (ettin( there" than
*ein( there& The hi(hest form of thin)in( is none at all& .our eyes are always the first
to fool you&&& donJt trust them& To see somethin( uncolored *y oneJs own personal
*eliefs and ideas" is to see it as it truly is& Art is the reflection of the soul& What is
created outwardly" is what e3ists inwardly" in art& .ou are lettin( your soul come
forth& #t is the connection" or (ateway *etween the totality and the physical world&
Without complete freedom in art" there is no art& Those who )now" do not spea)M
those who spea)" do not )now& Dwellin( on the past complicates matters *ecause
your mind is freeBin(& .ou will only *e truly free once you ha$e let (o of the concern
o$er how people see you" or what they will thin) of you& Do not see with your eyes&
With )nowled(e at your side" you will see with truth&
Concentration is not (enerally the ri(ht course of action& When one usually
concentrates" he+she creates a focus from which there is distraction& This creates
conflict& Do not concentrate" *e aware& Awareness e3cludes nothin(& #t includes
e$erythin(& Becomin( is a denial of *ein(& ,imply let (o&&& free yourself& Aot all
enemies ta)e the physical form& They cannot *e defeated throu(h $iolence& ?any of
the demons we fi(ht ta)e another form& We call them" fear" an(er" and hatred& #f you
do not defeat these demons" a life of a thousand years would *e a tra(edy& #f you do" a
life of a sin(le day would *e a triumph& There is no truth& The truth that we accept is
only opinion& Aothin( is )nown" only *elie$ed& The real truth is that which cannot *e
seen with the eyes" heard with the ears" or touched *y the hand&
#n contradiction to the *eliefs of the Force" our destiny is not prewritten& We are
responsi*le for our own futures& True destiny is what we create& Why does it seem
that itJs easier to say what we should not do" than it is to say what we should8 We
ha$e all for(otten where we came from& Aature& Become a part of it once a(ain& One
can truly e3press himself+herself only when there is complete freedom& An artist can
fully e3press his inner *ein( when he has complete and total freedom of mo$ement&
A (ood artist is always impro$in( his wor)& -et your cup *ecome empty so that it
may *ecome full& Be empty" yet whole at the same time& -et (o of" and you shall (ain&
Become opa%ue" and you will *e clear& -ower yourself" and you will rise& Ci$e" and
you shall recei$e& @owe$er" do not (i$e in order to recei$e& Those who do not
oppose" will not *e opposed& Cood implies e$ilM ease implies difficultyM soft implies
hard& -et (o of *oth sides" and thin(s are simply done& Why does it seem that most
conflicts must *e settled *y $iolence8 Why is $iolence the only thin( that certain
people will listen to88
Why does sufferin( pla(ue the world8 Why is it that the ones that care a*out whatJs
(oin( on in the world are the most unhappy people8 Why is it that the ones who donJt"
are happier8 #s it selfishness8 Why canJt there *e peace" instead of war8 Why canJt
there *e lo$e" instead of hate8 Why canJt there *e friendship" instead of enemies8 #
often thin) a*out this& Also" # wonder why (ood people are put throu(h such pain&
,ome say it is *ecause of desire& #f we didnJt desire" then we wouldnJt suffer for not
ha$in( it& There must *e more to it than that&
?ost of us cannot say we donJt complain" that we donJt desire& #Jm not any more
innocent than the rest& # as) myself" why do *ad thin(s seem to always happen to me8
#s it a test8 Or am # Gust selfish8 Why do the ones # lo$e not seem to return the lo$e8
#s someone out to (et me8 Do # in someway deser$e it8 Will thin(s e$er chan(e8
#s there a ri(ht path to follow8 Or do we create our own paths8 E$eryone says that
their way is the ri(ht way& Who do # trust8 Am # utterly lost" or will # e$entually find
my way8 #s there really a reason for it all8 # feel li)e # shouldnJt *other tryin(& ,hould
#8 Will # e$er *e happy8 What am # missin(8 Why am # not stron( enou(h or smart
enou(h8 Why canJt # seem to ma)e people happy8 # do not ha$e an answer&
Fnowin( a*out thin(s" is called )nowled(eM understandin( them is called wisdom&
We all fail durin( our li$es& @owe$er" it is only considered this" if it is not learned
from& .ou can only succeed if you are prepare to fail& 'emem*er this& Be more&&&
thin) less of yourself #f you feel that somethin( canJt *e e3pressed in words" donJt
attempt it& To do so would *e to do it inGustice& Those who )now" do not spea)M those
who spea) do not )now& .ou mi(ht wonder that if we should remain at peace" and not
desire" and lower oursel$es to rise" then how are we to remain social8 The only
answer # can (i$e is that you must find what feels ri(ht for you&
.ou drop a pe**le in a pond&&& soon the ripples cross the whole pond& .ou drop many
in a pond" and the ripples *lend&&& conflictin( with each other&
,ome say"; ,ee)" and you shall findN& This is an attachment& ?eanin( it restricts you
to this& This statement implies that you must see) in order to find& This may *e true to
a certain e3tent& @owe$er" to do so for too lon( would *e to push it further away from
you& A leaf is floatin( in a pond&&& do you mo$e your hand throu(h the water to *rin(
it to you8 Or do you let it come to you&&& let the wind carry it to you&
@a$e patience& #t will ta)e time" *ut it will come to you when least e3pected& Which
is more important to youD to ha$e people )now you" or lo$e you8 To ha$e (reat
amounts of money" or to ha$e (reat amounts of lo$e8 To *e happy" or to ma)e others
happy8 This is somethin( we should all consider& Aothin( matters&&& therefore"
e$erythin( matters& Those who ha$e little&&& ha$e little to lose& -ife is a ri$er&&& e$er
flowin( and chan(in(&&& always emptyin( into the sea&&& always *ein( filled a(ain *y
the rain from the mountain& For one to see the motion" one must remain still& To hear
the sound" one must remain %uiet&
-et (o of yourself&&& let (o of who you thin) you are" and what you thin) you are&&& let
(o of who you thin) # am" and what you thin) # am&&& let (o of the room youJre sittin(
in&&& let (o of the *uildin( you are in&&& let (o of e$erythin(&
.ou alone e3ist& Who is to say anyone else does8 @ow can you pro$e it to yourself
that anyone else is real8 @ow do you )now # am real8
When you are wal)in( throu(h the rain" do not wince from it& Do not hide your head
from it& ,tand up strai(ht and accept it& Become a part of the rain&
Enli(htenment is not attained easily& After all" if it was attained easily" who would
see) it8 #f the truth was o*$ious" who would want it8 #n the mysterious lies %uestions&
ThatJs what ma)es thin(s so interestin(&
While you should not *e the ForceJs ser$ant" and pretend you ha$e no effect on your
own path" you should remem*er to offer yourself to it& .ou cannot e3pect to recei$e
thin(s from the Force without *ein( dedicated&
Brush away the dirt that clouds the mind& Clean it away until there is nothin( left to
)now& Then you will *e a*le to flow freely&
For(ettin( what youJ$e learned can *e a spiritual act& -et (o of thin)in( so it can
*ecome a part of you&
All the processes and techni%ues you learn are only useful for a *rief time& E$entually
they ma)e thin(s e$en more difficult" which is why you must let (o& -et them *ecome
you& .our *ody" mind and soul&
-ettin( (o" implies holdin( onto& Free it" and it will stay&
#nstead of thin)in( a*out *ody" mind and soul as three separate parts that ma)e up
you" let them *ecome one so that there is no di$ision& There is no separation& Ao
dou*t& Then" actin(" )nowin(" and feelin(" will all *ecome the same thin(&
The *eauty of the waterfall is that it flows on without our assistance&
Bein( of no mind is the hi(hest way of thin)in(&
When you )now how it really feels" you cannot spea) it& For the wisdom has no
words& The real purpose&&& the sym*ol" cannot *e e3plained& -ife" humanity" the
Force& E$erythin( cannot *e tau(ht& #t can *e shown how it is learned& But not tau(ht&
#t is e$en a stru((le now to write this after the e3perience& When you )now not how
to tell it to another&&& when you )now not how to descri*e it in your own mind& Then
donJt& -et it (o& That is the secret& The secret of the Force& ,omethin( that has no
definition" nor a cate(ory&
@appiness and Goy& Which has su*stance8 Which is the condition8
When discussin( Force" a Jedi mi(ht say that we are at one with the Force& But there
are two thin(s thereD NweN and Nthe ForceN& To thin) of the Force" is to unthin) it& The
True OAE cannot *e realiBed&
#snJt it interestin( that there seems to *e more emphasis on the physical self
presently8 This may simply *e *ecause we ha$e come to understand our *odies *etter
than our minds& We use such a small percenta(e of our *rainsM itJs no wonder& But as
far we can tell" we use e$ery part of our *ody& Which is why # *elie$e that you
actually are e3ercisin( the mind as well as the *ody in martial arts& The circles
o$erlap when they are *alanced& @owe$er" a lot of people who e3ercise and wor)out
constantly donJt understand this which is why they end up with (reat loo)in( muscles
that they donJt )now how to use entirely&
An isolated spider we* will catch no flies&
Breathe when you are tired&
Breathe when you wa)e up&
Breathe when your are an(ry" or frustrated&
Breathe when you are at peace&
Breathe when you are e3cited&
Breathe when you are an3ious&
Breathe when you are scared&
Always *reathe" for your *reath mo$es with the many *reaths of the uni$erse&
E$eryone needs a hero& The tric) is to not *ecome that hero&
To discipline oneself is the way of the Force&
Do not analyBe endlessly& -et thin(s *e as they are&
After readin(" and listenin(" and trainin( for so lon(" on must realiBe how comple3
we allow thin(s to *ecome& ,uch is not the way of the Jedi& ,ometimes" we must
consciously Nfor(etN what we ha$e learned and let it *ecome a part of us& Be simple"
and people will reco(niBe it&
,ome *attles are fou(ht from without& All *attles are fou(ht from within&
To focus oneJs ener(y" one needs emotional content& @owe$er" you must *e $ery
careful" for Gust *eyond that lies the dar) side& Consume you it will& For once the dar)
side has you once" it will always *e there to haunt you" e$en if there is a return to the
li(ht&
#f you feel as if you canJt hold onto life any lon(er" then donJt& ,top worryin( a*out
e$erythin( little thin(" *ecause e$ery little thin( is of no importance&
Ken" as # ha$e come to understand it" is the cancellation of sym*oliBation in the
human mind& 'eadin( a Ken )oan" one would find that there mind cannot (rasp" the
lo(ical has *een a*andoned" and it would seem as if the (round has *een pulled out
from under you&
# (row tired of the many distinctions and se(re(ation e3istin( within the Force and
the Jedi& Unity is my friend&
Condemn not" my friend" for All is One&
The ,a(e is a disciple of hea$en& #ts mind clear and smooth" reflectin( the (reat
wonders&
Peace is not met with a clenched fist" *ut an open hand&
#tJs *etter to *e a hypocrite and )now it" than the other way around&
The 'eal Jedi CodeD
Emotion and Peace are one&
#(norance and Fnowled(e are one&
Passion and ,erenity are one&
-ife and Death are one&
The %osaic
A mosaic is a picture comprised of many different colors and materials" all formin(
one picture& A shard of yellow topaB could form the center of a flower" with *its and
pieces of (reen (laBed tile for (rass and lea$es" and *its of white porcelain for the
petals& Around that could *e lapis laBuli for the s)y" and perhaps diamonds for stars&
Terra cotta tiles could form the trun) of a tree" or perhaps a roc)& .et all these many
pieces comprise one picture" with no one se(ment any more or less important or
useful than the rest& We are all a mosaic& We are all the lapis laBuli s)y& We are all the
diamond stars" the terra cotta roc)s" the (reen tile (rass and lea$es" the topaB and
porcelain flowers& We each ha$e our own color and te3ture to add to the human
e3perience& We all ha$e our own different li$es to add to the *i((er life Force& We are
all different" and yet we are all one& Our differences unify us" Gust as many different
colors and te3tures form the mosaic&
The ?erfect ECuation
#t is The Force" and is comprised of a (ood and of an e$il& A dar) side" and a li(ht
side& #t is part of itEs perfection& #t is (ood" and *alanced&
#t is (ood" and it is made for a reason& ,imply *ecause the *alance of the Force e3ist"
it remains sta*le" and pure& To demonstrate this" # will show $ery simple techni%ues
usin( mathematics& -oo) at it li)e thisD
/& / U /M / T 6 U / T 6M 9 U 9M &&&
Aow )eep this in mind as we (o alon(&
As with anythin( that maintains sta*ility" it sometimes (i$es more to one side" and
(i$es less to another& And sometimes it (oes $isa5$ersa to re*alance the e%uation&
,till" e$en thou(h the e%uation has chan(ed" it remains the same& And perfect& #tEs still
true&
6& 9 Y /M / X 9M / T 6 X 0 5 6M and so on and so forth&
.et" as with all e%uations we e3perience in mathematics" it can ha$e many chan(es
and $aria*les" yet the e%uation" and the *alance of it still remains sta*leD
9& 8 5 6 U / 8 U / T 6 U 9!
#n other words" the un)nown" or the answer we must find out" must *e found" *rou(ht
a*out and sol$ed to find itEs *alance& .et there are many other si(ns and sym*ols to
)eep it in *alance and perfectD
>& 8 5 6 U / M Z 5 6 U / M . 5 6 U/&&&
,o" what does this mean8 -oo) at it now" what is it tellin( us&
<& 8 U Z U . U &&&
The $aria*les and names (i$en differ" yet it is still the same& ,o is it with The Force&
All thin(s connect to each other" and are part of the e%uation" or part of the uni$erse&
And as there are many e%uations&&& there are many uni$erses& ?any conceptions of the
mind& ?any ways to see the truth& A(ain" loo) at it this way&
0& 0 T /! U / T 0! U 9 T >! U = 5 /! U <&< T /&<! U&&&
#tEs all true" yet from a different point of $iew& ,o is it with the way we *elie$e" $iew
reli(ion and non5reli(ion& We may see thin(s as / T 6 U 9" yet others may see it as > 5
/ U 9& And the > 5 / U 9 people say that they are the only true way of tellin( what is55
and that there is no other interpretation& #s that ri(ht8 .ou tell me&
,o" we a(ain loo) at the $aria*les& The 8" the Z" the . a(ain& Put them in place of the
9& ,o" in this caseD
=& > 5 / U 8M / T 6 U ZM 6 T / U .M &&&
#t all e%uals the same" and is 9&
We see that the left side of the e%uation is the way we were *rou(ht up" the way we
do thin(s" the way we see the truth& The ri(ht side is what we call it" the $aria*le" the
name that we (i$e to our ways of life&
And now we loo) at it in real life& ?ind you" it is the same as e3ample / and e3ample
>&
2& The Dar) ,ide T The -i(ht ,ide U The ForceM &&& it is *alanced" and it is perfect!
,o" now that we ha$e a )ey" or a type of le(end" let us now (o *ac) to what we were
tal)in( a*out& We are (oin( to put e3ample = in real life terms and call it num*er 4&
Compare them and see the similarityD
4& This way > 5 /!U TaoM That way / T 6! U FiM This other way 6 T /! U CodM &&&
.ou (et it& They are all true& They all e%ual the same thin(& They all ha$e different
ways of *rin( up the truth" *ut hey" itEs still the truth& #tEs the way they loo) at thin(s&
They are all ri(ht& All *alanced& All perfect e%uations&
,o what do you thin) #Em (oin( to (i$e you now& The same as e3ample <& A(ain
compare the two" and see the similarity&
4& Tao U Fi U Cod U &&&
,o" as a conclusion" and throu(h simply loo)in( and readin( this throu(h
mathematics" we find that&&&wow&&&it can *e seen as truth& All of them& We can (i$e it
any name we want" any $aria*le" anythin( we see fit& @ere" at The Jedi Creed" we
(i$e it also a simple name" The Force" which is to represent all of them *ein( e%ual or
*ein( the same thin(& We are all e%ual&
Aow" for your e%uationD
/7& The Force U N N
Can you fi(ure out this one8
5alanced or :eutral>
This is a su*Gect # ha$e pondered o$er many times around& The conception *etween
*alance and neutral& Balance" *y definition in (eneral is a state of e%uili*rium" or
e%ual relationship" a mental or emotional sta*ility" a harmonious proportion" as in the
desi(n or arran(ement of parts in a whole& Or simply" to *e e%ual and constantly
sta*le in e%uality&&&as a *alance for wei(ht&
To *e neutral *y (eneral definition is to not ta)e the part of either side" *elon(in( to
neither&&&ha$in( no decided color" (rayish& #ndefiniteM in the middle" not associatin( or
ali(nin( to a particular side& Or simply" to *e in *etween sides&
For me" this has always *een a touchin( issue for me to face& ,ince" the Jedi *elie$e
in *alance" yet # see how sometimes they (i$e the more distincti$e meanin( of
neutral&&&and not in particularly the meanin( of *alance& What we call&&&*alanced&&&is
sometimes mi3ed up with what we call neutral& .et" # am as)ed this %uestionD #s *ein(
neutral" a *alance to The Force8
A(ain" this is your decision& To what you feel is ri(ht for The Force& .et # *elie$e that
it is not the same" as for my own personal meanin( of *oth of the words& This is my
own answer& The true answer lies in what you choose it to *e&&&and how you percei$e
such&
.et understand what the words mean in your own perspecti$e of interpretation&&&and
to not let it cloud your Gud(ment& This is e3tremely important" for # ha$e seen those
that ha$e suffered for not doin( so& This is simply a word from the wise&
Dour Life as the !ala<y
One day # was sittin( watchin( a tree as it was (ently flutterin( in the wind& #
wondered for a moment if the tree itself was mo$in( on its own" or its mo$ement was
simply the result of the wind& # realiBed # couldnJt tell either way& The cause was
unseen&
As # sat studyin( it" # saw the simple profoundness in its mo$ements&
The tree" as # saw it" was and is part of a (rander picture& The mo$ements were Gust as
amaBin( as the turnin( of the Earth" or of the (ala3y& The Force is of a whole" with no
*oundaries what so e$er& The simple mo$ement of a leaf comes from the same source
as the (rand mo$ements of the uni$erse&
Punch the air" and feel the power of a uni$erse mo$e with your hand&
Hero Lies in Dou
-oo)in( *ac)" *ecomin( a Jedi has *een a wonderful e3perience" and was pro*a*ly
the (reatest choice # e$er made& #t seems" howe$er" that the one thin( that had always
drawn me to ,tar Wars and the entire notion of the Jedi" has *een the myth&
All reli(ions" and societies of the world ha$e them& #t is the mystery *ehind them that
has always intri(ued me& The idea of *ecomin( part of some (reater" or more
dramatic lifestyle" in which you are called upon to *e the hero& That is somethin( that
seems to *e the dri$in( power *ehind many myths& Which" it seems" is not far from
the truth in real life&
# am a firm *elie$er that a*solutely anythin( is possi*le& ,omethin( a lot of people
ha$e a hard time a(reein( with& But # say" why not8 Why canJt we achie$e whate$er
we desire8 The lesson # ha$e learned as a Jedi is that there is no reason that pre$ents
us from doin( so& #t is a simple matter of ha$in( the stren(th of commitment& To
focus on an o*Gecti$e" without e$er strayin(" can *e $ery difficult& #t doesnJt ha$e to
*e" thou(h&
#f you can loo) deep inside" and find your inner stren(th your inner Codness!" then
you will *ecome todayJs hero&
There &s :o ?ain
There is no pain for a Jedi&
The more ad$anced concept of this philosophy which would *e wise to study only
after youJ$e maintained control! connects to the statement a*o$eD There is no pain for
a Jedi& .ou may ha$e heard or read this statement *efore" and wondered a*out how to
actually (o a*out implementin( it into your life& There are many ways" *ut to stay on
trac) with the current su*Gect" we will discuss The 1oid& The 1oid" which has a $ery
deep connection to Taoism" is what most Jedi ultimately see)& The Tao of all thin(s is
*elie$ed to *e $oid" and therefore is the deepest mystery of allD NDar)ness within
dar)nessN& To connect with this 1oid can *e a $ery enli(htenin( e3perience" which #
feel can *e most commonly reached throu(h meditation& When one realiBes that the
reality around him is nothin( more than an illusion" then where is there room for pain
and sufferin(8 The physical concept is only the surface of the (reatest *ein(" *ut is
still" part of that (reat *ein(& Therefore" admit that none of it is real and the pain melts
away" for you *e(in to understand what is J*eyondJ this conceptD the source of all
thin(s& # placed the word J*eyondJ in %uotes for a reason& ,ee if you can realiBe that
is" real5is! why&
This 1oid has a deep connection to our $ery *ein(& The 1oid clin(s to nothin(& #t is
neither JhereJ" nor Jnot hereJ& #t is e$erywhere" and it is nowhere now5here!& The 1oid
is within" and the $oid is without& To enter into the 1oid is a $ery hi(h le$el of
e3istence" and is therefore" not easy to attain& #n life" *ein( of the 1oid allows to you
*e Nnot e3pectin(N" and therefore" ne$er disappointed& #t allows you to flow with your
$ery *ein(" and the e3istence of e$erythin( around you& ,omethin( $ery important to
remem*er thou(h is the Force is not simply a $oid& #t is also that which is not $oid& #t
is e3istence and non5e3istence at the same time& The all of e$erythin(&
4e @efine 3urselves
# ha$e seen how Ceor(e -ucas defines what he created for his mo$ies& For one" # ha$e
study the ways of Buddhism" ,hintoism" @induism" and all of those )ind of Eastern
reli(ions which seem to *e *ased on Jedi principles& .et # *elie$e you should realiBe
somethin( here&
We are who we are" *ecause we define oursel$es to *e what we are& We are for real
life" not the same Jedi who are so wielded into sa*er fi(hts& We )now our limitations"
and we do not use the position that we cannot *e Jedi *ecause of this or that" or that
you are not part of this cult" or this reli(ion" and so forth&
There was a time where a (roup wished to follow the Jedi ways" their way of
learnin(" the way that they see the Force and how it surrounds them" and with that"
they created somethin( rather (rand& Aot a cult or another reli(ion" yet a moral code
of li$in(& For e3ample" a )ni(ht at Fin( AuthorJs resort was not of any (reater cult
than his )in(" yet had a code of li$in( that was respecta*le" in which he li$ed a
particular way he found was the *est path for him&
#t is the same for us all here& We can ta)e the definition of how the Jedi he
constructed to the point where we are simply not5e3istent& This is what non5Jedi donJt
realiBe" the fact that we cannot *e purely defined *y -ucas or his mo$ies& We need to
define oursel$es& We need to define the way we li$e and the way we follow our paths&
That is why we are what we are&
The Aalue of $ignificance
Aothin( is insi(nificant to a Jedi& E$erythin( means somethin( and interprets as
somethin(& E$erythin( si(nifies e$erythin( else& ?ay*e a certain thin( may not *e
useful in what you are focusin( on" yet it still is a determinin( factor of the effects to
come&
Ta)e for e3ample" a simple pencil& #f you ha$e a pencil *y you" why not pic) it up
and loo) at it ri(ht now& This pencil may seem insi(nificant" a tool which can *e
found anywhere and doesnJt cost you a fortune to *uy 5 yet loo) at the $alue of what it
can do& #t can record 5 and loo) at all the e3perience and research it too) to create the
pencil& All the machines and manpower" the tree which had to *e cut down" the dar)
lead which had to *e found and shaped" the sacrifices" the pain" the failures and the
stress& All of this is represented in the one pencil you ha$e *efore you&
Aow" what are you (oin( to do a*out it8 Are you (oin( to use it8 Are you (oin( to
)eep it close to you8 Are you (oin( to remem*er what it stands for8
# hope you can see how this simple e3ample is applied to e$erythin(& A simple
N@elloN you for(et to (reet to your nei(h*or& The decision to sleep in a few minutes
when you need to (o to school& When you tell someone they are u(ly" or stupid" or
foolish&&&or when you didnJt eat all the food which was (i$en on your plate&
E$erythin( connects to each other" and complements each other& DonJt i(nore the
small thin(s" and simply (lance at the *i( thin(s" *ecause sooner or later" you will
realiBe the importance and the effect it will ha$e on you& -ater on" you may ne$er *e
(reeted *y a nei(h*or when you come home& .ou may *e e3pelled from school for all
the days you missed& ,omeone may say to you" you are u(ly" stupid" or foolish&&&and
one day you may not ha$e food on the ta*le& Ta)e ad$anta(e of what you ha$e" the
moments and opportunities which are placed *efore you&&&and use them&
Use your pencil&&&and $alue it&
Thoughts
This Gourney" this life" is one of self5disco$ery& Decide who you are" and all thin(s
will *ecome clear&
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At the emer(ence of any new path" let (o of all preconceptions" for they can only
hinder your disco$ery& ,a$or the e3perience of disco$ery&
Contemplatin( the (randness of the uni$erse allows you to (ain a perspecti$e of your
life as a part of the whole&
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There are no limits to our e3istence& There is nothin( that cannot *e ima(ined5 and
nothin( that cannot *e done&
55555555555555555
Find meanin( in e$erythin(&
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Aothin( is o*Gecti$e in the uni$erse&
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.ou do not need to )now the purpose of life& .ou need only choose it&
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.our spirit desires li*eration in e$erythin( you do& .our e(o" howe$er" aspires only
to *e protected and safe& When an opportunity arises" consider from which frame of
mind you will actD from e(o" or from spirit& We are left to decide which course to
follow& ,hould we indul(e our e(o and loc) oursel$es away in a safe little *o38 Or
should we free oursel$es from our mental prisons" and ad$ance past old *arriers8
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,pendin( your life wei(hin( your options *efore e$ery step you ta)e" you will
undou*tedly drift toward actions that indul(e your e(o& By *ein( afraid of ta)in(
ris)s you are allowin( the desires for safety to seep throu(h" causin( a mind5set of
self5preser$ation& #t is the spirit that is spontaneous and has no need to consider and
reconsider what" if anythin(" it should do& #t simply acts&
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,pontaneous action is the (reatest Goy in lifeL
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There are many opportunities to ha$e more than one life within a lifetime&
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.our spiritJs desire for freedom presents itself fre%uently and thorou(hly in life& @a$e
you e$er had compulsions to act *ut felt (uilty for ha$in( them" and then later felt
(uilty a(ain for not ha$in( acted8 The first reaction of (uilt is the preconditionin( of
society& The second is a reaction to not ha$in( allowed your spirit to e3perience what
it was see)in(&
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Do not waste timeL Act *efore your e(o second (uesses you&
55555555555555555
The Totality is that which (i$es unconditionally" and re%uires nothin( in return& Thus
it is the wellsprin( from which we may draw stren(th&
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Actin( upon the spontaneous feelin(s recei$ed from your spirit will stren(then your
a*ility to connect with it and its intentions&
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#n order to understand what you are doin(" you must at times do nothin(&
55555555555555555
,elf5sufficiency is not relyin( on the opinions of others to determine the path you will
follow&
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#f you are happy with who you are" then you need not proceed any further&
55555555555555555
O$ercomin( (uilt is Gust another hurdle on the way to li*eration&
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'etaliation is a form of clin(in( to the past& ?o$e on" or you will find yourself
trapped in a moment that no lon(er e3ists" and life will pass you *y&
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.our feelin(s will (uide you alon( the path if you listen to them&
55555555555555555
'ole models are a way to en$ision your future self" *ut are helpful only as lon( as you
donJt for(et who you are&
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Ultimately" we all ha$e our own way of life& Ao two people *elie$e in e3actly the
same thin( *ecause no two people share the same *rain&
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Do what feels ri(ht to you& That is all that is necessary&
Treatise of #nity
@ello my fellow Jedi Fni(hts and Force practitioners& # come to you now *ecause the
time for chan(e is approachin( and there is no time li)e the present&
?y friends" it has *een many months that we ha$e *een stri$in( for unity& ,omethin(
that" it seems" has *een Gust outside our reach at e$ery attempt to (rasp it" of which
weJ$e made many& We ha$e (one throu(h numerous trials and disco$ered $arious
new thin(s a*out oursel$es and the nature and purpose of the Jedi& @owe$er" many
still feel lost" and for that # cannot *lame them& What (oals ha$e we set forth to
accomplish that ha$e *een clear and distin(uisha*le8 # dou*t that many of you will
come up with an answer&
# am not placin( *lame on anyone" and certainly not 'elan" whose (enerosity and
undenia*le dedication to this cause has *rou(ht the Jedi United farther than anyone
could ha$e dreamed& # am simply ma)in( an o*ser$ation of the many mista)es that
we ha$e *een ma)in(" in the sense that accordin( to our desire for unity" we ha$e not
done what has *een necessary&
'i(ht now you mi(ht *e thin)in( that # am sayin( that we should do more& Ao" # am
sayin( we should do less& .ou see" *y searchin( endlessly for ways to *rin( the Jedi
to(ether" we ha$e denied the truth that we are united& Aot united under the titles
NJediN" N,tar WarsN" or Nthe ForceN" *ut united under the understandin( that we ha$e
more capa*ilities than we ha$e e$er pre$iously ima(inedM the understandin( that there
is more to life than what has *een pre$iously presented to most of usM the
understandin( that we are luminous *ein(s of truth" and compassion&
?y friends" there is no wor) to *e done& There is no (oal of unity" *ecause that was
accomplished for us lon( a(o& #t is remar)a*ly simple to see) out those willin( to
help" and to research spiritual information in any num*er of points of $iew& Accept
the e3traordinary (ift that we ha$e *een (i$en" and conse%uently i(nored in the past&
This thin( called Unity has *een with us" inside all alon(& As my close friend Justin
put it recently" NWeJ$e *een tryin( to create unity" when we really need to create unity
inside oursel$es&N
That" # thin)" is what weJ$e *een missin(& # remem*er 'elan once sayin( somethin(
li)e" NBy creatin( unity" we will find our indi$iduality&N # feel that some of us ha$e
missed this aspect" includin( myself&
With this (ift of unified indi$iduality" we can create real (oals& @a$in( the Jedi
community at our disposal is li)e ha$in( an army of peace)eepers to march into
hostile territory& #f there is an o*Gecti$e you would li)e to reach" *ut cannot do so on
your own" contact others& Use the already actualiBed unity in whate$er way you desire
to do what is necessary to ma)e the world *etter" in whate$er form you choose&
Personally" # ha$e chosen to use this unity to find ways to *rin( the Jedi to(ether
outside the #nternet& #t is your choice&
# feel that this is all we need to understand in order to achie$e anythin( at all& ,hall
we end hun(er8 ,a$e the rain forests8 ,top disease8 What should we do8 The
possi*ilities are endlessL #f we are to ta)e another step with the United Jedi Order" it
should *e in the direction of acceptance" to show others that we ha$e succeeded
*efore we e$en *e(an stri$in(&
?a)e the choice" fellow Jedi& -etJs stop pushin( away unity" and accept it for what it
is inside us and around us" as how it already has *een created for us&
?ay the Force of Unity *e with you all&
,ause and Effect
.ou mi(ht thin) of this article as a )ind of Gournal entry" *ecause what you are a*out
to read has a (reat deal to do with the insi(ht # ha$e Gust (ained into the nature of the
Force and the Jedi themsel$es& Call it a theory if you wish" for e$erythin( we do as
Jedi is *asically e3perimentation with *eliefs and techni%ues&
From my e3perience trainin( apprentices here and there" and from o*ser$in( the more
e3perienced Jedi" #J$e *e(un to notice a pattern& A maGority of the new students come
to the teachers in search of somethin( reminiscent of ,tar Wars" and for (ood reason&
Who wouldnJt *e tempted *y the e3traordinary feats of Jedi and the potential to learn
how they are accomplished8 ?ost new students" at least those with little to no
e3perience in spirituality" e3pect or wish to learn how to use the Force for thin(s such
as tele)inesis and le$itation& Unfortunately" for the most part" few of us ha$e any
information to (i$e on those su*Gects& ,o the students e$entually N(rows upN and lets
(o of those dreams and settles with a more profound path" see)in( unity with the
Force and an understandin( of the uni$erse& ?y ad$ice now would *e to not (i$e up
that ori(inal dream&
#t seems many of us" includin( myself" had defined *ein( a Jedi as ha$in( those
a*ilities& Perhaps in the *ac) of our minds we still do" still hopin( that some day we
will (ain the insi(ht necessary to fi(ure out how to use the Force& A(ain" # say" do not
(i$e up that dream& 'ecently #J$e e3perienced some thin(s that would tell me #Jm not
far from understandin( it& But first" # feel it is necessary to finish what most of us
*e(an when we found out that use of the Force would not *e as easily attained as we
thou(ht& That *ein(" understandin( unity with the Force&
As human *ein(s we need a little more con$incin( of that unity" than say" a potential
Jedi in the ,tar Wars uni$erse" *ecause we rarely feel that unity& This can *e
de$eloped" *ut it ta)es time and trainin( to (ain the awareness that we are all in fact
connected to e$erythin( that e3ists& Without it" how can we e$en *e(in to thin)
tele)inesis is possi*le8 #t is the *elief of separation" of disunity" that e$erythin(
around is a disconnected part of reality" which (ets in our way& #t is %uite simply that
we must unlearn what we ha$e learned& Ao one can tell you how to do this" *ecause
the truth is always (reater than the words we use to descri*e it& #t is somethin( that is
e3perienced" somethin( that only wal)in( the path can teach you&
The point to all this rhetoric is to finally say that # *elie$e # ha$e in the past" and $ery
recently" *een a*le to use the Force in the way that # had always thou(ht in time #
would *e a*le to& #ronically" it in$ol$es the mo$ement of the wind" similar to my
namesa)e in the ,tar Wars no$els ,treen!& ,e$eral times #J$e simply sat outside
where there was a (entle *reeBe" and with an amount of concentration" *een a*le to
create a (ust of wind with my mind& .ou mi(ht wonder" did # create the wind" did #
predict it" or was it simply a coincidence& This is where the understandin( of unity
comes in& #t is A-- these thin(s& To create distinctions either this or that! is
aincomplete 5 continued on 2+/7+79b to create disunity" physically" mentally" and
spiritually& There is no either+or& There is no here and there& There is no cause and
effect" *ecause they occur simultaneously& The JcoincidenceJ *etween my mind
thin)in( of the wind and the creation of the (ust of wind was neither ima(ined nor
real& The thou(ht occurred at the same time as the (ust" and therefore the (ust caused
the thou(ht at the same time the thou(ht caused the (ust& They are one&
Do not create a distinction *etween cause and effect in matters of the Force& .ou do
not use the Force" and the Force does not use you& .ou are the Force&
4hat is our @estiny>
What are we doin(8
Why are we doin( it8
Why do we *ecome Jedi8
@a$e we *ecome Jedi Gust to li$e li)e they would ha$e in the mo$ies8
#s this some weird childhood dream that we in some foolish way are tryin( to create
for oursel$es8&&&&
Thin) a*out these %uestions for a moment& Done8
Cood& # donJt )now how you feel and # canJt tell you either& @owe$er" # can tell you
how # feel&
E$er since # was a )id 5and #Jm youn( now5" # had a feelin( deep inside of me& # ne$er
could say for sure what it was until recently& # ha$e felt an ener(y inside of me near
my heart may*e e$en my soul& The *est # could (et out of it was that it made me feel"
e$er since # was capa*le of rational thou(ht" li)e # was meant for somethin( (reat& #
donJt )now how many other people on this planet may ha$e had that same feelin(" *ut
# )now # ha$e and that it is (enuine& Also" # ha$e thou(ht lon( and hard" e$en
meditated lon( *efore # e$er stum*led onto yours and others sites of the Force" a*out
what that somethin( special was&&& my destiny& Well (uess what" # as)ed my ,a$ior
and Cod 5#Jm Christian5 for the umpteenth hundred time to answer my prayers of
Nwhat am # supposed to do8N" and finally" after much leadin( on from my -ord and
the e$entual stum*lin( onto this and other sites" the feelin( of *ein( confused went
away& Aow" # study to *ecome a Jedi ?aster and to pass on my )nowled(e to my
offsprin( and others in the *elief that one day" the Dar) Times will arri$e" and the
true NJediN will ha$e to fi(ht for real& Thin)" the ,tar Wars ?o$ies may ha$e *een
nothin( more than a *lue print from the Almi(hty @imself on what we must do for
the times ahead&
Well" that is my story" and than)s for readin(&
?ay the Force *e with you&&&&
!ood and Evil
5elief about !ood and Evil
A *elief that the Cood can in fact li$e without E$il&
A *elief that the E$il can in fact li$e without the Cood&
A *elief" as we see now" that E$il and Cood can li$e to(ether&
.ou mi(ht as) how&&&
?urity
Pure Cood can li$e without e$il *ecause there would *e no need for e$il&&&e$eryone
would do what was needed and *e happy& ?any descri*e this as a @ea$en&
Pure E$il can li$e without (ood *ecause there would *e no need for it& Destruction"
chaos" as well as other feelin(s would rule them& ?any descri*e this as a @ell&
E$il and Cood li$in( can li$e to(ether in a *alance *ecause no one is Pure Cood or
Pure E$il& E3cept for in some reli(ions there ha$e *een NPureN people to wal) this
earth& Those who choose to start leadin( a path towards NPurityN will *e tempted from
the opposite side and as their path (rows NPurerN the temptation mi(ht (row stron(er&
Aisual
Picture a" white painted" spherical room& And on the inside it is completely smooth&
There is a li(ht ho$erin( in the e3act center of this room& Turn it on with its
*ri(htness and do you (et any shadows8 Ao& This is a $isual on the Cood without
E$il&
Picture the same room& The li(ht not turned on& #s there any li(ht8 Ao& This is a $isual
of E$il without (ood&
Picture the same room *ut with parts of the walls stic)in( up at $arious len(ths and
$arious an(les" li)e pointy shards& Turn on the -i(ht& What happens8 .ou (et $arious
shades of *lac)" white and (ray& This is a $isual of E$il and Cood li$in( in the same
place&
This is the simple $ersion of a *elief a*out Cood and E$il&
The Createst #llusion
,o many people wander a*out their li$es in so much pain& They push on" Gust to sur$i$e"
yet with no reward& They curse the (ods for their fortune" and constantly as) Nwhy8N
NWhy must # suffer8N #ndeed" why8 Ao other %uestion is more important& Ao other
%uestion has *een as)ed more&
The answer" howe$er" is somethin( of a mystery to most of the world& A (reat many
people ha$e *een led to %uestion their own faith *ecause they cannot ima(ine a Cod" or a
Force" that would allow such pain in this world& .ou see" there is a truth" which many
ha$e also naturally for(otten& #t is the truth of the illusion of reality&
-oo) around you& What do you see8 What do you )now is real8 Can you tell8
Our purpose here in this uni$erse is not to *e the $ictimJs of another *ein(Js creation" *ut
to *e our own creation& -ife is *ut a simple play" and we" the actors& We are here to create
oursel$es in whate$er form we wish& We are the creators and the created in the (rand
process of life& We must stop cursin( the (ods for our misfortune" *ecause the misfortune
is our own creation&
That may seem depressin(" that we are literally Nma)in( oursel$es misera*leN& The secret
to end this $icious cycle is to realiBe what # said a*o$e life is nothin( *ut a play!& #f you
learn to see that reality is the (reatest illusion of all" then you will see that there is
a*solutely no need for pain" and it will cease to e3ist& .ou may wonder how one can see
past the illusion8
-et (o of your perceptions" and you will see directly throu(h the illusion& -oo)in( at
somethin( is to see ri(ht throu(h it& Just as a person can *e transparent" that is" easily seen
in his+her true form" you will see ri(ht throu(h any illusion they attempt to create a*out
themsel$es& -oo) at life&
-oo) at its comple3ities in nature& -oo) at the simplicities in its processes& ,ee it as the
N$irtual realityN that it truly is" and no lon(er will you feel ne(ati$ity" *ecause you will
ha$e then realiBed that you are imper$ious&
ThatJs ri(ht& .ou are in$inci*le& This is not clear to those who loo) at themsel$es as a
physical *ody& To those who see throu(h this illusion" can see that no one can truly do
any harm to the real NselfN& #f youJ$e e$er seen the film The ?atri3" you may remem*er
?orpheus tellin( his student" AeoD N.ou thin) thatJs air youJre *reathin(8N @e said this to
remind Aeo that the reality he saw was not only ima(inary" *ut was also escapa*le in a
way that one could *rea) free of the deception" and create a new idea a*out what could
actually *e done in NrealityN& NThere is no death" there is the ForceN" is pro*a*ly the most
important part of any Jedi Code& Death does not occur" only a chan(e in form&
'emem*er that the physical life is merely an illusion" and you will not only end your own
pain and sufferin(" *ut you will learn to appreciate life more" and in turn see the ultimate
perfection of the uni$erse&
The Force
What is the Force8
#t is hard for us to define the Force" for the Force cannot solely *e defined in words such
as these or any words& To do so would restrict the way it is used and seen& ?any Jedi
ha$e attempted to define the Force" thou(h we all should understand the Force is $iewed
not only in words" yet in actions" in situations" in o*Gects" in you and me& Therefore it is
open to many interpretations& What we do )now is somethin( is out there which
determines our reality& #t is this we attempt to reco(niBe in any way we can&
#n the mo$ies" a Jedi named O*i5Wan Feno*i said the Force was an ener(y field which
surrounds all li$in( thin(s&&&*indin( the (ala3y to(ether& -i)e the term Tao used in
Taoism" or the uni$ersal Fi+Chi" the Force is a concept which can *e seen in many forms"
and in many ways& The Force is commonly seen an ener(y which connects all life as one"
for it is a pure ener(y& Without the Force" there is no life& Because there is life" the Force
e3ists&
Whether one may see the Force as a deity or the order of the uni$erse doesnJt ma)e the
Force any less or more true" in our opinion& #t really depends on how you interpret it& The
truth lies in the dedication and trust in the Force& The most *asic piece of wisdom a Jedi
or any of you mi(ht learn a*o$e any is to trust in the Force& By trustin( in the Force" the
Force will (uide you" helpin( you throu(h e$ery o*stacle and e$ery turn&
.ou can tra$el a thousand miles away and still ne$er find itc*ecause it is already in you&
Our Gourney is all a*out realiBin( it is with us already" ri(ht now" ne$er lea$in( us if we
heed to its call& 'emem*er the Force is a (uide& Use it to help (uide you towards the
(olden path&
Aature of the Force
A Form of Cod8
,ome tell me" NThe Force canJt *e CodLN # tell them somethin( li)e" NThe Force is ener(y
which li$es& #t e3ist in all thin(& As ener(y" it can *e as e$erythin(" in e$erythin(& #t can
*e a spirit& #t can *e a flower& #t can *e a messa(e& #t can *e a thou(ht& #t can also *e Cod&
The Force e3ists in all thin(s which (i$es ener(y and pro$ides ener(y to all li$in(
thin(s&N
.ou see" if you *elie$e there is a Cod" or donJt" it is all in how you see the e3istence of
ener(y& ,ome say" NWell" e$erythin( seems as if created *y a creator&N Others say" NAll
thin(s run *y itself" and maintains itself&N Both are sayin( the same thin(" and are really
*asin( their perceptions to *e sole facts&
The Force is there to help you li$e your life" to (uide you throu(h the Gourney you are
a*out to ta)e& #t is the sum of all thin(s" it is the e3istence of all thin(s& The Force is what
*inds e$erythin( to(ether and forms order& #t is that which *rin(s life" creates life"
maintains life" ser$es life&
DonJt let your past totally rule your present& DonJt always let anotherJs point of $iew
conflict your own" *ecause it doesnJt ha$e to *e& DonJt let thin(s (et to you" understand
what people really say to you" why they *elie$e what they do" and realiBe it is *ased on
the $ery same ideas you ha$e& #t is their way of sayin( what we all )now" throu(h a
limited set of lan(ua(es which can seem hard to e3press understandin(&
What a Jedi should focus on is the Force& # hope you do not ta)e this name" this title of
somethin( which is so descri*a*le in many different ways" and tell yourself it isnJt there&
Ener(y e3ist& -ife in ener(y e3ists& The Force e3ists within you and with you& Use it"
cherish it" and show it to others around you&
Force .ourself
# remem*er hearin( @arrison Ford in an inter$iew in which he (a$e his own
interpretation of the Force when he was actin( as @an ,olo in ,tar Wars& #t is a $ery
simple sayin(D
NForce yourself&N
What powerful words& #n fact" it seems to show much truth of how our world wor)s& The
Force can (uide you all it wants" yet if you arenJt willin( to listen" if you arenJt willin( to
NForce yourselfN to (et up and do what it ta)es to (row" you will not accomplish
anythin(& #n order to *e successful when followin( the path of the Jedi" the unfoldin(
path of self5disco$ery" you must ta)e control of your emotions and carry forward&
#t is easy to sit *ac)" # )now& #t is easy to *e laBy and for(et a*out what is (oin( on"
i(nore your surroundin(s and pretend the world isnJt there at all& #t is also easy to crawl in
a hole and hope no one *others you& #t is easy" yes" *ut the path of the Jedi isnJt always
easy& ?any practices are hard and re%uire your persistence& .ou will e3perience
pro*lems which will *e hard to fi3& .et you must fi3 them&
Ae$er for(et what # say to you today& Always remem*er" the Force helps those who force
themsel$es&
Ao Try
# would prefer to compare .odaJs statement NDo or do not" there is no tryN" to thisD
NAct without doin(M wor) without effort&N 5-ao TBu
.oda says" NThere is no tryN" as if it were a truth of reality& As if to say to -u)e" NFor(et
a*out effort" for(et a*out tryin(& Just let it happen&N To see)" to try" to put forth effort" is
to admit the possi*ility of failure& This way of thin)in( lac)s in faith" which is # thin)
what .oda was teachin(&
Bruce -ee also said this a*out his fi(htin(D N# do not hit& #t hits all *y itself&N
To let (o" to (i$e oneself to the N#tN" is to no lon(er need to put forth effort" or try"
*ecause&&& to put it simply&&&& the Force is with you&
Usin( the ForceD Balance
One may use the Force in many different ways& One method # ha$e found applies the
Force to your physical *alance& This techni%ue can *e useful especially for martial artists"
*ut # recommend that anyone try it&
#J$e often used this while in a specific stretchin( position that re%uires you to stand on
one foot5 on your left le( for e3ample" while holdin( your ri(ht an)le with your ri(ht
hand and pullin( your le( *ehind you in order to stretch the front of your thi(h& The
pro*lem # had when # *e(an usin( this was that # could not *alance well on one le(" while
tryin( to remain $ery still& #n time # de$eloped the followin( method to )eep my *alance&
First" you must stand on one foot& @ow you choose to do this is up to you& Ae3t" rela3 as
much as possi*le" and ima(ine that the Force is flowin( up from the floor" throu(h you"
and past you" as if it were a (ust of air and you were a *alloon on the end of a strin(&
Feep practicin( this until you can feel the Force flowin( and that it *e(ins to support
your *alance and e$en pre$ent you from fallin( o$er& #f you do this enou(h you may find
that in an instant you can re(ain your *alance throu(h use of the Force&
The Force
#ts power may seem *eyond you at times" it may seem to *e an impossi*le (oal to
*ecome a Force ?aster" or e$en to simply touch this ethereal ener(y field that is so
fa*led&
@owe$er" we )now that the force is all around us" Penetratin( us and *indin( the Cala3y
to(ether" to %uote O*i5wan Feno*i& #n )nowin( this we realiBe that all of our actions are
(uided *y the force" and li)e all thin(s we can doM physically" mentally" or spiritually we
must *e(in *y ta)in( those first steps&
Feelin( the force has often *een descri*ed as ta)in( a leap of faith&&&what this means is
simply to stop worryin( a*out whether or not a techni%ue will wor)&&&to stop worryin(
whether or not you will fall on the ice&&&to simply let (o of all of ones inhi*itions and ta)e
the plun(e&&&
N.ou ha$e ta)en your first step into a -ar(er worldN
@ere once a(ain the Jedi ?aster" O*i5wan Feno*i" shows us the su*tle lessons of the
force& We all to often allow oursel$es to simply i(nore the su*tle lessons of the force"
simply allowin( oursel$es to loo) o$er the lessons *ehind the lessons" in search of a
(reater re$elation& What we donJt realiBe is li)e all thin(s with the force" it is not a matter
of loo)in( outward for the answer" *ut loo)in( within" the uni$erse is not all e3ternal and
scientifically e3plaina*le&
When see)in( the (uidance of the force one must )now how to listen" how to %uite the
mind" the am*ition" the hesitation& @ow to clear out the mental *arriers and Gust *e&
To li$e is an e3perience most people today ne$er actually ha$e after their childhood& We
as Jedi do in fact ha$e a duty to all others" *ut that duty will mean nothin( if we cannot
do anythin( to actually ma)e it happen& Jedi must learn how to N-i$eN *y first lettin( (o
of fear and hesitation" of am*ition" and of all desires that are created e3ternally& Aot the
o*$ious such as a nice house and a fancy car" *ut much more su*tle thin(s" li)e the desire
to not allow oneself to chan(e" to lo$e&&&to not allow oneself to li$e for the fear of pain
and dis(race& We cannot allow dou*t in oursel$es to cloud our Gud(ment" we must ha$e
an anchor that is e$en more deeply em*edded in oursel$es than our fear" we must
understand that a life li$ed shielded *y fear is a life *etter left unli$ed&&&
We are protectors of the mee) and defenders of the innocent
We li$e our li$es (uided *y the will of the force
We accept failure as a (reater lesson
We accept success as a cornerstone of the forceJs will
We are Jedi
And our Journey has now *e(un&&&
Principles of the Force
First" to use the force" we must )now what it is 5 ener(y" plain and simple&
E$erythin( in the uni$erse 5 from dirt" humans" the s)y" trees" and e$en space 5 are all
made of matter& Once matter is *ro)en down to its smallest parts" we ha$e positi$e and
ne(ati$e protons surroundin( a nucleus" thus creatin( an atom& E$erythin( in the uni$erse
is made from these tiny particles& Atoms are all pure ener(y& @ence" all thin(s are pure
ener(y&
Ener(y ne$er stops& #t Gust transfers itself from one form to the ne3t" dependin( on the
conditions& We may not )now where ener(y first came from" *ut we )now it will ne$er
end&
Once you ha$e accepted this idea into e$eryday life" you will see e$eryone is a part of
each other and e$erythin(& #t is *ecause we all e3ist as one *ein(& Just li)e the *ody" it
has arms" le(s" hands" and feet" completely different parts with completely different
functions and responsi*ilities& .et they are still part of a *ody&
By learnin( a*out your own self" you are also learnin( a*out others and other thin(s"
*ecause we are one&
Force powers can *e de$eloped Gust *y realiBin( what youJre seein(& By doin( so" youJll
see a continuin( flow of ener(y which you are a part of& ?o$in( o*Gects is created simply
*y the *elief that one can do it& .ou Gust ha$e to tap into e$erythin( at once" realiBin( the
o*Gect youJre tryin( to mo$e is a part of you" Gust li)e your hand and foot& Then" itJs as
simple as snappin( your fin(ers&
'eadin( minds is an art of Gust allowin( yourself to ha$e thou(hts without Gud(ment and
without personal con$ictions cloudin( these thou(hts&
,eein( the past is different& #n order to see the past" you must" in your mind" put yourself
in a sacred place" lettin( (o of all other thou(hts until you (et a clear" mental ima(e& The
first thin( that pops in your mind is what youJre see)in(& @owe$er" the )ey is to not let
your own thou(hts interfere this can *e difficult!& .our mind must *e li)e a leaf in the
wind" followin( the windJs will&
,eein( the future is different" for the future is e$er5chan(in(" shapin( itself *y the will
and decisions of people& The *est policy is to )now the future holds no securities 5 and is
only what we ma)e it&
The -i$in( Force
.ou may ha$e heard these words spo)en recentlyD NBe aware of the li$in( ForceN&
Confusin(" yes8 While the Force is the power within all of us" and is what (uides us day
to day" you must not for(et the li$in( Force& Ao" there are not two separate NForcesN& This
is merely a way to *etter e3plain it&
-ife is all around us& The trees" the *irds" the ri$er& They are all connected to one another"
and to you& .ou must open yourself to them" and feel life around you& ,ome time" (o
outside and loo) at a tree& Close your eyes and *ecome aware of the tree& Feel it swayin(
in the wind and listen to its sounds& Open your eyes& -oo) at the tree& What does it
remind you of8 #f you li)e" contact me and tell me when youJ$e done this&
?any thin) that humans are superior to nature& Do you *elie$e this8 @as the thunder e$er
fri(htened you when it was close8 @a$e you heard stories of the terror people feel durin(
an earth%ua)e8 @a$e you e3perienced it yourself8 #f you ha$e" you understand what it is
to *e hum*le&
Ae$er for(et the li$in( Force& #f you do not rise a*o$e it" then you will *e one with it&
O*i5Wan Feno*iD N?aster .oda said # should *e mindful of the future&N Oui5Con JinnD
NBut not at the e3pense of the present& Be mindful of the li$in( Force" my youn(
Padawan&N
That is the )ey& @E'E and AOW&
Ways of the Force
There are many ways to see thin(s& #nterpretation and opinion (i$e us many %uestions
and answers& The Force can *e loo)ed upon as a reli(ion" a spirit" ener(y" a (od" and e$en
the un)nown& Fate" luc)" mystery" faith" hope" lo$e&&&there are many names we (i$e to
what we e3perience" a feelin( that (i$es us the power" the want to do (ood&&&as well as
e$il& We must learn to use it wisely&
These ways of *elie$in( are all the same thin(& The Force is only a name" a name we use
to understand that these feelin(s and *eliefs all connect to each other" li)e a circle" all part
of the same thin(" as one& One cannot e3ist without the other& #t was made *y the same
thin(&&&and is the same thin(& #t is a uni$erse that is awesome and full of illumination&
#t is our (reatest ally& Our stren(th" our )nowled(e" our wisdom& #t is supreme& #t affects
us all differently" yet all the same& #t lies within us as well as with us& #t is one with us&
We are one with it&
A Jedi should understand these ways to understand The Force itself" for it all is a cycle of
)nowled(e that our mind should (rasp& To e3perience The Force we must e3perience
other ways and other points of $iew" not to *e afraid to discern the un)nown& To not *e
*ound *y restrictions" yet to e3pand to somethin( (reater&&&to somethin( purer& To )now
that we all are life forms that *ears a soul" and deser$es respect and attention& For we are
all e%ual& And all ha$e the ri(ht of freedom" of life" and of communication&
The ?ysterious Force
They say that the Force that can *e named and spo)en is not the eternal Force& The Force
is that which cannot *e spo)en of" or fathomed *y the human mind& As ancient Tao
?asters descri*ed it" dar)ness within dar)ness& The (ate to all mystery&
.ou may say that this is all new to you& E$erythin( youJ$e learned was completely
different from your normal life& But is it really8 #s it really new8 Or was it already with
you8 The )nowled(e of the Force& The depth of all )nowled(e&
Did you find the Force" or did the Force find you8 #ts (uidance is there from *e(innin( to
end" yet is has no *e(innin(& #t has no end& But only when the realiBation is made once
a(ain" do you once a(ain *ecome aware of it&
The mystery *ehind the Force is enou(h to )eep one philosophiBin( to no end& #nstead of
see)in( for an answer to the mystery" em*race it& Feel the mystery and the
incomprehensi*le nature of the Force&
When you ha$e no answer" you will understand&
Use the Force
3he 4ythology of 5tar +ars& The title of the PB, show scrolled up onto my tele$ision
screen on the pre$iew channel much li)e the openin( to ,tar Wars itself& # immediately
flipped to the channel and was rewarded with the smilin( face of Ceor(e -ucas& # had
unfortunately missed most of the show" *ut after listenin( to the con$ersation with the
inter$iewer" somethin( cau(ht my attention& They *e(an tal)in( a*out Na leap of faithN&
?r& -ucas added *y sayin("; Well thatJs what JUse the ForceJ really means" to ta)e that
leap of faithN& This intri(ued me& Ae$er in my entire career as a Jedi had # *een (i$en this
perspecti$e on the nature of the Force&
-etJs flash*ac) for a moment& At the end of ,tar Wars" -u)e ,)ywal)er recei$ed a
messa(e from O*i5wan Feno*i to Nuse the ForceN& But what did this really mean8 -i)e
most people" # assumed this meant that he let the Force flow throu(h him and (uide his
actions& @owe$er" #J$e found this to not *e the whole truth& -u)e was in essence ta)in( a
leap of faith& To trust in himself that he could do what the 'e*ellion was countin( on him
to do&
Throu(hout your day" youJll pro*a*ly ha$e many opportunities to %uestion yourself" and
your a*ilities& #nstead of *ein( ner$ous and frustrated" turn off the na$icomputer" and
NUse the ForceN&&&N-et (oN&&&
Ta)e a leap of faith&
Applications of the Force
Dar) Jedi Perspecti$e
The ForceD Dar) Jedi
The ,ith and the dar) side are often confused as one of the same thin(& ?any Jedi
*elie$in( that )nowled(e of the ,ith was )nowled(e of the dar) side& Trained and
ad$ised a(ainst learnin( of the ,ith way" Jedi associated the two to(ether& But ha$e the
two mer(ed into one" the %uestion is one which has *een as)ed of the Academy *efore&
Ancient ,ith teachin(s" written *efore the ,ith were corrupted *y dar) Jedi" are not as one
would suspect& The writin(s and scriptures tell of sorcery not of a truly e$il nature& .et
latter ,ith writin(s seem *ent with e$il and pla(ued with an(er a(ainst enemies of their
race& This is not to say that ,ith ma(ic was of a truly (ood nature to start with& #t can *e
un%uestiona*ly said that it is wholly possi*le to turn a true heart to one of e$il" *ut to turn
a whole race seems impro*a*le&
E$idence then that the ,ith were corrupted and *ent to the will of a dar) Jedi8 Or are the
writin(s Gust a natural pro(ression from early dar) side philosophy to that of a true dar)
nature& Did the dar) side and ,ith ideals meet to achie$e a common (oal8
These answers are difficult to find" much of the ,ith empire has *een lost" either throu(h
an attempt to pur(e the e$il records *y the Jedi" or hidden *y dar) siders to secure
followin( (enerations chance to learn )nowled(e of the ancient ,ith& To reach an answer
one must (o *ac) to a time *efore the Dar) ,ith -ord Aa(a ,adow rei(ned& ,ith as a race
still e3isted at this time" *ut not as a lar(e (roup& ,ith philosophy at this time dictated that
they li$e in small tri*al (roups" rarely interactin( with those outside of their tri*e& They
performed ma(ic rituals and spells" at the command of a tri*al IsorcerersE& But can we say
that this IsorcererE was tappin( into the dar) side8
This would seem the lo(ical answer" howe$er" could it *e that the sorcerers were tappin(
into the li(ht side& The rituals performed would ha$e to *e of a truly e$il nature for the
ma(ic to *e of dar) side ori(in& ,o could it *e that the ,ith were usin( the li(ht side to
*e(in with8 This is entirely possi*le" the pro(ression of the ,ith is somewhat similar" yet
in the opposite direction to that of the Jedi& .et any speculation on this fact is entirely
unfounded" for when Aa(a ,adow disco$ered the ,ith they were tappin( into the dar)
side power and controllin( it in e$er increasin( comple3ity&
,o what turned this pro(ression in the opposite direction" if indeed it was headin(
towards that of the Jedi in the first place8 The answer lies durin( the lifetime of the fallen
Jedi Aa(a ,adow& #t would seem that ,adow found the ,ith after fallin( to the dar) side&
'eco(niBin( the $ast power the ,ith commanded ,adow *ecame determined to learn how
to use it to his ad$anta(e& ,adow had learned the su*tle connections *etween the ,ithEs
ma(ic and the dar) side" and how to use them& #n the most despica*le act of treachery he
turned their hard won )nowled(e a(ainst them and turned them into sla$es&
#n this way the ,ith *ecame ser$ants of the dar) side" and thus the %uestion is answered&
The ,ith" in loosin( their identity as a race and their indi$idual use of the force fell to the
dar) side& The distinction *etween the two *ecame so clouded that it was intan(i*le&
On Truth
We are all liars& We lie in e$ery social pretence" in e$ery miti(ation of e$ery word& All
our ceremonies" all our customs" all our traditions are li)e coral reefs where dead lie
encrusts upon dead lie" which we dust with fra(ments of li$in( lies" created *y us in order
to escape from that which ma)es us feel uncomforta*le& E$ery social nicety is a lie
crafted in order to escape confrontation& E$ery time we say N# feel fineN when really we
feel a thro**in( and painful emptiness" a lon(in( or lust for somethin( lon( hidden&
And it is a lust& #t is the ta*oo desire to enter and *e entered *y somethin( we ha$e lost
any concept of e$er ha$in( e3isted" somethin( we were alienated and ostraciBed from
lon( *efore *irth" and whose em*race seems far away&
Our lies are to deny this lust throu(h stic)in( a $eneer o$er our internal dou*t& #t is a
$eneer of $acant smiles" of noise pretendin( to *e music" of purchase power&&& so many
lies" which cannot *e listed here" *ecause they ha$e leeched into e$ery aspect of our li$es&
Our e$ery action is directed towards lies en(ineered as attempts to a$oid as)in( oursel$es
the critical %uestions which we imprison within our heart *ecause we are too terrified to
as) them&
Why e$en now do # need to write in the most con$oluted prose8 Why is it impossi*le for
me to escape the pretence of *ein( Jsu*limeJ8 Am # afraid of *ein( understood8 This is
possi*leM to *e understood is to run the ris) of *ein( challen(ed and pu*licly humiliated"
and your appearance in the face of the community is" of course" e$erythin( in our
artificial li$es where our role in the community is not *ased upon interdependence and
lo$e" *ut rather fear of isolation" and the loneliness in which we mi(ht find oursel$es
posin( the dan(erous %uestions which we do not wish to as)&
But # *elie$e it is not fear of you understandin( me that leads me to craft so much
pretentious nonsense" *ut fear of understandin( myself& Because to e3press it in the most
simple way is simply to e3pose me to myself&
.es" lan(ua(e is a means of communicationM it is a simple means *y which we can
attempt to e3press meanin(M to e3plain our will and desires and comprehensions to others&
But it can also *e used as a facadeM an attempt to e3plain away those thin(s # understand
e$ery time # play a de$astatin( chord on the piano" an attempt to draw the curtains # see
myself lur)in( in the distance as the su*Gects of a Bach fu(ue interact&
We are accused of lyin( and manipulatin(" of *earin( false witness to achie$e our ends&
This is i(noranceM e$ery social act is a lie and a manipulationM turnin( a *lind eye in the
name of e3pedience& We lie" yes& But the lies we should fear are not those $isi*le lies" *ut
the lies so internaliBed that we for(et we are tellin( them&
We are fri(htened of strippin( away these lies and findin( the un)nown underneath& But
we must listen to our deeply lon(in( lust" listen to that internal lon(in( we suppress& We
thirst for somethin( more" and we must see) it& This is to strip away the facades" the
(ames" the prettiness" the )itsch" the denial" the lies& To cast them off and to loo) o$er the
ed(e&
We fear the dar)ness which is o$er the ed(e *ecause we cannot see what lies within& .et
within this dar)ness is a Gourney" a pil(rima(e upon which we must em*ar)M a Gourney
which must *e central to our li$es& We must stand in the midst of the dar)ness" and as our
eyes and senses *ecome more attuned to it" we will fear it less" and realiBe that there is
nothin( to fear a*out the un)nown" for while these is dar)ness ahead" there is hope that
what is in front of us may *e the $ery o*Gect which we as indi$iduals must choose wal)
away from society to see)&
The core of philosophy is thisM we must see) to em*race truth& To see the dar)ness of
un)nowin( we conceal and ris) the Gourney within re%uires truth" the complete e3position
of what we are" the complete a*andonment of all the illusions we hold dear" *ecause they
are Gust that5 illusions& -ies whose truth we ha$e con$inced oursel$es of&
To understand" firstly" and most importantly" that we are all liars" and this is a lie&
?editati$e Perspecti$e
NCould someone understand the word JpainJ who had ne$er felt pain8N
5 Witt(enstein" Philosophical #n$esti(ations
#s e3perience necessary in order to understand a concept8 Attempt to $isualiBe pain& #s
the ima(e in your mind of your own e3perience" or does your psyche create a
hypothetical or fantasy scenario8
To (o further then Witt(enstein" can someone understand the word pain without
e3periencin( pain AT T@AT ?O?EAT8 Can your memory of an e3perience e$er reflect
the e3perience itself8
Bite your fin(er li(htly!& A minute later" try and recall the pain within your mind& Can
you recreate the sensation to anythin( near the intensity of the e3perience8
#f e3perience is necessary in order to understand a situation" why are law enforcement
officials often discoura(ed from dealin( with cases in$ol$in( people they )now
personally8
&&
#f you can" try and listen to a *a*y cryin(& Can a cry reflect pain clearer than words8 Can
the cry recreate the e3perience of the *a*y8 Can you e3perience the childJs pain throu(h
listenin( to its cry8
&&&
,hut your ri(ht eye" and ta)e in what you can see& Then shut your left eye" and ta)e in
what you can see& .ou should notice that the field of $ision each eye has is sli(htly
differentM one eye can see areas another eye cannot& #s it possi*le to say that one eyeJs
perspecti$e superior to the other8
Co into a room with more than one window& -oo) out of one window" then the other&
.ou should *e a*le to see different aspects of the same picture& #s it possi*le to say which
aspect is superior8 #f you were to witness a crime outside the window" would you *e a*le
to choose *eforehand which window to loo) out of8
-isten to what a Professor of ?usic has to say a*out a Fu(ue *y Bach" and then listen to
what a > year old child has to say a*out the piece& Whose perspecti$e is superior8
&A
Consider the su*Gecti$e statement Nthis chair is more comforta*le than that chairN from
E&'& Emmet" /40>!& #s it possi*le to ma)e this su*Gecti$e statement o*Gecti$e8
Could e$idence ma)e the statement fact rather than opinion8
For e3ample" could measurin( the relati$e density of the cushions pro$ide o*Gecti$ity8
Could Gud(in( which chair is more er(onomically suited to the *ody throu(h the
superimposition of an ima(e of the seated *ody with an ima(e of the chair help8
Could (atherin( the opinion of /7 people ma)e the statement o*Gecti$e8 What a*out /77
people8 /777 people8 #f all the people in the world said that the chair was more
comforta*le" would the scientist then *e a*le to o*Gecti$ely say Nthis chair is more
comforta*le than that chairN8
A
Can anythin( *e a fact" or is it simply your opinion that it is a fact8 #s a fact only a fact
once it has *een pro$en" or was it a fact all alon(" un)nown to you8
A&
Consider the statement Nmercury is a li%uidN& #s this correct8
Consider the poem NThe Blind ?en and the ElephantN *y John Codfrey ,a3e& # (i$e the
first and last $erses here&
#t was si3 men of @industan"
To learnin( much inclined"
Who went to see the elephant"
Thou(h all of them were *lind!M
That each *y o*ser$ation
?i(ht satisfy his mind&
Each *lind man" throu(h feelin( a different part of the elephant" and #Jll lea$e it to you to
wor) out which" or e$en *etter" to find the poem" comes to a different conclusionM that the
elephant is li)e a wall" a spear" a sna)e" a tree" a fan and a rope& The poem endsM!
And so these men of @industan
Disputed loud and lon("
Each of his own opinion
E3ceedin( stiff and stron("
Thou(h each was partly in the ri(ht"
And all were in the wron(&
Are we all *lind men8 #s it possi*le for the indi$idual to see the whole picture8
Consider a foot*all fan sittin( in the crowd at a match& @e has a fi3ed perspecti$e&
Consider a foot*all fan watchin( the match from a tele$ision at home" with a $ariety of
camera an(les& Who has e3perienced the foot*all match more8
A&&
#ma(ine yourself lyin( on a *each& What can you hear8 What can you smell8 #ma(ine
pic)in( up a handful of sand and allowin( it to slide throu(h your fin(ers& What does
your sense of touch tell you8 What can you see8 Can you taste anythin(8 Are any of
these senses redundant8
Consider the perspecti$e of a *ird watcher &&& what senses are important to him8
Consider the perspecti$e of the person who used to eat ice cream and ma)e sandcastles at
the *each &&& what senses are important to him8
#s a perspecti$e less $alid if it does not include the e3perience of all < senses8 #s the
perspecti$e of the *lind person or the deaf person inferior to the person who can see and
hear8
'eturn to the ima(e of the *ird watcher& #f he hears a rare species of *ird and reco(niBes
its call" *ut does not see it" he may su*mit that record of a rarity *ased only on one sense&
Would you accept this record accepta*le without $isual confirmation8
Can a *lind person (o *ird watchin(8
A&&&
Consider the followin( ad$ertisin( campai(n for a Coffee Cream -i%ueur& Two different
$ersions of the ad$ertisement were shot" one from the manJs point of $iew" one from the
womanJs& The $oiceo$ers are rou(hly paraphrased thusD
?anD
NThe Chinese restaurant # was ta)in( her to turned out to *e JapaneseL # almost diedL
&&&# had no idea what the menu was sayin(" # Gust *luffed it&&&
&&&Fortunately" the old lo*ster (a( went down a treat&&&
&&&Only pro*lem was # didnJt ha$e the money to (et us a ta3i home&&&N
WomanD
N@e surprised me *y ta)in( me to this really posh Japanese restaurant&&&
&&&#Jm (lad he )new what he was orderin( from the menu" he really )new what he was
tal)in( a*out&&&
&&&Unfortunately" he told that awful lo*ster Go)e&&&
&&&Then after the dinner" he insisted on ta)in( me on a romantic wal) home&&&N
&'
-oo) out of the window a(ain& #ma(ine you were outside" loo)in( at yourself loo)in(
out& What could you see8 ,)etch what you mi(ht see loo)in( up at yourself from outside&
#s attemptin( to e3perience a situation from a num*er of points of $iew
counterproducti$e8 Does it pre$ent you from focusin( on your own o*ser$ations and
understandin(8 #s it possi*le to understand the perspecti$es of others when the only
perspecti$e we can directly e3perience" throu(h our senses" is our own8
'
#f you are not within a personJs field of senses" can that person pro$e you e3ist8
?aelstrom
The desi(nation of time&
Or(aniBation&
Order&
For many these are necessary tas)s& For some they are the emer(ency *ra)es they apply
to a car s)iddin( out of control" for others they ha$e always *een there" a foundation upon
which to *ase a life in which all is an controlled as is possi*le&
Controlled&
?easured&
But for me the controllin( of chaos" the measurin( out of turmoil" is the restriction of
passion and thus the measurin( out and rationin( of life itself&
The pro*lem is when we confuse reducin( the stress within our li$es with creatin( peace
within our li$es& A stress5less life is not necessarily a peaceful one& Certainly" # accept
stress is a (reat stain on many li$es" a *lot of in) which runs" ruinin( e$ery aspect of life&
@owe$er" to claim that orderin( ones life is a way of reducin( this stress is a (ra$e errorM
controllin( of the e3ternal en$ironment is AOT a su*stitute for control of the internal
en$ironment& Perfect order on the outside only ser$es to conceal the destruction within&
As witnessed *y the housewife who turns out two immaculate children" )eeps a spotless
house" and ta)es an o$erdose of pills& As witnessed *y the e3ecuti$e of a company run
li)e a well oiled machine who runs a hosepipe from his e3haust in throu(h the window of
his car and (asses himself& Certainly we should try and alle$iate distractions" *ut this is
no use if alle$iatin( these distractions *ecomes a distraction in itself&
And it is also a misconception to *elie$e that or(aniBin( your life and reducin(
distractions is li*erationM certainly" stress is a manacle" an al*atross hun( around your
nec)& But to replace disorder with order is simply to replace one set of chains with
another& #t is to restrict yourself to followin( systems" schedules" timeta*les& And within
this order" too" there is stress& #t is not an escape from your pro*lems" it is simply a new
set of prison wallsM where the wardens were once ad$ancin( deadlines" final demands on
*ills" now you are penned in *y the *ar*ed wire of appointments and the cell of the
tic)in( of a watch& Certainly" rhythm plays its part within nature& But what (i$es rhythm
its spirit is syncopation& We cannot simply sacrifice our indi$iduality to *ecome
computers" ro*ots followin( a preordained pattern" wal)in( Bom*ie li)e as you follow
your itinerary& .ou cannot *e at peace with the self when you ha$e sacrificed the self&
Peace is not the a*sence of stimuli& #nternal calm is not necessarily dependant upon
e3ternal stillness&
The maelstrom is a sym*ol of chaosM it is a cataclysmic whirlpoolM it is the storm of
emotion" the fury of war& But at the centre of the maelstrom all is still&
For me" the reduction of distractions is not simply unproducti$eM it is counterproducti$e&
#t is dan(erously restricti$e& For the chaos around me stirs me" it inGects me with my
passion" it stimulates me" it arouses my creati$ity& #ndeed" to shut off the disorder and
chaos" the crowds" the storms and the noise would not offer me peaceM rather" it would
suffocate the creati$ity which is the source of my peace& -i)e the maelstrom" my stillness
is not Gust in spite of the chaos around meM my stillness is a product of the chaos& Without
the ra(in( froth of water" the clouds" the thunder" the screams" the shouts" the winds" the
chaos all around me" without my sittin( at the centre of the storm" # would not *e a*le to
loo) within myself" and # would not *e a*le to hear the childish lau(hter and e3citement
which comes from passion&
,hadow Jedi Perspecti$e
Path of a ,hadow
&&" &:TER:L 5L:,E
@ere is where trainin( *e(ins as a shadow& To let emotions rule us is not desired" for this
causes pro*lems that are *est a$oided& ,hadows $iew emotions as a natural part of your
*ein(" *ut they do not ha$e to *e a controllin( part of it& An emotion" if not chec)ed" can
cause one to say or perform an action that they will later wish they could ta)e *ac)" and
*ecome a dan(er to themsel$es as well as others&
AdditionsD A ,hadow adept must learn the importance of control& .ou must harness
control so that you ha$e the a*ility to (o from the e3tremes of *oth li(ht and dar) at any
time& A shadow master has complete control o$er all aspects of the force& .ou may thin)
this ma)es the master unsta*le" *ut a shadow master remains at peace at all times& This is
possi*le *ecause the master has no restrictions on what he *elie$es is moral and ri(ht& A
shadow may do li(ht or dar) deeds without e$er followin( a li(ht or dar) path& @e+she
mo$es with the flow of the force in any direction it may (o& @e can ta)e any action at any
time *ecause he has control o$er all aspects of the force&
,tep OneD Unlearnin(
Unlearnin( means you will address yourself in a critical fashion" hidin( nothin( from
yourself of how you thin) and *eha$e& This is an e3ploration of your life lon( reactions
and underlyin( reasons for your *eha$ior& These need to *e understood as you mo$e into
the ne3t step& #f road5 *loc)s are found they need to *e dealt with& By road5 *loc) it is
meant of a mental nature" a thou(ht that hinders or pre$ents you from loo)in( at a
different $iewpoint" or loc)s you into a mode of action that you wish to remo$e& This is
also a time of reinforcin( self worth wor)in( with the present instead of the past&
AdditionsD One must learn that you must accept the fact that there are no rules in life&
Once you ha$e done this your mind will *e free of constraints& A ,hadow Jedi is tau(ht
that any action has an infinite num*er of outcomes" )nowin( this ma)es the ,hadow Jedi
limitless&
,tep TwoD Croundin(
After assessin( $arious pitfalls and thou(ht processes that are of no more use" one must
*ecome (rounded" and accumulate a *asic understandin( of what lies ahead& This is to *e
a type of personal code" (leaned from your personal outloo) and that which you )now of
the ,hadow& This is the foundation for future proGections" so ta)e care in constructin( it"
and donEt fret o$er re$isions and refinement as you loo) *ac) in the future" nothin( is
written in stone and life adapts&
AdditionsD A ,hadow Jedi is tau(ht that any action has an infinite num*er of outcomes"
)nowin( this ma)es the ,hadow Jedi limitless&
,tep ThreeD Emotions and the ,elf
Time to ma)e the structure to your IhouseE& Catherin( that which you ha$e learned of
yourself and the ideas of the path you ha$e chosen" the adept *ecomes an architect"
settin( the plans for their *ein(s& -ifeEs structure is steeped in emotions and the impact
they ha$e in life& They can turn the tide of a con$ersation into that of a physical
confrontation& Balancin( them with the moment is a difficult tric)" constantly callin(
upon the power of o*ser$ation& The adept does not disperse their emotions" nor culti$ate
them for a reaction& An emotion is to *e e3perienced then and there" upon the time of its
*irth& 'eco(niBin( the emotion for what it is" and not dismissin( it" is critical" for these
are warnin( fla(s li)e a 0th sense *orn of the ,elf&
The ,elf is that which ma)es up your *ein( past the physical and conscious state& When it
spea)s we do not i(nore it *ut ta)e the time to listen& Throu(h the *ac) trac)in( of
emotions" and identifyin( their root the adept can determine whether the said emotion has
merit in the situation" or if it is a product of a personal *ias& At this point the adept will
determine how *est to $iew and incorporateL that warnin(" *e it throu(h physical
representation or as a L reflecti$e reminder on rules of further en(a(ement& this needs
wor)!
,tep FourD ?indfulness
Application of the a*o$e step falls here& To *e focused in the moment" in the here and
now is what mindfulness means& For(et the past and future relati$ely for a little while&
When an adept is seeped into the here and now" time *ecomes irrele$ant and past"
present" and future *ecome one&
,ince time is no lon(er static" all la*els no lon(er apply& Cood and e$il lose their
meanin(" as they are su*Gecti$e to an indi$idualEs outloo)& All thin(s here are in a natural
state of *ein(" no emotional han(5ups& Just one thin( after the other to *e dealt with
accordin(ly" creatin( a non5dualistic state& this needs wor)!
AdditionsD Adepts must learn to master the a*ility to )eep there mind in this state"
concern yourself with the present and donEt worry a*out the past or future& ?editation
sometimes helps this step&
&&&" ?ER,E?T&3:
@ere is the final ,hadow approach so far!& The Force has no la*els" no static IsidesE& To
emulate this re%uires an interestin( approach& .our perception defines your reality"
relati$e to yourself at least& To )eep your $iews from *ein( static" to )eep *iases and
personal shortcomin(s from hinderin( you in your search for understandin(" the adept
doesnEt settle for one point of $iew" *ut readily searches out multiple ones&
,imple in e3planation *ut not in *rin(in( a*out into your daily routine& ,imply put" this is
the alterin( of how you percei$e the world and your understandin( of that which (oes on
in it& This is naturally used in mindfulness& Ae$er loo) at the same situation in the same
way" *uildin( on past e3periences you ha$e catalo(ed it in you mind& Feel free to create
situations in your head" and practice alternate $iews once you ha$e accumulated a fair
amount o*ser$ational *ac)(round& Focus first onL a sin(le instance" remo$e la*els" and
wor) with the raw moment& @ere reactions are in a natural state" free of deceit&
@oneycom* your mind with these alternate windows of perception" )eepin( them free of
clutter& This is the essence of a ,hadow" to *e remo$ed from the static& We do not slide
*etween li(ht and dar)" for there is no li(ht or dar) to *e(in with" merely alternate
perceptions" and throu(h trian(ulatin( those perceptions can the actual truth *e found&
Addin( this with a non5dualistic state of *ein( will )eep the adept at a state of wholeness
in their self" and their surroundin(s&
,hadow Unity
For the true see)ers who find themsel$es at one with a polarity that dri$es otherJs star)
mad" you ha$e entered a world where your insi(hts can and will *e )ey to the future of
those you *oth do and do not care for&
We hold purity in our hearts& We lo$e with all our spirits and let (o in an instant& Chan(e
is our constant& Our inspiration& #t is the flow that *oth sustains and consumes us&
We" the ,hadow" must *ecome the eyes and ears of the Jedi Community& The force is
within all of us" as well as without" *y *alancin( polar opposites to the point of Unity" we
represent the true Aature of Oneness" and our a model for what Unity will *ecome in the
(reater reaches of *oth the Jedi and ,ocial communities within which we all reside&
'eflectin( upon this realiBation we must not allow oursel$es to (et cau(ht up in thin(s
which will hinder our connection to chan(e and to the will of the force& ,u*tlety is a (reat
(uide when you can follow its footsteps" do not allow yourself to (et cau(ht up in that
which has not yet" has in the past" or possi*ly will cross your path& #f you do this you will
fall pray to the *lind $iew point which has consumed so many of the ones we lo$e to
li$es of misery and false hope&
,ee life for what it is& @elp others see this" we will only find Joy and contentedness after
the cold realities of this world ha$e come to peace within our mind and our
consciousness&
We are the Warriors" the Pacifists" the eternal protectors& With the winds of the Force at
our *ac)s" (uidin( and inspirin( us" we will *rin( chan(e and e$olution that will instill a
(reater peace and harmony" descendant from our perspecti$e of enli(htenment&
Perspecti$e and Perception
#n the %uest to understand *alance and apply it to life" ,hadow Jedi focus on the concepts
of perspecti$e ^ perception& ?any people nonchalantly throw around phrases such as
NPerception is realityN and N#t all depends on your point of $iew&N ,hadow Jedi ta)e
perspecti$e ^ perception *eyond these clichP statements to a deeper understandin(& Just
as they (o hand5in5hand" the ,hadow Jedi must *e aware of the two sides to perspecti$e
^ perceptionD the self and the world&
-etJs *e(in with the indi$idualJs understandin( of the Ntwins&N What is perspecti$e8
Perspecti$e is the point of reference that a person ta)es when thin)in( or doin(&
Components that are factored into an indi$idualJs perspecti$e may *e past )nowled(e"
and o*ser$ation& #n a manner of spea)in(" perspecti$e is the raw data on our world that
we ta)e in& Perception is the spin or interpretation made or applied to our perspecti$e&
Ta)e the followin( e3ample as a *ase" then apply the concepts to your own
understandin(D
There are many $arieties of sit5down restaurants& They $ary in *ein( ele(ant and
e3pensi$e to practical ^ afforda*le& 'e(ardless" there is a (eneral perspecti$e a*out
ser$ice55a ser$er should *e prompt and courteous ta)in( your order" *rin( your food
prepared correctly! in a reasona*le amount of time& These are the elements of
perspecti$e in a dinin( situation& Perception is applied when the diner ma)es a distinction
on Nhow (oodN the ser$ice ou(ht to *e& At the more e3pensi$e restaurant" one mi(ht
percei$e more attenti$e ser$ice than the e3pectation one mi(ht ha$e for a cheaper
esta*lishment& Why is that8 #tJs the interpretation of the situation that leads the patron to
ha$e a different point of $iew&
#t is important for the ,hadow Jedi to understand his own perspecti$e ^ perception so
that he )nows how and why he understands the world as he does& This re%uires
mindfulness" and self5 awareness continuously& .et" thou(h one must pay attention to
indi$idual perspecti$e ^ perception" the ,hadow Jedi must also learn to *e aware of how
this operates simultaneously in other peopleL @ow does one (o a*out understandin( the
perspecti$e ^ perception in another person8 First" thou(h the ,hadow Jedi must )eep his
own NtwinsN *alanced" in this case" he must also *e a*le to transcend them& #n other
words" the ,hadow must *e a*le to set aside his $iew to truly and clearly )now this
e3terior point of $iew& #t is o*$ious that a certain de(ree of empathic s)ill comes in to
play& The sayin( is that Nthere are two sides to e$ery storyNM there are infinite perspecti$es
and perceptions really& Awareness of that truth alone and mindfulness of it is paramount&
To recap" perspecti$e (i$es the ,hadow Jedi facts" information and data a*out his
en$ironment& The way perspecti$e is understood is *ased on that personJs whole ma)e5
up& The perception a ,hadow ta)es on that information is interpreti$e and instinctual&
While one must monitor his own perspecti$e and perception" the ,hadow Jedi also factors
in that of those around him&
Be mindful&
Control of a ,hadow
Control is somethin( learned throu(h practice& The a*ility to control a situation" control
you emotions" and control your actions ma)es you a stron( person&
Control is a )ey a*ility the shadow ha$e mastered" and what an adept must learn if he+she
e$er plans on ma)in( somethin( of his or her self& Control helps a person throu(h many
challen(es they face daily& To learn and e$entually master control you must first learn
how to react&& .ou are at ?cDonaldJs one mornin( ha$in( *rea)fast& A man wal)in(
*eside you has accidentally spilled a cup of scaldin( hot coffee on to your *rand new
*ac)pac)& What do you do8 Control your emotions" # ha$e learned o$er the years that
an(er doesnJt help you in any way& #t causes you to ma)e stupid decisions that you will
re(ret later& Control the situation" as) if the man is alri(ht and treat him with respect&
@ey" you Gust made a new friend&
This teaches you to always thin) *efore you do anythin( you may re(ret& A shadow
master has complete control o$er all aspects of the force& The shadow master is head
stron( and )nows how to react in any situation& #f you feel yourself loosin( control do a
simple *reathin( e3ercise" count to ten" thin)" then react&
Dealin( with Conflict
We deal with conflict on an e$eryday *asis& #t is apart of our li$es whether we li)e it or
not& Conflict ta)es many shapes and it may show up when you least e3pect& What
,hadow learn to do is disa*le and rid conflict as intelli(ently and thorou(hly as possi*le&
This may seem similar to -i(ht Jedi in the matter of conflict leadin( to an(er or other
such harmful emotions& .et the ,hadow ta)e it to the ne3t step& Any conflict has the
power to affect the future and wrea) ha$oc on the *alance of life and the Force& We pride
oursel$es in not losin( such *alance&
Do not let conflict control your life& That would *e the same as *ein( controlled *y an(er
of depression& #t will e$entually do much harm if not sooner than later& And always
remem*er that you are the one to decide how lon( an ar(ument or any other form of
conflict should last&
-imitless
-i(ht and Dar) Jedi li$e *y a code" they are restricted to certain rules that if they *rea)
they *ecome somethin( that they do not wish to *e& They are *ounded *y these rules" and
are not allowed to li$e a full life *ecause of it& ?y %uestion is" why should you ha$e to
li$e *y a code8 Why does there ha$e to *e restrictions and *oundaryEs8 There doesnEt&
The ,hadow Jedi li$e a life without a code" without restrictions& They are truly one with
the force *ecause of it& From the e3treme -i(ht" to the thic)est Dar)" they are there& They
ha$e control o$er all aspects of the force and can therefore ta)e any action at any time&
The -i(ht Jedi ha$e se$eral limitations& They are not allowed to ha$e selfish emotions&
-o$e" hate" Gealously" an(er" pride" this is what they (i$e up& This restricts them from
*ein( a*le to ta)e an action that must *e done" *ut canEt& Because of their code& #tEs the
same situation with the Dar) Jedi& They cannot e3press selfless emotion without
*ecomin( what they hate&
The ,hadows are free& We li$e in the *alance of the force" where there is no conflict" no
restriction& We are at peace&
Jedi -essons
Force Powers
9orce Heat
Force @eat is a techni%ue that is aimed at formin( a heatin( sphere around the user"
which would ser$e to protect him+her from harsh temperatures found in many
en$ironments& First" how does this sphere wor)8
?uch as any heatin( de$ice would& #t uses the ener(y of the Force to fuel itself" thus
creatin( heat in the fluid around the userEs *ody& #t wor)s *est with (aseous fluids as
these are easiest to transmit heat to" and draw the least ener(y to do so& #t wor)s" al*eit
with lesser efficiency in li%uids" and is almost totally useless on hard materials" due to the
enormous amount of ener(y that is to *e harnessed from the Force&
@ow to use this techni%ue8
First ma)e sure your mind and *ody are rested as to a$oid any physical and mental
distraction& When these conditions are met" proceed as followsD
/& Form an ener(y *arrier around your *ody" appro3imately /7567cm from your s)in& #t is
(ood to $isualiBe this *arrier the color you associate with heat and fire& ?a)e this *arrier
feel un*rea)a*le and solid& This will help contain the Force ener(y you will *e
harnessin(&
6& Once the *arrier is complete and without any holes and+or wea) spots in it" open
yourself to the Force& -et it first fill you and flow throu(h you& Once you are comforta*le
with the sensation" e3ude the flow of the Force throu(h your *ody arms" hands" entire
*ody" whate$er suits you! at the same time drawin( more of it in" li)e a *lac) hole that
con$erts the Force into heat& There will *e no dama(e to the Force" as it permeates many
forms" includin( the thermal ener(y&
9& At this sta(e you must di$ide your mind& This is the most difficult part as it re%uires
you to *oth draw from the Force AAD e3ude the thermal ener(y into the field contained
within your *arrier& The *arrier once set will remain there for an amount of time" or until
deli*erately *ro)en" so you need not attend to it& Dependin( on the conditions of the
en$ironment you are in" it will ta)e $arious amounts of time and ener(y to heat the air or
a fluid! to a comforta*le le$el& Also remem*er that the *arrier helps *ut is not /77d
proof& Ener(y will *e lost rapidly and will constantly need to *e replaced& #t all depends
on your a*ility to draw from the Force&
>& When there is no more need for this techni%ue" simply stop drawin(+e3udin( ener(y&
The temperature will drop se%uentially" and if you disperse the *arrier" it will simply
$anish _ returnin( to normal le$els&
This techni%ue wor)s well on sta*le conditions" while tur*ulent mo$ements of the fluid
you are in will ma)e maintainin( the whole effect that much harder& .et it can *e of (reat
help when heat is needed and can protect well if there is shelter *ut no alternate source of
heat& 'emem*er" howe$er that it re%uires (reat control o$er the Force and the *est that
can *e e3pected is a rise of a few de(rees Celsius" enou(h to pre$ent freeBin(" *ut not
enou(h to offer su*stantiate comfort durin( low temperatures& Also important is the
repeated practice& With repeated performin( of this techni%ue" the amount of time
re%uired will drop drastically" from a few minutes to a few seconds&
The a*o$e techni%ue can also *e easily adapted to cool in hot weather&
Force ,ense
?uch of defense is *ein( prepared& #n this aspect" the Jedi has a powerful allyM the Force&
Throu(h the Force" the Jedi can sense o*Gects" friends" foes" and dan(er& This is an
essential s)ill and one e$ery Jedi should try to master as early as possi*le&
To start" you need to familiariBe yourself to what matter :feels; li)e throu(h the Force if
you ha$e not already done that in your trainin(& ,it cross5le((ed on the floor with some
o*Gect in front of you_# recommend a lit candle& ,ummon the Force and feel it around
you& Aow feel the o*Gect& ,ome may feel it as an eddy in the ri$er of the ForceM to others"
the o*Gect may suddenly achie$e a new le$el of Ie3istenceE& Others may feel the o*Gect as
radiatin( wa$es& These are all (ood startin( pointsM try to wor) until you feel the o*Gect in
the Force li)e you would in your hand&
Aow mo$e the o*Gect while you are still feelin( it& Feel how it (lides throu(h the Force
and what the Force does around it& #f you can do this" you are well on your way&
Aow for an e3ercise& For this you will need some )ind of *allM either a tennis *all or a
*ase*all or some other *all a*out that siBe& #deally" you would *e sittin( on a carpet for
this e3ercise so you cannot trac) the o*Gect *y sound& Close your eyes and throw the *all
in a random direction" *ut use Gust enou(h force so that it lands within your reach& Aow
reach out and feel the *all& 'emem*er that the *all e3ists in three dimensionsM not two&
.ou need to find it on the Z" ." and K5a3es& Aow open your eyes and see if you are
correct& As you pro(ress in s)ill" you can try pic)in( up the *all without openin( your
eyes& When you achie$e this" you are ready for the ne3t steps&
#t is time to put this to use& ,ometime when you are out" *e it in a store or a restaurant or
where$er" reach out with the Force as you wal) alon(& Feel the people around you& #t may
help to en$ision the Force as a sort of Icu*eE of ener(y surroundin( you and those around
you& First feel the Force near you& Then e3tend your reach out throu(h the cu*e& Try and
feel where the people are *ehind you& Try and anticipate mo$es& #f you can dri$e" this is
also a (ood time to test it& ,ee if you canEt pic) out whose a*out to cut you off& Aot only
is this a (ood test" *ut it can ma)e you a much safer and much more confident dri$er&
Feep practicin( li)e a*o$e until you can not only sense people around you" *ut sense
what they are carryin(& Then sense what is in their poc)ets+purse+wallet& Then sense what
they loo) li)e& Finally" try and identify them *y their aura& #f you see someone you )now"
reach out with the Force and feel his or her Force Isi(natureE& #f you can do all of these"
you ha$e learned the s)ill&
The sense s)ill may pro(ress throu(h different sta(es& Early on" you may Gust feel *lo*s
in the Force& -ater" you may *e a*le to feel shapes *ut not identify o*Gects or mass&
E$entually" those shapes will (ain mass to you and you will *e a*le to identify them&
Then you will *e a*le to read each o*GectEs si(nature as well as peopleEs si(natures&
9orce 5uilding
&ntroduction
This course is *ased upon .an( style chi (un(& This may wor) *etter for some than for
others& Wor) throu(h the course at your own speed& Add the ne3t e3ercise when you feel
ready&
?osture
,tand with your feet parallel" hip width apart& Aot sure what that is8 Close your feet" then
turn your toes out to ><e& Then *rin( your heels out to line up&
Cently tilt the hips forward& .ou can do this *y s%ueeBin( the muscles in you *um" Gust
little&
Pull the na$el in toward the spine& These two actions produce the A*dominal -oc)"
which will support your lum*ar spine and lum*ar5sacral Goint&
-ift the ri*ca(e up to (i$e space *etween your ri*s and your pel$is&
'oll the shoulder *ac)" so that the shoulder *lades are flat and your upper chest is wide
and open&
Pull your chin in until you ha$e a dou*le chin effect!" then lift it up&
The upper arm should always *e sli(htly away from your *ody" as if youE$e a (rapefruit
in your arm pit& The arm will ne$er completely strai(hten& The hands are in ITi(erEs
?outhE positionD fin(ers to(ether or almost! sli(htly cur$ed inward" thum* at
appro3imately ><e out&
4hen to perform these e<ercises>
,ome say itEs *etter in the mornin(" as a (ood way to start your day& # say you do it when
you feel itEs ri(ht for you" when you can Ifit them inE&
4here to do them>
#tEs *etter outside" *ut if you canEt (et outside" open a window&
$afety Tips
DonEt do any e3ercise on a full stomach& Wait 9 hours after a full meal or / hour after a
li(ht one&
#f somethin( hurts _ ,TOPL ,ome of these e3ercises will use muscles that donEt (et used
$ery often" or will use them in a different way" and thus they may ache& This is fine" *ut if
somethin( hurts" itEs notL
Ladies durin( your period you may find these e3ercises ma)e your period sli(htly
hea$ier& #f youEre concerned a*out it" donEt do them
E<ercise (
,tand in correct posture&
6! ,tart with your hands *y your sides" hands in ti(erEs mouth&
9! As you *reathe #A" allow the hands to float up" wrists leadin(" and hands loose" to
chest hei(ht& The arms mo$e from the shoulder&
>! As you *reathe OUT" push the hands down" as if you are tryin( to push a *all
underwater& There should *e resistance in your arms *ut AOT tension&
'epeat the e3ercise /7 times in all" then perform the Force ,ensin( e3erciseD
,it strai(ht *ac)ed" with your le(s loosely crossed at your an)les& Close your eyes and
concentrate& Clap your hands to(ether and ru* them $i(orously to(ether& Aow" open them
up and slowly *rin( them towards each other& 'emem*er to concentrate& What" if
anythin(" can you feel8
(6ote* it has been argued that in this e-ercise all youre feeling is heat and friction. 3o
start with this is true, but the heat and friction give you something to focus upon. +hat
do you feel when the heat and friction have gone7 )ventually, youll be able to perform
this e-ercise without its ,ic, start2
E<ercise E
Perform raise hands /7 times
6! ,tart with your arms low *ut not strai(ht!" palms up" fin(ers facin(& For the *allet
dancers amon( you this is li)e bras bas2
9! As you *reathe in *end the el*ows and lift your hands until they are at eye le$el&
>! I'ollE your hands o$er the top of your head" until they are a*o$e your forehead" palms
up&
<! As you *reathe out" push the palms up" away from your head& DonEt completely
strai(hten your arms&
0! As you *reathe in" lower your hands until they are Gust a*o$e your head&
=! I'ollE your hands forward" until then are palms down le$el with your eyes&
2! As you *reathe OUT push the hands down" as if you are tryin( to push a *all
underwater& There should *e resistance in your arms *ut AOT tension&
'epeat /7 times in total&
Perform the Force ,ensin( e3ercise
E<ercise )
Perform 'aise @ands /7 times
6! Perform @old up the ,)y /7 times
9! -ift your hands up and ima(ine you are holdin( a soccer *all in front of your chest&
>! 'otate your hands so that your left hand is inner most" palm facin( away&
<! Breathe in&
0! As you *reathe out" push your left hand strai(ht up" palm up and your ri(ht hand
strai(ht down" palm down& #ma(ine you ha$e a (iant elastic *and around your hands& .ou
should feel resistance" *ut not tension& Do not strai(hten your arms completely&
=! As you *reathe in" (radually rela3 the arms and return the hands to the Ihold *allE
position&
2! As you *reathe out" push your ri(ht hand strai(ht up" palm up and your left hand
strai(ht down" palm down&
4! As you *reathe in" (radually rela3 the arms and return the hands to the Ihold *allE
position&
'epeat /7 times in total
Perform the Force ,ensin( e3ercise
E<ercise F
Perform 'aise @ands /7 times
6! Perform @old up the ,)y /7 times
9! Perform ,eparate hands /7 times
>! -ift your hands up and ima(ine you are holdin( a soccer *all in front of your chest&
<! 'otate your hands so that your left hand is inner most" palm facin( away&
0! Breathe in&
=! As you *reathe out" push your left hand up and out" palm up and your ri(ht hand down
and out" palm down& #ma(ine you ha$e a (iant elastic *and around your hands& .ou
should feel resistance" *ut not tension& Do not strai(hten your arms completely&
2! As you *reathe in" rela3 the hands and return them to the Ihold *allE position&
4! As you *reathe out" push your ri(ht hand up ^ out" palm up and your left hand down
^ out" palm down
/7! As you *reathe in" (radually rela3 the arms and return the hands to the Ihold *allE
position&
'epeat /7 times in total
Perform the Force ,ensin( e3ercise
E<ercise 8
Perform 'aise @ands /7 times
6! Perform @old up the ,)y /7 times
9! Perform ,eparate hands /7 times
>! Perform ,eparate hands dia(onally /7 times
<! ,tart with your arms in bras bas ,ee e3ercise 6!
0! As you *reathe in *end the el*ows and lift your hands until they are at shoulder le$el&
=! Turn your hands o$er until the palms face forward&
2! As you *reathe out" push the hands forward& DonEt completely strai(hten your arms&
4! As you *reathe in" draw your hands *ac) towards your shoulders&
/7! I'ollE your hands forward" until they are palms down&
//! As you *reathe OUT push the hands down" as if you are tryin( to push a *all
underwater& There should *e resistance in your arms *ut AOT tension&
'epeat /7 times in total&
Perform the Force ,ensin( e3ercise
E<ercise /
Perform 'aise @ands /7 times
6! Perform @old up the ,)y /7 times
9! Perform ,eparate hands /7 times
>! Perform ,eparate hands dia(onally /7 times
<! Perform Push to front /7 times
0! ,tart with your arms in bras bas ,ee e3ercise 6!
=! As you *reathe in *end the el*ows and lift your hands until they are at shoulder le$el&
2! Turn your hands o$er until the palms face forward&
4! As you *reathe out" push the hands out to the sides& DonEt completely strai(hten your
arms&
/7! As you *reathe in" draw your hands *ac) towards your shoulders&
//! I'ollE your hands forward" until they are palms down&
/6! As you *reathe OUT push the hands down" as if you are tryin( to push a *all
underwater& There should *e resistance in your arms *ut AOT tension&
'epeat /7 times in total&
Perform the Force ,ensin( e3ercise
E<ercise 0
Perform 'aise @ands /7 times
6! Perform @old up the ,)y /7 times
9! Perform ,eparate hands /7 times
>! Perform ,eparate hands dia(onally /7 times
<! Perform Push to front /7 times
0! Perform Push to sides /7 times
=! ,tart with your arms in *ras *as ,ee e3ercise 6!
2! As you *reathe in lift the arms out to the sides until the are a*o$e your head& ?o$e the
arm only from the shoulder&
4! As you *reathe OUT push the hands down" as if you are tryin( to push a *all
underwater& There should *e resistance in your arms *ut AOT tension&
'epeat /7 times in total&
Perform the Force ,ensin( e3ercise
E<ercise *
Perform 'aise @ands /7 times
6! Perform @old up the ,)y /7 times
9! Perform ,eparate hands /7 times
>! Perform ,eparate hands dia(onally /7 times
<! Perform Push to front /7 times
0! Perform Push to sides /7 times
=! Perform Circle inwards /7 times
2 ! ,tart with your arms in bras bas ,ee e3ercise 6!
4! As you *reathe in lift the arms on a sli(ht circle" up in front of your *ody until your
wrists are crossed at eye le$el" palms in&
/7! Turn the palms out
//! As you *reathe out" continue the outward circle" pushin( the palms down a(ainst an
ima(inary resistance&
'epeat /7 times in total&
Perform the Force ,ensin( e3ercise
,alm 5reathing TechniCue
The Calm Breathin( techni%ue is one of the first s)ills you will *e learnin( in your
trainin( and is one you will most li)ely *e usin( to some de(ree or the ne3t throu(hout
your trainin( to Fni(hthood" and *eyond&
As you )now peace is $ital to a Jedi" and the Calm Breathin( is a simple *reathin(
e3ercise useful in stressful situations" or when you feel threatened" for it helps you to
relie$e stress" an(er" and tension and allows you to remain calm" and at peace&
Calm Breathin(D Come to a stop in acti$ity where you are" and try to ma)e yourself
comforta*le if possi*le dependin( on where you are doin( this comfort mi(ht *e
sacrificed" *ut the point of this is to relie$e stress and tension and that will allow you to
*e more comforta*le where you are&!
,lowly *ut deeply inhale throu(h your nose to a count of >" feel the air enterin( your
lun(s" sa$or it" enGoyin( the simple thin( we ta)e for (ranted *reathin(!&
@old that *reath for a count of =" not a fast or to slow count *ut a normal paced one or
Gust sli(htly slower&
Then slowly for a count of 2 *reaths out throu(h your mouth" allow any stress that has
*uilt up in you to lea$e with the *reath&
Continue this pattern for as lon( needed& With each Breath in you *rin( in peace and
calm" and with each *reath out you send away stress and an(er& This /2=millennia can
also *e used and for many of you it pro*a*ly will *e used as a *e(innin( to other
meditations& By doin( Calm Breathin( first you find a state of peace it for later trainin(
when you use the Force it *ecomes easier to reach out to it&
?ay the Force continue to (uide and protect you
Jedi ?ind Tric)s
While there has *een much written under the cate(ories pertainin( to psycholo(y" none
dominate the $olumes of wor)s as much as that of mind persuasion& 'ather than (i$e a
lon( history of its ori(ins" all # will say is that its most primiti$e form *e(an in chiefdom5
le$el societies lon( *efore the formation of the 'epu*lic" used to *and tri*es of people
to(ether for a common purpose&
Perhaps # should *e(in with a short e3planation of what ?ind Persuasion is" or rather as
it is defined in the archi$es& The common e3planation is actually in itself a runnin( Go)e
alon( the Jedi Order& Padawans" upon first seein( a mind tric) used *y their mentor" are
told :The Force can ha$e a stron( influence on the wea)5minded&; A (eneration later
they in turn pass this messa(e to their own student" *oth out of amusement and for the
purposes of teachin(&
A more concise interpretation is" the wea, minded are easily influenced& These types of
mental su((estions usually fall under three cate(oriesD do what # am tellin( you and A!
somethin( (ood will happen" B! somethin( *ad will happen or C! it will spare you the
effort of ha$in( to ma)e up your own mind& This is usually com*ined with an element
that influences certain co(niti$e or emotional $aria*les&
.arael Poof" a Ouermian on the Jedi Council who has spent many years masterin( mind
tric)s has de$ised a list of four components for a successful mind persuasionD
/! Understandin( the thou(hts and emotions of the tar(et in %uestion&
6! Usa(e of the ri(ht means to alter *eha$ior acorrect techni%ue" non5intentb&
9! Usin( peripheral factors as an influence&
>! Understandin( ones own moti$es&
One Jedi who has distin(uished himself in the $arious articles and documents is ?aster
Doo)u" widely )nown for his charm and disarmin( personality& Despite *ein( le(endary
for his a*ility to rally the most unsuspectin( character to his cause" he is Gust as %uic) to
ad$ise that the *enefits of mind persuasion come mainly when usin( it with someone who
underneath the level of consciousness, wants to do what you are encouraging him or her
to do to begin with& This mi(ht seem unusually simple or comple3 for some Jedi" *ut
understandin( will come in time&
'emem*er" the wea)5minded may *elie$e what you tell them either *ecause they are
afraid it is true" or *ecause they want it to *e true& Pay attention to the manner in which
people spea)& .ou will soon learn that people are often as)in( you to thin) for them&
,uch is the de$elopmental laBiness of todayEs society&
#t is not always necessary to chan(e a personEs attitude in order to affect *eha$ior& #n fact"
many people do thin(s that they actually ha$e conflictin( attitudes a*out& .ou can use
this conflict *etween attitudes and *eha$ior as an opportunity to persuade them to chan(e
either one to match the other& ?ace Windu himself has made se$eral notes in the Archi$e
records" statin( in one section :One who )nows what a person wants to hear and how to
hold capti$e their mind *y (i$in( them what they want is an e3ceptionally cle$er person
indeed&;
@e continues" :@owe$er" many a Jedi ha$e fallen to the dar) side *ecause of this& Unsure
of themsel$es" they ea(erly listened to whome$er was willin( to whisper into their ear
thin(s that drew them further and further away from the Force&; Di((in( deeper into the
historical holos" we find that the ,ith -ords of many /22millennia a(o controlled the
wea) minded *y manipulatin( their fear in a $ery calculated way&
,tudies ha$e shown that less intelli(ent people" when *ein( persuaded *y ar(uments that
ha$e seemin(ly little conse%uence to them" focus on peripheral factors as opposed to
central ones& Central factors are thin(s such as the %uality of the ar(ument" the lo(ic
*ehind the points" and the supportin( e$idence& Peripheral factors are _amon( other
thin(s5 the way lan(ua(e is used" the num*er of points made whether unfounded or not!"
and the way one presents oneself throu(hout the interaction&
] Why is the manner and usa(e of lan(ua(e important8 Jedi ?aster Ailrac points out that
:-an(ua(e is the way you control thou(ht" *ecause we do thin) in lan(ua(e& The %uality
of our thou(hts and ideas can only *e as (ood as the %uality of our lan(ua(e&;
] ,heer %uantity can *e another means to con$ince someone" despite illo(ical" flawed" or
unde$eloped ideas" a techni%ue often used *y the numerous neon *ill*oards han(in( hi(h
on the *uildin(s of Coruscant& #s more *etter8 Just try and count the num*er of people
here with useless features on their speedersL
] Appearances can *e decei$in(& They can also *e used to (ain support& E$erythin( from
political candidates to choosin( a life mate has *een decided solely from appearances *y
the unwise& ,ometimes itEs Gust necessary to appeal to a personEs $ainness&
,ome ?asters ha$e criticiBed the necessity of the fourth and last component" ar(uin( that
it is more of an ethical (uideline than one re%uired for successful wieldin( of the mind
tric)& Ao less an authority than .oda has *oldly re*utted" :?ysteries of the heart" there
are& Difficult to see" in othersR more difficult e$en" to understand oursel$es& When
e3perience thin(s we do pure in heart" others" their intentions more clearly will we see&;
The ad$anced Jedi will soon come to realiBe that the hi(hest form of persuasion comes
from those who are themsel$es transparently no*le and $irtuous& By representin( one that
others wish to aspire to" one is in effect tappin( into their psyche in a way words cannot
e3press&
Jedi -essons
Effecti$e 1er*al Communication
Effecti$e 1er*al CommunicationD Basic Premises
Premise /
Effecti$e $er*al communication happens when each person in$ol$ed &&&
Cets enou(h of their current true needs met *y their definition!" &&&&&& in a way that lea$es
them feelin( (ood enou(h a*out themsel$es" all others in$ol$ed" and the processes in and
amon( them&
Because definitions of Nenou(hN $ary *y person and circumstance" peopleJs definitions of
Neffecti$e $er*al communicationsN $ary widely& What you feel is effecti$e may not match
my definition& We *oth are Nri(htN& The definition that counts is what we *oth *elie$e
ri(ht now&
Premise 6
We communicate with oursel$es and other people to fill current inner tensions" or needs&
The 0 current needs we try to fill are to &&&
feel respected *y ,elf and others present a constant need in all participants!M and&&&
to (i$e or (et credi*le informationM and+or &&&
to cause or pre$ent inner and+or interpersonal chan(e 5 includin( chan(in( or maintainin(
the
emotional distance *etween us and othersM and+or&&&
to $ent 5 i&e& to feel deeply understood and accepted $s& to (et Nfi3edN!M and+or&&&
to reduce or a$oid uncomforta*le interpersonal silence" and &&&
to feel stimulated $s& *ored" and+or to a$oid somethin( uncomforta*le&
All 0 of these aim to reduce current inner an3iety" and to increase comfort" security" and
satisfaction& ,top for a moment" and ponderD are there any other *asic reasons you
communicate with other people 8 #f so" add them to this list& Aow you ha$e a solid *ase
from which to decide Nare we communicatin( effecti$ely 8N
Premise 9
We each usually ha$e at least 6 of these 0 needs at once" *ecause the need for ,elf and
mutual respect is pretty constant& Our com*ined mi3es of inner and mutual needs can
$ary %uic)ly as we communicate" and as our inner and outer en$ironments chan(e& Thus
awareness of our respecti$e needs and dynamics is a )ey communication s)ill& Are you
usually aware of why you communicate 8
Premise >
Effecti$e $er*al communication happens when all peopleJs current needs match well
enou(h5 e&(& # need to $ent" and you need to maintain our relationship" and (et
information a*out me!& When our respecti$e communication $s& other! needs donJt
match" we ha$e a mutual communications Npro*lem&N To ma)e thin(s more interestin("
each of us may ha$e conflictin( communication and other! needs within oursel$es at the
moment L
Premise <
Face to face" we communicate simultaneously on 9 NchannelsND
spo)en or written wordsM
$oice dynamics tone T tempo T inflection T accent T non5word sounds!M and&&&
Face and *ody Nnon5$er*al communicationN" or Nface and *ody lan(ua(eN!&
Face to face" most of the meanin( we decode from our partners comes throu(h our eyes
L! 5
,pecially 'espect!5messa(es *elow!& Often the least impactful meanin( we e3chan(e
comes from our words 5 *ut weJre tau(ht from childhood to focus on them the most&
,ound familiar 8!
Premise 0
We try to (et two or more current needs met *y e3chan(in( up to > simultaneous
messa(es on each of our 9 channelsD N'i(ht now" &&&
# feel &&&NM
# need &&&NM
# thin) &&&NM and &&&
relati$e to me" # see you as &&&N
This last can *e called an N'Nespect!5messa(e& # *elie$e it is the most critical of the four&
#tJs usually sent and recei$ed NdecodedN! unconsciously" and controls the success of
e$ery spo)en and unspo)en communication e3chan(e&
'5messa(es ha$e 9 *asic decodin(sD N@ere and now" you seem to! $alue your needs"
worth" and
di(nity&&&
/! &&& more than mine so youJre /5up" #Jm /5down!NM
6! &&& less than mine youJre /5down" #Jm /5up!NM or &&&
9! &&& e%ually with mine weJre NU + UN" or Nof e%ual respect"N here&!
Premise =
Effecti$e $er*al communications happen only when all people consistently decode
clear NU + UN '5messa(es" on all 9 channels& A )ey implicationD shame5*ased N/5downN!
co5*urdened *y personality splittin( often ha$e trou*le communicatin( effecti$ely until
they impro$e their self5esteem Npromote themsel$es to e%ualN!& ?y clinical e3perience
since /42/ is that W27Td of typical stepfamily co5parents includin( e3 mates! are such
people&
Because they feel /5down" shame5*ased co5parents often unconsciously distort reality *y
decodin( incomin( NU + UN '5messa(es as attac)s and put5downs Nyou see me now as /5
downN!& .ou can tal) with such people a*out this if theyJre willin(! 5 *ut they must
chan(e their own consistent self5respect attitude to N#Jm your e%ual&N This is a )ey to true
$s& pseudo! reco$ery from personality splittin( 5 co5parent proGect /&
Premise 2
?any of the messa(es we *oth send and decode are unconscious& We Nlea)N our true
feelin(s and attitudes all the time" and often send conflictin( messa(es $ia different
channels e&(& wordsD N(ood to see you LNM Body" face" and toneD N#Jm indifferent to you"
Gust nowN!& #f moti$ated" anyone can *ecome steadily more conscious of our and othersJ!
needs" feelin(s" and multiple simultaneous messa(es $ia (rowin( the communication s)ill
of awareness&
Parado3ically" communication is the s)ill we depend on the most to (et our daily
interpersonal
needs met 5 yet few of us e$er really study how we do it" or learn whatJs possi*le& @a$e
you e$er studied it 8!
Premise 4
#tJs impossi*le to not communicate with people we NrelateN to& We each decode meanin(s
from silences and a*sences as much as we do from tal)in( and other non5$er*al actions&
Premise /7
1er*al communication s)ills and effecti$eness can *e impro$ed" o$er time 5 any time&
-i)e playin( an instrument" communicatin( NwellN ta)es moti$ation" patience" and
practice&
Premise //
Effecti$e $er*al communication re%uires awarenessEs and a committed" cooperati$e effort
amon( all people in$ol$ed 5 so it is not always possi*le at the moment" unless all people
$oluntarily contri*ute these& Do you a(ree8
WFear is the a*sence of faithW
Persuasion
DirectD
#n the ,tar Wars mo$ies" we see e3amples of Jedi who use persuasion to chan(e the
attitudes and *eha$ior of others& This topic will co$er ways in which Jedi directly attempt
to persuade people& This discussion is for JCP students only&
#n A Aew @ope" we are introduced to the infamous Jedi ?ind Tric)" when O*i5Wan
wa$es his hand" and characters suddenly do and say what he wants& What do you thin) it
says a*out Western culture that mo$ie writers create characters that ha$e this power8 #f
you had the power of the Jedi ?ind Tric)" how would you use it8 What" if any" ethical
dilemmas mi(ht you face8
#n 'eturn of the Jedi" -u)e faces his father" Darth 1ader" a*oard the second Death ,tar&
-u)e tries to persuade his father to return to the li(ht side *y refusin( to fi(ht him& -u)e
e$entually succeeds" *ut not necessarily in the way he intended&&& @ow was Darth 1ader
persuaded8 #s there a difference in the efficacy of emotional and intellectual persuasion8
Which do you prefer8
When -u)e (oes to Ja**a the @utJs palace to rescue @an ,olo" he threatens Ja**a in an
attempt to persuade him to free -u)eJs friend& Ja**a was not persuadedM -u)e was forced
to fi(ht& Are threats a useful form of persuasion8 ,hould Jedi e$er ma)e empty threats in
an attempt to *luff their opponents8
# loo) forward to readin( your posts&
#ndirectD
This topic is meant to discuss indirect forms of persuasion& #nstead of focusin( on how
Jedi try to persuade other people" as in the direct persuasion thread" # would li)e to
discuss how Jedi are persuaded *y other people& Topics can include the need to Gustify
our actions" attitude chan(es" ad$ertisin(" the need to *e accepted" attraction" preGudice"
etc& This discussion is for JCP students only&
#Jd li)e to start *y e3aminin( our *eliefs a*out indi$iduality&
Did you e$er notice that maGor ,tar Wars characters are usually misfits and ma$eric)s8
@an ,olo had a *ounty on his head" .oda was a hermit" -eia was an insurrectionist" and
Oui5Con was stu**orn& Western culture tends to praise indi$iduality& #n (eneral" how
important do you thin) it is to *e an indi$idual8 @ow much do you thin) other people
influence your *eha$ior and attitudes8 Does ad$ertisin( wor) on you" or other people8
@a$e you noticed any cultural differences in the $alue placed on indi$iduality8 Are Jedi
influenced *y other people more or less than non5Jedi8
@ow to ,ee an Aura
Find someone who is a willin( su*Gect and as) them to sit on a stool in front of a plain
white wall& A stool is recommended *ecause you want to *e a*le to see the *ac) of their
head without the *ac) of a chair interferin(& @a$e the su*Gect sit sideways on the stool so
that you are loo)in( at their profile& -oo) at the *ac) of their head" then loo) at the wall
*ehind their head" now let your eyes rela3 and do not loo) directly at their head anymore"
loo) ne3t to their head where it ends with the wall& Within a minute" you will see their
aura&
Once you see their aura" as) them to close their eyes and to thin) of somethin( that
ma)es them really happy" when they do this" you will see their aura le$el e3tend outward
si(nificantly& .ou will also see when they stop thin)in( of the happy thou(ht" as the aura
will shrin) *ac) down in siBe& At first" you may only see a li(ht color or muted color" do
not worry& The more your practice" the more you will (row and then *e(in to see the
colors around the personJs *ody&
There is a life force" an ener(y field surroundin( e$ery li$in( thin( on earth& 'esearchers
ha$e announced the e3istence of this fieldM the Firlian camera captures its color and
motion& .ale researchers ha$e determined that disease can *e detected in the aura *efore
it manifests in the physical *ody& The colors seen in oneJs aura can *e associated with the
colors of the cha)ras and ener(y le$els can *e detected throu(h careful study of the aura
with the cha)ra color& .ou can also read the auric le$els of plants" trees" animals" any
li$in( o*Gect on the earth can *e read&
'emem*er" we are all ener(y *ein(s surrounded and en$eloped in $arious de(rees of
ener(y and motion&
Circlin( Palms
This e3periment can help you understand the principles of transmittin( therapeutic
ener(y&
As) a friend to hold out his left hand" palm up& Place your ri(ht hand a few inches a*o$e
his hand" findin( the distance that allows ma3imum Oi sensation& Aow as your partners
hand remains still" slowly rotate your ri(ht hand in tiny counter5cloc)wise circles" as
thou(h the center of your palm is a laser *eam" drawin( a circle around your friendEs
palm& Then increase the circumference of your circle" so that your palm is shinin( li(ht
on each of your partnerEs fin(ertips and then mo$in( down to the top of the wrist& After
se$eral circles" re$erse direction" circlin( cloc)wise& As) your friend what he or she felt&
What sensation is produced *y countercloc)wise circles" what sensation *y cloc)wise
circles8
?a(netic @ands
,it comforta*ly in a strai(ht5*ac)ed chair" or cross5le((ed on the floor& 'ela3 throu(h a
few deep *reaths&
-i(htly and *riefly ru* your palms to(ether& .ou should *e(in to notice a sli(ht warmin(
or tin(lin( sensation& ,lowly separate your palms" still facin( each other" three or four
inches apart& ?o$e your palms *ac) to(ether" within a half inch of each other& Continue
to slowly mo$e your palms forward and *ac)" feelin( for any resistance" heat" or
stimulation *etween them&
There will come a point in this e3ercise where you will notice a tan(i*le ener(y *etween
your palms whene$er your hands reach a certain distance apart& # find the sensation
similar to that of feelin( the poles of ma(nets repellin( each other&
What you are feelin( *etween your hands is the Force& By *uildin( up the Force within
you and learnin( to manipulate it" you can create chan(e in your life&
After practicin( this e3ercise re(ularly" it will *ecome unnecessary to ru* your palms
to(ether *efore startin(& E$entually" e$en callin( the Force *etween your palms will
*ecome second nature" and the act of *rin(in( to(ether your palms will automatically
release the Force&
This e3ercise also wor)s well with two people facin( each other" palms to palms& After
ru**in( your own hands to(ether" face palm to palm with your partner until you *oth
sense each5otherJs auras& This can *e an e3cellent way to create a *ond with your partner&
Awa)enin( Force Awareness
PreparationD
-oose fittin( clothin(" not done ri(ht after a meal" coffee or alcohol& A (lass of water is
o)& Feep your feet warm" nothin( ti(ht& ,tand still for < minutes" hands touchin( your
stomach Gust *elow the *elly *utton& 'ela3 *reath deeply and slowly throu(h your nose"
when you inhale your stomach e3pands and when you e3hale your stomach is pulled in&
E3periment ,tep OneD
While standin(" ru* your palms to(ether until they are warm from friction& Clap your
hands to(ether a*out a doBen times& ,ha)e your hands out for a few seconds at your
sides& .ou may e3perience tin(lin( in your hands&
@old your hands in front of you" a*out 0 inches apart& ?atchin( fin(ers pointin( to each
other" thum*s pointin( at thum*s&
@old your hands there as lon( as you can until you feel a sensation" rela3ed not worryin(
a*out %uic) results& Be aware of the sensations tra$elin( throu(h the airspace *etween
your hands& #t may feel li)e soft pulsations" li)e a soft wind" or mild static electricity&
?ost li)ely you will feel a tin(lin( sensation in your hands& .ou are *ecomin( aware of
your connection to the Force&
E3periment ,tep TwoD
As always *reathe smoothly and deeply" position hands palms facin( each other" slowly
raise hands to the chest le$el& ,lowly mo$e your palms so that they almost meet" slowly
mo$e your palms away 0N& Concentrate on the ener(y *etween your hands&
As you do that" do you feel any sensation in your hands8 The feelin( of the Force is li)e a
li(ht wind or opposin( ma(netism" your hands may sli(htly repel each other&
With deep slow *reathin( you can increase the stren(th and siBe of the ener(y field&
#ma(ine with each inhaled *reath you are ta)in( in ener(y" with each e3hale you are
sendin( ener(y from the ri(ht hand to the left hand&
The siBe and density of the field increases with the amount of internal stren(th you ha$e"
at first your fin(ers are a few inches apart" ener(y flowin( from fin(er tips to fin(er tips&
-ater your hands are three feet apart" and it really feels li)e you are holdin( a *each *all"
with real form" as you s%ueeBe it" you feel it press on your chest& #t reacts Gust li)e a *all
and the feelin( is much stron(er when done standin( than sittin(&
The Force follows the mindD
The amaBin( thin( is that you can direct the Force to anywhere you would li)e it to (o&
At first you will *e a*le to direct it throu(h the *ody" the Force follows the intent& #f you
ima(ine it (oin( up your *ac) o$er your head and restin( on your nose" it will follow the
point that you intend&
]Aote] 5 #f there seems to *e a delay it may *e a few inches *ehind your intention&
@ow to Protect .ourself from the Feelin(s of Others
The followin( are a ran(e of $isualiBations you can use to protect yourself from the
feelin(s of others& Whether you *elie$e yourself to *e an empath or not they can *e %uite
helpful&
,ome of the followin( are *est done *efore you (o out" sittin( %uietly and $isualiBin(
whiche$er seems most appropriate& While you are usin( your ima(ination you may *e
surprised at how well they can wor)& Others it is a %uestion of chec)in( in your minds
eye durin( the day" if you start to feel trou*led& ,ome you can do when you (et home&
There is no formula" Gust wor)in( out what is *est for you&
/ The cloa)" the li(ht or the e((& #f you $isualiBe one of these around you" you can
remain empathic" i&e& aware of what others are feelin(" *ut also not *e en(a(ed in them&
-o$e and suchli)e (ets strai(ht throu(h& When # first disco$ered this and was still in
-ondon # used to find that on e3aminin( my cloa) after # had *een amon(st a lot of
people that it was all tattered and torn" and # had to repair it" *ut it wor)ed&
6& The coat hoo)s& Often" as #Jm sure you are aware" it can *e hard to tell which feelin(s
are yours and which *elon( to someone else& #f you $isualiBe a row of coat hoo)s" as in a
school cloa)room" and loo) there when you are unsure" if there is anythin( on those
hoo)s then you are carryin( the feelin(s of someone else& # tend to ta)e the coat from the
hoo)" and (ently and lo$in(ly ima(ine # am returnin( the coat or whate$er to its ri(htful
owner&
9& The sin)& ,ometimes # ha$e pic)ed up *its and pieces from others throu(hout the day"
nothin( lar(e or de$astatin(" Gust *its of ru**ish& These can *uild unnoticed for some
time& These thin(s (o in a sin) well you can ima(ine they do!& Chec) your sin) from
time to time" and if it has stuff in simply pull the plu( out and it all drains way& #t doesnJt
need e3aminin(& # really donJt thin) other peoples stuff can *e effecti$ely e3plored in this
way&
> The mirror& # suspect this is what # do most of the time these days& # (et plenty of lo$e
pourin( in from others" *ut ha$in( wor)ed throu(h the other stuff # do appear mostly to
automatically reflect thin(s *ac) rather than allow them in& Of course you need to )eep
your own mirror clean to do that&
< The shield& This is *est used in specific moments of attac)& For e3ample" if someone is
particularly an(ry with you& #t ser$es no purpose at all to e3perience the wa$es of their
furyM you cannot respond in any useful way& #ma(ine you are holdin( a shield in front of
you" its shape and desi(n entirely up to you& ,ee the an(er of the other hittin( the shield
and fallin( to the floor& This does not ma)e you superior" *ut it does mean you can
respond with care to what lies *ehind the an(er&
# will add here that *ein( half way round the planet is no protection& # mentioned this
pre$iously" *ut it is still worth repeatin(& #n other words it can wor) online& Be aware&
Feelin(s tra$el at the speed of li(ht or therea*outs" may *e %uic)er" ne$er wor)ed out
how to measure it!&
E,P
-esson /
We are *ein(s consistent of Body and ,oul and ?ind& ?ay*e also spirit" *ut # am not too
sure of this& Aor is this rele$ant& The *ody resides in the physical" while the mind resides
in the astral& The astral plane o$erlaps with the physical" and our mind is the connection
that we ha$e to it& This means that we ha$e access to the astral plane" and Gust as our
physical *ody can manipulate the physical plane to an e3tend physical touches physical
causes a displacement or transformation in matter! our mind can manipulate the astral
plane to a certain e3tend& The thin( a*out lettin( the mind affect the physical plane is to
allow connections to temporarily e3ist where there is no mind" and to let the mind
*ecome physical" to e&(& mo$e somethin(& DonEt worry a*out this too much" as when we
practically do this stuff we donEt need to thin) of that&
The first thin( that you need to do *efore you can disco$er the a*ilities within you isD to
)now& Aot to )now how to do it" *ut you ha$e to )now that you can do it& This can ta)e
time& #t too) me two years of lyin( to myself until # *elie$ed my own lies and then after #
started truly sensin( and affectin( the world around me" then # )new& But it ta)es time"
and you canEt rush it& To *elie$e is the first step" and then you must )now& # can only tell
you to suspend lo(ic and let (o& These a*ilities lie within you& All you ha$e to do is find
them&
,ome people will tell you that to de$elop your a*ilitiesM you ha$e to Goin or cult or li(ht
candles or somethin(& 'u**ish& These a*ilities do not rely on tiny flames to wor)" all they
need is you and youEre )nowin(" and your concentration& Chantin( is not useful here
either" nor do you ha$e to say spells or *urn lea$es& #f it rela3es you and allows you to
concentrate *etter" which will impro$e the results of your e3ercises" then (reat8 But it
doesnEt wor) for me UP&
Aow why does this thin( fit so perfectly into metaphysical reality8
Aew A(e is not what we are doin( here" new A(e meditation is the thin( that if you ha$e
*een at Gediism the :white li(ht; meditation isD it is a*out $isualiBin(& What we will study
thou(h is the :feelin(; of it& The creation of a*stract concepts in the state of (nosis and
the will to let those concepts affect reality& #f you $isualiBe" you day dream" if you day
dream" it is metaphysically not real" *ut only in your mind& There are no pictures on the
astral plane" therefore e$en the fact that it is on your mind does not ma)e it real in the
astral plane& The only thin( that it affects is your mood&
,o much for information to this course& Aow letEs (et down to it&
A*ility /D
Out of Body E3perience
(et into (nosis& #t must *e a near perfect state" when you do not remem*er who you are&
Then push out and upwards" and you should float& Aow your astral self is in the physical"
and lea$es the physical *ody *ehind& ?ay*e youEre Bapped *ac) into your *ody for the
surprise of it& ThatEs normal& #E$e only hopped out of my *ody once or twice" and the
moment # see my physical *ody" # *ecome aware of it a(ain" and # am pulled *ac)& ,o do
not worry a*out the (ettin( *ac) that is the easiest thin( of it& Just try to mo$e your *ody
and you will *e pulled *ac)& There is nothin( more to O*es than thisD (nosis" floatin( out"
wal)in( around" and comin( *ac)& All you need to do it is the patience to learn (nosis"
and a diamond hard will& Do not dou*t& #f the a*stract concept of dou*t comes into your
mind" then it will *e empasted onto your action" it will hinder your a*ility to do its
wor)Rman # canEt e3press myself properly today&
-esson 6
The first thin( to learnD (nosis& The completely still state of mind& Cnosis can also mean
other thin(s" li)e happy state of mind or other" yet weEll call the a*sence of thou(hts or
acti$ity in the mind (nosis&
@ow to do itD meditation& All you ha$e to do is sit down and wait for your mind to clear&
AoteD do not thin) a*out not thin)in(" Gust donEt thin)& #f it doesnEt wor)D Gust sit and
wait& Watch& O*ser$e& But donEt do anythin( to interfere& At the *e(innin( this mi(ht
ta)e a while to do" yet after a *it of practice youEll lau(h at how easy it is to slip into that
state of mind& Practice ma)es perfect&
alsoD there will *e nine lessons" a few interlessons that are o*li(atory that (i$e you
techni%ues necessary for the ne3t lesson" thou(h they arenEt a*ilities" Gust s)ills& Up to
lesson 9 it will *e tou(h" *ut after that you ha$e made it and it will speed up and (et
really interestin( and )ind of fun!& -esson = and on are Gust ideas and tips" as until then
you will )now all necessary&
-esson 9
The Ae3t thin(D learn to listen to your *ody& Once you start learnin( these a*ilities your
*ody will connect with the astral plane" and the a*ility intuition will come to you
automatically& The *arrier *etween mind and *ody is now *ro)en& .ou will then start to
sense thin(s" *e aware what happens outside your *ody" feel what others canEt feel" see
what others canEt see" may*e your senses connect with your astral and *ecome as sharp as
to taste out chemicals in water # had this" school *us in ei(hth (rade& #t tasted li)e plastic"
Gust li)e the *ottle& After some purification it tasted *etter&! .ou mi(ht feel astral thin(s
as physical" *ecome empathic and feel otherEs pain& AoteD once you start *ein( empathic"
(et directly onto shieldin(&
Cha)ras are (ood stuffM learn some more a*out them" once you *ecome psychic" these
astral connections will send you si(nals& These si(nals from the astral plane you can learn
to interpret to the point that you can de$elop new a*ilities such as empathy without
ha$in( to study it& ?y fa$orite cha)ra is the solar ple3us& #t is where my empathic
a*ilities came to flourish& The crown cha)ra" the root cha)ra and the third eye are also
important& The third eye allows you to see (hosts #E$e seen a few! the crown cha)ra is
your connection to the hea$ens" and your root cha)ra is the one you use to draw ener(y
from the earth&
-esson >
#n some places you feel welcomedM in an old house you mi(ht feel afraid" *ecause it feels
dar)& This is *ecause of a thin( painted onto the astral plane connected to these places&
The feelin( that you ha$e when you (et home after a hard day of wor)D relief" happiness"
can *e empainted *y you into the astral presence of the o*Gects around you& yes also
o*Gects are present on the astral plane! # once $isited a cathedral in ,pain& # went in and"
*ein( *ored" # decided to feel around the place& # was shoc)ed at how horri*le the feelin(
was& Pain" fear" desperation& #t was the most terri*le feelin( # had e$er felt in a place&
?ay*e it is *ecause people (o to that cathedral to confess their sins" *ecause the do not
feel well" *ecause they need the comfort of the house of (od& ?ay*e it was *ecause
somewhere near there mi(ht ha$e *een witch or heretic *urnin(s& And the cathedral was
$ery old& # ha$e not *een a*le to find out why&! The same can *e with o*Gects&
The astral plane is a plane which does not e3ist physically& Aot what we call physical
anyways& #t is a plane that is made up of a*stract concepts" the same concepts that our
mind wor)s in when we thin) not in words or in pictures& #f you thin) of your mother or
father" the feelin( of it will pro*a*ly come to youD a warm feelin(" a comfortin( one" or a
ne(ati$e one& #t depends on your relationship with them" and it depends on the person
themsel$es& Each person loo)s different" smells different later you mi(ht *e a*le to smell
out who you are standin( ne3t to" it is really fun" # remem*er well the typical :who is it8;
(ames on the play(round" where # could #dentify the people *y their smellsRhe he&& UP!
and e$ery person feels different& We all ha$e different characters and we can on the astral
plane this is for later! loo) for people and identify them& .ou do this *y feelin( what The
Jedi in star wars call their Force5si(nature& Feel li)e a meetin( on the astral plane8
-aterR&when we $i*rate and when we send telepathic messa(es" we use a*stract
concepts" the feelin(s of the thin(s we send off& For e3ampleD # want to send out to a
friend that there is no schoolRdreamR&the concept that # would send off would *e the
uni%ue feelin( you ha$e when you run out of school on the last day& The a*stract feelin(
of :holiday;& .ou can Gust as well $i*rate this at some*ody" yet this is a *it tric)ier&
1i*rationD when the other person isnEt e3pectin( the messa(e" telepathyD when the other
person is e3pectin( it& ?ore to this one later&
A*stract concepts on the astral plane surround us and allow others to identify who you
are" what you feel" in what mood you are& These a*stract concepts are pure feelin(s&
Feelin(s are the thin( that determines our character" they determine our past and how we
feel a*out it" therefore how we are in the present" and how we will *e in the future& Thin)
a*out it&
A*ility 6D
Psychometry or o*Gect readin(
@old an o*Gect in your hand and (et into (nosis& Just o*ser$e now how this o*Gect ma)es
you feel& DonEt use lo(ic here& #f it is a school *oo) it does not necessarily mean you feel
the stress in it& #t could ha$e *een someoneEs fa$orite su*Gect and it may contain Goy and
e3citementRalthou(h that is rare # thin)& Aow for the interpretationD it may *e that you
feel somethin( and you thin)D what theRis this8 #t may *e an emotion or a concept that
you do not )now" yet it may *e that you simply li$e it in another form& #ma(ine you come
across somethin( and want to interpret it& Does it feel ne(ati$e or positi$e8 @a$e you felt
li)e this *efore8 Does it remind you of somethin(8 Of what8 With what do you associate
that thin(8 ,urely you can fi(ure out what you read& #t is not easy" yet if you let that
thin(" the a*stract concept (et into you if it feels ne(ati$e throw the o*Gect out of a
window! and # you :(o towards it;" if you feel what you are readin(" it is %uite pro*a*le
that you can interpret it *etter
-esson <
There are two types of a*ilitiesD the ones where you ta)e in" and the ones where you send
out& The one is o*ser$ation" the other is controllin( and e3ercisin( will on& One is not
harder than the other& Once the *rother or sister a*ility" the counterpart of it is mastered"
itEs a piece of ca)e& What # mean with counterpart a*ility is thisD if you (et into a state of
mind to use an a*ility" and you are there" ri(ht there ready to do it" *ut do the opposite
e&(&D instead of (i$in( it happy thou(hts you ta)e from it happy thou(hts!& This a*ility is
$ery similar to the counterpart power yet in a way it is the opposite& ,endin( out is not he
opposite of sendin(" the opposite of sendin( is ta)in(" as the a*stract concept in your
mind is still there" *ut you re$erse the direction" and althou(h happy feelin(s do not (o
your way" they (o to the other person&
The ne3t *asic thin( that you need to *e usin( your a*ilities is ener(y& OBEs re%uire
practice and concentration" *ut do not need a lot of ener(y& Aor does sensin(" yet sendin(
out and $i*ratin( does& Before you (o on and let these thin(s e3haust you" #Ell introduce
you to a few power supplies& The one most witches use is the ener(y from the earth& For
my taste thou(ht that ta)es too lon(" therefore # use my emotions as a power *oost&
To draw ener(y from the earth" you need to offer *efore you recei$e& ,it down and (et
into (nosis& Feel the ener(y in your *ody" and connect yourself to the earth& To do this let
the a*stract concept of :connectin( and returnin( home; empaste onto your ener(y" and
let this ener(y flow downwards with the a*stract concept of :direction down;& The earth
will suc) it up %uic)ly& Open up" and let the earth draw on your ener(y& Do not withhold
any ener(y" Gust let it happen& Then once this is o$er" the earth will let new ener(y flow
into you& This will *e more ener(y" fresher than the one you had& ,end a Than) you
downwards and withhold the ener(y in your self&
To use your emotionsD this is what # do& The most incredi*le power *oost is happiness
and e3citement& # ha$e learned to create those feelin( in my solar ple3us and then turn
this into moti$ation and pure ener(y& #t is the same procedure as when you (et an
adrenaline )ic) and feel fresh and stron( e$en after a lon( ni(ht& To do thisD create
a*stract concept of Goy" *y doin( this you will feel the Goy automatically& Then let this
feelin( o$erta)e you& Once you are full of it" you can set a (oal in your mind and then use
this ener(y from your Goy to complete this (oal& ,ometimes when # am down thou(h" #
cannot use this Goy *ecause my will does not allow my *ein( to suddenly chan(e from
sad to happy& # listen to music& ,ome music has a lot of ener(y in it& ,ome tan(os" some
roc)" *ut also some sad slow son(s and some new a(e& This music you can hear and you
feel the ener(y that the writer and the sin(er put into the son(& This ener(y you can
a*sor* when you eel it" and if you are at this sta(e without cheatin( and s)ippin( any
lesson" you can feel this ener(y out easily& -et in o$erta)e you& Feel the ener(y in it&
Another method is to use your crown cha)ra top of your head! feel for it youEll )now
when you ha$e it! and open it up offerin( to a*o$e& ?o$e a *it until you feel a line
connectin( your cha)ras" down your spine" then roc) sli(htly creatin( a flow of ener(y
down your spine& The wider the roc)in( *ecomes the more ener(y will come&
-esson 0
We ha$e tal)ed a*out the a*stract concepts of o*Gects and of places and of people& These
a*stract concepts are past or present feelin(s that are empainted more to that later! onto
these people" places o*Gects" that a psychic can feel out and interpret& The a*stract
concepts come from our minds" our presences in the astral plane& The astral plane is a
place of a*stract concepts& #t is a thou(ht5place& A pool of thou(hts& #f we want to learn to
affect thin(s in this pool" we must use the thou(hts of the pool itself to chan(e thin(s&
?eanin(" we use a hand to mo$e an o*Gect" we use a thou(ht to feel out some*ody& A
thou(ht is an a*stract concept& .ou must learn to thin) in a*stract concepts" and a$oid
$isualiBin( and o ima(ine stuff& ?etaphysically that will chan(e nothin( *ut our *ody"
which may *e the intention of a calmin( meditation" *ut not of what we are doin( here&
A*stract concepts are what we use to send out telepathic messa(es" to $i*rate" to mo$e
thin(s" to control electricity" to *uild shields and to *uild astral o*Gects and to chan(e
your presence on the astral plane& Our (reatest tool is our concentration" our will" and our
a*ility to %uiet our minds& #f you concentration isnEt (reat" # hope your will is stron("
*ecause a lot of these e3ercises re%uire a lot of concentration& # recommend that you
practice your concentration will math or with a complicated *oo) or with or with (ames
li)e chess& Train it& #t is your *ase& #f your *ase is stron(D concentration" will and
)nowin(" then your a*ilities will re$eal themsel$es much %uic)er than they would if they
are not& .our a*ilities will *e stron(er and securer&
-esson =
There is not much to say here" as you now )now how to $i*rate isnEt that a stran(e thin(
to call it!M you can use that s)ill to learn the ne3t oneD sensin(" *ein( aware of your
en$ironment& This in connection with your intuition will *e the alarm in you" that will set
off automatically" that will ma)e your heart hammer and your stomach )not e$ery time
that there is dan(er&
-earnin( to sense is practically impossi*le" *ut with a tric) # in$ented" # could teach you&
A*ility >
Out of *ody awareness
as # canEt simply tell you :sense out with that si3th sense you ha$e; we ha$e to use a
tric)& We will use the a*ilities you ha$e to create a new one& ,it down& Cather ener(y&
Aow send out the a*stract concept this one is a *it harder" *ut you should *e up to it *y
now! :# in$ite all # lo$e into me; this should then (i$e you an answer from the planet
itself& ,end out an in$itation until you feel that you are chan(in(& The thin( most people
thin) is that suddenly you are a*le to feel thin(s around you as if they were a part of your
*ody& That is not entirely trueD they are a part of your *ody& .ou will not really :feel; it
as much as you will simply :)now; when somethin( happens& .our E,P will snap on"
you intuition and your OBA will alert you& After a while" you will not need to send out
the in$itations any more& Because you will ha$e located your :sense; and it will not *e
necessary&
-esson 2
This lesson will *e short as well& .ou )now how to feel out" and therefore will also *e
a*le to feel into people easily enou(h& .ou will find that now" that you ha$e mastered the
*asicsD it (ets interestin(L And damn %uic)&
A*ility <D
Empathy
Do not (o on to this a*ility until you ha$e mana(ed to master sensin( out completely" and
without in$itation&
,ense out" and locate the person you are tryin( to read& This is similar to o*Gect readin("
thou(h you donEt need to touch the person to sense what is in them& Feel into them and
open up a *it" *ut *e ready to *rea) the connection immediately if you feel that
somethin( is wron(& This could hurt you&
-esson 4
Paintin( with ener(y is the most uni$ersal and interestin( a*ility that we ha$e& #t allows
us to do anythin(& .ou ha$e heard of spells" curses" shields and may*e also of curses
upon houses" o*Gects" etc& well" it is possi*le& #Ell tell you ri(ht now" that if you are a Jedi
or a *ein( sworn to li(ht" you cannot curse& .ou must hate to curse& This hate is only
achie$ed *y few" and the num*er one rule in psychic matter is the Wiccan oathD do what
you want" as lon( as it doesnEt harm anyone& Aot yourself" not your cat" not your
nei(h*or" not your dead (ranny& .ou mi(ht use your new a*ilities to (et a *it more cash
if youEre short of it" to heal someone" to (et (irl+*oyfriend& ThatEs fine" as lon( as it does
not harm the people around you& Be $ery careful of what you wish forM *e $ery careful of
what you thin) of& One ne(ati$e thou(ht in a spell or a paintin( mi(ht ruin a lifetime&
.ou ta)e a hu(e responsi*ility when you learn to use the powers within you&
The thin(s you can do with paintin( with ener(y are endless& Anythin( you can ima(ine"
with the properties you want" empainted in anythin( and any*ody you want& # will only
teach positi$e thin(s& Blessin(s of people" o*Gects and places" shields" o*Gects that you
can in$ent to do certain thin(s for you" and the nicest one of allD causin( thin(s to happen&
A*ility 0
Paintin( with ener(y
this s)ill is hard to control at the *e(innin(" *it once you ha$e made it" it will *ecome
easier& .ou ha$e come this far and ha$e more a*ilities than 4<d of the human
population& Con(ratulations& All you need now is to *e a *it stu**orn" and not to (i$e up&
Draw ener(y and ha$e clear in mind what to do& As all these different :paintin(s; ha$e
the same pattern" #Ell only write it once& #n the case of a shieldD create a*stract concept of
protection around you" and create the a*stract concept of a time& This time set it as a
countdown so that the shield shatters or disperses in a few minutes and you can try a(ain&
Once you ha$e this in your mind" feel the ener(y within you flowin( out and creatin( a
*u**le around you" or a *o3& Will the ener(y to stay put there& Then let (o sli(htly until
releasin( it completely& .ou ha$e now a simple shield around you& .ou can test it for
holes *y sensin( at it or test it for stren(th *y sedin( little *its of ener(y at it& As you can
now direct ener(y in any way you want" you can create any psychic o*Gect you want with
it& The shields you ma)e will thou(h *e physical and astral& Create shield with different
properties" li)e reflecti$e or instead of *rea)in( down at psychic attac)s drawin( the
ener(y out of them& The only limit is your ima(ination& #ma(ine an o*Gect that helps you
with your wor)& Psychic o*Gects li)e a psychic mirror that allows your third eye to see
thin(s that other people see& Create it *y directin( the ener(y in the way that feels ri(ht"
all you need to do is feel&
All that there is to a *lessin( is to empaint the positi$e thin(s you wish a person into
them" into their core& Then feel into the astral plane youE$e *een doin( it all alon(! and
empaint a positi$e concept into their core& .ou will feel that now this person radiates a
si(n on the plane that screams out the *lessin(& #t will attract in this way the positi$e
thin(s& The same thin( now with luc)y charmsD you can ma)e them yourself& Ta)e an
apple or a crystal or a hairpin" it doesnEt matter what& Empaint the a*stract concepts of
what you wish it to ha$e and draw to into it& Then this o*Gect will *e a si(n that will tell
positi$e thin(s" the ones you called for" to itself" and to its *earer&
-esson /7
We are a present in the astral plane and radiate a uni%ue presence there& Anyone who has
met us once will *e a*le to if they are psychic that is! locate you there and do what they
want actually& ,ome irresponsi*le people thin) its fun to play spon(e and to suc) ener(y
out of people& # had that once" not nice& DoesnEt happen too often" donEt (et paranoid"
and with the followin( you can pre$ent it!
A*ility =
chan(in( your presence on the astral plane or chan(in( your force5si(nature!
your presence in the astral plane can *e chan(ed& .ou can chan(e it to *e $ery
*ac)(roundish" or you can conceal yourself in it completely" meanin( that you could"
whene$er someone tries to locate you" when they find you" feel nothin( *ut nothin(& This
nothin(ness could a shield which sends *ac) null si(nals when someone taps it" or that
adapts into the en$ironment so well it is in$isi*le& .ouEd this in the same way you ha$e
doneD draw ener(y" a*stract concept" empaint& Just feel and trust yourself& #f you studied
the lessons properly" you ha$e it all and these lessons are Gust ideas and facts you do not
)now yet&
Empathy
Empathy is $aried and comple3 in its ways& .et still so simple that non5empaths can
master its ways& .es" you must always listen to the force to utiliBe its tools correctly&
# ur(e you to meditate often& -isten to your *ody" mind and soul& Are you hun(ry8 Tired
or upset8 What does it feel li)e within meditation8 Or in daily life for that matter& What it
feels li)e in meditation will often *e what it feels li)e out in the world& 'emem*er"
empaths FEE- other peoples emotions& Emotions are the same" in many ways" for all& #f
you encounter a *ein( that does not match what you e3pect" they are either a master of
emotion or they ha$e psycholo(ical co$erin(s to their emotions& The issue of psycholo(y
is often the case&
# truly *elie$e that from *irth empaths are (ifted with their a*ilities& # also *elie$e that a
master of the force not (ifted as such may ac%uire empathic a*ility with applied
dili(ence&
For an empath the world is different than for others& .ou see thin(s differently" feel
differently& On occasion they seem to ha$e a different connection to their surroundin(s
compared to other people&
For e3ample as # was pushin( myself into e3ploration # decided to test the waters *y
(oin( to the forest at ni(ht& This forest which has *een *ehind my two homes since # was
nine # am now twenty5four! holds deep and ne$er endin( memories" # (rew up in this
town it all does& # decided after two days of deep meditation whene$er possi*le! to
finally do it& # went to places that # )new well where (ood and *ad thin(s had happened& #
held out my hand and e3plored how my hands felt" my heart and soul" # allowed
memories to flood my mind and heart& # could feel it all in places& ?emories and
emotions rushin( in as if # were there a(ain& #n others # was (uided to the ri(ht spot yet
had wea) feelin( if any& #t wor)ed" *ut not li)e # thou(ht it would& #t re$ealed the
wea)nesses of the past in me so well # hid from further e3ploration for wee)s& Be careful
when see)in( the Force" it see)s you as well&
# came out of it a *etter person" *ut it is hard& Aow in the City ?ar)et # can wal) aisle //
and feel the spot where # realiBed my (irlfriend was tryin( to )ill herself ten feet *ehind
me with a *o3 full of sleepin( pills& Also thou(h # can re$isit (ood feelin(s" li)e
?emorial Par) which is full of (ood memories& @ard as it is (ood or *ad" if you come to
the point you can re$isit old places" and remem*er old memories and feelin(s" you must
act as thou(h you are watchin( a $ideo you ha$e seen many times *efore& Because that is
all it really is& The Force says J@ey # )now you" you did this here& remem*er8J #t isnJt
psychic stuff" itJs really Gust life" if youJre empathic itJs life 36&
Empaths are commonly" *ut not always" intro$erts& # ha$e heard many reasons for this
such as a*o$e& #t is hard to deal with a world full of thou(ht and emotion& # donEt li)e
)nowin( so much a*out others& # donEt want to chance a*usin( it or usin( it a(ainst
someone& ,o on and so on&
#t is honestly scary to suddenly (et that Golt of emotion from the person in front of you&
#tJs harder to deal with the truth" NOh man" # really do creep her out&N
#tEs really tou(h not to show in your face what you )now& But you can use this to
ad$anta(e in so many ways for *oth sides& #t is important to remem*er that& Others are
hampered *y not truly )nowin( the effect of what they are sayin(" we do& # ur(e you to
use this for (ood& .ou can turn a con$ersation from (oin( all wron( and turnin( into a
fi(ht& #n relationships of any )ind this can help you (row as friends" lo$ers" it can e$en
help you to calm a *ad situation with someone you Gust met& ,ay if you Gust hit their car&
For e$il it is only (ood for manipulation" # reGect such a practice and will not e3pound
upon such&
Wal)in( into a room full of people is tou(h& The ener(y is so mi3ed and condensed that it
washes o$er you& .ou cannot sort out what is comin( from whom" its li)e tryin( to drin)
from a fire hydrant& Often o$er a *it of time the room can ta)e on a collecti$e feel with
the mi3 still there& Concerts are fun" e$eryone is united in fun and are happy in their own
way& Other thou(hts melt away and the dar)enin( of the o$erall feel is not usually there&
@i(h school (raduations stin)& The collecti$e feel chan(es %uic)ly" and is often sad& #
wish # could fi3 that one *ut we are human after all&
All of these reasons and more are why so many are intro$erts& #t is weird and scary out
there& Without )nowin( how to process what is (oin( on often one opts to stay away& #tEs
li)e a haunted house" people donEt )now what really is (oin( on in that mess so they stay
away&
,o how do you *rea) out of prison and into the world of the Force8 The Force is meant to
*e used for (ood and happiness for you and others& The (ift of empathy was (i$en to you
for a reason& Possi*ly for (ood" may*e to help you (row with the Force" to chan(e you
and ma)e you (reat& # donJt )now *ut # encoura(e you to em*race it" scary as it is" and
find out&
-esson /
For some" empathy is a natural trait that ta)es little effort to Ndo&N For others" the process
can *e %uite unnatural and ta)e time and trainin(& 'eally" these lectures and e3ercises are
more structured for those who are not NnaturalsN as # intend to pro$ide step5*y5step
(rowth to adepts in the s)ill&
#n an effort to au(ment your s)ills at *ein( patient as well as your empathic s)ills" we
*e(in *y people watchin(& For at least one full wee)Js time" find a pu*lic place that has
si(nificant pedestrian people wal)in(! traffic& ,it somewhere and (et comforta*le& .ou
could sit in a li*rary" a mall" school" the cafeteria at wor)&&& where$er you choose to place
yourself& it and watch people&
Do not ma)e Gud(ments a*out the people you o*ser$e& Do not ima(ine what is (oin( on
in their li$es as you o*ser$e& Just sit patiently and ta)e in what you see&
-earn to Gust ta)e note of people& Jot down any insi(hts you (ain from this in a note*oo)
that you can refer *ac) to at a later time& For the purposes of the course" please also share
your o*ser$ations here so we can discuss&
-esson 6
We are *ac) to wor)in( throu(h e3ercises with this lecture&
?o$in( into this e3ercise" the empath trainee continues to return to the same pu*lic place
to o*ser$e people& The e3ercise itself closely resem*les E3ercise One in that you will still
refrain from Gud(ment and ima(ination in people watchin(&
The $ariation this time is that instead of focusin( on people passin( you in (eneral" your
tas) is to pic) out one person per day amon(st those that (o *y& #f you can o*ser$e a
person who stays in the area for a while" all the *etter& A(ain" simply sit and o*ser$e&
-esson 9
Once a(ain" sit in the same pu*lic space and settle in to people watch& This e3ercise
*ecomes more in$ol$ed now as creati$ity and ima(ination are )ey&
Pic) out one person whom you can o*ser$e" Gust as you did *efore& A(ain" if the person is
remainin( in the same area for a while" all the *etter& Aow" your tas) is to sit and o*ser$e
and use your ima(ination& As) yourself some of the followin( %uestions and then pro$ide
yourself with the answers" from your ima(ination&
+hy is the person there7
+hy is he8she carrying that he8she is carrying7
+hy did he choose to wear what he did today7
/ow is he feeling today7
Aow" it will seem stran(e that youJre Nma)in( thin(s upN a*out the person you o*ser$e&
But (o with itL 'eallyL E$en thou(h the ideas you come up with may seem e3tra$a(ant
and completely ridiculous" (o with it for this e3ercise& Why8 The fascinatin( *it a*out the
Force and psychic s)ills in (eneral is how information comes to us& #ts that you are Gust
Nma)in( thin(s upN a*out the person" *ut in truth" you are sensin( your su*Gect throu(h
the Force when answers come to your %uestions&
-esson >
Once the techni%ue in the pre$ious e3ercise is second5nature to you" the tas) *efore you"
empath" is to internaliBe the %uestion5as)in(& #nstead of focusin( on a person with
%uestions as you (o throu(h your life" simply focus on them throu(h the Force as youJ$e
learned throu(h patient" %uiet o*ser$ation& The need to as) the %uestions will *e (one and
you can simply sense the answers" feelin( and )nowin( what the person is feelin(&
-esson <
This is the final lecture and e3ercise posted for Empathy& #n particular" this may *e the
most dauntin( of them all for it leads to one5on5one feed*ac)L
This e3ercise will re%uire that you wor) with someone who has either wor)ed throu(h
this course" wor) with me" or wor) with someone you can study with offline& Any
scenario wor)s& The plan is thisD
] ,et a specific time for empathic sensin( with the other person&
] At the desi(nated time" reach out as youJ$e studied in the course to sense what that
person is feelin(" doin(" thin)in(&
] 'ecord what you sense and see) feed*ac) from your partner&
Empathetic Protection
The followin( are a ran(e of $isualiBations you can use to protect yourself from the
feelin(s of others& Whether you *elie$e yourself to *e an empath or not they can *e %uite
helpful&
,ome of the followin( are *est done *efore you (o out" sittin( %uietly and $isualiBin(
whiche$er seems most appropriate& While you are usin( your ima(ination you may *e
surprised at how well they can wor)& Others it is a %uestion of chec)in( in your minds
eye durin( the day" if you start to feel trou*led& ,ome you can do when you (et home&
There is no formula" Gust wor)in( out what is *est for you&
/ The cloa)" the li(ht or the e((& #f you $isualiBe one of these around you" you can
remain empathic" i&e& aware of what others are feelin(" *ut also not *e en(a(ed in them&
-o$e and suchli)e (ets strai(ht throu(h& When # first disco$ered this and was still in
-ondon # used to find that on e3aminin( my cloa) after # had *een amon(st a lot of
people that it was all tattered and torn" and # had to repair it" *ut it wor)ed&
6& The coat hoo)s& Often" as #Jm sure you are aware" it can *e hard to tell which feelin(s
are yours and which *elon( to someone else& #f you $isualiBe a row of coat hoo)s" as in a
school cloa)room" and loo) there when you are unsure" if there is anythin( on those
hoo)s then you are carryin( the feelin(s of someone else& # tend to ta)e the coat from the
hoo)" and (ently and lo$in(ly ima(ine # am returnin( the coat or whate$er to its ri(htful
owner&
9& The sin)& ,ometimes # ha$e pic)ed up *its and pieces from others throu(hout the day"
nothin( lar(e or de$astatin(" Gust *its of ru**ish& These can *uild unnoticed for some
time& These thin(s (o in a sin) well you can ima(ine they do!& Chec) your sin) from
time to time" and if it has stuff in simply pull the plu( out and it all drains way& #t doesnJt
need e3aminin(& # really donJt thin) other peoples stuff can *e effecti$ely e3plored in this
way&
> The mirror& # suspect this is what # do most of the time these days& # (et plenty of lo$e
pourin( in from others" *ut ha$in( wor)ed throu(h the other stuff # do appear mostly to
automatically reflect thin(s *ac) rather than allow them in& Of course you need to )eep
your own mirror clean to do that&
< The shield& This is *est used in specific moments of attac)& For e3ample" if someone is
particularly an(ry with you& #t ser$es no purpose at all to e3perience the wa$es of their
furyM you cannot respond in any useful way& #ma(ine you are holdin( a shield in front of
you" itEs shape and desi(n entirely up to you& ,ee the an(er of the other hittin( the shield
and fallin( to the floor& This does not ma)e you superior" *ut it does mean you can
respond with care to what lies *ehind the an(er&
# will add here that *ein( half way round the planet is no protection& # mentioned this
pre$iously" *ut it is still worth repeatin(& #n other words it can wor) online& Be aware&
Feelin(s tra$el at the speed of li(ht or therea*outs" may *e %uic)er" ne$er wor)ed out
how to measure it!&
#f anyone else has any techni%ues they use do feel free to add them& Any %uestions either
as) here or find me on #?&
Ae3t up _ honesty" with yourself and others" and why it is so important if you are an
empath" or around one&
,elf Awareness
-esson /
9learly Define +ho 0ou +ant to .e
from EpictetusJ N?anual for -i$in(N
Who e3actly do you want to *e8 What )ind of person do you want to *e8 What are your
personal ideals8 Whom do you admire8 What are their special traits that you would ma)e
your own8
#tJs time to stop *ein( $a(ue& #f you wish to *e an e3traordinary person" if you wish to *e
wise" then you should e3plicitly identify the )ind of person you aspire to *ecome& #f you
ha$e a day*oo)" write down who youJre tryin( to *e" so that you can refer to this self5
definition& Precisely descri*e the demeanor you want to adopt so that you may preser$e it
when you are *y yourself or with other people&
,imply" who are you8 Consider yourself a s%uare with four %uadrants& #n each of these
%uadrants is a different facet of selfD emotional" spiritual" physical" mental& Who are you8
This is what we will e3plore in the course&
Descri*e yourself as an emotional *ein(&
Descri*e yourself as a spiritual *ein(&
Descri*e yourself as a physical *ein(&
Descri*e yourself as a mental *ein(&
What are you pleased a*out with yourself8
What would you li)e to chan(e8
#n *oth cases" why8
-esson 6
Thou(h sometimes it can feel li)e it" weJre not islands that are cut off from the rest of the
world *y sheer distance& We influence and are influenced *y those around us" our
e3periences" our past and our present&
What do you feel ma)es you who you are8 What has shaped you the most8 @ow so8
-esson 9
The other courses around here (o into whom a Jedi is and where we 5 as an order 5 ha$e
come from& #n your own personal Gourney" what led you to find the Jedi path8 What made
you ta)e it seriously as somethin( to *e after seein( the films or readin( a *oo)8 What is
it a*out the Jedi path that appeals to you8
-esson >
,elf Esteem
Before # (et to self5esteem" # want to (o throu(h the *asics of emotions that help you
*etter (rasp the concept of healthy self5esteem& #Ell also note that this lecture is intended
for you to study" and really thin) on& # wonEt pro$ide all the answers& A lot of it is
common )nowled(e" and if you pay correct attention" you should ha$e no trou*le&
Emotions
Definition of EmotionD Feelin(s e3perienced physically and mentally& A reaction to a
stimulus&
De$elopment of Emotions
/! Cenetic Factors
5Characteristics #nherited from *irth
6! En$ironmental factors
5People and thin(s around you
5?odelin( or imitation
5Conditionin(
_reinforcement
9! E3periences
5Personal history
Aow" weE$e *asically co$ered a few thin(s on emotions& Aow to understand them a little
further" and how they place into self5esteem" you will need to understand some *asic
human
emotional needs&
Basic Emotional Aeeds
/! -o$e
5A lac) of lo$e can cause emotional pro*lems&
6! ,elf_Esteem
5A lac) of self5esteem can cause self5destructi$e ways&
9! ,ecurity 5 secure and sta*le people ha$e secure and sta*le emotions& And li)ewise"
insecurity is reflected in a personJs emotions" *eha$ior and le$el of self5esteem&
From the thin(s listed" # thin) you can pretty much (rasp how this lecture is comin(
alon(" and hopefully ha$e a (ood idea at what #Em (ettin( at& #f you donEt" emotions are
part of our
self5esteem" and we need to understand them&
# encoura(e all of you to ta)e a deep loo) in yoursel$es& E3amine your reactions to
people and situations in your own life& What causes you to do thin(s8 Emotions& As a
Jedi" we learn to control emotions rather than to allow them to control us& @ow can we set
a*out doin( this8
Well" lets ta)e a loo) at the sta(es of emotional response&
,ta(es of Emotional 'esponse
/! Perception
5 ,ee or ,ense somethin(&
6! Appraisal
5 #dentify
9! Emotion
5 @ow you feel a*out it
>! Physical Chan(es
5 #n$oluntary" due to the emotion
<! Action
5 What you do
@ere is a %uic) e3ample of these steps in a situation&
.ouEre wal)in( down the street" and someone yells your name& .ou hear" or sense the
person that Gust yelled your name& .ou then identify who yelled your name& .ou see it is
someone you find attracti$e& .ou feel (ood" *ecause this person actually called to you
and you feel emotionally attached" or lo$ed *y the person& .ou then (et ner$ous" e3cited"
or any other type of emotion that you can e3perience" which chan(es your own *ody
tone& .our action is
to yell *ac) sayin(" :@i L; to *e polite& .ou yell that *ecause in past e3periences" that is
what youE$e learned to do&
-etJs ta)e a deeper loo) into the $arious types of emotional responses&
Emotional 'esponses
/st type _ Passi$e _ Ta)es other point of $iew without %uestion" e$en if disa(reement&
6nd type _ A((ressi$e _ Unwillin( to see other point of $iew and tries to force his+her
point or $iew on another person&
9rd type _ Asserti$e _ A*le to e3press feelin(s in a non5threatenin( way" willin( to see
*oth sides&
Can you see any familiar thin(s with the Jedi yet8 Jedi are most often asserti$e& Aot
*ein( the *ias" *ut wor)in( throu(h the pro*lem& That is also why Jedi are commonly
associated with am*assadors and philosophers" *ecause of the 9rd type of emotional
response& TheyEre $ery asserti$e&
O)& Aow we ha$e loo)ed at one component of self5esteem de$elopmentD understandin(
your own personal emotional tri((ers and responses to stimuli people and situations!&
@ere are some aspects of a hi(h self esteem" which you may see in many JediD
/! ,elf5confident" secure in who they are and happy with their personal de$elopment
6! Aot *ein( afraid to ta)e ris)s
9! ,elf5controlled
>! A*le to (i$e or recei$e compliments (racefully and confidently
<! Ta)e satisfaction in personal accomplishments" *ut do not see) to wield this pride to
the detriment of others
0! Persistent" not (i$in( up easily
=! Easy to (et alon( with 5 yet firm when the situation calls for that
2&! Pleasant demeanor Positi$e attitude!
4! ?a)es an effort to achie$e 5 do their *est at any cost" or end up learnin( to do so&
People with hi(h self5esteem are constantly testin( their limits" e3pandin( them" stri$in(
for
impro$ement in any area they feel the need&
@ere are some characteristics you may see in people with low self5esteemD
/! Ao confidence
6! ,uicidal" and feelin(s of worthlessness
9! Ao lo$e for self or others
>! Demonstratin( a lac) of emotional need" which may include *ein( uncomforta*le with
touchin(" lac) of eye contact" a *rash" Ntou(h (uy+(alN e3terior or an air of
o$erconfidence
<! ,hyness& #tEs tou(h to do anythin( when you are shy& From meetin( people" to ta)in(
ris)s" it can effect any effort you ha$e to achie$e a (oal" and stay confident in yourself&
0! Uncomforta*le interactin( with people" withdrawn
=! Ao (oals Or (i$in( up on them!& This may also include settin( impossi*ly hi(h (oals
in an attempt to feel *etter a*out themsel$es& @owe$er" this *ac)fires *ecause they canEt
accomplish anythin(& This can also *e seen in settin( ridiculously easy (oals which
re%uire little or no effort to achie$e& They donEt pro$ide any challen(e" or moti$ation to
them as a person& Coals must *e measura*le and attaina*le 5 and one e3treme is as *ad as
the other&
2&! Dru(s For(ettin( e3periences!& People with low self5esteem may in$ol$e themsel$es
with alcohol" or other ille(al dru(s to for(et past e3periences they are ashamed or afraid
of" and to ma)e themsel$es feel *etter for a *rief chan(e&
4! Ae(ati$e Attitude
/7! Ao self5respect
//! Unhappiness
/6! @ard to (et alon( with unpleasant!
/9! Afraid to let anyone else into their pro*lems or life 5 a fear of human contact& This
also deals with the issue of lac) of trust& Jedi Bri(ht has supplied us with some notes she
has on that topic& #Em (oin( to insert her comments here" as they is put %uite nicely" and
fit ri(ht in at the moment&
555555555555555555555555555555555
Trust
-earn to trust your initiati$e& One mi(ht say that this ta)es self5esteem to do so in the first
place and # would a(ree here& @owe$er" did you e$er see anyone who did not ha$e AA.
self5esteem8 # dou*t it& E$eryone has it" thou(h it is a case of how close to the surface it
is& #t can often *e *uried under years of oppression and hatred from other parties" of *ein(
distrau(ht at a present situation& By focusin( on your a*ility and not distortin( the facts to
fit your imprinted description of yourself then you will *e(in to trust yourself once more&
.ou ha$e found the first layer from which the rest can *rea) throu(h (i$en
encoura(ement&
Another way to (et throu(h to this layer is to trust your closest friends& They can help you
see the truth and help you to focus on it& .ou ha$e to ta)e a maGor step and let them in 5
this is not a self5esteem matter thou(h it is purely fear and o$ercomin( it& Two $ery
different topics& Friends are not o*Gecti$e" *ut if they thin) you are wron( then they do
tell you if they are (ood friends" who truly ha$e your *est interests at heart& -isten to
them&
Trust the Force& #t is somethin( that no one will e$er understand in our lifetime" *ut it
will help to (uide you& #tJs the road upon which you ha$e to wal)" would you miss the
road and ris) wanderin( into the woods8 #f you learn to trust it" it will show you where
you need to (o 5 *ut you ha$e to ha$e the coura(e to (o down there&
To *e at one with yourself also has the added *enefit of *ecomin( pure with your (oals&
.ou *e(in not to listen to social pressures& .ou loo) introspecti$ely for the answers& This
is a lot of what # would call *ein( a Jedi& Fnowin( yourself" learnin( yourself" trustin(
yourself and finally
*ecomin( pure in your (oals& #t will ta)e some time *ut it can *e done with practice and
patience&
[[[[[[[[[
Aow letJs loo) at some ways you can impro$e your self5esteem&
/! ,et (oals& Aot impossi*le ones" *ut challen(in( (oals that are AC@#E1AB-E& Aot set
too hi(h" or too low& And ones that are measura*le& An e3ample of a measura*le (oal
would *eD N#
am (oin( to e3ercise three times a wee) for 97 minutes at a time&N
6! Create moti$ational schemes& -oo) at your interests" and use them to moti$ate you in
your life& This is part of doin( thin(s you are comforta*le with" and enGoy&
9! Thin) positi$e thou(hts& This surrounds you with positi$e ener(y" and we all )now
a*out the ripple effect&
>! #ncrease participation in acti$ities& Often when you participate in anythin(" you
*ecome in$ol$ed" and tend to *e more open& This is also a (ood e3ample of what
moti$ation can *rin(&
<! Be tolerant of yourself and others& Do not cripple yourself with impossi*le
e3pectations& Ao one is perfect" and we all ha$e room to (row and de$elop&
0! Choose the ri(ht friends *uildin( trust!& As @elen had mentioned" trust your closest
friends& -isten to what they ha$e to say" as often they ha$e some of your *est interests at
heart&
=! 'espect others and yourself& #f you ha$e pro*lems with other people not respectin(
you" it sometimes means that you donEt respect them" or you are not respectin( yourself&
,elf5mutilation can *rin( a lot of disrespect from others& ,o if it is respect you see)" first
show respect&
2&! Be )ind& Usually when you are )ind" the person returns the )indness" which can ma)e
you feel pretty (ood&
4! 'esist ne(ati$e influence& #n other words" donEt (o loo)in( for trou*le" and donEt wal)
*lindly into it& #f your friends say :-etEs (o *urn a *uildin(;" you of course should wei(h
the ris)s of that *eha$ior& Are the conse%uences worth the *rief moment of NpopularityN
and NacceptanceN8 True friends li)e and accept you for who you are" not what you do&
/7! #n$entory your stren(ths and your wea)nesses& This can help you identify your
pro*lems" and chan(e yourself" helpin( you to achie$e what you want to" *y impro$in(
yourself&
//! ,elect supporti$e and encoura(in( friends& This also ties into what @elen was sayin(&
DonEt choose friends who you )now will not care a*out you" nor ta)e you into ne(ati$e
influence&
/6! -earn somethin( positi$e when you e3perience defeat& .ou can learn from Gust a*out
any defeat& This also can tie into with in$entoryin( stren(ths and wea)nesses& ,ee what
you did wron(" and impro$e on it&
/9! Practice (ood health ha*its& A healthy *ody leads to a healthy mind& Feep *oth
happy&
/>! Do somethin( you enGoy& .ou can o*$iously see how this can raise self5esteem&
/<! De$elop a sense of humor& -earn to lau(h at yourself" and not ta)e thin(s so
personally& .ou shouldnEt (et upset o$er small thin(s& -earn to lau(h it off to ease some
tension& As Walt Felly" creator of the Po(o comic strip" said many years a(o" NDonJt ta)e
life so seriously" it isnEt permanent&N
/0! @elp others and (i$e compliments& Coes nice with Jedi doesnEt it8 DonEt (i$e *o(us
comments" it will only ma)e you feel (uilty& Unless youEre one of those people who (et
off on
it" li)e a Go)e& That is called a white lie" which can ha$e its effects" so tell the truth" and
*e honest with yourself&
/=! 'eward yourself when you do somethin( well& This is not in relation to a *ri*e" *ut
rather ser$es as a moti$ation to repeat the *eha$ior in the future& This reward could *e
anythin(& ?ay*e you enGoy readin( or Gust sittin( around after wor)& After a (ood or hard
day" itEs (ood to do somethin( you enGoy to rela3 and ease any stress you ha$e&
As you can see" (ood self5esteem is somethin( that e$eryone needs" and can de$elop with
a little effort& #t is one of the )ey *uildin( *loc)s in *ecomin( a Jedi&
-esson <
As the pre$ious lecture on ,elf5Esteem descri*ed" settin( realistic (oals for your life is a
N(ood thin(&N A friend of mine once su((ested that students of life should set se$eral (oal
sheets& ,he thou(ht you should ha$e a list for where you want to *e in a year" < years
from now and /7 years from now& #f you feel you can *e so structured" (o for itL But
remem*er to remain fle3i*leL!&
?yself" # stic) to a /5year plan& Each January" # write down se$eral thin(s that #Jd li)e to
accomplish in the upcomin( year& These can ran(e from wantin( to wor) on wei(ht loss"
to $olunteerin( more" and *eyond&
What sorts of (oals do you ha$e in mind for yourself8 Create a list here and sa$e it for
yourself&
-esson 0
Consider this scheme of powerD
/! Thou(hts 5 the *e(innin(& Thin)in( a*out a topic is minimally powerful& #t *e(ins *ut
does not act on its own&
6! Writin( 5 the second le$el& #n writin( down the thou(ht or insi(ht" power *e(ins to
ta)e shape&
9! ,pea)in( 5 the most powerful& Ci$in( an idea spo)en $er*al! words manifests&
Aow" thin) a*out what you say to yourself in your %uiet moments& Are your thou(hts"
writin(s or words filled with N# can do this&&& # am doin( this&&&N or N#Jm so *ad at&&& #Jll
ne$er (et the han( of&&&N8 What do you say to yourself8
,elf5impro$ement spea)er" Dr& Wayne Dyer Ph&D& see him on PB,! has a %uote he
recites to his audienceD NAs you thin)" so shall you *e&N An interestin( set of words& As
you thin)" so shall you *e&
With these ideas laid out on the $irtual ta*le" ta)e a moment to ponder the positi$e and
ne(ati$e thin(s you thin)" write or say a*out yourself on a day5to5day *asis& On which
end of the scale do you tip8 Positi$e or ne(ati$e8 #n either direction" you reinforce ideas
within yourself&
,o" the natural %uestion to as) is 5 do you want to reinforce positi$es or ne(ati$es in
yourself8
-esson =
FirstD
,omethin( Nsort ofN easy that you can do here Gust to (au(e your own self5perception&
] -ist < positi$e thin(s a*out yourself&
] -ist < thin(s that you would li)e to chan(e a*out yourself&
,econdD
We all ha$e a self5perception of who we are& WeJ$e discussed this all alon( throu(h the
lectures and e3ercises& Aow" consider who this Ninner selfN is 5 how you percei$e who
you are 5 a(ainst how others percei$e you& Where are there differences" that you )now
of8 Why8 @ow8
Feelin( the Force
The Followin( -ecture is courtesy of Ellen ?erritt& .ou will notice that many of the
sensations descri*ed in this lecture as feelin( the Force also ha$e a mar)ed reflection on
the meditation lecture" showin( the ener(y of the Force in mo$ement& And now" the
-ectureD
?any students # tal) to" includin( my own Padawan" are understanda*ly e3cited when
they first feel the Force within them& And it is $ery common for a Jedi student to feel the
Force first in his or her upper *ody" i&e& arms" hands" head" face" nec)" etc& ?any students
e3periencin( this phenomenon wonder why it is that they should feel the Force there" as
opposed to all o$er& The answer lies" as my ?aster tau(ht me" in the @indu cha)ra
system" or the systems of upper and lower ener(ies in the *ody&
#t is %uite common for a JediJs upper" or hi(her" ener(y centers those of lo$e" insi(ht"
compassion" self5confidence" etc&! to *e stron(er than the lower ones those of *aser
emotions such as an(er" fear" (reed" lust" etc&!" as Jedi tend to transcend these lower
emotions& @owe$er" althou(h we Jedi no lon(er act throu(h those emotions" we must
realiBe that they still e3ist" and ser$e as an anchor for our hi(her ener(y centers&
@ence" attainin( a *alance *etween these two ener(y centers is paramount to a Jedi
feelin( the Force flow fully throu(h his or her *ody& To do this" # ha$e found that the
most effecti$e method is to enter a li(ht to middlin( state of meditation" placin( the
palms of the hands on the thi(hs" and focusin( Force ener(y throu(h the palms into the
thi(hs& This ener(y will feed the lower ener(y centers" and *rin( the entire *ody into
*alance& Once this method is implemented" it will not *e lon( *efore a Jedi will *e(in feel
the Force flowin( fully and freely&
#n addition" *alance is necessary from a psycholo(ical standpoint as well as physical& #n
order to help others" we Jedi must stay in touch with our *aser emotions" in order to *e
a*le to relate to anotherJs pain" hatred" and so forth& #t does not help to counsel or
otherwise inter$ene with a person who )nows that you ha$e no idea where he or she is
comin( from& A person in pain of any sort has a rare (ift for spottin( pretense" howe$er
deeply *uried it mi(ht *e& A Jedi who completely a*andons his or her lower emotions in
essence ceases to *e human" *ecause he or she will no lon(er *e a*le to relate to
humanity in its natural state&
# would *e happy to answer any further %uestions on this topic as # am a*le" or to refer
you to another of my collea(ues who would *e a*le to help& ?ay the Force *e with you&
Feelin( the Force -i)e a Fish
When we train in the Force" we are wor)in( towards a chan(e in our element& The force"
for all intents and purposes" is much li)e water& As humans" we are constantly surrounded
*y water&&& the water in the ocean" the water in the (round *eneath our feet" and the
moisture in the air& And yet" when we thin) of N*ein( in the waterN" we thin) only of
*ein( in a swimmin( pool or some other form of water" the sort of which we (enerally
picture when we thin) of water&
This is much the same as we $iew the Force& The force surrounds us and flows throu(h
us&&& and yet we (enerally notice the Force when we are ma)in( a direct effort to study
and understand it& The maGority of people are li)e plants in water&&& they are in the water"
and of the water" *ut ha$e little )nowled(e a*out how to mo$e throu(h the water" or use
the water to *est ad$anta(e& Then" many users of the Force are li)e an Olympic
swimmer&&& they ha$e mastered the a*ility to use the water to *est ad$anta(e" *ut are not
truly co(niBant of their connection to it" and it is not their natural element anymore"
*ecause the focus is not in BE#AC with the Force" *ut simply usin( it&&& Gust as a
swimmer must come up for air" the water is not the swimmers natural element& The most
powerful of the Jedi are those that ta)e the characteristics of *oth the plant and the
swimmer&&& they are a*le to *e immersed in the Force fully" and are content with Gust
*ein( in and of the Force& By this" they show that they are li)e the plant in water& And
yet" the most powerful Jedi also ta)e on the part of the swimmer" *ein( a*le to mo$e
throu(h the Force and use its power& By doin( this" the Jedi achie$es *oth characteristics"
of the plant and the swimmer" and *ecomes a fish in water&&& nati$e in its element" and
completely at one with its surroundin(s& #t is the li)e the fish that a Jedi must stri$e to
*e&&& *ecause if a Jedi *ecomes to the Force li)e a fish is to water" then the Jedi has
accomplished a $ery (reat feat&
,o how do we attain this oneness with the Force8 ?editation has a lar(e part of it&&& *y
learnin( to listen to the Force when meditatin(" you *e(in to hear a *it more of yourself&
By hearin( yourself" you *e(in to understand more of your place in the (rand scheme of
thin(s& The ne3t step is to *e a*le to feel the Force when you are not meditatin(&&& the aim
is to (et to the point where you feel the Force simply *y e3istin(&&& this is how it should
*e" *ecause the Force flows throu(h you constantly& With each *reath" you should feel
the e** and flow of the Force" and *e a*le to feel it shift around you as you mo$e" and *e
a*le to feel it within your surroundin(s& #t is *y this that a Jedi (ains true awareness of his
or her surroundin(s" and *ecomes aware of their true place in the uni$erse& Thus" *y
feelin( the Force around us" we are li)e the Fish who is a*le to feel the presence of a
predator *y the e** and flow of the water" or the presence of food on the surface of the
water" *y the ripples it sends out& This is the (oal of a Jedi&&& awareness throu(h e3istence"
and to *e a*le to feel the force in all actions&
%editation
,omprehensive Look t %editation
The practice of meditation" which used to *e considered an oriental custom" has *ecome
widespread in recent years&
What is ?editation8 Why is it a ,cience8
We*sterJs dictionary defines the term Nto meditateN as Nto en(a(e in contemplation or
reflectionN& This is an accurate description of one effecti$e form modern meditation can
ta)e& #t (oes *eyond the mystical method of see)in( the ecstasy of union with the di$ine"
or with Cod" for its own sa)e& #t transcends the (oal of many modern types of meditation
which emphasiBe Npeace of mindN *y detachin( the mind from all its normal functions"
often inducin( a sense of mental paralysis rather than peace& The mind is thus incapa*le
of re(istration" interpretation and application&
These three words pro*a*ly supply the most accurate definition of creati$e meditation 5
re(istration" interpretation" application& They imply mental acti$ity" in$ol$in( cause and
effect" contact with a source of inspiration" and the conse%uent a*ility to use and apply
the fruits of meditation&
There is a way" which can *e learned and practiced" *y which the consciousness can *e
focused" ali(ned and turned towards the first source of spiritual inspiration 5 the soul&
This starts with mental acti$ityM not only that of the lower mind" the analyBin(" directin(
faculty" *ut also the a*ility to *rin( the lower mind" throu(h conscious direction" into
ali(nment with the hi(her mind and soul& A thou(ht or Nseed ideaN contemplated in the
li(ht of the soul produces new thou(hts" mental illumination" which the lower mind
interprets and applies&
Because meditation is concerned with mental recepti$ity" it is essentially a means of
channelin( ener(y& ,cientists today tend to a(ree that Nall is ener(yN 5 a *asic occult
aphorism& The life force that holds all manifestation in *ein( is ener(yM consciousness is
response to the ener(y infusin( human hearts and minds& Clearly directed thou(ht in
meditation" with the mind held steady in the li(ht of the soul" is a scientific means of
contactin( those maGor aspects of the life force we call li(ht and lo$e and power" (i$in(
them ri(ht interpretation" and directin( them" in the form of ideas and plannin(" into
specific acti$ity&
?editation is a scientific techni%ue which can *e relied upon to produce results if
followed throu(h with care and precision& While the techni%ues of meditation can *e
learned" the way the techni%ues are applied $aries for each one& Each of us must find the
way for oursel$es" for it is in e3perimentation that we (ain e3perience in the ri(ht use of
the mind" *rin( the consciousness into ali(nment with soul ener(y" and learn how to (i$e
ri(ht e3pression in ser$ice to the a*undant spiritual resources a$aila*le in meditation&
Prayer and ?editation
Prayer and meditation are two distinct methods of approach to reality& Both are e%ually
le(itimate and useful& Prayer is *ased on the concept of Cod Transcendent" a*o$e and
*eyond the world of human affairsM meditation" howe$er" appeals to those who reco(niBe
Cod #mmanent" or within @is creation& When we pray we spea) to CodM when we
meditate we listen to Cod" or let Cod spea) to us&
The *asic distinctions *etween prayer and meditation are moti$ation and means& Prayer is
*ased on personal desire and depends upon emotional fer$or and intensity for resultsM
whereas meditation is" or should *e" moti$ated *y ser$ice to the Plan and the (reater (ood
for all humanity& ?editation uses the disciplined mind to contact the soul and )now the
will of Cod&
Both prayer and meditation are in$ocati$e in nature& They *oth call upon spiritual forces
for the release of ener(ies in answer to a $oiced demand" and *oth methods wor)& Both
methods are needed *ecause much of humanity is still focused at the emotional le$el&
?editation is practiced *y those who reco(niBe that di$inity 5 the NFin(dom of CodN 5 is
within" and that Cod5realiBation is a natural process& The disciplined use of the mind"
com*ined with ser$ice to others" is the means for attainin( that realiBation& NChrist in you"
the hope of (loryN" is a reality to the mediator&
'edefinin( ,piritual -i$in(
The idea of spiritual de$elopment has *een associated almost e3clusi$ely with the
reli(ions of the world& To *e doin( NspiritualN wor) meant *ecomin( a priest" a ra**i or a
ministerM or it meant Goinin( a reli(ious order of one )ind or another& The church rather
than the human soul *ecame the custodian of the spiritual life& Today indi$iduals are the
custodians of their own spiritual li$es and are in the process of spiritualiBin( their own
material li$es&
While the reli(ious person postulates that Cod is e$erywhere" the scientist has disco$ered
that ener(y is e$erywhere& The main pro*lem stemmin( from this relati$ely modern
clea$a(e *etween spirit and matter concerns the human condition itself& When spirituality
is left unrelated to ordinary daily life" the lower" material $alues tend to swayM whereas
for *etter world conditions" human well5*ein( and ri(ht human relationships" spiritual
ener(ies must condition material $alues and material li$in(&
The word NspiritualN relates to attitudes" to relationships" to the mo$in( forward from one
le$el of consciousness to the ne3t& #t is related to the power to see a new $ision and new
and *etter possi*ilities& #t refers to e$ery effect of the e$olutionary process as it dri$es the
indi$idual forward from one ran(e of sensiti$ity to anotherM it relates to e3pansions of
consciousness" to all acti$ity which leads toward to some form of further de$elopment&
The disco$eries of science" or the production of some (reat wor) in literature or in the
field of art" are Gust as much an e$idence of spiritual unfoldment as the e3periences of the
mystic or the re(istration *y the disciple of a contact with his or her own soul&
'eco(niBin( oneJs own spiritual nature allows the indi$idual to reco(niBe di$inity in
others and in all forms of life& -earnin( to thin) of each other as souls" we *e(in to act
accordin(ly& As we each ta)e our own ne3t step forward into a more inclusi$e and
compassionate understandin(" we help to lift the human family nearer to its spiritual
destiny 5 the esta*lishin( of the Fin(dom of @ea$en on earth&
?editationD a ,piritual Discipline
,ince the word NspiritualN applies $irtually to the whole of life" it descri*es anythin( that
leads to (reater $ision" understandin(" and inte(ration with the $arious forms life ta)es&
,pirituality in$ol$es an e$er5widenin( sphere of influence and responsi*ility&
The )ey word in spiritual de$elopment is discipline& A life that is self5disciplined
mentally" emotionally and physically" can *e depended upon *y the soul& The initial
occasional contacts *etween soul and personality" fostered *y meditation" can *e
increased *oth in duration and intensity as the disciplined personality offers a ready
channel for the soul to use& The careful" non5fanatical discipline of the self5centered
personality $ehicles 5 or states of awareness 5 esta*lishes a wor)in( relationship *etween
the personality and the soul" *rin(in( the personality life into ali(nment with soul
intention&
The discipline of daily meditation as a means of contactin( the soul and of de$elopin(
soul consciousness and soul fusion is a maGor means of spiritualiBin( life on this planet
and helpin( to e3ternaliBe the Fin(dom of Cod&
The Four Components of the Personality
The science of meditation in$ol$es the fact that a human *ein( is essentially a spiritual
entity occupyin( a personality form& The personality itself is composed of four $ehicles"
or *odiesD the mental" emotional" etheric and dense physical& ?editation is concerned
with the ri(ht use and controls of these personality $ehicles" their inte(ration into a
unified coordinated whole and finally" the fusion of the inte(rated personality with the
soul&
Each of the personality $ehicles is the a(ent of a particular type of ener(y and e3perience"
pro$idin( *oth a mechanism of perception and a means of e3pression& The mind" or
mental *ody" distin(uishes the true from the false" e$aluates facts and wei(hs the
opinions and ideas of others& The mind plans and decidesM it is essentially a creati$e
mechanism& The emotional *ody is that component of the personality which percei$es
and e3presses feelin(s 5 lo$e" hate" desire" lon(in(" an(er" or the scores of other emotions&
The etheric *ody is the ener(y *ody" which interpenetrates dense physical matter and
conditions it *y the type and %uality of ener(y flowin( throu(h the etheric channels& The
etheric is the medium of contact and response with the ocean of ener(ies in which we
li$e& The dense physical $ehicle functions lar(ely as an automaton" respondin( to the
thou(hts and feelin(s which flow" as ener(ies" throu(h the etheric *ody" moti$atin(
physical acti$ities&
Wor) in meditation is re%uired to harmoniBe the thin)in( and feelin( faculties" to
coordinate and inte(rate the mental and emotional *odies into a coherent whole" e$o)in(
the flow of ener(y from the soul& With the mental" the emotional and physical *odies
under the (uidance of spiritual purpose" inner conflicts are resol$ed and the inte(rated
personality *ecomes a pure $ehicle of soul e3pression" a means of releasin( (reater li(ht
and lo$e into the world of human affairs.
The Aature of the ,oul
The soul is the seat of consciousness and %uality" the true ser$er" the disciple& The term
NdiscipleshipN defines the effort to li$e a life of ser$ice with its ine$ita*le e3pansions of
consciousness&
The soul is the intelli(ent will5to5(ood of the principle of lo$e" the centre of spiritual
force throu(h which the plans of Cod come into *ein(& E$ery form of any )ind" *e it an
atom" a human *ein(" or a planet" has 5 or is 5 a soul& The soul" or consciousness principle"
while identical in nature in all human *ein(s" $aries in de(ree of de$elopment and
unfoldment&
The student of meditation re%uires an effecti$e source of teachin(s in which he has
confidence and which can *e tested and self5applied& Each e3pansion of consciousness"
always initiated *y the indi$idual" fits him or her to e3press soul awareness more clearly
and accurately& There is a NchainN of hierarchy" or soul life" lin)in( to(ether all who are
capa*le in some de(ree of e3pressin( the %ualities and principles of our e$ol$in(
planetary life& All are interrelated and interdependent" from the unit to the whole" and the
achie$ement of any indi$idual profoundly affects the whole&
The human soul includes" *ut is not limited *y" the personality throu(h which life is
e3pressed& Throu(h meditation and contemplation" and throu(h the sustained intent of the
disciple" the soul illumines the mind and inspires the heart" which in turn transmits
understandin( and wisdom to the *rain& The psyche or soul" the percei$er or thin)er" is
the immortal" imperisha*le spar) of di$inity" the ,on of Cod" the spiritual intelli(ence
which is the real human *ein(&
?editationD the Brid(e Between ,oul and Personality
The reco(nition of duality in human nature produces" e$entually" the intention to *rid(e
the (ap *etween the personality and soul" for the soul e$er see)s conscious union with its
personality e3pression& While aspiration may pro$ide the moti$e" the real wor) of *rid(e
*uildin( is carried out on the mental le$el" *ased on the a*ility to control the mind
throu(h the discipline of re(ular meditation&
?editation esta*lishes relationship *etween soul and personality& #t is cooperati$e
relationship" leadin( ultimately to soul5personality fusion& The wor) is *ased on the
simple premise that ener(y follows and conforms itself to thou(ht& Correct use of the
power of the mind will achie$e any purpose" (ood or not so (ood& Occult meditation
in$ol$es a focused mind" the capacity to $isualiBe" an a*ility to *uild thou(ht forms and
to use the creati$e ima(ination" plus an accurate (rasp of the soulJs intent&
This type of meditation enhances the %uality of life& #t creates a li(hted way of
relationship and communication *etween the su*Gecti$e realm of the soul and its
o*Gecti$e e3pression" the personality& As the personality adapts and surrenders to the
dominance of the soul as the real ,elf" it is in turn redeemed *y soul li(ht and ener(y and
all aspects of life on the physical plane are irradiated and uplifted&
The 1alue of Ali(nment
?editation is" or should *e" a deeply spiritual e3perience& #t leads to ri(ht relationship
with Cod and to ri(ht human relationships in e$ery day life& #t is essentially the means
par e3cellence of esta*lishin( ali(nment *etween the $arious aspects of planetary life
which" from the an(le of consciousness and of form" appear to *e separate&
Creati$e meditation *e(ins with an ali(nment e3ercise and results in a deeper" more
e3tensi$e and more sustained ali(nment *etween the meditator and his or her whole
en$ironment& Ali(nment *rin(s the $arious le$els and states of consciousness Ninto lineN
with one another" or into correct relati$e adGustment&
#n meditation ali(nment concerns the mental *ody 5 the mindM the emotional+feelin(
nature 5 the heartM the etheric or ener(y *ody and the physical self& When these are
inte(rated into a unity" they can *e ali(ned with the soul itself" the spiritual ,elf& A
channel of communication is there*y created lin)in( the *rain" the heart" the mind and the
soulM the life ener(y of the soul" with its power to illumine and inspire" can then sweep
throu(h into acti$ity" affectin( e$ery aspect of daily life&
#n this process" the mind is the acti$e principle& The mind $isions" $isualiBes"
concentrates the needed ener(y" and focuses the re%uired attitude& Without necessarily
*ein( conscious of results" the mind can triumphantly act as if the necessary ali(nment
has *een created& Constant repetition and focused attention pro$ide the *uildin( *loc)s&
Once created in consciousness" the essential ali(nment is e$er present" needin( only a
moment of directed thou(ht to *rin( it to life as an acti$e in(redient in the relationship
*etween the inner and outer life&
?editationD a Way of -ife
?editation offers an alternati$e to the purely materialistic $alues of modern life& #t is a
means of harmoniBin( or resol$in( the apparent conflict *etween the spiritual and
material aspects of li$in(& ?editation is not an escape from reality" *ut a path of
disco$ery of the true ,elf" the spiritual *ein(" the soul&
The *asic o*Gecti$e of meditation is to ena*le an indi$idual to *ecome in outer
manifestation what he or she is in inner reality& ?editation leads alon( the path of
*ecomin(" towards the spiritual a*ility to *e" to )now" and to do& ?editation" therefore"
in$ol$es the whole life e3pression" su*Gecti$e and o*Gecti$e& #t concerns the use of the
mind *y the soul to initiate action in line with the plan for humanity& Within this Plan5
centered process" the meditatin( unit is stimulated" enli(htened and (i$en ri(ht
opportunity to contri*ute to planetary e$olution the indi$idual richness each one contains
in potential& True occult meditation is practiced as a ser$ice to the human race&
Today the soul of humanity is in process of ta)in( control of the personality way of life&
The lon( process leadin( towards the soul5infusion of the race has *een initiated& The
practice of meditation can now ser$e to speed and implement the process within the
planet as a wholeM for while" in the past" cooperation with the planetary meditati$e rhythm
has *een the ser$ice of a pioneerin( few" today it can *ecome a way of life for many&
Creati$e ?editationD a Planetary ,er$ice
The techni%ue of meditation (o$erns all e3pansions of consciousness" includin( the entire
process of e$olutionary de$elopment within the planet& #t is the techni%ue of spiritual
contact and apprehension" the means of furtherin( the e$olution of human intelli(ence"
the capacity to lo$e" and the a*ility to *rin( the personal will into ali(nment with the
di$ine will&
?editation is the sin(le most effecti$e means for transcendin( the *indin(" restricti$e
sense of separateness and isolation which imprison the human consciousness and render
it futile& ?editation is the outstandin( creati$e a(ent upon the planet& The effect of human
meditation at this time is to chan(e conditions" to in$o)e the hi(her spiritual potencies" to
wor) with concentration 5 *oth $ertically and horiBontally 5 within the world of humanity
and within the )in(dom of Cod& This $ertical and horiBontal acti$ity holds the secret of
creati$e meditation&
The intention to *e of ser$ice to humanity is the essential moti$ation for all true creati$e
meditation& E3pansion of the human mind is *ased on the a*ility to lo$e and to ser$e
oneJs fellow human *ein(s& The ultimate result in the consciousness of the indi$idual is
illumination" wisdom and the will5to5(ood" and an e3pandin( a*ility to cooperate in the
creati$e and redempti$e purposes of our planetary life& ?editation as a planetary ser$ice
is *oth practical and effecti$e&
Dan(ers and ,afe(uards of ?editation
The way of meditation is much li)e any other Gourney" in that one follows a path to reach
a (oal& And" as with any path" there are certain pitfalls that may face the tra$eler&
?editation is not harmful in itself" *ut if misused or practiced unwisely" it can create
personal pro*lems for the meditator&
The maGor safe(uard in any course of meditation is simple commonsense" and a *alanced
attitude& Commonsense offsets o$er5Bealousness" fanaticism or a ri(id one5pointed ness"
which can lead to mental or physical strain& With a sense of *alance" one realiBes that
pro(ress in consciousness is a lon( term affair" and that chan(es do not occur o$erni(ht&
This a$oids the disappointment felt *y the neophyte when (reat re$elations do not come
as promptly as desired&
One of the maGor pitfalls of meditation is also one of the *est )nownD the case of
indi$iduals who *ecome so lost in their own su*Gecti$e world that they tend to withdraw
from physical reality& ?editation should lead to a well5rounded life e3pression& Too
much mental strain or o$er5stimulation can *e corrected *y e3pressin( mental
e3periences as physical facts& This mi(ht *e done *y attemptin( to translate oneJs hi(hest
$isions or ideas into some proGect or acti$ity which will *enefit others&
A second possi*le dan(er of meditation lies in emotional o$er5stimulation& ?editation
*rin(s an increased flow of ener(y into the meditatorJs life" which tends to accentuate
*oth positi$e and ne(ati$e %ualities" and to *rin( them to the surface where they can *e
clearly seen& Each meditator is responsi*le for handlin( this (reater ener(y flow& One has
to disco$er oneJs own emotional wea)nesses and endea$or to maintain a *alancin( focus
of attention on the mental plane&
The student of meditation should proceed slowly and cautiously& Anythin( worthwhile
re%uires time and effort& The results that occur from a slow *uildin( process are more
li)ely to endure than the results of wor) done hastily in hope of instant success& The
student should also aim at re(ularity in meditation& Twenty minutesJ wor) daily is worth
more and is safer than four hours of wor) once a month&
The most relia*le safe(uard is to *e found in a life of ser$ice& ?editation *rin(s in ener(y
and inspiration& #f this is not e3pressed throu(h some form of ser$ice" it can result in
con(estion or o$er5stimulation& ,er$ice is the ri(ht use of soul ener(y" $ision and
inspiration&
Croup ?editation
Althou(h meditation may *e(in as a solitary acti$ity" li)e any other field of interest
sooner or later one *ecomes part of a (reater whole from which one deri$es a sense of
meanin( and purpose& Throu(h meditation" one emer(es into a state of consciousness
shared *y others" a state as real a physical e3istence" althou(h characteriBed *y different
types of perception& The meditator finds a community in consciousness" en(a(in( in
(roup meditation&
This does not mean that indi$iduals must wor) to(ether in the same place or e$en at the
same time& The true meetin( place of the (roup is the plane of mind" or the mental plane&
#n metaphysical terms" meditation ta)es place outside time and space" *ut what is
important in (roup meditation is the sense of a common focus and interest" of (roup
attention on the o*Gect of meditation& The indi$iduals who comprise a (roup are united *y
a shared idea and interest" and not so much *y a personal rapport& Croups may wor)
to(ether and meditate on many different su*Gects" *ut the underlyin( theme in (roup wor)
is ser$ice to humanity& #n this way the (roup plays its part within the planetary life&
Croups may wor) to *rin( a*out a (reater li(ht in human affairs and to condition the
su*Gecti$e atmosphere of the planet& They wor) with such ener(ies as li(ht" lo$e and the
will5to5(ood" helpin( to relate these su*Gecti$e ener(ies to daily" physical life& Althou(h
these (roups may *e wor)in( to enli(hten the human en$ironment" they do not use force&
They do not" for instance" attempt to direct ener(y at the mind of some indi$idual or
(roup in an attempt to chan(e or influence them& But they ma)e li(ht a$aila*le" or create
a su*Gecti$e condition where*y an indi$idual or a nation can more easily stand in the li(ht
of its own soul&
Participation in (roup meditation wor) often has side effects on the indi$iduals in$ol$ed&
As one wor)s in (roup meditation" one (radually (ains a (reater insi(ht into oneJs own
affairs" into world affairs" and into the nature of (roup interplay& 4editators develop a
sense of integration with their co:wor,ers, as well as a sense of identity and oneness with
all those who serve humanity. n the process, participants gain a priceless ,nowledge*
they learn from their own e-perience that there is a force for good in the world, that
there is a "lan for human evolution, and that what they do in their own lives and
contribute in service does ma,e a difference.
The Aew Croup of World ,er$ersD
; 4editating and 4ediating <roup
There is a (i(antic (roup meditation (oin( on in differin( phases upon our planet& All the
meditatin( units and reflecti$e (roups are related to each other throu(h their unified
spiritual purpose& That purpose is ser$ice of the Plan for the furtherin( of human
e$olution& #n this meditation" two maGor planetary centers" or (roups" are wor)in( in
concert with the human )in(domD one is the spiritual @ierarchy of the planet and the
other is the new (roup of world ser$ers& The spiritual @ierarchy is )nown *y many
namesM to the Christians it is )nown as Nthe Fin(dom of @ea$en and of CodNM in the East
as the N,ociety of #llumined ?indsN& #t is comprised of those sons of Cod who ha$e
tra$eled further alon( the path of e$olution than the rest of humanity" who ha$e
transcended the limitations of the strictly human state of consciousness" yet who continue
to ser$e humanity and the Plan&
Today a (rowin( num*er of men and women are *ecomin( sensiti$e to the Plan and the
wor)in( for its unfoldment& They are all part of a su*Gecti$ely unified (roup )nown as the
new (roup of world ser$ers& This (roup represents an e$olutionary success& For the first
time in human history" su*stantial num*ers of men and women are reco(niBin( the role
of the human )in(dom in the continuity of life and consciousness on this planet&
@umanity stands as a *rid(in( )in(dom *etween the Fin(dom of Cod and the lower
)in(doms 5 animal" $e(eta*le and mineral 5 and as such fulfills the tas) of di$ine
mediator& The new (roup of world ser$ers mediates *etween the @ierarchy and humanity"
maintainin( a $i*rant and radiant channel throu(h which inspiration can flow& ?em*ers
of the new (roup of world ser$ers consciously accept this responsi*ility for planetary
redemption&
?em*ers of the new (roup of world ser$ers may or may not *e aware of the (roup as a
whole or their place within it& They are lin)ed to(ether *y their lo$e of humanity and *y
their constant endea$or to enhance the human condition" Nthin)in( throu(hN the ideas and
principles to *e (i$en world5wide application& Throu(h the creati$e use of the mind" or
meditation" these men and women are a*le to penetrate into the realm of the soul and
*rin( forth that di$ine ener(y for human use& They percei$e and adapt the Plan for
humanity and aid" *y their meditati$e thou(ht" in producin( practical ideas that will ser$e
the whole human race&
At the heart of this ser$in( (roup stand those indi$iduals who use the techni%ue of occult
meditation to ali(n themsel$es consciously with the @ierarchy and there*y re$eal the
Plan to a needy world& All men and women of (oodwill can ta)e part in this (reat
spiritual transition& Ao matter where an indi$idual may *e" he or she can assist in some
way to create a *etter future and *y so doin(" can *ecome a part of the new (roup of
world ser$ers&
?editation at the Full ?oon
?editation at the time of the full moon is one important form of ser$ice& The full moon
each month is a time of intensified ener(y and of hei(htened spiritual acti$ityM a time of
inspiration" of $ision and insi(ht" and of increased opportunity to ser$e& ?editation at the
time of the full moon is a techni%ue for effecti$e contact with the li(ht and lo$e needed
today in human affairs& At the time of the full moon festi$als" the moon stands on the far
side of the earth" away from the sun& This lea$es a full" direct and unimpeded relationship
*etween the earth and the sun" the source of our life" ener(y and consciousness" sym*olic
of the relationship *etween the human personality and the soul& The time of the full moon
is the hi(h tide of spiritual ener(ies *oth in the planet and in the world of human thin)in(&
Those who choose to ser$e this way underta)e the mental wor) of redemption and
renewal" transformin( and illuminatin( the inner atmosphere of human consciousness& A
su*Gecti$e ali(nment with the planetary (roup of meditatorEs is necessary" in order *oth to
carry forward scientific wor) of the scope" and to protect the indi$idual from possi*le
o$er5stimulation& The participation of people in many nations increases the effecti$eness
of this ser$ice wor) throu(h meditationM the (roup is (reater than the sum of its parts&
The pourin( in of spiritual ener(y at the time of the full moon is au(mented *y the
focused thou(ht of co5operatin( meditatorEs& This has se$eral effectsM it stren(thens the
su*Gecti$e relationship amon( all mem*ers of the human )in(domM it also influences the
relationship *etween humanity and all other )in(doms co5e3istin( on this planet& 'i(ht
human relationships are an indication of ri(ht relations *etween people" and *etween
humanity and CodM this" in turn" clears the way for the emer(ence of a hi(her %uality of
life&
Each month durin( the full moon the sun is ali(ned with one of the twel$e Bodiacal si(ns&
The si(ns indicate the %uality of the su*Gecti$e ener(ies a$aila*le for transmission durin(
that month& #n the annual cycleEs humanity as a whole is e3posed to the full ran(e of
e3perience& These ener(ies and %ualities stimulate the e$olution of human consciousnessM
all Bodiacal ener(ies can *e used *y all indi$iduals&
Conscious wor) with these $arious types of spiritual ener(y *rin(s inspiration and ideas
into the reach of human minds and hearts& ?editation" especially in su*Gecti$e (roup
formation" stimulates a new factor in human awareness 5 a (rowin( spiritual maturity&
This $ast" planetary wor) of world ser$ice contri*utes to the tas) of spiritually ci$iliBin(
planet Earth&
The ,i3fold Pro(ression of Di$ine -o$e
The science of meditation is *ased on wor) with su*Gecti$e ener(ies& The s)illed
meditator is a*le to cooperate in meditation with others in distri*utin( such ener(ies
where they are most needed throu(h the power of thou(ht& The primary ener(y
underlyin( all life on this planet is the ener(y of lo$e radiatin( from Cod" or the One in
Whom we li$e and mo$e and ha$e our *ein(&
Just as the human heart*eat sets the rhythm *y which *lood circulates throu(h the *ody"
the ener(y of lo$e flows throu(h life with its own rate and rhythm& #n the case of our
planet earth" the e** and flow of lo$e from the heart of the sun is indicated *y the cycles
of the moon& The time of the full moon is the hi(h tide of the planetary flow simply
*ecause the moon is out of the wayM it is directly opposite the sun& Durin( the period of
the full moon e$eryone can participate more fully in the flow of di$ine lo$e while the
ener(y flow is at its pea)& Each full moon ma)es it possi*le to *ecome a conscious part of
a (reat planetary process 5 the sweepin( tide of ener(y )nown as the si3fold pro(ression
of di$ine lo$e&
This pro(ression *e(ins sym*olically in the planetary head centre ,ham*alla!" the centre
of planetary purpose and will" the centre where the will5to5(ood ori(inates& This will5to5
(ood is transmitted as essential lo$e& From the planetary head centre the stream of lo$e
mo$es to the planetary heart" the spiritual @ierarchy& The @ierarchy is the Fin(dom of
,ouls" the fifth )in(dom in nature or the Fin(dom of Cod& #t is comprised of those who
ha$e passed *eyond the strictly human sta(e of e$olution to what mi(ht *e considered the
superhuman sta(e& The @ierarchy is the repository of planetary lo$e and wisdom and
formulates the Plan of li(ht and lo$e which implements CodJs Purpose and draws
humanity forward&
As the flow of lo$e reaches the @ierarchy it is focused into a sin(le point 5 the heart of
lo$e within the @ierarchy" the Christ& This is the li$in( Christ" Nthe teacher of an(els and
menN" the eldest within that (reat family of *rothers" humanity& The Christ" standin( as
the head of the spiritual @ierarchy" is the same (reat Teacher who is )nown *y many
different names in the maGor world reli(ions&
From the Christ" the stream of di$ine lo$e flows into the new (roup of world ser$ers" a
(roup of su*Gecti$ely lin)ed indi$iduals wor)in( in their own place and way to em*ody
the li(ht and lo$e needed in the world today& This (roup of ser$ers transmits the flow of
li(ht and lo$es into the hearts of men and women of (oodwill e$erywhere 5 those who are
responsi$e to lo$e and to the idea of ri(ht human relations&
The flow of lo$e finally emer(es into physical e3pression *y means of $arious focal
points throu(h which the Christ can wor)& A focal point mi(ht *e" for e3ample" a maGor
planetary centre such as Aew .or)" -ondon or Cene$a" or a si(nificant world
or(aniBation such as the United Aations&
This is the si3fold pro(ression of di$ine lo$e underlyin( all meditation& From the centre
where the will of Cod is )nown" throu(h the spiritual @ierarchy of the planet" throu(h the
point at the heart of the @ierarchy" the Christ" from the Christ throu(h the new (roup of
world ser$ers who" in their turn" direct it towards the men and women of (oodwill all
o$er the world" and then into human acti$ities on the outer physical plane of life&
E$eryone is a part of this li$in( process& Anyone can *ecome a conscious participant in
this flow of lo$e" in this su*Gecti$e planetary reality which underlies the outer world of
affairs&
Occult ?editationD A ,ample
There are essentially two types of meditation 5 mystical and occult& And *oth of these
differentiate into $arious meditation techni%ues&
?ystical forms of meditation depend lar(ely upon an acti$e feelin( nature and an intense
desire for spiritual unionM or for some personal spiritual e3perience& This type of
meditation tends to *e introspecti$e and self5centered&
Occult meditation" on the other hand" *uilds upon whate$er mystical e3perience may
ha$e occurred" ta)in( the whole idea of meditation a step further& The (oal is no lon(er
personal illumination and inspiration" *ut the ri(ht use of the meditati$e techni%ue to
ser$e in the upliftment and the transformation of the human )in(dom and the world in
which we li$e& Occult meditation is a method of cooperatin( with the process of
planetary e$olution and planetary redemption&
Today" when so much nonsense and inaccuracies are attri*uted to the term NoccultN" it is
useful to *ear in mind one simple definition& Occultism is the science of ener(y flow and
ener(y relationships& Occult meditation is a means of consciously and purposefully
directin( ener(y from a reco(niBed source to the creation of some specific effect&
#t is" of course" %uite possi*le to meditate for selfish" personal (oalsM to ac%uire a facility
in contactin( sources of powerful ener(ies and to utiliBe those ener(ies for oneJs own
ends" material or su*tle& Ener(y per se is impersonal& #t can *e used for (ood or e$il ends&
The moti$ation of each indi$idual is the determinin( factor& And if we see) in meditation
to channel the ener(ies of li(ht and lo$e and the will5to5(ood" these carry their own
safe(uards from misuse&
The most powerful ener(y a$aila*le to us at the present time is that of lo$e& The $ery
nature of lo$e is selfless and harmless& #f the inherent %ualities of the ener(ies we recei$e
in meditation are not also a part of the %uality of the meditator" those ener(ies cannot *e
safely and effecti$ely transmitted& ThereJs a *loc)a(e" a hindrance" in the channel of
ener(y transmission which pre$ents or deflects the flow of ener(y and a*orts its true
usefulness& Effecti$e occult meditation depends on the %uality" the moti$e" the state of
consciousness" the spiritual status and the defined purpose of the meditator&
Occult meditation is a mental acti$ity" re%uirin( a condition of ali(nment" or at5one5ment"
*etween the three aspects of the mindD the lower or concrete mind" the soul" and the
hi(her or a*stract mind& This ali(nment inte(rates all three aspects of the indi$idual
meditator 5 spirit" soul and *ody 5 ma)in( a$aila*le to him+her the spiritual resources of
life, consciousness and form.
.y way of this alignment the meditator is also united with the life principle in all things
within the planet, and with the soul or consciousness of all manifestation. 3hus,
alignment is dual= vertical and hori>ontal. ;nd this creates the basic form of all truly
spiritual occult meditation. 3oday, the most effective type of occult meditation is called
?a@a 0oga, the ",ingly science of the soul". 0oga is a disciplined way of achieving union
or alignment, and a measure of control on some plane of consciousness. ?a@a 0oga uses
the creative imagination, the art of visuali>ation and the use of a seed thought to e-ercise
and e-pand the mind into the world of meaning and significance. t is in becoming aware
of life!s meaning and significance that we train ourselves to function fully as souls in
incarnation.
?a@a 0oga is for the spiritually awa,ened individual intent on the right application of all
available energy and resources. ; typical form of ?a@a 0oga method of occult meditation
might run something li,e this*
Airst, find a time and a place where the wor, can be done without interruption or
distraction. )arly in the morning is the best time, before the mind becomes preoccupied
with the mundane affairs of the day. ;nd daily regularity is important.
5it in a straight:bac,ed chair with the spine erect, yet with the body comfortable and
rela-ed. Aold the hands lightly in the lap and cross the an,les. 3a,e a few slow, deep
breaths while you empty out of the consciousness any personal matter that tends to cause
an-iety or distract attention.
Lift the consciousness, through the creative imagination, to a focal point outside and
above the top of the head. 5ee this as the lower mind, the analytical, critical mind, stilled
and quiescent, a quiet pool of light. "ro@ect a line of light upwards to the soul centre,
seeing the soul as a brilliant sun, a radiant source of energy. 3his is the real spiritual
self.
Bisuali>e a further pro@ection of the line of light towards the higher or abstract mind, the
lowest aspect of the divine 5elf. /old that lighted alignment in the imagination and by
visuali>ation. 3his should only ta,e a few minutes.
"ause for a moment of interlude, aware of the light and energy of the soul as the central
point in consciousness. 3hen, holding the mind steady in the light, meditate for a few
minutes on a seed thought, for e-ample, "Let the soul control the outer form and life and
all events. Let love prevail. Let all men love".
)-amine the words first with the analytical mind, and then see, to penetrate to the real
inner meaning. +hat would it mean if the soul were in control of all life on earth, and if
love were the energy relating all human beings7
3hen visuali>e the flow and precipitation of energy throughout the planet from the
highest point of divine life to its lowest point of physical manifestation.
"ause for a few moments of reflection on the ways and means of wor,ing out the energies
of light and love in all areas of human life, in all parts of the world.
Ainally, acting as a channel for the transmission of energy and as an act of service to
humanity, pour out the energies released during the meditation process. 1se the <reat
nvocation to visuali>e light and love and power irradiating and inspiring human
consciousness*
From the point of -i(ht within the ?ind of Cod
-et li(ht stream forth into the minds of men&
-et -i(ht descend on Earth&
From the point of -o$e within the @eart of Cod
-et lo$e stream forth into the hearts of men&
?ay Christ return to Earth&
From the centre where the Will of Cod is )nown
-et Purpose (uide the little wills of men 5
The purpose which the ?asters )now and ser$e&
From the centre which we call the race of men
-et the Plan of -o$e and -i(ht wor) out
And may it seal the door where e$il dwells&
-et -i(ht and -o$e and Power restore the Plan on Earth&
O? O? O?
Ener(y @ealin( ?editation
#n this simple healin( meditation" you send the powerful healin( -ife Force directly to
the area in need of help& This -ife Force is the ener(y *ehind all healin(& Where$er this
ener(y is flowin( and in *alance" there is health and well *ein(& Where$er this ener(y is
*loc)ed or out of *alance" illness manifests&
$teps of Energy Healing %editation
/& ,it reasona*ly strai(ht and close your eyes&
6& Breath slowly" as silently as possi*le&
9& As you inhale" feel yourself *reathin( the healin( -ife Force in
throu(h your solar ple3us& Picture this -ife Force as a $ery refined"
li(ht ener(y&
>& As you e3hale" (ently direct this li(ht
ener(y to the afflicted area& #f there is not a
specific ailin( area" disperse this li(ht
ener(y throu(hout your *ody as you e3hale&
<& Continue until you feel the area has
recei$ed enou(h -ife Force&
'E-AZAT#OA ?ED#TAT#OA
This remar)a*ly easy and rela3in( meditation ma)es use of a little5)nown secret a*out
the eyes& Allowin( the eyes to rest in a soft downward (aBe has an instant" automatic
rela3in( effect&
,teps of 'ela3ation ?editation
,it comforta*ly with your spine reasona*ly strai(ht&
Allow your eyes to rest comforta*ly downward" (aBin( softly" *ut not focused on
anythin(&
Without closin( your eyes completely" let your eyelids drop to a le$el that feels most
comforta*le&
Continue (aBin( downward&&& the act of (aBin( is your primary focus rather than the area
at which you are (aBin(!& .ou may notice your *reathin( *ecomin( more rhythmic&
#tJs o) to let your attention drift a *it& #f your eyes *ecome $ery hea$y" itJs o) to let them
close& #f you notice youJ$e come out of your rela3ed space" simply *rin( your attention
*ac) to your rela3ed downward (aBe&
Color @ealin( ?editation
We are not Gust our physical sel$es& We are multi5dimensional *ein(s" composed of an
#nner ,pirit" a mental *ody" an emotional *ody" a $ital *ody" and a physical *ody&
The ener(y of these *odies *ecomes pro(ressi$ely su*tler from physical to spiritual&
#llness *e(ins with disharmony in one of these ener(y *odies& #f not harmoniBed" the dis5
ease mo$es outward" affectin( the denser *odies" ultimately manifestin( as physical
illness&
Total healin( re%uires restorin( harmony to all of our *odies& This meditation is desi(ned
to cleanse and harmoniBe your $arious *odies with the healin( ener(ies of color&
,teps of Color @ealin( ?editation
,it comforta*ly with your eyes closed&
1isualiBe a lar(e *all of radiant Colden li(ht a few inches o$er your head& 1isualiBe that
*all of li(ht slowly descendin( throu(h your crown" fillin( your entire *ein( with (olden
li(ht&
#ma(ine yourself a*sor*in( that li(ht as it nourishes" cleanses ^ heals your whole *ein( 5
your ,pirit and all of your *odies 5 dissol$in( all *loc)ed and to3ic ener(ies&
'epeat this e3ercise" $isualiBin( a *all of 'ed li(ht& Continue throu(h the entire spectrum
li)e this" $isualiBin( a *all of Oran(e li(htM .ellow li(htM Creen li(htM Blue li(htM #ndi(o
li(htM and 1iolet li(ht& Co throu(h the spectrum at whate$er pace feels appropriate&
Ta)e some time to $isualiBe yourself in a state of perfect" radiant health&
#nner -i(ht ?editation
This is a meditation for connectin( you with your #nner ,pirit&&&& your essence or core
,elf& #t uses the li(ht that is already within you as an o*Gect of focus& #tJs a fairly simple
meditation" *ut is %uite powerful" and potentially $ery deep&
,teps of #nner -i(ht ?editation
,it comforta*ly with your eyes closed&
-oo) at the NscreenN that fills the space *ehind your closed eyelids&
There will *e particles" ima(es" or patterns of li(ht on this screen& Consider anythin( that
is not pure dar)ness to *e a form of li(ht&! Cently focus your attention on the li(ht&
DonJt try to create or interpret ima(es& DonJt attempt to focus clearly& ,imply loo) at the
li(ht with rela3ed attention&
#f you feel as thou(h your consciousness is shiftin(" or you are slippin( into a dreamli)e
state" allow it to happen& Whate$er you e3perience is o)&
#f you find you ha$e drifted off into your thou(hts" simply *rin( your attention *ac) to
the li(ht&
?indfulness ?editation
The followin( meditation is said to *e the meditation tau(ht *y Cautama Buddha a*out
6<77 years a(o&
The primary focus is your *reathin(& @owe$er" the primary (oal is maintainin( a calm"
non5Gud(in( awareness" allowin( thou(hts" feelin(s" and sensations to come and (o
without (ettin( enmeshed in them& This calm" acceptin(" spacious awareness is your Core
,elf&&& your Essence&
,teps of ?indfulness ?editation
,it comforta*ly" with your eyes closed" your spine reasona*ly strai(ht&
-et your attention rest on your *reathin(&
When thou(hts" emotions" physical sensations" or e3ternal sounds arise" simply
ac)nowled(e and accept them" allowin( them to pass throu(h without Gud(in( or (ettin(
in$ol$ed with them&
When you notice your attention has (otten en(a(ed in thou(hts" emotions" or sensations"
*rin( it *ac) to your *reathin( and continue&
Centerin( 'oom
Centerin( is meditation in action&&& stayin( in the -i(ht& Centerin( means remainin( in
your calm inner center amidst the clamor of e$eryday life& Bein( centered means not
allowin( your #nner -i(ht to *e o$ershadowed *y stressful circumstances or ne(ati$e
thou(hts and emotions&
When you are centered you are in a state of clarity" peace" and *alance& When you are not
centered" you are unclear" stressed" off *alance&
A (ood centerin( techni%ue will re%uire only minimal attention" allowin( you to )eep the
maGority of your attention on the acti$ity at hand& @ere are some $ery easy" $ery effecti$e
centerin( techni%ues&
Breath Awareness `/
While in$ol$ed in whate$er you are doin(" *rin( some attention to your *reathin(&&& not
your full attention&&& Gust enou(h to *rin( you *ac) to your calm center& Breathe a little
more slowly and deeply&
Breath Awareness `6
When feelin( stressed" ta)e se$eral slow" deep *reaths& With each in5*reath" ima(ine you
are pullin( all of your scattered ener(y and attention *ac) to your ,elf&&& your calm inner
center& As you e3hale" let (o of all stress and ne(ati$ity&
#nner ,un
1isualiBe a *ri(ht sun fillin( your heart cha)ra&&& the %uiet" su*tle ener(y field that
permeates your chest area& #ma(ine the rest of your ener(y field as clear *lue s)y& When
stressed thou(hts or emotions arise" $iew them as clouds floatin( in that s)y&
B uddhist %editation for Jedi
#A,#C@T ?ED#TAT#OA OA ,TATE, OF ?#AD
Be mindful and conscious of the @ere and Aow&
Be aware of the state of mind" calm or restless" focused or wanderin(" clear or cloudy"
alert or dull" without desire or with desire" positi$e or ne(ati$e" (rounded or fli(hty&
Witness the state of mind risin(" stayin( and passin( in consciousness& Aotice times of
pure o*ser$ation of the state of mind and times of *ein( lost in the state of mind&
'e(ard any state of mind as the opportunity for NselfN learnin( and insi(ht into inner life&
Witness a thou(ht" opinion or Gud(ment Gust as that& Fnow the difference *etween
thou(hts supported with wisdom and unwholesome thou(hts&
,ee the mind as *elon(in( to a process& O*ser$e the presence of the moti$ation and use
of N#N and NmyN in the unfoldin( states of mind&
Be aware that an e3perience forms throu(h conditions" not throu(h choices&
Be aware of the inter5dependence of e$ents" feelin(s" perceptions and consciousness
formin( the state of the mind&
-earn to e3plore the depths of meditation and reli(ious e3periences& ,ee such e3periences
as the opportunity for insi(ht and realiBation&
By not holdin( onto any e3perience the heart5mind does not *ecome the centre of
e3istence& 'ealiBe li*eration and the free mind&
#A,#C@T ?ED#TAT#OA OA C@O#CE-E,, AWA'EAE,,
Fnow that contact with the world throu(h si(ht" sound" smell" taste and touch&
E3perience the senses without desire to fi3 or su*stantiate anythin(&
A*ide with choice less awareness thou(h e3periencin( a deep sense of intimacy with all
thin(s&
Aeither indul(in( in memories" nor pursin( future dreams" nor loo)in( for somethin( to
happen in the present&
Aot choosin( to focus on the personal or impersonal" unity or di$ersity" the static or
e$olution 5 since all positions refer to sentient and insentient o*Gects&
Allow oneJs whole *ein( to rest in this choice less awareness&
Allow claims and possessi$eness o$er e3istence to fade away&
Permit a palpa*ly transformin( silence and stillness to per$ade oneJs *ein(&
#n this choice less awareness" there is nowhere to (o" to stay or to come from& Em*race
the three fields of time" past" present and future&
'ealiBe the Emptiness of claims on thin(s" e3perience or on relati$e or Ultimate Truth&
#n this recepti$ity" re(ard any li*eratin( insi(ht into the Ultimate Truth as e3pressions of
Truth rather than fruits of NselfN effort&
-O1#AC F#ADAE,, ?ED#TAT#OA ?ETTA!
Be rela3ed and comforta*le& Close the eyes and access a warm" carin(" lo$in(
heartfulness towards life&
Be aware of the a*sence of ill will" desire to hurt or hate in the heart so that one
e3periences an authentic )indness and compassion towards one and all&
Cenerate this warmth to those who are in the immediate $icinity and far away&
De$elop this meditation so that )indness of the heart *ecomes firm and steady despite the
$icissitudes of e3istence&
?ay my teachers" community" lo$ed ones" friends and contacts *e free from sufferin( and
pain&
?ay my mother and father *e free from sufferin( and pain&
?ay my *rothers" sisters and relati$es *e free from sufferin( and pain&
?ay people appreciate their inter5dependence with each other and their en$ironment&
?ay animals and creatures in the earth" on the (round" in the air and under water li$e in
safety and security&
?ay # a*ide with a warm heart" clear mind and *e free from pain&
?ay my daily acti$ities throu(h *ody" speech" heart and mind contri*ute to the
contentment" healin( and insi(hts of others&
?ay # find the resources for the welfare of others& ?ay # *e willin( to ta)e ris)s for their
well5*ein(&
?ay all *ein(s )now happiness&
?ay all *ein(s )now lo$e&
?ay all *ein(s *e wisely supported&
?ay all *ein(s *e free&
?ay all *ein(s e3perience awa)enin(&
A Daily ?editation
-oo) around your home and find what you feel is the *est spot for re(ular meditation&
Place the items that you feel would *e supporti$e for that place& A mat" sacred o*Gect" a
flower" a candle" a small *ell or Gust a chair" or meditation cushion& To *e(in the
meditation" play some meditati$e music& 'ead out loud from a *oo) that you appreciate
Play an e3tract from a taped tal) on meditation or spiritual teachin(s
Brin( your mindfulness to the *reathin(& Practice initially for /< minutes and e3tend your
daily meditation times& Up to >< minutes&
.ou can practice once a day" twice a day" mornin( and e$enin("
# am *reathin( in
# am *reathin( out
# am *reathin( in a lon( *reath
# am *reathin( out a lon( *reath
# am aware of the *reath as it comes into my *ody
# am aware of the *reath as it lea$es my *ody
# am aware of the in *reath as it enters my nose
# am aware of the in5*reath as it (oes into my lun(s
# am aware of the finish of the in *reath
# am aware of the out *reath as it departs from my nose
# am aware of the out *reath as it departs from my lun(s
# am aware of the finish of the out *reath
# am aware of the moment s! *efore the ne3t in *reath comes in
# am aware of the comin( of the *reath
# am aware of the (oin( of the *reath
?editation on Compassion
# do not ha$e to loo) $ery far to seein( sufferin( in this world&
# )now that pity is not the same as compassion&
Compassion calls me to respond" to offer words" (estures" (ifts&
Compassion demands somethin( from my lo$e" from concern&
# cannot i(nore what # )now&
# can only respond as *est # can&
# am not perfect&
# am not a Buddha or a Christ
.et" # can respond&
# can offer somethin(
# can share somethin(
# can e3press somethin( that re$eals a compassionate concern&
# )now that my (estures for others are as nothin(
compared to the sufferin( in the world&
.et" # act anyway"
ne$er e3pectin( anythin( in return
)nowin( that it is a small to)en
*ut these (estures of lo$e
re(ularly e3pressed re$eal my humanity
Ta)e the power out of selfishness
#n addition" show that we are all connected
all in this we* of life to(ether&
?editation on A*sence Of
,ometimes we (et stuc) with $iews a*out oursel$es that are untrue" unfair and as a result
we place oursel$es in the worst possi*le li(ht& Others also do that when they ma)e harsh
(eneraliBations a*out us& This meditation ser$es to remind us of the a*sence of $iews
manifestin( towards others or oursel$es as Nalways"N Nne$erN NonlyN etc& This meditation
ma)es clear to us the lac) of inherent truth to the tendency to put others or oursel$es
down due to identifyin( oursel$es with such thou(hts or thou(hts of others& We *ecome
much more mindful of *are actuality& We practice these meditations when there is
nothin( in particular (oin( on in our mind&
'i(ht now" # e3perience the a*sence of any an(er
'i(ht now" # am not cau(ht up in the Gud(mental mind
'i(ht now" # am not *lamin( myself
'i(ht now" # am not *lamin( anyone else
'i(ht now" # )now the impermanence of my ne(ati$e $iews
'i(ht now" # )now the impermanence of the harsh critic within myself
'i(ht now" # )now how false it is to say NalwaysN Nne$erN NonlyN
# am mindful of the a*sence of unpleasant states of mind
# am mindful of not *ein( in conflict with others or myself
# am mindful of the a*sence of intense thou(hts and ideas
# am mindful of feelin( cool inside and not *urnin( up
# am mindful of the a*sence of fi3ations a*out anythin(
# am mindful of the a*sence of tryin( to use my will power
# am mindful that this trou*lesome mind state
Came and went li)e a dream&
?ED#TAT#OA OA @APP#AE,,
There are meditations for each chapter& ,it with a strai(ht *ac) in a %uiet place& ,lowly
and mindfully read the meditation and then spend se$eral minutes silently a*sor*in( the
readin(& Then read slowly throu(h a(ain at the end of the meditation& 'epeat as often as it
feels appropriate&
Ci$e 67 minutes to this meditation and then (radually e3pand the period of time o$er
days or wee)s& .ou can always tape this meditation or any of the others and listen to it in
formal meditation times& .ou can adapt the lan(ua(e of these meditations to suit what
feels appropriate to you& Always ma)e sure that you use precise lan(ua(e" not emoti$e
lan(ua(e that can wor) a(ainst insi(ht and understandin(&
# am rela3in( on the in*reath& # am rela3in( on the out*reath
# am e3tra mindful of my out*reath when my mind easily wanders
# am rela3in( on the out*reath
# am stayin( upri(ht while allowin( the mind to rest in the *ody
# am allowin( the *rain cells to *ecome %uiet to feel harmony
Of the mind with the *ody&
# feel happy that # am mindfully *reathin( in
# feel happy that # am mindfully *reathin( out
# feel happy to ha$e this opportunity to *e still
# feel happy to ha$e this opportunity to *e silent
# feel happy to ha$e this opportunity to *e here and now
# feel happy to *e ali$e&
'i(ht now" there is nothin( that # want
'i(ht now" there is nothin( that # ha$e to pursue
'i(ht now" # am happy to *reathe in
'i(ht now" # am happy to *reathe out&
'i(ht now" there is nothin( to add to this moment
'i(ht now" there is nothin( to su*tract from this moment
'i(ht now" # am happy *reathin( in
'i(ht now" # am happy *reathin( out&
?editation for @ealin(
.e in a comfortable posture whether sitting or reclining
# am aware of the *ody as a li$in( or(anism
# am aware of the *ody from head to toes
As a collection of sensations" $i*rations and pulsations
,ome of these sensations are comforta*le
,howin( no si(n of difficulty for my mind
Other sensations are unpleasant" uncomforta*le" and painful
# want them to (o away
But they lin(er chan(in( from time to time
-et me not fi(ht these painful sensations
-et me not put pressure on myself
-et me de$elop patience with the process
For # ha$e no choice in the matter
-et me remem*er to *reathe when # need to remem*er
To *e e$en5minded when # need to *e
And e$en to smile at my helplessness
#t is in circumstances li)e these that # must respond
To what # can respond to
And surrender what # must surrender to&
?editation on Acceptance
#f you are feelin( restless" confused not )nowin( where to turn" try to slow down
,it in a chair" strai(hten the *ac)" )eep the eyes open and de$elop a practice of settlin(
into the moment& #f you are feelin( too restless to sit in a chair" then wal) up and down"
indoors or outdoors or let the *ody (ently sway with *oth feet firmly on the (round&
?ay # *reathe in and out mindfully three times to settle down
?ay # *reathe in and out deeply to let the wa$es of a(itation (et less and less
?ay # accept that thin(s do not always (o as # would wish
?ay # accept that # am (oin( throu(h a hard time
?ay # accept that $arious impulses are arisin( from within
?ay # accept that they are arisin( to pass
?ay # accept that there are these difficulties
?ay # respond to the resources a$aila*le at this time
?ay # find peace of mind soon
?ay # find the clarity that lies *eneath these wa$es of unrest
?ay this meditation and my heartJs wish contri*ute to the wisdom of acceptance&&
?editation on #mpermanence
This is a formal meditation practice so that the understandin( of impermanence runs deep
into the mind& We practice to o*ser$e chan(e whether it is the *reath comin( and (oin("
*ody sensations comin( and (oin(" e3periences and thou(hts comin( and (oin(& #t is
meditation practice of sustainin( awareness of chan(e& We a*ide as steady as our
meditation allows *ein( clear a*out impermanence& This meditation reminds us that
nothin( is worth clin(in( to or *ein( possessi$e a*out due to chan(e&
# am mindful of the moment to moment chan(es of the *ody
# am mindful of the moment to moment chan(es in the mind and *ody
# am mindful of the moment to moment chan(es in the feelin(s
# am mindful of the chan(in( painful sensations in the *ody
# am mindful of the chan(in( painful e3periences in the heart and mind
# am mindful of the chan(in( pleasura*le and neutral e3periences
# am mindful of my e3istence that is su*Gect to *irth" a(ein(" pain and death
,eein( impermanence reminds me not to clin( to anyone
,eein( impermanence reminds me not to (rasp onto anyone
,eein( impermanence reminds me not to *e possessi$e around anyone or anythin(
,eein( impermanence reminds me to )eep in touch with this unfoldin( world
,eein( impermanence reminds me that what arises will pass
To a*ide in freedom means not clin(in(" not (raspin(" not *ein( possessi$e
?ay # li$e wisely in the face of impermanence
?ay # respond wisely to impermanence&
?editation on Appreciati$e Joy
There is much to appreciate in life
that touches a profound place of Goy&
#t would *e a pity to i(nore
the daily miracles of e3istence"
to ne(lect access to appreciati$e Goy&
E$en the sun arisin( in the mornin(
is e3traordinary" the *urstin( forth of flowers
and the Gourney of *irds across the s)y
a*o$e the towns and fields across the landscape&
Appreciati$e Goy re$eals throu(h awe and wonder
throu(h children playin( in the par)
and the une3pected telephone call from an old friend
We ha$e much to *e happy a*out"
?uch to mar$el o$er&
Often much more in the inconse%uential than in the conse%uential
-et us stop still for a few moments
,o that we can a*sor* the wonders of the moment
#ndoors or outdoors" home or away
-et us dwell upon the undyin( presence at the heart
of thin(s" so our *ein( )nows mystery
at the root of our e3perience&
#t doesnJt ta)e a lot to wa)e up
only an e3tra commitment to our eyes and ears
that contri*utes to )nowin( the deeper intimacies
of an e3celled e3posure to the nature of thin(s&
?ED#TAT#OA OA -#BE'AT#OA
Use the upri(ht sittin( posture to read slowly throu(h the followin( meditation&
-i*eration and inner Goy show the consummation of li$in( wisely& There is a path for
li$in( wisely and there are the profound fruits of the path&
-i*eration stands *eyond all circumstances
Ao*ody can (i$e it" no*ody can ta)e it away
-i*eration does not reside in any particular place
nor found throu(h any particular method" reli(ion or philosophy
#t does not depend on such thin(s
For its a*idin( presence in our li$es&
-et me meditate on this deeply
-et insi(hts flow out of my *ein(
,o that # can )now what sa(es
Of past and present )now
Who ha$e dissol$ed the sufferin(s and sorrows
Associated with this world
And a*ide easily with a freedom of spirit
That )nows no limits
'e(ardless of e$ents that unfolds in this world&
-et me aspire to realiBe this priceless and immeasura*le freedom
,o that my self does *ecome the measure of all thin(s
Aor my thou(hts and words *ecome thic)enin( $iews
#n this $ast freedom" # will )now throu(h my e3perience
?y life fits in easily with somethin( much (reater&
?editation on ,er$ice
# re(ard ser$ice as the no*lest form of human acti$ity
#t means puttin( aside my own interests
,o that # offer support to the world of others
Ao matter what their circumstances
#t will *e a hard road" this road of ser$ice
There is no retirement from it
#t si(nals the si(n of a worthwhile life
With the necessity to (enerate time
For inner renewal as a mar) of ser$ice for oneself&
There is somethin( no*le a*out deep reflection
that *enefits others that *enefit animals and the Earth itself&
# may not see the results in my lifetime&
,o # ha$e no need to loo) for them
#nstead" # will rely upon the %uality and commitment
of the intention and ma)e that the priority&
Praise and *lame may come for pro$idin( a ser$ice to others
.et" # will %uietly remain focused on the intention
)nowin( that there is no wish to cause harm or sufferin(
to others&
?editation on Aot5,elf
?ay awareness o*ser$e clearly whene$er the e(o arises
?ay awareness o*ser$e clearly whene$er the # arises
?ay awareness see clearly when the notion of me arises
?ay awareness see clearly when the notion of my arises
?ay # *e free from tryin( to *uild up my sense of self
?ay # *e free from puttin( down my sense of self
,o that # respond with wisdom to e$ents
'ather than *ein( trapped in reactions to the self
?ay inner awareness re$eal a spaciousness around all e$ents
?ay this awareness accommodate all # call Nmy life&N
?ay this awareness see feelin(s as feelin(s" not as myself
?ay this awareness see thou(hts as thou(hts" not as myself
?ay this awareness see perceptions as perceptions" not as myself
?ay this awareness see states of mind as states of mind" not as myself
?ay this awareness see the condition of *ody as the condition of *ody" not as myself&
,o" that wisdom a*ides in the face of the inter5action of mind and *ody&
,tudents of the Force
Attachment
Danger of the Aorce
3he e-ample below is from a man!s "OB, because a man wrote the lessons. 3his does not
mean women cannot be Cedi, it is @ust the perspective of the author.
Attachment is somethin( most humans are o*li$ious to" and e$en those who understand it
seldom feel they ha$e such an ailment& They thin) attachment is synonymous with
o*session" when in fact" they are far from the same thin(& Attachment is holdin( any
personal ties at all" and for a Jedi" such ties are often $ery dan(erous& As anyone that has
*een around more than a wee) )nows" all thin(s die& )ven stars burn out" a (reat Jedi
once told his apprentice& The Jedi )now this" and throu(h it" they learn to let (o& Friends"
family" e$en enemies& #f they do not let (o of them" then the memories *rin( pain" and the
pain *rin(s the Jedi out of *alance& A Jedi cannot *e centered and open to the Force is
they are constantly out of *alance *ecause of their emotions& The Force (i$es us emotions
to understand the world around us" not to *e controlled *y them& An emotional hand
cannot touch the Force" only its shadow&
Attachment" possession" o*session&&&they are all thin(s that a Jedi should steer clear from
in life" and definitely stay away from when trainin(& The trainin( you all are underta)in(
is $ery difficult alone& Compoundin( it with emotional attachments only does to redou*le
its difficulty& Trainin( in the Jedi Arts helps the student let (o of their e(o" and of their
self& #nstead" they learn that their sense of self is only a shell&&&a prison )eepin( their inner
self at *ay& When a student loo)s deep inside themsel$es" they can feel this truer" inner
self&&&and they no lon(er )now who they see in the mirror& This is a normal step for any
student" and it chan(es your outloo) on many thin(s&
Aow" ima(ine underta)in( their trainin( with an attachment of" say" a (irlfriend& This
trainin( will *e Gust as hard" or harder" for her then it will e$er *e for you& .ou are
chan(in(" and you want this chan(e& .ou want to *e the Jedi you see in the inner most
re(ions of your soul& .ou want to reco(niBe the face in the mirror& @owe$er" your
(irlfriend li)es you for who you are when you start the trainin(& This is not to say she will
not care for the Jedi you will *ecome Gust as e%ually" *ut your chan(es will far eclipse
that of hers if she is not in trainin( as well& And if this other half does not appro$e of the
trainin( you are underta)in(" you will refle3i$ely try to hide it from her& .ou will try to
*e yourself around her" and that will not totally wor)& ,he will see your chan(es" *ut not
as %uic)ly& When you re$ert to your old ha*its around this person" one day of old ha*its
can undo three days of tryin( to form new ones& .ou are comforta*le *ein( the old you"
and especially around her& .ou will do what you must to maintain that attachment at all
costs" e$en if it costs you all the hard wor) you ha$e done in your trainin(& This is why a
Jedi must ha$e detachment&&&*ecause all thin(s die& E$en stars *urn out&
Wal)in( the Jedi Way
Wal)in( the Path Alone
We are Jedi& We are mem*ers of a sect of esoteric hermits& We may *e tryin( to come
to(ether in one community" *ut *y the loo)s of it" that is not happenin( $ery %uic)ly& #t
may not happen in our lifetimes& #t may not happen at all& The thin( we" as Jedi" must
realiBe" is that we are truly solitary creatures&
# left e$eryone to their own de$ices for three months" and # came *ac) with this
announcement& # did it so that you mi(ht see that no matter where you are" what you are
doin(" or who you are trainin( under" you are alone& Thus is the nature of the Jedi Path&
We do not ma)e emotional ties" so that cuts out a family life pretty effecti$ely& We do
not spend enou(h time with any one person to *efriend them and ne(lect others who
mi(ht need us& That ta)es away a social life&
All in all" we ha$e nothin( *ut oursel$es and the Force& 'i(ht now" we ha$e this school
as well" and one another& That may chan(e tomorrow& This site mi(ht Gust disappear" or
the internet mi(ht totally crash& Aeither are li)ely" *ut *oth could happen& ,o" we must
continue trainin(& We must continue li$in( the life" and *ein( the Jedi we are inside& We
must remem*er to meditate e$ery ni(ht" and listen to the Force at all times& We must
learn to )eep oursel$es distant from who we are" or we will lose our ear to the Force" and
will fall *ac) into the (rind of e$ery other person on this planet&
Do not feel that there are other Jedi trainin(" so you can rela3 a little" *ecause they are
here to help li(hten the load& Just as you do not )now what a person loo)s li)e" or how
they sound o$er the internet" you also do not )now if they are doin( what they say they
are doin(& Trust no one aside from yourself and the Force& Trust me to teach you the
ways of the Force" *ut donJt e$en do that totally& # ha$e *een around a decade teachin("
*ut # can (et stuff wron(& Do not trust e$erythin( # say *lindly" *ut on the same to)en" do
not trust anyone elseJs stuff so *lindly you are not open to hear what # say&
'emem*er" in the end" we are one Jedi a(ainst the rest of the world& Just one person"
trained in the Jedi Arts" pitted a(ainst the e$il of the world& #t is truly amaBin( what one
person can do& Do that" and you will ne$er fail at anythin(" and you will *e (reat Jedi&
Trustin( in the Force vs. Actin( of the Force
There is a difference in trustin( in the Force and actin( of the Force& ,orry" (uys&&&it (ets
more complicated& Trustin( in the Force" that is the first step& One will ne$er *e a*le to
touch the Force unless they ha$e trust in it& That act of trust is the only way to e$er find
peace in and+or with the Force itself&
Actin( of the ForceJs Will is much more difficult& To (i$e yourself totally o$er to the
Force" and allow it to control e$erythin( a*out you is more than trust" it is true faith& This
is that which *rin(s a*out dan(er sensin( and recepti$e telepathic com*at s)ills& The
Force ta)es control of you to )eep you on your path" either *y ma)in( you do somethin("
ore merely )eepin( you ali$e& There are also hi(her le$els of a*andonment" and # will
(i$e a personal e3ample of oneD
# ha$e (rown capa*le of *loc)in( any attac)s that come my way" e3pected or not& This
s)ill also flows out into whate$er weapon # hold in my hand& @owe$er" when at wor)" #
set our automatic tennis *all launcher to fire at me&&&and while # could stop anythin(
comin( at me *y hand" # failed horri*ly to connect consistently with my shinai& The
senses chan(ed *ecause there was not a sentience with intent on harmin( me" or any true
life5or5death dan(er comin( at me *y some tennis *alls& # can only rarely let (o of myself
enou(h to *loc) more than one in a row& # did" howe$er" (et up to fi$e in a row&&&once"
*ut that was closer to the end of the session& # (ot a lot of twos and threes" thou(h& Out
of the two hundred or more tennis *alls that were shot at me" # *loc)ed may*e thirty&
This shows that the Force does not o*ey a Jedi& *ut rather helps them accomplish their
tas)" it aids them in furtherin( their path& #t is not a tool to *e used" it is a $ery powerful
s)ill" and power *rin(s with it duty& #t also does to show one of my wea)nesses" showin(
that we all ha$e the a*ility to (row" no matter how lon( one may *e on their path& Also"
let this e3ample show you that wor) pays off in time& Do not push" *ecause that is a
sho$in( match no one can win&
@ope
# was spea)in( with a friend the other day" and # as)ed him if he was (oin( to lose an
amount of wei(ht that his doctor has told him he needed to lose& @is reply was simply" N#
hope so&N The answer *othered me deep into my core" and # *e(an to thin) of the misuse
of the word hope&
@ope is a concept that is wasted on the Jedi& Why8 *ecause it is merely daydreamin(&
When people say N# hope soN they doom themsel$es to a cycle of ha$in( a (oal" and no
way of reachin( it& @ope" alone" is nothin(& One must act on that hope is they e$er wish
to attain the dream they JhopeJ for&
Determination" dedication" sacrifice&&&all of it is action fueled *y hope& #f you hope to (et
somethin(" then you must wor) at it& #f you want to learn to control the Force" and li$e
li)e a Jedi" NCee" # hope # *ecome a JediN does nothin( more than tryin(&&&and there is no
try& .ou must wor) for your dreams if you e$er truly hope to achie$e them&
,o" )eep your dreams" *ut do not lea$e them as merely dreams& Act on them" ma)e them
happen& Do not lea$e your dreams to the throw of the dice& Ta)e command of your
destiny" and let your NhopesN and NdreamsN *ecome your traits and possessions&
Conduct and ?annerisms
The Way of the Centleman Warrior
#t has *een said *y many that the Jedi are seen as (entlemen warriors&&&a *alance of (race
and *rutal s)ill& Due to which" a Jedi must *eha$e in a certain way to promote *alance"
as well as maintain control o$er themsel$es& #t has already *een mentioned that control
o$er emotions much *e )ept" *ut there are other le$els of control a Jedi must face&
?annerismD
Both separate from and connected to the manners each of us is tau(ht as a child" yet
(reatly more impotent& A mannerism is how one conducts themsel$es& #t could *e in
pu*lic" in pri$ate" or in the company of a few (ood friends" it does not matter& #n each
instance a Jedi must )eep the *est possi*le mannerism& For e3ample" when dealin( with
someone else that is not *ein( hostile to you" one should stay polite and under control&
An an(ry person mi(ht not always calm down when confronted *y another calm person"
*ut an an(ry person rarely calms to a person more upset than they&
'espectD
Bein( polite and respectin( a person" while *ein( close" are not the same thin(& OneJs
space and possessions can *e honored without showin( respect& Just *ecause the polite
approach did not wor) and has *een a*andoned" that does not mean one has the ri(ht to
Gust destroy a personJs property&
PatienceD
Patience is a $irtue" as it is said& A Jedi must )now patience" *ecause not all thin(s are
instant" e$en within the Force& Patience is needed *oth in a JediJs trainin(" and in his
duties in the e$eryday world& ?any of the people a Jedi will deal with will *e a hurried
person" tryin( to (et all they can while they can&&&a creature without patience& The Jedi
should *e as a cat" watchin( its prey creep e$er so slowly towards them& A cat does not
(et impatient and run wildly at their prey" *ut rather waits until it nearly wal)s ri(ht into
their hands" and pounce. This patience paid off& The cat (ot their prey" and they did it
with as little ener(y needed& This is not to say e$eryone we encounter is our prey" *ut the
patience is uni$ersal& @aste ma)es waste" and will lead you down a road no man e$er
need see&
AppearanceD
This is more of a code of how to dress rather than what to wear& Of course" despite all the
teachin(s of NdonJt Gud(e a *oo) *y its co$erN we tell one another" people normally Gud(e
*y first appearance& #n order to cause a certain desired effect amon(st people" on must
loo) as if they *elon(& #f (oin( in with someone of hi(her social standin(" on should
loo) the part& A slo* will not foster the type of respect a Jedi would need from those they
help" where as someone more presenta*le would& This can *e done to where you loo) as
if you *elon( while standin( out" a tric) of fashion&&&or it can *e done *y fallin( into the
norm and wear the dress of all others" in order to *lend into the crowd&
@umilityD
@umility is somethin( many of the Jedi ha$e *een sorely lac)in( o$er the past" and it has
ultimately *een their undoin(& A Jedi is a creature of the Force" merely a spec of
nothin(ness in comparison to their creator& To feel as if you are *etter than those around
you" e$en fellow Jedi&&&that is to *etray the $ery Force itself& A hum*le man is one that
can as) for help when it is needed" and they can also (i$e help when as)ed& They are not
too (ood to e3plain thin(s to those who neither understand" nor terri*ly need to
understand&
DutyD
A Jedi should hold an intense sense of honor and duty& Their first honor should *e to the
Force" then to those who ma)e up the Force" and lastly to themsel$es& The Force (i$es
all life the a*ility to *e" and as such" then uses that life to sustain itself& Bein( a child of
the Force" it is the duty of the Jedi to act in the *est interests of the Force itself& A Jedi"
when their mind is %uiet" will NhearN the will of the Force" and out of their loyalty to it"
should feel o*li(ated to act upon its will& When the Force has ta)en one to *ein( under
the command of another" their duty is to that person or (roup& #f a Jedi Goined one off the
many forms of the Armed Forces" despite their (eo(raphical location" it is their duty to
follow orders" unless the Force tells them otherwise& -astly" a Jedi should feel a duty to
themsel$es& #f they are not under the command of another" and the Force has willed them
to ma)e the choice of which path to ta)e" they must *e true to themsel$es and what they
wish to *e& Duty does not mean one should *e *lindly loyal to anyone& Throu(h the
Force" )nowled(e is ac%uired" and that )nowled(e should *e used when dealin( with
anyone" no matter how drawn to them you may *e& 'emem*er" the JediJs first loyalty is
to the Force" and its will& The pre$ious was only an e3ample of how a JediJs sense of
duty should ultimately *e& True" no one is perfect& We may *e Jedi" *ut we are still
human" and we will all ma)e mista)es& Also" a sin(le JediJs sense of duty mi(ht *e
different than what is listed a*o$e& As lon( as their sense of duty and loyalty feels ri(ht
to them" then that it all that matters&
,anctity of -ifeD
Closely tied to the Jedi Ethics of Defense" a Jedi must $alue life in all forms" no matter
how (rotes%ue or despica*le& To ta)e a life is to dama(e the -i$in( Force" and ma)e all
Jedi" all life on this plane of e3istence" wea)er& ,uch a crime a(ainst the Force may at
times *e necessary" *ut should always *e help as a last resort& The Ethics of Defense
teach us that" and if one is truly in tune with the Force" they )now this to *e true
Truth and Fact
A fact is a possi*ility that has *een scientifically pro$en to e3ist in nearly all situations"
yet there are always e3ceptions to the rule& A truth is )nowled(e )nown *y a person or
persons" they hold to with e$ery facet of their *ein(" and )now it to *e true& Throu(h the
eyes of the Force" we can and will see a (reat many thin(s& ,ome of these thin(s will
only *e possi*ilities" or $isions meant to dri$e you towards a certain end& Others" no
matter how une3plaina*le they are" will immediately *e )nown to *e true& There is no
way to e3plain these instances with normal science& They are (i$en to you *y the Force&
.ou can feel these truths deep inside of you& .ou )now that all the way to your core&
When one trusts in the Force" they are open to a whole new realm of understandin(& #t is
a su*conscious )nowled(e that they cannot access directly" only understand as they
e3perience an instance where that )nowled(e is used&
'i(ht and Wron(
Bein( a ser$ant of the people" a Jedi must ha$e a clear sense of ri(ht and wron(& This
should ha$e *een tau(ht in the early years of life *y a studentJs parents" and e3panded
upon *y them as they (rew older& Bein( in the position the Jedi are in" to do wron(
would not only *etray you trainin(" *ut it would *etray your fellow Jedi" as well as your
teachers& #t is a $ery hard road to *ecome a Jedi" and to do so only to (o a(ainst all the
hard wor) you put into (ettin( where you were" you would also *e *etrayin( yourself& A
Jedi must )now such thin(s as morals of the community they are in" as well as that
communities laws& To operate without laws is to operate without control& #t only *reeds
the desire to *rea) more law" and that dri$es you further into the dar)ness in yourself&
Emotional Balance
This is a lesson on not only the controllin( of your emotions" *ut why it is necessary for
the Jedi& Controllin( the emotions is a s)ill that has *een encoura(ed from day one here
at 5tudents of the Aorce" and now" for those who mi(ht not ha$e seen the reason *ehind
it" it has come time for me to re$eal it&
The emotions" as we all intellectually )now" *loc) our ears from the call of the Cuidin(
Force& Without the (uidin( hand of the Force" we are nothin( more than ro(ue ener(y
wor)ers" rather than Jedi& The need to control and *alance the emotions is essential to the
proper learnin( of the Jedi& Does this mean you *ecome a 1ulcan" or a ro*ot8 Does this
mean you cannot feel or e3press lo$e8 Does this mean you will lose your humanity in
the sea of apathy8 AOL
The balancing of emotions is not the denial of them& #t is rather the acceptance that they
are not needed in most situations where simple calm lo(ic will do& Feepin( the emotions
in *alance is done one of two ways& Either *y e3pressin( emotion to the ma3imum 6>+="
all at once&&&or *y lea$in( your emotions in a state of lim*o when not usin( them& Allow
me to tell you that the lim*o is much easier" and much safer& E3pressin( them to their
fullest all day e$eryday" it causes one to not (et done with what they are doin(&&&and )ind
of ma)es them loo) psycho&
-ea$in( the emotions in a state of lim*o" which is Gust there, is much more effecti$e& #t
frees your ener(ies to do the thin(s we are learnin( to do here at 5tudents of the Aorce& #t
also allows your mind to truly %uiet" and allows us to hear the *ec)on call of the Cuidin(
Force" nud(in( us to do thin(s" or tellin( us thin(s&&&for no apparent reason at all& All
thin(s are done for a reason" and with that in mind" we as Jedi must )eep our minds clear"
and emotions *alanced" and our hearts on the Force
The Dar)ness Within OneJs ,elf
# ha$e spo)en many times a*out the dar,ness within one!s self& Aow" # )now many of
you are wonderin( what # am tal)in( a*out& #n the Jedi Way" there is a -i(ht ,ide and a
Dar) ,ide& Aow" these terms are $ery misleadin( in that they ma)e people thin( that the
Force is a *ipolar entity& The terms do not refer to the Force itself" *ut rather to the
emotions and inner desires of the Jedi& # use the term the dar)ness within oneJs self to
help (uide the mind from the *ipolar thou(ht and more towards it true meanin(& When
one falls $ictim to their own dar) desiresD $iolence" lust" (reed" etc&&&they *e(in to lose
si(ht of the Jedi Way& This *rin(s a*out what was pre$iously defined as a Fallen Jedi& #t
is when they lose their control" and the most *asic" primal ur(es ta)e o$er&
Aow" this mi(ht sound li)e it is not that *ad" and one would *e a*le to control their
decent into the dar)ness& ?any (reat Jedi ha$e felt that" and all ha$e failed& # would li)e
to tell you a story of a (reat Jedi" who lost his way&
3his Cedi was a powerful hand of the Aorce, and as wise as any other Cedi
in the Order. /owever, he fell to his own desire for more power. n this,
he too, up the practice of using his emotions to fuel his energies, and
while he gained great power, he slowly lost control of himself. /e gained
much power, and lost sight of the Cedi as guardians of the wea,, and
merely saw them as weapons of the Aorce. +eapons he could control. /e
developed into a bitter, angry person. /e had no idea he had Aallen, but
he e-hibited every single telltale sign of losing his path. 3his Cedi could
write out every single trait of a Aallen Cedi, but was blind to the fact that
he was describing himself as well.
The dar)ness clouds e$erythin(" e$en common sense& Peace is a (oal easy to reach at
first" *ut terri*ly difficult to re(ain once one has lost themsel$es in their own dar)ness& #t
is not to say that is cannot *e done& E$en the Jedi in the story a*o$e found his way *ac)
to the path of (oodness" *ut it was far from an easy Gourney& Fnowin( that power ma)es
his continued redemption all the more difficult& Fnowin( the power your dar)ness can
*rin( you" it is dru(&&&hi(hly addicti$e and potentially fatal& One of the most dan(erous
parts of this dar)ness is that if you let it e$en ha$e a little root inside of you" it will
spread" li)e a weed" and slowly co$er e$ery aspect of your *ein(& .ou will fall further
and further e$ery day" and not see it once&
This dar)ness is the hardest thin( to see" and the easiest to fall prey to& A Jedi must stay
e$er5$i(ilant to deny the ad$ances of their inner desires for power& With time" a (reater
power will *e found out to the Jedi" and their need for the dar)ness will dwindle& Do not
let my words fool you" thou(h& The dar)ness within you will ne$er (o away" you Gust
will not want to use it as *adly& #t must always *e )ept from you" thou(h& Once you
*e(in usin( the dar)ness" you will not want to e$er stop" and )nowin( it is easier" will
refle3i$ely re$ert *ac) to that when you ha$e a need for power& # hope my words will
)eep you from wal)in( down that dar) and terri*le path" *ut if it does not" remem*er all
thin(s can *e undone& ,cars heal" stains can e$entually *e washed away& All thin(s
mend in time&
-i$in( Force" Unifyin( Force" and Cuidin( Force
The li$in( Force has *een descri*ed as what )eeps the Force ali$e& 'emem*er" the Force
created life" yet it is also sustained *y life& The -i$in( Force is the ener(y (i$en off *y
our cells as they die" and then are re*orn to die a(ain& This ener(y is what ma)es up the
-i$in( Force& Ener(y (i$en off *y the process of life& The Unifyin( Force is the ener(y
that *inds us to(ether& #t is what lin)s one life to another" formin( us from infinite
separate life forms into the we* of life that (i$es us the a*ility to interact with others on a
metaphysical le$el& #t is what *inds all ener(y" li$in( of not" to(ether in the forms they
are&
Thin) more alon( the phases of ener(yD )inetic and potential& the )inetic ener(y is the
-i$in( Force" while the potential ener(y is the Unifyin( Force& When life *e(ins" on all
le$els" it draws what it needs from the Unifyin( Force" chan(in( it from potential to
)inetic& The act of creatin( life NcreatesN the -i$in( Force" *ut it is truly the chan(in( of
Unifyin( to -i$in(& Death wor)s the same way" Gust in re$erse& When one dies" the
)inetic ener(y NdiesN with them" thus returnin( to the potential state in which it *e(an"
flowin( into the Unifyin( Force&
Certain s)ills are products of these phases of the Force& ?ost sensin( s)ills" dan(er sense
in particular" are s)ills (i$en to us *y the -i$in( Force& ?ost Control s)ills are as well&
The more a*stract and difficult s)ills such as Future5si(ht and remote $iewin( are (i$en
to us *y the Unifyin( Force& The -i$in( Force tends to interact as person5to5person or
5person5to5o*Gect& The Unifyin( Force" thou(h" interacts on a *roader sense" more
person5to5cosmos&
# )now" you are thin)in( NThe title spea)s of the Cuidin( Force" tooN" and you are ri(ht&
The Cuidin( Force is tied to(ether with the -i$in( Force and the Unifyin( Force& This is
that which (uides us all& #t shows us our path" and (i$es us little nud(es from time to
time" this way and that" helpin( us to attain our (oal& The une3plained chan(es of heart
and mind that ultimately chan(e our life5path" those are products of the Cuidin( Force&
Aow" # ha$e e3plain these three different types of the Force" *ut # do not wish to mislead
anyone& There is only one Force" the Aorce& One does not sense these three
independently" *ecause they are not three separate ener(ies& They are all a part of the
Force put to different tas)s& #f you were to pour water into a (lass that was stained with
three horiBontal" fat colored stripes" and the li(ht shown throu(h it" what would happen8
The li(ht would chan(e the color of each section of water" *ut that does not chan(e the
water itself& #t is still the same crystal clear water you poured into the (lass to *e(in with&
the colors cannot *e ta)en out and rearran(ed" nor can one drin) only the *ottom color"
lea$in( the other two in the cup& it is all waterM Gust as the -i$in( Force" the Unifyin(
Force" and the Cuidin( Force are all the Aorce&
Emotional Control
While the Force is neutral" and open to use as each student sees fit" the Jedi must
maintain a strict le$el of control in order to ha$e unlimited access to the ener(ies and
a*ilities found in the Force& Emotions are not a *ad thin(" *ecause without them" we
would not *e human& @owe$er" emotions tend to cloud the mind&&&all of them& An(er"
-ust" Passion" Personal -o$e" Depression" Dou*t&&&all of them are their own little pitfalls
in the trainin( and life of a Jedi& All of the emotions # mentioned a*o$e" as well as many
more not mentioned" cause the mind to act in accordance to the heart& The heart" the
emotions" they are irrational and *asic primal instincts& As Jedi" we must rise a*o$e our
ur(es to act on our emotions" *ecause when they control our minds" thou(hts *ecome
scattered and tainted" without reason or lo(ic&
Controllin( oneJs emotions is not the easiest thin( on the planet a Jedi has to deal with&
#n fact" it is the sin(le most difficult aspect of Jedi trainin(& A Jedi must )eep what is
called Jedi Calm" as is descri*ed in line one of the Jedi Code& The a*ility for a Jedi to
)eep his or her wits a*out them e$en under times of (reat stress" it is a s)ill that must *e
learned o$er a (reat amount of time& Control is a s)ill far too few Jedi possess these
days" and it ma)es them all the more dan(erous& Without control" the Force can *ecome
a dan(erous commodity" and those who misuse its power are in (reat dan(er& A Jedi
without control o$er their emotions is li)e a *lind man in a crowded room with an UBi&
@e cannot *e sure how much harm he had done" *ut it is unli)ely no one will (et hurt in
this act&
The allure for a Jedi to let (o of their control and (i$e into their emotions can *e (reat at
time" *ut resol$e is the only way to )eep their minds on their trainin(& A Jedi must *e
reminded at all times to control their emotions& The harder they are to control" the more
they should *e wor)ed at& This is not to say that one can ne$er show emotion" Gust as
lon( as they are )ept under total control& A smile is not for*idden for a Jedi" nor is a
frown& -au(hter and Go)es are fine" *ut do not let them (et out of hand" for they are *y
nature distractin(" and to lose ones concentration" they mi(ht lose )nowled(e of what is
happenin( in a situation& ,uch s)ills will *e tau(ht later in oneJs trainin(" Gust *are in
mind that e$en a Jedi has a limited amount of thin(s they can )eep their minds on&
Patience
Patience is a $irtue" as it is said& Ao truer statement has e$er *een written" especially
when it comes to learnin( the ways of the Jedi and how to use the Force& The ways of the
Jedi are many" and they ta)e up a (reat deal of time to learn properly& First" one must
learn to control their emotions& #f this s)ill is not formed" then a student is doomed to
fallin( into their own dar) desires and not *ein( a*le to find their way *ac) out& That
particular tas) is a life5lon( *uildin( process" *ecause *ein( human" we all ha$e
emotions" and that is a fact of *ein( ali$e& As Jedi" we see) to *e *eyond our emotions"
relyin( on the Force as our (uidin( hand&
Another of the many thin(s a Jedi stri$es to *ecomeM it is a warrior& To do that" one must
learn to fi(ht" rather *luntly& Just readin( a *oo) and tryin( a few self5defense tric)s
once or twice isnJt enou(h& #f it was" we would not ha$e as many $ictims in this world"
and the Jedi would not *e as needed& Because this ta)es time" a Jedi must realiBe that the
process of *ecomin( s)illed enou(h to defend themsel$es" more or less other people" is a
lon( and drawn5out process& #t" too" is a life5lon( $enture" *ecause when one does not use
their s)ills" they lose them&
The most important aspect of trainin( that re%uires patience" howe$er" is trainin( the use
of the Force& @aste is what one has when they let (o of their patience& @aste is a %uic)
way to *ecome self5indul(ent" self5centered" and tainted *y the dar)ness in your own
soul& The Force is a $ery mysterious thin(" and it is somethin( that ta)es time to truly
understand& # can tell you how # e3perience e$erythin( in the Force" and how # do what
s)ills # ha$e&&&*ut that will do you no (ood" *ein( that you ha$e not truly e3perienced
these thin(s& One should ne$er loo) for the easy path" especially when trainin( the
Force& One can ne$er truly understand the ways of the Force without their e3periences&
@owe$er" one should not lon( for those e3periences" either& Bein( an Naction5Gun)ieN is
not *ein( a Jedi& A Jedi does not cra$e e3citement or ad$entures& They are called to *e
protectors of the wea) and helpless&
#n short" patience is the one thin( that sets a Jedi apart from other ener(ywor)ers& ?ost
other type of ener(ywor) focus on %uantity rather than %uality& They train for personal
(ain" or for fun" or for other selfish (oals& We" as Jedi" train to hold the hea$y *urden that
will *e places upon us& #f we do not ha$e patience" if we do not control our want for
power now" then we are no *etter than the corrupt ener(y5wor)in( children that little
other online trainin( centers&
Cultural Parallels
,haolin fi(htin( mon)s" western Fni(hts" the ,amurai" Aati$e American warriors& What
do they all ha$e in common8 They all accomplish the same (oal& They stood up for
what they *elie$ed in" in spite of closed" and often hostile" minds&&&and fou(ht for their
*eliefs when the need arose& Their spirituality made them stron(" a*le" and dri$en& They
are all @oly Warriors of their respecti$e paths& Are they the only ones who fit under such
a description8 Ao" far from it& These e3amples were used due to their well5)nown
nature&
Are they the same thin(8 Once more" no&
,ome saw )illin(" e$en in defense" as wron(" so they refused to do so" e$en if it cost them
their life& Others found death in *attle a (reat honor" and re$ered the dead for their
coura(e& They also saw that death was the only way to relie$e the shame of defeat& ,till
others found )illin( a necessary e$il" and while no shame came of sparin( an opponent"
none came of committin( the ri(hteous sin" as lon( as it was in the name of Cod&
The Jedi are a mi3ture of all" *ut so eclectic a mi3" we are no one (roup o$er the others&
We stand up for what we *elie$e in" and we do so in the name of the Force& We spread
our understandin( to those who will listen" and selfishly help those who may turn deaf
ears& We also fi(ht when needed&&&in the defense of the Force and its children& Fillin( is
one thin( we do not want to do" e$er& To end a life is to wea)en the Force" for it is
sustained *y all life& A time may come" howe$er" when a Jedi mi(ht *e called *y the
Force to end a life in order to protect other li$es& Com*at is not our wish either" *ut true
*attle is seen as an almost sacred act" and to die in the name and defense of the Force" it is
truly a (reat honor&
The *lend of each of these traits" and more" is different for each Jedi& We hold the
,haolin+Buddhist re$erence for all life" the re(retful understood need to )ill *y the
western Fni(hts" and the honor of death" as the ,amurai& Then Jedi also hold nature" and
all life in it" sacred& ,ome feel it so stron(ly" that they immerse themsel$es in it" and
others who seldom $enture into it" in hopes too not upset the *alance of nature& We see
such differences in the Jedi e$eryday& One Jedi may swat at a mos%uito" so as to not *e
*itten" *ut allow the creature to li$e& Another Jedi may spray it with *u(5)iller so that it
may die in peace" yet not life to spread diseases" such as West Aile& Other Jedi still mi(ht
catch the insect in the air" )illin( it in their hand for the same reasonM yet re$ere it for the
fi(ht for life it put up& Others may Gust stay would of the woods" so that they ne$er ha$e
to face such a decision&
Ao two Jedi are ali)e in their *alance of such traits" *ecause no two people are the same
on anythin(& The Force calls to us *ecause we are differentM it is that which ma)es us
Jedi& ,o" loo) to these parallels for inspiration and insi(ht" *ut not understandin(& ,uch
)nowled(e can only *e found in oneJs self throu(h the (uidin( hand of the Force& Thin)
to yourself" listen to the $oice in your mind" and learn e3actly what mi3ture you are&
Trials of the Jedi Way
The Jedi Way is not an easy path to wal)" especially alone" as many of us truly wal) it& #t
is rare to *e with another Jedi" unless they are your trainin( partner or student& #t is a
wal) all ha$e trou*le with" no matter the person& The Jedi Path is littered with road*loc)s
of dou*t and pitfalls of fear& .ou will *e shunned" e$en hated" for *ein( Jedi& We are a
than)less ser$ant&
There are times you will *e faced with (reat pro*lems that will cause a conflict of you the
Jedi" and you the person& That is when you ha$e to decide to follow the path of the Jedi"
or (i$e it up and follow your heart& .ou will want to (i$e up e$erythin( you ha$e
learned for somethin( some time& This is when you must ti(hten your *elt a notch" and
*ite down on your natural instincts&
.ou may see or e3perience thin(s that will threaten to turn you from the Jedi Path& This
is when you must loo) to your lessons" and remem*er that all thin(s happen in the Force
for a reason" thou(h you may not understand why& .ou may see a person die for no
reason" and then wonder why you could not sa$e them throu(h all the power you ha$e in
the Force& Or you may see someone die *ecause the only way to sa$e them is throu(h a
s)ill you do not possess in the Force&
Other trials will *e such as controllin( emotions on an e$eryday le$el& For those who
ha$e e$er found peace" e$en for a moment" understand the purpose of )eepin( that
peace& #t allows unhindered understandin(& .ou (ain access to the )nowled(e of the
Force&
,o" stay your course" and )eep your dedication" e$en throu(h the rou(hest of waters& Do
not let dou*ts fester" and do not fear the future& Be open to your path" and to the Force&
The Aine Tenets of the Jedi
The easiest way to follow the Path of a Jedi is to do Gust that& A Jedi follows a $ery strict
set of rules" startin( with the Aine Tenets of the Jedi& This code is the *ase for all thin(s
learned *y a Jedi& #t is how all actions are carried out in the name of the Force&
A JediD
'espects and protects A-- life in its many forms"
Fnows the importance of )nowled(e and see)s understandin( on all
le$els"
Trains to the *est of their a*ilities to use the Force for the (reater (ood"
Commands their emotions and maintains inner peace"
Wor)s to enli(hten others when possi*le"
?aintains hi(h morals and ethics and acts accordin(ly"
#s open minded and mindful of those around them"
#s true to themsel$es" the Force and the Jedi way"
#s free to e3press themsel$es as they ser$e the Force&
These are ideals which # feel should *e held *y all Jedi no matter what path they are on& #
wrote them so that we can all ha$e somethin( to help (uide us throu(h our daily li$es as
we li$e the life of a Jedi in the real world& They can help us to ma)e decisions and ser$e
as a reminder of how we" the Jedi" should act and treat others& These ideals are not laws
or rules" *ut only (uidelines which we can relate to in the real world which we wor) in as
Jedi& # hope they will inspire you all to mo$e to (reater hei(hts&
'espects and protects A-- life in its many forms&
A Jedi understands that each life in the world is important" has itJs place and reason for
*ein(& The Force is an e3pression of life and unifies all life to(ether" we are one with
each other and therefore harm to another life is doin( harm to oursel$es& As Jedi we
should stri$e to protect life as each is a sacred o*Gect which helps to e3pand and e3press
the Force" therefore it should *e treated as such& This also includes plants" animals and
insects&
Fnows the importance of )nowled(e and see)s understandin( on all le$els&
One of a JediJs (reatest possessions is )nowled(e& #t allows us to (row and *ecome a
*etter person" which in turn allows us to *e *etter Jedi& @ow many (reat leaders in our
world ha$e not *een wise *eyond their years8 Fnowled(e allows us to help" lead" teach
and protect those around us" all of which are part of a JediJs duty" therefore see) out
)nowled(e of all topics from many different sources& .ou should ne$er stop learnin( as
there is always more out there and relearnin( somethin( often yields a deeper
understandin(& Understandin( can *e seen as an e3tension of )nowled(e" ta)in( it to the
ne3t le$el& .ou can ha$e )nowled(e of the parts of a car" *ut do you understand how it all
wor)s8 Understandin( can *e applied to concepts which are not as tan(i*le as others& For
e3ample" there are no (uidelines a*out how people interact and what causes people to act
in certain ways& But *y understandin( a person" you are a*le to see why they act the way
they do" this understandin( can not *e (ained from te3t *oo)s which tend to (eneraliBe
thin(s li)e this&
Trains to the *est of their a*ilities to use the Force for the (reater (ood&
A Jedi should always stri$e to learn as much as they can a*out the Force& A Jedi stri$es to
protect people and with the Force they are *etter a*le to do so& The (reater the JediJs
a*ilities in the Force" the *etter they can help and protect those around them& A Jedi
should always use the Force for the (reater (ood" which means that a Jedi may use the
Force in any means necessary as lon( as it is for the (ood of the masses& A Jedi should
always see) the most peaceful of solutions at all times and resort to a((ressi$e means as a
F#AA- 'E,O'T&
Commands their emotions and maintains inner peace&
There is a wide ran(e of emotions out there and all a*ilities in the Force are dependant
on some sort of emotion& #t is o) for a Jedi to e3press whate$er emotion they are feelin("
*ut a Jedi must A-WA., command and control their emotions rather then the emotions
controllin( them& Use each emotion properly and in the appropriate situation" *ut
remem*er there is always more then one way to achie$e a (oal& .ou should only use
an(er when it is TOTA--. necessary and not *ecause it (ets you what you want
%uic)ly& A Jedi should find the most peaceful path to pre$ent distur*in( the *alance of
the Force& This means that a Jedi should remain calm and peaceful at all times" and use
other emotions only when it is a*solutely necessary to achie$e a (oal&
Wor)s to enli(hten others when possi*le&
We are Jedi *ecause we ha$e achie$ed a le$el of )nowled(e and (rowth in our life"
*ecause of this our li$es are *lessed *y the Force& This )nowled(e is not somethin( that
we should horde or )eep for oursel$es" it is uni$ersal )nowled(e which is there for
anyone who dares to see) it out& #f someone as)s a*out the Force or anythin( to do with
the Jedi way" that )nowled(e should *e freely (i$en" e$en if it isnJt (i$en throu(h formal
trainin(& This )nowled(e should *e (i$en Jwhen possi*leJ as it is not our place to force
our *eliefs onto others and tell them that it is T@E truth& @elp and teach those who are
ready for it" allow those who arenJt the room and time to (row&
?aintains hi(h morals and ethics&
At all times a Jedi should wor) to maintain a hi(h le$el of morals and ethics& We are
people who help people and protect the world around them and therefore are respected
and loo)ed up to *y people& #t is only fittin( that we act as appropriate role models&
#s open minded and mindful of those around them&
A Jedi should always *e open minded as they (o a*out their li$es& We li$e in a world of
infinite possi*ilities and must *e open to the different paths and a$enues that we could
ta)e in our duties& There are many paths to the top of the mountain and the Jedi must
choose the *est one" this can *e applied to all decisions in life& We must also *e mindful
of those around us as not to ne(lect or harm them throu(h our actions or in5actions& E$en
thou(h we may not mean to" we may physically hurt someone" insult them" hurt their
feelin(s or dis(race their *eliefs without e$en )nowin(&
#s true to themsel$es" the Force and the Jedi way&
#f there was one )ey life which # could impart to you all" it would *e to stay true to
yourself& This means findin( .OU' true *eliefs and stic)in( to them" no matter what& #t
also means findin( your true essence throu(h meditation and e3pressin( it& When you
e3press your true self you stay true to yourself" thou(h at times this can *e hard due to
peer pressure or e3ternal influences from family or society" it is a truly rewardin(
e3perience& When you are true to the real you" you are true to the Force since in essence
you are a part of the Force& # do not mean that you are a part of it Gust *ecause it flows
throu(h you" you are a part of it *ecause the only difference *etween your soul or true
self and the Force is that you are sli(htly indi$idualiBed& Each wa$e in the ocean is an
indi$idual wa$e" yet it is still part of the ocean as a whole& As Jedi we must remain true to
the Jedi way for it is part of who we are& To *etray our path would only *e a *etrayal of
oursel$es and therefore a *etrayal of the Force& For a Jedi to *etray the core principals of
the Jedi way such as those outline here! in a continual fashion would warrant the Jedi
%uestionin( why they are wal)in( this path and if it is ri(ht for them&
#s free to e3press themsel$es as they ser$e the Force&
A Jedi li$es to ser$e the Force and this is what they should *e doin( e$ery day of their
life" how a Jedi e3presses their path is up to them& #n this world we all ha$e free will" we
are free to ma)e whate$er choices we want& We do not ha$e to follow a set of rules or
(uidelines" therefore a Jedi is free to wear" eat" wor)" *elie$e and act as they want& Ao
one can force a set of rules or opinions onto you" you are free to e3press your true self in
any way you want& We are all indi$iduals and should e3press our indi$idualism as we
wal) the path of the Jedi" ma)in( the path indi$idual to each Jedi& This also means that a
Jedi is free to for(et a*out these ideals" *ut with any choice you must also deal with the
conse%uences& ,trayin( from what you feel that Jedi way to *e *etrays yourself and
chan(es who you are&
#f you would li)e any further e3planation please feel free to as)&
The Jedi Code
The Jedi Code is a (uideline for *eha$ior at all time& #t is put in place to *rin( the student
to an understandin( of eti%uette amon(st the students of the Force& This code is to *e
followed as strictly as possi*le at all time& @owe$er" as to any rule" there are e3ceptions
to the rule& Be mindful" thou(h&&&the idea of ha$in( e3ceptions tends to ma)e people find
them& Ci$in( in to oneJs dar)ness within can cause to a loss of oneJs purpose" and thus
the losin( of their path&
There is no emotionM there is peace&
There is no dou*tM there is resol$e&
There is no i(noranceM there is
)nowled(e&
There is no passionM there is serenity&
There is no hatredM there is compassion&
There is no deathM there is the Force&
While this tends to *e a rather (eneric and $a(ue code for any one person to follow ri(ht
away" it is one that encompasses all a Jedi would e$er ha$e to face& While there are the
e3ceptions as mentioned a*o$e" they are far too e3treme to worry a*out here& # will (o
into the e3planation of each line of the Code instead&
There is no emotionM there is peace&
To an e3perienced Jedi" this is a pretty self5e3planatory line" *ut for those who mi(ht not
)now its meanin(" this line of the Jedi code tal)s of )eepin( a state of Jedi Calm& Jedi
Calm is different from normal calm in many different ways& A person is calm only when
the situation needs it& They ha$e to try to *e somewhat calm in the face of tra(edy of
e3citement" which usually only lasts for a moment" of fails completely& The Jedi" on the
other hand" rely on their calm to access the )nowled(e the Force has to offer them& They
must stri$e to )eep this calm at all times so that they mi(ht act upon the will of the Force&
This calm is tau(ht early on" and stren(thened durin( com*at trainin( of the youn( Jedi&
The peace *rou(ht on *y true calm is the only way to fully access the power of the Force&
There is no dou*t" there is resol$e&
To a Jedi" dou*t is a de$astatin( thin(& There is a popular phrase from an old fantasy
*oo) that states Aear is the mind:,iller. This is so terri*ly true" # felt it only ri(ht to
include in the proper trainin( of a Jedi& A (reat Jedi once said NTo dou*t oneJs self is
only to ensure those dou*ts&N This is an e3planation of the $icious cycle that *rin(s a*out
failure in a Jedi& The use of the Force is an act of faith on the part of the student& They
do not understand it" and ha$e not e3perienced it& This" of course" *reeds dou*ts in the
student& @owe$er" it is these dou*ts that hold a student *ac)& Dou*t and fear are one in
the same" *ecause to dou*t ones capa*ility to do somethin( is to fear they cannot& Do not
let dou*ts into your mind" or fear and your heart" for they will surely *e your undoin(&
There is no i(noranceM there is )nowled(e&
This is a line that means many thin(s to a Jedi& First" the surface meanin( is that a Jedi
should dri$e for rounded intelli(ence in all thin(s they ha$e to deal with& They cannot *e
i(norant of the places they (o or the situations they try to help if they can a$oid it& This
means study hard all aspects of life" not Gust the Force and the Jedi Way& -earn a*out
anythin( that one may find useful in some dispute& -earn the law" that is a $ery
important one& A Jedi can do not (ood if they are in Gail& As # said" this line has more
than one meanin(" and one of its hidden meanin(s is that throu(h trust in the Force"
)nowled(e is attained& The Force tells us what we need to )now when the need arises& #t
may not come in the form of Gust instantly )nowin(" *ut it mi(ht come in the form of
stum*lin( on a *oo) on the (round" or *ein( drawn to read a pamphlet E$en Gust seein(
somethin( can help *rin( )nowled(e" helpin( to Jconnect the dotsJ in your mind& Trust in
the Force" and it will teach you much&
There is no passionM there is serenity&
This line reads as if it meant the same as the first& ,orry to say" it doesnJt& This line
spea)s of the physical attachment a person usually has to other people and thin(s& #t is
(ood to ha$e dri$e to do certain thins" *ut to let that dri$e run e$erythin( you are" that is
allowin( to *ecome a passion" and to o$errun you& #f you cannot control yourself" how
can you e$er hope to control the Force or your own inner dar)ness8 This also for*ids
attachment and possession to other people& To ha$e an emotional tie is to ha$e
somethin( *lindin( you from the (reater (ood& The Jedi cannot afford to let personal
feelin(s in$ade their thou(hts and actions& Their duty is to the Force" and to the Jedi
Order& #f you were to ha$e to choose *etween sa$in( a person you cared for from dyin("
or sa$in( ten people you did not )now from dyin(" chances are" you would choose to
sa$e the one you lo$e& To anyone who has e$er *een in lo$e and said they would sa$e
the ten" %uit )iddin( yourself&
There is no hatredM there is compassion&
This line is meant to show the need for a Jedi to foster compassion& A Jedi is a student of
the Force& The Force is created *y life& Thus" the student of the Force is also char(ed
with *ein( the careta)er of life& To hate someone is to *etray the Force" *ecause you are
hatin( itJs metaphorical parent& .our parents (i$e life to you" and in turn" all life (i$es
life to the Force& Ao" instead of hatin(" the Jedi are char(ed to foster its opposite" lo$e&
Do not confuse this with intimate lo$e" as was mentioned in the line a*o$e& Ao" this is
unconditional lo$e for all life& This is compassion& The Jedi should lo$e all life as if it
were their own& Protect it with all )nown resources" and cherish itJs e3istence&
There is no deathM there is the Force&
This line can *e misleadin( to some& This does not mean *ein( a Jedi will ma)e you li$e
fore$er& ,orry" fol)s" hate to *rea) it to you li)e that& Ao" this shows that throu(h the
Force" our essence will ne$er die& Our soul" our ener(y" it is part of the Force& As such"
we are luminous *ein(s encased in a shell tissue and or(ans" s)in and *ones& When the
*ody dies" we do not die" *ut rather we mo$e on to a hi(her plane of e3istence& We
*ecome one with the Force& Throu(h this" we li$e on is all Jedi&&&in all life& What *etter
fate could a child of the Force ha$e" *ut to li$e on for all time as part of all its children&
The same is true of you& .ou are made up of an infinite num*er of the ForceJs children"
their ener(ies recycled *ac) into the Force itself" maintainin( its stren(th&
Trainin( to Become Jedi
Why are you all here" at this school" learnin( to do what you are8 NTo *ecome a JediN is
the most o*$ious answer& What all does that entail8 That is a much more in depth
%uestion to answer& First off" let us loo) at the ori(ins of the Jedi Way& The word Jedi
comes from an old Japanese phrase Cidai <en,i& The phrase Cidai <en,i means the era of
ener(y" or the lifetime of ener(y& That means %uite a *it to understandin( the Jedi Way"
as does its Japanese ori(in&
The Japanese held honor" duty" Gustice" )nowled(e" and the ritualistic practice of the
martial arts in $ery hi(h re(ard&&&and that is to *e remem*ered as well& When the phrase
Cidai <en,i was used" and loo)ed at as a life of ener(y" we see what all ma)es up a Jedi
as we )now it& A Jedi is a mi3ture of a warrior" scholar" mon)" and sorcerer& All of
which is apparent in its precursor if one )nows where to loo)&
We are Warriors& We train day after day" honin( our physical sel$es to a li$in( *reathin(
weapon of defense" self and otherwise& We hold more than Gust the a$era(e fi(hter"
*ecause we hold such $irtues as honor" Gustice" and a sense of duty& This sense of cosmic
ri(ht5and5wron( sets us apart from the common street fi(hter or thu(& To achie$e such a
state" one must ta)e up a fi(htin( style that *uilds honor" duty" and a sense of Gustice& #n
this day and a(e" especially in the United ,tates" it is *ecomin( more and more difficult
to find such arts amon(st all the ?cDoGo on e$ery street corner&
We are ,cholars& We" as Jedi" are char(ed with not only )eepin( the peace" and
defendin( the wea)&&&*ut we are also char(ed with )nowin( of local affairs& .ou ne$er
)now when you will find yourself in a situation in the field where somethin( you learned
that you thou(ht useless may come in handy& #t may e$en sa$e your life& Once such fact
is that the human *ody is capa*le of mo$in( %uic)er than the mind can percei$e it and
then ma)e the hand fire a *ullet& Am # sayin( to (o and dod(e *ullets" far from it&
@owe$er" if you see someone to *e shot and you )now they do not deser$e such a fate"
then you can act with that )nowled(e" and not hesitate" (ettin( you *oth shot& We must
also )now the wor)in(s of the human *ody for *ein( a warrior and for *ein( a sa$ior to
the wea)& CP' is a (ood e3ample of such& We must )now how to help the li$es we
encounter&
We are ?on)s& We are not the police" and we do not (o out on a daily *asis loo)in( for
trou*le to undo& .ou will find that enou(h trou*le will find you" trust me on that& We
are meditati$e in nature and do not tend to see) out trou*le& There will *e times when we
are meant to *utt into somethin( that we are not a part of" *ut only in the case to end a
possi*ly hostile confrontation& We spread our understandin( to others in the *est terms
we ha$e that they understand& We are calm" (entle" and $alue life&&&and will do what we
must to ensure the sur$i$al of another" e$en if it means facin( death with a smile on our
faces& .et another mon) li)e trait we ha$e is the need to (row *eyond our emotions&
The cloud our minds from the truth" and hinder us on our path&
We are ,orcerers& All the thin(s # ha$e mentioned can *e found in many different sects
of people" and hi(her paths& The one thin( that sets us apart from those other (roups is
the Force& We ha$e it" we trust it" we follow it" and we learn to *ecome one with it& #n
return" it *ends to our re%uests" and helps to further us down our path& A true Jedi trusts
the Force with a spiritual+reli(ious le$el of faith and understandin(&&&and that ma)es us
more than the random ener(y5wor)er who )nows .ushido& We are children of the Force"
and as) of it what we need of it& We cherish the (ifts it (i$es us" and see its influence in
all thin(s&&&and all people&
#t is only throu(h this mi3ture that the Jedi Way can *e found& #f you ta)e out e$en the
tiniest aspect of any of those parts" then you remo$e what it means to *e Jedi& This is
what we are here to learn to *e" and that is a (oal that ta)es many years to attain& OneJs
trainin( does not merely happen for a few hours a day" a few days a wee)&&&and there are
no *rea)s from it& To *e a Jedi is a 6< hour a day" 2 day a wee)" 90= day a year Go*& We
are Jedi in the mornin(" in the afternoon" in the e$enin(" at ni(ht" and in our sleep& One
cannot discard *ein( Jedi& #t is not merely a ro*e to pull on and off as you li)e& Just as a
true warrior is char(ed with defendin( honor in all they are" no matter time" place" or
dress&&&so must a Jedi&
Co" train" rest" then train more& The Way of the Jedi can *e found in all that& Co with
purpose to *etter yourself amon)b" train so that you mi(ht *ecome a more a*le e3ponent
of the ForceJs will awarriorb" rest so that you mi(ht re(ain your ener(y and meditate on
what it means to *e Jedi and one with the Force ascholarb" and then train more so that you
mi(ht )now how to as) the help of the Force and its power asorcererb&
Jedi ,tories
These stories were ta)en from $arious Jedi we*sites" and all are fantasy stories written *y
different people" and" of course" all ha$e a moral" and" of course" are *ased in the
,tar Wars uni$erse& EnGoy&
Primordial Echoes
ABura sat on her fa$orite *oulder *eneath her fa$orite tree it smelled of Gasmine in early
sprin(! in the (ardens on the roof of the Academy& A (roup of $ery youn( children from
the Academy were ha$in( play5time in the (arden and se$eral of them" ha$in( *ecome
ac%uainted with ABura who re(ularly sat in the (arden" played around her as she melded a
lump of special clay into a small pot5shape& The children were fascinated *y her hair5it
was thic)" white5*londe and hun( to her waist" and dotted with crystals on the ends of
se$eral *raids&
Two of the padawans had clam*ered up onto the *oulder *ehind her and had *e(un to
(ently play with her hair& ABura felt herself sin) into a rela3ed" recepti$e mode and
reco(niBed the ancient cues her *ody and mind were recei$in(& ,he slipped *ac)
millennia to a more primal time" a time when mutual (roomin( rituals were part and
parcel of daily li$in( in lush Gun(les and arid sa$annas& A necessity for pest control" and
for *ondin( *etween mem*ers& ABura wondered at the unconscious worlds that lin(ered
within the mind" these echoes of a li$in( so lon( past they could not possi*ly ha$e any
*earin( on her5someone who tra$eled in starships and used wondrous technolo(ies& And
yet they did still *ear on her" deep down in her psyche&
To *e aware of these primordial echoes within" she thou(ht" was truly a *lessin( from the
Force& These children were recei$in( ancient instructions" callin( them to stro)e her hair"
and yet were totally unaware of these conditionin(s within them& ,he hoped someday
they would mar$el at these thin(s as she did" understand how deep their roots ran in the
collecti$e unconscious& For these roots" when one *e(an to realiBe their e3istence" led to
the deepest of understandin( of oneself and oneJs fellows&
The teacher carin( for the children called them *ac) to class" and the children scram*led
off the *oulder& ABuraJs head still tin(led from their touches& ,he smiled and went *ac) to
wor) on her pot&
The 'eason
@is tunic damp from perspirin(" Jil5Oun wal)ed from the courtyard after a lon( day
practicin( with his *elo$ed -i(htsa*er& The Old ?aster had felt out of practice lately" so
the session had *een particularly $i(orous& And e3haustin(&
-eapin( a*out li)e a wild Taun5taun had ta)en its toll& @is feet ached and )nees twin(ed
with sharp complaints on e$en the fewest series of stairs& NThis ne$er used to happenN he
thou(ht as he wal)ed alon( the (reat hall& Almost diBBy from the wea)ness he felt& NAot
ten years a(o" # could do these e3ercises e$ery other dayN he *rooded" NAow # can *arely
finish all the forms in a day" let alone do it a(ain in two daysN& @e had felt the eyes of
many students on him as they passed on their way& @e had e$en felt their amusement&
@e felt tired&&& and old&
@e made his way alon( the hall towards his tiny roomM the many years of his life washed
thou(h his mind in a *lur& ,o many li$es he had touched&&& *ut only *riefly&
A JediJs life is a lonely life in the end&
An entire life is spent learnin( how to )eep people at a distance" facin( harsh trials"
fi(htin( for those who cannot fi(ht for themsel$es only to lea$e them *ehind& Defendin(
all life *ut rarely allowed a life of your own&
Jil5Oun felt e$ery inch of this truth at times li)e these" times when he )new his lon( life
was soon to draw to a close& @is eyes were seein( less and less of the intricate details in
the sculptures that surrounded him& @is hearin( ran( from 47T years of constant *laster
fire&
@e was not far from his %uarters" Gust down the corridor from it in fact" when a youn(
initiate cau(ht up with him& The youn( lad was not someone Jil5Oun was immediately
familiar with *ut he stopped when the *oy tu((ed on his slee$e&
N.es" my little padawan &&& how can # *e of ser$ice8N Jil5Oun implored" with Gust a wince
of sarcasm&
NOh s5sir8 # Gust wanted to say how much # enGoyed watchin( you practice" # always learn
a (reat deal from your form&&&N
Jil5Oun lau(hed&&& NForm8N
NOh yes" you mo$e with (reat economy" you sa$e your ener(y and stri)e with authority&N
The youn( Jedi rattled on N# ha$e defeated two classmates usin( your footwor) techni%ue
aloneLN
N?y Footwor)8LN @e thou(ht out loud" wonderin( what the *oy ment&
N.es" your footwor) is so ele(ant&&& other ?asters stress leapin( and steppin( widely& But
when # step deeply li)e that # always loose my *alance" your way&&& steppin( li(htly in
short steps and wor)in( your (uard&&& is so much more effecti$e&N
Jil5Oun was fla**er(astedM here he was thin)in( no one thou(ht much of his
swordsmanship& That his s)ill was *arely noticed till someone needed sa$in(!&
But here he was influencin( someone Gust *y stru((lin( to )eep his swordsmanship in"
what he felt was" an accepta*le manner& @e almost told the youn( lad that" in truth" he
wasnJt li$in( up to his own e3pectations&&& *ut he simply )nelt down and shoo) the *oyJs
hand&
NThan) you" thatJs a $ery nice thin( to sayN said Jil5Oun&
N.ouJre welcome" ?aster TahmN
The *oy smiled" wa$ed (oodni(ht and trotted of to the *oyJs dormitory&
Jil5Oun crea)ed *ac) up to a standin( position" his old Goints na((in( all the way& As he
sta((ered into his cham*er and lay slowly down on to the sleep5couch" @e could not help
*ut feel a (iddy Goy creep into him&
For at last" this ni(ht" he )new his life had $alue" that he made Na differenceN&&& he was
e$erythin( he needed to *e&
Ao more&&& no less&
Balance&
Our Place in the Force
-i(ht snow swirled and danced on the home planet of the Jedi Academy" in an almost
endless flow and rhythm& #ce cold water tric)led down the fo((ed window of the
uppermost dec) at the Temple& #nside the o*ser$ation tower" se$eral Jedi sat a*out
carelessly sippin( cocoa and enGoyin( each otherJs company&
N#tJs the first time the AcademyJs seen snow li)e this&N stated EBra Fye Poh" one of the
CouncilJs mem*ers&
Jedi ?aster Flastif smiled and let the tip of his fin(er slide down the (lass pane" lea$in( a
transparent strea)& @e had *een tra$elin( for se$eral months now" *ut had finally returned
to the Academy for the holidays& True" he had seen worse climate conditions and e$en
more spectacular ones5 *ut there was somethin( a*out *ein( in his home to witness it&
N,nowfla)es are one of the ForceJs&&&N
N&&& most fra(ile creations" yet when they stic) to(ether&&&N continued Danny Tam" mo$in(
up *ehind him& @e flashed a smile at Flastif" reco(niBin( it to *e one of his fa$orite
ma3ims&
@enry Chapman si(hed as he lay sprawled out on the couch" his tunic and pants wrin)led
much li)e his demeanor& @e was youn(er than e$eryone else in the room" *ut his dry wit"
awareness" and depth were more than a credit to his a(e& N.es& #f only all of us at the
Academy felt the same way& ,ometimes it feels li)e weJre all a *unch of snowfla)es
tryin( to hit each other off course&N
,uddenly" trainin( remote *ounced on his stomach& -oo)in( up" he saw ,ahJar
,untoucher across the room" a little less restless *ut nonetheless full of $i(or& ,ahJar wore
his usual *lac) hat with matchin( Jedi attire" and a stic) of rare spice from the planet of
Fessel han(in( out from the corner of his mouth&
,ahJar shru((ed& N.ea" no )iddin(& ,till" you canJt wa)e e$eryone up to the coffee&N
NAo" we canJt& Ao two snowfla)es are ali)e" either&&& if only people could loo) past the
outward thin(s&N stated Danny as he turned around to face e$eryone& ,tron( winds
(roaned and whipped a(ainst the windows" and it almost seemed as if only the com*ined
Force of all the Jedi in the Temple held its foundations&
EBra Fye turned her head sli(htly and sipped her hot chocolate some more& NDo you
)now when # li)e to come up here most often8N
All the other Jedi mo$ed to face her" the elder Jedi ?aster *ecomin( the center of
attention&
N&&& When it snows" when it rains" or e$en when all is still& When there is no one outside
and all that can *e heard is the midi5chlorians spea)in( in its $er*osity& When there is
only nature& Only the Force& # often ta)e Padawan 'oo with me" and we meditate %uietly
here&N
A smile escaped EBraJs lips as her hand swept a*out" ma)in( small inflections in the
Force& NOne can only *e hum*led and understand their place and di$ersity when there is
nothin( to discern or simplify&N
DinJcele*nar smiled" listenin( to the others spea) as she loo)ed out the window at the
*eautiful crystals& ,he ne$er (ot much snow *ac) home" and she always lo$ed watchin(
it fall" hopin( it would stic)& This time it would indeed stay around& Crinnin("
DinJcele*nar opened her window a crac) and slid her fin(ers alon( the sill a few times&
N.es" thatJs %uite trueL And itJs more fun when snow*alls stic) to(ether& -i)e thisLN ,he
threw li(htly pac)ed snow*alls the siBe of a pin( pon( *all at EBra" @ellflower" ,ahJar"
Flastif" @enry" and Dan& N-etJs (o play outsideLN Din (i((led when she saw that ,ahJarJs
snow*all was smac)ed onto his hat&
Col5mar %uietly wal)ed up to his fellow Jedi and smiled& N.es" when snow fla)es stic)
to(ether they can destroy any o*stacle in their path *ut with a little heat can *e destroyed
themsel$es&
Cifts and Crud(es
There once was a poor woodcutter who was *arely a*le to ma)e a li$in(& @e was $ery
dissatisfied with his life" *ut choppin( wood was all he )new how to do&
One day he happened to ha$e *een wor)in( near a la)e& While choppin( away" he was
thin)in( of his life and his misfortunes" which was (ettin( him an(ry and frustrated& #n
*lind an(er e suddenly flun( his a3e into the -a)e&
#mmediately he realiBed that it wasnJt the smartest thin( to do& #t was his only a3e" and
without it there was no way he could chop wood" no way he could earn a li$in(" and thus"
no way he could eat& And this was a *ad time for that" *ecause winter was Gust *e(innin(
to set in& @e didnEtJ ha$e any money to *uy a new a3e either&
NWhat am # (oin( to do8LN he wailed out loud& N# canJt sur$i$e without my a3eL And the
water is way too deep for me to try to swim and loo) for it&&&&N
As if he didnJt ha$e enou(h pro*lems" suddenly there was a loud rum*lin(" the water
*e(an to churn" and then" with a hu(e (eyser *last" a water demon appeared&
NWoodcutterLLN @e roared& N.ou dare insult me *y throwin( your a3e on my head8L Do
you thin) this la)e" my home" is some )ind of refuse lot to toss away old thin(s you no
lon(er want8LN
The woodcutter was *eside himself with fear& NAo sir" :he replied"; # did not mean you
any harm" and no insult was intended& # didnJt mean to throw the a3e into the la)eM it was
Gust out of rashness" and act of foolishness& # am sorry" and apolo(iBe to you sir& # need
my a3e in a*le to li$e" *ecause if # cannot cut wood to sell" # will star$e&N
The demon thou(ht for a while& N1ery well& #f all is what you say it is" then # will let this
pass" and return your a3e to you&N The demon than produced an a3e towards the
woodcutter& N#s this your a3e8N
The woodcutter *lin)ed& #t was an a3e all ri(ht" *ut it was made out of *ri(ht (old"
*eautiful to loo) upon& @e was amaBed" *ut it was not what he was loo)in( for&
NAo sir"N he replied& NThat a3e is made of (old" and mine was a plain" poor one& This is
not my a3e&N
The demon nodded& NWhat a*out this one8N he as)ed" and produced another one&
The woodcutter was amaBed a(ain& This time there was an a3e made of pure sil$er *efore
him& ,till he shoo) his head& NThis isnJt my a3eM mine was a plain one" and this one is
made of sil$er&N
The demon nodded a(ain& NWhat of this one8N he as)ed" and produced a third a3e&
The woodcutter smiled with reco(nition& NAh" that is my a3eL Plain wooden handle and
simple steel& #tEs not much" *ut it (ets the Go* done& Than) you $ery much for returnin(
it&N
The demon smiled& N.ou are welcome& And since you were honest enou(h to choose
your true a3e" # will instead (i$e you the (old one as a reward&N
The woodcutter couldnJt *elie$e it& There he was holdin( an a3e made of (old in his
hands" (litterin( in the sunli(ht& @e loo)ed up at astonishment at the water demon"
smilin( widely&
NThan) you than) you than) you $ery much sirLLN @e cried out happily" and with that he
ran off *ac) into the woods" e3tremely pleased with his (ood fortune& N#ma(ine all the
trees #Jll fall with this ma(ic a3eLN he thou(ht to himself&
Eat and Drin)
# was not in a position to share this last year" *ut some of you may ha$e wondered why #
disappeared from these hallowed halls& The truth is" # was sent on a series of secret
missions *y the Council&
One of my missions last fall in$ol$ed soothin( a dyin( colony of Primaris settlers on the
?oon of ?i)allen& They had *een stric)en *y a rare $iral strain that wiped out their
entire sect in a mere two wee)s& Apparently this micro5or(anism came to their world"
unin$ited" on the *ac) of a meteorite& By the time # arri$ed it had run its course" and was
no lon(er $ia*le& @ence" # was safe from infection&
Belie$e it or not" what # disco$ered is that most people *ecome ?O'E ci$iliBed when
they find out they ha$e a few wee)s to li$e& #t is $ery rare that someone *ecomes ?O'E
of a cad&
The human *ein( is a remar)a*le creature&
?ost people in this predicament suddenly learn to li$e more authentically" sharin( their
deepest feelin(s with all people& -i$in( carefully" apolo(iBin( for sli(hts" ta)in( a
deepened interest in their le(acy they *ecome almost an(elic& This is the spirit of NCarpe
Diem"N # thin)& Aot that we should *e li)e animals" *ut that we should stri$e to the
hi(hest human ideal as thou(h our li$es were finite& Because they are&
WeJre all on death row& ,ome Gust (et there faster&
Because the Jedi Order encompasses so many different cultures and species there really
isnJt an or(aniBed *elief system& A*out the only thin( we can say for certain as Jedi is
that contact with deceased Jedi comrades has *een documented and e$en holo(raphed&
Aside from that" we *rin( our culturesJ $iew on life and death into *attle&
When # was a Padawan" my ?aster tau(ht me the $iew that life is a classroom& This idea
has its roots in the Chandrilian *elief in reincarnation& @e told me that our *eha$ior in
this Nclassroom of lifeN has direct *earin( on what happens in the ne3t classroom& For
e3ample" will you pass the e3am and mo$e on to the ne3t le$el8 Or will you fail to study
and *e held *ac)8
For me" there is a real impetus to N(et it ri(htN the first time" as it were& # )now that if #
donJt # am (oin( to see the same old thin(s a(ain and a(ain& #f they are painful to me
now" they will *e more so the ne3t time around&
#t is easy to )now when you are *ein( tested in lifeJs classroom& For e3ample" he would
say" Nany time you feel li)e yellin(" any time you feel li)e cheatin(" any time you feel
li)e stealin(" any time you feel li)e hurtin( someone else so that you can mo$e forward"
you mi(ht as well *e at a des) with a paper %uiB *efore you& Better yet" ima(ine
@eadmaster .oda leerin( from the doorway&N
There is a $ery special son( that my old Jedi ?aster used to sin( *efore he died& # feel it
is appropriate to share it with you now&
#t often happened late at ni(ht" when we had *uilt a fire and # was nearly asleep& For some
reason he didnJt often sin( in front of me when # was awa)e& ?ay*e he was waitin( for a
pri$ate momentM a sacred *it of time without me nippin( at his heels&
#t was times li)e that that he would commune with his own ?aster" lon( deceased" who
pro*a*ly tau(ht him the son( in the first place& # seem to recall him sayin( that it was
much older than that& # also thin) this was a*out the time he would ta)e a sip off the old
hip flas)L!
Whate$er the reason" he would loo) up at the stars" waitin( for me to doBe off& But #
wanted to hear the son( a(ain" so # would hold off as lon( as # could& And Gust a*out the
time # fell from the fence into the pastures of the dreamworld" he would start to sin( this
son( to himself&&&
]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
N,ome say Jedi ne$er lieM *ut it isnJt true&
#t only matters that you try to li$e each day anew&
The rec)less fly their starships hi(hM and sacrifice their crew&
But pirates will *e pirates" why8 #tJs for the thin(s they do&
But&&&
WeJre on our way to an(els" sonM upon a De(o moonL
With e$ery precious feather wonM weJll *e arri$in( soon&
,o eat and drin) and lau(h and cryM lo$e the midni(ht throu(h&
Tomorrow you and # shall dieM *ut alas" we ne$er do&N
What #s #t8
White i(nited her puny pensa*er and pushed the *lade strai(ht throu(h the palm of her
left hand& The pensa*er hun( there" its *lade on one side of WhiteJs hand and its hilt on
the other&
Jedi and padawans wandered throu(h the courtyard of the academy& White didnJt notice
them& ,weat poured down her face in a salt5waterfall of rain& ,he was li$in( in a moment
rather than in real life&
With little effort" the pensa*er could (o anywhere *ut forward& To mo$e the pensa*er
forward would re%uire White to destroy more of her flesh& The hilt was too lar(e to fit
throu(h the e3istin( wound&
White could easily swin( the pensa*er in any other direction& The an(le of the swin(
would determine what part of her hand she would lose& A fin(er" may*e two or half her
hand could disappear without much trou*le&
White realiBed that the only way to remo$e the pensa*er from her hand with no further
inGury was to pull it out *ac)wards& To withdraw&
,omewhere deep inside White *oomed the $oice of ?ur)y& ?ur)y ra(ed a(ainst
withdrawal& The uni$erse must (o forwardM mista)es were necessary if White e3pected to
reach her (oal on time&
White %uelled the $oice of ?ur)y& ,he was a Jedi )ni(ht& A relati$ely tame and
unad$enturous one perhaps" *ut she would not turn towards the Dar) ,ide" e$en if it was
only ?ur)y&
Catherin( up all of her stren(th" she stared down at her hand" at the result of her mista)e&
White didnJt e$en *other swallowin( her pride 55 what would *e the point8 ,he pulled the
pensa*er *ac)wards" out of her palm" and wrapped her *loody hand in her ro*e& White
would not ha$e *een surprised if her own left hand had slapped her across the face" to
)noc) some sense into her&
White stood up" heedless of the pain crossin( from her left arm to the ri(ht hemisphere of
her *rain& @er ro*e fell to her feet and her hand was e3posed to all of the passers*y& ,he
switched off her pensa*er" tuc)ed it into its hidden poc)et protector" and sat *ac) down&
This time" White decided to *attle the old ennui without the help of a fiercely (lowin(
*lade&
N,o" which is it&&&8N
White heard from *ehind her&
,he turned and saw the old white *eard and faded *rown ro*es of Jil5Oun Tahm )neelin(
down to *e on eye le$el with her&
NWhat do you mean8N ,he said ma)in( some attempt at hidin( the wound she had Gust
inflicted on herself&
The old Jedi tuc)ed a lon( strand of white hair *ehind his ear and (ently seiBed her hand
from its hidin( place under her other hand& @e loo)ed down to see the *urnt s)in
surroundin( the small hole&&& he frowned&
N?mmm" thatJs a real (ood one&&& strai(ht throu(h&&& you missed the *ones" *ut&&& :@e
loo)ed more closely N&&&yup" # can see dayli(ht& 'eally impressi$e thou(hN he smiled at
White&
N-oo)" #Jm not tryin( to&&& # mean&&&N White searched for the correct retort&
N.es dear" thatEs why # as)ed&&&N
NAs)ed what8N White said" *ored with the (ame already&
NWhich is it8 #s it &&& the Goy of a(ony8 &&& O$ercomin( your fears8 &&&N Jil5Oun leaned in
close&&&
:&&&&or do you maim yourself&&& Gust to feel something &&&anythin( at all8N
The old warrior politely waited for an answer" smilin( softly&
White *lushed she had *een doin( a lot of that lately! and a$erted her eyes& #t was )ind
of hard to e3plain" *ecause White thou(ht that she was completely alone in her feelin(s&
,he was pro*a*ly wron(" and she )new it" *ut it was ta)in( too much effort to face her
pro*lems and she had all *ut (i$en up on elo%uence&
NWell&&&N she meowed&&&
Jil5Oun lau(hed at her attempts to stall& NJust tell me which it is& The answer mi(ht *e an
e3pression of feelin(s" or it mi(ht *e a decision&N @e smiled&
White )new that it was time to do or do not& There was no try" at least not where Jil5Oun
was concerned&
N# ha$e a*solutely no clue why # pierced my hand with my pensa*er& But it wasnJt
*ecause # needed to feel somethin(& #t mi(ht *e *ecause # needed to feel somethin(
comprehensi*le&N A med droid circled in on Jil5Oun and White and *e(an scannin(
WhiteJs wound& White shot Jil5Oun her *est youJre5too5percepti$e5for5your5own5(ood"5
old5man"5*ut5#5appreciate5it loo)&
Jil5Oun ac)nowled(ed the loo) with a friendly smir)& White continued& NPiercin( my
hand with my li(htsa*er is li)e a mista)e # made in the past year& #t was the silliest" most
immature" foreseea*le" unima(inati$e" Force5damned mista)e # could ha$e made& #
should ha$e *een stron(er&
.ou see" # had underta)en a mission& Aot our famed mission of the stin)y @utts" *ut a
mission in my life away from the Academy& And # fell on my face so hard that physics
dictated that the little atomic forces separatin( my face and the (round dissipate& Faput"
*am" no more White& Just a dismal puddle of attempt that couldnJt muster the will to
mo$e on&N
Jil5Oun had lon( since mastered the art of listenin(" and he was patient& True to his
nature" he was a creati$e listener 55 somethin( %uite rare indeed& @e as)ed White" N.ou
must )now that this happens to e$eryone& Why did your failure hit you so hard8N
White responded" NThatJs Gust it& # didnJt )now it happened to e$eryone& # thou(ht it
happened to e$eryone e3cept for me& # donJt mind *ein( a %uitter" # donJt mind tuc)in(
away my pensa*er and returnin( later when the time is ri(ht" so lon( as %uittin( is my
choice& Ae$er" e$er *efore ha$e # *een una*le to do somethin( # put my mind to& Ae$er"
e$er ha$e # felt li)e somethin( con%uered me& # (uess it completely chan(ed my
perception of the Force&
,omethin( alon( the lines of the Force is *i((er than me 55 #Jm not a (oddess&
That realiBation made me face my real choices& Aot the choices a Jedi ma)es when she
mista)enly thin)s she can do anythin(" *ut the choices a Jedi ma)es when she )nows her
limits& #t is necessary for me to admit that # failed" that # canJt succeed without tryin(
a(ain& TheJ tryin( a(ainJ part is what was (ettin( to me& Before" # would try harder&
?ay*e e$en try somethin( new& But ne$er ashe shudderedb try a(ain&
# feel li)e a nerd in mandatory summer school& #nept&
But #J$e resisted the call of ?ur)y" who was tellin( me to pretend that # hadnJt really
failed& That # could )eep on )eepin(J on and e$erythin( would wor) itself out& That was
the dar)side callin(& 'eality is forcin( me to retrace my steps&N
White loo)ed up throu(h her eyelashes at Jil5Oun& ,he hoped her attempt at e3plainin("
com*ined with her #Jm5Gust5a5wet5*ehind5the5ears5padawan"5after5all loo)" and would
protect her from one of Jil5OunJs ine$ita*ly astute o*ser$ations&
But the Force told her otherwise& The Force told her that Jil5Oun Gust mi(ht ha$e more to
say
The old (riBBled warrior thou(ht for a moment&&& this was Gust as serious as he had
suspected& Aot only that&&& he was a *it out of his depth&&& as in the past few years him
ha$in( dealt mostly with surly *ureaucratic officials" Dar) Jedi" calloused starship pilots
and such&
@e pondered the picture youn( White had painted for him&&& searchin(" turnin( the ima(e
in his mind&
After a moment the old man too) a more comforta*le position on the (round sittin( cross
le((ed& The (reat hall seemed Gust a tad %uieter&&& and the old Jedi told a (entle tale&
YY
NOne year" my fourteenth one # thin)&&& as Padawan to my ?aster"
We wal)ed the (hettos of Alderaan" pre$entin( (ra$e disaster&&&
J,a$e meJ the TwiJli) lo$e sla$e wailed" unto us for compassion&
There are rules we Jedi follow" towards our mission (o our actions&
But soft of heart my ?aster was" he carried her from dire harm&
This act # )new NFor*idden wasN and seethed in mute alarm&
Once we had done what she had as)ed" we went to meet our fate&
We stormed the twisted (an(lord" flun( him out the city (ate&
# did not spea) a*out my feelin(s" *ut down inside my stomach churned&
# still could not *elie$e it" ?asterJs crime inside me *urned&
?y heart my ?aster )new too well&&&
@e spo)e to let me )now&
!;re you still carrying that girl7!
! put her down days ago.!N
YY
Jil5Oun then softy smiled at white&&&(i$in( her the old .ou5must5not5allow5yourself5to5
dwell5on5what NwasN&&& it5is5a5ca(e5one5*uilds5around5ones5mind&&& loo)&
For a moment White simply loo)ed at Jil5Oun not sayin( a word&
And then she smiled& #t was the o*$ious" *ut still natural continuation of the thread&
NJWe stormed the twisted (an(lord" flun( him out the city (ate"JN she repeated&
NWonderful& E3actly the correct decision& .ou ha$e helped a (reat deal" Jil5Oun&N
The med droid had wandered away" in search of somethin( else to mend& White decided
that she would rather loo) for somethin( else to enGoy&
N# hoped that you mi(ht e3plain what you see in the Can(lord8 What ma)es you chose
that line out of all the others8N
Jil5Oun wondered" spea)in( Gust as White *e(an to wal) away&
White stopped in her trac)s" roc)ed *ac) and forth on her feet" leaned a little too far o$er
her heels" and tum*led *ac)wards onto the nicely5mown5*ut5still5somewhat5wild5and5
e3otic"5smellin(5li)e5le(al5spice5and5fresh5memories (rass& The med droid slowly *e(an
driftin( *ac) o$er to the *ruised Jedi& One could almost hear it si(h in e3asperation&
N# lo$e that line in your tale" dear Jedi" *ecause it is full of life"N said White& NAction"
spun)" humor&
The (an(lord represents my pride" the dastardly o*stacle that was pre$entin( me from
startin( o$er in my mission& #f # am to succeed" # canJt pretend that # did not fail in the
past& # canJt mo$e forward on anythin( less than an honest foundation&N
Jil5Oun nodded" althou(h his thou(hts were not apparent to the youn(er Jedi& ,he
wondered what other stories Jil5Oun mi(ht ha$e to offer from his days as a padawan&
They mi(ht ma)e an interestin( antholo(y in Jedi -ore 55 alon( with stories a*out other
$enera*le )ni(hts such as Dre(yn" ?aster Fett" and EBra when they were youn(&&&
But White )new that e$erythin( in life does not need to *e crystal5clear& #n fact
sometimes she preferred her ima(ination" which she considered an e%ually $alid part of
life" anyhow& ,he smiled at Jil5Oun and *e(an to le$itate& White was now more sure
a*out some of her footsteps than others&
The Droplet of Chan(e
Padawan 'oo ,unrunner Poh was fi3ed motionless on a tiny drop of dew as it Gourneyed
the spine of a lar(e Canta leaf& Only Gust ma)in( its presence" the sun turned the
Caloonian s)y oran(e and clued the nocturnals to *urrow for the day&
Ward of Jedi Tam for only the mornin(" as EBra Fye con$ened with the ?asters"
'oo remained to herself as her (uardian read from one of his many *oo)s strewn a*out&
Jedi Tam" whose slender frame sat leanin( a(ainst a roc)" was a(itated from the chan(es
at the academy& @e sou(ht refu(e in his studies" *ut found no solace&
@e drew his tired eyes from the words and noticed the padawanJs pensi$e (aBe as the
droplet $oya(ed from tip to tip& A sin(le fin(er ho$ered o$er the li%uid morsel" and he
could see that 'oo wanted to disrupt its spinal Gourney" *ut she hesitated e$ery time&
NJedi Tam"N 'oo re%uested& N#f # so desired" # could chan(e the course of this small drop
of water8N
N.es"N her youthful (uardian replied as he mar)ed his pa(e with a thum*& NBut why8
Why would you chan(e the course of the water8 #t seems perfectly fine where it is&N
NThe Canta leaf no lon(er li$es"N she said& N#t has fallen from its tree& #t has had its time
on Caldoon" *ut the season has chan(ed& The water will not sa$e its life&N
Jedi Tam pulled his *ody from the roc) and rested his arms o$er two )nees& @e listened
for more&
NThe water is (ood"N the Gu$enile continued& N#t (i$es life to Caldoon& This droplet would
do *etter if # should capture it and endow a saplin(& For it would chan(e the saplin(Js life"
and help it to (row on this dry planet&N
The ,unrunner too) the dry Canta leaf and poured the fluid sphere o$er a new
(rowth& N.ou see Jedi Tam" thou(h the leaf is no more" it once pro$ided *eauty" and now"
it pro$ided a way for me to nurture a NnewN *eauty&
'oo loo)ed o$er her shoulder" and fi3ed a chestnut eye o$er her (uardian&
NChan(e&&&it is often times difficult to understand and accept" *ut it is here for a reason&N
With that" she dashes towards the warmth of a new sun& Jedi Tam placed his *oo)
aside" rose from his position and followed suit&
The Desi(n of the Force
EBra Fye Poh and Danny Tam spo)e softly as they am*led in circles around the Jedi
Academy -i*rary" the sound of their footfalls echoin( throu(hout& N.ouJre really doin( a
Go* with this -i*raryLN EBra commented as her fin(ers (raced across the spines of a row
of *oo)s&
The youn(er Jedi (a$e her a lopsided (rin and hoo) his head& N@ardly" EBra& # spent the
last hour remo$in( hi(hli(hted mar)s in the *oo)s" and erasin( comments people wrote
such as JDonJt eat .odaJs urinal ca)esJN&
A soft" (rumpy $oice chimed in *ehind them& N@eard my name" # did&&&N
Dar) *rown ro*es whirled in unison as the two Jedi turned in shoc)& There" the ei(ht
hundred year old elfin Jedi ?aster .oda stood *efore them" restin( on his (imer stic)&
.oda had decided to put his duties at the Jedi Temple on hold in order to (i$e some
counsel to the Academy" in li(ht of all the recent departures of Jedi& #t was late in the
ni(ht" and the two Jedi had *elie$ed e$eryone to *e asleep *eneath the twili(ht&
Althou(h Danny had not yet attended any of .odaJs lectures" and EBra had personally
(reeted the ?aster when he arri$ed in the han(ar" the two stood e%ually surprised and in
awe& They *owed in pious respect" and then proceeded to mo$e closer to en(a(e in
con$ersation&
EBra smiled and leaned a(ainst a mar*le pillar& N?aster .oda" itJs an honor& What *rin(s
you out this late8N
NAh" sensed you two # did" in my meditation& An honor it is" to meet two fine Jedi as
well&N .oda responses" his eyes *lin)in( sleepily&
N?aster .oda" # was wonderin(&&& wonderin( if you could foresee the direction of the
Academy&N as)ed Danny&
.oda closed his eyes and hummed" as if to enter a meditati$e trance& ,uddenly" he
Gumped to a state of li$eliness and po)ed Danny in the le( with his wooden stic)& @e
*e(an lau(hin( in short" de$ilish *ursts& N@e he heL ,illy %uestion" you as) of me" Jedi
TamL Only you" and the Jedi of this Temple" can determine the future&N
EBra Fye and Danny e3chan(ed meanin(ful (lances and *e(an to lau(h as well&
NPowerful Jedi" you two are& Watched you a lon( time" ha$e #" alon( with others& Worry
not" you must" for re$eal itself will the desi(n of the Force" when continue your studies
and culti$ation you do&N
The female Jedi shifted in her ro*es and *rushed her short hair *ehind her shoulders&
NThere are so many chan(es that are a*out to ta)e place" with so many different people
now& #t is hard for me to understand how thin(s will wor) out&N
A low rum*le of amusement escaped .odaJs throat" and he smiled a toothy (rin at her&
NWhy see) you" to understand8 Famous sayin( there is" in the Jedi te3ts& J#n your search
to understand the Wampa" you will *e too close to the teeth to realiBe what it is for&J Eat
you it willL @e he he heLN
N# ha$e to admit #J$e learned that the hard way&N responded Danny with a wry smir)&
EBra shoo) off DanJs comment and ru**ed her chin thou(htfully& N,o ?aster .oda"
youJre sayin( if # )eep my distance" then the will of the Force will *ecome apparent8N
N.es yes" true this is to a point& ,ym*iants with the midi5chlorians" we are& #f listen and
wor) with it" we do" then do the same the Force shall" for us&N
DannyJs eyes narrowed as he watched the wiBened (reen Jedi pace slowly" his (imer stic)
rhythmically tappin( the floor& The mysteries of the Force were often so deep and
comple3" and here was a Jedi who had ei(ht hundred years of e3perience& And e$en then"
.odaJs messa(e was still somethin( of a riddle to him&
As .oda *e(an to wal) off towards the e3it" he spo)e softly o$er his shoulder& N,imilar
situation" the Jedi Temple on Coruscant faces& The Chosen One" a youn( man is& Fnow
not" do #" what the Force has in store for him" or the Jedi of our time& Aot for me to
decide" is it&&& *ut (uide him we shall" as must you with your own& Perhaps a (ame it is we
play" with the Force&N
N?a)e a differenceM some shall" within this (ala3y of stars and roc)s& Others&&& will
destroy themsel$es with their i(norance and an(er& But" as lon( as the Force *inds us and
this (ala3y&&& *alance shall remain" e$er shiftin( and chan(in(& Decepti$e to us" it may
appear& But to the wise Jedi&&&N
And with that" the Jedi ?aster disappeared into the dar)ened hallway&
Con$ersations With Cod
Did # e$er tell you a*out the time" when my master" the $enera*le Birta Baadu" was
called away to settle a dispute in the FEfau system8 # was %uite youn( at the time" *ut #
will ne$er for(et the $alua*le lesson it tau(ht me& As # recall" a ci$il war was pendin("
o$er some dispute *etween (o$ernment and reli(ion& ?y master treated it $ery seriously"
and it was decided that # would (o with him" in order to learn a little of how these
disputes were settled& Of course" we were (i$en datacards pac)ed with information
re(ardin( the system" its politics" its peoples" and of course" the reli(ion& ?y master
studied it dili(ently" and as)ed that # did the same" tellin( me that in order to *e a (ood
diplomat+mediator" that # had to understand thin(s in the same way as the disputers
understood them& ,o" he told me" it was imperati$e that # read their *oo) of @oly
,criptures" in order to understand where their an(st came from& To me" this seemed sillyD
Cod8 There was no CodLLL There was the ForceLL We had the ForceR&that was why we
were sent to dispute these thin(sD the Force pro$ided us with our answersLLL Aot these
pointless rituals and empty prayersLL #f this was not so" then why would we *e on this
mission8
As we *oarded the ship" launched and readied for a lon( hyperspace Gourney" master sat
at a des) in our cham*er" and *e(an to study the cards& @e insisted that # do the same& ,o
there # wasR&# sat on the floor" and started to sift throu(h the dataD primary system" one
star" 0 planets" 6 inha*ited" three moons also could support life and had nominal
populations" maGor items of trade were a(ricultural products" and some li(ht industrial
products& #t sat on one of the more minor trade routes out towards the rim& Two
endo(enous races" one on each planet& Each )ept themsel$es to themsel$es" one reclusi$e"
and the othersD Farinas" were the ones" which we were dealin( with& A simple enou(h
people" *ound *y a strict moral and reli(ious code" they went a*out their li$es in as
simple a manner as possi*le" tradin( with the Federation" and whate$er independents that
happened to come into their system& Owin( to the low5profit nature of the (oods in which
they produced" the Federation and the ,enate lar(ely were uninterested in the system
@ence" our *ein( assi(ned to the Go*LLL!" and e$en allowed some independents to (ain
small monopolies o$er trade within the system& This was all well and (ood& # could
understand why my master wanted me to )now thisRa *rief history of the system" an
outline of the politics 'ulin( clans and elected local leaders" lar(e input from the
reli(ious priesthood!" imports" e3ports" how the people loo)ed etc& Fine& # read it& Then
came the *oo) of scripturesR
Out of the corner of my eye" # saw master studyin( intently& # )new" howe$er" that he
would notice if # started fid(etin(" or put the cards down" so # started to readD
I#n all thin(s" one must supplant oneself to the will of the Di$ine lordE
IThe -ord is one& ,uperior& The -ordEs thou(hts cannot *e )nown" only o*ser$ed" *y
their manifestation in the realm of worldly )nowled(eE
IDo not see) to )now the mind of the lord& Just see) to hear the wordsE
P'EPO,TE'OU,LLLLLLL Why did these fools read this ru**ish8L8 # sat there smu(ly"
)nowin( that they had it all wron(& # was so smu(M in fact" that # realiBed how easy it
would *e to sol$e this disputeD we would Gust (o there" tell them the Force was the only
Idi$ineE power in this (ala3y" and demonstrate its power& Then they would )now how
silly their reli(ious s%ua**le wasR&and they would )now the true nature of the (ala3y& A
$alua*le lesson indeed had *een dealt to me& # didnEt need to read any more of this
pointless *a**le& # was sure master felt the same way&
A while later" the shipEs captain called o$er the intercom that we had reached our
destination and the ship would soon *e re$ertin( to realspace" so we were needed to
transmit our clearance codes to the Faurian authorities& We had had little chance to
discuss matters a*out the dispute" Gust enou(h time to read throu(h the te3ts we were
(i$en& ,o # had no time to as) my master e3actly how we were to demonstrate the true
power of the Force to these people& # assumed it would in$ol$e li(htsa*ers" and some TF
tric)s" etcRRR
?aster and # entered the coc)pit of the craft" and *uc)led oursel$es in" and watched as
the hyperspace starlines shortened into indi$idual stars" and the systemEs star and planets
win)ed into $iew& Within a short while" we were hailed *y the Faurian authorities" and
as)ed to transmit our clearance codes for the system& ?aster did this" and we were
directed to land in a small spaceport in the main settlement on the planet" Fauriana City&
After an une$entful landin(" master and # too) our places at the ramp" as the pilot lowered
it& We wal)ed down it into the cool" Faurian mornin( sunli(ht" and the fresh" sweet smell
of naturally scru**ed and circulated atmospheric airR&Gust li)e *ac) on Chandrila& #
wasnEt ready for what happened ne3t& As we *e(an to wal) out from the ship" missiles of
food and soil and other filth were hurled at us from people in all directions& IConGurersLLLE
ICloa)ed demonsLLE the people GeeredR&ECo homeLL We donEt want your stin)in( )ind"
hereLLLERE-EA1ELLL WE DOAET WAAT TO WA'P OU' ?#AD, T@E WA. .OU
@A1E T@E 'E,T OF T@E CA-AZ.LLLLLER&# concluded at this point that these people
pro*a*ly found their reli(ion as pointless as # had& After all" it tau(ht them a strict code of
moralsRand they certainly werenEt *ein( adhered toLL # *e(an to repel the missiles usin(
Force techni%uesD hurl them *ac) at my assailants& ?issiles were rainin( down upon us"
and # turned them all *ac) on their throwersRwhich" of course made them e$en more
an(ry Ithey use their sorcery on usLLE they cried& IE$il menLLLE ,uddenly" # sensed a
stron( IhandE held o$er my a*ility to use the Force& The missiles" after a redou*lin( of
efforts" *e(an to rain down upon master and me once more& ?aster turned and (lared at
meREdo AOT do thatE" he said %uietly" as the *arra(e continued" and we continued to
wal) down our desi(nated wal)way towards a diplomatic reception with the rulin( house
and the representati$es& From my )nowled(e of politicians" # assumed that these people
would *e no different to those outside& But their missiles would *e hurled from the
shadows" and wrapped in sweet5smellin( compliments" (ifts" su(ar5coated offers" *ac)5
handers" and smiles all around&
But at least they wouldnEt hurl missiles at us&
,o ima(ine my surprise when we entered the reception" and found the councilors to *e
$ery easy5(oin(& Con$ersin( a*out such matters as farmin(" rearin( of cattle" fermentin(
of (rain" *rewin( of ale" and other such thin(sR&they (enuinely seemed to *e such nice
people& ?y master turned to me and smiled as we entered" noddin( to me in apparent
a(reement of my appraisal& As we entered" we were welcomed" and offered (iftsD cold
weather Gac)ets made from the finest hide" and wal)in( *oots of the sturdiest leather&
#ndeed" this seemed all $ery out of place& #t was as if we were now spea)in( to the people
who followed the reli(ion" and that outside we had met the diplomatsLL
As we ate lunch" current affairs started to *e discussed *etween master and the
councilors& #t appeared that the rulin( houses wished to *e(in importin( such thin(s as
landspeeders" en(ine5dri$en har$esters and plou(hs" machines for e3tractin( mil) from
their animals" etc in order for their har$ests to *e made more successful" and their manual
wor)loads to *e reduced& The detractors" meanwhile" stron(ly opposed this" sayin( that
these Iplaythin(sE were merely a distraction& And while the supporters riposted this with
the fact that wor) was also a distraction" the detractors seemed to thin) that wor) was
what made one understand their faith that much more& But then" it was stated" if one had
more free time" one could spend more time contemplatin( oneEs faith" and communin(
with oneEs -ord&
?aster sat and listened to the details of the nature of the schism& Earlier" in readin( the
information pertainin( to the reli(ion of the people" we had noted that the reli(ion is
ministered *y a *ody of priest5li)e peopleD people" who are employed and compelled to
spend their time in contemplation of oneJs faith" reli(ion" -ord" and place in the (rand
scheme of thin(sR&&and so" what did these people ha$e to say on the matter& The reply
(i$en was that the Chief priestM the Papa" as he was affectionately )nown" was in retreat&
@e was contemplatin( the issue" and tryin( to decide upon a $erdict& IUn*elie$a*leLLLE #
thou(ht to myself" IThis (uy was as dum* as the rest of themLLL Did he want to start a
war88E As dinner wore on" issues pertainin( to the dispute were told to master" and he
merely sat and listened" without passin( Gud(ment& As any (ood mediator )new" it was
*est to (ain the other half of the ar(umentM tooR&*ut for this to happen" Papa had to come
out of seclusion&
We were then led to our cham*ers for freshenin( up after the meal& After # had e3ited the
refresher station" # )new # was in for a lectureR&as indeed # was&
I.oun( man" why did you try to use your Force powers to deflect those missiles8E @e
as)ed&
I# Gust didnEt want to *e hit&E # shru((ed" nonchalantly&
IThere is a difference *etween pre$entin( oneself from *ein( hit" and retaliatin(" my
*oyR# thin) you may ha$e crossed the line *etween the twoLE he replied&
IBut masterL # was actin( in defenseLLE # insisted&
I,o why the OFFence" then8E came his curt reply& # si(hed& @e had a point&&&
I# apolo(iBe" master& #t was wron( of me to do that&E @e nodded&
IWhy so8E he intoned&
IBecause # was attac)in( them" and lowerin( myself to their le$el" master&E
@e nodded" satisfied& I-et us discuss why # didnEt want you to defend yourself with the
Force" thenE he continuedREany ideas8E
# shru((ed" Inot reallyR# canEt see why # shouldnEt ha$e defended myself from (ettin(
filthyLE # replied&
I,imply" *ecause it anta(oniBes the peopleLL Use of the Force infuriates themL They see it
as un(odlyLE
By this point" # couldnEt hold myself *ac) any lon(erR# simply wanted to e3plodeL #
*lurted my feelin(s out to my master" IBut masterLL Of course itEs un(odlyLL Their
reli(ion is stupidLL There isnEt a CODLLL There is merely the Force" and the sooner we
can demonstrate that to them" the *etterLL We should ma)e those idiots realiBe that their
silly de$otion to a non5e3istent *ei5I
ICalm down" ladE master said softlyR*ut # i(nored him
I5n( is nothin( *ut a *unch of pointless play5actin(L The Force is what contro5I
IUrsss)R&&E master said" his tone *ecomin( a little more commandin("
a(ain" # i(nored I5ls and *inds usRnot this silly *oss5manLL These fools thin) they are
*etter than us" when they cannot possi*ly understand" less control" the forces" which *ind
this uni5I
IPADAWAALLE master *ar)ed" as he placed a hand firmly on each of my shoulders& The
tone" with which he spo)e" implied many thin(s to meD one" he was an(ryM two" it was me
who made him an(ry" and threeM if # didnEt concur" # would *e scru**in( the Academy
croc)ery for wee)s to comeLLL # shut up&
IWhere did you learn such information8 Who told you this8L8E he en%uired&
IAo*odyE # stated" defensi$elyREitEs a (i$enL There is no Cod" *ecause the Force
determines our realityRitEs will is what we supplant oursel$es toRnot some silly %uasi5
physical *ei5I
IEAOUC@LLE he commandedM I.ou read their holy te3t8 The first lineR&&E he as)ed&
# hesitated sli(htlyR&ECome onLL .ou must surely ha$e read the first lineLLE he as)ed&
# stammeredM I#n all thin(s" one must supplant oneself to the will of the Di$ine lordE
IOFER&he said" in a li(hter toneREand so we use the Force in place of itRwhy is this
*etter8E he as)edR&
IBecause when we ma)e the Force our ally" we (ain the a*ility to manipulate itEs flowE" #
said IAnd hence" we are closer to the truth than they are" *ecause they canEt do li)ewiseE
I#Em (lad you withdrew on the issue of controllin( the ForceE" he caGoledM E,o" we are
*etter than them" *ecause our practices allow us to wield the power to partially control
matter and *end some simple laws of physicsRand theirs simply teach them ethics and
morals" and the fact that they shouldnEt try to )now the mind of their creator8E @e
en%uired&
I.esE # stated& ,uccinctly" # thou(ht&
I,o tell me" youn( master" where our trainin( differs from that idea8E he challen(ed&
IWellR&of course the ethics are thereR&and we supplant oursel$es" tooE
IUh5huhR&Emaster incurred" IcontinueE
IBut we supplant oursel$es to the will of the ForceRnot this silly Cod5thin(& We FAOW
where it is the will comes from&E # stated" matter5of5factly&
IOFR&so we supplant oursel$es to the will of the ForceR&and how is this will
determined8E he challen(ed
flummo3ed" # repliedRE#t simplyR&isRitEs thereR*ecause the Force has a willE
And master smiled" I,oR&how do you )now that the will of the Force isnEt actually the
will of some di$ine *ein(8E @e as)edR# stood" mouth open" una*le to answer his
%uestion& I.ou canEtLLLE @e saidR&
IBut you can see it&&&&E # replied& IThere is no e$idence for a CodLL Ao hypothesisRno
reasonin(R&&the Force" we can feelR*ut Cod8E # en%uiredRalmost *e((in(&
ITell me what happens" lad" when hi(her (round and lower (round meetE he as)ed&
IWell masterRthere isRthere is a cliff& Or a hill" or a slope" or a rampRE # replied"
stunned& Where was this leadin(8 What was the old man tal)in( a*out nowR&&
I,o there is a slopeR&a medium" which reconciles the two8E he %uestionedR
I.5RyesRE # stammered
Iand so" in this case" hi(her and lower" are reconciled *y somethin(" which can relate
e%ually to *oth of themR&8E @e as)edR&he loo)ed at me" o*ser$in( my *lan)
e3pression& @e thou(ht a little himself" and then came up with another e3ampleM I,oRtell
me a*out primiti$e circuitryE" he as)ed&
I?aster8E # intonedR*ut the e3pression on his face su((ested # do as he told I?asterR
the power source contains ener(y" which li)es to flow down a (radientRfrom ne(ati$e to
positi$e& A circuit ma)es the (radient possi*le& Place somethin( across this circuit" and it
can use the ener(y (enerated *y this downward flow to do wor)R&E # saidRas an ima(e
flashed in my mindR
ICood& ,o a medium is used to reconcile a*o$e and *elow& This medium relates to *oth
parts of thisR&*ut to our mind" there is a definite direction" in which the e3chan(e can
flowR*e it (ra$ity" or a thermodynamic (radient8E @e as)edR
I.es" masterRand the same are true of the Force8 We are the medium *etween it and the
people8E # en%uiredR&master chuc)led&&&
I.ou really do *elie$e that" donEt you" lad8 .ou really do thin) we are *etter than these
people8E # stared at him *lan)lyRR
IThat wasnEt your point8E # as)ed
IAo&E he said flatly Iyour lac) of o*Gecti$ity" and inflated sense of worth distur* meD they
can only lead you in one directionR&&what # was (ettin( at was thisD the ne3t line of the
@oly ,cripture8E he en%uired
IThe -ord is one& ,uperior& The -ordEs thou(hts cannot *e )nown" only o*ser$ed" *y
their manifestation in the realm of worldly )nowled(eE # repliedR&
IOFR&so the -ord has whate$er will the lord will ha$eRand it can only *e o*ser$ed
indirectly&E @e said&&&# nodded" and so he continued I,o" how then" do we o*ser$e the will
of the lord8E @e as)edR&E#f not directly" then how8E
Aow" # was (ettin( the ideaD IThe Lord" then" is the upper part of this incline& +)
collecti$ely" are itEs lower endR&and the medium" throu(h which the -ordEs will
*ecomes manifest" which relates to *oth of usR&&is the ForceR&&E # trailed off" in
contemplationR&of course" the implications of this made trac)s in my mind& # followed
those trac)sD
Iso then" masterD # was ri(htLL We can o*ser$e the will of the -ord *etter than these
peopleLLLE # stated" matter5of5factly&
IAot entirely" lad&E ?aster said IBut # admire your analytical attitude& We all ha$e
midichloriansRthey stren(then our connection to the Force" and can sometimes allow us
to understand itEs whimR&*ut # certainly ha$e ne$er met someone" who would )now the
mind of the ForceR&they merely ma)e our connection to it so (reat" that we can
manipulate the surroundin( atomsR&and to e3perience the Force so close ma)es us
hum*le enou(h to )now that we are Gust an insi(nificant part of the wholeRthat we are
nothin(Rand to try to impro$eRhowe$er" the will of the Force still ta)es effect on us&
We can sometimes o*ser$e it in premonitions and prophecy" *ut we cannot control it& We
are as su*ser$ient to it" and as powerless a(ainst it as the normal people areR&they Gust
ha$e e$en less conscious lin)s to it" than we do& Ao Jedi is *i((er than the Force" all are
su*ser$ient to it" and all are (o$erned *y itEs willR&&and none indeed can tell you that it
is not what unites us with whate$er5it5is up there that is in char(eRif we were that
connected to the Force" that we could )now such a fact" we would ha$e transcended this
crude matter lon( a(oR&&E he trailed offR&&
# sat and listened to it allR&as master lay down his $iew of the Force" and also" alon(
with it" my hitherto superiority comple3& But one issue still remainedD
I?asterD # can see the truth in your words& # retract my statements" and # apolo(iBe for my
i(norance& # now see the error of my harsh Gud(mentR&&*ut stillD those people out there
rain *itterness upon us" with their Geers" with their filth" and with their reli(ion& ,urely
they are not supplanted to the will of their -ordLLLE
I#ndeed not" my *oyE ?aster si(hed I#f only they were& Their di$ine -ord is so
un)nowa*le" that # suppose it is far easier on them not to try to contemplate itEs
natureR&their scriptures say nothin( a*out technolo(y *ein( distractin(D they spea) more
of oneEs relationship to oneEs -ordR&the pro*lem is with the people themsel$esD when
they are wor)in(" they do not need to contemplate such thin(s as their -ord" *ecause they
ha$e to concentrate on the Go* at handR&&a funny thin( indeed" the e(o is& #t is at once
your *est friend and worst enemy& #t is protectin( these people from the o*$ious
displeasure" which such realiBations as oneEs insi(nificant ness" and oneEs helplessness
a(ainst the cosmic tide would en(ender& #t is ma)in( their li$es that much simpler and
more *eara*leR*ut at the e3pense of (reater )nowled(e& We need feel only pity for
them& That is why they need such priests to (uide themD the people who will do the wor)"
and pierce the $eil" are mature enou(h to direct their Ifloc)E in the correct mannerR&and
su*tle enou(h" too& # ha$e e$ery reason to *elie$e their Papa is in seclusionD he is a wise
manLL Do you thin) @E could stop those sla$erin( animals from their course8 #f he did"
they would find a way to usurp himRor someone would come alon( and promise them
what they want" and a *loody war would ensue" resultin( in the said party *ecomin(
firmly ensconced in the seat of power& Ao" this Papa is a wise man" indeedD he waits for
their an(er to su*sideR&it has already reached its pea) with our comin(R&we will meet
him soon enou(h" and the an(er of the people will only decrease from now on& And when
they are %uiet" he will remo$e himself from his seclusion" and (ently *estow the (ood
news upon the peopleRRyes" we are dealin( with a true Jedi ?aster hereR&&Force or
noRRa(reed8E
# could only concur with my masterEs wordsRRand when" a few days later" a(ain
harried *y missiles from the people" we went to meet with dele(ates from the Temple"
and the Papa" a man whose $ery presence radiated peace and calm! announced an end to
his prayer" allowed us to enter his cham*ers" masterEs prediction came to pass& As the
meetin(s *etween Co$ernment and priesthood *e(an to happen" masters e3pertise at
ne(otiatin( wasnEt neededD the forward5thin)in( councilors were more than happy to
accommodate the ideas of the priesthood& And the people *ecame more and more
ac%uiescent towards the ne(otiations" as they realiBed how much wor) they needed to do
to (et their farms runnin( properly a(ain after the days spent *ic)erin(" and how much
they would appreciate the e3tra hours of rest their e3hausted *odies could *e treated to" if
they were to employ machines in their daily wor)& Of course" some detractors always
remain" *ut the maGority of the people was open to the new ideasRand thus" was pro(ress
made&
,unrunner and ,untoucher
'oo ,unrunner sat %uietly in the courtyard" the wind *lowin( fallen lea$es around her
*ody" li(htly fin(erin( the ed(es of her ro*es& There was no one else around ri(ht now"
which was what she wanted& ,he needed some time to *e alone&
They say that a JediJs life was hard" and that one on that path would ha$e to perse$ere& #t
seemed that 'ooJs lesson in that was slammin( in full force& Already e$ents around her
were threatenin( to tear her heart apart& ,he didnJt )now what to do a*out it" and she was
fri(htened that this would alter and may*e e$en wrec) her Jedi trainin(& ,omethin( dear
to her was in dan(er of *ein( torn away" and despite the fact that she )new that a JediJs
life was full of sacrifice" and other Jedi had told her that losin( thin(s wasnJt always
detrimental" she could not *are to lose what was $ital to her $alua*le heart& ,he felt&&&
,new" that she would *e off *alance fore$er&
N,uch a sullen loo) on a face so youn("N a li(ht $oice said a*o$e her&
,urprised" the youn( padawan turned to find the face of ,ahJar ,untoucher loo)in( at her"
a hint of concern in his eyes& Unli)e most of the others" he was dressed in his casual (ar*"
his *lac) Jedi ro*es only worn when he felt it needed to *e& 'oo didnJt )now much a*out
him" only that he was somewhat reclusi$e" *ut friendly and earnest in his $iews of the
Jedi path& ,he admired his philosophy&
N# )now that Jedi are supposed to *e serious" *ut come on"N he said Go)in(ly& NE$en Baal
lau(hs sometime&N
,he chuc)led" *ut only sli(htly" for her inner sorrow could not )eep mirth in her for lon(&
N#Jm sorryM itJs Gust&&&well there is a lot that # am facin( ri(ht now&N
@e sat down *esides her& N@opefully not alone8N
N.es and no"N she replied sadly& NE$eryone deals with e$ents in their own way&N
NWell" if # may as)" what e3actly are you facin(8N the older Jedi as)ed (ently&
'oo hesitated for a moment& Then loo)in( up at him" she relented&
N,omethin( that is $ery dear to me is in dan(er of *ein( cut away" and # donJt )now what
# can do a*out it& #tJs li)e someone is chippin( away at my heart" piece *y piece" and with
each piece" my life" my *alance" is striped away& #Jm feelin( li)e #Jm driftin(&N
N#f # lose what # hold dear in my heart" then # feel # will loose myself& # )now that Jedi are
supposed to *e unattached *ut&&&&N she let it rest there" droppin( her head in sorrow&
,ahJar closed his eyes and thou(ht for a moment& The li(ht sound of *lown lea$es
scrapin( the (round where all that was heard&
N'oo" the chip from your heart that you do not want to lose" itJs $ery important that it stay
with you8N
,lowly" she nodded&
NAnd it will help you stay on the Jedi path8N
N.es& 1ery much so"N she said %uietly&
,ahJar chuc)led& NThen you donJt ha$e anythin( to worry a*out&N
,he turned to him puBBled& NWhat do you mean8N
,ahJar loo)ed at her with a (entle smile& N#f you treasure it so much" and if it is an inte(ral
part of you and your (rowth" then who or what could possi*ly ta)e it away from you8N
,he loo)ed at him" eyes slowly widenin(& NBut& But itJs out of my handsL ThereJs nothin(
# can do a*out it&&&N
,ahJar chuc)led and tapped her on the head in a (entle re*u)e& :Always with you it
cannot be done. To a Jedi" nothin( is impossi*le& And if what you are after and hold onto
is worthwhile" then nothin( can ta)e it from you if you are determined to )eep it& .ou can
flow with whate$er comes your way" and still hold onto what is most important to you in
the end&
NA sailor on a raft faces a storm" which threatens to tear her from her craft and cast her
into the sea& There is nothin( she can do a*out the storm" *ut su*mit to it" and face the
wa$es& ,he and her craft are tossed to and fro" li(htnin( flashes" winds howl& Thin(s
on*oard are tossed this way and that" thrown into the sea& But at the end of the storm"
*ecause of her coura(e and s)ill" she still has what she needed the most& @er raft& All
*ecause she didnJt want to let it (o& And instead of fi(htin( the storm& ,he rode alon(
with it&N
@e tapped her on the nose& NAnd thatJs my lesson to you" little ,unrunner& 'ide that
stormM face the wa$es" *ut hold on to that raft you hold dear& And trust me" nothin( will
*e a*le to ta)e it away" sa$e for your own surrender&N
,ahJar (ot up& NWell" # ha$e to (o& # ha$e a li(htsa*er session to (o throu(h&N @e tilted his
head& N.ou can come alon( if you want" mi(ht as well show you somethin(&N
'oo smiled sli(htly" thin)in( a*out what he said earlier& ?ay*e she could ride out this
storm& ?ay*e she wonJt ha$e to lose that chip after all&
N,ure&N
And so ,ahJar wal)ed away" in the sweepin( motion of the fallen lea$es" until the *lac)
ro*e was no lon(er in si(ht" and a fresh memory& @is lesson" howe$er" could not *e swept
away *y any passin( *reeBe& 'ather" li)e the words of a (od" it was spo)en as a *reath of
life" and (ently rode across the land" person to person" with each Jedi feelin( the *reeBe
and passin( it alon( with the *reath of life to the ne3t in need
Aicholaas had heard the words from the near distance of where 'oo and ,ahJar had *een
tal)in(& The wind had *lown lea$es his way" swirlin( up and a*out hi(h in the afternoon
sun" and *ac) down a(ain" (lidin( to the earth for a rest& @e stood ne3t to a mar*le
fountain" listenin( to the water flow a*out& #t shot up from the fountain head in a
constant" flowin( stream" with all the droplets crashin( a*out the pool& Those same
droplets melted into the lar(er *ody of water" which was e$entually cycled *ac) throu(h
the fountain head" and *ac) into the pool& #tJs a constant flow" life is&
N'oll with the punches"N the leather5clad Aicholaas said to himself& @e repeated it a few
times" li)e a mantra" Gust lettin( the messa(e sin) in& This philosophy wasnJt somethin(
alien to him" howe$er from time to time he needed to *e reminded of its potency and
importance&
-ife is made up many thin(s" *ut most importantly" perhaps" what we hold dear& ,ahJar
has spo)en of holdin( on to what you cherish no matter what life throws at you" and if
you are determined to )eep it" nothin( can ta)e it away from you& Times chan(e" people
pass on" and storms will *rew on the horiBon& @an( on to what you lo$e" and it will *e
with you on the other side of that storm& And that" # feel" is whatJs important 5 The storm
]will] end" and when it does" it lea$es somethin( *ehind&&&
,tren(th to sur$i$e the ne3t" and a deeper appreciation of what you ha$e& As the old
ada(e (oes N.ou donJt )now what you ha$e until itJs (one&&&N There is rele$ance here" *ut
*y ridin( out these storms holdin( what you cherish close" one can come to realiBe Gust
what that cherished thin( means to you&&&
True Power
A Jedi ?aster sits in meditation in an old temple" two hu(e statues of old heroic Jedi
standin( on either side of the alter *efore him& All is %uiet and tran%uil& But then
suddenly" the doors *ehind him are thrust open" and a tall man wal)s in" power radiatin(
from him& The newcomer is an old student of the master& As he continues wal)in(" he
addresses him&
N?aster" the Jedi Fanar has *een defeated& The ,ith Fni(ht ,hi crushed him as he would
an insect&N
@e steps closer" in *old strides NWhen you named Fanar as your successor to your
secrets" # told you that it should ha$e *een me" and # was ri(htLN 'aisin( a fist" he
challen(ed his master& N,tand up" #Jll pro$e it to you" # challen(e you to a test of
stren(thLN
The Jedi ?aster opened his eyes and loo)ed up& N,tren(th is nothin( without perception&
For perception is the )ey which unloc)s the intan(i*le power of the spirit& .ou percei$e
nothin(&N
The student chuc)led with contempt& N,illy old fool" stop hidin( *ehind your metaphors
and metaphysical fantasies& The Jedi of the White Comet is deadLN
The Jedi ?aster didnJt flinch& N.our point8N
NDonJt you understand8 Aow !m the Jedi of the White CometLN
Wal)in( in front of the ?aster" the student stretches out to the Force& Usin( his awesome
powers" he char(es himself up" and then lashes out at the statues *efore him with sur(in(
*lasts of Force ener(y" *lastin( them to *its and pieces& The heads of the statues fly
throu(h the air towards himM with ease" he unhoo)s his li(htsa*er" and cuts them into
smaller pieces of stone& -e$itatin( those pieces in mid5air" he then crushes them with the
Force& O$erflowin( with ener(y" his aura shines and flows around him&
N?y powers are (reater than e$er *efore& Ao one can stand a(ainst me&N
N?ay*e"N the ?aster admitted" N*ut power without perception is spiritually useless and
therefore of no true $alue&N
NUseless ?aster" what a foolish old man you are& Any tool is useful if you )now how to
use it& And #J$e *ecome and e3pert& WatchLN
Casually pointin( to the roof a*o$e him" he rips a hole in it" sunshine pourin( in&
NAdmit itL At this point" #Jm more powerful than you e$er wereL #Jm the Jedi of the White
CometLN
The Jedi ?aster shoo) his head& N# donJt a(ree& And # ne$er shall&N
@e stood up& NCo and do what you will 'unor" *ut ne$er set foot in this temple a(ain&N
#ntentions and Conse%uences
T@'EE JED# ,#T #A T@E CA'DEA AAD @A1E ,@A'E A POT OF ,T'A#AED
?ET@.,T#CU? BEAA,& DEEAA POU', TEA F'O? T@E C-A. POT #ATO JED#
W@#TEJ, CUP&
Jedi WhiteD
?aster Fett" # understand you to mean that itJs a (ood thin( for us who e3ist in the realm
of the *ody to %uestion some*odyJs intentions&
DeeanD
Well" he he& We e3ist simultaneously in *oth *ody and spirit" *ut # (et your meanin(&
.es" intentions are $ery important to understand" *oth our own and others& 'espect for
the truth measures the %uality of our souls" and our connection to the Force is measured
*y the %uality of our relationships with other life forms& #t is true that we all occasionally
ha$e *ad intent" *ut it is patterns that Jedi loo) for& #t is the PATTE'A of *ad intent that
should alert you to *e cautious" not the isolated e$ent&
Jedi WhiteD
But you also mentioned rewards and punishments" and that nihilists mi(ht *e rewarded
with none3istence if they continue down their path&
DeeanD
The pro*lem with nihilism as a life philosophy is two fold& There are spiritual and
physical conse%uences for those who choose to *e mediocre&
Of course" # am (uided *y a deep a*idin( understandin( that mystic traditions are truthful
when they say" NAs in hea$en" so on the planet&N -et us first loo) at the manifestations of
nihilism here in the physical realm&
#f you do nothin( as a course of policy in your life" the day will arri$e when you will
ha$e nothin( *ut memories to loo) *ac) upon& # ha$e spo)en to hundreds of elderly
people in the course of my research here at the Academy and # can promise you" they
re$iew their memories *ecause they )now that they ha$e no more future to ima(ine& They
do it in their roc)in( chairs" and you will too&
What would you rather see in this life re$iew8 All of the ad$entures" stories" mentally
wholesome acti$ities" and *oo)s read" $ictories had" lo$es" passions" $acations"
depressions" hopes and hopes dashed in a (rand and tra(ic play8
Or would you rather remem*er the countless hours you spent on the couch doin( nothin("
thin)in( nothin(" and *elie$in( in nothin(" while the tele$ision *uBBed in your
head&&&li$in( $icariously throu(h sitcom characters" $iolent representations of humans" or
plu((ed into the mind control de$ices of modern capitalism8
The latter is sort of @ell in life for the elderly& # ha$e heard many a sorrow from career
nihilists&
Aow that is Gust one of the physical" planetary conse%uences& #t is a punishment" *ut is it
deli$ered *y CodJs hand8
Before # proceed" let me lay down another a priori assumption& That is that most of our
most popular Draconian mystical laws e3ist for our own *enefit" not to please some
sentient Cod as thou(h we were little children in for a (ood *eatin(&
Ao 5 punishments in the spirit world are always self5imposed" so that when # spea) of
punishment # as) you to ditch the ima(e of a puniti$e deity& That is not what # mean&
# am tal)in( a*out natural conse%uences" spiritual and *odily& When # was a *oy my
?aster told me not to touch the e3haust manifold of a speeder *i)e& # didnJt heed his
warnin( and reachin( out" held fast& There was a puff of smo)e and a hissin( sound& The
resultin( second de(ree *urn tau(ht me to listen to my ?aster without him ha$in( to lift a
fin(er to NpunishN me&
,ince the spirit world follows the principle of action throu(h non5action" it can only *e
that we doom oursel$es with our own *eliefs& Where else *ut ri(ht here" in the physical
world" is this more clear8 Does it need to *e clearer8 .oda once said" thou(hts ma)e the
world&
#f there is a Cod who presides o$er what we see as the Force" surely @is or @er or its
punishments are surely of this $ariety&
Jedi WhiteD
But Deean" in your opinion" do you thin) itJs a (ood thin( for those of us who li$e in the
realm of the *ody to dish out those rewards and punishments8
DeeanD
Personal dis(race is worse than *odily pain& Cenerally spea)in(" White" no" you neednJt
dish anythin( out& # mean" at its core the world wor)s li)e this&&& you ha$e the ri(ht to do
whate$er you want to do" # ha$e the ri(ht to try to stop you& ?ultiply this times = *illion
on this planet alone" and you (et a pretty (ood picture of the Force in action&
#t flows $ery nicely with e$olution and natural law& After a while homo5sapiens
disco$ered that it is *est to create little pacts and wor) to(ether" this includes inhi*itin(
certain wants and desires for *etter ones down the road& As a result" we won out o$er
other species such as Aeanderthal" who were supposed to *e e3tremely solitary& ,olitary
or wantonly selfish life pro$ed to *e an inferior philosophy&
Of course there are those who say that they are li$in( successful solitary li$es now" *ut it
doesnJt count if you are flyin( a Corellian starship" and eatin( Aa*oo cuisine that you
coo)ed in your Coruscant *uilt microwa$e& At that point you are still a product of
com*ined effort" *ut # di$er(e&
# thin) what you are as)in( is more of a day to day sort of thin(& Of course the answer is
more comple3 than any fast rule can *ridle" *ut to the most part you must ha$e faith that
the uni$erse is unfoldin( precisely as it should&
Ci$e people enou(h rope and they will han( themsel$es& .ou come out smellin( li)e a
rose" and actually help them alon( their path *y your non5action since the only way to
personal truth is throu(h oneJs own annihilation 5 throu(h dwellin( a lon( time in a state
of complete and total humiliation&
A (ood rule of thum* is to resist (ettin( in$ol$ed 4 out of /7 times that some crusade
drops into your lap& What you will %uic)ly find is that most pro*lems sol$e themsel$es
seamlessly *ut for our meddlin(& ?ore people die of o$ereatin( than of star$ation& Thin)
a*out what this mi(ht mean to you&
'odian le(end tells us to wait lon( enou(h and the *odies of your enemies will sooner or
later drift *y in the ri$er on their own& This is the Nspirit of the lawN that you want to
impose upon yourself& By the way" ne$er follow the NletterN of self5imposed! laws&
-ea$e yoursel$es wi((le room&
Of course the other side of this coin is for you to li$e ri(ht" stand tall" *e honest" spea)
truth" and ta)e responsi*ility for your actions 5 which is the definition of inte(rity& Once
you em*race inte(rity you will automatically *ecome more Jedi li)e *ecause you will
(row tired of cleanin( up after yoursel$es&
,o much mental health actually comes with a(e when we (row e3hausted of *eha$in(
li)e a psycho&
Also" this *rin(s another thou(ht to mind& DonJt try to sol$e other peopleJs pro*lems with
your mouth& This includes tal)in(" (ossipin(" tellin( people what to do" ma)in( promises
that you donJt )eep" etceteras& Words are thunder" actions are li(htnin(& Tell me which
*lows the tree from the (round8
,ol$e pro*lems with your *ody& Do thin(s" ma)e arran(ements" (i$e telephone num*ers"
*e acti$e& This is usin( the Force in your life& Tal) is laBy and cheap& -i$e ri(ht" and lead
*y e3ample&
.ou will %uic)ly disco$er that many people around you are in a downward spiral of self5
punishment
as they sayM li$in( well is the *est re$en(e& # ha$e found this true a(ain and a(ain and
a(ain& Do not see) to *e )nown& ,ee) to *e worth )nowin(& #t ta)es lon(er *ut the
rewards are profound&
Then" when that rare occasion arri$es that it is appropriate to (et in$ol$ed you will ha$e
full mental and physical resources to apply to the tas)& Ao*ody will say" NOh itJs Gust that
*oy who cried Wampa&N
Jedi WhiteD
#n other words" should we place a $alue Gud(ment on some*odyJs intent and then" if we
Gud(e them to *e at fault" flame the hec) out of them until they (o away8
DeeanD
Well" an(er is only one letter short of dan(er& Peace comes not from the elimination of
distur*ances& #t comes from properly handlin( distur*ances& There is a *i( pro*lem with
electronic forums that # can see" and # am as (uilty as the ne3t (uy for contri*utin( to it&
.ou see" in real con$ersation there is tal)in( and there is metacommunciation&
,ometimes as much as <7 percent of intent is communicated with *ody lan(ua(e& ,ince
that is missin( it is $ery easy to (et your feelin(s hurt and then respond hurtfully& #n the
past this alone has frustrated me enou(h to no lon(er want to *other postin( here&
Jedi WhiteD
#Jm a little unclear as to the intent of your words yes" # )now you li)e it that wayL!" and #
fi(ured #Jd earn some Brownie Points of Worthiness *y %uestionin( them&
DeeanD
# )now that you are )iddin(" and # hope that you )now that # am )iddin( when # say that
your %uest for NPoints of WorthinessN is a matter *etween you and your father" not you
and me&
Jedi AicernoD
Deean" within all the fundamentals" you and # are in a(reement& @owe$er" # find it to *e
somewhat useful to let oneJs actions show the intent of their heart& While not as direct as
outri(ht as)in( what oneJs intent isM sometimes the more su*tle means has its *enefits&
And as #J$e often seen you say in past posts" sometimes it is *etter to wait and (et a feel
for thin(s& That does not ne(ate the need for action when it is neededM *ut *oth directness
and su*tlety ha$e their disad$anta(es& And in that" they also ha$e their ad$anta(es too" is
this not true of all thin(s8
DeeanD
Of courseL The matter is as complicated as you say& E$eryone wants a simple answer&
,ometimes it is Gust fun to (i$e in a come up with one& As a rule of thum* thou(h" we are
far too meddlin( a society # thin)& #t hurts each of us& We should place more faith in
?edicatri3 Aaturae" the Nhealin( power of nature&N
.ears a(o # was (i$en a (o$ernment Go* on Coruscant where # offered technical
assistance to the Chancellor& Aow" *etween myself and 1allorum was a secretary who
was *uildin( his career on ma)in( 1allorum happy& ,o that when 1allorum saw a new
computer holo(amin( center and mentioned in passin(" Nthat is neat"N this translated
within hours into NChancellor 1allorum has re%uested a computer holo(amin( center on
his staff shipLN
# used to hop on e$ery re%uest that came to our shop until # *ecame ill with the space crud
and was out of wor) for one wee)& # came *ac) to disco$er an interestin( new phraseD
NO1E'CO?E B. E1EAT,N O' O&B&E&
Jedi Aicerno" most thin(s are o$ercome *y e$ents& We must all de$elop the wisdom to
)now which thin(s are of this nature and which are not&
Jedi AicernoD
Well said" ?aster Deean" *ut as for the shadows" you see them as nihilism& # see them as
ha$in( the potential to *rin( either (ood fortune or mass ruin& #t depends entirely on the
content of the character in %uestion" this should" # feel" apply e%ually to any person
re(ardless of their ideolo(ical *eliefs and $alues&
DeeanD
.es of course& # am (uilty of some hypocrisy here *ecause # am choosin( the semantics
that # prefer to address a topic that has a wide ran(e of meanin( to different people& #n
ad$ance # am sorry if # step on anyoneJs toe here&
What # am (ettin( at" to *e clear" when # say that this shadow *usiness is a form of
nihilism is that for two years at this site # ha$e heard the phrase thrown around" usually
attached to a )ind of self5ri(hteousness& #n other words" we hear" Nunli)e you li(ht Jedi"
we shadow Jedi are inte(rated in e$il and (ood&N
Unfortunately" this position leads people to *e a*le to Gustify all )inds of *eha$ior" #
thin)&&& #f you want to steal" why then you are surely Gust e3ercisin( the inte(ration of
(ood and e$il& #f you want to ruin your *rain with dru(s" why it is Gust your Ndar)N side
inte(ratin( with your Nli(ht&N Perhaps # am (eneraliBin( *ut # saw this happen in the
occult circles in which # once ran&
Far *e it from me to tell people what they can call themsel$es" *ut as # posted in the other
thread" there is no such thin( as a -i(ht Jedi" so it is all a mute point& The Craysiders are
either eatin( stone soup" or they are lea$in( a clause in their moral system to e3plain
away *eha$ior that they )now is not really (ood for them&
#n truth" the N*alanced lifeN is one that fails to (i$e you what you claim to want a*out as
often as it fails to (i$e you what you actually deser$e&
The idea of co(niti$e dissonance has *een well documented& We chan(e our *eliefs to
match our *eha$iors& Beliefs are more easily altered and this (i$es *irth to the fence
sittin( Jedi& There is a difference *etween *ein( centered" and culti$atin( moral
indecision& ?y apolo(ies to you if you are one of the few who understand the difference&
But why the need for the special name8
.ou would thin) # would ha$e (rown tired of as)in( such a dum* %uestion& @e he he&
Jedi AicernoD
Deean" you said that the purpose of the life school is to see if you N(et it&N Actually" we
disa(ree on this one& Or perhaps on further inspection we do a(ree" it is Gust that we use
different terms&
# always thou(ht that the true purpose of the life school was to cull the wea)" and to test
all species to see if they can ma)e it& This challen(e cannot *e done without a *alance of
the #d or the selfish aspects of the human personality & & & howe$er" within the *alanceM
humans are also re%uired to *e NteamN players& That is" in order to sur$i$e at all" they
need to act as part of a coherent (roup& At least so far as # am concerned" it is this *alance
that (i$es the necessary stren(th to li$e within the shadows&
DeeanD
Once a(ain" we come full circle& # a(ree with you& When # spea) of the spirit world # only
spea) with the authority that comes with the *elief of the spirit world as a mirror of this
one&
#n this world" the spoils and treasures (o to those who fall a(ain and a(ain" *ut (et up and
say" # @A1E -EA'AED ,O?ET@#AC ABOUT ?.,E-F AAD ?. WO'-DL Thin)
of it as a psycholo(ical and spiritual correlate to DarwinJs harsher natural selection&
Those who *emoan fate wa)e each .ule to find nothin( in their stoc)in(s& Worse" they
are cursed to always find nothin( their stoc)in(s *ecause they refuse to fi3 the hole that
causes the (ifts to fall into the fireplace&
&&&and when a healer" teacher" or spirit (uide comes alon( in the form of a friend" Jedi" or
homeless schiBophrenic they i(nore them& The teacher says" N@ey" did you )now that
there is a hole in your stoc)in(8N and the person replies" Nyeah" *ut there is nothin( in
here a(ainLN To which the teacher says" NBut there is a hole in the *ottom" and all of your
life (ifts are fallin( outLN A(ain comes the reply" Nyeah" *ut there is nothin( in here
a(ainLN
And so it (oes until the teacher *ecomes tired and wanders off&
#t may ta)e many teachers until they listen& Often they (o to the (ra$e wonderin( why
there is nothin( in the stoc)in(& #t is $ery sad& #Jm tellin( you people" # saw this all the
time in my wor) as a Counselor to the ,enate& #t is *etter to li(ht a candle than to curse
the dar)ness" *ut many people (o ri(ht on cursin( 5 *eha$ior which has some of the
hallmar)s of e$il& Pride" laBiness" and deception&
Pride 5 they would rather *e ri(ht than happy
-aBiness 5 they do not want to do the wor) to chan(e their world $iew since they ha$e
already decided that the world is cruel&
Deception 5 they decei$e themsel$es *y o$er (eneraliBin(& For e3ample" a *ad thin(
happens and they say" NBad thin(s A-WA., happen"N e$en thou(h someone may ha$e
(i$en them a par)in( spot that mornin(&&&they con$eniently for(et that detail&
And so" once a(ain" e$il shows its face" and the punishment is a natural conse%uence& Ao
Cod needed&
Jedi AicernoD
Deean" you said that NThose who ele$ate pride" laBiness" and deception to the status of
(ods will ha$e a rou(h time& Their reward may e$en *e dissolution&N And here we a(ree&
]Chuc)lin(] A little pride and a little humility ne$er hurt" *ut in lettin( them ta)e o$er
one loses the stren(th they need in order to function& -aBiness is the *ane of e3istence"
*ut with deceitM what is the (ood or *ad from that8 To decei$e one in the name of Ndoin(
somethin( J(oodJ should *e as morally reprehensi*le as decei$in( someone or some
(roup in the name of doin( somethin( J*adJ as seen within the conte3t of any (i$en
culture&
DeeanD
Well" first of all" no person is a $illain in their own eyes& # see where you are (oin( here
*ut there is a ca$eat to the pride" laBiness" and deception litmus test for e$il& When these
three elements are present in total or in com*ination with personal or selfish (ain" then
you can *e sure that e$il is present& Cuilt follows when we hurt someone else" *ut re(ret
follows when we hurt oursel$es" and re(ret is far more painful& Once a(ain" natural
conse%uences" which is why the ,ith are such a misera*le *unch of ,&O&B&s
-et me try to (i$e an e3ample how comple3 this matter is& When someone lies to
honestly protect another" it is not e$il& Aor is it e$il to )eep secrets if you were a $ictim of
some wron(doin( li)e molestation& @owe$er" if your perpetrator has access to other
children and you do nothin( as an adult" then your secret *ecomes self5ser$in( at the
potential cost of another whom you could ha$e rescued from the same fate&
Of course you may ha$e your reasons for not tellin(" *ut your silence is damnin(& Once
a(ain" two sins" omission and commission& On the other hand" lyin( to a$oid personal
dis(race for somethin( that you should not ha$e done is self5ser$in( as well&
People are loo)in( for coo)ie cutter answers to moral dilemmas& We must stri$e to
de$elop moral roots as Jedi" which is another reason to me that all of this shadow stuff
sounds li)e a cop out&
Jedi AicernoD
But Deean" # thin) that you should either apply the standard e$enly" or do not apply it at
all& Otherwise" that is hypocrisy" which is a much worse crime in my thou(hts than
deceit&
DeeanD
# see what you are sayin( and to some de(ree # a(ree with you& But moral decisions
re%uire moral *ac)*one" *ecause you ha$e to *e a*le to respond to contin(encies that are
thrown your way that were not in your play *oo)&
Chances are" if you ha$e an opinion that e$eryone disa(rees with" you are pro*a*ly
morally in the ri(ht" these days& # say this somewhat ton(ue in chee)" *ut you (et what #
am sayin(& All of us will ha$e to face the choice someday *etween ha$in( friends or
ha$in( oursel$es& #t is that simple& What a cost to ha$e friends&&& and how many would
pay the price8
# used to )now a *eautiful space merchant who told me that when (oin( out on a date
with a (uy she always decided ahead of time Nhow farN it could (o& That way" she )new
that she was not ma)in( decisions a*out where she stood in the thic) of thin(s" when she
)new darn well that her mental a*ilities would *e compromised&
This is li)e the standard&&&& Earlier # said" the letter of the law&
# can thin) of a doBen other e3amples where the spirit of the law is *etter" usually in
situations that are more comple3" *ut # thin) we a(ree&
F#A#,@#AC T@E#' COA1E',AT#OA T@E T@'EE JED# '#,E F'O? T@E#'
,EAT, AAD ?AFE T@E#' WA. TO T@E CAFETE'#A W@E'E A DE-#C#OU,
?EA- #, BE#AC ,E'1ED&
White nods to Dre(yn" always (lad to see him at the Academy& White notices that
Dre(yn a*sor*s a lot from the other Jedi" *ut doesnJt always interGect his opinion& White
predicts that Dre(yn will *ecome $ery wise&
Upon enterin( the cafeteria" Aicerno" Deean" and White find a ta*le and Goin some other
Jedi to eat their lunch& White loo)s sad" and says to Deean" NThan) you for your
response& .our words show sincerity and your writin( shows a lot of s)ill& # found many
truths in what you had to say& .ou answered my %uestions and you made AicernoJs point
of $iew clear to me e$en while you contrasted it with your own&
For the record" # was not promotin( 55 may*e preachin( is the *etter word 55 the idea that
some omnipotent (od should inflict rewards and punishment" and that we who dwell in
the realm of the *ody should not" or" on the other hand" that we should play (od& # was
Gust curious to see what you meant *y spiritual rewards and punishments& But # )now that
you mentioned the omnipotent (od perspecti$e *ecause you were ta)in( into account my
personal spiritual *eliefs&
One thin( that you said hit me hard" mainly *ecause it was you who said it" and *ecause
the future is *ri(ht for you in your capacity as a healer& .ou said" JWhat would you rather
see in this life re$iew8 All of the ad$entures" stories" mentally wholesome acti$ities" and
*oo)s read" $ictories had" lo$es" passions" $acations" depressions" hopes and hopes
dashed in a (rand and tra(ic play8 Or would you rather remem*er the countless hours
you spent on the couch doin( nothin(" thin)in( nothin(" and *elie$in( in nothin(" while
the tele$ision *uBBed in your head&&&li$in( $icariously throu(h sitcom characters" $iolent
representations of humans" or plu((ed into the mind control de$ices of modern
capitalism8J
This hit me hard *ecause it occurred to me that the description that you wrote is reality
for many people who suffer from depression& # )now you didnJt mean anythin( maca*re"
*ut it sounds li)e depressed people ha$e nothin( to li$e for& There are effecti$e
treatments for depression" *ut none that wor) for e$ery*ody" and there is no cure& #t
seems li)e depressed people are recei$in( punishment for a world$iew that they canJt Gust
chan(e at will if only it were that easyL!& # donJt mean that some omnipotent (od is
Bappin( them with the *lues to fulfill some sadistic desire Gust that sometimes
hopelessness and the *elief that the world is out to (et us wonJt (o away when we chan(e
our co(nitions& Althou(h # a(ree with you that we should try to chan(e them if we are
e$er in this situation&&&
,o # donJt ha$e a complaint or an ar(ument a*out what you said" Gust an o*ser$ation that
you seem to ha$e stum*led across an unpleasant similarity *etween nihilism and
depression&N
White turned to Aicerno& NThan) you" too" for your input& # appreciated hearin( your
perspecti$e on the shadow area of life&N
White was still distur*ed" so she e3cused herself and too) her lunch up to her cell& ?ay*e
she was worried a*out DeeanJs sudden interest in her father& ?ay*e she was Gust tired
from insomnia&
The Tale of 2yp @urron
Fyp Durron" as most of you )now" is a character out of the Star Wars E3panded Uni$erse"
created *y a man *y the name of Fe$in J& Anderson& The story was written to ma)e a
series of *oo)s more e3citin(" *ut hidden in this story" possi*ly *y pure accident" is an
e3cellent lesson for all Jedi& #t is not )now if the tale was meant to contain such meanin(
or not" *ut that ma)es its lesson no less $alid&
Fyp (rew up in the hostile spice mines of Fessel& @e had *een placed in the prison at
a(e ei(ht *y the #mperials& This way of life made him a $ery an(ry and hostile youth *y
the a(e of si3teen" when he escaped from the prison mines& After learnin( of his massi$e
potential to use the Force" he went into trainin( to *ecome a Jedi Fni(ht" under the
(uidance of ?aster Jedi -u)e ,)ywal)er&
Fyp was the fastest learner and most powerful of all of ?aster ,)ywal)erJs students at
the time& @is power (rew in e3ponentsE e$eryday" as did his control o$er that power&
?aster ,)ywal)er allowed this *ecause Fyp came in late in the trainin( curriculum" *ut
after time" the ?aster Jedi slowed his studentJs pro(ression" ma)in( him less of a pillar of
en$y amon(st the other students& While he meant well" his timin( was off&&&Fyp had
already learned his inner stren(th" and did not wish to wait for his ?asterJs timeta*le&
Fyp found access to the twisted )nowled(e of the ,ith& The unsta*le Jedi student
stopped listenin( to ?aster ,)ywal)er" and *e(an to learn the dar) ways of a (reatly
powerful" yet truly twisted sect of students of the Force&
Fyp fell to his dar) desires" and lost si(ht of the (reater (ood& @e o*tained a weapon of
massi$e power" and used it to )ill *illions of people" one of which *ein( his own *rother&
That Gust dro$e him further and further into the dar)ness& @e also attac)ed the Jedi that
was his master" nearly )illin( him with the twisted ,ith teachin(s Fyp had ta)en it upon
himself to learn& After *ein( confronted *y a close friend" Fyp saw the (reat error in his
ways" *ut *y then" it was too late& Ao amount of apolo(iBin( would e$er wash the *lood
from his hands&
#nstead" he rededicated himself to the Jedi trainin(" ma)in( it a point to learn the ways of
the Jedi" not Gust the ways of the Force&
3he lesson found in this is one of patience and humility. Do not lust for power, because
in the end, it is of no use without ,nowing how to use it. ,now the pace of learning here
is slow...it is meant to be. 3o grow in the Aorce too fast is not to grow as a Cedi. t is to
fall from the Cedi, and become lost in your own power. sense good things from all of
you, because if did not, you would not be reading this now....and do not wish to see
any of you go through horrors have in the dar,ness. 5o, stay diligent, practice, and
ta,e in what it means to be Cedi, not @ust a Aorce user.
Order 00
After nearly three days in hyperspace" Jundal had arri$ed at his destination& A small
planet named ?ercury or*itin( a sun named ,ol& There were a $ariety of en$ironments
from that of the rainforest to the desert" from all spectrums of the scale& ,piralin( down
from or*it" he passed throu(h air traffic control %uic)ly and landed a few miles away
from his tar(et&
N,araphan& # will *e (one for some time& ,e$eral hours at least" se$eral days if # find what
# wish to find& # will return soon& ,hould you *e attac)ed" then perform a fly *y at my
tar(et" and pic) me and the o*Gect up& Do you understand8N
NUnderstood Jedi Desh&N
For once" Jundal did not mind *ein( called the name he disli)ed& @e needed remindin(
who he was" for now& ,ettin( out" he trotted for a while& Wal)in( for a hundred meters
and then Go((in( for a hundred" his lopin( pace ate up (round in the manner of his
warrin( ancestors& Ao few hours later" he was two hundred meters away from where he
needed to *e& #t was a small s%uat *uildin( in a lon( - shape" a low red tiled roof
co$erin( it with the whitewashed walls standin( out a(ainst the ni(ht& For some time
Jundal sat and watched to see if there was any acti$ity in the *uildin(" *ut seein( nothin("
mo$ed slowly toward the door& #t was a lar(e red door *anded with metal on three le$els"
desi(ned to (i$e the impression that it was impre(na*le& ,lippin( the loc) with the force"
Jundal crept in" and watched as his tar(et shifted comforta*ly in the chair he was
watchin( the $id5screen on& Ad$ancin( a slowly" he could see nothin( *ut the tar(et and
the li(ht cast *y the $id5screen" the dar)ness in the room all per$asi$e& As he ad$anced"
he felt a mo$ement *ehind him& ,eiBin( it with the force" he didnEt mo$e& ,uddenly two
of the ornaments off the mantle5piece Gumped from their places and sped toward him&
,eiBin( them" he stood up strai(ht" feelin( as much as hearin( the o*Gect *ehind him hum
into life as a (reen *lade he )new all too well sprun( into life from the hilt of the
li(htsa*er& Without mo$in(" the *ein( in the chair spo)e&
:@ello Jedi Desh& .ou ha$e impro$ed" # see& @ad # tried that when you passed the trials"
you would *e dead now&;
:True" *ut # passed the trials more than two years a(o& .ou ha$e to try harder than that to
*est me now" as well you )now& # hope you ha$e )ept up your trainin(" as # ha$e&
Because if you ha$enEt then # will )ill you" my old master&;
,ur(in( forward" JundalEs stri)e clea$ed the *ac) of the chair in two" as the older man
shot off the chair" and" e3tendin( his arm felt the li(htsa*er hit his palm and acti$ate&
Both men stood there" one with li(htsa*er hummin(" the other without&
:# could )ill you now" )nowin( of you what # do Jundal&;
:Then please do& #f you dare&;
A cold (leam stood on Jundals eye for a moment" and *attle was Goined& The older man
struc) downward" and Jundal twisted his torso out of the way" stri)in( at the older mans
wrist with an o*li%ue stri)e" this *ein( deflected *y the old mans twist of his wrist&
Comin(" up" the older man struc) out with his el*ow toward Jundals face" *ut Jundal
stopped this with the force" and struc) *ac) with the force& ,eein( the man sha)en" he
pressed forward" only to *e met with a *oot to the face and as he fell *ac)ward" he thrust
his hand forward and too) the other man off his feet&
As he hit the wall *ehind him" Jundals enemy loo)ed at him&
:.ou ha$e impro$ed" my friend& Do you wish to continue8;
Without spea)in(" Jundal thum*ed his li(htsa*er on" and started to stri)e toward his
enemy& Brin(in( his li(htsa*er up" the older man shuddered throu(h his entire *ody as
the sa*ers screamed as contact was made& ,e$eral passes later" Jundal was clearly in
control of the fi(ht&
:Do you wish to stop now8; Jundal as)ed&
:Well" seein( as # cannot win" my youn( padawan leaner" # thin) that mi(ht *e a (ood
ideaR;
Both men lau(hed" and em*raced&
:What ha$e you *een doin( for the last two and a half years" *oy8 -ast time # saw you
was Gust *efore you too) the trials& # e3amined you myself" and # had no idea you had this
)ind of power& What happened8;
:?ellor" thin(s happen to a man o$er time& E$en if that man is a Jedi& # ha$e seen pain
and defeat" (lory and $ictory& But the most painful thin( # saw was to nearly lose
someone # lo$ed to their own mind& And # will not sit throu(h that a(ain& #t nearly *ro)e
me" and it will not *e *orneL;
The force *urst forth from Jundal and washed o$er ?ellor& ,ittin( *ac) sli(htly" ?ellor
composed his thou(hts&
:# understand my friend& But enou(h of the past& Why are you here8 .ou ha$e not $isited
me since you *ecame a Jedi Fni(ht& What *rin(s you here now8 # ha$e nothin( more to
teach you" and you must master the force on your own" as many of us ha$e tried *efore
you& # sense an uneasiness within you& What causes it8;
:?ellor" ha$e you heard of this order si3ty si38;
:Ao my son # ha$e not& What is it8;
:#t is what the supreme chancellor Palpatine has ordered" ma)in( the clone troopers *e(in
to hunt the Jedi& All of us& # had se$eral dreams and had to warn you in person& # donEt
)now why" *ut # felt the need to&;
:The force is mysterious& @eed its ways" *ut do not puBBle o$erlon( on its methods&;
,uddenly *oth men lau(hed&
:.ou sound li)e you used toL; ,aid Jundal&
:# )now # do& But what of this order si3ty5si3 then8 # am not an acti$e Jedi" # ha$e retired
in order to contemplate the force as many of us do& @ow would he )now of me8;
:# do not )now my friend& But # worry& And # ur(e you to )eep your li(htsa*er at the
ready& Because # will" and you )now it&;
:.es my friend # daresay you will& But then if # recall correctly" you slept with your
li(htsa*er under your pillow for a while& Why was it you stopped doin( that8; ?ellor
stopped tal)in( to (rin sli(htly at the youn(er mans loo) of acute em*arrassment&
:Because it was cuttin( into my ear" and you )now it old manL; Jundal stru((led to )eep
the loo) of indi(nation on his face" *ut failed as he *ro)e into a (rin that stretched the
corners of his mouth&
?ellor pulled Jundal into a hu( and told him to sit down at the second chair in front of
the roarin( fire& As they sat" Jundal sur$eyed the room without thin)in(& The open fire
was a lar(e one" dec)ed with lar(e wooden *eams on all sides" and a (ood deep distance
*ehind it to capture and hold the heat& A*o$e the mantle were a few new trophies that
Jundal had ne$er seen *efore& A cari*ou head" a few other creatures he couldnEt name and
a Wampa&
:Aew trophies ?ellor8 # thou(ht that you had stopped huntin( in your old a(e8;
:Old a(e *oy8 #E$e seen in my years more than you e$er will" if youEre luc)y& But those
were all ta)en in fair sport without the use of the force" and with old a(e weapons& The
*ow you see o$er there too) care of the cari*ou" and you see my *oots8; ?ellor held a
foot out and pointed down& :They came from that *i( fella& @e tasted nice too& # still ha$e
a *it of the stew # made from him if you li)e&; ?ellor (ot up and started to mo$e to the
other side of the lod(e" until a )noc) came at the door& 1eerin( off to one side" ?ellor
opened the door to *e confronted my two men Jundal couldnEt see&
:Who are you8; ?ellor as)ed" pointin( his %uestion to the two men in the doorway&
:We are here to implement Order ,i3ty ,i3" a Jedi protection pro(ram& The supreme
chancellor Palpatine is concerned that the (rowin( wa$e of Anti5Jedi sentiment sweepin(
the (alactic repu*lic is dan(erous and we are here to escort you to the temple on
Coruscant&;
Before the man on the other side of the door had finished spea)in(" Jundal was *ehind his
teacher& @e loo)ed at the clone troopersE helmet" and saw nothin( *ut his own death and
that of his teachers alon( with thousands of other Jedi reflected in that featureless
faceplate& @e also )new the face under there& @e had met the ori(inal" and that man had
*een one of $ery few non5Jedi to ha$e e$er scared him&
:.ou are here to protect us8; Jundal was suddenly acutely aware of e3actly where his
li(htsa*er was positioned" and how %uic)ly he could (et to it& @e let out a seemin(ly real
si(h of relief& :#E$e *een so worried& ?y master here is an old man" and needs escortin(
to the temple& Could # set up a rendeB$ous with you and meet there with se$eral other
Jedi # )now8;
The clone put his hand up to his helmet and spo)e to someone throu(h the recei$er in his
helmet& As he did this" *oth Jedi felt uncertainty and confusion from the clone& @e loo)ed
up&
:That would *e accepta*le&;
:@ow many of you are there8;
:There are si3teen of us& We will *e enou(h to protect you&;
As soon as he had stopped spea)in(" Jundal summoned the force& Twistin( the ener(ies
with his mind" he lashed out" and the *urst of power hit one trooper in the chest" ca$in(
his *reastplate in with a crunch and freein( threads of *lood that descri*ed a dar) red trail
as he arced toward the (round" his *ody a crumpled ruin& The second trooper had freed
his weapon and ta)en aim with his weapon" the *laster *olt re*oundin( off ?ellorEs
weapon into his faceplate as JundalEs *lade swept across the troopers waist as he arced
*ac)ward from the *last" separatin( the torso from the le(s and *oth hit the floor
simultaneously&
Turnin( to his teacher" Jundal cau(ht his eye %uic)ly&
:.ou should *e honored& ,i3teen clone troopers8 They must thin) you more dan(erous
than you really are&;
?ellor rolled his eyes& :They try to ta)e us and still you Gest& .ou ha$e indeed chan(ed
youn( man& .ouEre Go)es are as they were *efore" *ut now they ha$e an ed(e& Perhaps
this is a (ood thin(& #Ell (et a few thin(s& #s your ship far8;
:Too far" # thin)&; Jundal spo)e into his communicator& :They are Gammin( all si(nals in
this area& We will ha$e to ma)e it without e3traction& Do you ha$e transport8;
:#E$e ne$er needed it& @ere" # (et the pu*lic transport that comes to (et me once a wee)
for my supplies& # donEt need much" so the local transport ser$ice donEt mind comin( out
of their way for me& #Ell *e *ac) in a moment&;
?ellor disappeared into the only other room the lod(e had and reappeared a minute or so
later&
:Three years" and you *rin( a small shoulder *a(8;
:Tra$el li(ht tra$el fast&;
Both men (rinned&
:But we ha$e a pro*lem& The Prophet is at least three miles away from here" and we ha$e
fourteen clone troopers *etween it and us" with who )nows what weapons& #f they ha$e
e3plosi$e and area effect weapons we may *e in for an interestin( time&;
The older man (rinned at the thou(ht of the dan(er& ?ellor was that )ind of person& As a
mem*er of the Jedi order" he had *een a warrior of the first order" and from the loo) of
him" he had stepped up his studies into the way of the warrior Jedi at least threefold since
last they had met& Both men stepped out of the lod(e" Jundal steppin( %uic)ly on li(ht
swift feet to the ri(ht" his mentor to the left& Both stood sensin( the ni(ht" and notin(
nothin( they mo$ed %uic)ly" se$eral meters apart to a$oid *ein( ta)en out *y the same
*last from a (renade type weapon& As they reached the tree line" they *oth felt the
mo$ement in the force as somethin( screamed throu(h the air toward them& Both turned
and *ounced *laster *olts away from them" retreatin( into the trees" they *oth cut se$eral
trun)s as they passed" and hoistin( the millennia old trees they threw them toward the
troopers with a (runt of effort& Cuidin( them sli(htly" they missed the troopers" *ut
disoriented them enou(h to (et a sli(ht head start& Turnin(" *oth men *ro)e into a sprint
for half a mile" and then slowed to a trot&
:#s there anythin( you can thin) of to throw them off the trail8 # donEt thin) we ha$e (ot
enou(h of a lead on them to start playin( with trails" false trails and animal si(n& We Gust
ha$e to run and hope& @ow many were there do you thin)8; Jundal as)ed&
:#Em not sure& @ow many did you sense8 # thin) there was *etween two and si3&; The
older man loo)ed sli(htly concerned" his *rows drawin( to(ether sli(htly&
:# sensed four& But the thin( is with the clones" they all feel the same which means they
are difficult to distin(uish from each other& # thin) it would *e easier to assume # ha$e
(uessed ri(ht& There may *e another ten in front of us& And we only ha$e a couple of
minuteEs head start on the ones *ehind us& ,o" when we (et to the Prophet" weEd *etter
hope its not (uarded" or if it is" we can (et throu(h them some how& #f we canEtR;
:-etEs Gust hope&;
Creepin( throu(h the Trees" *oth men where crouched low" with their li(htsa*ers
switched off& There was a sli(ht crac)le as Jundal tried to call ,araphan on his commlin)&
NCome in ,araphan" this is Jundal& Come in&N
NWhoJs ,araphan8 DonJt tell me you *rou(ht a woman with you&&&N ?ellor had *een
almost famous for his disappro$al of Jedi ha$in( relationships& And ri(ht now" Jundal
didnJt want an ar(ument when fourteen clones where pursuin( them toward their only
way off this forsa)en roc)&
NAo" i happen to *e the proud owner of a $ery lar(e slee) *lac) ship a little way away"
and ,araphan is the name of the A&#& on*oard& And it also happens to *e somewhat&&&
stran(e& ,o" donJt *e surprised when we (et there&N
Behind them" they started hearin( sounds of the approachin( clone troopers& Tappin(
?ellor on the shoulder" Jundal made a hand si(nal for them to mo$e forward %uietly at
*est speed" and they *oth started forward& @a$in( spent so lon( to(ether" each man )new
the others mind li)e no other" and )new how he mo$ed& ?ellor raised his li(htsa*er" and
flic)ed it on as a red *olt came from the left of them& Bouncin( the *olt away" ?ellor
deacti$ated his weapon&
NThey must ha$e heat sensiti$e monitorin( e%uipment& @ow do you want to play this8
-ower *ody temperatures and creep in under their sensors8N
NAo" if we do that" we will *e too slow" and there is too much chance of *ein( stum*led
upon *y the clones& Plus" those *ehind us now )now where we are due to your li(htsa*er
*ein( rather shiny and *ri(ht&&&N
?ellor chuc)led& NWell" i prefer a (ood fi(ht to all of this runnin( and hidin(&N
N.ouJre meant to *e a Jedi" not a swash*uc)lin( pirate" you old fool&N
Both men (rinned& ?o$in( forward at an increased pace" they came upon the clearin(
that Jundal had left the White Prophet& The *lac) matt paint seemed to a*sor* all the
li(ht" and the star) white armor of the clone troopers stood out a(ainst *oth the ship and
the ni(ht& There were ten troopers in the clearin(" facin( off at different directions& Jundal
)new from ha$in( watched them wor) that they would spin around %uic)ly and *rin(
their weapons to *ear as soon as the first weapon was dischar(ed&
,teppin( forward" ?ellor stood on a twi(& The crac) echoed throu(hout the clearin(" and
it mi(ht ha$e *een a starters pistol (oin( off for the effect it had on the clones& The two
Jedi loo)ed at each other&
NAww crap&N They said in unison& Both *rou(ht their weapons
up" thum*in( the switches on& Both started mo$in( inhumanly fast" filled with the force
as they wor)ed their li(htsa*ers *ac) and forth *ouncin( *laster *olts *ac) where they
came from& This team of clones was an e3perienced one howe$er" mo$in( to one side or
the other after they had let off each shot" ma)in( it difficult to direct the *olts *ac)&
Jundal was comin( to the conclusion that they would *e here for an hour or two until the
clones ran out of power pac)s& -eanin( o$er" ?ellor *e(an to spea)&
N#Jll ta)e these& Co ta)e the ones *ehind us" and then re5Goin me&N
Aoddin(" Jundal turned and sprinted away from the Prophet" toward where the clones
were& ,tretchin( out with the force" he (ot a *ead on where they were" and ran past them
in an elliptical arc to come on the from *ehind& ,lowly comin( *ehind the carefully
mo$in( clones" Jundal could hear the %uiet chatter of the commlin)s in their helmets" and
see them nod to each other& These were an unusually tal)ati$e *unch for clones" their
taciturn nature was pushed to one side& There were four of them there wal)in( in a loose
diamond formation" rela3ed *ut alert& Jundal ran forward" and struc) li)e li(htnin(" his
li(htsa*er cuttin( effortlessly throu(h the first of four troopers& The second fell Gust as
%uic)ly after *ein( slashed o*li%uely throu(h his torso" and the third (ot a *laster *olt in
the face as the fourth tried to shoot him& Droppin( his weapon" the fourth pulled
$i*ro*lade" and thrust toward Jundals face& Deacti$atin( his li(htsa*er" he clutched the
clones wrist" twistin( hard with one hand as he shot his other hand out on to the Goint of
the armor& The el*ow crunched and the clone (runted as the armor shattered and sent
pieces of the armor into his el*ow Goint as it *ro)e with a crunch& The clone tried to hoo)
punch with his other arm" *ut Jundal palmed that off and spinnin( the clone around"
*ro)e his nec) with a wet crunch&
At the White Prophet" ?ellor was tirin( %uic)ly& The massed fire from the clone troopers
was ta3in( the ener(y it too) to maintain his connection with the force to predict the
*laster *olts& @is wrists were *urnin(" and he was startin( to re(ret sendin( Jundal *ac)
to deal with the four clones& A couple of *olts had come close now" and he could )new
the swear drippin( into his eyes and *lurrin( his $ision was dan(erous& As he started to
slow to the point of no return" *arely )eepin( up with the clones" Jundal stepped in& @e
*e(an wal)in( forward" pushin( the clones *ac) sli(htly" until he saw a (rey strea) (o
past him as ?ellor ran forward& ?ellor cut to the ri(ht" meetin( a clone head on" and
cuttin( him down %uic)ly& @e went throu(h three more" and turned to loo) for his ne3t
tar(et when a *olt reflected from Jundals li(htsa*er *ounced off the hull of the White
prophet cau(ht him in the shoulder&
?ellor spun around and hit the floor with a dull thud" moanin( sli(htly as he instincti$ely
used the force to %uench the pain shootin( throu(h his chest& There was nothin( he could
do as three clones ran o$er" and le$elin( their *laster rifles and pumpin( round after
round into his chest& The e3pression of surprise and horror didnEt fade from his chest as
the curls of smo)e ceased to rise o$er his corpse& ,eein( what had Gust happened" Jundals
(rief almost crippled him& @e had Gust effecti$ely )illed his own teacher& The person he
admire most in the uni$erse had died *y his hand& @e loo)ed at the si3 clones" he felt
nothin( *ut contempt and hatred& -i(htsa*er (rasped in one hand" he effortlessly
deflected the *laster *olts as he held up his other hand and *lue li(htnin( ra)ed throu(h
three of the clones" )illin( them %uic)ly& ,eiBin( the weapons of the last three" he pulled
them out of their hands" and re$ersed them" pointin( them towards their faces&
NAny last words8N
Aone of the clones said anythin(&
NCood&N
With a sin(le crystal clear flash" the three clones dropped to the (round with smo)in(
holes in their helmets" and shoc)ed e3pressions on what was left of their faces&
Without spea)in(" ,araphan lifted the White Prophet into or*it& Below him" Jundal left
his mentor" and a lot of corpses& @e had ta)en ?ellorJs li(htsa*er" *ut *uried the rest of
his *elon(in(s with him&
NWhere to" Jedi Desh8N ,araphan as)ed&
NTo the Forsa)en& That is where we need to *e" for now&N
As ,araphan prepared to lift off" Jundal was thin)in( of what he had left *ehind& A *uried
Jedi master whoEs (ra$e was mar)ed with one thin(& A stic) po)ed into the (round" and a
clones helmet placed on top of the stic) at the head of a mound of earth& A fittin( tri*ute
to a warrior&
The AcademyD destroyed
Deean Fett wo)e with a start after yet another fitful dream&
The alarms peeled horns and *ells at all dec)s as the hu(e ship tore into the s)y&
-ea$in( without warnin( was" perhaps" prudent action for the Forsa)enJs captain& But as
Deen peered out his porthole at the $anishin( scene *eneath them" all *elow the e3itin(
ship was now a smo)in( chaos&
The plume of smo)e roiled out" re$ealin( the decimated domes of the old Academy&&& the
towers now mere empty hul)s&
Deean Fett ran alon( the corridors" )nowin( the ship would *e the ne3t lo(ical tar(et&&&
NDamn them" weJre sittin( li)e sleepin( Bantha on the open plain&&& Jil5Oun *etter (et
this&&&N
DeeanJs rant was cut short *y a massi$e lurch from the thrusters& They weJre mo$in(&&&
and $iolently&&& perhaps they were under attac) and were maneu$erin( to )eep out of
ran(e8 'eco$erin( his *alance" he made his way towards the lift&&& up to the *rid(e" to
meet his fate with a panoramic $iew&
The lift was oddly smooth" Deean e3pected to *e *uffeted *y impacts e3plosions and the
li)e&&& *ut so far" his luc) was apparently still with him&
@e arri$ed on the *rid(e with his s)in still intact and marched up the circle of command&
Jil5Oun sat with a scowl on his face" as always& Deean too) up a position at a display
panel&
NWhatEs the dama(e so far8 Do we ha$e a ran(e on their firin( positions8N Deean said
switchin( the holo$iewer from sector to sector&
Aothin( *ut the *urnin( remains of the Academy showed on the screens&
NThere is no enemy fire" old friendN Jil5Oun si(hed&
NBut&&&N Deean wal)ed to the command chair&
N&&& who le$eled the Acade5m5&&&N
Deean paused" feelin( somethin( in his midichlorians&&& then at last" he sensed Jil5OunJs
*roodin( for what it realy was&&& (rief&
The old Jedi had done the dirty wor) of the ,eparatists for them& The Academy was
ru**le now" and it was at the old mans hand too& Ao point in remindin( the old (oat of it
either&&&
&&& Jil5Oun )new $ery well what he had done&
N,o it has come to an end" then&N
The two men turned to find Fiona standin( at the door& @er usually spar)led *rown eyes
were red and watery" and she was frownin(" tryin( to fi(ht *ac) the sadness&
t!s not Cil:Dun!s fault, ,he reminded herself" starin( out the window *ehind them" una*le
to ma)e eye contact& Breathin( a little deeper" the youn( Jedi tried to )eep from
dissol$in( into tears& +e would have to go sooner or later, and you ,now it.
NWhatJs the plan" ,ir8N Fiona wiped her eyes a(ain" her $oice still sha)in(& NThis is our
story& -etJs face our fate to(ether&N
The old Jedi re(arded the youn( Jedi standin( *efore him with a most stern (aBe& Ao
Go)es" not this time& @e wei(hed his response&&& not wastin( a word& @e stood in the center
of his command area" widenin( his stance as the en(ines *ore NThe Forsa)enN hi(her into
the mornin( s)ies&
NWe runN he said flatly&
NWe run and run till we find&&& somewhere to *e who we areN&
The old one had said the last part to Fiona with his eyes focused on a point somewhere
*eyond the *ow of the risin( ship& @e turned to face her now" perhaps sensin( her pain
(rowin(&
NWe will find a way throu(h all this&&& and we will help whome$er we can alon( the wayN
he said with more spirit" more confidence NWe will ma)e a useful life for oursel$es&&&
howe$er we mustN&
Fiona smiled thinly" it was all she could mana(e&&&
&&& *ut it was a start&
]Away from the Academy]
Julene pushed herself away from the coc)pit" and strode into the li$in( %uarters" where
she ran head on into E3e$an starin( at the holo5unit&
NThe Academy"N Jules croa)ed out when she saw the ima(es on the unit of the *urned out
shell of the school and the surroundin( areas&
NWhile it is *elie$ed that the Jedi and their students escaped on a cruiser" little is )nown
on the wherea*outs of the criminal Jil5Oun Tahm or his *and of re*el Jedi& As to the
death toll" we are awaitin( updates& This Academy has also *een lin)ed to two *ounty
hunters" ones Julene Tail" and Deadeye E3e$an" wanted for the murders on the 'unian
system capital Tieron" a deathtoll in itself reachin( o$er /"7775N E3 turned it off" and sat
down hea$ily in a chair&
N# canJt *elie$e it&&&we&&&we would ha$e sensed somethin(" wouldnJt we ha$e8 Do you
thin) theyJre o)ay8N Jules finally as)ed" and E3 loo)ed up at her" noddin( and tryin( to
loo) encoura(in(&
N# thin) e$eryoneJs fine&N
N# Gust canJt *elie$e itJs (one&N
E3 nodded" and stood up" wal)in( his way into the )itchen&
N# Gust wish them luc)" where$er they are&N
Jundal sat in his ca*in in the White Prophet&
N#tJs (oneN ,araphans $oice came o$er the spea)er %uietly&
NWhat is8N As)ed Jundal&
NThe Academy& JilJOun has destroyed it&N ,araphan sounded shoc)ed&
N#t was his Academy" my friend& @e was its (o$ernor" its protector and its champion for
many years& @e would rather ha$e seen it destroyed *y his own hand that pilla(ed and
defaced *y the separatist forces& # feel for him ,araphan& Aow weJre all homeless&N As he
spo)e" Jundals $oice (ot smaller and smaller" until it was *arely a whisper&
,tandin( up" he loo)ed a*out for somethin( to do&
NEither way my friend # will miss the old place& # had many a (ood time there& From
de*ates to trainin( and *ac) a(ain& # had a lot of friends from there" and now its (one& But
there will *e somethin( for us& We ha$e the forsa)en" now&N
The -ast Days of the Jedi Academy
Deean entered *rid(e of the new starship" the door sealin( rapidly *ehind him& #t was
$ery late" and the *road (lass panes of the windscreen reflected his fear" li)e o*sidian
mirrors in the dar) Chandrilian ni(ht&
NWhere the hell is e$eryone8N
To the left of the entryway" a tired technician snapped to attention with a screwdri$er in
his palm& N#J$e adGusted it as you re%uested" ?aster Jedi& The door should wor) Gust fine&N
N@owJs the seal8N Deean as)ed" em*arrassed that someone was actually there to hear his
lac) of discretion&
NThe door seal is airti(ht" sir"N replied the youn( man in 'epu*lic fati(ues as he stifled a
yawn& NJust as you re%uested&N
N1ery well&&& pac) up your tools" then&N Deean smiled" a fan of new wrin)les appearin( in
the corner of his eye& N.our wor) here is finished& Co to the dormitory" rest and reward
yourself for a Go* well done&N
N.es sir"N the *oy said" salutin( sharply" almost po)in( himself with the tool&
NAnd where is your super$isor&&& Captain whate$er his num*er8N Deean no lon(er mas)ed
e$idence of his frustration" or impatience&N
N@e left me here hours a(o" sir&N
NWell" (oodni(ht to you then"N Deean finished" wa$in( him off&
The Jedi paced to the en(ineerin( station" eye*allin( the *o**in( di(ital (au(es *efore
him&&& a $irtual sea of floatin( colors on flat screen displays& Then he paced the full span
of the room" hopin( to find a security troop standin( in the dim (low of the instruments&
Aone were to *e found&
?um*lin( to himself" Deean spun on his heel and lum*ered a(ain throu(h the door&
?oments later" he made his way throu(h the empty corridors to find Jil5OunEs stateroom"
his *rown cloa) risin( and fallin( in his wa)e as his *oots drummed out an ur(ent
rhythm&
JilJOun awo)e to a start& NCome in&&&N he (rumpily shouted at the chime&
The door was opened *efore he could raise his *arrel5li)e chest& 'estin( on his el*ows"
he could see the silhouette of Deean in the shadows at the foot of his *ed& JilJOun strained
his eyes to see" *ut could only s%uint in the sterile li(ht of the hallway&
NWe ha$e to tal)"N Deean *lurted&
NAow8N JilJOun (rum*led and shoo) his head& N# Gust laid down&N
N# )now& #Jm sorry& We need to lea$e here now&N
N.es" #Jm aware of this too& But whatJs all this ener(y a*out8N JilJOun ru**ed his eyes"
still *urnin( from a tearful" neon5railed ni(htmare a*out Alderaan& NDo you *rin( *ad
tidin(s8 What is this all a*out" my friend8N
NThe 'epu*lic is fallin( apart" JilJOun& # mean ri(ht nowL The contin(ent of Clone troops
sent here to facilitate this operation ha$e thinned considera*ly with no e3planation&
,omethin( $ery weird is (oin( on& # called your friend on the comlin)& When Fy5Wan
can no lon(er account for his own men it does not *ode well& .ou )now what a control
frea) he is&N
NDeean& .ou and my padawan&&& er&&& # mean Jedi Fy5Wan& .our pessimism is *ecomin(
an unfortunate new personality trait& Cone is the *ri(ht eyed youn( lad # met so lon(
a(o&&&N
NThe shipJs power" fuel and food stores are all filled to capacity"N Deean interrupted& NWe
could lift off *efore the mornin(&&& if&&&N
N&&&#f # (i$e the order&N
NThatJs ri(ht" JilJOun& .ou must (i$e the order& We need to lea$e here without further
notice&N
N#A T@E ?O'A#AC8 @a$e you lost your mind8 What a*out the students8 ?ost are
(one to war& .ou )now as well as #" we must wait for their return&N
NCould *e ris)y& # say" whoe$er happens to *e on*oard when we roc)et out of here (ets to
(o with us& #f they happen to miss the fli(ht" then itJs Gust too *ad& We must lea$e without
(i$in( too much ad$anced notice& ThatJs my opinion&N Deean crossed his arms
defensi$ely&
NWhat a*out our raison dJetre 5 the Jedi Archi$es8N
NAll loaded and ready to (o&N
JilJOun *ecame reflecti$e& @is eyes focused upon his own feet&&& two tents at the foot of
his *ed& NWell" arenJt you the o$eram*itious first mate8N
N# am sic)ened *y this" JilJOun& Our way of life is finished& All the (ood times" all the
lau(hter" all the friendship&&& The Jedi Academy&&& itJs o$er& Fore$er&N
Jil5Oun stared at his old friend&
The once5Go$ial Jedi Fett was now laden with concerns Jil5Oun thou(ht only he could *e
(uilty of& @is old friend paced the narrow confines of his %uarters li)e a predator trapped
in a ca(e&
The old Jedi wri((led in his sleepin( arran(ement&&& wonderin( if his could *are ha$in(
his *oots on a(ain after only recently doffin( them& @e scratched his head&&& feelin( the
thinness of his scalp&
NDeean" you )now&&& #J$e *een thin)in( a*out all this *usiness of our way of life
chan(in(&&&N @e offered in a comfortin( tone&
Deean stopped in his trac)s and (lared at the rounded old Jedi&
Jil5Oun focused on his feet a(ain and continued&
N&&&What # mean is&&& N
N&&& so much of what we li$e for comes from the Force& # mean" life" *eauty" compassion&&&
these ideals can most certainly e3ist outside the confines of a political construct& # mean&&&
Peace and Justice are uni$ersal social (oals& ,urely you ha$e considered our duty to fi(ht
for a Gust cause&&&N
N&&& may not re%uire .odaJs constant (uidance8N The old Jedi smiled thinly&
Deean was not amused&
The hi(hly educated Jedi folded his arms in his enormous slee$es" at once loo)in( no*le
and officious& .et" for some reason" he went *ac) to pacin( the floor li)e a ca(ed
predator&
Jil5Oun had ne$er seen Deean so o$erwrou(ht with apprehension&
The old Jedi stru((led to ma)e a useful comment&&& feelin( it was the least he could do
after Deean had tal)ed him down from the ceilin( so many times *efore& But con$incin(
Deean that loosin( their entire way of life was NOFN seemed li)e a difficult sell& E$en to
Jil5Oun&
@e scratched his *eard as he pondered what mi(ht *e the ri(ht phrase to comfort his
worried friend&
Another *ell chimed from somewhere in the room&
NWhat now&&&N Jil5Oun moaned& @is faced chan(ed as his irrita*ility came out& NCome
inLN @e almost shouted at the door&
NJil5Oun" e$ery*ody who is (oin( is under orders to *e on *oard within one hours notice"
sir& All you need to do now is spea) to Fy wan and (et the clone troopers on *oard and
we can (et mo$in(&N Jundal finished spea)in( as he came to a stop ne3t to Deean&
N?aster Fett&N @e said" noddin( to the older man&
NDoes e$eryone here )now what (oin( on *ut me8N ?oaned Jil5Oun" (ettin( off his sleep
pad& Pullin( on his ro*es" he loo)ed *learily at the two men standin( in his sleepin(
%uarters&
NDeean" # )now # ha$e to (i$e the word to pull out soon" *ut #Em not sure if the time is
ri(ht yet& #t doesnEt feel ri(ht& On top of that" how are we (oin( to let all of the a*sent
students )now where we are" and when we will *e lea$in(8 E$en if they )now when we
left" they wont )now where weJ$e (one& What of them8N
N?aster Jil5Oun" #f we left clues for them to follow" someone else may decipher them&
,ith" *ounty hunters" anyone& We all )now of the (rowin( trend of anti5Jedi sentiment
runnin( throu(h the (ala3y at the moment" so it may not *e a (ood idea to drop hints of
where we are& All of the a*sent Jedi are capa*le people" so # donEt see any need to try and
*a*y them throu(h this& Anyone wantin( to )now where we are can spea) to ?aster
.oda at the coruscanti temple& @e will *e a*le to tell anyone who needs to )now where
we are& The only person i can recommend contactin( is ?aster Pele*" as he may *e of use
to the ship Bourne Jedi& @e is one of the most or(aniBed people i )now" and a (ood man
to *oot&N
Jil5Oun stared out of the window lost in thou(ht& #t was all chan(in( so fast& When the
idea had first *een *roached" and the decision made" it had seemed e3citin(" thrillin(
e$en& Aow it was underway" Jil5Oun was almost drownin( in a sea of paperwor) and
calculatin( manpower and timin( schedules& @is padawan was off with the clone troopers
doin( a Go* he would ha$e thou(ht more suited for himself" and he felt li)e nothin( more
than a (lorified time )eeper& #n the past" he had always *een a Jedi of action" one suited to
Ja((ressi$e ne(otiationsJ as he li)ed to call them" not to sittin( *ehind des)s and
or(aniBin( loadin( schedules& The entire thin( was a lo(istical ni(htmare& But at least it
was nearly o$er&
NJun" is there actually anyone wishin( to stay8N Jil5Oun )new a couple of the older
students had e3pressed the wish to stay at some earlier time" and their had *een some tal)
of lea$in( *ehind a small (roup amon( the padawans&
NAo& There ha$e *een words e3chan(ed to the effect of JThe council has (i$en the order
to e$acuate& Therefore we e$acuate" unless you wish to face master .oda and e3plain to
him why you ha$e (one a(ainst the e3press wishes of the councilJ and they seemed to
clear the wish to stay out of anyoneEs minds& All of the support staff are ready" and ha$e
loaded up their *elon(in(s& They ha$e all *een assi(ned %uarters and their possessions
ha$e *een mo$ed o$er&N
NCood& And weJre ready to (o8 -oadin( is finished" or should *e *y now" supplies are an
*oard& All that needs to happen" is my (i$in( the word& #tJs a *i( word thou(h&N
Deean put his hand on the older mans shoulder& N# )now it is" Jil5Oun& We all do& But it
needs to *e said& When all is said and done all we are waitin( for now" is you&N Deeans
$oice dropped to almost a whisper& N# )now its difficult" But we need to (o& At the end of
the day" its not the place" old friend& #tJs the people you ta)e care of" and who ta)e care of
you& #tJs time to (o&N
The old Jedi loo)ed around his %uarters then *ac) at the impatient Jedi *efore him&
#t was a mess&&& as usual& @ow could a *ein( sworn to dispossessin( himself of material
items&&& *e so encum*ered with material items8 Datapads strewn a*out" ro*es tossed on
the floor" *oots layin( at opposite ends of the room&
The old Jedi si(hed" perhaps he was a *it *ehind on a few thin(s& Uprootin( himself from
the Academy had *een a somewhat messy procedure& @e wasnJt really sure what was in
half the *o3es that laid in the corner&&& *ut he )new it was all terri*ly $ital and could not
*e a*andoned&
NOh all ri(ht" letJs start some crosschec)s on the main *rid(e in an hour&&& sleep can wait&
We mi(ht as well load test the main repulsors" see if we can handle the added wei(ht in
our *otanical e3perimentN&
The two Jedi nodded in and *owed in the formal manner passed on to them from
(enerations of Jedi to one and other&
NAow&&& (et lost so # can wash my feet and slip into my damn *oots &&& a(ainN he muttered
(ruffly&
The youn(er Fni(hts naturally pardoned the old Jedi as he artlessly sho$ed them out his
ca*in door&
"He cares too much." Deean said, looking down the corridor in the direction he was about to
walk to make his preparations.
"Excuse me?"
"Thats his problem. He sees every young edi that walks out o! here as one o! his children,
one o! the many who cannot do without him. "ou have, beside #aster $eleb, managed to
teach a lot o! them to look a!ter themselves. %n !act you&ve managed to teach a lot o! them
what it is to be warriors, and good ones too. il'(un has taught them how to think like edi. To
!eel it. To be it. #ost o! them look up to someone like him and think &% want to be like him. %
wish i was...& yet they don't reali)e that by doing the duty, they are like him. *s you said, they
are all capable people."
Deean sighed. %t was another thing he did not need to sit and brood upon. "et, as usual, he
worried about the old man. He was important to him. +odding to undal he made his good
byes and walked away !rom the younger edi. ,haking his head slightly, undal smiled so!tly
to himsel!, watching the mans back as he walked away. Deean was one o! the ones he had
never understood. *n enigma, so to speak. That man was one o! the most intelligent men he
had ever met, and he seemed to speak !orth the wisdom o! the ancients like it was common
sense. #aybe his mind worked di!!erently to undals, maybe it didn&t. undal -ust didn't know.
.ut whatever it was, undal would happily give someone else's eye teeth !or the secret.
/huckling a little, undal walked toward the docking bay where the white prophet was docked
!or a change o! clothes.
",araphan, change to poor done stand bye mode. %&m going to be on the main ship !or a while.
%! you have any problems, speak through my communicator, and i! you !eel that you are in
any danger more serious than a mechanic having a go at your gravitic converters, e-ect all
living matter on board not on the stock mani!esto, and seal yoursel! up as tight as you like,
shields on !ull. 0nderstand me? "
""es edi Desh."
"(uit calling me that. *nd should i need you, ill call you. 1ot me?"
,araphan went 2uiet !or a moment.
"3hat i! i need you?" %t asked in a decidedly !eminine voice.
"3hat you need me !or? *nd you can stop with the apparent emotional manipulation you&re
trying there. "ou are a ship, not a woman. *n arti!icial intelligence programmed into a set o!
microchips and gel packs used in the construction o! this ship. "ou are the voice i gave a name
to."
"3hat i! i need you?" ,araphan repeated in a small voice. %! it had had eyebrows, it would
have !luttered them.
undals !ace changed slightly. He had got sick o! it.
"Then whistle. (uietly. *bout !our decibels. % should hear that and come running. +ow. % have
a meeting % have to be in, with both #aster 4ett and #aster il&(un. % will be there i! anything
important happens, like the universe imploding spontaneously. 3hich, % might add, i! it does
happen, % would know about as soon as you did. 0nderstand?"
""es edi Desh."
3ith a swish o! his clothing, undal walked o!! the ship, with a !ew ideas in his head as to
where they were all going.
NTheyJre (oin( to *low it upL ThatJs what # thin)LN
Deean swallowed" then leaned upon his wrists& The aluminum ta*le crea)ed& #t had *een
se$eral hours since they wo)e JilJOun from his hi*ernation" and the sun was castin(
(olden columns of li(ht into the command area of the ship&
NAre you sure8N Jundal as)ed Deean incredulously& NWhat ma)es you thin) so8N
JilJOun was not as acceptin(& NDeean" # thin) youJ$e *een sleep depri$edL This is all too
much" my friend&N
N#tJs the only e3planation for the sudden disappearance of the clone (arrison& Deean
turned a*ruptly&&& and paced across the *rid(e& NTry to find one troop on this *ar(eL #tJs
Gust us& Oh" # donJt )now anymore& # donJt seem to )now anythin( anymore&N
@e stopped at the window and loo)ed across the $ast lands of the former Jedi Academy
and *eyond& ,e$eral of the hea$y troop ships had left" and what troops remained (athered
on the mornin( dew 5 tiny white spec)s on a field of (reen&
Deean continued" dri$in( his fin(ers into his palms& N# donJt feel ri(ht a*out this& # feel
sic) inside& WeJ$e had clone troops on and off this ship for wee)s" most of them
unsuper$ised& WhoJs to say that there isnJt a thermal detonator under the captains chair
ri(ht now8N
NThatJs preposterousLN JilJOun *ar)ed in dis*elief& Then he timidly loo)ed *eneath his
swi$elin( chair&
Deean wasnJt sure if JilJOun was tryin( to *e funny" or if his tirade was *e(innin( to ha$e
effect& -oo)in( at the (riBBled Jedi" he added" his hands droppin( to his hips" N#s it so
preposterous8 Cet all the Jedi in one place and *low them to smithereensL8L # want to
hear Fy5WanJs perspecti$e on this&N
Jil5Oun closed his eyes for a moment&&& then slowly smiled&
NOf course" dear&&& a fine ideaN Jil5Oun said softly&
#t was unima(ina*ly *eautiful this mornin(" despite DeeanJs un*elie$a*ly (rim appraisal
had *een& The (olden shafts of early summer li(ht lanced into the lar(e windowed room&
1arious @olo5displays and readouts only added to the delicate symphony of the shipJs
]decidedly] ele(ant" clean5lined *rid(e&
N#ndeed&&& damn the *om* under my seat&&& #Jm (oin( to enGoy it while it lastsN Jil5Oun
announced as he thum*ed switch thus con$ertin( a se(ment of his command dais into a
small ta*le& ,uch amusin(ly perfect contri$ances were found all o$er the ship and Jil5Oun
lo$ed them&
Deean and Jundal each too) up a spot on the rin( of tufted seatin( that encircled the
command chair&&& the desi(ners had apparently considered Jedi would Nfly *y committeeN&
Fiona smiled and set the tea on the ta*le section and arran(ed a simple *ut ample ser$ice&
,er$in( each Jedi in a serene manner" her poise was impressi$e&
Craceful simplicity& As a (ood tea should *e&
Jil5Oun *owed his head to the cup as he too) hold of it&&& and re$erently sa$ored the first
sip& The other Jedi did the same&&& each honorin( FionaJs ser$ice with a de(ree of
re$erence&
Jil5Oun *e(an spea)in( a(ain only after each had e3perienced a %uiet moment with the
simple *e$era(e&
N?aster Deean&&& # see your point plainly& Thou(h # suspect the Troopers are mearly
en(a(ed in some policin( duty or another" # do sense somethin(&&& peculiar&&& a*out this
$esselN The old Jedi offered&
N#tJs all too damn perfectN Jundal offered
N#tJs all a *it too perfect for me as well&&& old friendsN the senior Jedi said with a sheepish
(rin&
@e (estured to the enormous ship surroundin( them NCan you *elie$e they would turn
o$er such a fine ship&&& to ?e88N
Jundal lau(hed&
NAo my friend" if they (a$e you an old ship" youJd only *rea) it&&&N
'isin( to his feet after he had finished his tea" he stepped o$er to one of the consoles to
the left hand side of the *rid(e&
NThe fire control seems to *e a *it tasty& -aser cannons" tractor *eam proGectors" ion
cannons" a warmon(ers dream" this ship is& But of course" it will only *e used in self
defense" wont it JilJOun8N the last words were said with a *i( (rin on his face&
,ittin( down" he turned to the two older men&
N,o" structure of command" (entlemen& Bein( pretty much the only three %ualified Jedi
here" #Em (onna $ote for JilJOun as captain of the (ood ship Freefli(ht" Deean as the
second mate" and me as the (eneral laBy s)i$er& What do you say8N
Both of the other men lau(hed at the proposition&
NWell" we ha$e a lot to do" my friends&N 'eplied JilJOun& NJundal" (et thee to the des) in
the %uarters i ha$e assi(ned you" and start writin( out timeta*les for the student on
com*at" theory of com*at and history of com*at& #Jll lea$e the entire sylla*us up to you"
*ut for some of the youn(er ones try not to ma)e it too *loodthirsty for them& WeJll (i$e
them a few days to (et settled in" and then classes will start as normal& For now Deean"
theory and use of the force" you )now the Go*" #Ed appreciate it if you can run those
classes for as lon( as you can" unless the council on Coruscant calls you away& Once
youJ$e done that" (et *ac) to me& We donJt ha$e anythin( that needs doin( here ri(ht
now" ,o #Ell o$ersee the final preparations for start up of the main en(ines& Centlemen" i
do *elie$e weJre ready to (o&N
All three men loo)ed ea(er to (et started" and as they all started wal)in( toward the
entrance to the *rid(e" Jundal loo)ed to the others&
NJilJOun" what the name of this *i( *oat" anyway8N
The old Jedi slowed and his face *ecame som*er&
@e paused a moment *y the steps to the lift&&& turnin( his (aBe to the commandin( $iew
Gust to one side of them" the old Academy (rounds could *e seen *elow&&& in silent" empty
splendor" not a li(ht on nor window stirrin(&&& the *road ed(e of the ship they stood inside
could *e seen as well&
N?y *rothers&&&N Jil5Oun said softly&
N#n li(ht of our wiltin( (alactic status&&& # ha$e chosen to call this ship" which will carry us
away from the life which we ha$e li$ed and into an uncertain future&&& 'The Forsaken'N
The other two Jedi let the name rest on the air a moment" then nodded in silence&
For they all were now" indeed&&& Forsa)en Jedi&
Deean returned to the *rid(e" *owed at the waist" and recei$in( a cup of tea from Fiona&
@e realiBed that of all the people in the room" he needed it the most&
NThan) you" my lady"N he *reathed" win)in(&
Jedi Fiona always tal)ed a*out how much Deean had done for her" when really it was the
other way around& @e *uried his nose in the tea and centered himself& #n times li)e these
Fiona reminded him to *e the *est man he could *e& ,milin(" he loo)ed up and touched
her chee) with the *ac) of his hand&
N#tJs a stran(e thin( to *e out of wor)"N Deean said at last" settin( the saucer on a console
and hea$in( himself into the seat ne3t to JilJOun& NWe need to focus now on the tas)
ahead& #f we all (et *lown up in a terrorist attac)" then so *e it& #t is the will of the Force"N
he said" his fin(ers fannin( out li)e the win(s of a *ird& NMy soul will *e at peace&N
Jil5OunEs face *ro)e into a (rin&
N# also concede that there is no point rushin( thin(s"N Deean said" runnin( his hand
throu(h his hair& N,ince we will *e (one for a lon(" lon( time we mi(ht as well ma)e sure
we are thorou(h in our preparation&&& *ut we should *e on our (uard&N
Jundal nodded in a(reement& N,o when are we lea$in(" *oss8N he $oiced&
N,oon"N came Jil5OunEs reply& @e loo)ed as if in a trance" his thou(hts a tan(led morass&
DeeanJs cast his eyes at Jundal" who deflected the (aBe toward their commander&
N@OW soon8N as)ed Jundal" pourin( hot water onto *undle of her*s in his cup&
N@opefully not *efore # ha$e time to wish you all well&N
Calei(h sat in the doorway to the *rid(e" her hair ti(htly *raided up" the outline of her
sa*er Gust *arely hinted at ne3t to her *oot" underneath her *ur(undy s)irt& @er cloa) was
*elted to her waist" the hood pushed *ac)& ,he loo)ed each of them in the eye" notin(
FionaJs confused e3pression&
NBut # thou(ht5N Fiona *e(an& Calei(h shoo) her head&
N?aster Fett" ?aster Tahm&&& # re(ret to inform you that # will not *e accompanyin( you
after all&N
Jundal turned in his seat&
N# )now what # said effected padawans *ut you are no padawan" Calei(h& .ou are a Jedi
Fni(ht" stron( and true as any # ha$e e$er met" and # cannot compel you to stay& Aone of
us can& But # will as) you this& Will you come with us8 That is all # can do& We may need
you alon( the way&&& Aot the three of us" *ut of the $arious sundry and flotsam we pic) up
alon( the way& All three of us here can *e hard teachers" *ut we need someone of a soft
touch" perhaps someone to mediate the discipline" and inGect a little carin(& Will you
come with us8N At the end of the speech Jundal face wore an e3pression of mute
pleadin(" one which did not (race his features often&
Calei(h smiled softly" turnin( more fully toward them as she wal)ed into the *rid(e" and
stood in front of the three men&
NAo" #Em afraid # ha$e other commitments& Commitments # would neither wish nor *e
a*le to escape& # am needed elsewhere (entlemen& .ou )now as well as # do that when the
force calls us we must (o& There is no e3cuse for us not to" *ut we must ma)e a decision
on whether or not to o*ey the force&&&N
,he paused a moment" and her faced hardened a little" as did her demeanor&
NAnd the decision is mine" and # ha$e made it&N
JilJOun rela3ed into his chair" his *reath si(hin( out in front of him&
NThen you ha$e made your decision my dear" and it would ta)e a *etter man than any of
us to dissuade you from the path you ha$e chosen& Co with the *lessin( of your teachers
and peers and )now that we are proud of you for *ein( a*le to lea$e us" *ut at the same
time stay with us&N
Calei(h loo)ed confused as JilJOun smiled at her e3pression&
N.ou will understand in time& But my only ad$ice is to *e mindful of the force" and )now
that you are *ut an e3tension of it&N
JilJOun said the last of this with a small smile )nowin( that she )new this as well as she
did& ,he was and always would *e *ut an e3tension of the force" as was he& ,he would do
well should she heed her teachin(s" and that she would always *e a part of the Jedi order&
Wether she was with it" or itJs authority was with her she acted on its *ehalf and it acted
on hers& But her decision was made& ,he would wal) her own path" one sundered from
that of the academy&
N#t is not a decision # ha$e entered into li(htly&&&N Calei(h si(hed& ,he was unsure how
they would ta)e her reasonin(" *ut she felt it was ri(ht& ,he had meditated on it for a $ery
lon( time& NThere is someone # ha$e *een called to" and he to me" thou(h he claims no
familiarity with the Force& @e maintains and operates the systems for a childrenJs
education center out on a small planet in the Outer 'im& # ha$e *een doin( some wor) out
there&& and # feel # will *e of more use continuin( it than # will *e of here on the ship with
you&N
,he paused" pullin( a small datastic) from her pouch& N#f there is somethin( # can do for
you" this is how to contact me& There are *oth standard and emer(ency methods in there"
alon( with a&& special coded fi(uration& #Jm sure you can fi(ure out that oneJs purpose&N
Deean loo)ed at Calei(h and smiled& N# as well )now *etter than to dissuade you&N Then
the air escaped his lun(s" lea$in( him with a *elea(uered countenance& N#t *rea)s my
heart" Calei(h&&& *ut then #J$e *een prone to sentimentality these days& .ou will *e sorely
missed&N
NAnd you"N she answered& Then there was a lon( pause&
N?any would wish for a day in the sun& We ha$e had decades"N Deean said at last& @e
rose from his chair and hu((ed her& N# am (rateful for that&&& and it is far *etter to *e
(rateful" than to mourn&N 'eleasin( her from his arms he finished& N?ay the Force *e
with you" my friend& # ha$e a feelin( we may not see one another a(ain in this (ala3y&N
N#ndeed& The Academy is finished& # feel it now as well" DeeanN JilJOun piped in& N#t is a
matter of hours *efore we all face the destructi$e power of the Dar)side&&& althou(h #Jm
not %uite sure what that means&N Then the old Jedi loo)ed around the *rid(e&
NWho would ha$e thou(ht" in our (lory days" that the end would unfold li)e this8 Cone
are the students who once came here" lau(hin( and learnin( on the (rass& The AcademyJs
(reatest champions are AWO-& N
N,a$e for the present company"N Jundal %uipped&
NWell we mi(ht as well finish pac)in("N Deean said" (ulpin( the rest of his tea and (ently
returnin( the cup to FionaJs tray& @e noticed that Fiona had *een $ery %uiet throu(hout
the *anter& N@ow a*out you" Fiona8 Are you still on*oard8N
N.ou )now am # am" ,ir&N Fiona said %uietly" noddin(" then *owin(& N# wouldnJt lea$e
you for anythin( in the world&N ?eetin( Jil5OunJs eye" she crac)ed a shy smile"
remem*erin( the incident durin( the honored ?asterJs time in prison&
NThen weJll finish pac)in("N Deean said" sur$eyin( the *rid(e a(ain& NWe lea$e soon&N
This so*erin( thou(ht left no*ody unaffected& Fiona suddenly found the floor $ery
interestin(& Deean *e(an to wal) to the door" and had pressed the *utton when she loo)ed
*ac) up at her friendsD
NAno" sumimasen&&&N Fiona started" NDo you thin) we could hold a wa)e&&& you )now"
*efore we lea$e8N
NA wa)e8N Jundal tilted his head&
N#tJs a cele*ration of life&N Calei(h told them %uietly& NOften used at send offs to cele*rate
the life that has *een5N
N5#nstead of mournin( the death&N Jil5Oun cut in& NBut no*ody is dead" Fiona&N
N# )now that&N Fiona replied& N#tJs Gust&&& we would *e more cele*ratin( our way of life&
The Jedi way of life& .ou see" when we lea$e" many in our ran)s may die& And&&& we
mi(ht not (et time to mourn& And&&& it mi(ht *e nice to" you )now" e$en find time to
mourn the end of our life here" and loo) forward to the future" cele*ratin( the life we
ha$e had here&N ,he loo)ed down at the floor a(ain" then met Jil5OunJs eyes" suddenly
mee) and sad& N#t&&&& was a tradition" *ac) home& # Gust thou(ht it would *e nice&N
&&&
Jundal loo)ed on with a loo) of (entle pity in his eyes&
NFiona&&&N
@e wal)ed forward" (ently puttin( his hands on FionaEs shoulders" and catchin( her
downcast eyes&
N?y dear" we donJt ha$e enou(h time& We ha$e *een told to lea$e this planet" and that is
what we must do& The idea is a (ood one" one that # would honestly lo$e to do" *ut&&&N
Jundal shoo) his head sli(htly& NWe will all *e holdin( a wa)e in our hearts and minds" a
lon(in( for home that will not *e sla)ed for years" *ut we cannot stay # am afraid&N
JilJOun strode o$er" the loo) of finality in his face" and the way he stood&
NJundal is ri(ht" unfortunately& We cannot ha$e one now" *ut we may *e a*le to ha$e one
in a few months" e$en a few wee)s" when we are away from here& #f we had a wa)e here"
we ne$er )now what mi(ht happen& We lea$e oursel$es open for attac)& E$en you" (entle
one" would ha$e to ta)e up the li(htsa*er with what s)ills you ha$e and defend us& And
that is simply not somethin( i am willin( to put you throu(h& # would not see the
innocence die in your eyes" little one&N
Fiona could do nothin( *ut han( her head& ,he )new that this would help the people of
the academy to adGust" to lea$e this old life *ehind" *ut if there was no time&&& A loo) of
resolution came into her eyes&
N1ery well ?aster Tahm" ?aster Desh& But we will ha$e one when we are underwayLN
E$eryone in the room smiled sli(htly at the loo) of determination on her face&
NAow" how a*out those repulsors8 -ets (et this tu* chec)ed out and standin( ready&&&
Attention all stationsD report launch your status on my mar)&&& # want it *y the BOOF
peopleLN Jil5Oun *ar)ed&
#nstantly the room came ali$e with acti$ity& A few shinin( protocol droids came from
$arious side entrances and proceeded to run instrument chec)s&&& a few of the more
seasoned Jedi pitched in to help& ,oon the whole *rid(e was ali$e with the sound of
$er*al and electronic chatter&
Deean and Jundal )new they had Go*s to do& Each leapt up and strode to a lift" lea$in(
Fiona and Calei(h alone with Jil5Oun for a while& Then Calei(h wandered o$er to loo) at
the ela*orate AA1 array&
Fiona turned to loo) at the old Jedi whom she had )nown for so $ery lon( now&&& his
enormous eye*rows )nit in the usual" furious5loo)in( scowl that he always affected&
U(h& ,uch a tyrant he could *e&&& all to co$er those *ad feelin(s he hun( on to& Oh yes"
old Jil5Oun was indeed a rare thin(&
A cran)y Jedi&
After all" most truly cran)y Jedi Gust lea$e the order and at the $ery least! find outlets for
their cran)iness& E35Jedi were turnin( up e$erywhere these days&&& wearin( *lac) and
scowlin( and *ein( $ery selfish in their pursuits& Fulfillin( their destiny and lea$in( the
nicer Jedi in peace&
Aot Jil5Oun& @e insisted on remainin( in an Order where compassion is a central
element&&& and ta)in( it out on e$eryone else&
A Jedi *ully" actually&
Fiona smiled %uietly at her little Go)e to herself&&& she hardly e$er thou(ht li)e this& @er
fellow Dathomierian priests mi(ht find it amusin(&&& *ut she was li$in( as a Jedi these
days& ?ay*e she was tired8
Just then&&& the old scoundrel cau(ht her snic)erin( at him& Fiona smiled softly as held her
(aBe lon( enou(h to see the old 'ee) win) at her&&&& then return to his careful scowl&
Damn him&&& he had read her thou(hts&
Deean stood in the shadows" ta)in( respite in the mental play5*y5play& After all" he was
close to *oth of his friends& But what *othered him at this time were his own thou(hts&
"What if the Separatists were right?"
Ae$er *efore did times demand more certainty of a Jedi&&& and ne$er had thin(s *een less
certain&
One thin( was for sure& ,omethin( $ery *ad was a*out to happen&
Jedi Poetry
&nternal Epiphany
,ometimes # feel li)e
a storm5chaser" followin(
an an(er lon( resi(ned&
@a$in( issues without reason"
Causin( stirs
To Justify my mind&
# chan(e 5 # chan(e"
# stay the same&&&
Crashin( thunder where # (o&
-et (o your ri(hteous indi(nations"
Try for once to Gust *e free&
'emo$e your e3pectations 5
-et yourself simply *e&
The ?ath Less Traveled
The heart drew me here when all had *een lost
Those words *urned my soul 5 faith failed my lifeJs cause&
,elf5concept now (one 5 ra(e came at what cost8
Bro)en" # wept Jtil my tears (a$e me pause 5
Aot dar)" nor li(ht" # wonJt li$e in a cast&
,earchin( and scourin( throu(h all that was nau(ht
Was N#N who was then now part of the past8
The shadow will *ec)on to what it has wrou(ht&&&
What can # say8 ?y soul found a new life 5
All had *een $a(ue 5 it is now what # )now&
Out of the ash" #J$e emer(ed from the strife&
# am who # am 5 who # was" she did (o&
.ou may not )now why # feel # must stay"
But then a(ain" thatJs the way of the (rey&
5elieve This
Belie$e this&
Belie$e that e$ery second spent followin( this code is a second not spent leadin( your
own life&
Belie$e that e$ery second spent contemplatin( this code is a minute not spent actin(&
Belie$e that you cannot dismiss e$ery concei$a*le situation with a con$enient %uotation
from this code&
Belie$e that e$ery situation deser$es indi$idual calculation and contemplation" and
Belie$e that this code cannot help you&
Belie$e that that this code is indeciphera*le&
Belie$e that li$in( *y this code is conformin( with this code&
Belie$e that e$ery do(matic word of this code is a chain around your nec)&
Belie$e that this code says you should do what # thin) is ri(ht" not what you thin) is ri(ht&
Belie$e that to challen(e this code will mar) you out as a dissident and your prospects for
ad$ancement will *e automatically reassessed&
Belie$e that once you accept this code" you will *e Gust li)e all the other people who
accept this code&
Belie$e that learnin( this *y heart means that you can recite it without thin)in( of its
dama(in( implications&
Belie$e that there is nothin( to *elie$e here&
Belie$e that there is nothin( to see here&
?o$e alon(&
#ntitled
There is a power (reater than all human comprehension&
There is ne$er a time that #t is does not e3istM
Ae$er a place *eyond its reachM
Ae$er a person separated from it&
We ha$e called #t *y many names"
.et none ha$e sufficed&
We can call it Joy and -o$e&
We can call it Unity&
We can call it Freedom&
#t is all these thin(s"
.et it is none of these&
The sym*ols distract from the truth&
The ima(e distracts from that which has none&
One cannot point to #t" for in so doin("
The rest would *e reGected&
#t cannot *e sou(ht out"
For it is already there with us&
Ao practice is re%uired"
For there is nothin( we lac)&
#t is e$erywhere&
#t is e$erythin(&
All thou(hts" all words" and all actions&
#t is inescapa*le&
#t is the ,ource of all thin(s&
#t is the Path on which we wal)&
#t is -ife Force that sustains us&
There is no contradiction&
II
At the onset" there is only $a(ueness&
-earnin( must *e(in with i(norance&
'emem*rance sprin(s forth once all is for(otten&
-ife comes after death&
Bein( unprepared is ine$ita*le"
,o donJt stri$e for readiness"
Or readiness will flee from you&
The path ta)es many turns"
Ascendin( and descendin( as well&
The leaf flows with the stream&
Push it" and it will sin)&
-et it *e" and it will tra$el further&
#t may sin) on its own"
But it is free&
.ou may tra$el throu(h mountains and deserts"
Throu(h forests and plains"
And ne$er *e a*le to find it&
That is *ecause it was always with you&
III
@a$in( a (uide on the path does not decrease the distance"
Aor does it ma)e the tra$el easier&
All that results is (reater simplicity&
#n order for the la)e to *e renewed"
#t must use streams to empty itself&
At the same time it must recei$e more from others&
Thus" it is always whole" yet e$er chan(in(&
,a$or the period of (rowth&
For in a life that is e$er (rowin("
.ou will sa$or e$ery moment of your e3istence&
'andom coincidence does not e3ist&
What occurs" is meant to occur"
.et there is no plan&
@owe$er" life is your creation&
A plan of no planD
The meanin( of life
#s to ha$e no meanin( at all&
This is the parado3 of the uni$erse&
IV
@ow utterly infinite the uni$erse"
Thou(h it lies unseen as such&
Thus it is only so when realiBed to *e so&
Throu(h the totality of creation"
We ine$ita*ly *e(in to wonder
@ow do our worries and dreams
@a$e any meanin( whatsoe$er8
#nfinite E3pansion and #nfinite Contraction
Con$er(es in the middle&
The middle is the ,ource of all thin(s&
'ealiBe infinity of the uni$erse
And you will realiBe infinity of the mind&
'ealiBe infinity of the mind
And you will realiBe infinity of the spirit&
Thus there are no limits& E$er&
V
Aothin( matters&
All is $oid"
Until one enters the $oid
To create that which matters&
Thus the (reat choice is presentedD
-imitation or -i*eration8
What is -imitation8
#t is stri$in(&
What is -i*eration8
#t is pure Goy in e$ery action and inaction&
One will imprison"
One will release&
Thus" all will decide&
VI
Open up&
Do not run away"
-et (o&
When you are ready" it will come&
E$eryone has dou*ts&
#t is in our nature to dou*t that which we do not understand&
And thus to fear&
Before you can chan(e"
'ealiBe the present&
@a$in( done so"
.ou may reco(niBe the chan(e&
,olace lies within the moment&
'ealiBe the present moment"
And there will *e nothin( else to pla(ue you&
VII
E3ternal artistic creation
,prin(s from inner e3istence&
The artist lets the soul come forth&
#t is the connectionD
The (ateway *etween the totality and the physical world&
Without complete freedom in art" there is no art&
With unhindered mo$ement" dreams can *ecome reality&
,o free yourselfL
From (uilt&
From dou*t&
And all that e3ists within you
Will *e made manifest&
Thus the parado3D
Be free from needin( freedom"
And it will *e yours&
VIII
Truth is that which cannot *e seen with the eyes"
@eard with the ears"
Or touched *y the hand&
Our destiny is not prewritten&
We are responsi*le for the future&
True destiny is what we create&
Focusin( on the ne(ati$e is easy" *ut complicated&
The positi$e is difficult" *ut simple&
We are a part of nature"
.et most ha$e for(otten&
The wise will remem*er this&
IX
A (ood artist is always impro$in( oneJs wor)&
The process is ne$er5endin("
Thus there is always (rowth&
Cood implies e$il&
Ease implies difficulty&
,oft implies hard&
-et (o of *oth sides" and thin(s are done simply&
Why are most conflicts settled *y $iolence8
Why is $iolence a uni$ersal lan(ua(e8
Because loss is rarely for(otten&
Ci$e up e$erythin("
And you will ha$e e$erythin(&
?ost of us cannot say we donJt complain&&&
That we donJt desire&
#Jm no more innocent than the rest&
X
-oo) around you&
What do you see8
What do you )now is real8
Can you tell8
-et (o of the room you are in&
-et (o of the thin(s around you&
-et (o of the *uildin( you are in&
-et (o of the thin(s outside&&&
And float comforta*ly&
XI
Where are you (oin(8
What are you doin(8
Who are you8
Who will you *e8
These %uestions are meanin(less&
Be nothin( and e$erythin( at once&
Do nothin( and e$erythin( at once&
Co nowhere" and thus e$erywhere&
E$ery moment is a reincarnation&
XII
There is nothin( to say"
.et silence is unnecessary&
@a$in( no meanin( or purpose"
Depression may result&
.et one may realiBe that with nothin( in oneJs way"
What is there one cannot do8
Death is life and life is death&
Ac)nowled(e this with e$ery moment of your life"
And the contradictions will cease to e3ist&
-imitation and -i*eration are one in the sameL
$erf
Aothin( left to *elie$e in e3cept cynicism&
Aothin( left to clin( to e3cept s)epticism&
Aothin( left to fi(ht for e3cept apathy&
Aothin( left to inspire e3cept a sense of lottery lon(in( and the T1 soap cliffhan(er&
Ao need for apartheid and (hettos todayM their consensus is one of shared identity&
.ou can tell from collecti$e uniforms" shared sym*ols of *elon(in(" shared music" shared
style" shared culture" shared tastes" shared opinions" shared $iew" all collecti$ely and
cheerfully *land so as not to cause offence or ma)e anyone feel in any way de$iant&
@i(hly con$enient uniform" a *it li)e dri$e5thru ?acDonaldEs&
Or microwa$es&
Or the second family car&
.ou can lea$e your indi$iduality han(in( in a wardro*e with your ,unday *est to *e
*rou(ht out on special occasions&
-i)e funerals&
Aot sla$eM
Aot with your union representation and (enerous sta)eholder pension&
Aot sla$eM
.ou ha$e the ri(ht to choose not to e3ercise your freedom of e3pression&
Aot sla$eM
What sla$e cheerily claps on his chains after the 4 to < for an e$enin( out8
Aot sla$e" *ut serf&
Plou(hin( the same furrow day after day *ecause There #s Ao Alternati$e" than)ful for
your *lin)ers which stop you *ein( confused *y other furrows&
Ao Go* for life today&
But at least you ha$e the security of a role for life&
,erf&
-a*eled" compartmentaliBed" instructed" assi(ned" consi(ned" satisfied" dead&
,erf&
The &ndividualBs Aoid
Aew a(e+spiritual authors spea) of the indi$idualJs $oid in life e3perience& A spiritual
$oid that society fills inappropriately! with consumer (oods& Commercials and media
con$ince us that Nwe needN this or that& We must ha$e the *i((er" faster" slee)er" more
e3pensi$e& itJs implied that weJll *e happier *y ha$in( more Nstuff&N And" with the Nwin)N
techni%ue used in ad$ertisin(" we *uy whatJs new and hot while we proclaim" N@e who
dies with the most toys still dies&N
These thou(hts on a desire to possess came while playin( the piano& # was playin( NCod
@elp the OutcastsN from DisneyJs @unch*ac) of Aotre Dame musical score& Esmeralda
in the film! sin(s to a statue of the 1ir(in ?ary while the parishioners accompany herD
Parishioners:
I ask for wealth,
I ask for fame.
I ask for glory to shine on my name.
I ask for love,
I can possess!
I ask for God and his angels,
To less me!
!smeralda:
I ask for nothing,
I can get y, "t
I know so many,
#ess l"cky than I.
God help the o"tcasts,
The poor and downtrodden
I tho"ght we all were
The children of God.
The mo$ie is set in the /<th century which could su((est that the $alue on material
possessions was already rooted in who we are& Or" the filmma)ers were slippin( moral
messa(es a*out our li$es into the piece for our own self5reflection& The lyrics do raise
$alid %uestions a*out how and what we wish" pray or as) for& The lyrics su((est we
de$ote our spiritual ener(y and *ein( to the possession of o*Gects and people& Only
Esmeralda applies prayer toward the (ood of others& @er life isnJt ideal" yet she sin(s" N#
as) for nothin( + # can (et *y&N
Outside the realm of entertainment media" the Tao Te Chin( Chapter >> ,& ?itchell
translation! si(nifies on this passion for cash flow and other (oods as lac)in(
replacements for serenity and spiritual wholenessD
$ame or integrity: which is more important%
&oney or happiness: which is more val"ale%
'"ccess or fail"re: which is more destr"ctive%
If yo" look to others for f"lfillment,
(o" will never tr"ly e f"lfilled.
If yo"r happiness depends on money,
(o" will never e happy with yo"rself.
)e content with what yo" have*
+e,oice in the way things are.
-hen yo" reali.e there is nothing lacking,
The whole world elongs to yo".
Without di(ressin( too far" itJs worth notin( that -ao5TBu was writin( his $iews in
NB&C&N time" so perhaps the idea of possessin( is not an ad$ertisin( corporate creation
after allL But that is" #Jm afraid" another lecture&! The first stanBaJs %uestions lead us to
reflect on what is really important and+or a necessity in life& #ndi$idual %uestions to
answer 5 -ao5TBu presents his $iewpoint and (uidance for life in the latter stanBas&
Christ" the Buddha" and other reli(ious" philosophical and spiritual sa(es call for man)ind
to lay claim to spiritual causes" to (i$e up money and possessions freely" to wor) for the
(ood of fellow man& not horde material possessions& Ouotin( many sources 5 or e$en
readin( this piece #J$e written on the topic 5 would ser$e pointless if the indi$idual does
not or cannot find his own truth in the respecti$e spiritual pro(ression&
The Jedi Code is perhaps a simplified amal(amation of the ideas presented in theolo(ical
and philosophical documents& Thou(h rooted in its own fiction and mytholo(y of ,tar
Wars" the truth of a line li)e" NThere is no passion W there is serenityN reflects the wisdom
of pre$ious scholars and spea)ers& But& then what8 What is the o*Gecti$e or purpose in
learnin( not to clin( to our possessions& and& not to possess at all8 -ao5TBu says its
happiness& Christian interpretations often lean toward one earnin( a place or *etter
place! in @ea$en& Freely (i$in( up (oods in Buddhism su((ests *etter )arma for
successi$e li$es mo$in( toward Air$ana& #n NthisN lifetime" settin( aside oneJs e(o"
trainin( for a lac) of desire& we are open to spiritual (rowth and perhaps more
importantly! open to helpin( others" when appropriate& Cranted" in this" thereJs an internal
*enefit to selfless *eha$ior 5 that is the parado3 of e3istence& # *elie$e there is some oft
%uoted line that (oes" NWhat (oes around" comes aroundN meanin( that if you do (ood"
(ood will come toward you& The reward is ine$ita*le&
Writers" (oin( from Emerson and Thoreau in the /4th century" to ?illman and 'edfield
today" su((est that manJs potential is unlimited and that we" as society" are Gust *e(innin(
to realiBe our purpose and un!limited potential& E$en thou(h concepts ha$e *een co$ered
for thousands of years" we are Gust *e(innin( to see& Perhaps" as Jedi" we are at the
spiritual forefront of this pro(ression&
The @eath at Heavensgate
Dar)" deadly" commencin(" approachin( you in silence&&&
,carin(" opposin(" attac)in( and defendin(&&&
The hunter of the prey" the stal)er of the shadows&&&
The ultimate consumption of into3icatin( fear&&&
The root of your emotion&&&
The pale white li(ht&&&
The fearful shadowy dar)ness&&&
Com*ined in one creature&&&&
@ear my cries" and hear my call&&&
,ee your errors" and )now your faults&
-earn what you desire to do&&&
-earn *ut *e aware of the other side of )nowled(e&&&
-earn comprehensi$e lessons that may ad$ance with your inner self to *ecome one&&&
One of them&&&
One of us&&&
One of mine&&&
# am the one" the lonesome one&&&
# am the only one who is the one&&&
# will hunt you if you do *etray me&&&
And will ne$er lea$e you alone&&&
And will create your destiny&&&
And will annihilate the cause&&& if # desire to do so&&&
Pray to me&&&
Lesson to the @ark $ide
Ae$er *rea) a fall&
#f you are prepared to *rea) a fall" you are prepared for the fall itself&
,ith do not fall& They do not fail&
There is no pain where stren(th lies&
Do not underestimate the Jedi&
E$en thou(h they ha$e a fatal flaw" they are formida*le&
The feelin(s of the powerless do not matter&
The feelin(s of those with power can *e e3ploited&
A punishment is a lesson&
-earn it well&
Always remem*er" an(er is a li$in( thin(&
Feed it and it will (row&
What is done in secret has (reat power&
#f your enemy inflicts pain" do not allow him to see it&
There is no pain where stren(th lies&
To draw out your $ictory is foolish&
Cet the )illin( done& Then ?o$e on&
E3planations are e3cuses&
,ith donJt want e3cuses& Only results&
Thin) of the now& Thin) of the future&
Do not meditate on the past&
Do not ne(lect old tric)s&
They wor)&
Push your ad$anta(e always&
The *attle is not o$er until your opponent is dead&
The %irror
N-oo) into the pool" my child
And tell me what you seeN
That is what my father then
,o lon( a(o said to me&
# (aBed into the water deep"
But nothin( did # there spy&
N-oo) closer" loo) closer
Tell me what meets your eyeN
,wiftly did the water chan(e
?y *reath it too) away
# loo)ed then upon myself"
?irrored within the spar)lin( wa$es&
,lone
CrystalliBe her life" dear friend"
As fine climate clears her mindM
Cleanliness has found a trend
As flamed within Gewels you send&
Capti$ate her lo$e" once )ind"
As your mission pro$es to mend
Conta(ious cloudsM clin( and *ind"
As her spirit with you find&
The Ritual
?y fin(ers rest calmly in my lap
?y le(s are in half lotus" and comforta*le
?y eyes are *arely open" yet they see
?y *ac) is stretched to its fullest
?y ton(ue is silenced for once
?y seatin( is surrounded *y little candles
A *ottle of water is not too far away
# will need it when # return
# ready my mind to lea$e
To where there is no food
Ao water
Ao cold
Ao warmth
Ao sleep
Ao anythin(
Calmin( myself" # drift inside it&&&
#nside
# start feelin( at one with myself
All my senses are unified into one me
# feel no loneliness
# am at constant peace
?y feet feels as if # am sittin( on foam
A perfect pillow
Enli(htenment is my only illumination
Colors #J$e ne$er seen are now e$erywhere
?y physical hun(ers are fed with flashes
The days pass" my thou(hts are my only company
They ta)e time to entertain me
,howin( me e3periences #Jd for(otten
E$erywhere # meet a new part of me
-i)e slides my memories
# lau(h" *ut not aloud
# cry" *ut of Goy
# smile" *ut not with my lips
# am smilin( at what # am a*out to do
What # came here for
?y mission
When this is o$er # will ha$e another part of me
One # must learn to use
Aow
@ere
#nside
# will *uild&&&
The components of my weapon are (athered
# study them
Touch them to )now e$ery corner
Understandin( them
Enfoldin( them
?y mind mo$es as in$isi*le hands
-iftin( the parts inside my mind
,tartin( to Goin the components
# *ind them to(ether
# shape their forms
?a)in( them melt to(ether
?oldin( them into the shape # desire
They mesh to(ether
They function to(ether
-i)e *ranches they (row to(ether
The components (ather from doBens into one
Fore$er another part comes to fit its ri(htful place
And then another comes" and another&
They unify into one
Their num*ers decrease
When this is done
The num*er will only *e one
Until the components are one
Until the components is one
Until it is one
?a)in( what was once a (atherin( of clumsy components
#nto somethin( or(anic" natural
Fore$er perfectin( the weapon with my mind
-ea$in( *ehind what is only in the way
?y mind cleans the surfaces of it
#t remo$es the unwanted parts
The parts # donJt need
#t *urns what is not needed
?a)in( it perfect
?a)in( it mine" ma)in( it me
?a)in( it not an e3tension of my *ody
?a)in( it as much a part of me
As any lim* # own
# stro)e the sides" feelin( the metallic sensation
?y wor) is soon o$er
,oon perfection is in my (rasp
Creatin( it as a sym*ol of my power
A whole new part of me" a part for too lon( not disco$ered
A part # canJt e3ist without
A part # will ne$er a*andon
The part that will )eep me ali$e
Whene$er dar) times arise
Whate$er their num*ers may *e
They will perish a(ain as %uic)ly
At the si(ht of this part of me
Aow # will install my last component into the perfect weapon
#t is complete
,till my eyes cannot see it yet
.et my hands canJt feel it
# feel it with my mind" )nowin( it to *e successful
# return to life&
# fall *ac) o$er" hard
?y eyes are *linded *y the li(ht
?y mouth is as dry as it could *e
?y clothes are sweaty and drenched cold
?y *ody stin)s and aches from the strain
?y chest is risin( and droppin( %uic)ly to catch a *reath
# can hardly *reathe
?y *ac) hurts
A small *eard has (rown on my chin
# mo$e my one hand o$er my *ody to try to wa)e my senses
# canJt feel anythin(
# am still *lind
For a moment # panic
# ha$e *een (one for nearly a month
# slowly accept the uncomforta*le feelin(
Acceptin( it as a conse%uence of my mission
The room is cold and outside it is a new season
The candles around ha$e *een dead for a lon( time
The *ottle of water has dust on it
The world has wor)ed without me
For(otten me while # wor)ed
Fore$er slowly and for some hours my senses return
# can see
# can *reathe
# feel my *ody a(ain
And # feel its new addition
'estin( calmly and perfect in the palm of my hand
# smile
# ha$e succeeded&&&
5reath of the 9orce
Ta)e a deep *reath&&&
and feel the wind *rush past you&
The tree sways in the wind&&&
as a mother (ently roc)s her child to sleep&
The ri$er flows on&&&
as we let (o of our re(rets&
The sun shines warmly&&&
as we care for others&
The snow falls %uietly&&&
as we close our eyes
and meditate&
The ,alm
Can you touch the sunset8
Bathe in its warmth"
and feel its lo$e8
Can you hear the rain8
What does it say to you8
Can you reach"
reach and touch a cloud
and *rin( it *ac) down with you8
Can you see the wind8
-et its em*race
carry you away8
#t is a*o$e you&
#t is within you&
Wal) to the horiBon&&&
&&and leap&
#nity
NUnity is the )ey"N he says
But once opened the door" what lays8
#s this old *oo)" that of spo)en unity8
# open the *oo) and at first si(ht
The information was surprisin(ly li(ht
The words so simple and clear
Who would ha$e thou(ht it was so near
But as # read on
# see the pa(es start to turn
And as # come to the end" the *urn
A *ri(ht *laBe of fire
De$ours the *oo) as if to say NliarN
But e$en thou(h the *oo) is (one
The truth remains in my mind
# refuse to fall *ehind
A understandin( ta)es o$er
This was no luc) li)e a four leaf clo$er
This was truth
A truth that was meant to *e shared
# shall (o to those depths so many ha$e dared
@elpin( others is in my *lood
They already ha$e the wood
-et me help them fuel that wood and (i$e
A spar) of understandin(
,o that they can do their own standin(
,o that the truth wont die with me
But instead li$e on and let others see
What that *oo) so simply said
Our souls that soar
@old the )ey to that door
#tEs that coura(e to fine the )ey
That will e$entually lead us to see
What was truly meant to *e
That we are all connected
for this is not somethin( that can *e elected
Just simply that e$en our differences
#s not the fences
That )eeps unity *ro)en
For deep down inside our heart
#ts pure hate that )eeps us apart
A hate li)e that of none other
A hate that would ma)e *rother )ill *rother
Which e$entually leads to sufferin(
E$en in sufferin(" there is a certain unity
@ate" lo$e" a common *ond of *elie$a*ility
#n the $ery end we are all the same
There is at least one thin( that *rin(s us shame
Those little thin(s that come *ac) to haunt us
?ista)es that can ne$er *e erased from the *oo)s of man
#ts is this which *rin(s us unity *ecause of *ein( human&
The Tao of Dou
@a$e you e$er as)ed yourself" NWhat am # doin( here8N and ne$er %uite (ot an answer8
@a$e you e$er wondered" N#f # really wanted to" could # fly8N and truly *elie$ed you
)new the answer8
@a$e you e$er read a *oo) and *ecome so inspired that you feel the need to meditate8
@a$e you e$er wanted to clim* the tallest mountain and (aBe across the entire world8
@a$e you e$er stood in the rain" and felt that it was sin(in( to you8
@a$e you e$er felt the em*race of the sun8
@a$e you e$er swept a floor" and felt cleaner within8
@a$e you e$er felt time stand still8
@a$e you e$er )nown that youJ$e done this *efore8
@a$e you e$er felt the ur(e to create worlds8
@a$e you e$er )nown your path" and ta)en it8
@a$e you e$er lied to yourself8
@a$e you e$er pleaded to )now the secret to life" and realiBed the answer had already
*een (i$en8
Do you )now what you are doin( here8
Do you )now that you can fly8
Do you )now that you are inspired8
Do you )now you are on the mountain8
Do you )now that the rain is sin(in(8
Do you )now the sun8
Do you )now you are the floor8
Do you )now" time matters not8
Do you )now you have done this8
Do you )now you ha$e created worlds8
Do you )now you are on your path8
Do you )now that you cannot lie anymore8
.ou ha$e *een (i$en the answer& ?any times&
-isten to itL
Human Race
Children of the ,tars
Born of the ,un
Enchantin( lifeEs ma(ic
#ncantations all around
Breath in the essence
Breath out the creation
Fore$er we where
Far and tra$eled wide
E3istence is within us
@umans of the race
Luna Rising
-una 'isin(
,o *old and enchantin(
A*o$e the Earth
Below the stars
The sun is your *rother
The people
.our dreamers
3ur !olden Truths
Does it matter whether we li$e or die8
Does it matter whether we do or try8
Does it matter that the world spins round8
Does it matter that our feet are a(round8
#t matters not in concern" *ut only in li$in(&&&
We li$e once" and we die once"
We do sometimes" and we try sometimes"
The world ne$er stops to turn"
Aeither our mind )ept up with *urden&
We are here in the now and the soon here after
,o *e it for life" and lo$e within lau(hter&&&
The happiness we see)&
@reams of @reamers
# initially intended this to *e a son(" thou(h since # do not understand music that well"
# cannot put it into notes 5 produce a score&
#ts meanin( is as simple as # could (ather" followin( from one line to the ne3t up until
the end" as if only to(ether could it ma)e sense" as a sentence is whole&
Dreamers come and dreamers (o
Wind *eneath me see) and sew
,eeds of time and seeds of place
Cather here now in our (race
Brin( it hi(h" mi(hty and wide
Fore$er lon( and ne$er die
We are thee and thee are us
For ne$er fear of life and thus
Be at peace fore$er more
With dreams of places in our lore
A *rea)down of the PoemD Dreamers come and they (o" Gust as # ha$e" and they"
dreamers" *eneath me see) and sew their dreams as new *e(innin(s throu(h life set in
their own place" (atherin( in past dreamers (race *rin(in( thin(s hi(her" mi(htier and
as wide as e$er" fore$er" ne$er5endin(& They are as much a part of us as we are of
them and *ein( not afraid with their dreams and ours to(ether they may *e at peace
fore$er more with yet one more dream within the $ery history of man)ind& What does
that mean8 #t means once and since there was one sin(le dream" fore$er would there
*e an infinite more&
3de To Life
Aear a closed window from which # watch toni(ht&
# often find myself" (aBin( out of a closed window"
And # see the trees and flowers *low" with the wind # do not feel&
And yet # )now the wind is chillin("
But with the sun it warms one so&
The s)ies are clear" and noise is (one"
Throu(h this closed window out which # (aBe&
And all is peaceful" all is calm
But only throu(h this protecti$e shield&
The world itself" outside this (lass"
#s *itter and harsh with e$ery step"
But when you Gust enGoy the *eauty
.our eyes are truly opened&
Throu(h this open window near which # write toni(ht&
The End
This is the end of JediismD The Way of the Force& # hope you ha$e enGoyed these stories"
meditations" force powers" techni%ues" and e3planations # ha$e compiled from The
United Jedi Academy" The United Jedi Order" The Jedi 'ealist Academy" Forsa)en
Jedi+Jedi Academy" and The JED# Academy& Than) .ou&