The Jedi Order



INDEX
  • The Jedi Code
  • Understanding The Jedi Code
  • The Path Within The Code
  • Interpreting The Code
  • The Jedi Way
  • The Padawan's Jedi Oath
  • The Responsible Use Of Power
  • The Ten Rules Of Engagement
  • A Story of Philosophy
  • The Jedi Ethics of Defense
  • Patience
  • Ideals of a Jedi
  • Rules for Jedi Behavior
  • Self-Discipline
  • Responsibility
  • Public Service
  • The Circle of the Jedi
  • Back to the Main Jedi Way Page

    Wisdom for Jedi Students


    I warn you now to proceed at a cautious pace, for the lure of the Dark Side is all that more powerful when you rush to embrace and control the Force. Seek the Light, always. Shun the dark, always. These words I hope will stay with you forever.

    When studying the Jedi Way. Just take one or two sections a day. Never mind whether the passage is difficult or easy to understand, or whether it is a profound passage or not. Just read on from the beginning of the section, and if you don't get the meaning by reading, then use some thinking, and if you don't get the meaning by thinking, then read again. Turn it back and forth and try to get its meaning. Thus after a long while, you will understand what is in it.
    In reading be most careful not to read too much. Read a little and it will be easy to thoroughly master it. All real insight from studies is gained in this manner. After all to understand the language of the text is one thing; to comprehend it's full meaning is another.
    It is a common weakness of readers to understand the superficial side without catching the hidden meaning of what is written.
    The way to avoid this weakness is to spend some real thought on it. At first, you will find that this understanding requires a lot of energy, but after you have gained enough general insight and understanding, it will require little time.

    A person should not participate in an organization or cause that he does not believe is reasonable or just. Once he truly believes it is right, however, that person should not abandon a course of action even if it brings him hardship and peril.
    You have come here to better yourself. You can't do this and still remain the same as you were. You must change, starting now and continuing to do so from here on out. When this process of change ceases, progress stops, crystallization sets in, decay inevitably follows.

    Often, if you are playing a game with a friend and you find you are losing, you want to quit, and you say things like "I don't like this game. I didn't want to play anyway." The winner usually says, "No, this is a great game. Let's play one more time." The better way is to try your very hardest no matter what --- to enjoy the trying and not give up. Then, even if you lose, you know at least that you didn't quit on yourself.

    One of the first things that a Jedi must learn is the Jedi Code; this philosophy lays the groundwork for the mastery of the use of the Force.
    There is no emotion; there is peace.
    There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
    There is no passion; there is serenity.
    There is no death; there is the Force.

    The Jedi must carefully observe these rules of the light side of the Force to maintain harmony with himself and the universe around him.
    The light side is created and sustained by life. The Jedi acts to preserve life. To kill is wrong.
    Sometimes it is necessary to kill. The Jedi may kill in self-defense or in defense of others, especially the weak and the good. The Jedi may kill, if by his action he preserves the existence of life. However, the Jedi must never forget that killing is inherently wrong. The death is a stain upon the Jedi's spirit.
    The Jedi seeks knowledge and enlightenment, peace and harmony. The Jedi wishes to defeat those who would wipe out such qualities --- those who would inflict death, tyranny or ignorance upon others --- yet the Jedi should never act out of fear or hatred. A Jedi must act when calm and at peace with the Force. To act with anger filling one's spirit is to risk temptation to the dark side.
    Jedi should seek nonviolent solutions to problems --- but this isn't always possible. Sometimes, killing or fighting is the only answer available. Sometimes it is even the best answer. But that doesn't mean the Jedi shouldn't try to find an alternative.

    Inherent in the Jedi Code is the concept of responsibility for one's actions.

    A Jedi who uses the Force to coerce or control others is surely tending toward the dark side. But other, subtler abuses of power also lead to the darkness --- Jedi should never use their powers for fame, wealth or power. A Jedi who constantly uses the Force for personal gain is on the path of corruption --- perhaps more slowly then the Dark Jedi who chooses to serve evil, but he is on that path nonetheless.
    True Jedi use their powers sparingly and only when necessary to fulfill the tenets of the Jedi Code. A Jedi who depends on the Force is abusing it, which leads to folly.

    Understanding the Jedi Code
    There is no emotion; there is peace.
    There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
    There is no passion; there is serenity.
    There is no death; there is the Force.

    Certainly a Jedi should know the code, by word and by heart. But seemingly every Jedi is in some fashion negligent, from the lowest beginner to the most knowledgeable among us. Consequently, were someone to demand, "What is the true meaning of the Jedi Code?" The Jedi who promptly answered would be rare indeed.

    THE PATH WITHIN THE CODE

    At its most basic level, the Jedi Code is a set of guidelines explaining for a Padawan what virtues to prize, and what flaws to avoid. Instructors ask their students that if they remember nothing else, to always keep these words in mind. The reason is simple: in these four lines lie the instructions for how to become a Jedi Master.
    Consider the first rule: "There is no emotion; there is peace." It is plainly a contrast, distinguishing the confusion of emotional considerations from the clear thinking of peaceful meditation--- Obviously, a valuable quality.
    But if that peace is rooted in simply being unaware of some factor that would otherwise cause a Jedi to feel an emotional reaction, then it is not so much peace as ignorance. This is why the code contains the second rule: "There is no ignorance; there is knowledge."
    This teaches Jedi to strive for understanding of all situations--- particularly before acting --- to better avoid errors in judgement. But, again, knowing a thing well can lead one to become engrossed in it. Engrossment leads to clouding of the mind. Thus, the third rule: "There is no passion; there is serenity." Knowing a thing objectively is knowing it as the Force knows it.
    Still, students commonly argue that the only true objectivity is nonexistence --- Death. For does one not affect a thing even by merely observing it? This is why there is the fourth rule: "There is no death: There is the Force." The Force knows all things objectively, it is serene and it is not swayed by emotion.
    Thus the Jedi Code teaches that before undertaking any action, The Jedi should consider the will of the Force. "With these other considerations aside, all that remains is the Force" What is meant by this is that if a Jedi can act emotionlessly, knowledgeably, and serenely, then he is acting in accordance with the will of the Force.
    Therefore, if a Jedi acts in all things without emotion, ignorance, or passion, then that Jedi is truly a Master of the Force.

    At its heart, the Jedi Code provides simple instructions for living in touch with the Force. A Jedi never uses the Force to gain wealth or personal power. Instead, the Jedi uses the Force to find knowledge and enlightenment. Anger, fear, aggression, and other negative emotions lead to the dark side, so Jedi are taught to act only when they are at peace with the Force.

    INTERPRETING THE CODE

    While the Code is a Straightforward map to mastery of the Force, it can sometimes be frustrating to put into practice. The secret to the Code is considering it thoroughly before acting, however the world often does not afford a Jedi the time to do so, before forcing him/her to act.
    Still a Jedi can think through a great many things in advance, so as to better prepare for when the rest of the world is in a hurry. There are Nine Conclusions a Jedi can reach before the situations are thrust upon him/her. A Jedi who understands these Nine things will, when called upon to make a quick decision, already know the will of the Force. Presented below are these Nine Conclusions.
    MEDITATION
    Every Jedi should spend time meditating each day on the will of the Force. The reason is simple: If one unwittingly acted contrary to the will of the Force, recognizing the mistake soon after might still give one time to make amends. Also by regularly examining one's own motivations, a Jedi could be certain that he/she was not allowing emotion, ignorance, or passion to intrude upon his/her clarity. A Jedi who has no time to meditate may more easily become lost. More to the point, a Jedi who refuses to meditate may already know that his/her motivations are not pure, and is thus lying to his/herself.
    TRAINING
    A Jedi's training in the Force never ends. A Wise Jedi should strive to remember that there is always something more to learn about the Force. The Force reveals itself to those who have the desire and knowledge to see it, and heeding only the Force's will is much the same as looking at a glass of water and saying "Now I understand water" To continue to grow, a Jedi should train each day.
    LOYALTY
    Jedi can exist in this world because the Force exists. But a Jedi Order would need more. It would require loyalty. It goes without saying that Jedi should be loyal to one another and not squabble or fight. More importantly, though, each Jedi should be aware that he must act in accordance with the wishes of his Teacher, who in turn would have to act in accordance with the governing body of any such order. This is not a Question of seniority, but rather of understanding the will of the Force, and in this regard the members of the "Council" should be the recognized experts.
    INTEGRITY
    A Jedi's responsibility to the Force is to be honest with himself. This does not mean that he must be forthright with everyone else, however. There is a misperception that Jedi should be morally superior: "Many feel that a Jedi should be scrupulously honest, never taking advantage, and never withholding information. This is nonsense." From a certain point of view, a Jedi is not being dishonest if he/she allows people to believe what they wish to believe. A Jedi can and should offer advice to those who need it, but it is not incumbent upon the Jedi to convince anyone to follow his advice. In service to the Force, a Jedi may employ deception, subterfuge, misdirection, and even fraud, if he does so with a righteous aim. Although most people have a distaste for such practices, the Force is without such emotions. Do not confuse this with " Moral Flexibility" A Jedi does what needs to be done. But also remember that a Jedi is not above the Law.
    MORALITY
    The most dangerous words ever uttered by a Jedi are " A Jedi is not a creature of Morals." These words have unfortunately been translated often by Jedi, to mean that Jedi can do no wrong. It actually means that Jedi are not enforcers of morality. While Jedi can bring or restore order and justice, they cannot themselves sit in judgement of others. There are two reasons for this: First, the world is a vast place, full of cultures that no one Jedi can completely understand. The second reason is that judgement leads to vengeance, and vengeance leads to the dark side. This is easy to understand, though not so easy to practice. Should a known murder be allowed to go free? Should a man intent on murder be killed? To answer either question, a Jedi must first know the will of the Force. Neither decision can be made hastily, except where lives are threatened by inaction.
    DISCRETION
    It is sometimes necessary for a Jedi to practice discretion: "The world will live in tranquility if certain matters are a bit overlooked or left unheard." Some may see this as a sign of Jedi partisanship. Others, Particularly law enforcement agencies, may believe that Jedi ignore small crimes, in order to apprehend greater criminals. Obviously, neither of these is true. The truth is that Jedi Knights stand for order and justice, and these qualities do not begin with the misdeeds of the few. The goal of the Jedi should be to create and preserve an atmosphere in which justice can flourish, rather than try to create justice themselves.
    BRAVERY
    "To be brave in battle proves nothing. Bravery itself proves nothing. A Jedi should be prepared to put aside fear, regret, and uncertainty and either fight, run, surrender, or die" A common mistake among younger Jedi is that bravery is the opposite of fear, and since fear leads to the dark side, bravery is armor against the dark side. Not so, if a Jedi is mindful of the will of the Force, he will know whether it is best to stand his ground, or flee, or even to offer truce. Remember that bravery itself is an emotion, and a Jedi should be at peace --- even in the midst of war.
    FIGHTING
    Sadly, we live in a world where conflict is a fact of life for far too many beings for us to remain apart from it. But we need not embrace conflict. "If a Jedi fights he must be ready to take a life. If he is not prepared, he must keep his weapon at his side" Or " If you show a Weapon. 'I am a warrior' is what you are saying. This will cause other warriors to want to know who is better them or you" So to avoid unnecessary fighting, a Jedi should not advertise his/her skill. But when is it necessary to fight? The Force will show a Jedi when he/she has no other options, and a wise Jedi trusts the Force in this regard. When fighting, is it necessary to use a weapon? The answer is no. A Weapon is an intimidating thing --- but it should not be used as a tool for intimidation. Do not use a weapon to create fear in an opponent use it to end the fight quickly and mercifully as possible. If this means destroying the opponent, so be it. But if a Jedi can end a fight without killing an opponent, so much the better. The best Jedi can avert injury altogether, with only a word. Some Jedi may take this to mean they should carry a less deadly weapon. There is no such thing. If a weapon cannot kill, it is not truly a weapon.
    DEPENDENCE
    Do not come to rely on the Force to the detriment of your other senses and abilities. Jedi students should develop their other talents and abilities, and not rely solely on the Force. To use the Force to accomplish every mundane task is to trivialize it. Using the Force isn't the only solution to every problem; sometimes, it isn't even the best solution. That's where a Jedi's other skills and talents come in. Jedi training should consist of many exercises; mastering the Force is only a part of that training. The student should also learn to run, jump, climb, fight, swim, and think. These exercises could be made easier by using the Force, but this would be to the detriment of the Jedi's overall experience. A Jedi needs to learn his capabilities without the Force so that he can truly know himself and also understand what those without the Force are capable of accomplishing.
    Using the Force because it's convenient, even when other methods might be more sensible, falls dangerously close to the dark side. It's only one step removed from using the Force to achieve personal wealth and power, and that's definitely a corruption of the Force.

    THE JEDI WAY:
    Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy.
    Jedi use their powers to defend and protect, never to attack others.
    Jedi respect all life, in any form.
    Jedi serve others rather then rule over them, for the good of the galaxy.
    Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training.


    THE PADAWAN'S JEDI OATH
    I promise to uphold the Jedi Code. I promise to respect all life and to help those weaker than myself. To use the Force only for good; never in anger; only to defend those who cannot defend themselves; to find new ways to improve myself so that I may be an example to others. To give Guidance to those that seek it; While not seeking to lead or rule them.


    As a Jedi you must always oppose those who revel in evil and seek power for the sake of power. They are the plague on society that the Jedi seek to cure. In the absence of the Jedi, evil will thrive.
    In the presence of just one Jedi, evil will evaporate.
    What the Force allows you to do also conferees upon you a great burden. To act without forethought and due deliberation is no longer possible. You have to be very certain of what you are doing, for a single misstep could be a disaster. While you may make mistakes, you have to do everything you can to minimize there impact. It is not enough to do the greatest good for the greatest number, you have to do what is best for everyone. There is no walking away from the new responsibility you accept. You might well choose when and where to reveal who and what you are, but there is no forgetting, no leaving that responsibility behind. Your commitment to others has to be total and complete. You are an agent of the Force every day, every hour, every second; for as long as you live, and then some.

    Jedi skills in the Force are rooted in three areas. Control is internal. It is the Jedi's ability to recognize the Force in himself and to use it to his benefit. Sense involves the next step, in which the Jedi recognizes the Force in the universe outside him/herself. Here he/she feels the Force and is able to draw upon it for information about the world around him/her. Through it he/she is connected to the rest of the universe. Alter is the third and most difficult area to master, for it involves the student's ability to modify the Force and redistribute its energies. Through these skills, the Jedi can influence the Force, making changes as needed to accomplish its goals.

    The Responsible Use of Power: A Jedi acts from wisdom, using persuasion and counsel over violence and Force powers. The Force is to be used to serve the interests of the light. Using the Force for personal aggrandizement, for personal power or wealth, for convenience when other means would be more prudent --- all these are traits of the dark side.

    The Jedi's guiding philosophy is to choose the peaceful, quiet, and subtle methods over the bold, active, and forceful. In this way, the natural order of events is disturbed as little as possible.

    For most students initiation into the mysteries is not an entirely likable experience. True enlightenment is a radical goal, requiring great sacrifice and fearless abandon in its pursuit. Realization of the goal can be devastating. You will discover knowledge, which will change you forever. You may forsake your old ways and beliefs, turn your back on your old ambitions and goals, and lose the loves of your life.
    Things, which are tied down securely, and ideas, which hold water, will survive, but impractical or useless artifacts, false or muddy concepts, questionable practices and sentimental attachments will be swept away or left behind. Expect the quest to break your heart at least once.
    Be careful. You will probably have no conception of what you are getting into. However, if you insist, in spite of this warning, in going on with your training, there are many compensations. Remember that what you choose is what you get. The future you will discover is the one you have sought in your quest, whether you know it or not.
    You are both the sculptor and the clay. Seek danger and you will find it. Seek love, fulfillment, and knowledge --- whatever you most long for --- the cost may be great, but you will find it all.
    The quest for enlightenment in the Jedi Way is dangerous to the caterpillar, but essential to the butterfly.

    The Way of the Force does not come easily for the weak-willed or for the arrogant. Study well, practice always, and find your strength in the Light Side of the Force. These things you must never abandon, for to do so would cast you closer to the thin division between the dark and the light.

    Peace and tranquility benefit. Tension and strain do not. Initially, the tranquil student may not achieve as much, or progress as fast as one who pushes and drives the body with mind and ego; but, in the long run, the student who maintains inner calm and stresses mind and body synchronization in his training will go far beyond the level which could ever be achieved by one who is forever straining and fighting to achieve a successful workout or other goals in life --- one to whom every training session is a test, and completion of every task the end in itself.

    The Jedi Way can be applied to every situation in life. It is whatever you want it to be. You are in control of yourself and your situation when you accept the Jedi Way as such.
    All the defensive and offensive techniques can be learned in a short period of time without great difficulty. A bright student can become adept at the physical aspects in a year or two.
    The purpose of the Jedi Way, however, is not so easily revealed. A lifetime of devotion may not unfold the basic truths of which the Jedi Way consists of.
    A slow student requires more devotion, and, if he can find that dedication within himself, he has more chance of reaching the truth then a quicker student who accepts the knowledge casually. Devotion is the key, the question, and perhaps a large part of the answer, as well.

    Learning how to use the Force is often a matter of unlearning many other things. Once we all had a natural flow of the Force from the universe to us, and it flowed in turn from us to the universe. Just as a baby knows how to breath naturally, so too it knows how to use the Force. As people grow up, however, they tighten up, develop new habits, and gradually forget how to keep this natural flow. As a result, babies can sometimes do things adults cannot. They can, for example, keep their tiny fists closed so that they are almost impossible to open. Adults, however, can do this only with great effort. It is usually only during a crisis, or when under hypnosis, that adults can tap this hidden power and do extraordinary feats they could not do otherwise.

    When in combat a Jedi "empties" their mind of all thoughts. They do not "think" about what cut to make with their sword, where to put their left foot, or how fierce the opponent looks.
    This idea is not so strange if we think of ourselves riding a bicycle. After one learns how to ride a bike, it is far better not to think about how to peddle, how to steer, and how to keep one's balance. If one "thinks" about all these things at the same time, one is sure to fall off the bike. In this same way, a Jedi learns techniques in practice, and then in combat does his best to totally empty his mind.

    Happiness depends on mental health and inner peace more than any outside factors. Jedi study promotes inner peace, mental health, strength, fortitude, and patience.
    The Jedi Arts are not a cure-all, and instruction can fail to instill these qualities. However, given that the burden is on the student, Jedi Arts can bring happiness, long life, success, life without drugs or other crutches, self-awareness and self-confidence, freeing the mind to cope with outside forces more effectively, promoting understanding and eliminating confusion and frustration. Success in all endeavors follows.
    True Mastery of the Jedi Way cannot be accomplished solely through practice and study. Nor can the Master be the whole source of information. This is good enough for the beginning or casual student, but inadequate for the serious student. The student must rely on himself and other sources to complete his information. Philosophy, religion, medicine, art, music literature, and science (especially physics) must be pursued until the student attains reasonably full understanding of these things. The student must make his own way. If this seems a lot to accomplish, perhaps one should reexamine one's goals to find if one has the will required to go on with this quest.

    Girls and boys of Jedi families begin training as Jedi when they are just five or six years old. From the very start they are taught to become great athletes --- to swim, dive, jump very high, run fast and long, ride horses, and climb everything from trees to walls. Training is very, very hard in order to prepare these young Jedi for the difficult work of later years. They should also be taught how to dislocate the joints in their body so they can actually slip out of ropes and knots if they are tied up. They should also hang by their hands from tree branches for a long time in order to develop both strong arms and strong minds. They should practice holding their breath, and also staying in one spot without moving for a long time. When they are twelve or thirteen years old they begin learning weapons and practice running. Through all this, they should also be taught the ways of the Force.

    Many would-be Jedi encounter their first test of patience and perseverance in their search for a teacher. A teacher will only instruct those they believe most likely to complete the training. Some Teachers may even require a candidate to successfully perform a task or pass a test to earn apprenticeship.
    To teach a force technique to an initiate, an instructor must have a basic proficiency in that technique that is higher then the students. As potential Jedi increase their prowess with the Force, they must locate more experienced teachers who can provide further instruction.

    Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small. The most difficult things in the world must be done while still easy, the greatest things in the world must be done while they are still small. For this reason Jedi never do what is great, and this is why they can achieve that greatness.

    Deep knowledge of principle knows without seeing, strong practice of the Jedi Way accomplishes without striving. Deep knowledge is to "know without going out to see, see the way of the Force without looking at it directly.' Strong action is to ' grow ever stronger, adapting to all situations.'"

    Deep knowledge is to be aware of disturbance before disturbance, to be aware of danger before danger, to be aware of destruction before destruction, to be aware of calamity before calamity. Strong action is training the body without being burdened by the body, exercising the mind without being used by the mind, working in the world without being affected by the world, carrying out tasks without being obstructed by tasks.
    By deep knowledge of the Force, one can change disturbance into order, change danger into safety, change destruction into survival, change calamity into fortune. By strong action on the Jedi Way, one can bring the body to the realm of longevity, bring the mind to the sphere of mystery, bring the world to great peace, and bring tasks to great fulfillment.

    If sensation is thought of as perception through your senses, Intuition may be thought of as perception through your unconscious. Intuition operates in such a way that the awareness of something presents itself to us in consciousness as an already established whole. We are suddenly, and clearly, aware of something, just as we suddenly and clearly see a car coming towards us; except this "seeing" is through the unconscious, not through the senses. We do not know how we know it --- we just know it.

    It is necessary to abandon one's "preconceived impressions of the way things are." There is often a great gulf between what we want to believe and what is "real."
    The "desires" to be given up, then, are not so much the desires for material belongings and power, although these are also important things to look at in yourself, but the desires to see reality as we want to see it, rather than as it is. These are the desires that "cloud the mind" and make us lose touch with the world. These are our self-deceptions. And these are "luxuries" a Jedi cannot afford. They have to see reality in all its harsh grimness.
    When I say we desire that something be a certain way, I do not necessarily mean that we want it to be that way. We want to think it is that way. If you think of a certain man as your enemy, then anything he says or does will be examined and found to be an insult or a threat. The identical words or actions on the part of a beloved friend would carry far different meanings. There is a saying: "Suspicious eyes see only evil.' Those not guided by the Force will see only what they desire to see." We human beings choose to see things as we wish. Few people seem to believe this, though. We decide to be jealous, or angry, or depressed, or happy, or bored, and these choices are often based on our biased interpretations of the thoughts of others. It is amazing how much psychological control many people relinquish to others. If we think someone else disapproves of us, we are worried. If we think that someone is pleased with us, we are happy. If we think that someone holds views contrary to our own, we are insulted. If we think that someone is contemptuous of us, we are angry. With all these others determining how we feel, it is sometimes difficult to find the actual self.
    These are the desires of which I speak, these mental barriers that prevent us from accepting fully all that life has to offer. If a man wastes his time in emotional indulgence, he will be forever preoccupied and will miss much the Force would give him. "There is no Emotion; there is peace." We aren't talking about getting rid of emotions themselves. We are talking about getting rid of inappropriate and useless emotional responses.

    For a Jedi to sense and comprehend after action is not worthy of being called comprehension. To accomplish after striving is not worthy of being called accomplishment. To know after seeing in not worthy of being called knowing. These three are far from the way of sensing and response a Jedi uses.
    Indeed, for the Jedi, it is better to be able to do something before it exists, sense something before it becomes active, see something before it sprouts, these three abilities develop interdependently. Thus nothing is sensed but is comprehended, nothing is undertaken without response, and nowhere does one go without benefit.

    Those who assist someone by means of the Force do not use arms to do so, for these things tend to reverse --- brambles grow where a fight has been, bad years follow a war.
    Weapons are inauspicious instruments, not the tools of the enlightened. When there is no choice but to use them, it is best to be calm and free from anger and greed, and not celebrate victory. Those who celebrate victory are bloodthirsty, and the bloodthirsty cannot be let free to have their way with the world.

    Remember anger and greed are fundamental causes of defeat. It is the unemotional, reserved, calm, detached warrior who wins, not the hothead seeking vengeance and not the ambitious seeker of fortune.

    Those who are good at knighthood are not militaristic, those who are good at battle do not become angry, and those who are good at prevailing over opponents do not get involved.

    Show me a man of violence that came to a good end, and I will take him for my teacher.

    The enemy is fear. Most think it is hate; but it is fear.

    It is important to have self-discipline and initiative: you should not practice only when your teacher makes you.

    A true Jedi is one who never fights, but always practices.
    Everybody on this Earth needs an activity. Most activities require a subject and an object. In the practice of the Jedi Way the subject and the object are the same thing --- oneself.
    Meditate on this and perceive the remarkable change it makes in everything. Without the sense of adversary, where is the problem. Where is the conflict? Why fear? Why hate? Anger? How can there be failure? Why do these things exist at all in a self-contained, sane organism? They certainly are not needed.
    What would be the purpose for one who is aware of the Force, who is one with nature, to engage in combat with his fellow man? These are things to be eliminated in our lives, not encouraged.

    In combat, it is important that strategy be unfathomable, that form be concealed, and that movements be unexpected, so that preparedness against them be impossible.
    What enables a good fighter to win without fail is always having unfathomable wisdom and a modus operandi that leaves no tracks.
    Only the formless cannot be affected. Jedi hide in unfathomability, so their feelings cannot be observed; they operate in formlessness, so their lines cannot be crossed. This is why they are skilled fighters.

    There are certain types of conflict where you might not even realize that you have an adversary. You would not even have a chance to defend yourself. How do you fight a sniper armed with a silenced rifle? How do you fight an assassin who stabs you unseen from behind? How do you fight the man who rigs your car to explode when you turn on the ignition?
    There is no way that you can fight him.
    Since you cannot successfully fight this adversary, you must learn to protect yourself in other ways. The Jedi refines his perceptive abilities to a level higher than most humans', and becomes sensitive to input from the Force in addition to his five physical senses. This ability to perceive this, is what we call 'premonitions of danger' or 'danger sense.'
    An attacker, whether man or animal, puts forth his harmful intentions as a sort of vibration or thought impulse. Just as we say that sights, smells, or sounds are things, we can also say that thoughts are things. These thoughts are there to be perceived, regardless of whether or not we are sensitive enough to pick them up.
    When we are sensitive enough to detect this intention of harmful action, the Jedi can fight back by simply not being where the attack will take place.
    This ability to perceive potential danger is developed by learning how to tune into a level of thought higher than routine individual consciousness. Just as we all share a common realm of visual perceptions, tactile stimulations, and sound impulses, we share a range of higher frequencies broadcast through the Force. That is affected by thought impulses. If we are sensitive enough we can utilize the Force just as we utilize sight, or taste, or hearing.

    A Jedi must see alone and know alone, meaning that he must see what others do not see and know what others do not know.

    Once a student asked a Jedi Master how to defend against a strong punching or kicking attack. The reply was, "No matter how strong an attack is, if it falls on empty space, it is useless." In other words, the best defense is to not be there when the attack comes.

    The Force flows everywhere. It fulfills its purpose silently and makes no claim. It does not show greatness, and is therefore truly great.

    The way to the Force is to benefit, not to harm.

    A Jedi feels no heat or cold. A Jedi can extinguish pain. Strengthen yourself with the Force.

    Doing anything with haste can lead to impatience, and that invites the dark side.

    Some will say that it is all right to use the dark side as long as it is used to do good. What they are saying is that the ends justify the means for attaining them, and that is wrong. It's as wrong as anything because it allows them to rationalize away any behavior as good.
    People start amassing power for this goal or that, and they convince themselves that it's for a good thing. Then when they get enough they find circumstances have changed. They find they need more power or they need to wield this power in ways they didn't expect before. An opponent who won't listen to reason becomes a bug who needs to be squashed instead of a friend who just needs to be convinced. Power comes to poison those who hoard it. They assume others want their power, will resort to any means to get it, and that frees them to retaliate in any way they can to protect their power.
    There is no good that comes from evil. Someone using the dark side for good seems fine perhaps. Until you ask why he would do it. Is it for his own good, and that of his people? If so, how will he deal with the next threat to them?
    Don't entertain the idea that you could remain uncorrupted by dealing with evil for what you see as a good purpose. That is setting the first foot on a very steep and slippery slope. If you slip it might be possible to get back to the top, but someone will pay during your descent, You should not wish to inflict that on anyone.

    A Jedi's role in society is to take action and responsibility for those who cannot. A Jedi places himself where he can defend the greatest number of people from the greatest evil. Even if it costs him his life. There are times when that sacrifice feels right. It's a judgment the Jedi will have to make for himself when the time comes.

    One very important aspect of proficiency in the Jedi way and in all phases of life is purposefulness --- the ability to act deliberately rather that arbitrarily. Most of us spend our lives in a random fashion, reacting to stimuli without thinking, as though we were chemicals in a compound, instead of creatures of free will. The Jedi Way teaches us to choose, to have the power to see all the alternatives and to act according to our own wills rather then on the whims of other people or events. This power is much more useful for self-defense than are mere kicks and punches.
    A Jedi Master will usually not waste his time with someone who is interested only in self-defense. When such people appear, the teacher will usually tell them to carry a big stick and not bother him. The teacher prefers to teach small classes of dedicated students and leave the business of instructing poorly motivated students, who are only interested in fighting, to someone else. In the Jedi Way one can be a student, a knight, a master, or a grandmaster --- the student is often like the "son" of his teacher; should the teacher call in the middle of the night and ask for something, the student will do it --- this sort of response is not expected of the casual student.

    There is no secret technique that will make you invincible. There will always be an individual or circumstance that will best you.

    With the power of the Force comes a danger, which requires training to overcome, namely, to avoid manipulating people and events to our own advantages. The simplest example of this responsibility is the credo, which states that the power must only be used in self-defense. Even this statement falls short of the ideal. The true goal is doing good, improving (yourself and others), teaching, and healing.

    A Jedi apprentice walks a long, difficult road to skill and knowledge of the Force.

    Unless your mind is calm, you will never be able to concentrate.

    A student studying with a master should not take on a student of his or her own.

    As a Jedi if someone asks you who is the most skilled Jedi. Think on this before answering. "Some Jedi see the spirit of the dark side and remove it before it takes shape, so their names do not get out of the house. Some Jedi see the dark side while it is still extremely minute and cure it. So their names don't get out of their neighborhood. As for others, they see the dark side after it has blossomed and defeat it then. Their names sometimes get out and are heard by everyone." As this shows, that the less time the dark side is allowed to grow. Then the less direct conflict is needed the better, in the sense that knowledge of the problem is key to the solution

    To overcome the dark side without fighting is the best skill.

    Mercy is first and foremost among a Jedi's virtues.

    Everything has a pattern, starting with the subatomic structure of a pebble and extending to the stars themselves. Find the pattern; understand the manner in which it is woven.

    There is no why. Clear your mind of questions. Then you will understand.

    Unless your heart is wide open and your mind is orderly, you cannot be expected to be able to adapt responsively without limit, dealing with events unerringly, facing great and unexpected difficulties without upset, calmly handling everything without confusion.

    Deal lightly with matters of consequence, and decisively with those of little consequence. It is difficult to face a crisis and solve it gently, if you are not resolved beforehand, for uncertainty will impede your efforts. When the time comes, thinking forward allows you to deal lightly.

    The Jedi seeks balance --- balance of the self, balance with society, with nature, with the universe. The ideal state for a Jedi is to be neither hard nor soft, but to be both hard and soft. It is to be like water.
    Water is soft. It flows and will take any shape. If you press down on a pool of water, the water will give way to the hand. Yet if you have ever been hit by a wave at the beach, you know the tremendous power of water.
    As a Jedi one does everything in both a hard and a soft manner, much as a towel can be snapped. A towel by itself is loose, limp, and soft, yet if it is snapped quickly, like a whip, it becomes powerful and is rigid and hard at the moment of conflict.

    No one Jedi fighting system should be considered superior to any other. Some people are tall, some short, others fat, and still others thin, so everyone's body will move differently. A system suited to one person's body might not be suitable for another. It is therefore advisable to seek a good teacher who may be able to tell you what system would best suit you.

    The Jedi Way is directed toward the full discovery and use of a human being's full potential --- a potential that is barely tapped during the average person's lifetime.

    A Jedi must always remember danger when he is secure and remember chaos in times of order, watch out for danger and chaos while they are still formless and prevent them before they happen, this is best of all.

    If you are quiet and inconspicuous, others will not be able to figure you out. If you are accurate and orderly, others will not be able to disturb you.

    A Jedi does not use arms because of his emotions.

    The stillness in stillness is not real stillness; only when there is stillness in movement does the Force manifest itself. What this means in a very simple way is that it's easy to be peaceful and calm if you're alone on top of a mountain or deep in the woods, but try for that same peace of mind while moving through rush-hour crowds in a city, or while sitting in the middle of your screaming brothers and sisters. If you can feel calm during this, then you have truly accomplished something.

    The Force is perhaps the most fascinating and mysterious aspect of Jedi training. The nature of the Force is difficult to grasp. It is the power that comes from everything, not simply for combat, but for all endeavors, and for balance, health, and longevity. The Force is the drawing of energy from within and the universe through the subconscious. This is not dependent on or even related to size or physique.
    Without the Force, life itself is impossible. When the Force is abundant, one has true power. Disease and depression vanish. Longevity is increased.
    The Force can only exist in the absence of fear or tension. These factors create imbalance. When relaxed, one is not in upheaval. One can concentrate and see clearly what it is that needs to be done, and do it naturally, spontaneously, and instantaneously.
    As the Force develops within, control is vitally important. A casual tap with the fingers can do serious injury once the Force is strong. One must be very careful. Emotional content, such as anger, or fear, or even just excitement, can bring the Force unbidden to the hand.
    For this reason, the Jedi waits until proficiency in meditation, tranquility and the art of non-reaction have been established before one goes on to more specific, advanced Force training.

    You must remember that becoming a true Jedi requires persistence, patience, and Most of all, hard work.
    After two or three years of this difficult Jedi training program, students often develop new misconceptions about the Jedi Way. They are now in good condition, quite strong, and beginning to beat some of the other student in matches. Feeling invincible, sure they now know most of what there is to know, some quit at this stage.
    Others, however, wisely continue on to more advanced training, where they now encounter some of the older masters. As old and weak as they may appear physically, they are able to play with these youngsters as effortlessly as a cat plays with a mouse. Humbled by this experience, the students quickly realize there is certainly more for them to learn, and even more to learn after that. It is at this point, when they realize that there is really no end to training, that they finally learn the Jedi Way. For the Jedi Way is much more than just self-defense techniques. It is an art form, a way of life, and a means toward spiritual development. As such the Jedi Way is a lifetime study.

    At some point or another, many students experience a block in their studies. They get stuck on a plateau, apparently unable to progress further. Sometimes this is the fault of the teacher. If this is so, it is time to move on. More often, though, the problem is an internal one, caused by poor learning habits, problems with attitude or personal distractions.

    When the student ceases to be totally self-involved, interested in his own growth only, he will begin to turn to helping others. At this point, regardless of prowess, the student becomes a true follower of the Jedi Way.

    One can study and study for years, hours and hours every day, and one may still remain a student. To leap beyond the barrier one must break the chain. Stop practicing and start doing.

    A Jedi's most valuable asset is his code. Whatever that may be, he must have it and be true to it. He who has no code is an animal. Every Jedi has his code.
    If a man tells you he has no code, that truly he is his own master, then his master is the dark side and we know how to deal with it. Honor, Virtue. Even the dark side has a code. The dark side and its servants cannot bear up in the face of virtue. Absolute honor destroys the dark side's power absolutely.

    Weapons' training is essentially the same as training without weapons, only now weapons are used as an extension of the hands. Students practice basic strikes and blocks with their weapons in the same fashion that they practiced their bare hand techniques. With constant repetitions.

    Many times on the journey toward understanding, one encounters crippling paradoxes.

    Mastering others requires force; mastering the self requires enlightenment.

    A journey of a thousand miles starts under one's feet, with the first step.

    The Force is a bigger, broader concept then any one system of beliefs can necessarily encompass. Even the wisest of Jedi understand it imperfectly.

    The Force does not "root" for anybody, or anything not the light or the dark or even a balance of the two. The Force just is.

    The Jedi student must not be deluded; do not deny that there is a dark side to the Force. That it can affect you.

    Some may claim you cannot speak of the dark side until you have experienced it. In this they are wrong. A doctor need not contract a disease to diagnose and treat it after all.

    There may come a time when you feel embarrassed by how others perceive you. But what does it matter? What they or anyone else thinks of you is really immaterial. It's what you think of yourself that matters most.

    The Jedi doesn't believe the Light is the only way to know the Force. They just believe it is a preferable model to employ in understanding the Force, and a better long-term strategy.

    When speaking of the light side and the dark side. It all comes down to the nature of evil. Evil is selfishness while good is selfless. If you take an action that benefits you, only you, and hurts others, you are evil. If you do what must be done to prevent harm to others, if you become the buffer between them and evil, then your actions will be good. That is to say your intentions will be good. Your actions may still be evil. That is the problem of course, evil is always easy and resisting it is never so. Evil is relentless; and anyone, if they tire, if they are not vigilant, can fall prey to it.
    There are situations where opposing evil may result in harm coming to the innocent.
    Life is not without pain, but life concerns itself with how we handle that pain, or joy, or confusion or triumph. Life is more than time passing before death, it is the sum and total of all we make of it. Decisions may not be easy, but many is the time when not making any choice, not taking an action is worse than a poor decision. Evil flourishes where it is not opposed, and those who are able to oppose it must to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

    A Jedi should know as much as possible about everything.

    There are five dangers a Jedi must be aware of when he must fight --- being to willing to die, too eager to live, too quick to anger, too puritanical, or too sentimental. Any one of these in excess, he affirms, creates vulnerabilities that can easily be exploited by canny opponents.
    When he is waiting on the fringes of a situation, before the appropriate time to go to action has arrived, he must be steady and avoid giving in to impulse --- then he won't go wrong.

    When a Jedi knows himself and others, he is not in danger.

    The Force is a mysterious energy field, which surrounds and binds together everything in the galaxy. It is a neutral, impersonal power, which can be used for good or evil. The light side of the Force is selfless and non-aggressive. Those who follow it teach peace and harmony. The dark side, on the other hand, is a destructive and violent power. Those who follow it are consumed with the pursuit of power and a desire to dominate over others.
    At the start, a student of the dark side may be more powerful that a student of the light side, but as time progresses, a natural balancing effect takes place. The more powerful a dark side student becomes, the more dominated by the dark side he is. Light side practitioners, on the other hand, discover that the light side does lead to great powers in time, but only after years of patient study.

    Some things cannot be taught directly. Some things you must find in yourself. If it were to be shown to you, to be pointed at as if saying, "Look, here it is" you would not understand it. Jedi must be willing to look into their own hearts and spirits. If you do not … well, let us just say that you will never become a true Jedi.

    I would not discourage you from seeking knowledge of the dark side. To do so would only heighten your desire to possess that knowledge. I will not dissuade you, but I will warn you of the shadowy crevice you will enter should you choose to access that knowledge.
    First, don't be fooled. The dark side musters much of its energy to masquerade as the light so that it might lure the uninitiated into its grasp. By the time the hapless victim discovers his error, it is to late ---- the dark side has ensnared him, holding him in the shadow both by its own power and by the fallen Jedi's relentless hunger for more.
    Second, do not overestimate your own abilities. Countless Jedi have found themselves entwined by the dark side, unable to free themselves from the black hooks that they themselves have jabbed into their own souls. No matter how they twist, grasping for some strand of the light that still remains within their reach, they continue to plummet into the abyssal pitch of the dark side. These Jedi believed they were masters of the light ---and some were --- but they did not understand the nature and power of the dark side --- and they failed to listen to the warnings.
    Do not believe that the dark side is stronger then the light. It only appears to be more powerful because it is easier, quicker --- at first. It draws you in, offering you more power than you can imagine, but as you begin to use that power, the dark side lends it's assistance less and less, eventually sustaining itself by siphoning your own Force energy until you become its helpless host. You believe you have ascended to mastery, but in truth you have fallen into slavery.
    Learn of the dark side. It will aid you in your struggle against it. But take care not to succumb to its sometimes-irresistible lure --- your chances of returning to the light are less then nothing.

    When we seek the dark side, we seek our doom. Too often, we are successful.

    The dark side's influence is stronger in moments of weakness. Do not let yourself be distracted.

    No gain comes without a price. You will forever carry the distinguishment of your teacher's presence, as well as the taint, the traits of his own masters as well.

    Never forget your training as an apprentice. Even though the end nears with each passing day. You must remain dedicated to the Jedi way no matter the cost.

    Think of peace and honor --- and act upon that only.

    The Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and negotiation, seeking the most peaceful solutions to every problem.
    As Force-users trained in the Jedi tradition, some students concentrate more on diplomacy, scholarly pursuits, and the spiritual side of the Force than on more physical activities. Healers and researchers seek to better understand the nature of the Force and their connection to it. Mentors and teachers hope to instruct others and pass on what they have learned. Negotiators and mediators are skilled at bargaining and striking compromises. Counselors train themselves to be versatile, able to handle many situations without reaching for a weapon.
    Other students concentrate more on combining physical training with mastery of the Force. They concentrate on battle prowess, defense, and physical training. They take their undertakings seriously, considering even mundane missions to be personal tests. Most of these follow the light side, but some become dark siders and use the Force for evil or selfish intent. Those imbued with the light side refrain from using the Force for every task, preferring to find other solutions and save the Force for when it is truly needed. Those who succumb to the dark side use every advantage, wielding the Force to solve problems, as a soldier would use a gun to destroy a fly.

    Though one chapter of your training may draw to a close, you must never cease your practice. It will merely take on a different form, but still it continues.

    Mastering the ways of the light side of the Force requires tenacity, serenity, concentration, and a willingness to remain open to possibilities that seem implausible. Most Jedi apprentices encounter difficulties with at least one of these areas, and therefore rely on an instructor --- usually a Master --- to help them recognize and overcome whatever obstacles stand in their path.

    Those interested in learning of the Force and the techniques that manipulate it should locate a teacher willing to impart such knowledge to them.

    The Force like electricity, or even the wind, exists and can be felt, even though it has no color, no smell, and no shape. The effects of electricity or the wind or the Force can sometimes be seen, but the Force itself cannot. One can see a tree being blown over by the wind, but one cannot see the wind itself.

    Explained very simply, the Force flows through out every person's body along certain pathways. In some ways, the Force and these pathways are like electricity and circuits. When electrical circuits are clear and electricity flows easily, an electrical system will work well. If a short circuit occurs, or wires become disconnected or broken, then the electrical system will fail. In a similar way if the flow of the Force along the pathways in the body is interrupted or in some disorder, illness or disease will result.

    Along with the instructor, a student of the Force also has duties. Typically, a Jedi apprentice spends the majority of his time attending lectures, receiving one-on-one tutelage, practicing Jedi skills and techniques, and reviewing what he has already learned. On rare occasions, he may find an uncluttered moment to enjoy a favorite pastime or just a short respite from his daily work, but usually he remains focused on his efforts day and night.
    In addition to Force-related study, an apprentice must also perform routine chores required by his life, such as going to work or school. For an apprentice though these tasks serve a more important purpose then mere upkeep, however. They teach a student humility and wisdom as well as simplicity, three traits every Jedi must possess to shield him from the dark side in all of its shadowy guises.

    Learning to use and manipulate the Force occupies less then half of an apprentice's time. Rather, most Teachers concentrate on teaching the responsibilities of possessing such power and the role of a Jedi in the universe.
    Grasping the basics of any skill requires time, and great expenditure of effort on the part of the student (and the Teacher, as well, in some cases). Practice of the technique itself accounts for only a portion of this time, since the Teacher tempers progress with caution, ensuring that the would-be Jedi does not succumb to the lure of quick power. Those apprentices who ignore this aspect of acquiring skills often balance on a fine line between light and dark.

    Your training will be a landscape of self-discovery. Learn new things and share what you have learned with others.

    Be careful that you do not treat being a Jedi as a separate identity, as if on the right is who you are normally and on the Left is who you are as a Jedi. This is like trying to function with only one side of your body or the other. In doing so you make half of yourself oppose the other half, when you should be integrating both halves. You are not you as you are or you as a Jedi. You are both of them. You need to unify yourself and your efforts. Certainly there will be times when one aspect of your being would work better then the other in a situation. But you have to be able to use both sides if you plan to succeed in all things.

    Have no hard feelings toward anyone who has not shown you enmity, do not fight with anyone who does not attack you.

    A Jedi should try to breath like a baby. While this may seem a strange idea, adults do in fact, breath differently from babies. A baby breathes naturally from the tant'ien, and if you watch, you will see its stomach area move in and out as it breathes. If you watch adults' breath, you will see it is their shoulders and chests that move. While all people breathe naturally from their abdomens when they sleep, adults have long since forgotten how to do this when they are awake. Those who want to use the Force correctly must learn how to be in tune with nature once again.
    Lung breathing, although effective in the short run, and potentially very forceful, is nevertheless artificial and incorrect. It expends a lot of energy quickly, but it is not natural. In times of great need this type of breathing may be practiced as it makes everything become easier to learn. But always remember this type of breathing burns up and wastes far too much energy and does great harm to the body.

    Those who are skilled in combat do not become angered; those who are skilled at winning do not become afraid. Thus the wise win before they fight, while the ignorant fight to win.

    A skilled attack is one against which opponents do not know how to defend; a skilled defense is one which opponents do not know how to attack.

    Jedi plan in the beginning when they do things, they consider problems and prevent them.

    Five things are to be assessed before undertaking any action: the Force, the weather, the terrain, the opposition, and discipline.

    A Jedi should have these virtues: intelligence, trust-worthiness, humaneness, courage, and compassion.

    Toe-to-toe battle is the last resort of the skilled warrior. It is best to win without fighting. Wear them down with flight, foster disharmony within their ranks, manipulate their feelings, and use their anger and pride against them.

    A Jedi must know when to fight and when not to fight.

    Suspicion raises walls, allows fear to grow. That can interfere with your ability to use the Force.

    You will find, at some point that the dark side will speak to you. It is seductive, offering you everything with little effort on your part. Learn from the lessons others have endured, so their strength can become your strength when you face that test.

    It is not for you to sculpt the Force's flow to your purposes, but for you to be sculpted into that which more easily works with the Force.

    There is only one cycle that is without end. That cycle is life and life is what creates the Force. Success comes with feeling, understanding and controlling the Force.

    When opponents come to attack you, do not fight with them but rather set up a strategic change to confuse them and make them uncertain, deflecting them from their original intention to attack, making them reluctant to fight with you.

    There are four kinds of mastery essential to the Jedi. Mastery of the Force, Mastery of the heart, mastery of strength, and mastery of adaptation.

    Persist too intensely at what is currently beyond your depth, and your fidelity to that course will bring misfortune and no gain.

    When a Jedi does find it necessary to defend themselves, a moral code should accompany their fighting practice. As Jedi, they should follow certain ideas of loyalty, respect, and honesty toward each other, and strive for attitudes of unselfishness and benevolence toward the world at large. It is considered wrong to fight indiscriminately. One is not supposed to use their Jedi skills, for example, to get more money or better clothes, or to show off one's technique. Instead, such skills are to be used for self-defense purposes or to help others. This code explains why Jedi have the humanity to refrain from doing unnecessary harm to those who attack them.

    If at first the reasons for why a teacher trains you in the same thing over and over again may be unclear to you. Do not despair. For as the roots of a tree are usually hidden from the observer, so too is the purpose behind most training often not seen by the new student. Some finding training boring and painful, often quit at this stage of training. Overanxious to know everything at once --- to taste the fruits and see the flowers of a full-grown tree, as it were --- they often fail to realize that the Jedi Way --- like the tree --- must begin slowly, down in the dirt, and only after this foundation has been set and a long period of growth has taken place will the tree bear fruit.

    True competence comes from not only training the reflexes, but from training the mind as well. All too often young Jedi have superior physical skills, yet their ability to concentrate and relax their minds is lacking.

    How does one tell the light from the dark? When you are calm, at peace, passive.

    The Force is like any element of nature --- it has both positive and negative aspects: the light side and the dark side.
    The light teaches peace and harmony. It is the constructive side of the Force from which all love, understanding and knowledge originate --- it is the essence of life. Those who are at peace with themselves can learn to harness the amazing powers of the Force.
    The dark side is the counterweight to the light. Many young students falsely believe that the dark side is stronger than the light --- in truth it is only easier. The dark side springs forth from the negative and destructive impulses of all living beings --- anger, fear and hatred are its symptoms. Death and war are the byproducts of the dark side. It is dangerously seductive to those who lack the ability to control their emotions and passions. Those who give in to the dark side find their abilities greatly enhanced at first, but as time passes, the dark side does not respond so readily. The dark side demands more and more of those in its power.
    Those who are sensitive to the Force soon learn that there is no middle ground between the light and the dark. For most beings --- unaware of the power of the Force --- the struggle between light and dark is not as powerful, not as compelling. For those attuned to the Force, the struggle of good versus evil, life versus death, is of utmost importance.
    Those who learn the ways of the Force must be careful to remember their own inner peace or they will surrender themselves to the dark side. They must be careful not to start down the path of the dark side, for its self-destructive ways are difficult to leave once embraced.

    The Ten Rules Of Engagement:
    1) Let the Force be your guide.
    2) Know your motives for becoming involved.
    3) Seek to know the motives of others involved.
    4) Be aware of outside motivators.
    5) Understand the dark and light in all things.
    6) Learn to see accurately.
    7) Open your eyes to what is not evident.
    8) Exercise caution, even in trivial matters.
    9) Examine closely who benefits, and how they do so.
    10) Examine closely who is harmed, and why.

    The Force is not limited by space and time. It has no color and no shape, no beginning and no end. It is part of everything and at odds with nothing.

    If a hundred thousand people do a dumb thing. It's still a dumb thing.

    Wisdom is found in knowing what you know and knowing that you don't know what you don't know.

    A person who knows he has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it is committing another mistake.

    When a wise man repents of his mistake, he makes amends by acts, and when a foolish man repents of his mistakes, he makes amends by words. If you are sorry for what you have done, then I suggest that you make amends by real acts.

    What should concern you are the following: that you have forgotten to cultivate your character, that you have neglected your studies, that you have not been able to follow the right course when you have seen it, and that you have not been able to correct your mistakes.

    To be patient and gentle, ready to teach, returning not evil for evil: that is the Jedi Way.

    The Jedi by living a life of simple truth and earnestness, alone can help to bring about peace and order in the world. Only after having a definite purpose in life can one achieve calmness of mind. Only after having achieved calmness of mind, can one have peaceful repose. Only after having peaceful repose can one begin to think clearly. Only after one has learned to think clearly, can one achieve knowledge. There are a foundation and superstructure in the constitution of things, and a beginning and an end in the course of events. Therefore to know the proper sequence or relative order of things is the beginning of wisdom.

    Talking easily leads one into trouble because when you talk, you use so many words, and it is easy to let them out of your mouth, but difficult to take them back.

    Do not worry about people not knowing your ability, but worry instead that you do not know them.
    You have every right to feel Emotions. Allow yourself to feel them -- really feel them -- and then let them go. If they come back, feel them again and let them go again. There is no shame in one's emotions.

    A Jedi can't control how they feel. But they can control how they choose to handle how they feel.

    A Story of Philosophy

    A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, rocks about 2" in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was.
    So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The students laughed.
    The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. "Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this is your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your health, your children - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff."
    "If you put the sand into the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

    The true mark of a Jedi is Peace:
    Peace with oneself and with the world around us.
    Peace gained through knowledge, understanding, discipline and self-control.

    Self-control is most difficult to master, as we are human beings and driven by emotion and sensory triggers. But we are also Jedi, learning to control our emotions and reactions. Ever seeking knowledge and enlightenment, a Jedi never uses his power to gain wealth or personal power. By learning balance, moderation and control we learn and grow in the Force.

    By listening, by becoming peaceful, by turning our attention to the Force, we find that place where our individuality is joined to the knowledge and power of the universe. At some point a Jedi becomes one with the force. It consumes him, penetrates him, makes him part of all living things.
    To use the Force, one must be at harmony with it. Only when calm, at peace, can one act with assurance of control. To act in dissonance depletes one's power.

    The Paths:

    The light path starts narrow, so that new Jedi adhere to its teachings. As training goes on, the path widens slowly with time and knowledge.

    The dark path however is wide. It runs just below the light path to catch the Jedi when they fall. After the dark path started it narrows. Each time it is used, the next act must be a little more evil than before.

    Unlike the Light Side of the Force, which embraces the whole, the entire focus of the Dark Side is the self. For the Force is not itself good or evil; it is a reflection of nature, and nature itself can be cold and cruel.

    That is the choice of the Jedi: serenity or hatred; peace or anger; freedom or tyranny; learning or power; the Light or the Darkness. Because the use of the Force and the way the Force uses its user are one, the choice is inescapable.

    The will and the Force are one; the actor and the acted upon, the same. There is no contradiction: there is unity. That is the Path of Light.

    All futures exist in the Force. You do not choose the future so much as it chooses you. Do not look for answers there.

    According to their nature, there are both people who have a quick intelligence, and those who must withdraw and take time to think things over. Looking into this thoroughly, if one thinks selflessly and adheres to "The four Tenets of the The Jedi Code", suprising wisdom will occur regardless of the high or low points of one's nature.

    People think that they can clear up profound matters if they consider them deeply, but they exercise perverse thoughts and come to no good becuase they do their reflecting with only self-interest at the center.

    It is difficult for a fool's habit's to change to selflessness. In confronting a matter, however, if at first you leave it alone, fix "The four Tenets of the Jedi Code" in your mind, exclude self-interest, and make an effort, you will not go far from your mark.

    We learn about the sayings and deeds of the men of old in order to entrust ourselves to their wisdom and prevent selfishness. When we throw off our own bias, follow the sayings of the ancients, and confer with other people, matters should go well and without mishap.

    To give a person one's opinion and correct his faults is an important thing. It is compassionate and comes first in matters of service. But the way of doing this is extremely difficult. To discover the good and bad points of a person is an easy thing, and to give an opinion concerning them is easy, too. For the most part, people think that they are being kind by saying the things that others find distasteful or difficult to say. But if it is not received well, they think that there is nothing more to be done. This is completely worthless. It is the same as bringing shame to a person by slandering him. It is nothing more then getting it off one's one chest.
    To give a person an opinion one must first judge well whether that person is of the disposition to receive it or not. One must become close with him and make sure that he continually trusts one's word.
    Approaching subjects that are dear to him, seek the best way to speak and to be well understood. Judge the occasion, and determine whether it is better by letter or at the time of leave-taking. Praise his good points and use every device to encourage him, perhaps by talking about one's own faults without touching on his, but so that they will occur to him. Have him receive this in the way that a man would drink water when his throat is dry, and it will be an opinion that will correct faults.
    This is extremely difficult. If a person's fault is a habit of some years prior, by and large it won't be remedied. I have had this experience myself. By bringing shame to a person, how could one expect to make him a better man?

    Throughout your life advance your body and mind daily, becoming more skillful than yesterday, more skillful than today. This is never-ending.

    It is not good to settle into a set of opinions. It is a mistake to put forth effort and obtain some understanding and then stop at that. At first putting forth great effort to be sure that you have grasped the basics, then practicing so that they may come to fruition is something that will never stop for your whole lifetime. Do not rely on following the degree of understanding that you have discovered, but simply think, "This is not enough."
    One should search throughout his whole life how best to follow the Way. And he should study, setting his mind to work without putting things off. Within this is the Way.

    Even a poor penman will become substantial in the art of Writing if he studies by imitating a good model and puts forth effort. A student should be able to become substantial too, if he takes a good teacher as his model.
    At times, however,there are no models of good teachers. In light of this, it would be good to "make" a model and to learn from that. To do this, one should look at many people and choose from each person his best point only. For example, one person for politeness, one for bravery, on for the proper way of speaking, one for correct conduct and one for steadiness of mind. Thus will the model be made.

    When a person is extremely busy and someone comes to them with some business or other, often there are people who will treat them coldly and become angry. This is not good at all. At such times, the etiquette of a Jedi is to calm himself and deal with the person in a good manner. To treat the person harshly is unworthy of a Jedi.

    There is a way of bringing up the child of a Jedi. From the time of infancy one should encourage Wisdom and trusting in one's own abilities and avoid trivially frightening or teasing the child. If a person is affected by fear as a child, it remains a lifetime scar. It is a mistake for parents to thoughtlessly make their children dread lightning, or to have them not go into dark places, or to tell them frightening things in order to stop them from crying.
    Furthermore, a child will become timid if he is scolded severly and unjustly.
    One should not allow bad habits to form. After a bad habit is ingrained, although you admonish the child he will not improve. As for such things as proper speaking and good manners, gradually make the child aware of them. Let him not know avarice. Other than that, if he is of a normal nature, he should develop well by the way he is brought up.
    Moreover, the child of parents who have a bad relationship will be unfilial. This is natural. Even the birds and the beasts are affected by what they are used to seeing and hearing from the time they are born.

    It is spiritless to think that you can't attain to that which you have seen and heard the masters attain. The masters are men. You are also a man. If you think that you will be inferior in doing something, you will be on that road very soon.

    If one is but secure at the foundation, he will not be pained by departure from minor details or affairs that are contrary to expectation. But in the end, the details of a matter are important. The right and wrong of one's own way of doing things are found in trivial matters.

    Whatever you do should be done for the sake of your teacher and parents, the people in general, and for posterity. This is great compassion. The wisdom and courage that come from compassion are real wisdom and courage. When one punishes or strives with the heart of compassion, what he does will be limitless in strength and correctness. Doing something for one's own sake is shallow and mean and turns into evil.

    There are times when a person gets carried away and talks on without thinking much. But this can be seen by observers when one's mind is flippant and lacking truth. After such an occasion it is best to come face to face with the truth and express it. The truth will then be arrived at in one's own heart too. Even when greeting someone lightly, one should consider the circumstances and after deliberation speak in a way that will not injure the person's feelings.

    A Jedi must be careful not to become more and more prideful if he gains a little understanding. Doing so may make him think he knows his own limits and weak points. However, it is difficult to truly know one's own limits and weak points.

    Covetouness, anger, and foolishness are things to sort out well. When bad things happen in the world, if you look at them comparatively, they are not unrelated to these three things. Looking comparatively at the good things, you will see they are not excluded from wisdom, humanity and bravery.

    A person who knows but a little will put on an air of knowledge. This is a matter of inexperience. When someone knows something well, it will not be seen in his manner, this person is genteel.

    When you are listening to the stories and legends of other men and the like, you should listen with deep sincerity, even if it's something about which you already know. If in listening to the same thing ten or twenty times it happens that you come to an unexpected understanding, that moment will be very special. Within the tedious talk and legends are the keys to wisdom and insights.

    If a Jedi will just think about what he is to do for the day at hand, he will be able to do anything. If it is a single day's work, one should be able to put up with it. Tomorrow, too, is but a single day.

    There is nothing so painful as regret. We would all like to be without it. However, when we are very happy and become elated, or when we habitually jump into something thoughtlessly, later we are distraught, and it is for the most part becuase we did not think ahead and are now regretful. Certainly we should try not to become dejected, and when very happy should calm our minds.

    To ask when you already know is politness. To ask when you don't know is the rule.

    The essentials of speaking are not in speaking at all. If you think that you can finish something without speaking, finish it without saying a word. If there is something that cannot be accomplished without speaking, one should speak with few words, in a way that will accord well with reason.
    To open one's mouth indiscriminately brings shame, and there are many times when people will turn their backs on such a person.

    To be anxious is to be worried about some uncertain event or matter. It is not unnatural for a person to become anxious over the future, and it is easy to become overly anxious about the future, as it is always in motion and difficult to see. It is also a simple matter to become anxious about the Dark Side, since its paths are clouded from our view. However, anxiety over the future or the Dark Side (and those who follow its paths) is easily converted into fear. Fear is the beginning of the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.

    a Jedi must always remember that the actions he takes in the here and now will affect the future, perhaps drastically altering it. A Jedi must carefully consider all possible outcomes of whatever action he takes. While others blunder through life without contemplating the Will of the Force, a Jedi must always be mindful of this, and act so that its purposes are fulfilled.

    A Jedi must not spend so much time meditating on potential outcomes and possible futures that he loses sight of why he is making the choice. Too much time spent contemplating what could be will cause the Jedi to miss an opportunity to act. And to not act is sometimes worse than to act wrongly.

    The "Jedi Ethics" of Defense
    Self-defense according to the Jedi must always comply with certain ethical imperatives. These are many and complex, but for our purposes we have devised situations.
    In these situations, each situation represents an ethical level of combat. The level rises as we proceed from situation A to situation D. Each situation consists of two men. The man on the left is the Jedi. The man on the right is any other person one might come across.

  • In situation A, the Jedi on the left, without provocation and on his own initiative, attacks the other man and kills him. Ethically, this is the lowest of the four levels-unprovoked aggression in the form of a direct attack.

  • In situation B, the Jedi does not directly attack the other man, but provokes the other man to attack him. It may have been an obvious provocation, such as an insulting remark or the more subtle provocation of a contemptuous attitude. In either case, when the other man is invited to attack and does so, he is killed. While the Jedi is not guilty of launching the actual attack, he is responsible for inciting the other man to attack. There is only a shade of difference ethically between situation A and situation B.

  • In situation C, the Jedi neither attacks nor provokes the other man to attack. But, when attacked he defends himself in a subjective manner, i.e., he takes care of only "number one," and the other man is killed or at least seriously injured. Ethically this is a more defensible action than the other two. The Jedi was in no way responsible for the attack, neither directly nor indirectly. His manner of defense, however, while protecting himself from possible harm, resulted in the destruction of another life form. AS you can see the result in all three situations- A, B, and C- is identical: A MAN IS KILLED.

  • In situation D, we have the ultimate in ethical self-defense. Neither attacking nor provoking an attack, the Jedi is attacked. Though he defends himself in such a way, with such skill and control that the attacker is not killed. And in this case he is not even seriously injured. Yet the attacker knows that he will get nowhere by attacking except to sooner or later hurt himself.

    This last and highest level is the goal of all Jedi self-defense arts. It requires skill: the result of intensive practice of the technical means of defense devised by the Jedi. But it requires more than that! It requires an ethical intention. A Jedi must sincerely desire to defend himself without killing others. A Jedi's goal is to protect life. He must be well on the way toward integration of mind, body, force, of physical means and ethical motives.
    He will often have practiced various other disciplines. Breathing exercises and mediation are common means employed in the Jedi academy to further this integration?
    As we see then, at this ethical level, Jedi's emerge as disciples of Coordination, where a Jedi develops his own coordination of mind and body while helping his partner or partners to develop theirs as well. The practice of the Jedi then becomes a harmonious interaction between two or more people, fulfilling all Jedi's intention via translation of the highest ethics into vital and active modes of conduct.

    Patience
    Patience is a virtue all Jedi should learn; I cannot stress this enough. It is one of the first things you will learn, and one of the most important. If a Jedi is not patient, with his studies and with others, then the pull of the Dark Side increases. You want things quicker and easier, which is the way of the Dark Side.
    Many a Jedi have fallen because they believe that their Master is not teaching them as much as they need. They believe they are ready for more knowledge and tests, when in reality they forsake the most important lessons. You must work diligently on the lessons your Master gives you. Explore, learn, and discover every facet of the lesson; master it. Continue to do this through- out your training. You will be presented with more lessons as the time presents itself.
    A Jedi must also be patient with others. Let us use an example: You are on a basketball, or football team. The coach is giving you a new play. It seems simple to you; you quickly learn it and perform it well.
    There is another player on the team who cannot get it. Every time you run through the play he makes a mistake- he just cannot seem to learn it. Now, you have a choice. You may choose to be angry with him and yell at him for not getting it right. Or, you may be patient with him, and try to help him understand it. I suggest you choose the latter. This way he'll probably understand it, you won't be angry, and you will have learned patience. Not to mention that the play will probably work better.
    You see, if you are patient with others, they will have a higher respect for you and a better opinion of you. You will have more friends, and strong friendships. You will also see things from their point of view, and you can benefit others. They can also help you on troubles you have. This begins to teach other virtues: Unity and teamwork.
    Be patient in every thing you do.

    Ideals of a Jedi
    These are the ideals, I have observed, that Jedi should have

    1. Respect yourself. Without self-respect, you will never be able to respect anything.
    2. Respect life. Life is what gives a Jedi his/her power, therefore it is to be cherished always.
    3. Respect others. Respect all those around you, for they are part of the Force. Even enemies are part of the Force.
    4. Respect Nature. "Intelligent life" is not the only life, and through the Force a Jedi may learn sources of wisdom from many places, not all seen as "intelligent"
    5. Respect death. Death is part of the Force, since everything happens in cycles. The cycle of one life affects another, that is the way of things. The way of the Force.
    6. Respect the Dark Side. He who does not respect his greatest enemy will BECOME his greatest enemy. With respect comes objectivity, insight, seeing how things are done and how to oppose them quickly and decisively.

    Rules for Jedi Behavior

    First ask yourself this. Do you really want to be a Jedi?Think about why you want to be a Jedi. What appeals to you about the Jedi? Is it the fighting skills? is it the Force? If so, ask yourself if you could enjoy being a Jedi without either of these things. Does it still appeal to you? If the answer is no, you might prefer a different way of life, becuase every Jedi's goal is to accomplish things without resorting to violence or even using the Force. Take the combat and Force use away from a Jedi, and what you have left is responsibility, self-discipline, and public service.
    If you don't think you'd enjoy that. You might want to re-examine your decision to become a Jedi. It may not be what your looking for.
    While the rules here address a number of matters relating to understanding and mastering the Force, it is not entirely about knowing the Force. To know the Force, a Jedi must feel it, and writings are no substitute for personal experience. Conversely, a Jedi cannot learn polite and acceptable social behavior by experiencing the Force. Thus, the Jedi Code is a set of guidelines for understanding the Force without sacrificeing good manners.
    The majority of the Behavior rules in the Jedi Way are mearly guides to good conduct. Transgressions of these rules, while a cause for concern, should never be confused with with turning to the dark side. The rules contain a number of basic (if somewhat overlooked) instructions on day-to-day life.
    Self-Discipline

    One of the keystones of Jedi Behavior is self-discipline, and Jedi Masters should instruct their students in this tenet very early. Most of the lessons are no different from those taught to ordinary children, but as the student progresses, so does the complexity of the lessons. The Jedi student learns that self-discipline is far more important to a person who can wield the Force that it is to those who cannot even feel it's touch.
    Conquer Arrogance
    Jedi are special, but their abilities to access the Force does not make them better then other people. A Jedi is a Jedi only becuase someone else has taken the trouble to teach him. A Jedi Knight is a Jedi Knight only becuase his Master determines that he cannot teach his student anything further. A Jedi Master is a Master only becuase he has discarded his own sense of self-importance and embraced the will of the Force. A Jedi is accepted or not based on his behavior. The Jedi who believes that he is more important then others only demonstrates that his opinion is to be ignored.
    Conquer Overconfidence
    Many young Jedi students, on learning of the limitless potential of the Force, come to believe that they can accomplish anything. They take on tasks that are too big for them, not realizing that the Force is only truley limitless to those who have a limitless understanding. Scores of Jedi have failed at a great many things as a result of overestimating their control of the Force.
    Overconfident thinking is flawed because the Jedi does not take all possibilities into account. He may understand the task at hand, the support of his fellows, and the ramifications of his success, and he may have planned for unanticipated factors - but he has failed to understand his own capabilities. He has planned only for success, becuase he has concluded that there can be no failure. Every Jedi, in every task, should prepare for the possibility of failure.
    Conquer Defeatism
    The opposite of overconfidence is defeatism: the belief that no effort, no matter how great, can possibly succeed. Though this may seem contradictory with the goal of conquering overconfidence, it amounts to a question of priorities. A Jedi should plan for success first, and failure second. The Jedi who plans excessively for failure expects to lose. Indeed, the Jedi who approaches each task as though failure is the most likely option puts forth only the minimal effort - enough to say that they tried.
    Conquer Stubbornness
    A Jedi should be willing to accept defeat if the cost of winning is greater than the cost of losing. Do not see a fight as a choice between winning and losing. Every fight can have many , many outcomes. When you concentrate soley on winning - in fighting as in everything else - you sully your victory. Winning becomes worse then losing. It is better to lose well then to win badly. And it is always better to end a fight peacefully then to win or lose.
    Conquer Recklessness
    YOung Jedi in particular are always ready to test themselves and plunge into battle, reach out impulsively with the Force to move objects, or trick the minds of the weak-willed; such Jedi lack self-restraint. They perceive a goal and rush towards it, heedless of unseen dangers or other options. Learn to recognize when speed is NOT important. Race when being first IS important; move at your own pace at all other times. It is not necessary to always strike the first blow, to provide the first solution, or to reach a goal before anyone else does. In fact, it is sometimes vital to strike the last blow, to give the final answer, or to arrive after everyone else.
    Conquer Curiosity
    It is unseemly for a Jedi to probe unnecessarily into the business of others. All beings are entitled to their privacy, and intruding gives them the clear message that privacy of others can be sacrificed to satisfy a Jedi's curiosity. Using the Force to discreetly uncover the secrets of others might be occasionally necessary, but it should never be a matter of course, for it causes distrust of the Jedi in general. Use the Force to satisfy the will of the Force - not to satisfy your own curiosity.
    Conquer Aggression
    Jedi, especially while they are still training, confuse the meanings of attack, defense, and aggression. A Jedi can attack without aggression, especially if he acts without recklessness, hatred, or anger. A Jedi can even kill in self-defense if his opponent leaves him no choice. However, these occurrences should never become commonplace. To conquer aggression, even in combat, a Jedi must explore every other option - including surrender - before resorting to lethal force. The Jedi who regularly employs lethal force courts the dark side.
    Many who reach a certain level of expertise in fighting may look forward to an opportunity to use what they have learned. They think: "I'm just waiting for somebody to give me grief, so I can wipe the floor with them." Sometimes they get tired of waiting and actually become more belligerent and aggressive, in hopes of provoking someone into starting a fight. They have forgotten - or never quite accepted - that fighting skills are about self-defense, not about showing off what one has learned.
    Conquer External Loyalties
    A Jedi is a Jedi, first, foremost, and only. For a Jedi to divide his attention between the will of the Force and the will of others is to invite disaster. Every Jedi must strive to excise external distractions from his life. For this reason a Jedi's loyalties should be to the Force,to the Jedi Order, to the Government he lives under, and to himself, in that order.
    Conquer Materialism
    Jedi keep few personal possessions. Not only are such belongings a distraction from the study of the Force, but a Jedi's life may take them far away on short notice, and numerous possessions become burdensome.

    Responsibility

    Once a Jedi learns self-discipline, he can begin to accept responsibility for his actions. No Jedi who shuns responsibility should be trained, and no Jedi who embraces responsibility should be denied training.
    Practice Honesty
    Honesty is the first responsibility of the Jedi. A Jedi can allow others to believe incorrectly, lead others to incorrect conclusions by playing on their suppositions, or stretch the truth if the situation demands it. A Jedi must always be honest with himself, his master, and the Council. A Jedi who is honest with himself about his beliefs and his motives finds responsibility to be almost second nature.
    Honor Your Promises
    A Jedi who makes a promise should always be prepared to keep it or, failing that, to make amends. Thus, a Jedi should never make a promise he is not certain he can keep. Before making a promise, a Student should consult his Teacher, a Teacher should consult the Council, and the Council should meditate on the will of the Force.
    Deliver more then you promise. The best way to be always certain of this is to deliver much, even when you promise nothing.
    Honor your Padawan
    Every Teacher has an awesome responsibility to his padawan learner in bringing him to the end of his training. A Jedi teacher must always remember that a Padawan is an individual who deserves respect. A teacher should not reprimand his Padawan in public, nor punish his Padawan for disagreeing with him. On the other hand, the teacher should praise his apprentice when he does well, especially in the presence of others. Doing this builds the Padawan's confidence and strengthens the bond between teacher and apprentice.
    Honor your Teacher
    By the same token, a Padawan should endeavor to show respect to his teacher at all times, especially in the presence of others. A Padawan should not disagree with his teacher to the point of argument. In discussions with others, a Padawan should address only his teacher unless he is directly addressed. In all other ways, the Padawan should defer to the teacher and not invite censure. This spars the teacher the burden of apologising to others for the students behavior.
    Honor the Jedi Council
    Although the Jedi Council embodies the ultimate authority in the Jedi Order. It is not currently in existence. But always remember that when a Jedi speaks he speaks for the Council and all Jedi. This is an awesome responsibility, and no Jedi should abuse this trust. The Council and the rest of the Jedi must answer for the Jedi's words and actions, and it shows tremendous disrespect to put the council and other Jedi in an untenable position. When a Jedi makes a descion,The Jedi council must ratify and uphold those descions. Thus, a Jedi Knight should never make the job more difficult for the council then necessary.
    Honor the Jedi Order
    A Jedi's every action reflects on the entire Jedi order/group. Good deeds serve the reputation of the Group/Order. But poor behavior does incalculable damage. Every Jedi should try to remember that each person he meets might never have encountered a Jedi before. How he behaves establishes a first impression of the Jedi, as a whole, in the person's mind. When a Jedi behaves badly in public, an observer might think, 'If this Jedi is a representative of the whole Order, then plainly no Jedi is worthy of respect.' On meeting a second Jedi, who behaves better then the first, that same person might think' Does this say that half the Jedi are good, and half bad?' On meeting a third Jedi, who behaves as well as the second, the person thinks, 'Was the first Jedi an exception, then?' In this way, only by the good behavior of several Jedi can the public be certain that poor behavior of one Jedi was unusual. Thus, it takes many Jedi to undo the mistakes of one.
    Honor the Law
    For the Jedi to protect peace and Justice, they must be bound by those same tenets. No Jedi is above the law. A Jedi may break the law if he feels it is necessary, but he must then be prepared to accept the consequences of his crimes. Becuase the actions of each Jedi reflects upon the group as a whole. Jedi have a responsibility to the entire Order to avoid situations that leave them no choice but to break the law. Jedi who travel, must be careful. As laws change so to must your actions. There are many governments on this planet. Be mindful of who controls the laws of where you are and obey the laws of the land you are in.
    Honor Life
    A Jedi should never commit murder, for any reason. When confronted with a life-or-death struggle, however, a Jedi may have to kill to complete his task. This is always unfortunate, becuase deliberately ending a life strengthens the dark side. However, if the cause is justified - if the Jedi is protecting others, serving the will of the Force, or even merely acting in self-defense - then the light side is equally strengthened. A Jedi should spend some of his daily meditation reflecting on every life he has taken, until he knows the loss of life was necessary. As always, if a Jedi is unsure of the will of the Force, he should consult his teacher or the Jedi Council. A Jedi never should assume that any sentient life she takes is no cause for concern. When a Jedi finds that he doesn't care that he has killed, then he finds himself on the path to the dark side.

    Public Service

    While the Jedi exist to study the ways of the Force, they are allowed to exist becuase the serve the public interest. Were they unable to use the Force - indeed, if the Force did not exist - the Jedi would go on serving, becuase this is their mandate. The fact the Force is real, and that the Jedi are it's most devoted practitioners, only strengthens their resolve to use it in the service of common good.
    Duty to the Government
    The Government of the country you live in and the Jedi Order are not the same, and the Jedi hold no authority in that government. Nevertheless a Jedi should serve that government. The Jedi should act to preserve a Just Government, to uphold it's laws and ideals and protect it's citizens, but the hold no rank in the Government hierarchy. The Jedi serve when asked and stand aside at all other times.
    Render Aid
    A Jedi is obligated to assist those in need of aid whenever possible, and must be able to quickly judge the priority of doing so. Saving one life is important; saving multiple lives more so. This tenet does not require a Jedi to abandon other goals in every circumstance, but the Jedi must do their best to ensure that those in need of aid recieve it.
    Defend the Weak
    Likewise, a Jedi should strive to defend the weak against those who seek to oppress them, from one person suffering at the hands of another to an entire race held in thrall. A Jedi should always remember, though, that not all might be as it seems. The customs of other cultures should always be respected, even if they offend the Jedi's moral or ethical code. In every case, though, the Jedi should carefully consider the ramifications of his actions.
    Provide Support
    At times, a Jedi must stand aside to let others render aid or defend the weak - even though the Jedi could perhaps do a better job. The Jedi should assist by word or by action as required by the situation, offering advice when asked for, warning when necessary, and argument only when reason fails. Otherwise, the Jedi must remember that he wields a marvelous and potent tool in the Force, and he should be ready to use it on behalf of a good cuase.

    Circle of the Jedi

    The Jedi walks the circle; She lives the Five Practices which enforce the Five Tenets, which nurture the Five Traits, which bring the Five Truths, which counteract the Five Misconceptions.

    The Five Practices; Meditation, Martial Application, Mediation, Awareness, and Self-Discipline.
    The Five Tenets; Peace, Knowledge, Serenity, Harmony, the Force.
    The Five Traits; Strength, Objectiveness, Calmness, Wisdom, Humility.
    The Five Truths; Commitment, Self-Control, Learning, Sacrifice, and Guidance.
    The Five Misconceptions; Segregation, Religion, Complexity, Star Wars, Righteousness.

    Practices
    Meditation: Through meditation one learns to quiet and calm the mind, to connect and feel the Force.

    Martial Application: Defense, one trains their body to be as sharp as their mind. To protect oneself and others.

    Mediation: Diplomacy is the first venue of the Jedi. Using the mind and tongue to handle any situation.

    Awareness: A Jedi must be vigilant in his duties. This requires a quick eye and a keen mind.

    Self-Discipline: One of the cornerstones of Jedi behavior is self-discipline. As a student progresses so do the complexity of the lessons. The Jedi student learns that self-discipline is by far one of the most important lessons of all.

    Tenets
    Peace: Peace is much more than just an cessation of war. Jedi strive for peace without emotion both within and without. We seek peace within ourselves and outwardly. Acting from a clear and calm mind, from the vast peace found within the Force.

    Knowledge: Ignorance kills as surely as anger. A little knowledge might be dangerous, but a lack of knowledge can be deadly. For a Jedi knowledge begins with the self, and works outward. We seek knowledge that we may better serve others. Though it may not relate to our Path, all Knowledge is worth having.

    Serenity: A Jedi finds a vast calm within, remaining levelheaded even in a crisis. Keeping a serene mind to properly judge any situation. As Jedi serenity plays an important part in our lives. We are able to work from a objective standpoint free of base passions. Thus giving us a clear view in heated situations.

    Harmony: Moderation in all things. Excessive emotions, whether positive or negative, create an imbalance within the self. We as Jedi seek Harmony in all things. Balance is key to a Jedi’s life, balance between mind, body, and spirit. Balance between technology and nature. Harmony between ourselves, the Force, and the World we live in. The Force: A Jedi's ally and main study. The Jedi dedicate themselves to the Force, seeking to explore, experience and understand. It, with training, is what makes a Jedi a Jedi. We find the Force at the heart of our studies. It is what we seek to understand and explore as Jedi. Through the Force we connect to the rest of the world and act accordingly.

    Traits
    Strength: A Jedi is a pillar of strength, mentally, physically, and spiritually. It is this strength they lend to others when necessary.

    Objectiveness: A Jedi is neutral, looking at a situation from all sides. Regardless of one's position, a Jedi is unbiased.

    Calmness: A Jedi has a vast inner calm, which is expressed outwardly. No matter the situation a Jedi handles it with a calm demeanor.

    Wisdom: While Jedi take care of knowledge, they understand that it takes wisdom to use knowledge properly.

    Humility: A Jedi is not above anyone else. A Jedi must remember that he is no better than the people she serves. Which is why you'll find Jedi helping in lowly places as well.

    Truths
    Commitment: A Jedi dedicates herself to the Force and the Jedi path. A Jedi knows that she is dependable through her commitment.

    Self-Control: Jedi know that control begins with the self. Through self-honesty they gain through self-knowledge they gain self-control. And through self-control they are better able to help others.

    Learning: Always the student. A Jedi understands that he will never be done learning.

    Sacrifice: As Jedi we often have to sacrifice many things. We must give of ourselves to better help those around us and not neglect our studies.

    Guidance: A Jedi is a guide, for all of humanity. A Jedi lives as an example. And offer his insights freely. And eventually returns what he has learned back to the Jedi.

    Misconceptions
    Segregation: Jedi have long been divided into Light, Grey, Shadow, Dark, Blue, etc. yet this is unnecessary. As a Jedi is that, a Jedi. And though our individuality may distinguish us, it does not change what we are. And if one does not follow the Jedi Way, than they are simply not a Jedi.

    Religion: The Jedi, though having a faith-base, is not a religion. There is no form of worship, no doctrine for Jediism. The Jedi is a Way of Life, a Philosophy. Whether Christian, Buddhist, or whatever your religion may be you can still be a Jedi.

    Complexity: The Jedi Way is really not that Complex, though it may seem it. Simply living the Circle and following the training is enough. There is already useful books out there that can easily guide one along the Jedi Path.

    Star Wars: Though the Jedi are steep in the Star Wars mythos, it is not all they know. And one does not have to be a Star Wars geek or a (fictional)Jedi fanatic to become a Jedi. While Star Wars is our basis, it is not our reality.

    Righteousness: Jedi no matter how powerful or clever, or how many years they have been training, Jedi are NOT infallible. A Jedi should not try to be righteous in her acts, merely act as a Jedi should. There is nothing righteous or special about a Jedi, merely a person following and living their beliefs.




    Jedi Order Stamp