The Jedi Way

The Force is an energy field, which is generated by all things and has been theorized and experimented with, since the origin of man. The Force was somewhat understood by the yogis and martial artists of the Past. Many of these lessons have evolved from their studies of "ki" or "Chi", and "prana", in association with the universal life force. The Force encompasses everything, both animate and inanimate. Without the Force, there is no life. It is the knowledge of the Force and how to manipulate it through the power of the Will that gives the Jedi Knight his special abilities.

For many of you, this series of lessons will be as a seed planted in fertile soil, which will in due time put forth sprouts which will push their way gradually into the sunlight of your consciousness, where they will bring forth leaves, blossom, and fruit. Many of the fragments of these truths which will be presented will not be recognized by you at this time, but in the years to come, as you continue to train and progress, you will recognize the verity of these impressions, and then will you make these truths your own.

The student, who is in harmonious sympathy with his teachers while learning the ways of the Force, will establish a connection with them. In this way, the candidate will be able to grasp the essence of the teachings and to receive the benefit of the master's thoughts in a degree impossible to one who merely reads the words in cold print without the use of the Force.

It does not matter whether the statements are accepted as truth by all. Those who are ready for the truth, will intuitively recognize it, and as for the others, if they are not prepared to receive the truth, no amount of argument will assist in their progress. When a soul is ready for the ways of the Force, and the teachings are uttered in the presence of a qualified candidate, it will be recognized and appropriated. These teachings are just planting the seed, and that for every idea which the student grasps at first, there will be a hundred which will come into the field of conscious recognition only after the lapse of time.

We do not mean that A Teacher insist upon the student to blindly accept every truth that is presented. On the contrary, the candidate should accept as truth only that which is true for themselves, But the student is taught that before many truths may be so the candidate must develop and unfold along the path of the Force. Accept nothing as final or truth until you have proven it; but, if you are wise, you will profit by the advice and experience of those who have traveled the path of the Force before you. Everyone must learn by experience, but others may serve as pointers of the Way. At each stage of the journey it will be found that those Jedi who have progressed a little further on the path have left signs and marks and guide posts for those of you who follow. The wise man will take advantage of these signs. Teachers do not ask you for blind faith, but only for confidence until you are able to demonstrate for yourselves the truths they are passing on to you, as they were passed on to them, by those who went before. Or learned slowly over many, many years of trial and error.

One who wishes to go along the path of the Force needs to study the reality of the external universe and the reality of the universe within. Everything in the universe shares by nature, the same spirit with the universe. All phenomena; physical, mental and spiritual come from one source, and all is connected through the Universal Force. It is one of the duties assigned to the Jedi Knight that they should polish day by day the spirit shared with the universe so that their relationship with others and the Force may be in peace and harmonious with all.

The Way of the Jedi is to give life to all things, to reconcile the universe, and to foster the completion of everyone's journey along the Path. All Jedi Masters, Knights and Students should work together to accomplish these things.

Please understand that all Copyrights and Trademarks are legal and I acknowledge them all. As such nothing found here should be printed for sale it is here strictly as an aid to research of the Jedi Way in today's society. Trying to publish and sell the information found here is illegal and infringes on those Copyrights and Trademarks. Hence the reason I provide it free and clear to any that want it.

Also it should be noted that the information here is gathered from a mirid amount of sources including all the novels comics and information guides (including RPG's Books) put forth under the Star Wars mythos. It also includes a great deal of Philsopy from various Martial Arts and Eastern ways of Lifes. As such. I give full credit to these resource materials and do not claim to have actually written the information found here in but to have simply gathered it into one area.

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 pupose in life can one acieve calmness of mind. Only after ahaving 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-intrest 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 recieved 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 experiance 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 politness, 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 coruage. 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 unrealated 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 thoughlessly, 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'de enjoy that. You might want to re-examine your descion 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 experiance. Conversely, a Jedi cannot learn polite and acceptable social behavior by experiancing the Force. Thus, the Jedi Code is a set of guidelines for understanding the Force without sacrficing 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 stike 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 certian 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 responsibitlity 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 certian 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 certian 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 presense 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 presense of others. A Padawan should not disagree with his teacher to the point of arguement. 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 apoligising to others for the students behavior.

Honor the Jedi Council

Although the Jedi Council embodies the ultimate athority in the Jedi Order. It is not currently in existance. But always remember that when a Jedi speaks he speaks for the Council and all Jedi. This is an awsome 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 tremondous disrespect to put the council and other Jedi in an untenable postion. 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 incalcuable 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 sevreal Jedi can the public be certian 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, untill 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 athority 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 requiered 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.

Wisdom for Jedi

In this dangerous era, a Jedi must always be prepared for conflict....

To know where evil grows and permit it to flourish is to accept responsibility for all that follows.

Sometimes you have to listen to the silence. And give yourself the time to understand.

There is a thing inherent and natural, which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, it stands alone and never changes; it pervades everywhere and never becomes exhausted. It may be regarded as the creator of the universe. I do not know its name, I call it the Force, and I name it as supreme...

Don't you know that if you do evil, evil will come back to you?

Out of the Great Void came the universe, its galaxies, star systems, and suns. Everything that exists, and will ever exist, was spawned from the primordial plasma of time's beginning. Over billions of years planets formed and life arose through a steady progression of increasingly complex organisms. Woven into and intertwined with all of this --- from the smallest molecule to the largest star --- was the Force. As civilizations grew upon these newly formed planets --- newly formed on a celestial time scale, that is --- They began to sense, if only subconsciously at first, this mystical energy. Over the millennia the Force has been called by an uncountable number of names: The Unity, the Way, the Power, Magic. All hint at one aspect or another of the Force's all-encompassing presence, but none completely reflect its true nature.

And perhaps none shall, for the Force defies explanation. At times it seems dualistic, yet it has no separate components. Most prominent among the contradictions is the fact that the Force has two aspects, the light and the dark, yet without one the other would cease to exist. For most people these concepts hang well out of reach, celestial nonsense better left unconsidered. But for the select few, the Force is everything.

The Jedi is a vessel for the channeling of the positive energies of the Force. This power is not something that is derived or conjured, however, but ever present in the universe.

Jedi minstrels, a group known for its epic storytelling. The minstrels prefer to weave their tales as if the occurrences were happening at that moment of the recounting.

The truth or falsity of any individual event will forever remain a mystery.

Jedi stand for peace; they must use their weapons only as a last resort.

Concentrate, Feel the Force flow. Not outside or inside, but part of all. Through the Force you may see many things. It reaches across time and space. Other places, the future, the past. Old friends long gone.

Size does not matter.

A Jedi seeks not to know the answers, but to understand the questions.

To know is not what is important to a Jedi. Even to learn is not important. What is important is to study.

There is a tale among us, a legend preserved by the old tellers from the farthest distance of our past ... It is said that upon the edge of the Earth at the end of time stands a lone man who holds the meaning of it all ... It is said that he has mastered all skill and prowess that we desire, all restraint and calm, and has become perfection --- passion and mastery like onto the poised grandeur of mountains. And it is said, should ever one of us seek him out ... and contest with him, we will learn the measure of our worth, in defeat or triumph. Therefore we are a seeking people. In each heart among us beats a yearning for this test and the knowledge it offers.

Yet the path, which leads to him, is unknown, has never been known. It is said that this path must not be known --- that it may only be found by one who knows without knowledge and has not come seeking the thing he seeks. You are that one.

The Force is a Jedi's ally, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. We are luminous beings ... not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you.

A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind.

A Jedi's strength flows from the Force.

Don't give into hate. That leads to the dark side.

We cling to many truths; most depend greatly on our own point of view.

If you do not believe you will succeed. You will fail.

Fear and confusion are some of the weapons of the Dark side.

A Jedi must learn to sense the tension between the light and the dark.

You must remain strong in your commitment. You must preserver, and you must always embrace the light side. Do not believe that you can experiment with the darkness and come away unscathed. The taint of the dark side will remain with you forever after, and the temptations to use that evil power will come all that more often and all that more strongly. I say these things not to scare you, nor to dissuade you from your training. On the Contrary, I wish only to make you stronger in the light by offering you the knowledge that so many before you spent their lives discovering. Remember that knowledge and the Force will always be your shield against the darkness.

Do not resist the Role the Force wishes you to play, for things are not always what they seem.

A Jedi must rely on introspection to discover his destiny rather then on outside intervention.

A Jedi who tries with all his being never fails. It is the Jedi who gives up that fails --- Fails not only himself, but the Force as well.

When you demand something of the Force. Then by your own actions, you have proven that you are not ready to commune with the Force. One must surrender oneself to the Force and allow it to decide your destiny.

There is no difficulty. There is only Effort.

He who knows others is wise; He who knows himself is enlightened. He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty.

He who knows contentment is rich. He who keeps on his course with energy has will. He who does not deviate from his proper place will long endure. He who may die but not perish has longevity.

The Force is our power and our ally; The Force has always been with us. That is its nature. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the universe together. Those who become sensitive to its presence can learn to use it .... For good or for evil.

Every action, every seemingly insignificant effort --- no matter the source --- influenced the future, intertwining and building upon one other to create a new state of the universe, which lasted in such equilibrium for less then a moment, when it is shattered by the next series of actions.

A Jedi must learn many things among these things are the skills needed to control one's own inner Force. A Jedi with these skills learns mastery over the functions of his body and harmony with nature. A Jedi must also learn the skills needed to sense the Force in other things beyond the Jedi's own body. The Jedi learns to feel the bonds that connect all living things; this gives the Jedi the ability to understand how all things are interconnected. A Jedi must also learn the skills need to change the distribution and nature of the Force. A Jedi must learn how to move things with their mind, help others control their own Force, or change the Force in the Jedi's own Body, As well as change the perceptions of others and make them come to incorrect conclusions.

Serenity allows a Jedi to view the universe in its true form rather then in the shaded perceptions that most others see it in.

A wise man always walks with his head bowed.

Evil began in a time before recorded history, when magicians made themselves into kings ... and gods ... using the power of the dark side of the Force. The weak-minded have ever been ready to obey one who wields great power. Those who learned the powers of the dark side were quick to exploit this weakness --- to make war. Again and again the dark side has surged forth, like a storm ... devouring whole nations and entire civilizations. Those who mastered dark power became dark power. They unleashed destruction, for no other reason then selfish gain. Some of them, I am ashamed to say, were Jedi.

The penetrating light dissolves the dark. The gentle wind disperses the gathering clouds, leaving the sky clear and serene. The tiny soft roots of the wood pierce the hardest rock, breaking up those dark intrigues, which shun the light of day. All the while, the whispering music of the wind, and the gradual uncurling of the leaves produce tranquility and peace, appearing soft, gentle, unthreatening. The results of gentle penetration by the wind are less striking then the effects of aggressive force, but more enduring and more complete. This principle, wielded by a Jedi, is powerful and irresistible.

In this age of conflict, law and order is often enforced by those who fight only for pay, or by those who are willing to seek justice through force....

Even after you have mastered the basic tenets of the Jedi Way, and you have learned many of its techniques, you have only taken the smallest of steps into a greater world. Much remains for you to experience. The Force possesses many subtleties that hide from the uninitiated, revealing themselves only after years of practice. These will come in time, but you must at least begin to prepare yourself for this part of the journey. One of the most important concepts to assimilate concerns the difference between the light and the dark aspects of the Force. Many foolishly believe that each is immediately recognizable. Here the light there the dark. But it is not so. The two have no separation --- you should not consider them distinct entities. What links these two sides of the force is a nebulous area of gray wherein the allegiance of any given person is not immediately apparent. The light and the dark stand at opposite ends of the spectrum, as beacons respectively. But the multitudes of people lie somewhere in the center, some leaning toward the light, others falling toward the dark. These are the people who must be protected, who must be shown compassion and understanding, who must be guided to the light. These are the people who can be brought together beneath our luminescent banner to help us defeat the dark side.

A Jedi should realize that no one species be it humans or another is more important then any other. The world and the universe thrives on diversity; nature is but an amalgam of elements randomly assembled into finite entities, people, creatures, and objects that quickly fade and rise again in new forms. This concept, then, is the heart of all. It is the central tenet required to understand the universe.

All is one, and one, therefore is all. Duality does not exist in this statement. This is how you must think. This is what guides you, what tells you how to conduct yourself. This is the Force, the energy that lives in everything, that is existence itself --- You must concentrate on gaining understanding in this concept. It may seem impossible. Many Jedi, even some of the greatest Masters, will devote years to this very issue. Do not give up.

Some Jedi can actually speak with animals, forming a bond with them that can often be unnerving to those who can't.

The Jedi is guided by what he feels and not by what he sees. The hard and strong will fall. The soft and weak will overcome. The truth often sounds paradoxical.

So-called "sentience" does not equate with importance in the structure of nature. All creatures --- no matter their size, no matter their intelligence, no matter their station --- all beings in this universe have the same impact on this very moment. If a ladybug in Vermont flaps its wings, a star two dozen light-years away may erupt in a spectacular supernova. This is how closely bound all entities are.

Remember what you have heard so many times before: the Force penetrates all existence and links it together, making every element dependent on every other element. You must bear this concept in mind whenever you come to a crossroads. Let this understanding guide you; let the Force grant you the wisdom to choose the correct path.

Though what is about to be said may seem obvious at first, listen closely for the true meaning behind and within the words. Somewhere therein lies important understanding.

As civilization advances, its technology becomes more intricate, enabling sentient life to break through one boundary after another. First learning to traverse the world on beasts. But eventually each society develops machines that can propel its members over land and liquid, or high above the planets surface through the atmosphere.

These vessels now bring members of those civilizations together into a single community, where ideas and beliefs may be shared. Unfortunately, so, to, does war erupt between some that would never have meet had they remained confined to their native lands.

Notice that technology in itself does not possess good or evil. It does not have a light or dark nature. Those who use these devices may cause a vehicle, a ship, or even a weapon to seem to belong to one side of the Force or the other, but rarely do these items contain such an essence. This distinction is one of the keys to unlocking the secret of existence; remember it well.

A Jedi always takes advantage of the tools at hand. The ways of the dark side are often subtle and deceptive, so those who cling to the light must constantly be on guard. Many technological devices can aid in this task, especially those involving communication and healing. There are weapons, as well --- but these must be used only in times of dire need when lives hang in the balance and the Jedi must engage in battle to stave off the dark side.

As a Jedi you may be appointed the guardian of a system. Anyone of the countless systems in use. To effectively watch over your charge, you must understand it, as well as its history and its functions. You must come to know the systems as well as you know yourself. If not, your efforts will be wasted. So how are you to know which system to research? Study them all.

While a Jedi may be a force for peace he must remain vigilant against evil....

Many people who do not take the time to investigate it thoroughly too often reject the Jedi Way, all to quickly. Its growth-orientation, instinct-to-spirit spectrum, and transpersonal nature earn it instant dismissal because it is seen as "too mystical" or "The foolish fancy of those who are to heavily influenced by a series of films." Also the fact that it is a tradition that must be experienced --- it cannot be learned from books. Cause many who are unwillingly to take the leap required of them to realizing this psychology in their lives frequently attack it in word and print with remarkable lack of understanding.

The Jedi have been, and continue to be, widely misunderstood and viciously attacked due to their insights into the nature of reality and their creativity. It is one of those unfortunate facts of life that insight and creativity have never been welcomed by societies at large; the majority of people seem to prefer, instead, theories and lifestyles that imprison them. It is easier to live within the dictates of someone else's philosophy than live with the fear incurred through developing freedom, individuality, and personal wisdom.

The more you rely on technology to do the work for you, the farther you get from the essence of the creative power of your own channeled intentions. Be aware that technology can blind you to perceptions of broader realities.

As a Jedi you must learn to control your emotions. This does not mean to ignore them. On the contrary, you should make certain to understand how you are feeling at all times. Your task is to observe these thoughts and emotions, not to blindly act on them.

Step back for a moment from the cage that is your corporeal existence. Enter the vastness of the Force, where all beings and objects exist as one. There you will discover the answers to all your queries, where you will find guidance, where you will finally recognize your role in the universe.

Throughout the adventures of your limited life you must always come to this place to find the true path, the way of light.

Few beings receive the Force's call to join the Jedi, this band of scholars, healers, and warriors. And of those who begin the journey, only a dedicated few eventually become full-fledged Jedi.

Premonitions and Visions: Some Jedi experience premonitions, dreams and visions. Sometimes these events seem to be little more than random, impressionistic images, but at other times they are crystal clear glimpses of past, present, or possible future events. There will be much debate as to the cause of these phenomena --- perhaps it's the Jedi's subconscious at work, or perhaps it's simply a different way of sensing tremors in the Force --- but these occurrences can warn a Jedi of impending danger or summon the Jedi to "crisis areas" where their unique abilities are needed.

The Jedi Way is more then just a system of techniques for controlling, sensing, and altering the Force. It is a philosophy of existence in which the individual sees his true nature as a part of a larger whole. The Jedi seeks to live in harmony with the universe, focusing on discipline and awareness to reach his goal. Many are the temptations to grasp at ephemeral equilibriums, to create conflict between nature and the mind, to fall onto easier paths. This the Jedi strives to avoid at all costs, no matter how dear.

A Jedi should focus his efforts on creating harmony between all beings. They detest violence of any sort; reluctantly engaging in combat only after all other attempts at conflict resolution have failed.

A Jedi must always act from a position of peace and understanding, never out of fear or anger. Using the Force for selfish purposes --- self-gain, egotism, even convenience --- crosses the boundary between the light and the dark sides.

A Jedi must not allow evil to take place once they become aware of its working. To remain aloof in situations where a Jedi's intervention would prevent the dark side from attaining another foothold is the same as helping it do so.

A Jedi must constantly be wary of his path, making certain he does not stray toward the dark side, but remains firm in the light.

While the dark side does not outclass the light side in any way, it does offer a seemingly quicker --- yet more costly --- path to power. The dark side thrives on black thoughts, words, and actions, inducing beings to engage in such wickedness in exchange for ability to wield the Force to commit subsequent evil acts.

Often the darkness manifests itself in a subtle way to mask its presence from an individual as it coaxes him to stray further from the light. Only after the being has performed the act does the dark side reveal itself, pointing out how simple and easy power comes to those who fulfill its wishes. With such black-hearted deeds, the being steps further down the path to full immersion in the dark side, losing most of his former self in the process.

Remember we ALL have darkness within us. It is what makes us living beings, bound by the Force. We can never brush that darkness away. It is within us always. We can only learn to control it, like a dangerous beast that must be kept upon a chain.

The first goal of a Jedi is to maintain order and further the cause of peace....

Being a Jedi will not be an easy thing.... Though the very name conjures images of gallant heroism, Jedi themselves do what they must for the good of all life. Neither embracing adventure nor avoiding it, Jedi bring peace and justice wherever beings have lost their way. Jedi wield the energy they call the Force. They use it to perceive and affect the world around them in ways incomprehensible to others.

The Jedi should be a defender and protector of justice. By his example, belief in the Force will be accepted if not always understood.

There are some beings attuned to the Force. Whether they understand it or not, they can feel the Force flowing through them. Of those that are sensitive to the Force, Any who study it's ways can learn to manipulate its energy. The Jedi fall into this category, using their knowledge of the Force to give them their powers. But they are not the only ones. Understanding of the Force manifests in many ways.

Even those who don't believe in the Force and aren't particularly attuned to its flow can call upon the Force without understanding what they are doing. When a stroke of amazing luck occurs, or fate seems to be on their side and helps them accomplish a difficult objective, it is the force coming to their aid.

A Jedi is aware, but he does not waste time in mindless contemplation. When action is required, a Jedi Acts.

It is a foolish Jedi who thinks he has the strength of character to walk the path of the dark side and not be touched by it; that he can use the power of the dark side for the benefit of the universe.

The deep subconscious of a Force-sensitive person is shielded by a protective barrier, which prevents another Force wielder from penetrating his or her inner mind. This shield pushes violently back at the intruder. This "shield" is an involuntary defense mechanism maintained by every Force-sensitive person. The magnitude of the backlash generated by the shield depends on the person's strength in the Force.

The dark side philosophy is very different from the Jedi Code. Whereas a Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, a dark side user uses the Force to bend the universe to his will. The Jedi manipulates the Force passively, while in a state of calm and control. The dark side user gives himself over to his passions, and channels the Force by harnessing the power of anger, fear, hate, love, and jealousy. To use any dark side power is to relinquish any claim to call oneself a Jedi. Even the minor powers of the dark side are extremely dangerous for Jedi to use. Since they lead to the darkness.

While it is true that a Jedi uses his power only for defense, never for attack, it is equally true that a Jedi must nevertheless prepare with great vigilance, for only the Force knows when you may face your greatest battle.

The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.

The mysterious energy field known as the Force permeates the universe. It is created by life, found everywhere, a part of everything. It lies beyond that which can normally be perceived, yet a few beings know how to feel its ebb and flow. With practice and study, Jedi learn to manipulate that energy, gaining control over life, thought and matter.

The Force is the foundation of the beliefs of the Jedi.

A Jedi's aim is not to encourage fighting but to minimize it and curtail it.

A Jedi who kills innocent people, causes unnecessary or gratuitous injury, or uses the Force while angry or hateful is already well on his path to being a servant of the dark side.

The Force is an essential part of nature --- like energy or matter --- but it has yet to be quantified and analyzed. The Force is not to be understood in the same manner as the physical qualities of the universe. The laws of physics are observable; technology is predictable and readily controlled. The Force is neither controlled nor controlling --- it is a part of life itself; asking if it controls or can be controlled is like asking if a person controls his component cells or if they control him.

It is not known whether the Force has always been, came about as life evolved into intelligence, or if it coerced the evolution of intelligence. To the Jedi, it does not matter. It's enough to know that the Force is.

Even those who don't believe in the Force can unconsciously manipulate it and be manipulated by it. They may not be truly "Sensitive" to its flow, but they still call upon the Force without even realizing. These people seem to have an almost unnatural ability to accomplish their objectives, whether their intent is good or evil, or somewhere in between. The skeptical call it luck. The unbelievers may call it destiny or fate. It is the Force.

A Call to Action: A Jedi cannot allow evil to occur by inaction --- A Jedi who voluntarily stands by and allows evil to be committed is encouraging the forces of darkness.

Jedi are bound by the actions of those around them. It is not acceptable for a Jedi to associate with those who willfully commit evil.

When a Jedi is confronted by a situation where evil is being committed, the Jedi must act to prevent that evil. There are a variety of means at the Jedi's disposal --- persuasion, creating a distraction, armed action or simple mind tricks --- but intervention is necessary.

Tremors in the Force: The Jedi lives in harmony with the Force, sensing its flow, drawing upon its energies ... and sometimes perceiving "disturbances" and "presences" in that flow.

The actions of others can cause disturbances in the Force. A lone individual's impression might be like a candle flickering in the wind, while a great tragedy or act of great good may be like a sudden burst of lightning. Those who manipulate the Force often and with great power shine like the light of a sun.

Each time a Jedi draws on the Force, there is a slight tremor as the Force is subtly altered. If the Force is used sparingly and with harmony in the natural order of things, such tremors are slight and barely detectable even at close ranges.

Those who frequently use the Force cause many, many tremors. When the Force is relied upon --- used constantly to bend the universe to fit the will of the user --- such tremors may be great enough that Jedi even at great distances may detect them. Those who use the Force as a crude instrument of power are very likely to come to the attention of others.

New Jedi students are particularly likely to be detected. In their desire to master their powers, they often manipulate the Force ... yet their dabbling, if to frequent, draw the attentions of other nearby Force-users.

The dark side is perhaps the greatest threat a Jedi can face. It's always lurking in the shadows, a quick and easy temptation for an undisciplined Jedi filled with anger and frustration. The Jedi must be honorable and noble since Force-sensitives who act ambiguously are easily corrupted to the dark side.

A Jedi does not grasp at power. A Jedi is not a dominator, nor an oppressor. To grasp for power is to abandon the ways of the Force. Such a one ceases to know the Force, except in his dark side. To grasp at power is to take up the path that leads to destruction. The Dominator is the enemy, yes. But the Jedi does not use the dark side of the dominator against him.

Thinking is closer to trying then doing. Changing the future has got to require action, not just planning for action. While a Jedi acts in defense and not out of aggression, that doesn't mean aggressively putting a defense into place is bad.

Everyone is equal because the Force is in everyone. Jedi should not reject or look down or up to anyone because of social class, race, and creed because these things are artificial and because they stop the Jedi from seeing others as the Force sees them.

In all matters success depends on preparation; without preparation there will always be failure. When what is to be said is previously determined, there will be no difficulty determined, there will be no occasion for vexation. When general principles are previously determined there will be no perplexity to know what to do.

MAKING THE WILL SINCERE

What is meant by "making the will sincere" is that one should not deceive oneself. This sincerity should be like the sincerity with which we dislike a bad smell or love what is beautiful. This is called satisfying your own conscience. Therefore a Jedi is watchful over himself even when he is alone.

People usually lose their sense of judgment toward those whom they love, toward those whom they despise or dislike, toward those whom they fear, toward those whom they pity and towards those whom they pamper or are proud of. Therefore, there are few people in this world who can see the bad in those whom they like and see the good in those whom they dislike. As Jedi we seek to overcome these habits in ourselves. Thus seeing the truth in all people.

A Jedi first searches himself before he demands it of others, and makes sure first that he himself is not a transgressor before he finds transgressions in others.

Jedi should try to avoid completely four things: Arbitrariness of opinion, dogmatism, narrow-mindedness and egotism.

It is difficult to see examples of true Jedi. Everybody errs a little on the side of his weakness. Therefore it is easy for others to point out the shortcomings of those who follow the Jedi way. Then it is to point out their good qualities.

Humility is near to moral discipline; simplicity of character is near to the Jedi Way; and loyalty is near to sincerity of heart. If a man will carefully cultivate these things in his conduct, he may still err a little, but he won't be far from the standard of the Jedi Way. For with humility or pious attitude, a man seldom commits errors; with sincerity of heart, a man is generally reliable; and with simplicity of character, he is usually generous. You will seldom make a mistake if you use these points to begin from.

A Jedi has no worry and no fear. For if he looks within himself and is sure that he has done right in all things, what does he have to fear or worry about?

A Jedi should be ashamed if his words are better then his actions.

If you have the insight to perceive a truth, but not the wisdom to keep to it, you will lose it again, though you have discovered it.

A Jedi Knight must Remain Focused

Mastery of the Force requires that one purge all unnecessary activities from daily life.

A monk cannot fulfill the Jedi Way if he does not manifest compassion without and persistently store up courage within. And if a warrior does not manifest courage on the outside and hold enough compassion within his heart to burst his chest, he cannot become a Jedi. Therefore, the monk pursues courage with the warrior as his model, and the warrior pursues the compassion of the monk.

A Jedi Knight seeks excellence in all endeavors, martial and otherwise, seeking strength to be used in the service of justice, rather than in personal aggrandizement. A Jedi strives to excel physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, and can put these in motion instantly. This requires discipline, patience and perfect practice, for a Jedi is always mindful of what lies behind and what lies ahead.

Being a Jedi Knight often means choosing the more difficult path, the personally expensive one. Be prepared to make personal sacrifices in service of the precepts and people you value. At the same time, a Jedi Knight should seek wisdom.This also means taking the side of truth in all matters, rather than seeking the expedient lie. Seek the truth whenever possible, but remember to temper justice with mercy, for the pure truth can bring grief. However, it must also be noted that to a Jedi, to be brave in battle proves nothing, as bravery itself proves nothing. A Jedi should be prepared to put aside fear, regret, and uncertainty and either act, retreat, surrender or perish.

Value first the contributions of others; do not boast of your own accomplishments, let others do this for you. Tell the deeds of others before your own, according them the renown rightfully earned through virtuous deeds. In this way the office of Jedi Knighthood is well done and glorified, helping not only the gentle spoken of but also all who call themselves Jedi Knights.

Seek great stature of character by holding to the virtues and duties of a Jedi Knight, realizing that though the ideals cannot be reached, the quality of striving towards them ennobles the spirit, growing the character from dust towards the heavens. Nobility also has the tendency to influence others, offering a compelling example of what can be done in the service of rightness.

It is true that actions speak louder than words. However, behind every action is motive and a purpose. Without a sound motive and purpose, action has no meaning, no destination, and lacks a foundation. Action without motive and purpose does nothing other than to move for the sake of moving, beating the air to appear to doing something, when in fact is doing nothing, the proverbial spinning wheels in the mud. A Jedi moves with the Force. He meditates upon the Will of the Force. A Jedi's actions are firmly based upon a deep motivation to serve the Force of Light, and is deeply rooted in purpose. There is no wasted movement, or the need for action when none is required, for to a Jedi, action means nothing without a pure motive, or a sound purpose.

A Jedi's mind is a calm ocean, like a sea of glass. He realizes that it is in conquering the tides of the emotions as well as reactions to stimulus that allows the Jedi to be victorious in all things, for he is vessel for the Force, an extension of the Will of the Force. This inner stillness requires much discipline: mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. A Jedi by nature is highly disciplined in all levels of his being, that in the fiery moment where the Force must be released to defend self or others who deserve that loyalty, the action is a clear extension of many years of training and inner discipline.

It is sometimes necessary for a Jedi to practice discretion. Jedis do not actively interfere with the lives of the common people. Jedi stand for order and justice; however, Jedis prioritize and streamline their involvement, and do not allow the misdeeds of the few to interfere with the conscious direction received as to the Will of the Force and how their office as Jedi helps brings these into fruition. The goal of the Jedi should be to create and preserve an atmosphere where justice can flourish, rather than try to create justice themselves. A byword of Jedi could be, "I may not always agree with your choices, but I will defend your right to choose with my very life."

Being a Jedi

Being a Jedi involves a commitment within the person and a devotion to higher ideals. While a diplomat may choose the lesser of two evils or a scoundrel the more profitable of the two, a Jedi is held to a higher standard, and with his greater abilities comes increased responsibility.

The Goal Of Peace

The Jedi works first for peace, acting without consideration of costs to themselves or with an eye toward personal power or gain. Peace is not the result of a strong emotional drive (for emotions cloud the correct use of the Force) but rather a clear, dispassionate goal for the Jedi. Peace born of anger is no peace at all, and cannot last.

Individual Jedi strive for the goal of peace without emotion both within and without. The Jedi works toward his goal with unflinching devotion, untroubled by strong emotions. As a result, powerful Jedi have a cool, detached demeanor that some mistake for apathy.

Situations that challange the Jedi often involve combat, particularly mindless combat for no clear purpose (this doesn't just mean physical combat). For a Jedi, peace is much more then a cessation of war. For a Jedi to meet this goal, he must look to root causes and complaints, and to deal with basic conflicts between the participants. A Jedi who wins the battle but sacrifices the ability to judge dispassionately has lost his own personal war.

The Goal Of Knowledge

Ignorance kills as surely as anger. A little knowledge might be dangerous, but a lack of knowledge is deadly. Ignorance of others, ignorance of facts, and ignorance of truth sets individuals apart and leads to contention and violence. A Jedi spreads knowledge that unifies, binding peoples and countries together. This knowledge begins with the Jedi knowing their own capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Pride can cloud the mind and make them blind to their own flaws, which might be exploted by others. Failure causes doubt, which causes the Jedi to be less capable of realizing their own strengths. Jedi continually test themselves to see where the limits of their abilities lie, not as a goal in itself, but as a means to the goal of better understanding themselves.

The Goal of Serenity

In striving for serenity, the Jedi seeks more then just remaining levelheaded in a crisis. He finds a calm place within, and then projects that inner peace outward to affect others by word and deed. This serenity grants the Jedi a firm resolve.

The center of serenity is moderation in all things. Excessive emotions, whether positive or negative, upset a Jedi's touch with the Force and create an imbalance within the self, similar to an imbalance within the Force.

Challanges to a Jedi's serenity are many. The forces of the dark side always encourage the Jedi to give into hate, anger, and rage, and facilitate those feelings by giving the Jedi good reason to feel those emotions. Those close to the Jedi might be targets of attacks, or the ideals of the Jedi themselves might be sullied. The seduction of the dark side is more insidious, becuase less poerful or less positive emotions might be harnessed to provoke a rash action. Concern, affection, and even love can upset the balance of a Jedi's serenity and force the Jedi to choose between personal desires and the good of the Order.

The Unity of the Force

The Jedi Code represents the embodiment of the universal nature of the Force. The Jedi see themselves as the guardians of society, holding themselves to a high moral standard. They are role models, leading by example. The Jedi do not desire to rule, but rather wish to instruct so that society as a whole acts with greater justice and equality.

The Force is not inherently good or evil. it has it's light side and it's dark side. It is a tool, and like any other tool it can be misued. Ignorance leads to improper use of the Force; the unwise use the Force emotionally. Incorrect use of the Force can lead to death and destruction. Only through proper training can the Force be justly applied.

In addition, the Force is a necessary and vital part of the universe. Think of the Force as more than merely the means by which you gain skills and power. It is a metaphor for the universal nature of life itself, vibrant, dynamic, and dangerous. All Jedi are permeated by the Force, just as all beings are, but the Jedi are most aware of it. Events in one region might affect another, as if the universe were one interconnected being, with the Force as its blood and life.

The Internal Journey

A Jedi grows in power as he experiences the world, gaining more proficiency in combat and in applying the Force. In turn, the Jedi affects the world around him, spreading the doctrine of the Jedi Code and making the universe a better place for all.

This external growth and effectreflects an internal growth of the individual Jedi. As a person becomes more attuned to the Force, he is challanged to fully embrace the tenets of the Jedi Order. Every Jedi to the humblest student to the greatest Master has room to grow and develop. The nature of the universe is such that new challanges continually arise to test a Jedi, as he questions old assumptions and deals with new situations.

When teaching Jedi, stress the internal development of the student. Often a Jedi may have to sacrifice personal desires or goals for the good of the greater number. Jedi must deal with their own self-denial for the good of others.

The Challange of Temptation

Temptation poses the greatest threat to a Jedi, and the fall of a Jedi Knight often begins with one rationalized decision or errant choice. The nature of temptation provides a continual challange for Jedi.

Temptation takes myriad forms. The simplest urges the Jedi to provide an easy answer to a complex question. The answer might be immediately satisfying but creates long term problems. The arrest of a crim lord, for example, might be immediately fullfilling, but unless the crime lord's empire is also shut down, the arrest merely creates a situation in which another being will assume the crime lord's role. Usually after a bloody civil war within the group that almost always endangers countless innocent lives.

Another form of temptation comes from power of adulation and the threat of success itself. Accepting personal rewards is dangerous for a Jedi, for it inspires belief in his own abilities that might exceed the truth. In effect the Jedi comes to believe his own hype. The Jedi should learn instead that true satisfaction comes from the sense of well-being within, not from the approval of others.

A Third form of temptation is the nature of power itself. The Jedi should be a force for good, which keeps them from using their abilities to rule others. This is an extremly powerful temptation, becuase Jedi often face ignorance and folly in their daily lives. The Jedi can be tempted to deal with such folly (bureaucracy is particularly rife with it), yet once that kind of interference starts, it soon escalates to a point where a Jedi encourages the very ignorance he once fought against, in the name of ruling others "for their own best intrest."

Temptation starts small - using the Affect Mind skill to deal with a petty argument, losing your temper when making a point, taking pleasure in battle. From these small blemishes the corruption grows.

Rising From The Ashes

Would-be Jedi must understand that failure should never be the end. The Jedi Code places a heavy load on the Jedi, requiring almost superhuman abilities for them to accomplis all it's demands. In large and small ways, all Jedi eventually fail the challanges posed by the code in some way. They might feel anger or succumb to temptation. They might work against the balance of the Force, even with the best of intentions. They will fall from the high ideals they hold. The true failure of a Jedi is not stumbling or failing to live upto the ideals of the Order. The true failure occurs if, once having fallen, the Jedi fails to rise again. Many Jedi who have failed in one of their tasks consider themselves beyond redemption or forgiveness, and in doing so open themselves to the dark side.

Jedi strive to live up to the Jedi Code and the teachings of their masters. When (not if, but when) a Jedi fails to attain those goals, the only choices are to let the failure dominate his life, or to rise from the ashes of that defeat and strive to make peace with himself through the Force.

That is the way of the Jedi.

Life As A Jedi Knight

Upon completing his training, a Jedi apprentice becomes a Jedi Knight. His life suddenly loses a great deal of structure. He no longer lives and trains on his Teacher's scheduale, though he might still cling to it out of habit. Instead, he stands ready to undertake any task that a Jedi can undertake, or resolve any problems that he discoveries on his own. In gaining this freedom and taking on responsibility, the Jedi Knight's life becomes considerably more complicated than when he was simply required to heed his Teacher's instructions and follow his advice. He gains a great deal of autonomy, but loses an equal amount of direction.

The Teacher still has the responsibility to provide the newly titled Jedi Knight with a task, one that gives the new Knight time to adjust to his new status. For some Knights, this is a solo mission, not unlike the mission they might have taken at the culmination of their trials. They might be assigned to assist another Jedi Knight. Others recieve an appointment to an office within the Jedi hierarchy based on their skills and talents. They become archivists, researchers or other similar postions. Some might even help train their Teacher's new student as a primer for training their own, or go on a journey of discovery, during which he could find a place or a problem that needed a Jedi Knight. He might also join a group of others to help a noble cause.

Such a Jedi Knight has great autonomy. He might wander the world, lending his skills where they are needed. Alternatively, he can pursue a specific goal such as watching over a person or researching Jedi lore to it's completion, even if that means spending the rest of his life in one place. Such descions are subject to change if the Order has more important tasks for the Jedi Knight.

Training Duels

When Jedi need to practice their fighting skills, they call upon one another to duel. When they choose to use weapons capable of killing one another, Jedi must be careful not to seriously injure one another.Similarly, when a Jedi Teacher teaches an apprentice the art of combat, he must be mindful of not only his own attacks but those of his student, who might lack the control to attack without harm.

Jedi in Training Dueals check their attacks. Jedi also observe certian customs of dueling etiquette, both to perserve harmony and to guarantee the safest possible duels. Much of this thinking carries over into the day-to-day behavior of the Jedi Knights.

Fighting Duels are for Practice, not for Resolving Disputes

The Jedi realize that temptation to solve problems with fighting is often very strong. especially for younger Jedi. Thus, this rule is generally the first imparted to a Jedi when his training begins.

Never Endanger Bystanders

The Jedi Teachers should sternly reprimand Jedi who duel in public, specifically becuase they wish to avoid accidents.

The Duel Ends if Someone is Injured

An injured Jedi who insists on continuing a duel might not be thinking clearly. Thus, the duel ends the moment one of the participants suffers a wound. Paradoxically, most Jedi do not consider wounding an opponent in a duel as a victory. Instead, it tells them that they have unconsciously wanted to injure their opponent, which is cause for meditation. A Jedi who has injured an opponent in a duel generally does not participate in a duel again until asked. Some even wait until the opponent they have injured asks for a duel.

Always Honor a Request to End the Duel

When a Jedi asks for the duel to end, it is considered good form to immediately do so. Customarily, the person who makes the request puts away his weapon or bows if in hand to hand fighting when he makes the request. However, some Jedi Teachers use this point as atest. They leave their weapon out to see whether their apprentices are unwise enough to lower their defenses against an armed opponent - even one they otherwise trust.

Never Strike an Unarmed Opponent

Jedi Consider armed attacks against an unarmed opponent possiable evidence of the dark side's influence. Of course, the same thinking does not apply to unarmed attacks against an unarmed opponent.

Never Strike an Opponent Who is Unprepared

Even an armed opponent may not be ready for an assult, so the Jedi customarily indicate battle readiness either with a formal salute or by adopting an "on guard" stance. Any other stance indicates that the combatant is not prepared for combat, though he could still verbally indicate otherwise. A weapon held to one side and directed at the floor signifies the default "at rest" stance.

Never Use the Force During a Duel

Duels are a test of combat skill, not of proficiency with the Force. If a Jedi uses the Force against his opponent during a duel, it is taken as a sign of desperation. This provides a good reason to end the duel, before someone gets hurt.

Unfortunately, the habit of not using the Force in combat practice sometimes works against the inexperienced Jedi It does not occur to them that their opponents might not respect this custom. Similarly, using the Force to improve fighting skills is allowed if both participants agree to such beforehand. Calling upon the Force however, is considered extravagant and disrespectful to the Force.

When Practicing Armed Combat Un-Armed Combat Tactics are Considered Fair Game Despite the injunction against using the Force, other combat tactics are perfectly legal, since weapon combat involves more than simply exchanging blows. Jedi frequently employ rushing, disarms, knockdowns, and trips, though grapples are generally frowned upon. Attacking an opponent's weapon to try and destroy it is a gross sign of disrespect, since it damages the personal property of a fellow Jedi. Consequently, few Jedi resort to this tactic. Except in life-or-death struggles.

Wisdom for Jedi Teachers

An individual who decides to take on a Force student must tread carefully. The responsibilities associated with such a position may not become apparent until it is too late. An instructor must constantly watch for pupils with a propensity for seeking the easy path to power, who do not possess the will to resist the temptations of the dark side. Empowering such weak souls can have dangerous consequences --- for both the instructor and the universe as a whole.

All Force teachers develop a permanent relationship with their students --- the Jedi Way demands it. If a Jedi turns to the dark side, the Jedi's instructor must expend every effort to return them to the light, or to destroy them if efforts to severe the dark side's grip fails. The taint of darkness does not easily wash away, and cannot be hidden. Any Jedi who commits an act of evil should know to expect a visit from a former mentor in the near future.

You must examine everything about a person before you consider teaching them. Go and see them assess what sort of a person they are. Find out what they are like. Annoy them, and then study what they say and whether they get angry and whether they are arrogant. It is only after testing a person well that you can know whether you can teach them.

Training Jedi is a most rewarding pursuit, but one ringed with unseen perils. Never, oh master Jedi; rest easy when your pupil begins to grow anxious to learn at a pace greater than that which you have set for him. Such impatience is natural in the young and inexperienced, and a commendable trait in a student. But it also signals a time when the pupil is most open to the temptation of stepping onto the broad path of instant gratification and easy advancement that leads to the dark side. Beware, Jedi Master, lest through carelessness and inattention you loose on the universe a monster...

Jedi training must proceed at a slow pace. Too much power gathered too quickly can corrupt even the most selfless and devout apprentice Jedi. A Jedi student must be properly humble in his powers, and mature enough to embrace the tremendous responsibility that comes with wielding the Force. A student impatient with the slow pace of tutorship, a gifted student eager to dispense with "pointless exercises" and embrace the "true" powers of the Force misses the entire point of being a Jedi. The Jedi does not crave power, but seeks to serve others, without the expectation of becoming "great in the Force." The true Jedi is cautious, and reluctant to learn too much to quickly. Overeager students run a fearful risk of opening themselves up to the temptations of taking the deceptively easy path of the dark side.

Whatever the teacher teaches, it will add up to only one quarter of the student's knowledge. A quarter he derives from his own personal interest, and from hard work; a quarter comes from the Force, and the final quarter comes in his old age from his own personal experiences.

Those who come to learn from you have already made a decision to explore a new life. You need to let them do that. You need to challenge them, and challenges aren't just those involved with their skills. You must also challenge their characters. Some students will fail, and if they don't learn how to deal with failure, if they don't have the spine to recover from it, you should not teach them. The path to the dark side is not one found by failure at a skill. But by failure of the character.

At times, a Jedi may wish to use the Force in a way not explicitly covered by what he is being taught. Feel free to allow this. If the proposed attempt is consistent with the spirit of what he has been taught. Experienced Jedi, especially have learned to subtly alter the Force at a subconscious level, enabling them to extrapolate from the rigid parameters normally followed during training.

Only certain individuals can recognize the Force for what it is. They will no doubt be mercilessly labeled: charlatans, fakers, mystics --- and worse. Even fewer can make use of it. As it is usually beyond their control, it frequently will be too powerful for them. Their fellows --- and worse will often times misunderstand them, because of this.

Among those who learn to manipulate the Force, the Jedi is but one path. Each Jedi relates to the Force in a different way, drawing upon a wide variety of powers --- different manifestations of how the Jedi can manipulate his own internal Force and the Force of the universe around him. Students of the Force can learn to slow or stop their own life functions, accomplish physical tasks that others would consider impossible, and even move physical objects by the power of the mind alone.

Others beside the Jedi know how to manipulate the Force. They often attribute their powers to different sources --- magic, shamanism, religion, meditation, ancestor worship, or any of a million other forms of insight --- but through whatever means, they are using this mystic energy to change the world around them for better or worse.

Most people outside the Jedi Way think that the Master is the highest level, the mark of an "expert" but this is not at all true. While Master means one has worked hard, and is good, this rank is only the first level out of many more levels. Master means that the student has learned the basics well, is a serious student, and is now ready to learn what being a Jedi is really all about. It is during the next ten, twenty, or thirty years as they progress that they truly earn this title. In the Jedi Way as in all things, there is no end to training. One can always learn more.

If the Jedi would guide the people, He must serve with humility. If he would lead them, He must follow behind. A Jedi teacher will seldom take on more then one pupil at a time, but some instructors will accept several students at once.

When training students test them to find out where they are sufficient and where they are lacking.

The master teaches the student. There are twelve lessons; each of them is an accepted truth.

1. Follow the heart.
2. There are no secrets.
3. Laugh at the cleverness of the darkness and the darkness will defeat itself.
4. Death is nothing to one who does not fear death.
5. Love, in the pain of its loss, is finally gained, for the first time.
6. You, yourself, are your only teacher.
7. Kindness is cruelty, cruelty is kindness.
8. Stop for charity, no matter what the cost, and there will be benefit instead of cost. It does not matter for whom.
9. It has all happened before. Everyone and no one has been here before, and no matter how obscure it may seem to you, "the universe is ... unfolding as it should," or more precisely, as it cannot help but do.
10. There are no prizes worth having. vThe ultimate quest has no ending, and that fact is what gives the quest its ultimate value.
11. Tie two birds together and they can fly, if they become one.

If you take on too much without a solid foundation, you will eventually be drained, leaving you with embarrassment and bad luck.

Understanding how people can be manipulated through emotions, for example, is as useful for those who wish to avoid this as it is for those who wish to practice it.

A Jedi should have three treasures that he keeps and prizes: one is kindness, second is frugality, and third is not presuming to take precedence over others. By kindness one can be brave, by frugality one can reach out, and by not presuming to take precedence one can survive effectively. If one gives up kindness and courage, gives up frugality and breadth, and gives up humility for aggressiveness, one will die. The exercise of kindness in battle leads to victory, the exercise of kindness in defense leads to security.

FALLEN JEDI

The fallen Jedi is a tragic figure. Once a paragon of virtue, he or she has turned from the Jedi Code to pursue other goals. Though not necessarily an evil person, the fallen Jedi found the code too limiting or unrealistic, or perhaps didn't have the dedication to continue his or her studies. Chose your students wisely else you create one of these tragic figures.

A Jedi teacher encourages meditation and forethought, as well as strict observance of the Jedi Way in his students. As well as encouraging them to be mindful of the future, to open their minds to the countless possibilities that each action engenders, and to see which are the most likely to serve the greater good.

Many cultures have different understandings of the workings of the Force; "Witches", "Monks" and "Mystics" are but three such groups. Some ways of knowing the Force are different but no less noble or "good" than the Jedi Way, while others are clearly more neutral or even evil in intent. Because of the unique ways in which each of these viewpoints manipulates the Force, their skills and powers can vary dramatically. Here are a few points to consider when studying them.

That way's rules, skills and powers. Because of different perspectives, each "Way of knowing the Force" may have different Force skills and powers. Some methods use radically different skills and powers --- you consider all these rules.

How does the student gain skills and powers. Is there a set ritual or training regime to educate students. Some ways may use academies, while others may emphasize a close student and master relationship. Still others ways of the Force may be known only through meditation, myths, hidden writings or ancient rituals.

What standards are the students expected to adhere to. Some methods of knowing the Force require students and practitioners to adhere to a strict code of conduct. Other methods may offer the student a great deal of personal freedom. What are the methods rules. What are the punishments for disobeying the rules --- will the student be cast out, not be taught new skills and powers ... or will the student face involuntary servitude, and imprisonment or worse. The definitions of "good" and "evil" vary from culture to culture ... although the rules of the Force do not. Some ways of knowing the Force may be rooted in the dark side, requiring a student to commit evil to progress in his studies. The student, due to her culture, may accept these teachings as "perfectly natural," yet they will still drive the student to the brink of the dark side. When confronted with this moral challenge, those who are strong in the light side may be forced to leave the discipline and seek out another method of mastering the Force.

The Jedi Way is a rich tradition, certainly deep enough and wide enough to be approached and interpreted from a number of perspectives and still "survive" the translation into other fields of knowledge with many of its central tenets intact --- assuming, of course, that the translator approaches his task with integrity and thoroughness.

Strength is not just a matter of extensive territory and a large population, victory is not just a matter of efficient armaments, security is not just a matter of high walls, authority is not just a matter of strict orders and frequent punishments. Those who establish a viable organization will survive. Even if they are small, while those who establish a moribund organization will perish even if they are large.

You must be careful whom you teach the Jedi Arts to. For this art cannot be given to those who will use it bully other people. The Jedi arts are for those of good character who will protect people from evildoers. In fact, if the student does not have the right attitude, you could teach them for the rest of your life and theirs, and they still would not comprehend it.

Give your students certain exercises to make them healthier and stronger, telling them they cannot become spiritually strong if they are physically weak. Students should do supplementary exercises like running to increase their breathing powers and leg strength. They should do plenty of stretching to give them flexibility, making movement easier and lessening the chance of injury. They should do weight training to increase their strength, lifting light weights many times in a row. Weight training should not be confused with weight lifting --- lifting hundreds of pounds at one time; or with muscle building --- lifting weights to develop muscles primarily for looks.

The way of a Jedi Master must be in harmonizing people. When people are in harmony, they will not fight against each other, without being exhorted to do so. If the Masters and Knights are suspicious of each other, others will not join their group; if loyal advice is not heard, small minds will talk and criticize in secret. When hypocrisy sprouts, even if you have the wisdom of the most ancient Jedi you could not convince even one person, let alone a crowd of them.

When it comes to establishing rules and regulations, everyone, high and low, should be treated alike.

It is for sure, on the very coldest day of the year, when there is frost on the ground and a good strong wind that the instructor takes the students outside to train. For those who don't mind the cold there is always summer training. On a hundred-degree day in august, when people are too hot even to walk down the street, the Jedi students are taken for a run outside, farther then they have ever run in their lives, and then brought back to the training hall to work out some more --- with the windows closed.

To the outsider this looks like madness, but important lessons are being taught. Much to their surprise the students survive, and learn that not only did they not get terrible colds or frostbite in winter, or pass out and melt into puddles in summer, but also they even felt good after the workouts.

What students learn from this is not that their teacher is cruel, but rather that their own bodies and minds can do much more than they ever dreamed possible. They learn that most limits they put on themselves were just made up in their own heads, and are not real at all.

The Jedi, like anything else, have to constantly improve from generation to generation, or from moment to moment, for that matter; not because "new" is better, but because each moment has left its mark on the next so that we need not repeat the same mistakes and inadequacies, and so that we can change with the changes.

Tradition has much to teach us. However, it must serve our needs and not become our master. The Jedi is a forever-growing art. It will always have room for improvement.

It is vital that dedicated individuals and collective groups continue to expand and spread their knowledge for the furtherance of the art, rather than wasting energy and effort contending with the accomplishments of the past or protecting the status quo through the repression of original thought. Training methods and techniques are not carved in stone. There is still something left to be said by us latter-day mortals.

This is not to say that the last word has been spoken in regard to the traditional approaches to the Jedi Way. We are not about to reject the old Masters. What is needed is a reawakening of lost ideals and natural principles, coupled with radical new techniques and procedures. There exists, engraved within the collective unconscious of the human race, forgotten knowledge always ready to surface into the conscious. All we need do is tap into our own inner selves through techniques, which are readily available to us.

Artificial lifestyles and arrogance have caused us to lose touch with the ancient wisdoms. Fear and complacency keep us from breaking free. Knowledge and wisdom do not come from man's distorted intellect but through our ability to discover and accept the natural and simple truth of our place in the universe. The Jedi as a concept and an idea never ceases to evolve. It continues to grow, expand and mature. It can only germinate in a vessel of experience, warmed with the spirit of innovation, encouraged by faithful enthusiasm, dedication and commitment.

Nothing begets one; one begets two; two begets three; three begets all things. All things are backed by the darkness and faced by the light, and harmonized by the Force. What others teach, I also teach: The daring and violent do not die a natural death. This (maxim) I shall regard as my instructor.

How can a Jedi see straight, when he does not even see himself and the darkness he unconsciously carries with him into all his dealings.

Suffering accepted, darkness recognized, and sorrows understood are great assets to the authentic life of the spirit. Composure, serenity, and the authentic psychic strength all arise from the recognition and acceptance of the reality of evil and darkness, and not from their denial due to false optimism.

From the ancient mythologies of the world, to the more modern religions, there has existed the notion that there is a "dark side" to all things. Wherever there is light, there is also shadow. And each of us has a dark side.

But what is this dark side in each of us? And how does it relate to the Jedi? The dark side of any person is comprised of those qualities that he or she considers negative. These negative parts of our selves are usually those parts that do not coincide with how we would like to think of ourselves. And these unacceptable aspects of our being are pushed out of awareness, or repressed. They become unconscious, and so we are no longer aware of them.

With our negative and inferior qualities repressed, it would seem we would be done with them. But this is not the case. Even potentially positive aspects are transformed when they are repressed. In other words, the moment we fail to acknowledge certain aspects of ourselves they become negatively charged. And the process does not end there, either. What is repressed, and no longer attributed to ourselves, is projected and experienced as a part of others. Indeed, we will never find our dark sides if we look inside ourselves. We find them when we look at others and experience types of people whom we have strong negative reactions to. Of course, most people are not interested in discovering their own dark sides. They are only interested in making sure they are right and others are wrong. As Jedi we must avoid this.

It takes tremendous courage to face our own dark side, to admit that we have qualities of being that we wish we were free from, to acknowledge our inferior sides. We all want to be strong, powerful, and secure, not the opposite. But the way of the Jedi is not found by ignoring our weaknesses, but by seeking them out, working with them, and "correcting" them.

It is inherent in human nature that whatever is "different" is feared. Although this comes from our distant past, and is "designed" to aid our survival. It has persisted as a fundamental aspect of human psychology.

In order to understand the Force. You must first understand what the Force is. The Force is the energy, which fills the universe. There are three general types of Force Energy. The Universal Force, The Living Force and Personal Force energy. The Universal Force controls and affects all things. The Living Force affects all living things within the Universal Force. It is influenced and controlled by the Universal Force. The Personal Force affects the living thing that creates it. Both the Universal Force and the Living Force influence it. Since the Personal Force is part of both the Living and the Universal Forces, you must adjust yourself, to fit more smoothly into the natural cycle they follow. When training students. This is an important concept to pass on to them. Since the Universal Force has within it the Living Force. And with in the Universal and Living Force lives man with his Personal Force. Their actions affect all three.

The ultimate goal and purpose of the Jedi way is to find a peaceful and natural state. In order to reach this goal you must first understand your body and how it works within the Force. This state makes it possible for you to find the origin of your life, and to combine your Personal Force with that of the Living Force and through it with that of the Universal Force. As well as focusing both of them through you.

You should do your best to spread the ideas. What do you care if they are not accepted? It is not for you to force others to accept. But for you to offer the way.

If you begin to teach a man who is not deeply concerned or determined to find out the truth, you should try and stimulate his thinking, by offering one-forth of what he seeks to learn. If the man does not go back and reflect and think out the implications in the remaining three-fourths for himself, he is not serious about learning.

For everyone called to teach there are seven cardinal directions to be attend to:

1. Cultivating their personal conduct.
2. Honouring worthy men.
3. Cherishing affection for, and doing their duty toward, their family.
4. Showing respect to those who taught them.
5. Identifying themselves with the lessons to be taught.
6. Encouraging the introduction of all useful arts.
7. Taking interest in the welfare of their students.

A wise teacher constantly goes over what he has learned; in doing so he gains some new knowledge each time. For one who goes over what he has already learned and gains new understanding from it is worthy to be a teacher.

Whenever walking in a company of three, you can always find a teacher among them (Or one who has something to teach you). Select a good person and follow his example, or see a bad person and correct such things in yourself.

When you find a person worthy to talk to and fail to talk to him, you have lost your man. When you find a man unworthy to talk to and you talk to him, you have lost (wasted) your words. A wise man neither loses his man, nor loses his words.

THE IDEAL TEACHER

The principles of teaching Jedi are as follows: first, prevention, or preventing of bad habits before they arise. Secondly, timeliness, or giving the students things when they are ready for them. Thirdly, order, or teaching the different subjects in proper sequence. Fourthly, mutual stimulation, or letting the students learn from each other.

On the other hand, to forbid them after they have already acquired bad habits would seem to make everything go against their grain and efforts at correction would be without success. To teach them after the young age is past would make the learning difficult. To fail to teach the different lessons in their proper order would bring chaos in their studies, without good results. To study a subject all alone without others would make a student to narrow in scope, lacking in general knowledge. Bad company would encourage them to go against their teachers and bad pastimes would cause them to neglect their studies. These six things cause the breakdown of Jedi Learning.

Therefore in his teaching the Jedi Master guides his students but does not pull them along; he urges them to go forward and does not suppress them; he opens the way, but does not take them to the place. Guiding without pulling makes the process of learning easy; and opening the way without leading the students to the place makes them think for themselves. Now if the process of learning is made gentle and easy for them and the students are encouraged to think for themselves, we may call the man a good teacher.

There are four common errors in education, which the teacher must beware of. Some students try to learn too much or too many subjects, some learn too little or too few subjects, some learn things too easily and some are too easily discouraged. These four things show that individuals differ in their mental endowments, and only through knowledge of the different endowments each has can the teacher correct their mistakes. A teacher is but a man who tries to bring out the good and remedy the weakness of his students.

At some inconceivably prior point in the distant past, the undifferentiated primordial unity which preceded the formation of stars and planets and all the various elements and energies of the universe was rent asunder to produce two polar forces that set in motion the ceaseless flux of creation. Known by most as the "Big Bang". The two came to be known as light and dark, and the polarity to which they gave rise, and which in turn gave birth to everything in the universe, is called the "Great principle of Light and Dark".

Cultivating spiritual virtues such as wisdom, compassion, patience and tolerance is every bit as important in the Jedi Way as cultivating physical strength, health, and power, for without the virtues of spirit, the power of the Force is easily bent towards dark purposes by the fickle.

The end result of all Dark applications of the Force is the loss of power, erosion of health, foreshortening of life and ultimately exclusion from the higher realms of existence after death.

The reason for this is quite clear: besides nurturing the energies required for life and promoting longevity of the physical body, the Jedi Way also opens a gate to the infinitely powerful forces of the universe and establishes a direct link between the personal energy field of the individual practitioner and the universal energy fields of the universe and all creation. Anyone who tries to harness this power without respecting the wisdom and compassion with which it is inseparably linked at the source of creation is truly 'playing with fire' and is very likely to get badly burned.

In human life, most people enslave their minds and spend their energies to serve their bodies and satisfy their desires, thereby 'mistaking the servant for the master'. In the higher orders of the universe which life reflects, spirit is the master, and energy is the tool through which spirit expresses itself creatively in material form. In order to harness the power of the Force for the benefit of humanity, human beings must pattern their bodies as well as their minds on the universal order of creation reflected in nature and the cosmos and known as the Force, for this is the context in which human life evolved. When practicing the Jedi Way, one must learn to balance physical health and vitality with spiritual awareness and virtue, for that is the one and only way the Force works.

Important Points to Teach a Student

Centering Exercises:

Unless a student has already awakened Force abilities within himself or herself, a Jedi Teacher should focus most early instruction on meditation techniques to overcome fear and resist impulses to act in anger.

Force Training:

The Knowledgeable teacher instructs students in the ways of the Force. In doing so the teacher helps them understand their own natural abilities as well as what Force skills work best with those abilities in mind.

Combat Training:

Jedi Teachers should focus their instruction in this area on hand-to-hand and melee combat styles that allow a student to subdue opponents, as well as styles that lend themselves to augmentation by the Force.

History and Philosophy:

This should be a major part on any Jedi's education. All teachers should focus on the academic side of the Jedi Tradition as well as the combative side.

If there is one thing all Jedi teachers should drive home to their students, it is this: "A Jedi seldom starts a fight, but he usually finishes it". This statement should be issued in context with the Jedi Code, which calls for Jedi, When it is appropriate to meet force with equal force and to fight defensively while turning the attacks of enemies back upon themselves.

When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly.

When people see some things as good, other things become bad.

The Jedi Teacher acts without doing anything and teaches without saying anything. Things arise and the Teacher lets them come; things disappear and the Teacher lets them go. The Teacher has but doesn't possess, acts but doesn't expect. When His work is done, He forgets it. That is why it lasts forever.

The Force is like a well: used but never used up. It is like the volume of outer space: filled with infinite possibilities.

The Force doesn't have sides; It prefers neither the Jedi or the Sith It is the Master who knows dark and light; And uses the Force as he feels he must to serve the Light.

The Force is like a bellows: it is empty yet infinitely capable. The more you use it, the more it produces; the more you talk of it, the less you understand.

The Jedi stays behind; that is why he is ahead. He is detached from all things; that is why he is one with them. Because he has let go of himself, he is perfectly fulfilled.

Do your work, then step back. The is the only path to serenity.

Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as fear.

What does it mean that success is a dangerous as failure?

Whether you go up the mountian or down it, you can still fall.

When you stand with your two feet on the ground, you will always keep your balance.

What does it mean that hope is as hollow as fear?

Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the self. When we don't see the self as self, what do we have to fear?

The Jedi Master doesn't seek fulfillment. Not seeking, not expecting, he is present, and can welcome all things.

The Master keeps his mind always at one with the Force; that is what gives him his radiance.

The Force is ungraspable. How can his mind be at one with it? Because he doesn't cling to ideas.

Since before time and space were, the Force is. It is beyond is and is not. How do I know this is true? I look inside myself and see.

The Jedi Master, by residing in the Force, sets an example for all beings. Because he doesn't display himself, people can see his light. Because he has nothing to prove, people can trust his words. Because he doesn't know who he is, people recognize themselves in him. Because he has no goal in mind, everything he does succeeds.

When the ancient Masters said, "If you want to be given everything, give everything up," they weren't using empty phrases. Express yourself completely, then keep quiet. Be like the forces of nature: when it blows, there is only wind; when it rains, there is only rain; when the clouds pass, the sun shines through.

If you open yourself to the Force, you are at one with the Force and you can embody it completely. If you open yourself to insight, you are at one with insight and you can use it completely. If you open yourself to loss, you are at one with loss and you can accept it completely. Open yourself to the Force, then trust your natural responses; and everything will fall into place.

The Jedi is available to all people and doesn't reject anyone. He is ready to use all situations and doesn't waste anything. This is called embodying the light.

The Jedi does his job and then stops. He understands that the galaxy is forever out of control, and that trying to dominate events goes against the current of the Force. Because he believes in himself, he doesn't try to convince others. Because he is content with himself, he doesn't need others' approval. Because he accepts himself, the whole world accepts him.

Weapons are the tools of fear; a decent creature will avoid them except in the direst necessity and, if compelled, will use them only with the utmost restraint. Peace is his highest value. If the peace has been shattered, how can he be content? His enemies are not demons, but living beings like himself. He doesn't wish them personal harm. Nor does he rejoice in victory. How could he rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of life? He enters a battle gravely, with sorrow and with great compassion, as if he were attending a funeral.

The Force flows everywhere. All things are born from it, yet it doesn't create them. It pours itself into its work, yet it makes no claim. It nourishes infinite worlds, yet it doesn't hold on to them. Since it is merged with all things and hidden in their hearts, it can be called humble. Since all things vanish into it and it alone endures, it can be called great. It isn't aware of its greatness; thus it is truly great.

The Jedi doesn't try to be powerful; Thus he is truly powerful. The ordinary Being keeps reaching for power; thus he never has enough. The Jedi does nothing, yet he leaves nothing undone. The ordinary Being is always doing things, yet many more are left to be done.

The Jedi views the parts with compassion, because he understands the whole. His constant practice is humility. He doesn't glitter like a jewel but lets himself be shaped by the Force, as rugged and common as stone.

Ordinary men hate solitude. But the Jedi makes use of it, embracing his aloneness, realizing he is one with the whole galaxy.

Teaching without words, performing without actions: that is the Master's way.

The Master allows things to happen. He shapes events as they come. He steps out of the way and lets the Force speak for itself.

The Master's mind is like space. People don't understand him. They look to him and wait. He treats them like his own children.

The Master gives himself up to whatever the moment brings. He knows that he is going to die, and he has nothing left to hold on to: no illusions in his mind, no resistances in his body. He doesn't think about his actions; they flow from the core of his being. He holds nothing back from life; therefore he is ready for death, as a creature ready for sleep after a good day's work.

The Master's power is like this. He lets all things come and go effortlessly, without desire. He never expects results; thus he is never disappointed. He is never disappointed; thus his spirit never grows old.

Those who know don't talk. Those who talk don't know.

If you want to be a great leader, you must learn to follow the Force. Stop trying to control.

Let go of fixed plans and concepts, and the world will govern itself.

The Master is content to serve as an example and not to impose his will. He is pointed, but doesn't pierce. Straightforward, but supple.

A Jedi does what he must: When he makes a mistake, he realizes it. Having realized it, he admits it. Having admitted it, he corrects it. He considers those who point out his faults as his most benevolent teachers. He thinks of his enemy as the shadow that he himself casts.

The Master never reaches for the great; thus He achieves greatness. When He runs into a difficulty, He stops and gives himself to it. He doesn't cling to his own comfort; thus problems are no problem for him.

The Master takes action by letting things take their course. He remains as calm at the end as at the beginning. He has nothing, thus has nothing to lose. What he desires is non-desire; what he learns is to unlearn. He simply reminds people of who they have always been. He cares about nothing but the Force. Thus he can care for all things.

The Masters don't try to educate the people, but kindly teach them to not-know. When they think that they know the answers, people are difficult to guide. When they know that they don't know, people can find their own way.

Some say that Jedi teaching is nonsense. Others call it lofty but impractical. But to those who have looked inside themselves, this nonsense makes perfect sense. And to those who put it into practice, this loftiness has roots that go deep.

The Jedi have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and in thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are. Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world.

The Master remains serene in the midst of sorrow. Evil cannot enter his heart. Because he is calm, he is people's greatest help.

Failure is an opportunity. If you blame someone else, there is no end to the blame.

Therefore the Master fulfills his own obligations and corrects his own mistakes. He does what he needs to do and demands nothing of others.

True words aren't eloquent; eloquent words aren't true. Wise men don't need to prove their point; men who need to prove their point aren't wise.

The Master has no possessions. The more he does for others, the happier he is. The more he gives to others, the wealthier he is.

Traditional Views

The Force is to be used to save lives, not to take lives.

The Force should never be used for personal gain.

Every Jedi has a voice in making decisions for the group.

The Jedi should work to support and maintain the government - but not at the expense of Jedi ideals.

If the Jedi are called upon to fight, they will defend the helpless without hatred, anger, or thoughts of revenge.

No matter whether a group be of Good or Bad intentions. It will decline when it's time has come. If one tries to keep it from going to ruin at that time, it will have an unsightly finish. If one thinks that the time has come, it is best to let it go down with good grace. Doing so, he may even cuase it to be maintained.

"It isn't my responsibility how the Knowledge is used... I was just a teacher. I just passed the knowledge along." This is a very dangerous thought for a teacher to hold... As a Jedi one needs to remember that the knowledge they pass on to others... could be used by those of ill intent in ways it should not be used... It is better to never teach others... then to teach one who will mis-use what you have passed on to them.

A Jedi's training is far different from the classroom experience, relying much more on personal instruction that emphasized a one-on-one imparting of expectations and the more informal "tricks of the trade." It is assumed that basic skills are already on the road to development, and it becomes the role of the Master to provide subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) support and guidance. It requires the stern observation of a master that educates not by carrying the student to a goal, but by leading him down the road to mastery.

A good instructor will almost willfully ignore the student and his or her improvement. And though immense progress might be made within a short period of time, the student begins to expect praise and adulation. But it is better to give modest praise and save greater accolades for much later down the line when it truly becomes clear that the student has made a full commitment to learning the art. So until then, a grunt or a frown is the student's only praise.

The Masters are profound and subtle. Their wisdom is unfathomable. There is no way to describe it; all we can describe is their appearance.

They are careful as someone crossing an iced-over stream. Alert as a warrior in enemy territory. Courteous as a guest. Fluid as melting ice. Shapable as a block of wood. Receptive as a valley. Clear as a glass of water.

The Potentium Heresy

As Jedi learn more about the Force, they frequently form their own theories about how and why it works. They question how, if the Force creates and sustains life, it can have a dark side. Some arrive at the conclusion that the Force is not divided into dark and light - that there is only the Force, and that it's energy is inherently postive, despite the use to which it is sometimes put. Those who believe in this thoery feel that no "dark side" waits to corrupt them for daring to explore the limits of the Force any more then monsters wait under their beds to devour them as children. To them, the Jedi theory of the Force is just one way to percieve this potent life-energy, and the training and discipline the Jedi employ to reinforce their perspective only serves to justify the existance of the Jedi Order.

Seeking another answer, these self-styled philosophers relabel the Force something that fits their perceptions of it- "The Potentium" is just one example - and attempt to explore their philsophy as far as possiable. Some come perilously close to the dark side before they return back from the brink. These "heresies" are fortunatley rare, for, if unchecked, they can produce dangerously powerful darksiders. Sadly, those who follow this line of resoning straight to the darkside rarely percieve the danger, believing that they are making new discovers that the Jedi are afriad to explore. Some come back from the dark side willingly when they see the error of their ways. Some refuse to renounce their mistaken beliefs and must be exiled to a place they can do no harm, Some few must be, regrettably destroyed.

The core of this theory asserts that there is no distinction between the light side and the dark side. It claims that both aspects of the Force are the same energy viewed from different perspectives. It's adherents theorize that using darkside powers in the service of good still serves the cause of good, and doing so cannot actually lead a person to want to use the Force for evil. They question why using a sword to strike down an opponent is any different from using the Force to choke the breath out of someone. What they fail to see - and what Jedi so diligently try to establish - is that being a Jedi is not about exploring the limits of the Force, but using what is already known to protect peace and justice. Jedi students should concentrate on learning how to use the Force, and leave careful exploration to the Jedi Masters.

Jedi Training

Fully training a Jedi takes many years, from the first, halting lesson in feeling the Force's power to standing before the council as a Jedi Knight. The journey is sometimes harsh and certainly never easy, since each student learns in his own time, and some lessons can be quite painful. The good teacher adapts to his student's pace and strikes a balance between compassion and discipline. No two Jedi Teachers train apprentices in precisely the same way, nor does a single Jedi Teacher teach two different students the same lesson the same way, in the same order, and with the same expectations. Jedi Teachers from different areas have radically different approaches, brought about by their circumstances. Some train multiple students, some train only a single student. Both systems have their strengths and weaknesses.

The Learning Process

Jedi training has changed and evolved since it first came into existance and will and must continue to do so. Training is at times very formal. With large classes of Force senstive students learning under the tutalage of a single Master before being accepted as a padawan by a Knight and privately trained. It is at times very unformal with the student being trained privately through his entire learning process by one teacher. At other times it is even haphazard with the student learning much on his own with only brief periods of training under a teacher.

Regardless of how it is done. The first and most critical lesson involves sensing how the Force interacts with the Universe. For most students, this is a question of exploring their sensitivity to the Force, of expanding their awareness to detect more then what their senses show them.

The next lessons in the Jedi arts are extensions of the first lesson. Every Jedi student needs to learn how to use the Force responsibly and to avoid the temptations of the dark side. Putting the Force into the hands of someone with a weak grasp of morality and ethics is a recipe for disaster, and the Jedi have a responsibility to the Universe not to let students stray down the dark path. The Jedi seek to instill a sense of duty and honor in their students by teaching them about the way of the Jedi Knights, through stories of heroic Jedi of the past and through discussion of the Jedi Code. This basic training in Jedi Philsophy allows a Jedi to know what is expected of him and helps steer him from the dark path.

Physical conditiong and self-defense exercises go hand-in-hand with this early training. Using the Force can be physically taxing, and being a Jedi Knight can sometimes be outright exhausting. A Jedi builds up his endurance and coordination through a rigoruos physical regimen. Self-Defense lessons are a major part of the exercises, since a Jedi, with or without formal training, frequently comes in conflict with scounddrels and ne'er-do-wells of the world. The self-defense drills begin with simple hand-to-hand techniques and usually culminate in practice with a sword and other weapons( Guns and other hand hels weapons). Depending on the Teacher, the interval between stages of training can be brief.

Throughout the learning process, a Jedi student learns to cast aside his preconceived notions of how the Universe functions, to see the flow of the Force and understand how it influences everyday life - to "unlearn what he has learned." Jedi Teachers should foster intuitive thinking, since it encourages students to experiance the world around them through their feelings rather than through their senses, which can be deceived. The Jedi believe that the entire experience of being a Jedi leads up to the goal of becoming closer tot he Force. The sooner a Jedi begins to explore the mysteries of the force, the more they discover.

Padawan Training

Once a Jedi Teacher takes on an apprenctice (known as a Padawan now) The Teacher becomes solely responsible for the students welfare and education. A Jedi teacher can never take this descion lightly. He is effectively adopting a child (regardless of the apprentice's actual age) and must train the apprentice not only in the mysteries of the Force but also in day-to day life as an adult and a Force user. For this reason, a Jedi without clear sense of self-identity makes a poor Teacher.

Many factors influence the selection of an apprentice. First the Teacher needs to be aware of the student's personality. Since the Teacher intends to spend the next several years of his life with the Padawan, radically different personalitity types could interfere with the training process. The Teacher must be comfortable with the apprentice's needs. If the apprentice requires special attention and the Teacher is not willing or able to provide it, both suffer as a result. Conversely, a Teacher should not choose an apprentice who offers no challanges at all. The Teacher learns from the experience of teaching an apprentice.

A Jedi apprentice learns the lessons he needs to know to become a Jedi Knight. Obviously, the Teacher must continue the student's training in how to use the Force, a lesson that goes on for almost the entire duration of the apprenticeship. The Teacher must also teach the apprentice how to wield the Force as a Jedi. Knowing when and how to use the Force is vital to a Jedi's devlopment. The Teacher teaches appropriate use by discussion and demonstration. The Teacher explains the history of the Jedi and it's members, supplementing those lessons with examples.

The Trials of Knighthood

When the apprentice has sufficent experiance and knowledge as a Jedi, having proven himself able to wield the Force he can attempt to become a Jedi Knight. Regardless of the time and place, the effort always involves tests, and they can be formal or informal depending on who oversee's the trials. They can be as simple as the Teacher observing his apprentice's progress, or as complex as a council of Jedi Teachers conducting extensive interviews and perhaps assigning a quest of some kind.

The overall purpose of the trials is meant to answer one question. Becuase a Jedi Knight is now technically qualified to instruct an apprentice of his own, does the Jedi Order trust the canidate to do so? If the answer is no, then the Jedi is probably not yet qualified to become a Jedi Knight. If the answer is always no, then the apprentice's Teacher has in some way failed to properly prepare the apprentice, and the apprentice needs retraining.

The basic elements of the test include facility with the Force, knowledge of the Jedi Code, Weapon Proficiency, self-defense capability, sound (and swift) judgement, and most important, the ability to carry out a task without their Teacher's assistance or intervention. Faliure in any part indicates that the apprentice is not yet ready to be a Jedi Knight. No two trials are exactly alike. They are tailoried to the individual Jedi to ensure that the Jedi does not simply rely on his strengths while avoiding his weaknesses. The trials might take hours, days, or weeks, and include travel to sevreal locations. Jedi can even forego some of the tests at the discretion of the Teacher or Teachers admininstering the test, if the Jedi has at some point succeeded at a much more difficult task of the same type.

Successfully passing the trials might call for a ceremony of some kind, or a Teacher might simply pat his apprentice on the back and send him on his way. In any case, the Jedi Knight is now ready to make her way alone in the galaxy, serving peace and justice in the name of the Jedi Order.

The Jedi Trials

A Jedi might be asked to undertake one or all of the following trials in order to become a Jedi Knight.

Facility with the Force

The Jedi Apprentice must perform relatively simple tasks related to the three main aspects of the Force (Alter Control and Sense) to prove his ability to wield the Force in all it's forms. These tests could be anthing from guessing an image the testers are thinking of to moving an object. Or meditating for an hour amid a massaive amount of distractions.

Knowledge of the Jedi Code

The most common version of this test is a series of questions posed to the Jedi at intervals throught the trials. These include interpretations of the Jedi Code, lessons learned from Jedi history and lore, and discerning actual Jedi lore from an erroneous tale made up by the tester. This test confirms the apprentice's knowledge base. A Jedi Knight performs best if he does not let erroneous information cloud his perception of the Jedi Way.

Weapon Proficiency

A Jedi's proficiency with a weapon is often tested with a duel or required demonstration of their skill. If a Jedi doesn't use a weapon this test is often ignored. Though the Jedi must still prove his ability to defend himself against others who do use them.

Self-Defense Capability

Becuase all Jedi are required to defend the helpless, they must first be able to defend themselves. Exactly how a Jedi accomplishes this is unimportant as long as the Jedi does not call on the darkside. The Teachers administering the test ensures that the Jedi's abilities are stretched to their limit. This method intends not only to prove the the Jedi can defend himself but also determines whether the Jedi can change tactics quickly when his favored method of self-defense fails him. Thus, this test can take various forms, including being attacked by machines, animals, and the very person the Jedi is suppossed to protect. The Teacher who gives the test always monitors the candidate, since the point of the test is to prove the Jedi's ability for self-defense. If the Jedi goes on the offensive without provocation, he has failed the test. The Teacher ensures that any such failures don't spin out of control.

Sound Judgment

The measure of a Jedi's ability to make reasoned descions in a short span of time is perhaps second in importance only to his ability to make those descions without his Teacher's prompting. This test determines the Jedi's capacity for perceiving and resolving dilemmas without undue meditation, or, conversely, without enough meditation. This test can come in multiple parts. For example one method is for each Jedi Teacher present to pose an ethical question to a Jedi seeking knighthood, one after another, in quick succession. The Jedi's test was not only to resolve the questions (once they have all been asked), but to do so in the order of importance. In general, though, the Teacher presents a conundrum - perhaps one with real consequences, should such a test present itself - and then awaits a response. An incorrect answer is, of course, a faliure. So is the correct answer, if to long in coming. The Teacher never tells the Jedi how long he has to answer the question, becuase identifying the immediacy of a problem is an important step in solving it.

Solo Mission

The last part of any Jedi's trials to become a Jedi Knight is a solo task undertaken without the apprentice's Teacher. If a Jedi has failed any previous test, he may not undertake this task. The purpose of this test is twofold. First, the Jedi needs ro learn how to undertake tasks as a Jedi Knight. Second, it answers the important question of whether the apprentice can function as a Jedi, accomplish tasks, serve peace and justice as well as the needs of the order, and operate without direct supervision and without disgracing the Order. The Jedi's success or faliure is important, but how the Jedi handles the situation in either event is the most telling indicator of his readiness for the autonomy that Knighthood brings. A JediKnight must be able to adapt his plans to changing situations, to conquer fear and overcome personal opinion, to determine the will of the Force, and to carry out the tasks assigned to him without undue hesitation or dissembling. Failing any of that, the Jedi Knight must be willing to take responsibility for his actions (or inactions) and to make amends if possiable. Jedi who fail to complete their taks can still be awarded the mantel of Jedi Knight becuase they took the initiative to salvage the situation, sometimes even achieving a result greater than the scope of their task. Some Jedi apprentices who accomplish a significant task on their own are awarded the title of Jedi Knight even if they have not been charged with a solo mission.

A Jedi's Solo Mission is never commonplace, though an unwise apprentice might mistake it for such. It always involves a short journey to seprate the apprentice from the Teacher's aid and reinforce the notion that the apprentice is on his own. It also includes a tangible mesure of success, such as delivering or retriving a person or item, or facilitating a specific resolution to a given dispute. Danger of some kind is always a factor, though the threat is not necessarily to the Jedi. Of course, the mission includes an element of uncertainty. The Knight candidate faces seeminly insurmountable odds, frustrating rejection, insidious temptation, philosophical ambiguity, or perhaps a sudden redefinition of the mission's parameters.

Life as a Jedi Master

At some point, a Jedi Knight becomes a Jedi Master. He takes on an apprentice, or by virtue of his accomplishments becomes recognized as an example of the Jedi Order. The title brings with it a few more responsibilities, but overall, life as a Jedi Master is not terribly different from life as a Jedi Knight. The Jedi Master still undertakes tasks and carries them out as best he can, though he has greater latitude in his means of accomplishing them. He also speaks with more authority then a Jedi Knight.

A Jedi Master is afforded a great deal of respect within the order, regardless of how long he holds that status. The station of Master has no "ranks" though some Jedi Masters have more authority than others due to personal reputations. Most Jedi Masters downplay their own importance, except when they feel the situation warrents a perception of higher authority then a Jedi Knight commands. Most Jedi Masters feel that excessively emphasizing the distinction is a sign of vanity. Even so, Jedi Masters generally make it clear when they speak on behalf of someone else, be it another Teacher, the Council, or someone outside the order they are assiting at that time.

Techincally speaking, no postion in the Order ranks higher then that of Jedi Master. Though in time a Jedi Master might become a member of the Order's Council. Ordinarly, a Jedi Master is expected to speak and act as a though he did so on behalf of the entire Order, if a Jedi Master truly knows the will of the Force, he does so.

Jedi Exercises

Many Jedi "feats" performed by masters may spread myths of the magical powers of the Force user. Such feats, however, are performed not by the Force or magic, but by skills that haven taken years of hard training to develop. They are no less marvelous because of this.

First Cadence:

Preparation: 19 candles, 19 candles stands of about 3 1/2 feet high, lighter, and a sword.

Cadence: Start by placing one lighted candle and stand directly ahead of you at a distance of one to one and a half meters. Then, from the rest position, draw your sword and strike the wick. Your objective is to completely cut the wick without harming the candle.

Having successfully completed one candle, place two stands and candles in front of you, by hand, with a 10-degree angle between them. The first few times you perform this maneuver you should check that accuracy of your placement. No more then a two-degree error is permissible.

When you become comfortable with placing them, you should be able to place them with no more then a tenth of a degree error without needing to check.

Then as you did with the first cut the lighted wick without cutting the candle. Having successfully completed two candles, you should attempt three, again spaced at 10-degree intervals ahead of you, at a distance of one to one and a half meters. Then four then five, and so on until you cover the full 180-degree spread with nineteen candles and stands.

There are a number of orders that you should practice this in: From right to left; left to right; alternating left and right working out from the center; alternating left and right working in towards the center, and, random. Only when you can perform all possible permutations two-handed, left-handed, right-handed, and blindfolded with equal skill are you ready to advance.

This is both a physical and mental training exercise.

Second Cadence:

Preparation: 72 candles, 72 candles stands of about 3 feet high, lighter, and a sword.

Cadence: The candles and stands must be placed at five-degree intervals (Rather then 10-degree intervals as in the first cadence); by the end of the cadence a full 360-degree circle is covered. There should be two candles at the zero position, so that you can start and end at zero-degrees.

This cadence requires the Jedi to be able to strike at all points around him. In the beginning, you are permitted to turn to face the point at which you are striking. Once you have mastered this, you are expected to be able to strike at any point around you without having to turn at all simply reach out with the sword and use the Force to guide the stroke.

Third Cadence:

Preparation: 180 candles, 180 candles stands of about 3 feet high, lighter, and a sword.

Cadence: The Candles are placed at 2-degree intervals, and the strike patterns used involves cutting every fifth wick, then every fourth of the remaining, then every third, and so on until none are left.

One exercise the Jedi student should practice is standing in a special position called Horse-Riding Stance (Horse Stance, for short). It is called this because the position resembles how one looks sitting on a horse --- both legs wide apart, knees bent, and back straight. The Jedi should practice this exercise by standing in Horse Stance for as long as one hour at a time.

Through this training the Student develops good balance and exceedingly strong legs.

Along with the physical training, the Jedi does mental exercises. The Horse Stance, for example, should also be done as a "meditation" exercise. This means that while the Jedi are holding this position, they should concentrate very hard on one particular thought. They should not let their minds wander even though this exercise is extremely boring. They should not move, no matter what. If they have an itch, they cannot scratch it. If a mosquito landed on their forehead, they cannot swat it. The pain is even worse, for holding a sitting position without anything to sit on is very painful indeed. The Jedi has to learn to conquer this pain, to make their minds so strong they can endure it.

With this disciplined training the Jedi develops such good concentration and such keen awareness of their surroundings as it attunes them to the Force. In addition, students who endure months of pain and struggle with the Horse Stance will be unlikely to crumble under the pressure if they are forced into an actual fighting situation.

Training in iron palm is usually done in the following way: Students begin by repeatedly thrusting their hands into a bucket of very fine sand. They practice daily, and after each session treat their hands with special medicine to keep them soft. When the student becomes used to the sand, they graduate, using the same techniques, to a bucket of small pebbles, then small rocks, and finally iron fillings or ball bearings. When they can finally strike full force into iron, then they have what is known as the iron palm or iron hand. This training can be dangerous, and should only be practiced under the direction of a qualified instructor. It cannot be accomplished without the use of special herbal medicine that will prevent serious injury to the hands.

When people lift very heavy objects, they unconsciously breathe in and hold their breath. If they exhaled instead, they would find it very difficult to lift that same object. This feeling of extra strength comes from the operation of the Force.

Even though all people have the Force, in most cases it is untapped, undeveloped, and uncontrolled.

For the Jedi, however, the Force is recognized as the practitioners' primary source of energy, and they consciously train to develop or cultivate the Force. One exercise for cultivating the Force is meditation. It is done by practicing special breathing exercises while sitting, lying, or standing in certain body positions. Meditation requires that the body be in proper posture and alignment so that the pathways in the body are free and not blocking each other. A beginning posture, for example, is to sit on a chair with back and head in a straight line, thighs parallel to the ground, and knees and lower legs at right angles to the thighs. Hands are on the knees. This is very simple to do, and everyone can try it. From this position, students are taught special ways to breath, and at the same time, they meditate --- that is, they think deeply and concentrate on their breathing.

Horse-Stance is an example of a more difficult version of this concept. Practicing these increasingly difficult exercises for many years' leads to the development of what is called "inner strength." Said another way, people who have inner strength have gained control of the Force inside themselves. Those few who have done so can perform many miraculous feats. Masters can be so powerful they can point a finger in the direction of an opponent, concentrate on sending the Force toward the other person, and almost like the wind, knock down the opponent with this invisible force.

Through the development of this control of the Force, Masters can also make their bodies extremely light or heavy.

Some masters can actually produce a kind of invisible-force field around their bodies that acts as a shield against attack. Opponents find that when they face the master in a fight, they somehow just can't begin to attack. On eye contact they feel weak and inept, and will know they have been defeated.

If a person who is stronger then you pushes against you, and you push back head-on with your weaker strength, you will certainly be defeated. If instead you step back and give way in the direction your opponent is pushing, and in addition pull the opponent in the direction he or she is already pushing, you can actually throw your opponent down very hard. This is called using one's strength against them.

Each training session should begin with warm-up exercises. While they may be boring to watch, they are very important, for even the greatest Jedi must stretch and loosen up to keep from pulling muscles and getting other injures. Students should also do strengthening exercises like push-ups for arm muscles, and sit-ups and leg raises for stomach muscles. Sometimes "bridging," in which one makes one's body into a bridge in order to strengthen ones back and neck is also a good idea.

Falling practice should usually be a regular part of training for every Jedi. Since students are thrown in all directions, they must learn how to fall every which way. They should learn special ways to fall backward, to both sides, and to the front.

One Good throw is done this way. When a Jedi executes this throw, he or she pushes the opponent backward, breaking the opponent's balance to the rear. When the opponent tries to step back and regain balance, the Jedi steps in and hooks one leg around one of the opponent's legs, sweeping it out from under the opponent, who will normally then fall to the ground.

Another good throw is done this way. This sacrifice technique is used when you opponent moves in to attack. As he or she attacks, you step in close, grab the person by the lapels, and fall down on your back, placing one of your feet in your opponent's stomach. As you fall, you pull hard on the opponent's lapels and straighten out the leg that is planted in your opponent's stomach. As you do this your opponent will go flying over your head and land on his or her back.

But always remember for every hold, choke, or lock, there is an escape, just as there is always a countermove for every throw. Students should practice these as well, and can often prevent their opponents from getting good chokes or locks and throws on them.

A proper fist is made in this way: First clench the fingers of your hand tightly together into a ball. Squeeze as firmly as you can, as if trying to get all the air out of your fist. Then close your thumb tightly over your first two fingers, binding your fingers together firmly.

A description of how to execute a punch will help explain. Picture a Jedi standing in a straight and natural posture. The only part of the body that has any tension is a special part called the tant'ien (A Chinese word.) The tant'ien is that point on the body about two inches below the belly button. This point is considered to be the center of balance and strength in the human body.

The Jedi's hands are held in fists at his or her sides, just above the hips, palms facing upward. The arms and shoulders are relaxed (not limp, but relaxed). The Jedi starts moving one hand out toward the target in front of him, the elbow rubbing close against the body as the arm moves forward. The arm thrusts straight forward and at the last moment, before the arm is completely extended, (extended, not locked straight) the fist twists like a corkscrew so that the palm faces downward as it strikes the target. The body is relaxed until the point of contact, and at this moment the tant'ien tightens completely and creates a chain reaction, with all the muscles of the body tightening as a unit. This happens for only a fraction of a second while the punch is executed, and then the body relaxes again.

A Jedi must learn to control himself and his actions at any speed. It is not at all true that slow means easy. It might look easy, but try, for example, to get up from a chair in slow motion, or even harder, try sitting down in the same way. Do this without wobbling, with perfect control and balance, and you will see that slow can be very hard indeed.

PUSH-HANDS:

Push hands is a two-person practice technique. The partners face one another with their wrists and forearms touching. They move their hands, arms and bodies in a prearranged circular fashion, maintaining contact with each other at all times.

In the advanced section of this technique. When person A pushes, B yields, and when B pushes, A yields. Both trying to yield at exactly the time they are pushed, and only as far. They don't want to give way sooner or any more than they have to. In this practice, students learn to feel when their opponents are weak or off balance. It also helps them locate weaknesses in their own bodies that they would have difficulty finding if they worked out only by themselves. In the even more advanced version of this. No special pattern is followed, and students practice "free-style" push-hands. This free-style practice is a very different kind of exercise. The object is to break contact with your partner. You try to escape from your opponent's hands while the opponent tries to "stick to" or keep contact with your hands. At the same time, you want to make sure you stick to your opponent's hands, and your opponent tries to escape from you. Through push-hands practice, one develops keen sensitivity to one's opponents, learns how to "become one" with them and "feel" what they are going to do before they do it.

THE UNBENDABLE ARM:

An example of how powerful the mind and body are when used together is "the unbendable arm." Try this experiment with a friend. First, make a fist and out strength into your arm, bending it up a little at the elbow. Then ask your friend to try to bend your arm the rest of the way. You can resist as hard as you want. Since your friend is allowed to use both hands, he or she will probably not have much trouble bending your arm.

Now, take the same position, only this time open your fist and don't put any strength at all into your arm. Relax your shoulder and elbow completely. Instead, pretend that your arm is like a fire hose, and that waves of the Force sent from your mind, like water, are flowing with terrific force through your arm. These powerful waves flow out of your hand and fingertips straight to the ends of the earth without stopping.

If you can really imagine this, really believe this is true, then your friend will find it very difficult to bend your arm. If you think, "Oh, this will never work," or you lose concentration for even a second, then it won't work.

Another experiment of this kind can be done with the whole body. Just stand in one place and have a friend or friends lift you up off the ground. Then, stand in the same place, close your eyes, and think of sending the Force from your mind down into the center of the earth. If you can keep up this concentration without breaking it, your friends won't be able to budge you from the spot.

PROJECTED FIGHTING:

You light a candle and place the flame about a half-inch to an inch away from your extended fist; you then withdraw your hand and practice punching at the flame. While Projecting the Force toward the flame using your punch as the guiding force or pathway for it to follow. (This skill is taught in the technique called the unbendable arm above this) Keep moving the flame farther and farther back as you gain range with this technique.

If one wants to learn how to keep the Force turned on while moving one's body, then it is important to practice an exercise, which looks like mowing the lawn. In this exercise one moves back and forth with one's hands in front as if grasping a lawn mower. While moving, one practices special breathing, keeping one's concentration on the tant'ien area, and sending the Force from the hip area out through the wrists.

EAGLE TRAINING TECHNIQUE:

Firstly if you have bad shoulders you might want to take caution while using this technique for it is very strenuous on the shoulders. You must be standing to do this technique because gravity plays an important role. To start this technique you touch your two middle fingers together with your thumb. This is sort of like the lotus hand but with your middle and ring finger. It should look almost like the heavy metal sign. Now that your and are in the right position go to give the imaginary person standing in front of you a hug. This should make a sort of a circle with your hands and body. Make sure your elbows are down and your hands are right in front of your chest. Now comes the hard part. Turn your hands so that the back of your hand is facing you and your fingers are facing outwards. Now close your eyes and see how long you can hold this position. When you inhale try drawing the force into your body from the ground. Feel it entering through your feet and climbing up your legs. Feel it climb up your spine into your mind. Once in your mind hold your breath for a second. Feel the force flowing in your mind. Then send the force to your arms and shoulders to energize them. The object of this technique is to free your arms so that you may hold them in that position forever.

BREATHING EXERCISE:

Breathe in through your nose to a count of four, Hold your breath for a count of seven, and then exhale for a count of eight beats. Using your heartbeat to set the count. With each breath let tension flow out of you.

THE FOUR STAGES OF BREATHING

The four stages of breath control are inhalation, compression, exhalation and intermission. In practice, these four stages are strung together in a smooth continuous sequence, like the rise and fall of waves on the sea, with each one playing a particular role and all of them orchestrated by the diaphragm.

Inhalation: With empty lungs and nostrils flared, relax the diaphragm and commence a soft, slow, smooth inhalation through the nose, deliberately drawing the air deep down into the bottom of the lungs so that the diaphragm descends and the abdominal wall expands. As the lower lobes of the lungs fill up with air and the abdomen swells, continue breathing in slowly and deeply so that the mid-sections of the lungs begin to fill next, causing the ribcage to expand. When the lungs feel comfortably full and both the abdomen and ribs have expanded, draw the inhalation to a halt. Do not try to 'top off' the upper lungs by taking an extra gulp of air, for this will make you hunch up your shoulders and tense your neck and also cause the diaphragm to rise. A 'full' breath means that the lungs are about two-thirds to three-quarters filled, with most of the air packed down into the lower and middle sections. In shallow chest breathing, only the narrow upper pockets of the lungs get filled, which represents only about a quarter of the lungs' capacity, but due to years of shallow breathing, people tend to feel that they must fill up these pockets to get a 'full' breath. Practice will eliminate this tendency.

Compression: This phase is quite brief --- usually only three to five seconds --- but its benefits are deep and manifold. Longer retentions of breath should only be practiced under the personal supervision of a qualified teacher. The first step in the compression phase is to press the diaphragm firmly downward to settle the air into the bottom of the lungs and compress the abdominal cavity. As you do this, apply the 'three locks', which are described in the next section.

When properly performed, this brief retention of breath provides several important benefits. It slows down and deepens the pulse of the heart and balances blood pressure throughout the circulatory system. By increasing the pressure of the air against the surface of the lungs and holding it briefly, this compression greatly enhances the exchange of gases, enriching the blood with extra supplies of oxygen and allowing more elimination of carbon dioxide. It also improves gas exchange between the bloodstream and cells throughout the entire circulatory system, increasing the partial pressure of oxygen against the walls of the capillaries.

Even the briefest breath retention triggers cellular respiration, an innate response that causes cells to 'breathe' by themselves whenever breath is held in the lungs. When this happens, blood sugar is spontaneously broken down by the cells to release oxygen and produce body heat. This is the basis of the so-called 'dive response' that allows seals to dive deep into ice-cold water for prolonged periods without breathing and young children who fall into frozen rivers and lakes to survive underwater for up to two hours and revive without brain damage when rescued. In most adults, this response has atrophied, but a few years of deep breathing practice usually suffices to restore it. Never hold the compression phase of breath beyond what feels comfortable. If you feel compelled to gasp or burst out on exhalation, it means that you've held the compression too long and lost control of your breath.

Exhalation: When you're ready to exhale, release the three locks (see next section), relax the diaphragm and ribs, and begin exhaling slowly and evenly in a steady continuous stream through the mouth, which facilitates elimination of stagnant air and energy.

Empty the lungs in reverse order of inhalation, starting from the top of the lungs, then the middle, and finally the bottom. Continue exhaling until the lungs are empty, letting the abdominal wall collapse and contract inward and the diaphragm ascend upward into the chest, and then expel the last residues of air from the lungs by drawing the abdominal wall further inward. The entire exhalation should be performed in a long, slow, even stream, not in a sudden explosive burst. If the latter occurs, shorten the compression phase on the next round.

Intermission: When the lungs are empty and exhalation is complete, do not immediately start drawing in the next inhalation. Instead, pause briefly to let your diaphragm and abdominal wall relax and fall back into place in preparation for the next breath. If you start inhaling while the diaphragm and abdominal wall are still drawn in, the breath will tend to rise up in the lungs, making it more difficult to sink the air down to the bottom. The intermission phase should also be used to check the shoulders and neck are fully relaxed and posture is correct, but do not pause too long, or you'll find yourself sucking in the next inhalation in a short sharp gulp.

THE THREE LOCKS

The three locks are used to create a therapeutic compression within the abdominal cavity. This compression gives a strong boost to venal circulation, opens the meridian system, and helps activate the pneumogastric nervous system. The locks are applied at or toward the end of inhalation, held in place briefly during compression, and released on exhalation. At first it may seem difficult or awkward to apply them without interrupting your breathing, but with practice they will become an integral part of your natural breathing patterns. Like the four stages, the three locks should be performed smoothly and without excessive effort.

The Anal Lock: The anal lock is designed to raise the entire pelvic floor in order to lock in and enhance the compression created in the abdominal cavity by the diaphragm as it descends from above during inhalation. The resulting increase in abdominal pressure has profound therapeutic benefits for all of the internal organs and glands, driving stale blood and cellular wastes from the tissues and stimulating the secretion of essential hormones.

The pelvic floor consists of a flexible web of muscle and tendon that supports the colon, prostate, uterus and sacral glands. By flexing this lower diaphragm, the anal lock massages all of the organs and glands within the sacrum, strengthens the tissues of the pelvic floor, and gives a stimulating tug to the sacral roots of the pneumogastric nerve endings, which helps activate the immune responses of the nervous system. It also pulls on the nerves of a small gland, known as the 'Luschka gland' that hangs from the tip of the coccyx, stimulating secretions that further enhance neuro-immunological healing responses.

As inhalation approaches completion, the anal lock is applied by contracting the outer ring of the anal sphincter, a tough band of muscle that controls the external aperture of the anus. This maneuver lifts the anus and contracts the webbing of the entire urogenital diaphragm. For the more powerful effect, the contraction may be extended deeper to the inner ring of the anal sphincter, located about one inch above the external ring. This raises the entire perineum between the anus and sexual organs and deepens the compression throughout the sacrum. However, for regular practice, contracting the external ring is sufficient, while the internal ring may be used when stronger stimulation of the sacrum is desired. Due to the benefits of the anal lock it is often practiced by itself.

The Abdominal Lock: The purpose of the abdominal lock is to seal in the therapeutic compression in the abdominal cavity when the diaphragm descends and the pelvic floor is raised with the anal lock on completion of inhalation. If the abdominal wall is simply allowed to expand outward, much of this compression is lost, diminishing the stimulating massage effect on the internal organs and glands. Furthermore, the powerful boost that the diaphragm gives to circulation depends largely on enhanced abdominal pressure against the vena cava, a major vein that draws stale blood up from the abdominal organs for replenishment in the lungs. The increase in abdominal pressure exerts a powerful propulsive force on the vena cava, pushing blood up into the chest like a pump and thereby taking a huge workload off the heart. This effect is particularly beneficial early in the morning, when up to half the body's blood supply lies dormant in the liver and pancreas. Try doing just a few deep diaphragmic breathes with the three locks while sitting up in bed the moment you wake up in the morning, and you can feel this propulsive power on circulation from the head to foot.

When inhalation is complete with the anal lock in place, the abdominal wall will be fully expanded. To apply the abdominal lock, simply pull the lower part of the abdominal wall inward toward the spine. It is neither necessary nor desirable to pull it in very far or with excessive effort. Just draw it slightly inward with a light contraction of the abdominal muscles, hold it briefly, and then relax it completely as you commence exhalation. That brief moment of enhanced abdominal pressure saves your heart at least twenty beats of work, so if you practice this sort of breathing throughout the day, you can well imagine how much it extends the working life of your heart.

The Neck Lock: The neck lock serves several functions. By partially constricting the carotid arteries in the throat, it prevents excess blood from rushing straight up into the brain due to enhanced circulatory pressure from below, instead diverting some of it out to the extremities for more balanced distribution. Carotid compression also slows and deepens the pulse, thereby further benefiting heart function. The neck lock seals the breath down inside the lungs after inhalation, so that it doesn't rise up and cause uncomfortable pressure in the throat, nostrils and Eustachian tubes during compression. It also stretches the entire spinal cord from skull to sacrum, stimulating all the nerves and ganglia along its entire length and opening the energy channels that run along the spine. Also the small pressure it puts on the carotid sinus nerve is known to facilitate mental calm and the internalization of awareness, which are helpful factors in breath control, particularly during meditation.

To apply the neck lock, wait until the anal and abdominal locks are in place, then contract the throat muscles and clamp the glottis over the trachea. (If you're wondering how to do this, try taking several short inhalations one on top of the other. As you 'pack' each one into the lungs, what prevents it from coming out before you draw in the next one is clamping the glottis over the trachea.) Some practitioners find it helpful to swallow first, which facilitates the neck lock and helps pack air and energy into the chest cavity, but this is not an essential step. When the throat is closed and contracted, tuck the chin slightly in toward the chest and stretch the back of the neck, but without actually bending the neck forward. Be sure to keep the shoulders relaxed so that they do not hunch up and cause tension in the neck and shoulder muscles, blocking energy flow from the spine into the head. When your ready to exhale raise your chin a bit, relax the throat, and let the air stream out.

HEALING BREATH

Syllable: hoo (pronounced 'who', with lips rounded and tongue suspended in mid-mouth, as though blowing out a candle)

Method:

1. Stand in Horse posture. Bring hands out to front, just below the navel, with palms facing up to the sky and fingers aligned. Start inhaling slowly through the nose while raising both hands together up the center of the torso.
2. When hands reach the heart and breath is full, start exhaling through the mouth aspirating the syllable hoo. At the same time, turn one palm out and around 360 degrees so that it faces the sky and continue raising it upwards, and turn the other palm in and around 180 degrees so that it faces the ground and bring it back down the front.
3. When breath is empty, one palm will be extended up towards the sky above the head, while the other is extended down towards the ground at the groin. Turn both palms around so they face one another, and slowly bring them toward one another on the next inhalation. Palms should reach heart level just as inhalation is complete.
4. Start the next exhalation and aspirate the syllable hoo, while continuing to move the descending palm downward and turning the ascending palm around 360 degrees and continuing to push it upward, reaching full extension above and below just as exhalation is completed. The syllable need not be sounded out loud; the important point is to form the mouth and throat as though pronouncing that specific syllable.
5. Turn the palms and bring them slowly together at the heart as you start a new inhalation. Repeat 6 to 12 times. Benefits: Improves digestive functions of spleen, pancreas and stomach. Promotes secretions of digestive enzymes. Helps heal ulcers. Eliminates bad breath caused by incomplete digestion in the stomach.

Calming Breath Technique

This is a simple breathing exercise, to be practiced every day. It is useful in stressful situations, or when you feel threatened, for it helps you to remain calm, and to relax. It is presented in three easy steps. Start with the first step, until you've mastered it. Then progress to the next step. Once you have reached the third step, you will have learned the Calming Breath Technique. Preparation

Wear loose fitting attire, so that you are comfortable. Make sure that you can breathe through your nose. If you have a cold, do not practice this exercise until you can breathe clearly.

Step One

Lie flat on your back. Put one hand on your stomach, and the other hand on your chest. Relax.

Inhale so that the hand on your stomach rises, while the hand on your chest is still. Exhale so that the hand on your stomach goes down again, and the hand on your chest remains still. Repeat for 5 breaths.

Now, when you inhale, breathe in so that the hand on your chest rises, while the hand on your stomach is still. Exhale so that the hand on your chest goes down again, while the hand on your stomach remains still. Repeat for 5 breaths. Alternate between stomach and chest breathing for 5 minutes. Make sure you've mastered this step before moving on.

Step Two

This step combines stomach and chest breathing into one breath. This is the Calming Breath.

Lie flat on your back. Put one hand on your stomach, and the other hand on your chest. Relax.

Begin by stomach breathing. When you feel you can't inhale any more in this manner, switch to chest breathing, until the upper part of your lungs are filled. Then exhale by chest breathing first, progressing to stomach breathing so that you empty the lungs fully. Repeat for 5 minutes.

Breathe slowly. If you feel dizzy, slow down, you are breathing too fast. If you are out of breath, you are breathing too slowly. Listen to your own body's messages. If you are having difficulty distinguishing chest breathing from stomach breathing, go back to Step One.

Step Three

Stand or sit with your back straight.

Use the Calming Breath and follow this pattern. You will have to count the rhythm in your head. I will teach you the rhythm 4-4-4. Count to 4 while inhaling, hold your breath and count to 4, then count to 4 while exhaling. Once you've mastered this you may use a 4-4-4-4 rhythm is you prefer. It adds and extra step of holding your breath after exhaling and counting to 4. Take care not to hold your breath too long. Again, listen to your body. Repeat for 5 minutes, or until you are calm.

Practice so that the Calming Breath becomes effortless, and inaudible. You should breathe no louder than usual. Once you have mastered the technique, it should be invisible to the untrained eye, making it useful in almost any situation.

The calm mind can more readily feel the ebb and flow of the Force.

Jedi Meditation - Basic Technique

Jedi meditation techniques have been handed down through the ages as a way of gaining insight and wisdom in the force. There were many different meditation techniques, but most have been lost to the ravages of time. The following is the first step in the most commonly practiced method.

Like all force training, the Jedi meditation technique follows a hierarchy of steps: Control, Sense, and Alter. You must learn control of your own abilities, before you can truly sense the Force. Once you have mastered sensing the Force surrounding you, you can use the force to perform actions and alter the events and objects around you.

The basic technique teaches you to control your own mental process, and allows you to focus your thoughts on one object, thought, or goal, the object of your meditation. This object must have a clear objective or subjective reality to you, so it is easiest to begin with a physical object such as a ball or a candle. After you have mastered meditating on physical objects, you may proceed to mental objects such as mental images or goals. Make sure your mental object is clearly defined in your mind.

How to start:

Sit in on the floor, or on a cushion, with the spine and neck kept straight . Place your hands in your lap, palms upward.

Relax your entire body deeply and quickly, using the Calming Breath Technique. After you are relaxed, regulate your breathing to a calm and peaceful rate. If you are using a physical object, focus your vision on the object, otherwise close your eyes.

Begin to shut out distractions (noises, etc.), as you focus your attention inward. Try to keep your thoughts from wandering, shutting out stray thoughts. Concentrate your thoughts upon the object of your meditation.

Practice these steps until you are able to concentrate on the object without distraction. Once you have mastered these steps, you should gain a sense of that object through the Force. Stretch out with your feelings, and perceive the object.

IMPORTANT POINTS OF PRACTICE

When practicing The Jedi Way, the following points may serve as general guidelines to derive maximum benefit from your practice and keep body, breath, and mind in the state of balance and functional harmony required to attune yourself with the Force.

General Points

1. Always practice in the three-stage format of warm-up, main practice and cool-down. The warm-up stage balances body, breath, and mind in preparation for the main practice of mobilizing and circulating the Force, and the cool-down stage relaxes your body. If you practice without adequate preliminary preparation, your system will not be properly balanced to work with the Force, and if you fail to take measures to relax your body, you lose much of the benefits of the exercise.
2. Make your practice an integral part of your daily routine, and practice regularly. If you only practice sporadically, your system will lose its synchronicity with the Force. Only with regular practice will you obtain the cumulative benefits, which The Jedi Way confers. Even if you only practice for 15 to 20 minutes, as long as you do it daily you will still realize the benefits, albeit at a slower rate then those who devote more time to practice.
3. The Jedi Way is not a 'magic bullet' that will immediately correct all problems, especially in an unbalanced lifestyle. It works best when practiced as an integral part of the overall healthcare system. This includes diet, a positive attitude towards life, emotional equilibrium, and other factors that support health and nurture life.
4. Don't bring the problems of your daily life into your practice, but do bring the results of your practice into your daily life. This will gradually solve all your problems and integrate all aspects of your life with your practice.

Points of Attention for the Body

1. The spine is the most important part of the body for Jedi practice. Known by some as the 'stairway to heaven', it serves as a conduit for the Force to flow from the lower body to the upper body and brain. It's the central pillar of balance for the entire torso and head and the conductor of nerve signals from brain to body. For best results in practice, the spine should always be kept erect and in straight alignment with the neck and head, with the buttocks tucked in a bit to reduce the curvature in the lower spin. Try to keep the spine flexible and responsive to synchronized movement with the rest of the body by relaxing the muscles along the spine and keeping the vertebrae evenly aligned. Limbering and loosening the spine is one of the main purposes of the warm-up stage of practice.
2. The tensest part of the human body is usually the shoulders and neck area. Tension here blocks the free flow of the Force up from the spine into the head. Try to keep the shoulders loose and the neck muscles relaxed throughout a session of Jedi practice, even if that requires you to take a short break and perform one of the shoulder-loosening warm-up exercises.

Points of Attention for the Mind

1. Turn mental attention and sensory perception inwards. Rather then listening to external sounds, listen to your breath and heart. Don't let external sights and sounds distract your attention during a practice session.
2. Silence the mind by turning off your 'internal dialogue'. This does not mean the cessation of thoughts and feelings, which continue to appear and dissolve on their own accord. Just stop talking to yourself about particular thoughts, and instead let the stream of consciousness flow naturally in the background of your mind.
3. Set all problems and worries of daily life aside prior to a practice session. Emotional equilibrium is a basic prerequisite for success in practice.
4. Cultivate the 'Right Mind' for practice. This means having respect and confidence in your practice, but no preconceived notions about it, and no grand expectations regarding results.
5. Stay calm throughout your practice sessions, and try to bring that calmness into your daily life afterward. Cultivate calmness as a spiritual virtue, and your control over the Force will increase as a result.

Keep the mind focused on the body and the Force as points of reference throughout a practice session. Inevitably your mind will wander off in thoughts or external distraction, and whenever that happens, body and the Force lose their synchronicity. The moment you catch your mind paying attention to something else, simply apply intent to shift attention immediately back to body and the Force. The harmony of the body, Mind and the Force is the key to success in the Jedi practices.

Auto-Suggestion

This is an adapted technique that is akin to Self Hypnosis...

The method is fairly simple and effective...

The only thing you need to do this is a length of string or yarn... Into which you tie 20 knots with around an equal amount of distance between each one... Close enough you can move the string by slipping your thumb down to the next Knot and slidding it forward....

With this simplistic counting device... when you lay down to goto sleep stretch out and get relaxed... then holding the string at the first knot... Begin repeating a simple helpful phrase. ((( Never use any sort of negative phrase or overly impoosiable phrase .... Such as I will sprout wings and fly... Or such things as.... Even though I am unsure of it... I will get better....)))

For the purpose of this excersise the Phrase you will want you to use is this

"" Everyday in everyway, I am becoming a better Jedi.""

The idea here is to say it softly while in the relaxed moments after your body has loosened it's muscles and with your eyes half closed..... Don't really focus on it... Just repeat it in a soft but audibale whisper... One time for each knot... Don't keep count in your head either... Let the string keep count for you..

"Control, control, you must learn control..."

Control is the key in any Jedi's life. Control of themselves must first be achieved if they are ever to control the force or someone else. This technique is in three parts, each must be completed before the next is begun. The first is concerned with clearing your mind, in effect controlling your thoughts. The second deals with the amount of time it takes to get your mind clear, while the third covers controlling your body. Each of these tasks will be ones that are practiced everyday of your life.

Part 1: Clearing your mind

This is a rather simple technique, yet difficult to describe or do. What you need to achieve through it is to stop any thoughts going through your mind at any one time. Your mind must be blank. To do this I can simply 'turn off' my mind, but it took a long to to achieve. I began this technique by visualising a blank screen in my head. That's all. Concentrate on the blackness and don't let anything else in. Think of nothing. In time other thoughts will try find their way in, but don't let them. You'll have to fight them back, but when you do, don't think about fighting back, that would mean your thinking of something. You have to just clear them from your mind. Once you can clear your mind for at least seven minutes, you should be ready to continue, but remember, you will need to practice this technique for the rest of your life.

Clearing your mind can help you in many areas. It will help in meditation and times when you need a clear head to think, like times of panic. It is also a good defense against people reading or probing your mind. If you're not thinking of something, then it make it a lot harder for them to enter your mind.

Part 2: Speed

It is important to be able to achive a clear state of mind, but when action is called for it is most important to quickly clear your mind. For example you may need to clear your mind as a defense. I think you would agree that you would want you mind clear ASAP, but if it takes you ten minutes to clear your mind, then it doesn't do you much good. At any one time you have thousands of thoughts going through your mind, in the next instant, you need to have your mind clear. That is how you know you have completed this task. To achive this, you must simply practice the first task, but instead of having your mind clear for a long time, work on the amount of time it takes to actually clear your mind. Practice, practice, practice is the key.

Part 3: Body Control

Another technique that is hard to teach. Like the previous one, it deals with a lot of will power. Your will power can be strengthened by the force by simply connecting with it and focusing on the task you want to achive. This technique is concerned with controlling any body movements or functions.

Remember, your mind controls your body, and from the previous tasks, you now control your mind, and therefor, your body. You simply have to control your mind and tell it NOT to do what it is going to do. The possibilities for this are endless. It can be used to stop pain, control balance, control muscle or reflexes. Any thing your body can do, can be controlled by this technique.

This is also a technique that will take a long time to master. I suggest keeping it in mind as you go about your daily business.

Heating and Cooling

Force Heat is a technique that is aimed at forming a heating sphere around the user, which would serve to protect him/her from harsh temperatures found in many environments. First, how does this sphere work?

Much as any heating device would. It uses the energy of the Force to fuel itself, thus creating heat in the fluid around the user's body. It works best with gaseous fluids as these are easiest to transmit heat to, and draw the least energy to do so. It works, albeit with lesser efficiency in liquids, and is almost totally useless on hard materials, due to the enormous amount of energy that is to be harnessed from the Force.

How to use this technique?

First make sure your mind and body are rested as to avoid any physical and mental distracton. When these conditions are met, proceed as follows:

1. Form an energy barrier around your body, approximately 10-20cm from your skin. It is good to visualize this barrier the color you associate with heat and fire. Make this barrier feel unbreakable and solid. This will help contain the Force energy you will be harnessing.
2. Once the barrier is complete and without any holes and/or weak spots in it, open yourself to the Force. Let it first fill you and flow through you. Once you are comfortable with the sensation, exude the flow of the Force through your body (arms, hands, entire body, whatever suits you) at the same time drawing more of it in, like a black hole that converts the Force into heat. There will be no damage to the Force, as it permeates many forms, including the thermal energy.
3. At this stage you must divide your mind. This is the most difficult part as it requires you to both draw from the Force AND exude the thermal energy into the field contained within your barrier. The barrier once set will remain there for an amount of time, or until deliberately broken, so you need not attend to it. Depending on the conditions of the environment you are in, it will take various amounts of time and energy to heat the air (or a fluid) to a comfortable level. Also remember that the barrier helps but is not 100% proof. Energy will be lost rapidly and will constantly need to be replaced. It all depends on your ability to draw from the Force.
4. When there is no more need for this technique, simply stop drawing/exuding energy. The temperature will drop sequentially, and if you disperse the barrier, it will simply vanish - returning to normal levels. This technique works well on stable conditions, while turbulent movements of the fluid you are in will make maintaining the whole effect that much harder. Yet it can be of great help when heat is needed and can protect well if there is shelter but no alternate source of heat. Remember, however that it requires great control over the Force and the best that can be expected is a rise of a few degrees Celsius, enough to prevent freezing, but not enough to offer substantiate comfort during low temperatures. Also important is the repeated practice. With repeated performing of this technique, the amount of time required will drop drastically, from a few minutes to a few seconds. The above technique can also be easily adapted to cool in hot weather.

Sphere of Responsibility

The Sphere of Responsiblity is one of the Jedi's most crucial abilities and one of his most crucial concepts to be understood. The Sphere shows a Jedi what all he is entrusted with by the Force. Some Jedi have asked exactly how far their responsibility goes to give aid. You see, as a Jedi, your Sphere serves this purpose. Anything inside the Sphere of Responsibility you can sense is something the Force is entrusting you to deal with. For example, say that you sphere stretches out in a 10 yard radius, and you are sitting in a classroom listening to your proffessor and you feel a fight going on in the room directly to your back. Now you can't very well get up and go break up the fight, and it probably wouldn't do too much good if you did. What you could do however is begin to smooth out the roiled emotions that cause all those disturbances in the Force. This will allow the people involved to think more clearly and more rationally. If you are capable of other abilities that should be used, you should use them. This gives you an idea of what you need to respond to. Now to the actual technique

The basic Jedi's Sphere of Responsiblity goes something like this. You must concentrate inside of yourself and find your center. Gather your internal Force energy in that center. Feel it compress into something about the size of a softball. Now expand the edges of the ball to encompass your body, but nothing outside. Imagine the inside being water. Once you can feel things within your body as such, then you can move on. Reach out to the Force outside your body. Infuse it with the Force that is inside of you and once more push the edges. This time let them extend in a spherical shape outside of your body. The trick with this is to find the point at which you can still sense everything inside, but if you expand it any further, then you will not be able to sense anything inside it anymore. Once you have found this edge, if you think you aren't channeling as much Force as you potentially could into the sphere then channel more into it and expand it. You might be able to get a few more inches this way. Now it isn't enough for me to simply explain how to do it, I will also explain how this works. As you already know, the Force you feel outside of yourself is the links between the internal Force that exists in all living things. The links in between all these living things are so numerous that they all become compressed into a veritable pool of energy all around you. When you expand your sphere from inside of yourself outside, your sphere will detect everything living inside itself, because the sphere is made of Force and therefore is connected to the living things. The sphere will also detect the non-living things because of the gap they leave in the Force. You may ask, "Well, if I am connected to all of these things, why can I not sense them innately?" The answer is such, some people can. Some people's inate connection is strong enough that they might have sensations of sensing something long before they undergo Jedi training. This is due to their connections through the Force. As a Jedi though, when you expand your sphere, the amount of your own internal energy that you have also in the sphere gives it a stronger connection with you allowing you to sense it better. Think of it this way. Let us say that your sphere is a giant glass orb, in which you sit in the center. You fill it up with your energy, which we will say is salt. When you pour the outside Force into it as well (which will be represented by water), you get salt-water. Well the higher the concentration of your energy is present the better the sensing is inside of it. So if you expand it to double the distance it was when you were just using your internal energy, then you have half as much of your own energy in it, so therefore you can only sense half as well. Your energy becomes diluted in the outside energy, making your personal connection to everything inside the sphere diluted. As your Jedi skills increase the shear amount of energy you have inside of you will increase allowing your sphere to enlarge, encompassing more and also symbolizing your Jedi responsiblities expanding with your abilites. This also ensures that any responsiblities that are laid onto you, you can handle. So if you are ever feeling like you are buckling under the load, just take heart in the fact that the Force considers you worthy of the load and considers you capable of bearing it all. And so it will aid you in all you do......

The Chalkboard

Here is a simple exercise for you to do:

Sit down and close your eyes.

In your mind, picture a chalkboard like the kind you had in school. The chalkboard tray has chalk and an eraser on it.

Picture yourself in the first person perspective picking up the chalk. Try to imagine the smell and the feel of it in your hands.

Draw a circle on the chalkboard.

Now put the letter "X" inside the circle.

Now sit down the chalk and pick up the eraser.

Imagine the smell of the chalk inside it and how it feels in your hand. Now erase the "X" from inside the circle without erasing the circle. Now erase the circle.

Now open your eyes and forget the chalkboard.

If you can do this simple exercise then you have good visualization skills. Something that you will need to be able to expand your mind to the point you can work within the Force easily.

Colored Balls

Concept: With your eyes closed you will allow a series of seven differently colored balls to enter your mental vision from right to left. One colored ball at a time will float gently as it enters from right edge of your mental vision and crosses to disappear at the left edge of your mental vision. These balls will have a specific color in a specific order, and each color is associated with certain thoughts for you to reflect on as the ball crosses your mental vision path. The sum total of the colors and the accompanying thoughts are designed to put you into balance, relax your mind, and instill refreshing mental energy.

Once you have allowed the balls to go from right to left, you will then allow them to enter from left and float to the right, again reflecting on the same thoughts associated with each color.

One session of right to left and left to right is an excellent mental tune-up and is usually sufficient to dispel most mental fatigue. However, you may repeat this exercise as often as you want to achieve the energizing you desire. If your mind is really fatigued, you may want to repeat the exercise several times. You will be able to tell when you are as tuned-up as you want to be.

Exercise: Sit down in a comfortable chair or on the floor if you wish. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths, allowing yourself to relax.

I want you to imagine now that a red ball is entering at the right edge of your mental vision. Allow the red ball to float slowly, gently toward the left, while you mentally dwell on this: Feel pure, warm energy flood into your body, giving you renewed strength physically and mentally just as the sun floods all things with warmth and strength. When the red ball reaches the left edge of your mental vision, allow it to disappear from view.

I want you to imagine now that an orange ball is entering at the right edge of your mental vision. Allow the orange ball to float slowly, gently toward the left, while you mentally dwell on this: The warm energy is stimulating every facet of your body. Feel the tingling. Notice how relaxed your mind is. When the orange ball reaches the left edge of your mental vision, allow it to disappear from view.

I want you to imagine now that a yellow ball is entering at the right edge of your mental vision. Allow the yellow ball to float slowly, gently toward the left, while you mentally dwell on this: Your mind is crystal clear now, and it is eager to take on new creative challenges. When the yellow ball reaches the left edge of your mental vision, allow it to disappear from view.

I want you to imagine now that a green ball is entering at the right edge of your mental vision. Allow the green ball to float slowly, gently toward the left, while you mentally dwell on this: You are maturing mentally and spiritually as the seeds of your creativity grow in the warmth of your newly found energy. You feel successful and happy. When the green ball reaches the left edge of your mental vision, allow it to disappear from view.

I want you to imagine now that a blue ball is entering at the right edge of your mental vision. Allow the blue ball to float slowly, gently toward the left, while you mentally dwell on this: A comforting blanket of peace surrounds you. You feel self-confident and protected. Your body is in perfect balance. When the blue ball reaches the left edge of your mental vision, allow it to disappear from view.

I want you to imagine now that an indigo (very deep blue) ball is entering at the right edge of your mental vision. Allow the indigo ball to float slowly, gently toward the left, while you mentally dwell on this: Your self-awareness deepens and you have great respect for yourself and for others. When the indigo ball reaches the left edge of your mental vision, allow it to disappear from view.

I want you to imagine now that a violet ball is entering at the right edge of your mental vision. Allow the violet ball to float slowly, gently toward the left, while you mentally dwell on this: You are part of the Force. Feel it flooding into you. You are calm and at peace with all things. When the violet ball reaches the left edge of your mental vision, allow it to disappear from view.

Now repeat the preceding exercise by having the balls enter the edge of your mental vision and float to the right edge and disappear. Use the same colors in the same sequence with the same thoughts to reflect on.

Then open your eyes and go on about your business unless you want to repeat the exercise again.

Notice how much better you feel and how much clearer your mind is functioning. I recommend using this exercise frequently as a tune-up for learning even more sophisticated mental exercises. You also may have noticed the colored balls follow the same color scheme as a rainbow. ROYGBIV as such keeping it in mind may make your beginning practices easier to accomplish when it comes to recalling what the next color is.

Colored Ball Meditation:

Perform the "Colored Balls Exercise" above as directed by allowing the red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and indigo balls to enter from the right and disappear to the left, with the accompanying thoughts specified. Then when the violet ball appears at the right, allow it to reach the center of your mental view and then stop the ball at that point.

Cause the violet ball to enlarge until it envelops your entire body, bathing you in an ultraviolet light.

Allow the ultraviolet light to fill your body completely, driving out all fear, all doubt, all negativism, all hate, filling you peace, knowledge, serenity, and the Force.

At this point, allow your mind to focus on only one thought on which you seek help, information, enlightenment, or on which you desire to expand your skills. You may stay in this state for as long as you wish. You will know when it is time to remove yourself from this state. It is also important to keep the proper level of respect for what you are doing. Keep in mind that in doing this you are taping into the Force. In doing so you are taping into everything and everyone. Not doing so may close the connection forever.

Self Hypnosis (Jedi Version)

Hypnosis Exercises :

The most important aspect of Hypnosis is TONE and PACE.

Use the voice you were born with. Don't deliberately alter your voice in an attempt to make it more resonant, deep, or theatrical sounding. It isn't needed and is in fact a hindrance.

The other aspect is Pace. Your speech pattern should be slow enough to give the subject time to respond to your directions and yet fast enough to retain their attention and interest. If you go to slow, the subjects mind might wander to other thoughts; you want to maintain the subject's attention to your voice. Some people may need a faster pace while others need a slower pace. Experience will help you find the right pace.

A pause of two to five seconds is a good average. For example: relax your knees (two-second pause); relax your calves (two-second pause); and now relax your toes (one-second pause) ; Relax your toes (two-second pause).

In some visualization routines you may need longer pauses. For example: I want you to imagine now that you are standing at the top of a spiral staircase (three-second pause); create the staircase (three-second pause); it is carpeted. Create the carpet (three-second pause).

Do not use your watch for timing these pauses; develop a feel for the timing. One way to do this is to perform the instructions yourself as you give them, thereby keeping a comfortable pace.

Speak in a rather dull, monotonous voice. The idea is to bore the subjects conscious mind to the point that it stops being active, allowing the subconscious mind to be accessible and receptive to your suggestions. If there is too much inflection or drama in your voice, the subject's conscious mind tends to retain interest, thus remaining active and thwarting your goal of deep relaxation and susceptibility to suggestion.

It is also important to observe the subject. The key items you look for are breathing patterns and muscle tone. As the subject slips into deep relaxation, breathing will be easy and rhythmic. There will be an occasional very deep breath with easy exhaling.

Watch the hands of your subject. Are they gripping the arms of the chair? Fidgeting? Twitching? Or are they resting without apparent tenseness?

The head should droop as the neck muscles relax. The jaw should slacken. There should be no signs of muscle strain or tenseness.

The eyelids may flutter. This is not tenseness but rather an indication that the subject is in a state called REM. Or rapid eye movement. This state occurs at about 10 cycles per second of brain activity, which is well within the alpha range. If you observe REM, You know for sure the subject is under hypnosis. But the subject can also be under hypnosis without REM so don't be concerned if you don't see it.

In general look for sings of relaxation to indicate the hypnosis is working. Signs of nervousness or tenseness indicate the subject is not ready.

Two pre-hypnosis exercises. Used to familiarize your subject with hypnosis and put them at ease.. Say only the italicized words.

Exercise 1: I want you to close your eyes now for a brief exercise. I want you to picture a chalkboard in your mind. Create the chalkboard. It can be black or green or whatever color you wish. Create it. It has a chalk tray with chalk and an eraser in it. Do you have it?

(Wait for a response. When you get a yes response, proceed.)

Fine. Now take a piece of chalk and draw a circle on your board. Do you have a circle?

(Wait for a yes, then proceed.)

Good. Now print the letter A inside the circle. Do you have the A in the circle?

(Wait for yes, then proceed.)

Now erase the A from inside the circle, but don't erase the circle. Say okay when you have done that.

(Wait for okay).

Very good. Now erase the circle and open your eyes.

Done

At this point you may want to have a brief dialog with the subject about their experience with the chalkboard. Assure them that whatever their experience was, it was fine. Each person responds differently. Some actually see the board. Others sense it. Others know intellectually that it is there. All responses are correct. There are no wrong experiences in hypnosis; whatever you experience is the way it is for you, and is alright. Make a point of telling the subject that this sort of response happens frequently in hypnosis.

Exercise 2: Close your eyes again for one more training exercise. This time I want you to focus your attention on the tip of your nose. Are you doing this?

(Wait for yes, then proceed.)

Good. Keep your attention focused gently and casually on the tip of your nose and go on listening to the sound of my voice. In some of the hypnosis techniques we will be doing together, I will ask you to focus your attention on the tip of your nose in order to intensify your concentration and deepen your state of relaxation. If at any time during hypnosis you find your mind wandering, all you need to do is focus your attention on the tip of your nose as you are doing now and your mind will stop wandering and will once again follow my voice. Now open your eyes.

Done

Again have a brief dialog about the experience... and answer any questions the subject has truthfully and as completely as you are able to do.

Everything so far has been about using hypnosis on others... What follows now are the 6 session plans as well as the individual sections used to comprise those sessions.... After that I'll move on to Self-Hypnosis and how to use the individual sections found in this area to create self-Hypnosis tapes for personal use. As well as offer a few suggestions to get you started and give you a basic idea concerning phrasing and concepts you can use them or create your own.

Hypnosis Session 1

Session 1 consists of 12 sections in the following sequence: A, 1A, B, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J.

((Between sections 1I and 1J give your suggestions. Using the following intro to them. "Repeat the following statements to yourself as I say them:" A few useful ones are "Every day in every way, I am getting better, better, and better." Or "Positive thoughts bring me benefits and advantages I desire." You can use these or tailor your own based upon the situation being worked upon... But you should at least put one suggestion in and probably no more then three at this point. Once done with your suggestions... move on to the closing section 1J.))

Just before starting session 1, give the following brief instruction to the subject:

In a few moments I am going to ask you to close your eyes and follow my instructions. Shortly after we begin the session, I will ask you on three separate occasions to open your eyes. I when I do ask, I really do not want you to open your eyes. I want you to pretend to try to open your eyes by stretching the eyelids, but I do not want you to open them. Then I will say something like, "Now relax your eyes,: at which time you may stop pretending to try to open them and just relax. Here is what I mean.

(Give a brief demonstration of the eyelids stretching)

Now you try it.

(Wait for a few moments to allow the subject to try it with their eyelids)

That was fine. Of course, at the very end of this session I will really want you to open your eyes when I say something like "In a few moments I will count from one to five and you will open your eyes and be wide awake." Do you understand? In the beginning we will have three brief tests where I do not want you to open your eyes, but at the very end of the session I really do want you to open them.

(Wait for the subject to acknowledge that they understand. If they don't go over it again exactly until they do understand)

Now let's begin.

(Begin with section A and move through the order to section 1J. Remember TONE and PACE are the key factors)

Hypnosis Session 2: In this session you get down to business and achieve two goals: To begin specific routines and suggestions to deal with the problem, habit, or area we wish to deal with, and teach the subject self-hypnosis.

Session 2 consists of 16 sections in the following sequence: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q.

(((In this session You begin implanting suggestions during section J through M. I have chosen to use suggestions concerning the Jedi Path... But you can and should tailor these to fit your own needs... For example you could suggest placing a piece of chocolate on the tongue and that while it melts it is bitter and gets more and more so as it melts... until they can barely stand it... Or some similar type of suggestion to help with dieting or smoking or some such issue)))

(((Section K is split into a male (K-2 subsection) and a Female (K-1 subsection) Depending on the subject being worked with. Use the appropriate one in the K area of the sequence)))

(((Sections N through P teach the subject a simple self-hypnosis practice as well as implant the habit of doing this practice)))

After this session is over., ask the subject how they feel and answer any questions truthfully. Then give them a sheet with the instructions for practicing self-Hypnosis

(((Self Hypnosis Instructions:

Stretch! Then sit in a comfortable position. Focus your attention on a spot, and as you do, mentally say the number 5 three times as you exhale. Then close your eyes. Take another deep breath. And as you exhale, mentally say the number 4 three times. As you say the number 4, picture it at the same time. Take another deep breath and do the same thing with numbers 3, 2, and 1 consecutively. Now imagine a relaxation force emanating from your eyes and flowing out all over your body like a warm blanket of soothing, warm, gentle air going all the way down to your toes. Then count backward from ten to one. After reaching the number 1, give yourself these suggestions:

"I will always be relaxed and calm. I will always be the best Jedi I can be." Then picture the same spot in your mind that you looked at originally. Imagine this spot moving all the way to the back of your head taking the suggestions with it. Then forget the suggestions, so that your inner mind will absorb it. Then count from 1 to 5 and awaken and feel the effects of the suggestions.)))

Hypnosis Session 3:

Session 3 consists of 14 sections in the following sequence: A, B, C, D, E, F, I, G, H, R, L, S, T, Q.

(((Section R is split into a male (R-2 subsection) and a Female (R-1 subsection) Depending on the subject being worked with. Use the appropriate one in the R area of the sequence)))

Hypnosis Session 4:

Session 4 consists of 14 sections in the following sequence: A, B, C, D, E, F, I, G, U, V, W, X, Y, Q.

(((Section V is split into a male (V-2 subsection) and a Female (V-1 subsection) Depending on the subject being worked with. Use the appropriate one in the V area of the sequence)))

Hypnosis Session 5:

Session 5 consists of 13 sections in the following sequence: A, B, C, D, E, F, I, G, U, W, X, Y, Q.

(((This session is strictly a reinforcement session.)))

As with all sessions before this... You should discuss the time spent between each session by the subject and how their self-hypnosis is going and answer any questions they might have truthfully and honestly.

During this discussion remind the subject that the room they created in session 4 is an especially important tool. They can return to this room via their self-hypnosis anytime, they want for any good purpose they want to. In this room, they can create their own reality for a better and more enriching life. They are in direct contact with their own higher mind in this room and through it the Force. So they will be able to get results more effectively as well as strengthen their skills or learn new ones.

Hypnosis Session 6:

Session 5 consists of 13 sections in the following sequence: A, B, C, D, E, F, I, G, Z, W, X, Y, Q. Again this is mainly a reinforcement session but it does have one new section. Z is designed to help the subject begin to expand their mind and explore the vast resources and energy found within the Force or energy they are contacting.

This section is designed to give the person an idea of how to create many different scenario's for exploring or training the mind.

SECTIONS:

I would suggest printing each section out onto an index card or separate sheet of paper so that you can easily put them in the proper order for each session.

Section A:

First I want you to stand up and take a good, complete stretch. Get all the kinks out.

(Wait for a few moments while the subject stands up and stretches thoroughly)

That's fine. Now just sit in the chair and relax. Close your eyes and take a nice deep, full breath and exhale completely, all the way to the bottom of your lungs. All out. Do it again now. Just relax and let it all out. One more time, and this time hold your breath when you have filled your lungs with clean, refreshing, relaxing air. Hold it in. Keep your eyes closed. Now let your breath out slowly and feel yourself relaxing all over.

Section 1A:

Focus your attention on your knees now and relax everything below your knees. Relax your calves. Relax your ankles. Relax your feet. And relax your toes. Everything below your knees now are loose and relaxed. Now relax your thighs as completely as you can. Let your thighs just droop limp and loose and heavy into the chair. Relax your hips and relax your waist. Now relax your chest as completely as you can. Allow your breathing to be easier and deeper, more regular and more relaxed. Relax your shoulders now. Let the muscles in your shoulders be heavy and loose. More and more completely relaxed. Relax your neck and throat. Let your head just droop as all the muscles in your neck just relax. Now relax your face as completely as you can. Allow your face to be smooth and loose, relaxed and easy, your jaws all loose and relaxed, your teeth are not quite touching. Everything smooth and loose and easy. Now relax as completely as you can all the little muscles around your eyelids. Feel your eyelids growing heavier and smoother. More and more deeply relaxed.

In a moment, I am going to ask you to open your eyelids, When I ask you to open them, your eyelids will be so relaxed and heavy they will just barely open and when I ask you to close your eyelids again you will allow them to relax even more completely. Now try to open your eyelids. Now close your eyes and feel yourself relaxing even more.

Section B:

I want you to imagine now that all your tensions, all your tightness, and all your fears and worries are draining away from the top of your head. Let it drain down through your face, down through your neck, through your shoulders, through your chest, your waist, your hips, your thighs, down through your knees, your calves, your ankles, your feet, and out your toes. All your tension, all your tightness, all your worries and fears are draining away now from the very tips of your toes, and you are relaxing more and more.

Section 1B:

We are going to do this relaxation exercise again. This time I want you to allow yourself to relax even more fully and completely than you did the first time. Focus your attention on your knees once again and relax everything below your knees. Relax your calves. Relax your ankles. Relax your feet, and relax your toes. And now relax your thighs even more completely. Allow your thighs to droop limp and heavy into the chair. Relax your hips and your waist. Feel the relaxation within your chest now. Relaxing the vital organs within your chest, your heart, your lungs, allowing your breathing to be more intense, more regular, more and more completely relaxed all over. And now relax even more all the little muscles around your eyelids. Feel your eyelids heavy and smooth, more and more deeply relaxed. In a moment when I ask you to open your eyelids, your eyelids will be so relaxed, so lazy, that they may not even work. But whether your eyelids open or whether they don't open, in either case when I ask you to close your eyes again you will allow yourself to relax even more completely. Open your eyelids. Now close your eyes, and feel yourself relaxing even more.

Section C:

Focus your attention on your toes now and allow your toes to relax completely. Each toe is loose and heavy. Now let this relaxation flow into your feet, into your ankles, your calves, and your knees. Feel it flowing into your ankles, your calves, and your knees. Feel it flowing into your thighs, into your hips, into your waist, flowing up into your chest now. Feel your breathing easier and deeper, more regular and more relaxed. Now let the deep-relaxed feeling go into your shoulders, down your arms, into your upper arms, your forearms, and into your hands and fingers, and flowing back into your forearms, your upper arms, your shoulders. Flowing into your neck, over your face, your chin, your cheeks, even your ears are relaxed. Feel it flowing into your eyes and eyelids now Your eyelids are so heavy and smooth. Flowing up into your eyebrows, over your forehead, over the top of your head, down the back of your head, and down the back of your neck.

Section 1C:

We are going to do this relaxation exercise once again. This time I want you to allow yourself to relax completely. There is nothing to fear you will always hear me, so just pull out all the stops and allow yourself to sink into perfect relaxation.

Focus your attention again upon your knees and relax everything below your knees. Relax your calves, relax your ankles, relax your feet, and relax your toes. Now relax your thighs completely. Feel the deep and heavy relaxation flowing into your hips now. Feel it going up through your waist, flowing into your chest, to your shoulders, heavy and loose, completely relaxed. And now this heavy relaxed feeling is going into your neck and throat, all over your face. Your face is all smooth and loose, completely easy and relaxed, and the heavy relaxation is flowing into your eyes and eyelids now. Your eyelids are so heavy and so smooth. Even more deeply relaxed.

Section D:

A new heaviness is starting in your toes now. Twice as heavy as the first time. Imagine a heavy weight on each toe. Feel the heaviness deep and even more relaxed. And this heavy, deep feeling is going into your feet, your ankles, your calves, your knees, going into your thighs, your hips, into your waist. Flowing up into your chest now, relaxing your heart, relaxing your lungs, allowing your breathing to be more intense, more regular, more and more completely relaxed. Now the deep heavy feeling is flowing into your shoulders, and down into your arms, your upper arms, your forearms, into your hands and fingers. And now flowing back through your forearms, your upper arms, into your shoulders and into your neck. Flowing over your face, into yours eyes, over your eyebrows, over your forehead, over the top of your head, down the back of your head and down the back of your neck.

Section 1D:

In a moment when I ask you to open your eyelids, I want you to believe very very strongly that your eyelids are glued together. I want you to imagine that your eyelids are one piece of skin. Like one piece of skin. Don't be antagonistic or skeptical and say that you can open your eyelids. Just believe, just imagine that your eyelids are glued together. And if you believe and if you imagine that you cannot open your eyelids, you will really not be able to open them. Believe now very very strongly that your eyelids are glued together. Imagine your eyelids are like one piece of skin. Now try to open your eyes. Now let your eyes relax. Feel yourself relaxing all over.

Section E:

And a new heaviness is starting now at the top of your head. Twice as heavy as before. Twice as heavy. Imagine a heavy weight on the very top of your head, soft and relaxed and heavy. Feel the heavy relaxation flowing down into your face and eyes now, down through your neck, your shoulders, flowing down through your chest, your waist, your hips, your thighs, your knees, into your calves, your ankles, your feet and toes. Deeply relaxed, loose and limp, and comfortable from the top of your head to the very tip of your toes.

Section 1E:

I want you to imagine now that you are looking at a blackboard. And on the blackboard is a circle. Into the circle put an X. And now erase the X from inside the circle. And now erase the circle. Forget about the blackboard now as you just go on relaxing more and more deeply.

In a moment, I am going to count backward from 100. I want you to count with me silently to yourself. Say each number to yourself as I say it, then when I ask you, erase the number from your mind and allow yourself to relax even more deeply. 100... say the 100 to yourself. Now erase it from your mind and go deeper. 99.... And erase it all away. 98 and erase it. 97 and now erase it so completely there is nothing left at all, just deeper and deeper waves of relaxation.

Section F:

I want you to imagine now that you are looking at a blackboard. On the blackboard imagine a circle. Into the circle we are going to place the letters of the alphabet in reverse order, and with each letter after you place it in the circle, you will erase it then from inside the circle and allow yourself to relax more and more deeply.

Picture the blackboard now. Picture the circle. Into the circle put the letter Z. Now erase the Z from inside the circle, and go deeper. Put Y into the circle, and erase it and go deeper. X, and erase it and go deeper still. W, and erase it. V, and erase it. U, and erase it. T, and erase it. S, and erase it. R, and erase it. Q, and erase it. P, and erase it. O, and erase it. N, and erase it. M, and erase it. L, and erase it. K, and erase it. J, and erase it. I, and erase it. H, and erase it. G, and erase it. F, and erase it. E, and erase it. D, and erase it. C, and erase it. B, and erase it. A, and erase it. Now erase the circle and forget about the blackboard. Just go on relaxing more and more deeply. Feel yourself sink into the chair, mind and body drifting deeper and deeper into relaxation, deeper with each breath.

Section 1F:

Focus your attention now on the very tip of your nose just as we practiced before. Keep your attention gently focused on the tip of your nose until you reach the point where your entire attention is on my voice. And when you reach that point, you can forget about your nose and just go on listening to my voice and allowing yourself to relax more and more deeply. And as you keep your attention focused very gently on the tip of your nose I am going to take you down through four progressively deeper levels of relaxation.

Section G:

I want you to imagine now that you are looking at a clear, blue summer sky. And in the sky, a sky-writing airplane is writing your first name in fluffy, white cloud-like letters. See your name floating fluffy, white, and cloud-like in a clear, blue sky. Now let your name just dissolve away. Let the winds just blow your name away into the blue. Forget about your name. Forget you even have a name. Names are not important. Just go on listening to the sound of my voice and allowing yourself to relax more deeply.

Section 1G:

I will label these levels with letters of the alphabet, and when you reach the first level, level A, you will be ten times more deeply relaxed than you are even now. And then from level A we will go down to level B, and when your reach level B you will be ten times again more deeply relaxed than you were before. And from level B we will go down even farther, down to level C. And when you reach level C you will be ten times again more deeply relaxed than before. And then from level C we will go all the way down to the deepest level of relaxation, level D. And when you reach level D, you will be ten times again more deeply relaxed than before. You are drifting down now, two times deeper with each breath that you exhale. Two times deeper with each breath. Your hands and fingers are so relaxed and heavy, and they keep growing heavier. Feel the heaviness growing in your hands and fingers. Heavy...heavier still until now they are so heavy it is as though your hands and fingers were made of lead. And this deep relaxed, heavy feeling is flowing up through your forearms now. Feel it going up into your upper arms. Flowing through your shoulders, into your neck, over your face, over your eyes. Flowing up to your eyebrows, your forehead, over the top of your head. The deep relaxed, heavy feeling is flowing down the back of your head and down the back of your neck. You are now approaching level A.

Section H:

I want you to imagine now that I am placing on each of your knees a heavy bag of sand. Feel the sand pressing down on your knees. Your knees are growing heavier and more relaxed. In the sand is a very powerful numbing ingredient and the numbness is flowing down into your knees now. Your knees are growing numb and more numb under the sand. And the heavy numb feeling is flowing down into your calves, into your ankles, into your feet and toes. Everything below your knees is numb and more numb from the sand. And now the heavy, numb feeling is going up your thighs, flowing into your hips, through your waist, and into your chest. It flows into your shoulders, and they grow numb and heavy. It flows down your arms, your upper arms, your forearms, into your hands and fingers. Flowing back now through your forearms, your upper arms, your shoulders, and into your neck. Over your face, your eyes. Flowing up to your eyebrows, your forehead, over the top of your head, down the back of your head, and down the back of your neck.

Section 1H:

You are on level A now and still going deeper. Five times deeper now with every breath you exhale. Five times deeper with each breath. Your mind is so still and peaceful. You're not thinking of anything now. Too relaxed to think. Too comfortable to think. And this heavy relaxation in your mind is flowing onto your face and eyes. It is flowing down through your neck and chest. Flowing down to your waist, down through your hips, your thighs, your knees, your calves, your ankles, your feet and your toes. You are now approaching level B.

Section I:

As you breathe in, imagine that you are breathing in a pure, clean, odorless anesthesia. This anesthesia is flowing all through your body now, a warm, numb, tingling feeling. And the more you breath in the more you want to breathe in, and you allow your breathing to become even deeper now, bringing in more and more of this peaceful, relaxed, tranquil feeling. From now on until the end of this session, with each breath you will allow yourself to relax more and more completely.

Section 1I:

You are on level B now and still drifting deeper. Floating smoothly and gently into perfect relaxation. Your arms and legs are so relaxed and heavy they feel like logs. Your arms and legs are stiff and numb and heavy.... Simply immovable. Your arms and legs are like planks of wood. You are now approaching level C. You are on level C now and still drifting down. Sinking into the chair. Sinking deeper and deeper into perfect relaxation. And as you go on drifting even deeper, I am going to count backward from 15 to 1. Each number that I say will take you deeper and deeper still, and when I reach 1 you will be on level D. 15, deeper, 14, deeper still, 13...12...11...10...9...8...7...6, let it all go now, 5...4...3...2...1...1...1, so deep, so dreamy, so heavy, so misty. You are now on level D an still drifting down. There is no limit now...no limit. Go on floating, drifting deeper and deeper into perfect relaxation, deeper with each breath.

Section J:

As you go on floating, drifting smoothly and gently, more and more deeply relaxed with each breath, I want you to focus your attention on the very tip of your nose. Keep your attention focused gently and lazily on the tip of your nose until you reach a point where your entire attention is on the sound of my voice. And when you reach that point, you can forget about your nose and just go on listening to my voice and allowing yourself to relax more and more deeply. (From this point on is when you begin to work in the suggestions. Again I have tailored these for the Jedi usage. But anything could be used here.) As you keep your attention gently focused on the tip of your nose, I want you to imagine now that inside you is the seed of Jedi wisdom. And that it is a part of you. It holds all the wisdom you now have. It is growing day by day as you learn more and more. It is growing so large that it is filling you. That it is becoming a part of you. From now on it will always be with you. A part of you, that you wish to help grow bigger. You will desire to learn more about the Jedi. But will do so in a slow and safe manner. You will become more Jedi like every day from now on.

Section 1J:

The next time I see you, or whenever you hear my voice on tape, you will allow yourself to relax ten times more deeply then you are now. And the suggestions I give you then will go ten times deeper into your mind. In a few moments I will awaken you. When you awaken you will feel alive and alert, very refreshed. Full of energy. You will feel just wonderful. You will keep on feeling relaxed and fine all the rest of today, and all this evening. Tonight when you are ready to go to sleep, you will sleep just like a log all night long. And the first thing you know it will be morning, and you will awaken feeling on top of the world.

I am going to count from 1 to 5. At the count of 5 you will open your eyes, be wide awake and feeling fine, feeling relaxed, refreshed, alert, and in very high spirits. Feeling simply terrific!

1...2... coming up slowly now ...3... at the count of 5 you will open your eyes, be wide awake and feeling fine, feeling better than before ...4...5.

Here you may wish to snap your fingers at the count of 5 and say Open your eyes, your wide awake and feeling fine, feeling better than before, and this is so! (Things to note: At the beginning the words "or whenever you hear my voice on tape." If you are not going to tape any sessions, omit this. If you think you might perform relaxation over the telephone, add "or whenever you hear my voice on the telephone" to help pre-condition your subject for future sessions.)

Section K-1: (Use only with Female Subjects)

I want you to imagine yourself. See yourself as you really want to be, the real you. Alive and vibrant, in full control, serene and lovely. This is you. This is the real you. This is the woman you can really come to be. At this moment you are making yourself a promise. Not a promise to me... a promise to yourself... a commitment to become the real you. This commitment will be with you, stronger every day. From now on, every day you will become more and more completely the lovely woman you want to be. You will be relaxed and serene no matter what is going on around you. And anything that does happen, you can handle it in a relaxed and sensible manner. And you will feel so good, you will have all the energy in the world every single day. And it will be very easy for you to stay on the Jedi path every day. No matter where you are, no matter what you are doing.

Section K-2: (Use only with Male Subjects)

I want you to imagine yourself. See yourself as you really want to be, the real you. Confident and energetic, in full control, healthy and trim. This is you. This is the real you. This is the man you can really come to be. At this moment you are making yourself a promise. Not a promise to me... a promise to yourself... a commitment to become the real you. This commitment will be with you, stronger every day. From now on, every day you will become more and more completely the trim, handsome man you want to be. You will be relaxed and calm no matter what is going on around you. And anything that does happen, you can handle it in a relaxed and sensible manner. And you will feel very good, you will have all the energy in the world every single day. And it will be very easy for you to stay on the Jedi path every day. No matter where you are, no matter what you are doing.

Section L:

Each day when you wake up you will spend around ten minutes stretching and then eat a healthy breakfast. As well as a healthy lunch and dinner. You will begin to cut back on snacks between these meals as well. And each night before you goto sleep you will contemplate and study the Jedi path for at least a half hour.

Section M:

You will always act in any situation in a calm and Jedi like fashion. And you will seek to help others when you can. That is your main goal right now. You will have no desire to attack anyone without just cause. You will seek every chance to study yourself, and the situations you are in, and compare them to the Jedi way of life. The longer you stay on the Jedi path, the easier it will be and your bad tendencies will just melt away. All those extra habits that hinder or harm you and others, will slowly stop happening. And you will also practice faithfully everyday in using the Force. You will also practice everyday the little exercise in self-Hypnosis that we are going to do together now.

Section N:

In a moment I am going to ask you to open your eyes and look at a spot I am going to hold before you. You will not awaken when you open your eyes. You will not awaken. You will go even deeper into relaxation. Open your eyes now and look at the spot I am holding before you and take a deep, full breath.

(as you tell the subject to open their eyes, hold up a card that has a large, bright red spot on it for them to direct their attention to. A handy size for this is a 6 x 6-inch preferably white card stock. On which is drawn as large a circle as you can get on the card. The circle should be colored in bright red. Hold the card at eye level about 4 feet in front of them.)

Deep and full. Now close your eyes, let the breath out and think 5...5...5... and go deeper. Again now, a deep, easy breath and think 4...4...4... and let it out. Again a deep breath, deep and full, think 3...3...3... and let it out. More and more deeply relaxed. Take in a deep breath and think 2...2...2... and let it out. Once more a deep breath, let it out and think 1...1... let it all go now...1.

Imagine now a heavy, deep force of relaxation just behind your eyelids. Feel this deep, relaxing Force flowing down from your eyelids. Down through your face and neck, down through your shoulders and chest, your waist, your hips, down through your thighs, your knees, your calves, your ankles, your feet and toes.

Section O:

In a moment, I am going to count backward from 10 to 1. I want you to count with me silently to yourself. Think each number as I say it, and allow each number to take you deeper. 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3... 2...1. You are now very deeply relaxed. You can give yourself the following suggestions. Say the words to yourself with me as I say them: I will always be relaxed and calm. I will always be the best Jedi I can be. Now picture the spot you looked at during the beginning of this exercise. Imagine the spot floating in, traveling together with your suggestions. Traveling all the way to the back of your head, all the way to the back. When you have your spot and your suggestions together at the back of your head, erase it, forget about the spot, forget about the suggestions, just let it all disappear. Allow yourself to relax.

Section P:

Between now and the next time I see you, you will practice this self-hypnosis exercise faithfully at least three times every single day, even if you think you don't need it. It makes you feel just wonderful. And each time you go through this routine in self-hypnosis you will relax completely. You will go just as deep as you are now. Just as you are now, and the suggestions that you give yourself will go deeper, and deeper into your mind. By practicing your self-hypnosis faithfully every day, you will have perfect control over your own mind and body. You can dissolve away any tension. You can dissolve away any hunger or pain or negative emotion you shouldn't have. Every day your wisdom and abilities as a Jedi will get better and better, and you will keep on feeling good every single day.

Section Q:

The next time I see you, or whenever you hear my voice on tape, you will allow yourself to relax even more completely then you are now. And the suggestions I have given you will keep on going deeper and deeper and deeper into your mind. In a few moments when you awaken yourself, you will feel very very relaxed, and you will be completely refreshed, alive, alert, and full of energy, full of confidence. You will feel a deep connection to the Force. All you have to do to awaken is to count with me from 1 up to 5 and at the count of 5, open your eyes, feeling relaxed, refreshed, alert, and a deep connection to the Force within you. 1...2...3...4...5.

Section R-1: (Use only with female subjects)

As you go floating, drifting smoothly and gently more and more deeply relaxed with each breath, focus your attention on the tip of your nose. Keep your attention now focused gently and lazily on the tip of your nose until you reach a point where your entire attention is on the sound of my voice. When you reach that point you can forget about the tip of your nose and just go on listening to my voice and allowing yourself to relax more and more deeply. As you keep your attention gently focused on the tip of your nose, I want you to imagine for a minute. Imagine yourself as you really want to be, looking good and feeling fine, so full of energy and vitality, wearing the clothes that look good on you. This is you. This is the lovely woman you are becoming. Every day from now on you will be more and more completely the woman you really want to be. You will be relaxed and calm no matter what is going on around you, and anything that does happen you can handle in a relaxed and sensible manner. And you will feel so good. You will have all the energy you can use every day, and you will find it easier and easier to stay on the Jedi path every day, no matter where you are and no matter what you are doing.

Section R-2: (Use only with male subjects)

As you go floating, drifting smoothly and gently more and more deeply relaxed with each breath, focus your attention on the tip of your nose. Keep your attention now focused gently and lazily on the tip of your nose until you reach a point where your entire attention is on the sound of my voice. When you reach that point you can forget about the tip of your nose and just go on listening to my voice and allowing yourself to relax more and more deeply. As you keep your attention gently focused on the tip of your nose, I want you to imagine for a minute. Imagine yourself as you really want to be, trim and healthy, looking handsome and virile, full of confidence, energy and vitality, wearing well-fitting clothes that look good on your proportioned, firm, trim, body. This is you. This is the man you are now becoming. Every day from now on you will be more and more completely the man you really want to be. You will be relaxed and calm no matter what is going on around you, and anything that does happen you can handle it in a calm relaxed and sensible manner, And you will feel so good. You will have all the energy you can use every day, and you will find it easier and easier to stay on the Jedi path every day, no matter where you are and no matter what you are doing.

Section S:

You will always act in any situation in a calm and Jedi like fashion. And you will seek to help others when you can. That is your main goal right now. You will have no desire to attack anyone without just cause. You will seek every chance to study yourself, and the situations you are in, and compare them to the Jedi way of life. The longer you stay on the Jedi path, the easier it will be and your bad tendencies will just melt away. All those extra habits that hinder or harm you and others, will slowly stop happening. And you will also practice faithfully everyday in using the Force. For you are now beginning to form the habit of applying the Jedi Philosophies and skills to your own life.

Section T:

You will continue to practice this self-hypnosis exercise faithfully at least three times every single day, even if you think you don't need it. It makes you feel just wonderful. And each time you go through this routine in self-hypnosis you will relax completely. You will go just as deep as you are now. Just as you are now, and the suggestions that you give yourself will go deeper, and deeper into your mind. By practicing your self-hypnosis faithfully every day, you will have perfect control over your own mind and body. You can dissolve away any tension. You can dissolve away any hunger or pain or negative emotion you shouldn't have. Every day your wisdom and abilities as a Jedi will get better and better, and you will keep on feeling good every single day. For you are in control now, and whatever you set your mind to do, you can and will do it. You will be completely successful and you will enjoy your success. You will enjoy looking better and feeling better and having a stronger connection to the Force every single day.

Section U:

I want you to imagine now that you are standing on the top step of a heavy wooden staircase. Feel the carpet under your feet. The carpet can be any kind and color you wish... create it. Now extend your hand out and touch the railing. Feel the smooth polished wood of the railing under your hand. You are standing just ten steps up from the floor below. The stairs are curving very smoothly down to the floor below. In a moment we will walk down the stairs. With each step down you will allow yourself to relax even more deeply. By the time you reach the floor below you will be deeper then you have ever gone before. Take a step down now, down to the ninth step smoothly and easily. Feel yourself going deeper. Now go down to 8, deeper still. Now down to 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1. Now you are standing on the floor below. There is a door in front of you. Reach out and open the door. You are inside the room now, look around you. This is your room, and it can be anything you want it to be. Any size, any shape, any colors. You can have anything in this room that you want. You can add things, remove things, rearrange things, paintings, windows, carpets, or whatever you want because this is your place... your very own private place and you are free here. Free to create, free to be who you are. Free to do whatever you will, and the light that shines in this room is your light. Feel the light all around you, shining on the beautiful things in your room. Shining on you; feel the energy in the light. Let the light flow all through your body now. Going in through every pore in your skin. Filling you completely. Pushing away all doubt. Pushing out all fear and tension. You are filled with the light. You are clear and radiant, glowing with the shining light in your room.

Section V-1: (Use only with female subjects)

While you are standing in the light in your room, I want you to build an image. An image of yourself as you really want to be. Not as someone else wants you to be, but as you really want yourself to be. See your image standing in front of you in the light. Your image is beautiful, serene and free, wearing the clothes you feel best suit you. This is you. This is the real you. This is the woman you are now becoming. Walk closer to your image now. Walk closer. Now walk into the image. Let it blend into your very body. Your own best self, a living part of you now. Stronger every day.

Section V-2: (Use only with male subjects)

While you are standing in the light in your room, I want you to build an image. An image of yourself as you really want to be. Not as someone else wants you to be, but as you really want yourself to be. See your image standing in front of you in the light. Your image is trim, healthy, handsome, calm and free, wearing well-fitting clothes that you feel most comfortable in. This is you. This is the real you. This is the man you are now becoming. Walk closer to your image now. Walk closer. Now walk into the image. Let it blend into your very body. Your own best self, a living part of you now. Stronger every day.

Section W:

From now on every day you will be more and more completely the person you really want to be. You will be relaxed and calm. And no matter what is going on around you, you can handle it in a relaxed and sensible manner. And you will feel so good. You will have all the energy you can use every single day. And it will be so easy to stay on the Jedi path every day no matter where you are.

Section X:

You will always act in any situation in a calm and Jedi like fashion. And you will seek to help others when you can. That is your main goal right now. You will have no desire to attack anyone without just cause. You will seek every chance to study yourself, and the situations you are in, and compare them to the Jedi way of life. The longer you stay on the Jedi path, the easier it will be and your bad tendencies will just melt away. All those extra habits that hinder or harm you and others, will slowly stop happening. And you will also practice faithfully everyday in using the Force Your mind and body are adjusting to this habit more completely every day, it is becoming no longer a habit, but your normal every day way of doing things.

Section Y:

You will continue to practice your self-hypnosis exercise faithfully as often as you can every single day. And each time you go through your little routine in self-hypnosis you will relax completely. And very, very swiftly. Within just a few seconds you will go just as deep as you are now. Even deeper. And whatever suggestions you give to yourself will be stronger and deeper all the time. For you are in control now. Whatever you choose to do, you can do. Whatever you set your mind to achieve, you can and will achieve. You will be completely successful, and you will enjoy your success. And you will enjoy becoming more and more Jedi like every day. You will enjoy being more and more intune with the Force every day. And you will enjoy being more and more your real self-every day.

Section Z: (Mountain Trip)

Find yourself lying on a soft, green meadow of grass with the bright sun overhead. Notice the flowers around your head. The gentle breeze gently blows across your body. Notice the grass and flowers spring up to about a foot above your head. See how the breeze gently blows the blades of grass back and forth. Smell the fragrance of the flowers. Now stand up and look to the north. See a majestic mountain. There is a stream on the right of you. Bend down and notice the cool water. Take a drink of this absolutely pure clean cool water. Listen to the rush of the small rapids on this bubbly brook.

Since the stream seems to come from the mountain. Let's follow it. Now we come upon a pond that is at the head of this stream. Notice how warm the water is here. Since at this level of mind we are all expert swimmers, lets go for a swim. Feel the warm sun. Feel the warm water surrounding your body as you quietly move through the water. It is now time for us to continue up the mountain. As we climb, listen to the birds chirping. Smell the pine trees. Look at the rocks on the bank to our left. Once in awhile, we can see the valley and our meadow on the right between the trees. We are halfway up the mountain now. Let's stop to rest on the rock to our right. Our Meadow is in full view from here. It is now time to continue up to the top of the mountain. Listen to the squirrels chatter in the trees above.

The breeze is blowing the smell of the small cedar trees to us as we near the top. We are on the top now. We can see a wise Jedi sitting in front of a small temple before us. The Jedi looks at us and says " Ask the questions you most want answered or request to learn the skills you most wish to learn. And I will answer them or show you how to do them. So ask your questions now Or request the lessons now... and I will give the answers to you or teach you the lessons. Now it is time for us to return to our meadow. See the sun starting to set on the hills to the left. If we hurry, we can be off our mountain before it gets dark. Halfway down the mountain now, and we stop to rest on our rock again. We can watch the beginning of the sun set. Start on down the mountain again. Hear the chirping of the small night animals. Passing our pond, we see the reflection of the sunset in it's mirror surface. Our small stream is cool and refreshing as we pass along it's side. Now we are back to our meadow. Lie down again in the tall grass. Smell again the flowers' fragrance. Notice the grass and flowers return to their original height as our meadow and mountain now gently fade from view.

SELF-HYPNOSIS EXERCISES

Before you begin to learn self-hypnosis, use the following simple conditioning exercises.

Exercise 1

Sit down comfortably and face straight ahead. Roll your eyes upward as far as you can. This is quite uncomfortable. Hold your eyes upward for as long as you can. When the strain is more than you wish to continue enduring, Close your eyes and let your eyes return to normal. Sit there with your eyes closed for a minute or two, relaxing and allowing your mind to be as blank as you can.

The benefit is that you have actually forced yourself into a light level of the alpha state. When the eyes roll upward, alpha is triggered, Since alpha is necessary for hypnosis, this exercise begins to train you (and your mind) for entering alpha at will.

Exercise 2

Sit down comfortably and close your eyes. Visualize the letters of your name slowly, one letter at a time. Then visualize your entire name all at once. Then erase your name and open your eyes.

This helps you develop your ability to visualize. Visualization is key to successful self-hypnosis and going beyond hypnosis into the psychic realm. Self-Hypnosis Sessions:

Case 1

Simply put just record all six of the control sessions for use on someone else to tape and then sit and listen to and follow them yourself. You can do them all in consecutive days... but at least space them out to one a day and no less then one a week.

Case 2

This is a quick method for those who don't have the time to use case 1 though it is the better method. Again you will need a recording of yourself to hypnotize yourself. For the quick method use these six steps:

Step 1.

On the first day. Record and listen to the entire Session 1 tape.

Step 2.

On the second day, record and listen to sections A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H in that order. Record the following after section H:

You have now learned how to relax your mind and body. In the future, all you need to do to relax your mind and body this much or even more is to close your eyes and mentally count down from 10 to 1. Or 5 to 1. Or 3 to 1, visualizing each number as you think it.

You are learning the skills of self-hypnosis, which you can practice anytime, any place, for any worthwhile purpose you choose.

Step 3.

On the third day, record and listen to sections A, B, I, and U in that order. Record the following after section U:

This room is a very powerful place for you to come to practice your self-hypnosis. You can do anything you wish here. You create your own reality. You can bring anyone into your room you wish simply by asking them in. You can consult or converse with anyone here. The resources of universal intelligence are available to you here. You can solve problems, ask questions, practice any skills or speech, shed bad habits, adopt good habits, plan, program goals, seek inspiration and ideas, consult with the Force directly. There is no limit. No limit to what you can achieve in your room. It is your private inner space in your mind. It is your temple. It is your special domain from which you can control your life.

I am now going to stop speaking. Stay in your room for as long as you wish. When you are ready to leave your room, you may count slowly from one to five and open your eyes at the count of five.

NOTE: Leave the rest of the tape or CD blank... so that it won't distract you. Also don't set it to repeat... just let it play out and then shut off. This way you remain in your room as long as you wish.

Step 4.

On the Fourth day record and listen to the following: Sit comfortably in your chair and face straight ahead. Roll your eyes upward and focus your attention on a spot or object in your line of vision that is high enough to make your eyes uncomfortable. About a forty-five degree upward angle of your eye movement.

Keep your eyes open and focused on the spot. Take a deep breath and as you exhale mentally say the number 5 three times.

Now close your eyes and relax.

Take another deep breath, and as you exhale, mentally visualize and say the number 4 three times.

Again take a deep breath, and as you exhale, mentally visualize and say the number 3 three times.

Again take a deep breath, and as you exhale, mentally visualize and say the number 2 three times.

Once more, a deep breath and visualize and say the number 1 three times. You are now deeply relaxed and you will continue to relax deeper and deeper with each breath you exhale. As you continue to relax more and more completely, mentally repeat the following suggestions as I say them:

"I have now mastered the skill of self-Hypnosis."

"I can use self-hypnosis anytime I wish, any place I wish for any worthwhile purpose I desire, and this is so."

"In the future, all I need to do to achieve levels of hypnosis this deep or even deeper is to close my eyes, take a deep breath, and slowly count 3...2...1. As I exhale. At that point, I can go to my private room by simply visualizing my staircase, walking down my stairs, opening my door and entering my room where I can program for any purpose I desire.

Step 5.

On the fifth day, record and listen to the following:

Close your eyes, take a deep breath and as you exhale, mentally count three and visualize the 3, two and visualize the 2, one and visualize the 1. Take a deep breath and continue to relax.

Now visualize your staircase. Go down your staircase and enter your room.

(Do not speak on the tape for ten seconds to allow yourself time to go to your room.)

You are in your room now. From now on you can enter self-hypnosis simply by closing your eyes, taking a deep breath, and mentally counting down from 3 to 1 while visualizing the numbers as you say them. At that point, you can do whatever programming or suggestions you wish.

For especially powerful programming and experiences, you can go to your room simply by visualizing your staircase and mentally descending the stairs to your room.

From now on you can awaken whenever you wish simply by desiring to do so and opening your eyes.

You no longer need the recording to enter or exit self-hypnosis. You can do it all by yourself whenever you wish. You may use the recording anytime you wish for refresher or for special programming sessions that would be easier to do by recording if you choose, but you no longer are dependent on the use of the recording.

I am going to stop talking now. You may open your eyes and awaken when you wish.

NOTE: Leave the rest of the tape or CD blank... so that it won't distract you. Also don't set it to repeat... just let it play out and then shut off. This way you remain in your room as long as you wish.

Step 6.

On the sixth day simply close your eyes and do the 3...2...1 countdown . Then visualize your staircase, descend it, and enter your room. Stay in as long as you like. And when your ready to leave simply open your eyes. Or if you wish to awake slowly count yourself out from 1 to 5, opening yours eyes when you count 5.

Case 3

For those without a tape recorder.

In this case do all the things as outlined in case 2 but without the recorder. This means you memorize everything and mentally instruct yourself while relaxing and listening to your mental commands.

The downside to this is the part of your mind used to give the commands wants to stay at the beta level of brain activity to do so. While the part of your brain that wishes to respond to the commands tries to goto alpha.

As a result your brain frequency tends to jump back and forth between beta and alpha. This means each session is likely to be less effective. So you will need to repeat each step a number of times to achieve results before moving on to the next step.

Lightsaber Fighting

Now while I have termed this area as Lightsaber Fighting. I am doing so mearly for my own amusment. In reality these explanations refer to actual Martial Art and Sword fighting techniques and as such can be dangerous. If practiced with a live blade.

Footwork

If your feet pass each other they should move in little arcs, coming first in toward the other foot before arcing out to their final position. More often your feet will not pass each other, as the leading foot needs to stay in front for the combat system to remain effective, especially against another Jedi. Move the foot closest to your opponent into position first, then pull the other foot into position as fast as possible to avoid being off balance for too long. The feet should slide or skim the floor so that you are never really off balance. If the foot is lifted at all it is usually the heel that lifts leaving the toe to skim the surface. There are similar to silent stalking techniques used by Ninja and North American natives, where all movement is toe-to-heel rather than the usual heel-to-toe.

An interesting note is that most samurai and apparently Jedi also, wore long flowing robes to conceal their footwork, as it gives away their next move.

The Grip

Most actions are taken with the lightsaber held in both hands, the lower, left hand does all the work while the right guides the blade. Interestingly enough, there is no left handed grip in Japanese martial arts. In fact, a left hander actually has a slight strength advantage with a slight loss of directional control with this grip.

The proper grip is firm, yet relaxed until just before the moment of contact with your opponent's body. Then, the grip tightens, not unlike wringing water from a towel, as the wrists transmit the final snap of power into the blow in a kind of whipping action.

Grip the base of the handle using your left hand with no part protruding below the smallest finger. The smallest finger grips most tightly, with grip decreasing in strength up to the index finger and thumb. The web of skin between thumb and forefinger does not touch the handle.

Your right hand grips just below the guard. The strength of grip is similar to the left hand. Some martial artists have the right forefinger very loose, crooked almost as if it were on the trigger of a gun. Your hands should be about 2 finger widths apart.

Your left hand is the primary source of power. Your right hand guides the blade.

Moves

The following are based on a mix of Batto Jutsu, Kendo and Arnis. Batto Jutsu is a combat art using katana and was last used in combat by Japanese officers as recently as WWII. I used Kendo and Arnis as the basis for blocks, as you can block with bamboo swords and rattan stick, but a katana should never be used in that way. There are other Japanese sword arts, such as Iai Justsu, which is the art of cutting someone down as you draw your sword.

In order to allow energy to flow easily, all moves must form flowing circular arcs. This means that Return to Ready Position will be a smooth arc from where you finished the previous move.

Each move assumes we start from the Hasso Ready Position, so they often move through another ready position before actually striking your opponent. In some cases these alternate ready positions could also act as blocks. In addition I end each description with "Return to Ready Position". In most cases this is simply moving of the hands back to Hasso but several will also require an adjustment in foot position. In others I mention returning to Hasso through another position, usually a block. In combat this will make some moves better than others, depending on which side your opponent is standing. Some strikes will also take longer to execute, which will make their use more dangerous. I have also included the Japanese words for each position or move

Basics

Salute Lightsaber is off. Hold in both hands, right hand above left, and bring handle up vertical to the face as though you were going to kiss it.

Ready Position - "Hasso " This was Vader's favorite ready stance and appears to be so for the younger Kenobi and Jinn in APM images released to date. There are at least 5 alternative ready stances, but this one seems most dynamic and has real fighting benefits. Many serious martial artists use the same stance. It's not as "classic" as the centre position, but is considered more powerful as most other ready stances block your view of your opponent's feet.

Left foot is forward on centreline of the body with knee bent, right foot is back and slightly bent with feet flat on ground and heels about 3 foot lengths apart. Weight is balanced between both feet, hips are rotated to face forward. Lightsaber is held at shoulder level to the right side of your head just behind your ear with blade vertical, tilted slightly backward and slightly to the right. Shoulders are rotated slightly to your right and upper arms are horizontal.

Defensive Moves - Blocks

Block Up to Left Rotate hips to left and swing hands across body to place handle just below your face and slightly forward. Tip of lightsaber is almost fixed in space. Rotate hands, again with tip almost stationary, until handle is above head level with blade almost horizontal above your head. This will result in your shoulders dropping and both knees bending.

Note: Blade should not be horizontal, but sloping with tip higher than handle. Your lever action is greatest closer to the handle so you need to keep the tip up to allow you enough power to deflect the blow.

Return to Ready Position through Center Ready Position.

Block Up to Right Similar to previous move but the block goes to your right. This time your hips rotate to the right as your hands move to just above head height to the right of your body. The blade is again almost horizontal with the tip slightly elevated.

Return to Ready Position

Block Left Drop hands across your body to your left side at waist level rotating your hips strongly to the left just as you contact your opponent's blade. Blade is almost vertical with tip forward and handle slightly further out to your side.

Note: From the front the blade should just be to one side of your body. Return to Ready Position through Block Right.

Block Right Swing hands across your body towards the left side then drop your hands to your right side at waist level. Rotate your hips strongly to the right just as you contact your opponent's blade. Blade is almost vertical with tip forward and handle slightly further out to your side.

Note: From the front the blade should just be to one side of your body.

Return to Ready Position.

Block Low Left Pull left foot back parallel to your right foot. Drop hands and swing blade out and down across your body to your left side at chest level whipping the blade and rotating your hips strongly to the left just as you contact your opponent's blade. Blade is almost vertical with tip forward and slightly further out to your side.

Return to Ready Position

Block Low Right Pull left foot back parallel to your right foot. Swing hands across your body towards the left side then across your body to your right side at chest level whipping the blade and rotating your hips strongly to the right just as you contact your opponent's blade. Blade is almost vertical with tip forward and slightly further out to your side. Return to Ready Position

Aggressive Moves - Attacks

Chop - "Shin Choko-Giri" Left elbow lifts over head bringing upper arm almost vertical and bringing both hands to centerline of body behind head with blade horizontal. At the same time slide your left foot to your left and bring your right foot up then circle out to about 3 foot lengths apart, square to your opponent, arching you back and raising your power as you move. Swing down bending your knees and lowering your center of gravity to add power as you strike your opponent. Swing through until your elbows act as a brake on your stomach.

Note: the left hand is doing all the work here, your right hand is merely steering all the force from your left. This move is rarely used in combat, except for dispatching an injured opponent, as it leaves you wide open to attack.

Return to Ready Position by moving your left foot first then sliding your right foot back into position while holding you lightsaber in Center Ready Position. Slice Left - "Kesa-Giri" Drop tip back and down, push hands to upper right of head and lift left elbow above your head with blade almost horizontal above your head. Step forward with right foot placing it on centerline, heels about 3 foot lengths apart. Swing lightsaber forward and downward at 45 degrees slicing across your opponent's body from shoulder to hip. Arms are fully extended and blade is almost horizontal at point of contact. Swing through and allow your elbows to act as brakes by hitting your body (this stops you hitting the ground or yourself.)

Return to Ready Position through Block Right.

Slice Right - "Kesa-Giri" Drop tip back and down swinging left arm up and across your face bringing your hands to the left side of your head with blade almost horizontal above your head. Bring right foot up almost touching your left foot then step forward with your left foot, heels about 3 foot lengths apart. Swing lightsaber forward and downward at 45 degrees slicing across your opponent's body from shoulder to hip. Arms are fully extended and blade is almost horizontal at point of contact. Swing through and allow your elbows to act as brakes by hitting your body.

Return to Ready Position.

Swing Left - "Yoko-Giri" Rotate hips and shoulders to your right rotating your right foot, on its heel, out to your right side, perpendicular to your centerline. Swing tip back and down dropping hands down to your chest level with blade horizontal behind you. Shift most of your weight onto your right foot and swing your left foot to your rear so that both feet are about 3 foot lengths apart and square to your opponent. Swing the blade horizontally across your body like a baseball bat, leading with your left elbow as you slide your left foot to the left. As you make contact with your opponent's body shift your weight to your left foot and rotate your hips strongly to the left. Follow through but avoid going beyond your left shoulder. The right foot can pivot on the ball, but avoid lifting the heel - it means you've gone too far.

Return to Ready Position through Block Right.

Right Swing Pull your left foot back in towards your right then slide it out to your left until it is about 3 foot lengths apart from your right foot. Rotate hips and shoulders to your left while dropping your lightsaber tip back and down swinging left arm up and across your face and your hands down to your chest level with blade horizontal behind you. Rotate hips and shoulders to your left rotating your left foot, on its heel, out to your left side, perpendicular to your centerline. Shift most of your weight onto your left foot and swing the blade horizontally across your body like a baseball bat, leading with your left hand. As you make contact with your opponent's body shift your weight to your right foot and rotate your hips strongly to the right. Follow through but avoid going beyond your right shoulder. The left foot can pivot on the ball, but avoid lifting the heel - it means you've gone too far.

Return to Ready Position

Upper Cut Left - "Kiri - Age" Rotate hips and shoulders to your right rotating your right foot, on its heel, out to your right side, perpendicular to your centerline. Swing tip back and down dropping hands down to your side to point tip at ground, elbows almost locked a little like a golf swing. As the tip comes forward slide your left foot forward and move hips forward, rotating left and leaning into the blow as the blade swings up and across your opponent. Arms are fully extended at point of contact and hips rotate strongly to the left as you cut through your opponent's body from hip to shoulder and follow through. Blade ends up almost vertical with tip out to the left and arms fully extended.

Return to Ready Position through Block Right.

Upper Cut Right - "Kiri - Age" Pull left foot back beside your right foot, drop tip back and down swinging left arm up and across your face bringing your hands to the left side of your head with blade almost horizontal above your head. Rotate hips and shoulders to your left rotating your left foot, on its heel, out to your left side, perpendicular to your centerline. Swing tip around and down dropping hands down to your side to point tip at ground, elbows almost locked a little like a golf swing. As the tip comes forward slide your right foot forward and move hips forward, rotating right and leaning into the blow as the blade swings up and across your opponent. Arms are fully extended at point of contact and hips rotate strongly to the right as you cut through your opponent's body from hip to shoulder and follow through. Blade ends up almost vertical with tip out to the right and arms fully extended.

Return to Ready Position. Thrust - "tsuki" Move your hands to the Center Ready Position. and thrust the blade into your opponent's chest bending the leading knee to drop your center of gravity. Lean forward into the thrust.

Note: This move is rarely used against a skilled opponent, as it is very easy to block and counter. Return to Ready Position

Alternative Moves

Center Ready Position - "Chudan " This was the older Kenobi's preferred ready position. Not surprising really, as it requires the least movement to react, especially with a blade that can cut in any direction. In other words, it's better for an older Jedi because it protects him by allowing a longer reaction time.

Left foot forward, right back, weight balanced between feet. Hips and shoulders are square to your opponent. The lightsaber is held in front of you, both hands centered on your body with your left hand is 4 inches in front of your navel. Both elbows are slightly bent. The tip of your lightsaber is at your opponent's throat.

The Force

What is it? How does it work?

These pages will hopefully help you to answer these questions and others without hopefully raising more questions.

Now before going any farther please understand this site reflects my views and understanding of the Force. Also understand that my way is not the only way to understand the Force....As it defies explanation...(That is after all it's nature)

What is it?

The Force is an energy field that surronds all living things.....For some this could mean their God..For others this could be electromagnetic Energy...For still others this could be gravity....it could be anything.....It is in fact everything and nothing.....All depending on the person. As if you wish to deny it's existance then no matter what is said or written here. For you it will never exist. For me though The Force is as real and powerful as all the before mentioned things.....It is all of these things...(With the exception of a God. As for myself alone I don't believe in such a being...Though many Jedi do. ) For me the Force is the sum total of all the energy of every person and thing in existance....It's every thought every action every emotion every movement ever made or that will be made or that is being made.....It's everything....To seek to fully explain I could take a hundred lifetimes and still fall short of doing so.

How Does it Work?

This question is easier to answer then the one above...But still open to a million methods....Some of which are Prayer, Meditation, Focus, Insight, Worship, Fasting... All of these can be used to access the Force...

It is done by calming your mind and emotions. Clearing them of all distractions and opening yourself up to the energy that we have for so long ignored...

This section of the Jedi way...Is here to offer some insights into the Force and some of the names that have been given certain uses for it. (Please note that these names for the most part are taken from the various source material concerning the Jedi and the Force.) I use the names for these skills simply becuase they are the most common names I know for them.

Also under certian skills you will see a section called "Basic Skills" These skills are related skills...That if learned before attempting the skill in question...Will make using it and learning it far easier to do. As they give the basic foundations for said skill.

Control Related Skills

Control Skills represent the ability to control one's own inner Force. A Jedi with these skills learns ( or is learning ) mastery over the functions of his/her body and harmony with nature.

Absorb/Dissipate Energy

This is the Skill of Absorbing Energy directed at the Jedi....including but not limited to light,heat,radiation and electricity. Then either slowly allowing to to dissipate back into the surronding enrgy of the Force...Or using it to power other skills or to replenish you...Be fore warned though.....The applications of this skill are limited person by person....There is no way to gauge how much energy each person can handle...As such it is advised that with out proper training or at the least a partner to help you if needed....That practice of this skill be avoided. As such I have decided not to include any methods of how to practice this skill

Accelerate Healing

Simply put this is the act of healing ones injuries at an accelerated pace... There are many methods and styles that teach this skill... Reiki, Chi Gung (Qi-Gong) just to name two..

This is done by focusing ones internal energies on the wound or injury and using that energy to heal the problem....(Please understand this isn't an instant healing process...It simply is meant to speed up the process by focusing your bodies energy towards that task.)

Anger

This is simply the act of concentrating on all of your negative feelings, and using that energy to momentarily touch the Force

Use of this skill by a Jedi will quickly lead one to the Dark Side

Calculate

Basic Skills:Concentration , Meditative Trance

This is mainly a training skill. It is the act of using Meditation techniques to center your mind on high-order(Extremely Difficult) Mathmetical Equations with the aid of the Force to help you solve them.

Calm

To put it simply this skill is just the usage of a technique similar to the Calming Breath. To focus yourself and to calm yourself.

Cognitive Trance

This is the skill of focusing yourself on studying a subject For example speed reading and such skills

Concentration

Put simply this is just the ability to clear your mind of all negative thoughts, and to focus on the flow of the Force through the universe and your own being. Seems simple enough doesn't it? But relise that this skill is meant to be used under any and all kinds of situations. Taken this way...It soon becomes apperant this is indeed one of the most important skills a Jedi can ever hope to learn. The simplest and most effective method for practicing this skill is to Meditate in all kinds of situations...Learn to be able to focus your mind by doing it.

Contort/Escape

Basic Skills: Concentration,Control Pain,Enhance Attribute

This is simply the ability to dislocate joints, softening Bones,and the like. So that one may escape from physical restraining devices...This is often a painful and difficult (But physically possible) method. Jedi are trained to block out this pain....

This is also a skill that should never be practiced without some supervision.....

Control Disease

Basic Skills:Enhance Attribute

This is the ability to focus and direct the anti-bodies and healing resources of ones bodies to throw off an infection or to resist disease within the body

Control Pain

This is simply enough the skill of ignoring pain....When hurt a Jedi blocks out the pain from any injuries he/she may be suffering...So that they can continue to do what they need to do....(This is not a healing technique...It's simply a blocking technique) Any good fighter or Martial Artist will know this skill.

Detoxify Poison

This is the act of slowly cleansing your system....This is not an instant cure all...As such this skill is not a safeguard against taking posions...(Doing so is foolish) What this skill does is allow the Jedi to either flush his system of the effects of chemicals (Alchol,Drugs) for a very limited time. (Depends on the person as to how limited) To focus on a task at hand. (The effects are still there however...As such once the person reaches their limit the effects return fully.) The other method of using this skill is to speed up the removal of the Chemical by focusing your internal Energies to pushing it from your blood stream in the method it would naturally follow.

Emptiness

Basic Skills: Hibernation Trance

This is the act of empting your mind and allowing the Force to flow through you. This is a very deep meditation..This is in effect similar to a self imposed Coma...As such it is suggested that this skill is not attempted without being taught it.....You might wonder why anyone would wish to do this to themselves...Doing so opens you fully to the Force as all outside influences are unfelt. This also grants an enhanced conection to the Force for an equal amount of time that when spends in this state.....The danger comes from some students not having the skill to wake themselves from this state.

Enhance Attribute

This is the act of using the Force to enhance a certian attribute....For a limited time....A Jedi can use this to jump higher,see farther, run faster. Most can only affect one attribute at a time as the act of doing so requires intense focus.

Practice of this skill is done be the same methods used in Accelerate Healing Except you focus the energy on the area you wish to enhance and then infuse it into the muscles.

Force Charged Strike

Basic Skills:Emptiness or Rage, Absorb/Dissipate Energy

Through total concentration a Jedi can focus the Force into their fist or foot and deliver a single,devastating blow to an opponent.

It is unwise to study this skill as it's usage leans more towards the Dark Side then the Light...Though as with many skills...How and why they are used....Matter greatly.

Force of Will

This skill is simply the usage of your own Willpower to counteract others using the Force to affect your mind . (Also useful for countering such things as Hypnosis)

Practice in this comes simply from usage.

Hibernation Trance

This is another form of deep meditation.....During this a Jedi slows all body functions. The heartbeat slows, the breathing drops to barely percievable levels, and you become unconcious. When entering this state a Jedi sets the stimulis that will awake him/her. Be it after a set time....Or at a touch from someone or if danger approaches....

This serves two purposes. It allows a Jedi to "play Dead." It can also be used to survive when food or air supplies are low.

Meditative Trance

This should be among the first skills ever taught a Student. It is basically the skill of being able to Meditate fully...

Rage

Basic Skills:Hibernation Trance

This is for all intents the same as the Emptiness skill. The only differance is...That usage of this power is not done while calm...But instead it is done while angered or hate filled. By Fucosing on the emotion and amplifing it. Blocking out all outside influences and cutting oneself off from all things except the feelings of amnger,hatred and such...You can gain the same benfits as from Emptiness

This is as is obvious a Dark Side realted skill...Thus I advise against seeking to learn this.

Reduce Injury

Basic Skills:Control Pain

This is a purely specualtive skill. As I don't know for sure it works...But my theory is that by channeling enough of the Force into an Injury. You can heal it almost instantly.....(Though there are repruccisions no doubt for doing this. As it would require immense amounts of energy to be directed at the wound.

Remain Conscious

Basic Skills:Control Pain

As it sounds this is just an act of intense willpower. The use of this skill is that when a Jedi has suffered a blow or enough injuries that would knock a person unconscious. The Jedi uses the Force to remain conscious.

Remove Fatigue

Basic Skills:Accelerate Healing , Control Pain

The Jedi uses this skill to combat the effects of strenuous work. Basically put the Jedi Maniulates the Force, Causing bodily toxins (Adreneline and endorphines) to be ejected much more efficently, thus allowing for greater stamina.

Short-Term Memory Enhancement

Basic Skills: Hibernation Trance

This is the act of replaying recent events in order to more carefully examine images and peripheral occurances. This is a skill that takes time and practice to develop.

A simple way to develop this skill is to look around the room you are sitting in. Then once you have a firm idea of it. Shut your eyes and try to reconstruct the room in your mind from memory...Then compare the two images by holding the image you have made and opening your eys...Note any mistakes you made....As you get better at this....Lessen the time you look around....

Voice Amplification

Simply the skill of Amplifing the voice to fill an area...This isn't Yelling...It speaking at a normal level...But letting the Force to carry your voice outward to every corner of a room.

Sense Related Skills

Sense related skills represent the ability to sense the Force in other things besides one's own body. Jedi's learn to feel the bonds that connect all living things. To see how all these things are interconnected.

Beast Languages

Basic Skills:Receptive Telepathy , Projective Telepathy , Translation

This is the skill of understanding Animal Languages. As Animals rarely have "true" languages. The Skill is actually imparting and reading emotional differances within grunts and growls and other cues of body language. To practice this skill sit and observe any animal....Study it's habits and the way it interacts with other animals and people. While doing this seek to due this through the Force as well as your other senses....Seek to feel the animals emotions.

Blind Sense

This is the ability to still do things when blinded..

To practice this skill simply blindfold yourself and try to continue doing whatever it is you would normally do.

Combat Sense

Basic Skills:Danger Sense , Life Detection

This Sense is as the name notes Combat related....What it basically is....Is the effect of The Force focusing your senses on the combat at hand. Everything else becomes muted and dulled as the senses are all turned toward the combat occuring around him.her All enemies become highlighted in the Mind's eye. This Focus enhance sthe ability to attack and defend.

Danger Sense

Basic Skills:Life Detection

This is the ability to sense the motives of others who may do you harm through the Force. As the Force flows through all things. It flows through even those who would harm you...By being open to that flow and knowing how to understand it. A Jedi can feel an attack coming before it happens...Thus increasing their chance to avoid it.

Direction Sense

This is the ability to sense the direction of an object or location by it's resonance in the Force. It can be an object of importance, the North Pole the nearest taxi,etc...But this doesn't work to find Iving beings just objects...At first this skill just gives general directions to the object or location as in:left,right,forward,or backward from where you are....But with practice it can grant more information...Such as the exact location and distance from the object...your current postion is

Life Detection

This is as the name denotes...The ability to detect life around you. A good practice to learn this skill. Is to sit in the middle of an open field. With your eyes firmly closed. Reach out with the Force and seek to sense when Life approaches you...During this have a friend approach you. When they want to (Not at a set time) From any direction they want to....When you feel them...Point at the direction you feel them from. If you are correct they should say so...Then begin again...If you are wrong...They should continue approaching untill you are correct or untill they can touch you. At which time you either switch places or begin again.

Life Sense

Basic Skills:Life Detection

This is similar to the above skill but it is more focused...Instead of being used to detect any life near by...It is used to focus in on a particular person or creature as well as sense if they are injuried or hurt and their emotions.

Magnify Senses

This is the ability to enhance ones normal sensesto percieve things that otherwise would not be possiable without artifical aids. The Jedi can hear noisies beyond his normal hearing due to distance or softness (This applies to normal frequences only. This doesn't let you here frequencies you wouldn't normally be able to hear) Likewise for vison and smell as well as touch..... A good example of this skill as well as an excellent training method...Are the Blind...They develop their other senses to degree's that most people can't imagine...

Postcognition

Basic Skills:,Life Detection,Sense Force

This skill allows a person to investigate the tenuos imprints of the Force left on objects when they are handled by living beings. The Jedi must be able to handle the object they are investigating. Depending on the skill of the user...This can give anything from a vague sense of who handled the object at a certian time and what events transpired around it.....Upto witnessing the events as if they Jedi was actually there.

Receptive Telepathy

Basic Skills: Life Sense

This is the ability to read the surface thoughts of another being. This doesn't mean you can probe for deeper things or hidden memories....This is just the things currently that the person is thinking about at that moment.

Sense Force

This is the ability to Sense the Force in Objects and places.

A Good example of this is when you walk into a church or Temple or holy place of any Relgion...With all the energy that has been focused in those places for so long..They become natural focus centers for the Energy of the Force.

Sense Force Disturbance

This is the ability to sense a disturbance in the Force. This doesn't give specific details, but a vague feeling of what happened.

Once learned this ability becomes a natural one...It is always there and the Jedi has little to no control over when it happens...Any disturbance if close enough or powerful enough will effect the Jedi.

Sense Force Potential

Basic Skills:Life Detection , Life Sense , Receptive Telepathy , Sense Force

The deep subconscious of a Force-Senstive person is shielded by a protective barrier which prevents another from penetrating his/her inner mind. This shield pushes back at an intruder, sending them stumbiling backwards at times. This "shield" is an involuntary defense maintained by every Force-Sensitive person. The magnitude of the backlash depends on the person's strength and knowledge in the Force.

Sense Path

Basic Skills:Emptiness , Hibernation Trance

This Skill will allow a Jedi to sense where his /Her actions may lead to. Bear in mind this is an overall sense of the path being followed. This isn't a minute by minute, Play by play...But with proper usage the Jedi can sense if his course is leading them towards the Dark Side or not...Then act accordingly to prevent such a thing. Or to hasten it depending on the person. And their goals.

Shift Sense

Basic Skills:Magnify Senses

This is the ability to shift the senses into a different type then normal. For example the ability to see the infraread spectrum (Aura perception is considered by some an example of this)

Translation

Basic Skills:Receptive Telepathy , Projective Telepathy

This is the skill to understand a language not normally known by the Jedi. As well as to Read it and Speak it perhaps. (By many Relgions. This is called the Gift of Toungues)

Truth Sense

This allows a Person to sense whether a person believes what they are saying is the truth. It doesn't give the ability to sense whether what they are saying is true in the overall reality; just whether the person "Believes" it or not.

Weather Sense

Basic Skills:Magnify Senses

Use of this Skill is done by attuning oneself to local weather patterns. By sensing the movement of clouds,winds,tides,and solar bodies, The Jedi can discern patterns in the weather, and make some limited predictions. It may take weeks or even longer for a Jedi to attune themselves though. So don't expect quick results. ( Every considered why all those people say things like "A storm is coming my right knee is hurting." Or "It's gonna rain soon. My Elbow is aching." These are examples of this sort of skill)

Alter Related Skills

These Skills concern the Jedi's Ability to change the distribution and nature of the Force.

Empower Weapon

Basic Skills:Absorb/Dissipate Energy

This is the act of extending your own personal energy into and around a mellee weapon. For example when used on a sword, the blade becomes infused with energy allowing it to cut through things easier and withstand a greater impact. When used on a staff or club...This skill infuses it with energy that upon contact is released into the target to increase the impact damage given to the object.

Injure/Kill

Basic Skills:Life Sense

For those that know of it. This is basically the same concept as Dim Mak. For those that don't I am sorry. I have no intention of explaining farther then that.

Project Force

This is the ability to project ambient personal Force away from your body.If used by a Jedi, anyone within the projection will feel warmth and a sense of well-being. If used by a Dark Sider, anyone within the projection will feel cold and a sense of dread.

Telekinesis

This is the ability to move and levitate objects or oneself through the Force.....There are sevreal good skills to practice this... A few exercises that can help to develop the foundation for this skill would be the Unbendable Arm and the Projected Fighting excercises.

Control/Sense Related Skills

These skills are simply skills that combine the knowledge learned from the two areas mentioned.

Anticipation

Basic Skills:Farseeing,Receptive Telepathy,Combat Sense

This enables a Person to anticipate an opponent's immediate actions and react accordingly.

Dashio Combat

Basic Skills:Weapon Combat

This is simply Weapon Combat with two weapons....For example Two swords or a sword and dagger combo..Or even two sticks.

Death Sense

Basic Skills:Life Detection,Danger Sense,Farseeing

This is the ability to sense the impending Death of a loved one or a well known and trusted friend,teacher,student,etc...

Farseeing

Basic Skills:Life Sense

This is skill allows a Jedi to see the past and the Present as well as events that occured in a particular area or that are occuring currently in an area different from where the Jedi happens to be currently... This skill can also be used to see a foggy glimpse of the Future...I say foggy becuase While the past and the present are firmly set. Thus just requiring the correct perceptions to see them. The future is always fluid and in motion. Therefore it is much harder to see.

(Astral Projection is similar to this skill. With the main difference being that instead of projecting yourself to the area. You allow the Force to reveal the information to you.

Life Bond

Basic Skills:Life Detection , Life Sense , Magnify Senses , Receptive Telepathy

This Skill allows the Jedi to form a permanent mental link with another person. Usually a spouse or loved one. As this is a very deep connection. (Imagine the way twins seem to know always what the other is feeling. This is an example of a Life Bond)

Mediation

Basic Skills:Truth Sense,Receptive Telepathy

This skill is best used to mediate between two parties for the purposes of coming to an agreement. The Jedi attempts to read the intentions of the persons being mediated, and then tries to make a judgement call that will be fair for all concerened.

Mental Translocation

Basic Skills:Emptiness or Rage,Farseeing,Hibernation Trance, Life Detection,Life Sense,Magnify Senses,Remain Conscious,Shift Sense

For all intents and purposes this is basically the skill commonly called Astral Projection by most people.

Projective Telepathy

Basic Skills:Receptive Telepathy

This is the ability of a Jedi to project his/her thoughts at a targeted person...This is done by sensing the Force that flows between you and the target. Then focusing on those connections and sending your thoughts along them. (This isn't a form of mind control. You can't implant images. The Target must be receptive to your sendings for this to work.)

Share Senses

Basic Skills:Projective Telepathy

This is the ability to share all of your senses with a person or creature. they can see through your eyes, hear what the you hear, and smell,taste, and feel what you are experiencing.

Unarmed Combat

This is Weapon Combat minus the weapons...A Person using this skill extends their senses and control of the force around them to enhance their effectiveness in hand-to-hand combat.

Weapon Combat

This is the ability of a Jedi to wield his chosen weapon (Be it a sword or stick or anything else for that matter). By stretching out and letting the Force guide his/her actions and clearing the mind and letting their training take over.

Control/Alter Related Skills

These skills are simply skills that combine the knowledge learned from the two areas mentioned.

Accelerate Another's Healing

Basic Skills:Control Another's Pain

Simply put this is the act of healing Anothers injuries at an accelerated pace....There are many methods and styles that teach this skill....Reiki,Chi Gung (Qi-Gong) just to name two.. This is done by focusing ones internal energies on the wound or injury and using that energy to heal the problem....(Please understand this isn't an instant healing process...It simply is meant to speed up the process by focusing your bodies energy towards that task.)

Aura of Uneasiness

This skill is performed by projecting a field of vague discomfort and unease around yourself which causes animals to feel uneasy around you.

Control Another's Disease

Basic Skills:Control Another's Pain,Control Pain

This is the ability to help another person focus and direct the anti-bodies and healing resources of their bodies to throw off an infection or to resist disease within the body.

Control Another's Pain

Basic Skills:Control Pain

This skill is a mixture of Accupressure and mind numbing arts...Put simply the Jedi helps another person to block out the pain caused by injuries that person has recieved. (This doesn't heal the injuries it just lets them be ignored for a length of time)

Control Breathing

Basic Skills: Concentration,Hibernation Trance,Telekinesis

This skill is as the name implies simply the art of controling one breathing. By reaching out with the Force and using it to control the amount of oxygen flowing into the lungs. This allows the Jedi to remain underwater for longer lengths of time then might normally be expected.

Control Weather

Basic Skills:Weather Sense

With this skill a person can affect the weather over a long period of time.....For example to speed a storm through by increasing the front pushing the storm forward..

Detoxify Poison in Another

Basic Skills: Accelerate Healing,Accelerate Another's Healing,Control Pain , Control Another's Pain , Detoxify Poison

This is the act of slowly cleansing Another's system....This is not an instant cure all...As such this skill is not a safeguard against taking posions...(Doing so is foolish) What this skill does is allow the Jedi to either flush The other's system of the effects of chemicals (Alchol,Drugs) for a very limited time. (Depends on the person using the skill as to how limited) To focus on a task at hand. (The effects are still there however...As such once the person using the skill reaches their limit the effects return fully.) The other method of using this skill is to speed up the removal of the Chemical by focusing your internal Energies to pushing it from your blood stream in the method it would naturally follow. This requires the Jedi to remain in constant contact with the person they are helping.

Feed on Darkside

Basic Skills:Sense Force

This is the ability to feed on the fear,hatred, or other negative emotion of others to make onself stronger and more powerful. By Inticing these feelings in other's The Jedi can weaken them...Thus strengthening your postion by using those fears to your advantage.

Practice of this Skill by Jedi is unwise as it quickly will lead one to the Darkside.

Force Lightning

This skill when used produces bolts of white or blueish energy that fly from the user like lightning. The bolts tear through the target, causing painful wounds. A VERY low level example of this can be practiced by simply shuffling your socked feet across a shaggy carpet. Then touching someone.....Now imagine that energy amplified by the Force and you may begin to understand exactly how this skill works.

Practice of this Skill by Jedi is unwise as it quickly will lead one to the Darkside.

Inflict Pain

Basic Skills:Control Pain , Life Sense

This is for all intents the same skill as Injure/Kill Except no longer is touch required. Instead you focus on the area you wish to inflict damage upon and then infuse it into the muscles. By causing them to contort painfully with the Force. Practice of this Skill by Jedi is unwise as it quickly will lead one to the Darkside.

Place Another in Hibernation Trance

Basic Skills:Hibernation Trance

This Skill allows the User of it to put another person into a Hibernation Trance. It does require Physical Contact with the person. And that person has to be willing to be "Shut Down" . As such this can't be used to attack another person....

An Example of this skill at work. Is found by study of Hypnosis. Where a Hypnotherapist place a person into just such a state.

Remove Another's Fatigue

Basic Skills:Accelerate Healing , Accelerate Another's Healing , Control Pain , Control Another's Pain , Remove Fatigue

This is very like the Remove Fatigue Skill except that unlike that skill... Usage of this skill requires the target person to allready be fatigued....Where as the Remove Fatigue Skill doesn't.

Return Another to Conscious

Basic Skills:Remain Conscious

By directing the Force to flow through another person. You can in effect cause someone who was knocked unconscious to wake up.

Transfer Force

Basic Skills:Control Another's Pain

This is a very intense skill to use and should only be done so with caution...As in effect it is meant to be used. When another person is near death...You impart a part of your own Personal Force into them to bolster and support them. Untill such time as Medical Aid can be rendered to them. This cannot raise the dead. But it can help those who are dying to either hang on if help is near by. Or to go peacefully without pain.

Waves of Darkness

Basic Skills:Aura of Uneasiness

The user of this skill delbves into the darkness of their own spirit and dredges up the feelings of hatred,jealousy,greed and rage that linger in in shadowed recesses of their own spirit. Then using the Force as a power source, they expel these emotions in waves of Dark Side energy that radiate outward in an expanding sphere. To cause a feeling of intense discomfort in other people around them...Causing most to avoid or even to leave the presence of the user. The use of this Skill by Jedi will lead one quickly to the Darkside.

Sense/Alter Related Skills

These skills are simply skills that combine the knowledge learned from the two areas mentioned.

Affect Emotions

This skill is used to manipulate the emotional state of another person. If used wrongly this could lead quickly to the Dark Side.

Dim Other's Senses

This is the ability to use the Force to overshadow and cloud another senses.

Force Shield

Basic Skills: Absorb/Dissipate Energy, Concentration, Magnify Senses, Telekinesis

This Skill allows a Jedi to surround themselves within a Force-Generated Shield. The Shield can be used to repel energy and physical matter away from the body, down to a molecular level...

This is done by focusing on the force and drawing it in to envelope your body. The strength of the shield depends greatly on the ability of the person. So while at first this may be a nearly useless thing...With practice it becomes very useful indeed.

Control/Sense/Alter Related Skills

These skills are simply skills that combine the knowledge learned from the three areas mentioned.

Affect Mind

This Skill is used to alter another person's perception so that they sense an illusion or fail to see what the user of the Skill doesn't want them to see. It can be used to Permanently alter another's memories so that they remember things incorrectly or fail to remember them at all. It can also be used to alter the persons conclusions causing them to come to the wrong ones.

Battle Meditation

This Skill has to possible effects. The first one. Is that by amplifying the fear and distrust inherent in others. You can cause adversaries to abandon their assult and turn on each other...The other usage of this skill is to amplify the trust and emotions and strength of your allies.

Control Mind

This skill is similar to Affect mind...But instead of simply altering anothers perceptions or memories. Instead the User seeks to impliment their will completly over the target. To seek to turn them into a mindless puppet who can do nothing but obey the users will.He seeks to control their every action. By denouncing any free thinking actions and appluding any obediant actions...Over a long enough period of time...This power can strip another being of any free will they may have had.

Practice of this Skill by Jedi is unwise as it quickly will lead one to the Darkside.

Doppleganger

Basic Skills: Control Pain, Emptiness, Life Detection, Life Sense, Magnify Senses, Receptive Telepathy, Sense Force, Telekinesis, Projective Telepathy, Control Another's Pain, Transfer Force, Affect Mind, Dim Other's Senses

In effect this power creates a doppleganger of the Force User. The Doppleganger is an illusion, but to those who interact with it it seems real. The user can sense all normal senses through the doppleganger, and it seems to have form and substance. (This can also be used to create other constructs as well besides duplicates of the person.)

Drain Life Essence

Basic Skills: Control Pain, Hibernation Trance, Life Detection, Life Sense, Magnify Senses, Receptive Telepathy, Sense ForceTelekinesis, Farseeing, Projective Telepathy, Control Another's Pain, Transfer Force, Affect Mind, Control Mind, Dim Other's Senses

This Skill allows a Jedi to draw life energy from those around him/her. All living things are part of and contribute to the Force; even those with no awareness of the Force are affected by and are part of it. Many beings go through their daily lives wasting much of their life energy. This skill draws that energy from others, allowing a Jedi to use that energy to further his or her own ends.

Practice of this Skill by Jedi is unwise as it quickly will lead one to the Darkside.

Eclipse

Basic Skills: Hibernation Trance, Affect Mind, Projective Telepathy

This skill enshrouds a Jedi in a viel of unintrest...In effect the skill allows a Jedi to avoid drawing attention from casual observers...Who aren't actively searching for the Jedi....

Enhanced Coordination

This skill allows a Jedi to link a group of Allies together subconsciously, allowing them to fight more proficiently and with better organization. But it in no way grants the Jedi Mental Control over them.

Force Harmony

Basic Skills: Life Detection, Life Sense, Projective Telepathy, Receptive Telepathy

This Skill allows several Jedi to combine their skills to manifest the power of the Force. With a greater degree of control then anyone person could obtain alone...

Projected Fighting

Basic Skills: Concentration, Telekinesis

This skill allows a Jedi to strike an opponent at a distance, inflicting damage without physically touching the target. Practice Excercise:Projected Fighting

Telekinetic Kill

Basic Skills: Control Pain, Inflict Pain, Injure/Kill, Life Sense

This Skill builds upon Injure/Kill (Which requires Touch) And upon Inflict Pain (Which while not requiring touch. Is limited to inflicting pain only. Not Death) To finally allow a User to Kill at a distance. By crushing the throat or the heart in a Force induced Death.

Practice of this Skill by Jedi is unwise as it quickly will lead one to the Darkside.

The Dark Side

Unlike the light side of the Force, which embraces the whole, the entire focus of the dark side is the self. The appeal of the dark side is its very destructiveness and its isolation. Those who seek power for selfish reasons find comfort in its narcissistic gaze. The dark side emphasizes aggrandizement of self to the exclusion of others. In this way, rage and anger are turned into sources of strength.

Many are attracted to the dark side because its selfish nature allows great and showy deeds. The ease with which power is summoned belies its danger, for anger and hatred consume the individual even as one dominates one's surroundings. Ultimately, the dark side rejects the very celestial nature of life itself. To the Jedi, the Force is not a part of their existence; it is their existence. To the student of the dark side, this is incomprehensible.

It is not uncommon for the dark side students to go into the wilderness, much as their light side counterpoints do. The crucial difference is that the light Jedi goes into the wilderness to commune with the wild. The dark side follower goes to separate himself from the community of life. There, in isolation, a dark side follower can perfect his or her own oneness with the dark side, and revel in that corruption. Yet, in the dark side are anger and hatred and isolation and... fear. That fear drives the Jedi to isolation, jealousy and the desire to be the most powerful of all.

This very predatory nature sparks battles of dominance when several dark Jedi or dark side adepts gather. Sometimes these are violent confrontations, other times they involve subtle mind games or diplomatic discussions; but make no mistake, there will be some attempt to assert control over each other. The violent nature of the dark side often leads to betrayal and bloodshed.

The dark side, as far as its servants are concerned, is obviously stronger and easier then the light.

The dark side beckons with the promise of easy gain; but there is always a price, always a tribute to its passion.

The Jedi is his own worst enemy; the greatest conflict comes from within. The Masters teach them, scold them, and command them to follow reason, not their emotions.

The student's greatest achievement is attained through succession, a succession that requires the destruction of the teacher. This is what the dark side teaches us. But what you must always remember is that when you embrace the darkness, you are already a master in the design of fate, humbling yourself as a student.

The Force is not humanistic --- it regards myriad beings as straw dogs; dark siders are not humanistic --- they regard people as straw dogs.

The Book of Anger

This deals with the use of emotion to control the Force. A dark sider often considers anger to be the most potent emotional form. With anger, the Jedi can call upon the dark side, harnessing it for great power and destruction. Dark siders believe that anger and rage; mixed with intelligent control, call upon the dark side with a very fine level of control.The best way to unlock the dark side potential in a dark side student is through the student's rage.

By exploring one's anger, one can ultimately learn to conquer it, thus taming the power of the dark side --- instead of being tamed by it.

Many claim to have found serenity, and through serenity to have overcome anger. Such arrogance is astounding. These fools have never faced their anger, and thus have no idea whether they have truly overcome it or not. True calm is only achieved through testing the limits of one's anger and passing through unscathed. The capacity for this ability lies within everyone, though most fear to test their own strength, and are thus considered at best weaklings, and at worst irresponsible.

The Weakness of Inferiors

This deals with establishing control, without violence, over the innocent, the ignorant, and "all inferiors."

1. All Power Comes From Outside The Weak. The weak have never been known to believe in themselves or in their ability to wield power.
2. The Face Of Authority. The weak live as in a dream. The face and the voice that controls this dream govern all their thoughts, actions, and urges. The face and voice they have learned to obey. The face and voice of Authority.
3. The Law Of Fear. A consequence of the first two tenets is that the weak live in fear. The mere suggestion of violence from one in authority is enough to inspire their obedience. How can one who doesn't believe in his own powers stand against the power of another? It is impossible.
4. The Weak Do Not Understand The Force. The Force is the ultimate means to gain authority over the weak. The weak do not understand the Force. The weak do not sense the use of the Force, therefore how can they understand or use the Force? So it is that the weak are at the mercy of those who know and use the power of the Force. The proper use of the Force can inspire awe and obedience in the weak.

Inferiors continually endanger their own lives and the lives of others through poor decisions, reckless behavior, and simple inability to engineer the reality of their ambitious dreams. They are like children, crying in frustration because they do not comprehend their own limitations. These weaklings need structure --- to be shown their place in the existing social structure. It is left to the wise and powerful to provide that structure in order for civilization to survive and thrive in the world. Those who cannot --- or will not --- accept that peace and order are far more important then their own selfish desires must be removed from society before they can inflict any lasting damage.

It has been said that anyone who knows the ways of the force can set himself up as a King anywhere where only he knows the ways of the Force. Any Jedi could do this. But the Jedi fools that they are, adhere to a religion in which the Force is used only in the service of others.

Dark siders have learned that anger and will, joined together, are a formidable power.

Dark siders have learned to meditate upon anger and will with clarity and precision.

Anger concentrated by will in the vital center of the body creates a portal through which vast energies are released --- the energies of the dark side of the Force.

The ability to destroy something is insignificant compared to the power of the Force

THE DARK PATH

The natural order encompasses balance. Day and night, life and death, light and dark --- each pair represents a different kind of balance. As part of the natural order, the Force follows the same rules. The light embodies peace, knowledge, and serenity. The dark side encompasses fear, anger, and aggression. Both sides exist simultaneously, but not always in balance. Sometimes the light side has predominance; at other times the dark side dominates. When the balance tips too far in either direction, conflict usually results. And in conflict, the dark side flourishes.

FOUR STAGES OF THE DARK SIDE

There are four stages that Force-users experience when stepping onto the dark path: Temptation, imperilment, submission, and atonement or redemption. Every Force-user eventually goes through at least one stage of the dark side in his efforts to become one with the Force. It is the power-hungry, hate-filled, ambitious, tragic, or evil, however, who experience two or more of these stages of corruption.

Temptation

The Force offers unimaginable powers to those who can feel its connection to the universe around them and manipulate its subtle lines of energy. Those who are sensitive to the Force live in a larger, more vibrant world than those who can't perceive the omnipresent energy field. The Force-user sees and experiences the universe from a different, larger perspective. Because of this bond, the Force-user has the ability to gain incredible powers using the Force.Through the Sense, Control, and especially Alter stages of learning to manipulate the Force, a force-user opens himself to the first seductive tendrils of the dark side power. Those who believe that might makes right or that shoot first and ask questions later are particularly susceptible to the lure of the dark side. If they prefer to act instead of wait, to give in to fear and anger, to proceed from an aggressive posture instead of a passive one. Then he is well on his way to power in the dark side.

Imperilment

In most cases at this point the Force-user has already accepted the dark side as being powerful. These are the ones who constantly weigh the moral consequences, who obsess about doing the right thing no matter what the personal cost may be. To them, the dark side presents another weapon in their arsenal against evil, regardless of the fact that each use pushes them closer and closer to the very evil they hope to oppose.

Submission

When a Force-user gives himself over to the dark side. There are no more restrictions, no more dangers to worry about. It is liberating and exhilarating to give one's self fully to the dark side. Once you accept the dark path, there is no longer any need to justify actions. Now power becomes the goal, and through the use of the dark side all obstacles can be pushed aside. Forget past attachments and former codes of conduct. A dark sider should consider himself a law unto himself. Life begins when the Force-user submits fully to the darkness inside him.

Atonement and Redemption

A person tainted by the dark side can atone by meditating on his actions, reflecting on them, and seeking to fix them.

A person who has submitted fully to the dark side. Cannot atone he must find redemption by turning away from the dark side and performing an act of pure and dramatic unselfishness without calling on the dark side of the Force. This will normally require extreme personal sacrifice.

Conquer the temptation to teach students that are superior in every way. The danger of such students being turned against you are to great. Instead, focus on instituting controlling weaknesses into each and every student you train. Make them strong where you are weak, but weak where you are strong. They must have a fatal flaw that you --- and only you --- know how to exploit. And always, without fail, be prepared to destroy your most valued student ... or be prepared to be destroyed by them.

Fear attracts the fearful........ the strong, the weak, the innocent,the corrupt. Fear is my Ally.

A Dark Sider forgets the past, looking only towards the future. All that matters to him is his dedication to the Dark side.

Dark Side trianing is harsh, cruel, and relentless. Every Waking hour is spent learning self-defense and how to harness the power of the dark Side. During training, even the small mistakes can lead to terrible punishments. Starvation, beatings, and exposure to danger are common. An Apprentice must learn that pain can come from anywhere, even from someone they trust.

A Dark Side Teacher will often place a student directly in life threatening danger simply to test them... After all a Master of the Dark side would rather lose an unworthy apprentice then train a weakling in the ways of the dark side.

Another Mantra of the DarkSide:

"There is no pain where strength lies."

"The feelings of the powerless do not matter. The feelings of the powerful can be exploited."

"Anger is a living thing, feed it and it will grow."

"Punishment is a lesson."

"You must be prepared to lose your own life in order to win."

Darkside Mantra

I am the Heart of Darkness.
I know no fear,
but rather instill it in my enemies.
I am the destroyer of worlds.
I know the power of the Dark Side.
I am the fire of hate.
All the Universe bows before me.
I pledge myself to the Darkness.
For I have found true life,
In the death of the light.

The Vows that are pledged to the DarkSide Teacher after an initiate takes a successful test and becomes a Warrior.

I am the haunter of the embracing dark.
I am the bringer of fear.
I am the scorner of peace and tranquility.
I ride the stormcloud and the night!
I seek to crush the commonplace.
I seek to strike terror in every heart.
I know no cowardess or pity.
I seek to be Darkness, in all its manifestations...

A Dark Side Code:

There is no peace; There is anger.
There is no fear; There is power.
There is no death; There is immortality
There is no weakness; There is the Dark Side