The Jedi Code (Old and New)

13 June 2012

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The Orthodox Jedi Code

The Jedi Code seems to me to be sufficiently vague, enough so that each Jedi can decide for him/herself what it means, as it is with all doctrine of the Jedi. Truly this allows for the choosing of one's path and the changing commitment (a stronger or weaker one) as one grows in knowledge and experience. Here now is my interpretation of the code
There is no emotion, There is peace.
In the midst of emotion, seek peace or be guided by peace. Emotion changes the motives for actions. We must always be guided by the peace which comes with a clear mind and heart.
The is no ignorance, There is knowledge
Through ignorance we come to know what we did not previously know. That is to say, by the searching of our mind we discover things that need to be learned. This admission of ignorance is in itself knowledge. We are saying " I know of something I do not know."
We can say also that the answer to all of life's questions are bound up in the Force waiting for discovery. Just because I do not know it does not mean it is not known.
Therefore, seek knowledge everywhere and there will be no place for ignorance.
There is no passion, There is serenity
I believe when confronted with a passionate situation it is best to be serene. Letting yourself be over come with passion clouds your thoughts and inhibits correct and proper action (correct being the right thing, proper being the best time.) However, there are some times in which passion can serve a good purpose. Passion for the eclectic beliefs which make up Jediism drew me here. There are also some times in which passion can propel you toward excellence. I believe a certain amount of passion is necessary to any studying or activity. The key is to not let it overtake you. You must remain serene but give place to passion.
There is no chaos, There is harmony
No situation is chaotic. The forest grows seemingly how it will, looking untamed and chaotic, but the creatures which inhabit it are in serenity. This is the will of the Force. Therefore, we must find our own harmony and be careful not to judge or disturb any others.
There is no death, There is the Force
Death is the path to a new life. One may speak of the death of a child in the right of passage, but the essence of the person. So we must be comforted in this, that those who pass on from this plain of existence,are a living breathing part of the Force, which penetrates us, surrounds us, and binds all things together.

Additional Code Lines

There is no Chaos: There is Harmony.
What may seem like Chaos is a part of a larger harmonious plan. However, some of the things which create this chaos, disasters and attacks and war, I cannot see them as part of a larger plan. I see them as human imposition on the will of the Force, which in time will have its consequences. I of course will strive to not be a part of, nor create chaos, but harmony.
There is no Fear; There is Courage.
I do not see how there can be courage without having first experienced fear, so there must be fear, otherwise there is plain foolishness. Of course, one cannot be bound by such a thing as fear, one must overcome fear and exercise courage in the face of fear.
There is no Foolishness; There is Wisdom.
Like the previous pair, I do not see how wisdom can exist without ignorance. But I suppose there is no ignorance because knowing that you are ignorant of something is knowledge in and of itself.

The New Jedi Code (written in response to The Sith Code)

Passion is a crutch, peace is the truth.
Well, if passion is to be seen as a crutch, it can be said to only give one a pseudo sense of balance, whereas truth is a sure foundation which can be found only when one is at peace. Although a person may be in a chaotic situation, one must never let the chaos give rise to passion.
Through peace I gain serenity.
Well, peace and serenity are the same thing. So, what are we really saying? “I get more peace when I am at peace; that is, my peace overflows.”
Through serenity I gain knowledge.
This I don ‘t believe is true. I think it is better to say that one gains wisdom with serenity; because knowledge (even if it not the right kind) can also come through chaos. However, the ability to properly use knowledge (which is wisdom) can only come through serenity.
Through knowledge I gain understanding.
How does one gain understanding through knowledge? By reconciling this new knowledge with the previous knowledge one attained, or by using it to refute previous knowledge. And what profit is understanding? True understanding is the stepping stone to more knowledge and also wisdom
Through understanding I gain wisdom.
Wisdom is using knowledge at the proper time. By going through the steps to gain the wisdom, we prove to the Force that we are capable of receiving more knowledge, and the Force is always willing.
The Will of the Force will guide me.
Therefore the Force continually guides into more and more truths through peace, serenity, knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.