Jedi Code

Self-Discipline and Achieving Peace

Myra VanIsle

Myra VanIsle    Jedi Philosophy      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 chaos, there is harmony.
There is no death, there is the Force”.

The Jedi Code is a process that provides a philosophical basis for the actions and conduct of the Jedi. Each line of the Code is interconnected, flowing naturally to the next, providing a unified guideline for Jedi behavior.

“There is no emotion, there is peace.”

The Conquers of a Jedi demonstrates the importance of self-discipline, one of the three pillars of a Jedi. Self-discipline involves overcoming arrogance, overconfidence, defeatism, stubbornness, recklessness, aggression, external loyalties, materialism and curiosity. When considering this code, it is essential to keep in mind the philosophy of the Conquers of a Jedi and understand their particular order.
Achieving peace requires practicing self-discipline and attending to the necessary conquers. Once peace is attained, distractions, anxieties, and obsessions can be regulated to allow for clarity in thought and knowledge absorption. Although joy, sadness, and love are natural and can be felt by all, Jedi are mindful that they can lead to clouded judgment in the heat of the moment.
In order to gain insight into our emotions and control them, we must adopt a logical approach. This involves acknowledging them, analyzing them, and ultimately managing them so that they do not take control of our actions and decisions. By doing this, we can better understand our feelings and make rational choices.

"There is no ignorance there is knowledge"

As Jedi, we strive to acquire knowledge through the archives, our peers, and our masters. Knowledge is essential to furthering our personal growth and that of society. It is the most critical of the three Jedi pillars, for it gives us the power of understanding and the ability to bring others into the light of awareness. Without knowledge, we are doomed to remain in the dark and inevitably affect the lives of those around us.
Knowledge is a powerful tool that enables us to become better informed and more self-disciplined. The same concept applies to programming, where each line of code is connected to the next. To reason and make the best decision, we must strive to separate ourselves from our emotions and focus on facts rather than assumptions. When we fail to do so, we are left with a lack of understanding and a sense of fear. To combat this, we must be willing to learn, study, and observe to gain the information and knowledge needed to complete a task correctly.
As Jedi, our role in the galaxy cannot be filled without study and wisdom. Jedi should always seek knowledge and understanding of the world around them, especially when resolving conflicts. Philosophy, diplomatic study, culture, lightsaber, and force training offer valuable insights that can help a Jedi navigate any situation. Ignorance should not be feared but motivated to continue seeking wisdom and knowledge by studying the many resources available, such as philosophy resources.

"There is no passion, there is serenity."

When examining the distinction between emotions and passions, it is essential to consider that emotion is a reaction to a situation based on a person's view of the world and their paradigm. Though emotional responses may not be inherently bad or good, what a person decides to do with those reactions has implications.
Passion can be a powerful force, and when it overwhelms reason and logic, it can lead to unhealthy obsessions. To be passionate is to pursue something with zeal and enthusiasm, but when it is unchecked and unfettered, it can lead to damaging and destructive behaviours. By allowing emotion to usurp reason and knowledge, we can succumb to ultimately dangerous pursuits.
As Jedi, we are presented with a critical challenge: to confront our emotions and passions without allowing them to consume us and influence our judgment. This skill must be continually cultivated, no matter the situation. It requires understanding and acknowledging our emotions and passions while avoiding attachment, obsession, and the clouding of our judgment. This concept is central to the Jedi philosophy and requires diligent practice to master.

The teachings of the first line encourage us to pause and reflect on our emotions before acting. This concept of serenity teaches us to accept the aspects of a situation that can't be changed and to find the strength to change the elements that can. On the other hand, passion is a strong emotion or feeling, such as love or hate or a strong desire or lust. It is often an extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or want. By following these teachings, we can strive to be mindful of our decisions and avoid being driven by our passions. Through thoughtful contemplation, we can gain the ability to distinguish between serenity and passion and make prudent choices in our lives.
In the philosophy of the Jedi, passion is seen as an obstacle that must be overcome to achieve a sense of serenity. This serenity is found through understanding the differences between things that can and cannot be changed and having the courage to make changes where possible. To attain serenity, one must overcome passion through peace and knowledge. This involves accepting what one cannot change in a situation, having the strength to change what one can, and having the wisdom to discern between the two. With these components, one can reach a point of serenity, where one can move forward in their journey towards knowledge and peace.

"There is no chaos, there is harmony."

To appreciate harmony, we must first gain insight into chaos. Chaos can be defined as a state of complete disarray or disorder, a lack of organization and structure. Conversely, harmony can be considered a consistent and pleasing arrangement of objects and forces in the universe. As adherents of the Jedi way of life, we must recognize that tragedy and chaos are inescapable parts of life.
Every event has a purpose, as all actions and reactions within the universe are connected in a complex web of cause and effect. When we develop a sense of serenity regarding this fact, we can begin to bring harmony by dismantling the chaos caused by the darker aspects of life and thereby redeeming any beings we encounter along our journey.
The concept of harmony, and its juxtaposition to chaos, has been present in many philosophical works throughout history. Chaos is defined as a state of utter confusion or disorder, a total lack of organization or order. In contrast, harmony is a consistent, orderly, or pleasing arrangement of things in the universe and within. As we strive to achieve harmony, it is important to recognize the role chaos plays in life and understand that every event has a purpose as everything is interconnected.
The Jedi draw their strength from their unity. Each member of the order is aware of their capabilities and limitations and relies on the help of their allies and friends to safeguard them. The Jedi strive to balance power and harmony, while the Sith's power structure is based on chaos and competition, each seeking to prove their superiority.

“There is no death, there is only the Force.”

In death, we are all unified in the Force, as Ashla's light guides us. This concept is a source of comfort, helping us reconcile with death's inevitability. As with the Sith, our energy is returned to the Force, and we are ultimately one with it.
The Jedi belief that there is more to our existence than life is an important reminder of the importance of the Force. Jedi understand that the Force contains energy and a power that can be felt and used. Being attuned to the Force requires developing a strong sense of self-discipline, serenity, and peace. As a result, Jedi take comfort in the knowledge that when they die, they will ascend to a different plain of existence, returning to the Living Force they serve while in this existence.