The Force Guides Us Together

[Dune Rhur]

"I don't truly remember my own parents either," he decided to mention "I was given into the care of the Jedi at age four after the first signs that I had the Force. I bear them no malice for it, it was what was best. None were better to raise and teach me. I consider myself fortunate."

He gestured to Ra as he spoke.

"You own gifts manifested themselves of their own accord without your understanding. That's usually how it happens in one not found earlier. I admit that it would have been easier to train you from childhood. Nonetheless, train you I will."

"With that being said, undoubtedly you know much about the repair, maintenance and even building of starship engines. Likely more than I do. And that's part of the second line of the Code. Admitting there are things you don't know."

"It ties also into the first line, naturally. Arrogance and pride blind us from admitting there is always more to learn. It also prevents us from realizing that we can learn something from any being no matter their appearance or their station in life."

On to the next line. Not that this was anything but the most general of overviews. The Jedi Path was long and had many pitfalls along the way. It represented a lifetime to truly understand and even then one couldn't truly know everything.

"There is no Passion, there is Serenity. Once again, learning to master our emotions leads us to serenity. When we are at peace are we truly at our strongest. That's because our connection with the Light is truly unimpeded in those moments. We can also make clear decisions without duress."

 

[Riamah]

Ra listened carefully to everything Dune said and tilts her head, giving him a slightly confused look when he restated the next line of the Jedi Code. When he finishes, almost before that, she's asking her next question.

"What is the difference between the first line and this one? Isn't passion an emotion? Also peace and serenity are basically the same thing."

She understands that's always new stuff to learn about almost anything, so doesn't ask for clarification on that.

"Guess that means I'm not arrogant."

Slightly smiling as she says this and started to move to elbow [member="Dune Rhur"] in a fun manner, but stopped herself, turning the motion into making sure her braid was still secure.

 

[Dune Rhur]

Dune smiled at the playful banter. It was good that she felt comfortable enough to express her thoughts and feelings. If he was going to help her learn then it had to be that way. Each question was a good chance to discuss things further.

It would allow her to feel comfortable and steer things along at a natural pace. Beings always felt better when they had a sense of control over things. At least those uninitiated. The learning to surrender yourself to the Force was possibly the hardest part.

For now they would focus on less intimidating subjects. He noticed her moving to playfully nudge him only to pull back. You learned to become very aware of your bodily space with a lifetime of martial arts. Not that he would've minded a bit of joking around.

"Passion can be an emotion, yes. Keep in mind every line is related to each other. They can be taken individually but each line serves to provide context for each other."

"Peace and serenity are similar, but they are different too. Serenity is a personal state where peace can and does refer to harmonious relations with others. One interpretation of this is that we should strive for harmony within and without. We should also help others achieve this."

 

[Riamah]

Coming back to the conversation and its serious nature, Ra pays close attention to what [member="Dune Rhur"] says. Her face sobers up, but her eyes still show she's in a good mood.

Reciting in her mind the Code, Ra looks up at him even more quizzically.

"How does each line have context to the next?"

To her there is no connection between each line, only in each sentence. She does fully comprehend what differences he means between peace and serenity when he stated it that way.

"There's always going to be war and suffering though, the good and the bad. That's just how it is."

Ra shrugs her shoulders just before finishing speaking.​

 

[Dune Rhur]

"Each line applies to each other line in a sort of circular logic. Knowledge of how to be at peace and how chaos and ignorance are interrelated. Fear stems from the unknown. Learning to see the truth helps quell that fear so that you can achieve serenity. In achieving it yourself, you can then help others find peace."

"Unfortunately, yes, the galaxy is often full of strife," Dune agreed "That doesn't mean we should simply give up. We can strive to rise above these conflicts both externally and internally too."

"Our connection with the Force gives us extraordinary abilities. It also gives us extraordinary responsibility to help others. Jedi can see often see the truth more clearly in a conflict, for example, when we negotiate for peace. Our training helps us achieve that."

He placed his long-fingered hands on his knees.

"Next, There is no Chaos, there is Harmony. Through peace, serenity and knowledge we can end chaos and promote harmony. You will come to see the Light side as like a still pond. It's clear, cool and endlessly deep. The Dark side is a raging cauldron, hissing and spitting. It seems stronger because it's more active. It's louder and more visible yet it will soon enough boil itself dry. Where the Dark side's waters will scald you, the Light side's will soothe and refresh."

"The Dark side is strong but not as strong as the Light. This is because the Light promotes harmony with the Force, within yourself and with the universe around you. A Jedi works in concert with the will of the Force. A Dark side adept doesn't; rather, they seek to seize it and control it. To dominate it to their will. You can never truly achieve real power in the Force that way. How can you when you don't work in harmony with something that is infinite?"

 

[Riamah]

"Circular logic."

Ra rolls her eyes slightly at this like a sullen teenager.

"I do see what you mean though."

Tilting her head to the side slightly and looking at [member="Dune Rhur"] with a question in her eyes, she waits until he finishes before asking it though.

"Isn't the Force itself neutral? It's the intentions of the Force user that makes it light, dark or grey. At least that's what Darius said. He also said, the dark sider like pollutes the Force by forcing his or her will on it to make it go in the direction wanted. While a light sider gently nudges it in the direction he or she needs it to go. What is the difference? Both are pushing or making it go in a direction it wasn't already."

She stretches her legs out and leans against the wall, making herself more comfortable speaking with Dune. She did not address anything directly about the line of code he stated, going about it indirectly.

 

[Dune Rhur]

"I believe Darius is still coming to understand the nature of the Force, though I am too," he said.

"The Force is in balance but we are not. The Dark side, if we attempt to use it, will sink it's fangs into you. It's a drug, and like any spice, it's addictive. Many beings believe they can use it but a few times and not be changed. That's the greatest danger."

"A Jedi, when truly using the Light, flows with the Force. You cannot use the Light in it's truest form when you try to control it. The Dark tells you that such submission is weakness but this is vanity. I ask you, what is more powerful: the ability to kill, taint and destroy or the ability to heal, create and sustain?"

 

[Riamah]

"Life is an ongoing lesson in learning. The day one doesn't learn anything new is the day they wake up dead."

Of course, you can't wake up dead, but Ra kept that part to herself, chuckeling inside a little.

She places her hands behind her head and looks up, listening to [member="Dune Rhur"] and his question to her. Ra looks back at him with an answer, using her hands to gesture.

"Depends on who or what you're asking, I would think. There are times when stuff needs to be destroyed to bring about new life. Look at most natural and not dammed rivers. Once a year, usually in what is considered Spring it rains and floods the valleys. The flood destroys and sweeps away some life but more grows back to replace it. The destruction IS part of the natural flow of things. Going off this, the darksiders are a natural part of the Force.

"Then you have your healers and creators. They come in and heal, so to speak, what was destroyed by the flood, allowing the land to regrow and sustain for another year. The role of lightsiders in this case."

The only part of his question she couldn't address with this logic was the taint. In a natural setting, she'd never heard of something not created by the races tainting something.

 

[Dune Rhur]

"Indeed the Dark side is a part of nature but those who use it are not. For reasons we've talked about and others."

Dune decided to move forward with things. The Bith would be returning to Eol Sha soon to help at the Temple there. He needed to be there to train students and set up the facilities. There would be plenty of room for prospective trainees there.

So his next question seemed a very logical one indeed.

"I will be returning to Eol Sha very soon. We're continuing to set up a Temple there and there would be a place there for you. There's no commitment to stay. Think of it as a trial...."