THE ESSENCE OF THE JEDI

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away...

It is the peak of the Galactic Republic. For
thousands of years, the Republic has united
hundreds of species across the vast emptiness
of space. There is peace and prosperity every
where. Before there is an Emperor Palpatine,
before there is a Darth Vader, before Anakin
Skywalker was even born, the Republic stretched
across and brought all under its wing.

And, as long as there has been a Republic, the
Order of the Jedi Knights has valiantly stood to
guard it and its people. Drawing their power
from the Force, these knights have stood for
peace and order. It is considered a great honor
for a child to be considered for entrance into
the order and the Jedi do everything in their
power to ensure apprentices learn how to use
their power wisely.

One such apprentice--referred to as a Padawan--
continues her training on the capital world of
Coruscant, which is also the home of the Jedi.
Though strong, she will learn much this day from
her Mistress on what it means to be a Jedi....

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It is one thing to be wrong. It’s another thing altogether to be proven wrong by your peers. Marissa Loghar has just had this happen to her. As she sparred with another Jedi Padawan, she thought that she would finally prove to the other Jedi in attendance that she was ready to take the trials and thereby prove herself worthy of the title of Jedi Knight. Unfortunately for her, not only had she not fought well, she had done so poorly. Her opponent, a human male named Rafel Morinar, had taken her out in a tough fight. The only thing that could possibly give her satisfaction was that she had made it an even fight--but she had done it by losing her head and lowering herself to an unbridled attack. This was not approved by the other Knights and Masters in attendance and so she was not allowed to take the trials.

Now, she stood once again in the sparring room, which was silent. She didn’t like being here, but her Mistress had ordered her to arrive here before supper. She hated being a Padawan. Not because of her Mistress though, because she was training under one of the wisest and noblest Jedi within the order. Mistress Tara Kento was also human and she considered herself lucky she had picked her as apprentice all those years ago. She could not see herself learning from one of the more hard-nosed Jedi Masters like Morinar’s Et-Tao-Lahon--who had stood proudly over Morinar as he was selected to go through the trials. Mistress Kento had not attended, because she felt real combat between Padawans was not a precise way of determining an apprentice’s true mettle. This didn’t bother Marissa much--but she had wished she had been there to console her after the fight.

Marissa waited patiently for Mistress Kento to appear. What could she possibly want of her here in this room? Eventually, the silence got to her and she found herself humming an old song she remembered from her younger days. Something quiet and soothing and that helped her calm down. After a few more minutes passed, she wondered if Mistress Kento had remembered. She was ready to leave and call it a day, when the doors swooshed open and in strolled Mistress Tara Kento. Though much of her youthful beauty had left her, a quiet and dignified woman had taken her place. She did not walk as much as glide into a room. But, even without her Jedi robes, one would consider her powerful just from the air around her. The Jedi had been her life and now she was preparing to deliver onto them her greatest legacy--if the legacy would only learn patience.

“Mistress Tara,” said Marissa, resisting the urge to bow before her superior. She used to do it years ago, but Taro had forbidden it from her when they were alone. She said that it demeaned the student and made the teacher feel improperly superior. Besides, it was not the right way to establish a relationship.

“Marissa,” said the elder to the young girl before her. Tara Kento remembered when she first saw Marissa Loghar. Now, nearly fifteen years later, she had grown strong and beautiful. And, though she was smart, she was too impatient when it came to what she desired most. Not a bad trait, but one that could cost her much if she did not let it go. “Forgive my lateness, but I was held by some of the other Masters. We had a Padawan go through the trials today.”

“I know, Mistress,” acknowledged Marissa, with some pain in her voice. “May I ask what the outcome was?”

Tara smiled and replied, “The Padawan was strong, able and studied in the Force. Unfortunately, he did not make it through to the end.” She paused before adding, “He fainted halfway through.”

Marissa’s look of amazement was enough to merit a laugh from Mistress Tara’s voice. “So surprised? Trust me, it is not the first time a Padawan fails the trials nor will it be the last.” Regaining a tone of seriousness, she continued, “For an apprentice to become a knight, it takes a lot. Only those truly one with the Force can overcome the challenges placed before them and triumph. Which is why I called you here.”

“What do you mean, Mistress?” replied Marissa, realizing now that this had something to do with her earlier performance. The scolding she had evaded earlier would now certainly be hers.

“I took a look at your performance after you were finished,” began Tara. “You still have much to learn. And now is as good a time to continue as any.” As she said this, she removed her dark cloak and began to walk to the side opposite Marissa. “Unless you wish to postpone until tomorrow?”

Marissa knew better than to do that. If she waited till tomorrow, Mistress Tara would be twice as hard and she’d never leave. No, though she was tired, it would be better to take her scolding now. “No, Mistress. I await your move.” She too removed her cloak and unhooked her lightsaber.

The two Jedi stood at opposite ends and faced one another. Bowing, they ignited their lightsabers--blue for Tara and green for Marissa--and ran towards the center of the room. Without warning, Marissa swung at Mistress Tara’s head. The blow might have severed her head had Tara Kento not seen it coming. She blocked it easily and pushed the weapon back. This left Marissa’s mid-section open, which was where Tara thrusted her lightsaber. Marissa was not caught unawares though and quickly stepped backwards. But as the thrust was completed, Tara moved her lightsaber upwards towards Marissa’s head. Now, the Padawan was caught unawares and, fear in her eyes, she ignored her feet and stumbled to the ground. This got her a tired sigh from Tara.

“No control, no control,” she said as she stepped back. “You cannot win with just one move, Marissa. Yet you continually try to end the fight with one blow. Do you know what happens when you fail?”

Marissa looked at Tara and quietly replied, “I...I lose my confidence?”

“Speak up, girl!” Tara said. “Yes, you lose your confidence.” Pausing she added, “You are strong, but you can’t exert all your strength at once.” Turning around, she walked back and allowed her student to pick herself up from the floor. Tara regained her composure and said, “Again.”

Marissa ignited her saber once again and stood ready. Then, without warning, Tara jumped the three feet that separated them, spun and struck at her pupil from high. The sabers clashed and held for a few moments as teacher and student tried to force each other back. After a few moments, both pushed back and, as they did so, Tara swung across where Marissa had been. This time, the young apprentice backflipped and landed safely away from her elder’s attack.

“Better, much better,” exclaimed Tara upon seeing her pupil’s actions. “Do you know how you did it?”

Marissa pondered this for a moment before replying, “I don’t know. I just knew you were going to do it and moved away. I wasn’t shocked by your actions.”

“The reason you did not hesitate was that you did not fear,” explained Mistress Tara. “Marissa, eventually all Jedi learn that the truest way for a Jedi to touch the Force is to be calm and at ease. That is the difference between a Padawan and a true Jedi Knight. Knights can do this in the heat of battle, as danger and death surround them. Padawans cannot--or at least, not as easily.”

Marissa paid attention to her teacher’s words as she walked up to her. “If that is so,” she asked, “then what’s the difference between a Jedi Knight and a Jedi Master? By the way, be careful where that blade is inching towards.”

Tara smiled at her student--she was actually paying attention. “To answer that question, I think we need to go through some history lessons first.” She allowed her student to draw their sparring session to a halt for a few moments and asked, “How was the Jedi Order formed?”

Marissa smiled, because this was a question to which she knew the answer. “The Jedi were formed thousands of years ago as a study group into the mysteries of the Force. Then, the Jedi changed, from a simple order of monks into the guardians of the newly-formed Galactic Republic.”

“Do you know why the Jedi took on this new role?” asked Tara, wondering if her student would make the connection. The look on Marissa’s face told her the answer. “Uh...no, not really.”

“I didn’t think you’d know,” replied Tara. “Most Jedi don’t truly realize this until they are almost ready to be Jedi Masters themselves. You see, as a Padawan studies and becomes a knight in the order, her powers increase. The ability to draw from the Force increases. Unfortunately, what happened all those years ago was that, the order reached a point where they could no longer grow. Like they had reached an invisible shield through which they could not breakthru and grow even further.”

“I’m guessing they broke out of that,” offered Marissa, “but how?”

“Simple,” replied her Mistress. “The Jedi learned that the Force can only come through self-giving. They could not understand the Force nor shape it any further than they already did if they did not give of themselves to others. Personal sacrifice was required if the Jedi were to truly master the Force. Which is what they did, when they picked up their arms and offered themselves to the infant Republic as its guardians and protectors.”

“But Mistress,” asked a now-perplexed Marissa, “don’t all Jedi do this? It seems you still haven’t answered the question.”

“On the contrary,” replied Tara, “I just haven’t said it out loud yet. Jedi Knights, though strong and learned, are often very protective of themselves. They do their missions and perform their tasks because they have been ordered to. Jedi Masters, however, give themselves completely to the Order. They recognize that being a Jedi is all that matters and they seek not to protect themselves, but to protect the whole of the Jedi’s legacy. It is that last step that seals a Jedi’s move--because at that point, he or she will do all he can for the entire galaxy.”

“Now come,” said Tara as she rose, “we have wasted enough time. Prepare yourself.” As she said this, her lightsaber rose and its blade was ignited. Marissa faced her and was surprised by how calmer she felt. Her blade was ignited and was striking at Tara’s without acknowledgement from her brain. She felt detached from the fight and very calm. When Tara swung her saber low and at her legs, she felt her body rise and avoid the blade. Then, without ordering it, she kept rising and delivered a powerful kick at Tara’s open chest. The Jedi Master was caught and was thrown backwards. This snapped Marissa out and she rushed to see if her Mistress was all right.

“Well done,” said Tara through her smile. “You see what you can do?” This pleased Marissa and she helped her teacher up. Tara took a moment to recover her breath, before looking towards her pupil and saying, “No fear, no emotional outbursts. Controlled--that is how the Jedi use the Force.”

“Is there any other way to use it?” asked Marissa in an attempt at levity. Instead she saw Tara’s eyes grow dark and distant. “Mistress, is something wrong?”

“There is another way to use it,” replied Tara. “But that is not the way of the Jedi. It’s the way of the Dark Side. The way of the Sith. Avoid that path at all costs, my dear Marissa, if you value your life.”

“The Sith?” asked Marissa, “Who are they?”

“The Sith were an order of rogue Jedi,” replied Tara. “They believed that power denied was power wasted. They thought that the way to truly understand the Force was through raw emotions and not control. That is how they drew their power. By ignoring their control and allowing their feelings to run wild Unfortunately, what they chose to ignore was that the easiest emotions to tap are fear, anger and hate. This led them to the Dark Side of the Force, where they became corrupt and evil.”

She looked back down and straightened herself. When she glanced at Marissa, she saw an expression of dread in her face. “Do not worry, child. The Sith are all gone. They were destroyed by their own greed and evil--as well as the watching Jedi.”

“But Mistress,” said a now-concerned Marissa, “today--when I fought Rafel--I...I allowed my emotions to run wild and--and I felt powerful. I could have killed him--I know it now!--but something held me in check.” Now, the young Jedi was almost on the verge of tears.

Tara went to her and hugged her. “There, there, child. It’s all right. That you felt these emotions is nothing new. All Jedi battle every day of their lives with the promises of power that emanate from the Dark Side. That is why you train on holding yourself back from an early age. It’s good to know some of that training held today--even when most didn’t. As you grow, you will learn that you do not need to surrender yourself to the Dark Side to be powerful. Besides, some emotions are great when one surrenders themselves to them--like love.”

Marissa calmed herself enough to where she walked back to the center of the sparring room and assumed a ready stance. Mistress Tara followed and repeated the action. This time, both Jedi struck at the same time and began to strike and counter-strike back and forth. As they moved, Marissa asked, “How will I know when the Dark Side is calling me versus the Light Side?”

“You will know,” answered her Mistress, “when you are at peace with yourself. If you are not looking for it, the difference might seem like a small crack on a sidewalk. However, when you are calm and look for it, the difference will seem like the greatest chasm you have ever witnessed.”

“But what is the difference?” pressed Marissa as she lunged forward with her saber. Tara moved aside and allowed the younger Jedi to run into the wall. Marissa did react quickly enough to shut off her saber and spin--so that her back hit the wall and not her head.

“The difference, dear Marissa,” said Tara as she helped her up, “is selfishness. Someone who uses the Force for his or her own purposes--who acts, fights for himself or whatever agenda he has--calls upon the Dark Side of the Force.”

“How’s that different from what we do?” asked Marissa as she rubbed her shoulder. The beads of sweat, she noticed, were now rolling heavily down both their faces.

“We Jedi,” replied Tara, “do not use the Force for our own gains. A Jedi never uses the Force to attack or enslave. A Jedi uses the Force to protect, to defend, to free, to overthrow the oppressors, to throw back the darkness. We have never used the Force to benefit ourselves. She paused and then emphasized, “A true Jedi knows that everytime he or she picks up a weapon, it is done, not for his self, but for the sake of others. That, my dear Padawan, is the true essence of being a Jedi.”

As they moved back to the center of the room, Marissa asked, “Anything else you wish to teach me today?”

“Oh, a few things,” replied Tara as she lit her lightsaber and attacked in one move. They returned to the parring and blocking of their swords--this time more heated and focused. Tara noticed that Marissa was gaining confidence and regaining her composure. Her impromptu training session was having its desired effect. She continued, “A Jedi never uses deadly force until the last moment. However, when done, she must be ready to use it.”

“That means that a Jedi must be equal parts diplomat and warrior, Marissa. It is only when diplomacy has failed--when no other avenue is available--that a Jedi fights, never before. And a Jedi never uses his powers to intimidate the innocent.” As she said this, she tried one of Rafel’s favorite moves. She swung the saber low and tried to get some separation, before spinning around and bringing her saber full force on Marissa. The girl, who had fallen to this move on several occasions during the earlier fight, did not bite this time. When Tara’s saber came down, Marissa had Force-moved out of the way and stood behind her. She brought her saber up and tried to catch her Mistress unawares, but Tara’s saber blocked the back shot.

“Any more lessons, Mistress?” asked Marissa rather smugly after avoiding a move she had so carelessly fallen for.

“Two as a matter of fact,” said Tara matter-of-factly. She pushed Marissa’s saber before rolling underneath the high swing. She jumped up and faced her pupil again, who now stood in the center by herself and rather eager to press her success. “One, a Jedi must understand that she is not omnipotent. Even with a strong an ally as the Force, we cannot be everywhere, we cannot do everything, we cannot know every detail. Therefore, a Jedi must always be prepared and ready to face the unknown.”

As she finished saying this, she used the Force to throw a small switch on the opposite wall. Instantly a wire that had remained invisible throughout the fight, sprung and caught Marissa by her ankles. She was thrown down and then hoisted up like a piece of meat. In her shock, her lightsaber fell from her hands and clattered to the ground. Before she knew it, the fight was over.

“And the last lesson for today?” asked Marissa as she hung upside down.

“That’s an easy one,” said the approaching Tara Kento. She bent to pick up Marissa’s green saber and placed it on her belt. “A Jedi must have a sense of humor about herself. Laughter is the only true universal language. If you cannot find humor in your life, then you are not truly living.” With that said, Mistress Tara turned, grabbed her cloak and left Marissa hanging from the ceiling.

“Very funny, Mistress Tara,” said Marissa in a sarcastic tone. “This is really funny.” Then, her amusement turned to doubt, “Mistress Tara? Mistress Tara?!?”

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