A Jedi is described as one who walks in the Light Side of the Force. Often times this is interpreted as one who is an optimist; a pacifist and empathist whom under the pavilion absolute goodness, righteousness and justice, crusades for all that is understand and embraced as moral and principled.

From my point of view, this is incorrect.

If this assumption is to stand as the definition of a Jedi, then in order to achieve this end, one would have to adopt and embrace a rationality and functionality that would conflict with the said definition. You can not not achieve peace, serenity, harmony and calm be simply meditating on it. It helps…but it is not how things work in life. In order to achieve the order of things one must walk the line of “interpretation and opinion” or chaos if you will.

Many Masters teach (which they should) the subtleties of the Force by way of the hard absolutes of what is considered Light Side dogma. Well…thats fine, but you as a Master and or Instructor must teach the other point of view as well. You must expose your students to the Dark Side for only though adversity and challenge are we tested and found either lacking or true. Even if we are found lacking…there is a constructive and most positive truth there. You can not provide a lecture and a scripture that says; say, do and do not and expect your students and Jedi to blindly trust and follow your wisdom.   A Jedi can be heavy in understanding on one concept but should be introduced to the other concept so as to help he or she negotiate the natural state of chaotic emotions, thinking and action within or around the Jedi.

The Dark Side and the Light Side are phrases that describe parts of a whole. The Force knows no distinction. Sure, anything that produces energy produces waist or matter. Is this the Light and Dark Side of the Force? Is the energy production the Light Side and the expelled matter the Dark Side or vise versa? No it is neither. When a Jedi seeks to bring peace, serenity, harmony and calm he or she does so not by the will of the Light Side of the Force, but by the interpretation of his or her understanding and/or sense of right and wrong. The Light and Dark Side of the force like an object…become corrupted up on observation and interference.

In physics; an object at rest will stay at rest until disturbed, (OR OBSERVED) after which that previous state of rest can never be recaptured. Observing or communing with the Force is the same thing.

Meaning: As soon the Jedi observes or communes with the perfect state that is the Unified Force, he or she has inadvertently corrupted it by way of his or her own observation’s. He or she has decided upon Light or Dark Side and he or she has provided the interpretation of that observation by way of individual character and virtue if any.

If you have read the fiction, it is because of this the many wars between the Jedi and Sith have been waged. It is also because of this that so many Jedi have fallen due to confusion… fear, doubt and anger.

To be a Jedi in the real world means to call for hope and optimism but to stand ready to receive and deliver bad news. A Jedi calls for non-violent solutions and advocates dialog and negotiation. However sometimes fighting is required to get to that position and/or to maintain it. A Jedi seeks to ease pain and suffering but he or she need not experience it first hand to understand it. Often times we can’t comprehend the level of pain and suffering one is experiencing so we feel we should remain silent and step away. That is wrong. We should be there to explore that pain and suffering as best we can so as to provide the appropriate and measured assistance and response.

Jedi is supposed to stand for peace, serenity, harmony and calm. Herold right and just, champion the weak and defend the innocent. Yes…however to achieve this, a Jedi must possess the means in which to bring peace and harmony to the weak and innocent. You can not do this if you have only one perspective as your guide while on your path.

At the end of the day the question should not be…”did I walk in the light today”? The question should be…”did walk with balance today”?