JustBiMe
Xiam
Jedi here. I might be a bit off, but I think generally, we see the Force as something akin to a blend of the Tao and Ch'i. So for Jedi, it's more of a mutual partnership with the Force. We don't really seek out how things can benefit us, we pretty much just seek contentment with what is. I mean, sure, we do try for internal self-improvement, and we may take up a martial art for fitness or self-defense or protection of others, but generally the sentiment is that "Wars not make one great."
I think the Sith do take a more Darwinist approach. Survival of the fittest, and all that. I guess we just go in it for the benefit of all.
While what you say about "mutual partnership" is a much more expert perspective than what i have heard from others, I personally think force-sensitives in general "should" realize we are part of the Force, we are the Force (not to sound arrogant).
Yes it is true that the Jedi Order teaches about self-lessness, but I also believe the whole bit about self-improvement is a Jedi's cardinal sin. Knowledge must be sought, minds cultivated, so as to stay away from the "Dark Side". TO NOT STRAY is so stressed in their teachings, and to not cultivate passion is so necessary that it has unwittingly become the biggest fear of the Order.
When I say, rather than "look out" for our flaws, we should learn to live with them, one cannot realistically reach a state of perfection as a living-breathing organism. (Similar to how Buddhism teaches "liberation from desire" but one "desires Nirvana"
wink .
If I may have an opinion about martial arts, I would say they are basically another form of meditation. Trouble will come to everyone in their lifetime, Jedi or Wookie (if I may throw in a little humor in), and learning self-defense seems quite rational, but I believe everyone is also capable of violence (even just to defend), a martial art should strive to teach us to discipline our animal nature, this violence, and even in the face of danger, to not let it get out of control.
Um... this may be the wrong source to cite, but I remember a dialogue from The Karate Kid... hang on, let me find it...
Ooh,
first one!
Quote:
Daniel: Hey - you ever get into fights when you were a kid?
Miyagi: Huh - plenty.
Daniel: Yeah, but it wasn't like the problem I have, right?
Miyagi: Why? Fighting fighting. Same same.
Daniel: Yeah, but you knew karate.
Miyagi: Someone always know more.
Daniel: You mean there were times when you were scared to fight?
Miyagi: Always scare. Miyagi hate fighting.
Daniel: Yeah, but you like karate.
Miyagi: So?
Daniel: So, karate's fighting. You train to fight.
Miyagi: That what you think?
Daniel: [
pondering] No.
Miyagi: Then why train?
Daniel: [
thinks] So I won't have to fight.
Miyagi: [
laughs] Miyagi have hope for you.
I see very little with what you said - though I would point out that knowledge is self-improvement, just not improvement of the Self. Maybe I used the wrong words there...
Hm... I suppose another way of looking at the difference between the Jedi and Sith would be to see their mental state as the difference between a calm sky, and stormy winds. Or perhaps to go with the water metaphor, a Jedi's mind is still and reflective water, and the Sith is white water - a rushing river, splashing over the rocks and banks, or perhaps stormy seas. Lots of power, little direction. A Jedi might have a little stream branching off, I assume some metaphor for focusing one's efforts and providing just a gentle touch.
I'm sure some Sith (and some Jedi) will disagree with this, as I'm sure there are patient Sith and
plenty of stormy Jedi. I also tried to avoid the equivalence to stagnant water though, which kinda happened with the Jedi in Star Wars, mostly the prequels.
xd