Jedi and Conflict

Does a Jedi flow like water, or stand firm like earth?

In my experience, there is a time for both, but that being said, people have difficulty understanding what time is for what method. I have stood firm when I am wrong, and bent went a firm stance was required. As humans we are ill-suited to judging our own opinions and ideas in a rational manner, and this can often land us in conflict and pain. So how do we figure out what to do?

It turns out that one’s actions provide the roadmap. When you find yourself turning to sarcasm and ad hominem arguments, the time has come to step back and flow like water. Release the conflict. When the other side turns to sarcasm and ad hominem attacks, once again, recede and release. No benefit comes from irrational conflict, only confusion and pain. Often, backing off and taking a recess is all that’s necessary for normally rational individuals to find their center and become ready to discuss instead of destroy.

So, when do we stand firm? Is life in danger? Are we faced with an assault on freedom, on our or another’s most basic liberties? If yes, then we must stand against it. Loyalty, bravery, integrity, and honor are the call signs of the Jedi. Never forget though, as you stand firm, compassion and forgiveness are also at the core of who we are. In every conflict that demands firm resistance, we must remain open to the opportunity for resolution and healing, the chance to flow like water.

Conflict resolution doesn’t always have a paved path, but as long as a Jedi can keep their mind working towards resolution and understanding, there is hope. Set aside the ego, release the one you conflict with from your expectations, allow them to lash out in pain if necessary, and still hold out your hand. Love and respect your enemy enough to give them a chance to not be an enemy. Flow like water, stand firm as the earth, but love like a Jedi.

As Jedi, we have chosen a difficult path to walk. Oftentimes we must choose to allow conflict to settle itself, allow people who lash out with fire to finish striking out before we can even offer to soothe their pain. Sometimes we must allow insults and jibes to rain down upon us, as we look deeper, into the heart, searching out the pain of another so that we can help them with that burden. Aggression is born of pain, and if we address that pain instead of that aggression, we can heal both. Develop the wisdom to treat the cause, not the symptoms. We are Jedi, and the Force calls us to be all that we can be, to be fighters, diplomats, healers, and teachers. Heroes who flow like water and stand firm as the earth.

Joreguar

"Water can flow, or it can crash. Be Water, my Friend."

Conflict is a natural part of life, especially for those that dare to be different. Jedi being... well, different, we attract the potential for conflict. Many choose to be Jedi but not label themselves as thus in public in order to deflect this type of conflict. Others embrace the weird and take the conflict that comes with it.

I've been of the philosophy that Jedi should be like water. Water flows down the path of least resistance.

But what happens when water is forced down another path? It carves out mountains. It creates grand canyons by flowing strong.

Water becomes its vessel. Water does not maintain previous shapes when it finds itself in a new vessel. It does not remain a teapot shape when poured into a teacup, it becomes the shape of the teapot.

But put water into a container and try to compress it. You wont be able to. It forms around the hands. If you find a method to keep the water from flowing around and try to compress again, it becomes almost like a solid, and you will be unable to compress it.

That is a Jedi. It becomes what it needs to be. It flows, finds the route to evade conflict (the compression)... but when conflict comes, as it does, it cannot be compressed. It becomes solid. If forced to change its ways, it makes a Path that it can flow down. It can break dams, a method to contain it. It can wipe away cities... or it can sit peacefully in a puddle until disturbed.

That is my take on conflict as a Jedi.