When discussions of the Force occur often the notion of the Dark side and the Light side emerge. In many ways the Force Realist community continues to shape itself by such a model; Jedi and Sith representing the two sides. Some have attempted a more middle of the road approach, or embraced complexity over duality, and identify as Shadows or Grey Jedi. However, what does this mean in the lexicon of contemporary Force Realism and Jediism. I shall use the Force Academy as the model for this discussion as it is my point of reference, and the Force Academy is somewhat of some cross-roads, so my hope is that broadly speaking the terms have some ecological validity. To explain, in short, the Force Academy consists of three parts: The Dark Aspect and the Shadow Aspect, and Armonia Seminary, which serves as the Light Aspect in this model.
The Dark does not necessarily refer to evil, but rather those part of our own person we repress and hide in the dark. It is about the desires and wants that we do not always feel free to admit to. If we look at the Sith, and the Dark Aspect of the past, this is synthesised into the notion of passion; being honest about what drives one’s actions and what one wants to achieve through those actions.
Now, one can argue that human beings possess dark desires, and that it is from desire that the worst of human behaviour arrives. Selfishness, violence, and so on and so forth. As such; some equate the imagery of the dark with evil. Indeed, I would argue that it is indeed from these places that the harm we do to others arises, but I will return to that later.
Onto the Shadows; I have oft wondered at whether the term “shadow” was a pun derived from Jungian thought, or just incidental due to the founder’s proclivities. Either way, as with the dark, the title reveals much about the belief of the Shadows but can first appear as a distraction; suggesting an integration of light and dark when in fact is a school of original thought. To summarise the Shadows; they embrace complexity. Their search is for the meaning something has within its own distinct context; including the self.
As such the Shadows explore the self with a model of totality, to the extent I would be tempted to consider it the Force Realist equivalent of Gestaltism. They explore the whole, but also seek the essential, immutable components that make up the whole. If one were to use the Light and Dark symbolism; one might say they ask why the light has cast a shadow in the shape it has, and at which point does a shadow become darkness.
Lastly, the Light and I will say it; I have no idea what Light means. One might say it refers to goodness, or the essence of good, but should one ever presume to be the supreme moral authority? We could go on about symbolism. That we as adherents of the Light seek to overcome the qualities embodied by the dark, and that we try to help shape a world not dominated by the darker parts of man’s nature. To an extent, this is perhaps true;
“With Jediism...our religious observance is found through service to the community”- Andy Spalding
Our duty to others is what defines our path, and if we use the symbolism discussed prior, then the descriptor of Light makes sense. However, that symbolism is construed and still leaves Light an inept and meaningless descriptor. Dark Aspect clearly refers to the dark, repressed aspects of the person. Shadow Aspect to the complex issues of the human experience. Light, in contrast just sounds like the surface level; what is apparent to be seen, and essentially superfluous. As such, we at Armonia Seminary call ourselves Jedi. Jedi is a descriptor, for there is a Jedi way to be, and a Non-Jedi way to be.
This, at last brings us to the Nature of the Force. I have described before how I view the Force as a metaphor and the core values I attribute to it. To make life easier; I shall just copy and paste:
1) None of us exist as an island; we are all a part of our community, of our broader society, and of nature. We do not exist apart from our connections to others, and thus we are responsible for our place in this world.
2) Due to the above connection: Our actions have effects and consequences that impact on others; for both good and ill. Our kindness can beget kindness, and our cruelty can beget cruelty. We recognise that our actions can in turn effect those beyond our immediate actions and have consequences and an influence far beyond our initial act. Similarly, we recognise the effect of our positive and negative experiences on our present behaviours. This is the Light and Dark-Side; our Jedi like actions, and our non-Jedi actions, but also those influences which drive us to our better actions, and our poorer ones too. (R. K. Williams., 2018)
Note: For students, yes, cite yourself because otherwise it looks like you are trying to re-publish your own work as original, when it is in fact not.
Those are the core values I attribute to the Force. Even as a metaphor, I still attribute a Dark and Good side. Why I do this is very simple, what is done in the past effects what happens in the future. After all, what is the use of a concept or model of thought if it offers no guidance on what to do in a situation. I often read the claim of “I don't believe in a light and dark side” and so on and so forth. With similar claims that the Force just “is”, and I must be frank my general thought is “who cares”. Such an exercise is taking a thought experiment, and then making it moot. One might as well not deal with the concept of the Force at all; such thinking is an exercise in apathy. Now, to be fair, such statements are usually attached to the metaphysical and pseudo-mystical understanding of the Force prevalent in many Jedi circles; not specifically a metaphor about core values as I use it. However, my primary point is either have an applicable model of the concept or leave it alone. Do not get caught up looking for a black cat in a dark room while wearing a blindfold; take the blindfold off and turn the lights on.
With the above said, we can now approach the Third Side referred to in the title. If in my metaphorical model; the Dark and Good sides are the negative and positive influences of the past on the present, and are in turn the essence of the choices we can make now, what is this third side? Simply put; it is the potential of our actions. It is the human element that is we; the vessel and the agent of our experiences. A decision can often only be understood as for good or ill with the benefit of hindsight, and sometimes an action that benefits one may harm another. Human beings are temporal creatures with a beginning and an end, and thus we often think of ourselves living in a straight line. That is our objective, shared reality, but human beings rarely live as temporal creatures. They often live in their memories of the past, and often travel to the expectations that have about the future. As such, we can often struggle to find a path forward in times of struggled. As Jedi, we seek the positive outcome for all situations, but we do not do so from a grand moral authority, but from our moral imperative. The Jedi way is not the ultimate moral authority, or the “Light” but rather a way of being that focuses on making the best of the potentials of all situations. We may not be the Light, and we may not have the truth, but the Jedi way can light a path in uncertain times. Keep in mind that essential, unfixed ether, that is the present and find hope in that. You have the power to shape something that could be negative, into something positive.
"The dark side has come before, and it will come again. Do not underestimate its power. That is why I have devoted my life to teaching Jedi Knights, to strengthen the light side against the tide of darkness that is sure to come." Vodo-Siosk Baas
I am often loath to quote the fiction, but in these times that is a statement I relate to more and more. We live in uncertain times, and we live in age where truths we told ourselves about the civilised world for the last fifty years seem increasingly like myths. However, there are good people who seek to make change in this world. For every terrible person, there have been tens who have tried to stop them, and billions who have despised them. Each day, we stand upon a precipice, and have choices to make. Do not become so tied up in philosophical labels that you stop yourself every time you try to take a step forward. Do not be daunted by others not seeing what seems obvious to you but empathise and explore the issues; ask questions rather than rush to answers. Seek Knowledge to challenge ignorance.