The Teachings of Master Odan-Urr

[Sabre]

The Teachings of Master Odan-Urr

“Certainly a Jedi should know the Code,
by word and by heart. But seemingly every
Jedi is in some fashion negligent, from the
lowest padawan to the highest Master.
Consequently, were someone to demand,
‘What is the true meaning of the Jedi Code?’
the Jedi who promptly answered would be rare
indeed.” –Master Odan-Urr

So begins the famous commentary upon the Jedi Code by Master Odan-Urr. His musings on the proper behaviour of a Jedi formed the foundation of the Jedi Order as it was known near the end of the Old Republic.
Odan-Urr’s ancient wisdom held true for centuries. Many were taught the Jedi Code, but few fully understood it. Fewer still lived by it. Full comprehension of the Code is one of the keys to unlocking a Jedi’s mastery of the force.

The Path within the Code

At its most basic level, the Jedi Code is a set of guidelines explaining what virtues to prize and what flaws to avoid. Jedi instructors ask their students to always keep these words in mind. The reason is simple: The Code provides instructions on how to become a Jedi Master.
Consider the first rule: “There is no emotion; there is peace.” It is plainly a contrast, distinguishing the confusion of emotional considerations from the clear thinking of peaceful meditation; obviously, a valuable quality.
But if that peace is rooted in simply being unaware of some factor that would otherwise cause a Jedi to feel an emotional reaction, then it is not so much peace as ignorance. This is why the Code contains the second rule: “There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.”
This teaches Jedi to strive to understand all situations particularly before acting; to avoid errors in judgement. But knowing a thing well can lead one to become engrossed in it. An obsessive focus leads to clouding of the mind. Thus, the third rule: “There is no passion; there is serenity.” Knowing a thing objectively is knowing it as the Force knows it.
Still, students commonly argue that the only true objectivity is non-existence; death. For does one not affect a thing even by merely observing it? This is why there is the fourth rule: “There is no death; there is the Force.” The Force knows all things objectively; it is serene, and it is not swayed by emotion.
Thus, the Jedi Code teaches that before undertaking any action, the Jedi should consider the will of the Force. Master Odan-Urr said: “With these other considerations aside, all that remains is the force,” If a Jedi can act emotionlessly, knowledgably, and serenely, then he or she is acting in accordance with the Force.
Therefore, if a Jedi acts in all things without emotion, ignorance, or passion, then that Jedi is truly a master of the force.

Interpreting the Code

While the Code is a straightforward map to mastery of the Force, it can sometimes be frustrating when put into practice. The galaxy has changed a great deal since th Jedi Code was first defined, and a great deal more since Master Odan-Urr attempted to clarify it. Although the secret to the Code is considering it thoroughly before acting, the universe often does not afford a Jedi time to do so.
Still, a Jedi can think through a great many things in advance, to better maintain the principles of the Code when the rest of the universe is in a hurry. Over the millennia since the founding of the Order, Jedi Masters have recognized that there are nine concepts a Jedi should embrace before situations are thrust upon him. A Jedi who understands these nine concepts will, when called upon to make a quick decision, already know the will of the force.

Meditation
“Every Jedi should spend time mediating
each day on the will of the Force. The
reason for this is simple: If one has
unwittingly acted contrary to the
will of the Force, recognizing the
mistake soon after may still hive one time
to make amends.” –Master Odan-Urr

What Master Odan-Urr left unsaid was that by regularly examining one’s own motivations, a Jedi could be certain that they were not allowing emotion, ignorance, or passion to intrude upon their clarity. A Jedi who has no time to meditate may more easily become lost. More to the point, a Jedi who refuses to meditate may already know that her motivations are not pure, and is thus lying herself.

Training
“A Jedi’s training in the Force never ends.”
-Master Vodo Siosk-Baas

A wise Jedi should strive to remember that there is always something more to learn about the Force. The Force reveals itself to those who have the desire and knowledge to see it, and merely heeding the Force’s will is much the same a looking at a bantha’s to and saying: “Now I understand banthas.” To continue to grow, a Jedi should train each day.

Loyalty

Jedi can exist in this universe because the Force exists. But the Jedi Order needs more: It requires loyalty. It goes without saying that a Jedi should be loyal to one another. They should not squabble or fight. More important, though, each Jedi should be aware that he must act in accordance with the wishes of his Master, who must in turn act in accordance with the wishes of the Jedi Council. This is not a question of seniority, but rather of understanding the will of the Force, and is in this regard, the members of the Jedi council are the recognized experts.

Integrity

A Jedi’s responsibility to the Force is to be honest with himself. So long as the Jedi does not act in his own interest and observes the Code, he is obeying the will of the Force.
Master Odan-Urr lamented the misperceptions of those who believed that Jedi should be morally superior: “Many feel that a Jedi should be scrupulously honest, never taking advantage, and never withholding information. This is nonsense.”
A Jedi can and should offer advice to those who need it. From a certain point of view, a Jedi is not being dishonest if he allows people to believe what they wish to believe. It is not incumbent upon the Jedi to convince anyone to follow advice. When a Jedi is serving the Force, he may employ deception, subterfuge, misdirection, and even fraud, if he does so with righteous aim. Although most sentient beings have distaste for such practices, the Force is without such emotions.
Do not confuse this with “moral flexibility.” A Jedi does what needs to be done. But also remember that a Jedi is not above the law.

Morality

The most dangerous and debated words ever uttered by a Jedi Master are: “A Jedi is not a creature of morals.” This statement has unfortunately been translated, often by Jedi, to mean that a Jedi can do no wrong.
What it actually means is that Jedi are not enforcers of morality. While Jedi can bring or restore order and justice, they cannot themselves sit in judgement of others. There are two reasons for this.
First, the galaxy is a vast place, full of cultures that no one Jedi can completely understand. One famous story tells how a Jedi learned that a companion had been devoured by the carnivorous Colicoids. When asked why the Jedi later bargained with the very same beings for starship components, she responded: “Because eating the flesh of sentient beings is nor forbidden by the Jedi Code; but to the Colicoids, not eating the flesh of sentient beings is considered a sign of insanity.”
This Jedi recognized that punishing the Colicoids for following their nature would be acting out of emotion and ignorance. Similarly, not procedures a badly needed engine part would have been punishing herself out of guilt.
The second is that judgement leads to vengeance, and vengeance leads to the dark side. This is easy to understand, though not so easy to practice. Should a known murderer be allowed to go free? Should a man intent on murder be killed? To answer either question, a Jedi must first know the will of the Force. Neither decision can be made hastily, except when lives are threatened by inaction.
At the same time while not judges, Jedi can be mediators. It is a role they are suited for, and one that works in accordance with the Force, since meditation leads to balance.

Discretion
“The galaxy will live in tranquillity if certain
matters are a bit overlooked or left unheard.”
-Master Odan-Urr

Though Master Odan-Urr believed in justice, he also understood that it was sometimes necessary for a Jedi to practice discretion. Some have seen this as a sign of Jedi partisanship. Others, particularly law enforcement agents, believe Jedi ignore small crimes in order to apprehend greater criminals. Obviously, neither of these assertions is true.
The truth is that Jedi Knights are suffered throughout the galaxy; despite their facility with the Force. This is because they do not actively interfere with the lives of the common people. Jedi stand for order and justice, and these qualities do not begin with the misdeeds of the few, The goal of the Jedi should be to create and preserve an atmosphere where justice can flourish, rather than to try to create justice themselves.

Fighting
“If a Jedi ignites his lightsaber, he must be
ready to take a life. If he is not so prepared,
he must keep his weapon at his side.”
–Master Odan-Urr

Conflict is a fact of life in the galaxy for far too many beings, and no Jedi can hope to remain apart from it. But a Jedi need not embrace conflict. To avoid unnecessary fighting, a Jedi should not advertise his skill.
But when is it necessary to fight? The Force will show a Jedi when he has no other options, and a wise Jedi trusts the Force I this regard.
When fighting, is it necessary to use one’s lightsaber? The answer is no. A lightsaber is an intimidating weapon but it is not a tool for intimidation. This is what Odan-Urr meant. Do not use a lightsaber to create fear in an opponent. Use it to end the fight as quickly and mercifully as possible. If this means destroying a foe, so be it. But if a Jedi can end a fight without killing an opponent, so much the better. The best Jedi can avert injury altogether. With only a word.
In the past, some Jedi have taken this to mean they should carry a second; less deadly weapon. There is no such thing: If a weapon cannot kill, it id not truly a weapon.

Dependence
“Don’t come to rely on the Force to the
detriment of your other senses and abilities.”
–Master Odan-Urr

While not apart of Odan-Urr’s Jedi Code commentary, this bit of wisdom from the Jedi Master is often added to any instruction using his words and methods. It warns Jedi students to develop their other talents and abilities, to not rely solely on the Force. To use the Force to accomplish every mundane task is to trivialize it. Using the Force isn’t the only solution to every problem; sometimes it isn’t even the best solution. That’s where a Jedi’s other skills and talents come in. Jedi training consists of many exercises; mastering the Force is only a part of that training. The student also learns to run, jump, climb, fight, swim and think. These exercises could be made easier by using the Force, but this would be to the detriment of the Jedi’s overall experience. A Jedi needs to learn his capabilities without the Force so that he can truly know himself and also understanding what those without the Force are capable of accomplishing.
Using the Force because it’s convenient, even when other methods might be more sensible, falls dangerously close to the dark side. It’s only one step removed from using the Force to achieve personal wealth and power, and that’s definitely a corruption of the Force.