Applying the Jedi Code In Real Life

Like any self-respecting organization, the Jedi have a code. The creed guides them in decision making and influences their thoughts and actions. It's like a mission statement all members can follow and use as a framework for leading their lives. Their tenets can have decent side effects, and you can take a principle or two and apply it to your life even if you haven't been to the Temple or built a functioning lightsaber. And, you can do so without going overboard into the whole "Jedi beliefs are a religion" thing.

This is the four line version of the code based on the meditations of Odan-Urr:

There is no emotion, there is peace. 

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

There is no passion, there is serenity. 

There is no death, there is the Force.

First of all, the code is exactly the sort of geeky mantra I like to memorize to calm myself down when I'm feeling anxious or stressed. But there are other takeaways (curse the business person who put that word in my brain!). Let's look at it line by line.

There is no emotion, there is peace.

While I don't believe all emotions should be discarded and neither should attachments, it can be beneficial to put them aside. Emotions have value, and our feelings about each other and different topics make us who we are. However, in a crisis or just when you need space to take deep breaths and be calm, having the ability to pack your emotions away in a corner and focus on peace is extremely helpful. Working within the void of peace can help you make more logical and fair decisions. Finally, I think this line is about understanding that emotions exist and learning to confront them or to recognize when they're in the way.

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

This is like saying, "The more you know..." The more you are willing to learn, the more relaxed you'll be. I interpret this more as being open-minded rather than studious. Sure, there are benefits to continually keeping your mind active by learning new skills and researching new topics - I can't deny that. It's also just as valuable to leave your mind open so you can absorb new experiences. Part of this is also understanding that you won't be able to know everything - no one can - and coming to terms with it.

There is no passion, there is serenity. 

Line three seems like a repeat of line one - it just has more intensity. In this instance, I read passion as runaway emotion. We witness this in Anakin's obsessive love of Padmé; it appears to be fueled more by insane passion with no balance of logic. Emotions can lead your behavior and decisions, passion - in this Jedi Code example, not forever and always - can lead to intense and crazy actions (again, see Anakin). It's about control and learning how to dial yourself back and find serenity when you're about to do something rash and stupid.

There is no death, there is the Force.

The Force as seen in the Star Wars films doesn't exist. You can find similar beliefs in religion, but as that is not my path, I can't speak to it. What I take away from this line is not to fear death.

Do you ever apply the Jedi Code to your life? How would you interpret the code differently?