I. Prowess
The word Prowess encompasses the meanings of many words, among which are superior ability, skill, mastery and adeptness. It also indicates bravery, courage, valor, intrepidity, and fearlessness; the list could be much longer. Each of these words have shades of meaning that distinguish them in slight, but important, ways. Each of these words could be the subject of studies themselves. A Jedi seeks all of these things in whatever he sets out to accomplish. Therefore, whatever a Jedi sets out to accomplish ought to be worthy of the Focus and dedication that is required to attain Prowess in them. All endeavors that one must undertake in order to faithfully follow the way of the Jedi fit into the category of those things that are worth the time and effort of attaining superior skill in. These endeavors also require the daring and Courage to face the many obstacles that will assuredly appear as teaching tools, in unpleasant guise, along the way.
To seek for strength to be used in the service of Justice implies many things. Strength indicates force, power, energy and capacity. It implies cogency and wisdom. It also indicates intensity, concentration, Focus and fervor. So, in the service of Justice a Jedi must develop the capacity to serve, which will come only in such degree that he is able to hone his skills and Harmonize the components of his total self (mind, body and spirit). The power and energy which service to such an ideal as Justice will certainly require flows from the Jedi’s constant Training, which refines and polishes him through the growing relationship he will come to share with the Force through such Training. A Jedi must employ the strength attributes of cogency and wisdom in the Defense of Justice; meaning that he must first understand what Justice is. He must develop the sagacity to know how to apply this understanding with Discretion in each individual situation in which he will be called upon by the Living Force to Defend and serve Justice. The principle of Justice must be applied according to the dictates of the particular situation and circumstances at hand. This Defense of Justice that is required of a Jedi demands the utmost of the strength attributes of Focus and commitment, for such matters must not be taken lightly. The true servant of Justice will put all selfish desires aside, and Discipline himself to the application of Pure Motive. The true servant of Justice will have the Humility to give himself to the Will of the Force.
The Jedi’s capacity to do all of these things will grow stronger and stronger as he forges a balance of Harmonization between the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual elements of his being. He will be able to draw upon all of these elements in any situation instantly, because the Force will flow through him, guiding his thoughts and actions. If any one of these integral aspects of the Jedi are out of balance it will work as a hindrance to the development of Prowess in all areas. If the Jedi is Disciplined he will be patient and he will faithfully practice his skills to a point of such refinement that life will flow in Harmony around him and through him. All of these elements will converge within him, just as the past and future converge in the present, the Living Force. The Jedi will not attach his emotions and desires to either the past or the future. He will learn from the past and have Faith and hope in the unlimited promise of the future. Through patience he will be able to read the present, the convergence of past and future, and begin to understand and embrace the destiny that the Force holds in store for him. If the Jedi does these things, holding always to the path of the Force, he will be ultimately victorious, no matter what “defeats” he may suffer along the way. By holding to the Way of the Jedi, even these so-called defeats will contribute to the ultimate victory of the Jedi; Mastery.
The Maxim of Prowess is one aspect of the totality of the Jedi Code. All of the Maxims contribute to the symbiotic link that brings them all together in the Universal Force. The Maxims all flow together into One whole. They are One, and the Jedi must become as One with them, together in the seamless flow of the eternal and Universal Force that binds all things together.
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