Lesson 9: A Jedi's Focus
by: the late Jedi Ogion, "May he rest in the peace of the Force"
"Don't center on your anxiety, Obi-Wan. Keep your concentration here and now where it belongs." -- Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn
To be anxious is to be worried about some uncertain event or matter. It is not unnatural for a person to become anxious over the future, and it is easy to become overly anxious about the future, as it is always in motion and difficult to see. It is also a simple matter to become anxious about the Dark Side, since its paths are clouded from our view. However, anxiety over the future or the Dark Side (and those who follow its paths) is easily converted into fear. Fear is the beginning of the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.
"Master Yoda says I should be mindful of the future." -- Obi-Wan Kenobi At the same time, a Jedi must always remember that the actions he takes in the here and now will affect the future, perhaps drastically altering it. A Jedi must carefully consider all possible outcomes of whatever action he takes. While others blunder through life without contemplating the Will of the Force, a Jedi must always be mindful of this, and act so that its purposes are fulfilled.
"But not at the expense of the moment. Be mindful of the living Force, my young Padawan." -- Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn
A Jedi must not spend so much time meditating on potential outcomes and possible futures that he loses sight of why he is making the choice. Too much time spent contemplating what could be will cause the Jedi to miss an opportunity to act. And to not act is sometimes worse than to act wrongly.
"May the Force be with you, now and forever." -- Jedi Ogion