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Nature of the Darkside, Part III Notes

The Dark Side of the Force, Part III

In our previous lectures, we studied the Living Force and the Cosmic Force. We also explored the different theories on how the Light Side and the Dark Side of the Force interact with each other. By now, young apprentice, you are probably wondering which side of the Force is more powerful? That depends - what do you want to accomplish and what are you willing to sacrifice in return for power? We will conclude this three-part course with a discussion on the use of the Force. We will learn that the dark and light sides each afford different methods a force-user may use to open the power of the Living Force. We will discover how to access greater powers through an understanding of the Dark Side and how the Dark Side exacts a toll for its gifts.

Use of the Force

"That's not how the Force works." – Han Solo, TFA

When a sufficiently powerful and trained force-sensitive individual calls upon the Force, they may access a wide range of powers or skills. How they tap into Force largely depends on the person's mind-set and intent. For example, if a force-user calls upon the Force with a clear mind intent on altruism, peace and harmony, they may employ skills that coincide with benevolence such as healing or abilities that aid in self-defense or protection. However, if a person draws on raw, intense emotions such as hatred or anger, they can make use of powers that wielders of the light side have no talent such as force lightning or the ability to telekinetically inflict pain, injury or malaise.

The Jedi sensed and utilized the Force passively by entering a meditative state of calm called "mindfulness." This is not a trance-like absence of thought or feeling in which one is oblivious to the outside world. Rather, mindfulness refers to a condition in which one is focused on the present and intently aware of the here and now. In fact, Jedi sought to always remain in this state, even during critical situations such as the heat of battle. A person in a state of mindfulness is not only keenly aware of their surroundings and environment but is also fully in touch with their own body, mind, and emotions. When one's inner self is preoccupied with powerful emotions or is anxious about the future, one is not focused on the present and is less able to sense the Living Force. Therefore, the Jedi always tried to remain neutral and stoic, keeping their emotions in check and avoiding personal relationships that could foster distracting emotions.

The Dark Side

"If you only knew the power of the Dark Side." – Darth Vader, TESB

Unsure of themselves and in fear of the consequences of failure, the Jedi abstained from study of the Dark Side and became blinded to its potential. The Jedi Order evolved into a rigid institution that was stagnated and stunted by its self-imposed rules. To know true power, one must divest oneself of artificial constraints. This philosophy is best articulated by the Sith Code:

Peace is a lie. There is only Passion.
Through Passion, I gain Strength.
Through Strength, I gain Power.
Through Power, I gain Victory.
Through Victory my chains are Broken.
The Force shall free me.

The Jedi allowed the Force to use them. Indeed, it was a Jedi's greatest goal to become the Force's servant. Conversely, most Dark-Side user's, see the Force as their tool and an instrument with which to exert their will upon the Galaxy. The universe is full of power but to fully utilize that power you must open yourself to embracing and harnessing your most powerful emotions; hate, greed, anger, fear, lust, and aggression. To release your own passions through the Dark Side of the Force delves into a well-spring of possibilities. When one is in the throes of powerful emotion, that is the optimal time to take command of the Force, bind it with your own will and demand the Force do your bidding.

Always remember the Dark Side is fickle and harsh. The Dark Side is a great danger to those that cannot control their emotions. One must be in command of one's emotions in order to properly use the Dark Side and also one must not allow unbridled passion to cloud judgment. Also notice I said harness and control one's emotions, not repress.

Unlike the Jedi, Dark Side users embrace their negative emotions, using them to fuel their command of the Force and reach greater heights of personal power than any Jedi can achieve. It is often said that the Dark Side is quicker and easier to use, and this is true, to a certain degree. Dark Side scholars also believe that even though the potential to develop immense power is greater, the Dark Side is difficult, perhaps impossible, to master.

What is also well-known is that once you begin using the Dark Side of the Force, it becomes progressively harder to resist its temptation and pull. As stated, at first, it is easy to call upon the Dark Side. Powerful abilities come quickly and the dark-side user finds it easy to compel the Force to serve them for their own benefit. The seduction continues as the ample rewards become more and more gratifying and eventually, the dark-side user will be unable to resist the pursuit of even greater personal power. However, this path is fraught with peril and the price for a misstep is severe, including some fates worse than death.

The Dark Side always collects what it feels is due

"Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will..." -Yoda, ESB

Yes, my eager student, I can see the eagerness in your eyes and feel the hunger growing inside you. First, you must ask of yourself, at what cost? The Dark Side offers great power but it exacts a toll for its favors and for many, that price is corruption of the body and mind and eventual death.

In order to achieve great power in the Dark Side, one must completely embrace and immerse oneself in the Dark Side. This usually comes at a physical cost. Soon after embarking on this path, one of the first physical signs is a change in the dark-side user's eye color to luminous yellow or even red. At first, this only manifests itself when the darksider is experiencing strong emotions and actively using Dark Side powers but eventually, the change becomes permanent.Long-time dark-side practitioners may also suffer degradation of their physical bodies as prolonged exposure to the Dark Side seems to consume them from within. Many exhibit apparent rapid aging of the body. They lose physical capabilities, their skin and hair become pale and withered and their voices develop a harsh and rasping characteristic. Still others become afflicted with physical deformities, incurable maladies or disease and a loss of mental faculties. Some even succumb to insanity. And should you desire even more power and begin exploring age-old Sith shrines or artifacts, there is the chance that you will be possessed by an ancient Sith spirit and spend eternity in everlasting torment.

There are also mental and emotional tolls as the quest for even greater power consumes one's entire being. Needless to say, interpersonal relationships will fall by the wayside when those persons are no longer any use to you. Some may need to be sacrificed so you can achieve your goals. Even if your former family and friends do linger around, your corruption and outbursts of anger will eventually drive them away or cause you to slay them. Many dark-side users suffer from mental anguish and suffering as their greed for greater knowledge and power becomes their sole focus in life. If, by some fortunate twist, you do become powerful in the Force, you will spend your days in paranoia and suspicion. Your concern is righteous as by then you will have many enemies. Always remember that you are much more likely to be killed by a knife in the back from a jealous Sith than you are to die by a Jedi's lightsaber.

While many use their power in the Dark Side or Sith Alchemy to stave off these negative side effects for long periods of time, eventually the Dark Side will collect its payment in full. If you are willing to pay this price, you must also be strong enough to persevere when the Dark Side comes to collect or you will fail and fall to ruin before achieving your goals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my young apprentice, I have provided you with a primer on the nature and use of the Dark Side of the Force. You should now have a basic understanding of the aspects of the Force as manifested by the Living Force and the Cosmic Force. You should have knowledge of the duality of the light and Dark Sides of the Force and have been exposed to some of the leading theories of how they interact. You should be able to describe in what manner dark-side and light-side Force users access the Force. Finally, you should now be fully aware of the costs and perils involved in embracing the Dark Side.

I hope that this knowledge serves you well in your journey on the path of the Dark Side. Learn these lessons well and, should you live long enough to gain a measure of your own power, perhaps someday you too will add your own knowledge and experiences to our collective understanding of the power of the Dark Side of the Force.

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Written by COL Aardvark

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