Beyond Requirement: Unmasking the Force Within
I ended this article with the following:
“To try and put eternity into words is to construct a mask. Even the title of Jedi is a mask of sorts. Those who may be called such a thing may not put so much weight or importance behind the title. The Jedi simply is, here, now, doing what the Force requires.”
What does the Force require? After some reflection, I feel that I have chosen my words poorly. Although I cannot have the audacity to assume what the Force is or is not, I feel that the Force is beyond requirement. To require something is to need something for a particular purpose. As I have alluded to in previous journal entries there is no need to seek meaning or purpose in this existence. We are simply meant to experience.
The Force is beyond space and time. The Force is beyond physical limitations such as sleep, hunger, bowel movements, social necessities, and economic stability. The Force requires nothing. Yet, it relishes in the experience. What does the Force require? The Force does not require, it simply is.
The lesson I have learned from this reflection is that to be one with the force is to require nothing because the Force requires nothing. The experience of life simply unfolds and I, along with the Force, am one aspect of the great happening.
I am reminded of the 1980 US presidential campaign “Nobody for President” backed by spiritual leader, Baba Ram Dass. The following newspaper clip describes “Nobody’s” campaign goals.
When filtered through this lens, Nobody is the Force. Nobody is running for President. Nobody is writing this journal entry. The “Nobody for President” campaign is intent without ego. It is action without requirement. It is balance without form.
Another way to look at this is to examine the character from our favorite myth, Chirrut Imwe.
“I am one with the Force, the Force is with me…”
Through this mantra Chirrut attains a state of being that provides appropriate action and non-action in the moment. Through the course of the Rogue One story he walks towards a fulfilling end to his experience with relative ease, despite what some may consider to be a tumultuous scenario.
Chirrut is Nobody and Nobody helped make the Death Star’s destruction possible. Nobody destroyed the Death Star and Nobody brought balance to the Force.
To put it simply, to move beyond requirement is to come closer to the Force.
Be sure to check out my high fantasy project, Moonsong’s Descent: A Journal of Infernal Origin
In Tidehaven’s Reach and Owlkin cutpurse named Lysander Moonsong struggles with making ends meet as he works tirelessly to steal enough coin to appease his Guild and feed himself. After being arrested for petty thievery Lysander turns to infernal powers to secure his freedom. Little does Lysander know that he will get far more than he bargained for.
Image of a celestial hellscape. (Image by Valua Vitaly)
Check out the first entry of this post-series!
If you’re just finding this post series check out the Moonsong’s Descent Table of Contents.
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