The Four Stages

The Stages of Falling to the Dark Side of the Force

Myra VanIsle
 
  Force-users who succumb to the dark side of the Force experience four distinct stages in their journey: Temptation, Imperilment, Submission, and Atonement or Redemption.  

Temptation

  The Jedi teach that the Force is a powerful and mysterious connection between all living things in the galaxy. For those sensitive to the Force, there is a heightened ability to access and guide its energy, enabling them to gain incredible abilities. However, to embody the Jedi path, one must also be mindful of the dark side of the Force and the dangers it poses.   The Jedi emphasize the importance of being mindful of the power of the Force and the potential consequences of its misuse. Those who allow themselves to be seduced by the dark side tend to act impulsively and out of fear and anger rather than being patient and taking a passive approach. Force sensitives must be vigilant to protect themselves from the dark side's influence.   As a Jedi, understanding the power of temptation is an important lesson to learn. Temptation is something you will feel as you practice and wield the force as a Jedi. That nagging in our minds tells us we can and we should. Temptation itself does not make you any less of a Jedi, as nearly all Jedi will experience this. It is just a part of who we are as Jedi. We must be mindful that our actions can have unforeseen consequences, no matter how well-intentioned.  

Imperilment

  A Jedi should strive to remain mindful of the path between the light and dark sides of the Force. When a Jedi allows the dark side to enter their life, they risk crossing the threshold of total corruption. This journey often starts with pursuing power and can be slippery if caution is not taken. Therefore, a Jedi should be wary of their choices and strive to remain true to the light side of the Force.   Jedi must strive to walk the path of the light, resisting the temptation of the dark side at all costs. Some force users, however, will struggle not to give in, to walk that razor's edge and maintain at least some semblance of remaining in the light. These are those who constantly weigh the moral consequences and obsess about doing the right thing no matter the personal cost. To these force sensitives, the dark side presents another weapon in their arsenal against evil, even though each use pushes them closer and closer to the very evil they hope to oppose. Eventually, the dark side will consume them; the path to corruption is paved with good intentions.   A Jedi must remain vigilant in the face of the dark side, for the closer they are to it, the more at risk they are of becoming consumed by it. Even those not yet entirely fallen need to be aware of the power of the dark side and the peril it presents.   Jedi philosophy teaches us to be mindful of the distinction between Imperilment and Temptation. Imperilment requires action or conviction, while Temptation can test one's self-discipline. Using the Force without reason may indicate a lack of respect for the Force, but it is only Imperilment when it is done out of emotion.  

Submission

  When someone chooses to submit to the dark side, it is a decision that is both liberating and dangerous. On the one hand, the dark side user is freed from the restrictions and responsibilities of the light and can pursue their agenda free of limits. On the other hand, without the guiding principles of the light side, the dark side user will quickly become overwhelmed by the power they wield and fall into corruption.   Once a person falls to the dark side, they no longer feel the need to justify their actions. They become a law unto themselves, and power becomes their primary goal. They are willing to push aside any obstacle that stands in their way and forget any attachments or codes of conduct they may have adhered to previously. They see life as beginning when the person submits entirely to the darkness inside them.   Submission is when the individual has reached a point of no return -- they have fully accepted the Dark Side and submitted to its urges and corruption. They no longer consider using their powers for good, only for themselves.  

Attonement

  The dark side force user often feels the need to maintain power and authority over others and therefore resist the idea of relying on help from others. This behaviour suggests that they are unwilling to give up their ability and return to the light, even if they are aware of the consequences.   A tainted Jedi who has slipped toward the dark side can seek atonement by engaging in a period of intense reflection and self-forgiveness. Through this journey of introspection and transformation, they can restore balance and harmony within themselves.   It is believed that if a dark Jedi cannot make amends, they must seek redemption by forsaking the dark side and undertaking a sacrificial act of courage without assistance from the Force's dark side. This requires a great personal sacrifice and must be done without any selfish intent, ultimately leading to a significant positive effect on the galaxy.  

Redemption

  The Dark Side uses negative emotions to manipulate individuals and society. It preys on our innate fears and desires, creating a cycle of suffering that only increases its power. This negativity cycle creates more followers drawn to the darkness, similar to how a virus can spread through a population.   The Jedi follow a path set before them by the force to stamp out the dark side and its followers. By following this path, they seek to bring balance to the galaxy.   Practitioners of the dark side have relinquished their will and motivations, instead choosing to serve the dark side as their only purpose. By forsaking their former selves, they become conduits of the power of the dark side or pure servants or puppets to its will.   Redemption is the final step in one's fall to the dark side. It Is the step that others must enact, as a consequence to Submission.   To avoid the spread of the dark side's influence, the darkness must be banished. The Sith, its minions... killed so innocents will no longer suffer or die under their evil practices.   It is the purpose of all Jedi, though there are many ways they go about it, to return those corrupted by the dark side to the force. Slaying a Sith releases them from torment and the puppeteers of Bogan and brings the good in them back to the light for peaceful rest... one with the force.   It is a sacred duty and a solemn affair, but it is a kindness.   We must remember once someone has submitted fully to the will of the dark side, they are no more than an empty shell of their former self. They become an embodiment of evil, and their morality and conscience are significantly diminished. Corrupted and twisted by the dark side, they are a mere puppet to it.   The puppet does not always see the strings attached to its limbs or the puppeteer's hands. It is entrapped, unable to break away from the pull of its strings. We must help free them. This is why we return them to the force.   We must never forget that our duty as Jedi is to prevent more harm from befalling others and to keep the balance of the Force.

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