The people of this world can be aggressive, and potentially violent. There are several reasons for this. Many act out of emotional distress: fear, pain, anger. Often times, these acts of aggression are easy enough to see coming, as the emotional state of the potential opponent presents itself abnormally, or shifts into a confrontational state.
Others use aggression and violence to prey on those they see as weaker than themselves: physically, mentally, or emotionally. Some will bluster and put on a show, as a means of intimidation, and these are often even easier to identify at a distance. There are some who attack without reason, provocation, or even warning. These such attacks are usually done out of desperation, or calculated malice.
The fact that acts of aggressive and/or violent action can vary from one instant to the next calls for a tiered format for response to these actions. There is a great saying, taken from an old television show, and adopted by the various warrior sects it was meant to entertain:
Avoid rather than check.
Check rather than hurt.
Hurt rather than maim.
Maim rather than kill.
For all life is precious and cannot be replaced.
This is a very simplified, yet elegant guideline for the escalation of response, as it applies to the Jedi Seeker. The Code holds the Jedi Seeker to a higher standard than most people hold themselves. It tells us to act objectively as possible in any given situation, by acting out of peace, knowledge, serenity, harmony, and our connection to the Force. It also tells us that Jedi are meant to be of service to others, rather than act as their commanders or rulers, and to be the guardian of peace, and protector of all life.
Because of this, the Jedi is called to treat all people as equally divine in their spirit. This is a calling to not prejudge someone for long-past bad actions, or systems of belief that the Jedi does not agree with. At our core, we are all the finite expressions of the infinite. That, however, is a statement of base innocence. There are many people who have corrupted their essence, and have fallen into their own Bogan, the malicious calling to the destruction of the balance. These are the enemies of peace, and the offenders of life. Thus, whether or not we all come from the same spark of the Force, we have to stand up against those such people, and put ourselves potentially in harm’s way.
Let us look at the various levels of altercations, and see where we should stand, as Lightbringers.
-First, we have noise: harsh words, harsh tones, and bravado. These spoken acts may be truly irritating (or worse), but they are not a reason to resort to physical violence.
-Next is the emotional outburst. This is where a person becomes violent for a very short, explosive time, in response to some stressor. This can be as simple as a drunk haymaker, a terror reaction, or an emotional break.
-Third, we have the calculated attack. This is a high emotional state, but one that is not a sudden onset. This person is looking for a fight, and willing to be very brutal in their execution of this desire, once found or created.
-Finally, we have the display of serious or lethal force. This is the employment of a force amplified, such as a baseball bat, tire tool, hammer, knife, firearm, etc.
There are other levels in some frameworks of this approach, but we are going to keep this focused. When dealing with an act of violence being taken against you, or stepping in to defend another person from an act of violence, you must keep a clear head, and stay as calm as possible. Never use more force than in necessary to end an altercation, and return the area to balance. That means that harsh words often do not warrant a strike to the face, no matter how harsh the words.
It is for this reason that we must train thoroughly, and often, to keep our skills sharp. If you only train enough to have a small collection of skills, keep those skills refined and ready.