Beginning Sith Philosophy, Friday

[unusual_sith]

"Today has us halfway through the code," Lana announced, smiling. On the board was written: Through strength I gain power.

"This one's a bit more concrete than we started with," she pointed out. "The strong gain power. It could be power in the Force, power in the government, power over yourself. So, let's discuss: is it true that the strong gain more power? What sort of strength should you start with, and what sort of power does it lead to? Is it something you should aim for?"

Comments

Re: Class activity

[outofthequiver]

Even if they weren't exactly the books Libby had been looking forward to curling up with and reading, she had been pouring over the information Lana had given her last week, and thinking about them an awful lot, even praying about them, for more understanding. It had been giving her some interesting perspectives, and plenty of ideas and discussion points, but when they got to today line of the code, she found herself thinking about only one thing...

...and it definitely didn't have anything to do with any Sith books.

There was that usual hesitation in her, before she eventually ventured out with, "You know, there's actually a line in my belief system that says it's actually the meek who will inherit the Earth..."

And, of course, there was a lot more to it than that, but boy, was she curious about what there might be to say about that, especially in contrast to today's lesson!

Re: Class activity

[unusual_sith]

Lana perked up. "That sounds fascinating. How is it supposed to happen?"

Re: Class activity

[outofthequiver]

"Well," said Libby, the interest giving her a little bit more confidence as she gave a small smile, "through God, of course, as with all things. It doesn't necessarily mean to be meek in all things. Of course, it's always good to be humble and non-confrontational, but that doesn't mean you just have to submit if someone is being oppressive or cruel. But, most of all, it means being meek to God, to humble yourself before Him and acknowledge that we humans are fallible, that we're prone to sin, and that, because of that, we fail. It means that the meek are the ones who acknowledge that there is no strength as powerful as God's and put their faith in him to lend us His strength. And when you have that, well, then, the whole world can be yours. That real power comes from accepting our faults and putting our trust in something much stronger than we can ever be alone."

Re: Class activity

[unusual_sith]

Lana thought about that. "The Sith don't have any concept of God the way you do," she said. "Or sin, I don't think. Still, it seems to me that being meek and being strong aren't necessarily exclusive, unless I'm misunderstanding? How do you know what strength is yours and what is God's?"

Re: Class activity

[outofthequiver]

"Well, that's just it, isn't it?" asked Libby. "It's all God's. I get my strength from Him. Without God, I have no real strength. And the meek are those who understands and accept that..."

She then bit her lip, with an uncertain hesitation before venturing, "Just like the Sith get their power from the Force...right?"

Re: Class activity

[unusual_sith]

"More or less," Lana agreed. "Submitting to the Force and doing its bidding is a more Jedi outlook, whereas the Sith see our power as coming from our ability to use the Force, and less as the Force having any sort of will of its own.

"So does your strength come from God in that you were born with it and he determined what you would get, or do you channel his strength?"

Re: Class activity

[outofthequiver]

Libby took a moment to write that down, about the difference in the outlooks on the Force as a source of power. She wanted to think on that one a little further before she said anything more about it.

The questions, though, were much easier. "Oh, you're definitely born with it, although sometimes, you have to cultivate it, practice and be mindful of your strengths, just like how you're not born with strong muscles, you have to work for them. And....I guess praying is a bit like channeling that power, too. I know I always feel stronger after I've prayed."

Re: Class activity

[unusual_sith]

"Is prayer a bit like meditation?" Lana asked. "Meditation is how I'd calm my mind and reach for the Force if I wanted a deeper connection."