You've Been Lied to: The Giant Myths & Misconceptions of the Jedi Code Explained

There is no emotion, there is peace…
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Narrators - Pat
Editor - Giorgi
Writers - Sean
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:46 The Jedi Code
3:22 Close Reading
8:07 Light and Dark
9:42 Outro

[@ZoeMalDoran]

I'm reminded of an earlier explanation of the Jedi Code from around 2002, back before KotOR added "There is no chaos, there is harmony", which boils down thusly. There is no emotion, there is peace, but the lack of an emotional reaction can stem from a lack of awareness of things that might provoke it, hence the next line. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. If one is not careful, the pursuit of knowledge can become a passionate obsession to the detriment of the pursuer, hence the next line. There is no passion, there is serenity. Many claim that perfect serenity can only be achieved in death, hence the next line. There is no death, there is the Force. By careful communion with the Force, we can achieve the serenity needed to understand the truth. Consult the Force in all things. Only when you are properly in tune with the Will of the Force should you act.

[@thomasdobbs6676]

This is perhaps the best explanation of the Jedi Code I've seen, and it really highlights both the Force as pure Compassion and mercy, and the Jedi/New Jedi Order as its true servants, basically destroys just about all of the misconceptions about "balance" and of the Jedi as well.

[@kylepessell1350]

It's just too bad that Luke kinda over-adjusted when creating his New Order. He relaxed a lot of the original order's restrictions because he was able to overcome the 'illusions' and saw the restrictions as paranoid and problematic due to his personal experiences. However, this was biased and short-sighted as he focused on recruiting as many force sensitives as possible without fully considering whether or not they were vulnerable to dark side influence without the strict discipline that the original order endorsed.

[@thalmoragent9344]

​@kylepessell1350 True, less Dogmatic but perhaps too trusting. Still, Luke's Order still beats the one it replaced

[@dannylopez5976]

​@thalmoragent9344 which one? The Disney verse or EU? Because the Disney one only exemplifies why the Prequal Jedi were in the right.

[@JDog2656]

@@kylepessell1350how so?

[@BaxterAndLunala]

"That's the thing. How can I be a Jedi Master if I'm always getting caught?" "At least you're a master... at getting caught."

[@sebastiankania7437]

This reminds me of a Tholme quote- Attachments are forbidden, but our connections make us who we are, and what is the Force, if not the connection that binds everyone and everything together?

[@Spud1189]

The way I view the code is that it doesn’t discourage love it simply says that attachments are forbidden. Love and attachment aren’t the same thing I feel, when you love someone you think of their best interests without yourself in mind but when attached you think of their interests with yours in mind at all times. While yes we should think of our own lives and needs but we also need to think of others without expecting benefit. I think thats the jedi code, to concern yourself with the greater good of others and not yourself. To not be so caught up in personal pleasure but to experience joy in bringing positivity in the lives around you.

[@celestialhylos7028]

It's a Buddhist idea.

[@MasterweaverX]

I'm beginning to suspect the code wasn't written in Galactic Basic, and there was a translation error early on.... "There is no X" probably originally meant something like "To address X" and "There is y" more "Seek out y". With some associated negative and positive tones that got picked up and overemphasized in the translation.

[@ZacksRockingLifestyle]

Try reading the code with “when” added to each line but the last.

[@Toramai-pi8wx]

Yeah, lotta people who misinterpret the code don’t seem to realize that when they say passion and emotion they’re talking about the negative. Jedi code is based off of Buddhist ideology, which is the idea that attachment that is to say an under unnatural focus on one thing leads to suffering. Christianity, which also has an influence over the Jedi code teaches similar. In Buddhism, the idea is that once you let go of attachment, the illusions will fade away and you’ll realize that you have everything you need. And Christianity the ideas that you like all of the attachments of this world because at the end of the day in Christianity they’re not important as opposed to what you are supposed to do it’s ordained by God and you figure it out during your life. And thank you for defining the word passion as suffering because that’s what it is in Buddhism and nobody seems to want to get that, and seems to think that Jedi are supposed to be emotionless robots. I swear it’s almost like they just don’t want to look past what they view as “correct.“ Different cultures views things differently people.

[@RussianBreed]

“You’ve been lied to” Me: Well I mean it wouldn’t have been the first time..

[@amyb.6368]

For me the sticking point remains is the Jedi Code seems like a denial of emotions, while real health and peace comes through integrating them. Their denial of having family is just a continuation of this. Most people I know with kids or a good spouse say those are the most meaningful and inspiring things in their lives (except for perhaps a sense of God), and the quickest way to mess up a kid is to take away their parents and break that bond, which Jedi do as a matter of fact. Attachment is not love, ofc, and I like Luke's interpretation that attachment is ego but real love for family is perfectly acceptable - is even what redeemed his father. But why still the denial of emotion? Perhaps like you use the definition of passion to mean suffering, perhaps the better word used for emotion is "urge" as in urgency.

[@DarthDread-oh2ne]

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 set me free.

[@andreasschaeflein4233]

Good to see my fellow Bogan brethren

[@revansdisciple4636]

Don't mean to nitpick, but you skipped Victory.

[@callumarmitage5375]

We will be all set three the Jedi blind their students the sith at least they tell the truth

[@revansdisciple4636]

@callumarmitage5375 *Slightly steps forward while narrowing my eyes into a focused gaze* "We will all be....set..three?" • • • • (Sfx) *Ding!* What?

[@rudragirik745]

I loathe the foolish Jedi. They are as wise a bucket of bludgeoned fish.

[@isaackim7675]

Anakin, “How can I be a Jedi Master if I’m always getting caught?” Obi-wan, “You can never be a Jedi Master. Unless you learned the concept of the high ground.” Anakin, “Very funny.”

[@archtrooper7079]

Huh, this explains the fall of the Jedi very well. Over the 1000 year Sith gap, the code had been misunderstood by the future masters to focus on the words themselves and not the meaning behind them.

[@MarvinHartmann452]

"I HATE YOU!"

[@alexishayes9935]

I think this video would benefit from a follow up analysis of where the Jedi Order went wrong, relative to the Code as discussed here

[@xelloskaczor5051]

@petercaballero8059 Light side is not the force, light side is a philosophy on how to interact with the force. And people need to realize that just because they were written to fail, if they were written well - there was a reason behind the fall. And Jedi Code was partially responsible. Not their interpretation of it. The code itself is wrong. It goes against laws of nature - which is the closes thing to the force. Fly is not at peace when it's being devoured, spider is not serene when it gets eaten by a bird, and the cat that eats the bird has no wisdom and is ignorant of the world. And all of them fear death, and you can't do anything about it. It's THE most natural thing. Yet when spider, cat, fly and bird die and suffer, the dark side feeds on it. The code, it's anthopocentric in a way, when the Force wasnt . Btw im saying anthropocentrism for the lack of better word, but it applies to all intelligent species, not just humans. That is the mistake of the Jedi. Always has been. And their failure to understand it is the foundation of why they got fucked over by literally 2 guys.

[@jeremyk.6456]

This was a great video explaining in detail and it truly expresses the way I was raised by my family with how to understand and interact with the world at large but change out the force with God. Whenever I’ve slipped with anything like the Sith code would always lead to having horrible things happening in my life and it ends up creating a negative feedback loop that aids at dragging us all down further down the dark road. Was always taught to never start an altercation and try to use my brain to deescalate the situation and only use physical force when the aggressive party tries to use force against ourselves. There is a ton of injustice that appears for the short term but karma always catches up eventually and the longer it takes the more karmatic interest will be applied when it comes reason why when I screw up I always take responsibility for my actions to just get the bad phase over quicker so I can hopefully get to better things in life.

[@davidalan528]

I am loving this explication of the Code. I can tell a great deal of the interpretation is your own, but are there any particular sources you drew from in piecing it all together? Side note, a hypothesis: without the orthodoxy of Odan-Urr (he also restricted training to younglings and banned attachments), the Order might have been adaptable enough to be as effective at resisting the Banite Sith as they were the New Sith Brotherhood.

[@wolftal1178]

This really has changed my understanding of it, I always thought they were cold heartless individuals, but now I realise they weren’t doing away with the motion. They merely wished to have a better control over it.

[@SidorovichGaming]

Your closer look helped me a lot. It seems I was perceiving the Jedi code too metaphorically and did not understand the more practical layer of wisdom that could be extracted. And truly, it actually makes sense even outside the star wars universe. One must control his emotions, but not let his emotions control him.

[@jeremyallen5974]

What wisdom? That ALL emotions will inevitably lead to the Dark Side? Don't be so egotistical

[@jaieregilmore971]

Jedi code has merits it pretty much preach to overcome one inner turmoil to find peace with themselves that is the true battle that every Jedi have to face.

[@jaieregilmore971]

@@petercaballero8059 Obi wan does make a good point to maul saying only the weak embrace the dark side and those overcome it is stronger than he knows.

[@ThinWhiteAxe]

I love this, thanks for doing such a good breakdown ❤

[@philjohnson1744]

The simplest thing that help me think about the code is adding a "when" to the start of each line. Makes it less of a list of absolutes. Whe know who the only ones who speak those are

[@KingDami1999]

I always believed the Jedi code as simply being as pure and true as possible.

[@ZacksRockingLifestyle]

The best way to understand the Jedi code is to add “when” to every line but the last (though when can be added to that one, too). When there is no emotion, there is peace… Etc

[@marshalllatta2073]

Jedi and Sith are so cool let's hope we see more conflicts between Jedi sith in future of star wars

[@aster4jaden]

I would not put my hopes on Disney.

[@sebastianmuller7013]

you should have seen the Trailers from SWTOR

[@aster4jaden]

@@sebastianmuller7013 Those are fantastic.

[@dorianwiesner4477]

I hard the opportunity to apply the first and - in a way - the last line in a practical way. Our family dog died this week. He was old and sick and I'm truly sad that he passed away. Yet I know, crying, screaming and cursing doesn't change anything. I will mourn his death, but with the same breath cheer the time we spent together. Does this attitiute make me emotional unstable or cold hearted? No, I don't think so.

[@sheokh]

I’ve always thought that language used in the code as denials of emotion, death, etc biases interpretations of the code towards the literal meanings. I would have written the lines to say without these things what a Jedi seeks to achieve is not possible (I.e. without passion there is no serenity or there is no harmony without chaos).

[@hamstermc7807]

Actually, the original wording of the code was along exactly those lines. The video mentions the version being analyzed is the one written by the Jedi Master Odan-Urr (who founded the Great Jedi Library on Ossus and was its head librarian for over a thousand years, up until shortly before the destruction of the Ossus temple in 3996BBY). But his version, which became the most widespread codification, was actually a *revision* of the existing code, as he thought its wording wasn’t clear cut enough, and that as a result it was too often improperly understood by younger generations of Jedi. The original code is as follows: Emotion, yet peace. Ignorance, yet knowledge. Passion, yet serenity. Chaos, yet harmony. Death, yet the Force.

[@kingnamor7777]

From what I learned from Kreia philosophy video. I learned that Jedi code and the Sith code hold all the answers.

[@XXMatt0040XX]

Me: Watching some Warhammer 40K content, modding a game. >Gets this video recommended Now I'm thrown for a loop, now the Pius Dea insanity is in my mind

[@alexandercarpenter4183]

So... After the Jed'ai way of handling the dark side... The line 'There is no ignorance; there is knowledge' was entirely abandoned?

[@bet0v966]

Yes pretty much. The Sith way has people falling trying to dominate the Force for power. The Jedi has people falling trying to control the Force through access to knowledge ; they always end up in a cycle of individuals saying they know better & change the rules

[@johanobesusfatjohn5836]

Well, no, they learned from the mistake of thinking that balance meant both light and dark. The Jedi do not try to control the Force. Their ideal is to let the Force control them. Another way to think of it is "go with the flow." Jedi fall when they place their own desires, well-being, or biases over listening to the Force. Then they try to make the Force do what they want. That's the dark side, and it is unsustainable. No philosophy or training can prevent every single person from giving in to selfishness or fear. Probably a majority are unable to achieve the ideal, but at least do well enough that they don't fall.

[@bet0v966]

@@johanobesusfatjohn5836 But they actually learn from this. It’s an endless cycle that repeats itself. Every time Jedi fall through galactic history it’s b/c of the tight choke hold on knowledge & customs on the Force & how Jedi should be. It only gets fixed through Luke’s new Jedi order. It’s not that they actually try to dictate the Force, i perhaps shoulda phrased it better, it is the constant pushing over their biases that they know what is best that does them in

[@johanobesusfatjohn5836]

@@bet0v966 I don't know much about the "E.U.," old or new. I'm limiting myself to what has been shown on screen (the old definition of cannon), with only the barest knowledge of anything else gleaned from this channel. But so far I've never seen anything that really proves this "fannon." Consider real people. Can you imagine a system of law or religion that could completely remove all possibility of hate or violence from society? Now imagine if some people had force powers. Of course some are going to abuse those powers, no matter what system you have in place to prevent that. In Star Wars there have always been dark side users. Sometimes they create empires, like the Rakata or Sith. The Jedi cannot be all powerful. But from what I've seen, after the first civil war that led to the exile and the creation of the Jedi Order as we know it, every big Sith threat has been instigated by the Sith, even when a lot of Jedi turn. From what I recall, Revan wouldn't have fallen if not for the machinations of a remnant Sith group. Both Dooku and Anakin were lured away, after a millennium of Sith corrupting the entire Republic. But no Sith empire has been stable long-term like the Jedi Order. That's the reason Bane created the rule of two. Unlike the Jedi, the Sith approach to the Force was inherently unstable and chaotic, or in other words, bad. I also don't think the Jedi claimed to have a monopoly on access to the Force. They didn't wipe out the Night Sisters, and _Rogue One_ showed us evidence of another non-Jedi tradition. They tried to wipe out the Sith because the Sith seek out conflict and death, not because they thought they and they alone had the only permissible tradition.

[@kalev_knight]

By far the most interesting pro human.... sentients? take I've seen about it

[@mud-bloodprince3931]

Wow what a great video!! Best Star wars content I've seen in awhile

[@Kazuma11290]

One thing to keep in mind is that the Jedi code was written in a time of peace. Jedi method is to be used by those with power. The blissful ignorant. While the Sith Code was written for those without power. The method of the downtrod is for those who know the horrors of reality.

[@piotreksz.2082]

It's so great to see some of the Christian wisdom being an inspiration for the Jedi code (at least I suspect that it was)

[@ThinWhiteAxe]

Its also quite Zen Buddhist I think.

[@demi-femme4821]

Jedi philosophy is sort of a mix of Eastern and Western religious ideas.

[@DLR1997]

Yeah it's a mixture of Zen Buddhism and Baptist

[@nightfall3332]

It's buddhism.

[@lanesmith1465]

George described himself as a Buddbist Methodist.

[@greatazuredragon]

Nice episode.

[@540VarialHunter]

@6:17 Anakin saw through the lies of the Jedi. Does that count?

[@XxLast__BossxX]

The art in this video is great.

[@pucktheblackswordsman999]

Have u ever tried putting the word, "When" at the beginning of every sentence?

[@lucasscherer2358]

Do a video on star wars animal war mounts of more primitive planets.

[@lucasscherer2358]

Do a video on types of star wars gladiator beasts.

[@brokenbridge6316]

So many misconceptions about the Jedi. Shame they didn't try to reduce some of them while they were around.

[@zexalbrony4799]

Despite their flaws, the Jedi and by extension the Force itself, never ironically enough force their views on other people, because despite the Will of the Force existing and Jedi serving it they all know forcing it on others makes them no better than the Dark Side and Sith which are all about forcing their own views on everyone else. The Jedi and the Force are there to help and guide people but not force them to comply against their own will, unless the individuals cross a line like the Sith and others do and hurt others with their views and forceful ways, then they step in. You're allowed to have your own views and opinions, that's your freedom and right as an individual sentient creature, but what you are not allowed to do is force those views on others who don't agree because you are being ignorant of other's views and needs, and one of the things the Jedi are against as explained by the Code is ignorance.

[@goldeagle6431]

The Senate HATES the Jedi code.

[@lerneanlion]

So... does this mean the Jedi Code basically stated that ambitions and freedom are evil? After all, ambitions are fueled by passion and emotions while freedom eventually leads to chaos. And with respect, the Sith Code is the necessary evil in a number of organizations such as in the companies. I mean, just looked at how competitive the markets and the businesses are. Without passion and emotions to give them the strength and power they needed to secure their victories, they will never get the results they wanted. Ironically, the only thing both the Jedi and the Sith failed to achieve is freedom in my view. The Sith feared dead so much that they become the slaves of the Dark Side to find a way to prolong their lives while the Jedi voluntarily allowed the Force to enslave them for the sake of peace, security and stability of the society.

[@auroraofclanborealis]

Not entirely; as stated in the video, Jedi don't reject the existence or validity of emotions, they teach that you must not act upon your emotions, especially not in contradiction to the will of the force. It's similar to the Vulcan mindset, where emotion must be tempered with logic, and actions must not be taken rashly. Likewise, ambitions aren't denied, everyone has wants and goals, but ambitions that are counter to the will of the force and the common good, are shunned. Personally I think that these ideas are pretty good for everyone, the Jedi put such emphasis on them because without restraint, force users can fall to the influence of the dark side, and do horrible things, thus they don't have the same luxury to be driven by emotions and ambitions as other sentients can be.

[@M4A1BestGirl]

I believe the reason some Jedi turned to the dark side is because the Council's rules were too strict. Showing emotion is frowned upon, but it is one of the defining qualities that make us human. (or any civilized being) There are different passions, such as seeking wealth, power, or simply happiness. Jedi are forbidden to marry. If not for those fundamental rules, it is likely that the Jedi Order itself, might still exist. Allowing a Jedi to display emotion or seek pleasure would likely be less of a burden, as it would make it easier for them to come to terms with who they are or what they've done. Taking a life is often a path to the Dark side. Jedi do not believe in murder. They always strive to be better than the Sith in every way, little do they realize that they were the ones who created the Sith, albeit unwittingly.

[@DLR1997]

They did fail because they were too strict, but they will fall if they were too relaxed

[@decepticonxhunter4850]

This take highlights the part in the presentation about ignorance and the failure to see through one's own bias. You view the Jedi as slaves through the prism of what YOU deem to be necessary. Within the construct o the story, the Jedi belief that the well being of other individuals is what allows them the clarity to not fall in the trap of self destruction that the Sith typically fall victim to.

[@decepticonxhunter4850]

@@M4A1BestGirl None of the Jedi fell because the rules were too strict. That's an excuse. It that were even remotely true, there would've been a lot more Jedi who fell. The ones who end up becoming dark siders usually fall either because they lacked the character to resist the temptations of the Dark Side or because they became Jedi for the wrong reasons. Anakin and Dooku were examples of both.

[@lucasscherer2358]

Do a video on star wars dark side users that are not sith meaning only use the dark side of them force for scientific research and as a weapon in battle.

[@DarthVages]

👍

[@davidsun3511]

"There is no death, there is the Force, and I am its master." - Darth Vitiate, Emperor of the Sith. That, to me is general overall representation of all the gross misinterpretation of the Jedi code due to arrogance and ignorance, be it from the Sith or Force users or even fans of Star Wars.

[@M4A1BestGirl]

Hypocritical as the Jedi may be, I still believe morally, they are better than the Sith.

[@rodgill9376]

And yet for all that they preached, they simply cannot stand the idea of those who were not Jedi but are still followers of the light side. They see the other light sided orders as a threat to their power and their ways. The Jedi only wished to the only light sided order to be followed. Ask Star Wars Reading Club about it. You're welcome.

[@dorianwiesner4477]

Thats not true. Jedi coexisted with other Force sects that stay true to the Will of the Force. They just believe that their interpretation of the Force is the correct one. Which it is.

[@rodgill9376]

@@dorianwiesner4477 sorry to tell you this but you’re wrong. The Jedi’s interpretation of the force is NOT the only correct way. It is rather narrowed minded and dogmatic. Fortunately for us, Legends Luke is friends with other light sided sects and didn’t respect the nonsense of the old order’s ways of thinking.

[@JDog2656]

@@rodgill9376it’s whatever the Force needs you to be. Kanan Jarrus was knighted by the Force itself on Lothal. If that is the path you are destined to go, then you are a Jedi

[@rodgill9376]

@@JDog2656 in other words, you’d rather only limit yourself towards one side.

[@JDog2656]

@@rodgill9376 let me guess, you want to be a “grey” Jedi? 🙄

[@ngaromatenga2306]

True meaning of a jedi in my OP very similar to an LGBTQ and discord moderator 😂😂

[@robertcain7630]

I always felt "There is knowledge" is a very arrogant statement, implying that being a Jedi they already intrinsically *know* everything they need to know. Personally I think "There is learning" would be a much better way to express a search for knowledge in order to dispel ignorance

[@MasterJade]

They never claimed that they know everything, you get the code wrong. The works like dark nest trilogy already shows how jedi improve themselves. The jedi uses knowledge to understand the force better, because every main act of the jedi is actually force's goal since they want follow the will of the force.

[@animeman8203]

This is a terrible code that makes the Jedi more like emotionless droids than anything else. It is hypocritical and worthless. This code helped lead the Jedi to their destruction.

[@dorianwiesner4477]

The whole point of the first line was to teach to process emotions, experience them but not letting them cloud your sence of judgement and influence your actions. Emotions are a fundamental part of sentient live, not just positive emotions, but also negative ones. Jedi don't just swallow them and lock them away, they just don't let emotions control them

[@DLR1997]

​@@dorianwiesner4477yeah well tell that to Master Mundi

[@bet0v966]

@@DLR1997The Jedi like the Sith have a continuous problem. The Sith seek dominance over the Force for power & end trampling over each other. The Jedi end up in this continuous fall of trying to control the Force by limiting knowledge & changing rules to be rigid to how the Force should be followed

[@decepticonxhunter4850]

It's amazing that even after this presentation brilliantly disproved the misconceptions about the Jedi code, there are still ignoramuses that still want to cling to the false narrative that the Jedi completely prohibited its members from having emotions. What part of the code promoting internal peace escapes your understanding?

[@animeman8203]

@@decepticonxhunter4850 There is no emotion, there is peace. This isn't about internal peace; this literally means that you can't have emotion and you must be emotionally dead. This is a major failing that caused the Jedi to become so weak and helped cause their downfall.

[@callumarmitage5375]

I put passion into my music beats lyrics and rapping

[@callumarmitage5375]

Cant stand the Jedi code in the clone wars they were a mess id rather be a sith or at least a dark jedi