A Forceful Discussion

Session Summary

• A group of students were brought to Ambria to learn from Jedi Master Stellan Akros on the mysteries of the Force.
• Stellan opened the meditation with a question on how each of the students views the Force. Nezuel talked about seeing it as a flame that could potentially burn out of control if you let it. Thalen talked about it like water and a vast ocean with currents. Keel spoke about what the Force generally meant for Wookiees and how they connected with Kashyyyk before admitting that to him it was often scents of home. Ijo talked about how every time he tried to connect with it, it slipped away from him but the one time he can remember it was like an explosion of energy in his core. Eyton struggled to describe what it felt like to her before talking about the feeling of acceleration in a ship.
• Stellan guided each of the students in trying to more intentionally connect with the Force, to mixed success. Ijo was able to get and maintain the connection for the first time. Thalen connected with Nymeria on an even deeper level than before and was able to briefly share her senses and see from her eyes. Eyton tried her best to meditate, relying on mental aids like imagining she was in a ship and was able to briefly feel the connection to the Force before it slipped away. Keel tried to concentrate on tracking like he normally would, but in the absence of a designated target, he ended up connecting to what Eyton was feeling and seeing, smelling the engine of the ship she was picturing. Nezuel was able to connect with the feeling of the flame inside of him, getting a better feeling for realizing that the Dark Side had been feeding on his negative emotions and how it was burning him away, but how the Light Side was restorative.
• Stellan gave a lesson on the Dark Side, explaining that it only takes and that whatever power it promises comes at a very high price that you have to pay eventually. He told a story about his time on Ambria during the Purge and how he had to fight against the fear of being found and that the Dark Side tried to tempt him with promises of power, but that he rejected it because “power taken in fear is a shackle, not a gift.”
• Master Skywalker interrupted the lesson to give his own thoughts, emphasizing that we’re never too small to make a difference, and that even the darkest can find redemption if they’re willing to look for it. He reiterated Stellan’s lesson that the power from the Dark Side comes at a cost, and it’s never worth it.
• Luke answered questions from the students on the Dark Side and his personal journey and how he’s struggled. Nezuel was particularly interested in learning more about his views on the Dark Side and Redemption, while Eyton wanted to know about how he came to be a Jedi. Luke answered all questions with abundant patience before saying farewell to the students and leaving them to finish their meditations with his final wisdom to trust in the Force.