rename+27

=Gathering Energy= (By Sam)(ael) (Return to Teachings)

The force is energy all around us. It is created by life. Part of us, around us, connecting us, binding everything together. You must learn to collect the energy of the force in order to use force powers, Much like a bucket in the rain, a little energy collects over time but we must gather rain drops to be full of the force.

Here you must also learn the difference between the light side and the dark side. There is positive force energy you can draw that comes from peace, love, harmony, self-discipline, and compassion. There is also dark energy that comes from fear, lust for power, contention, and hate. If you gather dark energy it can have harmful effects since that energy is naturally volitile. Never Gather dark energy.

It is important to understand that the force is not divided. There is one force but just as people there is light and darkness within. We as people, as Jedi have the opportunity to right that balance. See the 'balance' section for more.

__**Approaches**__: There are several Meditations like Katas that help you gather energy and store it within yourself. The ultimate goal is for you to be able to draw energy without having to kneel or sit down and meditate. Jedi can Gather the energy of the force as they go and often meditate only out of a desire to do so rather than a real need.


 * The following are instructions from Master Mi-Zhe Fu on Force Meditation**:


 * **QUOTE** ||
 * Here is a __Wu Shu Meditation__ I know of:

Close your eyes. Breathe in through the nose and imagine the breath filling up your stomach slowly like a balloon. Then slowly breathe out the mouth and imagine the balloon deflating. Repeat this 10 times and you will be in a very open state for the Force to pass through you. This will help you to breathe slowly and focus your mind well. It is also replenishing. Practicing this is a very good step in having a better connection with the Force.

__Jedi Meditation I__:

Relax and breathe slowly. Imagine the look and feel of the Force coming into you from above (or from the earth through your feet). After a while you can start to imagine natural scenes (like oceans, mountains, and the cosmos). Doing this meditation will allow you to gain more strength with the Force.

__Jedi Meditation II__:

Relax and breathe slowly. Clear your mind and think of nothing. Don't even think of the thought of nothing. Don't think about time passing by either. Do this for as long as you can. This surprisingly takes a lot of concentration. Some people find it easy to meditate standing up when doing this. This meditation will allow a Jedi to have more control with the Force.

A Jedi Student should be working on meditating a lot. Before becoming a Jedi Knight you should be able to meditate for a whole 30 mins.


 * Mi-Zhe Fu** ||

__**Optional notes on Meditation**__: Each Jedi Has slightly different methods. Master Mi-Zhe Fu's Meditations teach you how to collect regular energy, and provide an excellent base-line or standard on how to do that. There are also ways to directly draw light-side energy. Often this happens as you draw energy with genuine feelings of love and compassion or peace inside you. I myself feel the force flow through me like rivers of pure light or like I am on fire with light. This visualization also tends to make me feel lighter, allowing for swifter action and clearer thought. After you have used successful meditation to let the force freely flow through you, you may customize your methods if needed. Just remember to keep it simple. Like releasing, not clamping on.

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