Teachings,+What+is+a+Master

What is a Master
(Talos Perdix)

What is a Master? Why do they have Apprentices? Why is this relationship so important in the pursuit of the Force? These things and more I intend to shed light on in this essay.

First, what is a Master? A Master can be defined as any person who has achieved a working knowledge and understanding of the Force above that of an average Adept. A Master has progressed through many stages of growth and development of his talents and no longer feels the need to "show" what he/she can do. They look upon the Force community with a practiced eye and share their lessons with this they will respect the blood and tears of their journey.

An Apprentice is one who has either impressed the Master with their zest for knowledge or has shown a progression in the arts that requires the Masters guidance to develop to their potential. This is a person whom has made an agreement, usually after an offer by a Master, to abide by the strictures and guidance of the Master above all else. This is a solemn oath that is not undertaken lightly by either party. Why is this relationship so important? Because through this method of learning, one can share those traditions that have not been placed on paper, but burned into the Masters soul by the fires of experience. Also, is it a stronger Adept that flounders and develops bad habits out of ignorance, or one guided through the path of knowledge fighting every inch but forced to be precise in his steps at the same moment? The blood and tears here become that of the Apprentice as he now grows and develops as the Master once did. Thus making a new generation of Master. The cycle completes. But many things pass between these two before a finish is recognized.

Oaths, why are they so solemn and essential to this relationship? Because it is within these ritual words that the bond is formed. An unbreakable bond that remains even after the two have parted. It also helps to set the framework and guidelines to the course of the path to be traveled. Here both Master and Apprentice are on the same page and know what they can expect one from the other and what part they play as each step is taken. An oath serves as the cord that binds the Apprentice from sharing what must be experienced and not gifted. An oath is also the rod by which the Master may judge the seriousness that the Apprentice brings with him to this relationship. For once broken an oath may rarely be salvaged, thus bringing doubt to the Masters and Apprentices mind where only trust and confidence should reside. Hence it is the oath that is the foundation upon which this relationship is constructed.

What exactly makes up an oath such as this? It may vary from Master to Master, system to system, but the foundations are the same. Both the Master and the Apprentice swear one to the other, normally the Apprentice offering his oath first, then his oath is accepted and answered by the Master. It is common for an Apprentice to swear silence, obedience and loyalty, offering his heart, mind and soul, his blood, sweat and tears as sacrifice to the Master in return for the Masters guidance and knowledge. The Master here swearing to guide, protect and educate the Apprentice as he/she walks through the perils of knowledge. This oath is usually followed by a clause that states what will occur if this oath is broken by either party. It can not at this point be emphasized enough the absolute need for obedience when walking the rocky and dangerous path of the Dark Side. The Master, walking this path before, leads the Apprentice through this journey allowing for mistakes and danger, but always being a step behind. ever ready to defend or instruct, but never handing the Apprentice a torch in which to illuminate the path overmuch. Knowing what lies ahead, it is the Masters duty to prepare the Apprentice enough to survive, but not so much as to make the path smooth. Hence the need for obedience at all times. Know that I do not mean a blind following without thought of the part of the Apprentice, but an obedience based on the trust that the Masters direction is true and born of experience.

It should be stated that loyalty is shared here between Master and Apprentice, each defending the other. It is unwise for those outside this relationship to forget this, as it is the duty of the pair to stand ready to face outsiders if the need arises. This may came in the form of just standing by lending strength in the face of those that do not understand, or physically defending the other from harms way. Normally it is the Master that might feel the need to defend rather than the Apprentice, but it is the duty of both.

Silence though often overlooked is no less important than the other qualities discussed above. As mentioned earlier, it is the Masters tears and blood and experience that leads the Apprentice. I can personally think of no greater dishonor to ones Master than to give away the knowledge learned through this process as if it were of no great value. The lessons learned should be taken into the Apprentices soul and treasured as the true meaningful gift it is, understood through his own blood and tears that come from walking the path himself.

Though it is not spoken in the process of oath taking, is the implied promise of respect. It is an intregal part of the Master/Apprentice relationship as how can one trust what is not respected. This is often the bond that forms the deep friendship and camaraderie that signifies the end of such a formal relationship between the pair. It is a bittersweet moment to look up from either side of the path and realize that you look eye to eye and not student to teacher. This is the point when each must look upon the other and acknowledge the passage of the Apprentice into the ranks of Master. Thus again completing the cycle. It is an ever-turning wheel of progression as the truths and knowledge are passed hand to hand down through the generations of Force Adepts that walk upon this plane of existence.

After looking at this sort of relationship one might ask what is in it for the Master as he seems to be giving away that which he has paid dearly for. A closer look at the Master shows his understanding for the need to continue the cycle of knowledge, adding his little bit to that which has passed from the beginning. He sees the deep value of the friendships and bonds forged through the fires of time. Also it gives him the opportunity to relive the journey taken and walk a higher path, one never really finished as he grows closer to the final goal of an Adept, to rejoin the cosmic energy from which he was created.

-Talos Perdix