Star Wars: Guardians of the Whills

by Greg Rucka

That which surrounds us, binds us. In our connection to one, all is connected. This is the truth of the Force, no more, no less: Life binds the living. That which rises must fall, and that which falls must rise. From the first breath of the infant To the last breath of the aged, We are one, together. —Kiru Hali, Sage of Uhnuhakka From Collected Poems, Prayers, and Meditations on the Force, Edited by Kozem Pel, Disciple of the Whills

For the light to exist, there must be the dark. For the Force, there must be balance.

I perceive, in all things, this truth: That we are forever bound to the Force, And that the Force forever binds us together. What we do to one, we therefore do to all. And thus it is upon us to grant to all What we would wish for ourselves. —Karyn I’Yin, Sisters of Sarrav From Collected Poems, Prayers, and Meditations on the Force, Edited by Kozem Pel, Disciple of the Whills

You say: I cannot name the nameless, Nor praise the unknown, Nor swear upon that I do not understand, When all ends in Death. And I say: Then you are not alive. —Aurek, Pupil of the Central Isopter From Collected Poems, Prayers, and Meditations on the Force, Edited by Kozem Pel, Disciple of the Whills

In darkness I follow the light and find my way to the beginning again, and again, and again —Sajar Ohmo, Clan of the Toribota From Collected Poems, Prayers, and Meditations on the Force, Edited by Kozem Pel, Disciple of the Whills

There is no Emotion, there is Peace. There is no Ignorance, there is Knowledge. There is no Passion, there is Serenity. There is no Chaos, there is Harmony. There is no Death. There is the Force. —Anonymous, “The Jedi Code,” also known as “The Jedi’s Meditation” (apocryphal) From Collected Poems, Prayers, and Meditations on the Force, Edited by Kozem Pel, Disciple of the Whills

From this moment I step into my next. From this place I step into my next. From this life I step into my next. For I am one with the Force, For ever and For ever. —Coxixian Prayer for the Departed From Collected Poems, Prayers, and Meditations on the Force, Edited by Kozem Pel, Disciple of the Whills

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 free me. —The Code of the Sith, translated from Qotsisajak From Collected Poems, Prayers, and Meditations on the Force, Edited by Kozem Pel, Disciple of the Whills

Innocents suffer when a bully turns angry, Chirrut thought.

Those who set a course and cannot adjust their heading will break upon the rocks as surely as those who sail heedless of direction. We cannot change the direction of the wind. Nor can we afford to be blown whichever way it so chooses. We act; we decide; and we are acted upon. So it is in all things that I wish to honor those who have come before. So it is in all things that I wish to prepare the way for those who shall come after. And I remind myself: in the Force, there is no end, but only beginnings. —Oz Ladnod, Poet to the Royal Court of Onderon From Collected Poems, Prayers, and Meditations on the Force, Edited by Kozem Pel, Disciple of the Whills

Those who would see all the galaxy burn, But themselves, And who would see all the tears shed, But their own, Diminish and diminish and diminish, Unto nothing, And from nothing, To nothing, Is no thing. —Mete Janvaren of Mirial From Collected Poems, Prayers, and Meditations on the Force, Edited by Kozem Pel, Disciple of the Whills

Where you see darkness, I see stars. —Laech Min-Glsain From Collected Poems, Prayers, and Meditations on the Force, Edited by Kozem Pel, Disciple of the Whills

The moment between breaths Is the balance of the Force. Between life and death. Rest and action. Serenity and passion. Hope and despair. —Nartun Trecim, Ascendant of Mau From Collected Poems, Prayers, and Meditations on the Force, Edited by Kozem Pel, Disciple of the Whills

“Yeah, Chirrut, you’re not listening to me. I didn’t say it wasn’t going to be easy. I’m telling you it’s next to impossible.” “Next to impossible.” “That’s what I just said.” “There is a space between ‘next to impossible’ and ‘impossible.’” Chirrut smiled at something only he knew was there. “That is where we will fit.”

We are awash in emotion, every day, every moment. We are buffeted, we are confused, and sometimes, yes, we are consumed. When the pond is disturbed, we cannot see within. When the pond is still, we can see with clarity. In both instances, the water is still there. So too is the Force like the water, whether you see it clearly or not. —Dejammy Shallon, teacher and priestess of D’janis IV From Collected Poems, Prayers, and Meditations on the Force, Edited by Kozem Pel, Disciple of the Whills

The Force is with me, and I am one with the Force; and I fear nothing, because all is as the Force wills it. —The Guardian’s Mantra, author unknown From Collected Poems, Prayers, and Meditations on the Force, Edited by Kozem Pel, Disciple of the Whills