Post by Kyrin Wyldstar on Jul 15, 2020 16:37:02 GMT
Technical terms are often used differently in different contexts. The term “theory” is an example of this. In the scientific community it is the height of evidence, however in layman’s terms it is nothing more than a guess. This is no different when it comes to the application of terminology in Sith Philosophy. In this essay I want to discuss the terms balance and equilibrium in this context. In common usage balance and equilibrium are often used interchangeably. But under the Sith paradigm there is a subtle but distinct difference between the two.
Balance means a state in which opposing forces harmonize, whereas equilibrium means the condition of a system in which competing influences are balanced, resulting in no net change. In this regard, balance is a static state while equilibrium is an active state. This is a slight but important difference. The first implies immobility while the second entails movement. This movement is a cyclic motion but one that also travels upward in a spiral. Sith embrace this advancement in equilibrium that continually demands a forward and upward ascent in life. They do not stand for sinking in the spiral as all there is at the bottom is victimhood.
To help illustrate this difference let me describe a few examples. Balance is a scale with 10 pounds of rock on one side and 10 pounds of feathers on the other. It’s a static state. Equilibrium is a tight rope walker who is constantly adjusting his weight side to side by the feel of the rope and against intermittent wind or the sway of the rope as he moves forward. The scale is statically balanced. But if the tightrope walker tried to statically stand on the rope he would quickly fall due to the constantly changing forces he is subjected to. His goal on the rope is not static balance but maintaining a constant equilibrium between himself, the rope and the shifting forces so that the net result is a zero state of change in which he remains on the rope.
Another example of this would be in the relationship between a motorcycle and its rider. One can balance themself on a motorcycle, a static place, as it sits in the driveway. But when they take that bike out on the road and ride it they come into equilibrium with the bike, with the road, with the wind and the forces of nature. Failing to lean into a sharp curve in a dynamic fashion as those forces change will find them "out of equilibrium" with gravity and centripetal force very quickly.
I believe this distinction in balance and equilibrium perfectly describe the difference in Jedi versus Sith philosophy as well. Jedi deal in balance while Sith deal in equilibrium. Jedi want a peaceful state of harmony but Sith are constantly striving for that superior position by taking from the environment what they need to continue to advance.
Balance means a state in which opposing forces harmonize, whereas equilibrium means the condition of a system in which competing influences are balanced, resulting in no net change. In this regard, balance is a static state while equilibrium is an active state. This is a slight but important difference. The first implies immobility while the second entails movement. This movement is a cyclic motion but one that also travels upward in a spiral. Sith embrace this advancement in equilibrium that continually demands a forward and upward ascent in life. They do not stand for sinking in the spiral as all there is at the bottom is victimhood.
To help illustrate this difference let me describe a few examples. Balance is a scale with 10 pounds of rock on one side and 10 pounds of feathers on the other. It’s a static state. Equilibrium is a tight rope walker who is constantly adjusting his weight side to side by the feel of the rope and against intermittent wind or the sway of the rope as he moves forward. The scale is statically balanced. But if the tightrope walker tried to statically stand on the rope he would quickly fall due to the constantly changing forces he is subjected to. His goal on the rope is not static balance but maintaining a constant equilibrium between himself, the rope and the shifting forces so that the net result is a zero state of change in which he remains on the rope.
Another example of this would be in the relationship between a motorcycle and its rider. One can balance themself on a motorcycle, a static place, as it sits in the driveway. But when they take that bike out on the road and ride it they come into equilibrium with the bike, with the road, with the wind and the forces of nature. Failing to lean into a sharp curve in a dynamic fashion as those forces change will find them "out of equilibrium" with gravity and centripetal force very quickly.
I believe this distinction in balance and equilibrium perfectly describe the difference in Jedi versus Sith philosophy as well. Jedi deal in balance while Sith deal in equilibrium. Jedi want a peaceful state of harmony but Sith are constantly striving for that superior position by taking from the environment what they need to continue to advance.