Light side of the Force/Legends

"A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense. Never for attack."

- Yoda

The Light side of the Force, formerly known as Ashla, was the side of the Force aligned with honesty, compassion, mercy, and self-sacrifice. For the most part, the Jedi simply refer to this as the Force.

Definition


The largest group of proponents and teachers of the Light side were the Jedi Order, who strove to maintain peace and justice throughout the Galaxy. The Jedi were well aware of the dangers of the dark side of the Force and frowned upon its use, as it represented corruption and a disregard for the natural order of the universe. The Dark Side was considered the domain of the Sith, whom the Jedi attempted to destroy in order to keep the Force in balance. The Jedi embodied their feelings about the Force in their Jedi Code.

The Force played a large part in the Jedi use of a lightsaber, giving them a heightened awareness that kept them from accidentally injuring themselves in combat and allowing them to perform other feats, such as using a lightsaber to deflect incoming fire (as from a blaster bolt). The Force came into play during the construction of a Jedi's lightsaber as well, both while assembling its intricate innards and with the initial charging of the power cell. With experience, there were possibly infinite things a Jedi could achieve through use of the light side. The Jedi used their powers to gain greater knowledge as a contrast to their ancient enemies, the Sith. Whereas the Sith would use their powers to try to rule the Galaxy the Jedi would use their power to fight in its defense and guide it, although this difference did not always appear so clear-cut. Many people thought that when the Jedi Order was offering guidance, they were trying to persuade the rulers of the Republic to do what they thought was best.

Notable light-side users

 * Yoda
 * Lord Hoth
 * Mace Windu
 * Obi-Wan Kenobi
 * Kit Fisto
 * Luke Skywalker
 * Ki-Adi-Mundi
 * Plo Koon
 * Shaak Ti
 * Yaddle
 * Aayla Secura
 * Qui-Gon Jinn
 * Anakin Skywalker
 * Cin Drallig
 * Jedi Exile
 * Revan
 * Bastila Shan
 * Kyle Katarn
 * Vandar Tokare
 * Juhani
 * Zhar
 * Ben Skywalker
 * Anakin Solo
 * Count Dooku
 * Kavar
 * Quinlan Vos
 * Mara Jade Skywalker
 * Bastila Shan
 * Cade Skywalker
 * Roan Shryne
 * Ferus Olin
 * Vrook Lamar

Notable Order's of the Light Side

 * Jedi
 * Baran Do
 * Bendu
 * Bendu monk
 * Chatos Academy

Nature of the light side
The light side of the Force was aligned with happiness, joy, love (as an abstract concept of open love for all, and not as a possesive, romantic love, which can lead to powerful emotions...a Sith trait), and benevolence, which some believed nurtured the light side and provided insight into its ethical uses. It was generally concerned with the ideas of good, generosity, healing, and wisdom, instead of anger and hasty judgement. In order to achieve harmony with the light side of the Force, its practitioners would often meditate to clear themselves of emotion; particularly negative emotions such as aggression, anger, and hatred, since these were thought to bring on acceptance of the dark side.

Since Ashla was also the name of the Force itself, before referring only in the light side, it could mean that the light side is also the 'normal' nature of the Force.

Known light-side Force powers and techniques
The light side of the Force was generally harder to use than the Dark Side, this being because Dark Side Force Powers are all aggressive and easily fueled by anger and hatred. This allowed Dark Siders to advance faster, but they were no more powerful than the light-siders. Light side of the Force abilities are all defensive and passive in nature. While there are light side abilities for increasing ones strength or courage, or incapacitating an enemy, none of them are truly aggressive (with the exception of Electric Judgement).
 * Force Healing
 * Ray
 * Electric Judgement
 * Jedi mind trick
 *  Force Persuasion
 * Force Projection
 * Force Meld
 * Hibernation Trance
 * Combustion
 * Alter Environment
 * Force Protection
 * Protection Bubble
 * Force Defend
 * Force Absorb
 * Dissipate Energy
 * Force Blinding
 * Force Jump
 * Malacia
 * Battlemind
 * Morichro
 * Force Stun
 * Force Stasis
 * Force Valor
 * Force Light
 * Force Enlightenment
 * Revitalize
 * Animal Friendship
 * Battle Precognition
 * Droid Disable
 * Force Push
 * Force Sight
 * Force Telekinesis

Nature Of Lightside Users
All people who have used the light side of The Force have known its calming abilities. The Jedi try to maintain calm at all times, even under intense stress. They have the ability to calm animals and people, increase morale with just their minds. Almost every force user has had a run in with the Dark Side of The Force, and used the light sides abilities to restore their normal tranquility. Some force users that have used this ability are as follows,
 * Obi-Wan Kenobi, After losing Qui-Gon Jinn to Darth Maul.
 * Luke Skywalker, In a duel with his father Darth Vader, before stating he was a Jedi, Like his father before him.
 * Ki-Adi-Mundi, When he recovered his daughter from Jabba the Hutt.
 * Revan, When being begged to return to his former life as Dark Lord of the Sith by the Sith apprentice Bastila Shan.

Behind the scenes
Ashla was the name given to the light side of the Force in early drafts of Star Wars and was established as canon in the Expanded Universe by the Power of the Jedi Sourcebook.

Appearances
Almost all stories in the Star Wars Universe (including the movies).