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“The courage of the Samsaric Warrior is used as an analogy for the compassionate courage of the bodisattva. We need bravery to nonaggressively stand our ground against the kleshas. With the weapons of clear determination, intelligent awareness, and compassion, we can short-circuit their seductiveness and power.” – Pema Chödrön

The Buddhist term kilesa (Pali; Sanskrit: kleśa or klesha) is typically translated as “defilement,” “affliction” or “poison.” In early Buddhist texts the kilesas generally referred to mental states which temporarily cloud the mind and manifest in unskillful actions. Over time the kilesas, and in particular the “Three Poisons” of greed, hatred, and delusion, came to be seen as the very roots of samsaric existence.

“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.”

“Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is.”

“Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm? Hmm. And well you should not. For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes. Even between the land and the ship.” ―Yoda