Light side of the Force / Legends The light side of the Force , also commonly known as the Ashla by ancient Force - sensitives on Tython , or simply the Force , was the side of the Force aligned with honesty , compassion , mercy , self - sacrifice , and other positive emotions . For the most part , the Jedi simply referred 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 were dedicated opponents of 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 Force played a large part in the Jedi use of a lightsaber , giving them the ability to foresee events in the future , giving the impression of heightened awareness and amazingly quick reflexes that kept them from accidentally injuring themselves in combat and allowing them to perform other feats , such as using a lightsaber to deflect incoming blaster fire . A Jedi would use the Force to help in the construction of their lightsaber , both to assemble its intricate component pieces and , initially , to charge its power cell . With experience , there were a seemingly infinite number of things a Jedi could achieve through use of the light side . This did not only apply to Jedi , of course , but indeed any Force - sensitive . The Jedi used their powers to gain greater knowledge , in 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 to guide its direction , although this difference did not always appear so clear - cut . Many people were distrustful of the Jedi Order ' s great influence on the leaders of the Old Republic . Nature of the light side . The light side of the Force was aligned with happiness , joy , love , and benevolence , or alternatively simply calmness , 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 , as opposed to evil , harm , and hasty judgment . 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 shown to open a Jedi to the possibility of acceptance of the dark side . Predictably , this offered several contradictory instances , with some works favoring a calm , emotionless and sometimes even out - rightly unfeeling view of the light side , while others aligned it with positive emotions . The light side was treated as being both a form of impersonal intelligence and an essence of good . According to the self - aware interpretation , the light side was held to actively influence events to the degree that some Jedi thought of themselves as mere " tools " of the Force . Though this implied a lack of choice regarding an individual ' s fate , the Jedi , as leading proponents of the light side , insisted that it was , rather , " the ultimate free will . " This they explained as being because the Force ( at least the light side ) did not compel anyone . A destiny could be accepted or spurned . And all choices along the way were free to make . Since Ashla was also the name of the Force itself , before referring only to the light side , it could mean that the light side is also the " normal " nature of the Force . This view was not shared by the Potentium followers who , according to Jedi orthodoxy ( which labels it a misinterpretation ) stated that since the Force was inherently good , the dark side was not evil , either . Conversely , however , the Force - being known as the Father had implied that , had the galaxy possessed too much of the light side , the ramifications might be just as bad as if it possessed too much of the dark side . Indeed , at least a few works have depicted the light side as capable of harm to the extremes as the dark side , such as with Darth Gravid , whose alignment with the light side eventually drove him insane . While some Sith acknowledged the benevolent qualities of the light side , most did not view it as a force of good , seeing it as either weak and ineffective or as an unnatural repression of emotions and restricting to free will ; these often served as their justifications for embracing the dark side . Several of the Gray Jedi attempted to balance usage of both sides of the Force , believing that wholly submitting oneself to either light or dark was harmful to the individual Force - user . Known light side Force powers and techniques . The light side of the Force was generally harder to use than the dark side , because dark side Force powers were all aggressive and easily fueled by anger or hatred . This allowed darksiders to advance faster , but they were not inherently more powerful than the lightsiders . Light - sided Force abilities were virtually all defensive and passive in nature . While there were light - side abilities for increasing one ' s strength or courage , or incapacitating an enemy , none of them were truly aggressive ( with the notable exceptions of Electric Judgment , Sever Force , and Combustion ) . Characteristics of light side users . Most beings who have used the light side of the Force have known its calming abilities . The Jedi try to maintain calm at all times , even in situations which would normally cause intense stress . They had the ability to calm animals , including people , and increase morale using only their minds . Almost every lightsider felt the tempting call of the dark side of the Force at some time or another , but most used the light side ' s abilities to restore their normal tranquility . Some Force users that used these abilities are as follows . The Chosen One . An ancient prophecy foretold of a being who would bring balance to the Force and destroy the Sith . Some believed this to be Anakin Skywalker , as his blood contained the greatest amount of midi - chlorians ever measured by the Jedi Council . Found on Tatooine by Jedi Master Qui - Gon Jinn , Anakin proved to him that he had extensive Force abilities without prior training . The most obvious indication was his ability to compete in podraces , which required tremendous reflexes , reflexes which could only be employed by a Human if he was Force - sensitive . Joining the Jedi Order , Anakin sped through his training due to his strong affinity with the Force but , due to the machinations of Darth Sidious , fell to the dark side as Darth Vader . However , Anakin did eventually fulfill his role as the Chosen One when he re - embraced the light side and destroyed his master in order to protect his son . Anakin was mortally wounded in the act and died shortly afterwards . With his death , he had restored balance to the Force by destroying both Sith , Sidious and himself , though the Sith would eventually return . 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 " . " " also said the ancient Jedi and Sith called the light side Ashla . The " Power of the Jedi Sourcebook " states that the Potentium ( the view that the Force is one , and its sides are just a matter of choice of Force powers ) is a corrupt , misguided philosophy , thus being the first source to establish from the official perspective that the Jedi Orthodox philosophy reflects the true nature of the Force . Throughout the films , the " light side " of the Force is never directly named , rather it is considered the Force itself . It is only mentioned by name in sources from the Expanded Universe . In all six films in the Legends continuity , the actions of the Jedi and the Force itself can be interpreted as the light side . However , from an in - universe philosophical standpoint , this can be debated .