Aside from the ironic shade of contradiction there, Obi-Wan points us to a useful human truth.

Seen most acutely in those such as Trump, Hitler, Alex Jones, or fundamentalists more broadly, black-and-white thinking finds itself most expressed when we are feeling angry, resentful, and fearful.

Our temptation is to not face these emotions within. In rejecting these emotions, we then project them outside and then go to war with them there.

This is such a core aspect of how our minds work, that it drives a great deal of suffering on the planet.

If Hitler felt really inferior and helpless inside (and many events in his life may have made him feel this way), then it makes sense that he started to see that outside, and we know the rest of that story.

It’s a radical example but the principle applies in dimmer shades as well, in each of us.

After realising our projections, it hurts to see that we have hurt others with them; that our beliefs and actions have had consequences. What’s more, they were because we rejected ourselves!

But the bottom line is this, we are human beings. We can do our best and embrace the darkness and the light. That takes a lot of courage.

We can forgive ourselves for our limitations, not just because we all have them, but simply because we are interconnected droplets in the sea of existence, moved by forces of a great magnitude.

It was not that Obi-Wan lacked access to anger and fear, or even ruthlessness, they just no longer controlled him.

Anakin too had a difficult past and was feeling resentful and helpless by the time he ended up battling his teacher.

After Anakin said ‘you underestimate my power’ before his big leap, it marked out his arrogance and one-sidedness, which led him to be cut down in the end.

Balance and openness can mitigate suffering, expand our hearts and minds, and add more layers of meaning to our lives in doing so.

Exercising these two qualities can hurt, but they bring out the best in us and contribute to a better world.