Forward
Jedi. A single word conjures up vivid images and concepts – warrior monks, brown robes, the Force and of course lightsabers. All of these are true up to a point in that they represent the manifestation of an ideology in popular culture. It is to be argued, however, that it is possible – even necessary – to be a Jedi without any of the above, because “Jedi” is a deeper concept: a philosophy, a mindset and a way of life.
A recurring concept in the consideration of what it is to be Jedi is that of balance and Jedi are nothing without their fabled ability in this area. An over-literal student might state from the Jedi Code that emotions have no place in a Jedi. However, as mortals, we all have emotions, and seeking to eradicate that which is natural and inherent to our being can lead to much inner turmoil and guilt, paths to the proverbial Dark Side. It is perhaps more accurate to say that a Jedi has emotions but that through a finely attuned sense of balance, does not allow them to divert him from his path. It is worthy of note that balance is not a static thing; all examples of this in nature involved fluctuations around a set point – a series of adjustments and corrections, both major and miniscule. So balance should not be seen as a rigid position set in stone, it is more organic than this – more like a series of ripples fading away in a previously still pool.
To be able to achieve this balance requires a great deal of patience – with events, with others and perhaps most importantly, with oneself. No one is perfect and all Jedi are continuously on a journey of growth and self-improvement. Such a journey takes years and passes through stormy seas, so the ability to look beyond the obvious frustrations of the present to the bigger picture is crucial.
Training one’s mind in this way requires much discipline and also learning. These should be so ingrained into a Jedi that he needs no longer to consider them consciously. This degree of dedication is necessary because the way the Jedi meditate and decide their course of action is by doing the opposite of what one might expect. A Jedi must “un-think” and clear his mind of logical thoughts because it is this very crowd of ideas that obscures the message of the Force. It is almost like a situation most people are familiar with: one struggles for hours with a difficult problem without success and then falls asleep, but when one wakes up, the solution suddenly and inexplicably springs to mind without apparent effort. However without the structure and order of one’s learning, such an unthinking state would have nothing to work with – so both sides of this coin are important.
In this series of notes my colleague and friend, Master Marcus Moreau – the eldest and most experienced of the surviving Jedi in the SL Galaxy – explores in greater depth what it is to be truly Jedi; what the qualities are and what the pitfalls can be. In reading this, I hope as I have, you begin to appreciate the complexities of being a Jedi which raise it beyond the popular images I mentioned at the beginning of this, and in doing so, set yourself onto the path of understanding.
Master Leonardis Mission
A recurring concept in the consideration of what it is to be Jedi is that of balance and Jedi are nothing without their fabled ability in this area. An over-literal student might state from the Jedi Code that emotions have no place in a Jedi. However, as mortals, we all have emotions, and seeking to eradicate that which is natural and inherent to our being can lead to much inner turmoil and guilt, paths to the proverbial Dark Side. It is perhaps more accurate to say that a Jedi has emotions but that through a finely attuned sense of balance, does not allow them to divert him from his path. It is worthy of note that balance is not a static thing; all examples of this in nature involved fluctuations around a set point – a series of adjustments and corrections, both major and miniscule. So balance should not be seen as a rigid position set in stone, it is more organic than this – more like a series of ripples fading away in a previously still pool.
To be able to achieve this balance requires a great deal of patience – with events, with others and perhaps most importantly, with oneself. No one is perfect and all Jedi are continuously on a journey of growth and self-improvement. Such a journey takes years and passes through stormy seas, so the ability to look beyond the obvious frustrations of the present to the bigger picture is crucial.
Training one’s mind in this way requires much discipline and also learning. These should be so ingrained into a Jedi that he needs no longer to consider them consciously. This degree of dedication is necessary because the way the Jedi meditate and decide their course of action is by doing the opposite of what one might expect. A Jedi must “un-think” and clear his mind of logical thoughts because it is this very crowd of ideas that obscures the message of the Force. It is almost like a situation most people are familiar with: one struggles for hours with a difficult problem without success and then falls asleep, but when one wakes up, the solution suddenly and inexplicably springs to mind without apparent effort. However without the structure and order of one’s learning, such an unthinking state would have nothing to work with – so both sides of this coin are important.
In this series of notes my colleague and friend, Master Marcus Moreau – the eldest and most experienced of the surviving Jedi in the SL Galaxy – explores in greater depth what it is to be truly Jedi; what the qualities are and what the pitfalls can be. In reading this, I hope as I have, you begin to appreciate the complexities of being a Jedi which raise it beyond the popular images I mentioned at the beginning of this, and in doing so, set yourself onto the path of understanding.
Master Leonardis Mission