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Jax
I realized very few people have read the FAQs from our website, so to kickstart some conversation, I’m posting what we’re using as a definition of a Jedi. This document was a group collaboration between some senior members of the Jedi community. It isn’t perfect. No document is. But it does try to show the breadth of the Jedi path in a short document. It doesn’t mean you can’t use your own definition either, or that we won’t use other definitions or explanations here. But I hope you find it somewhat useful!
_____________________________Jedi Realist is a term meant to distinguish the Jedi of the
real world from the Jedi of fiction, often shortened to
Jedi, leaving the term Realist implied.Jedi are people who seek to emulate the Jedi Knights as
presented in the fictional Star Wars universe by embracing
the Jedi’s virtues and strengths and expressing them in the
real world. Jedi are called by the Force to direct their
actions and passions in a direction that serves humanity,
seeking to embody the principles outlined in the Core
Values, and constantly pursuing self-development and
training in all areas of mastery, including mental,
physical, spiritual and psychic.The Core Values of the Jedi encompass many areas. A Jedi
1. Has faith and confidence in the Force and the inner
strength and guidance it provides,
2. Disciplines and trains the mind to gain knowledge, a
strong will and serenity,
3. Disciplines and trains the body to develop and maintain
health and wellness in support of the Jedi’s work,
4. Disciplines and trains the spirit through a conscious
connection to the Force, gaining focus and discretion,
5. Acknowledges emotions without allowing them to alter
their actions or vision.
6. Strives to achieve balance in all areas of life.
7. Respects and defends life in all its forms.
8. Is a guardian of peace and justice.
9. Approaches life with courage and honesty to gain wisdom.
10. Humbly undertakes service for the betterment of all.
11. Practices compassion and patience toward others as well
as the self.
12. Views the world critically and objectively, with a
willingness to challenge conventional thinking.
13. Accepts the responsibility to pass on their knowledge to
willing students of the Force.Beral Khan
I find this list to be pretty solid as a definition of what people should expect from both the Institute, its instructors, and the students who come out of its classes.
The only line I have issue with is number 8:
Guardians of peace and justice.
As the other are very clear in their meaning, this line is a bit obscure. Wow do we guard peace and justice, and what IS peace and justice?
the other lines say ‘A Jedi does this:’ and is pretty clear on what they are.
I realize tihs line comes from the Fictional books and I respect that. Im just unclear as to what it really means. And if I am confused about it, then people who have less training may be even more so.
I guess my over all issue is, the words that are implied at the end:
Guardians of peace and justice “in the Galaxy” is what I hear.
You had to pick the line I like the least, didn’t you?
This document was a collaborative document, and as such includes ideas or phrasing that we didn’t all necessarily want, but agreed to in the end. Guardian types very much identify with being guardians of peace and justice. One way to look at it is that a Jedi encourages and supports actions that add to the overall peace in our world, while discouraging those which detract from it. Justice can be a loaded word, where a person could be seen as a vigilante. But that is certainly not the role of a Jedi. There are many meanings for Justice, including:
the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness
Just is defined as: guided by truth, reason, justice, and fairness:So in this way, the Jedi do seek to behave justly, and support others in the quest to act justly as well.
Daizan
Can’t remember the source off-hand but I’ve heard it explained similar to this.
A Jedi doesn’t defend his own ideas of “peace” or “justice”, rather he works to foster an environment where the ideals of peace and justice can thrive.
Anonymous
You know – the “Guardian Jedi” are only an individual’s Path.
I have never understood why their individual, personal Path has to be included in any Jedi Definition. I do not see healers or scholars demanding such prominence. I think it’s redundant in some way to even include such a statement considering it says in line “7. Respects and defends life in all its forms.”.
Perhaps that line (8.) could be removed. Perhaps the Guardian Jedi can keep it in for themselves, and those on other paths can include theirs on line 8.) i.e. “Healer”, “Scholar”, etc. if Paths must be included (which I do not agree they do.)
It’s time to realize most Jedi do not agree with this kind of puffed-up statement. It’s embarassing for many of us to have such a rather puffed-up statement tied the Jedi – and in that any definition should encompass all – and not allow one “type” of Jedi to make so much of a stamp on a very wide and diverse group.
It’s my honest assessment that the Guardian Group – not meaning to – but has caused the decrease in interest and activity among the Jedi Community because of their agressive need to “stamp” the Jedi in their form.
As is seen here – most do not agree.
It’s time to stop the nonsense because of a few rather inactive people who call themselves “Jedi Guardians” to try to hijack what means to be Jedi. (By that I mean people who show up only when “The Guardian” way is questioned – then they are gone again.)
Of course – they can be Jedi in their way. There are those in professions where being a Jedi Guardian makes absolute sense!
But all of us?
No.
I am speaking strongly, I know. I mean to do so.
We cannot make those interested in the Jedi Path uncomfortable or question if they belong because of one line.
Sorry for the huff – but it is important to recognize the problem and not simply shrug it away. It does do harm. If you think it does not look around the sites and inactivity…
– Asta Sophi
I understand your perspective, and in time we may decide some slight modifications are better for our group. This is a starting point, and as such is at least an opportunity for discussion, which facilitates learning. We don’t require students or members to memorize this document or take it as their own. If anyone finds this useful, but doesn’t like that line, feel free to remove it.
It may be that we make this change our self. I don’t however want to do it on my own, as it’s not simply my decision to make.
What about the other aspects?
Actually – I really like the definition otherwise.
(I guess it’s why Klunker #8 throws me so much…).
The only other thing I think it lacks is the idea of LIFELONG learning and training. I think that is essential.
Otherwise I really like this definition…
– Asta
I think that’s pretty well implied, as there is never an implied end to any of those steps, which requires lifelong learning. But i’m quite tired so I’ll look at it again later, because that was something discussed, and it just may have not been stated explicitly in this version.
A couple of thoughts…
Quote:The Core Values of the Jedi encompass many areas. A Jedi
1. Has faith and confidence in the Force and the inner
strength and guidance it provides,
2. Disciplines and trains the body to develop and maintain
health and wellness in support of the Jedi’s work,
3. Disciplines and trains the mind to gain knowledge, a
strong will and serenity,
4. Disciplines and trains the spirit through a conscious
connection to the Force, gaining focus and discretion,Swapped #2 and #3 around for sake of flow.
The emboldened bit got me thinking. A Jedi’s work is what exactly?
Quote:7. Respects and defends life in all its forms.
8. Is a guardian of peace and justice.
10. Humbly undertakes service for the betterment of all.
11. Practices compassion and patience toward others as well
as the self.Honestly, these ideas are linked to an extent. They also bring to mind the 3 Pure Precepts of the Bodhisattva Precepts:
“cease doing evil”
“to do good”
“to do good for the benefit of all beings”or as they were given to me:
I undertake in all circumstances to observe what is good. (it was actually given as “observe all rules” but I don’t do so well with rules
)
I undertake in all circumstances to observe the Dharma.
I undertake to perform all actions in loving-kindness for the benefit of all beings.You could probably rewrite it as such:
Cultivates benevolence toward, and respect for, all life and performs actions for the benefit of all living thingsQuote:9. Approaches life with courage and honesty to gain wisdom.I’d strike “to gain wisdom” from this line and add it to #2
Quote:12. Views the world critically and objectively, with a
willingness to challenge conventional thinking.I would assume that this also applies to the Jedi path itself.
Like I said earlier, just a couple of thoughts that struck me while reading this.
I believe what Asta is saying is that without line 8, it is a document for All Jedi.
With line 8, it is a document for one type of Jedi.I would have to agree.
Working for the Harmony of the world is one thing. Being a Guardian of Peace and Justice, especially when Justice is different all over the world, is not.
Edit: And after re-reading a post by Jax stating that students of the IJRS Academy do not even need to adopt this I have another thought to add.
As a student, when I read this statement it makes me feel that THIS is what the IJRS strives to help me become.
So, either it is, and I am here and adopt this as my own code in doing so, or this document is a bunch of ‘good ideas’ that are really just suggestions.
I really like the idea that this defines what it means to be an IJRS Jedi. It allows me to see the OVERALL point of taking classes here.
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