Emotion, yet peace.
Ignorance, yet knowledge.
Passion, yet serenity.
Chaos, yet harmony.
Justice, yet mercy.
Honor, yet kindness.
Dignity, yet humility.
Individuality, yet unity.
Strength, yet compassion.
Power, yet wisdom.
Deliberation, yet action.
Death, yet the Force. |
Without the Fiction:
We often see discussions of "Well that's the fiction" and "Real people can't" or "real people don't" and truly there are some good points to be had on that. Celibacy isn't on the top of anyone list of Jedi Traits to take on, nor is kidnapping young children. However, for many or even most of us the Fiction serves as a source of inspiration for what it means to be a Jedi. Not long ago one could quote the words of Master Kenobi or Master Jinn on the boards without hearing the words "Well that's the fiction" or "in real life people don't behave like that." It was not simply the example they followed but the wisdom they taught that helped bring the Jedi into being. The example at its core like all examples had good and bad points to it, but was basically the example ANY Hero sets. They do the best they can with what they have and the situation that was handed to them. Likewise the idea of a Jedi has evolved over the years, the prequels were meant as just that, prequels. They are meant to depict the time before the now, and before the new. That's fine, and I can see them being a great source of inspiration, guidance, and truth for the Jedi of the here and now. Likewise, the entire premise of Star Wars is a LONG TIME AGO in a GALAXY FAR AWAY. I can see how we would, being now the bearers of that mythological torch carry it differently than those in the fiction did.
However, that does not mean we get to just sweep it under a rug. It is the concept that defines us, when we wake up and say I am a Jedi we think of Luke Skywalker, we think of Ben Kenobi, we think of Master Yoda, Kyle Katern, Mace Windu, or even Kyp Durron. This concept served as the initial springboard concept into this name. Many of us came from long and detailed pasts, filled with other religious faiths some of which we may carry with us still. There is NOTHING wrong with that, however we must also look closely at the fiction and say "If I am to adopt this name, should I not at least take it more than in name, but at the least somewhat in action?"
What is in a name, I have been asked, and I tell you this everything this in a name. You know the grass because it is the grass, and without that name you could not communicate it to others at ease. We know the Jedi because we have read of them, we know how they dealt with their lives. Thanks to the new novels we know MUCH more of the ideas and ideals of what the Jedi were to stand for. We also know that even the most well meaning of the Jedi made mistakes, and were imperfect. Both the new and old Jedi Order books show us the imperfections of those organizations, but of the strength of the people within them, and the willingness to DO GOOD WORKS.
So everything is in the name, without the name we are just well meaning people who have no real history, no past be it real or mythological. The great proponents against the fiction are those who make the claim "It is not real" yet I say to you it is real. When you read the stories or watch the movies to you it is real for a few moments, a suspension of disbelief occurs at some point, and it becomes real for you. It may not be factual, but so much in religion can be debated on its f actuality. None of us here was old enough to meet Jesus, Buddha, Moses, or Mohamad. Yet many of us also believe these people were real, had lasting impacts in the world, and did great things. Does the fact that Obi-Wan Kenobi didn't exist in reality make his message any less powerful? Yes its true no matter how far back in time we go we will never meet up with Old Ben, but consider where you live, no matter how far back in time you go, in the spot your sitting right now, its not likely you would come across Buddha or Jesus either. In fact, I'd say for our westerners odds are you would find other important wise men and women of the past scattered through out the planes than you would anyone you currently believe in.
Worse yet, comes the arguments then by the Atheists that say "Well Jesus, or Buddha, or Mohammad weren't real either" I say though that gives me more fuel for my fire even. Because of sheer fact that I can't tell you with certainty that they were real I can not tell you with certainty they where not. I can only tell you with certainty they brought a POWERFUL MESSAGE to the people.
I can also tell you with certainty so did Qui Gon-Jin.
May the Force be with you. |
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Jedi Resolve
My emotions are like wood. They fuel the fire of my actions and direct me forward.
From the fire of emotions I create the raw materials of my sense of self and to do what is right.
My self is the dirt on which I walk, and within it is the resolve as strong as metal.
I use that resolve of metal to guide the Force like a river, so that it may nourish me as the water does the trees.
As the Force flows through me as the water does in the world, my emotions become controlled and I am complete.
The path I walk is a solitary one.
I am alone as I walk into the darkness.
Yet the Force is with me.
The path I walk has many others on it.
Yet I will not loose my footing.
For the Force guides my footsteps.
When a man asks me for bread, I will feed him while teaching him to bake.
For the Force nourishes me and provides for me as it does the same for him.
When one person stands back against a wall, with no hope, there I will be to stand beside them.
For the Force stands within me.
When one person cries out in pain, it is my pain they cry out in, so I will render them aid if able.
For the Force soothes my wounds and aids me in my tasks.
I am a Light in the Darkness, yet I am the shade that cools the burn.
For the Force are these things and I am with it.
If one should cross me, I shall be weary of them crossing me again.
For I must care for myself to care for others.
Yet if one should cross me, I shall still seek to help them in any way I can.
For the Force knows no differences.
No matter the task, I will move forward, even if it is an inch at a time.
For the Force knows not time and has patience.
No matter the obstacle I will resolve to overcome it.
For the Force knows not failure, only successes.
I am a Jedi.
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Welcome to The Jedi Resolve web page. This site has been constructed in hopes of creating Jedi Knights and Masters to facilitate the continuing training and advancement in skills of the Jedi. We take ourselves seriously here even when having a good time.