My friends. Welcome.
Today, I want to try something different. I want to talk with you about something we all have had to come across. For many, every day. Perseverance in the face of despair
Perseverance is a crucial quality that any Jedi must cultivate, particularly in times of despair and adversity. The doctrine of Jediism emphasizes the importance of resilience, balance, and hope, all of which serve as pillars for a Jedi's endurance in life's struggles. Through the lens of Jediism, perseverance becomes not merely the act of enduring hardship, but the conscious choice to maintain harmony with the Force, find clarity in the face of uncertainty, and ultimately embody hope even in the darkest moments.
Jediism teaches that the Force is ever-present power and connection that flows through all life and all situations. In times of despair, it is this connection with the Force that allows us to persist, knowing that even in suffering, there is a greater pattern of renewal and balance. The teachings encourage Jedi to recognize that all phenomena are interconnected. Adversity, then, is not a singular, isolating experience. Though it certainly feels like it often enough, but part of the cyclical nature of mortality. Through this perspective, suffering and difficulty are not seen as final or insurmountable but as part of the eternal flow that ultimately leads to growth and transformation.
We use our own experiences to keep things moving in our lives. Though we may get discouraged, our belief, our faith in ourselves and the Force can be a source of strength. Bad days come and go, sometimes they go on for months or years, we have no choice but to accept, learn and grow.
The Jedi Code, provides further insight into how to approach adversity. It teaches that "there is no emotion, there is peace," urging followers to transcend emotional turmoil and maintain serenity even when facing overwhelming challenges. This emphasis on emotional regulation does not suggest a suppression of feelings, but an invitation to understand and manage them effectively, ensuring that emotions do not lead to rash decisions or feelings of helplessness. This is the most basic and most difficult part, as it requires self awareness and being able to stop and evaluate what is happening or has happened. Mindful of your emotions, but without them controlling you. I am certain we can all think of times when our emotions have overtaken us.
In facing despair, I try to focus on serenity rather than passion. While passion can drive us, unchecked passion can lead to imbalance, as seen in the lives of those who give in to despair and anger. Instead, Jedi are encouraged to cultivate serenity—remaining grounded and centered, despite the chaos around them. This principle fosters resilience, helping Jedi endure the darkest times with calmness and clarity.
I have, at times, had such difficulty, that regrowing my serenity took weeks at a time. However, it is an opportunity to remake my mental and emotional perseverance tools. It takes time, intention and no small amount of will. It is a practice that I have found supremely rewarding.
One of the most powerful aspects of Jediism in the face of adversity is its emphasis on hope and compassion. The Jedi Creed states, "Where there is despair, hope." This line reflects a fundamental aspect of Jediism: even in the worst of circumstances, a Jedi's role is to bring hope, not only to themselves but to others as well. By focusing on the potential for renewal and balance, Jedi can maintain a sense of purpose and strength during difficult times. This can be done alone, however, do not discount your fellows, your friends, and family. Whether they be chosen or not, your tools will be stronger when do are not alone. In the end, those tools developed will be helpful when you are the lone light in the darkness.
Hope is a form of perseverance. It is the ability to look beyond the present moment and trust in the Force's ongoing work in the world. This trust sustains Jedi when all seems lost, providing the inner strength necessary to continue moving forward. Additionally, our doctrine teaches that compassion is essential in times of adversity. By extending love and understanding to those suffering, Jedi are not only alleviating others' pain but also reinforcing their own sense of interconnectedness and resilience. Compassion allows them to act selflessly, which not only brings peace to others but also restores their own inner balance.
Patience and clarity are other key tenets that support perseverance. We stress the teachings of clarity of mind and patience, recognizing that all things are in a constant state of change and renewal. It is a time of healing, and that rushing into action out of fear or despair only leads to further imbalance. Patience allows us to remain steady and resolute, even when faced with prolonged difficulty. The key word here, in my point of view is prolonged. All of us have our own tolerance of difficult times. It is like a muscle, sometimes it is small and sometimes it is large. If it is stressed, it can grow. If too much, it can break.
Perseverance is rooted in a deep sense of integrity. Integrity is not just about personal honesty but about maintaining one’s authenticity and alignment with the greater good. When faced with adversity, we maintain our integrity by staying true to our commitment to balance, justice, and compassion. This inner strength. That inner strength, again, is like a muscle. It needs to be exercised to be effective.
Adversity is, ultimately, an opportunity for growth. We should encourage ourselves to embrace hardship as a natural part of their journey. With integrity, compassion, and patience, we continue forward, knowing that our perseverance will not only help us overcome personal challenges, but also serve the greater good of the world we live in.
In conclusion, we will face dark times. All of us, some more often than others. There is always a price to be paid for walking through that metaphorical fire. We do though, as we grow, the difficulties become less so. We also come upon difficulties we never thought we could overcome before. We turn to our friends, family and fellows, to help us and nurture us as we heal. Only to grow from those experiences. We always find a way.
Brothers and Sisters in the Force,
Today, I want to talk about something close to all our hearts: navigating love's currents while staying true to the Jedi path. Recently, I have met someone and all I want to do is be with them. The Force practically sings the beloved's name, and the world feels bathed in a brighter light.
It's no surprise, then, that we might find ourselves longing to spend every moment with this special someone. Let's be honest, lightsaber practice can seem a little dull compared to stolen glances and whispered conversations. But hey, unlike a certain Jedi Knight who shall not be named (cough, cough, Anakin), a little imbalance won't send us hurtling towards the dark side. Still, the heady rush of new love, while wonderful, can easily disrupt our training, our meditations, and the goals we've set for ourselves.
Think of it like this: the Force flows through you even when you're not with your partner. It's a constant connection, an anchor in the midst of swirling emotions. By dedicating time to meditation and self-reflection, we cultivate that inner peace. It allows us to experience this new love with joy, but not with an all-consuming obsession.
Let's face it, even the most seasoned Jedi Master can get caught in the whirlwind of a new romance. Or am I the only one who has meditated for an hour and all I could picture was my sweetheart's smile?
Just like the tides, emotions come in waves. While this new love is amazing, clinging too tightly can only lead to heartbreak, for you or your partner. After all, a healthy relationship needs space for both of you to breathe, just like a starfighter needs room to maneuver!
Jedi Teaching #4 reminds us of the impermanence of all things. Love, like the Force itself, is a cycle. It flows and ebbs, and clinging too tightly can only lead to suffering.
So, how do we navigate these exhilarating rapids of new love while staying true to the Jedi way?
- Open Communication: Talk to your partner! Honesty is a cornerstone of our path. Explain your need for solitude, for time dedicated to your training. A relationship built on trust and understanding will weather any storm.
- Maintain Your Disciplines: Don't let your lightsaber gather dust or your studies fall by the wayside. Dedication to your Jedi path not only strengthens you but also demonstrates your commitment to self-improvement.
- Center Yourself in the Force: Remember, your connection to the Force is the foundation. Just like a skilled gardener tends to their prized flowers, dedicate time to mindfulness. Find that inner peace that allows you to be fully present, both with yourself and your partner.
Attachment, my friends, isn't the enemy. It's a powerful force, but like any force, it requires control. By staying centered, maintaining our disciplines, and communicating openly, we can experience the joys of new love while staying true to our path.
May you feel the presence of the Force, and may your relationship be filled with balance and understanding.
This sermon is taken from the past from one of our own.
I sit here on my couch, thinking what to say..... My last "Sermon" was a copy of a passage I really liked, and my thoughts on it...... Not sure how this sounds to you guys and gals, but, we'll see......
The other day, the wife and I went to the local hardware store to purchase some supplies for our Halloween setup.....
We tried this a couple of weeks ago as well... It did not work then either...... We got into a disagreement, and left with no purchases....
Why did we have a disagreement? I cannot fathom the reasons.... Why does anyone?
I am currently upset with myself.... Not terribly, but nonetheless, not happy...... I let my emotions run amuck...
I, as most of you know, try to greet each and every person, new to TOTJO.... Lately, it seems that controlling of anger has been a major thing people want to learn...... Why?
It can have adverse effects on many aspects of a persons life, such as, but in no way limited to, employment, friendship, family, physical health, mental health, the list seems too long to completely list here......
Why does it seem that people have less control over their anger, versus a generation ago?
Is it because, we were/are told to "get it off our chest", "It's bad to let it build up, you'll crack", "you'll feel better"? Whereas the older generation were told to "suck it up", "play the cards we're dealt", "be an adult", and "quit whining".
I think it might be....
In one of the lessons, I learned I had been training myself, with negative reinforcement, to respond with hostility.....
When I "tell a person off", I feel better. But then my irritation with that person soon swells again, due to that person not changing, to them, what is a perfectly fine action or idea. All I did, was make them angry/upset/irritated with me.
The cycle continues.... Thereby, reinforcing this negative action... And every time I would feel better, it would go away more quickly. Since figuring this out about myself, I have started watching the interactions of those around me, most noticeably, my co-workers and my family.
It is not an easy thing to change a known bad habit, let alone a habit that we don't even know we have developed..... After all, if it makes us feel good, and gets rid of the emotional poison, it must be right, right?
I think, we stopped thinking about the rights and feelings of other people. We forgot our original intention of grouping together was for safety and security. Mutual respect abounded. Didn't like the tribe you were with? Go find another. Or start your own with like minded people.
Every day I meet someone I didn't know the day before. Everyday, my tribe gets bigger, the world becomes a smaller place.
Not everyone of them is going to go along with my outlook. Some, will probably will tell me how wrong I am.
That's ok. They are allowed that right. I may, after all, be wrong.
Perception of the situation, the perspective of the situation, your interpretation, your opinion, your outlook, your point-of-view.....
Look around, and see if there is another way to look at the situation.... See if you can see what they are trying to say, understand where they are coming from.....
Well, anyhow, this is my "perception and perspective".....
What's yours?
The Ganymede Progression has already become a staple lesson set in TotJO over the past eight years or so. Thus, this minor face-lift to update it a bit for the degrees will not be an extensive overhaul. Indeed, it is just to be a little clearer about what the original intent of this lesson was and still is.
Whereas in the original instructions for completing these lessons I did state :
“Although it is by no means discouraged, the goal here is not to do hours of library research in order to tell us what half a dozen dead philosophers (nor living ones) said about these matters. The objective - or perhaps the "subjective" - here is to look deeply and honestly into oneself to discover one's true values.”
...it doesn’t really mean just writing down whatever one’s opinion is and getting the word count. Nor does it mean to just provide some interpreted real-life examples of what one already thinks these concepts are. Au contraire, we need to be challenging our current understanding.
The goal of these is to convey one to and beyond the edge of what one “knows”.
We do not want dictionary definitions appearing anywhere in the responses (we do not get “truth” out of dictionaries), but other sources of information, guidance, and/or inspiration are encouraged. (ex. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy &c.)
The minimum word count for each response is maintained at 750 words.
It is also strongly advised to discuss one's responses with one another (Knights and/or Clergy), to dialogue about these things, and to observe how we manifest them in our interactions and relationships with and to others.
For each degree, choose 2 electives from the list below:
Values (What are your values? Where do they come from? What are their complementary qualities, and where is the balance?)
Leadership
Duty (to yourself and to others)
Responsibility
Service
Honor
Integrity
Courage
Compassion
Spirit
Acceptance/Tolerance
