ATTN: COUNCIL; Updated Doctrine Proposal

ren wrote: The closest non-jedi religious concept to the Force as described by the current doctrine is Brahman (interestingly also at the source of other better known religions).

Wiki describes it as 'In Hinduism, Brahman connotes the highest Universal Principle, the Ultimate Reality in the universe. In major schools of Hindu philosophy, it is the material, efficient, formal and final cause of all that exists. It is the pervasive, genderless, infinite, eternal truth and bliss which does not change, yet is the cause of all changes. Brahman as a metaphysical concept is the single binding unity behind diversity in all that exists in the universe.'

Doesnt change yet causes changes= what we usually refer to as energy when describing the Force, everything else we could copy/paste and exchange brahman with 'the Force', and 'hindu' with 'jedi'.

Hindu is a broad category, and Brahman is not universally defined within Hinduism but its a good place to start. Given what you said you'd be looking at a non-dual school of Hinduism wouldn't you to match closer to Jediism? As to me Jedi doctrine here clearly seems to state it is more then belief or thought, but also pragmatic action.

I might use something like this super simplified (and therefore probably wrong) way to look at it;

Metaphysical belief -> Ontology of that belief in reality -> Practises of that belief informed by its ontology

Being for us something like;
Force believer -> Force philosopher -> Jedi

Jediism is the three of those things together in a someone (a Jediist).

Any other labels beyond that are probably sections (sects) of the compete 'three bodies of path for a well rounded spiritual way'.
Versions of other labels then being; belief alone, or philosophy alone, or practise alone, or belief and philosophy but without practise, or belief and practise without philosophy, or philosophy and practises but without belief

So maybe, given one cannot know the whole, an Indian version might be;
Brahman -> Advaita Vedanta -> Jainism & Buddhism

Leading to it being something like two branches of belief;
- the metaphysics of the Force,
- the ontology of it as a non-dual thang in a seemingly dualistic existence, and thirdly

- a trunk of practise. The practises being the actions of belief in ones mind, body and environment.

But 'Why Jedi and not Force Practitioner' is a good question to ask
If 'Force Practioner' was used instead in those three bodies of the path, then what difference is Sith vs Jedi if they both have all three components!!! My thinking is probably (assuming an identical fully reduced universal non-dual definition of the Force) just different ontologies and practises. But for me, by fully reducing the Force as it is in the Doctrine, the closer one gets to the Force the more value all its non-self aspects begin to have, making it more and more 'light' and less 'dark'. The definition of the Force being then what defines it as 'light'.

But there might be dualism Force believers too? A distinct light Force and a distinct dark Force, but sharing the universal parameters. Or three types of Force, or more. Not to get caught up in the labels, but more to the point that does the essence being defined exist as a singular existence monism by rule of Doctrine, or not? Does the current Doctrine cater to them, and if not, is it really a Temple for all Jedi anyway (and should it)?

In regards to the use of divine, its probably not appropriate since its originally from and has significant contemporary use as meaning 'god'.

*Poke*

As it seems the discussion portion on sacred, divine and metaphysical, shall we have a vote? ^^

Just write which word you prefer as it pertains to the following:

Jediism is a religious school of thought based on the observance of the Force, an ubiquitous and *DIVINE/SACRED/METAPHYSICAL* energy that a Jedi (a follower of Jediism) believes to be the fundamental nature of the universe.

I’ll give it a week before I make an edit to the original proposal document.

Who is voting on this?
Metaphysical or alternatively ontological anyhow

I will say I am a very do you type of Jediism person. I look at it this way because in idea there is a lot of knowledge through the community of different SW related religious/spritiual groups. To lose that knowledge by creating sects, is a dangerous thing for the ideology as is.

Though I understand that I chose to study here because of the fact that TOTJO is an order that closely shares my ideals and I have had enlightening, knowledge/informational and overall friendly conversations in (Not, that I didn't and don't get frustrated with interactions some times, I do.) . However, looking at it as someone who cares about the continuity of this Order, I understand the need for a definition to define the Order, but, I believe it should be vague for the purpose of diverse ideas. "Do not set your self so far a part you, cannot see others."- IDK probably someone at some point. Some of these ideas will be bad or not fitting(IMHO) and will be determined by consensus of the order through the natural evolution of the discussion. So, I truly think it's a good idea to keep it vague.

This is what I would purpose and vote for were it up to me. It leaves a lot open and doesn't define the Order much, but hopefully inspires those who may find a different path through a start with us (IMHO a just as worthy cause). Think people who are members but not in ranks or clergy. I have learned much from some of these people and I would fear squashing that path.

"Jediism is a religious school of thought based on the observance of the Force, an ubiquitous and infinite energy that a Jedi (a follower of Jediism) believes to be the fundamental nature of the universe."

I know it's not what we would expect but it's what I got. I don't know that I added much to this conversation. But, this is something that triggered some thought on it. For the record I started out thinking I was a grey, because well I wasn't thinking about the actual idea just focused on getting in and figuring out where I fit in the idea .

Much Love, Respect and Peace,
Kobos

I'm a Lore-Junky, so why not give a nod to the the inspiration??

"Jediism is a religious school of thought based on the observance of the Force as the universal and living energy that a Jedi (a follower of Jediism) believes to be the fundamental nature of the universe."

Living Force and Unifying Force? Or maybe switch the two around?

@Rex: Right now? It’s open to everyone. Later: Just members. I think Br. John wanted the group to decide rather than just the Council.

Heh, Still another 30 days until I can set aside the time to think about this properly.

Not that my views would have any great inspiration to them....

Still, "model UN" sort of thing - what happens at a diplomatic event when not enough people turn up? is it still diplomacy, or does it become....something else?

You still have time James. Right now we're just working on the definition of the Force. As you can see, the conversation just got more complicated as new words have come in.

Here's an idea, however, why not take a singular principle and think on it throughout the course of a day. Consider if it actually makes sense. As you come across one that you don't or you think you can turn into something shorter and still hit the mark- post about it on here. It's a much faster process than waiting for time to look at the whole at once. In fact, when you CAN look at the whole all at once, it will become a much faster task after you've considered each.

If you find it important, you'll find a way to accomplish the mission. If not, well I guess you just have to trust in your fellow Jedi to make the decisions. After all, something could come up between now and that day you believe you have time.

If you find it important, you'll find a way to accomplish the mission. If not, well I guess you just have to trust in your fellow Jedi to make the decisions. After all, something could come up between now and that day you believe you have time.

Heh, the things I find important are, for the moment, directed to me. The things I find important personally have no room to be addressed for another 25 odd days....

Right now my family doesn't even have access to chairs or a refrigerator, and that is not even at the top of my priorities


I am somewhat invested in TotJO's "brand" going forward - ack that ToTJO can't wait for little old me to "get around to it" however.

That's completely understandable. And it just shows that there are any number of things that could happen between now and then.

Learning to have faith in your fellow Jedi may prove good for you though. If I didn't have faith in the membership here, I would have proposed my idea and not offered others to weigh in.

If this is still being discussed by the time you get time to consider things, then it was meant to be. ^^