The Block

Capability - The Force does not ask of our ability, only our availability. In opening to The Force, Its capabilities flow through us. Indeed, clear intention is not enough, Jedi do.

https://www.templeofthejediorder.org/doctrine

Let us start Monday and this week opening a can of worms. 
We are Jedi
We believe in the Force.


One of the things we also share is the fact that we believe that the Force connects all living things and we also believe in the inherent worth of all living things.

The Force does not ask for our ability...

Why is that? Why does the Force not know what I can do? Doesn't the Force know how vital I AM ?  This is said jokingly. 

But this is the very idea that is dangerous and almost menacing.

To be available is to be in the present moment.

Most times, what we think is not what is present.

Humans have a hard time dwelling in the present moment.
We always think about the future or the past.

It takes active practice.

So today, I wish to share this idea, Jedi are not individualist or even individuals. If it is the Force and the understanding we seek, then it is not us or our own understanding we seek.

We do not seek, us.
We do not seek our own way.
We strive to understand our thought, feeling and will. Jedi teaching 5
We strive.
Something happens when we try to learn what humility and selfless is on our own, without aid from the outside.

This day in age, we have heard so many things about doing your own thing or that it is ok to be yourself. It is. I encourage people to understand who they are.

Do you know what is present when you are present?

Do you know the level of love and mercy and hate and pain that is you? Do you understand, you?

What can happen is we begin to try.

There is nothing wrong with our try's.

We have a saying on the farm, no one tries harder than we do. But this is a dangerous thought, really.

9 times out  of ten, I am going to muddle something.

It is ok.

The idea is to take some time to understand what we really do here as Jedi.

"  In opening to The Force, Its capabilities flow through us."
We are Instrumental.

When this word hit my mind, heart and will, it changed me. Instrumental. 

How does one be instrumental to the Force?
Here is where we all enter.
We can have every intention to do "good" or well enough. Our intentions can be helpful even.

But as a living thing connected to everything that lives, my own thoughts, feelings and will are but a small part of the entire flow.
So why is it that we think we know it all and are better suited to understand what, "everybody " needs??
This is a dangerous spot to dwell, when we think we wield the Force. When this happens, it ceases to be the Force, and it becomes a force of our own.

Most days, our clear intention or our own will can become what hinders the natural flow of things
.
Rather than a flow, we can become the obstruction in the flow.
It happens all the time.


To be present is the way to be more than what we think our clear intention is.
What is the selfless path one can take?
Where does sacrifice and bliss enter a Jedi's life? What is sacrifice and bliss?
​Selfless can be described as the quality of thinking more about the needs, happiness, etc. of other people than about your own
It can be - less selfish. Less full of one's ego.

One of the best examples of selfless I have is to take a cup and dump it out. The wanting to fill it is what can be unlearned. We, with a full cup, can be the same as an empty cup. Be with the cup.

Our own ego is the hardest thing to understand.

When we begin to understand this, we can see it.

When we see it, realize it is not the Force.
Know the Force does not want to do what you want. Thankfully, the Force does not want what I want this morning.
It is not as selfish as I am
There is no intention like I have.

My encouragement to every Jedi is to be present. In this moment, you can be instrumental. Or you could just get in the way and call it the Force.
This happens.
Jedi do.
Jedi do what?


Remove your intention and understand it, when you do, you will realize it is not the Force. There will be a quiet silence when this happens. Take it.

To force one's presence or ideas is where we know we do not want to be. To force the Force to our limits is not of the Force. The only way the Force reaches all is some days to remove myself from the equation. Then I am instrumental to those present.

Capability - The Force does not ask of our ability, only our availability. In opening to The Force, it's capabilities flow through us. Indeed, clear intention is not enough, Jedi do.

May the Force be with you all,
Pastor Carlos

Great sermon, thank you. we have a similar hermetic concept - following your true will, or THE WILL - thank you for this master pastor. 
be instrumental 

Discretion - For the Jedi, discretion is the better part of valor. Indeed, agency without discretion comes invariably to a tragic end. True wisdom is found in knowing when to raise the eyebrow, rather than the voice or the sword.
The line comes from Shakespeare’s play, Henry IV Part 1, Act V Scene 4

Good morning Jedi everywhere

May the Force be with you all, wherever you may be.

Today is Monday and the start of a new week for some.

I always recommend, if you like, wake up, have something to drink hot or cold and read in the mornings.

If you pray, I do not, but if you do, morning time is a good time to start off the day.

The beginning of the day is best to start the day.

Start your day how you see fit but do have a place to start.

As Jedi, we do not pray to the Force.

Think, contemplate.


To be in balance, the Jedi practise clarity of mind. Aware that representations of the world can cloud our understanding, the Jedi centre their awareness through the practice of meditation and contemplation.

Teaching 2

Meditation and contemplation is our goal.
You would be foolish to act like a hero if it is going to disadvantage you and it’s better to stop yourself if an action you would like to take is going to hurt you.
There is a warning in the tales we relay to one another.
There is a reason for such elaborate stories and myth we share.
"Master Yoda says I should be mindful of the future" "but not at the expense of the moment."
This is a quote from the Phantom Menace.
It is one of the first lines in the movie.
Discretion is said to be: 
The quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information. It has the meaning of acting on one's own authority and judgment.
The freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation.
This is the better part of valor.
Discernment is the ability to see and understand people, things, or situations clearly and intelligently: an act of perceiving or discerning something 
to distinguish mentally; recognize as distinct or different.
Distinguish the difference.
Discernment can be cultivated.
It can be developed.
It can be practiced by practicing it.

One of my own and a big block in the road is one's path is often the idea of our own discernment.
Find someone you know who can distinguish the differences. 

Here in lays the dilemma of the modern time.
How does one who seeks, find what they need?
How do we find the differences in discernment if we do not know there is ever a need?
We will not.
This is a danger in never asking for aid or help.

ENTER THE MENTOR (Stage right, or left)

One of the things a mentor can help us is to see what is not, us.

They can get us out of our own boxes of thought or trains of flow.

Intentionally. Mentors do this,

Willingly or unknowingly, this is the flow of things often.


We want to be able to see the bigger picture. 
To be able to distinguish the bigger picture.

Often times we seek the "Elixir" from one another. What is the elixir, you have it I know it!

One of the elixirs in life is discernment.

There is a recipe or a formula normally we seek and then, the form is left behind to find exactly what we seek.

We know when understanding is present.

This takes very little practice to notice.

But we can tell when it is present.

Find the honor or the discernment you would like to learn.

One of the symbols of this is our plastic representation of a light saber. The sword.

No weapon or symbol is quite like the sword in a way that it has the standing potential to reveal what type of honor is present, if any.

So today, I ask all Jedi everywhere, do we have discernment? Do we have the space for it or are we working on it right now? 

Is there someone training us or is it one of our own focuses? Do we strive to understand what we are doing? Do we know anyone who has this certain elixir in life?
Do we, have it?

Can we share it, and will others take it? hmm ?

I hope that this time together pokes your thoughts, feeling and will a bit.

Discretion - For the Jedi, discretion is the better part of valor. Indeed, agency without discretion comes invariably to a tragic end. True wisdom is found in knowing when to raise the eyebrow, rather than the voice or the sword.

Any questions or comments?
Find someone who has what you seek or want to cultivate.
Know what you want to seek.
Discretion is a key idea to the Jedi and to the human being.

How do you tell the difference with everything?

Practice and find those who act differently.
Otherwise, it's just the same thing all the time.
I am here to answer any questions or gripes, complains or just to chat.
Discretion is advised during the holidays. 
May the Force be with you all -
Pastor Carlos

Fairness - The ability to rise above prejudice, all virtue is summed up in fairness. Indeed, lack of fairness is essentially a mark of weakness.

What is fairness?
What is our concept or what we know of fairness? 
To a Jedi, what is fair mean?

Definition: impartial and just, without favoritism or discrimination.

Can we make choices without favoritism or discrimination? Do we know anyone like this? 

Favoritism is defined as the practice of giving unfair preferential treatment to one person or group at the expense of another.

Can/do we recognize and understand the difference between one thing and another?
Presently, we live in a climate where it is easy to bunch things up in smaller groups to keep track of. It is much more common to go with the flow than take the time to understand things.

But this is our reminder.

What is the level of fairness you give?
Can the level of fairness you know presently, be changed?

I can share with you this, I often side or go with the ideas that suite me or I understand well enough. I normally do not go with something I do not understand.
The reminder today is to check what and who we are giving our " FAIR SHARE " to.
What is fair in our own vocabulary and how do we use it?
Do we understand it enough to adjust where we need it?
How do we adjust our own ideas of fairness?
Find example of the fairness you seek.
Can we ever reach a place where everything is fair and without blame or intention?
To every Jedi here today and for those who will be joining later, check what you think is fair.
Is it? Has time passed by and things changed?

Has your idea or level of fairness changed since you first began your journey? Have you developed your own understanding of fairness at all?

Have you taken the time to talk to a mentor about it and better yet, do you know anyone who exhibits this elixir of fairness?

I encourage every Jedi to take the time to contemplate our Maxims. They can begin a train of thought or action that will not be quenched or can grow to ideas we did not know were capable.

As we put these in our thoughts, feelings, and will, they WILL change us. 
Examining our own value of fairness, changes the landscape of our path. It can.
What do you think is fair? Is it? By which standards or who taught you that was fair?
Is fairness always equal? Is it always equal in portion of events?
I know, as a child, I understood that I was under the impression, nothing was fair. I was taught this by my parents and mentors, unaware.
One thing I have learned as a Jedi is that everything is in motion. Nothing is still or stale. Life has a flow, always.
Some days the flow of things can collect or even over accumulate.

This is why it is so important to grow and learn. Ask questions of those who are your mentors.
Think about this, can we give out our thoughts, feeling and will without our self-interest, favoritism or prejudice?

This is where I leave you.
I hope that the idea of our own value of fairness can be developed into so much more than what we know.
Check on your value of fairness.
Have a working understanding of it.
We live in a world and a time where there is so much "I" or ego centered moments in life.
Let us change a few outcomes from what we are prone to seeing and add the Force to things and to our life.
Add the Force to your idea of fairness.
Is what you think fair is, actually without prejudice, self-interest or favoritism?

It is still in the realm of human possibility for me to understand further what true fairness is. Some days, true fairness is NOT what I want to see.
Let us think on these things. Our fairness or what we think is fair in our path, where does that come from? Can we ever develop the ability to develop our own concept of fairness?
If you ever want to chat about your own ideas of fairness, I am here on a DM or here in this space.
Is what we think "fair" is truly fair and to whom or what? Are we in the way to a level of intrusion on the idea of fair?
Something to think about, are we fair as Jedi, as who we are? Wherever we are?
May the Force be with you this week and today
Pastor Carlos

Charity - In brightening everything on which it shines, Charity is love in action. We live on what we are given but build our lives on what we give.
Good day Jedi everywhere
It is time for Monday morning Meditations!

Todays Meditation is the reminder to think on the 15th Maxim. Charity.

Some people translate and define charity.

I found a few definitions, just for the occasion.

Now, I do not do this to define the word or say" This is what it means and nothing else!" NO

This is never the meaning of why I use definitions of words in explanations or conversation.

Definitions are a good starting point.

So that being said, Charity can be an organization set up to provide help and raise money for those in need:

Charity can also mean the voluntary time giving of help, to those in need:

Charity is the voluntary provision of assistance to those in need regardless of value of assistance.

Here is another part of charity as well. Charity can also mean the kindness and tolerance in judging others.

Good day Jedi everywhere!

Charity has a very WIDE range of usage. 

Back in my youth, I thought charity was a "Church Word" and only existed in religion.

Boy was I in for some "learning" and " unlearning."

Guest DaniellaHayes — Today at 6:03 AM
I often quote the "You must unlearn what you have learned" because of similar thoughts


You are so on it! That phrase is one of the hardest things I have had to understand. What is unlearnable and what is not.

What can I adjust or cultivate and into what?

This is a very important question to ask oneself.

Charity - In brightening everything on which it shines, Charity is love in action. We live on what we are given but build our lives on what we give.

 
According to this reminder, there is darkness in the world. There is a very automatic selfishness that exist when we begin this journey. We find it in each of us. We all have it. Charity is a way to see things in this darkness.

Charity is sometimes the focus on  the "not me but others" and the "need of others."

Now, a very clear-cut caution, you can care and give too much.

Compassion fatigue is a very real thing.

It can kill you. No joke.

Guest DaniellaHayes — Today at 6:06 AM
I was about to say, there is a balance there. I work with multiple charity organizations, and I find that I have to remember to take time for myself.


That is a great fire to return to.

I light that fire often

but then, how do we grow charity or the understanding of it?

Why even worry about charity?

Why even worry?

It is the worry part we must be careful of as well.

Worry can lead us into places we may need help out of.

I will tell you, looking out for old "number one" is the opposite of charity.

Charity can come in so many different levels in life.

It does.

It comes from everywhere.

It can come from anywhere

The most explained part I am used to is money so let's get that out of the way. 

A form of charity is to give money or credits where some do not have.

Some pay bills or other things as such. 

Some just flat out give money and say," use it how you see fit."

We have bills as a Temple. We take money. We say thank you.

The love of things can be a hindrance, and money is one thing everyone gets preached at in media or in religion and even the news.

Money money money money

ok - so give money to those who do not have it.

There is a common and general " Don't be greedy" that is around everyone most time. Most time.

But this is a good reminder as well, don't be greedy.

This is from my own reflections, but this is what I was spoon fed and thought charity was:
Giving money to people, places or originations that have a current need or a way to pay. To fit a bill. To pay the debt you do not owe.

Yes, this is part but only one part. Charity can also mean our actions with each other in our thoughts, feelings and will.


Give accommodation in these three spaces of your life for charity.

Apply and see how charity can change the way we think, feel and even "will" things.

Watch how it changes entire worlds and circles of influences.

Your circles. 

Watch how it changes your world.

Be carful, such things bring about change. If you are not ready, don't do it.

I will give a quick example.

Applying charity to each other can change the dynamic of things.

Where are the dark spots in our path?

One of the lights that can be given is, well, charity.

Check your proverbial "charity light."

Is it on? Does it work? Is it even functioning?

Charity is the volunteered provisions we give to one another.

There are dark places and even unknown places in life.

We all have them

Shed some light, some actual light.

Charity - In brightening everything on which it shines. Charity is love in action. We live on what we are given but build our lives on what we give.

Ever wonder what "light" we can shine? This is one of the lights we can shine.

And it is not limited to just currency.

Give charity in your thought.

Give charity in your feelings.

Give charity to your will.

Give charity to each other.

Charity moves mountains and life's when we give it to one another and null the judgments between us.

Thank you for the time to share a Maxim.

Guest DaniellaHayes — Today at 6:25 AM
Thank you for your thoughts on this. It's a good thing to remember. 
When you mentioned other ways for charity, my first thought was time and energy. I volunteer with a group that gives clothes, food, and hygiene products to homeless people. I also work with one where we do minor car repairs for people who can't afford them. Stuff like lights and fluid top offs.
In both of those I don't give money, I only volunteer my time and energy.

Master Rev. Carlos (Pastor) — Today at 6:26 AM
Nice, I will tell you the truth. If it were not for some ones mercy or charity some days, I would have been found myself without a paddle and up a creek so many times.

Charity can be a glue for humanity.

Guest DaniellaHayes — Today at 6:29 AM
I do find that it's easy to get lost in the work and forget to balance things, and burnout is a thing. Sometimes though it's easy to tip the balance scales too far in the other direction. It takes time to get better at balancing.

Master Rev. Carlos (Pastor) — Today at 6:31 AM
When everything is in motion, balance can be difficult to maintain. Which balance is the one you need? Which is the one we are currently in need of time with? This is why reflection is needed. This is why it is important to know who your mentors are as well.

To find one who has the elixir of charity is not a easy task.

I am grateful for those who take the time for these things and to be able to express them.

Guest DaniellaHayes —
I am too. I have been helped plenty, and I like to help where I can.

Master Rev. Carlos (Pastor) — 
The hope is that I can give charity as freely as I can give money.

The hope is we all have some degree of charity in us and not just in the money part.

I am an old restaurant owner and an old bartender, I tip. It comes with all the math.

Thats not what I am talking about.

It is the seeing of the need.

AND what to do with that "need."

If we are not careful, it can drain and tear down as much as it can build up.

There is a healthy degree of charity we can find.

We can maintain healthy levels and degrees of these things as well.

My encouragement today, on a Monday, is to know what level you are at in your own understanding of charity.

Where does it take you and what do you shine when you shine THIS light on others?

Without charity, there is darkness, think about that.

May the Force be with you all today and this week. I am here all day via DM if you have a need or invitations to a party or a dance.

Pastor Carlos

Good day Jedi everywhere

Compassion - Via compassion, The Force exhibits its true power. In seeking peace for others we practice compassion, in seeking peace for ourselves we practice compassion.

Good day Jedi everywhere

Todays chit chat or meditation is on COMPASSION 

Compassion - Via compassion, The Force exhibits its true power. In seeking peace for others we practice compassion, in seeking peace for ourselves we practice compassion.

Compassion seems to be the focus lately in the news and the world or better yet, the lack of it.

Compassion is a complex construct that involves cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components. It involves recognizing suffering in others (or us) and feeling motivated to alleviate that suffering

Compassion acknowledges the indifference to charitable appeals on behalf of those who are suffering, experienced as a result of the frequency or number of such appeals. Compassion fatigue is a form of stress or tension that arises from frequent contact with traumatized people, where we become preoccupied with the suffering or pain of others. It describes the physical, emotional, and psychological impact of helping others, often through experiences of stress or trauma.

We can care so much that we can become indifferent to what is present.

Why doesn't compassion come automatically? Does it? If compassion comes automatically, where does it come or stem from?

Where does this want to help everyone come from?

Upon reflection, I have found my own thoughts of compassion come from what others have preached and taught me. 

We are often led by example and knowing this, I encourage every Jedi to examine your theory or practice of compassion.


Who or what is our example of compassion with the Force?

Where do we find examples of the compassion we are talking about?

Do you know anyone who ACTS with compassion? For that matter and for reflections, do we know anyone without compassion? What are the levels that exist with compassion?

So, my recommendation for meditation this Monday is this- find compassion in your path. Identify it. Are we lacking compassion? What are the levels that it exists? 

Is our compassion for one another or is it wanting attention from one another?

Compassion fatigue is a form of stress or tension that arises from frequent contact with traumatized people, where we become preoccupied with the suffering or pain of others. It describes the physical, emotional, and psychological impact of helping others, often through experiences of stress or trauma.

This is very real and can even harm those who do not take notice.

You can care too much. Everyone says just give a hoot but I say, give a hoot about what you care about.

Take time for those things and check to see if you are being blinded or begin to show signs of compassion fatigue


**   If you think you need professional help, by all means please seek professional help. Thats is what they are for and if you have need, seek them out. We are not professional caretakers in any compacity here, just volunteers. If you need help, seek it out.

Help and therapy is out there.

What is the cost of caring? Ever think about this?
Caring cost.

Do you know what it cost?

For those who like videos and TED talks ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-4m35Gixno&t=13s
YouTube
TEDx Talks
Compassion Fatigue: What is it and do you have it? | Juliette Watt ...

Compassion Fatigue: What is it and do you have it? | Juliette Watt | TEDxFargo - YouTube


"You will start to take on some of the symptoms as if they were your own."

This is a huge warning for us as humans. We can care for one another.

So, I hope, with this reminder, Compassion - Via compassion, The Force exhibits its true power. In seeking peace for others we practice compassion, in seeking peace for ourselves we practice compassion.


If you have a need, PLEASE feel free to hit me up or DM me if you have any questions comments or concerns. It is important to understand our own levels of care and concern for one another.

What we need and what we give.

It is my hope that we take time for ideas like this.

Know your limits, Jedi have limits.

When those limits are reached, what then?

Teaching 12 reminds us that unconditional love and compassion are central in the life of the Jedi. Where imbalance arises, we bring only so much love, pardon, faith, hope, clarity, and joy as is necessary to restore the dynamic equilibrium in our phenomenal environment.

There are imbalances in LOVE - PARDON - FAITH - HOPE - CLARITY and JOY.

When we find these, take some time to understand them.

Ask around.

Ask a mentor.

Compassion is something we can understand much more than just blindly.

May the Force be with you all this week.
Pastor Carlos 

Thank you pastor, compassion flows not only from the recognition of suffering but from the strength to act with love and balance.
'The great compassion knows no bounds, for it flows like water, meeting the needs of all.' - Guanyin saying according to the internets

In caring, remember to replenish your own wellspring!

If at any time anyone has questions, comments or concerns, feel free to join in.

Monday Morning Meditations can be a time you can plant new seeds in new spaces

Here is one for all of us.

Empathetic Joy - The necessary counterbalance to compassion, empathetic joy prevents the waters of compassion from draining away. We aim to feel the joy of others just as keenly as their pain.

The Empathy Joy hypothesis states that people who help others in need, experience positive feelings associated with the altruistic behavior.

Helping others is a reward in itself because it brings happiness and joy when committing a helping behavior

Empathic joy is a term that refers to feeling joy or happiness as someone else experiences it. It is characterized by empathy and involves understanding and sharing the joy of others.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It involves vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another.

This is where the video goes

What empathy is and is not | Empathy vs. Sympathy | Marshall Rosenberg - YouTube


YouTube
Giraffe NVC
What empathy is and is not | Empathy vs. Sympathy | Marshall Rosenberg


Modern Phycology reminds us when expressing sympathy and empathy, it's important to be heartfelt and truthful.

This is where we find the differences between most many things. Are things done heartfelt and truthful?

There are times we can act that are not heartfelt and truthful.

Here lies the dilly. Here is where we can find conflict.

Can we act without condemnation or justification toward one another and everything?

Can we be free from our own condemnation?

Free from our own justification?

We can become this or strive for the understanding. It actually happens.

Often. Still. Today.

Reflection can give space for how to understand which is which and do we understand these things better.

Understanding these things, without our own judgment and condemnation present, there lies the heartfelt and truthful.

Will we ever reach that point?

The result of such things, cultivates a flow of learning and understanding that is given to us in this present moment. Yes.

After all that, there is a joy that comes from all of this present. We can share in it. The focus can often be this experience and that is what can infect it.

We can often try to " force "the moment. Pun intended.


Do not.

This is what I share with you today. Do not try to make these moments happen. When this happens, we lose the organic, central, flow we share. We can lose what comes next. 

When we understand more, we become instrumental to the flow of the Force. We do not wield it as some would say but it does flow THROUGH us but is not us.

"We aim to feel the joy of others just as keenly as their pain."

Schadenfreude is the experience of pleasure, joy, or self-satisfaction that comes from learning of or witnessing the troubles, failures, pain, suffering, or humiliation of another.

This is not what I am talking about.

This is the counterattack for what we mean here or what is contrary.

It is easy and for some, very automatic at times to revel in others misfortune. I used to do it all the time.

This is what I want to warn every Jedi about.

" As, on the one hand, it is certain that we all address some such request to the state, and, on the other hand, it is a well-established fact that the state cannot procure satisfaction for some without adding to the labor of others, while awaiting another definition of the state, I believe myself entitled to give my own here. Who knows if it will not carry off the prize? Here it is: The state is the great fictitious entity by which everyone seeks to live at the expense of everyone else." 

Frédéric Bastiat 

You cannot live at the expense of others too long.

Finding pleasure in another person’s good fortune is what social scientists call “freudenfreude,” a term (inspired by the German word for “joy”) that describes the bliss we feel when someone else succeeds, even if it doesn’t directly involve us.

This is what is also available.

This is very real and can very easily be spoiled by aggression, rivalry and even our sense of justice.

Today, take the time to see that there is a difference in how and why we do things. It is important to take time to understand these things.

" If you only do what you can do, you will never be more than you are now." ― Albert Einstein

Empathetic Joy - The necessary counterbalance to compassion, empathetic joy prevents the waters of compassion from draining away. We aim to feel the joy of others just as keenly as their pain.

It is time

Good day Jedi everywhere and Happy Monday

As you start your week, I hope you are well, and this time can be used to grow something new or water an old thought.

Maxim 18 De-escalation - Between uncontrolled escalation and passivity, there is a demanding path of responsibility that we follow. Whenever we perceive monsters, we should see to it we do not become monsters ourselves.

De-escalation

Here are a few definitions so we are on the same page.    De-escalate: reduce the intensity of (a conflict or potentially violent situation

De-escalation refers to the process of reducing the intensity of a conflict or potentially volatile situation. It is aimed at calmly communicating with an agitated person to understand, manage, and resolve their concerns, preventing escalation into more aggressive or harmful actions

The idea here is to decrease conflict or undo the actions that will lead to more or intensify the situation.

Is this so hard to understand and why is that?

For me, after reflection, I noticed that my initial reactions and what I was raised or trained to do was not de-escalation but more of a escalation of conflict and events.

I did the opposite of what was reminded here we can experience. In this action, I pressed and tried to overdo things to find some sort of control.

The more I try to control things, the less I realize I have control over things.

This is a very real reminder that we do not just let the wheel of life go or give it up to someone else. We can change a few of these things we have been taught and have learned. Here are three good ways to pay attention to this.

Present yourself as non-threatening. 

This one breaks me daily.

One of the biggest things I had to work on for my own path was to look like I was no longer the problem. Present yourself as not a threat. This does a number on a person. Most times we do not see ourselves as the threat or as the one who instigates things most time. I was always taught to be the "go getter" or the trend setter. The exact opposite can be done.

This takes practice to do and identify.

Practice listening better. 

From experience, most time the reason things escalate is because I do not or did not understand what was present and it is my interpretation that can change the course and flow of actions.

We can change the tones of our spaces. Oh yes. This is the reminder. We can be very instrumental at this point in time. Take a class or two on listening, they have those. We could all use better listening skills. Find and build them.

Be aware of your surroundings.


There are days where some energy cannot be matched. There are some days where we invite things in our life's by where we go or who or what we frequent. Be aware of this. Strife does come and exist.

Have the effort and space to see it and understand it. Where do you go and who do you hang around as far as where things in our path get more worry some or troubling?

Here are three areas we can watch and cultivate.

Somedays we want to not take things too far or to any extreme. Some days, we want to find peace and better environments. Find them or cultivate them. Be the change you want to see, and I promise you, you will not be the same.

Try De-escalation. Try to undo a few "automatics" in our paths.

It takes practice. Be a bringer of things, like someone who understand when things are needed. We need more of those type of people. Those who can bring joy, pardon, faith, hope and light because it is present.

This present, changes the world not making things more intense or even more extreme.

This is how we change the world.

De-escalation - Between uncontrolled escalation and passivity, there is a demanding path of responsibility that we follow. Whenever we perceive monsters, we should see to it we do not become monsters ourselves.

By not becoming like everything or everyone else.

Any questions, comment or concerns? I am here all day.

May the Force be with you all this week and happy holidays to those who observe them this season.

Good day Jedi everywhere and May the Force be with you all today and wherever you may be.

War

We are at a time in our life's where we may see many more days of fighting and maybe even much more war on a larger scale. This can be frightening. Times seem out of control. 

I have come to a conclusion in my life. Because there is violence in the world, there is violence in me.

Is it possible to irradicate violence in me?

Most of us accept this life of violence and hurt as the normal. 
What we see and hear and what is frequent, often gets the "normal" tag in our everyday.

After living though war and rumors of war, we have built barriers between us for fear of harm or hurt to our own being and each other.

Can you see it in you?

Can you see it in me?

Take time with me to un-condition your mind today.

The Creed
I am a Jedi, an instrument of peace;

Where there is hatred I shall bring love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

I am a Jedi.

I shall never seek so much to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

The Force is with me always, for I am a Jedi.

Say it today.

Remind yourself of what we share.

This is our Creed. Our statement of beliefs.

In it, it tells us many secrets. One of them is how to remind ourselves of what we believe.

To be instrumental, we are reminded that where we find things like hatred, injury, doubt, despair, darkness and sadness, which exist, we must be the keepers of things like love, pardon, faith, hope, light and joy.

There is a peace when one keeps things like these handy. Today's reminder is that of our Creed.

In this world of war and rumors of war, what is the opposite of that?

This list is not subject to just what we understand. Some days, we may not understand how keeping pardon handy or keeping an extra measure of what is suggested can make any difference. During this season, here is our reminder of what we hold dear and what connects us.

Take time to understand more.
There are things and those we do not.

Take time to love more. 
There are those in our path who are unlovable. That is where love is needed.

Take time to give more.
We are naturally born and taught to think about our own being. Give some space. Give to those in need or to the takers.

Take time to give pardon where it is needed.
This means finding where it hurts or where the attention is needed. Those who need pardon are the ones who have offended us.


Tired of the random or general hate?

Tired of all the hurt, harm and injury?

Tired of all the doubt out there for everything?

Tired of all the despair?

Tired of all the darkness and sadness?

Be the one who has what is needed when it is needed.

This will take practice because no one deed, or one action is ever the same. Every act is connected in so many ways, we may never see the end result of some things. The impact truly does travel further than we can reach most days when we release it.

This is the seed of what we do. Our Creed can be our seed. No one can ever tell us what the end result is, but I will tell you this, adding things like this can change everything we know and are told is normal.

During this time of season, Brother John our founder, will pardon or forgive some one of something, sometimes without telling others. If you are aware of this, it no longer comes as a surprise around this season.

Sit and think and see where things are needed this season. What is needed? Give the space of thinking on these things and for the space to develop our own being.

Our CREED.  What can we do as people?

Remember we have reminders.

One of the best reminders I can give one is this, the hero often forgets. Holidays are no exception. Remind yourself of what connects us.

Remember your Creed this holiday and during times of war. The time is upon us.

I hope this helps.

May the Force be with you all this season, whatever season it finds you in.

Pastor Carlos