Project Jedi

If this turns to a thread de-railer, then I will move it....

I believe John was answering the misconception question.

Maybe it should be moved. Many said that a person in a wheelchair (you better sit down) could not be a Jedi.

Note to Ren: I miss my smoking pile of poo icon.

Having Physical limitation disallowing someone from being Jedi... Whoa...... John I thought this was dealt with moons ago..... or am I missiong something here???? :side:

Several in that group said being confined to a wheelchair disqualified one from being a Jedi. All I could say was "well shut my mouth" and sit back with a cold compress. I will say for the record people have a right to their opinions just as they have the right to be idiots - complete total idiots.

I believe it was one of Alethea's projects, 2-3 years ago right? where she was trying to get leaders to cooperate for a common jedi training or doctrine or something.

*cough*

Jestor wrote:

Br. John wrote: Can somebody in a wheelchair be a Jedi? Some time back I was in an informal group discussing possible standards for Jedi. This was the exact question I asked and the answers of more than a few convinced me to drop out of the discussion.

If this turns to a thread de-railer, then I will move it....

But, yes... lol....

I don't see this as off topic, necessarily.

In reality, I haven't answered the question in this thread or in the book yet, but I know the answer. Of course, the answer would be that anybody who can perform the duties of a Jedi, regardless of physical limitation, is a Jedi.

Take a look at how Jedi Realism is defined from the Institute for Jedi Realist Studies' FAQ:
"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 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."

It seems to me that although we say "pursue self-development and training in all areas [...] including [...] physical", I don't see anywhere that says somebody in a wheelchair cannot be a Jedi. If their Mastery of the Self is to work within a physical limitation, how could you possibly expect them to have the same type of Mastery that other people do.

We all have different obstacles to overcome, and setting the same bar for all people creates the "illusion" that there are "better" people than others. A Jedi Realist's job is not to decide what is or isn't just; it is to learn and act on compassion for the self and for others.

FURTHER:

Even Opie Macleod, KING of "high standards" for Jedi, wrote this on his website today:
'Thus it is accepted community-wide that physical fitness (physical well-being) is a core part of being a Jedi. Now this is a rather vague concept. We want Jedi to be physically healthy. The thing is that varies from person-to-person. If I demanded Jedi Talon follow the exact exercises I use in order to "be a Jedi", he could end up permanently injuring himself physically. I often use a high-intensity and high-impact work-out style because it works for me. Yet if one has a preexisting injury they can end up severely damaging themselves. That is not healthy, that is not physical well-being, and that is not being physically fit.

The misconception is some model-like body image. Because I personally have a high standard of fitness critics miss the message of the Jedi - Physical Well-Being. This doesn't mean you don't have injuries. This doesn't mean you are the picture of perfect health. It means being active and healthy for YOU. It means eating right and exercising to lower your health risks. And that may require you to exercise in a specific way - rehab in the pool, stationary bike, low impact cardio, etc.

There is no Opie-Style of the Jedi. There is the Jedi Path and than there is my recommendations, my experiences, and the specific ways in which I fulfill the Jedi Path. Sometimes that speaks to people and sometimes it is clearly something just for me. But the core concepts, the core of the Jedi never changes no matter who is sharing it. '

It's not about forcing people to meet a standard. It's about pushing them to THEIR physical obstacles and over them as well.

It was in an informal ad hoc group started by Alethea. I don't think it was more than a couple of years ago if that long. Several in that group were of that nothing less than a double black belt in Feng Shui will do for a Jedi mentality.

I admit it turned me off on being concerned about any standards except our own. I'll try and reboot my bias on that for future projects.

BTW, I'm happy to help with your project Connor.

That sounds dreadful to me, Brother John. haha.

In reality, I think forcing people to attain a certain level of "martial ability" is only one small facet of the Jedi. They weren't mercenaries or warriors. They were never intended to be.

Just those of service. And, when righteousness was challenged, they rose to the plate. I would imagine any Jedi here would do the same if true evil were at our doorstep.

And, thanks for the help.