An apology

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There is no need to appologise. We all take time away from our studies, sometimes for good reasons, sometimes not. Life gets in the way, we get in our own way. All that matters is that you take action on the things you feel you should. And dont beat yourself up when you dont get it right.

Its nice to have you back though

Brenna is correct, Ch. You have done nothing to apologise for. Your sentiments are appreciated though, so let's examine them ...

From first glance, this resembles quite a lot what one finds in other churches, when one hasn't been able to attend for a while - whatever the reason - and people start thinking that one has 'fallen off'. Well, that is just silly ... We would be wise to never allow that to happen in ours. The Jedi religion must not go the way of other religions - becoming a source of hypocrisy and guilt - in fact, when we examine our Code, our Creed, the 16 Teachings and the Maxims, it has everything to do with accepting Life on Life's terms and going with it, rather than emphasising regular church attendance. Unless I missed something, that is ...

Where there is some confusion apparently, is the 'life gets in the way' ... hmmm ... of what ? Life and It's terms ? Life gets in the way of living Life. Unless I've become a really bad philosopher, I don't understand that.

One is Jedi when one uses the Jedi Code, Creed, Teachings and Maxims in one's approach to interactions with people and events that come in the present circumstances of the lives we are living (all of which is "Life" in the sense proper - just 'other wiggles', if you would). This is to say that one could be much more "Jedi" out living our principles in the world than one who just sticks around in the TotJO on the internet. We do not study these things simply in order to write blazingly brilliant 1000-word essays about them ; remember as Campbell said : [knowing these things doesn't help us 'change' the World], "it let's us live better in the World." (in "The Masks of Eternity")*

And as far as 'getting it right' goes - well, we don't really ever 'get it right', or at least we probably wouldn't know it until much later on. Quite often 'getting it right' has more to do with how we deal with 'getting it wrong' : another beautiful paradox for us to ponder on ...

Another way to look at it may be that being at the Temple is not what makes one Jedi. A Buddhist surgeon wouldn't be much of a surgeon if s/he spent more time in the temple than in the ward, a Methodist police officer wouldn't be much of a public servant were s/he all the time at church and never at the precinct. Would a whatever-ist parent be a better person for being so wrapped up in institutional involvement in the faith that taking care of the children came a secondary concern ? Personally, I feel not ...

Now, the spiritual principles may be the foundation of how we behave in Life's situations. We are constantly called upon to the duty of living Life and serving It's needs - otherwise we wouldn't need to be Jedi at all, for existence would be static.

The Force is with you. We can't be separate from It. On-line or off-, in or out of the Temple. Being a graduate student at Madison, with all the headaches, night's out, the conflicts and drama, the artifice that bubble up and steam around the social and academic atmosphere of the present system of events (in whatever 'present' that may be) is an important part of your development. Cherish all of Life, the Temple is only the support, the more-or-less safe haven to recollect your resources.

Have some tea, relax ...



* Disclaimer : I may have mis-quoted that - and some people get really pissy about mis-quotes - so, please just understand the reference without taking it as a 'scriptural' canon. In other words, "no blasphemy intended".
:laugh:

Nice to see you around here Arc! It's been a while since we've talked.

Look at you, being so Jedi out there in the world! And from the last I was aware, you've done a wonderful job at taking care of things and living a life.



Feel free to come on by anytime to rest your tired feet, meet some amazing new people we've got around here, read up on some new discussions, learn something new about your own progress out there, and/or just put your feet up and have some fun and tea!



TOTJO's here for you, and not going anywhere (at least not anytime soon).

Thank you to everyone for all of your kind, insightful words. I am so overwhelmed I don't know what to say other than... I am so glad to be here.

The "path" isn't always what we think it is either...

We keep filling our cups, and trying to stuff more and more in there, sometimes, we need to step away, and let what we learned roll around, and be examined, mentally, and physically...

Sometimes, we just need some time to think...

No worries at all, Archaic. It is, of course, great to see you (whenever you're able to visit).

For whatever reason, you needed to focus your attention on life offline, and sometimes that's important.

I think it's unlikely that you've regressed. We're always progressing in some manner, no? I bet you'll get back into the swing of things quickly and easily.

Thank you to you both for your very kind words.