Lesson Bank for my Apprentices

The Philosophy of Laughter

What makes you laugh, may offend me. What offends you, I may find hilarious. This is why it is careful to pick and choose when you make a joke. Consequently, comedians are not taken very seriously by the world yet it is a saying that in every joke lies a little truth so perhaps comedians are the most honest of us all?

I want you to find a comedian of your choosing, and watch/listen/read some of their material. It could be a comedy show they are hosting, or even a TV show or movie they have made, even a book.

Then I want you to reflect on the comedy, the humour, the truth if any in what they say and why laughter is important. Why comedians are successful. What purpose do they serve. No less than 500 words on your thoughts.

A Picture from Within

A Picture from within For each of the following topics, find an image, poems, song, etc. (or create them for bonus points) that speak to your understanding and relationship of each.

The Force -
Connection -
The Sacred -
Your Shadow -
Fear -
What shames you -
Knighthood -
Duty -
Love -
Hate -

At least 1 relevant topic of your choice.

Present the art for each topic and tell me: why did you choose this? What do you see? Are there any real feelings that are brought up when you view it? I would like to see atleast 100 words per item.

Oaths and Vows

Traditionally an oath is either a statement of fact or a promise with wording relating to something considered sacred as a sign of verity. Legal substitute for those who conscientiously object to making a sacred oath is to give an affirmation instead. Nowadays, even when there's no notion of sanctity involved, certain promises said out loud in ceremonial or juridical purpose are referred to as oaths. To swear is a verb used to describe the taking of an oath, to making a solemn vow.

A vow is an earnest promise to perform a specified act or behave in a certain manner, especially a solemn promise to live and act in accordance with the rules of a religious order: A declaration or assertion.

Not only are these important to the individual that makes these promises but they are important to those that count on the ones that made them. “Do no harm”, Protect and serve”, “Support and defend.” These are not just pretty words but they become a way of life.

What is the difference between the Simple Oath and Solemn Vow?
Why might these differences be important?
How do they relate in your life?
What effects do they have on the lives of those around us?
And finally, explain the significance of the “life long” vow for Knights of Jediism.

Mistborn
For this lesson, I want you to read the first three books of the mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson. After each book, I want you to write an essay and tell me what similarities and differences you share with Vin and how her heroes journey progressed along the way.

Each essay should be no less than 500 words. Label each post as “Mistborn Book 1, Mistborn Book 2, and Mistborn Book 3” respectively in your journal.

Why Leaders Eat Last

This lesson heads back and hits the points on why groups operate the way they do, why we consider some people good leaders, and others bad managers. As we near the end of your apprenticeship I think it’s more important than ever to drive leadership home as it’s the most significant difference between being an apprentice and a knight.

Make sure you have some time available, the video is 45min long (and worth every second). I found Mr. Sinek very engaging. There's a book by the same name where he goes into further details and gives more examples. (And he is the narrator for the audio book if you prefer those).

YouTube Link

Meaning in Everything
  
My favourite thing about the fictional Jedi is by far the meaning they find in everything. Lightsabre colours, robe colours, clothing materials, fighting styles, apprenticeship braids. Each of those has a different meaning to a Jedi. As we walk our path it is very important to find meaning, especially in things we might at first find meaningless.    
   
For the first part of this lesson I want you to research each of the topics I listed above, and let me know what colour your lightsabre would be, along with which form of Jedi combat you would use, what your robes would look like - I would also like you to talk about what you hope to gain from the process of growing out your apprentice braid or other ways you might signify the journey, what it will mean to you and anything special you may add to it such as beads, ribbon, or other things (remember that the cutting of your braid will be a part of your Knighting ceremony) The most important part for each of those is “why”....why a blue lightsabre, why silk robes and so on. After you have written about why you made the choices you did, then I want you to write your response to these questions:    
   
What do these things say about you as a person?    
   
What do they say about you as a Jedi?    
   
Will those who see you with these things understand the meaning behind them and does it matter if they do?    
   
Bonus points for pictures of your designs!    
   
For the second part, I want you to examine things you currently have in your house. Choose any THREE you would like and write about the meaning and the “why” behind each of them just as you did the items from above. Answer the same questions about these items as well.    
   
This lesson should be no less than 1000 words and has no maximum.

An Impartial Look at Yourself

In this lesson I would like you to think about yourself and how others might perceive you. Imagine you are an impartial observer who has never met you. Then look at any social network that you belong to and take notice of what and how you say things.

Ask five people what they think of you (tell them to be honest!) and I would like one of those to be a fellow temple member (not myself). After getting an impression of how others see you, compare that to how you see yourself. Then write a 500 word essay to explain any conclusions you came to, and more to the point, how you felt hearing what others had to say.

Ritual

What makes a day special? A Monday is no different from a Tuesday if you do the same thing on it, right? I want you to pick a Day of Significance from the FAQ and write about how you might celebrate it. What ways you might make it special to bring out its significance, will you give gifts on anniversary day? Will you give a special flower on the day of Harmony? A communal meal with friends and family? Write an essay on what you would do and how you would celebrate it, it should contain no less than 500 words.

Temple Service

Engagement in Temple Service stands as a cornerstone of your journey as an Apprentice, offering personal enrichment while laying the foundation for your path as an active Knight. Your participation not only nurtures your own growth but also sustains the vitality of our Temple community, as of course the Temple can’t run itself!    
   
For this lesson, I would like you to pick a role in the Temple (IP Team is a great place to get started!) and talk to the person/people you need to in order to get started. Once you’ve found your fit, write up a short (350+ words) reply as to what you expect to get out of your time in service, and what you feel you can contribute to the other members of the Temple in your capacity in that role.

What’s your Name
 
For this lesson, I would like you take a look at your username. At this point if you choose a new one, please let me know so I can help make that happen. Wether you choose a new one, or keep your current one, I would like you to write a minimum of 500 words about why you identify with this name. What does it mean to you. How does it represent you, and your path. Is it a name you can be proud of and carry into knighthood with you? When others see this name, what does it say about you to them?