This message was sent from Jack
Jack.Troutman (templeofthejediorder.org)
Obligations
The last year has been filled with shock, anger, pride, and most of all, fear. There have been so many things happen over the past year it is hard to keep track. Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Black Lives Matter. Of course, we had that little extra thing thrown in there as well, the Novel Coronavirus 19 better known as COVID-19.
“The virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2, is part of a large family of coronaviruses. Coronaviruses usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses, like the common cold. However, SARS-CoV-2 can cause serious illness and even death.” (1)
However, that is not the exact subject this sermon is about. What this is about is how we have all dealt with these circumstances. As Jedi, we are obligated to help others in any way that we can, even if that help comes in the form of inaction, because sometimes letting people figure things out for themselves is the best course of action.
There have been rifts created in families and friendships that may never be repaired. People simply have a wide and varied view on how to deal with these situations. As Jedi, we are obliged to keep an open mind and think things through to the best of our ability without letting our emotions dictate what we should think, feel, and believe.
Number 2 of our 16 teachings states, “Jedi maintain a clear mind; which can be achieved through meditation and contemplation. Our minds can become unduly troubled and concerned with the happenings of the world. We must work on overcoming our individual issues through training and diligence” (2), but I have seen so many fall away from this.
As Jedi, we are supposed to have the ability to rule our emotions and not be ruled by them, but the tricky part is, as humans this is not always an easy thing to accomplish. I say very little on a whole lot of topics, not because I do not have strong feeling on those topics, but rather because I DO have strong feelings on those topics. Therefore, I choose my battles and try to understand myself and why I have strong emotions on a subject.
Once I can understand myself, then I can more easily keep an open mind and be more receptive to new information and make better decisions. As Jedi, I understand that I have an obligation to serving others, but I also know enough to know how I serve others is the important part.
I do not presume to tell anyone how to live, but I do know that as a Jedi, strength of mind, body, and soul, and trusting in the Force will help guide me in the direction that I need to travel for me. The Force illuminates my path with clarity, but it is my choice to follow that path. I chose a decade ago to follow that path and I will continue to do so with an open mind, an open heart, and a soul that thirsts for the knowledge that will keep my path true. The Force whispers to me, and I listen… do you?
Doctrine (templeofthejediorder.org)
