Discipline - Disciple
By Phortis Nespin – Deacon of the Order
Having set my sights on trying to follow the monthly Sermon program, I began to think about how the Catholic Church had done a similar thing to the priests many years ago. Rome wanted to be sure that at least once a month, they could try to get a similar message to all of its followers. I remember the priest I knew was not really happy with this idea, but he had to follow the orders of the Church. In the end, he said it was just one more thing he didn’t have to worry about, and that he could just read the sermon from the Vatican without thought.
STOP…I did not say we were like the Catholic Church! They were not given a choice. We can still choose to write something else or to follow a topic subject as a guide, not a prewritten sermon. Stay calm and use the Force. :-)
Crisis averted, I would like to focus on Discipline and Disciple. I have always liked to use definitions when I speak about things I am not fully knowledgeable in. By using the definition at the beginning of my sermon, we can all start on the same page so-to-speak. It is also fun to look at the root origins of a word. It is there that I find the true nature of word meaning.
So let us begin by reading the following 2 definitions of Discipline and Disciple paying close attention to the graphic representation for origin:
dis·ci·pline
ˈdisəplinnoun
noun: discipline
1. 1.
the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.
"a lack of proper parental and school discipline"
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synonyms: |
control, training, teaching, instruction, regulation, direction, order,authority, rule, strictness, a firm hand; More |
o the controlled behavior resulting from discipline.
"he was able to maintain discipline among his men"
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synonyms: |
control, training, teaching, instruction, regulation, direction, order,authority, rule, strictness, a firm hand; More |
o activity or experience that provides mental or physical training.
plural noun: disciplines
"the tariqa offered spiritual discipline"
o a system of rules of conduct.
"he doesn't have to submit to normal disciplines"
2. 2.
a branch of knowledge, typically one studied in higher education.
"sociology is a fairly new discipline"
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synonyms: |
field (of study), branch of knowledge, subject, area; "sociology is a fairly new discipline" |
Verb
verb: discipline; 3rd person present: disciplines; past tense: disciplined; past participle: disciplined; gerund or present participle: disciplining
1. 1.
train (someone) to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.
"many parents have been afraid to discipline their children"
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synonyms: |
train, drill, teach, school, coach; "she had disciplined herself to ignore the pain" |
o punish or rebuke (someone) formally for an offense.
"a member of the staff was to be disciplined by management"
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synonyms: |
o train oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way.
"every month discipline yourself to go through the file"
Origin
Middle English (in the sense ‘mortification by scourging oneself’): via Old French from Latin disciplina ‘instruction, knowledge,’ from discipulus (see disciple).
dis·ci·ple
diˈsīpəl/ noun
1. a personal follower of Jesus during his life, especially one of the twelve Apostles.
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synonyms: |
"the disciples of Jesus" |
o a follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosopher.
"a disciple of Rousseau"
Origin
Old English, from Latin discipulus ‘learner,’ from discere ‘learn’; reinforced by
Old French deciple .
Is it not amazing how two words that have come to mean different things can come from the same root word? Well, no I guess if you consider that we must be disciplined in our studies, disciples of the teaching master and the Jedi Code. We must hold the deepest discipline when we engage in an apprenticeship. You know…become a disciple of a teacher who will require you to be disciplined in your studies.
Wow, I think I just confused myself. Am I a disciple of Jediism, The Force, and my Teaching Master? Am I disciplined in the studies of Jediism, The Force, and the lessons of my Teaching Master? It’s beginning to sound a lot alike to me. What it comes down to is the context by which the words are used.
I am a disciple (noun-person, place, or thing) who is disciplined (verb-action word) in the Jedi Way. My discipline (verb-action word) is as a disciple (noun-person, place, or thing) of the Jedi Way. I am a disciplined disciple of the Jedi Way. I am a disciple disciplined in the Jedi Way.
The ultimate point I’m trying to make here (I think :-0 ) is that: As a Disciple of our Discipline, we must be Disciplined at being a Disciple.
Definition re-post
Discipline (The Jedi Way) is a branch of knowledge, typically one studied in higher education by a follower or student (Disciple aka Initiate / Apprentice / Knight) of a teacher, leader, or philosopher (the Teaching Master / Councilor / Cleric).
Also, I would hate to see anyone Disciplined for acting in a manner unbecoming a Disciple of the Jedi Way.
Wait…could it be that the real ultimate point here is to be Discipulus? One who Learns?
That didn’t sound Fickle did it? I was trying to be Consistent!
I think I just sprained my brain! :-)
