[Rook Hawkins]

I felt this would be a far more genial then some of the other topics on this forum. And I don't have to go back on my promise either. I have been doing some consideration lately concerning lifestyles that I find respectable. Amoung such lifestyles, there are the Taoist and Buddhist lifestyles which I find particularly interesting. But there seem to be a lot of Jedi-ists here on the forum and I felt that this lifestyle would be much more fun to discuss.

I wanted to focus more on the mythology first and see how we can relate that into a more subtle version of what it is to be a Jedi. If anybody has played any of the "Knights of the Old Republic" games and read any of the books about the four millenia prior to "A New Hope," you'll know a little something about the start of the republic, and the Jedi Order. Although we have no clear idea concerning just how long a time frame that "a long time ago..." is, and we most assuredly would never be able to contemplate exactly how far away this galaxy exists, we can work with what we do know of the galaxy that is the base of the Star Wars rumors.

We know that 24,000 years prior to "A New Hope" we have the fall of the Rakatan Empire and the rise of the Galatic Republic. The Rakatan race had drawn on the power of the force, so thoroughly did they draw on it that it corrupted them down the dark path. Eventually they had lost the ability to use the Force, for unknown reasons, and had lost control over their conquered planets. One by one the people of these planets revolted, and then the Rakatan turned on each other. With a final bizzare plague that afflicts only the Rakata, the Empire starts to collapse in around 28,000 BBY. Only those who escaped back to their home world were able to survive.

According to Wikipedia, "The Republic itself was formed over 24,000 BBY when the first Galactic Constitution was signed on Coruscant. Whether this means that Coruscant was the original homeworld of humans or simply the most powerful world at the time is still up for debate, and there has been little said about the event other than that it occured."

For reference: BBY stands for Before the Battle of Yavin, and ABY stands for After the Battle of Yavin.

We know that Korriban, where the Dark Jedi academy stands in the first "Knights" saga during the Sith War and where the greatest of the Dark Lords of the Sith were entombed, and that the Rakatan Empire had conquered this planet millenia before. We also know this planet has great signifigance to the many wars that plagued the Republic during it's expanse. We have the Great Hyperspace Wars, The Mandalorian Wars, the Jedi Civil War, and the Sith War. It is important that we notice the extreme tensions and conflicts between the light side and the dark side of the force. We seem to give names such as Jedi to the light side, and Sith to the dark side. To better understand the sith, however, we should review what we know of their history and birth.

According to Wikipedia, "According to Star Wars Expanded Universe fiction, the Sith Order, or cult, was first established when dissident Jedi discovered that "true" power was achieved not through pensive meditation, as taught by their Jedi Masters, but through emotion. The tension between the Jedi and these dissident Dark Jedi, led by Xendor, the first Dark Jedi, grew until conflict erupted, thousands of years before the Battle of Yavin. This conflict, called the Great Schism, led to the Dark Jedi being banished by the Old Republic. These outcasts found a new home on the distant planet of Korriban, a desolate world inhabited by the relatively primitive Sith people. However, the Force flowed strongly with these Sith, allowing them to create their own brand of black magic. The Dark Jedi saw this as an opportunity to gain additional power. Using their training in the Force, the Dark Jedi amazed the Sith and elevated themselves to god-like status on Korriban, becoming the rulers of the Sith people. As years passed, and interbreeding occured between the Dark Jedi and the Sith, the term "Sith" came to mean not the original insect-like inhabitants of Korriban, but their Dark Jedi masters as well. It is from this rise to power and integration into Sith culture that the term Dark Lord of the Sith was first conceived as a title bestowed upon the leader of the Sith Empire by a council of lesser Sith Lords. Sometime during the early history of the Sith Empire, the coming of the Sith'ari, the prophesied savior of the Sith Order, was foretold. The Sith'ari was a perfect being who would rise to power and bring balance to the Force. According to prophecy, the Sith'ari would rise up and destroy the Sith, but in the process would return to lead the Sith and make them stronger than ever before, a striking parallel to the Chosen One of Jedi legend, though it is most likely that the Sith'ari and Chosen One are one and the same."

As for the light side of the force, we have the Jedi Order, which has stood the test of time for thousands and thousands of years. Where some believe that Ossus, the planet in which the greatest library of Jedi lore and history had been bestowed, was where the first Jedi had come, details on the orders past remain sketchy and a bit contradictory at times. This could lay to the fact that many records had been destroyed and many times the Jedi had nearly been wiped out. Of one such instance, is the Mandalorian and Jedi Civil Wars, which although thousands partook in the conflicts, barely a hundred would remain. Many went into exile and more were killed on a force-sensitive planet by a lingering dark Jedi.

They say that around 25,200 BBY was when the force had begun to show itself across the galaxy by a wide range of peoples. It was also around this time that the Galaxy was under the rule of a vile dictator, Xim the Despot. He is responsible for vile acts of inhumane proportions. He is said to be the reason why in the later vaunted "Corporate Sector," that no native sentient life has been found in that area of space.

Around 25,000 BBY the hyperdrive is invented, and the Republic and the Jedi Order establish itself after the constitution is signed.

Now that we have a general idea as to how big the history is for this galaxy, we can consider the following parts that the Jedi have taken in the thousands of years of the Republic's existence. Both the good and bad and see where this would make a reasonable lifestyle to live.

Since it's birth in mythology, the Jedi Council has preached that peaceful solutions are the way to go, and avoidance of war and bloodshed is stressed. However, the Jedi have been the cause of almost every major conflict in the history of the Galaxy.

Jedi are also responcible for influencing the minds of non-force sensitive. People of normal order, who are coherced and pulled along to the whims of the Jedi, both dark and light. Is it any reason they are feared, and usually distrusted among society? Albiet held at an esteemable level by most people, there is no denying the fear of a Jedi's retribution.

Millions, if not billions have died at the hands of Jedi, sith or republic, and many of these have been influenced somehow, to fight for these respective groups. This is the dark side of the Jedi Order...something hinted at but not fully expressed through the cinema that incorporate this universe. It is a Sith Lord, a Fallen Jedi, who always starts the trouble.

Now, as blasphemous as some may take it, thankfully, the force does not exist. But how does this relate to the lifestyle of a Jedi?

Take away the force, and a jedi is really nothing. However since those of us who choose to live the lifestyle of a Jedi have an advantage in that we are not held by this force, and have a way to survive without it so-to-speak.

This also removes the ability to "fall." WIthout the infinite and awesome power of the force, there is no way to use it against the worlds powers or to somehow bend it to make you more powerful then anything imaginable. So how can one be a Jedi, and what does it mean to be a Jedi in the real world, apart from the mythology so beloved by the millions?

In the mythology, "It is known, however, that the brightest and best philosophers, priests, and warriors came together on a single world long ago to discuss their discoveries involving the enigmatic, mystical Force, and that the concentration of these efforts eventually led to the development of the Jedi Order." (Star Wars Roleplaying Game: Power of the Jedi Sourcebook)

As again, Wikipedia states that, "Becoming a Jedi required the most profound commitment and astute mind. The life of a Jedi was one of sacrifice. Those who showed an aptitude for the Force were taken at birth or soon after to train in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, where the order was headquartered. From the outset of their training they lived a life of simplicity, adhering to the Jedi Code which forbade material possessions or emotional attachments. (In keeping with the tenets of modesty and humility, the Jedi traditionally wore comfortable long, flowing robes, a tunic, and a cloak, of which each generally varied in tones and shades of white and brown.) This training was initially done by a venerable, experienced Jedi until the individual was proficient enough to start the journey of a Jedi. Exceptions were sometimes made, most notably in the case of Anakin Skywalker, but the Jedi found their traditional methods were most successful and were loath to change."

The code is as follows:

There is no emotion; there is peace.
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no passion; there is serenity.
There is no chaos; there is harmony.
There is no death; there is the Force.

This almost notibly mimics the Taoist lifestyle, and within it's simplicity there is no faults to be found, with the exception of the absense of the Force, there is no reason why this code couldn't be followed upon our every day-to-day lives. As much, meditation and inner peace are things we can work with and strive to acheive respectively.

However to achieve our inner peace, it is much more complicated then perhaps, the Jedi themselves, have come to find it. It involves complete and total honesty with ourselves, about everything, and it also involves complete and total acceptence. This is seldom achieved and only through strong will-power and dedicated calm can it be done.

Therefore I would classify a present-real life-Jedi as one who has achieved an understanding of life, lives simply, is willing to make sacrifices for the good of others, and can work to achieve inner peace. Although he/she can not make things float in mid-air, or weild a blade of pure energy, or ju,p great distances or heights, they can work towards the ideals focused on by the code.

In the end, it is the people who lie, seek power, and destroy in both the mythology of the dark side and in real life who are not capable of following the code, either because they lack the will, or seek an easier road. This is truely the nature of a "Sith"...if you will.

But another aspect of the Jedi is something I have touched upon but only in discription. And that's a Jedi's ability to defend. Defend the weak, the helpless, the people, the republic...etc...

In real life, the Jedi lifestyle doesn't have the support of the government to help enforce the laws...we have cops and Homeland Security (*Snicker*) for that. However, there are other ways such a person wishing to follow a more strict code of the Jedi can help. Seeing a kid being beaten up on the side of the street and stepping in to lend a hand, or even going and calling the cops or getting somebody who can be of help.

Donating money to charities, instead of other organizations, directly is another way. Also giving up things you don't need or want (nothing broken) to say the Salvation Army, or Homeless shelters is a way along the path of the light.

If you want to take a more active "crime fighting" role, which I am not condoning due to risks involved, I would brush up on you fighting styles, and if you wish, train using various combat techniques...surprisingly, there are quite a few lightsaber technigues that you can learn. You can look here for a few detailed examples: The Seven Forms of Lightsaber Combat

Inexorably, one would have to give up their personal agendas, as they would have to give into the idea that destiny controls everything, and luck would cease to exist. It also embraces the idealogy that there are no coincidences, only fate. Something I don't agree with, personally.

Either way, I feel that this is an interesting subject, keep in mind I don't subscribe to be a Jedi, nor do I subscribe to actually follow it's teachings. However I feel there is merit in the discussion of the possibility of adding "Jedi" to the list of lifestyles. For more information on the Jedi, their code, and the mythology you can go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jedi

So I ask you this? What do you think it means to be a Jedi, and in the real world, how would a Jedi function and stay true to the path? How does this lifestyle, or how would it, influence you and your daily life? For me, I feel that this is a discussion best left to the board, and to decide if such a lifestyle would be worth consideration...or should one continue theiry path along neutrality, and embrace a nanchalant view of the world?

But be warned...with such power over yourself...one must watch the nature of the dark side...and not fall as so many others have in the mythology, down a path of destruction rather then enlightenment...

[Kangaroo Joe]

Its interesting to note that Force ability does not automatically make you a Jedi or Sith. There are actually other force-using sects throughout the Starwars Galaxy (EG the Witches of Dathomir). What defines the Jedi or Sith is primarily the commitment to these respective orders, and secondarily the use of Lightsabers.

Oh, and I would not recommend trying Lightsabre techniques against someone who is attacking you, considering A)Its more of a ritual (albeit dangerous) dance then actual combat, and B), they are likely to just boot you.

I think that possibly, there may be a "force" of sorts....although I doubt it is as controllable as it is in the films, and even if it was, I for one would stay well away from it.

[Rook Hawkins]

Originally Posted by Kangaroo Joe

Its interesting to note that Force ability does not automatically make you a Jedi or Sith. There are actually other force-using sects throughout the Starwars Galaxy (EG the Witches of Dathomir). What defines the Jedi or Sith is primarily the commitment to these respective orders, and secondarily the use of Lightsabers.

This is true. I tried to touch on this a bit earlier, with the Rakatan race in the mythology.

Oh, and I would not recommend trying Lightsabre techniques against someone who is attacking you, considering A)Its more of a ritual (albeit dangerous) dance then actual combat, and B), they are likely to just boot you.

It depends on how fast you are, I'd assume being good with a technique woul;d make you far more formitable then somebody just wildly swinging a baseball bat. if you know how to wield a sword, for example, nobody is going to try and kick you...you might cut off their legs. Now put a non-lethal instrument like a intricately carved stick in place of the sword...somebody is going to go home pretty bruised up.

But I would agree, I wouldn't recommend anybody go out and try the styles, as not so much are they ineffective,...but wooden sticks and swords won't repell bullets like the lightsabers repell blaster fire. It just doesn't work that way.

I think that possibly, there may be a "force" of sorts....although I doubt it is as controllable as it is in the films, and even if it was, I for one would stay well away from it.

If the force exists, even lacking the ability to handle it...you couldn't "stay" away from it...as it would flow through you none the less. The thing that seperates the force-sensitive from the normal people are their attunements to the force. They have the ability to allow it to either flow and direct their actions like the Jedi, or bend it to their will like a Sith. Since nobody has yet had the ability to do that, then it's likely that the force doesn't exist.

The closest thing to a force" religion aside from the Jedi, are Transendentalists. A religion that is seldom mentioned today, but was very popular during the later years of the 19th century.

Even still, the idea of thing such as the force is intreaguing none-the-less.

[Artiglio]

dude please dont type that much ever again :P, it took me ages to read

Originally Posted by Rook Hawkins

But I would agree, I wouldn't recommend anybody go out and try the styles, as not so much are they ineffective,...but wooden sticks and swords won't repell bullets like the lightsabers repell blaster fire.* It just doesn't work that way.

not to mention the speed you would need to do this

Originally Posted by Rook Hawkins

The closest thing to a force" religion aside from the Jedi, are Transendentalists

... and that is ?

[Rook Hawkins]

Originally Posted by Artiglio

dude please dont type that much ever again :P, it took me ages to read

Well, I am the king of the excessively large posts.

not to mention the speed you would need to do this

That's another good point, although I've seen martial arts professionals move incredibly fast, and I know you could condition your body to move and work far more effectively then most people will ever try to do. Staying in shape is just the key to it.

If you consider that only a few thousand years ago, people only fought with swords, javelins and phalynx, it shouldn't take too much imagination to comprehend these people moving very quickly with swords, especially say the Greeks and the Romans, who would have trained extensively on swords and the like for most of their childhood through adulthood. I would bet that most of these soldiers would be a lot faster and more agile then most of our soldiers today. Because they'd have to be.

Also keep in mind that one of the advantages the mythological Jedi would have is his ability to percieve the future, his senses are attuned to the flow of the force, and they can feel their opponents move before they even realize what they are going to do. This anticipation is why they are able to move so quickly. This, with the help of the force.

But all this aside, I still wouldn't recommend it, as it is still exceptionally dangerous.

... and that is ?

You never heard of transcendentalism? Well, here's a brief overview.

http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcende...onbickman.html

[Artiglio]

Originally Posted by Rook Hawkins

You never heard of transcendentalism?* ** Well, here's a brief overview.*

http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcende...onbickman.html

dude that was like the total opposite to brief

i would also like to point out that noone on this fourm can live that much of a jedi lifestyle, as jedi live with only the bare minimum of possesions, one of which is NOT 40k :P

[Tau-killer]

Originally Posted by Rook Hawkins

* * There is no emotion; there is peace.
* * There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
* * There is no passion; there is serenity.
* * There is no chaos; there is harmony.
* * There is no death; there is the Force.

No love, no emotion, no passion. Therefore let me add another line:

There is no emotion, passion or love; therefore there is no life.
I can't accept any system which bans these things.

[Kangaroo Joe]

Passion makes you act in an unreasonable manner. This is a code for Jedi, not the every day person on the street. Passion was a major factor in turning Anakin to the dark side.

[Tau-killer]

Originally Posted by Kangaroo Joe

Passion makes you act in an unreasonable manner. This is a code for Jedi, not the every day person on the street. Passion was a major factor in turning Anakin to the dark side.

The Jedi and Yoda in particular drove Anakin to the dark side because of their sheer coldness and heartless advice and way of life.

Passion is defined as 'strong emotion.' It is too much of a generalisation to say that it makes you act unreasonably. Ever been present at the end of a really good concert, or powerful theatre show? Ever had the excitement of going somewhere completely different? Ever been on the receiving end of those words 'I love you' when they are really meant? Those things are the sort of 'passion' I'm talking about - passion and emotions are part of who we are as human beings and supressing them does not work.

[jhrovii]

Word.

Ever climbed a mountain on your own will? My buds and I on the expedition were all rough, tough, hard-headed jocks. The very second we made it past the last crest of countless boulders and rocks, we all just broke down in tears, unintentionally. We were just that emotionally touched by the view and the struggle we had just overcome, together.

Though the goal of the Jedi is not to enjoy life, right? It's to serve the will of the Republic. And since they are so intimant with the Force...Passion would certainly also lead to selfish motives, when the Jedi are all about self-less.