The best, most informative website which I came across in my research for this is The Jedi Website http://jediorganization.addr.com/jedi/. On this website we are presented with an extensive array of web pages which contain information and articles and support networks for everyone who wishes to get involved and be associated with this religion. So what exactly does this entail?
This website, as many of the others do as well, clearly states its mission statement which enables the user to see what the website is about, what its aims and objectives are and also what the aims and beliefs of the creators of the website are as well. This particular websites mission statement states that:
(http://jediorganization.addr.com/jedi/website/mission/)
- The JEDI Website provides high quality content available for all those who are or aspire to be Jedi.
- We aim to set the standard in making information relevant to users and by optimizing communication tools to share such knowledge.
- We are open and able to offer different perspectives on life and experiences through sharing information.
- As volunteers, our purpose is to teach and learn the way as Jedi in a practical, yet real sense, and to strengthen and expand upon who we are.
and that:
To this end, we undertake the following specific commitments:
- We are committed to providing an open method of learning, whereby all types of training methods are supported. These methods will encourage academic excellence, inquiry, leadership, and cooperation in students and communities.
- We are committed to providing the most up-to-date educational information and theories as represented throughout the online Jedi community and beyond, with mindful consideration of the maturity and implications of providing such resources.
- We are committed to providing for the spiritual needs of others, broadening our educational structure towards philosophical and ethical understanding.
- We are committed to helping academic participants by providing them the means to reach their individual goals.
- We are committed, with mindful consideration, to foster better communication and appreciation between the various online Jedi communities.
- We are committed to honoring the perspectives of other Jedi paths and non-Jedi faiths, acknowledging their uniqueness, collective knowledge, wisdom and the preferences of their followers.
- We are committed to the continual effort of unifying with other communities both online and offline that hold similar academic interests.
Therefore, what can be seen to be suggested here is that the website aims to provide the user with as much information as possible about Jedism and also to help those who wish to aspire to be Jedi. They claim that they do this voluntarily, in order to strengthen their own character... which could be seen to be an admirable quality.
So what does this website say are the key beliefs to Jedism? The websites founders have come up with a list of principles through which they believe help the person attain the state of mind which is to be adhered by Jedi's... that is to say that they believe you should follow the laws of INSPIRATION:
Integrity
Nobleness
Significance
Passiveness
Imagination
Responsibility
Affection
Truth
Interest
Optimism
Naturalness
(http://jediorganization.addr.com/jedi/library/creeds/jedicreed/inspiration.html)
Therefore, as this list suggests this could actually prove to be a workable ethical system by which people can live by within the real world? It also seems to have strong associations with the ethical system of Buddhism, therefore it could be seen to possible for implementation, but what are the beliefs exactly....
The main essential belief which penetrates this religion is that of belief in the Force. The Force, in the Star Wars films, is what enables the Jedis to move things with their minds, control others thoughts etc... so how applicable is this in the real world? Firstly, i think we need to understand what is seen to be meant by the force!
The website claims that :
The Force is, put simply, the energy field that is created and sustained by all living things. It is this this energy field that the Jedi learns to commune with, to protect and serve in the interest of all life. The Jedi draws from the Force only when needed to serve that purpose. Drawing power from all that is life in the interest of selfish pursuits is the path of destruction and is the way of the Dark side.
The Force has many names throughout history, mana, ki, and quintessence among others, but all share a common vision of it's existence and power. Those among us who learn to co-exist with it can find peace and great strength and ability in times of duress.
The Force is the great equalizer in the galaxy. It's disciples are not hampered by size and shall always overcome in the face of adversity. Take the daisy that cracks the boulder to reach the sunlight, the Force can empower life to achieve what might be seen to some as impossible.
We are all children of the Force and charged with it's protection. Life begets the Force and needless destruction of life will in turn send ripples of discord through all that live. A Jedi draws from the Force to protect life.
This is the way of the Jedi.
(http://jediorganization.addr.com/jedi/library/theforce/interpretations/theforce.html)
Another key element to Jedism which is discussed on this website is the practice of Meditation. Meditation is a method of relaxation and inner thought which is adopted by many spiritual ideologies, and is also adopted by Jedism. However, Jedism seems to have re worded the associations which are generally used with Meditation to use terms such as the Force, to mean Chi or Karma or Lifes Energy.
The website claims that:
There are many of us who recommend we should do this or that. One wonders how many of us actually do these things we recommend? Not many.
Some say our health is important. Others say we should take care of our bodies and our minds. We should think good thoughts. We should train ourselves to be opened and mindful. To do this requires a practice.
Many Jedi have turned to meditation in order to act on these philosophies they stand for. Sometimes a meditative technique is complicated. Many, though, are not. Some are so simple you may not even realize you are doing them.
Take the time to relax. It is never a wrong decision to take some time to relax and set the sitation for what it is. Whether it is saying a prayer before you go to bed, taking a breath before you go to the office, or making sure you eat real food before you grab the snacks. We all get busy and there are many excuses out there for us to remain this way. There's always time to start getting rid of some of your bad habits by putting some good ones in their place.
(http://jediorganization.addr.com/jedi/library/practices/meditation/)
As well as loads of different methods by which to do this including:
(http://jediorganization.addr.com/jedi/library/practices/meditation/)
I would like to conclude with this video which i found on youtube which seems somewhat tongue in cheek, but i think is useful when thinking about the nature and indeed practicality to actually believing in the way of the Jedi.
This video seems to highlight the key elements of the ways in which a person can become a Jedi within modern day society, and although, as i said the video seems fairly colloquial there are many things which can be learnt from this!
Therefore what seems to be viewable through this is how practical the religion of Jedism is and how close it is to other forms of religion and spiritualities through which people follow today. Therefore it could be that the reason why people consider Jedism with such high speculation could be due to the fact that they misunderstand the religion itself and fear it due to the fact that it stemed from the sci-fi movies themselves.
Do you think that there is anything inherently wrong with following a belief system such as the Jedi? Do you think that the main reason why people do not accept this as a true form of religion is based on the fictitious nature of its origins?
As always... May the Force be with you!
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