What is TOTJO?

I agree with Brenna. I don't think this should be categorized.

Yes, there are some people who have stated they are only here to debate and create arguments, but you'll get trolls no matter where you go. EVERY opinion does and should always matter. We are Jedi! We are suppose to be open minded and accepting of the things that make us different, while knowing we are all one piece of a cosmic whole.

Kitsu Tails wrote:

Oneiros wrote: There does need to be a standard so that when people think of Jedi they have a clear picture in their mind.

The problem with this statement is that it is ignorant to all the other paths and ways of Jedi. Please do not take "Ignorant" as rude, meerly understand that I am attempting to prove a small point.

That point is simply. TotJO is not the ONLY Definition and Way of Jedi. There needs to be a clear understanding of that. TotJO needs to be more mindful of the fact that when they say "Jedi" in their descriptions.....They mean THEIR Jedi and THEIR ideals and THEIR Standards.

Not everyone who is Jedi will line up with TotJO foundations.

Gathered Force Community is purely a Social Community which fullfills all the Social needs of community users. But we do not discourage or attempt to claim "The Only" or "The best" or "The most" status. Those actions and statements are what leads to Elitism....not directive purpose and goals.

In my opinion TotJO Should focus on their "Church" Goals and clearly define that it is THEIR "way" of Jediism.

Be very very careful of generalizations *Bows*

While I do agree with you Kitsu, please be aware that for the majority of discussions of this nature, members of TOTJO are referring to their own definitions and the way TOTJO does things.

No one here is interested in defining for any of the other groups what the Jedi way is, and the other groups definitions seldom get brought up unless a member of those groups is involved, like now I suppose. So we don't specify because its mostly understood that we don't dictate "our" way to anyone.

Brenna wrote:

Kitsu Tails wrote: While I do agree with you Kitsu, please be aware that for the majority of discussions of this nature, members of TOTJO are referring to their own definitions and the way TOTJO does things.

No one here is interested in defining for any of the other groups what the Jedi way is, and the other groups definitions seldom get brought up unless a member of those groups is involved, like now I suppose. So we don't specify because its mostly understood that we don't dictate "our" way to anyone.

I know that. And You know that. But new members on the path who finds TotJO first Does not.

I am writing a Manual on Jedi Standards and education. In that Manual I do not say "Jedi do this. and Jedi do that." I say "J.u.s.t Jedi Do this. And J.u.s.t Jedi do that." because I know that some of those who will read my manual may not know anything about the "Entire" Jedi Community and I want it clearly understood that the Standards and Education of J.u.s.t Jedi is ONLY J.u.s.t Jedi's beliefs.

Kitsu Tails wrote:

Oneiros wrote: There does need to be a standard so that when people think of Jedi they have a clear picture in their mind.

The problem with this statement is that it is ignorant to all the other paths and ways of Jedi. Please do not take "Ignorant" as rude, meerly understand that I am attempting to prove a small point.

That point is simply. TotJO is not the ONLY Definition and Way of Jedi. There needs to be a clear understanding of that. TotJO needs to be more mindful of the fact that when they say "Jedi" in their descriptions.....They mean THEIR Jedi and THEIR ideals and THEIR Standards.

Not everyone who is Jedi will line up with TotJO foundations.

Gathered Force Community is purely a Social Community which fullfills all the Social needs of community users. But we do not discourage or attempt to claim "The Only" or "The best" or "The most" status. Those actions and statements are what leads to Elitism....not directive purpose and goals.

In my opinion TotJO Should focus on their "Church" Goals and clearly define that it is THEIR "way" of Jediism.

Be very very careful of generalizations *Bows*

That's a good point. I'm new to the Jedi community anyway and this is the first place I've actually made an account and participated so my view is somewhat limited when it comes to the Jedi community as a whole. My views are simply what I think the Jedi need right now. There are lots of internet sites and online courses and all of that is a great starting point. It's exactly the way other religions and orders would have started had they had internet 2000 years ago. But it is my belief that Jedi philosophy, the philosophy from which the whole community stems, is an excellent base for accomplishing something never accomplished before. That being said, we are definitely not yet at the point where Jedi escort ambassadors to peace talks or make great scientific discoveries, but to get there we need training. All of the other things should be included of course, but I think a focus on training is what we need right now. I won't speak for the whole Jedi community because I haven't been involved with other sites, but for TOTJO, I think this should be the case.

As for elitism, if we practice humility and don't ascribe to the notion that our training and ideas makes us better than everyone else, there is no elitism. After all, nobody wants to listen to the smartest person in the world if that person rubs it in their face all the time. Jedi should be compassionate and the Dalai Lama says that genuine compassion means that you view others as more important than yourself. With that perspective there is no elitism.

Kitsu Tails wrote:
I know that. And You know that. But new members on the path who finds TotJO first Does not.

I am writing a Manual on Jedi Standards and education. In that Manual I do not say "Jedi do this. and Jedi do that." I say "J.u.s.t Jedi Do this. And J.u.s.t Jedi do that." because I know that some of those who will read my manual may not know anything about the "Entire" Jedi Community and I want it clearly understood that the Standards and Education of J.u.s.t Jedi is ONLY J.u.s.t Jedi's beliefs.

Of course. And as I said, I agree.

For the purpose of this thread though, we are talking about what people think of TOTJO and the standards expected here, as is very clear from the OP.

Silvermane wrote: We are Jedi! We are suppose to be open minded and accepting of the things that make us different, while knowing we are all one piece of a cosmic whole.

It is my opinion that that's only part of it. We are part of a whole and we should be accepting, but that has its limits. It's fine to accept small differences but if one Jedi believes that the appropriate response to being threatened with violence is to pull out a gun, and another believes that one should diffuse the situation with words or with defensive martial arts if necessary, then one of those people is NOT Jedi no matter how many times they say they are or on how many Jedi websites they have accounts. If a part of the whole is harming the whole, that part needs to removed peacefully and without additional harm to the whole.

I am not a Jedi.

However I like to converse with Jedi.

I have been on the Dark path for a loooong time now.

I could easily stay within that comfort zone.

I have no desire for the lessons of a path that is not mine in my heart.

However, I can learn from discussion, which gives a reciprocal nature in that they, in turn, learn from me.

Education within such a method is very old.

Riddles, poetry, stories, conversation, debate, lectures.

Social interaction is integral to any form of education.

Now, what you ultimately have to ask yourself, is if you want to keep that strictly within a comfort zone.

http://ts3.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608044640752238692&pid=1.7

The problem is that we allow everyone to talk and be heard. I know, that sounds bad. But, some (maybe more than we think) are not here to learn and grow. they are jsut here to socialize. And we allow (we being a broad grouping of individuals) their opions to bear a weight they are not merrited. Sure their opinion counts. Does a sith's opinion count in Jedi related ideas or views? Probably not so much. And the people let them get to them and egg them on.

Quite honestly I think is some personalities are allowed to push the envelope too much. Stop putting up with these people. If they can't be polite ban them for a period of time to chill out. Then give them another chance. Two strikes your out. There is no need to further define TOTJO, define rules of behavior and stick to them. IMHO

In my opinion, the primary function of TotJO is the passing on of the Jedi Teachings.
Part of those teachings is tolerance.
Socialization is part of the learning process.
Although,

"socializing" and "learning" are mutually exclusive...

Is not entirely accurate in my opinion. Socialization has its place but is not for educational purposes. Sure, there are fields where if you did not socialize your education would be hindered if not impossible. But there are also other fields where it is not required at all. And it also depends on what is socialized. If you are in math class and talking about whose dating who then you just wasted the instructor’s time.

I think that play is important in development. But we have been playing together all our lives and look at where we are when we get here. Arguing, fighting, self-concerned… these are the things we come here to unlearn. We are here on a personal journey of self-discovery. And we need to know how that journey interacts with others but I don’t think it is part of the primary function.

It's a meeting space, a place of education, and, importantly, a place of refuge and support.

Refuge is not the word I would use. It should be a safe harbor to express yourself and grow, but we are not here to shield anyone from the horrors that is the world we live in just as we do not shield anyone from the beauty that is the world. We will however try to maintain a safe place for individuals to express themselves and grow. But that is a delicate balance of give and take.

I would have to agree with a lot of what Oneiros posted.

People want to get upset because there are stupid opinions out there and we occasionally have to read them?

Whoever it is, is having an ego issue, plain and simple.

Attempting to keep the proverbial sheep "safe" is denying them the opportunity to learn, converse and grow.

So true.
And I think this was the spirit behind the recent separation of the forums. So that we all have a place to go and talk about what ever and a place to go and study.


I think there is reasonable arguments to be made for each aspect mentioned in the OP, but I think that the primary function is that TotJO is a place to teach Jedi. And I also feel we stray very far from that a lot of times.

Wescli and I were just talking about the nature of socialization, and I wanted to clarify when I meant.

I like to spend time talking to people, and not just about the studies either. you might have noticed that I like people (bit of an extrovert) I find peoples experiences and thoughts fascinating. And genuinely connecting with people is something that I not only really enjoy, but I also feel is important to who I am as a person and as a Jedi.

Community is important to me. Friendship as essential as air.

This kind of connection and hanging out, is what I mean when I say socialization. But there is also a time and a place for it.

This is a Temple after all. And that, in my opinion comes first.

I'll shut up now and give the others a chance