When you have completed the IP, go over your journal and double check you have completed all of the assignment requirements. Submit your completed Initiate Program Journal to the Knight’s Secretary with a link to your IP Journal. The Knights will review your journal and assess which assignments, if any, may require additional information. This will take some time, so be patient and ready to respond. Once the Knights have determined that you have completed the IP satisfactorily, you will be informed and your rank will be updated to Initiate of the Temple of the Jedi Order.
As your final essay, in 500 words or more consider the following:
What is it that you have learned during your time completing the IP?
How has what you have learned in the IP impacted your day to day life?
What are your next steps in learning?
Though we have separated these dimensions out for the purpose of this lesson, please note that these dimensions are interconnected and interrelated. For an explanation of the seven dimensions of religion, see this article by James Bishop
Part 1: Practical and Ritual Dimension
The practical and ritual dimension of religion allows for all practitioners to have shared, grounding behavior(s). Examples of these historically have included common liturgy, the practice of yoga as part of vedic faith, sacrifice, ritualized prayer such as the rosary, etc
In an essay of at least 500 words, answer the following: Do you believe in a practical or ritual dimension to the Force? If so, explain your current thoughts, and if not explain why.
Part 2: Experiential and Emotional Dimension
Through actions associated with the practice of Jediism we physically feel in our bodies that connection to the transcendent, which is the Force
In an essay of at least 500 words answer the following: How do you connect with the experiential and emotional dimension of the Force?
Part 3: Mythic and Narrative Dimension
Note: the terms “myth” and “mythological” in this context are not to be construed as something “false”, but rather “meta-true” (a metaphor which is almost always applicable).
In our religion we work to embrace all myths, all cultures (not in a multicultural sense, but in a pan-cultural sense). We also take our cue from the Hero’s Journey and the archetypes explored therein, which were laid out in the Star Wars saga
In an essay of at least 500 words, answer the following: How do you relate to the Hero’s Journey described in a wide variety of myths.
Part 4: Doctrinal and Philosophical Dimension
The doctrinal and philosophical dimension assists us in gaining access to the mythical dimension through learning certain principles that underpin the social constructs within our religion and society.
In an essay of at least 500 words, answer the following: What benefit have you gained so far in studying the doctrinal and philosophical principles of Jediism?
Part 5: Ethical Dimension
Jedi don’t have “sin”, We believe that as we grow and develop our knowledge will necessarily transform our behavior such that we treat ourselves and others more humanely and with greater compassion.
In an essay of at least 500 words, explore: as you have been studying Jediism during the IP have you noticed changes in your behavior? Explain.
Part 6: Social Dimension
The temple structure (its ranks, its offices, its manner of being, and certainly its people) is the social construct in which Jediism (as TOTJO practices it) finds itself. A fundamental truth here also is that the Temple is a microcosm of the world. Learning how to interact here, where the consequences are not very severe, is one of the ways that we learn to interact with the world.
In an essay of 500 words or more consider the ways in which the social dimension impacts your experience online or offline.
Part 7: The Material Dimension
Whatever we can experience with our senses in the physical world that can connect us symbolically to the Force, this could be anything from lightsabers to the trilogies, does help deepen our connection therein. We don’t have physical Temples, sacred spaces, or sacred things, historically, so we make them, but that doesn’t make them any less real or meaningful.
In an essay of at least 500 words, explore the ways in which you have used the material dimension to connect to the Force.
IF YOU HAVE REACHED THIS POINT, YOU NEED TO BEGIN SPEAKING TO KNIGHTS ABOUT APPRENTICESHIP. PLEASE SEE THE LINKS BELOW:
The Force is at the center of each and every Jedi’s path. Here in the Temple, we do not present you with a definition of the Force which you must adhere to. For an explanation of the seven dimensions of religion, see this article by James Bishop.
For an introduction into metaphysics see this Video from Oxford
For these assignments, you will write essays discussing your understanding of the Force and your ideas about it. Understanding that the Force may be, in some aspects, ineffable while still giving thought and words to aspects of it which can be elucidated, complete each of the essay assignments. These essays may not be all-inclusive or extensive, but encourage concentration on what is meant when one says “the Force”. Post these essays in your journal here at the Temple. Please complete all of the assignments below.
Part 1: Ethics and the Force
In an essay of at least 500 words, answer the following: Do you believe in an ethical dimension to the Force? If so, explain your current thoughts, and if not explain why.
Part 2: Metaphysics and the Force
In an essay of at least 500 words, answer the following: Do you believe in a metaphysical dimension to the Force? If so, explain your current thoughts, and if not explain why.
Part 3: Philosophy and the Force
In an essay of at least 500 words, answer the following: Do you ascribe to a type of monist, dualist, or non-dualist philosophy of the Force? If so, explain your current thoughts, and if not explain why.
Once you have completed this lesson, please message Morkano to be promoted to Novice
Meditation is a cross-cultural phenomenon shared by many world cultures. A Jedi must be able to identify the roots of these techniques and ascertain trends within respective traditions for a holistic understanding of the meditative method. Meditation is understood not through intellectual analyses, but through experiential application. A Jedi must not only understand the differences in technique, but recognize the subtle, yet key nuances that are central to the technique. Meditation is not limited to old forms, and is adaptable to time, place, or personage. A Jedi must practice maintaining meditative stability/proficiency in regard to these states. For these assignments, you will research different meditative traditions and techniques, practice them, and write about your experiences in your journal here in the Temple. Complete all of the assignments below.
Part 1: Three Meditative Traditions
Research the following meditative traditions and write a brief summary of their methodologies after putting each to practice. Note that these examinations need not be all-encompassing.
Eastern Traditions
Western Traditions
*Indigenous Traditions
*Some Indigenous meditative traditions include controlled substances which may be illegal in your country or dangerous. The Temple does not explicitly condone or support the use of controlled substances. The purpose of including these traditions in this lesson is purely educational.
Part 2: Three Meditative Approaches
Experiment with one of each of the following applications of meditation (or meditative techniques) and write a 500+ word summary of your experiences in your journal.
Internally-oriented (e.g., emotional regulation, thought-oriented, etc.)
Externally-oriented (e.g., loving-kindness, action-oriented, etc.)
Miscellaneous (e.g., qigong, active imagination, etc.)
Part 3: Cumulative Essay
The importance of meditation to the fictional Jedi cannot be overstated; their required five sessions a day is a testament to this. Why is meditation important to Jedi? Is meditation important to you? Why or Why not?
