The Block

Somthing to think about this week-
The bottle neck effect.
As Jedi - I want to encourage us to remember - Jedi teaching number 7



7. Jedi understand their limitations. We recognise, and take responsibility, for our failures and develop a level of modesty about them. We respect the right for others to disagree and understand that they themselves are not perfect.

Understanding limitations often leads to cultivation and in real worlds - often what we want and can do are two different things. To know our limit and abilities and not get - bogged down or take on too much or even the dreaded bottle neck effect can happen to any one. ( especially those who serve)
So, somthing to think about - Jedi teaching 7 says be carful and be aware because we can at times take on too much. Happy seeking my Jedi !

But then one must understand limitations.

Are they ones you've placed on yourself? If so, are you accidentally selling yourself short? Are you holding yourself back?

Or are they ones placed on you by others? Why would one accept the judgement of ones own ability made by another person?

Arisaig wrote: But then one must understand limitations.

Are they ones you've placed on yourself? If so, are you accidentally selling yourself short? Are you holding yourself back?

Or are they ones placed on you by others? Why would one accept the judgement of ones own ability made by another person?

Very true. These are questions we can all ask ourself.

I’ve heard - nothing worth value is ever easy.
As Jedi we have reminders like codes- maxims- vows and all types of things. As a Jeddist - it’s not easy. I’m telling you temple - being a place of self reflect and self paced- it’s hard to connect in ceartain ways. Be aware. Be wise and by all means be Jedi !

May the Force continue to find you as we all seek it!

There is a old saying in my circle and truth be told, it’s really more of a triangle than a circle and it is this...
Finish the fight .
As an instructor , it was my joy and privilege to remind my students of this “sigil.”
I think we as Modern day Jeddist could profit from such reminders. At times we get busy and life gets full. We put things on hold and on the back burner and at times - well some times - we just forget or loose track of things. Totally natural . I’ve never forgotten a child at thenmall but I’ve left cell phones, diaper bags and even a wallet or two behind. So I say my Jedi - finish the fight! Find a few things ya need to complete and make them done. ( I know that’s not proper speech but ya get the idea.) Make a few things ... complete. Check a few boxes where ya can and finish the fight! May the Force continue to be with y’all as we all seek it. I know I’ll be finishing up a few things myself this month!

This i feel needed to come across my screen today. i needed to see this. Lately i have been feeling like i am just not good enough. after reading your last entry i will take up your motto and get back into the fight. I am good enough and i am a strong individual. Thank you for being my beacon of hope today.

corpsman_up wrote: This i feel needed to come across my screen today. i needed to see this. Lately i have been feeling like i am just not good enough. after reading your last entry i will take up your motto and get back into the fight. I am good enough and i am a strong individual. Thank you for being my beacon of hope today.

And as a fellow Jedi- you May be mine tomorrow -by our presence some times we are the only Jedi real life ever sees. you are certainly a breath of fresh air my friend. Keep in touch

My son is now six. As he grows his pallet does too, not just for food and tastes but for books and subjects. This morning he came into our room right on time and said “ King Kong - dont forget we are gunna watch King Kong”- the boy was excited. It reminds me of my Jedi path. Over time our palate changes - not every one and not specifically but after awhile ... we begin to ask different questions and even forget the cartoons and games and begin to seek - a much larger palate. It’s part of growth and part of life. Now, granted - Peter Jackson’s version and the version with “the dude “ are two way different versions but some times the new can be the old. Catch that? Some times we can have the new that’s actually - the old. Something to think about this week my Temple. Some times the new is the old. Some times the new blood is is the old blood some times what can change is - our palate.

This was written for the Totjo newsletter: Turn the heat up!

Turning up the heat for a old chief like me means that all my prep is done and it time to put pot to heat. Simmering moments are gone and prep time is gone - no more peeling or cutting - it’s about time to serve! It’s almost time to eat! There’s a old saying in cooking circles - drop the pasta! It’s the final stage to a dish or two. During this time, I’ll ask my love or son to begin to set the table- let’s get plates- cups - ice - spoons forks knives - rags - you know the drill. Turning up the heat reminds me that there CAN be a moment in life where the hard work begins to come together. As life and our paths go -so much time and study and chats and discussions go on. There will be moments it seems a “freakin mess” on counters and tables and kitchens and sinks - that’s kinna part of it all- prep time can conclude to clean up and clean up can begin that moment when it’s time to turn the heat up and turn time and effort - into a meal and into something we can share and enjoy. Even better is when we realize his can happen as often as we like to plan it. Hungry ? Starving ? Need a snack? Tea or coffee - turn the heat up. May the Force be with y’all as we all seek it .
Pastor Carlos

Something to think about this week :

The difference between hidden and private.
Do we as Jedi have a difference? I’m a big voice on words and their meanings as well as their use. Do we have hidden things or private or is there no distinction ? Cultivation in our character and paths as well as life’s often means growing new things taking or replacing old ones and planting new things as well.
Two simple words yet - different glows. How do we use them if we do at all?
Got any other words you use like this with different values?

Force be with y’all this week as we all seek it ! May it find us in the seek!

Monday

Something to think about for this week. Our codes and our maxims and our teachings. Not just here at Tojo but all around us. The actual words don’t really mean as much as HOW we display them. Colors and paint and pens and pencils and papers and canvas don’t make the art - it’s the person and the heart that makes it Art. It is how and where we apply our chosen ideas - that can often make us WHAT- we are. Think about that Jedi this week as we work and play and eat and love and live - we got codes and reminders but it ain’t the words that make us —-it’s how we paint them and how we balance them. That - I think - is often the beauty of life - when stroke meets plane - where the runner meets the road- when be begin to act - on what we believe. Happy seeking my beautiful Jedi - all around the world - where ever you are. Shine ! - share your beauty - live it - Bloch it - scrape it - paint it - sing it - spray it - study it - love it - live it - show it - put it in your hands or in you words or in your heart or in anything you can- The color of life is what you ... ARE! Paint away!!
Pastor Carlos.

JC (Joseph Campbell) said one time :
“Do not give up on your vices. Make your vices work for you. If you are a proud person, don’t get rid of your pride. Apply it to your spiritual quest.”

What a jerk. !!! Just kidding but truthfully , ever wonder - “ how on this round earth do I do that?”

Over time and practice, I’ve noticed that what used to be stubbornness has began to become faithfulness with different application. I can only share from one person to another that while my focus has changed, so to the application of what was once vices that snared me - can now free. How - is totally up to each of us. Some may only need to hear or see it or some may only need to know it’s possible. Some may need the simple understanding it CAN be done. The how - in life- is often to each of us to find it out for ourselfs but just imagine... that thing about you that keeps - CAN also or maybe - free ya.
Force be with each of us this week where ever we seek it or where ever we may wind up being when it does! Happy seeking.

Is this an example of embracing your dark side? You are sounding like a Sith! :silly:

Kyrin Wyldstar wrote: Is this an example of embracing your dark side? You are sounding like a Sith! :silly:

Doesn't sound like it to me. I've been accused of being stubborn myself and I think it depends. On one hand, what if the person is trying to get you to do what they want, not necessarily what's in your best interest or in the service of the greater good? In this case, I think taking on a personality that is very earthen or solid would be appropriate. There are many martial arts techniques that focus on footwork and firm/solid balance. Without this applying power is more difficult. Therefore, I think knowing who you are is important to maintaining that sense of self in spite of external influences.

I remember reading in a zen book somewhere - that mindfulness was the key to vices.
If you're being prideful - mindfully or drinking a beer - mindfully - the vice becomes part of your path
as long as you are fully in the present moment and all that jazz.

ZealotX wrote:

Kyrin Wyldstar wrote: Is this an example of embracing your dark side? You are sounding like a Sith! :silly:

Doesn't sound like it to me.

I am very curious now. How do you see the Sith Philosophy? I asked you this in another thread and maybe you just have not had a chance to reply yet, so I thought I would ask again lol..

I’m very curious- why does the search for character need a label?

Edit : what WOULD you label the pursuit of character ?? Neither dark nor light .

Carlos.Martinez3 wrote: I’m very curious- why does the search for character need a label?

Edit : what WOULD you label the pursuit of character ?? Neither dark nor light .

Exactly, the search need not be one of labels, dark or light, jedi or sith, knight or lord.

The Hero
Often times in real life the HERO is the subject or the theme. They are the reason for the story. Where does the magic - the plot - the twists - the drama - the sadness- the pain- the freedom - the hope - where do these all come from in real life? What’s your favorite story or favorite myth? Ya know, that one story ya identify with? Where do those themes often come from? Often times - they come from outside of our circle. What are we allowing to act on us? Something to think about this week Jedi.

One of my favorite books, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest seems like an odd place to find a heroic story. Particularly when one doesn't pick the obvious choice of Mac-Murphy (the antagonist) but picking the narrator Big Chief Bromden. The chief, he sees all of Mac Murphy's struggles against the establishment, but continues to fall back into the "fog" and fear of the machine (the asylum(if you haven't read it). He often sits and observes only to move in and out of the fog sometimes making a movement that moves along the story or allows Mac-Murphy's actions. In the end he sees there will always be the fog, but he with the effort can be free of the "machines" of his fear. And when he comes through the fog this final time he comes through the fog to his freedom, quite literally. However, our antagonist in all essential purposes died, at least I would see a frontal lobotomy as such.

I couldn't tell you why I always see Big Chief as a hero in this story but it's a damn fine story. I recommend you give it read it if you have not (P. S.The book is better than the movie).

Thanks Carlos I thought I would give this the reply I was thinking about!
Much Love,
Kobos