The Block

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

I’ve only seen the movie but now I got a read the book ! Good stuff Kobos! Thanks and may the Force continue to be with you !

I think that as we travel our journeys we should also keep in mind that not only are we the hero of our own story but we are also the anti hero, the mentor, the every man, the trixter, and even the villain of others stories. We fill all these roles in our lives in different capacities if we are living our lives to the fullest. I ask you, are you filling these roles in others lives? If not, then why not?

Awesome food for thought Kyrin, Thank you!

Much Love,
Kobos

Kyrin Wyldstar wrote: I think that as we travel our journeys we should also keep in mind that not only are we the hero of our own story but we are also the anti hero, the mentor, the every man, the trixter, and even the villain of others stories. We fill all these roles in our lives in different capacities if we are living our lives to the fullest. I ask you, are you filling these roles in others lives? If not, then why not?

Even better - sometimes we are these themes in other paths as well. So many times that word Hero is so stuck to one definition we can sometimes forget in real life there are no capes.

The hardest thing in a modern day Jeddist life is finding their own balance of things. The romance of A Jedi Knight for me is to have that cloak or that hood and be able to be me and to be exactly what’s needed regardless of the situation. In real life ( for me) it’s that ability to stand on my own choices and “perform admirably.” My own choice- but we can - as humans - create our own character and our own balance. How do our “HEROS” act when that moment comes when they act - the way we want to- and why? What are their choices? For me - it’s the fighter that has trained and finds the solution to NOT fight any more or the sage who builds by every day wisdom and action - revealing a every day balance. We all have our own “hero’s” so I ask you Temple - what do yours do ? Is it possible to do just that ? Is it possible to learn from a myth - a story - a comic book- a bible - a way - a idea - etc etc etc....
Looking forward to what ya post.

Tuesday s post of a Monday thing

Character - a big word that can transcend many labels. Something to think about - seriously - think about that.
But how ??? Glad u asked
Ever seen...
Christian character
Mormon character
Buddhist character
Wiccan character
Heathen character
Logical character
Imaginary character
Comic book character
Dark character
Light character
Selfish character
Selfless character
Ever see animals display character
Nature display character
The list goes on...
You can find it any where ...
(labeled character) - if ya remove the label and just call it character - you can find character anywhere. Some good, some you might not like, but it’s all there; like a huge buffet table and you have two good hands for two good plates.

Take what ya want - take what ya need: some of us over grab, some of us under plate and yet - some of us try new things. Some of us are scared to..we never really have a stopping point. We do that, on our own...So - I hope this a a gentle reminder - what ya gunna get ? What ya gunna try ? U full? You good ? Or are you like me and just wanna see what all is available ? Got a specific taste you’re looking for ? Come sit at my table and let’s share ! Force be with y’all!

I think about the word character and see the word "actor" in there. Part of us and our character is our actions. Be the actor you want to be and realize you have control of that. I think that's where we were when we were trying to judge people by the content there of.

Just some thoughts for the table.

Much Love, Respect and Peace,
Kobos

Love that !

Joseph Campbell said one time : Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer.
Some heavy stuff for a Monday. What ya bringing to life? What does your song ... sound like? My little brother sent me a link yesterday of some major rock songs being played in major chords as opposed to minor chords. Changed the whole - being of the things. Some times our songs can change my a mere change of a chord or a idea or even a focus shift. Hmmm our choices can make a tragedy into something joyful and triumphant. Just something to think about. Force continue to be with you as we all seek share and serve it!

Carlos.Martinez3 wrote: Joseph Campbell said one time : Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer.

That has been one of my favorite quotes for a long time.

You are worth value. I saw a video of a preacher tossing a 20 dollar bill around asking some one if they wanted it after all the silliness and then he reminded the crowd - after all that - it hasn’t lost it value. What a simple little reminder of something so heavy. Life takes us on ups and downs and even does a number on us some times that can leave us feeling like... well crap. On the sad days and the bad days the happy and the glad days ... your value is still the same. In you is still that potential as a human being to be able to accomplish and overcome and shine and be the example you choose to be... regardless of what’s up with the what’s up. There’s a old saying ... regardless of the sky , the sun shines behind it. I’m not saying everything sunshine and rainbows but it’s up to you - your focus. Remember - no matter the sky - no matter what’s going on - your still A Jeddist - your still a human being - your still the one your story is about - remember that ! You are the Hero- in your story - you are what brings the story to life. Fill it !