The Block

When we are born ... location plays a huge part of the human make up till we choose another way of doing things. Think about that for a bit. Where - you are randomly selected ( up and start at the same time lol) to live wasn’t up to you in the beginning. Like most “hero’s” in literature and in the myths , there are a few things that happen that are NOT in their control. Location is one. When and where we are born and to whom isn’t a card we can check before we land.
Where you are born can create people just like you. Where u was born makes people like me.

Now, there can come a point when we can start making choices for ourselves. Moving, reading , talking and connections can be a very open gate to a new world. I was born in a faith. Had no control over that and some are born with no faith. No ones fault only - location. What I have faith in now is what I have chosen. We can create our own faith when we decide or are old enough or we choose to do so. Did ya know that? You can choose what you were brought up as or you can make your own ways. Either way the choice is now yours. It’s always been yours !

Joseph Campbell says that “ The aim of all religious exercise is a phycological transformation. You can make up your own meditations and rites based on knowing , loving, and serving the deity in caring for your children, doctoring drunk or writing books. Any work whatsoever can be a meditation if you have the sense that everything is Brahman: the process , the doing , the thing that is being looked at, the one that is looking - everything. “
Kinna sounds like the Force ...
May it be with y’all today and the rest of the week!
Pastor Carlos
A Joseph Campbell companion edited by Diane O.

When masters meet:

Joseph Campbell tells a story about Alan Watts.
“I recall a wonderful talk I had with Alan Watts, who was a marvelous man. One of my problems was that Jean was always late. [ Wife] I made a appointment to meet her somewhere or another, And there I sit waiting for half an hour.” I find it’s a normal thing to wait for your love. She had so many things to do in only half an hour before she leaves, that half an hour goes by quickly. It’s a basic rule in New York that it takes half an hour to get anywhere from anywhere but Jean always thought that the time she was supposed to be somewhere was the time to leave. So, I had this long wait problem and I said to Alan “ What can I do about this?“ I get aggravated and when she arrives, I am a little bit nasty. Allen said, “Well, your problem is that you want her to be there, and you’re wishing for for a situation that is NOT the one you are in. Just realize that’s you are ruining the experience you could be having there while waiting by thinking it should be otherwise. So then, waiting for Jean became a spiritual exercise. I said to myself “ You should not be thinking that Jean should be here. Look around you and see what is going on.”” And you know, the place where I was became so goddamn interesting that I wasn’t bored at all.” “Often times, I hoped that Jean would make me wait a little longer.”
That would have seemed impossible to me, until Alan suggested shutting out any thought that my situation should have been otherwise.

That’s what fear and desire can do. I desired the situation to be the one we planned, and that desire forbade me my immediate experience:

“This is it! This is life! Look at it! Isn’t it bubbling?”

Reflections on the art of living
A Joseph Campbell companion

This story hails from Indian fable, this was a frequent of the Ramakrishna and was used to share often.

the story goes...

A young aspirant was amazed and overtaken by he idea that in himself, dwelt the power to support the universe and all that live in it. The student moved and spoke with the reverence of a God himself as it began to sink more and more in- he was That- he was God. His word of " I am God and all things are God" could be heard as he began this life of higher experience. It happened that as he took a walk into town a man where and elephant was riding it in town. With his new found Enlightenment he continued to repeat "I am God and everything is God"...he also added "the elephant also is God."
The sound of the steady bells from the quickly approaching elephant and the rider shouting..."Clear the way! Clear the way, you idiot" met with the student saying "I am God and all things are God!" Hearing the riders shouts he said, "Should God be afraid of God? Should God get out of the way of God?" Well, with him in his undistributed meditative state, still walking un disturbed toward the elephant and the elephant to him, the elephant simply wrapped its trunk around the lunatic and tossed him aside, off the road. Internal upset began and he direclty went to his teacher. " You told me that I was God." "yes," said the Guru "you are God, The elephant was God, All things are God. Why didnt you listen to God when he spoke from the elephant to move out of the way?"

Something to think about as we seek the Force this week. When the Force speaks, will it be through the voice of us or "our" idea or its.....
May the Force be with yall as we all seek , serve and share it.

Pastor Carlos

I got a 20 pound kettle ball by my stairs. I use it as often as I can muster it in my daily routine. By the stairs is my best bet. This morning , it was still 20 pounds yet it didn’t feel like 20- more like 40. My body was struggling. I did my regular routine but it felt a bit more that just what it was. I did a arms extended squat thingy to stretch my old legs and arms and adjust my self a bit - ya know the one ? Smiley face - I can do 20 and be ready for another 20- not this morning - not today. The stars weren’t in alignment today - oh no - the spin of the orbiting something or another no way it was gunna happen.
Made me think.
Some days - in real life - are a bit more than others. It’s just a bit more heavy or it’s just a bit more .... more- ya know. Same eight same thing same life same people - nothing really bad nothing actually wrong - but in that moment I know I found some days a bit more heavier than others. Some can call it darker days some call em heavier - days - what do you call those moments? What do they look like to you ? Even better how do you as a modern day Jeddist combat or even live through moment like that? Where do you go? What do you do?
Today is a day like that for me. Nothing wrong just a bit heavy. I find giving helps to grow where I think some one pooped. Funny to say it like that but I’ve know old farmers - wrinkly old people with deep wrinkles so earthly smart there’s no doubt their word of wisdom come straight from the earth some days. I like folk like that.
“If ya find ya got shit on that’s obviously the part your flowers by the door are needing. “
Such strange wisdom.
Some days - giving seems to help plant other acts of kindness. If you wanna day it like this - there’s a magic in giving.

So this week I wanna share this with ya -

Some days may be much more - fuller - than most and some days there’s no difference and they can seem much more than what they really are.
Giving as a Jeddist is a strange beast we really don’t share but I can share how I do it .
Here on the Temple - I find those who need help or just a encouraging word. Off line - I find people to serve. Most times truthfully- when I’m down- I listen more and it seems to help. In my path there are only the wife and two kids most of the time- so they get to be the recipients of that most time. Those are those moments I kinna am thankful for - afterwards and some times during- Tell me - what do you do? Smiley face -
Force continue to be with you


Edit this was a extra little thought yesterday ! Feel free to join in if ya like any time with this or others posted here.

Monday’s post

I’m currently still in the process of hand writing the “Jeddist book of change”

Here’s an excerpt
For - freee!!!

45
By Definition, perfection can be attained, yet it still can seem not perfect. Perfection can be constant, yet imperfect. Full-ness can seem empty, but can be managed. The truest, can seem - not, and greatness can seem clumsy and common. Often, the result can be the very thing that overcomes. Movement can overcome cold. Calm can overcome heat. Peace can be made or found. This is the flow. Removal lets the Ebb and Flow run. Never speak for it, speak of it.


That last part gets me -almost always - never speak for it - speak of it. Applying the Force can yield different results - try that this week?
May the Force we seek- serve and share find ya in the seek!
Pastor Carlos

How can I be born again in the Force?

This is a real question. With our beginnings as our choice -What we bring from our own real life and a whole new set of Maxums and Koans and Codes and Teachings ... it’s no wonder it’s not the easiest of things to understand or even explain.
Most conflict from doctorine can come mainly from interpretation and application.
That’s with anything, Star Wars or not - we are not immune.
How are we as Modern day Jeddist born again??
Are we? Are some of us? Is this born again and dying critical to a Jeddist for receiving of faith or connection?
People are born again all the time. One day the dependent wake with a new direction and new sense of view. Freedoms takes over. Some where there’s two people holding hands maybe ... kissing and for them - life is full of love being born again in love. Some are born in War some in violence and some are knowing peace somewhere in a Church or on a street. Some where some one is become what they don’t want to be and some where someone else has reach that part in their life where it’s now a joy to be alive.
How does a Jeddist experience being born again? Same way we all do. Is there specifics??? Bet your fuzzy socks there is!

For me:

I use my Modern day Jediism as a selfless path. Serve and seek and share. Sometimes my will changes or even dies. Moments after choices like this I feel- new and revived.
I encourage Jeddist everywhere, die daily. Figure out what you can... and try it. I ain’t saying go crazy and hack away at your life like a blind swordsman, but if you’ve had that question- it’s something to think about this week.
How am I born again in the Force? Feel free to share with. That’s why this is here. May the Force continue to be with us all as we all seek, serve and share the Force,
Pastor Carlos

Being "born again" is metaphor : whereas body-soul ("soul" = anima/l, that which 'animates' a physical body beyond biological necessity ~ thoughts, sentiments, desires, fears...) birth is imposed - as is death of this duality 'body-soul', the "rebirth" is that to "Spirit" and is voluntary. One must choose to enter into true (non-usage/non-experimental) relationships with others in order to grow into true comprehension, empathie, altruism and compassion.

If you are posing the question, you're already on your way...

(Transmission from over there)

Keep on reaching

George Takei was asked one time what was the most important life lesson you’ve learned in life so far.

Now, whether you agree or even disagree with others, I find there can always something good to take from meeting or things I read. I often rarely Agree 100 percent with everyone. George isnt where I find my "gold." I dont specifically seek his side out often but I do hear and read some times things do parallel.
His answer was simple.

Keep reaching.

Made me think.

What makes me stop reaching ? What kills that hope or snuffs it to the point of not shining and NOT reaching?
Hope can be cultivated or even better, that part of us that reaches for things like something new or what we need or want... that "wonder." My hope is we never stop reaching forward. My hope is for myself and all Jeddist in today’s world -never stop hope. Even with just an ounce of it - even with just a remembrance of hope - it can spark and ignite. Hope can change things outside and in.
I’ve always looked for another way to say things. Same old stroy told in diffrent ways...

"...you aint gotta like some one to share connections some times or ideas." 2 Things to think about this week. A simple modern day Jeddist idea - never stop reaching (keep hope)- and some connections can be had with those you may not agree with. Its possible.

much is...

Never stop reaching

May the Force continue to be with us all as we seek serve and share it.





https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/nov/16/george-takei-dream-dinner-party-star-trek-colleagues-except-one

Im gunna do this...

We all need a helpful reminder or a tangible way to see things some times. I know I do and thats ok. If its not you, that cool too. It helps me sometimes. Not all the time but there are days when I crawl on the site and read a journal or a post and im like- yea, thats how I feel right there. Understanding this, that its the journals and the post, the things you share are where the connections can come from as well. This whole Modern day Jedi ism seems so big sometimes we can miss a few things. If ya dont by all means share what ya got my friends- share! For some the "sharing" is a hard part to do. Real talk- its those times of real... that you help me Temple. For reals... honest John - cross my heart and all that. I am human and just another Jeddist and member and some days its the strength I see on these walls (cyber walls- journals) that helps me sometimes to try because ... if some one else can then so can I. I'm not alone. I love this place and what it is for me. My encouragement to you this week is this, post. Use your journals. Thats where ya share and thats how connections are made. Thats how is happens here really. Be a part. Ive been waiting for you for a very long time.

Pastor Carlos

“They have one thing you haven’t got , a testimonial.”

This is a line from the old classic Wizard of Oz movie I grew up watching over and over and over and over again. It wasn’t till waaaaay after I had heard these words did I realize what was being said. Some days I find wisdom in the oddest of places.

A Testimony.

Everyone has one. Truly - there are few ways to undo a testimony. A Testimony is a account or a part of a story that’s first hand application of what we were looking for from our own point of view. That means we get to label the story. We are the authors. There are some who are more story tellers than some but for the most part - a testimony can’t be stopped. How do you get one? This is where I leave you. Where and how is totally up to you. If you don’t got one - take some time to make one out or at least get it organized. What’s your side of the story? Tell me - your testimony.
How does your Jedi testimony look like? Sound like? What do you got that they don’t?

Looking forward to what I read!! Post it here if you like! I’ll do the same after the first post.
May the Force be with you !

Some times my Sgt Martinez comes out. My wife often reminds me when he’s welcome - needed or needs to go to parade rest which for most of the world means to shut up and put your hands behind your back and your jabber zipped. My military background is no secret. For a very long time I was the one who worked extra or was the one who volunteered for not everything but for the good stuff. Schools and extra training was a privilege for me so... the day I learned all the Army instructors were looking for was what they were telling and instructing you to do, you guessed it- I began to excel not only in status but in rank. The day I got my stripes was a strange day. It happened. The only thing that changed was now- more was expected from me - from more people. It was easy to keep track of myself - I was only one- but when more people were added to the equation, it wasn’t the same.
I love the Hero’s journey. I’m a fan. Humanity in story form. For me it’s something I can and do connect to. To share our story’s and find the common theme or bond or connection, that’s - for me- the difference. The day I got my stripes - it’s not that I wasn’t ready, truthfully it’s that there was more added that I wasn’t aware of. I find a lot of similarities when I see the Hero’s journey from those who share.
There may come a time when you get the job or the position or the responsibility or even ... the Title! Tah- dah!!! Something in life will come and not from any thing bad or malice but you will find out - when you get it - there’s gunna be things , you won’t know. Be human. That’s ok. Know that as your Pastor I can encourage you to be wise and understand this. New spot means new everything. Be ready and don’t quit. Your there because - well you can, so now... can. As modern day Jeddist our roots come from Myth and imagination. What we can apply and create today- can be a great way to grow by word of mouth. Yea it may be old school, But having good council is sometimes better than good friends. Take it from this old soldier, those moments in life and in the story’s when the main character or hero of the story finds they are given the task or the opportunity to lead, it usually happens and most times it to the hero to try to figure out how to balance it. Most the time they do. It may take some time but for the most part, the hero can figure it out. I tell my own family story’s of The Native American Rabbit who always did things more than once till he figured out finally how the last try as a reminder- may not happen the first time bit you’ll get it.
So, from that old man inside who’s survived long enough to turn back and say- hey here’s some advice - your the hero - you’ll figure it out. You may have help. I don’t know how, but you can. I do believe in you. Some of the tales we share- are some of the best storys I know. How you DID make it. How you are here - NOW. May we continue to share the good stuff. May the Force be with you every where we share seek and serve it. Keep sharing! Don’t quit. Keep writing your story. Being a modern day Jeddist is a privilege for me, you all make it real. You put real faces on real life.

Pastor Carlos

Monday bump

Your Code

When you're all alone, your code(s) will stand. When you have nothing else, your code(s) will be the proverbial light or direction you can choose. When no one's looking... your code(s) is. What's in a code? Some codes are written on walls and on paper and in cyberspace and even real books. Some codes are passed. We as Jedi have a code.

The Jedi Code comes in two versions which are different ways of understanding the same teaching.

Emotion, yet Peace. There is no Emotion, there is Peace.
Ignorance, yet Knowledge. There is no Ignorance, there is Knowledge.
Passion, yet Serenity. There is no Passion, there is Serenity.
Chaos, yet Harmony. There is no Chaos, there is Harmony.
Death, yet the Force. There is no Death, there is the Force.
by Greg Costikyan

That's not the only one out there. So many ideas and codes out there it would seem kinda -silly- to just have ONE. We are human first, and all from different places and ideas and faiths and practices. Different codes. The ideas we remind ourselves of when we forget or need reminder can probably make a list so long... it would take years to get 'em all in one place. Luckily we don't have to. Choose your codes and live by em. Memorize them. Practice them. Truthfully, its those codes of ethics or code of conduct or that code of honor that makes you - you or the mix of those present.

CODES
If ya don't got em - I encourage you ...get em! Its really up to you.
May the force be with you this week and we all seek, share and serve the Force.
Pastor Carlos

Death/eternity/consciousness

I want to share some thoughts about death, which suddenly appeared while I was read a book Thelema,
(where was something about fest of death, thus celebration of death).

Celebration of death, which is nearly everywhere around the world (except Hindu and Buddhist religious countries) perceived like something inappropriate.
Though death is something absolutely natural, I see the most frequent problem with it, that most people connecting it with pain, which is wrongly perceived.
The ageing is one thing, but death itself isn´t painful. (it´s like switch on/switch off the bulb).

However, it isn´t the main thing I was going to talk about.

What came to my mind related with fest of death is, that in our society with death of close people are related emotions like sad, anger, frustration, you know.
Lot of negative emotions, which are basically selfish < and nothing more.
(I have absolutely nothing against selfishness, but mostly this fact is overlooked)

• I loved that person so much - what will miss are that emotions which raised everytime when two persons were together
• He/She will miss me - you see in this statement, that you are - what matters most.
• We spent so much wonderful years, which can not continue in future - in fact the energy and emotions as well, but it´s all about you.

I quess that Mark Twain was right, when he said in one of his work - What is man? - that he/she is mere selfish jerk.

There yet one thing I want to mention in relation with death.
And that is soul - which in religion context is - personality, desires, values etc...
Which are frequently discussed around the death and afterlife.
However I think that it isn´t the true case why are people concerned about death.
Because personality, desires and values are in fact created after birth and thus created by external influences.
The real case, why are people concernined about death is fact, that with it, they lose their consciousness, thus fact that they exist at the moment.
(which is of course related with personality, desires and so on). But real fear is connected only just with absence of consciousness.

What a time to be here.
This morning I awoke to a meditation in my heart and in my mind from what I can only claim as the Force. I had been thinking and hoping for today’s message here on the block. Here we go.

Did you know that presently ...
In this Temple there are new people every day logging in and signing up -( from membership affairs and faithful service ) ever day new people make accounts to the point - I can’t keep up with them weekly. This is a great thing.
This holiday season - the founder is and may post a sermon for the Temple.
Currently there are Pilars of our temple coming back on a regular basis. In my past experience there was one Pastor and a few clergy members - today you have people from the beginning of the actual Temple it self 13 14 years ago here now present - willing to serve and share. We have today the opportunity to speak directly to our past - presently.
We are currently filling this place with people from every walk of life. Look around - yea we argue and bicker but that’s what family do- we get there - together. Transparency is a action more than a request now . Knights are organizing and returning - clergy are as well. New blood is filling our veins. This whole place is as alive as I have seen it with minimal efforts.
As young Anikin would say ...
It’s working ! It’s working !!!!!
So I leave y’all with this this Monday and this holiday season- happily holidays and May the Force continue to be with you as we all continue to seek serve and share it!

Thank you brother, very nicely worded. May the Force be with you and all of us

Today is Monday. Last one for the year.
Ive heard this year has already started for some people and a lot of folks have said this will be a strange year all together. I’ve even heard it said if 2020 ain’t started for you yet your behind. For me and my family , 2020 is already a strange beast. Lots of cultivating things we’ve planted this year. Nothing big or huge but it’s obvious. Those thing we have planted- whether we think good or bad - things will start to germ. This week and this year think about that - be on the lookout for what ya planted !
May the Force be with you always Jedi !

Today is Monday- again So here we go!

This is a excerpt from the Shepard’s journal or A Jeddist book of change. Soon to be published
One-
...” As a human and as a chosen Jeddist, we all have the privilege where and what we title “The Force.” It CAN be the idea or/and the ebb and flow or the way or the practice - either for character, guidance, or even lead. Some parts we may not ever be able to. That’s ok too. No one Force May be like the other. Simply put, the Force is the way we freely and actually choose to merit. By this, it will never be the same. Our beginnings and creation CAN depend on the choice to seek that which can’t be named and experienced fully. These are steps toward understanding. “

What say you?
Something to think about this week.
Feel free to post comments or encouragement or ideas any time- all are welcome.
May the Force be with y’all!

i dunno. im having second thoughts.
this is meant for all, but really just to carlos.
its good that the temple encourages and tolerates thoughts, and i like that patience and time is built in. these are good things.
i am beginning to think that i do not belong here.
every question is met with question. never a solution.
its ok to question, its good, i believe.
but really, some things are stupid. what is right and what is wrong?
who decides?
i mean, this question is way older than buddhist philosophy.
and the answer is fairly clear.
you eat what you need to eat when hungry.
you dont kill for fun when you are not hungry.
nobody needs to be taught this.
its pretty clear.
there is no interpretation.
zero is null is nothing.
and somebody will say, well on this or that....
good for you.
i like the ringing tone of water in glasses too.
but to say, well that is not music, or it is...i mean, im just out of patience.
what is good and what is bad...well, if you dont know that running over a baby and a mother in a crosswalk is bad - its sort of a stupid question isnt it?
of course its bad!
i just dont fit here.
i wish you all the best, but im sorta on the leaving side also.
skyyrm is pretty smart. he had practical replies, stuff you can use.
carlos, very supportive.
elizabeth, likewise.
i wish no harm to anyone, and success...to well, you know who you are.
asking questions is good. to do so with no answers volunteered is useless.
dont give me a problem without also offering a solution.
sorry if this sounded harsh, but im sorta sick of defending myself and being forced to justify fairly clear issues.
it is not the jedi way.
if you find a lack of merit in my questions, without offering thoughts in return - YOU lack merit.

A Lot of what we do here is self reflective. When I first started here it pissed me off so much I couldn't get a strait answer from any one during my beginnings here. That's what self reflective means sometimes- asking ourselves these type of questions and finding out the answers, not for some one else but for ourselves. As a modern day Jeddist we can choose so much even our own definitions.

Some people don't belong here as much as some find a home. Some would say " Every Action has an Equal and Opposite reaction"- I'm gunna add the word "somewhere" here to help me explain that for every person who finds a home somewhere one finds themselves home sick or lost. For every win, there may be a loss and for every down there can be a up. Same can be said of this life. There are some who wont understand this Modern day Jedi ism and there are some who will find it like good dirt. It may take some one seconds to accept things then again there may be some who take more than one or two trys. What ever the case - keep seeking. if ya need anything feel free to drop me a line , my in box is almost always open.

Merit is sometimes where we can lay it. That's some days the point that can keep or free. May the Force you seek find you in every place you look for it and may it find you where you don't look for it, may it continue to be with you.

Feel free to personalize your journal with your own thoughts on things and feelings of such ideas as this. Use your recourses as you see fit but there are some who leave here and never come back AND those who come back and share. Today will be one of those days some will leave and some will find a home depending on that self reflective spirit.