The Block

I personally find it very comforting that people are encouraged to think for themselves here. I find it much more alarming when religious groups, websites etc. claim that they have straight answers to existential questions.

Taking care of yourself

This day in age , in the real world - “ off the line” We can experience that we don’t talk about. One of those things is fatigue. Physical and mental fatigue is real. With modern day Jeddist, it seems a lot at what we look at or hear or surf - or the places we go or visit or sit - what we see and experience can mount up. It’s part of the gig I think. We care in our own ways. Each heart represented here has a special way we care. Each “tank” in our life’s of care can be emptied by some times just - TIME. Some moments spent can be due to situations but some times we can be out of care or out of kindness. Character can be spent. I’ll say that so we can read it again and it’s said again. Character can be spent.
Soooo....
Sometimes, taking care of yourself can mean admitting you’re out of “care gas” or as my wife so kindly and eloquently puts it “she’s out of -cares- to give.”

Spiritual fatigue is real. So is mental and physical fatigue. We can be aware and even —- —- —- adjust - combat- help - create - a new breath of fresh air.
When I get salty or run out of “ stuff “to give - I need a refill. My tanks go empty.
As Pastor I encourage every one to check your tanks often. Check em on Monday’s - hint hint! Smiley face.

Figure out what fills your love tanks and your care tanks and your any tank that has gone empty when ya find it. It’s easy to eat a bag of chips and some food to juice ya up when your hungry - how about other parts? What do you REALLY do to fill your empty tanks ?

Post here if you like or in your journal’s.

All my heart - refilling the tanks , Pastor Carlos.

Totally agree, this is one of very important point nowadays.
Self-care to recharge our energy and love, because of modern age.

I noticed few things related with modern age and technology.
1) people becomes impatient.
2) people loses interest.
Both caused by technology, because just when you look at the social media what people do, you will see many people just swiping short posts, and when is happen that the post is much longer then ordinary , they refuse to read because it requires patience and attention - which is diffused by many "same valuable posts."

This is just one thing the second is that the social media posts everything from large amount of different areas and force you to interest about everything, what goes hand in hand with lack of deep interest in anything.
Remember, If everything is important, then nothing really is.

Self-care is need to practise everytime, for me it is drawing with music, because it bringing me focus, patient happiness because my mind get dissapeare into activity I am doing.
Which reminds me that I didn't do that long time.

The right song some days can set things.


Impatience is key variance at our home. I pride our family on being smart... only problem is we have to teach patience ALONG side good character.
Good points of “return” or reset can help. When interest is lost or forgotten or just ... ran out - a good personal reminder can help us - like words from ourself for ourself.

music has immense power, more for some than for others.
what tips what techniques can be used? so many, but how to know? all come with a disclaimer....
often, chocolate can do it for me! but alas, temporary joy....
so, what about this idea to help muddy the waters.
NOT my original idea, but i feel it has great promised when mixed with meditation.
write a note to yourself on a calendar.
it can be weeks, or months, or years even.
or all of the above...days you could do also, there are no real rules..but it takes time for rules to manifest themselves.
so im sure someone will get all legal rather than metaphysical and point out that i said there are no rules, yet wait for them to manifest.
if this is you - stop typing! you clearly dont get my point. and im not going to rephrase it!
so, write a note to yourself. its time travel in a way...
here you are today...where do you see yourself in 2 months?
new challenges? fears conquered? new fears to fight?
but this trick only works if you can THEN at your future self write back to you...
"well, yes, i am fine. you see you had very little to worry about, but it looked insurmountable to you then! it went fine...im here to let you know its all going to be ok."
stuff like that. run with it. or dont....

Here is something to think about this week as you live this week with a modern day Jeddist glow..
This is taken from one of my favorites called... "Wabi Sabi Simple" by Richard R. Powell - worth a look lol

There's no denying most of my basics were from, what people call, a witch doctor. Can't claim what's not true. My great grandmother was it, my love and my teaching Witch. My family religion was Catholic. When, years later, I got saved in a non-denominational church. I went to Bible school in Pensacola, Florida USA- then met my first wife and became a spirit filled Pentecostal. After a very bad break up and years of wandering, I wonder no more. After so much time and much self-reflecting, I realized I've been a modern day Jeddist this entire time...
Everything has led me here. Every path, every thing I would call "mistake," led me here to where I am sitting today. Makes me smile. Growing up, you could catch me fighting or mowing yards or even cooking BB! somewhere but what you could also find me doing was walking with my Great Grandma. One day, she had me sit in a -" monte'" which is pronounced -mon- th- e- like month just exaggerated... any how its a field where it wasn't large like maybe 2 or three plots left abandon and run down. After a while they become holes with no one living in 'em and eventually even the squatters let it fall. She sat down and begin to sing about the sky - mmmmmm that lady could sing and hum at the same time- and I asked her one day... "Nat, how do you do that"... she knew what i was asking and instructed me to lay down this way... the song she sang lost me in between her words and melody and what exactly she was saying. (I didn't grow up speaking Spanish and I still don't well but I could tell what she was saying from the inside.) Then, I was reading this book to my 6 year old boy and wife and low and behold...here's what I wanna share with my Temple this MONDAY!!!

How to lie in a field ( I am paraphrasing )

Pick the right clothes
Look around the ground and make a space.
Find East and West- point yourself as a needle- choose your direction and position accordingly as well as arm and leg positions.
If you sleep - that's okay, rest.
Breathe the air near you
Physically feel the ground under you, you are a passenger like everything else.
Feel your weight and presence on the ground. Be with the vegetation and landscape equally.
Think about how still you can be and how you are still moving through space as equally as everything else around you.
Think of the dirt and rocks. All of what ya know...
Listen...what is currently present- acknowledge it with you by sound.
Understand your not standing and feel the freedom of that. You are at the rest position

This is taken from Richard R. Powell's "Wabi Sabi Simple" and from my very own life. Funny how years later I found what we were doing in the field so many years ago...

Hi Temple

The use of the word “I.”

When I am doing some reflection - a Jedi teaching comes to mind.
#4

The word “I” has often helped me personally when dealing in communication and in learning. Today I -publicly as a member in the Temple and clergy -I have a question- in a self reflective setting isn’t the use of the “I “ word needed ? More often ? Less often? Where’s the line of balance you Jedi got? Chat with me a bit?

Is it fair to use words like- us- and -them -and -we - when discerning things we personally find out? Why can’t we say “I” or “I did “more often than “ well, we all live in a place where ...” some of just ... don’t. Can our “sword” or “saber” shine just as bright as a actual light when we use our words? Looking forward to what this brings

Please post recommendations definitions anything as far as resources you got - my tables round - have a seat and share !!

https://www.templeofthejediorder.org/forum/open-discussions/123524-the-use-of-the-i-statement#349313

Share !

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PY_kd46RfVE&feature=youtu.be


Not mine nor the Temples and link may be broken later but I saw this the other day. Worth sharing. Hit me hard- hope it helps.
Pastor Carlos

Our lines

As a Jeddist I’m always looking for connections. Real ones. Some days it’s not an easy task. Seeking out that connection isn’t the same as knowing what and where it is. Two different birds. I often wonder sometimes and tell myself “is my Jediism making me a jerk - does it help me get closer to my own personal and spiritual goals?” As humans , we can evaluate our self’s as often as we like. As modern day Jediist- it’s our privilege to add the Force to things but are we better or even more free with all the labels we add on? I’ve seen some lines drawn in the sand I could never cross. That’s ok too but what happens when ya start noticing that your lines are keeping more than freeing? It can and will happen. Be smart and think about some identifications and some labels for ourselfs - do they keep or free ya? I know the day may come when my modern day Jediism MAY grow to be something I don’t want anymore or that begins to harm me or others ... that’s a possibility too so today - Monday - I encourage you Jeddist to examine yourself and our own lines - what are they making ? Something to think about this week my Temple.
Pastor Carlos

really liked this one.

Hope it helps

This is a valid point Carlos. This though like many things carries over into all fields of life. Say for example (and this is personal exp), you start a career. As you move up the chain you see more and more the responsibilities. You don't mind them too much it's just part of the job. As you move on though and you self reflect you begin to see that it is effecting your actions more than just in the work place. This is where one can lose center and slowly begin building both good and bad habits. It is ones responsibility to check these habits, habitually to ensure their actions line up with the ideals they themselves hold. Unfortunately it is difficult to put in action. I look at my practice of Jediism in this way too. If it is taking me away from family, friends and pushing me further from what I believe is the Force than I will make dramatic changes to ensure I line up with how I feel on those ideas as pertains to my idealistic reality. Note: Idealistic reality is not obtainable only a goal to work towards.

Just 2 cents.

Much Love, Respect and Peace,
Kobos

Well put Kobos - I think with Jediism's emphasis on the personal path, the immediate surroundings sometimes suffer. This is up to the individual, however.

I've personally drawn some consequences here and have recently become a modern Heathen.

Apart from the fact that my ancestors (probably - hard to tell after 1500 years were part of the Germanic mythological part of the world and that I still live in that area today - and welcome spiritual influences that aren't foreign to me - the Hearth, Frith and the gift circle is what's been drawing me there.

While I think that the idea of the Force in Jediism (or at least my way of looking at it) is quite compatible with the core idea of Wyrd, sometimes I wish that our lessons here contained more elements about connecting with our family, our ancestors and our communities. We're taught that we can be of great help to others as Jedi, but even in Star Wars itself the idea of strong family ties is marginally mentioned at best.

I’ve got to disagree. Family is great if you’ve got a good one, but not everyone does. Many people, correctly, must remove themselves from their families in order to live happily. Filial piety isn’t something that I generally care for at all.
And I have just never understood ancestor reverence. My ancestors were just people, they had plenty of faults. I wouldn’t be here without them, but I don’t expect anyone to revere me, so I don’t see why I would revere someone just because they’re responsible for me existing.
Take it for what you will, but if the temple started supporting filial piety and ancestor reverence as part of the doctrine or IP, I would find it off-putting.

It is said that blood is thicker than water to be sure, but most never actually understand this cuz this is not the full quote. the actual quote is “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.” It means that chosen family is a stronger connection than genetic connection. I think if a person has issues with family its only their fault because they are choosing the wrong family. And as for ancestors that are dead I think its not about worship or whatever, its about what is believed about them. many believe that those that came before and departed become interpretors to us for the Gods and so its very important to pay attention and keep focus. so for the jedi what does it mean? maybe those before have gone to the force to prepare for us a better place? that's something to appreciate I think!

Fyxe wrote: It is said that blood is thicker than water to be sure, but most never actually understand this cuz this is not the full quote. the actual quote is “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.” It means that chosen family is a stronger connection than genetic connection. I think if a person has issues with family its only their fault because they are choosing the wrong family. And as for ancestors that are dead I think its not about worship or whatever, its about what is believed about them. many believe that those that came before and departed become interpretors to us for the Gods and so its very important to pay attention and keep focus. so for the jedi what does it mean? maybe those before have gone to the force to prepare for us a better place? that's something to appreciate I think!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_is_thicker_than_water

Ive heard this statement in a song or two on the country side of the genre. One of the Joys of modern day Jediism is that not every one has to agree with everything. Understanding that - that the human potential is available in every one of us -can cause understanding of this very thing. What you do with the same information can be totally different than how I taste it. Adding value can be in the same realm for me. Ive personally walked away from a few familys myself and a few members. I understand where your at. Its not easy to practice new with old present often. Its like dancing with the dead some days. Some days removal is cultivation. You dont have to agree and even see things one specific way. There are other ways. Thats one of the greatest statements I've made in the real world to real people. There are others ways to do things. The value of hearth and home differ from person to person. Some folk travel more and its the open sky as their home. I know them well. How and which connections are made... those are the ones I wanna know about really. Theories are fine but for me, I ask what do those connections do and those type of lines... do they help some times? Can we benefit from checking those types of tings in our Jediistic paths? And in our every day lifes.

Agreed - if you can't live in peace with your family, either because you're the problem or the family, it's better to find a new community than to suffer endlessly. I also don't subscribe to the "folkish" views some Heathens in the right-wing area of things seem to share. Family and community is an open construct - what counts is the bonds, not where the person comes from.

The chosen family CAN offer stronger bonds than one's blood line. Not in every case, though and generalizing here is probably not appropriate.

The ancestry cult has more to do with Wyrd than with worship. The idea being that the actions (and non-actions) of our ancestors have a direct influence on our place in the world. Overall, I wouldn't personally call talking to the Gods "worship" as the Gods aren't considered to be some strange aliens that live in a different realm and you need to always please them in order to secure yourself a seat in paradise. The ancestors souls are believed to still be around - so honoring them for what they have given to us is important. It's also completely normal not to honor ancestors who have not been beneficial or even detrimental to one's Wyrd (or perhaps place in the Force, from a more Jedi point of view)

Carlos.Martinez3 wrote:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_is_thicker_than_water

Ive heard this statement in a song or two on the country side of the genre. One of the Joys of modern day Jediism is that not every one has to agree with everything. Understanding that - that the human potential is available in every one of us -can cause understanding of this very thing. What you do with the same information can be totally different than how I taste it. Adding value can be in the same realm for me. Ive personally walked away from a few familys myself and a few members. I understand where your at. Its not easy to practice new with old present often. Its like dancing with the dead some days. Some days removal is cultivation. You dont have to agree and even see things one specific way. There are other ways. Thats one of the greatest statements I've made in the real world to real people. There are others ways to do things. The value of hearth and home differ from person to person. Some folk travel more and its the open sky as their home. I know them well. How and which connections are made... those are the ones I wanna know about really. Theories are fine but for me, I ask what do those connections do and those type of lines... do they help some times? Can we benefit from checking those types of tings in our Jediistic paths? And in our every day lifes.

Agreed - it's not just one of the privileges of Jediism - it's one of the fundamental rights (free choice of one's beliefs) that our ancestors fought for extremely hard. It's also one of those privileges that are most frequently undermined by interest groups and governments.

This discussion here would have been completely unthinkable 100 years ago. Close to everyone in Europe and the US was a Christian. Leaving the Christian faith behind and returning to our old faiths (in the case of Europe - the immigration part of the US has always been Christian) would have been impossible and might very well have cost us our lives. Newly emerging faiths, such as Jediism, would have been illegal.

So when we make our choices as far as faiths go, let's keep in memory those who died for this privilege throughout history. Jediism is sometimes belittled (as are many new faiths), Heathenry is frowned upon because some pigs during the 2nd World War stole our symbols and used them for their own sinister word views that had nothing to do with the faith at all - but today if you wear Dunner / Thor's hammer as a pendant, people will think you're a Nazi.

The brand of happiness

I have this cereal I like. It has strawberries in the bran flakes. That is my favorite and that’s my cup of tea. Our local corner store has different names and different people who make different styles of it. As a child, I grew up attached to the TV. To this day I still suffer from the “brand” war in my heart. For some things I don’t need a fancy name or a fancy box. Sometimes it matters not who makes it or where it comes from. But some things do. I have a favorite Ice cream and a favorite place to get my favorite type of ice cream. ( Mc Donald’s soft serve vanilla cup - I’m simple)
I have found that some times happiness come in different forms and brands. Some days most anything will do for me. A smile and a giggle suffices. A big ol bag of flakes and strawberries will do just nice. Fill me a big bowl and let me dig in. Some days - it CAN matter. There are and can be different types of happy in our path. In the world for sure but in our very own Modern day Jediism we can find a wide range of things. Levels and quality of happiness is real. There is a bliss or a level of content that can come from things I am just now enjoying for the first time myself. Example. Any parent will tell you that feeling when your child sees their first anything - It changes people forever at the sight of their love for the first time. They are never the same. When I go to the store - some days I know what I’m looking for- some days I don’t. The same can be said about our own bliss. Sometimes a tickle will do, some times it won’t. A LOL or a real knee jerking out burst of sound - be smart Jedi - some days call for different things. Know when you need which and what is what. Knowing ourselves is great and knowing what we need can be tough but here’s a helpful hint - some times the brand matters - sometimes we need a certain type of love or a type of forgiveness or - there some that need to know which is which. It takes practice but take some time to think about this - what ya need and what type ya need is just as important some days.
Some days we may need a note - or a hug - or a kiss - or something more. Either way - lets be smart and let’s remember - levels - brands - ways - some times there’s a bit more ... if we are willing to try.
Some times we may need a bit more or a bit less. Know your balance and know where you stand. Know what ya need - what brand and what it is.


It helps friends. Can it help a few more - prolly. Something to think about this week. One of the best ways I display my practice is through my actions. How - we act can matter. Some times it dosnt. But those days that need that idea in them - we can see them and we can be that Jeddist that knows ...

Teaching 13

13. Jedi cultivate empathy. We try to view things from another’s perspective making us sensitive listeners. We provide the confidence people need when talking through their difficulties and we share our learning with those who would benefit. We do this to help create a more harmonious society.

We live in it too... Your brand - what ya need and what your giving.... take some time to think about that this week you Modern day Jeddist.
Pastor Carlos.
Feel free to post ideas and comments here any time - all are welcome.