The Block

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.

To the fans wearing the same color t-shirt- there is only one color that comes to mind. To the fan who has their favorite team - things always remind then of the team and their plight. I got family who are dedicated fans to sports. Everything about them says sports from their clothes to their house to what they listen to and their home. Truthfully, its their thing. They go together everywhere to see games and playoffs. I am not a sports fan. I have been but now later in life, its not my thing. I dont have TV available any more as I used to, so its never a problem for me and my family. But thats the funny thing. What brings my In-Laws together and has been one thing of a type of pillar for them isn't for me. I, used to look at things differently and actually get upset at all the sports crammed into our meeting of family and friends. I used to think , "What a waist of time." Then I joined in. Now, no , I didn't compromise or even have a break down, I took a break and allowed them to do their thing- WITH us. Now- Dad send the coolest gear to me and the family at least twice a month and communication has increased at least three fold this year. Im still not a fan and I still dont live in the color purple but I do love those people so very much and now we have some good times at home and at the restaurants and when they visit more and more.

You may find in life- times that try or times that can make a difference. Some times its real stuff, some times its not. Sometimes my Modern day Jediism reminds me to stop being so grouchy about things and enjoy the real life of - "There they are" rather than "Why are they here?"

In my personal life and path these two questions are being swapped on a daily basis and cultiving this one is a good thing for me and my family. Maybe try it?

Why are they here- has changed to - THEY ARE COMING Get ready everyone!

Not every ones a fan Jeddist
Not every one likes Star Wars. Not every one understands it. It makes strangers uncomfortable or even turn em off and away.
Thats with everything, not just our Modern day Jediism.
Think about it - be salty and grouchy or - Join the day. Always up to you and me. Looking forward to another week and another great year here.
Go Jedi!!!

What a time I find my self in. Im confused and afraid and cautious and happy all at the same time. Ever been there? Ill share with yall today a bit. I dislike when others hurt. When innocent hurt its no better. Today is no exception. Sickness knows no race - gender- role- title- value or not, sickness spreads to where it can.This flow of obvious happenings is shared by all. Whats happening to me is happening to you. Its scary. So much uncertainty. We are all at the mercy of what now we all have at hand. I send a Hug and a thought - I light a candle for us all as we all go through things in our own community.
I encourage all Modern day Jeddist every where to remember and think- we all like to help and be there for others, such a wonderful Moedern day Jeddist trait, but be wise and think. Take cautions and proper measures. Usually the old saying goes "Two ants were on the mound and saw a frog. The frog said ribit yum yum and one ant says - hes talking to you. Both were eaten that day. "

Water is my thing. Remember-
Modern day Jeddist book of Change
34.
Who has power over a flood? Yet, everything needs water. The Force is and can like this. Its Ebb and Flow is what drives and its consistency is its faithfulness. Never claiming, yet, heads all. The Force is never demanding or Lords over things, yet it can always be present, hidden in hearts. Truly, what is humble as the Force when there is no demand only notice?

Sometimes nature can slow things and some times we do. Some days we can control things, some days we can not. Some days others decisions effect more than just them. Thats where I find my self today along with every other person in the world.
I went to get grocery alone and with a list and spray on hip like a light saber and only close. I watched as people respected and feared other peoples space. The children didn't run or even scream as they used to and no ones over toughing things. WHAT A COST. This wont last forever but be smart Jedi and remember who and what we do. Be safe and be kind and be smart.
Anything encouraging out there?
I bought a driver obviously had a huge stack of list for others, lunch. Random acts of kindness often break and shatter things in moments like these....
Share with me your moments and your questions any time.
Feel free to join in.
May the Force CONTINUE to be with yall ans we all seek and serve and share it.
Pastor Carlos

I got to

https://www.templeofthejediorder.org/sermons/2514-cleave-to-hope

J.K. posted a new sermon and this one thing got me- it stood out for a guy like me.

"Pick it up. Get a handle on it and as you work the practice, let the practice work you."

ohhhh that's good!!!!

There are truly more people than we may admit who understand this in such a personal way. That it's like an "oh yea" for me sometimes. Anyone who has practiced, or mastered any task can grasp this concept.

I forget-- often-- as all humans can. This place is made of people. That's the best part. It is made up of y'all. It's been a constant changing and growing and scary thing for me. Part of the growth for me was doing things I didn't understand or being in situations new. Like J.K. said, "...sometimes let the practice work you."
Sometimes its obvious that the Force is at work. As Finn in the movies says "that feeling" we all know and use different ways to describe it. Been there, done that, sometimes it's the Force; sometimes it's us; sometimes it's time for seasons to change, regardless if we are ready or not.

Be ready with me this week, you modern day Jeddist everywhere; and remember some moments belong to us, some don't, but all belong to the Force. Have you chosen it lately? Still blaming "ol coincidence" for stuff ...lol
All my Love my Temple and may the Force continue to be with you every where you seek it and don't.
Pastor Carlos

In my every day life, I enjoy a good tinker. The wife and son did this one. Their mission was to take apart a old broken, discarded Street Fighter pin ball machine. We found one, two actually, but we took the Shaq Attack one we found apart first.
Pinball machines are a vice for me. I remember slipping quarters in on a daily basis growing up. It wasn't much for the local grocery store to have the new or latest "Mortal Kombat." I remember playing that and Virtual Fighter -Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - the big stuff. Being born in a "hood," lots of people vandalized things, strangely not these things.There was one also with 4 sticks and you could be a mustached small muscular magic guy and a arrow shooting girl and some other characters I can't remember. MEMMER? You memer? We wore joysticks out. Mortal Kombat I, we broke a already broken joystick 26 rounds before it broke off totally. The laundry mat was the place to play "those estupid marble games," as my Grandma called them. I played hours on end playing pinballs -Galaga and Pacman there while waiting on pillows to wash and dry for my grandma.She was older schooler than me. Marbles. So growing up this doing this, my love for the Arcade began. Now, I found a place between where I live and the beach which is 230 miles away, so roughly about 100 miles from here is a place which has Pinball machines filling 3 buildings. So many, the house rule is "to enjoy turn the game on wait and play. Shut it off after your done." Every one I saw or played I've played before some where some time.

The whole concept is switches.
"Pinball is a type of arcade game, in which points are scored by a player manipulating one or more metallic balls on a play field inside a glass-covered cabinet called a pinball machine. The primary objective of the game is to score as many points as possible. " Wikipedia's description.

Its a whole box of triggers and switches.Its progress is open and shut- zero or one- dash or dot or in its case- go or no go.

I remember some games you had to unlock the game play. Ya had to hit all 3 or 7 in some games bumpers so you could start journey or game plays.
These are those bumpers or switches, the little red circles or dots to unlock the next part of play or that ever famous, "EXTRA BALL."

The Hero's Journey
How I grew up, I was very much on a trigger or a switch. Its how I was raised. ehh. Not in my control first. Later, i figured it out and with adjusting and a lot of being weary of my own attachments, I figured it out like most people in life. People do it all the time and will be doing it till the day we die. When I figured how the brain works and how my own mine triggers certain responses and actions, things began to make a bit more sense. Jeddist are smart. Given enough time, I have yet to know one who couldn't figure things out all on their own with what they have present. Think about it.

So this week- I know these are Monday things but life is often full and that's okay too- take some time to see if you can find your switches or triggers or even targets and see if ya can figure out what they do or where they go or even sometimes- who put em there. Its part of life.

Finding your triggers and switched, Depending on what part of the"box" these things are in they can go from - free game - to better luck next time.
What are our switches attached to? What do they unlock or unleash? What are they doing for ya?
Something to think about this week Modern day Jeddist.
May the Force continue to be with you
Pastor Carlos

Thanks man that's actually something I needed to read. I've been in a wierd place doing things to prepare for something that's not coming(food, ammo, survival supplies and the stuff I would need to bug out from the city.) Its been like a switch clicked on and off whenever I'm away from my fiance Its wierd that that's a trigger, its wierd but that post made me think of it. I will try to get more active agian in the community I've been quiet for sometime. I burned out. I focused on work look forward to finishng my contract and moving. Now that I'm limited work I should be doing something more with my time when I'm on call for working. Sorry for the gushy reply but yea I sometimes need to speak sooner when in a wierd spot.

Thanks for the post man.

Much Love, Respect and Peace,
Kobos

The Jeddist book of change says:

20
Why learn? Why distinguish or label things? Some bask in information. A Jeddist can keep information and still be an empty cup ready for fill. Some shine, some don't. Some seek purpose, some create purpose. To be like the wind and to come and go and have no home, some can be like this too. Where we receive or nurture can be as different as every possible purpose as well. It can all depend on our individual choice.


Some days I get to a point where I don't wanna learn today. Those days can turn to weeks for me in im not carful. Some days are filled with learn some days , not so much.

WHY LEARN?

I leave ya with that this week. Something to think about. Every one of us has a answer. Why learn after all these years?

May the Force be with you as we all seek serve and share it.
Pastor Carlos

Feel free to PM or answer here or in your own Journals.
Keep safe and remeber- LAVATE LOS MANOS!

The Block

A place to come and chill and get some Jeddistic thoughts from me. Who can do it - any one. Who can comment - any one - once a week I try - pandemic and all that here lately - to post something for every one.

Today -

Levels
Every one who is a Modern day Jeddist is at different levels in their path. Some are beginning - some are in it.

Modern day Jeddist have levels where they are at in their Jedism - Modern day Jeddist have denominations.
Does that help in the slightest bit?

Can we understand Jediism a bit better now?

All my love Temple.
Pastor Carlos

A few things today my Temple.


These are my Jedi flowers. My wife’s grandpa - Papa- met a woman at church. He fell as he said “head over heels at that good Godly woman.” His quote not mine. He found love. She planted these petunias. I’m not a petunia guy. NOT me. Pansies - no way. I grow trees and food and veggies - joking - I’m a rocker through and through - yet there was a pot - with these flowers for me one day from her. They will for ever be in my life.
Nature often gives examples of return. And I harp and encourage us as a temple to often “return” to ourself or our rules or codes and ideas and faiths and practices. I encourage REAL life modern day life Jeddist to look for applicable things. Parallel.







There are the originals - see em.???
Nature often returns.

Now -
https://www.hortweek.com/best-new-variety-bedding-pot-plant-winner-petunia-night-sky-ball-colegrave/ornamentals/article/1425645

Wanna know about them - Ya wanna wanga there ya go.

They are fairly new.
Eventually the originals come out and ya find what’s called the clones. Sound sStar Wars enough for ya?? Not yet - k.

Eventually - nature - the Force - returns to itself. So many times, there a way back to the original.

There is always a way to the Force.
Be smart

Modern day Jeddist are smart.

Return.

Go back to the begining - as often as you need my friends.

https://www.templeofthejediorder.org/forum/world-events/123720-what-s-that-sound

May the Force continue to be with you and May the Force we seek - serve - and share find ya where ya look for it.


This week - the Force can be as real as you want it in any where you like. Even where ya look- or plant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq-1hjDxxLs&feature=emb_title

This is a Singer. One of - not my favorites but defiantly worth noting. His stance on things over the years has been eluding me since I heard his song for the first time "Belly Dancer." Later, I began to hear rumors and silly internet chimichangas about what he does in his off time and the "Akon a good guy or bad guy" type of news.
In my own practice, I often get moments to validate things I've always wondered. When I think - I often remember and it seems this was something I found a few days ago.

now, you may not like the artist or even the genera or the type of things done by him, but when you pray or meditate or think or reflect or set your mind - what ever we call it - we WILL eventually find the answer or find a way. May be years after or ya may never find out but its the journey often that gets me... I found this validation over while googling silly stuff.

This happens a lot when ya think - ya remember. This happens often when ya pray and ya meditate on said subject - ya remember the subject later. Force or not, the mind is a wonderful thing.
Something to think about Jeddist of this world - finding validations is all about the Modern Jeddsit life for me.

Keep on seeking and keep on finding.
Pastor Carlos

Monday

I feel like the world is off- not just where I live but everywhere. There is something I want to share.
I’m a grower. If it’s got a seed I can grow it. If I can splice it or get even a piece some days - it can be grown. Its both a talent that was natural to learn. Those are the best ones- anyhow my wife - she’s the Angel of death to anything in my garden. She’s got a 100 percent record. Yea, it’s pretty cute some times but I digress.

By its fruits

The fruit is the evidence of what is inside the seed.
If ever we needed those seeds of hope and care and ... fill in the blank.... it’s today.
Look around- for the bad do you see the good? What’s evident is what has been inside.

Both sides

Harming others ... almost always upsets

What’s growing in your garden?
What’s really growing?
What’s being planted?

Inherit worth is one step UP from a lot of things- remember that.

Pastor Carlos