Pastors Journal

This is one of those things I have to read and think a bit more slowly. Wonder about meditations - new ones? Try this. Think of this and try to stay there.... ask these questions ...

The Modern day Jeddist is ...
What do you know about it ? What don’t you know?

The Hero and the Path

We are not a color or a race nor is it a gender or denomination- we are not a name or claim and we arnt alone.

The hero is who the story is about. The subject.

The path is where the Hero is and what is present In the Hero’s life and how they act.

Concerning the term Hero: applying such a term to ones self never adds but can simply give some one a place to start. If anything, the term Hero can help initiate a beginning to what can grow and change and even become more or less that what was begun. The Force can be like that. Jediism can be like that too.

Pastor Carlos

Something to share and think about my Temple.
When I make time - I think on these things. It helps to keep me grounded and on focus as far as my own ministry’s and service to the Temple and the Force. I recommend we as Modern day Jeddist return to such ideas- even if they arnt alike - you can have your own. Mine ain’t special, just relieve to what I do. They are special to me personally but I would love to see other Jeddist have their own set of creeds and meditations to their own glow of Hilt. That’s what I’m here for. Sharing CAN be learning. It is for me at times.

Today is a new day with new people and new moments and connections to make.


Can’t change the past or bring things out that arnt here yet - we are here now!
Let’s do it.
Let’s make today - Today!

a sermon sent from Locksley


“Every criticism, judgment, diagnosis, and expression of anger is the tragic expression of
an unmet need.”
― Marshall Rosenberg, author of Nonviolent Communication
Practicing Anger: A Sermon by Locksley
How often do we become angry and, when we do, what are the most frequent causes? As
Jedi, one of the central principles of the philosophy we aim to practice deals directly with this
topic. “Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate.” Of course, just as with fear, the emotion we
broadly categorize as “anger” holds importance and depth which must be understood before the
true importance of Yoda’s warning can become known.
Anger, like all emotions, is not merely confined to subconscious psychology -- the
experience of anger is a holistic one wherein the body is fully involved. Throughout our
evolution, human beings have relied heavily upon their ability to react to danger.
The amygdala, twin almond-shaped portions of our brains, provide the rough starting
ground for all of our emotions. This is important to understand especially with regards to those
extraordinarily strong emotions like anger. Because the amygdala reacts faster than our central
cortex, it serves a vital part of our survival during highly dangerous circumstances where
reaction time is more important than contemplation.
Yet our evolution is too good at its job.
The amygdala fires off warnings even in situations where the danger is not immediate --
or is an entirely different form of danger than can be dealt with through a flight or fight
mechanism. This is where the importance of practice comes into play.
How many of us have felt anger in our lives during a situation where anger proved to be
unhelpful? Who can raise their hand when asked “did you get angry at a loved one in the last
week, month, or year?” Anger overwhelms us when our spouse fails to do the dishes, when a
child ruins a piece of clothing, when the cat pees on the carpet, or when a stranger cuts us off in
traffic -- it forms an ever-present backbone to our lives and need not be attached to larger
dramatic circumstances to impact us in impressive (and generally negative) ways.
It is important to recognize angers prevalence because ignoring it and suppressing it are
not viable tactics for anyone, but even less so for those seeking to follow the philosophy of
Jediism.
For Jedi, reactions in all situations must be free of unconscious reactive responses -- save
those necessary for immediate wellbeing (and, even then, we must train our reactions so that they
match the best that our thinking mind is capable of). If we remain unaware of how anger
manifests itself in our lives, or if we attempt to force it to leave through sheer willpower, we are
destined only for harsh failure. Rather, it must instead be our goal to come to terms with our
anger: to acknowledge it and to understand it; we will only be free from it when we realize that
freedom is not only impossible, it is not even desirable.
Within psychology, anger of all kinds has a very specific point: at its core, no matter the
manifestation of anger, it all stems from some unmet need within the experience of the
individual. Coming to terms with this need, understanding what it is and why it is, must be the
goal of those who which to achieve a “Wu Wei” style experience of emotion. Yet, even this
deeper understanding must be preceded by something even more simple: awareness.
Our goal is to practice the experience of anger -- to become “friends” with the emotion,
in a manner of speaking, and form the sort of close relationship with it wherein we can
understand it and allow it to flow through us without mastering us. To do this, we take account of
those moments when anger arises inside of us. This can be done in the moment of anger, of
course, but will naturally be harder to deal with in these instances until our training has advanced
some way.
The best place to begin our practice is with older sources of anger.
Think back to a point when you were angry -- pick something relatively minor, if you can
-- and meditate upon it until you can picture the whole instance clearly. Then, as you begin to
feel that anger all over again, take notice of the way your body feels -- notice the physiological
changes that the anger brings up. Then, once you’ve noticed how your body responds, ask
yourself the question “what need did I have in that moment which did not get met?”
(Examples include, but are not limited to, the following needs: “acceptance,
consideration, empathy, self-respect, respect, humor, warmth, safety, to be understood, or to
matter).
Part of this process which is vital is the concentration of our awareness solely on our
selves. One of the things anger makes us believe is that we are under attack -- that is, after all, its
purpose, to respond to attacks. And yet, in so many circumstances, this is not actually the case;
we experience a moment in time as if threatened with violence, but in reality that threat is
unlikely to cause of lasting harm (the “threat” may even come from someone we love and deeply
care for). So, when we begin to consider what unmet needs we had during an experience of
anger, it is vital that we concentrate only upon ourselves.
A sure sign that we are letting our anger control us is when thoughts that have to do with
other people arise: “they should have,” “they made me,” “why didn’t they,” “what were they
thinking…” None of these actually have anything to do with our own internal process -- when
we think this way we have fallen into the trap of “me vs. them.” This is not about what the
instigating action is -- the thing that brings anger to us -- it is about the way anger grows within
our own mind, quite separate from the rest of the world.
As with all aspects of the training we do here, there is no easy path to “graduation.” Our
understanding and abilities evolve slowly, as time and circumstance allow. We cannot hope to
better ourselves through mere recitation of Jedi catechisms. Rather, it is applied and continual
practice that proves the path forward, and anger -- just like everything else, responds with time
and patience.

Keep on reaching

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

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 we want... 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.
I’ve always looked for another way to say things.

Never stop reaching


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

It cannot be defined, only described -- and that description is pretty flimsy. We do not need a working definition ; the work is in getting on without one. As it were, we can only define the things we can objectify. The Force cannot be objectified.

Basic phenomenology : "objects" present themselves to "subjects" perceiving them as phenomena. Adder is very prudent in referring to the origins of words rather than how we have been conditioned to make meanings of the things we say. Indeed, if we were to really pay a sincere attention to what we say "normally," according to "normal" usage of language (especially if one speaks but one language), we would find a lot of contradictions.

The 'unbound' (used here as the contrary of 'defined') phenomenon would be unrecognisable because it would be so decontextualised ; the numenon - the thing in-and-of itself is inaccessible to perceiving subjects because it is entirely "other" - or, "not I". That which we recognise (re-cognise - think again) is not that thing in itself but the way in which prior perceptions of related (even if it is only the perceiving subject doing the 'relating') things are re-presented in presently occurring memory events. These representations are not the presentation of the object to the perception of the subject, but the meaning being re-collected by the subject.

Thus, we cannot define the Force for it is non-objective -- the "Eternal Thou" of Martin Buber or the "Infinity" of Emmanuel Levinas . It is not observable as phenomenon for it presents itself only in the In-Between (as in "between you and me" - that sort of 'between'). To perceive the Force is describable only by allegory, not by objective detailing


https://www.templeofthejediorder.org/forum/open-discussions/123169-doctrine-proposal-on-defining-the-force?start=30#346781

My wife can make mead. Mean bottles of mead. Delicious bottles of honey wine with a bit of magic in every drop. It’s good. There’s a prosess to it, naturally. There’s a small piece of equipment we got called a bubbler. It’s a small glass or plastic bulb of water and tube bent in a way that lets air escape - strategically. It got me thinking... my temper is sometime huge. I’m daddy and some times I act like baby. When daddy looses it it’s not small like baby oh no - I’m grown and I still yell and stomp. Yea - but here’s my point, strategic release... helps me in real life. Having a “air lock” or a way to let things slow down a bit... I stomp automatically and lost times it makes me laugh... inside and I’m able to realizes I’m a bit off. Another is to automatically go into a elephant trumpet sound which changes frowns in my house upside down. That one actually worked with my kids AND my wife! Having a bubbler in life can help some - not all but maybe others? Some sing. I’ve seen that. Some hit a mantra ready for such a time as needed. Some return to codes.... we all got some form of help... that keeps us from explosion. I wonder - if we already have them in place .. could we adjust them when we need em? I did. I know others who have. I got the idea from a elder who owned a Boat and Rv rehab station. He would quote scripture the moment he needed his reminder of what he wanted to remember at moment such as those. It was a beautiful thing to see in real life. Some times - I just start tap dancing.. seriously ... until I’m tired or changed my mind. They sound funny or strange but that’s the guy I am - I’ve tried the opposites for myself - I’ve yelled and screamed and lost control in the past only to wish I did something else. Now, ide like not to do that as much so - insert bubbler.
Some mead needs double bubblers. Yea - think about that. Some mixes need more time than others and doubly the bubblers. Two small tank bowls of air.
The bubbler...

The internet is an information (and dis-information) dissemination tool. It is a means of mass interactive communication -- nothing more. Here at home, we have a actual library containing many of the same volumes exposed in the LIbrary 'on site'. Naturally, we refer to most of information on line because it is more easily accessible by doing a quick text search than to comb through several books, but we have the comprehensive text and all the 'more contextually bound' information, we've got the book (and sometimes "books" when the same author develops her/his thought over several works ...)

"Jediism" is neither on-line nor "in groups" no more than Judaism or Islam are not merely "on-line" or "in groups". Religion is not an institution - albeit it has been "institutionalised" thus undermining its psycho-social effectiveness. Whether it is "Jediism" or any other 'system' (we'll come back to that) of feeling-thought (religion is one of our reconciliation methods between these two closely associated activities) of ethos/logos management, it is not going to work if it is not first "in" the person who already is feeling the germ of the 'religious experience' (the feeling that there is something greater than oneself, timeless, not singular-not multiple). We tend to get distracted by "whats" and "hows" - from "self-help" to "psychology" to "social cliques" to "charity associations" to "political parties" to ... well, et cetera - and thus continue looking because what we find stops working.

Whatever "-ism" one chooses to engage with, on has to realise that it is an internal, bodily "feeling" (like hunger or fatigue) that instinct makes us 'rationalise' into something we can grapple onto for a re-presentational "truth". We like certainty (the question about whether Jediism being basically "on the internet" or in real-life groups) and the "real-life" (bodies coming together in unity) groups shows this clearly) and rationalise truth-value ("truth" has the same Indo-European language root as 'true' and 'trust') feeling as a bodily, vital stimulus.

It is therefore neither "on the internet" nor in real-life (sic) before it is something in Thou first. Jediism is merely one of the thousands of avenues for exploring how particularly contextualised "beliefs" can be lived in the real-life. There is no other life but the real one... it is how much of that inherent reality we can reveal.



Today by Alex
https://www.templeofthejediorder.org/forum/Jediism/123380-is-jediism-basically-on-the-internet-do-you-participate-in-real-life-groups#347990

"There are many who would take my time; I shun them. There are some who share my time; I am entertained by them. There are precious few who contribute to my time; I cherish them.”
― Anton Szandor LaVey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9u-TITxwoM

I like Kevin Bacon. Ive never NOT liked his movies and some of his causes. This is one of those videos that just - got me

In the movie SOLO directed by Ron Howard there is a statement ill create a lesson with and thats when Han says somthing to the effect of, "dont leave me ill catch up - " then they say TAKE HIM TO THE BEAST. Han looks around and says "wait theres a beast, no one said anything about a beast." turns out its Chewie his buddy and long time
life buddy and pal and mechanic and heartbeat at times. We know the saga.

Its funny how the BEAST in things can turn to be your very own friend or even other side when ya DONT kill it or slay it, watch how others - use it. Watch how Kevin uses his beast. lol
He even says it his beast. kinna cool

On Jediism

Jediism is a gate over whose threshold one passes over to reach spiritual destinations yet unknown. It is an affirmation of and an invitation to seek wisdom. It is syncretic in that it is a combination of wisdom traditions where each seeker combines various spiritual disciplines and so constructs her or his own form of Jediism. Jediism as practiced by TotJO has gathered together some general ethical practices for the common good but for the most part we construct our own vision of Jediism.

Where one seeks and what one assembles to construct one’s own spirituality is an expression of our common shared Jedi mythos. Attempting to find source materials discussing Jedi Zen or Jedi Christianity or Jedi Pantheism is to remain fixed at the gate admiring the imagery of the threshold rather that crossing over and leaving it behind. So, leave behind the desire to find some Jedi interpretation of Zen and simply study Zen. You are now the world’s foremost Jedi Zen interpreter and you will find an extensive library awaiting your research.
....
Jediism as imagined in the Star Wars universe is a gate to deeper spiritual traditions, a threshold over which one must pass in order to discover that deeper spirituality which lies beyond. The Star Wars genre is a wondrous children’s story but it’s fascinating power is merely a place along the way to those spiritual disciplines that are the authentic path of Jediism. It’s a good place to start. It is not a destination.

https://www.templeofthejediorder.org/forum/Eastern-studies/123656-zen-and-the-jedi-path#351601

Carlos.Martinez3 wrote: I love new blood.
It means it ain’t me. (not a drop)
Stagnation creates nothing and is often predictable.
Evidence of change is sometimes - new blood.
Welcome to the change.
Yea- that means you !
Welcome, we have been waiting for you.
For those who have been faithful this whole time with that hope for tomorrow , today can be that tomorrow. Time to get to work!
Smiley face
Pastor Carlos

yea - this

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq-1hjDxxLs&time_continue=106&feature=emb_title
I’ve always heard rumors of his efforts and now I found this.
Nice to see validation of a few things.

A intro and message

A message from JK the Associate Pastor of the Order.

“Beautiful are the lives of all beings-
Each one a blooming of the Will of the Force.

And like blossoms,
Our lives enter this momentous world
Bound only to leave it as much as to enliven it.

Where the living and unified Force meet,
A light shines forth from the hearts of all beings, Connecting us in an eternal golden chain.

From the beginning, to the very end,
We must never loose sight that we,
And all beings, are one with the Force.

Together, yet separate;
With nothing to gain and nothing to lose...
Such a paradox for us to ponder.

Thus, let us observe a moment of silence:
not for the Dead, but for the Living-
to remember, to reconcile, and to move on.

May the Force be with you...“

A message from the family:
Hello all. My name is Aurora Graziano, and my father, commonly known as Peace, has grown gravely ill over the past few months and passed away. He was a senior knight and ordained minister and valued his time here before he had to leave. He loved helping people here and out in the clinic through occupational therapy with his career. My father was the one who led me here and I'm thankful he did before he passed. My father was a man of his word, loyal, friendly, and most of all put others needs before his own. When he grew up, he always looked out for his friends and always shrugged off any problem he had or kept it in so he could help others. Even though he was disabled all through his life and achieved many things most were possible, he is well known here as Peace, the knight who never lost his fire and continued tot rain despite others thinking he wasn't ready for such a commitment. Yet he was, and we should all be thankful for what he has done. Even though his death was expected, it still doesn't compare that I must train and live through milestones with the one person a daughter looks at for strength, support, and guidance. Thank you for joining me in remembering our beloved member Peace. May the Force be with him and with all of you!

Replied by Wescli Wardest on topic The Teachers, Who We Are (2020)

The teachers who we are…

Each student is different. Each student has different goals, dreams, desires and expectations. Each student has a unique perspective, outlook and way of dealing with things that are and that come up.

Who I believe myself to be is most likely not how you will perceive me to be. The indisputable facts about me like age, race and gender should be irrelevant to do what is needed in this position and to a Jedi so I will not waste your time with them. I could list my accomplishments here but those were from a different time and not as relevant to the now as they were then.

“There is surely nothing other than the single purpose of the present moment. A man's whole life is a succession of moment after moment. There will be nothing else to do, and nothing else to pursue. Live being true to the single purpose of the moment.”

“There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you will still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything.”

“Be true to the thought of the moment and avoid distraction. Other than continuing to exert yourself, enter into nothing else, but go to the extent of living single thought by single thought.”

“It is said that what is called "the spirit of an age" is something to which one cannot return. That this spirit gradually dissipates is due to the world's coming to an end. For this reason, although one would like to change today's world back to the spirit of one hundred years or more ago, it cannot be done. Thus it is important to make the best out of every generation.”
~ Tsunetomo Yamamoto, Hagakure

Many of the Jedi that have been here a while, and know me, will say that I can be a bit “old school” and hard-nosed. (Hard-nosed basically means pain in the butt to deal with)

Some Jedi seem to believe that there is a personal truth out there for each person to be taught or discover. I believe there is one unifying, steady and constant truth that lies in each is and that it is our responsibility and duty to become familiar with this truth and we grow, through the process of self-development, discovery and exploration. Inside each of us is the connection to what is, the eternal truth. I will not teach you what that is; tell you a magical book to read that will show you or let you fumble around blindly searching for something when you ‘re not entirely sure what you’re looking for. I will be as much help as I can and I will not give up on you as long as you’re willing to try.



Granddaddy Wess ‘s post in the teachers thread.
If any one can give witness- it is I.

He was my TM and still a good friend. Things change and grow. I’m glad we are both growing STILL to this day. It is a honor to see that guy in the forums for me. It is my honor to serve him as Pastor and it is still my honor to serve every single one here. Such good things can come from bad times.
The old saying “good medicine - bad places” comes to mind. With modern day Jedi being more active in their own life’s - I think we can create things new every day. Looking forward to seeing more new things - some old new some new new some being made new every day. What a place. Love y’all Temple.

I feel the heart beat of things often , and I’m looking forward to hearing from everyone how things have been and how they are. Catch this old man up!
Your Pastor,
Carlos

“Such things never happened in real life. Or do they? Most of us are called to perform tasks far beyond what we can do. Our capabilities seldom match our aspirations, and we are often woefully unprepared. To this extent, we are all Assistant Pig-Keepers at heart.
Llyoyd Alexander from the Authors notes in -The Book of Three

Challenge




http://www.neighborhoodarchive.com/mrn/episodes/1730/index.html

Taken from here



Episode 1730
Topic You and I Together
Air Date July 31, 1998
Mister Rogers starts out by explaining that he only zips his sweater half-way because he wears a microphone on his tie.

He then heads to the kitchen where he draws a rainbow before reflecting on a local place where children visit to play with toys. This is followed by a brief lesson on people being unique. Leading into make-believe, Mister Rogers uses common items from his kitchen to set the scene rather than his models.

In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Lady Aberlin is talking to Queen Sara about Kevin Wendell Gorilla and suggests that he may not be a real gorilla. Meanwhile, at the clock, Daniel and Kevin agree to be friends as they sing You Are Special. After singing, Kevin Wendell Gorilla reveals that he is really Neighbor Aber wearing a gorilla costume. He was doing an experiment to see how people would treat him if he didn't look like himself.

Back at the house, Mr. McFeely stops by to pick up Zak: The One-of-a-Kind Dog for the library and reads it with Mister Rogers. Outside, Mr. McFeely demonstrates a unique wind-up toy he calls a "speedy critter."


Me and the family have a morning routine. Often times we watch something calming and cool from our archives - black and white movies- old vintage movies - that type of thing. Our choice - today we watched Fred hit me right in the heart.
For the fans, the excerp is directly from the web site attached.
Seeing the “beast “ Kevin Wendel run around and how this episode plays out : jogged my heart. Some may find it offensive and it is never the intention to offend any one. Please know that is not the intention.
This one got me-


Notes:

Mister Rogers' reflection early in the episode was of scences from the Center for Creative Play in Pittsburgh, PA. The Center for Creative Play closed its doors in early 2008 [source].
The book read near the end, Zak: The One-of-a-Kind Dog, was written by Jane Lidz.
The wind-up toy demonstrated by Mr. McFeely is actually called a Critter marketed by Kinkerland.
As Mister Rogers walks to his kitchen, Let's Be Together plays in the background.
As Lady Aberlin leaves the castle, A Perfectly Beautiful Day plays in the background.
This episode is included on the It's a Beautiful Day Collection (DVD).


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=77O3NJwq1hM&feature=emb_title

These are not our platforms and not our vidoes so they may be edited cut blah blah blah - this is one of those episodes worth finding- go find it !

It’s the last 30 seconds that put the nail in it for me - I would like to share this today with my Temple.
Thank you
Pastor Carlos

https://www.eduref.net/the-psychology-of-isolation-fatigue/

Need this for Monday’s block post !!! Feel free to read ahead. I know I’m in the presence of the scholastic type Smiley face

On meditation

A friend asked about meditation.
Not in passing - a true heart felt question for some time now.
It’s been a work

"We often think it's possible to receive great things without work and sometimes it's true. These are called gifts.Meditation must be made, if the gift isn't present. Set the frame and it will enter. There it frequents, where it's welcome."

If we notice it’s not present or we don’t have that gift of automatic release and calming and tranquility ... chances are we may have to make it.

Still down ?

I used to say the Force brings things togeather or has put people in my path ... but today I don’t think that as much.

If - the Force is in everything and flows on its own
If - I am just a vessel - or just one discription of how I manage or manifest or discribe it

The Force dosnt put things in people’s way nor can it place people in our way. They’ve been there the whole time and I am not taking time to notice the value and connection that was already there. I just didn’t take that road or make that connection.

Those ideas - ideas like that give a “part of the circle” less the “circle is around me.”
Kinna makes the “equal” or inherent thing a bit more understandable for me.
I am blessed to sit in the presence of pilars. Each one of us here in this place has such a wonderful thing - and no one else does - Your Force. It’s because of yours - that mine is. The things you do and did are the same things I and others have done to find it. We are just the fulcrums or the prisms or the thing that gives the Force shape.

Force shaped ideas ... non are the same. None can be. The contents are different.
Yet - they are.


I’m glad we still got people like Edan Ros Wes the Dude - I saw V the other day... in passing - all a piece of the flow - all still a part. Ever flowing ever changing ever adjusting - yesterday I looked - today I show tomorrow I will remeber and share.
That’s all we really do here - is share with one another.
Keep sharing. Please?
I still LOVE this place.
Something New every day.
Keep it flowing -

Pastor Carlos