Sith Realist Resources

Hi!

Earlier today, Oct. 11 2018, Rugadd posted asking about teachings of the Sith. I realized that the only legit resource on this site was the Grand Book of the Sith... written by Darth Silus.

I am no expert on the Sith, by any stretch of the imagination. However, I have been around the community a few times, and I can help build a resource at this website for those interested in such a topic.

I will message the Council with my list of resources I'd like to post (to avoid any unauthorized links), and then I will share them with you here.

In the meantime, can we take a headcount of those who are interested in Sith Realism in any way? Do you want to know more about it? Do you want to study it? Would you want to study it here or at another website?

What do you THINK Sithism is? Without having any prior knowledge of it, or if you have studied it before, what did you learn?

-Z

Connor L. wrote: What do you THINK Sithism is?

The path of the pious (as in vain), angry (as in agro) or pained (as in ultimately absorbed in self through torture) that is "based on the observance of the Force, a ubiquitous and metaphysical power that a Sith (a follower of Sithism) believes to be the underlying, fundamental nature of the universe.". Each inherently selfish and ok with it. Core concepts being 'empire' as nature, and.'power' as essence. Notably path's without boundaries (except those chosen), and the risks associated with that. So its not the name, but the game. Grey zones being the different definitions of empire and power. IMO

What's the source for that knowledge? Not judging it one way or another. I just think it would be helpful for all involved to know where those ideas come from.

Connor L. wrote: What's the source for that knowledge? Not judging it one way or another. I just think it would be helpful for all involved to know where those ideas come from.

Knowledge of my opinion comes from experiences that form it, otherwise its just knowledge of other peoples opinions. Results only come from effort.

From what I have seen most Sith dont refer the force in anyway.. At least outside of fiction.
My understanding is limited because I have never actually joined a specific sith path.
From what I have observed they seem more interested in following their passion and enhancing their lives while learning to be strong independent people.
Learning conflict skills, debating about issues while concentrating on living their lives fully.
Some sites seem to be conflict based while actually giving valuable life lessons.
Just my limited opinion

My assessment is that Sithism and Jediism are inherently the same, though they deal in different languages, primarily, in the initial approach towards codifying how the world is viewed. The Jedi looks within to attempt to quiet themselves and “hear” the “Will of the Force”, which informs their mission as “duty to all”, and sets up all hurdles as “attachments to overcome”. The Sith looks within to “hear” their True Will (ala Crowley’s Thelema), which informs their mission as “passion”, and sets up all hurdles as “sacrifices” to make in the name of achieving it.

Both paths involve the pursuit of power, and a particular outlook on how to use said power. Ideally, both paths should produce skillful, strong adults able to respond to life challenges and impact their worlds positively (though the yardstick for “positive” varies between Jedi and Sith).

I am interested, Connor.

At least four of us. That's fantastic!

When I'm out of class later I'll respond with my own thoughts.

I wouldn't mind reading up, different perspectives and takes on the things we study should be encouraged!

We should start with the Sith Code. What are your thoughts on this? Try and come up with some initial thoughts. Then, once you have an idea about how you make sense of this, read Khaos's article "A Practice Sith Code" reproduced below:


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I myself feel no interest or need in learning the ways of Sithism in particular; acknowledgement of myown dark-side and striving for personal Balance within the Force is enough for me.

BUT-

I can see the value of having such information available; after all, doesn't our own mythology itself teach that ignorance of The Dark Side of the Force created more problems than it solved? By hiding away certain sets of information, and "sanitizing" their teachings, The Jedi of Lore, at the height of their power, grew complacent, but more importantly, ignorant of how to deal with any genuine threats that arose from The Dark Side, not to mention lacking in any way to recognize it's temptations, and thus when one is going down a dangerous path.

While I don't personally see any appeal in Sithism based on what I see in this and another thread, I can see, without judgement, why some might. It might even do some good, within the Temple here, to make such information available (though I wouldn't support actual teaching structures- We have forums for other faith/path discussion, and I think that's enough).

Connor L. wrote: We should start with the Sith Code. What are your thoughts on this?

To me it's just a mantra, which could be said to be a form of yoga - where any meaning is what is given to it, and how its used. If there is no spiritual application then you wouldn't use it like a mantra.... and instead perhaps might view it as some guiding principle, but then in that case I would only use such a thing with knowledge of it as such and only when it was useful to be employed. In that latter application there might even be more then one useful interpretation perhaps!!

My initial thoughts.
Okay, peace is a lie, well life isnt peaceful, its chaotic, crazy, maddening, wild and wonderful. You can make moments of peace and quiet, but its more an interlude, a way of recharging your batterys, gaining time to think, wonder, learn and deal. So while you can have peace, its not what life is. I won't say there was only passion, although it drives us to become more, achieve more, build. And in a way life is passion, the magic of things is peace could be a part of passion.
I guess through following our passions, we grow stronger, physically, mentally, sometimes spiritually, we build ourselves up in order to help ourselves to achieve or keep achieving our passions.
Through the strength we find within ourselves and develop we gain mastery over ourselves and could excel in life, bringing not only personal power as such but growing in life and knowledge could bring power in life, for example you could get a better job, be seen as a driven individual with the wisdom and intelligence to go further. Start your own buisness, if thats your passion or gain control over your own affairs.
You gain, and doing so have personal and wider victorys.
The last line the force shall set me free..
Well I think we set ourselves free, so the force is us. In us.
I am the force lol..

Peace is a lie, there is only passion

Peace exists, it is not a lie. There is not 'only passion' as at least one other thing exists, peace.

Through passion, I gain strength.

Or do dumb dumb things that weaken you

Through strength, I gain power.

Or do things other than the acquisition of power. You could munch on steroids all day with the only outcome being a long prison sentence. Not exactly a position of power.

Through power, I gain victory.

Or not. the one thing all powerful people have in common is they eventually lose it.

Through victory, my chains are broken.

What chains? The one you just put on your feet with all that passion? Or the one on that poor bloke's bike you just knicked?

The Force shall set me free.

You were part of the Force and free to begin with. You may as well avoid this designed-for-a-videogame code.

Fair assessment. Do you have a similar dismissive opinion of the Jedi codes?

No.

I prefer the short version over the long. The ideas of the Jedi codes are contrasts, can knowledge be quantified without ignorance? Could we identify peace without emotion? etc. Not meaningless blanket statements.

You do realise this is a Jedi church, right? It's not the best place to ask this sort of questions, just like christian churches are not the best place to ask members if they have as many dismissive opinions of Jesus as they have of Satan. Maybe try some sith churches? I don't know if there are any but you could always give google a shot.

ren wrote: You do realise this is a Jedi church, right? It's not the best place to ask this sort of questions, just like christian churches are not the best place to ask members if they have as many dismissive opinions of Jesus as they have of Satan. Maybe try some sith churches? I don't know if there are any but you could always give google a shot.

This type of dismissive replies is one of the reasons Christianity is losing adepts. When someone pops up with a genuine question, and gets answered with a coherent, genuine cross examination, curiosity is satisfied and truths are seen as evident due to a triumph of logic and understanding. On the other hand, when walls are put up or blanket statements issued to cement tribalism rather than engage in conversation, the original question remains unaddressed, and a schism is born.

You are free to consider the Sith code rubbish, it very well could be. However, I find it ironic that, for someone who supports the Jedi code, you would issue a response that comes across as emotional (rather than peaceful) and ignorant (rather than knowledgable).

I don't know why christianity loses adepts, but I do know it is still a growing faith, as well as the world's most practised.

What You and Connor do outside totjo is none of my concern. Go insult chistians in their church by asking them to criticize their saviour. Or, try your luck with the world's second largest faith (growing even faster) and ask them to criticize their prophet in their mosques... See where these 'genuine questions' get you?

Anyway, I feel just as smart and cold as ever, so you may want to look into where your feelings of irony come from as it certainly wasn't me.

ren wrote:
What You and Connor do outside totjo is none of my concern. Go insult chistians in their church by asking them to criticize their saviour. Or, try your luck with the world's second largest faith (growing even faster) and ask them to criticize their prophet in their mosques... See where these 'genuine questions' get you?

I have been fortunate enough to know a few Catholic priests who loved addressing my questions, and took my curiosity as a good thing, rather than insult. I’ve found the more learned a person is, the more they tend to be open to criticism, while those quick to take offense are usually less studied and less aware, and thus more frightened of having their worldview challenged.

That background should tell you why I would assume that in a community that encourages the search for knowledge and the devolpement of emotional intelligence (self awareness), I would expect to find people open to discuss subjects rather than put up walls.

So, this whole process began because Rugadd asked if there were any Sith places to study here. I said no, and elizabeth suggested that might be useful. I decided that I know a thing or two about where to find the good Sith stuff, so I asked around if people would be interested in it. More than 5 people (which is a not-small percentage of the currently active population of TOTJO) have engaged with the idea.

So, that's why I'm posting this here. If people want to engage, they can... If not, then leave the thread. It's that simple. yeh?

In the end, Sithism and Jediism are not opposites. And, both can learn from the other. Manu, for example, has studied both Sithism and Jediism simultaneously.

What criticism?

Connor didn't citicize the Jedi code, he asked me if I could criticize it as much as the sith code, which of course I cannot, like every other follower of the jedi faith. Logic 101.


Why must you twist this conversation off-topic? I consider you assertion that I do not accept criticism a personal attack. I have not dismissed criticism as criticism hasn't been served. I simply stated the truth: jedi churches are not the best place to ask for crticism of jedi teachings, christian churches are not the best place to ask for criticism of jesus.

Asking a priest to criticize jesus is not quite the same thing as asking him questions about his faith, which is what you are compairing this discussion to, as if you were dealing with someone who's unaware of the manipulative techniques you are employing.

You are making some rather wild asssumptions and violating totjo's terms of use. Stop it.

Connor L. wrote: So, this whole process began because Rugadd asked if there were any Sith places to study here. I said no, and elizabeth suggested that might be useful. I decided that I know a thing or two about where to find the good Sith stuff, so I asked around if people would be interested in it. More than 5 people (which is a not-small percentage of the currently active population of TOTJO) have engaged with the idea.

So, that's why I'm posting this here. If people want to engage, they can... If not, then leave the thread. It's that simple. yeh?

In the end, Sithism and Jediism are not opposites. And, both can learn from the other. Manu, for example, has studied both Sithism and Jediism simultaneously.

I can tell he prefers one to the other.