A sense of disconnection.

I've been on TOTJO quite a bit since I first came across it. Some days posting and many days simply reading what others have to say. I enjoy my time here immensely but I still feel a sense of separation from Jediism. Since the only way to me to connect to others with my similar belief set is to be online and communicate through text or to watch and interpret the videos and messages of those long dead I have been beginning to feel that I am alone in this pursuit in my life. I understand that there is a community here, online that provides a wealth of others to comment on what you think, feel and learn, but I still feel disconnected. As if i would be shutting out the rest of my life by being on TOTJO too much, but I would be shutting out TOTJO by not coming on here enough alternately. I can't seem to find a good balance because nothing in my life transcends both mediums. I'd be happy to hear any thoughts, opinions, and/or advice anyone has to give and I thank anyone who has made it this far.

May the Force be with you

First of all, you aren't, nor are any of us, disconnected. True disconnection is not conceivable. And yet ...

Feeling disconnected happens to everyone - especially those who do not think that it does. In other words, we shouldn't be "stupidly" spiritual. There really is no useful judgement about coming to the TotJO too much or too little, or doing anything you may consider "real-life" too much or too little ... one does simply what one does, the TotJO is not less "real-life" than going to work. This is the point I've been trying to make for a long time : there is no difference between "on-line life" and "real-life" for we are just as human, just as Jedi, at work, at the supermarket, at school - wherever - as we are sitting before our computers. Since this is not a "rôle playing" community but a real religion, how can it be a question of negociating mediums ? One could spend too much time here as one could spend too much time doing anything, from working to working out. It is the same principle as if our Temple were in a particular place and one would spend too much time in it trying to be spiritual than taking the spiritual principles we discuss into all activities in which we engage. There are people who do spend too bloody much time at church ... and that sort of devotion is just absurd and removed from "real-life" as other 'ego' games of one-upsmanship.

So, that disconnected feeling is nothing more than that - a feeling. Just have a good laugh or a good rant about it, in the Temple or in the local tavern, and feel it to its fullest. Do what you must, what you like, what you will as a Jedi and the connexion with come back on its own.

Feelings are as is the passing weather ....

Alexandre is right. You are not disconnected.

If I may, I'd like to suggest a reading from Alan Watt's What is Zen?

"Laws of nature are therefore tools, like axes, hammers, and saws; they are instruments we use to control what is going on. To keep in touch, then, with what is really going on in the present, always preserve this careful distinction between the game rules of the human game, and the behavior of the world in itself. It is true that the behavior of the world in itself includes the human games, and it's all a part of nature. But don't try to make the tail wag the dog."

-- Alan W. Watts (2009-09-20 02:04:00-05:00). What Is Zen? (Kindle Locations 796-799). Kindle Edition.

I know that sounds terribly confusing at first because there's no context to go off of (as in, he explains the concept of human games and "tail wagging the dog".

But, this passage is about separating our "view" of reality from what reality truly is.

If you are feeling disconnected, it is possibly because you are trying to play by the rules that society has given you. (i.e. Online life is separable from your actual life... Friends you make online can't form the true connections that real friends do...) These little arbitrary boxes we assign to behaviors are really just that: arbitrary boxes. So, when you come on to TOTJO, if you want to feel connected, find the Spirit of the place.

Read some of the library material and take it out into the offline world. Don't divide what you do here from there, and you might begin to see that your disconnection is a result of coming to understand disconnection as division. And, divisions are made in your mind, not in nature.

Perhaps I'm wrong in saying this, but I believe he's referring to the lack of sincerity and focus in the group in regards to Jediism. You're not alone Raik, Jediism and the Force were once topics held in high regard here, and may still, but are now being drowned out by the social media BS. I consider myself lucky to have been a member here while Jon and War Beauty were still Council members, things have changed, and not nescesarily for the better. People can spout off "change is inevetable" (and in some regards it is), but the members spitting that out are just scared to speak their minds now that the TOTJO has turned into "Forcebook" and a popularity contest to boot.

I think one of the things I see is that, since we don't have a physical church, we don't have the same types of activities that I'm used to seeing at church. We don't sit in a sermon together, go to coffee hour, have church picnics, have yoga groups, go on retreats together, have women's groups or men's groups, etc. It sometimes makes it difficult to make everyday life and life here mesh because some of us have never met the people from here in person. A lot of times, people socialize with each other outside of church just in every day activities. I have never been able to have lunch with someone from here or anything like that the way I would in a physical church. I think that's where some of the disconnect comes from. It might be different for people who live in areas where there are more of us and they can actually meet up with people.

Speak for yourself, Zenchi. All I do is talk about Jediism and the Force. Those who listen to me do, and those who don't don't.

I'm not the only one who's noticed the lack of depth here recently, just perhaps the loudest, and for that I do apologize. I care too damn much for the TOTJO, maby I'm just attached to the way things were, and no I'm not referring to the shoutbox. It really doesn't matter, my blunt honest is no longer appreciated here...

That is very possible. I'm sorry you feel that the majority mind is not suited to your wants. But, then again, it's not suited to mine either...

A very wise person once told me... "There are precious few people who take the time to understand proper focus... usually, it's the people who care who say nothing, and the people who don't who say the most."

I appreciate you, Zenchi ...

But, we don't have a depth problem here either. Activity in any association of people waxes and wanes like the moons, rises and falls with the tides.

What good would it be for us to be constantly talking of the Force ? Or constantly prattling on about anything. Even without a ShoutBox, we get a box of shouting or box of murmuring ... it all comes back down to the equivalent of an ice-cream social. I still feel that the on-line nature of our community enhances our real lives (Real Life) rather than separating us from "real-life".

No bother screaming about what we get attached to either - and we all do get attached to the queerest things. Things change. So, instead of pretending to be all zen about it, why not have a howl ? At least it gets it "out there" and we would not be hiding a rumbling grunt under the verneer of fake serenity ...

Alexandre Orion wrote: I appreciate you, Zenchi ...

But, we don't have a depth problem here either. Activity in any association of people waxes and wanes like the moons, rises and falls with the tides.

What good would it be for us to be constantly talking of the Force ? Or constantly prattling on about anything. Even without a ShoutBox, we get a box of shouting or box of murmuring ... it all comes back down to the equivalent of an ice-cream social. I still feel that the on-line nature of our community enhances our real lives (Real Life) rather than separating us from "real-life".

No bother screaming about what we get attached to either - and we all do get attached to the queerest things. Things change. So, instead of pretending to be all zen about it, why not have a howl ? At least it gets it "out there" and we would not be hiding a rumbling grunt under the verneer of fake serenity ...

Screaming, who's screaming? granted I may have a loud mouth, i dont scream. Its ok, i get it, your attempts at damage control by trying to exaggerate in case someone starts paying attention, its really not needed. That's one of the reasons I'm "quieting" my presence, its pointless. Jester can call it whatever he wants, but I do have loud mouth and I need to shut it. There has been an obvious lack of depth, but your a Knight now so what do I know. I dont need your "appreciation", cause its straight bs and you know it. Slap a smile on it like always Alex and everything will be fine...