Real Jedi vs Fictional Jedi

Also, I love finding reasons to quote the opening of "Soul Eater":

"A sound spirit dwells within a sound mind and sound body."

Stop a minute and think of the story of Robin Hood.

Think of Friar Tuck.

I dunno about others, but any time I think about that character, I imagine a portly, balding guy with the brown cloak carrying a quarterstaff.

Maybe that's thanks to media, but hey, so it goes.

Anywhos. THAT guy is a Friar. He's devoted to his beliefs. He's a big dude.

It doesn't matter the size of the body. As long as it helps support the mind and spirit to achieve its goals, then it doesn't matter if you're a rowboat or the Titanic. You're still doing the same thing.

I would like to leave my own opinion on the subject.
I believe that is not so important what we are, but it is more important what we are going to be.
I don't care if someone is fat so long he* tries to improve that.
I don't care if someone have fear so long he* tries to fight his fear.
I don't even care if someone is unalphabet or dyslectic so long he* tries to improve that.
That that really matters is what are we going to do to improve ourselves day by day.
May the force be with you.
Robert.

* He/She

ps. I believe that a common study (for example in the matter of Martial Arts) can be important, so united we will be able to improve our knowledge.

On the subject that jedi have to be in relatively good shape in order to be a jedi, I will share with you this story:

I consider myself a Jedi. I was born with what the doctors call Mild epilepsy and cerbral palsy in the left hemiplegic. I have maybe if lucky, 30% mobility in my left arm and hand. In my left hand I have very little dexterity ( place a glove on your left hand, leaving your ring finger, third finger, and pinky out of the glove, now fold those fingers down and pin them so you can only use your index finger and thumb.) that is roughly the equivalant to my dexterity in my left hand. I can ride a bicycle, I can block punches, I once took Aikido. I even once dated a woman with two teenage sons, both of them 6'0" and a very muscular 200lbs. each. They wanted to get out of chores, so with their mom's permission I made a bet with them "Both of you wrestle me at the same time, two on one, if you can pin my shoulders to the ground for a count of three...you can be let out of your chores for a week. Two teenage guys with a 30lbs weight advantage and use of both arms could not pin my shoulders down. That was six years ago. Being a jedi is not just about having the phyisical strength or knowledge of martial arts to win in a fight. Sure, I'll fight if I'm left with no other alternative or to protect my family. But the best weapon a Jedi has is his or her mind. Though there a few differences in the way of doing things, I believe that Jedi of today, are very similar to the Samurai of Japan.

Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
Sun Tzu

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/sun_tzu.html#o8jZM5ZYoHjkUs79.99

I have not read the entire thread....so I will just address the OP.

When observing the last line of the Luke Skywalker Code. We learn: "Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training"

If a Jedi in Training is obese and does nothing at all to work on improving his general, all around health through the practice of Knowledge and Training. Then I would argue, yes, this person is not a Jedi and should concider a different path better suited to his disposition.

However

If the Jedi in Training IS working hard through knowledge and training to improve his overall health. Than I would argue that he is on the right track and with time, patience, dedication and persistence he will reach the next stage in his journey.

When I first joined the Jedi Community I weighed about 125lbs - Just before I started to have kids I weighed 135 - At the end term of my second child I was 180lb People were asking if I was going to have twins 0_0 Now I weigh around 175-ish and have been struggling for 4 years to get my weight and health back under control....and failing miserably. (yay stress )

Now I have two options set before me right this very second. I can either:

1. Call myself a Jedi and list off excuses why i should sit here and continue typing this message. I got a headache, Im dehydrated, I am extreemly lacking in sleep, my kids are at school right now so if I stop rambling I could go take a nap until they get home.....

Or

2. I can treat myself with three gulps of my Monster, take my Supplemental Pills, lower the tred mill and use this free time of no kids to put in at least 25 minuets of 8 incline speed walk at speed 3.5 and crush a bottle or two of water.

One of these options makes me a Jedi despite my serious issue with weight.....the other does not. I shall let you decide

*bows and rushes off to juice up the Tred Mill.*

I'm in pretty good shape. Run 3 or 4 miles 2 or 3 times a week. Gym, boxing, some jiu jitsu. But I did all that before I joined totjo in 2011 anyway. I like to be able to do just about anything I want to. Wanna run a 5k this weekend? Sure why not. Hiking walls of jericho near here? Let's go. Also a holdover from soldiering .

But most of all, when the zombie apocalypse comes, or any apocalypse really, I stand a better chance at survival.

Silvermane wrote: I ask the Knights and Senior Officers what say you?

Don't worry, man, I'm pretty heavy too. I used to practice martial arts, lift weights, run, etc. But I was in a car accident that prevents me from doing those things. Does that make me less of a Jedi? Hell no!

I had to adapt, so I became a mental and spiritual Jedi, and I've done some of my best work during that time. Don't let anyone limit you, Silvermane, or limit the definition of what a Jedi is. There is no Jedi mold.

I think...atleast for me..my martial arts training, which is mostly cardio and endurance forms aside, puts me in touch with the reality of my body. I've noticed that what I think I'm able to do in my mind is vastly different from what my body is capable of when I haven't trained for awhile. One can watch tv shows or fights and think"Yeah, I'd keep running or I would never let go of that building ledge or anybody could take a hit like that and not fall over" but the reality I learned was no matter what you think, your legs are going to give out, your fingers are going to slip and your going to get knocked out if your body hasn't been trained to handle these things.

I was scared to work out at first because I knew it would level reality for me real quick. All those super hero, ego bolstering thoughts would be wiped away like a pile of dust as I struggled to do even 10 pushups. It was a huge deterrent and it wasn't until I got jumped in an alley that I had the intensity of focus to give training my best, over the long term.

I wonder how many people don't even start because they know deep down how little they can actually accomplish at the beginning. The irony being that unless they start and keep going, it will never get any better.

rugadd wrote: I wonder how many people don't even start because they know deep down how little they can actually accomplish at the beginning. The irony being that unless they start and keep going, it will never get any better.

This. Yes, exactly.

It's already been said many different times many different ways on this thread, but we all have limitations and the most important thing is to push your limits and do the best you can with what you have. There are many Jedi specializations: Sentinel, Healer, Consular, Peacekeeper, Diplomat, and Ambassador to name a few. If you aren't 6ft tall and a lean 180 lbs, maybe you're not the guy to drop into Syria to rescue civilians (if that were to ever become a role with which we'd be charged), but you can stay as fit and healthy as possible and take one of the other roles. Maybe you'd be perfect to teach new initiates about the history of the order or maybe you're a master at strategy and can be the leader of logistics should we ever help with a natural disaster situation. There are roles for people who can't run a 5k in under 20 minutes.

Now, having said all that, if you're someone (and I'm not saying you are) who complains about being called fat and doesn't do everything you can to stay fit and healthy, then you're not acting like a Jedi. If there isn't anything keeping you from working out (like an injury or illness) and you simply choose not to work out, then you're not living up to Jedi ideals like these:
5. Jedi understand that well-being consists in the physical, the mental and the spiritual. A Jedi trains each to ensure they remain capable of performing their duties to the best of their ability. All of these are interconnected and essential parts of our training in becoming more harmonious with the Force.
Training your body is inextricable from the rest.
9. Jedi have integrity. We are authentic to what we believe and are open, honest and true to our purpose and our minds. We remove all masks to reveal ourselves as courageous and noble of heart. We do not hide from fear of damage to our image because we know that our image cannot be blemished from the words and actions of others.
You cannot on one hand say you're a Jedi and on the other hand hide your neglect of your body behind a mask.
16. Jedi make a commitment to their cause and to humanity. Our ideals, philosophies, and practices define the belief of Jediism and we take action on this path for self-improvement and to help others. We are both the witnesses and protectors of the Jedi way by the practice of our convictions.
How can you help others be better if you are not pushing yourself to be the best you can be physically, mentally, and spiritually?

To sum up, you can be overweight and still be a Jedi, but make sure that all your lifestyle choices are as healthy as possible before getting offended when someone criticizes you because:
7. Jedi understand their limitations. We recognise, and take responsibility for our failures, and develop a level of modesty about them. We respect the right for others to disagree and understand that they themselves are not perfect.
Part of taking responsibility for one's failures is working to improve upon them. Take criticism in stride and even if someone means it in a malicious way, turn it to your benefit and make it something constructive.