Personal 'Codes'

At the Temple we have a Jedi Code, medieval knights had a code, samurai had a code. Many of us try to adopt a code as a way life, but everyone has a personal code. It's how we make our decisions. Even if you don't recognize that you have a code it's there, even if it's "Rule 1: there are no rules!"

Has any body ever tried to write down their personal code? Some examples would be like Gibbs' rules on NCIS or the rules from Zombieland. These are the rules that these people lived by, their code.

I tried to write mine down. It grew and evolved over time (as one of my rules states "Good rules are like good plans, adaptable." It taught me some things about myself and how I made my decisions. I haven't looked at them in a while so I think I'll pull them out again and see how my Jedi training alters or adds to them.

I've never written mine down but if I were it would be summarized in a very short list.

1. Love everyone
2. Love everyone uniquely
3. Appreciate that sometimes "love" is expressed through limiting exposure to an individual.

Red Lila wrote: I've never written mine down but if I were it would be summarized in a very short list.

1. Love everyone
2. Love everyone uniquely
3. Appreciate that sometimes "love" is expressed through limiting exposure to an individual.

Very simple and valuable code. Something I could definitely live by

Yes -- actually many of us have done this, and it was made into an exercise that we sometimes give Apprentices.

So, in this tumultuous time wherein tensions are running a bit high and everyone is feeling challenged, perhaps a bit of personal reflexion about how our Code(s) influence us, what they mean to us, and what "code" we choose to guide our own Lives, I would suggest we do this, all of us, as a Temple. It will make for some good discussion, without conflict and hopefully no one goes challenging anyone else's personal code ...

Anyway -- here are the guidelines :

Keep it to five lines, 40-ish words. This is to make one focus on what is really important to you and lets it be easily kept in mind and repeatable, like a mantra ...

Let's present them here, in this thread, for sharing -- yet ...



... I would make this a journal entry as well. One never knows what might one day be 'useful'.

This one was mine :

(Français)

L’Être est Lumière ; le non-Moi est Ténèbres.
Le désir va de pair avec la peur ; le plaisir va de pair avec la peine.
La Vérité est vivante, dynamique, changeante –
La Force s’exprime par l’en-Soi – hic et ubique.

(English)

The « I am » is Light ; the Ego is Darkness.
Desire and Fear come in pair ; pleasure and pain come in pair.
Truth is living, dynamic, changing –
The Force expresses Itself in Itself – hic et ubique.

I have been working on something, so I will adapt it to fit Master Alexandre's challenge:

Like a Phoenix, I will rise;
Like an Eagle, I will fly;
Like a Legend, I will never die.

I don't really have a code particularly, but there are two phrases that I use to myself regularly,

"I won't let this build up inside of me" (Slipknot Lyrics)

and

Don't give up, don't give in.

Between those two, they get me through.

Those and my house is open to everyone who comes needing help.. it is rarely empty. 'Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow.'

Does it count if I helped write it? If it was created for an offline order I helped found? I take the following as more than just my code, my creed- it is also my oath as a Jedi.

HEARTLAND JEDI CREED

I am a Jedi, a guardian of peace.
I acknowledge all life is sacred.
I choose to serve others,
I use my training to defend and protect, never to assault.
I will present a professional demeanor.
I will be mindful of my thoughts and control my actions.
I know myself and am aware of my surroundings.
I will approach all situations holistically.
I will seek knowledge with the understanding of self-ignorance.
I will find peace in the midst of a storm.
It is through understanding of the Force I am transformed.

There are two codes I love and do my best to live by every day.

First, the Knights Code:

A knight is sworn to valor,
His heart knows only virtue.
His blade defends the helpless.
His word speaks only truth.
His shield shelters the forsaken.
His courage gives hope to the despairing.
His justice undoes the wicked.
His image brings peace.
His code breaks the darkness.
His legend brings light…

And the other, a sort of simpler form of the first:

Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong; that is your oath.

Oh, and there was a piece of wisdom from that same movie that I remember and it has almost become like a mantra…

I put no stock in religion. By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will of God. I've seen too much religion in the eyes of too many murderers. Holiness is in right action, and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves. And goodness - what God desires - is here [points to head] and here [points to heart] and by what you decide to do every day you will be a good man...or not.

I know, they are probably romanticized and unrealistic. And I have to think of the Force when I remember them… but to me, those are the codes and way of thinking that I endeavor to live up to every day.

Hmm...limiting it to five lines makes it much harder. But that's good, make us think. I guess for me, looking back at my old list of rules, assessing my current values and really boiling it down it comes down to a few basic principles.

1. Be prepared
2. Be honest
3. Perservere
4. Respect
5. Be happy