Knights Teaching

Jestor wrote: Some communities also think "martial prowess" should be a requirement...

Its kinda why we are so big on the 'individualistic' side of this path...

If we said "yes, must teach", we would lose a large chunk of folks, and really, we need to focus on ourselves, get our poop together, then, help others...

Reaching Knighthood at TOTJO is like getting your 1st degree Blackbelt, it is expected, if you are serious, but it is the first REAL step on the journey, toward being a better 'you'...

If that makes sense...

We can logic most things out, lol...

If I may share a little bit of minding, an black belt represents that one understands the basics. Western world used the word 'master' wile the eastern world used for example 'sensei' that means teacher. I am not good at getting an material arts at one line with my inner self, I do not want to get an material arts black belt anymore. My body is not build to be strong or to be absorbing hits. Feeling sad, remind me of having not so happy times. After I did let go the fighting part I found peace in myself. Took time to find that choice, took more time to accept it.
Marterial arts exist in multiple forms. Japanese elite ancient warriors used flower arrangements to train their understanding of using and understanding their flight style and effects. ''Fighting is mainly to understand that you cut an flower, will look beautiful for a time, more beautiful as it did before (opinion of some other people..) but after an time it will die fast, just as the way of the warrior.''

If you can give me an 'black belt' for [strike]flower arrangements or[/strike] writing poems.. I would be more than happy. Live for me is not about fighting, guess that many Jedi share that idea.. If people will like it, or if people want to learn. They should learn. Like to hear that you say 'like getting' glad to know that the temple is not all about fighting, that people accept different ways and choices here at the temple. Even if it would become an part of study, it should be an specialization. I hope that it will not become a demand.

I am thankful that I can study without fighing, thankful that there are people that study for sure.. Not every person is the same, if people like to study fighting they could have the opportunity. But good to know that the temple gives room to different 'types' of persons.



- Aqua

I hope not to derail, and will move this if it starts too...

But Aqua, martial arts isn't about fighting...

You know that, right?

It is a physical conditioning of the body... While weightlifting, and running, and roller skating can also get you into shape, besides swimming, little else can round out your body like martial arts....

Yes, it could be about fighting, but that's not the spirit...

Not with a good teacher, in my opinion...

Jestor wrote: little else can round out your body like martial arts.....

Unless it's Hard Core Yoga Coz...hot damn have you seen a good properly chissled yoga instructor? *Drools* And dancing....Yes...Mmm.....

ANYWAYS!

That ties in with teaching as well Be you a Martial Arts Instructor or a Gardener, you learn to apply Mind, Body & Spirit into all styles and teach that same thing to other either directly or by example. Martial Art's can both be Hard and Soft at once if done right

I have and will always say that the BASICS of Martial Arts & Sword are Necessary for Jedi studies. Weather you choose to expand from the basics or not though....is up to you. However....In MY Terminology of "Knight" yea...it would be a requirement But I view Knight differently from TOTJO so it dosn't count.

Kitsu Tails wrote: Weather you choose to expand from the basics or not though....is up to you.

Do not understand me wrong, my old sensei told me: ,,basics are the only thing that exist. You can learn other ways of moving, dancing and even acting if you are gifted.. finally it are all basics to other moves.. so there is no true expanding from basics.. only expanding the basics itself.. Call it advanced or hard moves, but basics it will be..''

I do not know if my sensei did do everything right.. (read previous post) but yes, think that basics are quite important.

Yoga isn't "considered" a martial art? In my mind, Hatha Yoga (this physical fitness kind that we know and love here in the USA) is like an internal style. Kind of like Tai Chi or Qigong. Only, more external than either of those.

Aqua, I share your sensei's view. In my training, my apprentices learn that there are ONLY basics. And, those basics are perfected until every corner is covered over lifetimes.

If one "skips" the basics, and does not expand from them, then they will have no Foundation and they will fail.

haha I completely agree with your sensai Agua

But what I meant was something more structured and less philosophical

Example from Just Jedi (my group): An Initiate learns the 6 "Hands" of self defense (Martial Arts) and the 8 "Cuts" of Sword Practice.

Both are very very basic studies but they are still martial arts and still a requirement at Just Jedi Unlike TOTJO who has no Martial arts in their curriculum

The debate, as I see it, is "a Jedi must be able to defend himself, or others"....

I think we all would agree, and I know most I've talked to herecat TOTJO would agree...

But defence is a broad term, isn't it?

I can defend a victim from a physical bully, but how much good does that do against a mean landlord? Or defending a pedometer from homelessness? Coldness? Starvation?

And some understand that stuff way more than I do, the legal aspects....

Which do you think is more prevalent? To physically fight, or to assist then in a fight of sustenance (I don't know what to call it)?

I am (OK, its been long enough, were) a martial arts instructor.. And still, id prefer my apprentices, if uncomfortable with martial arts, at least practice 'body awareness'....

haha Of course being able to "Defend" yourself against non combat situations is important....but I would call it something other than "Self Defense" But yes....when people say "A Jedi should be able to defend themselves." They are talking about all aspects of defense....problem is....most Jedi use that as an excuse to get out of Martial Arts/Combat related training. "Well....I am defending with my words!" That's great......if it applies. It wont always apply.

As a Teacher I would hope my student had, at least a crash course on Martial/Combat, and a good introduction of it's basics. As a Instructor of Jedi (In other off site circles) I would require it for Initiate/Apprentice.

But I wouldn't expect you to be a black belt by Knight rank! :laugh: Nor even a yellow! Just white belt at least.

Kitsu Tails wrote: This is for the Knights

When you became a Knight. Did you know how to teach? Or did you learn as you went? Did you require help from other Knights to perfect your style of teaching? Or did you choose to use your status as knight for other important tasks rather than Teaching?

I've always, and from a young age, tried to help disperse information I had acquired to others who wanted to access it. I think because I used to read 'a lot' and I kept finding out that I knew things others did not.... so it was natural for me to learn how to use that situation to help people. But of course... these days everyone has the internet!!

Accessing information has changed from buying a book or visiting a library to just online searching and reading, so for me online education is less about teaching and more about facilitation. I'm not saying that is a good thing, but it fits into helping others learn through a more experiential learning which I do think has greater educative potential for the student.

All that considered, I think I'm not a very good teacher and wish I was much better at it, and like VTog see many others here as much better then myself. Reading a students work is also an example of teaching, because they are discovering and integrating information themselves too, sort of teaching themselves in a way. But to answer your other questions, I didn't view teaching as particularly more important once as a Knight, then I had already previously decided it to be, and yes I enjoy reading other Knight's teaching to learn and reflect but have not directly asked any yet for advice (I don't think?).

Jestor, what is 'body awareness'? Sounds awesome. haha.