What would help the Temple Be A Better Place? Suggestions please...

I liked Manu response on the 2 pg. of this discussion and it was thoroughly written and clear. But, The issue I see is that sending out a packet of material for the entire IP could be very expensive not only for TOTJO to send to people who might not finish the IP but, it could be expensive to send to all the Knights to check the IP to see that it's completed and correct. As I think it would be awesome to have a collection to see all your work I was once told by Alexander Orion that if I decided at one point to leave (due to some unforeseen things during that time) he would be happy to send my entire IP in a pdf. file for me to have on my personal computer which, I thought was wonderful.

I think the IP is memorable I know I was in tears once it was completed and I was given an Apprenticeship shortly after. I enjoyed doing the IP.

What do I think would help the temple be a better place?

Like said before more accountability from the Council. I liked the idea of jedi serving "terms" on the council and other operations within TOTJO. It gives the temple fresh feeling and avoid council members from being burnt out. I don't want it just to be about my needs but, also the council members to know that we care about them as well and their needs as Jedi.

Sven One wrote: What do I think would help the temple be a better place?

Like said before more accountability from the Council. I liked the idea of jedi serving "terms" on the council and other operations within TOTJO. It gives the temple fresh feeling and avoid council members from being burnt out. I don't want it just to be about my needs but, also the council members to know that we care about them as well and their needs as Jedi.

This is good input, Sven. Accountability and transparency are very important to the new Advisory Knights and the Council and we will be able to share exactly what we are working on in Council and what the progress is. We will also be discussing terms soon, and working out a fair way to represent the wider membership so everyone can feel good about the work being done here and hopefully prevent burnout. More to come on this.

Yugen wrote: This is more about curriculum than the temple itself.. but here I go

1. Make the Initiate's programme more about practical application than cryptic messages or supposed "between the lines" meaning
As much as I enjoy Alan Watts or Joseph Campbell, I have struggled to put together entries on every part and chapter of their materials, and while I understand that it gives an understanding of the works Jediism is based upon, only later does the Initiate's programme touch on Jediism itself and a little on actual practical application. Theory is only useful if it can be put into application, one way or another. I will touch on youths later, but believe me, being a young person and trying to write an elaborate essay on how the world is your body can prove to be difficult. I'm not saying make it easier, I'm saying make it less cryptic, show what Jediism is and what it is all about rather than hide behind cryptic and mystic messages.

CLASSES:
I'd be very cautions about changing the IP too much. However, I would LOVE the idea of specialization. I think there are general things all Jedi should have to learn in order to call themselves Jedi. And there should be masters that interact with apprentices and give them things to work on to better themselves. However, I think there should be some segmentation; the equivalent of grade school and college. There should be a Jedi "General Studies" curriculum and then "majors" where a person can choose Jedi Guardian, Jedi Sentinel, Jedi Consular, Jedi Sage, etc. (There could be a ceremony/ritual in which one chooses their class similar to the "Divergent" movie).

HOLOCRONS:
If you do this then the IP becomes more fluid and alive because you can constantly expand it into different areas aligned with a particular "class", and you could do that based on interest without burdening those who aren't interest in that particular course of study. And then you can even have levels, like "Level 2 Jedi Consular". Additional knowledge can even be hidden within Jedi "holocrons" where you have to be on a particular path and complete prerequisites in order to get the password you need to get into those materials. The other thing this does it offer some protection/security for advanced Jedi Studies so that this knowledge cannot be abused. I believe this would motivate more people to progress within the IP.

A lot of people seem to have issues with the council. I know the council is trying new things (admirable) and trying to figure out the best way to mitigate some of these issues.

SUBCOUNCIL:
I also think that each "class" of Jedi should have some representation on a rotating secondary or sub-council. The purpose of this group isn't the same as the advisory group that is currently forming. The purpose of this group would be to handle all temple business related to members (like a Community Management group). I think that the main council should focus solely on the business part and creating policies and guidelines that help unify Jediism. Trying to accomplish these things and everything else might be too much stress for one body. And then that same body is the one everyone expects to interact with in some fashion. And that body, may not be able to rotate new blood in because of the knowledge and experience needed to keep the ship afloat. When there is too much anxiety about what's going on at the top, I believe this is an indication that the top needs to delegate more responsibilities outside of itself. And clearly, people are stepping down from positions at a pace that imho reiterates the need for less stress and more delegation.

MISSIONS:
And then I would (from the Council level) task this representative council with creating projects that involve the application of Jediism to real life issues and current events. How are we supporting Green energy and defending against climate change, for example? Maybe the Jedi Guardians come up with the best plan so they get to implement it with the support of the council. And then we could do private (or public) fundraising to help implement these plans. It could be something as simple as building a solar panel and battery setup and then teaching those techniques to any Jedi who is interested in the form of video holocron. A lot of people want to do something and one of the things that give religions legitimacy outside of being a club is an organized conducting of humanitarian work. Everybody can do their own independent acts of goodness. Yes... that's cool and all that. But there's nothing more effective than a united front against a common problem or an organized effort. And there are modern ways of getting around the geographic distance hurdles.

Apologies if this has been mentioned before; I admit to not having read all 18 pages.

I think it'd be really nice if there were broader options for learning methods in the IP. As someone with learning differences it's been really tough going for me even though I love the ideas presented and thinking about what they mean for me and my path.

I'm not sure what this would look like... I've only just now found out that adaptations might be a possibility. Formal seminar/study groups? One on one discussions with Knights about IP lessons they find especially interesting or could be considered to have expertise on? I don't know. I don't know what the possibilities are at all - heck, I barely know the material of the first half of the first lesson, lol!

I just know, I've felt overwhelmed and stymied and like it will take a Herculean effort to get through the IP. Not because of lack of interest, and not because I'm incapable; just because I don't brain in a way that plays well with traditional education models.

ReallyRiver wrote: I think it'd be really nice if there were broader options for learning methods in the IP. As someone with learning differences it's been really tough going for me even though I love the ideas presented and thinking about what they mean for me and my path.

Thank you for raising this issue, River. I admit I don't know off the top of my head to what extent we have implemented accommodations for people who need them. But we absolutely should give this some consideration if we haven't already.

This is exactly the attitude I am talking about: the spirit of serving: what an earth is wrong with that... please enlighten me... I find these forums discursive and without proper aim, clarity, reality and defining collective goals: besides becoming enlightened whom ever said it was just this... its the action in the world that matters not the being whom enacts it...

JEDIONE777 wrote: This is exactly the attitude I am talking about: the spirit of serving: what an earth is wrong with that... please enlighten me... I find these forums discursive and without proper aim, clarity, reality and defining collective goals: besides becoming enlightened whom ever said it was just this... its the action in the world that matters not the being whom enacts it...

What is exactly the attitude that you're talking about?

YOURS...

JEDIONE777 wrote: YOURS...

Could you please be more specific?

Sure you don't seem like you all want to learn anything... its more about relative semantics and being right about your own path, perception and ego design... and less about what you can do for the other... a very bad sign... that the force you love so much is not actually present within you and that even if you tried harder you could not because your stuck in your own ruts... this is not conducive to a learning environment and less becoming of a true Jedi... I would say: its just a matter of time and their won't be many left now... the real hardcore ones that actually change the world with their intentions and actions and are not caught up in their reactions and ego offended when someone has something to say about service...

JEDIONE777 wrote: Sure you don't seem like you all want to learn anything... its more about relative semantics and being right about your own path, perception and ego design... and less about what you can do for the other... a very bad sign... that the force you love so much is not actually present within you and that even if you tried harder you could not because your stuck in your own ruts... this is not conducive to a learning environment and less becoming of a true Jedi... I would say: its just a matter of time and their won't be many left now... the real hardcore ones that actually change the world with their intentions and actions and are not caught up in their reactions and ego offended when someone has something to say about service...

You say that without learning about the people you're aiming that at, what they do day-to-day, their practises, and their training. Before pulling the trigger, perhaps try to identify friendlies.

Define "true Jedi" for me because I don't think there is a definition to a "true Jedi" because there is no one answer. Arisaig does have a point, all you see is what we write on here, you don't know what kind of person someone is outside this virtual world. Being judgmental is not very Jedi like, by the way.

just saying, with utmost respect.

JEDIONE777 wrote: Sure you don't seem like you all want to learn anything... its more about relative semantics and being right about your own path, perception and ego design... and less about what you can do for the other... a very bad sign... that the force you love so much is not actually present within you and that even if you tried harder you could not because your stuck in your own ruts... this is not conducive to a learning environment and less becoming of a true Jedi... I would say: its just a matter of time and their won't be many left now... the real hardcore ones that actually change the world with their intentions and actions and are not caught up in their reactions and ego offended when someone has something to say about service...

"You all?"
Excuse me, but have you taken the time to get to know me, or anyone else here? I barely post in the forums as it is, how can you make such claims at the general membership here like that when you've only scratched the surface?

One other thing, please don't mistake "your version" of Jediism as "the version" to judge all others, because everyone here is walking their own path, some are having a hard time if it just to get through the day sometimes...

We're also not the only Jedi site in the net, if for some reason we don't live up "to your standards" there are other sites who may very well do so...

I hope you find what it is you seek....

Being real with your emotions and authentic with your being is more important than blind judgements I will give you that... what is not ok is the crushing of diversity for diversities sake.... this is a very old game that has been going on for a very long time... factions have fought for it and died for it... learning what? That the entire world is but a reflection of their reality.... and nothing but a mirrored perception... upon which that neutral observer within your own mind is not active to the point of being conscious this is the great shame... ill talk more tomorrow for now I must get some rest... be do... try not...

Though that is true, special attention should be given to our disposition precisely for that reason. It doesn't do well to behave in one manner and then say to another who is discouraged by it, "you don't know the real me"

This is all we get, and you control what you put out here. More perhaps than any other medium of communication

Rosalyn J wrote: Though that is true, special attention should be given to our disposition precisely for that reason. It doesn't do well to behave in one manner and then say to another who is discouraged by it, "you don't know the real me"

This is all we get, and you control what you put out here. More perhaps than any other medium of communication

What manner? I'm still clueless as to what were really talking about, lol! Specifics people, please....

JEDIONE777 wrote: This is exactly the attitude I am talking about: the spirit of serving: what an earth is wrong with that... please enlighten me... I find these forums discursive and without proper aim, clarity, reality and defining collective goals: besides becoming enlightened whom ever said it was just this... its the action in the world that matters not the being whom enacts it...

Alexander,

I'm curious about what you mean with "collective goals". What kind of change would you like to see around here?

I find this temple has put a lot of effort and time into all of this, with that being said I beliee that the privacy of the journals and the way to become a member should possibly change.
those who do believe iin the force and all the teachings of jediism should be allowed to be a member and yes those who don't believe right now can end up believeing in the future but hear me out.
I have been here a month and I already see controversy between jedi and others. and I see memebers who obviously don't truly believe in the force and ethir treat this a roleplaying or just something to do and yes there are guests who are serious about bettering themselves and still ont believe in the force. but yes the amount that should be done in the field of guests would not just make member here who have been memebers for years more comfortable itll make a lot of emotional tension disappear and unneeded drama disappear.
with all this being said here is what I personally believe that shuld be changed to making becoming a member more of a jedi experience.

Within the application to becoming a jedi one must first fininsh a brand new original IP one specifically made to become a jedi and with that time period of accepting the application we valuate the answeres. (I'm not saying we have to be strict but actually vary leanyent) I mean anyone can become a believer in jedi ism and we don't want this to be anything negative but the ip members program should be
about our beliefs
the way of the force
and the way of the jedi
just so before anyone becomes a member they will have a great understanding on what it means to be a true jedi. a real jedi.

and anyone wanting to learn more about jediism will have no problem watching or reading the IP just to get a better understanding of who we are. I strongly believe that alone will solve a huge amount of problems.

Deeply,
Bradly Thomas
May the force be with you.

Bradly wrote: I find this temple has put a lot of effort and time into all of this, with that being said I beliee that the privacy of the journals and the way to become a member should possibly change.
those who do believe iin the force and all the teachings of jediism should be allowed to be a member and yes those who don't believe right now can end up believeing in the future but hear me out.
I have been here a month and I already see controversy between jedi and others. and I see memebers who obviously don't truly believe in the force and ethir treat this a roleplaying or just something to do and yes there are guests who are serious about bettering themselves and still ont believe in the force. but yes the amount that should be done in the field of guests would not just make member here who have been memebers for years more comfortable itll make a lot of emotional tension disappear and unneeded drama disappear.
with all this being said here is what I personally believe that shuld be changed to making becoming a member more of a jedi experience.

Within the application to becoming a jedi one must first fininsh a brand new original IP one specifically made to become a jedi and with that time period of accepting the application we valuate the answeres. (I'm not saying we have to be strict but actually vary leanyent) I mean anyone can become a believer in jedi ism and we don't want this to be anything negative but the ip members program should be
about our beliefs
the way of the force
and the way of the jedi
just so before anyone becomes a member they will have a great understanding on what it means to be a true jedi. a real jedi.

and anyone wanting to learn more about jediism will have no problem watching or reading the IP just to get a better understanding of who we are. I strongly believe that alone will solve a huge amount of problems.

Deeply,
Bradly Thomas
May the force be with you.

That would mean defining Jediism, restricting it and cutting out those that don't meet that standard. More likely than not, that would cut out a bit of leadership, and we need those.

A new IP won't change things, sadly. Anyone can bull and do the IP, new or old, and still not be a Jedi. How would you determine who is and who is not a Jedi? I know a few around here that may not consider me one, and have straight up said it to me. But then there are others that call me an excellent example of what it is to be a Jedi. Who is right, who is wrong?