Problems with others

My fiance just rolls her eyes and calls me a nerd when she sees me on the forum. I made a reddit post asking if there's any Jedi or other Realists in my city and was mostly the victim of a classic reddit circlejerk.

I've no friends outside the community who know exactly what I study, they just see the results. That's the way I like it so far. If someone asked, I'd tell them. I've mentioned it to one or two friends, the whole idea, but didn't get a chance to talk to them about it...

To me, the importance is results. I've become smarter, faster and stronger, and more able to fulfill goals, walking this path. I'd say they speak for themselves.

It doesn't matter what others think about it. Does it hurt them? Doubtful. Does it benefit you? Definitely. No matter what path you walk, people will oppose you. Some people more than others, some paths more than others. Consider it a trial of your resolve.

Williamkaede wrote: Consider it a trial of your resolve.

That's an excellent way to look at it. I'm trying my best, and not heeding their words any mind. If I want to do this, it's my choice.

May The Force be with you, in this life and the next.

Exactly.

Discuss it with them if you want, if they're willing or capable to be rational and converse seriously. Maybe you could enlighten them. Or not. Either way, one of you could learn something.

If you're not harming them or rubbing it into their faces, it's not their business. Once you start getting the results you want, they'll start noticing changes. Then they may reconsider their opinions. Or not. Again, their choice. But if you walk the path right, you'll come to exemplify the positive effects it can have on a person's life.

The humor and mockery reaction is literally the ONLY one I have gotten, from significant others, friends, family, and other peers. I usually just laugh and say "Yes, absolutely seriously." I can't help but think that it may have some subconscious effect, however. I mean, I've been an initiate for almost 5 years, and have only gotten partway through the program, but I never stop identifying as a Jedi. My girlfriend is about to bring my second child into this world, and I have found myself trying to come up with ways of instilling Jedi values without using the word, just so they don't have to worry about getting that reaction. I truly believe in the philosophy and the way of life, call it what you will. The pride part I'm still working on. Thanks for posting, Malcolm!

Surprisingly, most of my friends have been VERY supportive of my choice to "train to become a Jedi". They've told me things like that's "admirable", "cool", "nice", "respectable".

Only one friend has ridiculed me. He asked me, in jest, "If the Jedi website goes down, what, are you going to kill yourself?" I actually found that kindof humorous.

My parents have always expressed their concerns that TOTJO might be a "predator site" or "money grabber". However, since TOTJO has never directly demanded from me money, and personal information is kept personal, I have never felt endangered during my 10 month stay here.

Just leave the word Jedi out...

Call it common sense, good judgment, and sound thinking... lol

Coyote: My family makes fun of me for it. They think it's a waste of time an I'm not going to learn anything. That's not true. I think I'll learn somethjng here that will help me with life. I'm learning how to focus, how to know myself, and how to look for the old in the world.

My girlfriend is the only person who supports me. She's proud that I'm voluntarily Doug something to help myself both now and in the future.

As for trying to instill some of the values, in one of the forums or he FAQ section or somewhere, it meantions how Jediism takes lesson from many different religions and world ideas. It doesn't have I be calle Jediism to hve some of the same teachings. Jediism takes lessons from Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Taoism, and Judaism among others. You can still teach your children the idea an values, but that doesn't mean you have to say it is Jediism.

As for the pride, it comes with time. For me personally, I har no shame. I told people that I had applied to the TOTJO. For others, it comes with time and patience. All you need is one person to support you in your endeavors, whether it be someone else or even yourself. Only you can decide when you have enough confidence and pride to show what you believe.

I wish you the best of luck, Coyote. May The Force be with you, in this life and the next.

I have always been curious as to the negative response people seem to get when they mention that they are Jedi… I have never gotten them. Now, I don’t run around, dancing in the streets, telling people to join Jediism; but when I am asked about my beliefs I explain it to them. Mostly they listen and continue asking me about it. I have told them that the best way to learn is to go online and see what it is all about for themselves, but I don’t know that any have.

Of course, most people that know me, know that I have always been an odd cookie! And probably expect me to be doing something off in left field!

Hahahhahahha :woohoo:

Like others have said, it seems to be the word "Jedi" that causes the problems. Most people I talk to agree with the way I believe if I explain it to them, but as soon as I say "Jedi," they take me less seriously. Which is okay. It may be a recognized religion, but that doesn't mean everyone will recognize it as a religion.

It may be best to, when "coming out", explain how you believe and what you do before saying what you call yourself (the sad fact is, calling ourselves Jedi evokes thoughts and images of the Star Wars movies, which automatically makes us look out of touch with reality; we are attempting to redefine the term). Since I've adopted this method, I've suffered no more ridicule from anyone I've spoken to.

Sometimes I contemplate on the idea of the term "Jedi" not being used to identify yourself, but only as something that someone else identifies you as, just as many here would not consider themselves a "Knight", but rather as a title bestowed upon them by somebody else. If I were to tell an unknowing person that "I am a Jedi", how would that sound to them? But what if a friend (or friends) of mine told that person that they saw me as a Jedi, in a completely serious tone? How might they take it then?

So, then I imagine the idea that I, myself, never ever use the word "Jedi" to describe myself, throughout my life. However, during my funeral, when somebody gives a eulogy, they may say something to the effect: "He was like a Jedi to me, truly inspirational and understanding, and I feel there was something that we could all learn from his example."