Jediism and drinking

So I finished Become the Force by Daniel Jones and in it he says Jediists stay away from stimulants and alcohol because being in tune with the force is the only high they need. Not the verbatim quote but that is the general idea. Thoughts?

I see it more as not having ones senses inhibited because they are our source of information and the more info we have the better decisions we can make. I don't think a complete ban of anything is appropriate, but like all things should be enjoyed with care and concern. Some choose to leave a problem behind when they realize who they are makes these things dangerous to themselves, but others seem to have no problem being responsible. This should be a personal path decision and not dictated by an outside source.

He does state that he personally doesn't drink because apparently people with aspergers have lower tolerance as a result. That being said, his book seems to be a more spiritual book as opposed to say Jediism Explain my Opie McCloud in terms of how its written. At least to me.

Every time I read things like this - I always ask ...
Which ones and why?
It’s questions like that than keep me asking.

Jedi do this : which one and for what reasons. ?

Those are good questions

I assume you mean who am I referring to. The author of the book is Daniel Jones if that helps answer your question.

Jedi is a big box.

That’s just his opinion. Technically any food you consume - sugar, caffeine, etc can have an effect on your mind. Of course if you need to stay away from alcohol, caffeine and sugar for health reasons and that makes sense. Wine, a beer, etc can have a very relaxing effect after a stressful day. I think for many people, stress is by far, is worse for making it difficult to connect to the force. The next statement might be seen as a little Darkside, but Have you heard the saying “smooth seas are fine for sailing, but poor for seamanship”? We are not always going to be in a perfect stress free state of mind. Perhaps learning to feel the Force even when we are pressured is something to consider?

Deimos wrote: I assume you mean who am I referring to. The author of the book is Daniel Jones if that helps answer your question.

I know Daniel personally in ministry and in service. Which Jedi do you refer to? The question I ask is because there are so many statements that say Jedi do this or jedi do that and I always ask - which ?
Which Jedi stay away from alcohol and stimulants and for what reasons? They might not all be the same. I know, like Daniel - we are both on medication. So- that’s why I ask ? It’s not all the same for every one and even then, the Hero’s Journey never happens the exact same way all the time.
A lot of our doctorine is stated the same way - this yet that - why and how - are up to us.

Why do some stay away and some don’t ? How does it harm or help a ministry ? Does it ? Has it? Real questions not ever wrong but maybe a bit more than just ... do ya drink or do drugs for me...do ya dance when ya drink or do you call it under the influence ? Do Jeddist call it that when they drink ? Why not ? Hmmm good questions and thank you for the questions
Force continue to be with y’all

Truth be told I'm not quite sure which "types", if you will, of Jedi myself. He just said Jediist; not specific other than that designation. I was just curious on what yall thought because as someone who does enjoy drinking caffiene, in the form of gfuel as my preferred method of waking up in the morning as I don't like coffee, and occasional drinking this seemed to get my attention.

Regardless thank you for your answers

I drink coffee in the morning along with soda and a Cig or smoke some mornings. Some days a Red Bull and water is where I’m at too. I don’t fiend - some days I get caffeine headaches but that’s part of the use I guess. It is the Opinion - of this Pastor that a good balance is always a good thing, regardless of what. Too much is always too much. Some days I drink to much juice and it’s obvious- Then again - that can differ from 7.5 billion to 7.5 billion. Results may vary and WILL. Expect it.
Hope this helps .

Well said. I mostly drink gfuel for the caffiene and the vitamins in it. That and it takes really good for having no sugar or splenda in it.

I gotta have my two pink packs for coffee - it’s rare now I don’t take anything - but I will - I’ve drank coffee from a pot and sock - everything from that day on is a good cup for me.

Eh, everyone pretends like their habits are within the totally reasonable bounds and will try and find post hoc rationalizations. Finding a good standard I'd think balances the interests of personal enjoyment with health and other lifestyle factors. Acting as though any one specific action (alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, etc.) is necessarily and in itself good or bad seems a bit reductive

The search fun, a Jedi's friend is.

He does state that he personally doesn't drink because apparently people with aspergers have lower tolerance as a result.

That sounds anecdotal at best.

As far as it goes, and hey, if you want to use the search function to see how this question has been discussed before, go for it! - Taoism and Nietzsche both oppose alcohol use, and both inform my views - however I am by fits and turns a perennial user of the stuff.

As for caffeine, well....*sip*

Do I encourage drug use in others? No, not really.

Do I think the whole point of being human is to make your own damn decisions on your own ability to measure risk and benefit? Yes.

Do I think Jediism is (or should be) a tool to deny what it is to be human? Nope.

Alcohol / drinking, smoking / hard drugs, sweet treats, fast foods ,etc.

The sentiment from my study and understanding, is meant more as advisement to distance oneself from harmful temptation.

I personally craft / brew and consume various types of Alcohol, however I have a solid control on the amount of alcohol I consume and when I consume it. Where it concerns smoke however (tobacco / marijuana), I am more prone to overindulge; so there fore I no longer consume those types of products.

If you can exercise and maintain control, by all means enjoy an occasional beverage. If you can't control your consumption, or your behavior in the midst of whatever choice substance you've used - you should probably abstain.

To be fair to the bloke, it's really tricky for a spiritual system to endorse and teach use of mind/boy altering substances.

And though avoidance for avoidance sake seems naive - in the absence of time enough or education enough to partake in something without appropriate awareness and understanding of its actions and effects..... then it might be a good temporary rule of thumb.

Even if he did think it had merit, it would surely take a whole volume of its own and be an advanced stage after much progress on other parts of self development (for a system to endorse it).

I prefer the approach of strictly avoiding social usage unless its the rarest of occasions, just because the dynamics of motive within groups can detach oneself from appropriate focus (situational awareness (inner and outer), dosage and symptom record keeping, substance quality control, subject matter knowledge recall) that seems required for 'use' of substances for spiritual development.

To me the most compelling reason is the only reason needed, health, and I think the only reason sugar and alcohol are rather disastrous to our health is just because its so prevalent and ingrained in our cultures that its use is way over the top, used as a superficial bandaid for woes (hunger, emotion, stress). Peoples inability to exert self control in diet, distraction and entertainment are probably the main reason the more powerful substances remain illegal! History shows that if a society is vulnerable to addictions (see the Opium Wars ) then it is prone to fall to them, either at their own hand or the hand of another. So I don't like the 'avoid' argument, but I understand its place, and how it impacts me and my actions to its topic. I think it will always be an individuals decision, and is not really something which should be promoted, or denied, at the level of the individual.

Short version of my opinion: controlled substance usage is ok (morally, since legal standpoints are a whole 'nother ballgame) within reasonable limits. What those limits are differ from person to person.

My justification is that I drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, drink caffeinated drinks, eat sugary food, etc. For all of these, I feel that I've found the limits at which I still have control over myself and my usage doesn't bother anyone else.

Moderation is key.

My general rule of thumb, with substances is it screwing up the things/activities you like doing?

That's IMHO where a negative effect (besides biological) first develops as far as substances go. From there if not addressed for some it gets worse others not. I have my substance I avoid completely because of that tendency. Other things I'm fine.

So moderation and contemplation.

Much Love,
Kobos