The Block

The more time I take to learn and study the more I realize there are things already present in ways of thinking in me. Some may call it The Human condition and others may call it a example of "natural selection" and the "natural mind." Ill give you an easy example. GET MONEY This phrase has been in my mind since I can first recall a very old man tell me and I quote" mijo, make money, make it right but if you cant make money." That old man was my very own blood. From when I was little till now the drive for my family has been making money. I grew up in San Antonio tx on the wrong side of town and the wrong street and went to the wrong schools. Seemed we were being bred for streetfighting and "hustling" as it was called back in the day. We did not and it never seemed we would ever break that dusty old habits of "MAKE MONEY" in our minds. Every where I turned it was there. As I leave attachment behind I notice that , as a young man, I wasn't the only one. Further meditation allows me to notice that that thought process is very common. In some ways its even idolized in art, music and theatre.
Woah... take some time to think about that, that mentality of selfishness is available wide spread and very well accepted as ok and normal.
It was thru study I found this

ill cite the version im using after

Tao The Ching
44
As fro your name and your body, which is the dearer?
As for your body and your wealth, which is the more to be praised?
As for gain and loss, which is the more painful?
Thus, an excessive love for anything will cost you dear in the end.
The storing up of to much goods will entail a heavy loss.
to know when you have enough is to be immune from disgrace.
To know when to stop is to be preserved from perils.
Only thus can you endure long.
Now...
I've heard old timers say, and I put my name in that hat, "money only makes a good man great or a bad man worse" silly old farmers, but they are right. So one day I got to thinking, These values, these ways, regardless of who or where I got them were to me worthless. I began to read the Tao, the Bible, the dictionary, anything to find some thing other than what I had. What I found was the exact opposite. In my younger days, head strong and foolish ida laughed and made fun of these things I was never introduced to and didn't understand. Now as my fire grows and as I myself grow I find comfort and wisdom in these words. This idea of selfish greed was passed and engraved into my mind. I wasn't the only one. To be, or to find what verse 44 speaks of is something very attainable. People all around the world experience the free will of everything present in their life....they are happy, grateful and content. You don't have to be a monk and own little or a traveling spirit with a back pack and a bank card to feel that connection. Oh no friends, we can be happy right now, we can be content right now, we can be grateful, right now. Need a reason, look into yourself and notice... notice all around you. My wife and my self do a little practice. When we get overwhelmed, and we do often we stop, look around the house and say, that picture is....of us, im glad we could have pictures, and windows and a roof and walls and then we begin to praise the things we have now which usually ends with , an embrace and "im glad I have you " for every body present. I was always taught never to think of future or ever actually think on the lines of that in my finances. If your like me and find this place to be a very helpful place, please by all means walk this path with me. My hope it that as iron sharpens iron we al can grow together. I wish I had a me growing up. I can honestly say that. But since I am here I will be the me that I wanted and needed to the other me s here lol
We are not alone in our search some times friend, may we share what we learn with one another.

Carlos

Cite Smiley Face

Thank you for sharing Master , i am reading the Art of Peace now and this verse goes well with what you wrote

2 One does not need buildings, money, power, or status to practice the Art of Peace. Heaven is right where you are standing, and that is the place to train.

We all to easy forget what we really need, May the Force shine on you

Heaven can be right where your standing and THAT IS the place to train.
I love it. Great stuff. Iron and iron stays sharp. ! Thank u! I'm glad the Temple has u in it. Maybe he Living Force continue to find toy every where u r Marta!

It surly is a Monday. HI FRIENDS AND FELLOW JEDI this week seems to been the same for all of us. I noticed that things are happening here in the Temple. As we, as a whole receive new apprentice and new members a new wave or group of hearts and minds join our paths. Some of us are prone to a lot of self help type of learning or training in a way that's self paced. Nothing wrong with that. I myself can maximize some outcomes with a fairly organized manner when there are fewer individuals. In life this is rarely the case. As we learn ourselves and grow things begin to happen. I want to warn most readers if you haven't figured it out, this is a place for a bit of spiritual ideas as well. As we grow in all things there can be times when as some describe, " I just feel like crying or screaming for no reason" or the ever popular, "I don't know why im sad all of a sudden." out of no where. Now, things don't just happen for no reason. If you are a thinker like I am there is always some cause for effects, that much I have learned. So what causes this bout of emotional rushes or uncontrollable needs to surge emotion for apparently no reason. ?
I offer this idea
Any sportsman can tell you and any athlete can tell you that during the time of training there are pains. During the sprints the pushups the ups downs and the moving and shuffling there will be pains. Why? The process seems to generate pain and agony. Some focus on that aspect and in turn receive very little from the time taken to train. Others, who know and are willing will endure the agony and the stretch and even for some new growth of new possibilities. Oh no friends we don't just hurt and cry for no reason. All that time and effort we place into the process is evident. Some times in form of pain.
I give you and leave you with this simple idea. Got pains and woes and agony in your life still and wonder, but im studying and learning, why?
Some times in life we experience Mental growing pains, spiritual growing Pains, heart growing pains, family growing pains, sibling growing pains. That is normal. That should be expected, its the foolish one who thinks otherwise that growth can not be felt ever. We continue to grow. As we continue to live and die and live and die we continue to share and learn and continue to grow. Jedi, EXPECT for the pains to be there, expect for there to be a sore part or two in your own personal lifes. If you are growing then you will experience this one way or another. When you do Jedi , keep in mind this may be the gain pains you thought or didn't think possible....hu? your not alone. We are never alone in this Temple
May the Force be with you Every where you are my Friends
Carlos

Very well stated Carlos! Growth, real substantial growth seldom occurs in a comfortable scenereo, as it is often, in one form or another, accompanied with some degree of pain. If it weren't the case, growth would lose all value and meaning. You make Mondays here worth while buddy, thank you...

Thank you so very much friend. As we learn we grow. There s no doubt our Temple continues to grow, and the best part is.... tah dahh... it grows by us!

Thank you Master , we have talked about pain a lot and how it seems nescessary for growth , we might not like it but how we conduct during this pain or loneliness defines us in the end

Thank you Master, that puts some perspective on a few things. I study, train, and meditate, but sometimes I feel like I am not making progress. Then I look at my life and realize that my life is completely different that it was before I joined the Temple. I have met some amazing people here to be sure. One day, I hope to pass on what I learn and what I think.

That's the idea, one of many. ! The idea is to not fret if u do have pain either, its natural. WE Are never alone especially in this Temple. As iron sharpens iron.

One of many gifts of Jedi ism
Good day Jedi, im not sure how many know this but ill let you in on a little secret. There is a way to find things out for your self. No treasure map, no road maps or google ever needed, just good old fashion searching. Now, before you call me Indiana Jones, or some form of old joke lol (they are always welcome!) I want to put this out for the week. Meditation. The whole reason we as Jedi teach and preach Meditation and contemplation is in our teaching's. #2 says we are encouraged to "maintain a clear mind; which can be achieved through meditation and contemplation"
https://www.templeofthejediorder.org/doctrine-of-the-order

Now, in my learning I have come to a bit of validation. So many people ask me why the Temple? One of my easier answers is simple, and I offer it to you.
VALIDATION.
When I started on my path here in the Temple things were different. Time was different, Teachers were different, availability and the process was different. Not wrong, I wasn't used to it. Over time and effort I was in the mix of things in the Temple. After a bit of time, I learned the process and figured out a way to be a part of this wonderful place.
Now, that's not the point I would like to share today in the block party. The point is this, that word...VALIDAION
I offer it to the Temple. Why search ,why seek, why find out why ? In seeking you will find. IN SEEKING YOU WILL FIND. I put that in big letters so we all can see. The direction is in fact part of the reason here. Ill explain. Part of the Temple for me is,,, me. The time and effort I have put into it. The extra yard sale books I find, the web sites I link the subject matter I bring ,the songs I sing , the things I watch, that's all the Validation. All that is my path, me. On our path we will have that fire that urge to do something about it. Look it up , validate, it is our gift as Jedi to do so. I think at times I forget or my amygdala take over and I just take some ones word for it. Not wrong, im just not used to it yet. lol So, in this week as you take your time to practice your Meditation and contemplation as our 12 teachings encourage us to, I offer you this, the longer you stay in this path the more you learn , the more you learn the more you CAN validate a lot of things you always wondered. IS it true, is it path worthy , is it right for me? These are things each Jedi HAS to ask them SELFS on their own paths. So as a Jedi I offer this to you, why the Temple.
Validation, thru knowledge and good old fashioned perseverance, other wise know as curiosity. You got both in floods, I see it! So for this week, my hope is that you find your own validations and you find out for yourselves. My hope is you can still look at the great wall and feel small and still, you look up at the stars and wonder. My hope is we turn to ourselves and our teachings and find EXACTLZY what we need, not what "I" need but what we need personally. Remember, we are Jedi and the answers will differ as colors in a rainbow of light. Don't worry about the answers so much but get the process down. Start the fire , fan the flame, grow Jedi grow, no one can stop you, you know why? Its in our own doctrines that we can validate what we seek. Might not be the answers we want right then and there but we will find them. From one who is and has been there, friends, keep on! SEEK FIND share live grow. May the Living Force be with yall allways!

...
"as always Feel free to comment or validate anything... if you have any questions at all feel free to pm me. My door is always open and I am almost always available , some times for those who need it or want it. Be strong in your paths Jedi! be like water, be strong.

Thank you for this Master! Very relevant to me! I meditate...nearly...everyday. I am trying to get into the habit of making it everyday and I am well on my way.
Force be with you always Master!

In the course of being in the Temple I am talking a course on this a course on that. Man my brain some days if so full of stuff. Don't forget to make time to rest too. No fair using your drive and fire and not stopping often to re fule or rest and re begin. The break is as important as the content. I had a engineer tell me one time... the best machines run while resting. That's what you pay more for. There is so much we can teach each other. Don't u think? Smiley face

Carlos Temple secret : work a break in the process as often as possible. Helps for good form, sanity and focus!

Focus-yours

I often ask a simple question to my self. Where is my Focus. A simple question to a not so simple answer. As a Jedi our Focus can be anything we choose, better yet it can be a number of things if we so choose. Now , that being said if you don't know let me tell you, Jedi ism, is a very open idea in to which many different ideas CAN and will be together to create something as individual as the person itself. We all have our different focus, that ok. I'm gunna Bold it so u can read it. WE DONE HAVE TO BE ALIKE. Your focus is your own. It is up to each Jedi to figure it out. Some understand more quickly than others and begin their choices to change or modify their own ideas and focus. It is entirely up to you what you choose to study and focus on in your life. Isn't that a nice thing to know? It is up to you to figure out whether its worth keeping or keep searching. It is up to you to know where to put your own focus. Jedi ism will never condemn, blame or tell you some one else's as you must, nope, and I think that we can all say here that if so, you might want to check it out a bit more. Most of us here are looking for a better path and a better focus. That seems to be the common goal here. Watch! look! see! take some time to ask, hmmmm where IS my Focus? It can and will change at times by situations and time. Count on it. Do you have a focus? Do you have multiple? Do u have enough? too many? This is the Mindfulness that combats ALOT of common stumbling block in the Jedi path as well as in common every day life. Life is constantly moving, going, flowing and it CAN be up to us where our focus is, or isn't. This week as we make attempts to focus on things this week, our lifes, family, friend's and Temple, be reminded friends and Jedi, if its your focus, ITS OURS and you can control and direct it with a bit of, MINDFULNESS.
May the Living Force be with YALL always!
Carlos

This week I lay this at your feet Jedi
In my studies I have found a truth, a reason , a pitch or a idea and it is taken from here ..


The World according to Mr. Rodgers
Important things to remember
by Fred Rodgers
copyright 2004 family communications inc.

This is not from the Land of Make-believe but his memoirs.

"If you could sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet: how important you COULD be to the people you never even dream of. There is something of your self that you leave at every meeting with every person. " pg 160.

I personally think Mr. Rodgers was part Jedi lol
We never know the impact we have on things, places or people by just us being there. I encourage those on the Jedi path to remember that we are the light, if you don't want to be the light then your in the wrong place. This place is designed to help grow and nourish this one of many ideas. We never know who or what and how we influence things. Be it known some times our presence IS the difference in some cases.
Jedi, be Jedi.
Continue to be the light, the more we see and the more we realize our surroundings some days the more we realize how in the dark so many things are, SOME TIMES WE ARE THE ONLY LIGHT SOME WILL SEE. Come on Jedi, shine. Do what it is that makes you shine. Be the light not only because its our path and chosen focus but to those without. (family friends co workers ect...)
My son looks to me for certain things, father, cook, companion, teacher, yet I fill them all every day , not to mention lover husband and a many other hats I stack on top of each other from others as well. We are not alone in this world friends, we would like to think we are and some even wish we were but the truth of the matter is we are not. Why Jedi? Why be the difference in things, hopefully you share the same thought with me, for those I see, for those I personally come in contact with. Be mindful Jedi this week about things, sometimes ,whether we like it or not we are the light some never knew existed!
May that Living Force be with yall where you stand this day!
Carlos

Our lives and beings are so intertwined , we dont even know the half of it , all the problems in the world that mean nothing if we ever get really disconnected and feel as if we dont matter , what an intens lonely feeling that must be. I notice how people get sad and upset when we fight in the Forum and i realise that for us , THIS is HOME , and nobody likes fights at home , we want to be together and cuddle , Jedi hugs all over , but let me tell you ,there is yet a family to be born that does not fight , the connection the learning , the leaving and the coming back . Its like my family here :laugh:

May the Force be with us

This world we live in is vast. Very vast. Some days there is a lot. (I wish I could underline the word is!) Too much if you ask me. I have learned through my studies that I personally can not handle it all some days. This rele-vation (pun intended) shows me a few things I would like to share. There is a focus. Now, taking the Buddhism course or two from Coursera will reveal many things in the course of the study. One of the minor things I have learned is that life goes whether or not I'm on the wagon. This causes me to think. Its the flow and ebb as some have said of things that we can either flow with or swim in or even allow to dismantle.
Now, it IS up to every Jedi to decide their own fate. Be it known, friends and Jedi, this is not a one size fits all, its really a your size can fit all kind of way of thinking. No path is the same and therefore no way will be similar, I'll say it again so those who take notes can catch that, NO PATH IS THE SAME. Knowing this, it seems silly to see a few things butt heads when we kinda know that we won't have the same answers, hu? hmmm. This is something for us as Jedi to think about. I never want to blame or shun any one ever in this place, not the intention ever, the intention is to build. When builders realize they have different tools and different skills, lets just say each house is going to be different. You can spend your day and time trying to make others see like us but in the end, Their house, their tools, their path. Why do we forget that as Jedi some times? I don't want to seem like a downer by any means. The Jedi way is a uplifting way of thinking, I can! If I were to sum up Jedi-ism in a nut shell my official stance is this, "yes you can" quote me if you like lol. Part of the reason I find myself sad and lonely some times is because I simply forget I am a part of something that can help. When you're feeling down and in a corner as some say , its ok, when you see everything is different and not in your control , that's ok. life is full. He who controls it, all of life, has got some problems on their hands, lol so rather than stress about the control of the vastness, turn to you Jedi. Notice your path and be happy , you have your own path. That's ok Jedi, you don't have to be like me and the best thing is and I say this with love I don't have to be like you. Yet we are...
May the Living Force be with yall
Your Knight and minister , Carlos