A Short History of the Jedi Movement

Part 1
by: Master Sifo-Dyas

People who believe they are Jedi? Isn't that just a series of Star Wars movies?  Are these people crazy?

Jedi have grown far past the movie saga and members of this movement span the face of the world.  Many of the Jedi today are doctors, lawyers, NASA scientists, students, and martial artists.  They represent an eclectic blend of religious backgrounds and faiths.  What they have in common is a dedication to awareness, peace, justice, and above all else, compassion. 

Like the Jedi, the Jedi Code is malleable and is not meant to be scripture.  It is a stepping stone upon your path.  Regard the Code intently and move forward.
You are well met by thousands who walk the same road.  Unlock the potential inside you and begin today.

Myths are defined as any body of lore about a land or its people, which makes up their mythology and religion.  Myths are created by archetypal characters and stories and are not "fake" or generic fiction as many believe today; in fact myths are defined by most dictionaries first as a set of motifs or morals. Myths are as moving and breathing as the people they come from. 

The most noted mythologist that ever lived was Joseph Campbell, whose books form the academic on the topic of myth.  Joseph Campbell lived next door to George Lucas, and when Lucas was writing the basic concept of the Star Wars saga he drew a lot of inspiration from Joseph Campbell's conversations.  Lucas, in this way, set out to make the Star Wars saga a modern myth, full of motif, moral, and the power to teach a religious belief.  This is part of the reason the movies drew so many viewers and changed the film industry and the way movies were made at the time.  In fact, this is also the reason many individuals were drawn together to realize the full importance of the Jedi Project and to formally introduce the religious aspects of the movie saga to a mainstream lifestyle.

The Jedi Path is a serious undertaking that teaches the living Force, control over ones emotions, and inner discipline.  But it also teaches our interdependency, and how through blind faith in technological progress we have relinquished our connection to nature and the living Force.  It brings students back in touch with the world they live in so that they may protect and grow in it!

"YOU MUST BE MINDFUL OF THE LIVING FORCE…"

This faith is tentatively young, with practitioners meeting on the World Wide Web and occasionally in person; less than 20 years old the belief is not yet widely accepted in society. 

There has never been a guidebook except the occasional written essay and the dedicated individuals on the Internet who host information on their websites. 

Jedi can take on various roles in their society.  Before you begin by making your goal to become a Jedi Knight please read further and then reflect upon what Jedi represent.  Being a Jedi will mean you will be a teacher of others, but realize that your learning will always continue. 

Even as a learner or Jedi Knight we are all teachers, and always learning.  This truth does not change regardless of the rank you may decide to assign yourself.  Once you learn the truth of being a Jedi Knight then you shall have no need to call yourself anything!

The goal is to become one with the living Force and work balance in the world!

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