History of the Jedi Religion Part 2
The Fictional and Real History of the Jedi
The fictional Jedi lived in a time of the Star Wars prequels, "in a galaxy far away and in a time long ago." There the Jedi Knights have served as peacemakers since the awakening of the Republic. From system to system, grand Jedi Academies were firmly established to train potential Jedi in the ways of the Force.
These academies formed a philosophical study group and spent centuries learning about the mysterious energy of the Force. For over 25,000 years, the Knighthood functioned, as Explorers, Educators, Healers, Philosophers, Artificers, Factotums, Investigators, Naturalists, Enforcers of Justice, and more. Becoming a Jedi Knight was not an easy task to complete. It took years of hard work, dedication, discipline, and an indomitable spirit.
The Jedi Project, the basis of the present-day Jedi religion, itself has an uncertain origin. It is known that it had to have developed after the first Star Wars movies around 1977. Fans of the movies -- and individuals struck with hero worship of the Force and the Jedi Code of ethics -- began the movement. The subculture reached its truest potential with the Internet and the communication of ideas that the World Wide Web beginning in the 1990's which allowed True Jedi to trade back and forth across the waves of digital media.
The Jedi Religion became more popular with the release of the Star Wars prequels. The new shows did not have just a few solitary Jedi Knights in them but the whole sweeping Old Republic army of the Jedi Knights, their illustrious Temples and Academies, and their strict Jedi Code. The Force swelled with this resurgence in True Jedi believers and a new generation began to discover the Force.
The main difference in Jedi realists and the Jedi of fiction, are of course, the fact that this is not the far away galaxy and that the True Jedi cannot work miracles or swing into lightsaber battles to defend planet Earth. The True Jedi do follow the Force often interpreted as universal life energy. And the True Jedi do train their bodies and minds to meet the undetermined future and defend their fellow human beings and strive always toward balance and harmony.
A True Jedi must do what most people choose not to do, develop an awareness of the living Force. They must experience without fear the oneness with the Force by feeling it flow through them.
They learn to stretch out with their senses, letting go of their limited idea of themselves, and begin to understand how to use deeply instinctive levels within their subconscious being. In this book we'll explore their methods. By listening, by becoming balanced within peace, by focusing their attention into the Force, Jedi dwell in a place where their individuality is set free. This ultimate and final release into the Force provides access to knowledge and strength within the surrounding universe and beyond. The Jedi are mindful of their place and submit themselves to the living Force, learning to respect the ways in which everything contributes to and is a part of, the Force.
The Jedi Path does not have to conflict with the religious base you have under you already. When Christians choose to become a Jedi, they do so with the complete understanding that the Force's power comes from their God. Buddhist and Hindus see that the will of the Force and the release into it are intrinsic to their own sanctified ideals. Almost anyone can see parallels that make the Jedi Path perfect for him or her, and they respond in accord with their own religions.
For friends, family, or loved ones of the hopeful Jedi, it can help you to think of the Jedi philosophy in its simplest terms, as a modern code of chivalry. Lots of people grow up playing with swords and hearing tales of marvelous warriors and heroic deeds. Almost always these stories come to us braced by an ancient code of ethics, which historians call "chivalry" today.
Chivalry does not have to mean laying your jacket down so a lady does not have to step in a puddle. In today's more modern, free culture where women have more liberties and unisex evokes the norm, the backbone of chivalry lies in honor, respect, understanding, and compassion for all living beings. This is what the Jedi represent. So do not scoff at your friend, relative, or close loved one for choosing a path of Jedi. Notice how your advantage of them increases as you think of the knightly code of chivalry they have chosen to follow.
Article copyright to JediSanctuary 2003