The 22 Jedi Teachings at Jedi Sanctuary
Taken Directly From Star Wars
by Jedi Kidohdin
-Jedi are serious about the Jedi Path, and serve the Living Force.
1. Jedi are committed to the Jedi Path and are serious students of the Force, not thrill seekers or adventure seekers. Jedi don't need to tell other people that they are Jedi; our Path is inner and personal, and our business is our own. But Jedi are committed to, and are serious about following the Jedi teachings in their own private lives, and are committed to serving the Living Force.
References:Luke: "Never. I'll never turn to the dark side. You failed your Highness." -Episode VI
Yoda: "My ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is." -Episode V
Yoda: "A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, hmm? The most serious mind." -Episode V
Yoda: "Adventure. Ha! Excitement. Ha! A Jedi craves not these things." -Episode V
-Jedi live in the present moment.
2. Jedi live in the here and now, and don't have stress about the future or the past. Jedi focus on the present moment. This isn't as easy as it might seem because the mind always rushes to the future or past and doesn't seem to be content with the present moment. Contact with the Living Force is always in the present moment. The mind is our tool, and we need to stop our incessant thinking that comes from the mind in order to be conscious of the present moment, and to live in the present moment. We need to control the mind, and not let the mind control us.
References:Qui-Gon: "Keep your concentration here and now where it belongs."
Obi-Wan: "Master Yoda says I should be mindful of the future."
Qui-Gon: "But not at the expense of the moment." -Episode I
Qui-Gon: "Concentrate on the moment." -Episode I
Yoda: "This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was doing. Hmph." -Episode V
-Jedi can feel the Force.
3. Jedi are sensitive people, and are experts at feeling energy. Jedi can feel the Living Force flowing through them, and around them, and outside of them. Jedi are equally sensitive to dark side energy, and know how to avoid it.
References:Yoda: "You must feel the Force around you." -Episode V
Obi-Wan: "A Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him." -Episode IV
Yoda: "Reach out. Sense the Force around you." -Episode II
Obi-Wan: "Stretch out with your feelings." -Episode IV
Luke: "There's something not right here. I feel cold,...death."
Yoda: "That place.is strong with the dark side of the Force." -Episode V
-Jedi are in tune with their feelings and intuitions.
4. Jedi believe in using and trusting their feelings and intuition. Jedi are intuitive and are in touch with the core of their being. Jedi can access this "inner knowledge" that seems to come from their Tan Tien, Hara, or belly center (also known as 'that Gut Feeling'.)
References:Obi-Wan: "Trust your feelings, Luke." -Episode IV. Qui-Gon: "Feel, don't think. Use your instincts." -Episode I
Yoda: "Use your feelings, you must." -Episode II
Yoda: "Use your feelings, Obi-Wan, and find him you will." -Episode III
Qui-Gon: "Don't worry. The Force will guide us." -Episode I
-Jedi have calm minds.
5. Jedi believe that a calm mind can be achieved through meditation and contemplation. Jedi need to meditate often in order to clear their minds. Our minds, like sponges, get contaminated from the world, and need to be cleaned out daily. We even absorb things from those who are around us, and from our environments, etc. so it's important to keep a calm, clear mind and to be aware.
References:
Yoda: "Meditate on this I will." -Episode II
Yoda: "Concentrate, feel the Force flow. Yes, good, calm, yes." (Yoda teaching meditation to Luke) -Episode V
Yoda: You will know. When you are calm, at peace, passive. -Episode V
Yoda: "Control, control. You must learn control." (Yoda teaching meditation to Luke)- Episode V
-Jedi are mindful of their thoughts.
6. Jedi believe in being mindful of their thoughts. Jedi keep their thoughts positive. A positive attitude is healthy for both the mind and body. This has been proven by science too. Jedi are mindful and watch their thoughts. Not every thought that 'pops' into our head is actually ours since thoughts can originate from many sources in the Universe, and not just our physical brain. We have to be able to discern the thoughts and remove the negative ones. Even the food we eat can influence our thoughts, so we need to be mindful.
References:Obi-Wan: "Anakin, you're focusing on the negative again. Be mindful of your thoughts." -Episode II
Qui-Gon: "Don't center on your anxiety, Obi-Wan." -Episode I
Obi-Wan: "Be mindful of your thoughts Anakin. They'll betray you." -Episode I
-Jedi have lots of patience.
7. Jedi cultivate patience in their lives. Yoda tested Luke to see if he had patience, which he didn't at the beginning. But Luke learned to have patience later on. Patience has to be consciously developed over time. All the Jedi teachers stressed patience. We can all work on developing our patience!
References:Qui-Gon: "We shall have patience." -Episode I
Obi-Wan: "Be patient Luke. Stay and watch over the droids." -Episode IV
Yoda: "Patience. For the Jedi it is time to eat as well. Episode V
Yoda: "Patience. Soon you will be with him." -Episode V
Yoda: "I cannot teach him. The boy has no patience." -Episode V
Obi-Wan: "He will learn patience." -Episode V
Obi-Wan: "Patience! If you choose to face Vader you will do it alone." -Episode V
-Jedi protect and defend the helpless.
8. Jedi try to protect others if possible. Jedi are 'Peaceful Warriors'. Jedi are also aware that being prepared and trained gives them the advantage if they do have to protect themselves and others. Most Jedi know at least one form of martial arts or self defense. Also, Jedi don't leave others behind; Jedi go back and try to help those who are facing dangerous situations.
References:Yoda: "Around the remaining Jedi, a perimeter you will make." -Episode II
Qui-Gon: "Your Highness, it is our pleasure to continue to serve and protect you." -Episode I
Qui-Gon: "I cannot fight a war for you, Your Highness, only protect you." -Episode I
Palpatine: "Leave him, or we'll never make it."
Anakin: "No. His fate will be the same as ours." -Episode III
Leia: "We've got to go back. I know were Luke is." -Episode V
Anakin: "Now go, my son. Leave me."
Luke: "No, you're coming with me. I'll not leave you here. I've got to save you." -Episode VI
-Jedi avoid fear, anger, aggression and hate.
9. Jedi are aware of, and avoid the 4 vices that lead to the dark side; Fear, Anger, Aggression, and Hate. If Jedi see these negative emotions manifesting within, they know its time for some meditation to work it out, and not to suppress the dark emotions. Usually focusing on a positive emotion to replace the negative one works best. Jedi are always on the look out for these dark emotions. Jedi are determined not to allow negativity to take root within their minds and lives.
References:Yoda: "Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they." -Episode V
Obi-Wan: "Luke, don't give in to hate. That leads to the dark side." -Episode V
Yoda: "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to Anger. Anger leads to Hate. Hate leads to suffering." -Episode I
-Jedi stay physically fit.
10. Jedi stay physically fit in order to accomplish their mission in life. Fitness is a part of Jediism, but the level of fitness depends on the individual. Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, the Martial Arts, jogging, swimming, biking, etc. are excellent ways to stay fit. Always consult with your physician before starting any physical fitness program.
References:Yoda: "Run! Yes. A Jedi's strength flows from the Force."(Yoda giving Luke physical training)-Episode V
Obi-Wan: "Run, Luke. Run!" -Episode IV
-Jedi believe in destiny.
11. Jedi trust in the will of the Force and accept the fact that nothing happens by accident. Jedi believe in destiny, and that there is some method to the Universe. Things happen when they are meant to happen. There is a 'soul-plan' for every person, but it's hard to understand these things from our level.
References:Qui-Gon: "Finding him was the will of the Force...I have no doubt of that." -Episode I
Qui-Gon: "Nothing happens by accident." -Episode I Obi-Wan: "In my experience, there's no such thing as luck." -Episode IV
Obi-Wan: "You cannot escape your Destiny." -Episode VI
Oui-Gon: "I'm sure another situation will present itself." -Episode I (concerning not having enough money to buy parts; trusting in destiny.)
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