Post by Alena on Dec 26, 2006 18:31:14 GMT -5
The mistake that the original Jedi Council made was not allowing the
Jedi to have much understanding or contact with the "real world."
Taking them as infants before they can have that attachment to their parents or have any exposure of what it's like to be in the world. This detachment and removal is part of what I feel led to their
downfall, as it was a very real component to their arrogance and
complacency. It is interesting to note that one of the best examples
of Jedi whom I can think of was raised by his aunt and uncle and
helped them work on a moisture farm throughout his youth, and had
friends to hang out with--he certainly had at least one foot in the
real world by the time he was a Jedi. For that reason, I really do
think he's probably the best role model to look towards out of
everyone in the movies. I am also an admirer of Qui-Gon, but we see and know so little about him to know much beyond his refusal to join the Jedi Council and to see things from a very different perspective than Obi-Wan did.
So, about this "real world." We have bills to pay, food to buy, a
roof to keep over our heads--and in some cases, families to provide
for. Then there's our day to day lives, which hardly allow for
nonstop training and contemplation that one would find in a monastery.
There are ways to get around this, however. My schedule is literally
from 9-5 as a computer programmer. Some days it's 9-6. Some people like me are lucky and do not drive to work. I commute, and although I change trains in the middle of my route, I find this time to be the best time for quiet contemplation. Walks during my lunch hour are easily used for this as well. Managing my time after work turns into a balance between allowing myself a chance to unwind and socialize, and to maintain that mindfulness. Having a set time where you do your meditations, arranging for activities during the day where you can do some form of exercise, whether it be aerobics or martial arts, and even reading and studying philosophy can be of aid too. Carrying what you learn in these moments during the moments when you're at work, stuck in traffic, running errands, or paying your bills I feel is key.
What are some of the ways you get around the madness? What methods do you wish that you could incorporate that you have difficulty with? How do you get around it, or try to?
~Alena
Jedi to have much understanding or contact with the "real world."
Taking them as infants before they can have that attachment to their parents or have any exposure of what it's like to be in the world. This detachment and removal is part of what I feel led to their
downfall, as it was a very real component to their arrogance and
complacency. It is interesting to note that one of the best examples
of Jedi whom I can think of was raised by his aunt and uncle and
helped them work on a moisture farm throughout his youth, and had
friends to hang out with--he certainly had at least one foot in the
real world by the time he was a Jedi. For that reason, I really do
think he's probably the best role model to look towards out of
everyone in the movies. I am also an admirer of Qui-Gon, but we see and know so little about him to know much beyond his refusal to join the Jedi Council and to see things from a very different perspective than Obi-Wan did.
So, about this "real world." We have bills to pay, food to buy, a
roof to keep over our heads--and in some cases, families to provide
for. Then there's our day to day lives, which hardly allow for
nonstop training and contemplation that one would find in a monastery.
There are ways to get around this, however. My schedule is literally
from 9-5 as a computer programmer. Some days it's 9-6. Some people like me are lucky and do not drive to work. I commute, and although I change trains in the middle of my route, I find this time to be the best time for quiet contemplation. Walks during my lunch hour are easily used for this as well. Managing my time after work turns into a balance between allowing myself a chance to unwind and socialize, and to maintain that mindfulness. Having a set time where you do your meditations, arranging for activities during the day where you can do some form of exercise, whether it be aerobics or martial arts, and even reading and studying philosophy can be of aid too. Carrying what you learn in these moments during the moments when you're at work, stuck in traffic, running errands, or paying your bills I feel is key.
What are some of the ways you get around the madness? What methods do you wish that you could incorporate that you have difficulty with? How do you get around it, or try to?
~Alena
