Jedi feel emotions like all others. Our idea is Emotional Well-Being. This means Emotional Stability. It means Equanimity. It is about feeling fully, but not allowing that feeling to override your judgment. How is that possible?
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Celibate - Jedi are not allowed attachments. "Jedi Knights aren't celibate - the thing that is forbidden is attachments - and possessive relationships." George Lucas Interview May 2002 - news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1989505.stm
Long story and quotes short - We are not restricted from sex or romantic relationships. Jedi are fully allowed to be in relationships, have families, and so forth.
Monastic Order - Because of the fiction many view the Jedi as possession-less individuals like Shaolin Monks or something. This however isn't the case. Jedi own homes, cars, etc. Computers - obviously. The idea we look to embody is simply to temper materialism. Own your stuff, but don't let it define you.
Passionless - There is no passion; there is serenity. This of course isn't a literal law of the Jedi. Passion is definitely a requirement to succeed in anything. You have to have the drive, will, want, desire, ambition, to succeed. The Jedi Path, this site, all it would not exist without our Passion for the Jedi Path. Per usual, it is simply temperament.
Super-Hero - Jedi are not heroes in the super sense. We are not vigilantes. We do not go out into the night righting wrongs. We do not seek to wield swords in the name of justice. Some Jedi are in fact Police Officers. But this is not a requirement. There is no need for one to don a costume and weed out crime.
Bodybuilder/Model - Jedi have a focus on physical well-being. Luke Skywalker was doing handstands and running in the swamps with a Jedi Master on his back. Not our requirement. We believe in being physically healthy. But that differs per person. Because we have a focus on physical well-being does not mean you have to have a body of a Calvin Klein model.
Religion - A lot of media attention has been brought on due to the Jedi religion often called Jediism. This is not a requirement. At the JAO we don't hold to isms. Jedi is the focus. Some view that as their religion. And that is their personal choice and right. Others view it as a lifestyle, a philosophy, and feel it compliments their existing religious beliefs. Jedi focus on Spiritual Well-being, accepting it as your religion is NOT a requirement.
Cult - For a close look at this topic, you can Read This: http://jediacademyonline.com/jedicult.html
Jedi is a lifestyle path of self-betterment. You are not required to donate. Check out this Thread for more on that: http://jediacademyonline.com/forum/inde ... pic=1156.0
Fact is to be a Jedi all that is required is your desire and pursuit of the Path. Your time and effort will be required to some extent. But these vary per individual. Money is certainly not required. Obedience to a Leader is not Required. And if anyone asks you to move into the middle of nowhere Texas, please Question that. You do not need to relocate to be a Jedi. We will never ask you to dump your healthy relationships with friends and family. Being a Jedi is fully a personal choice and the path itself is a big proponent of free will. So outside of a very general definition of the word cult (a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.) Jedi is not a Cult.
Lightsabers - Lightsabers are not real. But there are cool toys. SaberForge, Ultrasaber, and FX Lightsabers are pretty cool. And they can be very fun to swing around. But they can also be dangerous. I have seen them draw blood and leave some injuries. So be safe. But Lightsaber practice is not a requirement. Some Jedi enjoy the fun side of lightsabers. They like keeping active by playing lightsaber tag and what have you. But these are fun games. Not required practices of the Jedi.
You Do Not Need to Own a (toy) Lightsaber to Be a Jedi.
Force Powers - Force Powers are a debatable topic because different Jedi define Force Powers in Different Ways. Some count the power of persuasion as a Force Powers. Others label Fore Powers as Telekinesis and Pyrokinesis (moving objects and fire with the power of your mind). These are not requirements. As I said, different places, different Jedi pursue this topic in different ways. When seeking training and/or a Mentor be sure this idea of the Force matches up. If you want to learn to call the TV remote to your hand from across the room I won't be teaching that.
For both of these topics - Remember Sith used lightsabers and had Force Powers. They are not and were not the defining elements of the Jedi. Not in the fiction and not in reality.
Have any other things you feel might be a misconception? Feel free to ask or add.
« Last Edit: April 03, 2014, 10:57:40 AM by Opie Macleod »