Jedi:Paths and Masteries

This page deals with dreaming. The Force has many paths towards a handful of ideals. The way of the Jedi does not rely on the mysterious, but rather the transcendental.

Walking the dharma is teaching the dharma, so the Jedi teach, even without saying a word:

• Attire -- the presentation of self (currently out-of-context)
• Health and Diet -- staying pure within
• Fellowship -- preserving one's mastery
• Martial Arts -- defense of self or others
• Meditation binds these paths and connects each of these to the four masteries, in order: Vigilance, Knowledge, Virtue, and use of Force.

Since these alone would make a transdendental society too far over the horizon, the Jedi take apprentices and teach more conventionally, too.

The Jedi receive a minimal stipend for their service to society. This is not a salary, which would imply some excess to provide beyond living means, but is defined by the State itself via a minimal deduction. As the State has settled on notions of private property (rather than a collective commons) and the Jedi hold no property, this is a very basic accommodation for the human needs of shelter and food.

The Jedi, in exchange of a minimal stipend are:

• be available to the State for purposes of the whole
• eschew material gain, refusing all titles of society (like "Doctor", "your Honor", or personal titles to any property) and making equipment themselves (donating wealth to the Order),
• put the needs of family beneath the whole, and
• ensure continuity through the master-apprentice relationship, so that the Order does not fall.

Further, as long as they are serving the State and taking a stipend, they shall exhibit the highest ideals of behavior: dress and hygiene, speech and action. The Jedi need not follow the Rules of State, but they must respect them. If there were rules that could handle any and all situations, then the Jedi would not be necessary.

Like the immune system itself, the Jedi live without making a noise or leaving a trace.

Finally, there are 4 masteries in becoming a Jedi:

1. Mastery of Attention: Attention is the currency of global dynamics. How do you parcel your attention?
2. Mastery of Knowledge: What do you know? Knowledge will both broaden your options and limit you.
3. Mastery of Virtue: Who are you? Your actions will define you.
4. Mastery of Force: How do you use power? Either you will defeat power or it will defeat you.

All of these serve and channel the Force and inform one's personal, daily path.

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See also:

• Stalking: Principles and Masteries.