The Path of a Jedi
The Jedi way can be applied to every situation in life. It is whatever you want it to be. You are in control of yourself and your situation when you accept the Jedi way as such.
All the defensive and offensive techniques can be learned in a short period of time without great difficulty. A bright student can become adept at the physical aspects in a year or two.
The purpose of the Jedi way, however, is not so easily revealed. A lifetime of devotion may not unfold the basic truths of which the Jedi way consists of.
A slow student requires more devotion, and, if he can find that dedication within himself, he has more chance of reaching the truth then a quicker student who accepts the knowledge casually. Devotion is the key, the question, and perhaps a large part of the answer, as well.
Learning how to use the Force is often a matter of unlearning many other things. Once we all had a natural flow of the Force from the universe to us, and it flowed in turn from us to the universe. Just as a baby knows how to breathe naturally, so too it knows how to use the Force. As people grow up, however, they tighten up, develop new habits as behaviors are forced on them, and gradually forget how to keep this natural flow. As a result, babies can sometimes do things adults cannot. They can, for example, keep their tiny fists closed so that they are almost impossible to open. Adults, however, can do this only with great effort. It is usually only during a crisis, or when under hypnosis, that adults can tap this hidden power and do extraordinary feats they could not do otherwise.
When in combat a Jedi empties her mind of all thoughts. She does not think about what cut to make with her sword, where to put her left foot, or how fierce the opponent looks.
This idea is not so strange if we think of ourselves riding a bicycle. After one learns how to ride a bike, it is far better not to think about how to peddle, how to steer, and how to keep one's balance. If one thinks about all these things at the same time, one is sure to fall off the bike. In this same way, a Jedi learns techniques in practice, and then in combat does his best to totally empty his mind.
Happiness and Study
Happiness depends on mental health and inner peace more than any outside factors. Jedi study promotes inner peace, mental health, strength, fortitude, and patience.
The Jedi Arts are not a cure-all, and instruction can fail to instill these qualities. However, given that the burden is on the student, the Jedi arts can bring happiness, long life, success, life without drugs or other crutches, self-awareness and self-confidence, freeing the mind to cope with outside forces more effectively, promoting understanding and eliminating confusion and frustration. Success in all endeavors follows.
True mastery of the Jedi way cannot be accomplished solely through practice and study. Nor can the Master be the whole source of information. This is good enough for the beginning or casual student, but inadequate for the serious student. The student must rely on himself and other sources to complete his information. Philosophy, religion, medicine, art, music literature, and science (especially physics) must be pursued until the student attains reasonably full understanding of these things. The student must make his own way. If this seems a lot to accomplish, perhaps one should reexamine one's goals to find if one has the will required to go on with this quest.
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