Should you wish to join the Coelescere Enclave of Jedi, then answer the questions below as best you can, and post your answers as part of your introduction at the Coelescere Enclave forum if you like. If you do not know the answer then answer with honesty at least. My own answers to these 7 questions are below, but you should answer with your own words and being. Remember - See right through you, some of us can.
Coelescere Enclave of Jedi
[Please find listed below some questions as requested to ask new members before joining. The first six were from Jedi Jason. The long winded one I added - Jedi Rivan]
1) Away from all the text books and the Jedi Code what does the Force mean to you?
2) How do you use / interact with it?
3) What do you feel you can contribute to the growing community?
4) How did you come to jedism?
5) How does it fit / Or not fit in with existing belief systems you may have or brought up in?
6) What traits do you feel best serve being Jedi and why?
7) Jedi come from many different beliefs. For some they have left those beliefs behind and for others they use thier spiritual past to enlighten their spiritual future. How open are you to learning and working with people of diverse religious backgrounds. How do you feel about learning from the scriptures and teachers of other religions to enlighten our own walk? Our society too often teaches us that beliefs are an “either/or” situation. One thing I was taught at seminary was that beliefs can be “both/and”.
Jedi Richard Strange Answers
1).
The Force is an emanation and an energy of many qualities - most likely quantum in nature, though it surrounds and flows through us, and binds together all life with purpose. Consciousness, which seems to be also quantum in nature, may just be another aspect of the Force, and allows us to feel our own connection to the Force, through consciousness, our senses and our feelings - the more stilled your mind, the easier it is to feel.
2).
I interact with the Force only whilst truly mindful. The quality of a stilled mind during mindfulness allows you to concentrate without concentration. The quality of true compassion comes if the bridge of consciousness leaps between heart and mind, and allows right action with insight. When I am sat still in mindfulness, I am connected to the Force, and may sometimes feel things, which I am still learning to identify (disturbances). The Force also allows action and creativity, but be mindful to return to the stilled mind after using your brain for thought and creative purposes and action - you will lose your connection to the Force if you do not return.
Whilst mindful I also practise various uses of the Force including: self healing techniques, psychic defence techniques, energy absorption and flow techniques, and energy sharing techniques (with plants and trees mainly), amongst others (listening to feeling, and learning when I do - or not). I am also learning to feel truth and meaning in the Force - this can be useful when reading or listening.
3).
My time, knowledge and experience - maybe more, maybe less, depending upon the ebb and flow of life, and what I’m doing.
4).
I’m beginning to believe I was born for it. I wanted to be a knight before Star Wars first appeared, and I have found that the jedi way as portrayed in the movies, and some of the literature, to be apt to my own life and experience. I sometimes use quotations or variations of those from Star Wars, as they are personal to me and they fit what I am writing or saying.
5).
I have studied and applied knowledge and ways of most of today’s major religions and ways, to some small degree, if not more, though my studies and practise have not been confined to these areas alone (lol a little bit here, a little bit there). I am only a jedi - this is enough for me. If everyone stops believing I will be the last.
6).
Mindfulness is the key, the door, and beyond are feelings in the Force. If you are not there already then question what I say. An inquisitive mind may lead you down the right paths, but you will not learn if you do not question and then practise what you have learned. Compassion serves a jedi well - it is a doorway to peace, and a reward of mindfulness.
7).
I have walked the path of the comparative theologist, and still find time to find and learn more. The seeking has not stopped, this is the way it should be, as you may find purpose in the seeking - do not limit yourself only to theology.
Do not ignore calls to action, or feelings to be still.
May the Force be with You
Jedi Richard Strange
