The common practice to become or be a “Jedi” was based around a lifestyle choice to better oneself. It was commonly agreed upon that in order to do that, one would need to study subjects commonly following the “Mind” “Body” & “Spirit” structure in which members developed practices that touched on these aspects of an individual’s everyday life.
The Mind so that a jedi could learn to communicate, think critically and mediate tough situations.
The Body so that we could be healthy both in common health and in physical practices that got you up out of your chair and moving actively. And... course...
The Spirit. Learning meditation, the force, and understanding the self through the reading and practice of philosophy and/or religious like routines. The intended goal was to enrich their lives by improving their potentials just like the “Jedi” in star wars did.
Over time. The "Jedi" groups and community in general became divided in what these methods of study actually meant to them. Were they more religious based where they worshiped the force and followed set rituals and mannerisms or were they more practical in that the beliefs they held meshed and melded with there everyday life practices? As a result, "Jedi" took on two unique terminologies and forked off in two different directions.
Jediism: After the founding years of members using the internet to connect with each other and share like interest’s that correlated with the Star Wars philosophical ideals. Some members felt that things needed to go up a notch. A strong desire to create a Clergy and a Legal Foundation for the practice that was ‘Jedi Like’ To perform weddings, ceremonies and standard practices that defined the level of training and structure of the Jediism way in the form of Doctrines.
Realism: Came about a few years after Jediism as some of the membership chose to stay away from the sought after ‘religious’ structure and return to the way things began in the founding years which was more based around “Lifestyle Choices”
At the heart of each group - the belief, practice and ideals are very much the same. It is simply the execution that separates them from one to the other and all are dependant on the leader’s of each individual groups. Temple of the Jedi Order for example has an extensive Doctrine, holds weekly sermons, applies a standard training practice, and has a clergy staff on hand to teach Jedi in the ability to legally marry others. (among other things)
Institute for Jedi Realism however hold classes similar to university studies based around the common practices mentioned above. It is a place to simply study as Jedi without any obligations beyond class work or group associations.
Each has its pro’s and con’s and you will always find a group that takes their definitions a step further in order to distance from either categorization. But no matter how a group is lead or what each individual identifies themselves as. All are simply working towards being Jedi - It is up to you to decide where you choose to hang your cap.
Journal Entry
If you were to create a Jedi Group, what are some common structures you would apply? Would you teach Jedi Studies? Would you hold Sermon’s or group chats? Write a presentation on your own pretend Jedi Group! Remember to have fun with it!