Star Wars and the Real World: The Jedi in Real Life
You can learn the Ways of the Force
A little backstory: who are the Jedi?
When we look at the Jedi, we see warrior monks, who possess superhuman abilities/powers through their practice of their cultivation and connection with the mystical universal energy field known as the Force, who live by a higher moral code, and serve to protect peace and justice in the Galaxy.
In their own words, the Jedi are ‘Keepers of the Peace’ and ‘Guardians of Peace and Justice in the Galaxy’ - universal servants, who “give without any thought of reward”. Serving all life, all beings, all souls in countless planets, stars, throughout the Galaxy, unconditionally.
What is the Force? In the words of Obi-Wan Kenobi, “The Force is what gives a Jedi [their] power. It’s an energy field that is created by all living things... it surrounds us, and penetrates us, it binds the Galaxy together.”
If we use the definition of Jedi as being a group of warrior monks, who possess superhuman powers and abilities through their cultivation and deep connection with a universal oneness energy field, who are connected through a monastic order which has a lineage process of passing down the practices from Master to apprentice, who serve to protect peace and justice throughout the realm, who are affiliated with the government to the point of interceding in conflict of the realm, including conflict resolution and negotiations, quelling uprisings, participating in civil wars on the righteous side, participating in all-out wars on the front lines as commanders of military units, protecting the reigning leader as members of his personal guard, protecting the realm from invasion, and aiding in rebellions to overthrow the government when it falls into corruption - this description could be accurately used for the Jedi order of the Old and New Republic.
What if I told you, this description could also perfectly describe the heroes and warrior monks of Ancient China?
A long time ago, in a far away land...
In ancient times, the Zen and Dao monks would devote lifetimes of studying and practicing to develop their internal energy field, their essence, and cultivate their energy centers through deepening their connection with the universal energy field, which exists within, and connects all things in countless planets, stars, galaxies and universes - known by some as the Tao, the ‘way of all life’, oneness, by others as one’s true nature, Buddha nature, and to those in a Galaxy Far, Far Away as the Living Force.
This practice is known as Xiu Lian 修炼 . “ “Xiu” means purification of one’s soul, heart, mind and body and “lian” means practice, so Xiu Lian is purification practice. Xiu Lian is the totality of one’s spiritual journey, because the spiritual journey is a purification journey.” - Dr. & Master Zhi Gang Sha, Tao II: the Way of Healing Rejuvenation, Longevity and Immortality, page 76.
Now we will look at the term 侠 Xiá
Xia means someone who uses power to help others in need. Xia are similar to knights errant, skilled warriors who are champions of the common people, living by a higher moral code, riting injustice, protecting the helpless, defending the defenceless, fighting for righteous and meriteous causes, fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves, often against corrupt authorities. Bringing balance to the realm. As said by master Yoda , ‘A Jedi uses their powers for protection and defence - never for attack’.
They were part of a larger counterculture to mainstream society, called the ‘Jianghu’, consisting of vagrants, vagabonds, poets, musicians, merchants, disillusioned officials, martial artists, and cultivators.
‘Jiānghú’ 江湖 literally translates ‘rivers and lakes’, for members of this community travelled - rather than by conventional methods of road - secretly, by rivers and lakes. They lived by a code of ‘Xia’ which included chivalry, righteousness, justice, loyalty, truthfulness, virtue, benevolence, individualism, disregard for status, and places emphasis in repaying kindness which one has been given. Many were often inclined to a hermit-like existence.
Xia possessed some level of cultivation of their energy field, as the cultivation of ones mind, body, energy and spirit are inseparable from the study and practice of martial arts.
For those who wanted to Deepen their connection, to harness this, to further develop their skills, gain higher abilities and possess greater powers, they would ‘go to the mountain’ to study and practice in solitude as hermits (much like Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Luke did in their later years), or go to temples to study with great masters.
These Xia who focused on developing their powers through cultivation were known as 修者 xiūzhě, 修士 xiūshì, and 修仙者 xiūxiānzhě, and were communally referred to as the 修真界 xiūzhēn jiè , meaning the cultivation world.
The Zen and Dao monks had highly advanced martial skills, dedicating their lives to study and practice, organized monastically, living in temples and passing on their learning from Master to apprentice through lineage, and occasionally making forays into the material world, interceding in internal conflict, defending the realm against invasion, participating in civil wars on the righteous side, serving as and training the personal bodyguards of the emperor, and even leading rebellions against corrupt governments.
The Zen and Tao monks were the most advanced martial artists, and the most powerful warriors. They were also the most peaceful and balanced of cultivators, from their years of dedication to study and practice, and thus the most qualified to use this power. They only used their power for service, as was mentioned earlier. In fact, they only received these powers by being in service, and having a good record of it: Take care of and provide for the whole, and the whole will take care of us. They knew the key to living a long healthy life was to give to others without considering what they would get in return. In return, they were given the ability to serve more and more. These include powers and abilities beyond our comprehension. The key to their service lay in the balance and harmonizing of their mind body and spirit through cultivation, practices, and developing the higher qualities of love, compassion, forgiveness, humility, harmony, gratitude, service, and more, granting them access to powers that would not be given to those with less self mastery, who could use them for selfish, amoral or unrighteous purposes - anything not in greater service to the whole.
The only reason they were given these powers was for service, to offer greater service to the whole, to be empowered as greater universal servants.
There is an ancient saying , ‘Da Tao Zhi Jian’ meaning the great way (of all life) is extremely simple. So simple you may not believe it!
In the words of a great Tao Master, Dr. & Master Zhi Gang Sha, “If you want to know if a pear is sweet, taste it.” Why not experience it and see what you feel?
An ancient practice from around the world is mantra. A mantra is a positive message with a sustained tone that can uplift ones energetic field, one’s frequency and vibration. There have been thousands of mantras throughout humanity’s history. This is Tao Song. Tao Song is a love song to heal and transform all aspects of life. As Padawan Skywalker said, Love is ‘central to a Jedi’s life’.
This is a very powerful practice.
There have been thousands of moving meditations throughout history, including tai chi, qi gong, pranic yoga, and many others. To cultivate the Living Force or life Force energy, which concentrates in centers around our bodies, known as centers of the Living Force, life Force energy centers or simply, energy centers. The purpose of these practices is to develop ones internal energy centres or fields.
“Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter,” said Master Yoda
This is the highest moving mediation I have discovered: Tao Calligraphy, which is Love Art, to heal and transform all aspects of life.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ttpcpkVmAT4
This is your first step into a larger world. I welcome you.
May the Force be with you....
