“How vain, without the merit, is the name.” – Homer
“The Council has granted me permission to train you. You will be a Jedi. I promise.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi
The Jedi order was a meritocracy. Jedi had merit. Progression through the ranks and the award of titles was granted on consistent demonstration of attributes and performance commensurate of the rank or title being sought. A Padawan who aspired to be a Jedi had to demonstrate that she could be a Jedi. A Jedi Knight who wished to become a Jedi Master was expected to perform at the level of a Master before it was granted. Rank and title were not granted out of favour or as an exercise in diversity or equity. Anyone could be a Jedi or a Master Jedi if they met the pre-requisites for being in the Jedi Order and they demonstrated the qualities for that role over decades of commitment.
“It is of no consequence of what parents a man is born, as long as he be a man of merit.” – Horace
Ahsoka Tano worked hard for years under the apprenticeship of Anakin to achieve the rank of Jedi. She survived the ordeals of the Jedi trials and fought bravely through the clone wars. She wanted to be accepted and recognised as a Jedi Knight because she had been tested time and time again and had not only performed but excelled in her duties.
Yet it was never good enough and she was made to wait and keep proving herself. Finally, when she was granted the title of Jedi Knight it was an insult. Betrayed by the Jedi Order when she was set up for a crime she had not committed and hunted, she was finally absolved of guilt and vindicated. As a concession the Jedi Order declared that the ordeal had been her final test on the path of Knighthood and granted her the title, but she refused. Ahsoka had principles, she would not be placated by rewards and compensation. The betrayal was final, and she left the Jedi Order, a move which likely saved her life.
“It seems to never occur to fools that merit and good fortune are closely united.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Anakin felt entitled from an early age. The slave child of a slave he grew up underprivileged and on the lowest rungs of society. Destiny granted him the chance to become something, to use the Force for the good of all. Rather than embrace his destiny he sought something he felt deprived of, the power over destiny. Anakin’s merit was his force abilities and drive, otherwise he was a fatherless slave-child.
Kenobi was thrust into his role as a Jedi Knight with the untimely death of his Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Despite his lack of experience Kenobi stepped up to the challenge and defeated Darth Maul in combat completing the final trial needed to become a Jedi. Qui-Gon Jinn recognised Obi-Wan Kenobi’s abilities and entrusted Anakin Skywalker, the chosen one, in his direct care as mentor and teacher. The Jedi Council was wise enough to grant Kenobi permission. Over time the relationship between Anakin and Obi-wan Kenobi would ultimately change the destiny of the entire galaxy.
“I judge people based on their capability, honesty, and merit.” – Donald Trump
Each of these characters destinies were intrinsically interwoven. The fate of each of them was ultimately decided by the Force. They each achieved their place through the merit of their actions and the intent behind it. Without merit none would have found themselves as pivotal characters in a play that would ultimately bring unity to the Force.
Ahsoka Tano, Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi originated from underprivileged backgrounds. Anakin was a slave, Ahsoka was a female Togruta and Obi-Wan was removed from his parents by the Jedi Order while still a small child. They were drafted into a fictional version of the Janissaries and dedicated to a life of training, service, and discipline in the Jedi Order. Who they were, where they came from, their race, gender and class did not matter. All that mattered was that they were strong with the Force. They were singled out because the Jedi Order saw the potential of merit not because they saw an opportunity for diversity, equity, or inclusion. Identity did not matter to the Jedi as you were a Jedi and nothing more. Even a former slave could become Jedi Master if he showed merit. Anakin was no less seen as the prophesized chosen one, the one who would bring balance to the Force.
“The learner always begins by finding fault, but the scholar sees the positive merit in everything.” – Hegel
Anakin believed that power was more important than merit. Rather than accept that destiny he wanted more. Self-discipline, humility, patience, honesty, and temperance were all limitations to Anakin, mere obstacles that blocked him from achieving his deserved goal of becoming the highest and most respected Jedi Master in the history of the order. Most of all, Anakin wanted power because he had been powerless as a child, a victim, a slave. Power could give him the means of setting things right, overcoming death and pain, saving his mother. The more he fought against reality the angrier and more determined and self-entitled he became. Hubris, arrogance, desire and anger replaced merit.
“Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.” – Alexander Pope
In the real world, what is merit and is it important? Would you rather visit a Doctor who was employed based on their race or social demographic or in their ability to practice medicine? Should a Fire Fighter be selected for their ability to meet the mental and physical challenges of the job or for their gender and sexuality? Merit should be the universal goal not diveristy and inclusion.
The Jedi Order only survived for thousands of years because it was a meritocracy not a DEI experiment. A Jedi had competency, ability, enthusiasm, conscientiousness and honesty which in the real world are all markers of successful people. They are also the characteristics of individuals who demonstrate merit. Look at our leaders and role models today. Look at people with important jobs and those who inspire others to greater accomplishments. Do they have merit?Do they demonstrate the virtues and values which we expect to see? Have they earned their place through commitment, honesty, courage, competency, and hard work? Do they value power and expediency over merit? Now ask of yourself the same question.
Dedicated to the firefighters of LAFD who in January 2025 did their duty despite being let down by the incompetence of their command and the ineptitude of politicians.
Memento Mori – Death is inevitable and anything that lives is destined to die. To live is to ultimately die, there is no escaping mortality. Most of us have a natural fear of death. It’s rare to find anyone who doesn’t and even rarer to meet someone who wants to die. As creatures that are conscious of their own mortality from a very early age, we humans have a strange relationship with death. It can raise in us terror, and denial but also peace and acceptance.
The Jedi viewed death not as an end but a transformation of existence from one reality to another. Life is eternal energy called the Force occupying a vessel. The Force lives on after the death of the organism. Everything returns to the Force. Depending on your beliefs you may view it the same way. You might also view death as the final stage of the decline of the organism which supports life and consciousness. Once the brain dies, so does consciousness and everything else. Only the corpse remains. There is no soul or Force released to return to the source. There is no afterlife.
“Twilight is upon me, and soon night must fall. That is the way of things… the way of the Force.” – Yoda
Recently I had to confront the death of a loved one and it forced me to meditate on death. She died after a long battle with cancer. Her poise and dignity during her illness one of the most Jedi-like things I have ever seen. The decline was rapid and painful but was received with acceptance and surrender.
I found that my grieving process was short. I quickly accepted it as the will of the force and felt that to grieve was a normal but at the same time so was letting go. It also made me consider my own mortality and personal relationship with death. Rather than throwing a dark shadow over me, the sadness lifted, and I was struck with a sense of peace. I realised that death is not the end but a new beginning. Not just for the soul of the departed but also for those that are left behind.
“Luminous Being we are, not this crude matter” – Yoda
Jedi Philosophy like similar philosophies helps prepare us for the vicissitudes of life. Much like Stoicism, it should also prepare us for death. The fifth line in the Jedi Code “There is no death – there is only the Force” places the concept of remembering death central to the philosophy. The Stoics contemplated death and reminded themselves that all men are mortal. The tenant of Memento Mori reminds us of our short and ephemeral physical existence in this universe. We should not reject death or fear it but accept it as an undeniable part of existence and when the time comes, we will be prepared to also face death with acceptance and surrender.
To live well and die well we must therefore prepare for something we prefer not to think about it.
“Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force.” – Yoda
Contemplate death. Every day contemplate death. Meditate on it. We should remind ourselves that suffering is caused by attachment and that freedom from attachment is the end of suffering. Loosen attachments to everything in life that your grasp on to, including your identity and life. Contemplation of death is not a morbid exercise. It is there to remind you of your own mortality and place in the universe as an indivisible point of reference in an eternal stream of consciousness. You are a part of the Force.
Prepare mentally and spiritually for death. The practices of physical fitness, meditation and healthy living make us appreciate life more and live better and longer. Mental and spiritual health is vital for coping with grief and for how we respond to news of a life-threatening condition. Ask yourself, “how would I feel if you or someone close received a terminal cancer diagnosis today”? If that strikes you down in terror, you need to work on contemplating death (above).
Leave your house in order. When someone dies, usually suddenly, it can leave loved one’s left behind picking up the pieces and trying to put things in order. Get a will and testimony written up. Make sure that your affairs are managed so that in the event of death loved ones are not left to resolve matters that remain after you are gone. I keep an envelope with details of insurances and IRA, debts and assets as well as login details to social media and online accounts. If you can afford it, have a funeral plan to avoid burdening others with the cost.
Leave memories. Story telling is a dying art and most of your personal story dies with you if they are not recorded. If you have children, consider writing an account of your life that they can keep. Children are often oblivious to the backstory of their parents, especially their Fathers. Photo albums are largely redundant these days, but photos are precious memories to those that receive them so never discount them. Who can forget the powerful message that family photos presented in the movie “Blade Runner”. Photos let people reach back into their own history and connect with their past.
Make the most of life. We all have a purpose in life. Find your purpose, live it and dream. You have a divine right to be here so make the most of every day. Fill it with memories rather than things.
Embrace your fate. Alexander the Great and his mule driver were both buried in the same patch of dirt. Yoda lived for 900 years, and Luke lived for 70. Death is the one common fate that binds the past, present and future. Everyone that has lived before, lives now and will live in the future all share that one common destiny. By embracing that fate, one has more gratitude for the gift of life and feels a greater connection with the Force.
“One with the Force, they are. And our job it is to remember that we will in time, also pass on. Luminous beings are we but temporary vessels, our bodies are. And we shall all find ourselves here in time. A moment of silence, I ask to remember and to move on.” – Yoda
“WWJD” – “What would Jesus do” is too a high bar to set oneself. Let’s face it. Being Jedi is being pragmatic and constantly taking an objective view of life. Jedi understand reality and their own limitations to act. Real world Jedi do not have Jedi powers other than their reasoned choice. Also, some of the virtues Jesus taught such as charity, forgiveness and “turning the other cheek” while noble are not always appropriate for a Jedi. This is not to say that Christian morals and virtues have no place in Jedi philosophy or any other religion for that matter, they do, only when it is realistic and pragmatic. Instead of asking WWJD ask WWKD – “What would Kenobi Do?”.
Kenobi is a good role model to imitate. Kenobi may have been gifted with the Force but he was fallible with faults and shortcomings like any human. On many occasions he showed his vulnerabilities and doubts. Years of war, the loss of loved one’s and the final rift between he and Anakin before a long exile on Tatooine left Kenobi deeply scarred. At the same time his experiences and trials made him more resilient, humble, confident, compassionate, and wise. Life as a Jedi Master was not easy, it was an ordeal and as a result Kenobi was able to overcome himself and eventually transcend to the Force.
Who was Kenobi? What made him tick? Kenobi’s personality traits made him a central figure in the Star Wars universe and a beloved character. The best way to answer the question “WWKD?” is to imitate Kenobi’s character as portrayed in the literature and movies.
Those qualities and virtues are easy to identify. Kenobi was brave, loyal, courageous, wise, intelligent, inspiring, bold, noble, and disciplined. There was also a soft and compassionate side to Kenobi. He could be caring, vulnerable, compassionate, witty and at times playful. Kenobi was an empath who truly cared for others ultimately to his own detriment. At the same time, the Jedi Master never lost sight of the mission and possessed a driven sense of justice and self-discipline. Who else could Yoda truly rely on to quietly watch over Luke for years while remaining hidden from the Empire?
Kenobi represented the archetypes the Sage and the Magician but within him resided all the archetypes fully integrated into his being. At the same time Kenobi was inherently human, he struggled and suffered and made mistakes before he finally surrendered to the Force. It was Kenobi that led Luke to embrace his destiny as the “Chosen One” and embark on the Hero’s Journey.
Seneca said that everyone should have their own Cato. A persona to look up to and emulate as much as possible. Seneca could have suggested a God or a Hero from the epics but he chose a Roman General and a defender of the Republic to serve as an example to Stoics. Someone human, with many virtues but also many faults and failings.
Today, there are few deserving role models to look up to. Kenobi, if no one else, can be that role model. The person who stands by your side and watches on as the silent witness. The one who quietly admonishes whenever you are being dishonest, resentful, lazy, belligerent, dishonest or selfish. A better angel, who in time, you can become and in turn act as an example to others.
“If you end your training now, if you choose the quick and easy path as Vader did, you will become an agent of evil.” – Yoda
To have agency is to have control over one’s thoughts, actions, and impressions. Agency means self-ownership and self-sovereignty over the things which you can control not the things you can’t.
Addiction not only takes over agency it becomes uncontrollable. This is why people find addictions so hard to break, they no longer control the habit. The habit controls them. Addiction is the point at which we have lost the freedom of choice.
Some people forget that addiction takes many forms. For me it was addiction to alcohol. But I was also addicted to certain patterns of behaviour and character defects that led to undesired consequences. This included dishonesty, anger, resentment, fear and constantly trying to control others and situations and becoming frustrated when they failed to meet expectations.
We can also be addicted to money, attention, fame, sex, caffeine, nicotine, gambling, gaming, work, food, drugs, and adrenaline. Even good things like exercise can become addictive and eventually lead to adverse consequence. Anything that provides reward, and a dopamine rush can therefore become addictive. Eventually that thing takes complete control.
Then how do we wrest control back? How do we regain agency in our lives and freedom from addiction?
The 12 steps provided me with a spiritual based solution to my addiction to alcohol. The irony is the addiction is still there. I am not cured of my irrational compulsion towards alcohol. In fact, I have no doubt that if I took one drink, I would quickly find myself drunk and back on the merry go road of alcoholism in no time. At least I have agency where it comes to alcohol. There is no power that would compel me to drink again.
That does not mean I have agency in all areas of my life. Only a Sage or a Jedi Master of the highest order would be able to achieve anything approaching complete agency in their lives. The important this is to claim what you have control over and let go of what you do not. You need only choose.
What I have been lacking over the last couple of years is clarity. In many ways I have been fumbling about in the dark without direction and without purpose. This has made it very hard to focus on much, let alone training, to become a better version of myself. Life has felt like an uphill slog through fog, mud, and low hanging branches. I’m not even sure of where I am going or what I mean to do when I get there. Life has become a meaningless existence, a day-to-day grind, void of any real purpose. To clear the fog and find a clear path I need to find clarity. Clarity of purpose, intent, meaning, anything.
“If one does not know which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.” – Seneca
It seems to me that lack of clarity is a universal problem. When the pandemic started everyone seemed to be clear on the need to quickly get through it and resume normal lives. More than two years passed, and the issue never really resolved but it faded from media attention, government priority and public interest. The world then stumbled into more problems, economic and political. War in Europe and the Middle East added to the confusion and sense that the world is spinning out of control. There is no longer a clear path only noise, division and derision.
The current situation reminds me of the Republic towards the end of the Clone Wars. The Galactic Senate had become hawk like and irrational. Decisions lacked clarity and the senate was ruled by personalities and vested interests instead of a common purpose or goal. The Jedi Order had long lost its path and become a political beast leveraging its influence and interests in the senate and the military. The Clone Army also became a weapon used for personal and political gain rather than its intended purpose, to defend the Republic and its democratic institutions. There was a lot of noise and arguing in the Senate, Jedi Temple and in military briefings but no common purpose, no clarity.
“Insight enables you to know your own heart. Clarity enables you to accept without illusion.” – Deepak Chopra
Yoda was referring to the inner world when he reminded his fellow council members “the dark side clouds everything”. The Dark Side was gathering its forces against the Republic, but Yoda was concerned more about the rot that was taking place within the Senate and the Jedi Council. The real threat did not reside with separatist forces but was there among them growing like cancer and shrouding everything in a dark cloud of doubt, deceit, confusion, and uncertainty.
Palpatine undermined and defeated the Jedi not through combat but by seeding doubt and uncertainty through lies, manipulation, and subterfuge. The Jedi lost clarity and in that fog of doubt the very sense of who they were. Darth Sidious, clear in his vision for the galaxy, only needed to enact Order 66 to finish off the Jedi and usurp the senate.
Lack of clarity, the insidious cloud of doubt and despair will derail progress and threaten recovery. Besides falling to resentment and despair, lack of clarity is one of the main things that will betray you.
“I have frequently seen people become neurotic when they content themselves with inadequate or wrong answers to the questions of life.” – Carl Jung
Clarity can be had by doing a few different things. Getting the right amount and right type of sleep, eating a balanced diet, and taking supplements especially vitamin B and choline. Physical exercise, meditation, and mindfulness practice, reading and doing mental exercises also improve cognitive function. Listing what needs to be done, prioritizing, and having a clear plan of action provides direction and focus. Striving for meaning and purpose in everything you do will lead to clarity in your mind and heart. Being grateful for what you have instead of constantly wanting what you don’t have provides clarity to the soul.
The world may be falling apart but you don’t need to. Being Jedi means being able to accept what is without judgement and keeping a clear mind. A clear mind leads to clarity and with clarity we have purpose and intent and find meaning in our lives. We know where we are going, and we know why and what we will do when we get there. Finding clarity amidst the noise, confusion and uncertainty in our external lives is impossible. You won’t find it anywhere but within yourself. Look there.
I hope that’s clear.
“Dwell not on the faults and shortcomings of others; instead, seek clarity about your own.” – Buddha
“As long as you live, keep learning how to live” – Seneca
“When 900 years old, you reach… Look as good, you will not.” – Yoda
Yoda lived to over 900 years of age and he never stopped learning how to live. In comparison to a human life span that is beyond comprehension. Imagine meeting someone who had been alive for 900 years. The stories and experiences they could tell, the lessons they had learned, the things they had seen over the centuries. Would anyone even want to live that long? They would live on generation after generation. It would be hard to watch the people they know, and love pass away from life and memory while they lived on to endure the slow march of time. Death never comes but yet one day it will. For even 900 years is nothing compared to the 100 000 years that Humans have been wandering the planet. Nothing and no one lives for ever.
Is it better to live a shorter life that is memorable than a long life that is mediocre? A long-life does not mean a full life and a short life does not mean that it has not been filled. A life can be like the slow burn of a candle, its low flame barely disturbed by air. It can also be short burn and cast a bright light across the lives of others. Is it better to live a life full of meaning or a long and meaningless one?
A daily practice of meditation, exercise and mindfulness as well as enough sleep and relaxation, a healthy diet and a sense of purpose and meaning are the essential ingredients for wellbeing and longevity. Connection with others and with nature are also important. We cannot live in isolation or be separated from nature. Humans also need to express themselves and be creative. The goal should be to realise the potential to live long, productive and meaningful lives.
Body
The body is the medium through which we experience the world. It is fragile, prone to damage and disease. The body fatigues and it eventually grows old and breaks down before it dies. Longevity is about keeping the body and the organs within it functioning at an optimal level for as long as possible. With care, effort and self-discipline the body can be maintained to last well beyond normal expectations. The three main areas that need to be considered are exercise, diet and sleep.
Exercise
It is no secret that regular exercise carries a net benefit to health. The key is the right amount of volume and intensity. I know people that overtrain and push their limits constantly and as a consequence experience injury and chronic fatigue. Unless you are attempting to break records or become a professional elite athlete there is no reason to break yourself with exercise. A good middle path should be taken. For me that includes a blend of strength and aerobic exercise that is designed to improve functional strength, burn calories, flexibility and mobility as well as cardio-vascular endurance measured by VO2 max. My activities include body weight calisthenics at the park, running, hiking, rucking with a 30-pound pack and fastpacking. I also regularly stretch and do yoga-based routines to improve flexibility and mobility which is very important. Your routine might be similar or completely different. I know people who exclusively workout at the gym or do CrossFit. Others are into running, trail running and ultramarathons. Some people prefer to stay fit through martial arts or team sports. There is no one size fits all.
The key to exercise it to elevate your heart and breathing rate to a level of stress where it might be difficult to talk. During strength exercises use resistance, sets and reps that fatigue targeted muscles to the point of failure. You can increase stress progressively starting off at a base and building up from there. Consistency is the key. Always seek advice from your medical advisor and a fitness professional before embarking on a new training regime especially if you have underlying health conditions.
Diet
The cliché is you are what you eat. It is true. In active alcoholism I did not eat healthy, and I consumed dangerous levels of alcohol. My liver was likely under severe stress as were my kidneys, heart and brain. Sobering up and abstaining from alcohol I quickly noticed the difference in my body. I was less fatigued and irritable, my sleep improved. My appetite improved, and stomach problems resolved. The mental fog lifted, and I felt healthier. Sticking to one type of diet for me is not practical. I have had short bouts of doing vegetarian, low carb and paleo but have stuck to none. These days I try to calibrate my diet to reflect my level of activity and what my body is telling me. This includes modest portions of protein, carbs, fibre and fat. I only eat when I am hungry and never overeat. Sometimes I will skip meals if I’m not hungry and do short bouts of intermittent fasting. My weight resides in the normal BMI range and rarely fluctuates as caloric intake generally equals energy spent. They key is to eat the right combination of food groups and include macronutrients in quantities that are needed to maintain health. There is no problem that food won’t solve but you can always eat yourself into trouble.
Sleep
Some people need little, and some need a lot. I tend to be in the latter group. Generally, I sleep 8-9 hours a day going to bed around 10pm and rising between 6-7am. This is enough to keep me functioning. Sleep hygiene is important. I never use portable device before going to bed and use a blue light filter on my PC. Reading is a good activity before bed. Some nights I skip dinner if I had a late lunch to avoid going to bed on a full stomach otherwise, I try to eat light in the evenings. Coffee is my only vice. I tend to drink my last cup in the evening, but it never keeps me awake. I tend to sleep warm, so I try to maintain a cool temperature in the room and ensure that there is water nearby and the room is well ventilated. If the room is not dark enough, I will wear a sleep mask and earplugs if there is ambient or background noise. Sleep is imperative to good mental and physical health. In alcohol abuse I never got enough or the wrong type of sleep and as a result I was always tired if not hungover, grumpy and sluggish. One of the main benefits of not drinking is waking up refreshed and rested and no longer suffering hangovers.
Mind
Having a healthy mind is important to living a good life. Mental health is tied to cognitive ability, emotional intelligence, psychological resilience and mood. The presence and absence of psychological disorders is a function of mental health. For twenty years I lived through a mental as well as a psychological disease. The deleterious effects of alcohol on the body have been relatively easy to reverse compared to the mental damage that occurs after years of alcohol abuse. Most alcoholics struggle with emotional and psychological issues long after they have stopped drinking. The compulsion to drink may be gone but the emotional scars remain. By working the 12 steps, seeking professional help and having a spiritual practice and a relationship with a Higher Power I was able to mitigate if not overcome much of the emotional and psychological baggage that I carried. As a 12 Step Jedi in recovery my mental health practice includes meditation, mindfulness, journalling, study and being curious about the world around me. I use Stoicism and CBT to observe and understand my emotions and realize my circle of control.
There are numerous ways to improve mental health. Getting enough exercise, a healthy diet and enough sleep is important. Reading books instead of spending hours scrolling through social media posts is a great way to practice attention and focus. Learning a language assists with memory. Playing games that require a level of puzzle solving and strategy is also beneficial. I enjoy video games that require you to think. The brain may not be a muscle, but it does thrive on activity. Cognitive decline can be delayed and even prevented by having an active mind late into life. Alcohol has a devastating affect on the brain, especially on younger people which is why alcohol should never be given to children under 18. I won’t find out for some time whether alcohol becomes a factor in my own mental decline but in the meantime, I will try to delay my own cognitive decline for as long as possible by staying as mentally active as possible.
Spiritual practice
Spirituality means different things to different people. It ranges from the deeply religious devotee to the person who finds intrinsic meaning in nature, people and the universe. I would not consider myself religious and could not give a label to my spiritual views if asked. In a census I have responded to the question around “religion” as being agnostic, pagan and most recently I added Jedi. I have a personal relationship with my Higher Power as I conceive it. I call that Power “The Force” or “God” or nothing at all. My relationship with the Divine changes and evolves.
Spirituality is more than just believing. Being a spiritual person is being and doing. You can live your life to make every act a spiritual one. We are after all spiritual beings having a human experience. The hardest thing of all is to reconnect with our spiritual source. Religions offer prayer, contemplation and meditation. But being in a religion is not a prerequisite for doing any of these things. I subscribe to no religion and pray, meditate, contemplate God and creation. Living a life as I believe God would want me to live is enough.
Spiritual practices look easy, but they are not. Good practice may take years or decades. Perfect practice in meditation can take a lifetime or never happen. The main thing is to apply effort and practice.
Community
Social Health is closely tied to mental health. Individuals may be solitary, but humans are by nature and necessity social creatures that really on other people. Civilization requires that people work together towards a common purpose. Let’s face it, you were dependent on another human being when you were a baby and will likely need someone to care for you again in the future. No one is an Island, but we also cannot become over dependent on others.
Being on a social media platform or on-line Jedi community is no surrogate to actual human contact and interaction. Worse it creates a false sense of reality. Social media distorts the truth, proliferates lies and creates social contagions which diminish rather than enrich the human experience.
I am a loner and rarely feel lonely. This is due to being introverted but also from becoming more self-reliant and self-sufficient through recovery. In alcohol abuse I shunned people and abused them, but I needed constant outside validation and company to prevent me from going insane. People were pushed away and pulled in depending on my mood and without care or consideration. I used alcohol as the medium to seek company and social acceptance. Of course, this was a charade. People were merely props to drinking, friends were drinking buddies and anyone who did not drink was open to suspicion and scorn. Recovery teaches us to go halfway with people and to be a useful member of a family, community, a citizen of a country and ultimately the world. We learn to respect and love people again and to love and respect ourselves. Recovery also trains us to never over rely on others and to have the self-reliance and resilience to cope with the inevitable disappointments, conflicts and tragedies in our lives that would otherwise lead us to alcohol.
Live long, Live Well
Humans have been searching for the keys to immortality for centuries without success. It remains a human obsession to remain on the mortal coil for as long as possible. Few of us will pass a century but we can still live a good and long life if we make the right choices. Health and wellness are the keys to longevity. In my midlife I am healthier now than when I was in my twenties. I get sick less often and recover faster when laid low with an illness. I had COVID three times, once before and twice after being vaccinated (under mandate) and was barely affected primarily due to my ideal weight and strong fitness. Today I deal with heart arrhythmias associated with the COVID vaccine and in the absence of known treatments take the necessary steps to offset that with diet, sleep and exercise. Only you, as an individual is responsible for your health and wellbeing, No one else.
Jedi living is not about how much material possessions you can accumulate, your bank balance or maintaining a physical appearance to impress others. Jedi living is about getting the most out of the time available to you as possible and never being satisfied with the status quo. It is not about the number of years you can clock before you check out, it is about improving constantly and living a good life. Do you want to live for 900 years as Yoda did to joke “When 900 years old, you reach… Look as good, you will not.” Or do you want to live a life that is full and free of regret? Do or do not.
According to Bing AI the answer to the question “How do I live like a Jedi“:
Living like a Jedi knight is not an easy task, but it is possible if you are willing to follow some principles and practices. Here are some steps you can take to become more like a Jedi:
Study the Jedi code.
The Jedi code is a set of ethical guidelines that Jedi knights follow to resist the dark side of the Force and promote peace and justice in the galaxy. You can find the Jedi code online or in various Star Wars books and comics. The code consists of five lines: • There is no emotion, there is peace. • There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. • There is no passion, there is serenity. • There is no chaos, there is harmony. • There is no death, there is the Force.
Meditate regularly.
Meditation is the foundation of Jediism, as it helps you to connect with the Force and yourself. Meditation can also improve your mental and physical health, reduce stress, and increase your focus and awareness. You can meditate in any way that suits you, such as sitting quietly, breathing deeply, listening to music, or repeating a mantra. You can also use guided meditations from various Jedi websites or apps.
Train your body and mind.
Jedi knights are known for their physical prowess and mental acuity, which they achieve through rigorous training and discipline. You can train your body by doing exercises such as running, swimming, yoga, martial arts, or lightsaber combat (you can use a toy lightsaber or a wooden stick). You can train your mind by doing puzzles, games, reading, learning new skills, or studying various topics such as philosophy, history, science, or languages.
Help others in need.
Jedi knights are protectors of the weak and defenders of the oppressed. They use their skills and abilities to serve the greater good and not for personal gain or glory. You can help others in your community by volunteering for a charity, donating to a cause, tutoring a student, helping a neighbor, or standing up for a victim of injustice. You can also join or support various Jedi organizations that work for social and environmental causes.
Be humble and respectful.
Jedi knights are not arrogant or boastful, but rather modest and courteous. They respect all forms of life and do not judge others based on their appearance, beliefs, or background. They also admit their mistakes and learn from them. You can be humble and respectful by being polite, honest, grateful, compassionate, and forgiving. You can also avoid gossiping, lying, cheating, or harming others.
These are some of the ways you can live like a Jedi knight. However, remember that being a Jedi is not about following a set of rules or rituals, but rather about finding your own path and discovering your true self. As Yoda said: “Do or do not. There is no try“.
“Be the silent watcher of your thoughts and behavior. You are beneath the thinker. You are the stillness beneath the mental noise. You are the love and joy beneath the pain.” – Eckhart Tolle
“Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter.” – Yoda
Have you ever felt you were being watched? Did you ever get the feeling that your every word and action was observed, scrutinised and judged by a silent and impassive observer? If you did or said something you knew to be wrong but rationalised it to be justified, did you ever get the sense that someone was looking on as a silent witness? If you said yes to any or all of the above, you have probably experienced the presence of the silent witness.
“To say that if the Jedi die, the light dies, is vanity.” – Luke Skywalker
The silent witness can be referred to as your conscience, inner moral compass, inner divine, guardian angel or soul. Everyone has one. It does matter if they are inherently “good” or “bad” people. Even the Sith had a conscience as diminished as it was in their absolutist view of things. Count Dooku (Darth Tyranus) for example felt that some actions were too extreme in the persecution of the Clone Wars. At times he made feeble attempts at diplomacy and peace that were quickly put down by Darth Sidious. In the end Dooku was punished for his “weakness” and betrayed by his Master at the hand of Anakin. In these moments of “weakness” was Dooku listening to his conscience? Did a shred of the Jedi Master that he was before falling to the Dark Side still remain as a silent witness to his crimes?
There are two ways to view the world. Through the eyes of the observer and through the perceiver. The observer see’s unfiltered reality. The perceiver also observes reality but adds the filter of judgement, bias, experience, hopes and fears. The silent witness is the observer of things as they are while the ego-mind is the perceiver from a given point of view. The silent witness is indifferent and immune to harm while the ego-mind is stuck in the state of suffering.
“Remember, concentrate on the moment. Feel, don’t think. Trust your instincts.” – Qui-Gon Jinn
The inner witness is the silent and unjudging divine observer that is ever present within our lives. We may not notice but it is there. The Dark Side of our nature attempts to supress it and drive it back into the shadows because the silent witness threatens the ego. Through mindfulness and meditation, we come to experience the inner witness and become aware that it is closer to our true self than the perceiving ego.
Close your eyes for a moment, take a breath in and relax, ask yourself “what am I thinking now?”. Notice how your mind goes blank? You have thrown a light onto your conscious and judgemental thoughts. The ego recedes from the light and all that is left is silence. Ask yourself “what am I feeling now?”. You will notice the swirl of emotions within you behind the rise and fall of your diaphragm as you breath in and out. As you observe and accept these emotions without judgement they will fade and be replaced by a feeling of lightness. You are present in the moment seeing reality without the filter of personal perspective. This is the state of NOW and the presence of the inner witness. You have become the observer.
Do it enough times and you will begin to feel a connection to the Force. All you need to do is become the observer to your thoughts and emotions. Your perception changes. You begin to lose judgment of your fleeting thoughts and emotions allowing them to wash over you. They lose their power to hurt you. You being to achieve a higher state of equanimity. Validation is found within the self rather than through others. Self-knowledge, self-acceptance and self-realisation begin to unfold like a blossoming flower.
“In my experience, when you think you understand the Force, you realize just how little you know.” – Ahsoka Tano
The Sith used meditation to cultivate their connection to the Dark Side of the Force and harness its power. The inverse was true for the Jedi. That was the nature of the duality of the Force which is actually one. Our reality has us experiencing the full spectrum of the Force.
In alcohol abuse I resided in a grey world that drifted in and out of a dark place. I was barely conscious of my inner witness and lived in the tight grip of the ego. In recovery the pendulum has shifted the other way. I am now more aware and less likely to act impulsively or allow rampant thoughts and emotions to get away from me. There is no Light Side or Dark Side to the Force. There is only the Force. The Light and Dark sides reside within me.
The execution of Count Dooku at the hands of Anakin was a pivotal moment in the Skywalker saga. Count Dooku was vulnerable and had surrendered himself to the Republic. Darth Tyrannus was defeated, his fate sealed. Anakin cut Count Dooku down without hesitation on command of Palpatine and became the new apprentice to the Sith Lord. The Jedi Code did not matter to Anakin and neither did his conscience. Anakin had shut out the silent witness and the Dark Side had taken its place.”
“It takes strength to resist the dark side. Only the weak embrace it.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi
People do evil things not because they are evil but because they perceive that they do good and that the means justify the ends. Atrocities are committed by humans in full control of their senses and emotions. They do them because the silent witness has been ignored. The silent witness continues to observe all that they do because it is the Force that resides within all, the eternal spark of the divine, the immortal Soul. It is the witness to your life, it can be ignored or shut out but it never leaves you and witnesses everything.
The line “May the Force be with you” is a call to let the Force be a silent witness, a power, in your life. Whether or not you let it depends on you. You can choose to let your life be run by the ego or the silent witness.
Recently I signed a one-year contract of employment. The terms and conditions on paper were excellent. I was excited about the new job and started a few days before Christmas after handing in notice and leaving my old place of work. It would be an understatement to say that I had made a mistake. Within 20 minutes of being in the offices of my new company I realized that I had been misled or rather had misled myself into believing something that was not true. Wishful thinking had replaced a rational mind. Instead of taking the time to carefully consider and maybe check in with a Higher Power (Force) I took a leap of faith. By the end of the week I had resigned and fortunately my old place of work took me back. So much for contracts that can be signed and broken by either party on a whim with a one-week notice.
Over ten years ago I entered into another contract. A contract for life. The agreement was made between me and my Higher Power. The terms were simple, I was to remain sober and in return I would have half a shot at living a reasonably happy life. The degree to which I took advantage of this new arrangement was up to me. I could use the second (third*) chance at life to grow in understanding of the divine principal which I call at turns “God” and the “Force” and lead a spiritual life improving progressively over time. The goal being progress not perfection on a path of self-realization and self-actualization. The vehicle that would take me there was the 12 steps of AA.
The 12 Steps is a program of continuous improvement. The steps call for commitment, action, review and adjustment. Like any contract our performance it is open for periodic review. Step 10 calls for a daily review so that any flaws and faults can be identified and rectified and amends made if needed. Daily review ensures that a backward slide towards old counterproductive habits can be checked and arrested. If we start wandering off the path we can reorientate ourselves and get back on the beam.
To be honest I don’t do a rigorous daily review. At best I might ruminate over cock ups and mistakes I’ve made and chastise myself swearing not to repeat them. I remember the need to take inventory and make amends but allow myself to procrastinate and rationalize reasons to put it aside. Complacency creeps in and eventually it catches us out. We forget that we are headed for trouble and end up doing something stupid like signing contracts without checking in with Higher Power.
Today is New Years day. It is just another day but it carries significance because if marks a full turn of the calendar. I read the “Daily Stoic” by Ryan Holiday every morning along with the “Twenty-Four Hours a Day” by Hazelden. Each day I turn the page and eventually I land back on December 31 at the end of the book and start the next day on page 1, January 1. New Years Day is a chance to start over. It is also a perfect day to review “The Contract” I made on September 23, 2012 with a spiritual power I barely understood but became willing to turn my life over to.
So today I renew that contract for another year understanding that the only way to break it is to return to alcohol and thereby renounce my Faith. Without the presence of a Higher Power in my life there can be no sobriety and in turn without sobriety there is no life worth living. Its that simple.
Happy New Year.
Personal Contract for a Jedi.
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind,
people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful,
you will win some false friends and some true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you.
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building,
someone could destroy overnight.
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough.
Give the best you’ve got anyway.
No matter how hard you try you may never reach your goals.
Keep striving anyway.
You see,
in the final analysis it is between you and the Force;
“If your virtues hinder you from salvation, discard them, since they have become evil to you. The slave to virtue finds the way as little as the slave to vices.” – Carl Jung
“It is to surrender yourself, to make yourself a slave to a teaching or belief, that makes it so that belief will always rule you.” – Kreia
Milestone
Recently I hit 10 years of sobriety. I have been sober and have abstained completely from alcohol since 23 September 2012. Ten years is an accomplishment, but it is just a number. The length of time sober does not guarantee a permanent reprieve from alcoholism or a fundamental and permanent character transformation. I always remember that my sobriety is a reprieve contingent on the daily maintenance of my spiritual condition. Complacency and wishful thinking could still lead to a slip and a relapse.
In addition, ten years sober does not mean I have a high level of emotional sobriety. A sober alcoholic can still be a dry drunk who chooses to abstain from alcohol. Constant work and vigilance are needed to progress. We may be recovered but we are never completely cured or rid of character flaws that could land us back where we started.
Flaws
After ten years I paused to reflect on where I had come from. It is not easy to compare oneself to a former version after many years has lapsed. Character change in sobriety is rarely dramatic and sudden. Change occurs slowly and gradually over time. You may not notice but sometimes other people do.
“The truth is often what we make of it; you heard what you wanted to hear, believed what you wanted to believe.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi
If I am honest there are still many character flaws and faults that I need to work on. Many are relicts from my years of active alcoholism. They remain because I like having them or they are too hard to let go or because they are so ingrained that they have become part of my mental DNA. All that can be done is containment and mitigation to ensure that these faults do not cause more harm than necessary. This requires honesty. The honesty to admit to wrongs and the willingness to make amends for them is as relevant now as it was ten years ago.
As is the willingness to change.
Change
I am no Saint, I am no Jedi Master. I can aspire for perfection but never hope to achieve it. All that can be hoped for is progress over time and growing self-knowledge. Steps 10, 11 and 12 are the maintenance steps that keep us sober and allow us to progress in recovery. Daily practice is essential. Any Jedi knows that one needs to practice, practice, practice to become better. This means practicing virtues that uphold our stated values and principles.
“Never step in the same river twice can you. Each time the river hurries on. Each time he that steps has changed” – Yoda
A value is something you hold as important. Principles are non-conditionals that govern behaviors that explicitly expresses your values. Virtues are character traits that underpins both your values and principles. For example, sobriety is a value, temperance is a virtue and complete abstinence from alcohol is a principle. Virtues grow with the practice of principals over time.
We may never gain mastery in the expression of virtue, but we can achieve desired change though effort and application of virtue.
Pursuit of Virtue
Practice virtues and live by your principles but become slave to neither. Once they impede or hinder your progress it is time to check in and see where you went wrong. The virtue may be correct but the application might be wrong. For example, rigorous honesty that harms others and yourself for the sake of honesty is counter productive. Excessive discipline that leads to an unbalanced life and strains relationships is also unhealthy. A sense of balance and pragmatism must be applied. Practice common sense. Be mindful.
“Compromise is a virtue to be cultivated, not a weakness to be despised.” – Yoda
Compromise
Virtues are always used in a way that is beneficial. Being inflexible, uncompromising and fanatical may be unhelpful and lead to anger, resentment and bitterness. Being sane means being realistic with yourself and others. That means compromise.
The one exception is sobriety. When I hit 10 years the thought of having a drink came to my mind. I thought to myself “surely after 10 years I can have a beer or two and not let it get away”? Wrong. Experience and self knowledge taught me that most things I can compromise but with booze, there is no compromise. Abstinence means total and lifelong abstinence.
12 Virtues
These are the virtues to work on through practice. They each reflect one of the 12 Steps. In some Steps more than one virtue is applied but there is a single principle at the heart of the Step which forms part of the 12 Step philosophy. Practiced daily without force and with right intent, these virtues will not only help you get stronger in sobriety but will help in your personal journey as Jedi. Here are the 12 virtues to Self-Knowledge:
