AZ gathering plz!!!

[Ninja Boi]

I really really want to see a gathering In Tucson AZ. I am going to school right now and wouldnt be able to fly across the country or anything like that. Im putting others into consideration though of course... IDK how other people would get there but I see many people in the pictures. were most of them natives or did they come from other places? Feel me in on some things please...

[Moonshadow]

People travel from all over the United States and even other countries to attend Gatherings, but having a local Jedi presence is also important. The reason most of the Gatherings thus far have been on the East Coast is that the Jedi in that area have been the most consistent with following through with attending Gatherings. That doesn't mean Gatherings always have to be on the East Coast, though.

I would definitely be willing to fly to an Arizona Gathering, but it also wouldn't be fair to make everyone fly in to a major Gathering location for only one or two local Jedi versus the East Coast locations where the majority of attendees are within driving distance. We did have one Gathering further South in Louisiana, but they also had a large core group of at least 10 Jedi. So if you want to help host a major Gathering in AZ, you should really have at least 5-10 local Jedi to make it worth it for everyone else to travel to that area. Plans are also in the work to eventually have a California Gathering for all the West Coast Jedi, so that would definitely be closer to you.

Organizing a Gathering takes a lot of work, so if you're really serious about it, I would suggest reading the guidelines in the FAQ section for organizing one. Adam is also working on putting up the Gathering Host submission form, so once that's up you can put in an application. Even if Arizona doesn't end up being the main Gathering location, though, there's nothing to stop you from organizing a local or Regional Gathering.

I hope that helps answer some of your questions. If this is something you really want to do, I'll help you out in any way that I can.

--Moonshadow

[Ninja Boi]

People travel from all over the United States and even other countries to attend Gatherings, but having a local Jedi presence is also important. The reason most of the Gatherings thus far have been on the East Coast is that the Jedi in that area have been the most consistent with following through with attending Gatherings. That doesn't mean Gatherings always have to be on the East Coast, though.

I would definitely be willing to fly to an Arizona Gathering, but it also wouldn't be fair to make everyone fly in to a major Gathering location for only one or two local Jedi versus the East Coast locations where the majority of attendees are within driving distance. We did have one Gathering further South in Louisiana, but they also had a large core group of at least 10 Jedi. So if you want to help host a major Gathering in AZ, you should really have at least 5-10 local Jedi to make it worth it for everyone else to travel to that area. Plans are also in the work to eventually have a California Gathering for all the West Coast Jedi, so that would definitely be closer to you.

Organizing a Gathering takes a lot of work, so if you're really serious about it, I would suggest reading the guidelines in the FAQ section for organizing one. Adam is also working on putting up the Gathering Host submission form, so once that's up you can put in an application. Even if Arizona doesn't end up being the main Gathering location, though, there's nothing to stop you from organizing a local or Regional Gathering.

I hope that helps answer some of your questions. If this is something you really want to do, I'll help you out in any way that I can.

--Moonshadow

Thank you Master... I do realize that it wouldnt be fair that way. And I dont even know any Jedi in my area... The California gathering sounds fantastic. southern or northern Cali? Do you know?

[Moonshadow]

The California Gathering is still just in the discussion phase and not for another year or so, but I'll be sure to post an update as soon as there are more details to report. I also just go by Moonshadow or Aimee. I don't really follow any ranking system. :)

--Moonshadow

[Ninja Boi]

The California Gathering is still just in the discussion phase and not for another year or so, but I'll be sure to post an update as soon as there are more details to report. I also just go by Moonshadow or Aimee. I don't really follow any ranking system. :)

--Moonshadow

You are much more experienced and older than I. It is a sign of respect from me.

[RyuJin]

you'll find that many masters don't like to be called that, me included...it's understandable that it shows your respect, however one should never place too much emphasis on rank or it can lead to inferiority/superiority complexes in some, and in others can sometimes make them uncomfortable...good leaders often don't persue leadership but have it placed upon them and find they wear it well...be wary of those that simply grasp at control(power) and those that demand it as they are often trying to hide some short coming.

even when i was teaching self defense i didn't like being called sensei...

it's good to show respect just remember that a true master doesn't desire a bunch of bowing and scraping from his/her apprentices because he/she views everyone as being on equal ground :)

[RyuJin]

i was just reading the admin bios...
i actually had the same goal as you moonshadow, opening a training facility in the physical world for jedi to meet, share ideas, and train...after seeing xaidehn's (i hope i got it right) age i feel like i'm the old guy (not by much fortunately)

[Ninja Boi]

I would like to say that after having done a vision quest in Arizona, it is a very beautiful place and has a lot of nice things to offer. Maybe we could all have a vision quest or do a sweat lodge ceremony (done by a Native American, please). Some other things that Arizona has to offer are miles and miles of hiking trails and rock climbing areas. Horseback riding is wonderful there, as well, because there are many areas without fences. Survival courses would be a great offering in Arizona as well as nighttime orientation courses because many places are free from the lights of big cities and the stars can be seen very easily. I would be willing to fly into Arizona for a gathering if one was held there as long as I could get the time off.

Exactly... Picacho Peak is the number one hiking trail I have ever been on. The top is magnificent. Roosevelt Lake is hhhhhhuge! Compared to what I know though. Arizona is a pretty cool place.

you'll find that many masters don't like to be called that, me included...it's understandable that it shows your respect, however one should never place too much emphasis on rank or it can lead to inferiority/superiority complexes in some, and in others can sometimes make them uncomfortable...good leaders often don't persue leadership but have it placed upon them and find they wear it well...be wary of those that simply grasp at control(power) and those that demand it as they are often trying to hide some short coming.

even when i was teaching self defense i didn't like being called sensei...

it's good to show respect just remember that a true master doesn't desire a bunch of bowing and scraping from his/her apprentices because he/she views everyone as being on equal ground :)

I understand that. I like having superiors. Thats how the military works. Just how you call your teachers Mr. *** or Mrs.***. Everyone must have a title. Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister, Grandmother. I can respect if one does not want to be called that... However, I do not see the problem with it. It, to me, actually gives it good effect.

"Always two there are... no more... no less. A master and an apprentice." -Master Yoda

[Moonshadow]

I've always wanted to go to Arizona too. Like I said, if this is something you really want to do, I'll help you out in whatever way I can. But most likely it'll be more of a Regional Gathering than a Major Gathering since the majority of people will likely be unable to travel there. On the other hand, if the California Gathering doesn't pan out, we could always have a West Coast Gathering in AZ instead.

Also, thanks for the sign of respect, but this site really doesn't focus on ranks at all. And my own personal view of ranks tends to be a bit different from the majority of other people. If I achieve even close to what I perceive to be the level of a Jedi Knight by the time I'm 40 or 50, I'll be very happy. :)

RyuJin, this is a pretty eclectic group, so you're definitely not the "old guy." In fact, I think the majority of people who frequent this site tend to be much older that the majority of other Jedi boards.

--Moonshadow

[Ninja Boi]

I've always wanted to go to Arizona too. Like I said, if this is something you really want to do, I'll help you out in whatever way I can. But most likely it'll be more of a Regional Gathering than a Major Gathering since the majority of people will likely be unable to travel there. On the other hand, if the California Gathering doesn't pan out, we could always have a West Coast Gathering in AZ instead.

Also, thanks for the sign of respect, but this site really doesn't focus on ranks at all. And my own personal view of ranks tends to be a bit different from the majority of other people. If I achieve even close to what I perceive to be the level of a Jedi Knight by the time I'm 40 or 50, I'll be very happy. :)

RyuJin, this is a pretty eclectic group, so you're definitely not the "old guy." In fact, I think the majority of people who frequent this site tend to be much older that the majority of other Jedi boards.

--Moonshadow

Whelp... I didnt mean it as a rank. Just a name/title to me.

[RyuJin]

moonshadow you shouldn't grade yourself so harshly. while i passed my masters test to become a knight i failed his test the first time to become a master and all he did was ask me a simple question that i answered wrong...the next time he tested me it was a completely different question but in essence served the same purpose. tests of wisdom can be quite tricky and difficult when you're young and cocky...we all advance at different rates.

[Moonshadow]

Like I said, my personal criteria for ranks is very different from most other people's. But that's a a topic for a whole other thread. :p

--Moonshadow

[Ninja Boi]

Like I said, my personal criteria for ranks is very different from most other people's. But that's a a topic for a whole other thread. :p

--Moonshadow

Yes... So what is the first steps to getting a gathering here?

[Moonshadow]

Read the Jedi Gatherings information in the FAQ (http://www.jediresourcecenter.org/vb/faq.php) section, especially the information about how to organize your own Gathering. Then submit a Gathering Host Registration form. I'll provide the link as soon as Adam uploads the form to our Submission Forms section. Just follow the steps for organizing the Gathering and contact me with any questions and I'll help you out in any way I can. If it looks like a lot of people are willing to travel to the area, I can promote it as one of the major Gatherings for 2011. Otherwise I'll promote it as a Regional Gathering and you can hold it any time you like.

--Moonshadow