Martial Arts on the Jedi Path

[Ro-Ha Til'leto]

Do you think a structured training program, like a martial art, is necessary to the Jedi path? If so, what art(s) do you train in?

If you don't think it's necessary, give me some reasons why. I'm curious what my fellow members think about this. All discussion is welcome!




Note: The examples of arts in the poll are not all inclusive.

[stancheung75]

I personally don't believe a structured martial arts is needed for any path discovery. Yes although it is great to have a "building block" to get you started I believe you can obtain what you need from learning the essence of the arts as opposed to being a ridged devotee to a discipline. That is not to say that what they are doing is wrong.

There are members that are on their path without any martial arts experience. I like to think of it the same way the Chinese define kung fu. All kung fu translate to is "hard work". It doesn't mean martial arts of China. Any person who dedicate time to become an expert at something is a KUNG FU MASTER or Sifu.
We can have Sifu's at cooking (my favorite), gambling, calligraphy, florist etc. But they became so good at what they do that it becomes almost spiritual to them when they get to a certain level. Even today some people are even given the status of "God of..."

Don't worry it not like they believe they are a diety in any way. If that was case I would like to implore the God of Bakery to have a cake manifest itself in front of me while I'm snowed in at my Grandmothers house.

Back to the original point. No a martial art isn't needed for a path. Just a clear "laser"* like focus on what you want to acheive will do.

*I can't help it ever since I seen Austin Powers. Ilike to put Quotation Marks around the word "Laser"

[Ro-Ha Til'leto]

You make some very good points and I only use martial arts as an example, since that's my thing. I used the phrase structured training as a catch-all to include many areas, like weight lighting, golf, flower arranging, cooking or whatever.

For me, I find that many (not all) martial arts have tenants in common with the Jedi path and it seems like they compliment each other pretty well. When I cook, lift weights or fix a broken engine here on the ship, I don't feel that I'm developing a sense of humility, respect, discipline or self-control in regards to my fellow humans. I enjoy these activities immensely and I posses a great deal of expertise (except for the cooking) & laser-like focus for the task, but it doesn't feel the same to me.

In my opinion, when you spar with someone, for example, you or your opponent could be injured very seriously. Overcoming that fear for your self (control) and restraining from injuring your training partner (discipline) is focused on as well as the various techniques one would be using. Mutual respect is shared in the training and learning from one's mistake without losing emotional control (humility) benefits everyone involved. I just don't get that from other activities as much as I do from MA training.


Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating that all who follow the Jedi path take up martial arts as a requirement, but I think that it compliments the spiritual and philosophical elements of the Jedi Way. Strong body, strong mind, that kind of thing...

Thanks for the input!

[RyuJin]

i don't believe one needs to study martial arts as a jedi, there are many types of jedi, consulars for example are skilled in politics, advising, and teaching, sentinals are good at technology, and observation, guardians are good at defense and tactics. there are many other types of jedi that possess skills from more then one category...coming from the zen buddhism rite i find martial arts to be a good form of meditation since you have to focus on the moment and feel every movement of your body, that's probably why buddha used martial arts to aid in teaching buddhism to monks. zen is probably the most combat oriented form of buddhism since it's been linked to nearly all the asian martial arts.

[Ro-Ha Til'leto]

that's probably why buddha used martial arts to aid in teaching buddhism to monks

That's a good assumption, using the arts to facilitate teaching the philosophy. At the time, I imagine that would be a very powerful teaching instrument.


Thanks for your thoughts!

[Inari]

I practice Kendo (not that that was strictly on the list), Tai Chi, and have practiced Judo and Wing Chun.

I do see discipline as being necessary in order to be a Jedi. Martial arts is a great tool for teaching discipline. It also is helpful in keeping the body and mind fit, another requirement for being a Jedi as far as I am concerned. But there are other ways of becoming disciplined and keeping the body and mind fit so martial arts should not be seen as the only way to achieve that goal.

I essentially agree with this statement. For a certain type of person, martial arts provides for many of their Jedi training needs in one place, physical, mental and emotional discipline, physical exercise. Also, I find it is good for companionship, a way to spend time with people who have similar goals and motivations though they are not on the Jedi path itself. Being segregated from the bulk of the Jedi community as I am, this is important to me.

That said, a thought that has just occured to me is that some people at least may not have enough self discipline initially to train themselves. Joining a martial arts group or another focused, structured and supportive group such as a good Yoga group or meditation group might help these people get started, at least initially.

[RyuJin]

technically buddha means "enlightened one" which was the title given to siddartha guatama (aka sakyamuni/ sage of the sakya tribe)after he achieved enlightenment after meditating under the bodhi tree.

so from a certain point of view bodhidharma was buddha as well, though not the first buddha

[Ro-Ha Til'leto]

Excellent info, thank you. I think I hit the wrong button when I originally replied to you. Let me try this again...
I also find that many of the Eastern religions/paths - Taoism, Hinduism, Shintoism, Confucianism, etc. - have tenants in common with the Jedi path and it seems like they compliment each other pretty well. But, I would not advocate that everyone following the Jedi Path has to become Buddhist or Taoist or follow the Hindu religion. For the same reason, even though the martial arts do have things in common with the Jedi path, I do not feel that everyone should have to become a martial artist.
From what I understand, when the Jedi mythos was created for the SW universe, parts were pulled from many religions, including Eastern paths. By that token, couldn't it be said that those who are on the Jedi path are partly Buddhist, Taoist or Shinto? Just a thought...

I do see discipline as being necessary in order to be a Jedi. Martial arts is a great tool for teaching discipline. It also is helpful in keeping the body and mind fit, another requirement for being a Jedi as far as I am concerned. But there are other ways of becoming disciplined and keeping the body and mind fit so martial arts should not be seen as the only way to achieve that goal.
Could you elaborate, please? Do you engage in other activities that help you develop your discipline and mental/physical fitness? This was the original thought I had for this thread. If you work on developing discipline, self-control and mental/physical fitness outside martial arts, what do you do?

[Ro-Ha Til'leto]

I practice Kendo (not that that was strictly on the list), Tai Chi, and have practiced Judo and Wing Chun.
Sorry, I did leave off some weapon arts. Desculpe meu, por favor!

I essentially agree with this statement. For a certain type of person, martial arts provides for many of their Jedi training needs in one place, physical, mental and emotional discipline, physical exercise. Also, I find it is good for companionship, a way to spend time with people who have similar goals and motivations though they are not on the Jedi path itself. Being segregated from the bulk of the Jedi community as I am, this is important to me.
You summed that up well. I think that's where I fall in the grand scheme of things.

That said, a thought that has just occured to me is that some people at least may not have enough self discipline initially to train themselves. Joining a martial arts group or another focused, structured and supportive group such as a good Yoga group or meditation group might help these people get started, at least initially.
Actually, this didn't occur to me, either! Thank you very much for your input!

[Ro-Ha Til'leto]

So what do we do about this in regards to training? Should we insist that the Jedi learn all about the various beliefs? Or should they just learn a little about each belief? That is a hard question to answer. I believe that should be up to the individual Jedi until someone has written a book about what it is the Jedi should know.
I was having a discussion on another thread about a similar issue. As I learn more about the Jedi Path, I encounter many interpretations, opinions, egos and personalities concerning Jedi, and it conjures in me some fundamental questions about what it actually means to be Jedi. To me, there doesn't seem to be a clear cut definition of what it takes to be a Jedi. I may be trying to quantify the unquantifiable, and maybe that's the point. The journey in trying to understand the fundamental question, 'what makes you a Jedi?'.

Thank you for your time and your in-depth response. It is appreciated.

[RyuJin]

yoga is a good way to develop mind, body, and spirit and it's not a martial art...i'm currently learning this meditative art, largely to recover my lost flexability,improve my health with low/no impact on my joints. once i reach my objective i'll be able to return to my "normal" (uber rigorous) martial arts training which i had to put on hiatus due to various back injuries, hectic school schedule, and annoying job.

[RyuJin]

if you go to templeofthejediorder.com you'll find that they break it down into 5 rites which are: pureland (jediism alone), judeo-christian/abrahamic, buddhist/eastern, pagan, and spiritual humanist.


someone actually is working on a book for it

[Ro-Ha Til'leto]

yoga is a good way to develop mind, body, and spirit...
I agree. I dabbled with it for a little while and found it to be extremely challenging.

[RyuJin]

for me it was a pilonidal cyst, slipped disk, compressed disk, sciattica, and back sprain....brutal pain the sciattica causes me the most trouble since it can drop me to my knees too easily....

[Inari]

I have a problem with some yoga positions due to back problems too, not structural problems but simple trigger points that activate during certain poses. That's when I drop to the floor lol. Pilates CAN be good but the trick is to be sure that you have a well qualified instructor, some types of work concentrate too much on the superficial abdominal muscles without adequately working the deeper muscles. Additionally too much focus on the iliopsoas muscles can cause lower back pain, something to keep an eye out for those of us who have tendencies towards discomfort in that area.

I find that Tai Chi is about the best for myself and my back, personally. I also find that Sun Salutations are good for exercise and flexibility but don't aggravate my trigger points.

Personally, I do not do a lot of 'extra' exercise, especially in the warmer months. I have wood to haul and chop, a large garden to maintain, kids to play with, plus kendo etc. We tend to focus a lot on doing so and so situps, so many pushups, but really for me the best way to exercise is just to have an active lifestyle.

[RyuJin]

yes sun salutations is a yoga pose. the book i have on yoga suggests that you don't have to do all the poses, just one from each set of poses to provide balance.

[Ro-Ha Til'leto]

I appreciate everyones input. Excellent points of view on all sides. Thank you all very much!