Post by Spark Vallen on Sept 5, 2007 12:44:23 GMT -5
This was posted at the FA today, in relation to the on-going drama/affairs there with a member vs the Light Council. While I tend to stay quiet and just observe, I felt inspired to post about it. This is what I came up with:
Josh and Han brought up the great issue of independence vs conformity in another thread where it pertains to the FA journey of a Jedi Knight. Something about reading that exchange made me think of the discussion in The Phantom Menace between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon:
So there it is, preceding the FA adventure: Obi-Wan felt that if Qui-Gon would just obey the ways of the Jedi Council, things would go a lot smoother. That was his way of "going with the flow." And yet, Qui-Gon's way of going with the flow and trusting the Force tended to mean that he was going against the grain to even his apprentice!
Of course, it's a great Catch-22 to the personal development experience. To be buddingly self-aware, I think it implies that we know what's best for us. And yet, we often find that our elders, peers and contemporaries have strong opinions on how we're "doing it wrong." Just like how Obi-Wan doubted Qui-Gon's inner wisdom. It happens at the FA as well, which Josh and Han already noted. The Council would encourage us to find ourselves and find our way as Light Jedi. Yet, if that path diverges at all from what the Council perceives as the "right way" to walk one's personal path, a whole storm of contention brews!
Being aware of this is a good thing, I say. As a group, what can we do to foster a better mutual understanding where the self and the community is involved? How do we take it to the next level so that individuals can be who they are within the community?
-Spark
Josh and Han brought up the great issue of independence vs conformity in another thread where it pertains to the FA journey of a Jedi Knight. Something about reading that exchange made me think of the discussion in The Phantom Menace between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon:
EXT. PALACE OF THE JEDI - BALCONY - SUNSET
OBI-WAN and QUI-GON stand outside the palace on a balcony.
OBI-WAN : The boy will not pass the Council's tests, Master, and you know
it. He is far too old.
QUI-GON : Anakin will become A Jedi...I promise you.
OBI-WAN : Don't defy the Council, Master..not again.
QUI-GON : I will do what I must.
OBI-WAN : Master, you could be sitting on the Council by now if you would just follow the code. They will not go along with you this time.
QUI-GON : You still have much to learn, my young apprentice.
So there it is, preceding the FA adventure: Obi-Wan felt that if Qui-Gon would just obey the ways of the Jedi Council, things would go a lot smoother. That was his way of "going with the flow." And yet, Qui-Gon's way of going with the flow and trusting the Force tended to mean that he was going against the grain to even his apprentice!
Of course, it's a great Catch-22 to the personal development experience. To be buddingly self-aware, I think it implies that we know what's best for us. And yet, we often find that our elders, peers and contemporaries have strong opinions on how we're "doing it wrong." Just like how Obi-Wan doubted Qui-Gon's inner wisdom. It happens at the FA as well, which Josh and Han already noted. The Council would encourage us to find ourselves and find our way as Light Jedi. Yet, if that path diverges at all from what the Council perceives as the "right way" to walk one's personal path, a whole storm of contention brews!
Being aware of this is a good thing, I say. As a group, what can we do to foster a better mutual understanding where the self and the community is involved? How do we take it to the next level so that individuals can be who they are within the community?
-Spark