Training to Become a Jedi Knight

Training to Become a Jedi Knight

Jedi training is not easy but it is not as difficult as some people may think. For the most part it is actually fairly simple. Training falls into 3 groups and often combined together. Jedi strive to strengthen and balance ones self.

Physical Training

A strong healthy body is important. Yes we can use the universal life force to strengthen ourselves; however that does not mean we should neglect your physical health. Strength training and Cardio training is the basic level of this training. This can be done through a home exercise program, or working out at a local health club. Personally I prefer a health club because there are not nearly as many distractions at the gym then at the house. Normally when people envision working out at the gym they think of body builders however this is not often the case. JEDI seek strong lean muscle verses large bulky muscles.

Martial Art Training

As Jedi we commit to the protection of others, this is also done by many people who train in traditional martial art disciplines. In fact most traditional martial art schools make sure their that students know that they are expected to defend themselves and loved ones as well as protect the weak from those who wish to bully them. Traditional martial arts teach us techniques to neutralize attackers and defuse situations quickly.

Traditional martial art studies also include a great deal of mental training and spiritual training. We learn about our martial art style as well as using KI to strengthen ourselves.

Mental Training

All Jedi need to possess an academic education. This best academy education is a high school diploma for those in the US or something similar to those of other nations. All JEDI need to know how to read, write and most importantly think. Understanding basics of history and science is also useful. Aside from traditional academic studies reading the extended universe books will also help one to understand every aspect of the Jedi life. Through this reading one would logically conclude what topics were used in writing the extended universe books.

One should also strive to learn about the cultures, traditions and spiritual paths of others. By understanding others believe systems and culture it is easier to understand them. Learning of other cultures is also extremely important especially if a Jedi wished to cross borders and go to other nations. American Jedi would be shell shocked in other nations that to not share the same standard of living as the American Jedi do. Jedi should also consider taking a basic psychiatry class and learn about conflict resolution

Taking a quick study of the variety of Jedi Paths is also useful before one decides which path to follow Above all else as Jedi we are guardians, however in reality we do not as guards for political figures or go from world to world to world to deal with conflicts so we need to follow other paths to be useful in this life. By understanding the other Jedi paths and making a wise decision about which path to follow is useful when deciding what type of career to follow in their regular life. We may be Jedi every moment of every day but being a Jedi does not path the bills for any of us at the moment.

Spiritual Development

Attuning oneself to the universal life force is the goal of every Jedi. There are many ways to achieve this goal. The most basic way of doing this is through basic sitting mediations, by focusing on ones breath it is easy to calm down the mind and body and take energy and information in from the universal life source. Another way of doing this is through yoga or qigong practice. Moving meditations are wonderful and for those who are not apt at sitting meditations this way are more effective for them In Taekwondo we learn poomse or forms as some may call them. In the WTF line of Taekwondo we learn Taeguek form with each one being associated with a different element. I often use my poomse as a way of tapping into the universal life source to strengthen and energize myself.

Part of spiritual development is being aware of and strengthens ones sphere of responsibility. The sphere or responsibility is how attuned one is within their surroundings. For some this may be only 3 feet for others it may be a mile by attuning with the force we are able to be more aware of surroundings and increase our sphere or responsibility.

Jedi should also be certified first responders. Being a First Responder means that you are certified in CPR, and General first aid. The certifications time frames will change so one needs to keep up on their certification dates. The Red Cross is who all first responder training is approved though however many organizations such as fire departments offer the programs as well. It is also extremely beneficial to continue learning basics of first aid from using splints, knowing how to stop blood loss, what to do is a person goes into shock and even known what to do when a person gets poisoned through eating or snake bits.

In the extended universe Jedi of different specialty paths were paired with someone of that path, but others started their specialty path after then became Jedi Knights in the real world it is the same. I give my students a basic understanding of the specialty paths as part of their training, however they have until they become knights before they need to decide which of the paths if any they choice to follow.

In one way the Jedi Path is like the army. Every soldier in the army needs to go through basic combat training; however once they graduate basic training they then move on their MOS or specialty school. No matter what their specialty job they may be they are soldiers first and the same holds for the Jedi path. I may be a Jedi Healer, however if I need to physically interject myself into a situation to save a person I would certainly do so. I may enjoy healing rather then causing harm, however as a Jedi I do what needs to be done.

Training for after becoming a Jedi Knight

After one becomes a Jedi knight there is not much difference in the basic of training. We strive to learn new things while still working on mastering the older skills. As a Black Belt in TKD I have been taught 18 different poomse. I may only receive one new poomse to learn for my next belt test but I am expected to know each of the other 17 forms I was taught in the past Often the Masters enjoy calling older forms on promotional testing to assure that we are still working on them I often say that you really do not get your current form until you are a rank or two higher and it is true. A white belt doing Kibon 1 to test for their yellow belt will not look the same as a black belt doing Kibon 1. As a black belt I am expected to continue working on Mastering my older forms and techniques taught to me which in concept is the same of the Jedi path. Some things may seem like basic training for the Jedi Knight however that does not mean we should stop working on them. The only other difference is that Jedi Knights are also called upon to start training the next generation. In a perfect world a Jedi Knight will only have one student, however in the real world this is not always the case. In the real world when I started our Jedi group I taught 3 people at one time and I am presently working on training a new member. The other 3 may not longer be under my teachings however until the day they day they are still my students.

I started learning more about being a Jedi Guardian which for the most part was a larger variety of martial art styles and did not choose to become a Jedi Healer until years after becoming a Jedi knight which is why I do not recommend specialty training until after one becomes a Jedi knight.

Online/Offline
This is the biggest issue for many Jedi within the community.  Some sites offer online Jedi programs, others doe not support this aspect of training.  I personally stand in the middle of this issue.  I believe that the most effective program is from real life settings.  I have met a number of people who say they train with online Jedi Masters because there are no Jedi masters in their area; however this is not always as difficult as it sounds.  Many of us who walked the Jedi path long before the internet was created did so by understanding the Jedi way and finding people within our areas that could offer assistance in those areas.  It is not hard for the average Jedi to find a martial art schools that cover many aspects of the Jedi way. It just depends on how creative you are in your search.

I do however have a great deal of respect for those who do take on students on respective Jedi sites to help guide others on their paths.  In life I have had 3 students in real life at one time as well as 2 students on the net.  It was much easier guide those in my offline life because we were able to build a stronger bond by meeting weekly for “lessons” as well as sweating together at the gym in strength training, cardio training and working on self defense techniques.  I did not have the same bond with those I only had contact with on the internet.  I did however speak with them on the phone and I will say they did do a great deal of research assignments and I was happy to watch as they progressed in their martial art studies when they signed up for programs in their area and applied what they learned in their dojos into their Jedi paths.  In truth as it pertained to my online Jedi teaching as a guide instead of a master/student relationship. 

Now if a individual does not have the access to this type of training due to geographic location I would say that a online student/teacher relationship is better then nothing.



In any event these are my views as it pertains to “Jedi Training” This has worked well for me in my own training as well as those I have worked with.  This however does not mean it will work for everyone.  I do however have a question.  For the Knights and Masters of this site who are currently training new Jedi through the internet do you encourage them to look into mentors in real life as well?  IE through starting a martial art program, finding a regular yoga class or things of that nature or do you prefer to be your students only mentor so there is no conflict in training?  Also do you also have offline students as well and is your approach to the potential Jedi knights different for those you get to train with in your regular life as compared to those you only have access to on the net and perhaps on the phone?