What does master mean? As a noun; it refers to a person in charge of someone or something. As an adjective: it means to display great skill and proficiency. As a verb it means acquiring complete skill or knowledge in a subject or gaining control or overcoming something. However, what does any of this mean when we talk of a Jedi Master?
The Jedi Master, in the films at least, are shown as fundamentally teachers whom also possess profound self-mastery. Despite their circumstances, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda never give into the despair of their circumstances, though they have more than fair reason to do so. Anakin Skywalker was not rejected the title of Jedi Master due to any lack of personal courage, power in the Force, or skill as a General, but his lack of self-mastery. Luke Skywalker failed in his role as a Jedi Master until the final lesson of acceptance of failure sunk in. Indeed, if Luke Skywalker’s story was to be put into its true perspective; the narrative of his life was the strength to overcome his errors. Ultimately; the quality of a Jedi Master is someone who has displayed self-mastery, and the ability to overcome and subsume their weaknesses by living by the essence of Jedi Teachings.
If we look to archaic meaning of master as well, and to a key relationship we see in the Star Wars universe; the teacher-student dynamic, we can give greater context to what it means to be a Jedi Master. Historically; such a dynamic was not uncommon in the world of skilled craftsmanship around the world. A student would study under a master craftsman, in the hopes that some day they could become a journeyman or an expert. The Master in turn would rely on the apprentice to carry out mundane, but essential tasks, by which the apprentice would learn the craft but allow the Master to attend to the works only the Master could do. There is truth to this in the Jedi way as well. The Jedi Master is one who can pass on the secrets of her, or his, self-mastery by guiding and directing his students. The Jedi Master does not dictate to his students though but recognises their value as individuals. A good master directs his apprentice, and student, in how to be a Jedi and act as a Jedi. The apprentice, though still an apprentice, is entrusted with valuable and important tasks from which they can learn. A Jedi Master expects, and assists their student, in being a Jedi and through this they help them gain self-mastery.
These are ultimately the marks of a Jedi Master, and what distinguishes them from a Knight and other Jedi. The Knight has overcome their old self but has only made the first steps into their life as their new self; the individual dedicated to unceasingly walking the Jedi Path. The Master has walked that path for some time and knows the trip-falls and where the road gets narrow. The Jedi Master is beyond the “doing” aspect of being a Jedi. They do not do things because that is what the Jedi Teachings tell them to do. Rather, they have proceeded to “being”, they do these things because it is who they have become, and it part of being their most authentic self.
Below is something I wrote years ago when I was still active at Real Jedi Knights, I believe it has returned to it’s original name of Jedi Knights now. The lesson is about finding a good teacher. I find some of the notions continue to resonate with me now, so I wish to share it:
This is not necessarily important to you right now, but it will become important to you and all those who want your advice on who they should study under and how you your-self can become a good teacher.
As an initial test for a prospective teacher look for these three points; first discern the orthodoxy of the teacher’s approach, secondly observe the teacher’s students to see if they have benefited from his instruction and lastly a truly good teacher does not destroy the sight of the student but instead opens the possibilities and shows them their true nature. Other points to look for is the teachers own attainments, a good teacher is one whom combines understanding and practice and has no lingering delusions, he or she has a unified mind and body and will thank those for praise and will take blame into account but will not have his actions moved by either. Also make sure the style of teaching the teacher incorporates matches your temperament and brings out your potential.
To apply these teachings to your own search for a good teacher check the credentials of a potential instructor, do their actions match their words? What was their training? Have they been accredited by another reputable teacher? If you can confirm these with others do so. Lastly, be careful and don’t immediately study under the teacher, watch them carefully and then use your common sense on whether to study under them or not.
In many respects the lesson was informed by Zen Buddhism, hence some notions of orthodoxy, though that was also guided by the emergence of the concept of Grey and Dark Jedi at the RJK in the time frame I wrote it. I had a certain distrust of such concepts; however, I would argue that strangely this concept of orthodoxy is again relevant. I would like to summarise the lessons briefly and how I consider them still relevant:
1. We have the Jedi Compass, which is largely accepted as the foundation of what it means to be a real Jedi. Is the person claiming to be a teacher knowledgeable of this work, and effective in applying them? Also, are their teachings largely consistent with the Jedi Teachings of others, even if it has its own nuances, it should not deviate from the essential concepts and values of being a Jedi.
2. What sort of students has the teacher produced is still a good question. Also, what have they achieved themselves, and are they well-spoken about by people whose views are trustworthy. Ask yourself if you should you be training with a teacher who has caused people to abandon the path needlessly or produced students who are not well respected by their peers.
3. Is their approach to the Jedi Path one that is growth orientated and practicable? Is their path about adopting the Jedi way, and living it the best way you can, or is about following dogmas and dictates they demand of you? Ultimately, are they providing you with a mentor-student relationship, or are they simply telling you to be who they think you should be. Consider yourself, and your nature as a student, and whether it is compatible with the teacher.
Ultimately the marks of a good teacher and mentor are the marks of a Jedi Master. At the end of the day; that is why the Jedi Master exists. To serve his peers as well as others; Master is not a privilege but a responsibility. With any power comes responsibility, and a Jedi Master is wise to this. This is where the notion of the Gospel of Me begins, however, and why it is the pitfall of even Good Jedi Mentors. The way of the Jedi is a life philosophy, and like all philosophies, strategies and tactics, it often crumbles on encountering reality outside the scope of the literal words of the lessons. As we are teaching self-mastery, and we are teaching about life, we often adhere to the great lesson of writing; “Write what you know”.
Jedi, like all, often misinterpret this advice and thus write of events in their lives where they feel they acted the right Jedi way. From this they then elucidate a teaching, and a moral lesson. However, what it means is much more abstract: writing what you know is about emotional content, and not concrete events. If you have been in love you can write about love. If you have felt loss you can write about loss. However, you can write about these things without writing about yourself, so long as the authenticity of the feeling is there. In contrast, in writing about concrete events from our lives, and moralising them, we are consistently in danger of writing Gospels about ourselves. Framing lessons this way does not make them more human, and relatable, because they are real. No; rather it restricts the reader, the listener, the student, to your perspective and how you have modified the story to fit the objective of the teaching you have decided to extract from the tale. I would add the caveat that sharing a story of your own life, at an appropriate time, and in an empathetic manner can be a powerful tool for reaching people. It can give you a common bridge, and it can provide a sense of mutual vulnerability where they can feel more secure in talking to you; it can break down an otherwise unequal power relationship. It can also explain to someone who does not know you particularly well, why you have the perspective you do. Yet, to frame all our teachings; to make our teachings little more than a moralised, thinly veiled, form of autobiography is paralysing. To the aspiring teacher, because we then limit ourselves to narrow notions of what we can talk about. To the aspiring student because they then feel as though they must copy the teacher, and aspire to be like the teacher, rather than living as their own person, as their own Jedi.
The Jedi Master is your example, and your guide, but your goal is not to become them. Your goal is not to become A Jedi Master, or the Jedi Master you admire the most. Your goal is not to be the next Andy Spalding or Alethea Thompson and so on and so forth. Rather, it is to become the Jedi Master you can become. If some one who professes to be a teacher simply makes you feel smaller than them; they are a poor teacher. If someone professes to be a Jedi Master, and casts you aside when you struggle, instead of lifting you up; they are a fraud. If the narrative of your instruction is about the teacher, and not about the Jedi path; then they want your acceptance and adulation, rather than to be your teacher. Better to struggle alone with a good book at your side, then to struggle under the boot-heel of narcissist. The Jedi Path is about everyone who has ever made a step on it and does not belong to any one person. When you begin your journey, it is about you and realising who you are. The mark of a good teacher is giving you the time and space to be you. The mark of a Good Jedi Master is the Master who serves you as his pupil, rather than himself and his own ego.