In my last entry for the blog I shared a lesson I wrote several years ago on finding a good teacher. This week and subsequent weeks, I wished to share the broader lessons it was a part of, which I wrote for an apprentice based on Zen Teachings. My primary influences in my early times as a Jedi were as follows:
1. Jesse Bendyn was my primary Jedi Mentor, and provided me the most feed-back. He was the marker of my trials and spent the most time interacting with me via Instant Messaging. He remains one of my closest friends to this day.
2. I was once embarrassed to admit it, but the Knights of the Old Republic Video Games. It was the first place I encountered the Jedi Code, and Kreia’s deconstruction of Light and Dark informed much of what I came to think of the code. Mostly through the power of coming to disagree with her at every turn.
3. Zen Buddhism and Greek Philosophy. Due to my love of Martial Arts I encountered Zen Buddhism early in life, and I studied the classics in my late teenage years. They have been the significant philosophical roots of my approach to Jediism from the perspective of apologetics. The logic behind why we do what we do; psychology, and pragmatism, have largely informed my thought s on the practical aspects of being a Jedi.
With the above said, that is why I wish to share this lesson from my past. Many do not know who I am; I must admit Armonia has succeeded thus far from the good will Alethea has in the community by being a known element. As a teacher; I believe in a Warts and All Approach. It is all very well to ask students to judge my teachings by my approach today, but if I am to stand on the pulpit and outline what I believe makes a good mentor; I need to be willing to show where I started.
However, with all that said, one should not go down the route of an ego trip. Over the next few weeks I will be sharing some lessons to help you with this. These different exercises are grounded deeply in the Zen Buddhist teachings. Indeed, one lesson name drops Deshan Xuanjian; a famed Chinese Chan Buddhist thinker. Similarly; I share these lessons because they are a reminder that all we do arrives from what has come before us. I might write original combinations of words, and they may be grounded in an original thought- but all originality is grounded in what we have learnt and observed. My teachings are nothing without the teachings of those that came before. Truly; we all stand upon the shoulders of giants.