The Master’s Peak
Jason Fackler, Knorr Rhaad, Knight-Errant in service to Kentucky Jedi
Originally Published 7/15/19
Prince Colwyn:
“But the profit’s freedom... and fame!”
Torquil:
“Freedom? But, we have it!
And fame? Nah. It's an empty purse.
Count it, go broke.
Eat it, go hungry.
Seek it and go mad!”
- Ken Marshall as Prince Colwyn and Alun Armstrong as Torquil, Krull (1983)
I do love my old movies. You can watch the full exchange here (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085811/videoplayer/vi269728281) at 2 min 33 seconds. The entire scene is worth a watch if not for the fact that the character, Torquil, realized to whom he was speaking after being shamed, albeit indirectly, by his subordinate, Oswyn for taking on the quest with no expectation of reward except doing the right thing.
Why do we seek ‘knighthood’? Do we seek it to boast that we are knights? Do we do it for fame and recognition? Do we seek adoration? Is that even the right reason to do so? There are some who do, and surround themselves with people who adore such things and put more stock in the certificate than the man who holds the position.
William Wallace:
“Now tell me, what does that mean to be noble? Your title gives you claim to the throne of our country, but men don't follow titles, they follow courage. Now our people know you. Noble, and common, they respect you. And if you would just lead them to freedom, they'd follow you. And so would I.”
Mel Gibson as William Wallace, Braveheart (1995)
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
- Matthew 6: 1-2 (ESV)
Ever hear the phrase, “Intergrity is doing the right thing when no one else is watching”? I have noted that many of the leaders (not necessarily Masters) in the community that command (not demand) respect are silent from the forums, and I suspect that they lead from the sidelines, only coming to the front when absolutely necessary. It’s quite an interesting contrast to others who declare from their peak that they are the best and they know best.
The thing is…people with titles but no actual experience who act like they know everything, like the first-year resident entering the hospital ready to command the nursing staff without ever really touching a patient, or the 2nd Lieutenant fresh out of Officer Training School who is ready to look down upon their squad without ever having seen battle…those people are…well…irritating to people who have actually bathed in the blood of their fallen comrades or actually done the grunt work.
Those who portray themselves as the pinnacle of achievement without doing the actual work they’ve been entrusted to do are lifted up by followers who don’t know any better, but disrespected by those who have dirty hands. ‘Shiny’s’ – Clone troopers who have never seen battle, as noted in the first season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars – didn’t know what they didn’t know, and yet the smart ones knew that. The arrogant ones thought they knew what time it was and were ready, until the cards were on the table and the fear set in.
For those people who have done actual ‘knight’s work’ but do not have the title of jedi knight, I implore you to not lose heart at those who would deter you from starting on The Path. Many of you are already upon it and never realized it. Simply know that there are those who think themselves ascended to the highest peak and look down upon those beneath them. What they have failed to realize, and indeed may never discover, is perhaps they have reached ‘their’ pinnacle, but for others, that peak is simply a plateau for true knights to surpass.
“Luke, we are what they grow beyond. That is the true burden of all masters.”
— Master Yoda, Star Wars: Episode VIII, The Last Jedi
May the Force (in whatever form that takes for you) be with you. May our paths meet where our points of light converge.
