Taking out the garbage is a spiritual endeavor.
How does one hold the bag with perfect balance in order to keep it’s contents from spilling? How does one lift that bag in a way that is in harmony with one’s natural abilities to ensure one does not pull a muscle when placing it in the can? Can one accomplish this task with lightheartedness?
Can one disappear into the act of taking the garbage out so one is in fact practicing “wei-wu-wei” or the high Jedi art of Doing Not Doing?
There are 4 virtues that make a Jedi’s work into a noble spiritual endeavor and make labor honorable.
They are sobriety, temperance, punctuality and industry.
Sobriety is a noble principle and the basis of a Jedi’s labors in that he needs to be 100 percent present in life in order to reap from it it’s bountiful lessons. A Jedi has high duties to perform, a high destiny to follow and that though this reality is but a portal to an even greater one, it is the integral one which we must be concerned- and it is both the classroom where our lessons are taught and the crucible where our truth is distilled. A temple framework of a clear mind, body and spirit is essential and the foundation of a Jedi’s endeavors.
Temperance is the quality wherebye a Jedi may resist temptation to place one’s comfort ahead of his mission- and involves a sacred act of self denial and restraint in order to accomplish the task at hand. A Jedi is never arrogant about his labors or accomplishments for to do so would sow the seeds of his own misfortune and experiences no growth in wisdom. Modesty and self control are necessary for a humane life.
Punctuality is the characteristic that places an appreciation of time’s sacred nature at the center of a Jedi’s labors. For the Light Jedi time is in effect life, and a reverence and respect for one’s own limited time and the limited time of others is a cornerstone of a Jedi’s overarching ethos of being a guardian of peace and justice- what is it that a Light Jedi is guardian of- the life force in all things, which is intermeshed with the passage of time-as all being traverse it’s circuitous route.
Industry speaks to the positive and productive activity of the Jedi, in life, in training, in work, in rest- it is the guidepost to ensure excellence in one’s endeavor –and an implied cheerfulness –in that it is a joy to be alive, and a joy to have the opportunity for today’s lessons and growth and a joy to reap the rewards of our labors and accomplishments.
These four virtues are the basis of a Jedi’s commitment to benevolence and charity- for it is through the loving transmission of knowledge and wisdom (the true gold from one’s labors) to others that one achieves true immortality of the spirit and becomes one with the Force.