::The Jedi Circle::

The Jedi Circle was created in late 2004 under the name Circle of the Jedi. It was not until August 25th 2005 that the Circle of the Jedi was published online at several sources, such as the JEDI website. The original Jedi Circle was shared with the entire Jedi Community to discuss its validity and uses. While the majority of the Jedi Community enjoyed and agreed with the Jedi Circle, there were some concerns. These were issues of certain words, some felt that a couple of the words gave the wrong impression (such as Strength), while others felt that some words had too similar of meanings (such as awareness and observation).

As such the Circle of the Jedi evolved into the Jedi Circle. This set a trend of re-evaluating the Jedi Circle almost once a year. It is based off studying, training, and living as a Jedi since 1999 (online in 1998, active in 1999, and 1990 unofficially). Based upon years of trial and error, it is not made from fiction, but taken from actual life experience. When one wants to know what a Jedi does, or what a Jedi is, the Jedi Circle covers the foundation. Outside individual cultures and studies of course. It is the Foundation, the Core of the Jedi Path. Things all Jedi should live daily.

Along with the revisions and the slimmer name, the Jedi Circle has continued to reach across the Community. While at times not fully understood, Jedi, regardless of organization tend to endorse the ideals expressed within it. Here is the Jedi Circle, in its current form, with a brief explanation of the aspects listed.

The Jedi walks the circle; S/he lives the Five Practices which enforce the Five Tenets, which nurture the Five Traits, which bring the Five Truths, which counteract the Five Misconceptions.

The Five Practices; Meditation, Physical Fitness, Diplomacy, Awareness, and Self-Discipline.
The Five Tenets; Peace, Knowledge, Serenity, Harmony, the Force.
The Five Traits; Patience, Objectivity, Reliability, Humility, Wisdom.
The Five Truths; Commitment, Self-Honesty, Learning, Guidance, Sacrifice.
The Five Misconceptions; Star Wars, Religion, Segregation, Compassion, Infallible.

The Five Practices
Meditation: A Jedi practices meditation to quiet the mind, center the body, and connect the spirit. Meditation helps a Jedi cultivate calm, patience, and understanding.
Physical Fitness: A Jedi practices physical-fitness for physical (and mental) well being. Improved health, endurance to help out by physical means, and an in-depth understanding of the personal strengths and limits.
Diplomacy: A Jedi seeks to resolve conflict before it happens, to mediate a misunderstanding, in this a Jedi practices diplomacy. Seeking to use intelligence, maturity, and words to end hostilities and pass on understanding.
Awareness: A Jedi practices awareness for the self and the world around them. We need to be aware of our own motives, limits, and desires. As well as those around us. Also if we are obvious to the world around us, we may miss out on helping someone who truly needs it.
Self-Discipline: For a Jedi self-discipline is the cornerstone upon which the entire path is built. The ability to see things through, to complete our practices and honor our promises.

The Five Tenets
Peace: Peace is Acceptance. A Jedi must accept that there are things they have control over and things they do not. Peace comes from accepting our limitations, the limitations of others, and accepting to grow beyond them. Peace comes from accepting our emotions and not allowing them to rule our lives or decisions. Acceptance is Peace.
Knowledge: For a Jedi knowledge begins with the self, and works outward. We seek knowledge that we may better serve others. Though it may not relate to our Path, all knowledge is worth having. It is how we overcome the ignorance of our world.
Serenity: Serenity, finding inner calm and peace, especially when most needed. Serenity is about the mind remaining objective in the most extreme cases. Jedi cultivate serenity so that it may accompany them into the most hectic life.
Harmony: Moderation in all things. Excessive emotions, whether "positive" or "negative," create an imbalance within the self. We as Jedi seek Harmony in all things. Balance is key to a Jedi's life, balance between mind, body, and spirit. Balance between technology and nature. Harmony between ourselves, the Force, and the World we live in.
The Force: A suitable substitute for understanding is Life. The Jedi dedicate themselves to the Force, seeking to explore, experience and understand it. Through the Force we connect to the rest of the world and act accordingly as one connected entity.

The Five Traits
Patience: A Jedi must have patience. Not only in their training, but also in the world around them. With a little patience, many solutions will present themselves. "It is not necessary to always strike first, to provide the first solution, or to reach a goal before anyone else. In fact, it is sometimes vital to strike the last blow, to give the final answer, or to arrive after everyone else." - PotJ
Objectivity: A Jedi is a neutral party, looking at a situation from all sides. Regardless of one's position, a Jedi is unbiased. It is this objectivity that allows for clarity and understanding.
Reliability: A Jedi is one others may turn to in a time of need. They are there for others, whether emotionally, physically, or spiritually. They offer their guidence as best they can and provide a sturdy pillar to lean on when needed.
Humility: A Jedi is not above anyone else. A Jedi must remember that they are not better than the people they serve. We may train in self-betterment, but that makes us different, not above anyone else.
Wisdom: While Jedi value and take care of knowledge, they understand that it takes wisdom to use knowledge properly. While Jedi are seen as wise, they merely work from knowledge, experience, and the Force.

The Five Truths
Commitment: One can have self-discipline, but if they are not committed to the path they walk, then they will wander off it. In order to succeed at anything you have to be able and willing to see it through to the end.
Self-Honesty: Jedi know that control begins with the self. Through self-honesty they gain self-awareness, which gives self-knowledge, which helps in self-discipline. One cannot truly progress if they are not fully honest with themselves first.
Learning: Through continual learning, a willingness to always be a student, do we conquer ignorance. A Jedi recognizes that while they may master a certain field of study there is always more to learn in the world.
Guidance: Jedi spend years studying, reflecting, experiencing, both as individual people and as Jedi. In this they are able to offer guidance, whether acting as a signpost to the Jedi Way or giving advice to a friend. Jedi offer their guidance when requested.
Sacrifice: As Jedi we often have to make sacrifices at times. Giving of the self to help others. Using our personal time and resources to be there for others and continue our training. We give up certain freedoms to be Jedi. Such as the freedom to just lash out when angry, the freedom to deny someone help purely out of spite, and so forth.

The Five Misconceptions
Star Wars: Though the Jedi originate from the Star Wars mythos, it is not our sum. And one does not have to be a Star Wars geek or a Jedi fanatic to become a Jedi. While Star Wars is our basis, it is not our reality. We, who live and walk the Path define Jedi.
Religion: Some may view the Jedi Path as a Religion; however there is no set views on Creation, an Afterlife, or even a Deity. We have no holy dates, objects, people, or places. Being a Jedi is simply a lifestyle choice; choosing to live the Jedi Way.
Segregation: People seek to create division, Jediism, Jedi Realism, Jedi Pragmatism, Grey Jedi, Red Jedi, et cetera. However either one follows the Jedi Path and they are simply a Jedi. Or they do not follow the Path in which case they are not a Jedi. One Name, one Path, many roads.
Compassion: A Jedi must understand a situation and react properly to it. Adhering to the "There is no emotion; there is peace" ideals presented within the Jedi Code, we must be mindful of compassion. Like all emotions we feel it, but that does not mean it should influence our decisions. We should do the right thing, because it is the right thing, not because we an emotion compels us to.
Infallible: Jedi, no matter how powerful or clever, or how many years they have been training, are not infallible. There is nothing righteous or special about a Jedi, merely a person following and living a Path they deemed worthy. And as Jedi we will fall and fail at times, but it is in picking ourselves up and continuing again that matters the most. Jedi understand Failure is not the end.
- Written by Kevin Brown ( © 2004-2011 - Last page update: August 08th 2011).

- The Jedi Foundation