World book day 5th March. In a galaxy not that far away…… ” The Jedi path: A manual for students of the Force.”

There is no emotion, there is peace.There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.There is no passion, there is serenity.There is no death, there is the Force.

Above is the Jedi code,  Four simple lines.  I have chosen to write about the book “The Jedi Path” by Daniel Wallace as it is one of the many books that has changed my life for the better.  I have always been a big fan of Star Wars and as I’ve got older my interest in the Star Wars universe has got bigger.  I now have a bigger collection of Star Wars figures and ships then I did as a kid, and I now have nearly every Star Wars book published, which is quite a lot!  I now consider my self a follower of the Jedi faith and its all down to the above mentioned book.  Several years ago I was suffering from depression.  I had tried everything and nothing seemed to be working.  I was seeing a counsellor which did help a lot but I felt there was something missing from my life, something spiritual.  I have always had an interest in religion but could never get along with all the standard mainstream regions.  My interest in Star Wars grew and I started reading into the back ground of the Jedi universe and that’s when I came across “The Jedi Path”  The “Jedi Path” is a manual for students of the force going into every aspect of the being and becoming a Jedi. and it was the Jedi code that helped get over my depression.  I found my self meditating and saying the Jedi Code over and over again for a short time everyday, this helped me clear my mind and to focus on what was causing my depression and how to deal with it.

There is no emotion, there is peace.

This principle guides all meditations and interactions with all others. It reaffirms the Jedi ideal to act without recklessness, and to view the action of others through the pure lens of the Unifying Force.

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

Those who don’t understand this basic precept are quick to fear – and fear is the path to the dark side.

There is no passion, there is serenity.

A subtle extrapolation of the first precept, this reminder to act dispassionately in every deliberation extends to personal obsessions and is a reminder not to elevate the self above the mission.

There is no death, there is the Force.

All things die, but the Force lives on. As beings who exist as shades of the Force, the end of our existence in this form is not to be overly mourned. We are part of an energy larger than ourselves, and we play roles in a cosmic fabric that outstrip our incarnate understanding.

The other part of being a Jedi is the cosplay side of it.  There are plenty of clubs you can join and plenty of conventions such as Comic con that you can attend in full costume!  These clubs do lots for charity.  You can either buy the full outfit which can be pricey or make your own.  I brought the main Jedi  costume but made all the accessories my self (this saves you a lot of money as the accessories go for silly money!!!!!)  Also let us not forget the Jedi’s weapon of choice…The lightsaber.  Again these are not cheap if you want to go for something real looking  like the lightsaber I have with attachable blade cost me around £160.  There are some shops that will build you your lightsaber but again this can be costly.  I also find that the lightsaber helps me when I meditate.  Staring into the blade while I sit crossed legged chanting the Jedi code really helps me meditate.

After reading this or if you are in the library this Thursday and see me in full costume you may think I`m rather crazy (my better half and my two sons would probably agree with you). Who knows maybe I am but like my counsellor said if it helps you beat depression then don’t stop! If you have an interest in Star Wars or even the Jedi faith I will be in the library dressed in full Jedi Robes and will be happy to chat with you or you can just follow my blog.  I wont be able to show you how to lift objects with your mind or change the will of the weak-minded (I’m still working on that) but I will be carrying a training lightsaber with me and a spare robe.  So like I said drop me a line if you wanna chat about anything Star Wars or cosplay I be happy to help.

May the Force be with you………..

The Library Jedi

Fair well Nien Nunb, May the force be with you

Sad new for Star Wars fans today as we learn of the death of Richard Bonehill. Richard appeared in both Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi playing a number of roles such as a stormtrooper, TIE fighter pilot, Rebel soldier, Tauntaun handler and probably the character he is is most known for Nien Nunb.  As most die-hard star wars fans know Nien Nunb was the co-pilot in the Millennium Falcon with Lando Calrissian during the attack on the second Death Star.

Nien Nunb was a Sullustan smuggler from Sullust. He began his career as a freighter pilot for the SoroSuub corporation, but as the corporation started to side with the new Galactic Empire, Nien formed a group who’s mission was to rise up and fight the SorroSuub corporation. He eventually joined the Rebel Alliance and was chosen by Lando to co-pilot the Falcon during the Battle of Endor and the attack on the second Death Star.  Later after the war Nien became administrator and then later part owner of the spice mines of Kessel with Lando.

As well as his parts in the Star Wars films Richard Bonehill worked as an actor, fencing coach and sword master on many films and television series.  He appeared in “The Avengers”, “Rob Roy“; “The Count of Monte Cristo“; “Robin Hood“; “Jason and the Argonauts“; and “Doctor Who“.

Its a wrap!!!!!

  Its official, the filming for Star Wars episode VII has finally finished!  An article was published showing a letter that was given to everyone who worked on the film as well as a cleanly shaven Mark Hamill!  Hopefully it wont be long till we get our first trailer and some information on what the plot is.  So what have we learned so far….. Not a lot really, rather a lot of rumour and hardly no actual hard facts.  So hears what we have learnt so far……

In a galaxy far far away……..

It has been 30 years since the destruction of the 2nd Death Star and the Empire has been beaten back to a couple of loyal galaxies.  The Galactic Republic has now taken its rightful place and Princess Leia Organa Solo is now in charge.  Han Solo and Chewbacca have both retired from service with the Alliance.  The Sith have risen from the ashes and have sent out their inquisitors to search and destroy Luke Skywalker.  For the last ten years Luke has gone into hiding on the Sith home world to try to find a way to destroy the Sith once and for all.  Mean while on a desert planet the daughter of Leia and Han comes upon a downed TIE fighter and it pilot.  She rescues the pilot who is having second thoughts about serving the Empire.  On their travels they discover a lightsaber that once belonged to Luke Skywalker.  With the help of Leia, Han, Chewbacca, Lando and some friends along the way they go looking for Luke Skywalker so they can defeat the Empire and their new weapon of mass destruction forever……..

I’m looking forward to this film for several reasons.  One I`m a massive Star Wars geek and Two most of the filming has been done on location.  Its going to be good to see all the old characters back together again and the introduction of the next lot of star wars heroes and villains. Thou I was a little disappointed that Lucas and Disney have changed what’s Star Wars cannon and what’s Star Wars legends I don’t think we will be disappointed.  Other great news that nearly had me wetting my self is the talk of a trilogy of my favourite Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi with Ewan McGregor once again reprising the role!

So with nearly a year to go till we get to see Star Wars Episode VII here’s the Library Jedi signing off for now and May the Force be with you….Always.