#jediism

"If you're not with me, then you're my enemy"

That is the most black and white way to make a decision, to look at the world (or in this case, Galaxy). It's exactly what the Jedi preach against. To search for nuance, hear every word, hear all reasoning, and then and only then make the most selfless decision that harms the least amount of people.

Jedi and Anxiety: Finding Peace in a Restless Mind

“Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.” – Yoda

Anxiety is something nearly all of us face. It shows up as racing thoughts, tightness in the chest, second-guessing everything, or feeling like you’re one wrong move from disaster. And while the Jedi are known for calm and clarity, they are not free from fear or worry.

What sets a Jedi apart is not the absence of anxiety but how they respond to it.

Anxiety Is Natural. Reactivity Is a Choice.

Jedi are trained to feel emotion, but not to be controlled by it. That includes anxiety.

“The Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind.” – Yoda

In Jediism, it doesn't mean suppressing how we feel. Rather it means we observe, we breathe, and we respond deliberately. Anxiety clouds judgment. Jedi practice presence, even when the mind is loud. That starts with recognizing the voice of fear and choosing not to obey it.

Why Overthinking Leads to the Dark Side

When you’re overthinking, your mind is trying to predict and control every possible outcome. But control is an illusion, and the desire for control is a breeding ground for fear.

“Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

This doesn't mean you're becoming a "Sith" for worrying. It means that left unchecked, anxiety becomes a loop: worry → avoidance → guilt → more worry. A Jedi breaks the loop with awareness and grounded action.

Overthinking is the mind’s attempt to protect. Jedi training teaches us to trust something deeper: our clarity, our preparation, our connection to the present. (Hey! Is this helpful? We would love to have you in our NEW Jedi Community.)

Jedi Tools for an Anxious Mind

Here are a few real-world tools Jedi use to meet anxiety without being ruled by it:

1. Breathwork

“Breathe. Just breathe.” – Luke Skywalker

When the mind spirals, return to the breath. Inhale slowly through the nose for 5 counts. Hold for 6 counts. Exhale through the mouth for 7 counts. Do it again. And again. Let your nervous system reset.

2. Mindful Movement Anxiety is energy. If it has nowhere to go, it builds. Jedi walk, stretch, train, move, to help their mental state, too.

3. Thought Observation Instead of arguing with your thoughts, notice them. Label them. “That’s fear.” “That’s doubt.” “That’s a future I don’t control.” Naming separates you from the storm.

4. Service to Others The Jedi serve. Anxiety often pulls us inward, but serving others (even in small ways) can restore balance and purpose. This can be something as simple as leaving a nice social media comment, or appropriately complimenting someone.

You Are Not Broken. You Are Becoming.

“The Force will be with you. Always.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi

The presence of anxiety doesn’t mean you’re failing...it means you’re human. The Jedi path is not about eliminating all fear but learning to live well in its presence.

Some days, the mind will be loud. Some days, peace will feel far away. But you are still walking the path. Every breath, every moment of awareness, every time you choose calm over chaos.

That’s the Jedi Way in action.

I’m sure religion still exists in Panem, but it’s probably not that mainstream, Christianity probably even less so since there’s not much that ever alludes to it in text. The closest indicator we get that Christianity might still be a thing is when Katniss and Peeta and co. are in (I believe) District 11 and there’s a mural or something in the justice building of what Katniss describes as (and I’m paraphrasing here) “fat babies with wings.” To most readers it’s probably obvious that these fat, winged babies are cherubs. But Katniss doesn’t seem to know that. This suggests that either A.) Religions, especially Christianity which currently dominates North America, no longer exist and this building is old as fuck, or B.) Religions do still exist but Christianity no longer dominates, but may still be popular in D11, but also since districts are cut off from each other it may be much more underground or even nonexistent in other districts such as D12.

My headcanon aligns with option B.

Now, since I’ve established my thinking, just imagine it.

Two tributes are allies in the arena, one ally is killed but the other survives. The survivor looks down at their fallen ally and gives a slight bow. “May the Force be with you,”* they say before sadly walking away.

Once a year in District 4, near early fall, everyone dons a special hat, a sacred spaghetti strainer,** and greets their neighbours with a cheerful “ahoy, matey!”***

Or even a young Tigris, bogged down and exhausted from working so hard to keep food on the table and having to keep the Snows’ poverty a secret, turns to a lesser known and relatively unpopular religion within the Capitol in seek of some sort of comfort. “The dude abides,”**** she says quietly to herself as Fabrica gives her another undignified task to complete.

Like sure, God is dead but the Flying Spaghetti Monster lives on.

* Enough people in different commonwealth countries once listed their religion as Jedi on their country’s official census, thus making “Jediism” a legal religion.

** Pasta strainers are “religious headwear” for Pastafarians. Pastafarianism is a mock religion that “worships” the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

*** Additionally, Pastafarians see pirates as “divine beings” and celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day which occurs annually on September 19. I thought this was fitting for D4 since they’re the fishing district and on the ocean.

**** This is a quote from the film The Big Lebowski, which inspired the mock religion Dudeism. Dudeism’s philosophy is basically “go with the flow, take a chill pill.”