Jedi Master Thompson’s Holocron

According to the fiction, a Jedi HOLOCRON was a crystal cube sized to be held in one hand in which the Jedi (as well as the Sith) used to store and archive various types of Data. Information such as records on the universe and technology, teachings learned and insights gained and/or just the daily laments while on the path of The Jedi Way.

We do not have palm sized crystal cubes for you but we do have Word Press. At the level of Ashla Jedi Apprentice Level 3, every student will be required to keep a personal Holocron while in training here at Ashla Knights. Every student is to make at least one entry a week that is to include the following:

(A) Titles are to always read: HOLOCRON 01: (- numbered entry) PERSONAL or ACADEMICS & TRAINING

(B) You are to see that your entries have the “basics”. Example click here: THE BASICS

(C) When writing about academics and training include what lectures and assignments stand out and how they effect you and describe any experiences, images & events that stand out in your mind that seem to relate to your understanding of the lecture or assignment.

Other topics you will include:

(1) Observation: If you see something interesting, beautiful, amusing or (add the adjective of your choice) try to capture it in language in your Holocron. Observation entries help with your academic work; scientists, for example - use detailed observation to test their theories. Set yourself an observation task.

(2) Questions: Use your Holocron to formulate and record questions that are important to you about what you’re learning and/or experiencing. Think about questions you have about your academic work and don’t worry about providing all the answers, just let your questions flow.

(3) Speculation: Think about the meaning of the lectures and assignments, facts, readings, encounters, patterns you observe, conversations you take part in, movies you see, songs you listen to, treasures you have accumulated. Ask yourself “What if?” and “Why?”

(4) Self-Awareness: As you negotiate your studies in the academy and participate in the forum/chats here at Ashla Knights, think about who you are and what you stand for. How do you resemble others of your generation or others in your family? And how do you differ? What values are most important to you? What values are changing for you? Where do you stand on ethical or political debates. Who influences you? Or whom do you influence?

(5) Digression: Let your typing lead your thinking. You start off writing about your studies and find yourself composing sentence after sentence about your favorite song. Allow yourself to drift off the ostensible subject of your entry: often you will discover the ideas that interest you most. The Holocron lets you explore on paper whatever comes to mind.

(6) Synthesis: The Holocron provides a space for you to make connections. Put together ideas from different lecture courses. Find relationships between ideas and experiences and events. Link your learning at Ashla Knights to your decisions in your personal or professional life.

(7) Revision: You can also use your Holocron to reflect on who you are. Read over earlier entries and work out how you have changed. Do you have different ideas, or new interpretations of events? Do you disagree with an earlier entry? Can you track the way in which you think and draw conclusions from what you have written? What do you learn about yourself?

(8) Information: Many writers are like Planetary Gravity Wells. They suck in quotations; overheard conversations, postcards, photographs, newspaper articles and ideas, and then transcribe them into their notebooks. Do the same. Write down a line from a song that you love, or describe a scene in your favorite movie. Do you have a funny pet story? Or a wild photograph. Make your Holorcon reflect you.

While creating and maintaining a Holocron is a requirement for all students here at Ashla Knights, there are also many benefits in doing so. Making a record of your thoughts is an effective stress reliever, it helps you make time for YOU, it also helps with focus and has been proven to improve well-being.

Sincerely,

Jedi Master Derek M. Thompson