Experience: I am a Jedi | Film | The Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/may/08/i-am-a...

Experience: I am a Jedi
I have accepted that I will probably remain single for the rest of my life, but I refuse
to change who I am
Kevin Cottam
Friday 8 May 2015 15.20BST

eople may nd it hard to believe, but even though I have lived as a Jedi for ve
years, I am actually not that bothered by Star Wars or science ction. It just
doesnt do anything for me.

Before becoming a Jedi, I was a Zen Buddhist, but I was frustrated with the dierent
precepts and mandates that came with the religion. I researched other religions
online and came across the Djedi of ancient Egypt, which inspired the Jedi in Star
Wars.
Jediism has no Ten Commandments or holy texts. We have only three basic laws: the
cycle of knowledge, wisdom and compassion. Through the application of knowledge
we gain wisdom, and through wisdom we become compassionate. Why set a
thousand rules when one principle is enough? I mean compassion.
I am specically a Grey Jedi. All Jedi believe there is a force that creates everything.
But unlike the Jedi and Sith, who see the force as light and dark (ie good and bad), the
Grey Jedi see it simply as a natural force. It is how we use the force that dictates
whether it is good or evil. In many ways, this concept shares a common theme with
paganism.
I was born in Cheshire, but later in life, as a chef, I moved around the country a lot.
About the time I started on the path to becoming a Jedi, I became too ill to work and
decided to remain in Rhyl. I nd it relaxing and the fresh air helps my illness. I now
spend most days making my robes, and cosplayers people who dress as ctional
characters for special events sometimes buy my old outts.
When I rst told friends and family that I was becoming a Jedi, they thought it was
cool. But when I told them a year ago that I was going to wear the robes all the time
and forsake all other clothes, a number found it strange. My girlfriend of six years left
me, as she did not want to be seen in public with someone dressed like me. I had been
happy with her, but I also had my faith to follow and if I lost that, I would no longer be
who I am.
Some friends have stuck by me. One loves going out with me and we travel all over
just so she can show me o. The reactions I get can be mixed, but children always ask

1 of 2

14/09/2015 22:07

Experience: I am a Jedi | Film | The Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/may/08/i-am-a...

if they can have their photo taken with me, and Im happy to oblige. I nd that the
greatest reaction is from women over 50, who tell me they love the way I dress and
the fact that I take great care with my appearance.
I have designed robes for dierent seasons, including warmer, waterproof ones for
winter and cooler ones for summer. I choose to wear the robes as they reect the
origins of the Jedi, and I nd them comfortable they are less restrictive than jeans or
a suit.
I recently went to my rst science ction convention and met fans and cosplayers
who instantly accepted and understood me although for me cosplaying would
mean wearing jeans and a T-shirt, and not standing out. Sometimes I think that would
be rather nice; I dont do this for attention its to keep me close to my faith.
I am 45 now and have accepted that I will probably remain single for the rest of my
life, but I refuse to change who I am. If I did nd someone who would be happy to live
with me, I would not try to convert them to Jediism. That decision would have to
come from them.
I have been surprised at how accepting the local authorities and police have been. It
was their idea that I register my lightsaber as a religious item, allowing me to carry it
with me at all times. At rst I didnt have one, but this often disappointed the children
who asked me for photographs, so I relented. If I can bring a little happiness to others,
then that makes me happy. After I meet people, I always say to them, May the force
for ever guide you. It guides me, and it has changed my life for the better.

As told to Peter Ray Allison

Do you have an experience to share? Email experience@theguardian.com

More features

Topics
Star Wars
Science ction and fantasy
Religion

Save for later Article saved

Reuse this content

2 of 2

14/09/2015 22:07