Lesson 7 – Part 2: Analyzing Jedi Literature – #2 of 2: The Way of the Force: A Jedi Tao Te Ching
Original journal entry from October 23, 2025 – Second example in Lesson 7 Part 2: Analyzing Jedi Literature. This was my critical evaluation of The Way of the Force: A Jedi Tao Te Ching by Master Loudzoo — assessing its source level, temporal context, extent/size vs. accuracy, and interpretive bias.
#2 of 2 Examples of Jedi Literature
The Way of the Force: A Jedi Tao Te Ching
Expertise:
Master Loudzoo generated the information. It is presented as a re-interpretation of the Tao Te Ching in plain English and a more accessible/less difficult paraphrase for Jedi. Although not explicitly stated, The Way of the Force seems to structurally resemble Stephen Mitchell’s 1988 rendition. Therefore, it is at minimum a tertiary source.
Looking at bias, Master Loudzoo compares his work to George Lucas’ incorporation of Joseph Campbell’s work on myth. There is definitely a noticeable push to overlay Jedi wisdom over the wisdom of the Tao Te Ching, which is heuristically also confirmation bias.
Era:
The Way of the Force does not have a published date. However, the file appears to have been uploaded to the Google Drive in 2023, while Master Loudzoo posted on 22 Nov 2022 about posting his video and audio versions here, https://www.templeofthejediorder.org/forum?view=topic&catid=5&id=126289.
The content of the original Tao Te Ching itself is unlikely to change, however, newer interpretations and paraphrases will likely continue to emerge. Jediism being a syncretic religion, it is quite plausible that Master Loudzoo would publish an updated version, based on more refined beliefs over time.
Extent:
The idea that size would correlate to accuracy wouldn’t make sense here. The Tao Te Ching is not very large already, and The Way of the Force, while larger than the original and the 1988 version, is still not that large either. However, being written by a Jedi for other Jedi it may be much more accurate than the original Chinese version for the Jedi context.
Umalohókan
House of Twin Suns
TM: Carlos Martinez
"You don't have to see the whole staircase just to take the first step."
(Signature links to IP Journal, Apprentice Journal, A.div Journal, and Degree Tracker omitted for brevity — these were forum navigation links at the time.)
Looking back now: This second analysis rounded out the lesson by applying the same critical lens to another modern Jedi text — noting its tertiary source status, confirmation bias, recent origin (2022–2023), and potential for future refinement. It reinforced the importance of context, humility, and openness when interpreting sacred or philosophical works within a syncretic tradition.