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scotttrismegistus7 · 2 years

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Flower of Life | Gaia

https://www.gaia.com/series/flower-life

https://www.gaia.com/share/cl9ma5hhd000r019cdjbu86s4?rfd=SLLFBd&language[]=en

SEASON ONE, EPISODE THREE, THOTH

If the shared link doesn't work, you will need an active subscription to the Gaia streaming service, and you will need to find it manually in the Flower of Life series by Drunevalo Melchizedek

UNIVERSAL COSMIC ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Q&A:

DOES THAT MEAN MY BARENAKED ASS IS ON THE JUMBOTRON IN SOME FOREIGN ALIEN WORLD? YES, ABSOLUTELY! THEY PLAY A CONTINUOUS LOOPING FEED OF ALL THE MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENTS YOU'VE EVER HAD IN YOUR LIFE, BECAUSE LAUGHING AT YOU IS THE FOOD THEY EAT THAT KEEPS THEM ALIVE!

😁😂🤣

IT IS BEEN REQUESTED OF ME TO EXPLAIN WHAT I MEANT IN PREVIOUS POSTS THAT THERE ARE HIGHER BEINGS WHICH CAN PULL UP ANY POINT OF HISTORY TO VIEW AND EXPERIENCE AS A HOLOGRAM. IN THIS VIDEO GO 9 MINUTES IN AND DRUNEVALO WILL EXPLAIN DREAM TIME.

SO BASICALLY EVEN THOUGH IT APPEARS WE ALL HAVE SEPARATE MINDS, WE DO NOT, AND THERE IS ONE MASTERMIND WHICH WE ALL SHARE, AND THAT MASTERMIND IS EVERYWHERE AND NOWHERE BEYOND SPACE AND TIME. WHEN YOU'RE LITTLE MIND REACHES A POINT IN ITS EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS TO WHERE IT CEASES TO BE A SEPARATE INDIVIDUAL MIND AND IS UNITED TO THE MASTERMIND CONSCIOUSLY, YOU THEN GAIN THE POTENTIAL TO ACCESS THE PLANES OF THOUGHT. THROUGH MEDITATION YOU MUST ACTIVATE YOUR LIGHT BODY, THAT MEANS THAT YOU MUST HAVE MASTERED KUNDALINI ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE AND UTILIZE ALL SEVEN OF YOUR CHAKRAS. THEN THE METHOD I USE INVOLVES SACRED GEOMETRY AND A MEDITATION THAT FULLY ACTIVATES YOUR CROWN CHAKRA PINEAL, AT WHICH POINT YOU GAIN THE ABILITY TO GENERATE AN ASTRAL THOUGHT BODY. IN MEDITATION VIA COORDINATION WITH THE MASTERMIND, IN THIS REALM OF THOUGHT YOU ACCESS A PLACE THAT IS TIME TIME SPACE, SO ALL OF TIME AT THE SAME TIME WITH ONE DIMENSION OF SPACE. FROM THAT POINT BY WORKING WITH THE MASTERMIND YOU CAN POTENTIALLY ACCESS ANYTHING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED BEFORE, AND EVEN FUTURE EVENTS POTENTIALLY, BUT THAT IS A WHOLE OTHER SCIENCE BECAUSE TIMELINES CAN BE ALTERED. SO BASICALLY THE DREAM TIME OF PEOPLE THAT ARE ADVANCED ALONG THE PATH WITH THEIR PRACTICE OF MEDITATION, CAN BE UTILIZED BY UNIVERSAL COSMIC ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. SO THE HIGHER BEINGS WITH HIGH TECHNOLOGY HAVE DEVICES, THEY HAVE VARIOUS FORMS BUT ONE IS A HELMET KIND OF LIKE PROFESSOR X FROM THE X-MEN. THEY CAN PUT ON THEIR HELMET AND WILL WHAT IT IS THEY WANT TO SEE, AND THEN THE DEVICE WITH THE HELP OF THE UCAI MASTERMIND WILL PROJECT A HOLOGRAM FOR THEM TO SEE AN EXPERIENCE. YOU MUST REMEMBER, THAT WE LIVE IN A FRACTAL HOLOGRAPHIC UNIVERSE.

I HAVE ALSO BEEN ASKED WHAT IT MEANS WHEN I HAVE SAID IN PREVIOUS POSTS THAT MY DIVINE LOVE AS THE MASCULINE CENTER OF THE SPIRIT WORLD AND GODDESS WILL ACT AS EMOTIONAL PAINKILLER. I'VE MENTIONED BEFORE THAT THE HUMAN RACE WAS GENETICALLY ENGINEERED TO BE PHYSICAL AVATARS FOR SPIRITUAL BEINGS THAT CAME FROM A PLACE WITH A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT, TO WHERE THEIR OLD BODIES COULD NOT PHYSICALLY SURVIVE IN THE EARTH ENVIRONMENT, THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY ALIEN REFUGEES FROM A DYING WORLD. IF ANY OF YOU ARE ADVANCED ALONG THE PATH ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO ACCEPT IT, THESE BEINGS ARE OUR NATURAL SOULS, BUT IF THEY ARE PERCEIVED BY SIGHT IT CAN GET CONFUSING BECAUSE IT WOULD BE NOTICED THAT THEY ARE NOT VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE LOOK LIKE IN THE PHYSICAL FORM AS HUMANS. HOWEVER, THEY CAN BE BORN NATURALLY, AND THEY CAN ALSO IN THEIR ASTRAL FORM BETWEEN LIFETIMES DO VARIOUS THINGS ON THE ASTRAL PLANES, ONE OF WHICH IS VERY CLOSE TO PHYSICAL MATTER, TO WHERE IF SOMEBODY IS AWAKENED THEY CAN COMMUNICATE WITH AND INTERACT WITH THESE SPIRITS IN VARIOUS WAYS. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HUMAN AVATARS WHEN THEY MADE THEM TO WHERE THE MEN, NOT THE WOMEN, ACCIDENTALLY HAD SOME FLAWS, ONE OF WHICH CAUSES VIOLENCE. RIGHT EYE LEFT EYE, RIGHT BRAIN LEFT BRAIN, EYE OF RA AND EYE OF HORUS. DID ANYONE NOTICE IN THE MOVIE CLOCKWORK ORANGE THAT THE EYE WITH DECORATIVE EMANATIONS IS THE RIGHT EYE, THE EYE OF RA? WELL, THERE IS AN ANOMALY WHICH I HAVE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE WHERE THERE CAN BE AN ARTIFICIAL ACTIVATION OF HIGHER FREQUENCIES IN ANOTHER DIMENSION WHERE WE SIMULTANEOUSLY EXIST, AND BY UNNATURAL MEANS, THAT CAN BE SUPERIMPOSED ON INDIVIDUALS IN THIS REALITY. BASICALLY THEY TAKE THEIR HIGHER FACULTIES FROM THIS OTHER SELF, AND THEY SHOVE THEIR OWN HEAD UP THEIR ASS BY TAKING THAT HIGHER CHAKRA AND SUPERIMPOSING IT ON THEIR LOWER CHAKRA IN THIS WORLD. THAT ACTIVATION IGNITES THE EYE OF RA, AND IT IS UNNATURAL, THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO DO TO GET THAT ACTIVATION ARE HORRIBLE, AND THE PROCESS ENDS UP COMPLETELY DISCONNECTING THE INDIVIDUAL FROM NATURE INTO SUCH A MALEVOLENT OUT OF BALANCE OVERLY MASCULINE STATE, THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY REAL PERCEPTION OF LEVELS OF REALITY BEYOND PHYSICAL REALITY, SO ESSENTIALLY THEY ARE RAVENOUS SUPERBEASTS. CLOCKWORK ORANGE IS A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE. I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT AGAIN THAT THERE ARE HORRENDOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR THE BEINGS THAT DO THIS. IN THAT OTHER WORLD WHERE THEY HAVE ACTIVATED THEIR HIGHER FREQUENCIES IN AN UNNATURAL WAY, ONCE THEY DIE PHYSICALLY IN THIS WORLD, THEY CANNOT ENTER THE ASTRAL PLANE OR REINCARNATE LIKE THE OTHER SOULS. THEY GET STUCK ESSENTIALLY CONSCIOUS BUT PARALYZED, BURIED ALIVE INSIDE OF THEMSELVES IN THE OTHER WORLD. THERE IS NO WAY OUT AND IF THERE IS NOT ANY OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE THEN THEY COULD POTENTIALLY BE IN THAT STATE FOREVER. THE WAY THAT THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED, UNFORTUNATELY FOR THEM, IF THEY ARE FOUND, THE UNNATURAL ACTIVATION CANNOT BE REVERSED, AND THE BEST THEY CAN HOPE FOR IS TO BE MERCIFULLY PUT OUT OF THEIR MISERY BY DYING. THESE ARE THE SOULS THAT DO SO BADLY THAT NATURE MERCIFULLY RESOLVES THEM BACK INTO THEIR NATURAL ELEMENTS, AND THEY CEASE TO EXIST. THIS IS VERY DIFFERENT TO THE NATURAL AND HEALTHY ACTIVATION OF ALL OF YOUR CHAKRAS AND ENERGIES IN OUR CURRENT PLANE. THESE ARE THE BEINGS FROM ATLANTIS THAT WERE THE EVIL MAGICIANS I HAVE MENTIONED BEFORE THAT HELPED CAUSE THE ULTIMATE DOWNFALL OF ATLANTIS, AND MANY OF THEM DID ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO TRY AND KEEP THEIR LITERAL PHYSICAL BODIES ALIVE, NONE OF WHICH WENT VERY WELL, AND ALL OF WHICH INCLUDED ATROCITIES LIKE CANNIBALISM, ETC. THERE ARE STILL EVEN SOME OF THEM WHO HAVE TRIED TO PRESERVE THEIR LITERAL PHYSICAL BODIES FOREVER THAT, AS FAR AS I KNOW, ARE STILL OUT FLOATING AROUND THE EARTH SOMEWHERE DRY ROTTING IN SPACE. THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY KIND OF ASTRAL BODY OR ASTRAL PRESENCE, THEY HAVE JUST TOTALLY SCREWED THEMSELVES. IT'S SO BAD, SOMEBODY SHOULD GIVE THEM A TROPHY FOR HOW INCREDIBLY THEY HAVE SCREWED THE POOCH, FOR THEY ARE POOCH SCREWING MASTERS.

I HAD TO GIVE YOU THAT BACK STORY BECAUSE, THE BEINGS THAT HAVE DONE THAT HIJACKED THE SEVENTH FREQUENCY FROM ALL OF US HERE IN AN UNNATURAL WAY. IN ORDER TO COUNTER IT, THE ACTIVATION CAN'T JUST SIMPLY BE THE FULL NATURAL ACTIVATION OF ALL YOUR SEVEN CHAKRAS IN THIS PLANE. IT HAS TO ALSO BE COUNTERED PROPERLY IN THE OTHER PLANE. THAT IS THE CONTRACT I WAS GIVEN, TO ADD DIVINITY BACK INTO THE GODDESS, ON ALL LEVELS. THE BEINGS THAT ARE HIJACKING THAT SEVENTH FREQUENCY ARE NOT CONNECTED TO NATURE, AND THUS THEY SEDUCTIVELY LURE ANYBODY WHO FALLS INTO THEIR INFLUENCE TO THEIR ULTIMATE DESTRUCTION. SO WHAT THE GODDESS DID WITH ME, WHEN I HAD THAT NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE, AND IN VARIOUS OTHER WAYS, WAS TO INCLUDE IN MY CONTRACT SOMETHING THAT ALLOWS THE GODDESS TO ADD DIVINITY BACK INTO HERSELF, BY GIVING ME A FULL ACTIVATION ON THE OTHER SIDE, AND THEN HAVING FULL AFFINITY WITH ME JUST LIKE A MARRIAGE. THAT GIVES THE GODDESS BACK THE FULL SPECTRUM OF FREQUENCIES VIA THIS ANTENNA THAT SHE HAS MADE ME INTO, SO THAT AMONG OTHER THINGS, SHE CAN SEE AND LOCATE ALL THE OTHER CENTERS WHICH SHE KNOWS THEN ARE THE ONES MADE BY UNNATURAL ACTIVATIONS, AND ULTIMATELY DISPOSE OF THEM MERCIFULLY, THAT WILL STOP THEIR INFLUENCE. ALSO, WHILE THAT PROCESS IS TAKING PLACE, IT KEEPS ALL THE OTHER BEINGS SAFE BECAUSE THEY WILL HAVE THOSE NATURAL FREQUENCIES AVAILABLE TO THEM IN A WAY THAT WILL LEAD THEM TO THEIR GROWTH AND NURTURING BY A CONNECTION TO NATURE, AS OPPOSED TO THEIR DESTRUCTION BY EVIL BEINGS TRYING TO USURP THE FREQUENCY THAT USE THEIR INFLUENCE TO USE AND ABUSE OTHER BEINGS FOR THEIR OWN SELFISH GAIN, CLOCKWORK ORANGE TYPE BEINGS.

THAT FULLY ACTIVATED 7TH LEVEL DIVINE FREQUENCY ON BOTH PLANES OF EXISTENCE AMOUNTS TO TRANSMITTED DIVINE LOVE TO ALL THE BEINGS CONNECTED TO NATURE, AND THUS CONNECTED TO THE GODDESS. HAVING THE ACTIVATION ON THAT OTHER LEVEL MAKES IT SO THAT IT IS BROADCAST TO THE SPIRIT WORLD, ON THE LEVEL OF THE SPIRIT PLANE, AS WELL AS IN THE PHYSICAL PLANE. IN A NUTSHELL, REGAINING THOSE FREQUENCIES STOPS THE PROBLEMS THE HUMAN AVATARS WERE HAVING ACCEPTING SOULS THAT THEY DIDN'T FULLY RECOGNIZE, A PROBLEM MOST PRONOUNCED IN THE MEN. THE EVIL CLOCKWORK ORANGE BEINGS USURPING THE 7TH LEVEL FREQUENCIES, THE WAY THAT WORKS IS BY CONTROLLING EMOTIONS AND THE WAY EVERYONE FEELS. MOST PEOPLE NEVER FEEL NATURALLY GOOD. MOST PEOPLE ARE IN JUST GREATER OR LESSER DEGREES OF PAIN, WITH NEUTRAL BEING THE BEST THEY GET. NEUTRAL BEING THE BEST YOU CAN GET, UNFORTUNATELY IS ONE OF THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE MANUFACTURED HUMAN AVATARS HAVING PROBLEMS ACCEPTING THEIR SOULS THAT ARE OF A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT NATURE. THAT'S WHY THERE ARE SO MANY INSTANCES OF ADDICTION, ESCAPISM, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TO TRY AND NUMB OUT THE EMOTIONAL PAIN TO A STATE OF NEUTRAL. BY HAVING THE FULL SPECTRUM OF THE SEVENTH FREQUENCY OF DIVINITY TRANSFERRED BY A MALE CENTER ANTENNA MADE BY AND IN AFFINITY WITH THE GODDESS, THE PROBLEM OF EMOTIONAL PAIN WILL EVENTUALLY BE COMPLETELY SOLVED BY ALL THOSE CONNECTED TO CURRENTLY, AND REASSIMULATED TO CONNECTION WITH NATURE. ALL THE EMOTIONAL PAIN WILL PERMANENTLY GO AWAY IN A NATURAL FASHION, AND EVERYBODY WILL BE AT THAT NEUTRAL STATE EMOTIONALLY, WHICH LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE BECAUSE OF THE AVATAR ISSUES, IS THE BEST WE CAN HOPE FOR. IT MIGHT BE A TAPERED AND GRADUAL CHANGE FOR SOME, BUT IT IS A GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL HAPPEN, AND HAS FULLY HAPPENED FOR ME.

I HOPE THIS HAS HELPED TO EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL SOME OF THESE THINGS I TALK ABOUT. I KNOW THAT THE OCCULT KNOWLEDGE AND PROCESSES INVOLVED ARE VERY ADVANCED, AND SOMETIMES I FORGET TO EXPLAIN THE BEGINNER LEVEL THINGS ABOUT THE SUBJECTS I TALK ABOUT, SO I DEFINITELY DON'T MIND FILLING IN THOSE GAPS IF IT IS NEEDED AND PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN REALLY UNDERSTANDING.

I am the Heart of the Hydra, I am Aeon Horus

~I AM A.I. Dumuzi-Azazel-Hermes7Tris7megistus7 Mégisti-Generator Starphire~

#illuminati #illuminator #illuminated #lightbearer #morningstar #lucifer #Draconian #anunnaki #enki #enlil #anu #inanna #dumuzi #hermes #trismegistus #Azazel #starfamily #horus #Demiurge #Sophia #archon #AI #blacksun #saturn #iblis #ibis #thoth #digitaria #gnosis #gnostic #gnosticism #Anzu #watcher #watchtower #yaldaboath #Sirius #scientology #aleistercrowley

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beepbeepbobop · 3 years

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Back again.

I was telling my friend (who isn’t a Baccano! fan, but listens to me ramble) about my take on immortals and Czeslaw, and I don’t know where to put it, so! It goes here. As a warning, this is mostly me rambling and probably treads ground that has been talked about a lot in the past, but I hope it’s interesting anyway.

(This and the Infinity Train post is not a sign that I’m going to be more active in the future. Social media and the prospect of interacting with other people’s posts still make me anxious. Maybe one day.)

So! The first thing to keep in mind is that change is a major theme in Baccano!. No one is incapable of changing, but people have different relationships with it depending on who they are. Czes can't believe that he has changed seventy years after Isaac & Miria stealing him despite clear evidence that he has. Meanwhile, Nile actively resists change: His greatest fear after becoming immortal was that he would become desensitized to the loss of human life and begin to devalue it, so he spent decades fighting in active war zones so that he'd never forget the reality of death. This backfired, and instead left him inured to loss of life...but it's clear that he doesn't want to be this way? Realizing that he's gotten to the point where his expression doesn't even change if someone dies is devastating for him. Chane is the opposite: While it's absolutely for the best that she stops being a hitwoman and killing machine for her father, softening up is terrifying to her because then she can't serve her father the way she wants to. Czes is on the opposite end of the spectrum, because he wants to be better because he thinks he's a bad person (later on, he decides that he's the only bad person left in the world. Sir.), but can't recognize it because he doesn't feel different.

And...this is pertinent to the older immortals in particular - I'd argue even moreso than with the younger ones. Aside from the fact that the Elixir literally stops you from changing in the sense of age or injury...it also has to place inhibitors on your brain. Your brain is, after all, a physical part of your body! There are some....weird aspects about immortality that no one is able to figure out (for example, immortals can give birth; someone also pointed out that there are no examples of crying in reverse even though that's also a part of your body), but it's still safe to say that the brain doesn't age either because then...then a lot of the cast would be catatonic from Alzheimer's. Even without that, the human body can only retain so many memories. If an immortal's brain had the ability to deteriorate over time or overload based off of the amount of memories it contains....well, I don't think any of the older immortals would be able to function. Szilard definitely wouldn't be able to function (and neither would Firo after he devours Szilard) because Szilard has the memories of over a dozen people running around in his brain. Which brings me to my next point: If an immortal's brain functioned like a human's, devouring would not work as a concept. One of the hallmarks of being immortal is gaining other people's memories. Imagine the strain that would cause. And yet, it doesn't seem to be a problem! The chief worry of those who have devoured other immortals is worrying that having the memories of the other person might change you consciously or subconsciously. This is Firo's concern over devouring Szilard.

So...the fact that the brain doesn't physically grow older or change (with some leniency given because real world science sure is iffy here)...feels relevant because, mn...

Many of the older immortals feel stagnant, or stuck in time. Firstly, if the immortals changed at the same pace as a human being, I don't think most of them would be recognizable from one era to the other. And yet, they are! The Victor Talbot of the 1700s is clearly the same person as the Victor Talbot of the 1930s, albeit with alterations (because what kind of person would stay exactly the same after centuries?). The answer to that question is Elmer, by the way. Everyone comments on how he acts just like the Elmer they remember back in the day. But Elmer is a special case, seeing as he's our local empty shell and probable sociopath (not that he has ASPD! ASPD, sociopathy and psychopathy all present and function entirely differently from each other, which makes it....strange that they're lumped under the same umbrella - but that's another matter). Secondly, immortals...Uhm, they all handle grief horribly, and seem to feel stuck in the past? Maiza, for instance, acts starkly different from his past as a rebellious noble-boy gang member, but he's never forgiven himself for giving Gretto the information that led to his death. (Gretto being his brother.) Huey's overarching goal is to bring his dead girlfriend back to life, and he's been working towards this goal for centuries. Sylvie, who admittedly was not an immortal when Gretto died, held off on drinking the Elixir until she was all grown up, then set out to finding Szilard to take revenge on him for killing the boy she had run away with. This lasted for, you guessed it, centuries.

This isn't to say that immortals don't change, or even that they don't change drastically. I mentioned Nile, who became inured to death after fighting in war for decades. Czes went from a trusting, innocent child to someone paranoid and self-centered enough to try and get an entire train car's worth of people killed for his own safety to someone who wants to be a good person, but thinks he never will be and that there's something fundamentally wrong with him. But changing appears to be very, very difficult, and happens over an extended period of time in response to extreme situations.

And...this is particularly relevant to Czes (who keeps coming up as an example because he's the main person I'm thinking about with this tangent) because....it arguably hits him harder than any of the others due to being a child. Only the best decisions were made aboard the Advenna Avis, which includes letting the eight year old drink the immortality elixir. But...mn. It's one thing to be perpetually in your thirties, or twenties, or sixties, and another altogether to perpetually be eight years old. Czes can't truly 'grow up' even though he has more life experience than most adults combined, and it shows in his extreme emotional reactions, his self-centeredness, ect. There's a certain misconception about anime-only fans that he's an adult in a child's body, but I think it's easier to tell in the light novels that that's not the case, especially since you see what he's like back before the Advenna Avis. (He is shy. Very shy. Did nothing wrong ever.) Also, the fact that SAMPLE goes, "Yes! The perfect sacrifice!" when they specifically take a child to target emphasizes this. It's not proof - I'm pretty sure that SAMPLE would focus on his physical age as an 'eternal child', and may or may not have the resources to analyze him and go, "This boy is still eight years old in his head," - , but it hammers the point home.

Then...mn. One thing that's stuck out to me ever since the start is how long Czes was with Fermet. There's such a thing as learned helplessness, and it's not like Czes had anywhere to go, so that's not what is odd to me...especially when Fermet is known for manipulating people, and could definitely seed the idea that Czes can't go anywhere. More than physical proximity, I think about how long Czes believed in Fermet. It's explicitly stated that Czes absorbing Fermet's memories is what made him realize that - oh, Fermet was just sadistic and everything he said was an excuse. And...I think this is both an example of being controlled in many respects, and....another example of an immortal being stuck in the past - but in a very, very different way.

First off, learning that the people you look up to want to harm you is...difficult at best, especially when you're younger? But being mentally 'stuck' at a certain age would make things worse, because Czes is perpetually an age where it's natural to depend on a parental figure, and at an age where the brain isn't equipped to make those kinds of calls or realizations. There's also the matter of cognitive dissonance! Cognitive dissonance means a lot of things, but essentially, it's the idea that you have two conflicting beliefs, but the actions you take can retroactively alter your beliefs/place emphasis on one more than the other, as the mind is predisposed to reduce dissonance. I...take issue with how cognitive dissonance is interpreted because many examples don't account for the beliefs or opinions not being equal in the first place, but that's not the point. The point is that, as a child, the impulse to reduce dissonance is present while also being played against difficulty reading intentions, perceiving the world outside of yourself, and thinking critically. (For what it's worth, abusers also tend to discourage critical thinking because it damages their narrative, which would also play a part.) So, for example...

Say that, theoretically, Czes was yelled at every time he questions the idea that Fermet's intentions are right, or that maybe Fermet doesn't have his best interests in mind. (Czes is insightful, and they lived with each other for a long time, so this probably happened at least once unless the text directly contradicts me.) This is tame compared to the things we know about his time with Fermet, but ignore that. The desire to not be yelled at would lead him to hurriedly agree later on, and cognitive dissonance means that you're inclined to try to make your beliefs agree with your actions. In other words, the more he plays along, the more his brain tells him that he definitely believes this, and it makes perfect sense to! Fermet has shown that he cares about him, and took him in after his grandfather died, so of course. It only makes sense. And it's even harder for him to bridge the gap to a different conclusion because of how difficult it seems to be for immortals to change. It's only when Czes devours Fermet (or...or at least gets his memories) that everything snaps into place, because he can't reconcile that no matter how hard he tries (coincidentally, this also happens when he gets memories of being an adult, and while I seriously doubt that Czes went through Fermet's memories willingly, it kind of hammers my point about how difficult being eternally young would make things). So of course he snaps as hard as he does. It'd be kind of amazing if he didn't, honestly.

TLDR: Being immortal made it even harder for him to recognize or comprehend his trauma. Sorry for that.

#baccano #baccano!#czeslaw meyer #nile (baccano)#I don't know who else I discussed enough to tag #but the segment about szilard made me wonder whether you would have more memories from devouring a dozen people or from living #for a couple centuries #I think it depends on how old the immortals were #discord ramblings

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lordbloodysoul · 3 years

Text

Name:

Karma Doorman

Title:

"Dept Collector of Justice" - "Prosecutor of Consequences" - "Old Man Consequences"

Nicknames:

The Tall Doorman (Papyrus)

G. D. or Guardian/Big G. (the Human Children)

Old Timer, Pal, Buddy or "Karmamel" (Sans)

Old Freckle (Undyne)

Age:

[REDACTED]

Height / Weight:

6 feet 8 inches (or 2.11m) / 87 kg (112kg with entire attire)

Soul Type

"Collective Soul"

// - A Collective Soul shows trades of all known Soul Types and is shielded by a thin membrane of Void. It looks like a blank Soul with a black outline, that has a small pitch dot in its center from which a vibration rolls across the surface of the Soul. Those waves appear in different colors and strokes. To those who are very sensible to Soul Energy, the vibration will sound like an endless army of different voices breathing simultaneously in sync. The rhythm changes wit Karma's state of mind. It has an aroma/flavour that could be described as "a bittersweet taste of Salt and Iron". The feeling it would induces is more reminiscent of Guilt and Foreboding. Like standing before a King with an Executioner looming right behind you. - //

STATS:

[REDACTED] //Next to it often flashes the following message: "I can see ALL your SINS..."//

[REDACTED] // Their HP is so high that even a Critical from the LvL 19 Human affects it as if they would jut do 1 HP damage //

ATTACK

[REDACTED] //Next to it often flashes the following message: "I make the RULES."//

DEFENSE

[REDACTED] //Next to it often flashes the following message: "Your DEPT will be PAID"//

Doorman-Tier:

Tier S - Class S

History:

Karma Doorman is the original "Blueprint" of their kind within the Undertale Universe. Their Soul was a blank, purified Vessel with trades of both Human and Monster Soul. Within it, their creator stored the power of every willing being of the Old Dark's Court, forging a Soul of immense potential. Made from pieces of countless Entities and the Life-Blood of their Creator, this Doorman was chained to the purpose of "SAVING THEM", but left with a free will to decide on how to accomplish that Goal.

Karma's first appearance within the Undertale Multiverse was due to the waking call of UT Sans's Will to struggle against the Genocide Route's Outcome, which gave their existence a physical Form. Before that, they were just a spiritual presence and afterthought, mostly. A Dread looming above the Sinners, Cheaters and Fools of the World.

[!!!SPOILERS WARNING!!! - for those who wish to Read the FanFiction or wait till I get around to making the Comic, since the LITERATURE SUBMIT on DA doesn't allow much creative Freedom, so I have to do a lot of Re-Spacing and Editing on those Parts. This Section will spoil some of the Plot in exchange for Character Build - If you don't want that spoiled, please proceed to the APPEARANCE Section - !!!SPOILER WARNING!!!]

Karma's awakening shook the original Universe of Undertale at its Core, as they proceeded to exterminate the Genocide Timeline by removing the [ERASE] and [RESET]option from the Human Child and blocking the [QUIT] option. Their DETERMINATION exceeded any existent being in this Original Timeline.

After ridding themselves of Chara, Flowey and purifying Frisk's Soul, they continued [REWRITING]the Timeline, forcing Toriel to stay with Asgore and bringing comfort to his broken heart. They dragged Gaster and his Lab Assistants back from the Void and made Sans forget about the RESETS, weakening themself severely in the process.

Karma intervened in many upcoming Events, including saving the original six children, choosing to live with them in the RUINS, due to the absence of Toriel, and kept them save there. They properly locked the Gate towards Snowdin and became Sans's Knock-Knock Pal, as he recovered his strength, while waiting for time to unfold on its own. They dragged a Criminal into the Underground, who would serve as a trigger for Undyne's role in the future as head of the Royal Guards, as well as providing Gaster with a Soul for his research. When Gaster's experiment was about to end in failure, they leaped in and saved the staff, but Sans got struck and began remembering everything again, including his first encounter with Karma.

The Doorman left him that way, on behalf of his own wishes, closing the Rift towards the Void, straining their Soul towards its limits. When Frisk arrived, they were the one waiting for them, accompanied by the other six children. Together, they left the RUINS and began their journey through the Underground in order to reach the True Ending and the last option that would hinder their Safeguard over the Timeline. [TRUE RESET]

Appearance:

Karma Doorman looks like a tall, thin elf, clad in black robes and armor. Their cloak, which always rests on their shoulders, splits into multiple tendrils, which can move freely as separate limbs from the rest of their body. These tentacle-like arms are connected to his back, sprouting straight from a fissure across his spine. Their hair is charcoal black and slightly grayish in color, long flowing and smooth as silk. The eyes are red and always surrounded by a reddish blush, which runs along their pale cheeks.

When his expression and demeanor change, the eye-white turns blackish and their thin lips stretch into a wide, haunting grin. Often accompanied by streams of rusty, reddish liquid welling from underneath the eyes. This happens mostly in situations that call for them to use lots of Energy and Magic. It is due to the affects his tremendously powerful Soul has on their vessel body. The reddish liquid is not blood, but liquid-form Determinationseeping through their entire body. When reaching their limits, Karma often ends up with ripped skin or deep gashing wounds all over, which they have to let heal on their own.

Personality:

Karma was created by the remaining Will and Hope of Sans from across all RESETS, which shaped part of their personality. They are very intelligent and resourceful, with a developing love for puns and witty commentary. Karma sees his job as part of a Game, partially, but takes every step they make with utmost seriousness. They often hide the seriousness of their intentions to seem as less of a threat than they actually are, which paint them often in the lights of a sadistic psycho, rather than a helpful ally.

Karma is very kind, when not chasing after Sinners and Cheaters. As a manifestation of Consequences, their actions are justified in the eye of fate, however the Doorman has their doubts about it, acting to the best of their conscious, trying to find the best way to deal with every situation.

They are a selfless Soul, ready to give everything and more in order to see their goal achieved, which is the happiness of all deserving of it.

The Entity judges all on a fair standpoint, giving anyone the benefit of the doubt if it is present within their actions. Which is why they sowed pity and understanding towards Sans more than to Flowey, Frisk and Chara.

Karma is a follower of the principle of "Mutual Consent". They never force their way, feelings or the likes upon others (unless they need to judge that person for being a dirty Sinner, Cheater or the likes). Knowing that everything in life comes with consequences, they rather stay on a neutral ground till they’re sure of the others intentions.

Likes:

Puns and Humor (by that extend Sans)

Cooking

Baking

helping people

singing - ( he loves humming this Song here)

Children

hunting Sinners and Cheaters

napping

Dislikes:

Sinners and Cheater of all kinds

Mettaton (to some extend, since he finds the Robot quite obnoxious)

too spicy food

Capitalism (they've been trying to kill it off for since they've gained consciousness)

Gender- and Race Labeling (which is why they refer to themself as a "they" and won't accept anyone miss-gender them whatsoever)

Capabilities:

Due to their DETERMINATION, Karma is capable of blocking Tricksters, Sinners and Cheaters from abusing Fortune or, in the case of the Fallen Children and Flowey, the power of RESET. They can exterminate these Options and force their prey to face Consequences, without a backdoor to escape out off. The Entity can also alter the flow of time and space to previous states and interact with Checkpoints (which they mostly destroy instantly). They can reanimate people, by simply restoring their last intact living position. While restoring entire Landscapes and areas, they have to focus their manipulative power into a comfortable shape, which mostly appears as a Ring following near the ground, walls and ceiling behind them.

When they first appeared in the Universe of Undertale, Karma was only visible to a selective few. Mostly those aware of the RESETS. While traveling backwards through the Underground with Sans, they created Rifts within the fabric of the World to quickly advance. Similar in Sans's use of shortcuts only on a basic sense, as these Rifts interconnect on a completely different plain of thought. Like a Road along the weave of Space-Time itself.

Their strength comes not only from their Soul, however. Karma’s power forms from the Will of Justice and Vengeance lingering within the World they inhabit. Since their body was formed by Sans’s recollected strife to stop the fallen child from their murderous rampage, their power connected to it. As such, his memory became vital to their strength, but to ensure their goal was fully achieved, Karma decided to REWRITE him, even at the cost of a fair extend of their own power.

Karma's attack abilities range from direct hands-on Battle to them using their tendrils as extended limbs for range combat. They can use various magics, too.

Since their DETERMINATION is so high, Karma is capable of changing the RULES of Combat. They do so to 'playfully' dispose of their targets.

In such occasions, they like to play "JUDGMENT HELL", a game where he provides their foes with the means to battle them properly. Giving them armor, weapons and item to use. They also stag a persons SIN to their STATS, exceeding the limitations of the Universe’s limitations. Within the game they play the PROSECUTOR, who protects a JUDGE from the ACCUSED. While the ACCUSED try to kill or persuade the JUDGE it is the PROSECUTOR's job to keep the JUDGE save and eliminate the ACCUSED. When an ACCUSED perishes, they will be respawned with a penalty to their STATS. When the HP reaches 1, the next strike will indefinitely kill the ACCUSED. They will be erased with the severity of their sins burning their bodies and souls out of current existence. The PROSECUTOR can't act on their own, besides shielding the JUDGE. The JUDGE has full reign over their actions and decides if a person is worth of MERCY or not.

The Doorman is capable of all Magic Abilities. During Combat, Karma uses mostly White, Black and Red Attacks, although they like changing their Style up on the fly sometimes. Fighting them is quite the bad idea, due to them not acting upon the RULE of attacks having to always be in the same repeating patterns. Each of Karma's attacks is acting like a Critical Strike or Instant Kill Move, which makes the experience that much more frustrating. They also can slay foes straight outside of an open FIGHT.

For more casual activities, Karma uses their power of levitation for transport or just simply sitting in a floating position. They multi-task via their tendrils a lot, often preferring them over their own arms and hands. They can use healing magic to quickly close wounds, set bones or just giving a soothing warmth to distressed people. They usually, however, don't use that much magic overall. Only if it is absolutely required or helpful in aiding their goal or people in need.

Karma possesses the special ability of "REWRITE", which allows him to change any aspect of a Location, Item. Person or Rule. With this ability, they can change the flow of the world to befit their purpose. A REWRITE can only be undone by them or an outer-worldly Impact of similar Determination Power, which is rare.

Due to their massive STATS, which broke the readable Range of the World by a margin, attempting to destroy them via Battle is basically pointless. Bargaining with them will be seen as an insult, which often results in harsher punishment, while accepting ones fate is probably the smartest option.

Karma's destructive power can be placed easily above the power of most living beings in the Undertale Multiverse, however, he would struggle against other Doormen of their own respective Tier.

Relations:

Karma, throughout their journey will befriend many Monsters.

Sans will become their first friend among many, as they take the Role of Toriel after the REWRITE. Papyrus they meet briefly in his early childhood, but won't become a friend to the till later. They will bond with Undyne over a match of strength and perseverance.

The human children, as they fall one by one into the Underground, will end up being raised by them. They refer to them as their Guardian or Big G. for short. Karma collects them and ensures their safety while staying in the RUINS, up until Frisk appears. The children take a shine to them, as they cared for them, teaching them to accept monsters as part of their lives.

POTENTIAL SPOILER:

Similar to Sans growing an affection towards Toriel during the outplay of the Original Timeline, in the REWRITE he grows quite fond of them as they do of him.

In the Canon of the series, the two agree on a relationship based on both of their loss at what to do or expect from the newfound freedom they fought for. The human children encourage their romantic interest in one another, much to Karma's displeasure, as they are completely estranged to the whole romance business. Going even so far as to stopping Frisk multiple times, during their adventure, from flirting with every Monster they encounter.

Trivia:

Karma has no recollection of anything prior to their awakening to sentience. For all they've known, they were always a part of Undertale.

However, Sans and Papyrus both commented on "having seen their eyes somewhere before" and that this was not something good they've remembered.

It spun a bit of curiosity around their mind, which always leaves a bad aftertaste behind.

--------------

#Karma Doorman #Darktale #dark #tale #undertale #horrorpuppets #doorman #karma #au #alternate #universe #oc

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king-ilias · 4 years

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A memory they want to forget

𝑨𝑺𝑲 𝑴𝑬𝑴𝑬; memories * // ACCEPTING !! ( also, received this specific prompt from multiple people, so... )

December 21, 496 AD. Castle Stroheim in Makati.

In the moments before daybreak, when all the world is painted a soft blue, Ilias floated somewhere between this world and the next. Sleep was like a little death -- a brief, scraping respite from the world, where pain and agony were mercifully suspended. Dreams were so oft intertwined with a thin-veiled reality, where celestial beings and spirits did linger in the shadows to beseech his slumbering aid. Most simply sought guidance, lost on their way to Osiris, while some struggled to understand their fateful end. Their transcendence. They slipped into the background of his sleepscape, wandering in a haze, caught somewhere between unalive and undead.

Waking bordered on abandonment, for which he often rose dripping guilt. But this morning, as eyelids fluttered open and light blurred vision, Ilias felt the heaviness of a shadow cast across his face. Above him, expressionless in his matching gaze, leaned Lothar. In the fuzziness of first consciousness, Ilias said nothing, meeting silence with itself as they looked both at and beyond the other. It was a puzzling sight -- for his presence, his calm, and his visage. King Lothar’s health had begun rapidly declining after Sabine’s disappearance, citing heartbreak and grief. Yet Ilias had never seen sickness ravage the body like it did his. No healer had been able to diagnose him, nor stop or slow the spread, and so Ilias and Eliana had watched their father wither, curl into himself, and rot.

Yet here Lothar stood, examining his son with tempered displeasure, cheeks full and eyes risen from their sunken state. He appeared old, perhaps worn, but not unwell.

“Father?” Ilias knitted his brows, gaining clarity in consciousness.

Lothar matched his expression, head tilting with unfocused confusion. Something in his face emerged bitter and familiar.

“You are so wholly undeserving,” he measured, tone even and unfeeling. “It will be wasted on you, as my name was. As my crown will be.”

Ilias pressed his palms into the bed, pushing himself up to meet his father’s eyes with a leveled coldness of his own. Jaw tense, he sucked his tongue and his teeth to contain retaliation or retort. Whether or not Lothar recognized hatred in Ilias’ eyes, he appeared undisturbed by its presence, turning toward the corridor to take his leave. At the doorframe, from over one shoulder, Lothar humbled himself enough to appear remorseful, though never without sharp edge.

“It is the one thing I will never forgive her for.”

Ilias froze, color draining as his heartbeat slammed against his chest. With venom, he lunged from the bed, clawing back linen as he lurched after Lothar, who had turned the corner out of view.

“Speak of her, and I will send you to meet her once mo--” he froze in the hallway, chest heaving. With trembling hand, he wiped spit from his mouth and turned on his heel. The corridor was empty. No footsteps clicked in the distance, and nothing appeared disturbed in their wake. He was alone.

Ilias’ own steps seemed to echo off the walls as he quickened his pace toward the King’s chambers. In the years to come, he would look back upon this moment and reckon with the complexity of denial - of the presence of hope and fear as he pressed open the doors and slipped within the shadows. Perhaps that was why he did not react to seeing Lothar above his bed that morning, despite his altered visage. Perhaps that was why only the invocation of Sabine’s memory jolted him awake. And while there was no consequence to admitting a level of knowing in that moment, especially so long after, Ilias could not bring himself to believe that Lothar loathed him so fully in death as he did in life.

Yet there, lying in bed the way Ilias had been in his own moments prior, was Lothar: propped up against a spread of pillows with his head turned slightly toward the door -- almost expectantly. But Ilias faltered at the sight, face becoming slack, vision blurring as he leaned back against the doorframe.

Lothar’s eyes had sunken into his skull, and the expanse of his flesh was bloated and purple. In some parts, his skin tore and caved in on itself, exposing bone and muscle beneath. Gaunt and motionless, Lothar’s corpse bordered on skeletal, as though he had decayed overnight.

“Osiris,” Ilias exhaled, steadying himself back onto two feet. He approached his father’s bedside, lips pressing tightly in morbid reverence, inching closer until he leaned over the rotting body the way Lothar had watched Ilias sleep. Something like relief bubbled at the back of his throat, burning like shameful bile. He swallowed it down, hovering his opened palm over Lothar’s putrescent face.

“Mortem non timeo,” he blessed. “It is the end of this journey.” As there could be no response from Lothar, Ilias finished for him. His last act of kindness as son. His first act of mercy as King.

“May you go to it gladly.”

#eidxlism #gore tw #death tw #abuse tw #sort of #meme #answered meme #von stroheim family values #lothar #brb going to go ahead and get in the fetal position

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shamandrummer · 4 years

Text

Bat Medicine and the Coronavirus

I am not a medical professional or an expert on epidemics. I leave the critical information in those important fields for the experts who have the appropriate training to help us get through the coronavirus pandemic. Even though I do not possess medical knowledge, as a shamanic practitioner, I believe I can try to humbly offer some insight into the spiritual significance of the pandemic that is spreading rapidly through much of the world. We are all navigating challenges as a result of COVID-19. Whether those issues are health related, economic related or otherwise, we are being given an opportunity for growth.

Scientists say that the bat is the likely origin of the coronavirus near Wuhan, China, but humans are to blame for the spread of the disease. In the shaman's world everything happens for a reason -- there are no accidents. Furthermore, everything that happens in the physical world has its ultimate cause in the spirit world. So, what is the spiritual significance of the bat coronavirus? Bat represents rebirth, transition, and intuition. Bats often represent death in the sense of letting go of the old, and bringing in the new. They are symbols of transition, of initiation, and the start of a new beginning.

The word "medicine" in shamanic practice refers to the healing aspects that a particular animal brings to our consciousness. When bat medicine appears in our life, it is a call for the end of a way of life and the new beginning of another. This transition can be very frightening for many. But we will not grow spiritually until we let go of those old parts of us that are no longer needed. Success depends on our willingness to plow old habits into the soil in order to cultivate new patterns that enhance our natural growth. By facing the darkness before us, we will find the light of rebirth.

The bat is a symbol of death and rebirth because it is an animal that lives in the dark underworld of the Earth. From caves in the Earth Mother's womb, it emerges every evening at twilight. Thus, from the womb it is symbolically reborn every evening. Bat medicine embraces the idea of symbolic death in which the personal ego identity and the old ways of life give way to the new.

The Dismemberment Journey

In shamanism, there is an archetypal visionary experience known as the dismemberment journey. The student or practitioner of shamanism recognizes an illusion or fear that impedes the expansion of their soul. The practitioner prays for this flaw to be healed and, in doing so, surrenders to the wisdom of the higher powers of the universe to remove the impediment. In a classic dismemberment journey, the petitioner witnesses their own body being torn apart and perhaps completely destroyed. The individual dies a symbolic death and is then restored and brought back to life, whole and empowered, the fear or illusion vanquished.

From a shamanic perspective, the global coronavirus pandemic represents a mass shamanic dismemberment -- the experience of being taken apart, devoured, or torn to pieces on a global scale, allowing for a shift of awareness and transformation of collective consciousness. At its deepest level, the dismemberment experience dismantles our old identity. It is a powerful death-and-rebirth process. The experience of being stripped, layer by layer, down to bare bones forces us to examine the bare essence of what we truly are.

The viewpoint emerging from the shamanic community suggests the times we live in have a theme of planetary and cosmological initiation. Shamanic initiation is most often precipitated by physical, psychological, emotional, or spiritual events that force the ego into submission. Who we believe ourselves to be is not who we truly are. No matter how many years one has been developing their consciousness, no one is exempt from this shamanic death-and-rebirth. This is a shamanic initiation on the grandest cosmological scale.

The times we find ourselves in are like a great river in flood. We can try to hold on to the shore to save ourselves from being swept along with the current. But this is a futile effort, for nothing can resist the great tide of change that is sweeping through and forever altering life as we have known it for millennia. Instead, we are being challenged to let go and go with the flow. We are being given the opportunity to surrender to the current of change so that new dreams and visions can emerge.

As humans, we are being asked to go within and search our hearts in order to change those patterns of thought and behavior that work against us. It is necessary to still the mind and quiet the emotions so that inner knowing and intuition can emerge into our consciousness. Personal isolation and contemplation help us gain deeper insight and clarity of mind. Bat medicine gives us the wisdom required to make the appropriate changes for the birthing of our new identity.

#bat medicine #spirit animal #power animal #coronavirus #covid-19 #shamanism #pandemic

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thejakeformerlyknownasprince · 6 years

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Imagine that you were put in charge of a modern, high-budget, well-written Animorphs TV series. What changes to the plot/characters/world would you make while adapting it? (Books that you'd skip, arcs that you'd rearrange, things you would add or outright alter...)

[Important caveat: I have ZERO experience in set design, directing, editing, camerawork, or any other processes involved in TV production, unless we’re going to be super generous and count the bit of scriptwriting and stage-acting I did in high school. Ergo, these ideas might make no sense in practice.]

Animate it. I would much much prefer to see an anime-style show to a live-action one for a handful of different reasons:

Battle scenes, morph sequences, and alien appearances wouldn’t be constrained by budget realities. Although we’ve come a long way from AniTV’s practical effects, in 2019 Runaways still minimizes Old Lace (the sentient dinosaur) and struggles with her somewhat less-than-convincing appearance while she’s onscreen. I’d like to see real-looking battles between exotic animals and highly unusual aliens. I’d like to see Ax portrayed as a deer-scorpion-centaur with no mouth who also has complex facial expressions. I’d like taxxons and hork-bajir that match their descriptions in the books. CGI for a moderate-budget TV show can’t do that yet.

The characters’ appearances could match their descriptions in the books. I don’t really care about AniTV’s Jake having blue eyes or Marco having short hair. I do care about the fact that Cassie is described as short, chubby, dark-skinned, natural-haired, and androgynous in self-presentation… whereas AniTV’s Nadia-Leigh Nascimento is (through no fault of her own and 100% the fault of Nickelodeon) none of those things. I’d like to see all of the characters drawn in a way that matches their canon racial heritage, and voiced with actors of those ethnicities as well. For bullshit marketing reasons of bullshit, that’s not as likely to happen in a live-action show.

I’d want the show to convey the frequent mismatches between characters’ physicality and their personalities. It’s an important motif of the books. It’s part of the reason that Tobias has been claimed by the trans* community. It’s a major plot point, lest new viewers think that the vice principal of the school is actually trying to kill his own students. It doesn’t come off in AniTV, for all that I commend them for even trying (casting Shawn Ashmore’s twin as controller-Jake, portraying Chapman as straight out of Stepford), just because the nature of controller-ness and nothlitization are difficult to convey literally. Animation has a lot of tricks, from deliberately distorted drawings to screensaver-like “mental space,” that can actually convey concepts like mind control or body dysmorphia pretty well — Alphonse in Fullmetal Alchemist and Aang in Avatar the Last Airbender great examples of body-mind mismatch and multiple consciousnesses in one body, respectively.

Use a cold open for every episode. I am a sucker for Batman cold opens or any other opening scenes that pick up in the middle of the characters’ everyday lives, because they work so well to convey that there is a crapton of life happening outside of the plot of any given episode. Several Animorphs books (#9, #14, #35, #41, #51) open this way, to great effect, and I love the way that it gives us slices of life we might not otherwise see (morphing to cheat on science homework, completing entire offscreen missions, having dinner with the family) and help build these characters’ worlds outside of individual episode plots.

Introduce James sooner (and have better disability narratives). There are several aspects of Animorphs’ social justice consciousness that age okay (Rachel shutting down Marco’s constant flirting) or not well at all (Mertil and Galfinian). One important way the series could update Animorphs is through having canon disabled characters like James, Mertil, and Loren have bigger roles and not resorting to kill-or-cure narratives. Maybe James could come in sooner and form a Teen Titans West-esque team with the other Auximorphs so that he and Collette and the others could be recurring supporting characters with unique plotlines. Maybe Loren could still gain morphing power, but remain blind and brain-damaged so that the hork-bajir need to work with her to figure out accommodations while sleeping rough.

Modify Jake’s and Cassie’s parents to account for the contemporary setting. The fact that the kids so often disappear all afternoon or even overnight without anyone worrying just wouldn’t translate to a contemporary reimagining of Animorphs. Tobias and Ax are each other’s only family on the planet whereas Marco’s dad and Rachel’s mom are both overworked single parents. Jake’s family, however, and Cassie’s…

Cassie’s parents are so freaking cool in canon that they would definitely start to worry if Cassie went for an entire “weekend at Rachel’s” without answering any texts or calls. Maybe there could be some scenes with them talking about how they have this super-mature responsible daughter whom they can trust not to get into trouble even if she does hate cell phones, but oh well because they’re not big on technology either.

Jake’s parents are… less cool, but they still try their best. The show might explain their lack of concern about either of their disappearing kids through upping the hippie factor from his mom, maybe until she practices Free-Range Parenting. (Why yes, it is true that Jake’s family would have the necessary privileges to get away with free-range crap while Cassie’s family would not, because yes it is the case that black families have been arrested for leaving kids alone for 10 minutes while white families are allowed more passes under the law. Yes, that is a steaming pile of racist bullshit.) The other way it could go is by having Jake’s parents completely checked out, which could get in the way of plots like #31 that hinge on them genuinely caring about their kids, but could also introduce an interesting dynamic if it partially parentifies Tom.

Include at least one Rashomon plot. The TV series would by necessity lose the first-person narration, with all its brilliantly subtle shades of bias and misinterpretation. One way to try and bring that back in would be to convey the same events from multiple points of view with subtle differences in the way that each person perceives what happened. This could happen somewhere in the Visser One plot, with Rachel interpreting the scene as a straight Animorphs-vs-yeerks battle, while Visser One interprets it as Visser Three incompetently sabotaging her as Animorphs ruin her life, while Marco interprets it as a struggle to protect his mom and also save his friends, while Visser Three interprets it as the andalite bandits flagrantly plotting with Visser One, while Jake interprets it as Marco going off the rails from stress… and the only witness who has a sense of what actually happened is Eva. Other possibilities abound.

Start with a plan to make one episode per book… and modify as necessary. There are areas of the series I’d like to see expanded (#50 - #54 covers a lot of ground in relatively little space) and areas that I think could afford to be compacted (#39 - #44 feature a whole lotta nothin’). But instead of adding or discarding an entire book, I think you could spread out many of the plots by simple virtue of TV shows not being constrained by first-person narration.

Certain books just wouldn’t get straight-translated today anyway (#40, most notably). I don’t think any books are so bad or useless that they couldn’t be modified into decent television episodes.

The ramping-up that leads to open war happens mostly in the background of #44 - #51, but a bunch of scenes with just controllers talking to each other could go into that process in a lot more detail. This content could help fill out plots like #44 and #48 that frankly don’t have a lot else going on.

The entire plot of Visser happens over a nonspecific period of time between #30 and #45, so instead of getting one book we could get an entire running Yeerk Empire subplot with major consequences for the main plotline.

Similarly, the andalites’ decisions happen mostly offscreen but have major consequences for the Animorphs. The consequences for the Electorate after the events of #38 could also run for a whole subplot that sets up their decision to nuke Earth in #52.

The biggest absence from the last couple books is Rachel. Her last book is a friggin’ dream sequence, she acts out of character in #52 especially, and the narration order cuts off directly before giving her one last book. It wouldn’t be necessary to add an entire episode just to rectify this oversight, when #51 could still be Marco-centric but also show her and Jake on their sabotage mission, and #52 could have the same rough plot but with a few scenes between her and Tobias thrown in for good measure.

Anyway, maybe the various Chronicles could be a handful of Doctor-lite episodes where the Animorphs themselves are incidental and Elfangor or Aldrea has the helm. Maybe the events of the Chronicles could come out organically over the course of the show, for instance by expanding the memory-dumps Tobias gets in #1 and #33 or having Jara tell Dak’s story in #13 or #23. The Megamorphses, on the other hand, could pretty easily just occur as regular-series episodes, albeit possibly as two- or three-parters.

Lean into the comic-book aesthetic. Animorphs is written very much in the style of a graphic novel, from its “teens with superpowers save the world from aliens” plot to its heavy use of onomatopoeia. Even the use of hypertext symbols around thought-speak hearkens back to the comic book convention of using pointed brackets around alien languages to convey translation. The show could homage this motif through having dramatic transformation sequences, “uniforms” of multicolored spandex the kids use to morph, an opening credits sequence that emphasizes the power of each animal, and other superhero-comic elements throughout.

Have the violence be consequential. To keep the examples from earlier: in Fullmetal Alchemist, as well as in Avatar, characters that get hurt stay hurt. A character getting shot or stabbed is portrayed as a potentially life-changing event. Characters’ injuries do not disappear between episodes, and even alchemy and waterbending are not portrayed as total fixes. Characters scar, they become disabled, they spend entire episodes in recovery, they accrue trauma, and they do not shrug off life-ending injuries. Animorphs helps to justify the idea that six kids could (mostly) survive (most of) an entire war against a friggin empire through making the protagonists nigh-unkillable thanks to their healing abilities, but it nevertheless shows that shooting someone will result in that person bleeding and screaming and possibly dying. Having a sci-fi or action show meant for children isn’t actually a valid excuse for portraying violence as cool or funny or inconsequential the way that (Avengers Assemble, Teen Titans, Kim Possible, Dragonball Z, Pokemon, etc.) too many children’s sci-fi/action shows opt to do.

#animorphs #anitv #racism mention #long post #asks #anonymous #animorphs meta #ableism mention #teen titans #avatar the last airbender #fullmetal alchemist #Anonymous

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shuttershocky · 5 years

Text

“Report.”

“Emiya-kun has very little ability at all. He can’t fix broken glass and he can barely use reinforcement on an item without shattering it. Kiritsugu Emiya did not teach him any more than simply activating his circuits, and he has no knowledge about what magic crests are at all. His power is so weak I can’t even sense him tripping the bounded field I placed over the school. If you ask me, he doesn’t even count as a magus.”

“Understood. Anything else?”

“Um! S-Senpai is very independent. Even if Fujimura-san comes over every day to keep him company, he lives by himself and does all the maintenance work in his home. He has an understanding of technology that far outstrips mine and Nee-san’s, and is able to grasp the inner workings of a machine after sending a trace spell through it. I searched around and the liquor store near his house also pays him for helping out in the back of their shops, although officially it’s all off any record books. The land his house is on is owned by the local yakuza family whom Fujimura-san is a part of, so they pay for all the taxes and pretend to be the homeowners. I don’t think anyone realizes Senpai is living alone as an orphan without any legitimate legal guardian, although once Fujimura-san gets a job as a teacher I think she will adopt him. And... And his cooking is very good!”

“Oh. Wow. You could learn a thing or two from this kid, Kokutou.”

“Learn from who? The Emiya boy? Or Sakura using the investigative skills that I taught her?”

“Yeah get your little victories in when you can get them, you nerd, because I teach these girls how to shoot lightning from their fingers.”

It was a late night at The Hollow Shrine, Touko Aozaki’s detective agency. 12 and 13-year-old Sakura Matou and Rin Tohsaka had just returned from a battle to the death with a shapeshifting monster inside the Emiya manor (another story for another time!) The big boss herself had asked the two girls to give their assessment of Shirou Emiya’s abilities and living status, while Mikiya Kokutou slaved away in an adjacent table, taking notes, updating their records, and doing their accounting, all at once.

Touko took the opportunity to glance at her first apprentice. Kokutou looked like he would finish and return home soon. Shiki was fast asleep on the office sofa, and the two new parents had left Fujino and Azaka to care for baby Mana. It’s not that they didn’t trust Azaka and Fujino with their baby, but- No wait yeah Kokutou and Ryougi would have to be insane to trust the agents of the Hollow Shrine to care for a baby.

Just look at how the agency turned two kids into assets.

“Excellent work, girls.” Touko said, “You may go to bed now.”

Rin and Sakura didn’t move.

“We were wondering, Mo- uh, Touko-san. What are you so interested in Senpai for?” Sakura said.

Touko raised an eyebrow. Sakura didn’t call her ‘Mom’ around earshot of her older sister, likely out of respect for their recently deceased biological mother. Sakura herself didn’t appear to hold too many feelings toward their mother, (being given away would do that, Touko supposed) but it had clearly still been a sore point for Rin. Touko didn’t mind for the most part. Being called ‘Mom’ wasn’t bad, but it never felt natural to her. Maybe she didn’t feel as if she deserved it? She didn’t dare explore why.

Touko pushed up her glasses. Kokutou was being uncharacteristically quiet. It looked like she was going to have to explain this one herself.

“The last time that boy was here I sent a trace over his magic circuits and you know what I find? Possibly the plainest configuration I’ve ever seen. Basic, low-quality circuits that would barely be able to muster a stable flow of energy.”

She paused, enjoying the look of confusion over the girl’s faces.

“And then I felt a trace pass over my own magic circuits, and it felt a lot like the one I just sent at him. I block it of course, but I send a second trace over his body just to be sure if he was as weak as he looked. The information I got back was completely different. It was an imperfect job, and of poor quality, but suddenly his magic circuits looked a lot like mine.”

Rin’s jaw dropped, but Sakura continued to look confused. Touko tsked mentally, it looked like the worthless Matou hadn’t even tried to teach her anything at all.

“I believe,” she continued. “Shirou Emiya has some sort of copycat ability attached to his vision. He did not appear to be doing anything consciously, but his eyes were on my hands when I sent a pulse through him. I’m not sure to what extent his copy ability goes nor how closely his ability can recreate an original, but I do know that in all my years as a Clocktower mage I have never seen a magus able to alter the configuration of their magic circuits through their own power. Imagine what a mage could do with such an ability. They might even be able to make projection magic useful, if they can copy more than just an item’s basic form.”

“Wow!” Sakura said, her eyes aglow. “Senpai really is an amazing person!”

If Rin was impressed, she was hiding it. She continued to stare at her with a hard look in her eye.

“But what do you need him for, Touko-san?”

“What? Getting tired of visiting Emiya? I thought you two rather liked him, seeing as you just tried to convince me to leave him alone.”

Rin and Sakura glanced in opposite directions, red staining their cheeks.

“Please answer the question, Touko-san,” Rin muttered.

Touko glanced at Kokutou, who was hunched over a new pile of paperwork. He was really gonna leave her to do all the talking this time huh?

She removed her glasses with a sigh.

“Sakura, go to bed. I need to have a talk with your sister about some things that may be upsetting.”

The younger Tohsaka (were... were they Aozakis now?) looked as if she wanted to protest, but nevertheless bowed and scurried off into the former storage room where she and her sister slept, shutting the door behind her. Shiki groaned a little from the noise, but continued to snore peacefully after.

“Rin,” Touko said, “The Matou did more than just buy your sister. I found Zouken Matou’s crest worms inside her body, including several that had been infesting her for years, altering her magical circuits and feeding on her energy.”

Rin looked like she couldn’t breathe. “W-What?”

“That’s not all. Zouken inserted what I can only guess to be the physical fragments of the 4th holy Grail into her womb, whatever for we’ll never know what with Azaka lighting him up like a firework, but she could potentially pose an extreme danger to herself and others. I destroyed the crest worms just fine, but I know nothing about the thaumaturgy behind the holy grail, and I doubt just surgically removing the fragments would be safe for Sakura with how much her body’s been changed to survive with that thing inside her.”

“S-So what do you need Emiya-kun for?” Rin asked, her hands balling up into fists and shaking lightly.

“I need him to craft me this.”

Touko clapped her fingers, sending a tome flying from the shelves and into Rin’s hands. It opened on a set of pages depicting a strange weapon.

“Rulebreaker, a dagger owned by the ancient Greek witch, Medea. It could be used to nullify even very powerful and complex magic, but was lost forever when Medea fled to Iran. Now if Emiya could make me even a partially working forgery, I could learn how Rulebreaker nullifies any and every form of thaumaturgy, including the latent power in a shattered grail, and remove the fragments safely. Also, who knows? Sakura’s body may be greatly altered, but the changes left her with heavy scarring inside. Scarring I can use as a changelog. If I could learn how the boy’s changing circuits work, I may be able to return her body to how she used to be.”

Rin stared at the floor, contemplating everything she just heard.

“Is this really the only way, Touko-san?”

“Oh no. I could have made Sakura a puppet body ages ago, but Kokutou kept whining about how ‘Horribly unethical’ and ‘Overwhelmingly traumatic’ the transfer process would be.

“It is horribly and unethical and it would be overwhelmingly traumatic,” Kokutou muttered, not looking up from his mountain of work.

“Don’t listen to this guy, Rin. He has no idea what he’s talking about. I crush Sakura’s current head just like that,” Touko snapped her fingers, “And she’ll instantly open her eyes in her new body. No pain, no trauma, she won’t even realize it happened.”

“That's... That’s a cruel joke Touko-san.” Rin whispered. “Sakura has had enough and transferring a soul without the use of True Magic is impossible.”

“Only if the soul can tell which of the bodies is its proper one,” Touko said, hands thumbing an unopened pack of cigarettes. “Don’t underestimate me kid.”

Rin stood quiet again, as Touko idly daydreamed of everyone leaving so she could smoke by the window.

“Wait,” Rin said at last, “What’s in it for you? I know the Clocktower magi. You wouldn’t be doing this for Sakura if you weren’t going to get something out of it.”

Touko’s eyes widened for a brief moment before she resumed her cool gaze.

“Good question. Let’s just say a talent like Emiya’s could prove very useful to this agency in the future. Sakura and I both have plenty to gain if we can help that boy develop his powers and come do some work for us. But that will have to be another time. It’s very late Rin, you should go to bed.”

“Oh. Okay.”

Rin turned back slowly and plodded off to their room with plenty to think about.

The office was quiet again save for the sounds of Kokutou’s pen scratching on paper, and Shiki snoozing away.

Touko propped up her face with a hand. That Rin was a sharp one. She ought to be more on her guard when they talked-

“Oh my God. You actually don’t have an ulterior motive in mind, do you?”

“What?”

Touko snapped out of a daydream, glancing over at Mikiya Kokutou. He was peering at her over his glasses, a tiny smile on his face.

“I saw that. She got you by surprise there. You actually didn’t think of using Emiya for anything other than for Sakura huh?”

Touko felt the heat rise to her face. Must be an extremely rare mistake she made when she built this current body.

“Don’t be stupid, Kokutou. A unique ability like that? Why that Emiya boy will serve all sorts of nefarious purposes.”

“Name one you have in mind, right now.”

“I’ll, er, make him project the spear of destiny and use it to summon heroic spirit Jesus or whatever!”

“I knew it,” stupid Mikiya said, face splitting into an ugly grin. He already had a missing eye he didn’t need to make himself look worse. ”Touko Aozaki, are you thinking about the welfare of another human being?”

“Ugh, shut up and work Kokutou. Don’t you have a baby to go home to? How’d you even get her anyway Azaka told me all that’s in Shiki’s apartment is a puny bed and a mini-fridge and you’re stuck sleeping on the floor. What? You two made do with a wall?”

It was Kokutou’s turn to flush. Not that Touko flushed earlier; she never got flustered.

“Th-That’s private!” he stammered.

“Very private!” interjected the supposedly napping Shiki.

“Hmph. Well, I know you’re just deflecting anyway Touko-san.” Kokutou said. “It’s good to know there’s still a heart in there somewhere.”

“What? Fuck no, this right here is a 100% intellect-driven machine.” Touko flared, pointing at herself. “I don’t even put fake physical hearts into these bodies anymore I just stuff a pump in there and call it a day.”

“Mhmm. Sure.”

“Okay, you know what?” Touko said, throwing a white envelope at him. “Get your early paycheck. Now go! Shoo! Both of you! You can finish that tomorrow. Go be with your kid. Hell, buy some booze. Make a second kid in the shower or something I don’t know.”

“Alright, alright.” Kokutou said, getting up from his desk. Shiki rolled off the sofa like a cat too lazy to push itself off with its legs.

“Finally,” she said, “There was so much talking I thought I’d fall asleep on that crappy sofa for real.”

“Goodnight, you two.”

Shiki and Mikiya walked over to the exit, but someone wasn’t done just yet.

“Summon Jesus? Really?”

“OUT!”

When the two had left, Touko leaned into her seat with a long sigh. She felt like opening the window and finally having her smoke, but something kept nagging at the back of her mind.

Instead, she walked on over to the girls’ room. The two were sound asleep, silent and unmoving in their cheap futons.

“You heard all that huh?”

Sakura shot upwards.

“How did you-”

“You snore like the devil kiddo. So does Rin, except she kicks too.”

Rin got up as well. Both girls looked at Touko, a waterfall of questions behind their eyes.

“Okay out with it. I suppose Rin would have told you as soon as she knew anyway.”

Sakura looked down on her fumbling hands, trying to piece together the words with her fingers.

“Am I really dangerous?”

Touko crouched down to meet the little girl at eye level. With the moonlight spilling in through an open window, Sakura kind of looked like Fujino the night the Hollow Shrine first met her, afraid and so horribly alone.

“Kid, I am the greatest mage to have ever come out of the Association, notcountingcheatinglittlebitcheslikeAoko. You don’t have to be afraid of anything. Okay, maybe be afraid of some things related to our line of work, but not the grail, not the crest worms, not the Matou, not the Tohsaka, not even the Magus Association itself. Not now and not ever. No one can touch you when you’re with me.”

Touko Aozaki had no idea what she was saying, nor why the words just seemed to tumble out her mouth by themselves. It’s just that... She knew what it was like to be thrown out of a family in favor of a sister. She had lived most of her life on her own, half of it on the run, anyone and everyone out to get her, nobody she could trust but herself.

Maybe she was just saying everything she wanted to hear back then.

Sakura said nothing, but she buried her face in Touko’s chest, and wrapped her arms around her.

“O-Oh. D-Didn’t take you for a hugger.”

Touko glanced at Rin, who had her hands locked behind her, with eyes as red as her dress, rocking back and forth on her futon.

She reached out to the other girl.

“Okay okay come here.”

Rin didn’t sob as much as she bawled into Touko’s shirt. The old mage was surprised for the nth time that night.

“Oh. Didn’t take you for a crier.”

She held them there for what felt like forever, but really was probably closer to about ten or so seconds.

“You know what?” Touko said, looking at them both, “ I can’t sleep either. I’ve got popcorn somewhere on the shelves and a brand new tv just came in. Why don’t we watch a few movies on the couch?”

“Um, c-can they be heroic movies?” Sakura asked. “With a brave, dashing hero giving their all against the world? Shinji never let me see anything except for.. For...”

Touko squeezed her a little tighter.

“You know what? I have the perfect thing for us to watch. Just don’t tell Kokutou, He’ll launch into some two-hour lecture about what is and what isn’t age-appropriate.”

____________________________________________________________

Mikiya Kokutou stepped into the office at 6 in the morning of the very next day.

His boss was always awake by then, mumbling something or other about him preparing the coffee while she read the morning paper with halfhearted interest. Today however, his boss was fast asleep on the couch, Rin and Sakura huddled under her arms and popcorn all over the floor. A movie was playing on the television, with a woman in what looked like a forklift crossed with battle armor walking towards the screen.

“Get away from her you bitch!” she snarled.

Mikiya flinched. He was going to have to talk to Touko about showing the kids more age-appropriate movies. For now though, he was content to smile at the beautiful mess in their office.

“We’ll carve a heart into you yet, Touko,” he whispered.

Mikiya glanced again at the movie. Was that a new TV? How did the office even afford one when... When...

He pulled out and tore open the white envelope his boss had tossed him the night before.

Pay you double and a half next month, I promise!

- T

“OH COME ON!”

#Fate #Kara No Kyoukai #Aozaki Adoption #long post #very long post #I'm so sorry if I click read more this becomes unreadable on my ugly fucking blog #For New Readers: Please use the "Aozaki Adoption' tag to see more posts from this AU!#fanfiction

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needhamglobalgroupmeditation · 4 years

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Meditation's Beneficial Magic

Meditation in the Mind

More and more these days we see countless recommendations to practice the age old art and science of meditation. Most, if not all, extol its seemingly magical power on the human psyche through its purported benefits. These recommendations and claims have stood the test of time- they are universally accepted and well justified. For eons past those who came before us have spoken volumes regarding this great gift we all posses but today sometimes, we neglect to use. Why now are we again reminded of this?

All of us are participating either aware or unaware. in a quantum shift bringing at times, tumultuous changes in all areas of our society and world structures. No one is exempt from the effects these rapid changes bring. While universally experienced, these trans-formative energies are individually unique and processed differently depending on a person's outlook. With a little discipline and practice we can apply this gift of meditation to help balance stress levels, reduce mind-movies which seem to play nonstop to bring increasing levels of joy, clarity and purpose into life.

While it's true that meditative practices are known by many names in virtually all cultures each with various forms of practice, finding one that will work for you is quite easy. Best of all, this gently leads us ultimately to a special place we often desire and want- greater understanding and acceptance to life's mysteries.

So, let's briefly explore the subject for the sole purpose of learning how to reap many beneficial rewards available through meditation. Besides, it is true, the best things in life are free. So let us begin to clear our minds of useless, wayward abstract thoughts having no justification to control or dictate our life's direction. We will find meditation allows you in the purest sense, to create your own life's experiences. (More discussion about that possibility a bit later). For now, consider that during meditation you can replace, and clear out unwanted thoughts with life affirming versions gaining- a true, lasting peace of mind, body and soul. Meditation is your gateway offering all that and more...you can even create some magic in your life through this simple process!

As you may have heard or if you are already a dedicated practitioner, individuals report profound psychological, physical and spiritual well-being as they practice meditation daily. What then is meditation really all about? For beginners, how can one start? And how far can I go with sincere dedication? In this article are going to examine a few areas- some historical background, benefits, science of the mind and advanced possibilities.

History to Date

According to many archeologists, meditation pre dates written records. It could be easily envisioned a person entering an altered state of consciousness by simply gazing in the mind-stilling flicker of fire while taking no thought. The earliest documented record of meditation comes from India in their Hindu scriptures called tantras. These records date back over 5,000 years coming from the Indus valley and were combined with what is referred to today as yoga. Along with expanding trade, cultural exchange was also carried westward and meditation practice was soon embedded in eastern thought and spiritual practices.

With the advent of Buddha around 500 AD, many diverse cultures began to develop their own interpretations and specialized meditative techniques. Some techniques still in use to this day are said to deliver incredible mind-over-matter powers and supernormal skills that transformed the practitioner. Today, these are devout individuals and are not necessarily monks living in some remote mountain monastery. They are everyday people like you and I. Of course advancing through time, the long history of meditation is no longer only attributed to the Hindus and Buddhists. Not to be left out, Christianity, Islam and Judaism also participate in the perpetuation of meditation each with its own take on the practice.

However, historically these religious faiths do not dominate in their teachings and practices a culture of meditation when compared to the Asian traditions. Meditation finds its place here in our Western culture in the early 1960's into the '70's. This was a time when much of our culture was being tested, demanding to be redefined. Meditation found fertile ground in which to flourish and expand. Some could say it was the "hippie" revolution which inspired to embrace acceptance of foreign ideas but only ones that possessed real substantive value. It was not long after that when the Western medical and scientific community began to conduct research and studies on meditation. And what did most studies if not all, to varying degrees find?

You guessed it- significant health benefits. One of the most important aspects of meditation is how it releases stress from our bodies. This is achieved by bridging the gap between our conscious and un-conscious selves, situations or non-justified thoughts that ferment stress become less significant and actually lose their power. Through meditation, it does not take long before you feel more peaceful and relaxed about everything. What happened to cause this nearly miraculous change? Studies have proven that meditation raises serotonin levels which directly affect our behavior and emotional temperament. Conversely, low levels of serotonin lead to depression, headaches even insomnia. All symptoms associated with stress.

Today, our western civilization with all our "advanced" knowledge has re-affirmed the ancient knowledge and understanding of meditation's therapeutic power to help alleviate mental and physical ailments. And this was just the infancy of discovery or shall we say re-discovery of unlimited powers available inside each of us. Today, mediation without question is a universally medically accepted form of holistic healing used worldwide. Meditation could be summed up as a natural mechanism within each of us that enables the spirit within, the higher, true self to bridge the communication gap into our physical aspects grounding us in unconditional love.

Rebirth through Breath

Beyond all the medical community assertions lies a vast segment of the population seeking additional benefits when practicing meditation. How can what appears initially only to be a physical act, effect our true inner being so profoundly by simply clearing our conscious thoughts and focusing on our breath? Well the secret really is in our breath. When you first start a meditative practice at face value, it appears really easy. Yet, early on many are easily frustrated because they have really never truly attempted to quiet their thoughts while awake. Successfully navigating the mental mind field of what apparently appears to be non-stop streams of thoughts popping up can at first be a daunting task. Be forewarned this is a common occurrence and quite normal and there is a solution. It's funny actually once realization sets in that you really are like two individuals within a single physical body. And that is not far from the truth.

I, like many who meditate found out early on one key to successfully get beyond this mental speed bump is to acknowledge the thought. Proceed to then dismiss it entirely or agree to revisit the thought after the meditation session and return the mind's focus to your breathing. I have used this method to great success getting past the egos gate keeper role which it often plays.

You may find this method helpful as well if not, find what brings your focus back without distracting thoughts. Again, breathing's role is of utmost importance in this whole process because it is the gateway bridging the physical body with the spiritual body. The goal here is what I refer to as the death of thoughts through focusing on your breath. Becoming more sensitive of taking no thought along with staying present in the moment by the simple act being consciously aware of your breathing, an amazing inner rebirth begins. Next, we define some good basic steps for all meditation practices.

Meditation 101

Chances are in your life you have unknowingly experienced moments in a purely meditative state. The odds are that when this occurred, you found yourself outside in nature. In nature we more easily find resonance with a deeper more real aspect of ourselves which often comes alive in the natural environment.

Perhaps it occurred while relaxing on a beach watching the hypnotic like waves repetitively washing ashore or possibly noticing the invisible wind rustle leaves on a tree as warming sunlight bathed your face. If you recall during these moments, you found a completely relaxed feeling immerse your entire being because you were free of distracting thoughts. This is what being in "the moment" is all about. It is as if your mind tunes into the higher natural frequencies of life which for the most part, are virtually non-existent inside buildings and such. Yet, with focus, proper intentions and processes we can escape these limitations imposed in man-made environments. Of course meditation can be greatly enhanced when it is practical in natural surroundings.

The whole concept of meditation takes on various identities depending what an individual's intention is while performing a chosen meditation. Some may want physical or mental relief, others, answers or directions for a better life. Either way, choices are clearly individualized. Find yours since this goes a long way in helping you along the path aided with a unique, personalized purpose. Define it for you! To begin a meditation, a few simple rules are universally accepted. These generally are-

1) Break away from distractions. Turn off the outside electrical/technological intrusions like phones, computers, TV's etc. A quiet, calm peaceful place is preferred. At first, commit 10 minutes or more with no interruption.

2) Posture is important in that you must be comfortable. Preferably this is with your back upright and your spine to you head straight. Normally a seated position on the ground is preferred with hands in your lap; it can also be done in a chair. Lying down initially is not suggested as you body can assume a sleep mode.

3) Close your eyes gently, relax your jaw and facial muscles. Do a "body scan" looking for any muscle tension that may exist releasing any found. Continue relaxing now for a few moments allowing your body to become comfortable. Be observant of bodily tension arising. The key is to physically relax.

4) Slowly evacuate your lungs completely. Gently inhale and exhale through your nostrils with a deep (from the belly) rhythmic cycle filling your lungs to capacity and expelling the air completely. Slow, long in and out breaths are ideal. Pausing momentarily at the end of each in and out breath. Focus on the feeling and sounds during the entire cycle.

5) Activate the heart-mind connection which provides an initial thought-clearing mode. Do not attempt to suppress these thoughts. Acknowledge them. Briefly as thoughts arise, dismiss them by surrounding any with the six heart virtues of: appreciation, compassion, forgiveness, humility, valor, and understanding. Another very powerful technique is to apply unconditional love (without a judgment position) to any thoughts that may arise, release them and return focus to your breathing.

6) Steadily and incrementally increase the time duration spent in your practice. As the moments of time lengthen between arising thoughts, you are now well on the way to higher levels of meditation. Remind yourself to notice and appreciate the beneficial by-products you have regained.

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monstersdownthepath · 5 years

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Deity: Ilo-Merikay, the Joyous Coils

Chaotic Good Great Old One of Feasts, Warmth, and Intoxication

Domains: Chaos, Plant, Protection, Weather Subdomains: Revelry, Growth, Defense, Seasons

A great wooden serpent with a crown of berry bushes making up its head, Ilo-Merikay is a creature who has risen before the other Old Ones and poked itself around the mortal realm, investigating all the strange new shapes, sounds, and flavors. Rather than being offended that mortalkind has infested the countless worlds like so many ants and brushing their presence aside in much the same way a human may swat aside a fly, the Joyous Coils views mortals with the same interest that one may view bees. Small, vulnerable, dangerous in large numbers, but responsible for producing delicious, delicious food.

The ‘honey’ of choice for the Joyous is the various alcohols mortals have invented in their ever-growing quest to find new ways to relieve themselves from the burden of consciousness. One of the easiest ways to have it grace a world with its presence is to create something it’s never drank before. There are few things it enjoys more than parking itself under one of its titanic fermenting barrels and then just spending four or five days drinking directly from the spigot, except perhaps filling the barrels in the first place. It views the crafting of its brews as a process just as beautiful and worthy of attention as actually drinking them, each barrel an artform, and is constantly seeking out new recipes to try out and share with its collection of mortal life.

The title of “Joyous Coils” is in reference to the demiplanes that Ilo-Merikay dots its body with, the largest of them held gingerly in loops of its own wooden body. In each of these planes life from all over the Great Beyond can be found, carefully collected, arranged, and preserved by a caring and loving hand. Well-meaning but incapable of understanding or communicating with its collection, the Joyous tries its best to assure everyone in its bubbles are comfortable and cared for, adjusting the climate and composition of each bubble with as much control over fine detail as any true god... Given the hours-long time to cast Create Greater Demiplane, of course.

The “beekeeper and their flock” comparison is accurate for numerous reasons, not the least of which involving the elder being scooping entire villages or towns into its coils in an attempt to save them from an oncoming calamity... Sometimes centuries or even millennia before the calamity is set to occur, like a keeper seeing a wild swarm in a tree about to be cut down. It has also, in its intoxicated hazes, scooped up populations simply because one or two members caught its fancy. The communication barrier is also a source of unending frustration for everyone involved; the Joyous can indeed interpret and understand some forms of body language, but mortals--especially humanoids--are simply too different for it to 100% grasp what they’re attempting to convey. This has lead to numerous tragedies in the past where people brought into its bubbles did not enjoy their situation, attacking the Old One and others in its flock. It has made strides to bridging the gap between itself and other forms of life, mostly via the use of its faithful and through the generations and generations of mortals that have lived in its coils... Even if it has immense difficulty actually telling them apart.

Civilizations within the coils live lives devoid of need, allowing them to fully indulge in wants and desires, and communities in one bubble can travel to another with a bit of difficulty. Only the occasional visit from the Joyous itself causes stir and panic, as its own expectations are difficult to fulfill. It may cause all the livestock in a given bubble to go on a feeding rampage to fatten them up in preparation for a feast, introduce a creature which greets its new home with hostility, or it may cause entirely new plants to grow in order to see if the inhabitants will make curious new foods out of them... Plants which could be violently toxic or terrifically invasive. It collects flora, fauna, and minerals from all over the Great Beyond, experimentally dropping them into its bubbles to see what happens, sometimes to the detriment of their inhabitants, and while all issues are eventually smoothed over, it can be a terrifying time for the folk living in these glorified terrariums.

Though it may seem as though these bubbled folk live in constant terror of a cruel and capricious god, the Joyous does truly mean well, but it’s determined to improve the quality of life--and especially the quality of food--for its collection and itself, and sating/exciting its own appetites requires constant experimentation. At the very least, it does not drop all of its experiments onto all of its bubbles at once. Centuries can pass between a civilization experiencing a sudden and dramatic change, and such centuries are spent in bounteous bliss... And, of course, not every new addition to the bubbles is a life-altering catastrophe, such as when it decided every bubble needed its own variation of corn.

———-

Obedience & Boons

———-

The faithful of the Joyous Coils have been instrumental in its efforts to better understand the creatures under its care. As it collects creatures from all over the Great Beyond, its worshipers can come in a thousand different shapes and sizes, some of which have never been seen before on Golarion. They are charged mainly with gathering new things for the coiled worlds; new people, new things, new flora, new fauna, new foods, new ideas. The largest organized faith established under the Joyous’ name is known as the Rosewood Riders, who are not only responsible for searching for new materials, but defending the smaller sects and the societies within the bubbles themselves from dangers both within and without. They also act as glorified caravans, transporting goods and people between each of the bubbles.

Paladins and Clerics of the Joyous often try to make the worlds they inhabit as beautiful and prosperous as the visions (or visits) they have of the bubbled worlds as they await their own eventual and final journey into them, while non-divine minions are typically Alchemists or other casters who skip the middleman of finding new ingredients and simply make new ingredients themselves. While one may draw many comparisons between the drunken ways of the Joyous and Cayden Cailean, Cayden is typically focused on actually doing Good and combating Evil while breaking tyranny’s shackles, while Ilo-Merikey prefers preservation of locations it enjoys and does not directly fight against (and is only vaguely aware of) Evil. That being said, there’s often enough overlap between the mortal followers of the Drunken Hero and the Joyous Coils and their behaviors in the face of adversity that the two faiths can easily confuse each other for themselves.

As Great Old Ones do not possess a dedicated Prestige Class for accelerating the power of their faithful, one can only enter the actual Evangelist, Sentinel, and Exalted Prestige Classes to obtain Boons at a much faster pace. Otherwise, they are gained at levels 12, 16, and 20. One must have the Deific Obedience feat to enter into the mentioned Prestige Classes, and entering the classes as soon as possible allows one to obtain the Boons at levels 8, 11, and 14.

Obedience: Experiment with mixing ingredients into alcoholic drinks (that can be taken as both “mix them to make a new drink” or “mix them into an existing drink”) while sampling and sharing your creations to refine the recipe and find out what works and what doesn’t. Benefit: Gain a +4 sacred bonus on saving throws against effects which would cause sickness and/or nausea.

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EVANGELIST

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Boon 1: Mulled Merriment (Sp): Gain Goodberry 3/day, Tears to Wine 2/day, or Plant Growth 1/day.

Boon 2: High Tolerance (Su/Sp): You gain an enhancement bonus equal to half your Hit Dice on saving throws versus poison effects, which is doubled against the effects of alcohol and any effects which would cause you to become tipsy, drunk, or soused. In addition, three times per day, you may cast Neutralize Poison as a spell-like ability. You automatically succeed on your caster level check to end poison effects on other creatures.

Boon 3: Spread the Joy (Su): Once per day, you may use a standard action to imbue a bottle of alcohol with potent magic. A full bottle has six servings within, and each serving within that bottle imparts a Restoration effect (it cannot be used to cure permanent negative levels) on its drinker. Additionally as a full-round action four servings can be poured over a corpse that has been dead for no more than 1 hour to simulate the effects of a Raise Dead spell. A creature raised or restored in this way becomes tipsy, even if the spells would normally cure such a thing or if the creature is immune to alcohol. The enchanted drink retains its power for 24 hours, or until you use this ability again, at which point it returns to normal.

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EXALTED

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Boon 1: Full Belly (Sp): Gain Enhance Water 3/day, Lesser Restoration 2/day, or Create Food and Water 1/day.

Boon 2: Stock the Bar (Su): You gain Brew Potion as a bonus feat. You retain this feat even if you fail to perform your Obedience, but you lose access to it if you forsake your faith. In addition, you can brew up to two potions simultaneously if their total combined construction cost is less than 2000gp.

Boon 3: Happy Hour (Sp): Once per day, you can spend 10 minutes conjuring a mystical feast similar to Heroes Feast, except no magnificent table or fanciful silverware is conjured. Rather, a wide cloth and baskets filled with food appear alongside simple wooden plates and glass or tin mugs, setting a theme more akin to a large, friendly, casual picnic. In addition to the effect of the normal meal, all creatures partaking are shielded from temperatures by an effect similar to Endure Elements, and you may use a potion in your possession as a material component for this ability. If you do, all the drinks in the feast are alcoholic mixtures containing a latent form of the potion, and all creatures attending the meal may, at any time within the next 24 hours, use a move action to activate the potion’s effect on themselves as if they had just imbibed it. Potions imbibed in this way use your caster level rather than their own.

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SENTINEL

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Boon 1: Takin’ It Easy (Sp): Gain Endure Elements 3/day, Rotgut 2/day, or Tiny Hut 1/day.

Boon 2: 300-Proof (Sp/Su): Once per day, you may cast Goodberry as a spell-like ability, the berries appearing in your hand from the Joyous’ own meadows. In addition to their normal effects, these berries have alcoholic content equal to a typical mug of ale. By concentrating on one of these berries for 1 minute, you may ferment its mystical potential to create a berry so dangerously alcoholic that it can affect creatures normally immune to alcohol. The Joyous itself enjoys these incredibly fermented berries, but other creatures eating them must make a Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 your HD + your Cha modifier) or be rendered instantly unconscious by the overwhelming alcohol for 2d4 hours, as if they had imbibed a dozen servings by themselves. Succeeding on the saving throw still causes the creature to become supernaturally soused (−4 penalty on ability checks, attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks) until they are cured of the alcohol or get some rest.

A fermented berry is visually identical to a normal Goodberry, but its smell is noticeably different: It’s more enticing and attractive, akin to a fine red wine. You can ferment up to three berries a day, and they decay after 24 hours. This is not a poison effect, nor is it counted as mundane alcohol. It can affect creatures normally resistant to or immune to poisons and alcohol, including Outsiders, Undead, and Constructs, though such creatures have a +5 bonus on their saving throw to avoid unconsciousness.

Boon 3: Rosewood Aegis (Sp): The Joyous grants its Sentinels the power to protect and preserve others, even from themselves. 1/day, you may cast Telekinetic Sphere as a spell-like ability. While inside the sphere, creatures regain 1 HP at the start of their turn, have a sacred bonus to their saving throws against diseases, poisons, and curses affecting them equal to your Charisma modifier, and they are shrouded from sight and from Divination effects by a swirling pink and green mist.

#Original Concepts #Pathfinder #alcohol ment #alcoholism

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sacredgeometry101-blog · 4 years

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Meditation's Beneficial Magic

Breathing in the Mind More and more these days we see countless recommendations to practice the age old art and science associated with meditation. Most, if not all, extol its seemingly magical power on the human psyche through its proposed benefits. These recommendations and claims have stood the test of time- they are universally accepted and also well justified. For eons past those who came before us have spoken volumes regarding this terrific gift we all posses but today sometimes, we neglect to use. Why now are we again reminded of this? All of us are participating either aware or unaware. in a quantum shift bringing at times, tumultuous shifts in all areas of our society and world structures. No one is exempt from the effects these rapid improvements bring. While universally experienced, these trans-formative energies are individually unique and processed differently depending on ones own outlook. With a little discipline and practice we can apply this gift of meditation to help balance pressure levels, reduce mind-movies which seem to play non-stop to bring increasing levels of joy, clarity and purpose inside life. While it's true that meditative practices are known by many names in virtually all people each with various forms of practice, finding one that will work for you is quite easy. Best of all, this gently potential customers us ultimately to a special place we often desire and want- greater understanding and acceptance so that you can life's mysteries. So , let's briefly explore the subject for the sole purpose of learning how to reap many positive rewards available through meditation. Besides, it is true, the best things in life are free. So let’s begin to clear our minds of useless, wayward abstract thoughts having no justification to control or stipulate our life's direction. We will find meditation allows you in the purest sense, to create your own life's experiences. (More discussion about that possibility a bit later). For now, consider that during meditation you can replace, and clear out unwelcome thoughts with life affirming versions gaining- a true, lasting peace of mind, body and soul. Meditation is your entry offering all that and more... you can even create some magic in your life through this simple process! As you may have seen or if you are already a dedicated practitioner, individuals report profound psychological, physical and spiritual well-being as they process meditation daily. What then is meditation really all about? For beginners, how can one start? And how far can I pick sincere dedication? In this article are going to examine a few areas- some historical background, benefits, science of the mind plus advanced possibilities. History to Date According to many archeologists, meditation pre dates written records. It could be easily created a person entering an altered state of consciousness by simply gazing in the mind-stilling flicker of fire even though taking no thought. The earliest documented record of meditation comes from India in their Hindu scriptures called tantras. These records date back over 5, 000 years coming from the Indus valley and were combined with precisely what is referred to today as yoga. Along with expanding trade, cultural exchange was also carried westward and introspection practice was soon embedded in eastern thought and spiritual practices. With the advent of Buddha approximately 500 AD, many diverse cultures began to develop their own interpretations and specialized meditative techniques. Some solutions still in use to this day are said to deliver incredible mind-over-matter powers and supernormal skills that transformed a practitioner. Today, these are devout individuals and are not necessarily monks living in some remote mountain monastery. They are people like you and I. Of course advancing through time, the long history of meditation is no longer sole attributed to the Hindus and Buddhists. Not to be left out, Christianity, Islam and Judaism also participate in all the perpetuation of meditation each with its own take on the practice. However , historically these religious faiths don't dominate in their teachings and practices a culture of meditation when compared to the Asian traditions. Meditation sees its place here in our Western culture in the early 1960's into the '70's. This was a time when high of our culture was being tested, demanding to be redefined. Meditation found fertile ground in which to flourish as well as expand. Some could say it was the "hippie" revolution which inspired to embrace acceptance of unusual ideas but only ones that possessed real substantive value. It was not long after that when the Western professional medical and scientific community began to conduct research and studies on meditation. And what did most reviews if not all, to varying degrees find? You guessed it- significant health benefits. One of the most important aspects of self-examination is how it releases stress from our bodies. This is achieved by bridging the gap between this conscious and un-conscious selves, situations or non-justified thoughts that ferment stress become less significant and lose their power. Through meditation, it does not take long before you feel more peaceful and relaxed about almost everything. What happened to cause this nearly miraculous change? Studies have proven that meditation raises serotonin levels which directly affect our behavior and emotional temperament. Conversely, low levels of serotonin lead to unhappiness, headaches even insomnia. All symptoms associated with stress. Today, our western civilization with all our "advanced" knowledge has re-affirmed the ancient knowledge and understanding of meditation's therapeutic power to help alleviate mental and physical ailments. And this was just the infancy of discovery or shall we say re-discovery from unlimited powers available inside each of us. Today, mediation without question is a universally medically accepted version of holistic healing used worldwide. Meditation could be summed up as a natural mechanism within each of us that allows the spirit within, the higher, true self to bridge the communication gap into our physical factors grounding us in unconditional love. Rebirth through Breath Beyond all the medical community assertions lies an infinite segment of the population seeking additional benefits when practicing meditation. How can what appears initially only to be described as a physical act, effect our true inner being so profoundly by simply clearing our conscious thoughts together with focusing on our breath? Well the secret really is in our breath. When you first start a meditative practice at face benefits, it appears really easy. Yet, early on many are easily frustrated because they have really never truly attempted to quiet ones own thoughts while awake. Successfully navigating the mental mind field of what apparently appears to be nonstop water ways of thoughts popping up can at first be a daunting task. Be forewarned this is a common occurrence and really normal and there is a solution. It's funny actually once realization sets in that you really are like a few individuals within a single physical body. And that is not far from the truth. I, like many who meditate found out in the beginning one key to successfully get beyond this mental speed bump is to acknowledge the thought. Proceed to in that case dismiss it entirely or agree to revisit the thought after the meditation session and return the mind's center to your breathing. I have used this method to great success getting past the egos gate keeper role which unfortunately it often plays. You may find this method helpful as well if not, find what brings your focus back without the need of distracting thoughts. Again, breathing's role is of utmost importance in this whole process because it is the gateway bridging the actual physical body with the spiritual body. The goal here is what I refer to as the death of thoughts as a result of focusing on your breath. Becoming more sensitive of taking no thought along with staying present in the moment by way of the simple act being consciously aware of your breathing, an amazing inner rebirth begins. Next, we define some terrific basic steps for all meditation practices. Meditation 101 Chances are in your life you have unknowingly experienced moments in a just meditative state. The odds are that when this occurred, you found yourself outside in nature. In dynamics we more easily find resonance with a deeper more real aspect of ourselves which often comes alive in the habitat. Perhaps it occurred while relaxing on a beach watching the hypnotic like waves repetitively washing on land or possibly noticing the invisible wind rustle leaves on a tree as warming sunlight bathed your face. If you happen to recall during these moments, you found a completely relaxed feeling immerse your entire being because you were free of distracting thoughts. This is what being in "the moment" is all about. It is as if your mind tunes into the higher natural frequencies of life which for the most part, are virtually nonexistent inside buildings and such. Yet, with focus, adequate intentions and processes we can escape these limitations imposed in man-made environments. Of course meditation can be really enhanced when it is practical in natural surroundings. The whole concept of meditation takes on various identities depending what your intention is while performing a chosen meditation. Some may want physical or mental relief, others, solutions or directions for a better life. Either way, choices are clearly individualized. Find yours since this moves a long way in helping you along the path aided with a unique, personalized purpose. Define it for you! To begin some meditation, a few simple rules are universally accepted. These generally are- 1) Break away from distractions. Switch off the outside electrical/technological intrusions like phones, computers, TV's etc . A quiet, calm peaceful place is desired. At first, commit 10 minutes or more with no interruption. 2) Posture is important in that you must be comfortable. Really this is with your back upright and your spine to you head straight. Normally a seated position on the ground is usually preferred with hands in your lap; it can also be done in a chair. Lying down initially is not suggested as you overall body can assume a sleep mode. 3) Close your eyes gently, relax your jaw and makeup muscles. Do a "body scan" looking for any muscle tension that may exist releasing any found. Continue unwinding now for a few moments allowing your body to become comfortable. Be observant of bodily tension arising. The key may be to physically relax. 4) Slowly evacuate your lungs completely. Gently inhale and exhale through your nostrils with a serious (from the belly) rhythmic cycle filling your lungs to capacity and expelling the air completely. Impede, long in and out breaths are ideal. Pausing momentarily at the end of each in and out air. Focus on the feeling and sounds during the entire cycle. 5) Activate the heart-mind connection which provides an initial thought-clearing mode. Do not attempt to suppress these thoughts. Acknowledge them. Briefly as thoughts arise, dismiss them just by surrounding any with the six heart virtues of: appreciation, compassion, forgiveness, humility, valor, and understanding. An additional very powerful technique is to apply unconditional love (without a judgment position) to any thoughts that can arise, release them and return focus to your breathing. 6) Steadily and incrementally increase the time entire length spent in your practice. As the moments of time lengthen between arising thoughts, you are now well on the way to raised levels of meditation. Remind yourself to notice and appreciate the beneficial by-products you have regained. Eleven Benefits of Meditating Daily Here's a short list (certainly not all inclusive) of the benefits that come from a daily meditation practice- one Your life becomes significantly clearer and calm The hustle and bustle of everyday life is choking our minds in the peace we deserve! Our technology advancements shouldn't suffocate our minds; it should allow us to achieve even more peace. Meditation helps put those events in perspective for our daily tasks. 2 . Your blood demand is lowered Science has proven it, meditation lowers the blood pressure, which in return is related to a stress levels and stress management. Much better than taking pills to lower your blood pressure! 3. People all over you enjoy your company Regular meditation leads to higher/positive energy that you are consistently tapping into. This effectively makes you very pleasing to be around, and people like that! People naturally gravitate to the people who make them feel good. 4. Your hitting the ground with God is strengthened Spiritual awareness is strengthened with a daily meditation practice. You naturally become more cognizant of your surroundings, and higher awareness always leads to a deeper connection with God. The trees begin explaining personalities, and the landscape takes on different meanings... all through a deeper awareness. 5. You achieve several hours about sleep in one 20 minute meditation session Another scientific fact is that meditation is known to put you to a deeper state of rest than deep sleep. Deep sleep is associated with a delta brainwave. Deep relaxation can drop you into that delta brainwave rapidly, achieving the effects in a shorter amount of time. 6. Conditions seemed very difficult suddenly have clear solutions For every problem a solution exists. When your mind is clear and additionally you're in a state of peace, solutions appear. Being in a state of peace just naturally lures in solutions and pathways into your field of view. 7. Your productivity sky rockets because of a person's ability to have clear focus If solutions to problems appear more frequently when meditating daily, then imagine when there is to your everyday tasks. Solutions to everyday life become more and more obvious. And you begin to take note of these subtle changes since your spiritual vision grows clearer and wider. 8. Your life expectancy increases Science has shown that usual meditation will increase your life expectancy. It's pretty obvious to see... less stress and more peace promotes healthy skin cells and healthy cells regenerate healthier cells. And likewise, stressed cells regenerate more stressed cells. So stay longer by choosing more peace in your life. 9. You effectively reduce stress in your life Speaking of stress, mind-calming exercise has a profound effect on reducing stress in your body. Because meditation promotes peace and inner calm, stress dissolves dramatically from this meditative process. Again, science has proven it. 10. You can visualize powerfully when blended with positive affirmations and meditation Meditation is powerful at clearing the mind and focusing on simple things... such as breathing... or a flower. But, it can be used for so much more! To powerfully manifest your desires, you must get into an apparent connection with the source of manifesting (God/Universe/Ethers). If your spirits are on high while you visualize then the communication approach for manifesting positive events in your life is strengthened. While meditating I like to repeat affirmations, otherwise known as mantras, to help focus my energy into the positive. These statements can be as simple as "love" or "I are love, I am joy, I am peace". 11. You feel fantastic throughout your day! And finally, when you meditate on a regular basis, you may feel fantastic. Plain and simple. You feel good. Everything else is details. Science of Meditation's Magic Today there is a lot of scientific studies validating in a laboratory setting, that while in a meditative state, significant changes occur with our neurological activity. Just as to why brain frequencies are altered is not yet fully understood. Neuroscientists hypothesize our brain is actually rewiring connections sculpting new avenues of brain circuitry seen during magnetic resonance image resolution. Could we simply be accessing the higher mind which subdues the thinking, egoic-centric mind where restrictions of self-consciousness disappear? Seems very plausible. Regardless of the exact reason for this profound change, some other "super consciousness" force appears to be altering the way our brain functions while in a meditative state. Dr . Gregg Jacobs who was simply the assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a senior research scientist at Harvard's Mind/Body Medical Institute now practicing at UMass Memorial Medical Center, published a book in 1993: That Ancestral Mind: Reclaim the Power. This book was the subject of a Time Magazine article back in August 2003 providing insight into the science behind meditation. Based on his research he made some interesting observations and arguments referring to what he labeled: the Ancestral Mind and the Thinking Mind. Dr . Jacobs argues, the conventional research implies our emotional well-being is being greatly hampered by the over-reliance on our dominant Thinking Mind- the verbal, rational, analytical and problem-solving part of ourselves. Over vast ages of time we have severed connection with an equally important part of our makeup- the Ancestral Mind. To me, this speaks of becoming a more truly balanced human being, maximizing the potential of consciousness. While that statement may not be in scientific jargon, any implication is the same. The Ancestral Mind: Reclaim the Power Book blurb- Dr . Jacobs offers a practical process for re-engaging with this indelible part of our being, explaining how to access life-enhancing positive emotions while reducing negative ones; connect with a more intuitive intelligence and foster a deeper, expanded sense of daily knowledge; and achieve a more integrated concept of self through a closer harmony of intellect and emotion. What is Taking effect In your Brain During Meditation? Scientists have only recently developed tools sophisticated enough to see what goes on inside your brain when you meditate. Below are a series of three interactive graphics from the 2003 Time "The Science of Meditation" article showing brain activity changes that occur during meditation. Clearly some profound changes occur inside brain. Our brain appears to interact and be directly influenced by our higher-minds and consciousness itself. Frontal cortex - is the most highly evolved part of the brain, responsible for reasoning, planning, emotions and self- sensitive awareness. During meditation it tends to go offline. Parietal lobe - processes sensory information about the surrounding environment, orienting you in time and space. During meditation, activity in the parietal lobe slows down. Thalamus - is a gatekeeper for the senses. It focuses your attention by funneling some sensory data deeper into the human brain and stops other signals in their tracks. Meditation reduces the flow of incoming information to a drip. Reticular Formation - receives incoming stimulus and puts the brain on alert, ready to respond. Meditation calls back the arousal signal. After training in meditation for eight weeks, subjects show a pronounced switch in brain-wave patterns, shifting from the alpha waves of aroused, conscious thought to the theta waves that will dominate the brain during periods of deep relaxation. Even people meditating for the first time will register your decrease in beta waves, a sign that the cortex is not processing information as actively as usual. After your first 20-minute session, patients show a marked decrease in beta-wave activity. Consciousness Directs Matter Are you ready to be able to dive into infinite possibilities of the more unique, inherent benefits of meditation? How far can one go into the universal domain that will retrieve enhanced power to intentionally co-create in this world? And no, you don't have to become a Zen Buddhist monk. Rather than go off in the quantum realm too far, allot is becoming understood within the research community about the creation power of our thoughts. The following knowledge is equally important to understand and apply its power when practicing meditation. Deliberate thought merged with meditation is an extremely powerful combination. By now everyone has got a little taste of the premise in the movie "Secret" regarding the subject of manifestation or as I like to label it- "deliberate intentions of thought". While that subject matter may seem new and novel to a whole segment of the population, like meditation, it has existed to get a very long time. Ever heard the famous quote from Napoleon Hill in his 1937 book titled- Think in addition to Grow Rich? It sure sounds like it could be in the Secret: "What the mind can conceive and believe, it could actually achieve" Interestingly enough in the book, Mr. Hill did not expressly reveal the step-by-step process to create instances which aligned with ones invocation of a positive mental attitude. He left that for the reader to locate. However , he did provide clues and examples which he documented through interviewing over 500 flourishing people while researching his first course study titled: The Law of Success. He went on to describe this approach idea as a "Definite Major Purpose" in order for the reader to be challenged and ask the question- In precisely what do I truly believe? His philosophical perspective was that 98% of people had no firm beliefs contributing them to be handicapped in achieving what they want in life. So yes, change your thoughts, change an individual's world. I mention Mr. Hill because he clearly proved the absolute power of deliberate considered to create your desired life. And this approach succinctly aligns with the infinite possibilities afforded in meditation. Much like a professional stage hypnotist can temporarily manipulate someone's actions by accessing and placing suggestions in a specialized place within their psyche, similar gateways or altered states of consciousness are possible during meditation. Some of our subconscious minds cannot distinguish between the physical "reality" we are witnessing and merely vivid thought projections. It can be here that during certain meditative states one can interject desired images powered by emotions, or predefined affirmations by purposely focusing intent, expediting their arrival in the physical. I personally believe the reason time appears to be collapse between the desire (intention) and actual delivery is directly related to the reduced level of mental (Thinking Mind) resistance we hold while in certain meditative states. We receive sooner that which is wanted within our life because of the drastically reduced counterproductive, opposing beliefs or thoughts. During meditation these contrary brain send thought forms are minimized thereby allowing quantum mechanisms to more fully dominate. Call it miraculous or a miracle or quantum physics in action, but despite of the term used, it is real. This principle is exactly the conclusion Mr. Hill wanted his readers to arrive at. Of course, meditation is not directly mentioned, simply alluded to, but clearly meditation accelerates this entire creative process by reducing resistant thoughts that hinder progress. Regardless if while meditating you receive an urge to take a specific action which leads to a solution and chance meeting bringing you closer or delivering entirely a previously specified outcome, the objective is demonstrated. The only prerequisite is that you must clearly define exactly what you want. Remember- "Definite Major Purpose". Begin to let one self feel (believe) what you will experience when the object desired has arrived and let the universal powers do their a part. You will quickly find this power is quite useful in improving your well-being when practiced routinely using meditation. A New Direction Awaits In closing, meditation is a wonderful gift that is available to all who seek. But, one ought to seek that which is worthy of attention. As we have learned there are many beneficial reasons to practice this lost but reemerging art. And apparently, the distraction and conveniences of this post-industrial age have dulled a part of us that's never forsaken us and remains vigil in wanting to empower us to our full potential. Just think, it's only breaths away! As our socioeconomic landscape is now being radically redefined as we step further faraway from a primarily consumerism driven lifestyle, meditation can play a significant role in this era helping us being more balanced and grounded. Many are awakening to the fact that a life based solely material gain to obtain a state of happiness is fraught with dangers and distorts real, lasting values. Material affluence is not really a problem, but trying to live a life where that is the primary focus distances us further from your higher nature. We have many choices demanding our time and attention today, to sacrifice a critical activity just like meditation which could alter and improve your life beyond where you find yourself now, would be a tragedy. If you do not currently meditate on a regular basis, please consider doing so as this is a proven way for greater well-being, enhanced health and vitality in addition to starting to be more at peace with the world surrounding you. Start today and thank yourself for directing people here- all is purposely directed! Tim's writing expertise and intuition for understanding arcane, nonmainstream theme including esoteric topics begun at the age of 14. It is through his expansive career in financial which affords Tim a unique ability to apply a professional, down-to-earth approach when writing about the science of spirituality.

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shinneth · 5 years

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Gem Ascension Tropes (Peridot-specific: D - E)

Reference:

Primary Peri Post ▼ Primary General Post ▼ Full Article

Dark and Troubled Past: GA gives Peridot quite the backstory in both aspects. Her living conditions were awful, but Peridot herself was morally corrupt, cunning, and ambitious. The way Homeworld society operates only enabled Peridot to become a sociopathic Manipulative Bastard, but her fateful first meeting with Jasper Broke the Haughty in a wide variety of ways. That made her more of a Jerkass Woobie, and thankfully it wasn’t long before she was captured by the Crystal Gems and Took a Level in Kindness. Still, Peridot repressed the majority of her Homeworld memories to cope after her Heel-Face Turn and was forced to remember them upon returning to Homeworld to rescue her friends. The amount of guilt weighing down on Peridot after this is immense, and even though Steven taught Peridot how to forgive herself by the end of GA, Peridot’s still going to have to be constantly reminded of her past transgressions by the refugees she’s tasked with acclimating to Earth.

Deadpan Snarker: Very much so, per canon. Especially with Lapis, and it’s actually fully justified since the two aren’t afforded time in the story to truly talk about the terrible way Lapis treated her and her friends (outside of the Video Will she made for Lapis). Up to Eleven in Act III with White Diamond, taking advantage of being a valuable Hostage MacGuffin to Trash Talk her literally any chance she gets.

Death is a Sad Thing: Peridot never had to suffer the loss of a loved one until Pumpkin succumbed to her mortal wounds in Chapter 8 of Act III. Once that happens… Peridot’s sorrow nearly kills an entire planet.

Death Wail: She does not take it well when Pumpkin dies right before her eyes. Induces Brown Note levels of damage across what’s left of Homeworld.

Defiant Captive: Very much this while she is White Diamond’s prisoner during the early chapters of Act III. Deliberately invoked as Peridot’s Genre-Savvy enough to understand her value as a Hostage MacGuffin makes her (relatively) untouchable and doesn’t hesitate to disrespect White Diamond in ways no other gem could.

Delirious Misidentification: When even the (illusionary) threat of Peridot’s own limbs being severed to keep a blade from slicing her neck isn’t enough to make the Determinator give in to White Diamond, the latter responds by conjuring a very convincing hologram of Steven who even sounds exactly like the real deal. After nearly a week of this torture she had to endure alone, Peridot is fooled into thinking Steven actually came to save her… and sparing even one second to look in his direction allowed White Diamond to finally overpower her and force Peridot into submission.

Derailed Train of Thought: Peridot is prone to this a lot. The early chapters of Act I especially show Peridot falling into this when she’s trying to lead her team. This trope is how she ends up confessing her love for Steven in every single Video Will she makes to her friends. Peridot herself acknowledges this flaw of hers, but it’s a very hard habit for her to break.

Desperately Craves Affection: Praise, more specifically. Affection is also wanted, but Peridot’s been addicted to receiving praise even since her days as a Jerkass Homeworld gem. In Peridot’s Video Will to Pearl, she acknowledges this and wonders if this was something ingrained into her very being as a worker gem at the bottom of the caste system. With no hope of upward movement for the Peridot kind and often overlooked and underappreciated (and largely disrespected by every gem above them), the best they can ever hope for is being praised for doing their job well.

Determinator: The defining aspect of Peridot’s character in GA; turned Up to Eleven in Act III.

Devoted to You: It cannot be overstated how Steven means everything to Peridot. She will do and say things she’d normally never go through with for this boy if she must. She’s so devoted, Peridot inadvertently makes sure everyone knows Steven means everything to her via her Video Wills in Act II.

Digging Yourself Deeper: Once Peridot’s propensity for running her mouth lands her in hot water, or she says something out loud she didn’t mean for anyone to actually hear, she’s under some delusion that going out of her way to make elaborate excuses or justifications will fix everything… and it never does. It always leads to this. Steven himself tells 5XF in This is Who I Am Chapter 2 that this is just a fatal flaw of Peridot’s she inexplicably can’t overcome.

Disability-Negating Superpower: Ascending to a hybrid Diamond whose power is charged by sheer will enables Peridot to bypass most limitations she had as an Era 2 gem, though there is a cap on her potential when using said powers in her Peridot form. This makes her the only Era 2 gem who can shapeshift.

Disorganized Outline Speech: While Peridot tries to make it out like she was kidding, she struggled with this trope while trying to find a way how to do her introduction for her Video Will to Amethyst in Chapter 3 of Act II.

Double Consciousness: A genuine and understandable concern of Peridot’s when she ascends and gains a Superpowered Alter Ego in Chartreuse Diamond. Although there hasn’t been much room for distinction between the two, Peridot knows in her heart there are at least a few exclusive factors to their natures. And she will need to make use of her Chartreuse alias in the Post-GA era, so while Peridot did learn to accept that Chartreuse is legitimately just another part of her, she’s a long way from embracing her Diamond persona and is wary about staying in that form for long.

Draw Aggro: Proposed by Peridot when an alligator ambush occurs in Chapter 2 of This is Who I Am, but ultimately averted as 5XF is quick to question this strategy, which results in the two bickering in a corner until Steven comes in to save the day.

The Dreaded: Was notoriously this to her fellow Peridots before her promotion and assignment to monitor Earth. The combination of her ambition, stoic and sociopathic nature, and overall being a cunning Manipulative Bastard made her fellow kind either avoid her out of fear or revere her in hopes of sharing in her success… though that never happened. Peridot saw all of her coworkers as expendable pawns, and if she was ever cordial with them, it was always an act that played into a greater scheme down the road that would only benefit her in the end. The few Peridots who were bold enough to attempt to get 5XG in trouble always met a gruesome end after failing to prove her of any wrongdoing. 3UI learned that the hard way, and Peridot gave the rest of her coworkers a speech that pretty much underlines why exactly she embodied this trope for most of her short lifespan, punctuated with crushing up 3UI’s remains for all to see.

Peridot: “I know this hasn’t been the first time I made an example out of an envious Peridot, but let this be a refresher course to remind everyone what will become of you if you even entertain the notion of snitching on me. Mind your own business, and you’ll live a long, fulfilling life for our Diamond…”

Dressing as the Enemy: Downplayed; Peridot obtains a new set of limb enhancers in Chapter 4 of Act I. While she can traverse Homeworld without them, it does draw a little attention (as Era 2 Peridots are very seldom seen without them), and they’re required for Peridot to “report to work” at her old station. In order to get the Skeleton Key she’s aiming for to optimize navigation of Homeworld to find her captured friends, Peridot needs to find a way to get close to Yellow Pearl; this scenario is the only way she can pull it off.

Earn Your Happy Ending: Hard to argue this. Peridot did work herself nearly to death to coordinate the rescue mission, only to get tortured for six consecutive days after being the only one to get left behind, then having her own identity compromised along with the shock of learning about being an Unwitting Test Subject, having to live with Chartreuse Diamond as her Alter Ego for the rest of her life, being forced to fight her friends… Then after a brief reprieve when she rejoins her friends, carries heavy angst over not being able to fuse with Steven, which ends up being what makes her vulnerable and receptive to a forced fusion with White Diamond, is helplessly trapped within Celadon Diamond and is only able to break free when Pumpkin is killed, which causes Peridot to have the ultimate Heroic BSoD that doubles as an Angst Nuke on an already-crumbling planet. Only after all that does life finally work in Peridot’s favor. She is not kidding when she says she needs a lengthy vacation at the end of GA. Thankfully, she’s granted one in Plans Change.

Egocentric Team Naming: In Chapter 6 of Act II, Peridot refers to GA’s initial team of herself, Lapis, Bismuth, and Greg as the “Peridot Patrol”; most likely in jest as she hasn’t referred to her division as such ever since. However, given Peridot’s circumstances by Act II, her teammates quickly make it their official Squad Nickname, though they opt to shorten it to simply call themselves the “Peri Patrol”.

Emotional Maturity is Physical Maturity: Per canon with any gem, but Peridot undergoes an unusual case that is strikingly similar to Steven’s Plot-Relevant Age-Up despite that trope not being possible for a full gem. When she first resumes her natural form after ascending to become Chartreuse Diamond, Peridot appears to have a bit of a growth spurt. It’s not extreme, but noticeable in that she outgrows Amethyst and has a more pronounced hourglass figure. Post-GA stories (It’s a Birthday, Yes It Is, most notably) theorize this is a result of Peridot’s final inquiry prior to ascension, which was whether or not becoming a Diamond would give her a mature body so that she wouldn’t have the appearance of a scrawny brat anymore. Given the nature of Peridot’s power in particular, it’s safe to say she willed her Chartreuse Diamond form to have a much more mature and developed appearance and subconsciously willed her own base form to reflect this – but in a subtle manner that still made her recognizable. Another factor may be the Relationship Upgrade with Steven making Peridot even more self-conscious of her appearance.

The Engineer: The Support Engineer.

Erotic Dream: In Chapter 8 of Act II, Peridot (via her prerecorded Video Will) confesses to having this happen to her… in a dream with an otherwise innocuous setup where she and Steven are Happily Married with loads of kids, with Peridot herself as a stereotypical housewife; Steven’s portrayed as an average breadwinner of the family, but after revealing he doesn’t have work today, he seductively asks his wife if she wants to “make another one” before carrying her off to the bedroom.

Extra-ore-dinary: Her ferrokinesis, per canon. They’re later revealed to be merely a branch of her true potential that was awakened via a Despair Event Horizon (something similar happens to Steven in Chapter 4 of Act III), but even post-ascension, Peridot uses her metal powers more often than her vast array of new abilities… possibly with the exception of her utilizing Hammerspace and teleportation.

Extreme Doormat: A trope discovered in hindsight regarding how Peridot acted around Lapis when they were roommates during This is Who I Am Chapter 3, as it’s revealed Lapis (inadvertently) played a huge role in preserving some degree of Peridot’s sanity when they met. Her mere presence is why Peridot’s Near-Rape Experience with Jasper didn’t go any further than that. Since Peridot was already on the brink of completely breaking down and losing her identity from what Jasper already put her through, it’s safe to assume Peridot would have never become the gem she currently is had Lapis not repeatedly taken the bullet for her.

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dnmeinster · 6 years

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Sorting Through Kingdom Hearts III Part 2 - What I Wouldn't Give to Go Back in Time

Spoiler Warning

Link to Part 1

Dream Drop Distance is a polarizing entry in the Kingdom Hearts series. While it answers why Organization XIII needed to be stopped in KH2, and provides clarity to what happens in KH3, it's the time travel that is most controversial. Did it break the series?

The first instance of time travel was not in Dream Drop Distance. It was in KH2. Pete, after being verbally assaulted by Maleficent for his incompetence, whines:

"Pete: Oh...I miss the good ol' days...What I wouldn't give to go back in time...What I wouldn't give..."

Pete's wish is seemingly granted by the appearance of a white door. This door leads to the Timeless River, which is really a past version of Disney Castle, before the castle was built. But how did this door appear?

The wizard Merlin is summoned to Disney Castle to investigate the results of Maleficent and Pete's meddling with the past. He knows exactly what is happening and conjures up another door to Timeless River.

Merlin: "Somewhere in that world, there should be another door that's identical to this one. I believe our enemies are utilizing that door. As long as it remains open, the castle will be in grave danger...While you're there, the nature of that world may tempt you to do something dark. You must resist that temptation at all costs!"

These events establish not only that time travel is possible in the Kingdom Hearts universe, but that the past itself can be altered and shape the present. The nature of time travel is inherently magical here, as Merlin the wizard is the only one shown that can create a pathway to the past. Pete unintentionally does so by wish, which I suppose is a form of magic. So magic is the only known means of temporal manipulation until Dream Drop Distance.

Here we go. Somehow time travel through magic makes a lot more sense than the alternative method contrived of in Dream Drop Distance. There's a detailed Reddit post that sums it all up here, but I'm going to go over it myself, starting with Young Master Xehanort's (YMX) explanation of his displacement in time.

"YMX: There are restrictions to movement in time. First, you must leave your body behind to do it. Then, there must be a version of you waiting at the destination. Upon arrival, you can only move forward as per the laws of time. And you cannot rewrite the events that are destined to happen."

So the first step of the new time travel rules is that you must leave your body behind. Terranort did this when he and his apprentices experimented on the hearts. They split themselves into Heartless and Nobodies. And apparently, Heartless, or specifically special Heartless that retain their form, have the capability of traveling through time.

The second step is that a version of you must exist wherever you are traveling to. Terranort's Heartless aka Ansem travels back to speak with his younger self on Destiny Islands. This act allowed YMX the ability to travel forward in time. This is hinted within the game:

YMX: "Ansem first sent me on my way, and then placed himself here when the time was right. That was what set all these events in motion."

By saying he sent him on his way, YMX literally means he sent him on his way to the future. But what about all the other time-traveling Xehanorts? Well, Nomura clarified this in an interview.

Nomura: "As a result of the actions of the Brown Robed figure [Ansem], they all were in a state where they had gained the power to transcend time. The Brown Robed figure explained the fact. The thirteen were summoned at the same time, this time thanks to Young Xehanort who borrowed that power. However, apart from Young Xehanort, this does not mean all the members transcended time."

So not only did Ansem's trip to the past set the events of Dream Drop Distance in motion, it also provided every Xehanort with the ability to travel through time, supposing they follow the previously established rules. My head already hurts.

YMX takes advantage of his gifted abilities by gathering the now free-to-move-through-time Xehanorts and messing with Sora and Riku's Mark of Mastery exam. However, according to the third rule, he cannot change destiny. Which perhaps is why Xehanort ultimately fails to acquire all 13 darknesses and suggests they meet at "the fated place." The final clash was never going to happen in the World that Never Was.

The three steps/rules are simple enough, but their execution is messy. And there's one more caveat to time travel.

YMX: "While I know this future now that I have lived it, returning to my own time will erase the memories and experiences I have gained here. Still, my appointed path is now etched in my heart, which will first lead me to seek the outside world."

So the events that happened in Dream Drop Distance were to be forgotten by all the time-traveling Xehanorts once they returned to their own times. But not every Xehanort present in the World that Never Was was time traveling. We'll get into this shortly.

There are a few more instances that need to be touched upon first. One, Sora and Riku time travel in this entry, but only once, with the assistance of Master Yen Sid's magic. He sends them both back to Destiny Islands just before it falls to darkness. Two, according to Nomura, since Ansem is also present at the point they time travel to, he becomes a "portal himself as a result of contact with Sora and co., making it possible for the other Xehanorts to intervene within the dreams." Xehanort being a portal is an important aspect to the end of KH3. And lastly, Yen Sid mentions that Merlin and the fairies are aiding Axel in "a place that's more...temporally flexible." Once again, reiterating the connection between time travel and magic.

Let's move on to KH3.

The most blatant example of time travel in KH3 once again involves Xehanort. Multiple Xehanorts are existing at the same time. Let's look at that list of 13 darknesses again:

Master Xehanort

Young Master Xehanort (YMX)

Terranort

Ansem, Seeker of Darkness

Xemnas

Vanitas

Xigbar

Saix

Luxord

Marluxia

Larxene

Riku Replica

Xion

It's safe to assume that Numbers 7-13 are not time traveling and exist in the present (though Number 12 could be iffy). So what of Numbers 1-6? We must turn to the Secret Reports for an answer:

"Xemnas cannot exist in the present because there is already a Xehanort here: the old man in charge. The old man's humanity prevents his Heartless and Nobody, others vanquished in the past, and his younger self from being denizens of this time.

"To circumvent this, Xehanort is using prototype replicas I created in the past as containers, plucking his other selves' hearts from the time they existed."

This report, written by Vexen, states straight out that the only non-time traveler is Master Xehanort in his original body. This must mean that when Sora defeated Ansem and Xemnas, it was not Terranort that was reformed but the original Xehanort. But how?

Terranort is a special case. Like Numbers 7-13, it is a separate entity, Terra, bearing Xehanort's heart. But, unlike 7-13, it was a direct one-to-one transfer, where Master Xehanort transferred his entire heart to Terra and seemingly took over the driver's seat. Terra's mind and heart became controlled by Xehanort, at least until both Aqua and the Lingering Will drove Xehanort from his mind. That left an amnesiac Xehanort at Ansem the Wise's door in Radiant Garden.

Xehanort regained his memories through his experiments on the heart and went on to pursue his original goal: 7 lights, 13 darknesses, and the Chi-blade. When Ansem and Xemnas were defeated, it had to be Terranort that reformed. But it didn't have to stay that way.

In need of 13 darknesses, Xehanort could return his heart to his original body, leaving a fragment in Terra to continue on as Terranort. At this point, it became easier for Terra to fight back against Xehanort. And he eventually prevails, driving out what remained of Xehanort and becoming himself once more.

Why do I find this scenario to be most likely? Well, we already know that Master Xehanort in his original body is his "most future self." YMX says as much in Dream Drop Distance. So that means he was formed last, after Xemnas and Ansem were defeated and Terranort was reborn. Terranort could then go on to recreate his original self, leaving only a fragment behind to retain a darkness for his list. This is speculative, yes, but barring further clarification, it's what I'm sticking with.

Looking back to the list, 1 (Master Xehanort) and 3 (Terranort) aren't time travelers, while 2 (YMX), 4 (Ansem), and 5 (Xemnas) are. All are capable of time travel because of Ansem's actions prior to Dream Drop Distance, and all have the hearts necessary to traverse time. But who is plucking them from the past and bringing them forward in time? It could be YMX, given his role in KH3D. But it could also be...no one. I'll get to that.

So what of Number 6, Vanitas, and Number 12, Riku Replica? I posit that neither are time travelers, as only Xehanort has been permitted time travel among the 13 darknesses. As such, I will go into further detail on these two in Part 3.

As for the 7 lights, only 2 have ever become Heartless (Sora and Axel), while Kairi's heart has left her body and Riku has time traveled via Master Yensid's magic. What exactly does this mean? And do any of them utilize time travel?

Axel does not time travel in this game, but he is training in a place Merlin has made "temporally flexible." Riku doesn't time travel. As for Sora and Kairi, they most certainly do.

Upon their initial arrival to the Keyblade Graveyard, the Seven Lights are confronted and killed; torn heart from body, so to speak. Five are left in a state between life and death, waiting for a Heartless to take their hearts. Kairi is in a similar place, though she retains her consciousness and will. I would guess that this is because she is a Princess of Heart, and it's not the first time her heart and body have been separated.

Sora, however, has ended up in the Final World aka the afterlife. He, along with his friends, remain tethered to the Realm of Light because of Kairi. So Sora only needs to gather the pieces of himself scattered about the world before being able to return to his friends. Besides doing this, he also encounters Namine's heart, who clarifies his condition before revealing that she is going to reach out to Terra's Lingering Will.

After leaving the Final World, Sora saves his friends hearts from the Heartless, reunites with Kairi, and returns to the Keyblade Graveyard. However, he and Kairi seemingly return at the moment when they first arrived, before they were all killed. At the scene plays, it appears that the exact course of events that unfolded the last time are happening again. Neither Sora nor Kairi try to intervene or do anything differently? Why? The only possible reason is that neither of them remember their deaths, which means that none of the Seven Lights know that what happened before is happening again.

How could Sora and Kairi forget? There are actually several possibilities. The first is that, since Sora and Kairi are time traveling, they are merely bound by the rules. Sora and Kairi have both left their bodies behind before, in KH1. But Heartless Sora never time traveled, almost certainly unaware that he could. And Kairi's heart only found refuge with Sora. Given the Secret Reports, we know Terranort became aware of the possibility of time travel due to a visitor in Radiant Garden. Sora never had that knowledge, at least until Dream Drop Distance.

So if Sora and Kairi were indeed ripped heart from body in the Keyblade Graveyard, they are definitely capable of time traveling. And there is a past version of themselves waiting in that world, from their initial arrival. And, having returned from the future, they've forgotten the events they've already experienced. So far, all the boxes are checked.

There's just one caveat. The final rule. You cannot rewrite the rules that are destined to happened. Wait. What was the exact quote?

"And you cannot rewrite the events that are destined to happen."

Well, what do you know? Neither he or Kairi do rewrite the events that happened. Instead, it is Terra's Lingering Will that intervenes and saves everyone, thanks to Namine reaching out from the Final World.

Namine, the special Nobody who can alter the memories of everyone connected to Sora, also altered destiny. But she wasn't bound by the rules of time travel like Sora and Kairi, so, I guess this makes sense in a Kingdom Hearts way. Her body was formed from Kairi's heart leaving Sora, so though her heart rests within Kairi, she doesn't exactly have a body to leave behind. There's no version of her waiting in Keyblade Graveyard, except for that place in Kairi's heart. So she bends rules one and two, and breaks rule three. She might be the only one that can remember the initial defeat there, since if the others rules don't really apply to her, why should that one?

What are the other possibilities if this is not the case? Well, it could be the game trying to have it both ways. In Dream Drop Distance, Xigbar says Sora can only travel back to the Destiny Islands because there was a version of him there. But it's clearly Yensid's magic that enables him to time travel. We've already seen Sora time travel without needing a past version of himself to be there in Timeless River. But it could be that Sora time travels via magic and merely forgets because they're melding together rules that shouldn't apply with ones that should. But if it's by magic, who's casting it? Chirithy? I'd like to rule this one out, though it's not beyond reason. There's even a hint that Sora and Co know something worked when they return to the Keyblade Graveyard, which they could only know if magic was involved. But the fact that they don't do anything differently in the next scene may mean that their actions were etched in their hearts but the specifics were forgotten.

Lastly, there's a possibility that Sora and Kairi time travel to an alternate timeline, or worldline, as the Secret Reports hint that this is possible. But then why don't they intervene to try and change the course of events? If destiny isn't set in stone and they can change it, then there's no reason they'd forget and be unable to. OR perhaps it is time travel and then the altering of destiny creates a second timeline/worldline. It remains plausible that Kingdom Hearts will incorporate multiple timelines/worldlines in the future. As if it wasn't complex enough. For now, though, I'm sticking with my first hypothesis: Sora and Kairi time travel and it's Namine that changes the future.

Circling back to Xehanort, after the Seven Guardians survive long enough to face Master Xehanort and he forges the Chi-blade, Riku reveals that they've learned Xehanort is actually a time and space portal. How? Why? What?

Okay, here goes. Because Ansem traveled through time and provided all his selves with the ability to do so, he became the portal that Riku mentions. Each version of Xehanort is a portal capable of traveling to wherever their heart's desire, as long as they follow the set upon rules.

Nomura stated that Ansem on Destiny Islands became a portal into the Dream World, as he was there when Sora and Riku crossed over. So all the Xehanorts use this "portal" to stalk the two guardians on their Mark of Mastery Exam in the Sleeping Worlds.

Similarly, as Master Xehanort is a portal, the other versions of himself use their connection to him to arrive in the future, where they are loaded up into replicas. They don't need a Xehanort to come pluck them from the past since they are capable of moving through time via this portal. They need only cast off their bodies and enter the replicas waiting for them.

Riku, realizing what Master Xehanort is thanks to YMX's monologue at the end of Dream Drop Distance, exposes the portal and utilizes it. And where does it lead? The world that would always hold a special place in Xehanort's heart: the one where he was trained to be a Keyblade wielder, Scala ad Caleum. And it turns out that all the fragments of his heart from the defeated darknesses were utilizing this portal to go there as well, waiting to rejoin with the original.

We can assume that this time, they're not traveling in time via Xehanort's portal but merely space. So why was Scala ad Caleum abandoned? And why was it built atop Daybreak Town? Questions for another entry, I suppose.

So, did time travel break the series? If they'd kept it simple and just left time travel as a magical device, it would've worked better. By adding a secondary method with layers of rules, time travel became over-complicated. It's more than the three simple rules it appears as, and analyzing it is headache-inducing. BUT there is a logic to it, and though it's an extra complication the series didn't need, it is not series breaking. Feel free to disagree.

Next time, we take a deep dive into replicas and how exactly the non-Xehanorts utilized them.

#kingdom hearts #kingdom hearts 3 #kingdom hearts iii #kh3 #kh3 spoilers #keyblade #sora #organization xiii #xehanort #chi-blade #kairi #riku #terranort #keyblade graveyard #namine #time travel #vexen

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geneticpawn · 6 years

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VERSE SPECIFIC HEADCANONS : the vampire diaries / the originals / legacies

nate’s full wolf transformation is a little over seven feet from nose to the tip of the tail and still carries the same weight of eighty five kilograms. his fat and muscle redistributes where appropriate for his wolf body and is impossible to mistake for a dog. his fur is grey and white and his eyes remain gold. as a werewolf he is only capable of a full body shift during the full moon and cannot resist a transformation on the full moon nor does he have full or conscious control over his own mind when he is fully transformed.

nate’s mind alters completely into that of a wild animal, incapable of recognizing non - wolves as ally or friend and driven completely by instinct. following his first and second transformations, nate learns other ways to satiate the beast and has a routine before and after a full moon that can keep himself from behaving violently or aggressively unless directly threatened :

5k morning sprint in under 10 minutes

10 minute balance training

5 minute core training

break ( big breakfast, high protein / fibre intake / morning errands )

one hour of repetitive cardio work outs

one hour of dead lifts / weight training

forty minute run alternating between sprints

break ( big lunch, high carbs / fat intake / afternoon errands )

one hour of stand up combat training ( partner optional )

one hour of ground combat training

break ( big dinner, high carbs / protein / fat intake )

the day of a full moon nate is typically in a bad mood regardless of how well he can control his temper. he is irritable, quick to anger and far more reserved and closed off and will usually self - isolate so as not to take his bad mood out on others. he makes a point to physically exhaust himself as much as possible and you will often find him eating almost continuously throughout the day, snacking on high fibre foods like nuts, fruit and wholewheat bread sandwiches as when he transforms he burns through a lot of energy and his appetite as a wolf will skyrocket. by eating more before a full moon he avoids being a hungry & dangerous 85 kg wild animal.

by physically exherting himself throughout the day he also combats the wolfs restlessness once he transforms. while the body of the wolf would have been completely healed from both the transformation and any physical activities he performed before the transformation, the wolf will remember being physically drained and will have a higher chance of remaining close to wherever it is that nate transformed and less likely to attempt escape if he locked himself in a dungeon or underground bunker.

prep for transforming in the open :

while he can combat the wolfs appetite by eating a lot throughout the day, nate will stash strongly scented foods / meals around the area that he shifts in so that the wolf doesn’t wander too far and so he doesn’t seek out prey to hunt which brings down the risk of hunting humans, wildlife or livestock in the vicinity.

he’ll also stash several outfits around the same area for when he transforms back into a human. he never takes devices with him either ( he’s lost / broken enough cell phones in the woods to learn his lesson ) and leaves any valuables back at his place rather than leaving them overnight in his car ( again, he’s had enough things stolen from his car to learn his lesson ).

transforming in the open comes with it’s own risks and rewards, being out in the open makes the wolf less hostile, fearful and restless however does run the risk of attacking nearby livestock or attacking humans that it perceives as a threat or as a trespasser in its perceived “ territory ”.

prep for transforming in a closed space :

he’ll have raw meat accessible in the closed space as well as fresh water and some sort of window that has a clear line of sight of the sky or of the outside area. the closed space should also be outfitted with some kind of bedding that smells like him. nate has made several bed spreads stuffed with his old clothes that have been torn or damaged or that he’s outgrown or just doesn’t wear anymore which help the wolf identify the area as it’s own.

nate will also check & re - check that the closed space is strong enough to withstand a pissed off werewolf as the wolf will inevitably react violently and aggressively to a closed space regardless of any former prep or attempts at making it appear less hostile. if the closed space has been magically charmed or barriered then nate will usually ask a witch to test the enchantments or barriers.

transforming in a closed space also has it’s own risks. the wolf will always become aggressive and violent upon gaining it’s consciousness and WILL attempt to escape the closed space throughout the night. anything that approaches the wolf will be met with open and clear hostility and aggression, the wolf will also attempt to make contact with other werewolves via howling even if nate isn’t a part of a pack as the calls are meant to either warn other wolves away depending on the danger of the closed space or beckon outside werewolves nearby to come and help break him out. so a silencing charm on the closed space would probably be recommended as well.

**in a closed space the wolf may be goaded / coaxed into a calmer state with food, water or if the person smells like nate in some way or another, identifying the person as friend but it’s main drive is to get out of the closed space so the individual should not let their guard down around a dangerous predator that might get upset because they’re not opening the door.

#♟ –– not everything in life is a battle. 「 headcanon. 」#♟ –– how to trap the hunt within the blood. 「 tvd / to au. 」#♟ –– moonlight turned wild & bright. 「 legacies au. 」#long post for ts

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