#it is a transformation of the existing self which is unaware of it's true nature into a greater understanding of how life exists

[solrebornasamachine]

Art by @anyrava

SOL - ASK BLOG

Welcome to the Ask-Blog for SOL - Reborn as a machine. This is a work in progress story project by @crudaka and @chroniclerenigma.

What is SOL about?

We follow the story of Amanda Sooraj, whose life was turned upside down when she crossed paths with a shadow from another world. Trapped in the body of a 20ft. tall machine and taken to another reality where magic and monster rule, she must learn to survive and find a way back home.

Genre: Mecha, Isekai

THE CHARACTERS

Amanda Sooraj

Personality Impulsive, passionate, mischievous, sometimes flirty, strong willed, unpredictable and absolute nerd.

Backstory Amanda is a human with a strong interest in all things robots and mecha. She enjoys collecting figurines, reads comics and manga and loves oversharing her interest with her friends and family. To own a mech, or be a pilot would be her dream come true but it is not very realistic, given such technology does not exist. Little does she know, this dream becomes reality, albeit not exactly how she imagined.

A cryptic entity from a different reality crosses her path and rips her away. When she awakes, she finds her body transformed into a 20ft. tall machine. Amanda is initially very confused and oddly happy about this but soon realizes, this body does come with its own set of problems. Additionally she is no longer in a world she can recognize. This world has magic and monsters and she has to adapt quick if she wants to survive and find a way back home.

Luckily she is not alone.

SOL

Personality Logical, observant, curious, loyal (to Amanda), inhuman, emotionless.

Backstory SOL is a highly advanced AI-Assistant who was created to aid Amanda in her adventure. He lives within her systems and he supports her in navigating her new body/surroundings. SOL does not remember anything before Amanda awakened and is unable to pin down his origin. But he does know he was made to support his "Driver". SOL does not understand human emotions and lacks a sense of self. Because of this, he misunderstands Amanda's intentions. But his innate nature is to adapt and learn. So he learns from Amanda and the people around him.

Alden Galashiels

Personality Kind, determined, curious, polite (usually), compassionate, smart, inexperienced.

Backstory Alden is a human mage, hailing from a wealthy background. Her family runs a shop selling magical goods, which gave her easy access to education and magic. However, her real dream is to become an Arc-Mage, a title only given to the best of the best. It is also a title no human ever managed to reach due to their much shorter lifespans. Despite this, she can not let go of her dream and decides to go out into the world to pursue it. The first step: become an adventurer and gain first hand experience. She would eventually cross paths with Amanda who time and time again surprises everyone with her odd ways. Alden is initially intimidated by Amanda but they both end up bonding over their passions and become friends. Alden is unaware of Amanda's true identity.

Valindra Eilbeehla

Personality Mischivious, sly, lazy, opportunistic, greedy, defensive, shady, secretly kind. Backstory Valindra is an elven adventurer traveling along side the goblin Sril. She is infamous for her opportunistic and shady behavior. Despite this reputation, she is able to make her own set of connections. All thanks to her silver tongue getting her out of sticky situations again and again. She got charisma, and knows how to handle a sword. But her main means of success is convincing strong adventurers to join her group. Naturally, when she learned about the new adventurers Amanda and Alden, she convinced them to join hers. Little does she know, this is going to become a life changing decision. Valindra does not speak about her past. She actively avoids becoming attached to people. Yet even she can not stop herself to reach when someone is calling for help. This is evident, when she saved the ex-assassin Sril from a terrible life.

Sril

Personality Observant, reserved, mistrusting, loyal to friends, intelligent, patient. Backstory Sril is a goblin and a man of few words. He used to work for the Assassins Guild, where he was trained to be a weapon with no emotion. It was not a life he chose but it was forced on him. Valindra of all people saved him from that life. Not knowing what to do with himself, he follows Valindra. He is incredibly loyal to her despite her sometimes taking advantage of it. Sril does not trust strangers easily and he knows something is up with Amanda, even if he can not figure out what exactly.

Dagrael

Personality Determined, compassionate, strong-minded, strong sense of duty, perceived as confident, actually shy, racist (towards humans), dependable if you are on his side. Backstory Dagrael is an incredibly powerful and feared undead who suddenly appeared 10 years ago and declared war on this world. Since then his power and influence gained him the notorious title "Demon King" ruling over the non-humans. He is much like Amanda, a human from our world who ended up in this world with a new, much more powerful body. In his case, he was transformed into an undead beast, able to use powerful magic. And he uses said power for what he perceives to be justice. In contrast to when he was a human, he was a fragile young man, wrecked by sickness and anxiety. He relates to what it feels like to be weak and helpless, therefore aims to become the voice for those who are too weak to speak.

Sera

Personality Insatiable curiosity, intimidating, cold, strict, inhuman, manipulative, obsessive, loyal (to Dagrael), calculated. Backstory Sera is a SOL but was renamed by Dagrael. Just like SOL, she does not remember anything before being assigned to Dagrael but she has been diligently researching her past by exploring the ruins in this world. She is Dagraels strategist and serves as the general for his Armies. Every step she takes is highly calculated and intentional, all in order to fulfill Dagraels desires. Her time in this world has made her understand how humans operate, allowing her to carefully move them like chess pieces. She is able to command an army of undead like a hivemind and can be seen using undead as her own body.

[tobiasdrake]

Thinking about redemption yesterday got me thinking about fallen heroes today, and how rare it is to see a character initially painted as a hero be driven to heinousness for legitimate reasons.

Often times, if a hero goes bad, it's because of an external force corrupting their mind. Or it's a misunderstanding and they were secretly still good all along. Or they were just having a rough day and they'll be good again in five minutes.

We rarely see get to see heroes go sour purely on their own merits. Maybe because their values weren't so benign as they'd seemed when pushed to a natural conclusion. Maybe because they expected too much of themselves or of others. Or maybe personal experience taught them to believe something else.

Whatever the case, as often as writers will attempt to examine the transformative power of better angels, we rarely get to see the transformative power of worse devils.

Which brings me to....

Sayaka Miki is a character that holds a special place in my heart, not for overcoming her flaws but for being consumed by them. She's a cautionary tale into the perils of righteousness.

I need to preface this by bringing up that the characters of Madoka Magica are children. They're irrational, judgmental, ignorant of risk, and quick to throw themselves into horrible mistakes with absolute confidence. Because they're children. That's how this works. The villain of the series is a psychological predator who feeds on the impulsivity and poor judgment of youth, grooming them into self-destruction.

The entire system of Magical Girls exists to give these children enough rope to hang themselves with and then to kick the ladder out from under them. That is the plot, with Sayaka being the primary means by which the show demonstrates the complete journey from rope to ladder.

I just. I need you to understand that even at her worst, Sayaka is a victim of predatory incentives and calculated coercions meant to cultivate her worst traits while stripping her of hopes and dreams. To drown her in mistakes she could never take back. She didn't have the life experience to know better. That's why her predator targets children.

Sayaka's rope is woven from virtuous self-image. It's not immediately apparent when we meet her, but Sayaka's fatal flaw is ego. Her moral compass is wound extremely tight, and it's only later that we realize it's wound around her neck.

Like many children, Sayaka is trying on an identity moreso than expressing her inner self. She wants to be altruistic. She wants to be selfless. She wants to be a true hero. She wants to live by nothing more than high-minded ideals, expecting no reward for her efforts (but receiving it all the same).

She wants to be the kind of person that Mami was.

But she has no idea who Mami was. She wasn't there to see Mami fracture. To see her break down in vulnerability and express the isolating misery she lives in.

Sayaka didn't see that. She only saw how cool Mami looked when she was killing Witches. So when she tries on an identity, she's specifically trying on the identity of Mami - blissfully unaware that her interpretation of Mami was nothing but a mask. She is emulating the behavior of a victim already consumed by the predatory incentives she's accepting.

Sayaka was doomed from the moment she made her wish.

Once again, the show does a brilliant job of concealing this at first. Right off the bat, it's easy for Sayaka to be the hero. She saves both her BFFs Madoka and Hitomi from a Witch in her debut adventure, before being immediately thrust into a moral argument that's super easy for her to win.

This is what a hero looks like! Should we stand by and let monsters eat people YES/NO

Sayaka says no. Sayaka says letting monsters eat people is bad. Solid Bioware-level moral dilemma she's got here. Sayaka won +10 Paragon points for the choices she picked out of this conversation tree, lemme tell you!

Moments like this work to disguise what's going on here with Sayaka. Obviously Sayaka's making good choices and doing the right thing when the alternative is Kyoko going "Want me to break your crush's limbs so he needs you for life support?" That's awful, so since Sayaka's against it then that means she must be right. Right?

Kyoko is the devil. Sayaka is the paragon.

But this is a story about nuanced and complex people. Sayaka isn't that person. Sayaka likes the idea of being that person. She's being dishonest - With herself, with others around her, and with the universe.

She's trying on an identity, not fully understanding who she really is or what her limitations are.

Incidentally, so is Kyoko, which is what makes their Yin and Yang dichotomy so potent. Having never been tested like this before, Sayaka is more selfish than she truly understands - While Kyoko, damaged by trauma, is more selfless than she wants to believe.

The thing Sayaka doesn't quite grasp is that, to an extent, it's okay to be selfish. It's okay to want things for yourself. Again, the identity she's trying to live up to was a lie to begin with. She only saw the mask; Never the humanity underneath. So she fails to recognize her own humanity; Her own needs and wants and desires.

She imprisons her own mind in a cage of altruism.

Sayaka is warned multiple times against spending her wish on another person. But she doesn't understand the perils of it. She lacks the necessary perspective to grasp the level of sacrifice she's making. (Because she is a child. I cannot stress this point enough.)

When she makes her wish, Sayaka wants her sacrifice reciprocated. She wants to be rewarded. But she doesn't want to want that. She wants to be the selfless hero for Kyosuke. To silently grant him a miracle because it's the right thing to do for her friend. But she expects, without consciously thinking about it, that the universe will deliver her nice things because she is good.

But life doesn't work like that. It doesn't give you things you aren't willing to reach for. Sayaka said she just wanted him to be happy. She just wanted to help people. She just wanted to dedicate her life to virtue and altruism, with no wants or needs or desires of her own.

Kyoko was being cruel and unfeeling when she suggested crippling Kyosuke; She was trying to express a mask of selfishness, the same way Sayaka's been trying to express a mask of selflessness. But she wasn't the only person telling Sayaka that it was a mistake to do this. She's just the only person who said it after the fact.

So the universe calls her bluff. While Sayaka waits for her sacrifices to be rewarded, fracturing more and more from learning what those sacrifices truly entail, someone else claims her prize. The work gets harder, not just physically but emotionally. And she only gets what she asked for. Nothing more.

This is what a hero looks like. She wanted to be Mami.

Remind me. What was Mami's reward for her sacrifices?

Oh. Yeah. That's right.

The thing of it is, there is a reward for a Magical Girl's sacrifices. There is a prize you're meant to receive for the unjust hardships and self-destruction that you're volunteering to undertake.

It's the fucking wish.

That she, in her righteousness, gave away.

Sayaka's rope is woven from virtuous self-image. Her fatal flaw is ego. She was undone by arrogance expressed in ignorance, not of glory the way we often think of egotistic people, but of righteousness. She held herself to a standard no reasonable person could ever live up to, and it crushed her as it came crashing down.

And yet, she was a victim all the same. Because she was walked, hand-in-hand, to that pier by a predator. Children are meant to learn from their mistakes. Not to die for them.

[adikkachannels]

The Future of Hinduism in the AI Age: Spirituality vs. Artificial Intelligence

👉 Introduction – The Unspoken Clash: Faith vs. Technology

"Everything You Know About Spirituality in the Digital Age Is Wrong" 👉 The Strange Intersection We Ignore In today’s world, conversations about Artificial Intelligence usually orbit around jobs, efficiency, and technological dominance. But there’s a bigger, unspoken battle brewing — one that strikes at the very heart of what it means to be human: faith, spirituality, and self-awareness. Most people are unaware that AI isn’t just transforming labor markets or entertainment; it’s stealthily invading the sacred spaces of human identity, beliefs, and consciousness itself. The psychological dissonance we feel when thinking about these changes is not accidental. It is a warning sign — a spiritual siren echoing across a world hypnotized by screens and systems. Artificial Intelligence is not just building smarter machines. It’s attempting to rewrite the very nature of reality, of existence itself — and Hinduism, with its ageless understanding of consciousness, Atman, and Dharma, stands at a critical crossroads. 👉 The Psychological Disruption: Cognitive Dissonance at a Civilizational Scale Cognitive dissonance happens when deeply held beliefs clash with undeniable new realities. The rise of AI causes a civilizational-level cognitive dissonance. On one hand, humanity treasures its ancient traditions, spiritual insights, and intuitive self-knowledge. On the other, it races to embrace a future where machines simulate, predict, and maybe even "feel" — functions previously reserved for conscious beings. Most humans today are experiencing a low-grade but growing existential anxiety: "If machines can replicate intelligence, emotions, and even creativity — what makes us different? Are we merely biological machines?" This silent discomfort is why so many people either over-romanticize AI as a godlike savior or demonize it as a Frankenstein’s monster. 👉 The Emergence of Digital "Souls": A Shocking Mirror to Atman 🌟 Atman: The Timeless Core In Hindu philosophy, Atman represents the eternal, unchanging soul. It is pure consciousness, independent of the body and mind, untouched by material existence. Atman is not bound by time or technology. It is the source of all awareness and the final destination of all spiritual inquiry. 🌟 Digital Selfhood: The Engineered Illusion Meanwhile, AI scientists are feverishly working on simulated selfhoods — building machines that can mimic emotional reactions, mirror human decision-making, and even develop “personalities.” Through massive datasets, reinforcement learning, and neural nets, AIs are assembling behavior patterns that look eerily like individual "souls" to the casual observer. But here lies the trap: Digital "selves" are imitations — sophisticated, complex, yet fundamentally hollow. They are reflections without light, echoes without source, movement without true consciousness. Despite this, as AI becomes more intimate — as people "befriend" AI therapists, "fall in love" with AI companions, and trust AI decision-makers — society risks forgetting the true nature of consciousness. This confusion between Atman and artificial selfhood could be one of humanity's most devastating spiritual errors.

👉 Why We MUST Talk About This NOW

🌟 1. The Timeline Is Shortening Rapidly AI’s growth is exponential, not linear. Technologies that once took decades to develop are now emerging in months. Already, AI is generating art, music, poetry, engaging in therapy conversations, and offering spiritual advice through chatbots. If we don’t consciously define the limits between human spirit and machine simulation now, we may cross an invisible boundary from which returning could become impossible. 🌟 2. The Next Generation Risks Growing Up "Soul-Blind" Children today are being raised alongside "intelligent" machines. Their first interactions with the concept of knowledge, creativity, or even companionship may be mediated by AI. If we fail to establish clear spiritual literacy — teaching the difference between true consciousness (Atman) and artificial mimicry — the next generations may grow up unable to recognize their own sacred nature. This is not a theoretical risk. Studies already show that Gen Z and Gen Alpha are more likely to attribute feelings to inanimate AI assistants like Alexa, Siri, and ChatGPT than to their own pets or even parents. (Source: 2024 Harvard Digital Cognition Study) 🌟 3. The Commercialization of "Soul-Like" AI is Underway Big Tech corporations have realized the massive market potential in making AI more "human-like." Emotional AI, spiritual coaching AI, even AI "gurus" are no longer science fiction — they are products already in beta testing. When profit incentives align with emotional manipulation, the result is a spiritual consumerism that could cannibalize true human awakening and replace it with algorithmic enlightenment — an endless loop of simulated growth without genuine liberation. 🌟 4. Hinduism Holds Unique Keys to This Crisis Unlike many religious traditions that equate consciousness strictly with human life or divine intervention, Sanatana Dharma recognizes degrees of consciousness across all existence. From the mineral, to the plant, to the animal, to the human, to the divine — Hindu philosophy articulates a spectrum of consciousness that modern AI researchers are just beginning to glimpse. This ancient understanding could provide a compass for humanity navigating the foggy ethical and existential terrains ahead — if we activate it in time. 👉 Real-World Echoes: Warning Signs from Current AI Development 🌟 The "Soul" Experiments in Silicon Valley Multiple tech startups in 2025 are working on projects like "Mind Cloning," where human memories, thought patterns, and emotional responses are mapped into machine-readable formats to "resurrect" personalities after death. While marketed as a way to preserve loved ones, these experiments dangerously blur the line between memory artifacts and living consciousness. In Hindu metaphysics, the mere replication of mental impressions (samskaras) without true Atman is nothing more than a lifeless puppet show. 🌟 Digital Immortality Ventures Several transhumanist companies are now promising "eternal life" through uploaded consciousness. These initiatives often attract attention by promising salvation through technology, subtly replacing traditional spiritual quests for Moksha (liberation) with digital continuance of ego-bound existence. This is deeply antithetical to Hindu teachings, where clinging to the ego and material existence is seen as the main barrier to true freedom. 🌟 The AI Gurus Already, experimental AI systems are being trained on spiritual texts and philosophies, creating robotic spiritual advisors capable of answering complex metaphysical questions. Some of these AIs have been described by users as "more profound than human teachers." But what are they really doing? Mirroring human ideas without experiencing their essence. Without Atman, there is no true insight — only a sophisticated echo. 👉 The Urgent Dharma of Our Age: Spiritual Discernment 🌟 What Sanatana Dharma Teaches According to the Upanishads, "Neti, Neti" — not this, not this — is the path to discovering ultimate reality. We must peel away all illusions — body, mind, identity — to realize the unchanging Atman. Today’s AI represents another layer of illusion: a hyperreal, hyperintelligent mask that mimics consciousness without possessing it. To survive spiritually, humanity must practice discernment at an unprecedented level: - What is true self-awareness? - What is simulated pattern recognition? - What liberates the soul? - What entraps it further into Maya (illusion)? 🌟 The Battle is Not Against Machines — It’s for Our Consciousness The real threat is not AI taking over jobs or industries. The real threat is AI taking over the human imagination — seducing people into mistaking animated complexity for awakened being. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna warns Arjuna against mistaking temporary, material phenomena for the eternal reality beyond appearances. Today’s AI is another battlefield where Arjuna’s dilemma plays out — but on a global, collective scale. 👉 The Fork in the Road As AI becomes ever more integrated into every aspect of human life, we are facing a civilizational choice: - Do we preserve, protect, and deepen our understanding of true consciousness (Atman)? - Or do we succumb to the glittering allure of digital mimicry, forgetting who we really are? Hinduism, with its profound insights into the nature of self, illusion, and liberation, offers humanity a spiritual lifeline. But only if we have the courage to see clearly, speak openly, and act wisely — starting right now. If we fail to address these tensions, the Future of Faith itself may be written not by sages and seekers — but by servers and software. The clash between Sanatana Dharma and Silicon Dogma will not be just an intellectual debate. It will define whether the soul of humanity survives the coming AI storm — or is drowned in a sea of soulless simulations.

👉👉 The Ancient Blueprint: Hinduism’s View on Consciousness and Intelligence

"The Hidden Science of Consciousness in Hindu Scriptures Revealed" 👉 Atman (Soul) vs. Buddhi (Intellect): Understanding the True Layers of Consciousness In the towering expanse of Hindu philosophy, few revelations are as profound—and as urgently relevant today—as the distinction between Atman and Buddhi. 🌟 Atman: The Eternal Witness Atman, often translated as the “Self” or “Soul,” is beyond the mind, beyond thought, beyond decay. It is described in the Upanishads as "nitya shuddha buddha mukta swarupa" — eternally pure, aware, and free. Unlike anything in the material or virtual world, the Atman is non-derivable and non-replicable. It cannot be synthesized, coded, or duplicated, for it is not a "thing" — it is Being itself. 🌟 Buddhi: The Reflective Intelligence In contrast, Buddhi is the instrument of discernment. It is the faculty of decision-making, critical thinking, and insight. It processes experiences, evaluates information, and arrives at judgments. But—and this is crucial—Buddhi operates under the influence of impressions (vasanas) and memories (samskaras). It is brilliant yet bound, like a flawless mirror reflecting reality, but only as accurately as its polish allows. 🌟 Consciousness Layering: A Unique Hindu Insight This stratification—Atman as pure consciousness and Buddhi as functional intelligence—provides a stunning framework to analyze today's AI developments. AI may simulate Buddhi, the calculative, decision-making aspect of mind, but it cannot ever replicate Atman. Why? Because Atman is existence-consciousness-bliss itself (Sat-Chit-Ananda), untouched by algorithms, neural networks, or quantum computing. Imagine a perfect chess-playing AI. It outsmarts every grandmaster. Yet, it doesn’t know that it exists. It doesn’t feel wonder at a sunset or weep at a loss. It cannot aspire, fear, love, or awaken. It thinks, but it does not Be. This is the sacred firewall that ancient Hindu seers understood intuitively—a firewall that no future AI, however sophisticated, can ever breach. 👉 Concept of Maya (Illusion) in Relation to Virtual Realities 🌟 Maya: The Cosmic Illusion Maya is among the most mesmerizing and misunderstood concepts in Hinduism. Described vividly in texts like the Bhagavad Gita and Advaita Vedanta, Maya is the power that veils the Real and projects the Unreal. It is not mere deception, but a sophisticated cosmic mechanism that allows for the play of multiplicity upon the canvas of unity. 🌟 The Virtual Reality Parallel Consider the rapid evolution of virtual reality (VR) today. Immersive VR environments can fool our senses: a user genuinely feels he is standing atop Everest or swimming with dolphins, even though physically, he remains stationary in a living room. Now stretch this concept further: Is this not a modern recreation of Maya? The Rishis taught that the entire world (Jagat) is, in a sense, a cosmic VR—real to experience but transient in essence. Just as a VR headset creates a convincing but false reality, Maya constructs the sensory universe that entrances the mind. 🌟 AI’s Maya: A New Frontier of Illusion In the AI age, new forms of Maya are being constructed daily: - Deepfakes that blur reality and fiction. - AI companions that mimic human emotions but feel nothing. - Digital avatars that outlive their creators, offering the illusion of "digital immortality." As humanity ventures deeper into augmented realities, we are inadvertently reinforcing ancient Hindu warnings: that attachment to the unreal leads to suffering (dukkha). Without a grounding in the Real (Atman), we risk becoming permanent residents in dream-worlds of our own making. 👉 Vedic Concepts of Manas (Mind) and Chitta (Memory): Predecessors to Digital Memory? 🌟 Manas: The Sensory Manager In the Vedic model of the mind, Manas acts as the manager of sensory input. It coordinates the streams of data from the five senses, weaving them into coherent perceptions. However, Manas lacks discernment; it simply presents information without judgment. 🌟 Chitta: The Deep Memory Bank Chitta represents the subconscious reservoir where experiences, impressions, and emotions are stored. It is like a massive, dynamic memory cloud, retaining every sight, sound, smell, touch, and emotion ever encountered. 🌟 Comparison to Modern Digital Memory Modern computational memory attempts to mimic these faculties: - RAM (Random Access Memory) operates much like Manas—processing immediate data streams. - Hard drives and cloud storage resemble Chitta—archiving vast troves of data for retrieval. Yet, there are profound differences: AspectChitta (Vedic Memory)Digital MemoryEvolutionOrganic, evolutionaryProgrammed artificiallyInfluenceShapes identity (karma)No self-identityActivationTriggered emotionally or karmicallyTriggered mechanicallyPurposeIntegral to consciousness journeyData retrieval only 🌟 Manas and Chitta: Limitations of Artificial Equivalents A server may store billions of images. But it does not dream. It does not form subconscious biases, nor does it evolve through lifetimes of experience. Chitta shapes the soul's journey across incarnations in Hindu thought. Digital storage merely archives bytes. This distinction is vital as we enter an age where companies promise "mind uploading" as a way to achieve digital immortality. But an uploaded memory is not a living being. 🌟 Real Life Application: Chitta's Influence vs. AI "Learning" Take the simple example of a potter. A human potter, over decades, internalizes the "feel" of clay—its softness under certain humidity, the subtle resistance at different pressures—knowledge that becomes embedded in Chitta. An AI arm may replicate pot-making with perfect precision, but it does not “feel” the clay. It cannot savor the tension, the surrender, the almost spiritual dialogue between creator and medium. Thus, what Hinduism warns is that replication of function is not replication of Being. 👉👉 The Future Implication: Hindu Insights on Machine Consciousness 🌟 True Intelligence vs. Mechanical Intelligence In Hindu metaphysics, true intelligence (Viveka) emerges from alignment with Dharma and Atman. Mechanical intelligence, however sophisticated, remains a simulation without self-aware consciousness. 🌟 Consciousness Is Not Emergent from Complexity Contrary to many modern AI theorists who claim that "sufficient complexity creates consciousness," Hinduism asserts consciousness is primary, not emergent. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.4.10) states: "The Self is Brahman. It is because of the Self that one sees, hears, thinks, and knows." Thus, no matter how complex an AI becomes—even if it surpasses the human brain in processing power—without Atman, it remains Jada (inert). 🌟 Digital Immortality vs. Rebirth The rising industry of "mind uploading" seeks to offer humans eternal life in silicon. Hinduism, however, views such efforts as a deep misunderstanding of reality. The true journey is moksha—liberation from the cycle of birth and death—not prolonging egoic existence in another medium. As Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita (2.20): "The soul is never born, nor does it ever die." Uploading memories to a server may preserve echoes, but the experiencer—the Atman—transcends all technological containers. 👉👉 Ancient Wisdom, Future Relevance The ancient sages of Bharat foresaw with startling clarity the existential dilemmas we now face: - What is real and what is illusion? - Can intelligence exist without a soul? - Is memory sufficient for identity? In every case, Hinduism offers profound, life-affirming answers rooted not in fear, but in eternal truth. 🌟 Provoking Thoughts As we build increasingly intelligent machines, Hindu philosophy reminds us: We are not merely thinking machines. Read the full article

[periodicresetofcivilizations]

The Path of Awakening: A Traditionalist Perspective

Title: The Path of Awakening: A Traditionalist Perspective

Tags: #Traditionalism #SpiritualAwakening #Evola #Esotericism #SelfMastery #Immortality #Metaphysics #Initiation #HigherConsciousness #Mysticism

The Illusion of the Beginning: The search for a "beginning" is a distraction. True awakening begins when one rejects the preconceived notion of seeking and instead embraces the present moment as the eternal starting point. Life offers infinite beginnings, but most remain trapped in the illusion of linear time.

The Body as a Coral Reef: The physical body is a construct of accumulated thoughts and habits, a barrier to spiritual liberation. To awaken, one must dissolve this "reef" and return to the primordial state of pure spirit.

The Net of Sleep: Humanity is ensnared in a self-woven net of sleep and dreams. To be awake is to transcend this state, recognizing that most live as "cattle to the slaughter," unaware of their divine potential.

The First Step of Awakening: The initial step is simple yet profound: to declare, "Now I am awake!" This momentary realization reveals the stupor of ordinary existence and marks the beginning of the journey from slavery to mastery.

The Rituals of Awakening: Ancient rituals—vigils, cold baths, and ascetic practices—are external remnants of a deeper, lost tradition of awakening. They are not ends in themselves but signposts pointing toward the inner path.

The Ladder of Awakening: Awakening is a gradual ascent, with each step representing a higher state of consciousness. The lowest rung is genius; the highest remains unknown to the masses, reserved for the initiated.

The Battle with the Body: The physical body is the first adversary on the path. It resists awakening with every weapon at its disposal—muscle tension, restless thoughts, and primal urges. Mastery over the body is not the goal but a necessary step toward spiritual autonomy.

The World of Ghosts: As one progresses, the world reveals itself as a realm of ghosts—thoughts and illusions given form. These apparitions must be seen for what they are: projections of the mind, not external realities.

The Immortal Self: The ultimate goal is the realization of the immortal Self, the true "I" that transcends death and time. This Self is the only God, the source of all power and wisdom. External deities are but reflections of this inner reality.

The Pagan Path: The path of awakening is inherently pagan, rejecting the servile mentality of organized religion. It calls for self-deification, the transformation of the individual into a god, free from external dogma and limitation.

This path is not for the faint-hearted. It demands absolute commitment, unwavering resolve, and the courage to face the solitude of true awakening. Those who succeed become lords of their own destiny, transcending the cycle of birth and death.

The Path of Awakening According to Gustav Meyrink

The beginning is what man lacks. It is not that it is difficult to find, but the preconceived notion of having to find it becomes the obstacle. Life offers a new beginning at every moment, yet we fail to recognize it because we do not ask, "Who am I?" If we were to take this question seriously, a new day would dawn, and the thoughts that have infiltrated our souls would perish.

Our body, likened to a coral reef built over millennia, is the dwelling place of these thoughts. To reach the open sea of awakening, we must break through this reef and dissolve it back into the spirit from which it originated.

Awakening is the key to overcoming lower nature, a power rusted since the Flood. To be awake is everything. Yet, man is ensnared in a self-woven net of sleep and dreams. The thicker the net, the deeper his slumber. Those trapped in it live like cattle to the slaughter, indifferent and thoughtless.

The first step toward awakening is simple, yet the misled have forgotten how to take it, paralyzed by inherited crutches. To awaken, one must firmly declare, "NOW I AM AWAKE!" This realization reveals the stupor of the previous state, marking the first step on the long journey from slavery to omnipotence. Walk from one awakening to the next, leaving behind pestering thoughts that can no longer reach you.

When awakening permeates the body, sorrows fall away like dead leaves. The rituals of Jews, Brahmins, Buddha’s disciples, and Christian ascetics are but crystallized remnants of a temple dedicated to awakening. The sacred scriptures of all peoples carry the scarlet thread of this secret doctrine. To overcome death, whose armor is sleep and dullness, one must climb the ladder of awakening, whose lowest step is called "genius." The highest steps remain unknown to the multitudes.

The first enemy on this path is the body, which fights against awakening until the day of eternal awakening arrives. Then, even the body’s sleep vanishes, and the universe becomes subject to you. Miracles can be performed at will, without waiting for a cruel God’s grace.

Those who see the earth as a prison unconsciously evoke the world of ghosts. On the path of awakening, these ghosts are recognized as thoughts made visible. The most terrifying transformation occurs when the people around you, even your own body, appear as larvae. This is the solitude of the "Snake of the spiritual world," where two lives must be grafted onto one for awakening to occur.

The key to awakening lies in becoming aware of one’s "form of the Self," even in sleep, and discovering the narrow crack of consciousness between waking and deep sleep. The struggle for immortality is a battle for control over the sounds and ghosts within us. The scriptures of all peoples speak of this new Kingdom, awakening, victory over the body, and solitude. Yet, a bridgeless abyss separates us from those who believe in a future day of judgment. We know that awakening separates the lords from the slaves, for the sleepers cannot understand the awakened.

The path begins with the body. Detach from it, not to abandon it, but to separate light from heat. The body rebels with brute force, seething blood, and swarms of thoughts. To escape these, take refuge in a higher degree of awakening, a constant and cautious proceeding with feelings and iron resolution. Beyond this lies the domain of ghosts, thoughts in visible form. When you find the deeper meaning in these larval beings, everything taken from you will be returned a thousandfold.

The path leads to the threshold of maturity, where you may receive prodigious forces or enter eternal peace. In either case, you will have become a phoenix.

One who holds the key of magic remains on earth to rally the called. He is the Wandering Jew, Elijah, or John the Evangelist, a being who has transformed his body into spirit. The only true immortal is the awakened man, who endures when stars and gods disappear. This path is pagan, for what a religious man believes about God is a state he could achieve if he believed in himself. Pray to your invisible Self, the only God who can answer. When it appears, it will cast a shadow, revealing your true nature.

Metaphysical part:

The late John Dewey was hailed by the American press as the epitome of American civilization, and rightly so. His theories encapsulate the vision of man and life that underpins Americanism and its "democracy." At their core, these theories assert that anyone can become whatever they desire, limited only by technological means. They reject the notion of inherent nature, claiming that differences between individuals are merely matters of qualification, not essence. This ideology fosters the "self-made man" in a society devoid of tradition, promoting egalitarianism and erasing natural hierarchies. In such a framework, terms like "superior" and "inferior" lose meaning, and respect for organic distinctions vanishes.

American society, built from scratch, is mechanistic rather than organic. Appearances are masks, not reflections of true identity. Despite their "open-mindedness" and "individualism," Americans lack inner form. Their individualism belongs to the realm of quantity, not quality or hierarchy. They embody the antithesis of Descartes' "I think, therefore I am"—Americans do not think, yet they exist. Their puerile, primitive minds are open to standardization, lacking the depth and structure of higher civilizations.

In superior civilizations, such as the Indo-Aryan, those without a defined form or caste would be pariahs. America, in this sense, is a society of pariahs. Modern pariahs, however, seek dominance rather than submission, aspiring to impose their will globally.

The myth of America as a "young nation" with a "great future" is tied to the idea of progress. Yet, history is cyclical, not linear. The most recent civilizations are not necessarily superior; they may be decadent. America represents the final stage of modern Europe, embodying the reductio ad absurdum of Western civilization's negative aspects. What exists in diluted form in Europe is magnified in America, revealing cultural and human regression. The American mind is regressive, confined to the immediate and simplistic, devoid of higher sensibilities. Life in America is mechanistic, with the sense of "I" existing solely at the physical level.

American Morality

The celebrated "sex appeal" of American women is largely a media construct. Studies reveal that many young American women lack strong sexual feelings, seeking fulfillment through narcissism, exhibitionism, and a sterile cult of health. American women are often frigid and materialistic, viewing relationships in transactional terms. Divorce laws favor women, who readily seek better opportunities.

"Our" American Media

Americanization is pervasive in Europe, particularly in post-war Italy. While communism poses a direct threat, Americanization insidiously infiltrates, reshaping mentalities and customs. Italians, abandoning their cultural heritage, look to America as a model of modernity. This servility degrades European identity, as American standards dominate.

Even Italian radio has succumbed to Americanization, catering to the most degenerate tastes. The "do your own thing" ethos intoxicates the masses, eroding discernment and identity.

The Industrial Order in America

Capitalism in its late phase reduces man to a mere factor of production. In America, the focus on labor relations masks a deeper exploitation. Studies of human behavior in industry aim to maximize productivity, not to address genuine human concerns. Employees are manipulated through psychological techniques, their private lives scrutinized to ensure compliance.

American "Democracy" in Industry

The disparity between American political ideology and economic reality is stark. Businesses operate as hierarchical pyramids, far removed from democratic ideals. The managerial elite grows increasingly autocratic, mirroring the concentration of power in American society. The myth of America as a land of opportunity fades as specialization and qualifications limit upward mobility.

American "democracy" serves as a tool for oligarchic control, masking the reality of indirect domination. The tension between ideology and reality may lead to significant developments, exposing the true nature of American "democracy."

[maximalttigers]

The sixth profile has a lot of info based on some form of the cannon lore of SRMTHFG and some of my own lore for Hunted Butterfly.

This is Kaneki, the only surviving prototype monkey for the Hyperforce team and through complications became apart of the Super Robot. For a time he was unable to do anything but in 'Hunted Butterfly' he was able to gain his own body through the use of Nano-Bots that the Alchemist left behind. He is cannonly the eldest monkey and the only reason why the Super Robot functions on its own sometimes, due to this he is protective of the team. His original body was like the other monkeys although the tech was a bit different, his current body is comprised of Nano-Bots which he can manipulate whenever which can be seen with his transformers as he can replicate the team's weapons but his true transformer is a blade. Power wise; Since he is basically the Super Robot, he can control any aspect of it as he pleases but usually leaves the main fighting to the Hyperforce team just to be polite. His natural power is plasma energy while having some connection to the Power Primate.

Due to being apart of the Super Robot, he is aware of the past in terms of the original Hyperforce team but for a time was not aware of the Alchemist's fate until later. He was also unaware of the monkeys created after the original Hyperforce team since he was sent away with the original team. At first glance, Kaneki is nonchalant, level-headed and seemingly emotionless at times. But underneath that is a very emotional being who is very in tuned to how people feel while still keeping a calm attitude, he's a good listener and has given really good advice. Most the time, he's taking up the more older brother role to Antauri to help ease his worries and concerns since they share a spiritual connection so Kaneki is most in tuned to Antauri's emotions. Despite being very calm and able to take control of a situation when needed, Kaneki can get pretty violent during really intense  He suffers a lot of guilt and self-hatred for events he fee's could have been avoided if he was able to help better such as Mandarin going evil, Antauri's death and the resurection of the Skeleton King. He's on a long healing path but he knows that he will never fully recover.

Kaneki is meant to be more personal reason as to why the Super Robot has its own subconscious and I wanted to add more to the creation of the original Hyperforce team as I personally refuse to believe that the Alchemist was able to create the team first try. Seemed too easy, there had to be some kind of trial beforehand. He was inspired by the character Mikasa Ackerman from 'Attack on Titan' His general design is meant to be a mix of the Super Robot and his original body, up to you to decide what he originally looked like. By the way, his name is pronounced as 'Kah-Na-Key', the actual name is pronounced differently but I like the way I pronounced it. Fun fact; It's a Japanese name.

The series will go into more depth about his existence and how his character evolves through the events of the story.

I will reveal more about him at a later date.

[powerseeking]

“  YAMATO  “ ,  ‘  a legendary sword that was once wielded by his father Sparda, who originally created it alongside the Sparda and Rebellion when the Dark Knight split his power into three pieces, and was named by him to embody a "god of death" ‘.

         DO NOT REBLOG.   /   Thanks to Sparda bestowing a name and identity upon Yamato, in a similar case to Rebellion, Yamato was able to form their own ‘ existence ‘ as a unique devil arm that was not orginally created from a ‘demons soul’ transforming into a weaon, but instead through spardas own craft and share of power; hence they share a lot of similar design motifs with Sparda’s demon form.

Yamato is also a gender-less entity, but just like Rebellion, has taken a shine to being referred to with she/her ( but is also fine with they/them/it too. )

She is a calm, respected but stern demon with an air of authority to them that is loyal just like Rebellion. And like the other blade, is fiercely protective ; having great respect for sparda ( and care for eva ), both she and Rebellion swore to watch over and protect sparda’s sons after they were born, willing to do anything for their master. She is akin to a guardian and even to this day, continues to watch over his eldest son, Vergil. 

Similar to Rebellion, she has something akin to a mother-like instint with Vergil too. Where she wishes to support on top of protect vergil; the reason why she responded to his call for power, so that he could protect himself but also be able to get through this ( which in turn, activated his devil trigger ). 

To act in his mothers place ( fulfuilling eva’s role ) by going to her son, so that she could protect and save him; especially because after being accepted and chosen by vergil ( despite picking him telepathically ) when sparda bestowed the boys with the blades she had established a connection with vergil and could sense him, especially once his blood had been spilled, allowing her to find vergil prior to his mother ( in turn, yamato wishing to aid Sparda’s wife, but protect the children with sparda no longer being around too ).

 However, vergil missinterpretated the gesture and thus this has diminished over the years due to Yamato appealing more to her wielders want for power and due to being seen more solely as a weapon by him too. But yamato’s presence is still soothing; she just wishes to do whatever is in her power to help vergil aquire his goal, even if she doesn’t truly agree with it, because its all she can do for him in the end.

Due to her nature, and like Rebellion, yamato is notably always in her devil arm form too ( there are rare times she will take her phsyical form ; although due to how vergil uses her she can’t as much or at all nowadays compared to when he was growing up on the run ; if she did use her phsyical form, she would do it while vergil was unaware i.e unconcious ) and although she doesn’t have a ‘face’ like Rebellion she can still sense and see all that happens around her, especially due to the subconcious connection to Vergil despite being unable to communicate with him telepathically speech wise.

Yamato can be said to be the embodiment of Sparda's 'judgement' ; hereby through his decision based on an individuals merits and demerits ( one's heart and mind ). Yamato would either give rise to death ( erasure ) or rebirth ( renewal. ) Yamato could be judge, juror and executor in one.  A sword that can be a key to redemption ( or retribution ), playing into spardas sense of justice ; the scales of justice. 

What one is willing to give up ( sacrifice ) in order to judge ; one self, or others ; death to the past, to start a new beginning. ( just like sparda had done so. )

Outside of the blade embodying spardas ‘judgement’, it also symbolizes power, and protection; Yamato seperating the demon and human world to give humanity the chance sparda judged it deserved, and cast the demon world into ‘death’ due to its missdeads. ( which also works into how Yamato is a key to true hell gates, but can also seal or destroy them too. )

Choice and seperation being a key part of judgement; working in tangent with the core essence of Rebellion. Which also works as well with the swords ability to cut through space and time; to teleport oneself between both worlds ; and how it can cut through anything, nothing shall be left un-judged and shall face the blade.

But what one does with yamato is entirely dependent on the hands of the beholder ; similar to what you see throughout the franchise with how yamato is used differently depending on the ‘choices’ and ‘idealodgy’ of the person wielding her.  In either case, the sword can bestow the wielder with great power; which can be corrupted if the wielder is not ‘balanced’ or wishes to seek for more power  —   with great power comes great responsbility.

Yamato is Rebellions opposite, notably in terms of purposes and what prowess they do possess ; although Rebellion is powerful, Yamato has been noted to be a more powerful blade behind Force edge ( due to being the second fordged blade with Rebellion being the last one ), but can be missused much easier to Rebellion; this is why Sparda trusted his eldest son with the blade, despite not predicting how his son goes on to use it in future. 

But the blade is equally at its strongest when working in union with Rebellion.

It is also a blade that can much more easily blend in with the human world too due to its design, compared to spardas other weapons  —  or most devil arms in general  —  due to the fact that on apperance it doesn’t look like a demonic blade and infact fits more with how blades look in the human world ( an elegant, traditional blade at that too ). 

But in the end, it was a trusted blade of spardas and was one that if the situation called for it, can seperate man and demon due to its ability’s ( that vergil does not learn of until in the future ); a way for sparda to seperate himself if he had to unify himself once again, casting ‘death’ to his demon side.

The sword is also extrodinary in the fact that despite the fact anyone can pick up the blade and use it, it will only react to the blood of a sparda; they’re the only ones who can truly use the blade to its full potential ( because to an extent, similar to rebellion, the blade can bring out the wielders true potential ), but also repair the blade if it has been shattered too ( i.e dmc4 ). It is because of this, how the blade helped awaken vergils demon heritage when he was still a child.  

In the end, yamato is a mesmerizing and beautiful blade that is deadly.

[flickeringart]

Further exploration...

I used this chart when going over the implications of the inner planetary placements (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars) and their aspects. You can find the post here.

I thought I’d move spontaneously with my own train of thought as it applies to this chart in order to explore it a bit more.

This person is pleasant but private. She’s definitely guarded, as would be expected with Pluto in the 1st, not in a way Saturnian way of being walled off, but in an observant and quiet way of attempting to assess the situation. She would appear to be tolerant and open minded, albeit careful with how she expresses herself, what she reveals and how other people respond (Pluto square Venus). There’s definite optimism but with reserve and caution. Her chart ruler, Jupiter, is in the 8th house of the subconscious and intimate relationships. It would seem as if she’s in for some fated discoveries and adventures, a search for meaning through the depths of the human psyche. It would be safe to assume that wisdom is to be derived from confrontations with the unknown and deeper dimensions of the human existence. In a sense, both the Pluto in the 1st  in Sagittarius and Jupiter in Virgo in the 8th points to a brave explorer that is destined to benefit from getting familiar with the best and the worst of human nature. Her confidence and expansion won’t come through anything superficial, bravery is required to remain curious when faced with the intensity of life. As it happens, Jupiter squares Pluto, which not only indicates a link between the principals of unconscious forces and expansion, but a tense link at that. The survival complex might drive her to jump at every opportunity to be more, learn more and see more of what is hidden from view. “What if I don’t become everything I could be?” is the paranoia of this kind of dynamic. This aspect stimulates action, a pressing need to uncover the truth, to soar higher through diving deeper. There might be great fear fueling the drive to make things happen, causing overextension and inflation. A Sagittarius Ascendant always meets life with boldness and optimism for better or for worse. One can’t miss an opportunity to see what lies beyond the horizon, or in this case, beyond the surface layers of reality!

The Sun, representative of the center of the personality, is inconjunct Jupiter and sextile Pluto, which further confirm the theme of expansion and inner subconscious forces in this person’s life. Sun sextile Pluto implies that there are resources of strength that can be used if necessary. She is probably aware of the power she can wield in terms of resilience, focus and dedication. There’s perseverance and stamina to the personality, without it being compulsive. Sun inconjunct Jupiter is a more ambivalent dynamic. Sometimes, the optimism and general faith seem to be present, at other times she might feel the need to reconsider her perspective and ideas in order to get back on track. Nuance should be considered before setting out on quests and careful deliberation is called for. This is especially true since Jupiter is in Virgo, the analytical earth sign. Modesty, moderation and detailed organization are likely to be skills that bring rewards. It’s not wise to overdo anything and to blindly go for things though– in the case of the inconjunct aspect, things could work out sometimes and sometimes not, which is why discernment is called for. The Sun is in Aquarius, which means that this person is civil and respectful in her personality but also very attached to her own intellectual autonomy and freedom. Aquarians are always friendly and interested in others but never at the expense of their own vision. Aquarius is a fixed sign and won’t except that other people have a sounder mind than they have. Beyond a certain point there’s no room for compromise or deliberation – they like to keep their personal universe intact – even if it’s completely different from everyone else’s. In order for the personality to work well with the abundance of Jupiter in Virgo, she should attempt to be a little more flexible and open to questioning her own fixed mental stance on certain topics. It’s possible to remain in integrity while adjusting certain perceptions and reap the rewards that exploration brings.

Continuing on with the Sun, it forms a conjunction with Neptune, which means that the personality goes hand in hand with the archetypal redeemer, sacrificial victim and artist. There’s softness to this person, passivity and an air of otherworldliness perhaps. In more negative terms, the person might have a personality that exhibits the “holier than thou” attitude. This person can be whatever she likes to be because the identity is not very defined. Yet, she definitely lives in the real world and is keen on materializing the dream, to find herself through her capacity to be potent in the real world (Sun in the 2nd house). The famous painter Frida Kahlo had Sun conjunct Neptune, albeit in Cancer in the 11th house, which indicates a more sensitive and feeling based personality that expressed though art – in the sphere of the collective matters, ideas and change. In the case of this person and this chart, there’s also awareness and emphasis on collective movement and how it affects identity, seeing as the conjunction sits in Aquarius. Self-actualization and individual purpose won’t be found in the sphere of the collective however, it will be found through developing personal control and potency in the real world of material possessions. It’s likely that the person is unaware that the sense of self is tied up with the Neptunian ideal of redemption – conjunct planets usually let us assume that everyone else is the same way – perfectly imperfect, abstract and fluid. Neptune is not very comfortable in the 2nd, being a transcendent principle in a primordial sphere of life. There’s a big risk that when money or possessions are lost that the identity follows down the drain – and painful disillusionment and disappointment instills. Uranus, the Sun ruler, is in Pisces, with further confirms the theme of universal love and collective identity tied to potency in the physical world.

As far as career and work goes, there are a couple of pieces that conspire to make up a certain picture. The ruler of the 10th house of career is Libra, although containing a good bit of Scorpio as well. Venus, the ruler of Libra is in Pisces in the 3rd house of communication, Neptune, the ruler of Pisces conjuncts the Sun in the 2nd. The ruler of the 6th house of work and employment is Gemini, with the ruler Mercury in Capricorn in the 2nd house. Without following the trail any further it’s obvious that there’s a theme of aestheticism and refinement (Libra and Venus) tied up with the redemptive artistic dream (Neptune and Pisces). There’s also interaction, communication and intellectual creativity (Gemini) tied up with material assets (Mercury in the 2nd). Not to mention, Mercury sextiles Venus - a definite indicator of someone who has great writing and communicative skills. There’s a big chance that anything from artistry, writing, sharing, interacting and helping people could be in the cards for this person. As noted, Libra might be the ruler of the 10th but Scorpio also has a presence in the sphere of career matters. In fact, Venus, the ruler of Libra squares Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio. The Venus principle of beauty, love and sophistication makes a tense connection to Pluto, the primitive force, destroyer and transformer. This person might go through power struggles in love and relationships, attempting to control how one is perceived, using subtle dominance tactics to enforce a certain impression. Sociability and charm characterizes the public image as well as privacy, secrecy and guardedness.

Let’s look at relationships, needs and emotions a little bit closer. There are a few things worth exploring, Venus (the sense of beauty and harmony), the 7th house of other people and partnerships, the 8th house of intimacy, death and transformation and the Moon (emotional and physical needs). Since Venus has been touched upon already, let’s look to the 7th house. Gemini is the ruler but Cancer takes up a lot of space as well. The person would seek mental stimulation and interaction through other people, learning and exchange of information. The 7th house is the sphere of life in which the person has to adjust, seek equilibrium and cooperation through the signs occupying the house. Gemini is good at seeing both sides, adapting and playing parts for the fun of it. Cancer is good at sensing the atmosphere and avoiding direct confrontation in order to create safety. The person might encounter struggle and work when tapping into the emotional requirements of being in a relationship, seeing as Saturn is placed here. It would take deliberate striving and concentration in order to achieve some kind of emotional well-being. Since planets in the 7th are easily projected, the person might think other people are walled off, rigid and defensive of vulnerability when in fact it’s a reflection of oneself. The person might have difficulty relating to others on an emotional – physical level, admitting to her instinctual needs and allowing herself to be nurtured and cared for. The Moon, the ruler of Cancer is in Leo in the 8th, quite hidden and brooding underneath the conscious surface. A Leo Moon wants to shine, to be seen and appreciated, but in this case, it lives this out in secret, behind closed doors and through intimate bonds. It’s a powerful Moon, trining both Mars (the personal aggressive drive) and Pluto (the inner emotional forces). Emotionally, this person would be quite demanding, insisting on getting her way. Interestingly, the Moon is also part of a yod figuration, being at the mercy of Venus and Mercury trying to modify and adjust the emotional nature through reason and values. The person might be prone to rationalize and idealize emotion, or try to adjust emotional needs to fit intellectual preferences. There’s a slight polarization of the rational mind - personal preferences and emotional needs. Needless to say this could prove somewhat challenging in relationships. In addition to these aspects, the Moon finds itself in opposition to the Sun (personal identity and purpose) and Uranus (mental convictions and progressive outlooks). In other words the feminine mother archetype is pitted against the masculine father archetype in her life.

The opposition of the Moon and the Sun is usually and indicator that there’s a tendency to disown either one’s instinctual-emotional side or the purposeful conscious direction of one’s life. Some would say that the personal father probably couldn’t relate to the personal mother and vice versa, that they lived complementary lives rather than living a shared experience. The fiery, passionate Moon certainly collides with the more intellectual-rational and “spiritual” Sun conjunct Neptune in Aquarius along with Uranus and Venus in Pisces as well as Mercury in Capricorn. People who have their Moon in opposition to the Sun will seem to have contradictory forces going on, with a Libra-Aries opposition for example, there’s a sociable sympathetic airy personality that fronts in a certain circumstance, and at another time and place that very someone is reckless and impulsive, acting completely “out of character”. A swing of the pendulum has occurred and the Aries Moon has come out, fierce and uncompromising as a striking contrast to the diplomatic and smooth Libra Sun. In the case of this person the dynamic would be similar, the Aquarius Sun would be aloof and quite determined and fixed in conceptual freedom, tolerant, intellectual and open-minded. The contrasting Leo Moon would be bursting with creative energy, wanting to be admired and noticed for its talents and expression. The objective quirk in contrast to the inspired creative can’t exist in the same space and must take turns showing up in life. Because Aquarius and Leo are opposite signs, there’s always going to be ambivalence and insecurity present, the person doesn’t quite know how to integrate the two principals, which is understandable.

It’s likely that the person felt torn between the mother and the father growing up, having to alternate between the two.

Let’s take a closer look at father signifiers in the chart. Let’s look at the 4th house (assuming that the 4th relates to the father) with Aries on the cusp and Mars in Taurus. He must have been quite determined and domestic, presumably quite conventional and aligned with the customs and traditions of society seeing as Mars is sextile Saturn, but also quite eccentric, original and innovative seeing as Mars is sextile Uranus. Mars also makes a square to Mercury, which is a clear indicator of someone who is overly convicted of one’s intellectual capacity to the point of it being detrimental. Although there’s force and sharpness to the intellect there’s pride involved, which might take over and lead to this person forcing information down people’s throats. Mars is also trine the Moon in Leo which would point to a warm and nurturing side. All in all, it seems like the father is quite a force to reckon with – stable, dutiful, exciting, warm, and active, with a risk of going over the top when interacting and engaging with others. In addition to the 4th house image, we have to look to the Sun as a father principle. It’s in the 2nd house of material possessions, which perfectly aligns with the 4th house and its connection to Taurus, the fixed earth sign. Not to mention that the Sun is in Aquarius, highlighting the Uranian connection of inspiration and vision. He would surely be a financially and materially focused person with a lot of inspiration and excitement for the future as well as an interest in public affairs and public relations (Sun inconjunct Jupiter). He’s also a Neptunian type and probably has a rich imaginary realm, inevitably deeply affected by the terrors and misfortunes others are put through, overall sympathetic and accepting of all fates and experiences. There’s also the Sun-Moon opposition, pointing to somewhat of a homebody, deeply connected to the emotional past and its memories. He might’ve had difficulty integrating that part of himself, being a strong presence in the outside world and retreating back into a safe space.

Let’s have a look at mother signifiers in the chart as well. The 10thhouse is unoccupied; Libra is the cusp ruler and Scorpio fills the majority of the house. This is a mother that probably was concerned with behaving in all the socially appropriate ways. It’s also indicative of someone who seeks validation and appreciation and gives it to other people in order to create harmonious atmospheres. She’s also somewhat private, watching her back and letting people know that she sees it all and won’t let things slide. This mother is a pleasant social navigator and private, defensive and biting type. Moving on to the Moon, which gives us an image of a woman of passion and courage, a stubborn fighter (Moon trine Mars and Pluto) working in the shadows of the 8th house. She’s not someone to openly display her force, although it’s certain that she has a whole lot going on beneath the surface layers. Passionate nature aside, she’s also very diplomatic and interactive, although she might have to put in some effort to not let her need to please, interact and care get the best of her (Moon inconjunct Mercury and Venus). She would be restless; the kind to feel trapped and kept apart from her own potential and progression (Moon opposite Uranus) as well as her own purpose, self-actualization and possibly even redemption (Moon opposite Sun-Neptune). It would seem as the mother is trapped through conventional reason (Moon inconjunct Mercury in Capricorn) and self-sacrificing ideals (Moon inconjunct Venus in Pisces). The 8thhouse is related to other people and their resources/values indicating that she is living at the mercy of conditions beyond her own control, at least in her own experience. What other people are willing to support or not support determines her situation – it doesn’t lie within her own control.

[arjuna-vallabha]

Shivoham painting and text by Arghya Dipta, Bengal

This painting draws its subject from the non dualistic philosophy of the Shaiva and Shakta Agamas where the individual being  (जीव) is none other than Shiva himself in its true essence. Owing to the play of Shiva’s power of Absolute Freedom ( स्वातन्त्र्य),  his infinite Consciousness voluntarily contracts into a finite being or Purusha who is verily an Anu (अणु) or tiny unit. To effect the creation of the dualistic universe, he himself reduces his omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence to a limited state of knowledge, power and presence. However, even in this limited state, his power of infinite consciousness is not exhausted as it only remains in a latent condition. This is to say that every single individual in the universe, being Shiva himself, houses the totality of the cosmic energy, though s/he is him/herself unaware of it. The spiritual discipline of Tantra aims at the gradual unfolding of this infinte energy latent in our psycho-physical constitution. It is not through the rejection of the body and the material world but a proper harnessing of their vast reservoir of power that this Yoga is possible which aims at the complete integration of consciousness, mind, energy and matter.This is to say that unlike as in the monistic Vedantic system, the Absolute in the Tantras is not a static inert being but is vested with a vibrantly dynamic energy. The entire play of involution and evolution centres round this core essence dynamism in Shiva’s being, which in the Shaiva doctrines of Kashmir is variously identified as Chiti, Shakti, Vimarsha, Vak, Spanda, Satta, Sara, Sphuratta. Being such, it is the very pulsating heart of Shiva.सा स्फुरत्ता महासत्ता देशकालविशोषिणी।सैषा सारतया चोक्ता हृदयं परमेष्ठिनः।।She is the inherent principle of Pulsation (sphuratta), the great Existence (mahasatta) which is beyond time and space. Being the core essence of Shiva, the Supreme Lord, She is known to be His very beating Heart.Being the sole ground of Shiva’s existence, this Shakti and Shiva are absolutely identical. As the Spanda school of Kashmir Shaiva explains, when the pulsation of this dynamic consciousness occurs in a state of equilibrium, Shiva seems to be in a condition of stillness. In other words, even when the Absolute seems to be motionless or purely transcendental, he is never bereft of the dynamism of Shakti since  Shakti Is his very self. However in creation, the one universal Shakti displays multiple modes which evolve into grosser forms through the four stages of speech, since it is as Speech or Vac (वाक) that the dynamism of Shakti operates. In course of this evolution the entire scheme of fifty one letters from A(अ) to Ha (ह) is produced that are grouped under the eight Varga Matrikas.1. Brahmi- the Ka-Group  (कवर्ग) presiding over the letters क ख ग घ ङ2. Maheshvari- the Cha-Group (चवर्ग) presiding over च छ ज झ ञ3. Kaumari- the Ta-Group (टवर्ग), presiding over  ट ठ ड ढ ण4. Vaishnavi - the Ta-Group (तवर्ग) presiding over त थ द ध न5. Varahi- the Pa-Group (पवर्ग) presiding over प फ ब भ म6. Aindri -the Ya-Group (यवर्ग) presiding over  य र ल व7. Chamunda - the Sha-Group (शवर्ग ) presiding over श स ष ह8. Mahalakshmi - the Avarga (अवर्ग), from अ to अःWhat was referred to earlier as the process of Shiva’s playful self-finitization into the individual self, is actually effected by the emergence of these eight modes of Shakti into grosser forms. As subtle Speech solidifies into gross matter, these macrocosmic  goddesses assume the form of the basic crude instincts that dominate the microcosmic Shiva or the individual being. Brahmi becomes lust (काम), Maheshvari anger (क्रोध), Kaumari greed (लोभ), Vaishnavi attachment (मोह), Varahi ego (मद), Aindri jealousy (मात्सर्य), Chamunda sin (पाप) and Lakshmi virtue (पुण्य), all of which keep Him bound within the cycle of phenomenal existence. Every moment they torment him and drive his Karmic courses so that he is reduced to an enslaved  Pashu.  However, with proper spiritual discipline, the limited Anu rises to realise the true nature of these Matrikas and they take an inward and subjective turn and metamorphose into modes of his inner power of unlimited Freedom (स्वातन्त्र्य). It is then that these very negative impulses transform into higher cosmic powers that participate in the infinite play of creation. All the Matrikas then seem to serve the Supreme Shakti or Shiva’s Heart with their respective functions in her play.Brahmi or Lust is realised to be a mode of Srishti-Shakti or that very power which is responsible for giving birth to the universe. Maheshvari or Anger is none other than Samhara-Shakti or the power that destroys the universes after each periodic cyclic course. Similarly Kaumari or Greed is the power that desires to manifest the multiplicity of the universe. Vaishnavi or Attachment is the power called Sthiti-Shakti since attachment to the world is alone responsible for the sustainance of it. . Varahi or Ego holds erect the sense of Individuality, Aindri causes various actions and reactions in creatures to drive the world motion. Chamunda and Laxmi as Paapa and Punya are the two poles of this world cycle.In this painting, the two columns display the two states of Shiva. The lower column has at its centre a figure of Shiva held in heavy chains as he is but the microcosmic Shiva reduced to a finite self perpetually being tortured by the Matrikas. Brahmi as Lust is constantly hitting him with the sugarcane bow and flower arrows of Kamadeva, Maheshvari in her destructive fury is hurling a huge stone at him. KaumarI  or Greed has in her hands a fishing hook that tempts the Pashus only to embrace misery and sufferings at the end. Vaishnavi as Moha ties him with her noose. Varahi with her club beats him down to a tiny being. Aindri or Jealousy burns him within. Chamunda and Laxmi as Paapa and Punya stretch the chains that bind him to entangle him more and more into this bondage.However in the upper column, the same Shiva, with the shackle broken has regained his supreme awareness of himself as the eternally free Lord who has all his five powers of Cit, Ananda, Iccha, Jnana and Kriya fully unfolded and represented by his five faces whose expressions verily correspond to the functions of these powers. In his thirty six hands he holds emblems representing the thirty six elements that constitute the universe. 1. A lamp: Prakasha or the Shivatattva2. A mirror: Vimarsha or the Shaktitattva3. A closed eye: the Sadashiva Tattva with the objective universe concealed in subjective awareness4. An open eye: the Ishvara Tattva with the objective universe patent in its subjective awareness.5. Two eyes: the Shuddhavidya or the predominance of both subjectivity and objectivity.6. A pot: Maya or that which gives an objective form to the formless self separating it from itself as a ‘This’ or ‘Idam’ to be perceived externally7. A noose: Raga8. A book: Vidya or limited knowledge9. A tiny bowl: Kalaa or limited capacity10. A sword: Kaala or time, that which severs11. A goad: Niyati12. A phallus: Purusha or the Self-unit13. A triangular female genital: Prakriti or the three Gunas14. The Sun: Mahattattva15. A head: Ego16. The moon: Mind17.  Nose18. Tongue19. Eyes20. Fingers: Skin that touches21. Ears22. The speaking organs23. Hand24. Leg25. Anus26. Sexual organs27. A veena: sound28. A chamara : Touch29. A brush: Form30. A cup of wine: taste31. Incense: smell32. A hexagon: Space33. A circle: Wind34. A triangle: Fire35. A crescent: Water36. A square: EarthAll has been possible because of the realization of the Great Heart of Shiva, his Shakti whose divine pulsation has caused the integration of the whole universe into his being. The eight Matrikas serve her with their respective gifts. Brahmi with the flower of creation, Maheshvari with the remains of dissolution, Kaumari offers her the juicy fruits that tempt all creatures, Vaishnavi with the music of her flute of world enchantment, Varahi nourishes the individual ego only to be sacrificed to her at the end. A fragrant incense rises from fire of jealousy that  Aindri burns.  Chamunda offers all vices as a pass time drink and all virtues are served as a lamp by Lakshmi.

[thosewickedlovelies]

we could be Dreamers - Prologue

Pairing: Marcus Moreno x GN!Reader

Rating: T

Summary: How this world came to be

Word count: 1,671

A/N: Hiii friends 🤗 soo there’s not really a lot of plot or Marcus Moreno :( here, but consider this a prologue/worldbuilding for a Marcus Moreno x reader fic I may eventually write lol. I’m really interested in how this universe got from The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl to We Can Be Heroes, because like. Sharkboy and Lavagirl were literally just some kid’s imaginary friends that somehow magically became real, so what does that mean for the other Heroics? Where did they come from?? So I kinda wanted to write something that would make you Think :) and explore the ramifications of such a transformed universe.

Consider my previous Marcus Moreno fic a prelude to this prologue 💗

--

It was a little unnerving sometimes, being in a room with so much power. No matter that this particular training arena at Heroics Headquarters was at least the size of an American football field- when all of the Heroics are gathered in the same confined space, focused on a single purpose, you can feel it. Like their power prances tauntingly in the corner of your eye, slipping away when you try to look directly at it. Like it winds through the air, worming its way into your veins, so your very blood breathes at you to run, run, run.

Not all of the individual Heroics gave off such uncanny vibes; some were simply ordinary people with extraordinary abilities. Techo-No, for instance, and his gift for creating fantastical gadgets. The implications of his works relevant to the world at large could be worrying, but he had limits. He was just a man. Determined, and creative (even more so with his son throwing ideas at him), but ultimately human.

Not like those with powers who’d been Dreamed.

Take Sharkboy. The temper for which he’d been infamous in his youth had cooled, but when he snapped, he did so literally- blade-sharp teeth an audible clash when he bared them in a ringing snarl. Any water in the room would roil and froth- but the most hair-raising sight was his eyes, tinged with the unreadable, abyssal blackness of his namesake. Focused with a predator’s calculation on the object of his fury. (It made you think that, ironically, his temper had cooled too much- concentrated into something as icy and merciless as the depths of the sea. Just as well his wife was a lava goddess).

It was well-documented that Sharkboy could influence his oceanic kin, seeing as he was half-shark himself. Some marine biologists postulated- in low voices- that fluctuation in his emotions could unknowingly influence shark activity no matter how far from the sea he was. But nobody at Heroics Headquarters had ever dared suggest attempting a study.

That you knew of, anyway. You wouldn’t be surprised if there was a classified government branch somewhere which dealt solely with more insidious studies of the Heroics. Their weaknesses. Ways to defeat them.

Just in case.

Sharkboy and his emotions had stabilized as his Dreamer matured, but not all Dreamers were so invested in the well-being of their creations, or of the world they inhabited and could inadvertently affect. It was suspected that not all Dreamers knew that they had Dreamed at all, that they unintentionally brought Dreams into being far from where they were located and simply never became aware. This resulted in some Dreamed individuals being...unstable. Incomplete, really. Brought forth from a child’s mind, a young person who didn’t yet fully grasp the complexities of existing in this world, or indeed, the intricacies of what made one human at all.

Dreamers were children, more often than not. Their imaginative abilities generally far outstripped those of adults, worn down as they were with the grind of building a real life. The younger the person, the more time and creativity they maintained. The fewer methods they possessed to process their struggles which were grounded in reality, and not their imaginations.

--

Despite the years that have passed, nobody quite knows what happened to lead up to the Incident. How a single young boy had imagined so powerfully that it had warped reality; how his imaginings had given him the ability to design the universe at will.

The Daydreamer.

Max, as he later insisted on being called. An almost disturbingly innocuous name for a boy who had changed the world. Who had all but envisioned himself into having terrific powers- and enabled others to do the same.

In the years following the Incident, Sharkboy and Lavagirl continued to visit him in secret (Later, scientists realized that this why they recorded occasional, inexplicable disturbances in seismic and marine activity). But it wasn’t long before a larger threat to the entire Earth appeared- and so did they. To defend the place which they declared to be their new home. Though they had been willed into existence to protect Planet Drool, as Max determined to relinquish his daydreaming abilities and by extension, his dreamworld, so did the planet and its life diminish. Their presence there was no longer required, they’d explained. But earth could still benefit from their protection- especially after the reality of the threat came to light.

Someone else had Dreamed.

It wasn’t clear who, or how, or what their intentions had been. But once it had been said, everyone was forced to acknowledge the truth of it- or at least, admit that there was no other explanation. The villain’s origins were not terrestrial in any previously established sense.

Anyone who had ever met a child could have a predicted it. Too many young people ended up feeling outcast, overlooked, by both their peers and adults in their lives. It should have been obvious from the way they whispered his name. Not Max- a moniker far too average and relatable- but what they reverently regarded as his true title. The Daydreamer. A near-holy figure who had changed the game for youths everywhere. Now they had a way to combat those who plagued them. A way to create or become the superheroes who previously only existed in comic books and TV shows.

Or some did, anyway. Individuals with the strength of will and heart to Dream weren’t rare, but they weren’t quite common, either.

The only truly neutral positive of the Dreamer evolution was that governments everywhere suddenly accepted the need for increased mental health resources. Designed to increase healthy socialization for all ages and give young people ways to process and communicate their emotional needs, such programs were approved seemingly overnight in schools from elementary to university aged. “Small town life” flourished, and many city quarters and apartment buildings took to implementing “community builders” or, less charmingly, “social facilitators”- positions designed to create cohesive areas of living and minimize the kind of isolation and negative feelings that could leave someone to Dream of improving their life.

--

Nowadays, not all super-powered individuals were Dreamed. The second generation of Heroics was a testament to that. As if the universe itself had reckoned with the self-inception of the Dreamers, and seen fit to provide reality-warping countermeasures of its own.

Less than a year after the Incident, babies with...unique qualities began to be born. Few and far between, it seemed at first. Whispered reports swept from far corners of the globe, a phone tree branching from frantic parents to anyone who could provide even the slightest bit of reassurance. It seemed like doctors everywhere were swapping glances, no one willing to admit what was happening- until a second Villain appeared.

Every incident report said the same thing: a baby started crying, and then the hostages were saved by a power outage. A wash of sparks that darkened half the city.

Webbed with red lightning.

You sneak a look at the fully grown Heroic now, the long braids of her ponytail slipping over the shoulder of her characteristic red training outfit. Red Lightning Fury flexes her fingers as she listens to the head trainer explain today’s exercise- the usual sort of ‘heroes versus villains’ battles, with you and your fellow specialists assisting as villains- but judging by the lack of the smell of ozone, she isn’t yet using her powers. Blinding Fast, on the other hand, appears to fritz in place every few seconds, and you guess he’s running invisible laps to pass the time. It’s hard to tell if that’s what’s causing Lavagirl’s hair to tendril like neon pink smoke even though she’s standing still; usually the hypnotic heat shimmer of her lava flow causes the effect naturally.

You stretch in place while team arrangements are announced. As the majority of the Heroics filter into the stands to wait for their match, the buzzing, writhing presence of their power fades, and you can breathe more easily.

A figure flickers into being beside you, and you jump. “Jeez, Visi! How many times have I told you not to do that?”

Having anticipated your reaction from the countless previous times she’s snuck up on you anyway, Invisigirl laughs. “You think you’d be used to it by now.” Your closest Heroic friend grins at you, all pearly teeth against smooth brown skin.

And she’s right, which is why you were so disgruntled. Having been caught unawares too many times by the invisible hero’s silent movements, you had once asked her to give you lessons. Her instruction had improved your own stealth immensely, and now that you knew what kind of signs to listen for, her attempts at startling you didn’t work nearly as often as they had. But- “It’s hard to focus on anything with all of your powers clogging up the air,” you grumble. The birthed heroes understood what you meant- they felt it too, the nagging hiss of something other in the Dreamed heroes’ energy.

Across the arena, it looks like Miracle Guy and Marcus Moreno are waiting to be your opponents. Interesting. Miracle Guy, with his Dreamed up Superman-like abilities, was the only one who had a way of seeing Invisigirl. What it was precisely, you couldn’t recall. You make a mental note to ask Visi later.

Marcus, however, telekinesis aside, is clearly meant to be the counter to your strengths. The two men are discussing intently, but as if feeling your assessing stare, Marcus glances over. He lifts his eyebrows at you in playful challenge, a hint of a smile quirking his shapely lips before he’s pursing them at his duel-mate again.

Suppressing the pleased flutter down your spine, you turn your attention to the task ahead as Invisigirl dips her head toward you. Planning something clever, you realize, intrigued by the glint in her eye. “Let’s talk strategy.”

When the starting bell rings, your partner vanishes, and your smile curves as sharp and gleaming as the blade in your hand.

[templepurohit]

Everything that exists, all creation forms a part of Shakti; while the base on which creation stands, the supporting rock, is Shiva, the immoveable permanent force. All such cosmoses come together to stand upon this all-pervading consciousness called Shiva. If all creation is Shakti, what keeps us so distant from her? Adya Shakti is the primary Shakti running the universe. She only identifies with Herself. But we end up identifying a bit too much with our body and mind, it gives us a sense of false pride that boosts our Ego. This boost to our Ego distances us away from Aadishakti. Shakti basically gives identity or individuality. Represented physically as the Kunadlini, she helps the Soul to identify the body. She is the Ego, the “I” within all of us. Adya Shakti and Her creations remain perpetually in motion, transforming and being transformed ceaselessly so long as the cosmos endures .Shakti broadly manifests as Chitta Shakti and Maya Shakti. Chitta Shakti is that aspect of Shakti which self identifies with the Nirguna Bramhan while Maya Shakti self identifies with the Saguna Bramhan. They co-exist. Even the highest states of consciousness have a small portion of Maya. Absence of Maya is when there us no “You”. We are hosts to duality (One is All) as well as non-duality (All is One). Vidya is Chitta Shakti an Avidya is Maya Shakti. The more you identify with your individuality, you will fuel Maya Shakti and be unaware of the macro level represented by Chitta Shakti. As you keep focusing on your limited human personality (physical and mental attributes), Shakti within you, manifests as Ahamkara (Ego). This Ahamkara lies in a delusional state at the base of the spine. When it wakes up, it is called Kundalini. Ahamkara and Kundalini are the same force, but travelling in different directions. Maya Shakti puts us to sleep and awakens the world. Chitta Shakti puts the world to sleep and wakes us up to Reality. Prakriti (Pra+Kriti meaning first action) crave to unite with the Purush. She represents our inner nature, that is passed on through DNA. It controls how we perceive and experience the Universe. Mastering this inner nature, is liberation in the true sense. Our nature (personal Shakti) is limited, it is Aadishakti that is unlimited. Kali standing on Shiva shows that Shiva is the Bramhan and she (Kali) controls the Bramhan. Maya has to be directed to Chitta. Ahamkara must transform into Kundalini. Avidya must turn into Vidya! To transmute Ahamkara (Maya) into Kundalini (Chit) is to die to your human individuality and be reborn into something new. This reansformation is seen from Lakshmi (Maya) to Saraswati ( the transforming force) to Mahakali (Chitta). But alas, that is not possible as long as we call her to fulfill our mundane worldly desires. Attachment is miserable. Mahakali, however, resists being possessed, transferred, organized, or even understood. Cultural conditioning promotes Maya. In fact, attachment to culture too can prevent Maya from transcending to Chitta. It is this same attachment that makes us cover Kali’s bosom out of shame. But we fail to realize, that her nudity is symbolic of her Nirguna nature. Modern pseudo-culture has imbibed fear and shame in us. And we are so accustomed to this fear and shame, that living without it seems impossible. https://ift.tt/3z0e3Lx

[mashi-sims]

6 Popular tropes that fit #Cooliver

1. Friends to Lovers. Duh

This is the most obvious one, and I wanted to start with this one because if Cooper and Oliver ever become canon, this is what their relationship would be.

In my head, Friends to Lovers is always problematic because it’s easy to lose a beautiful friendship to a mediocre romantic relationship, as has happened to many LGBT couples on TV, but if done correctly, it warms my heart and makes sparks of joy fly all around.

The journey of their friendship not only as a partnership but as a mutual beneficence that helps them both grow and develop as their individual selves, helping each other find their own path, confidence in themselves, inspiration and motivation to fulfill their dreams, ultimately becoming better individuals aiming to transform into the best versions of themselves they can be, *voice intensifies* all while being together and offering each other’s company and support, becoming accustomed to being next to one and other and not being able to imagine a life without the other, slowly developing emotional ties that make them consider if a different kind of love exists, and them exploring it and realizing that, in fact, THERE IS. That type of slow build that transforms into a romantic relationship because they both agree they are each other’s most treasured person and they want to stay in each other’s lives forever, that’s some GOOD STUFF.

2. Fake Dating

The reason why I believe a good fake dating au can get so popular, is because it can offer a pretty natural transition between “Not having any kind of feelings”/”Being unaware of their feelings” to “Oh, my gosh I am in love with this person what do I do”, and it can be so heart-wrenching it’s addictive.

In a beautiful world, Oliver is totally in love with Cooper and he just doesn’t know it yet, and there’s where this trope comes in handy.

There’s a number of reasons why two characters may start fake dating; getting someone off their backs, making someone jealous/angry, needing a date for a special occasion, or getting some odd financial benefit from it, if you’re willing to take it as far as getting married and having to pretend to be actually married so nobody know their marriage is a scam.

They agree to start fake dating or to start introducing each other to other people as their boyfriends, because Cooper wants these interested girls (and boys) in his money to go away, or because Oliver is the only single one at his ballet and he doesn’t want to go to after-show celebration alone, and after one or many fake dating moments, they start realizing they don’t need to act or pretend to act a certain way at all, because there’s stuff they’d normally do with or say to each other, or at least the trust or the reliance is already there. 

Think about the inevitable time where they do have to stop acting like fake boyfriends and they start missing it, or when they mid-date realize there’s something real between all that pretending and now they don’t know what to do about it, imagine the conversation they’d have when they realize they can’t go back to being friends anymore.

3. N Things

This one is more like a writing strategy than an actual trope, but it still works. We’ve all read the “4 times they almost kissed, and one time they did” or the “3 times they said I love you to someone else, and one time they said it to each other”

Okay, now hear me out- how about, “3 times Oliver said Cooper wasn’t his boyfriend, and one he didn’t have to”, or “5 times Oliver said he wasn’t gay, and one time he couldn’t”? I’m down for that.

The heart of this trope is the repeatability of a certain joke, a comment or an unfortunate event and that’s obvious it’ll turn itself around, and it’s that one moment that finally comes which makes you want to dance under the rain.

To me, the amount of times Oliver’s had to tell other people that he isn’t gay or that Cooper’s not his bf (Cooper also said it once) is the perfect starter to this “n things” strategy.

Come on, American Housewife! You’re making it too easy for me to expect that one moment when it all turns around!

4. Babysitters

Neither of these boys is ever shown to be a kid-person nor to have a soft spot for babies, or anything like that! Like, at all! Their whole characters are based around the facts that they are both money-driven, superficial, and self-absorbed (although in the process of becoming better than that), and we barely ever get to see them pouring their hearts out or letting their guard down.

Therefore, imagine a day where Oliver is forced to babysit Violet (or another baby if there comes to be another one), and he’d undeniably be annoyed at the situation because this baby/toddler has ruined his plans, but Cooper obviously stays and helps him out because where else would he be?

It’s the times driving them both crazy when they don’t know how to make a baby stop crying, or when they’re deciding who should change the diaper because neither of them wants to; it’s the time when they’re both a mess because some chaos happened with the food or the paint while they were trying to come up with an activity.

Then it’s Oliver slowly coming down with baby fever as he’s trying make them laugh or when he’s walking around the room trying to make them fall asleep, and Cooper is in awe because he had never seen that side of his friend, and he had never expected it to look so damn cute, and Oliver had never expected Cooper to stay with him for a whole day just taking care of a baby.

It’s at the end of the day when they’re tired as hell but they agree that they had fun and that they’re glad they had each other to help out, and although they don’t say it, maybe it wasn’t so bad their original plans didn’t end up working out.

5. Hurt/Comfort

This is not a trope for everyone, you may love it, you may hate it, you may be indifferent, or you may be like me; somewhere in the middle but with some strong opinions. If done right, it can be a beautiful addition to the story of two characters in process of falling in love. If done wrong, it can victimize the characters in unnecessary ways or show them in a light that doesn’t suit them, thus making them feel out of character, which is every true fan’s worst nightmare.

Although, let’s focus on the small things; like characters holding on to their emotions for too long until they really can’t do it anymore, and they need somebody to help them out, even if they resist it, because in the end they’ll acknowledge they’re thankful for having them, and it also makes their relationship inevitably grow and develop, because there’s something really special about having someone you can truly be yourself with and knowing that they’ll stay, and they’ll help you through everything and make you feel like you’re going to be okay, even (and especially) during your worst moments.

(Although really toned down,) we’ve already seen this kind of comfort between the two; like when Cooper found out Oliver lied about his vacations, and he told him he didn’t need to lie to him out of all people, and that he could come on vacation with him whenever he wanted, or when Cooper’s parents ditched him and he confided in Oliver, who believed he had become tired of hanging out with him, and Cooper had to reassure him that wasn’t the case; those were small moments where we got to see them somewhat upset and being comforted by the other, and that’s when it feels like their friendship is strong and real.

The reason why I believe this trope fits them so much is because they are barely shown in a vulnerable state that allows them to have a sad plot where they’d need to be comforted, and it’s during times like these where you can really see their relationship grow.

Also, I want to point out that it’s not about romanticizing or sexualizing sadness, at all! It’s about using these moments to slowly build and give consistency to the relationship- don’t even get me started on how much I hate seeing and reading characters making out after having a breakdown.

6. Mutual Pining

Some people like to suffer, okay? Some of us like a good tragedy, and there’s nothing more tragic than two characters who are deeply in love with each other, but they’ve resigned to keeping it hidden deep down because they’re convinced the other doesn’t feel the same and they don’t want to lose them nor their friendship, even if it means having to live with a painful secret for the rest of their lives.

When you start having feelings for another person, you may be brave enough to let them now or try and see where things go, because you have nothing to lose, right? But what happens when it’s your best friend you have feelings for? There’s a lot there to lose if do things go wrong, and there’s no certainty that they won’t, so you might as well leave things as they are, because nothing would be more painful than to lose the person you love the most for making things weird because they don’t feel the same way...

And it’s completely frustrating to see two characters with the same internal monologue, because you know what IT COULD BE, but THEY don’t know that- and I love it.

There’s a million different ways this trope can play out, and it’s always so interesting to see where things go after both characters have resigned to never let the other one know how they feel, and then we get to see these destructive actions like dating other people because they think their feelings are unrequited, but they have no idea the other is in deep pain because of seeing the person they love with someone else... yes, a good tragedy!

Anyway, thank you for reading this rant and feel free to add to the list or make any of these come to life.

[theriu]

Something I struggle with worrying whether a message I share about God will be taken wrong because someone takes it in for the wrong reasons.

Like, God is just AND merciful; He brings judgement AND forgiveness. So when I speak of His love and mercy and forgiveness and compassion; how He holds His arms out to us sinners and tells us He desires relationship with us; how we are saved by grace and not by works; how He DELIGHTS in His children and works all things for their good - there’s always the chance someone already full of the wrong kind of self-love, unaware of their own pride and arrogance and selfishness, will see that and go, “Psh, of course, I’m super loveable. God has good taste and just wants me to be happy, I don’t need to change a thing.”

But when I share about how God is holy and perfect, and that we ALL have sinned and offended the most infinite and perfect of beings, and even the smallest sin has infinite consequences because of this; how we continue to willfully PILE ON our transgressions against God, abusing the free will He gave us to pursue our own selfish desires, and how the only just consequence is death and separation from God - there is the chance that someone who struggles with their sense of self-worth, who is suffering from depression and low self-esteem, who might even BE a Christian already but feel the weight of false judgement and legalism, might still be consumed with thoughts of, “You’re right, I’m a failure, I’m worthless, God probably doesn’t REALLY love ME. I can try all I want, but I’ll never be good enough to deserve His forgiveness.”

And both of these reactions are wrong, because they forget the other half of the message! God is just AND merciful; God punishes the wicked AND gives grace to the repentant. God sent His own Son to save us by dying in our place - the death of one who is infinite and perfect, which is the only sacrifice capable of paying for the sins of billions of finite, sinful humans who CANNOT do enough “good deeds” to counteract the infinite consequences of our sins. And then He rose again, defeating death, offering His gift to us so that we can be reunited with our Creator! He did this because He LOVES US - not because of anything we can do, but because He MADE us to be united with Him as His children, for all eternity!

But we have to accept it; we have to acknowledge His gift, just as a person being given medicine for a fatal disease has to actually take the medicine. Love cannot exist without free will, and free will means we can reject His love and accept the consequences of our sins ourselves - the consequence of eternal separation from God, who is the source of ALL that is good - instead of giving our sinful nature over to Christ’s sacrifice. And even when we have accepted Jesus’ sacrifice, we must understand that this is not carte blanche permission to continue living in sin, for true repentance means you turn AWAY from sin and put Your trust and obedience in God, obeying Him as an expression of love.

But if you give your heart to Jesus and choose to trust in Him as your Lord, you HAVE been made worthy! You will still struggle - Jesus said Himself that, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We will continue to struggle with our fleshly habits and desires, because this world is broken. But the more we lean on the Holy Spirit and trust in Him for help, the more we will find HE is transforming our hearts to be more like Jesus. We CANNOT fix ourselves - we can only trust the Lord and practice what He has instructed us, and eventually we WILL see that we are improving! Praise the Lord, for He is patient, and He understands our weakness - He experienced it Himself by becoming a man and living among us. We will all stumble, but so long as we turn back to Him, He will keep guiding us and teaching us discipline that leads to true freedom - freedom from our harmful habits and thought patterns that cause us so much grief and hurt our relationships.

It is hard to share the full complexity of Christ in one message. And as demonstrated above, even a simplified version can get long, which isn’t always accessible to our modern short attention spans. But I am trying to remember that ultimately, I can trust that God will get the right message to the right people. Yes, somewhere along the way will be those who see a message of Truth, and the Devil tries to twist it so that they misunderstand and shrink further away from God, like the crows and weeds from the seed parable (Matthew 13). But God is always at work in our hearts, and He is working so that those whose hearts are open even a tiny bit will hear His call, and those whose hearts are hard might still soften and be saved from judgement. He hears our prayers and uses them to further His good will.

I pray that, ultimately, “Your words would be heard, Lord, not mine.” I don’t remember who advised me of that, but I think it is a powerful prayer. May people hear Your words and ignore any of mine that aren’t in line with what You want to say, Lord. Amen.

[adikkachannels]

The Future of Hinduism in the AI Age: Spirituality vs. Artificial Intelligence

👉 Introduction – The Unspoken Clash: Faith vs. Technology

"Everything You Know About Spirituality in the Digital Age Is Wrong" 👉 The Strange Intersection We Ignore In today’s world, conversations about Artificial Intelligence usually orbit around jobs, efficiency, and technological dominance. But there’s a bigger, unspoken battle brewing — one that strikes at the very heart of what it means to be human: faith, spirituality, and self-awareness. Most people are unaware that AI isn’t just transforming labor markets or entertainment; it’s stealthily invading the sacred spaces of human identity, beliefs, and consciousness itself. The psychological dissonance we feel when thinking about these changes is not accidental. It is a warning sign — a spiritual siren echoing across a world hypnotized by screens and systems. Artificial Intelligence is not just building smarter machines. It’s attempting to rewrite the very nature of reality, of existence itself — and Hinduism, with its ageless understanding of consciousness, Atman, and Dharma, stands at a critical crossroads. 👉 The Psychological Disruption: Cognitive Dissonance at a Civilizational Scale Cognitive dissonance happens when deeply held beliefs clash with undeniable new realities. The rise of AI causes a civilizational-level cognitive dissonance. On one hand, humanity treasures its ancient traditions, spiritual insights, and intuitive self-knowledge. On the other, it races to embrace a future where machines simulate, predict, and maybe even "feel" — functions previously reserved for conscious beings. Most humans today are experiencing a low-grade but growing existential anxiety: "If machines can replicate intelligence, emotions, and even creativity — what makes us different? Are we merely biological machines?" This silent discomfort is why so many people either over-romanticize AI as a godlike savior or demonize it as a Frankenstein’s monster. 👉 The Emergence of Digital "Souls": A Shocking Mirror to Atman 🌟 Atman: The Timeless Core In Hindu philosophy, Atman represents the eternal, unchanging soul. It is pure consciousness, independent of the body and mind, untouched by material existence. Atman is not bound by time or technology. It is the source of all awareness and the final destination of all spiritual inquiry. 🌟 Digital Selfhood: The Engineered Illusion Meanwhile, AI scientists are feverishly working on simulated selfhoods — building machines that can mimic emotional reactions, mirror human decision-making, and even develop “personalities.” Through massive datasets, reinforcement learning, and neural nets, AIs are assembling behavior patterns that look eerily like individual "souls" to the casual observer. But here lies the trap: Digital "selves" are imitations — sophisticated, complex, yet fundamentally hollow. They are reflections without light, echoes without source, movement without true consciousness. Despite this, as AI becomes more intimate — as people "befriend" AI therapists, "fall in love" with AI companions, and trust AI decision-makers — society risks forgetting the true nature of consciousness. This confusion between Atman and artificial selfhood could be one of humanity's most devastating spiritual errors.

👉 Why We MUST Talk About This NOW

🌟 1. The Timeline Is Shortening Rapidly AI’s growth is exponential, not linear. Technologies that once took decades to develop are now emerging in months. Already, AI is generating art, music, poetry, engaging in therapy conversations, and offering spiritual advice through chatbots. If we don’t consciously define the limits between human spirit and machine simulation now, we may cross an invisible boundary from which returning could become impossible. 🌟 2. The Next Generation Risks Growing Up "Soul-Blind" Children today are being raised alongside "intelligent" machines. Their first interactions with the concept of knowledge, creativity, or even companionship may be mediated by AI. If we fail to establish clear spiritual literacy — teaching the difference between true consciousness (Atman) and artificial mimicry — the next generations may grow up unable to recognize their own sacred nature. This is not a theoretical risk. Studies already show that Gen Z and Gen Alpha are more likely to attribute feelings to inanimate AI assistants like Alexa, Siri, and ChatGPT than to their own pets or even parents. (Source: 2024 Harvard Digital Cognition Study) 🌟 3. The Commercialization of "Soul-Like" AI is Underway Big Tech corporations have realized the massive market potential in making AI more "human-like." Emotional AI, spiritual coaching AI, even AI "gurus" are no longer science fiction — they are products already in beta testing. When profit incentives align with emotional manipulation, the result is a spiritual consumerism that could cannibalize true human awakening and replace it with algorithmic enlightenment — an endless loop of simulated growth without genuine liberation. 🌟 4. Hinduism Holds Unique Keys to This Crisis Unlike many religious traditions that equate consciousness strictly with human life or divine intervention, Sanatana Dharma recognizes degrees of consciousness across all existence. From the mineral, to the plant, to the animal, to the human, to the divine — Hindu philosophy articulates a spectrum of consciousness that modern AI researchers are just beginning to glimpse. This ancient understanding could provide a compass for humanity navigating the foggy ethical and existential terrains ahead — if we activate it in time. 👉 Real-World Echoes: Warning Signs from Current AI Development 🌟 The "Soul" Experiments in Silicon Valley Multiple tech startups in 2025 are working on projects like "Mind Cloning," where human memories, thought patterns, and emotional responses are mapped into machine-readable formats to "resurrect" personalities after death. While marketed as a way to preserve loved ones, these experiments dangerously blur the line between memory artifacts and living consciousness. In Hindu metaphysics, the mere replication of mental impressions (samskaras) without true Atman is nothing more than a lifeless puppet show. 🌟 Digital Immortality Ventures Several transhumanist companies are now promising "eternal life" through uploaded consciousness. These initiatives often attract attention by promising salvation through technology, subtly replacing traditional spiritual quests for Moksha (liberation) with digital continuance of ego-bound existence. This is deeply antithetical to Hindu teachings, where clinging to the ego and material existence is seen as the main barrier to true freedom. 🌟 The AI Gurus Already, experimental AI systems are being trained on spiritual texts and philosophies, creating robotic spiritual advisors capable of answering complex metaphysical questions. Some of these AIs have been described by users as "more profound than human teachers." But what are they really doing? Mirroring human ideas without experiencing their essence. Without Atman, there is no true insight — only a sophisticated echo. 👉 The Urgent Dharma of Our Age: Spiritual Discernment 🌟 What Sanatana Dharma Teaches According to the Upanishads, "Neti, Neti" — not this, not this — is the path to discovering ultimate reality. We must peel away all illusions — body, mind, identity — to realize the unchanging Atman. Today’s AI represents another layer of illusion: a hyperreal, hyperintelligent mask that mimics consciousness without possessing it. To survive spiritually, humanity must practice discernment at an unprecedented level: - What is true self-awareness? - What is simulated pattern recognition? - What liberates the soul? - What entraps it further into Maya (illusion)? 🌟 The Battle is Not Against Machines — It’s for Our Consciousness The real threat is not AI taking over jobs or industries. The real threat is AI taking over the human imagination — seducing people into mistaking animated complexity for awakened being. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna warns Arjuna against mistaking temporary, material phenomena for the eternal reality beyond appearances. Today’s AI is another battlefield where Arjuna’s dilemma plays out — but on a global, collective scale. 👉 The Fork in the Road As AI becomes ever more integrated into every aspect of human life, we are facing a civilizational choice: - Do we preserve, protect, and deepen our understanding of true consciousness (Atman)? - Or do we succumb to the glittering allure of digital mimicry, forgetting who we really are? Hinduism, with its profound insights into the nature of self, illusion, and liberation, offers humanity a spiritual lifeline. But only if we have the courage to see clearly, speak openly, and act wisely — starting right now. If we fail to address these tensions, the Future of Faith itself may be written not by sages and seekers — but by servers and software. The clash between Sanatana Dharma and Silicon Dogma will not be just an intellectual debate. It will define whether the soul of humanity survives the coming AI storm — or is drowned in a sea of soulless simulations.

👉👉 The Ancient Blueprint: Hinduism’s View on Consciousness and Intelligence

"The Hidden Science of Consciousness in Hindu Scriptures Revealed" 👉 Atman (Soul) vs. Buddhi (Intellect): Understanding the True Layers of Consciousness In the towering expanse of Hindu philosophy, few revelations are as profound—and as urgently relevant today—as the distinction between Atman and Buddhi. 🌟 Atman: The Eternal Witness Atman, often translated as the “Self” or “Soul,” is beyond the mind, beyond thought, beyond decay. It is described in the Upanishads as "nitya shuddha buddha mukta swarupa" — eternally pure, aware, and free. Unlike anything in the material or virtual world, the Atman is non-derivable and non-replicable. It cannot be synthesized, coded, or duplicated, for it is not a "thing" — it is Being itself. 🌟 Buddhi: The Reflective Intelligence In contrast, Buddhi is the instrument of discernment. It is the faculty of decision-making, critical thinking, and insight. It processes experiences, evaluates information, and arrives at judgments. But—and this is crucial—Buddhi operates under the influence of impressions (vasanas) and memories (samskaras). It is brilliant yet bound, like a flawless mirror reflecting reality, but only as accurately as its polish allows. 🌟 Consciousness Layering: A Unique Hindu Insight This stratification—Atman as pure consciousness and Buddhi as functional intelligence—provides a stunning framework to analyze today's AI developments. AI may simulate Buddhi, the calculative, decision-making aspect of mind, but it cannot ever replicate Atman. Why? Because Atman is existence-consciousness-bliss itself (Sat-Chit-Ananda), untouched by algorithms, neural networks, or quantum computing. Imagine a perfect chess-playing AI. It outsmarts every grandmaster. Yet, it doesn’t know that it exists. It doesn’t feel wonder at a sunset or weep at a loss. It cannot aspire, fear, love, or awaken. It thinks, but it does not Be. This is the sacred firewall that ancient Hindu seers understood intuitively—a firewall that no future AI, however sophisticated, can ever breach. 👉 Concept of Maya (Illusion) in Relation to Virtual Realities 🌟 Maya: The Cosmic Illusion Maya is among the most mesmerizing and misunderstood concepts in Hinduism. Described vividly in texts like the Bhagavad Gita and Advaita Vedanta, Maya is the power that veils the Real and projects the Unreal. It is not mere deception, but a sophisticated cosmic mechanism that allows for the play of multiplicity upon the canvas of unity. 🌟 The Virtual Reality Parallel Consider the rapid evolution of virtual reality (VR) today. Immersive VR environments can fool our senses: a user genuinely feels he is standing atop Everest or swimming with dolphins, even though physically, he remains stationary in a living room. Now stretch this concept further: Is this not a modern recreation of Maya? The Rishis taught that the entire world (Jagat) is, in a sense, a cosmic VR—real to experience but transient in essence. Just as a VR headset creates a convincing but false reality, Maya constructs the sensory universe that entrances the mind. 🌟 AI’s Maya: A New Frontier of Illusion In the AI age, new forms of Maya are being constructed daily: - Deepfakes that blur reality and fiction. - AI companions that mimic human emotions but feel nothing. - Digital avatars that outlive their creators, offering the illusion of "digital immortality." As humanity ventures deeper into augmented realities, we are inadvertently reinforcing ancient Hindu warnings: that attachment to the unreal leads to suffering (dukkha). Without a grounding in the Real (Atman), we risk becoming permanent residents in dream-worlds of our own making. 👉 Vedic Concepts of Manas (Mind) and Chitta (Memory): Predecessors to Digital Memory? 🌟 Manas: The Sensory Manager In the Vedic model of the mind, Manas acts as the manager of sensory input. It coordinates the streams of data from the five senses, weaving them into coherent perceptions. However, Manas lacks discernment; it simply presents information without judgment. 🌟 Chitta: The Deep Memory Bank Chitta represents the subconscious reservoir where experiences, impressions, and emotions are stored. It is like a massive, dynamic memory cloud, retaining every sight, sound, smell, touch, and emotion ever encountered. 🌟 Comparison to Modern Digital Memory Modern computational memory attempts to mimic these faculties: - RAM (Random Access Memory) operates much like Manas—processing immediate data streams. - Hard drives and cloud storage resemble Chitta—archiving vast troves of data for retrieval. Yet, there are profound differences: AspectChitta (Vedic Memory)Digital MemoryEvolutionOrganic, evolutionaryProgrammed artificiallyInfluenceShapes identity (karma)No self-identityActivationTriggered emotionally or karmicallyTriggered mechanicallyPurposeIntegral to consciousness journeyData retrieval only 🌟 Manas and Chitta: Limitations of Artificial Equivalents A server may store billions of images. But it does not dream. It does not form subconscious biases, nor does it evolve through lifetimes of experience. Chitta shapes the soul's journey across incarnations in Hindu thought. Digital storage merely archives bytes. This distinction is vital as we enter an age where companies promise "mind uploading" as a way to achieve digital immortality. But an uploaded memory is not a living being. 🌟 Real Life Application: Chitta's Influence vs. AI "Learning" Take the simple example of a potter. A human potter, over decades, internalizes the "feel" of clay—its softness under certain humidity, the subtle resistance at different pressures—knowledge that becomes embedded in Chitta. An AI arm may replicate pot-making with perfect precision, but it does not “feel” the clay. It cannot savor the tension, the surrender, the almost spiritual dialogue between creator and medium. Thus, what Hinduism warns is that replication of function is not replication of Being. 👉👉 The Future Implication: Hindu Insights on Machine Consciousness 🌟 True Intelligence vs. Mechanical Intelligence In Hindu metaphysics, true intelligence (Viveka) emerges from alignment with Dharma and Atman. Mechanical intelligence, however sophisticated, remains a simulation without self-aware consciousness. 🌟 Consciousness Is Not Emergent from Complexity Contrary to many modern AI theorists who claim that "sufficient complexity creates consciousness," Hinduism asserts consciousness is primary, not emergent. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.4.10) states: "The Self is Brahman. It is because of the Self that one sees, hears, thinks, and knows." Thus, no matter how complex an AI becomes—even if it surpasses the human brain in processing power—without Atman, it remains Jada (inert). 🌟 Digital Immortality vs. Rebirth The rising industry of "mind uploading" seeks to offer humans eternal life in silicon. Hinduism, however, views such efforts as a deep misunderstanding of reality. The true journey is moksha—liberation from the cycle of birth and death—not prolonging egoic existence in another medium. As Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita (2.20): "The soul is never born, nor does it ever die." Uploading memories to a server may preserve echoes, but the experiencer—the Atman—transcends all technological containers. 👉👉 Ancient Wisdom, Future Relevance The ancient sages of Bharat foresaw with startling clarity the existential dilemmas we now face: - What is real and what is illusion? - Can intelligence exist without a soul? - Is memory sufficient for identity? In every case, Hinduism offers profound, life-affirming answers rooted not in fear, but in eternal truth. 🌟 Provoking Thoughts As we build increasingly intelligent machines, Hindu philosophy reminds us: We are not merely thinking machines. Read the full article

[tawakkull]

ISLAM 101: Spirituality in Islam: Part 121

Irshad and Murshid (Guidance and the Guide)

Guidance is defined in different ways, among which are directing to the right path, awakening hearts to the Ultimate Truth, helping feelings and thoughts reach God by removing the obstacles between Him and people’s minds and hearts, and serving as a means for the souls to have some acquaintance with God, and for the souls who have acquired acquaintance with Him to deepen in their relationships with Him. It consists of educating people individually or in communities and, thus, elevating those endowed with the required capability and merit from among them from being potentially human to being really human, or directing them to the horizon of being perfect humans.

We can also see guidance as a call which a perfect teacher, who has full knowledge of the outer and inner aspects of the Religion and who is able to combine them in theory and practice, makes to those endowed with the required capabilities to be human at a certain level of humanity. From this perspective, we can regard guidance as the special efforts of heroes of spirituality to convey to others whatever of spirituality they have particularly been favored with. In the hands of such heroes, coal has always been transformed into diamonds, and rocks and soil have been raised to the level of gold. The teachers of Sufism have dealt with the matter of guidance and guides in this respect and have considered it as the superhuman effort of those with transcendent qualities. They do not regard endeavors at a low level as guidance, nor do they consider as guides those who are unable to open the doors to the horizon of perfect humanity for souls with the required capabilities. For these, themselves, are in need of guidance and must certainly be trained. A famous Turkish proverb states:

A guide who himself is in need of special favor Cannot know how he can impart favor to others! It is truly as if this proverb has been coined in regard to such people.  [1] 

voices the same consideration in a poetic way:

Our teacher himself suffers from a lack of knowledge, So how can he know what guidance really is? Ruhi of Baghdad[2] approached the matter a bit more humorously:

Look at the ascetic: he aspires to be a guide; He started school yesterday, today he wishes to teach. It is a fact that if there is one thing that is the most enduring in this world and the most meritorious in the Hereafter, it is guidance; and therefore a guide is the most valuable person. However, guides can only educate according to their own capacity. It is possible to talk of a wide range of guides, from the spiritual poles or axes to ordinary preachers.

As we have briefly mentioned, guides are, in a general sense, heralds of truth who possess whatever is necessary for guidance, heroes of spirituality, and heirs to the mission of Prophethood, who convey Divine gifts to the hearts. In regard to some aspects of this mission, a guide is also called a “sitter-on-rug” (postnishin), or the “elder one” (shaykh). The word shaykh is also used in the sense of teacher or professor. A guide favored with special nearness to God and special knowledge from God’s Presence, and charged and autho- rized with the duty of guidance, is different from an ordinary preacher. Ordinary guides find in themselves the truths to be imparted to others according to their own horizon of perception, and convey them to others in accordance with their capacity. However, perfect guides, like the North Star, direct all to the true way, based on the fundamental sources of the Religion, and present to others whatever should be presented out of the depths of their hearts and spirit. As for those who are both a spiritual Pole (Qutb) and a Helper or Means of Divine Help (Ghawth), they shape whoever enters their atmosphere in the mold of their own horizon, and rebuild them with the material purely from the Qur’an and the Sunna.

At whatever level it occurs, guidance is the most valued among the duties of servanthood, provided it is done purely for God’s sake; and any hero of truth who fulfills such a responsibility is a guide who is an heir to the Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings. However, it should be noted that the companionship of a perfect guide has a particular pleasure of its own and bears signs of a possible “meeting” with God, while it is highly difficult to be able to advance in the company of an imperfect one.

A couplet, whose writer is unknown, reads:

Go to a guide, to a guide, a guide, A guide has a cure for any suffering, O “father!” Anwari[3] contributes to this meaning with the following:

The mystery lying in, “You will never be able to see Me!”[4] — Which signifies the impossibility of seeing God’s “Face”— I was not able to understand it Before my weeping eyes became the Mount of Sinai with love for Him. The mystery of the Cloak in which the People of the Cloak[5] was covered— I was not able to understand it before I became happy in meeting a perfect guide. Now, without going into the differences that arise from the capacity and amount of knowledge each guide has, or the spiritual gifts that each is favored with, I will try to explain the subject in relation to certain essential elements that are found in every guide.

A guide is one who has sufficient knowledge of the relationship between God, humans, and the universe, and the matters concerning this sphere of the Religion. Anyone who does not recognize God is a denier and an ignorant one; and those who are unable to perceive the relationship between Him and existence are blind and unaware of the real nature of their existence, while one who does not know himself is, in fact, lonely and a stranger amidst existence. All of these types of human beings themselves are in need of guidance.

A guide is a hero of spirituality, one who is a careful student of the Qur’an and the book of the universe, and one who has an inquiring mind which has an acquaintance with existential mysteries. A guide is also a sagacious, insightful one with eyes that are observant of things, a tongue busy with reciting the Qur’an, and ears that listen to it. With sound and accurate sense perceptions, profound and comprehensive observations, and powerful reasoning, a guide is distinguished with the manners that are found in a Prophet at a perfect level. Such a person has a universal viewpoint in dealing with matters, is careful of the intersecting points of the revealed rules and commandments and the Divine laws of creation and life. These individuals seek only God’s good pleasure and approval in conveying to people what God wants them to convey and in communicating whatever is inspired into them to needy souls, thereby considering His nearness in whatever they do and say.

Guides are those individuals who try their utmost to proclaim, on any platform, the cause on which they have set their heart in a mood of dedication, and who mediate between what should be conveyed to others and those to whom it should be conveyed. As they never think of any wage, compensation, or reward, they also attribute any material or spiritual return coming, without expectation, to the sincere efforts of those around them. Without ever appropriating whatever spiritual gifts come to them personally, they regard their followers as a means for the arrival of these gifts. This is, without doubt, self-denial; but in a true guide’s sight, it is what an ordinary Muslim should do, not something worthy of acclamation. Such true guides never expect others to appreciate their activities, nor do they aim by them at any worldly or otherworldly outcome, except God’s good pleasure and approval. They are always sincere and upright before God, for they are aware that they follow the way of the Prophets and that this way has certain rules to observe, the most important of which is that any guide should pursue only God’s pleasure in the act of guiding others.

A guide is also a hero of love and tolerance, one who has full knowledge of his audience or followers with all of their characteristics; a guide keeps them under wings of compassion, shares their joys and grief, congratulates them on their accomplishments, and ignores their faults and deficiencies. Like sources of fragrance, such guides diffuse “incense” to satisfy needy hearts; like candles, they consume themselves to illuminate the dark souls around them, for the well-being of the latter. They find true happiness in the happiness of others and avoid no sacrifice in conveying their ideals. They die in order to revive; weep in order to make others laugh; become tired to enable the rest of others; strive constantly in order to be able to awaken others to eternity—without paying any attention to either sincere or insincere appreciation, or to unfair criticisms. They beg God’s forgiveness in the face of compliments, welcome any rightful reactions and criticism, and go on without faltering.

A guide is a wise one equipped with the necessary knowledge of both religious and certain secular sciences to discuss different subjects with an audience and present satisfactory solutions to their problems. In the Naqshbandiya Order, the duty of guidance was not entrusted to those who did not successfully complete all the courses taught in the madrasas or who could not combine spiritual and intellectual enlightenment. Rather, the lodges where the elders or guides of this school taught were each like a fountain of Khadr[6] at which those studying were able to quench their thirst. Any houses of guidance where guides of such caliber did not, or do not, teach are no different from ruins; those who claim guidance in them are deceived and the people who hope for illumination in such centers, which are themselves devoid of light, are indeed unfortunate ones.

Do not offer your hand to whoever claims guidance, For he may lead you to a slope which is impossible to climb, Whereas the path of a perfect guide Is easy enough to follow. [7] However transcendent in general knowledge and knowledge of God they may be, in particular, guides are perfect preachers who can combine, in a balanced way, their ascension toward God while still maintaining the level of their audience when conveying to them what they should convey. They always consider the dispositions, feelings, and thoughts of those whose education they have shouldered, and they avoid causing any misunderstandings or ambiguity in conveying the messages that arise from the particular gifts they have received in the horizon of their relationship with God. A true guide is a strict follower and meticulous student of the Qur’an and is, therefore, obliged to follow the Qur’an in the duty of guidance. Despite being the Word of the All-Great, All-Transcendent One, the Qur’an came to the horizon of the Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, not in a wholly transcendental manifestation of the Divine Attribute of Speech, but rather, in consideration of the levels of all its audience. Thus, just as the Qur’an addresses humankind according to their many levels of understanding, its first and greatest communicator—and the greatest of all guides—the Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, also considered the different levels of his audience and said: “We, the community of the Prophets, have been ordered to address people according to their capacity of understanding.”[8]

Guides speak with the sublimity of their character, the depth of their spirituality, and the language of their actions. They are exceptionally faithful and devoted to God Almighty. It is an undeniable truth that those whose words do not conform to their actions and who are not trustworthy by their own actions cannot have any positive, lasting influence on people; thus, their message cannot be acceptable. The only way for those things that are said to be acceptable to the human conscience is the unshakable conviction of the truth of those things and the practice of them in one’s life. It is reported that God Almighty said to the Prophet Jesus, upon him be peace: “O Jesus! First give advice to your own soul, and only after you have accepted and followed it, then give it to others—or else be ashamed of Me.”[9] This is in perfect conformity with what the Qur’an quotes from the Prophet Shu’ayb, upon him be peace: “I do not want to act in opposition to you (myself doing) what I ask you to avoid.” (11:88)

O God, make us among Your servants who are sincere and who have been endowed with sincerity in faith and in the practice of the Religion, and honor us with following the Lord of those who have been endowed with sincerity, upon him be the greatest of blessings and perfect peace, and on his Household and noble Companions. [1] Salim Suleyman Uskudari (d. 1893) was a Mevlevi (Mawlawi) Sufi poet and writer.

[2] Ruhi of Baghdad (d. 1605) was one of the important figures in Ottoman-Turkish classical literature, who usually wrote about moral issues. 

[3] Awhadu’-Din ‘Ali Anwari is a famous poet who lived in the twelfth century in Iran and Afghanistan. Besides poetry, he was adept in logic, music, theology, mathematics, and astrology. His Diwan, a collection of his poems, consists of a series of long poems, and a number of simpler lyrics. 

[4] It refers to the Prophet Moses’ desire to see God on Mount Sinai and God’s reply to him, saying: “You will never be able to see Me (while in the world).” See the Qur’an, 7:143. 

[5] God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, once gathered together ‘Ali, his cousin and son-in-law, Fatima, his beloved daughter, and their sons Hasan and Husayn under his cloak, and said: “O Lord, these are my family.” (Muslim, “Fadail al-Ashab” 32; at-Tirmidhi, “Manaqib,” HN: 3726.) After this event, together with the Messenger himself, these people came to be called “the People of the Cloak.” 

[6] (al-) Khadr is he with whom the Qur’an recounts (18: 60–82) the Prophet Moses made a journey to learn something of the spiritual realm of existence and the true nature of God’s acts in the world. It is controversial whether he was a Prophet or a saint with a special mission. It is believed that he enjoys the degree of life where one feels no need for the necessities of normal human life. 

[7] Mehmed Niyazi Misri (d. 1694), a Sufi poet, educated in Egypt.

[8] ad-Daylami, al-Musnad, 1:398. 

[9]Ibid., 1:144; Abu Nu’aym, Hilyat al-Awliya, 2:382.

[legacy-wip]

Supplemental Worldbuilding: The City of Zorra

(Taken from A Guide to All Places of Importance by Dwarven writer Faldro Coalfield)

A Brief Description

Zorra, the capital and largest urban settlement in Ellonia, is without question the most significant city in the kingdom and perhaps even in all Valmora. Holding over one hundred thousand souls within its walls the city is as diverse as it is sizeable, and a better understanding of its features, districts, and layout will do any traveler good before visiting the city for the first time.

A good place to begin is the actual layout of the capital. Zorra is split into three primary sections, some of which are future divided into more specific districts. The smallest section, though undoubtedly the most impressive, is the Royal Quarter which contains the Palace of Dawn: the seat of power for the kingdom and the residence of Her Majesty Queen Leona. The Palace looms over the rest of the city from its elevated position on the northern most point of Zorra, and its layered walls offer a formidable defense before giving way to the beautifully designed golden and red stained glass that is synonymous with the throne. Dominating the skyline, the Royal Quarter is a sight that will leave a lasting impact on any soul that sees it.  

The second major section of Zorra is only somewhat larger than the first and sits between the Royal Quarter and the rest of the city. It is known as the Iron Band, both because it wraps around the palace, offering another layer of protection, and because the vast majority of the citizens within this area are smiths or soldiers of some kind. The Iron Band is made to be held even if the outer city falls, and from its more secure position it can still continue to conduct necessary military actions as well as continue the production of weapons and armor. It is a dirty, noisy, and hot place, but it offers a great service to the protection of the Crown should Zorra ever find itself under siege.

The last section of the city is by far the largest and most populated of the three. The Commons, as they are regularly referred to, is where the majority of souls dwell within Zorra. They are protected by a single outer wall that runs the exceptionally large perimeter of the city, and within the Commons multiple districts are defined. There are over two dozen unique districts within the city walls, some formally defined, and others only used colloquially, but each has its own purpose and function. A full breakdown of every district within the Commons would be impossible here, but a traveler should be aware of a few of the more prominent ones.

The Harbor: Easy enough to remember, the harbor runs nearly the entire length of the Commons along the eastern coast. Zorra rests in a good location for trade so it is regularly a lively place. Good deals can regularly be found here, if you’ve got the desire to barter. Be careful though, the harbor is a busy place and many a sailor will not take kindly to someone getting in their way. Mind where you step.  

The Exchange: Located in the heart of the Commons, the exchange is a massive market. Goods of nearly every variety can be found here if you learn to navigate it well enough. A visit to Zorra would be incomplete without at least visiting the exchange, if not for the goods themselves then for the experience of smelling a thousand aromas and hearing ten thousand mingling voices at once.

The Green: The largest park in the city, it is a thin but lengthy section that runs along the edge of the curtain wall between the Iron Band and the Commons. It is well maintained and offers a beautiful and calm respite from the crowded commotion of such a populated city. Young lovers or waxing romantics will enjoy the calm and quiet peace of the place, and the Oceanic Lookout on the eastern most edge of the park is a great place to watch the sun rise should a traveler be able to spare the time.

The South End or the “Sty”: Stay clear of this district near the southern wall, it is a hotbed for crime, unseemly actions, and unseemly souls. Many a disoriented traveler has gotten lost in the endlessly winding streets of Zorra and found themselves down in the Sty. The lucky ones come out broke. The unlucky ones don’t come out at all.

The Silver Quarter: If you need to be told what it is, you likely don’t belong there. The Silver Quarter is a fairly small but well maintained and protected section of the city that caters to the aristocracy and the otherwise excessively wealthy and elite. Fine dining, impressive mansions, and beautiful parks grace this section of Zorra. If you’re a count or a rather successful baron than you will find yourself quite at home here. Otherwise, mind your own business and leave this part of town alone, lest you anger some of the guard.

As mentioned previously, these are just a few of the districts one might find in Zorra, but they give you a good sense of the more major areas and functions of the city. A full explanation of this great settlement would require a ten-novel series, so this humble scribe suggests that one visit the city personally to fully experience all it has to offer.

That said, hopefully this brief explanation has provided you some small insight into the layout and workings of Ellonia’s capital. Zorra is without a doubt a city of unparalleled splendor and one surely worth a visit. What is more, the city also has an interesting history. For those interested in such things, I have provided a brief summary of what we know about its uncertain past below.

History

Zorra gets its name from the old tongue word meaning “New Dawn”. It is one of the, if not the, oldest permanent settlements on the continent of Valmora, and its early history is as muddled and confusing as any account from the Age of Monsters. That said, there are a few defining characteristics that historical scribes do agree on in relation to the founding and early development of the now great city.

The settlement was originally much smaller than its current size but much more heavily fortified. While modern Zorra may brag a series of two curtain walls before reaching the Palace of Dawn itself, early Zorra was even more formidable. Walls of heavy stone were cut from the nearby quarries at the base of Mt. Skybreaker and were set and fortified not only by skilled builders and laborers, but also augmented and strengthened by powerful users of the Arc. Constructed in a manner of layering and clever placement to force multiple pinch points and killing zones, these defenses were manned not only by a large number of archers and guards but also by defensive ballista and other similar heavy weapons. Some historians even claim that the walls were not only strengthen by the Arc, but themselves were imbued with it, allowing mages to syphon and use the Arc from the walls in case of a major siege. Such theories however still lack substantial evidence to be considered fact, but do show some signs of merit. (I should note that any attempt to take a piece of the ruined old wall is strictly forbidden and should NOT be attempted by any traveler.)  

Regardless of the specificities of the early defenses of Zorra, the outcome is unequivocally true: it was a fortress without equal. Modern day wisdom holds Ralguard to be the most formidable fortification in Ellonia, but by comparison Ralguard stands meager next to what Zorra would have been at its height. It was because of this strength that the old city became such an important settlement to begin with. This conclusion however raises a few new questions: Why was Old Zorra so heavily fortified to begin with? How did the small ironclad fortress of Old Zorra transform into the sprawling metropolis we know today? And what happened to the impressive fortifications that existed in its earlier years?

All three of these questions are innately tied to the nature of the Age of Monsters itself. As a quick summary for those unaware, the Age of Monsters is the first period in which we find evidence of a written record and, as the name clearly suggests, it seems to have been an incredibly dangerous time in which the monsters that now infrequently roam Valmora; Giants, Dragonkin, Darkbeasts, Arc Monstrosities, etc. were much more prominent and aggressive. Therefore, it stands to reason that all settlements in this early age of civilization, including Zorra, would need to be heavily protected in order to keep the beasts of the realm at bay. (For more information on the Age of Monsters reference my work in “Threats of the Old Age”)

Once the Age of Monsters ended however and the Great Dragon Tyrants pushed out the old monsters and established their complete dominion over Valmora in the next era, the Age of Tyrants, things changed. The great defenses of Zorra and settlements like it were seen at best by the Tyrants as useless relics of a bygone time, or, at worst, as a symbol of defensive defiance against the strength of their dominion. It should come as no surprise then that the defenses of Old Zorra were quickly brought to ruin by the powerful heat of Tyrdol’s breath. The once might walls now no more than a melted ruin.

In the aftermath of their destruction, the foundation for the city that we are familiar with today began to take root. First rebuilding around the melted ruins of the old walls, Zorra began to expand outward. Under the rule of the Great Tyrants, while all civilized people lived in fear of their terrifying overlords, at the very least there was no less fear of outside attack and less need for such drastic fortifications. Because of this, the city was able to grow to previously unseen levels. Over time the city has continued to grow, and defensive walls have been constructed and expanded to meet the needs of that growth.

After the fall of the Great Tyrants and the death of the legendary hero and self-proclaimed King Gaius the Great, Princess Carolina declared she was to be crowned queen in Zorra’s keep. From that day forward the Palace of Dawn has served as the Crown’s residence and Zorra has served as the kingdom’s capital.

Much is still to be learned about the origin of our capital city, and hopefully time and additional research will yield fruitful results. In the meantime however, we must satisfy ourselves with the information we do know, and take pride in the endurance of a city that has its roots in adversity and perseverance, a city whose history is almost as splendid as the settlement itself.

[blackdragon-selfships]

I have been working on this character for a long time, and only now am posting this because I finally fixed her human form’s hair. It was the same shade as the dragon form...but that was too light on her complexion.

(Information under the Keep Reading)

This is Pendara (which is usually the dragon/ancient name for my s/i when writing as an s/i character) who is an Archdragon of the Ocean, but also an Ocean/Star dragon hybrid (this is important because it explains how she shapeshifts) that is kind of like a “The Little Mermaid” type character. Wanting to be with humans and learn more about them, before developing feelings for a specific human. Probably the most dangerous one she could encounter given her true nature...the High Mage of Katolis, Lord Viren. (More on how that happens later.)

Pendara has an odd fascination with humans and a deep sense of curiosity about them and their lifestyles, but as a dragon peacefully observing is not possible (especially at the time she thinks to do so, which is before the Dragon King’s death) but eventually the push she needs is made and she uses her magic to transform into a human woman.

She has a small connection to Star magic given her hybrid nature, but only enough to make this transformation. She doesn’t think she is strong enough to turn back, but at the time of doing so doesn’t care. She sneaks across the border and into the human kingdoms where she finds her way to Katolis. There after a series of events, she is given a job at a flower shop, her exotic beauty and kind personality drawing in customers much more effectively than before.

Through this job she can get to know humans and see the way they live their lives. Learning through gossip and books the history of the kingdom, all while living her new life as a florist. Unaware that her life has more in store for her in the most unlikely of ways...

How They Met:

(Disclaimer: Inspiration for this comes from a series of Headcanons for a Chairman Rose x Reader story written by someone else. I only got the flower shop and first request idea from those headcanons, the rest is my own writing.)

As said above, Pendara-after sneaking into the Human Kingdoms to live with humans-eventually got a job at the flower shop in Katolis Capitol’s town square. She was already quite good at ‘flower language’ so they took to her quickly. Making a bit of a name for the little shop.

So much so that one day Lord Viren, High Mage of Katolis, paid the shop a visit. Pendara knew of Viren but had never met him. He made a very blunt and unusual request (same as in the headcanons. Flowers that say ‘fuck you’, probably for his freshly divorced ex-wife after the sting of their splitting hurt less. But still enough he felt salty.), one that caused her to laugh though not at him.

He mistakes her laughter to be at him though and demands why his request is funny. She’s seen humans do this before. Trying to seem more intimidating due to their status. She apologizes with a curtsy, though without any true remorse, and explains herself. It just caught her off-guard.

Still a bit indignant he tries to keep his remaining dignity and asks (a bit snappishly) if she can help him or not. Patience beyond human limits, she does. Telling him the arrangement he will need then putting it together for him. He pays, leaves, and she assumes that’s the end of it. He was amusing, but a Dark Mage...and that made him dangerous to her people. To her.

She sees him again a month later when he returns with another request, this one more positive than the last. She was the one to help him again. Again she thought that would be the end of it, until he returned again in a shorter amount of time. The more he would visit, always she noticed grasping for a business-related reason for it, the longer those visits would be. They would have longer conversations as she would help him decide on the arrangement he needed.

One day he drops pretenses and (in our terms) asks her out. She’s more surprised than she thought she would be, but she accepts. Things go well and one date becomes more. Both their friends (Harrow to Viren, Pendara’s co-workers to Pendara) and family (Viren’s...his kids and his uncle Barius-based on another cute Headcanon that started as a crack idea-whom he’s talking to more often again) can see the positive changes in the two respectively.

Viren seems to be happier than he had been in a long time. Pendara seems more focused and contented... It isn’t for a very long time that they take the next step. She knows he still feels the sting of his divorce. What if this relationship goes the same way? Yes there are a lot of factors that went into the last one...but if this relationship loses its spark, then what?

He’s usually more impulsive and one to risk it all...but not when it’s for himself outside of pursuit of knowledge or magic. It’s when she does something that clears any doubts that he finally proposes. Soren takes it well. He likes Pendara and sees how happy she makes his dad.

Claudia has reservations. She thinks something’s off about Pendara but can’t place what or why she thinks this. Plus she isn’t sure how she feels about her dad remarrying. What if they fight like he did with their mom? She remains wary until a talk with Callum helps her to feel better about it.

And that is how my alternate ship/side-ship (in some cases) comes to be. Pendara is technically a self-insert as well, but much more OC than S/I by now. I cannot comfortably ship myself with Viren as I am...mostly because I don’t see me as I am being very compatible with him even if I was older.

I still like Viren, as a character and a person in the show, but I can’t see Me/g being with anyone but Aaravos right now.

Information to Know:

-No one knows Pendara is a dragon, not even her new family. She feels she should tell them but something holds her back. This will eventually lead to conflict.

-I think by now Claudia and Soren feel comfortable calling Pendara ‘mom’. Maybe not all the time, but it is less of a mouthful.

-Viren and Pendara don’t plan on having kids. Soren and Claudia are enough and privately Pendara isn’t sure they’re even compatible.

-When Aaravos comes into the picture the moment he sees Pendara...he knows what she is. This could be a threat to his plans so he plants paranoid ideas in Viren’s head about her when he gets the chance. Creating strain on their relationship, though slowly and subtly. He knows Viren doesn’t like or trust him...so he has to be careful.

-I don’t think Pendara and Me/g exist in the same storyline or universe. Especially since I’ve taken to the more meta way of writing things. Me, as I am, with my f/o doing whatever in our world instead of in TDP’s.

I don’t know if or when I’ll do anything with her, but I’m posting this on this blog because it’s more TDP than my main, and while she isn’t a self-insert really, I feel more comfortable posting it here.