[Shinyama Monastery]Moving With Intent (Solo)

[Lu Gavima]

Winter, Day 22, AV 511

Syna sat high in the sky above the many courtyards of the Monastery as Lu made his way into one. He had found that the meditations with others had their benefits, but he preferred meditating alone. Entering into the large space, he inhaled and exhaled slowly, surveying the grand horizon which was presented from this higher point of view. He had tied his arm splint into his sash, mostly to keep it from being jostled. The pain was not as severe as it was initially, but one awkward bump and the sickening pulse would return in a heartbeat.

He took a seat in the center of the courtyard, positioning himself into the standard meditating posture. His back was straight, legs folded in, his free arm in his lap, the cupped open palm facing toward the sky. Meditation had been a part of his life ever since he had joined the Monastery seven years ago. First, eyes were closed. Of course, this seemed to be a given as to remove thoughts it helps to also remove visual distractions that feed thoughts. Second, breathing. Everyone must do it, but the rhythmic rising and falling of the chest provides a natural focus instead of the chatter of the mind. Finally, with full attention on the body, the mind would rattle and attempt to lock on to any slight distraction, be it a bird overhead, a slight itch, a nearby conversation. All sorts of things stood ready to rob an Acolyte of focus. The key was to remain absolutely still and present, focused on the breaths.

Once a point of stasis was achieved, where silence became prominent and the vessel was empty, the true vision of the meditation could begin to take hold. Today, Lu sought the wisdom and guidance of Wysar, a popular Deity among the Shinya. Wysar symbolized Integrity, Conviction and Discipline, all of which were core values of the Shinya, so it was natural for Lu to follow Him while honoring Syna, Leth and of course, Zintila. He believed that singular focus on one Deity was left for the role of the Priest, while honoring all aspects of one's life required honoring all Deities that reigned over the beliefs he carried.

[Lu Gavima]

Perhaps it was a byproduct of the Shinya's training with Projection. Another possibility was that this was the way Lu had been trained so it seemed natural to him. Whatever the case, once silence was achieved in both an inner and outer sense, his mind's eye projected Lu to a field within, a place for his ego to be represented among the otherwise muddy navigation of the inner qualities of himself. The first tenet, Integrity, came to mind. Within this inner field, Lu's arm was no longer damaged. He saw himself in a simple white robe, his feet uncovered.

Integrity and its presence within the young Acolyte manifested in a full feeling, a sense of solidity among etherealness. He had taken on a vow of poverty and celibacy, both seen as austere and unnecessary by his parents. The extra discipline upon his body and mind aided Lu, however. It allowed him a freedom to focus on his training and the wellness of the City without being distracted by pitfalls of the flesh and of money, both representing desire and a need to extend beyond one's own self. In a city which boasted many luxuries of both varieties, it was never easy. Those that could not focus, however, ended up as Virayas forever serving the Shinya as opposed to Shinya serving Virayas and all Lhavitians. Astral muscles flexed and rippled in the stillness of right action and right thinking. Integrity.

Conviction. The field filled itself with a thick and impenetrable fog before his mind's eye, shadows moving throughout its midst. He began to step toward this fog, knowing full well it contained opponents and obstacles. The presence of mind and the steel of spirit drove him forward, banishing fear and doubt. This was the essence of conviction. Once one could embrace and practice Integrity, Conviction merely kept the ideal aloft, much as a draft of wind would hold a kite. Abstaining from activities which would muddle the waters of his spirit was simple when alone, but applying these principles among less disciplined people and especially those who would knowingly try to corrupt him pushed him further into the fog. While the breezes of motion around him moved to and fro, he retained his focus and pushed deeper, his senses alert and frosty.

Discipline moved with him as the shadows began to circle him like hungry predators. He could not make out their shapes or sizes but he knew they were there and stalking him. His focus moved in a fluid fashion to the presences among the fog. If Integrity was a solid kite frame and Conviction was a warm updraft, then Discipline was the string which kept it within reach. As the shadows began to descend upon Lu, he remembered his training to wait, to react. Lashing out was undisciplined. Silence returned and calm achieved.

[Lu Gavima]

Standing in a thick, obscuring fog, Lu remained focus on his breathing. He had sought Wysar and now he had to prove himself worthy of His awareness. The mist roiled and thrashed with the action of the unseen foes within, the Acolyte stepping in small circles with his hands raised in a combat stance. There was no way to be sure of anything without, so he made sure that he was solidly anchored within.

The time for waiting was over in the afterthought of a breath. A clawed hand, or something resembling a clawed hand, jumped from the fog, tearing through the air in order to tear at Lu's flesh. His body turned and he could watch it move past, the wind from its movement fluttering over the skin of his chest. No sooner than it disappeared back into the swirling soup, Lu could feel wind against his back! Twisting on his heel, he barely squatted as another claw passed. Or was it the same? The moment of thought cost him as a burning sensation crossed his side, yet another claw scratching him there.

The pain was fleeting, but he knew that he had to focus in order to survive. He returned to his center, allowing his body to react, trusting its desire to jump, duck, dodge, or block. The action and interaction seemed to go on ceaselessly for what could have been hours or days, his body becoming lighter and more fluid. It was as if he was becoming the fog, knowing its movements by ceasing to resist it. He still kept the presence of mind to present a boundary dividing the two, lest he disappear into the ether, never to return.

[Lu Gavima]

Had this been a real battle, Lu was not sure that he would have the presence of mind to think about things while fighting. This wasn't to say that he might not receive real injury from meditation. He had seen others disappear into other places and awaken with scars of sorts. he was reaching a point in the meditation which took him to another place. Wysar's teachings were still on the forefront, but the constant movement within the fog brought him to a stark realization.

Integrity, conviction and discipline were all well and good, but they made little difference in a life without Will. Just as he fought shadows in a fog of real life and its own traps of ambition thievery, there was only one way to truly escape. The fog began to glow with a soft, blue light as the smoky claws seemed to double and triple in number and ferocity. Lu could not tell where the light was coming from at first, assuming it to be a signal from his inner self. His focus sharpened as he looked for the origin of the azure energy.

He was the source. His willpower, seeking to push forward through the smothering soup, brought his own energy to the surface, the hazy blue light of his astral body glowing with a fire all its own. His mind came to the blue flame mark of Wysar. He applied this same blue flame to his own fists, the fog recoiling as his projected, burning fists pushed everything away. Before he knew it, he stood on a pinnacle of the Misty Peaks, his body aflame with blue.

The next bell chimed, bringing the scene of triumph to a hazy close as his eyes fluttered open. He breathed slowly, allowing his body to center his mind and wandering spirit. He stood from the courtyard's floor and stretched, bowing to the sky and the Gods that had given him sustenance and purpose.

[Legion]

Thread Award Lu Gavima: Meditation +5, Philosphy +3 Lore of Wysar Consequence & Commentary: This was a delightful read. Thank you. Unfortunately, I am unable to award points for visualized combat. You aced meditation, however, which will go far in your magic disciplines and I have granted you lore of Wysar due to communicating your comprehension of His divinity. Please feel free to PM me with any questions or concerns.