Meditation

  • Ok, Ready? Inhale through your nose and exhale slowly, that's it, notice how the air flows through your nose, how your muscles relax, you're doing very well. Now notice how the magic begins to flow through your body, do you feel it, Claire?
  • I don't notice anything at all
  • Concentrate, sis, just concentrate!!
    Annetrying a meditation session with Claire
  • .

    Meditation as a form of relaxation

      Meditation as a form of relaxation is a very old tradition. Elves were the first ones to practice it, and they say that the gods themselves thought them the techniques. Due to contacts with them, some human civilizations adopted this custom.   The Ammarites, one of the Elven Schools of Magic and Thought recommended meditation not only as a form of magic training but as a form of relaxing from everyday life and as a way of connecting with nature, one of the main focus of their philosophy.   For example the Seris adopted this custom after their first contact with the elves south of them, and later on, it became one of the essential features of Yemuism.   Some monastic orders or communities belonging to the Reformed Church also practice meditation both as a form of relaxation and also as a way of connecting with the gods. Some believed this tradition was incorporated into this faith from Yemuism, since the father of the Monasticism of the reformed Church was a former Yemuist Seris converted to the teachings of the prophet, St. Ghaspar.    

    Meditation as a form of regenerating magic

      Elves also use meditation as a form of regenerating their magic and also as a form of magical training. Elves, especially those who use magic constantly, meditate at least once a week in order to regenerate their mana. For example, in Unhelion and in the Kingdom of the Snow Elves there are communal meditation sessions in temples, these sessions are done before or after prayer time.   Meditation as a form of magical training and regenerating mana is also present in Yemuism and its a key ritual in everyday life for the followers of this Seris faith. In his teachings, Yemu advises his disciples that anyone who wants to master magic for good should meditate at least once a day, if not once a month. In this meditation, the faithful must not only concentrate on making their magic flow, but must also be fully aware of the magical energy that surrounds them. They must also reflect on their behavior and on whether the way they have used magic is correct.   These teachings are followed to the letter by what we could say is the armed wing of Yemuism, the Order of the Knights of Light. Its rules state that knights must meditate once a week in temples located within castles, or together with other faithful in chapels or temples on land owned by the Order. This should help improve their magical abilities as well as make them more calm and focused when entering combat. Practicing group meditation would also help the knights strengthen their bonds with each other.   To this end, both the Grand Master and the other Masters of the Order possess books containing different meditation exercises depending on the circumstances or the magical capacity that they wish to enhance.

    Cover image: by Callyxtus with Midjourney

    Comments

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    Jul 28, 2024 23:53 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

    Great article. I love that Claire isn't very good at it. XD

    Emy x
    Explore Etrea
    Aug 19, 2024 17:46

    The first line made me think of my yoga classes and I could really empathize with Claire, as I often have problems concentrating and letting go. Nice article and the thoughts on why the elves should meditate in order to be able to handle magic better and to regenerate it are all very logical and well thought out. I also like that you keep combining different things from the earthly world and making them into something new (medieval knights, Buddhism, yoga meditation).

    Stay imaginative and discover Blue´s Worlds, Elaqitan and Naharin.
    Aug 19, 2024 23:37 by Deleyna Marr

    I like the juxtaposition of the bit at the top with the formality of the body of the article. I like that you included both private and group meditation as well.

    Deleyna
    Aug 28, 2024 21:34

    Thank you!! ^^. My intention was to add a funny quote at the beginning to "relax" the reader before delving into the main article.