#Embracing the Zen of Gaming

[thealchemyofgamecreation]

Thinking Like Picasso: A Fresh Perspective on Game Design

🎮 Excited to share "Thinking Like Picasso: A Fresh Perspective on Game Design"! 🖌️🎨 Step into the mind of Picasso and discover a whole new way to approach game design🕹️ #GameDesign #Picasso #Innovation #AdobeFirefly

Section 1: Unleashing Your Inner Picasso: An IntroductionSection 2: Breaking the Mold: Shattering ConventionsUnleash Your Inner Maverick:Beyond the Comfort Zone:Thinking Outside the HUD:Redefining Progression:Dare to Innovate:Section 3: The Art of Simplicity: Less is MoreDiscovering Elegance in Simplicity:Stripping Away the Clutter:A Seamless Journey:Embracing the Zen of Gaming:Lessons from…

[leveloneandup]

Press returns to Angel City training

The star forward joined team training for the first time in two years.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The rehabilitation process has not been easy for Angel City forward Christen Press. She tore her right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) against Racing Louisville on June 11, 2022, and underwent four surgeries.

Now, two years later, on the same day, Press returned to Angel City team training.

Press participated in warm-ups and a passing drill. Although she had trained individually and been around the team for months, she had not gone through drills with the rest of the group until Tuesday.

“I always thought I would be on the quickest timeline possible,” Press told reporters. “I always had some big milestone in my head that I just was sure I was going to make. That’s part of who I am. I’m just relentlessly optimistic. I’m naively positive, thinking that everything’s gonna work out for me. I never want that to change.

I kind of got off course of all of those timelines so many times that I finally had to relinquish that expectation of myself. To be back in my team training, which is a small milestone, but one that you [the media] are all here for, it feels like a full circle kind of moment. It feels a little poetic to hit it on the day precisely.”

Tuesday’s return was a significant step forward for the two-time World Cup winner. However, her return to matches may not be soon.

“It’s going to be a little while before you see me in a game, so be patient,” Press said.

In the meantime, Press will continue the rehabilitation process. Her plan involves individual drills and work in team training.

“[Press] has a detailed plan that she is fully bought into moving forward with, which is exciting,” Tweed said. “There will be different days in terms of loading and what she is doing. But she is doing things daily in an individual space, so when she comes back into the team training, she is prepared for everything that’s coming her way.”

To be able to get her in pieces with the team is huge, but to continue moving forward with her individual trading is also huge.”

Despite the lengthy (and ongoing) comeback, Press feels she has healed herself while being a part of Angel City. She built a community in Los Angeles and feels settled for the first time in her life.

“I bought a house,” Press said. “I have a home here, and it feels permanent. That is very different. In that, I have been able to build a community that I feel very cared for in and that has helped me heal.”

Press is excited about her eventual return to matches but also understands the importance of patience.

“No matter how zen I seem when I talk about it, you can’t help having your mind race towards the excitement of, if I check all these boxes and I make it on the fastest timeline, then I could make this game,” Press said. “You can’t help but do that.

“I try to embrace that excitement and not squander it, but then also temper it with the balance and the reality that this is not in my control and patience has been my best friend for the last 730 days and more.”

Press will stay the course. Tuesday’s participation in team training was a step closer to her comeback.

Source: The Sporting Tribune

[pirunika]

Masterpost try #368

last updated: 10.11.24

Tags :

#sudraws #my writing #xx #music #reference #photography etc.

Art Blog @mandoart

A03 (being revised)

Feel free to ask me anything, i love talking about my ocs or ideas (´°ω°`) or simply meet people

Fave LIs in no order bc why not :

Lann (Pathfinder Wrath of the Righteous)

Heinrix (Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader)

Alistair, Fenris, Blackwall (Dragon Age)

Garrus, Jaal (Mass Effect Trilogy)

Danse (Fallout 4)

Torian, Aric (Swtor)

Elliott (Stardew Valley)

Astraeus, Alain, Reiner, Nav (Lovestruck)

Liod, Andvari, Chris (Romance Club)

Asra, Julian (The Arcana)

Jumin Han, Zen (Mystic Messenger)

Lucifer, Mammon (Obey Me)

Hanzo (Nightshade)

Raze honestly all 3... (Demonheart)

Ernol, Haron (Ebon Light)

Leander (Touchstarved WIP)

Flannan (The Good People WIP)

M, A (The Wayhaven Chronicles)

Herald, Lady Argent (Fallen Hero)

Hadrian (The Golden Rose)

Uly (Whiskey-Four)

Blade (Shepherds of Haven WIP)

Laurent all of them (Perfumare WIP)

O, G (Infamous WIP)

Games I Play/ed

Dragon Raja Mobile

Sims free2play, mobile, 3, 4

Black Desert Mobile

Fate Grand Order

Cookie Run Kingdom

Eldarya

Lovelink

MeChat

Blush Blush

Choices

Ikemen Sengoku

Samurai LBP

A Date with Death

Andromeda Six

Tailor Tales

Hollywood Red Embrace

Guild Wars 2

Slay the Princess

Fear & Hunger

Samurai of Hyuga

Blood Moon

Tin Star

Relics of the Lost Age

Soul Stone War

Tally Ho

I, the Forgotten One

Fields of Asphodel

Choice of the Deathless

Playlists :

Astraeus (Astoria Fate's Kiss - Lovestruck)

Astoria MC (aka Eos just below)

Sails in the Fog (Romance Club)

Shepherds of Haven WIP IF

Infamous WIP IF Band

Mason (Wayhaven Chronicles)

Some main-ish OCs/MCs :

Manolya 'Mili' Rosebud Sackville (Lord of the Rings Online) #oc: mili 4"

Gulsary Altankaya (DnD Online) #oc: gulsary 4'5"

Vorawin'ther Vandree 'Vora Winter' (Neverwinter/1/2, Pathfinder Wrath of the Righteous — a drow in one and dhampir in the latter) #oc: vora, #oc: vorawin'ther 5"

Balta Granar (Elder Scrolls Online) oc: #balta 6'2"

Ayka Delgerdzaya Aeducan (Dragon Age Origins) #oc: ayka 4'8"

Aurora Hawke (Dragon Age 2) #oc: aurora 5'5"

Talas Adaar (Dragon Age Inquisition) #oc: aysha 6'8"

Sue (lol i made a self insert for Fallout New Vegas) #the courier 5'4"

Anna Arslanowicz (Fallout 4) #oc: anna 6"

Elnara 'Ellie' Seitosmanovna Krymsky (Saints Row series) #oc: ellie 5'11"

'Lia' Shepard (Mass Effect trilogy) #oc: lia 5'3"

Valentina 'Tina' Ryder (Mass Effect Andromeda) #oc: valentina 5'6"

'Nino Balkish' (Star Wars the Old Republic, Chiss Mando Bounty Hunter) #oc: nino 5'11"

Emija Prizrak (Star Wars the Old Republic, Chiss Republic Trooper) #oc: emija 5'3"

Berra H'akan (Star Wars the Old Republic, Cathar Mando -by birth- Bounty Hunter) #oc: berra 4'11"

Kartili Kelborn (Star Wars the Old Republic, Twi'lek Smuggler mando ) #oc: kartili 5'7"

Yvadin Stagard (Star Wars the Old Republic, Twi'lek Bounty Hunter) #oc: yvadin 5'2"

Lirash Paaran (Star Wars the Old Republic, Togruta Bounty Hunter) #oc: lirash 5'10" montrals included

Koalcha (Star Wars the Old Republic, Chiss Imperial Agent token male oc) #oc: koalcha 6'6"

Eos 'Eremenko' surname may vary (MC of Astoria Fate's Kiss / Lost Kisses, interactive fiction in general & Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader & my WIP interpretation of the titan goddess with the same name) #oc: eos 4'11"

Ela (The Arcana, Fictif & Choices stories..etc. #oc: ela 5'8"

Eve 'Mac Diarmada' (Obey Me / Nightbringer, my interpretation of Eve!) #oc: eve 6"

Others :

Star Wars Clan H'akan (original Mandalorian clan settled on Werda, led by Danyal H'akan - also, father of Berra ⬆️) #clan h'akan

Star Wars Clan Strillir (also my Mandalorian clan on Werda, led by Sidar Strillir) #clan strillir

ASOIAF House Dawnbreak (a semi-noble household) here

Cultist Simulator (Follower) OC here (Eos ⬆️AU really...)

My Writing :

Homecoming, gen but Lucifer being Lucifer (OBEY ME)

My Moodboards, Edits :

SHEPHERDS OF HAVEN MC TEMPLATE

SHEPHERDS OF HAVEN MC MOODBOARD

BLADE X MC MOODBOARD

BLADE X MC MOODBOARD 2

ASTRAEUS X MC MOODBOARD 1

ASTRAEUS X MC MOODBOARD 2

ALAIN RICHTER MOODBOARD

[robin374]

TF2 mercs as Basque songs (if they dedicated them to you)

I love them all

I expect this to flop.

Scout

"No es extraño

Que tú estés loca por mí

Por eso no es extraño

Que tú estés loca por mí"

"It's no wonder

you're crazy for me,

That's why it's no wonder

You're crazy for me"

Pyro

"Ametsetan, ametsetan zure mundutik gurera."

"Dreaming, dreaming from your world to ours"

Engie

"Emaidazu berriro

ongietorria,

zu zara nire poz

guztien iturria.

Emaidazu berriro

Ongietorria

Gelditzeko nator eta!"

"Welcome me again.

You are the source

of all my joy.

Welcome me again,

I've come to stay!"

Heavy

"Ta elkartuko gara berriro, gure betiko lekuetan.

Zabalduko ditugu besoak, besarkatuz gure arimak."

"And we will meet again, in our usual places.

We will open our arms, embracing our souls."

Medic

"Hegoak ebaki banizkio,

Nerea izango zen,

Ez zuen aldegingo.

Baina, honela

Ez zen gehiago txoria izango.

Eta nik...

Txoria nuen maite.

"If I had cut off its wings,

It would have been mine.

It wouldn't leave.

But so,

It wouldn't be a bird anymore

And I...

Loved the bird. "

Spy

"Ez gara izan onenak, beharbada, baina gure bizitza izan da."

...

"Ta ez galdetu inoiz zer galdu genuen, negar egin genuenean. Malko haiei esker orain itsasoa gara."

"Maybe we weren't the best, but it was our life."

...

"And don't you ever ask what we lost, when we cried. Thanks to those tears, we are now the sea."

Demo

"Izan gaitezen bihurri, izan gaitezen pirata

Partxe bat begian jarriz egunsentiari kanta"

"Let's be mischievous, let's be pirates

Patch put in the eye singing to the dawn"

Soldier

"Ta zure eskutik debekaturikoa egin,

tiroka dabiltzan haurrak jolasetan ikusi.

Preso direnen izenean, harresiak sutan ikusi."

"And do the forbidden by your hand,

Watch kids shoot at games.

In the name of the prisoners,

See the walls burning.

Sniper

"Errepidean geldikaitzak gara,

Leiho bat behera ta oihu bat kanpora

Errepidean gaur berriz,

Abesti berri bat idaztekotan"

"We're unstoppable on the road

Window down and a scream out.

Back on the road today,

About to write a new song."

[goombasa]

Why I Like Grinding... Sometimes

Grinding.

For some people, it's a four-letter word. If you grew up with classic RPGs, particularly classic JRPGs like the early Final Fantasy, Hydlide, or Dragon Quest (Dragon Warrior if you're cool and American) games. Grinding is the act of basically staying in a stationary area and fighting the same sort of mobs over and over again to earn experience and money to both increase your level or capabilities and afford more expensive, better gear for your party.

With the way that games like this tend to have large jumps in difficulty from one area to the next, and with the fact that a lot of early RPGs tended to be pretty short if you knew where to go in sequence, so grinding was a means of stretching a game out for a little longer. From there, it sort of became a mainstay of RPG design for a while, save for a few outliers. Games like Chrono Trigger were built in such a way that grinding really wasn't necessary for a majority of its runtime. But on the other side, you had games like Secret of Mana that embraced the grind quite heavily, not only having character levels, but also magic and weapon levels that had to be grinded out as well.

Nowadays, aside from more niche titles that are aimed at a specific audience, grinding is pretty frowned upon in games, regardless of genre. Quite a few open world games that have resource management systems force you to grind for parts and resources to upgrade any number of things, and it can get quite tedious, maybe even moreso than classic RPG grinding, especially when what you're trying to grind for has a random chance of appearing rather than a set number you're trying to reach.

But, confession time, I like grinding. Sometimes. Specifically, that older version of it where you're mostly just fighting the same things over and over again to make a number go up, and it assuredly goes up after a set amount of battles. Yes, I am part of that niche audience that enjoys a nice, grindy RPG. The reason being is because I find it to be a very zen experience, actually quite relaxing to just run in a circle and kick around enemies for a few hours. Hell, some games make grinding and watching the numbers go up part of their identity. A lot of the strategy RPGs from Nippon Ichi Software, particularly the Disgaea series are particularly famous for this with their absurdly high level and stat assists, even going as far as to let you level up the weapons, armor, accessories and even general items that can be leveled up to an exits. These sorts of games, I find the process of grinding out levels and making my army of weirdos and freaks more and more powerful over time. Disgaea in particular has actually done a great job of introducing more quality of life options that helps cut down on the grinding overall, while still making grinding a decently zen experience.

That's also probably one of the reasons why I like RPG grinding the most. It's something that, for the most part, doesn't require my full attention and I can split between grinding out levels and doing something else without generally having to worry about something else. That's typically not something that you can do in a game that has more of an action focus. Now, grinding out something in a game that requires absolute attention can be fun on its own, if the gameplay loop is satisfying. I can't count how many times I would fight and refight the same beast in Monster Hunter Tri in hopes of getting that rare monster part that I need to upgrade my weapon or armor. Those games are great, because the grinding is accompanied by these constant back and forth fights with large monsters. Not necessarily relaxing, but fulfilling, and not quite as annoying as, say, gathering up just a bunch of resources by running around the world in order to try to do the same sort of thing.

Grinding isn't something that I think should be a mainstay, and I will admit, I'm in the minority of thinking that grinding, in any way, is fun. I'm not saying that a game needs grinding to be good, far from it. Grinding is something that is very easy to do wrong, very wrong, and with Quality of Life features being such a big part of more modern games, grinding has largely been phased out, as mentioned, save for that niche of more ‘hardcore’ (I'm not a fan of that descriptor, but I couldn't think of a better way of describing what I meant) games where the grind is more of the point.

I'm curious to hear if any of you feel similar. Do you find grinding to be a more relaxing or focusing activity and if so, what sort of games do you like or hate to grind in?

[marshmallowprotection]

Do you ever think about the epiphany ending in the April fools dlc? I do, a lot. I think about my thoughts about Zen and what he may think of them. I think about the crushing disappointment that must come from finding out someone you love is actually not from the same universe as you, not felt by me (although that might have to do with the fact I know it's a game) but felt by Zen. I think about the sadness in his eyes betraying the smile on his face. I think about the tragedy of it all.

There is something painful and beautiful about realizing that you can love another person despite the infinite yet finite cosmos keeping the two of you apart until the end of time. It's painful to know you will not get the chance to hold the one you cherish and hold dear, and it's so much worse to think you'll never have a life with them.

Yet, despite all of that, you still love that person who is beyond your reach. You know you always will. Nothing will ever change that fact.

You don't want them to suffer or hurt... you want them to live a life worth leading... and even if you're not together, as long as you live a happy life, maybe the next one... you'll be able to see each other and live that life you dreamed of during this one. Zen doesn't want you to be sad... but he's sad. He's miserable. He'll never have the chance he wants to hold you, to kiss you, and to embrace you.

He'll always have a layer of glass keeping you away from him... and yet, he'll suffer through it... because as long as he has a glimpse of your smile, his agony will have been worth it. No matter where you travel or how far you go, he will always love you and only you.

This particular life is a tragic ending for an actor such as him, he will be there, playing his role of a sad lover who never betrays his one and only true love, universes apart, he will always be yours.

[kachikirby]

Mostly Extensive List of my Comfort Characters

Friends told me to embrace the potential cringe and create a list of characters from media I like that I consider my comfort characters. I'm going to put all of them under a cut since there might be a lot.

If this makes me cringe, then I am cringe, but I am at least free.

Also I will say a lot of my OCs are my comfort characters, but this is for characters that aren't my OCs. Italiced characters are like some of my personal favorite characters.

Kirby series

Kirby

Meta Knight

King Dedede

Bandee

Fate series

Theyber/Yamato Takeru

Iori Miyamoto

Arthur Pendragon

Brynhildr

Sigurd

Voyager

Murasaki Shikabu

Sengo Muramasa

Charlemagne

Asclepius

Sei Shonagon

Cu Chulliann

Okita Souji

Hijikata Toshizo

Waver Velvet

SD Gundam franchise

Knight Gundam

Musha Gundam

Musha Noomaru/Onmitsu Gundam

Musha Victory Gundam

Kouki Gundam

Musha Godmaru

Bushimaru

Kokuryu Gundam

King Gundam II

Mystery Knight Neo Gundam

Selenis Knight Luna Gundam

Devil Dragon Blade Zero Gundam

Knight Unicorn Gundam

Vassal Duke Strike Freedom Gundam

Valkyrie Gundam Hazel

Gundam series (not SD)

Amuro Ray

Bellri Zenam

Asemu Asuno/Captain Ash

Zeheart Gallet

Cagalli Yula Athla

Rey Za Burrel

Suletta Mercury

Elan Ceres 4

Fumina Hoshino

Domon Kasshu

Bleach

Uryu Ishida

Ichigo Kurosaki

Rukia Kuchiki

Orihime Inoue

Renji Abarai

Yachiru Kusajishi

Yoruichi Shihoin

Bambietta Basterbine

Askin Nakk Le Var

Vanillaware Games

Gwendolyn

Oswald

Momohime

Keitaro Miura

Natsuno Minami

Alain

Scarlett

Virginia

Auch

Blue Archive

Pretty much everyone in C & C (Especially Asuna Ichinose)

Aris Tendou

Aru Rikuhachima

Koharu Shimoe

Hifumi Ajitani

Kayoko Onikata

Tsurugi Kenzaki

Azur Lane

Enterprise

New Jersey

Essex

Bataan

Hammann

Leander

Unicorn

Z23

Amagi

Kinu

Shimakaze

Gargantia on the Verduous Planet

Ledo

Chamber

The King of Fighters

Leona Heidern

Ash Crimson

Terry Bogard

Rock Howard

Fire Emblem series

Eirika

Lyon

Chrom

Robin

Henry

Sumia

Corrin

Kaze

Disgaea series

Valvatorez

Killia

The World Ends with You

Shiki Misaki

Neku Sakuraba

Mashin Hero Wataru

Wataru Ikusabe

Kurama

God Eater series

Ciel Alençon

Gilbert McLane

Persona series

Shinjiro Aragaki

Naoto Shirogane

Yusuke Kitagawa

Macross series

Alto Saotome

Ranka Lee

Freyja Wion

Back Arrow

Back Arrow

Shu Bi

Zanki Zero

Zen Kuroda

Yuna Mashiro

Others (Series that only have like one character)

Ryogi Shiki (Kara no Kyokai)

Samus Aran (Metroid)

Erica Fontaine (Sakura Wars)

Takuto Tsunashi (Star Driver)

Yuudias Velgear (Yu Gi Oh! Go Rush)

Switch (Sket Dance)

Violet Evergarden

Black Jack/Kuro Hazama (Black Jack)

Reiji Moritsugu (Linebarrels of Iron)

Mami Tomoe (Madoka Magia)

Kitaro (Gegege no Kitaro)

Rosalina (Mario)

Mothra

Slime (Dragon Quest)

Strider Hiryu (Strider)

[quirkplus]

Master Your Day: 10 Planner Tips for Student Success

Reflecting on your daily progress doesn’t have to be boring! Think of it as your personal growth check-in a time to celebrate wins 🎉, learn from hiccups 😅, and set yourself up for success tomorrow. Ready to make progress reflection fun? Let’s dive in! 🚀

1. Write It Down in a Journal 📝

Grab that journal (or open your notes app), and write about your day! What did you crush today? What made you facepalm? 🤦‍♂️ This helps you make sense of it all, spot patterns and find those moments.

2. Daily Checklist = Daily Win Streak 🏆

There’s something so satisfying about checking things off a list, right? At the end of the day, see what you’ve completed and enjoy that mini-victory dance. 💃🕺 Plus, it helps you stay organized and see what you’ve pushed off (again) for tomorrow! 😜

3. Are You Smashing Those Goals? 🎯

Take a second to evaluate how close you are to reaching your goals. Did today move you one step closer to world domination (or just getting through the to-do list)? Either way, adjust as needed to stay on track or tweak that plan!

4. Mindful Reflection… But Make It Chill 🧘‍♀️

Close your eyes, take some deep breaths, and think back on your day. How did you feel? What worked, and what didn’t? This is your zen moment 🧘‍♂️ embrace it to uncover where you kicked butt and where things got a little messy.

5. Ask for a Second Opinion 👂

Sometimes, you just need a fresh set of eyes (and ears) on things. Get feedback from a friend or colleague whether it’s to validate your success or point out that maybe, just maybe, you could’ve done something differently. 😬 Hey, we’re all learning!

6. Celebrate Like a Boss – Big Wins, Small Wins, All Wins! 🏆

Big win, small win who cares? Take a moment to celebrate what you achieved today. Seriously, even making it through a tough meeting deserves a high-five! ✋ Celebrations are all about keeping that motivation high.

7. Tomorrow’s Game Plan 🗓️

Why leave tomorrow’s game plan to chance? Before you call it a day, plot out your priorities for tomorrow. You’ll wake up with a solid plan and feel like a productivity pro. 💪 (At least until the coffee kicks in. ☕)

8. Gratitude Journal: The Feel-Good Habit 💖

Write down three things you’re grateful for today. Did your coffee machine not break down today? Did you nail a presentation? 🌟 Focusing on the good stuff keeps your spirits high and reminds you of those little wins.

9. Time Audit, But Fun 🤷‍♀️

Where did your time go today? No judgment we’ve all fallen down the Instagram rabbit hole 🐰📱. But try to review your time and see what you can cut down on (like endless scrolling 🙈) to free up space for things that actually matter.

10. The Weekly Wrap-Up: Reflection, But Bigger 🔍

Take a step back at the end of the week (or month) to see the bigger picture. How’s your overall progress looking? Are there patterns you’re repeating (good or bad)? It’s a great way to keep the momentum going and crush those long-term goals.

By making reflection a fun (and yes, sometimes silly) part of your routine, you’ll actually look forward to reviewing your progress. Whether you’re celebrating 🎉 or adjusting your game plan 🛠️, these practices will help you grow and slay those goals every day!

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#StudentSuccessTips, #DailyProgressCheck, #PlannerForStudents, #StudyWithPlanner, #BoostProductivityNow, #DailyReflectionGuide, #GoalCrushingTips, #TaskManagementHacks, #OrganizeYourDay, #TrackDailyWins, #MindfulReflectionTips, #SimpleProgressTips, #JournalingForGrowth, #StudentProductivityBoost, #TimeAuditMadeEasy, #CelebrateSmallWins, #SetGoalsForSuccess, #PlanYourTomorrowToday, #GratitudeHabit, #WeeklyWrapUpReview

[numberonesnarkfan]

Here's a short story concept I wrote. I call it "The end of the end is never the end". Or something cool like that.

It was the end of the world.

Well, ‘world’ was a loose term for it.

Stanley and his Narrator stood side by side on a floating chunk of the office building. The entire parable was crumbling - floating in the air - the copy machine and Stanley’s desk and the cargo lift and the two doors, now separated from their wall, floated in the abyss. Endless stars opened above and an infinite ocean below.

Perhaps this, itself, was a parable. Stanley wasn’t sure of its moral, only that he hoped it would be heeded by whoever came next.

“It’s the end of the endings.” The Narrator murmured, staring up at the supermoon. “I never… I was always so safe… from entropy. Even when you subjected me to millennia of isolation, there was no permanence to it but the memories. I would always be back, starting your story again, good as new.”

“It’s the end of the world… And it’s so beautiful.”

The Narrator started to sniffle. He drew closer to Stanley, holding his hand and hugging his arm close to his chest. His voice wobbled.

“Maybe, after this, we’ll wake up in your office, and we’ll play the game again. You and I, forever, just like always. Would you like that, Stanley?” 

His voice was barely above a whisper now,

“I’d like that very much.”

The Narrator sobbed into Stanley’s sleeve. Stanley felt hot, wet tears on his arm. He wanted nothing more than to cradle the Narrator, for both of their comfort, and ignore the end. To just hold each other and breathe in their warmth until they felt no more.

But of course, Stanley was being controlled right now. He was in a cutscene. He couldn’t move, couldn’t blink. He could only allow his hand to be held and wait.

The streaks of red lighting struck through the copy machine floating nearby. It cracked in half, then turned red and disappeared in a cloud of JPEG artefacts. Then they struck down a door, a platform, a window. All of them disappeared the same way, erased from the game.

Stanley held the image in his mind, as clearly as possible. His office, his computer. He wanted nothing more than to wake up to his job, to go back to pushing the buttons. Stanley wanted nothing more than to continue his Sisyphean torment with his Narrator. It’s all he wanted.

A bolt of red lightning flashed next to Stanley, searing heat electrifying the air. Stanley heard the Narrator gasp and cry out. He so wished he could close his eyes. The Narrator’s entire body turned solid red, for a moment, one second that seemed infinite. Then, He was only a cloud of glitchy material. 

Then, he was gone.

Stanley no longer felt his body warmth up against him, his hand in his. All that he’d ever known was taken from him, just like that, in an instant.

Stanley felt something feather-light in his hand. He looked down and found that he was in full control of his movements again. He shuffled his feet experimentally, then focused his eyes to his palm.

It was a single, thin strand of the Narrator’s brown hair, not erased by the entropy. Stanley drew his hand to his face and breathed in the last of the Narrator’s scent left on him. He smelled like tea and honey and lemon zest. He smelled like eucalyptus trees and rolling plains and stuffy office buildings. He smelled like zen rooms and mind control rooms and phone rooms. He smelled like home, and now he was gone.

A platform above Stanley dissolved into nothing, and a metallic clank followed soon after. Stanley stared at his feet, the bucket, his bucket, rolling up to nudge his shoes lightly. Stanley almost smiled. He loved his bucket, he knew that his bucket would ease his pain. Stanley lifted the bucket into his arms.

Stanley felt nothing. No wave of comfort, no soft embrace. Usually, he felt a presence, residing within the bucket, staring back at him. Looking into the bucket, he felt nothing. It was just a bucket. It was an average hardware store bucket, he could get an identical one for less than twenty dollars. His stickers were still there, but the comfort that Stanley had felt was gone.

Stanley dropped the bucket to the floor. It rolled and fell off of the edge of the platform, spinning and plunging into the inky sea.

Stanley stared back up at the entropy. The flickering, red mass that consumed all that it touched with its sharp, electrical tendrils.

Stanley felt a searing heat flare up against him. Stanley accepted it.

The entropy pointed its blade of lightning toward him. For a moment, Stanley’s vision went red.

Then, Stanley was nothing at all.

There was nothing to think, nothing to know.

He was free.

[natasha-in-space]

Okay I understand, maybe you can do headcanon of RFA and Saeran with MC who look exactly like Rika, maybe same name

Well, this would be a very sensitive and complicated situation for everyone involved, really. Rika was an important person for everyone in the RFA, albeit in very different ways. Imagine mourning someone who has left such a big impact on your life, only to have someone who looks just like them show up one day. It'll be awkward and weird. To put it simply. Everyone is aware that this is not Rika, of course. It would be highly disrespectful to treat this newcomer like they are not a completely different person. I think everyone would be as respectful as can be. However, it would still be extremely uncomfortable for everyone involved.

The circumstances are what determine everything, though. If MC bonds with everyone the way you do in the game, I think all of the issues I'm about to mention would be lessened. That is, without interacting face to face. No one will care how you look, if they already know you as a person. But, if you're asking about their reactions to seeing someone who looks very similar to Rika, without having the opportunity to get to know them first, here's my interpretation.

I don't think Yoosung is going to be able to actually meet MC face to face for quite some time. Both for his own mental health, and because he knows he'll probably make them feel very uncomfortable. And he doesn't want that. But you can't really blame him for seeing his lost cousin every time he looks at them. It's an agonizing experience. He'll need to overcome his grief before actually starting to form a genuine connection with the MC. Out of everyone, he'll definitely have the hardest time of all. But, he'll do his best to be respectful and kind to MC nonetheless. He'll probably experience a lot of guilt over his inability to connect with them properly. But, with time and health communication, I believe he'll definitely pull through it and open himself up to this new relationship.

Zen would be more relaxed since Rika wasn't as essential to him as to some other members. Even so, for quite a long while, she remained a woman he deeply admired and trusted. It's a weird uncomfortable feeling to be met with the stark image of her. Still, he will be mostly respectful and welcoming. I think he's the most comfortable person to get along with out of everyone in this situation. I believe it will take him the least time to fully embrace MC as a new member. He'll probably be their rock of support in this very strange predicament. He understands what it's like to feel a certain way because of your looks. And he doesn't want their new member to feel that way. It’s actually rather sweet to think about him getting all protective and caring over MC in this situation!

Jaehee is... Well, she arguably grieved Rika the least out of the RFA, but that doesn't mean she'll feel any less weird about the whole ordeal. In my opinion, she will be mostly professional and polite in her demeanor. She won't make MC feel uncomfortable, but there is an obvious feeling of distance between them, and that's intentional on Jaehee's part. She might mellow out with time, though. But, for the time being, she'd prefer to keep the relationship strictly professional.

Jumin is pretty similar to Jaehee in terms of his overall attitude, but his situation is far more complicated. Rika was his closest friend after V. Although he doesn't show it in the same open manner as Yoosung does, his grief for her is deep and strong. He'll definitely feel very uncomfortable on the inside the first time he sees this MC. He'll dislike that feeling even more because he understands that this is not Rika, and he shouldn't compare the two. While Yoosung is struggling with the constant reminders of Rika whenever he looks at MC, Jumin will face more frustrations with himself and his own inner feelings. He doesn't like acting illogical. And realizing that he's losing the grip on his emotions is... hard for him. Mostly because it feels like he's not in control of himself. And that's something he can't have, for more than just one reason. I believe that, much like Jaehee, he will keep the relationship mostly professional. He will be polite and respectful towards MC, and he will do everything in his power to make sure that the party is successful and that their new member feels comfortable. But on the inside, he will definitely be having a very difficult time.

For Saeyoung it's... complicated, to say the least. Although he was much closer to V than Rika, their relationship was still very important. Ultimately, she was the one he first met back in the cathedral. As a scared, hungry boy, with no one to turn to. She's the one who cared for his brother, and she's the one he feels forever indebted to. That being said, I do not think it will be as difficult for him as it is for Yoosung and Jumin. But it will still be very uncomfortable. He'll find himself being less playful and more serious around MC, something he has done with Rika whenever she was in the chatroom. He'll probably berate himself for that, distracting himself with his job. In my opinion, he will warm up overtime. After getting to know MC as an individual person.

And for Saeran, well... It really depends on a lot of factors. But if we're talking about him just meeting MC who looks like Rika, it won't be pretty, and he will need to excuse himself to breathe for sure. It's fair to say that Rika is the source of the most trauma for him. It is nothing against MC, but you can't really do anything about your body and mind acting on their own accord to protect you. It really depends on which Saeran we're talking about, as well. SE Saeran will have the strongest reaction of all, while GE Saeran will most likely settle down with some time and space for him to sort through his emotions. With Saeran, it's a very similar situation to Yoosung, only in very different circumstances. Both will have the hardest time of all to avoid the visual similarities. But, while Yoosung it's the feelings of grief, for Saeran, it's the feelings of discomfort and fear. It is very much possible to work through those emotions with lots of time and patience, though.

That's the sentiment for all of them, really. It might be difficult at first, but, none of them would want to make MC uncomfortable. And all of them would come to appreciate and love them regardless.

[istariray23]

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[mistbow]

The Virtue of Void

The dragon mark on the Shepherd’s glove is modeled after Maotelus, and even the cloak is based upon the patterns of Maotelus. The Shepherd also uses Maotelus’ powers, the “Silver Flame”, to purify hellions. Yet, I think, even outside of his duty as the Shepherd, Sorey’s character represents the virtue in the element that Maotelus represents, Void.

In Zestiria, there are five elements: Earth (地), Water (水), Fire (火), Wind (風), and Void (無), modeled after the Godai (五大) in Japanese Buddhism: Earth (地), Water (水), Fire (火), Wind (風), and Void (空); as you can see that even the Five Lords are called Godaishin (五大神) in Japanese. However, if you notice in the kanji used for void, it’s actually different; sure, both “空” and “無” can be translated to “Void” in English, however, there’s a big yet nuanced difference here.

When 空 is used (like in the original Godai in Buddhism), Void means something like a vacant space. There’s nothing inside. Think about how a vase is useful because it has the clay part holding everything together, and the space inside it that you can put anything in it. In Buddhism, this character is used when describing śūnyatā or the element of ākāśa (both are very different concepts, mind you).

When 無 is used (like in Zestiria), Void means something like no-thing, like when you put the prefix un- or non- in English. It is the “without”. What it is not, however, is “no” in the “yes” and “no” dichotomy, which I will talk about later. It also, in some ways, refers to pure awareness, before the human gains experience and knowledge.

In Zen Buddhism, there’s a popular kouan in Mumonkan (無門關, lit. The Gateless Gate), in which the first kouan (趙州狗子) reads like this:

趙州和尚、因僧問、狗子還有佛性也無。州云、無。

A monk asked Zhaozhou Congshen, a Chinese Zen master, “Has a dog Buddha-nature or not?” Zhaozhou answered, “無.”

This has been interpreted to mean as follows: The kouan is not about whether a dog does or does not have a Buddha-nature because everything is Buddha-nature, and either a positive or negative answer is absurd because there is no particular thing called Buddha-nature. In it, the answer of “negative”, 無, is clarified as although all beings have potential Buddha-nature, beings who do not have the capacity to see it and develop it essentially do not have it. The purpose of this primary kouan to a student is to free the mind from analytic thinking and into intuitive knowing. A student who understands the nature of his question would understand the importance of awareness of potential to begin developing it.

VELVET: Let me ask you a question, Shepherd. Which do you choose: the “many” or the “individual”? SOREY: Well, I suppose I'd choose each of the “individual” so I'd end up with the “many.”

This is a very Sorey-like answer, of course, in which I mean to say that here he basically refuses to engage in the dichotomy presented by Velvet (Artorius, actually). Sorey indirectly says to unask this question; it is fundamentally flawed and that he won’t give in to the premise that a dualistic answer can be given in this case. It’s not either-or, because without the individual, there is not the many, and vice-versa.

To explain more on that, I’d like to go back to the Five Lords, but especially look at the crests for the two known leaders of the Lords: Maotelus and Innominat.

The Crest of Maotelus

A crest signifying Maotelus, the central figure of the Five Lords—a lord of the void, who embodies both light and darkness.

The Crest of Innominat

A crest that bears a distinct resemblance to that of Maotelus of the Five Lords. The dark parts are absent, leaving one with an impression of light and purity.

These crests are deliberately similar, yet the big difference is that Innominat’s is missing the “dark” parts: signifying only “light” and “purity.” The “void” that Maotelus represents, on the other hands, embraces both the “dark” and the “light”, and we have the entire game of Berseria to explain why that is.

Taking a closer look at Maotelus’ crest, it reminds me of another symbol that exists in the real world, because of the equal and interacting dark and light parts, almost cyclical.

Taijitu (太極圖), literally meaning the Symbol of the Supreme Ultimate, is often used to symbolize yin-yang (陰陽), opposing yet non-adversarial forces that complement each other, equally taking turns on waning, waxing, waning, and waxing again. The common saying in English is that “there are two sides to everything”, however this doesn’t fully explain the symbol: one half of the yin-yang cannot exist without the other. They are inseparable. If you have a hill that has a sun shining on one side, then you have one sunny side and one shady side. You cannot have an inside of a square without the outside, or the outside without the inside. That sort of thing.

「オレはヘルダルフがどうして災禍の顕主になったのかを知りたいんだ」

迷うことなく答えたスレイにメーヴィンは重ねて尋ねた。

「知ってどうする？あいつを倒す弱点を見つけたいのか？」

「それは���…考えたことなかったな」

「なに？」

意外な答えにメーヴィンは眉間に皺を寄せた。

「じゃあ、なんのためにヘルダルフの過去を知りたいんだ？」

「導師として……ううん、オレがオレとしてヘルダルフと向き合うためだよ」

導師の使命は禍の顕主を鎮めること。スレイが導師になった当初、ライラはそう説明した。そのためには、世界を識る必要があると。

そしてスレイは旅に出た。出会いと別れを繰り返し、喜びと悲しみを繰り返した。どんなことにも裏と表があり、それらは切り離せない関係にあることを識った。

「旅は、導師として必要だったのかもしれない。でも、オレは導師であるまえにオレなんだ。世界を旅して、この世界が災禍の顕主によって危機に瀕していることを改めて識った。それを止めたいと思うのは、導師だからじゃない。オレ自身なんだ」

災禍の顕主は世界を穢れで満たそうとする、いわば大きな”負の流れ”だ。それと向き合い、抗おうとするなら—”正の流れ”になろうとするなら、相手を深く知り、正しく裏と表の関係にならなくてはいけない、とスレイは感じていた。

「導師として災禍の顕主と戦うだけなら、過去なんて識らなくてもいいかもしれない。でも、オレは識りたいんだ。自分が向き合うためには、それが必要だって感じてる。導師じゃなく、オレの勝手な願いだけれど、迷いのない選択をしたいから……メーヴィン、力を貸してくれないかな？」

メーヴィンは沈黙した。顔から笑みは消え、鋭い眼光がスレイを見定めるように行き来する。///スレイも沈黙し、メーヴィンの答えを待った。

やがて語り部は深くため息をついた。

「……なるほどな。使命じゃなく、己の意志で戦うことにしたってわけか……。確かにたいしたタマだったようだ」

“I want to know why Heldalf became the Lord of Calamity.” 

Sorey answered without any hesitation, and Mayvin asked again.

“And what will you do once you know? Do you want to find a weakness to take him down?”

“I... had never thought about that.” 

“What?”

Mayvin’s brows wrinkled at the unexpected answer.

“Then, for what reason do you want to know about Heldalf’s past?”

“I want to face him as the Shepherd... no, as myself.”

It is the Shepherd’s duty to quell the Lord of Calamity. When Sorey first became the Shepherd, Lailah explained this to him. In order to do so, he needed to know the world, she also told him.

Then Sorey set out on his journey. He had repeated encounters and farewells, experienced repeated joy and sorrow. He learned that everything had two sides to it, and that these two sides were inseparable.

“This journey might have been necessary for me as the Shepherd. But I am me before I am the Shepherd. Traveling around the world, I understood once again that this world is threatened by the Lord of Calamity. And I want to stop that not because I am the Shepherd, but because I want to do it as myself.” 

The Lord of Calamity was a great “negative flow,” so to speak, that seeked to fill the world with malevolence. To face and resist this, to be the “positive flow,” Sorey felt he had to know the other party deeply and be on the right side of the relationship between the two.

“If all I want to do is to fight against the Lord of Calamity as the Shepherd, I may not need to know anything about his past. But I want to know; I feel that I need to in order to face him. It’s my own selfish wish, not as the Shepherd, but I want to make this choice without hesitation, so... Mayvin, will you lend me your strength?”

Mayvin was silent. His smile faded from his face, and his sharp eyes came and went as if he were assessing Sorey.

Sorey, too, was silent, waiting for Mayvin’s answer.

“...I see. So you decided to fight him not because of the Shepherd’s calling, but on your own will... you certainly have the gall to do it.”

Emphasis mine. Like coins, Sorey realizes that everything can’t have the tails (裏) without the heads (表). If Heldalf is the minus (負) of this world, so to speak, then in some ways he intuits that he needs to be the plus (正). That’s just how the world operates—it will yield to the balance, as he gets it.

(By the way, this whole duality of everything also applies to life and death in Daoism, and Zestiria, as a whole, touches upon both life and death in its narrative.)

死生，命也，其有夜旦之常

Death and life are ordained, just as we have the constant succession of night and day.

故善吾生者，乃所以善吾死也

That I found it good to live is the very reason why I find it good to die.

(For a person to value life but resist death would be a perversion of our very nature, as life and death are natural stages of being, if we value a person’s life, we should likewise value their death.)

反者道之動 弱者道之用 天下萬物生於有 有生於無

Returning is the movement of Dao. Yielding is the manner of Dao. The ten thousand creatures of the world are created from being; Being is created from non-being.

—Dao De Jing (道德經) verse 40

道生一 一生二 二生三 三生萬物 萬物負陰而抱陽 沖氣以為和

Dao creates one. One creates two. Two creates three. Three creates the ten thousand creatures. The ten thousand creatures carry Yin and embrace Yang, Pouring their Qi together, thus becoming harmonious.

—Dao De Jing (道德經) verse 42

In Daoist philosophy, the yin-yang becomes sensible from an initial, quiescent nothingness or non-being (無), and continues moving on until that quiescence is achieved again.

And I’d like to emphasize this: at the center of Daoist philosophy is that nothingness (無). Everything emerges from that 無, and will come back to that  無 as well; that’s how the world will settle itself naturally, and that’s how we live with Dao (道), or, put simply, the underlying principles of the universe (this is a very gross simplification, by the way).

One of the important concepts in Daoism is wu wei (無為).

道常無為 而無不為

Dao ever-constantly practices actionless action, Yet nothing is left undone.

—Dao De Jing (道德經) verse 37

The term basically gets translated as a lot of things (actionless action, non-action, etc.), but wu wei refers to an action that you do without needing to act on it; an action that is so natural to you that you don’t have to consciously think about how, what, why, when to do it. (Think of how when you learn how to drive, you are conscious about many things, yet when you’re already adept, it’s almost second nature to you.)

Without forcing it. Yes, perhaps that is the right word.

將欲取天下而為之 吾見其不得已

[夫]天下神器 不可為也 為者敗之 執者失之

故物 或行或隨 或(歔)或吹 或強或羸 或挫或隳

是以聖人 去甚 去奢 去泰

Would you take hold of the world and control it? I see you have no choice.

Now: the world is a divine vessel, You can not control it (indeed!). He who acts, ruins it; He who grasps, loses it.

So, among all things, Some lead and some follow, Some sigh and some pant, Some are strong and some are weak, Some overcome and some succumb.

Therefore the sage avoids extremity, excess, and extravagance.

—Dao De Jing (道德經) verse 29

There is an order to life, and we play our parts in it. That’s fine, and it grants us enough liberty to explore our capacities and take delight in them. But if we try to overstep our boundaries, extend beyond our capacities, we will fail miserably and painfully.

There is no satisfaction in pretense, if allowed to guide our lives. We need to be what we are, not what we would like to be.

ROSE: Sorey. If a heart set on justice starts generating malevolence, how do you think it should be stopped? ROSE: That’s what her angle is. She thinks her own personal justice and a universal sense of justice are one and the same.

I hope it’s obvious enough why Cardinal Forton is different from Sorey, despite both having strong enough desires/dreams of their own.

(There’s also duality at play here—Sorey gives life, Rose takes life.)

「イズチにいた頃は"穢れは危険なもの"って認識ですんだけど、こうやって人の世界に出てくると、そんな単純なものじゃないんだってわかったよ。人の社会と穢れは切っても切れない関係なんだ。そこで生きていくということは、誰でも穢れを生む可能性があるってこと」

スレイは街を見通した。フォートンの影響がなくなったとはいえ、穢れはまだ残っている。街の人々が知らないうちに生んでいるのだ。

「オレも穢れを生むかもしれない」

「君は穢れを生まないよ」

ミクリオは間髪入れずに答えた。スレイは顔をしかめる。

「.......どうして、言い切れるんだ？ どうしても叶えたい夢がある——その点では、オレとフォートン枢機卿の気持ちは一緒じゃないか。それで、あの人は穢れを生み出していた」

「あの人とスレイは違う。君はひとりじゃない」

ミクリオははっきりと言った。

「夢を叶えるには、揺るがない意志が必要だ。けれどその強さゆえに、視野が狭くなり、他者の痛みに心が麻痺していく。——でもそれは一人だからだ。一人で夢を叶えようとするから、周りが見えなくなる」

ミクリオはスレイの両肩を摑み、言い聞かせるように言った。

「君の夢は、僕の夢でもある。君が暴走しそうになったら、僕が殴ってでも目を覚まさせる。僕を信じられないか？」

スレイは迷わず首を振る。その勢いのよさに、ミクリオは少しだけ笑う。

「だから君は穢れに捕まることはない、絶対」

“When I was in Elysia, I was aware that malevolence was a dangerous thing, but now that I’m out in the world of humans, I come to realize that it’s not that simple. Human society and malevolence are inseparable, even if we try to separate them. Living in such a world means that everyone has the potential to be tainted.”

Sorey looked over the town. Although Forton’s influence is gone, malevolence still remains. The people of this town were giving birth to malevolence without them realizing it.

“I might give birth to malevolence too.”

“You won’t.”

Without a moment’s delay, Mikleo answered. Sorey frowned.

“…How can you be so sure about that? I have a dream that I really want to fulfill——and in that respect, aren’t my feelings the same as Cardinal Forton’s? She was giving birth to malevolence because of that.”

“You’re different from her. You’re not alone.”

Mikleo made it very clear.

“An unwavering will is needed to make dreams come true. But because of how strong it is, our vision narrows and our hearts become numb to the pain of others——but that’s only because we are alone. Because we try to fulfill our dreams alone, we lose sight of the world around us.”

Mikleo said, grabbing both of Sorey’s shoulders, as if to remind him.

“Your dream is also my dream. If you are about to go out of control, I’ll punch you to wake you up. Or you can’t trust me?”

(Emphasis, again, mine.)

The Daoist sage is the paradigm of proper responsiveness. He has perfect sensitivity and responsiveness both to things in the world and to other people; to his surroundings. He’s open to the dynamic of relationship self-other, to the relativity and mutual involvement of self and other. In contrast with an average human being, the sage, whose heart-mind (心) is free from any residue, displays an “unbiased receptivity to things.” His empty heart-mind “takes no distortive action” and so “what is can be as it is, with no disfigurement.” Thus, it is possible for the sage to “appreciate things as they really are” and also to perceive and embrace a person as they are. The uncluttered heart-mind makes the sage well-equipped for correctly evaluating the actions of others and responding appropriately.

(I would like to mention that Zestiria tackled a bit of this whole “you’re not alone” bit earlier with a Daoist parable: the snake, the frog, and the centipede.)

Yes, it is in the heart-mind (心) that is empty; that has nothing in it. Think of it like a mirror, or a glass, that gets obscured when it is tainted, and so you can’t see clearly what’s on or through it. In Zestiria, I think this is the virtue of purity really stands for.

穢れ――自らの思うまま生きることを阻む世界の皮肉に圧し潰された、人の心の悲鳴。 その悲鳴を感じ寄り添い、本当の形の心とともに再出発する背中を押すのがスレイの救いの力(感じる力・霊応力)。 浄化の炎を振るうだけでは救いとは言えず、逆に炎がなくとも人や天族を穢れから救う事はできる。

Malevolence――The screams of the human heart-mind that is crushed by the irony of the world that prevents them from living as they wish.

To feel those screams of the heart-mind and get close to it, and push them to start over with the heart-mind in its true form is Sorey’s powers of salvation (his power to feel and his resonance).

Wielding Flame of Purification alone is not enough to save; on the contrary, it is possible to save humans and seraphim from malevolence even without it.

In Daoism, at the core of the heart-mind (心) of every human being there is an authentic self. The authentic self is intimately connected with virtue (德), which is a gift people receive at birth. But the heart-mind is also the seat of all mental activities; it is the “location of consciousness.” With time and via the contact with the outside world (learning a language, learning social norms, going through traumatic experiences, etc.), the heart-mind becomes filled—like a container—with “knowing consciousness” (知). Not knowing how to use this knowing consciousness selectively—turn it on when necessary, but also turn it off at other times—a human being comes to depend on this consciousness and identify with it completely. When unstopped in its growth, this consciousness continues to produce multiple, derivative intellectual layers atop the true self. All actions that are motivated by these inauthentic layers oppress and harm one's spiritual core.

The thoughts, actions, and speech of a person are no longer the reflection of their true self.

EDNA: Don’t let her see you frowning like that. You don’t want Rose’s feelings to go to waste, do you? SOREY: I don’t. But I just... I feel so bummed.

Now, the question of emotions. Having an empty heart-mind which is free from emotions implies being emotionless. However, it is not really the case that a Daoist sage is emotionless; rather that he does not add anything (i.e., a word, a thought, an action) to make a given emotion amplify and, thus, exceed its natural boundaries. Being free of these excessive emotion means not allowing likes or dislikes to damage you internally, instead making it your constant practice to follow along with the way each thing is of itself, without trying to add anything to the process of life.

The sage consciously restrains himself from making any such additions that would lead to prolonging the life span of an emotion. As a result, emotions remain spontaneous, genuine, and harmless—they come and go freely, like changes in the weather or the seasons of the year, and they never transform into anything excessive or harmful. Thus, emotions are never artificially solidified into a fixed identity. The sage is free from emotions in the sense that they leave no residue in his heart-mind, they do not take up the space within, and thus they do not block the sage's unity with Dao. By cultivating the void (無) of the heart-mind, the sage ensures that he is never harmed by emotions.

SOREY: You mean to live is to obey the laws of nature? HELDALF: What else would it be? SOREY: You’re wrong! All that is, is not being dead.

Daoism is a philosophy that stresses living simply and honestly while in harmony with nature. Letting things follow their natural course. Wu wei (無為), no wasted action, is the principle.

However, one thing that many people get wrong when hearing about this concept is that it means total surrender. Yes, wu wei implies giving up on forcing things. But never giving up altogether.

For instance, when you’re experiencing injustices, wu wei doesn’t suggest resignation. It’s quite the opposite. Wu wei suggests a persistent amount of pressure. This pressure isn’t a metaphorical jackhammer or wrecking ball. It’s a soft strike in the right spot. It’s like water quietly working through the toughest cliffs and rocks.

Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves… Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.

Passivity is often looked down upon. In the case of Zestiria and Sorey, (especially in the early reviews where people started playing Zestiria in bad faith because of the infamy surrounding the game), people often criticize how Sorey is not the ideal male Tales protagonist; he is often called “radio-controlled” (ラジコン) in the sense that Rose (along with the others, especially Lailah) is seen as the one controlling and driving his character around, thus, Rose is, to the eyes of these people, the “real” protagonist of Zestiria because she is the more “assertive” one. And she is assertive, by the way, but I think people look at Sorey’s character the wrong way.

Yielding and passivity are virtues traditionally associated with the feminine in the Daoist point of view, and I know this might have caused some knee-jerk reaction in some people, but in Dao De Jing, even though the intended audience would've been men, students are encourage to embrace and nurture the feminine elements of their nature. These feminine virtues are seen as positive traits to have, not inferior to their more assertive masculine counterpart.

The “feminine” is the earth. The inborn nature of its body is stable. Women are patterned on it. If a man wishes to congeal his essence, he should mentally pattern himself on earth and be like a woman.

And it is, intended as part of his character.

山本　 そういう意味ではおとなしい主人公に見えるかもしれませんが、熱い思いはちゃんと持っていて、叫んだりノリや勢いだけで解決しようとはしないキャラクターにしたんです。代わりに、ミクリオをストレートに感情表現するキャラクターにして、2人で1人の主人公のような言動をとるように工夫しました。

YAMAMOTO: In that sense, [Sorey] may seem like a calm protagonist, but he has passionate feelings, yet does not try to solve problems by shouting or just going with his spirit or momentum. Instead, we made Mikleo a character who expresses his emotions in a straightforward manner, so that the two of them act and speak as if they are one protagonist.

馬場　彼が世界を動かそうとしたんじゃなくて、彼の行動の結果が世界を動かしていく、変えていく。

BABA: He didn’t try to move the world, but the results of his actions moved and changed the world.

Sorey is like a blank canvas, unstained, yet with a strong, pure core. With this heart-mind of his that is empty in the Daoist sense, he acts just as he does, just as he is, staying true to himself. He never forces his way through, he knows that he has to be in harmony with nature (as symbolized by the seraphim, who are described as the very world the humans live in itself), and he then learns that everything in the nature has two sides to it—this includes reconciling not just life but also death. To respect life, you have to respect death. To respect death, you have to respect life. But to yield also means to still be alive; being alive is not the same as not being dead, after all. He has learned to be in check with himself, and with his surroundings.

Sorey is really the perfect character that embodies the values that Maotelus’ Void represents. Empty of malevolence.

One thousand years apart, and he manages to inherit that will. Legends (伝承) are not just told (伝), but also needs at least someone willing to listen to them (承); it’s why they’re called that way.

“Legends” will someday become “hope.”

[mrszeoxin]

Revisiting Mystic Messenger (Zen, Yoosung, and Jaehee)

Full transparency, I played these three routes around April and May this year so they aren’t as fresh in my brain. It was super fun to do, I was totally obsessed with this game in high school. However, out of the three options for the Casual Story I had only played Yoosung’s route before, because he was the only one I wanted to date out of them and he was closest to me in age. So Zen and Jaehee’s stories were totally new to me.

Zen’s Route

Truth be told, I used to low-key hate Zen as a teenager. (Please do not hate me, we all have our preferences, and I married Shane in Stardew Valley so clearly people do not always like my favorites either.)

I just have never been super into the silver/white haired anime guys, plus he does come off a little self centered when you don’t play his route, and he hates cats (which as a extreme cat lover is a actual dealbreaker for me irl). So, I never really gave him the time of day.

So is Zen my type? No, probably not. HOWEVER, I did finally play his route, and I will say after that I do like him a lot more than I used to. Is he my favorite? No. But I actually like him now, and feel bad being mean to him, which never used to be a problem for me before.

I love the development of his and Jumin’s relationship, honestly wish this would happen to them in every route because I love it when we can all be open and get along.

Also his voice actor absolutely amazing. 10/10 great voice. He did an amazing job, I actually looked forward to calling/being called by Zen because he did so great.

Overall, super fun, and I enjoyed it so much more than I ever thought I would. I thought getting through it would suck, and while it was a little cringey to get the good ending, it was overall just such a fun route. So Zen May not be for me, but I see what y’all see in him!

Yoosung’s Route

My baby boy Yoosung. I loved Yoosung in high school and I still love him now. It’s kind of sad that I’m older than him now, but I still love him and his route so freaking much!

Reasons why I’m drawn to/love Yoosung; he’s adorable and I love cute guys, he’s a gamer, he’s more emotional, and he’s overall super relatable. Side note: but those reasons also apply to my husband, so it really is stuff I find attractive in a man.

As a teenager I hadn’t really played World of Warcraft or League of Legends, although I knew of both of them. But since then, I actually have played both which has made Yoosung’s addiction to LOLOL so much more funny and relatable to me, I adore it. I also didn’t notice how much of a masochist and sub Yoosung was when I played as a teen, but as an adult it really smacked me in the face and I found it so amusing whenever it was mentioned so casually in all the routes.

His voice actor also did so good. So many of his calls warmed my heart or made me laugh, even outside his route. I know his voice actor said he was very embarrassed by most of Yoosung’s lines, and I can see why, but I still absolutely adored how he did Yoosung’s voice.

So far with my re-play Yoosung has been my favorite, because I just love him so much and I love his story and development as a character.

Jaehee’s Route

Once again, I did not play her route in high school, simply because I’m not romantically attracted to other women so I didn’t feel like it. Plus, why play that when I could go straight to 707 and Jumin (who I was hardcore crushing on). I knew her route was “platonic”, but again I was a teen and only played a route if I was crushing on the character, so I never played her’s.

This route was honestly the most different from all the ones I’ve played, which makes since as Jaehee is a woman. I honestly didn’t hate this route, I’m glad Jaehee got her freedom and found her own passions. I love that she could embrace her femininity again. Plus it was a little funny watching Jumin self-destruct (I laughed so hard about 707’s car and Jumin).

However, as a Jumin lover, Yoosung lover, 707 lover, cat lover, and “Zen’s okay”-er, I don’t think this route was for me. Mainly because, while I love Jaehee and loved her progress, I don’t feel like we would get along irl. Not because she’s bad, just I don’t think our humor and interests would actually align all that much. I don’t like that she sees Yoosung’s hobby as childish or doesn’t appreciate 707’s jokes, and she also hates cats. So, I just didn’t really vibe with it.

I feel like if you love Zen and/or women, and you maybe don’t like Jumin that much, this route would be perfect for you, but that is not me.

The voice actress was awesome, as they all are. She had a very nice voice that I found strangely calming, and I did actually enjoy the calls a lot. So she did an amazing job.

I love Jaehee, but her route was not meant for me.

Overall Thoughts

I’m sure anyone who reads this has already played of or heard of Mystic Messenger. It came out when I was in high school so it’s not exactly a new game anymore. However, I’ve loved getting to revisit it as an adult. Out of Casual Story Yoosung is still the best for me, but I’m sure he’s not the best of the three for everyone and that’s fine. Just wanted to share some of my thoughts since I replayed it. I’ll be doing the Deep Story route probably in September and October, so I’ll post my revisiting those routes then.

[influencermagazineuk]

The Enduring Influence of Japanese Culture on the World

Japanese culture has captivated the world with its unique traditions, aesthetics, and way of life. From its rich history to its modern innovations, Japan's cultural impact has transcended borders and influenced various aspects of global society. In this article, we will explore the profound influence of Japanese culture on the world and how it has left an indelible mark in areas such as art, cuisine, technology, fashion, and popular culture. Artistic Heritage: Japanese art forms such as traditional painting, calligraphy, and woodblock prints have fascinated artists worldwide. The delicate brushwork, attention to detail, and appreciation for nature have inspired countless artists and art movements. From Impressionism to Anime, Japanese art continues to influence and shape the artistic landscape globally. Culinary Delights: Japanese cuisine, with its emphasis on fresh ingredients, precision, and aesthetic presentation, has garnered immense popularity worldwide. Sushi, ramen, tempura, and other Japanese dishes have become beloved staples in many countries, with Japanese culinary techniques and flavors influencing chefs and food enthusiasts around the globe. Technological Innovations: Japan's advancements in technology have had a profound impact on the world. From electronics and robotics to high-speed trains and video games, Japanese innovations have reshaped industries and transformed our daily lives. The meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail that are synonymous with Japanese products have set new standards globally. Fashion and Design: Japanese fashion has made a significant impact on the global fashion scene. Designers like Yohji Yamamoto, Rei Kawakubo, and Issey Miyake have challenged conventional fashion norms with their avant-garde designs and minimalistic aesthetics. Japanese street fashion, characterized by its creativity and individuality, has also influenced global youth culture. Pop Culture Phenomena: Japan's pop culture, including anime, manga, J-pop music, and video games, has gained a massive following worldwide. Anime series like "Dragon Ball," "Naruto," and "One Piece" have captured the imagination of audiences globally, while video game franchises like Pokémon and Super Mario have become iconic symbols of Japanese pop culture. Zen Philosophy: The principles of Zen Buddhism, deeply rooted in Japanese culture, have permeated various aspects of life around the world. The emphasis on mindfulness, simplicity, and the pursuit of inner peace has influenced practices such as meditation, mindfulness techniques, and minimalist lifestyles adopted by many individuals seeking balance in a fast-paced world. Traditional Customs: Japanese customs and traditions have fascinated people globally. The tea ceremony, martial arts like karate and judo, and the beauty of cherry blossom viewing (hanami) have all become synonymous with Japan. These cultural practices have been embraced and celebrated in many countries, showcasing Japan's enduring influence. Literature and Film: Japanese literature, including works by renowned authors like Haruki Murakami and Yukio Mishima, has gained international acclaim and provided a glimpse into Japanese society and its unique perspectives. Japanese cinema, with iconic filmmakers like Akira Kurosawa and Hayao Miyazaki, has captivated audiences worldwide, contributing to the global appreciation of Japanese storytelling and visual aesthetics. Architectural Marvels: Japan's architectural achievements, from ancient temples and castles to modern skyscrapers and innovative urban planning, have inspired architects and designers globally. The blending of traditional Japanese architecture with modern elements has resulted in breathtaking structures that showcase Japan's cultural identity. The influence of Japanese culture on the world is undeniable. From its artistic heritage to its technological innovations, culinary delights to pop culture phenomena, Japan's impact can be felt across continents. As the world continues to appreciate and embrace the allure of Japanese traditions, aesthetics, and values, it is clear that the enduring influence of Japanese culture will continue to shape and enrich our global society. Read the full article

[starseedfxofficial]

EURUSD and Position Trading: Ninja Tactics for Long-Term Success You ever try to master Forex trading only to feel like the market's got you wrapped up in a Twister game gone horribly wrong? One minute you think you've found balance, and the next—bam—you're left contorted, touching your nose to your knee while the market's playing its own game of dodgeball with your account balance. Well, relax those twisted muscles and grab a cup of tea because today we're diving deep into the magic world of EURUSD Position Trading—but not just any guide. This is your exclusive insider look at long-term ninja strategies, the stuff the pros usually keep locked up in a vault right next to their retirement plans. Unlocking the Secret Code: What is EURUSD Position Trading Anyway? Imagine EURUSD position trading as the zen monk of Forex strategies. Unlike those overly caffeinated day traders (you know the type), position traders are in it for the long haul. They see EURUSD like a fine wine that needs time to age before yielding its true value—they hold trades for weeks, months, even years, aiming for those massive market swings that could make or break their forex portfolios. Sounds boring? Well, not when you uncover the ninja tricks of the trade! Let’s cut through the nonsense and get real. Position trading isn’t just about setting it and forgetting it. It requires a strategic, almost meditative patience, sharp entry points, and an unparalleled understanding of market mechanics. And this is where I bring in some real ninja tactics. Stealth Entry Points: The Rare Gem Method First off, let’s talk about entry points. No, not the “let’s throw a dart and pray it hits” entry points, but precise, ninja-calculated entry points. Here’s a pro tip that you won't find in just any trading book: Wait for the rare gem signals. These are moments when multiple indicators align—I’m talking Bollinger Bands, Moving Averages, RSI, and even some price action vibes that say, "The stars are aligned, it’s time." Now, I call these rare gems because, like an unopened box of old Pokemon cards, they’re infrequent, but oh boy, when you find one, you’re in for a treat. And here’s the beauty—when you learn to recognize these rare gems, you don’t need to spend all day staring at your screen like a stock-obsessed owl. You simply identify the setup, set your limit orders, and let the market come to you. It’s the equivalent of being that cool guy at a party, leaning against the wall, and letting everyone else come to you. Holding with Style: The Samurai Patience Game You know, if there’s one secret skill that separates a forex ninja from the Forex weekend warrior, it’s the ability to stay calm while holding a trade. Picture a samurai standing still, staring at a distant target, ignoring distractions, and waiting for that precise moment to strike. That’s what position trading in EURUSD is about. Most traders get emotionally whipsawed out of trades because they panic at the first sight of red. But here’s the little-known secret—you have to become friends with your fears. In long-term position trading, drawdowns are like that one friend who always shows up uninvited. They’re a bit annoying, sure, but completely harmless as long as you don’t give them control. You’ve got to embrace the ups and downs and trust your strategy, like a samurai trusting his blade. What keeps you grounded during those inevitable EURUSD swings? Well, for starters, fundamentals. If you know the economic factors behind the moves—like the ECB announcing interest rates or geopolitical developments making headlines—you’re less likely to freak out at each price tick. It's all about staying zen, my friend. Pro-Level Tip: Economic Indicators that Matter Here’s a cheat sheet, just between you and me. The key economic indicators to watch in EURUSD are: - European Central Bank (ECB) Announcements: Whenever Lagarde takes the stage, you should be paying attention. This is where you’ll see significant shifts in sentiment. - U.S. Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP): A favorite among traders because it moves the USD, and consequently, the EURUSD pair. - Inflation Reports: Whether from Europe or the U.S., these reports are like high caffeine energy drinks for the Forex market—they’re bound to move things around. But don't just take my word for it—research from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) shows that ignoring these indicators is one of the biggest mistakes novice traders make. Keep these in your sights, and you’ll gain a serious strategic advantage over the herd. Risk Management: The Ninja Way to Avoid Market Annihilation Another hidden gem? Let’s be real—most traders don’t think about risk until they’ve blown out two or three accounts. A true Forex ninja knows that risk management is more crucial than finding that perfect setup. It’s like practicing how to fall safely in martial arts before learning how to punch—otherwise, one mistake and you're down for the count. So, how do you master the art of risk management in EURUSD position trading? You use sophisticated lot sizing. It means putting less on the line, using calculated amounts of leverage, and sticking to a disciplined approach. No revenge trading. No doubling down because you had a bad day. Just disciplined, rational calculations. Consider employing the 1% rule. You know, risk only 1% of your account on any given trade. It keeps your emotions in check and gives you a thousand chances to be wrong—which, by the way, means plenty of opportunities to eventually be right. The Secret to Long-Term Profits? The "Backdoor Carry Trade" Angle Let’s talk about something few traders even understand—the carry trade angle. Not exactly a crowd favorite, but when done correctly, it’s a game-changer. Essentially, if you’re holding onto EURUSD for the long-term, you may also benefit from interest rate differentials. You earn interest for holding a currency pair overnight depending on the interest rate gap between the Euro and the USD. This is called carry. If interest rates in the Eurozone are lower than the U.S. (which, surprise, has often been the case), then every day you hold your position, you get paid the difference. Look at it this way—it's like your trade is working for you, even while you’re asleep or watching Netflix. Is it enough to make you rich on its own? Not really. But it's an extra slice of profit pie that most traders just ignore. Wrap It Up: This Is Where the Real Game Begins Trading EURUSD with a position strategy isn’t for the faint-hearted. It requires a ninja-level of patience, discipline, and strategic understanding that most traders simply don’t want to put in the work for. But you, my friend, are different. You made it this far, and you're ready to wield these ninja tactics to take your Forex trading to the next level. Remember, it’s not just about making trades—it’s about making smart, calculated moves with precision, knowing when to strike and when to stay perfectly still. Want to dig deeper into how to use these strategies to elevate your trading game? Head over to StarseedFX Forex Education for more in-depth guides and hidden gems. Now, time to don that metaphorical black belt, get back into the market dojo, and start practicing those position ninja moves! —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated Read the full article

[housr-coliving]

Top 8 Places to Visit Near Coliving in Hinjewadi

Hinjewadi, a bustling town in Pune, is known for its thriving IT industry and beautiful and serene places to give you a break from the city’s hustle. From enchanting gardens to ancient temples, choosing coliving in Hinjewadi gives you access to tourist attractions worth exploring.

In this blog, let’s dive into a virtual tour of the top places to visit near Hinjewadi so you don’t miss out on these unforgettable experiences.

Top 8 Popular Attractions in Hinjewadi that You Must Explore! 

Go Bird watching at Hinjwadi Lake

Adorned with natural landscapes, beautiful flower beds, and tree-lined paths, Hinjewadi Lake offers a peaceful space to relax and recharge yourself.

Whether you are a nature lover or a photography enthusiast, visiting this serene place near Housr is an adventurous journey to discover and watch many local and migratory birds.

Xion Mall for a Shopping Spree 

In additing to offering a serene backdrop to your corporate hustle, Hinjewadi also offers you easy accessibility to the city’s most bustling shopping hubs and entertainment hotspots. Dotted with all the leading brand stores and trendy fashion boutiques, it's the perfect blend of small-town charm and urban convenience you shall need to lead a holistic life in Pune city.

After shopping, you can also indulge in a fine dining experience at rooftop restaurants and eateries in Hinjewadi, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely evening. Whether looking to shop, dine, or unwind, Xion Mall is a dynamic place near Housr Homes in Hinjewadi. 

Karla Caves

Situated just a short drive away from your coliving space in Wakad, Karla Caves are Buddhist caves carved with stone. The caves are at a height, so be ready to do some mild trekking and enjoy these natural caves' best views and serenity. 

Head to Gryffindor Laser Tag Arena 

Imagine wearing vests, holding lasers, and moving around in a maze-like arena; that’s Gryffindor Laser Tag Game for you. 

Nestled near Hinjewadi Phase 1, this venue is an immersive gaming experience So, if you have a thing for gaming, then coliving in Hinjewadi offers you the ideal escape from a monotonous life, promising unforgettable moments filled with laughter and joy.

Practice Golf at The Blue Ridge Golf Course

Now, here’s something that’s both fun and classy at the same time. A favorite amongst the dwellers of premium coliving spaces such as Housr, The Blue Ridge is the it-spot for both seasoned golfers and budding newbies. The gentlemen’s game is not only a social experience for the elite but also keeps you fit. So, what are you waiting for? Don your golf shorts, pair them with a white polo, and you’re ready for a good time!

If you don’t wish to go out, coliving in Hinjewadi won’t disappoint. From football matches to movie nights, our weekly community events have something for everyone to enjoy.

Find Solace in the Osho Garden

Step in and immerse yourself in the soothing ambience of this Japanese zen garden. Thoughtfully designed with comfort in mind, each element in this garden lets you connect with yourself for a deep reflection.

Find a quiet spot, close your eyes, listen to the flowing water, and let the peaceful surroundings embrace you. Whether you are an experienced meditator or simply seeking calmness, Osho Garden allows your mind and body to unwind and heal.

Seek Blessings at the Parvati Temple

Nestled in the heart of Pune city, Parvati Temple is a popular tourist spot perfect for quiet reflection amidst nature’s beauty.

Since the temple is situated at the hilltop, you must climb around 100 to 120 stairs to reach the temple and experience stunning panoramic views of Pune City. 

Regular festivals celebrate various aspects of Goddess Parvati’s life, inviting locals to participate. This adds a lively charm that enhances its cultural significance in the community while making it one of the must-visit places nearby. Make sure to take some time to explore the beautiful garden surrounding the temple and connect with your spiritual side.

Join Paws at Pet Project 

A true haven for dog lovers, this farm in Hinjewadi is a total bliss. It is home to numerous therapy dogs, adorable puppies, cats, and other four-legged friends, which have been proven to provide just the ideal respite for hustling working professionals. It’s your time to take your pet for a trip or even go by yourself and spend some time in this tiny paradise.

With our weekend pet therapy sessions, Housr coliving also allows you to make furry friends, run around, bask in nature, and do some yoga for a stress-free week ahead.

Housr: A Perfect Space to Explore Pune!

Take this as your sign to choose coliving in Hinjewadi as your abode and leave all your worries behind in this eclectic mix of spiritual and recreational spaces.  From temples to send you on a spiritual journey to adventure spots that rejuvenate your soul, there is something for everyone around these strategically located luxury coliving spaces in Pune. P.S.- The leading luxury rentals provider, Housr is a must explore if you wish to experience the perfect Pune lifestyle.