#Law Abiding Citizen Verse

[redemptivexheroics]

Cabin In The Woods [Closed]

@entangledmuses

After a three-hour drive from Manhattan to a cabin that Colin owned, it belonged to his grandfather, and after he died, he left it to Colin. However, at first, Colin didn't think he would ever use it since he had been living in Arizona when his grandfather had passed. Guess it was a good thing he didn't sell it, and the only person who knew of its location outside his family and him was his chief, regrettably. So, after parking in front of it, he grabbed his and Ava's bags from the back of his jeep and walked toward the steps. It was big and luxurious. "It's not much, but it's home away from home; my grandfather left it to me when he passed, never thought I'd use it; a local cleaning service kept it all cleaned up, had them clean it before we came out here."

[redemptivexheroics]

"I don't think you're paranoid, Shiloh; I just think that maybe you need to get away from here, get your shit together, fix what you can, and let me deal with this. You should've come to me when shit started to hit the fan, come on man you're my friend you think I'm going to sit around while some pyschotic ass bitch plays with your life. I got one thing going for me, she doesn't know; I do a lot of undercover; I could fool a blind man," Colin said as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm gonna bust her ass, and when I'm done, she's gonna be looking at some heavy time; by the time she gets out, she'll be old and decrypted."

Dead or Alive

| muse: Shilo Fisher-Adams | open to: anyone | sexuality: demisexual | suggested connections: someone he’s worked with or saved, old friend, client, someone with a crush on him, maybe they are with his ex and he's trying to warn them about her

“You think I’m being paranoid but the truth is I’m worth a lot more to her dead than alive." He let that thought sit in the air with them. "She's dangerous." The woman wasn't just a crazy ex-wife, she'd already tried to kill him and though he'd walked away with his life she had succeeded in killing a large part of him. "She's not going to let anyone just walk away."

[purrrrplecats]

oh no i found it

the in correct quote generato-

(there a lot so if you don't want to read lots don't click keep reading)(theres loads i think 50-)

Scar: Grian and I are so close we even share a toothbrush. Grian: We what?

(he appoligised abt the joke later on.)

Mumbo: I’d like to live through a week that’s not a whole new verse of “We Didn’t Start the Fire.”

Grian: Hey, are you alright with swearing? Asking for a friend. Scar: Yeah? Grian: Bitch.

Mumbo: Is… Is that meant to be on fire? Grian: No… not really. Mumbo: Are you going to do something about it? Grian: Hm… nah.

Grian: Your future self is talking shit about you right now. Scar: Jokes on them. I'll ruin their fucking life.

Pearl: If looking good was a crime, you’d be a law abiding citizen.

Pearl: I’m proud to say I’ve come over my fear of ghosts! Grian: Eyy, that’s the spirit! Pearl: gasps whErE???!!!??

Impulse: So I have made the decision to trust you. Grian: A horrible decision, really.

Grian: Gem, is that my mug you’re drinking out of? Gem: No, it’s mine. Grian: It… looks just like the one I have… Gem: You don’t have one like this anymore.

(its and mug with pink and blue snails on it.)

Gem: This should be illegal! Pearl: It is.

Pearl: Okay, let's split 'em up and make 'em sing. Impulse: Two of you take Gem, the other two take Grian. Scar: Right. Bad cop, good cop. Mumbo: You know, it's interesting that they say "bad cop, good cop," because policing in this country is so broken it's really just "bad cop, bad cop". Impulse: Scar, you're with them. Scar: Got it.

Grian: Norwegia. Is. Not. A. COUNTRY! Scar: Then where are Norwegian people from!? Impulse: NORWAY!!

Impulse: Would you slap Pearl- Grian: Yes. Impulse: I didn't even finish! Grian: Sorry, continue. Impulse: Would you slap Pearl for 10 dollars? Grian: I would do it for free. Pearl: Rude…

(you could also swap Grian and Pearl around because I mean, SKYLINGS)

Grian: If you want my advice- Pearl: No offense but you’re the last person I want relationship advice from. You tried to kill your significant other. Multiple times. Grian: First off, that was before we started dating. Secondly, they’ve also tried to kill me. Scar: It’s true. It was mutually attempted murder.

Scar, to the Squad: The real secret to immortality? Not dying. You want to be immortal? Okay, that’s easy. Just don’t die. That’s it. Refuse to die. There you go. Impulse: But how- Scar, ignoring them: “But how”, you may ask. Well, easy. Just don’t do it. Refuse to. Say “no thanks”.

Gem: I am strong! I beat Grian at arm wrestling! Impulse: Anyone can beat Grian at arm wrestling! Grian: Hey-

(sure Impulse sure-)

Gem: Grian, I am nothing if not a Woman of principle. Gem: Now let’s break into this apartment.

Pearl: Would anyone know any good vendors for professional-quality brass knuckles? Gem: I know you’re serious, but you say the scariest shit sometimes.

(again you could swap them around)

Pearl: Hey, you want a tarot reading? Mumbo: Those are Pokemon cards. Pearl: You got a magikarp. Mumbo: … Pearl: It means 'fuck you'.

Grian: Pulls a glass a water from out of nowhere Gem: Where did you get that? Grian: My pocket. Gem: How do you keep a glass of water in your pocket? Grian: Skills.

Scar: I’ve been described as a ‘heartless villain’ and a 'little shit’, but I prefer… 'has alternative ways of having fun’.

Scar: Don't joke about murder. I was murdered once and it offends me.

Impulse: COMPANY IS COMING! I WANT THIS PLACE LOOKING LIKE DISNEY ON ICE IN ONE MINUTE! Impulse: SCAR IF YOU HAVEN'T MADE YOUR BED THROW IT AWAY IT'S TOO LATE TO MAKE IT NOW! Impulse: GET RID OF THE COUCHES, WE CAN'T LET PEOPLE KNOW WE S I T !

Gem: Hey Pearl, check out this funny .GIF I found! Pearl: It’s pronounced “jif”. Gem: Huh? Pearl: “Dot jif”, like the peanut butter. The creator said so. Gem: That’s dumb, it’s Graphics Interchange Format. Pearl: The P in .JPEG stands for “photographic”, but I bet you don’t say “J-pheg”. Gem: “P” on its own isn’t pronounced like “F”, that’s totally different! Pearl: It’s exactly the same! Gem: Name one word that starts with “G” pronounced like “J”. Pearl: Gentrification. Gem: Shoot, should have thought of that. I was just in San Francisco. Pearl: For your logic to be consistent, you’d have to say “skuh-bah” (scuba) or “lah-seer” (laser)! Gem: Yeah? Well, you’d have to say “J-pej”! Gem: …Wait, “laser” is an acronym? Pearl: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Gem: Huh. Didn’t know that. Gem: You’re still wrong, though. Pearl: You just hate me because I’m right. Gem: I just hate you in general. Pearl: You mean in “geh-neral”? Gem: Ugh, I’m “joing” to kill you!

Scar: What's worse than a heartbreak? Grian: Waking up in the morning and your phone wasn't charging. Mumbo: Waking up in the morning. Gem: Waking up.

Scar: I love you. Grian: Me too.

Grian: Fight me! Scar: gets on one knee and pulls out a ring Scar: Fight me for the rest of our lives.

Pearl: What’s your favorite color? Gem: Stop asking stupid questions. Ask me something logical and mature. Pearl: How many moles of sodium bicarbonate are needed to neutralize 0.8ml of sulfuric acid at STP? Gem: My favorite color is pink.

Grian: Do you love me? Mumbo: We’re literally married. Grian: Yeah, but as friends or—

(logic is that Waffle duo got married as a bit like Clingy duo (Tubbo and Tommy) but G is like Tommy and doesn't want to get a divorce because he wants to commit it the bit.)

Grian: I'm not mean. Name one mean thing I’ve ever done. Pearl: When we were younger, you convinced me eggs weren't real. Grian: They're not. Pearl: Haha, very funny. Grian: I'm serious. Didn't you hear? Pearl: No… what happened? Grian: …Why would you fall for this again-

Scar: Welcome to Fucking Applebees, do you want apples or bees? Gem: Bees? Scar: THEY HAVE SELECTED THE BEES! Gem: Wait- Impulse approaches, shaking a jar of bees menacingly

Scar: Mx. Grian, I accidentally dropped my seed into my mouth and then I accidentally ate it. Am I going to have a lemon tree grow inside my belly? Grian: Well, let's think about it. Did you also swallow a wet paper towel? Scar: Yes. Grian: Grian: Alright, let's go to the nurse.

Grian: Some people are like slinkies. Pearl: What? Grian: Not really good for much but bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs. Pearl: Pearl: Please don't push Scar down the stairs. Grian, pushing Scar down the stairs: Too late.

Pearl: You’re just being paranoid. Again. Scar: When have I been paranoid? Pearl: Um, when you first met Gem you thought they were an undercover cop…? Scar: No one has a wart that big, I thought it was a surveillance camera! Pearl: And last year you were sure Impulse was a mermaid! Scar: They hate wearing shirts! COINCIDENCE?! Later, when Scar’s theory is proven wrong Pearl: Do you have anything to say for yourself? Scar: I still think Impulse is a mermaid.

Grian: Scar, Pearl keeps bullying me at school. Scar: Ask your teacher for help. The next day… Grian, to their teacher: Will you help me beat up Pearl?

Pearl: Being gay isn't a choice. It's a game and I'm winning.

Scar: Being gay isn't a choice. It's a game and I'm winning.

(same quote 2 times in a row!?!?!)

Impulse, near tears: Please, Grian, I don’t speak meme! I don't know what a 'yeet' is!

Gem: I need to dye my hair. Impulse: … Gem: Or get another tattoo. Impulse: … Gem: Or a new piercing. Impulse: Why? Gem: To, you know, appease the mental breakdown gods.

Grian: aggressively throws pencil at Scar Grian, deadpan: Oh no. I’ve been stabbed. I’ve been impaled.

(Double Life = soulmates)

Scar : So you like cats? Grian: Yeah. Scar : tries to impress them by slowly pushing a glass off the table

Impulse: What have you done with Scar ?

Grian: Nothing. Why, do you think I should?

Pearl: Scar , let’s go! Grian : Oh, yeah, about telling Mom and Dad, I was thinking about writing maybe a letter. Pearl: Okay, you know what? That’s it, you had your chance. Grian : What-? Pearl: Mom, Dad, Scar smoked pot in college. Grian : You are such a tattletale! Grian : Mom, Dad, you remember that time you walked into my room and smelled marijuana? Well, I told you it was Jimmy who was smoking the pot but… It was me. I’m sorry. Pearl: And Dad, you know that mailman that you got fired? He didn’t steal your Playboy’s, Grian did. Grian : Yeah, well, hurricane Gloria didn’t break the porch swing Pearl did. Pearl: Grian hasn’t worked for a year! Grian : Pearl and Gem are living together! Pearl: Grian married Scar in Vegas and got divorced AGAIN! Jimmy: I love Jacques Cousteau! Etho: I wasn’t supposed to put beef in the trifle! Doc: I wanna gooo!!

(I changed some names, aka added Doc, Etho and Jimmy, also Etho is the mum Docs the dad, and Tim is ofc the younger brother.) (the family situation is defo not from TTSBC)

Mumbo: I will send my army to attack! Mumbo: releases a dumpster of raccoons

Gem, throwing their head into Pearl's lap: Tell me I'm pretty! Pearl, lovingly stroking their hair: You're pretty fucking annoying, that's what you are.

(awwwwww)

Squad is playing Among Us Grian: I believe Pearl is innocent, I was with them the whole time. Mumbo, what were you doing? Mumbo: Oh, I was just murdering… I mean, nothing!

(I was gonna change Pearl to Scar and change Mumbo to Impulse because Impulsetor)

Pearl, in the hospital: Will you visit me when I get out? Grian: Lol nah, I hate graveyards.

[crimeronan]

there are literally incalculable meta posts i could make about the silt verses (it’s one of those stories where i have thoughts about Every Damn Line) but tonight i’m thinking about how..... DELICIOUSLY it sets up and then subverts your worldbuilding expectations.

if you haven’t listened yet. consider this mini essay my pitch. (or rather one of many pitches.)

because you start with this narrative episode about two members of an outlawed religion seeking other members of their faith, and they’re both compelling and sympathetic and layered narrators, but also. one is describing a childhood built on drowning and torturing people to death and the other is delighted by sacrificial corpses and horrific apparitions of eldritch nonsense and you’re like, “okay, yeah, this is a horror podcast. i can pretty damn well see why your religion is outlawed jesus FUCK you guys how is there THIS MUCH MURDER involved in your religious rites-”

and one of the narrators tells you that society is hypocritical because the legal religions Also cause harm. and if you’re anything like me, you go okay, girl, whatever you need to tell yourself to justify your current crusade. your god is a special kind of fucked up but it’s all good

then of course there are hints of social worldbuilding that challenge this assumption, but it’s not until paige’s introduction ep that you’re smacked Full In The Face with like. All Of It. 

because paige is a law-abiding citizen high up on the corporate food chain, and she works a mundane job at a branding company. 

and the company’s margins are bad. 

and the company’s industry is shrinking. 

and the company needs to cut costs and reinvigorate its own brand. 

and of course this is a difficult time for everyone but flexibility is necessary to stay competitive in a cutthroat world.

and now the company is torturing its low-performing employees to death in front of everyone as a corporate ritual. viscerally described. 

and paige, who JUST watched her closest work friend die in the most horrific way imaginable, is playing her part as someone high up on the corporate food chain.

she is being upbeat and being cheerful and encouraging her surviving coworkers to “look lively” and pretending that nothing happened. 

and not a single person protests. and no one shrieks in horror and everyone shifts back into their worksona and the day passes without any particular note because this is a social norm and layoff-sacrifices are too commonplace to report and it is legal and it is accepted and it is a good way to boost the flagging numbers for the giant capitalist machine.

and you have this realization that. 

this Really Is how the world is. 

there really ISN’T anything separating the outlaw narrators’ rituals from those of the corporate and city-based gods.

and then the follow-up question becomes, “wait, then why is THEIR god banned?? if it’s not the murder and the horror then why is their god banned???? what’s the fucking difference????”

and the answer is that their outlawed god draws people away from the cities and the factories and the oil rigs and the pollution and the mineshafts. and their outlawed god does not contribute anything to the state. 

and it’s not about what people worship or what the gods want or what the rituals require or what the hallowed bodies look like.

it’s just about how The State (TM) and Capitalism (TM) are both systems that have weaponized the law to kill every god that doesn’t contribute to their money and power and exploitation and culture and control.

and then it’s.... it’s not about the horror anymore.

it’s not a story of two deeply flawed protagonists from a sick and twisted cult who are reasonably forced into the shadows of a largely normal world because They Are In A Horror Story, And Are Doing What Horror Protagonists Do (Being Fucking Crazy).

it’s a story about our world. the one we live in. we the listener. here in our modern-ass non-supernatural late-stage-capitalism world. it’s about all the structures we’ve built and burned and all the destruction at the center of that goddamn world.

the eldritch gods and terrors are just set dressing.

[dewsies]

𓇼 • 𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 🫧

🫧 • A/N: I love Neuvillette and all, but I can't take his classy, catalyst user self seriously when he releases war cries like he's a claymore user or something. Like sir, order in the court please.

⋆｡˚ Fandom: Genshin Impact

🐚.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Featured Character: Neuvillette

🌊.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Pairing: Neuvillette/fem!reader

🦪.𖥔 ݁ ˖ Tags: might be ooc??, not proofread, reader is bold, lil bit of angst sprinkled in, hurt/no comfort

ʚ⁺˖--➤ Synopsis: You decide to give Neuvillette a lovely new nickname. For convenience of course!

ʚ⁺˖--➤ word count: 1.1k words

"It's too long you know," she spoke nonchalantly, informally, glancing at the more reserved chief justice. Now there was someone who completely opposed the woman's personality. It was a fact as clear as Fontaine's waters, a fact that Neuvillette was irked by much more than the woman standing almost impishly in front of him with a smug little smirk on her face. He dared not let his facial react again to her frequent jestful words again. Resisting the urge to sigh, he'd faintly indulge her with eye contact. "Pardon? What is the matter that you are referring to?" He inquires, seemingly unfazed.

A soft hum escaped her lips, eyes lingering on the appearance of the esteemed Chief Justice of Fontaine. "It's your name, Chief," the woman would take a pause at the sound of Neuvillette clicking his tongue, her eyes twinkling with amusement at the small, but enjoyable reaction. "Oh? Do you not like that nickname?" she continued in her practically one-sided banter. "If you must know for the one-hundredth thirty-seventh time, no, I am not fond of that nickname you have consistently designated as my title whenever we converse."

Neuvillette's eyes would narrow at the sound of her light-hearted chuckle, an unsettlingly sweet sound compared to the hassle of a woman it belonged to. "I think a small no would have sufficed."

Even now she stood proud in front of his desk, it was a bit irritable how comfortable she made herself. Her body was leaned up against his furnishing while her index finger gently poked at the papers she was assigned to deliver to him. It should've been a simple exchange, but the poor Chief Justice got lured into one of her most deadly traps...

"I digress, I found that conclusion to be false after fifty." he huffed with what many would take as an annoyance, but he had grown accustomed to her informal mannerisms long before this interaction. Truthfully, it was probably against his better judgment. Unfortunately for him, he had little means of escaping her. Neuvillette had assumed she was some charlatan he could easily disregard, but that wasn't the case, oh no, this woman just had to be high enough in society to weasel her way into a friendship with Furina. What astounds him even more is how well-versed she is with the laws of the land. An intelligent, strategic, conniving smooth talker who's like a barnacle in his back.

Small talk...

It has only been the one-hundredth thirty-seventh time. How does he fall for this so often? "Well then Chief, since it's sooo unsatisfactory, I'll be a good, law-abiding citizen and give you a new one." Before Neuvillette can even configure a rebuttal, he gets caught by curiosity. Patient, silent ice lavender eyes observing her expression, a finger rested on your bottom lip as rhythmic hums of an unrecognizable song fluttered from her lips.

"Ah! I got it!" she exclaimed with a bubbly grin manifesting in her features. Neuvillette almost felt tempted to ask her to reveal his new nickname. The thought would quickly be perished, he knew it would only lead to more teasing that he would be powerless to stop. Her antics have grown irrefutably more tolerable by the day.

The feeling of soft, gentle hands caressing his own nearly jolts the man from his thoughts. His attention was solely focused on her eyes, he almost resembled an expectant child receiving a gift. "Vivi," her voice sounded so warm and so sweet, almost as warm and sweet as the way she looked at him. The sudden change in demeanor was something that made him taken aback.

"Vivi?" he parroted quizzically with near-delighted intrigue. He could have sworn he saw her smile grow at his reaction although it might not have been much if it was anybody else. It seems they both knew that Neuvillette didn't seem to hate this nickname. "That's right, Vivi," and by now their hands began to intertwine, although it was most obviously her who initiated. Perhaps he had gotten caught up in the moment, for Neuvillette held little to no urge to let her hands go. "And why Vivi?" he asks her in a hushed, meek tone eyes glancing down to their entangled hands.

The delicate chuckle that graces his ears seemed much more suited to her at that moment. "Did you know that the meaning of it is correlated to being lively?"

"Are you insinuating that I am lively?" he sounds almost amused when he asks. "You? Why, certainly not. I simply find your company to be lively to my own spirit. You making me lively does not necessarily mean you have to be." she continued on giddily, her thumb lightly rubbing his hand. "What are you implying?" he inquires yet another question causing the woman to grow a fake irked expression. "Oh! you and your questions! We aren't in court you know! Surely, you can come to a verdict as to how I feel about you, yes?"

Neuvillette is quick to process all that his ears audibly witnessed. His gaze is immediately glued onto her once again almost to confirm it all. He'd known her for too long to know for a fact she wasn't lying. Although he still had yet to conclude what he was to say in response. It makes his chest tighten, knowing that she loves him, contemplating the thought that he just might love her back. Neuvillette's lips would part in the hope of saying something back, but he can't. His mouth would soon shut once again as he gazed at her kind yet sickeningly somber expression. The Chief Justice could only watch in silence as she brought his hands up to her precious lips before she planted a single, chaste, feather-like kiss atop his knuckles.

Carefully, he brought her hands up to his forehead, face now more apparent with anguish. "I... want to love you, but you of all people know how important my role is." Her hands were comforting when there was only so much they could do. There was only so much that he could do.

It's a surreal mix of emotions after that; a pristine smile is all he sees before she speaks again, "You don't have to say anything, you don't have to do anything to accommodate how I feel because I love you." How those words stung him, they don't sting half as much as the fact he can't bring himself to say them back. Almost as if he'd be committing a crime to her. What good are those bittersweet words besides feeding into a false hope? The hope that they could love each other unapologetically. How could he of all the divine dare dream of the luxury?

© dewsies - all rights reserved. do not plagiarize, copy, translate or heavily imitate my work or concepts

☆

[weidaoduzun3]

Can/Do Bad People Cultivate The Great Inarticulate Dao?

Short answer: Yes, they most certainly do. The reason is the Dao's ability to penetrate and be a part of All Things.

What brings this to my attention is chapter 62 of the Dao de Jing, and I am working with Rudolph G. Wagner and William S. Wilson's translations and Wang Bi's commentaries.

The sections I want to focus on are as follows:

Wilson: "It (the Dao) is a treasure for the good man who is a blessing for all, and a place of support for the bad man, as it would carry him on its back as though he were a child." Wagner: "It (the Dao) is what is treasured by good men. It is what men who are not good protect."

Two very different translations here. Not sure which one I prefer, but regardless, working with two or more translations is an essential component for studying the Dao de Jing or any other Daoist literature, as an English-only reader.

The first thing that is glaring to me is the Dao's non-discriminatory qualities. For the bad person and the good person alike, both confide in the Dao, even if their crafts differ. For the bad man, we will use the character of a thief, and for the good man, someone who is pious and an upstanding, law-abiding citizen, and perhaps someone with privilege (someone with political status or a well-respected business person). If we recall the story of Lord Wenhui and Cook Ding in book three of the Zhuangzi, we can see that even for someone with high status, and more privilege, it is not enough to cultivate the Dao. In that story, Cook Ding astonished Lord Wenhui with his mastery and cultivation of the inarticulate Dao. Rich or poor, rank, privilege, and societal status are never prerequisites for cultivating and mastering the Dao. For more on this story, please take a look at my commentary on this particular section of the Zhuangzi.

So the Dao makes no distinctions between the good and bad man, okay, cool. So does this mean a thief can practice their craft with Virtue and in step with the Dao? According to Zhuangzi, yes. In a section I have not read yet, Robber Zhi's disciples ask him if there is such a thing as the "Dao of thieving?" To which Robber Zhi responds: "Which profession is there that has not its (The Dao's) principles?"

As seen above in the picture, the thief exudes the principles of the Dao.

As suggested by Wang Bi's commentaries on these verses from chapter 62, the one who is bad and practices the Dao, they avoid harm and the punishment of their thievery. When taken at a surface level-reading, this sounds like Daoism or the Dao itself excuses bad behavior. But this is not the case. What this is saying, I think, is that the Dao and Virtue are the bedrock of the world. As suggested in the photo above, the thief cannot but help to practice thievery with at least some virtue and principles that are in accordance with the Dao. Daoism doesn't promote thievery or any kind of bad behavior, but it encourages us to be true to our nature, be true to ourselves and our circumstances, and act accordingly to what Fate presents us.

I wish to impose a suggestion that when a thief practices thievery in step with the Dao and its principles, they can eventually turn away from their life of crime. This sentiment is not explicitly mentioned in the Zhuangzi or Wagner's translations of chapter 62. But if we turn to Wilson's translation of the last few words in his copy of the Dao de Jing, it states as follows:

"Why did the men of old treasure this Way? Didn't they say that those who seek it out will pick it up along the way, and that those who have been caught like fish in the nets of crime will be pardoned and given new life? Thus, it makes all under Heaven treasure it.

Compare it with Wagner's:

"What is the reason why the ancients valued this Way? Did they not say: If the good ones strive by means of the Way, they will achieve it, while those who have committed crimes avoid punishment by means of The Way? That is why it (The Dao) is most valued by All Under Heaven."

As you can see, Wagner's translation still gives off a vibe that the Dao excuses those who commit crimes and can thus avoid apprehension and repercussions. While this is one correct way to look at it, we must dig deeper into what the text is trying to tell us. I will take advantage of this opportunity to stress again the importance of working with two or more translations with these kinds of texts.

Focusing on Wilson's translation gives more leniency to my imposition that the thief can eventually turn away from their life of crime when they practice Virtue and the principles that are in accord with the inarticulate Dao. While it may be argued that the thief or good man has no choice but to rely on Virtue and the Dao in their craft, as suggested by the photo of the excerpt from the Zhuangzi, I dare say there is a choice. Some people are ultra-violent and have no code of conduct for their crimes; I can attest this much from first-hand, anecdotal experiences from my life as a former thief. We must remember the Dao supersedes and transcends all human-noted distinctions (Zhuangzi chapter 2) and that any Dao that can be articulated is not the Unchanging Dao (Dao de Jing 1). What "is" good and what "is" bad has no room when embarking on the Inarticulate Dao. The only example I can give you, wonderful people, is my own life experience with crime and turning away from that.

When my old using buddies and I would embark on a boosting heist (I'm making this sound all fancy, but it's really just a clever way to steal from department stores in plain sight), we would only steal what we need to get to feel better, get high and put food in our bellies. We never robbed people at gunpoint; no threats or violence had ever ensued. Did we practice thievery in step with Dao and its Virtue? Perhaps, perhaps not. But as suggested in the picture above of Robber Zhi speaking to his disciples, we practiced all of those things unknowingly, of course. It is truly an anomaly that we were never apprehended and faced repercussions. We can throw out any suggestion of white privilege because I was just the driver, not the one actually going into the stores and performing the boost. The ones who got their hands "dirty" were all people of color. Though, I'm not suggesting at all that my hands were ever "clean" because I was just a mere getaway driver. I am simply pointing out that race had no play in our evading of repercussions.

Here we were, as suggested by Wilson's translation, all caught up in the nets of crime such as drug dealing and purchasing, and thievery. I know of two people who have been pardoned and given new life, myself and the one who actually would go in and perform the boost. I've kept in contact with the "master thief" who would actually go into these department stores and perform the boost. He is sober, doesn't steal or boost anymore, and has a well-paying job; and importantly was never arrested for these crimes we committed together. Whether he is telling me the truth is beside the point because I, too, have turned away from my life of crime, and it seems like my friend has, too. If he did face repercussions, then, of course, my white privilege could've been a massive factor in my evading repercussions for these particular crimes. My friend has no reason to lie about this, though. So I can't help but think that both of us (when mainly it was just us two doing the boots/thievery) evaded harm and repercussions because we practiced our craft with virtue as our bedrock. We are both good people who didn't wish to live such a life that was fueled by petty crime and drugs. With our virtue still intact, we escaped the vicious cycle of drugs and petty crime.

So, in conclusion, yes, both "good" and "bad" people cultivate the Dao and its Virtue. We should not "gatekeep" the Dao and its teachings to only the good, pious person. The Dao and all its teachings should be available to everyone: the Cook, the beggar, the thief, and the King. The Dao doesn't discriminate between our petty human distinctions, and we should be more aligned with Nature's natural distinctions. Just as the Dao is a treasure for the goodman who is a blessing for all, it (the Dao) is equally there for the bad person and is its place of support.

[frozenmoonshine]

Ok, so, I just randomly decided to make a list of Top 10 hottest (male) TR charcters... No idea why, it just popped in my head, lmao.

I wrote this 97% for the lolz, so don't take it too seriously.

So, here it is:

Top 10 Hottest Guys of Tokyo Revengers

10. MITSUYA - It's common knowledge that he's the Husband Material ™️ of the series! He was introduced as this responsible, mature, reliable guy with a somewhat eccentric hobby, and you may be into the cool, calm, collected, talented, kind ones, who're good with kids and house chores, but you can't convince me that your ovaries didn't do a happy little backflip with his glow-up in the last arc! You just know he's a little devil behind that whole boy-next-door act. 😏

9. SHIN - Ok, throughout the most part of the story, he was just Mikey's dead brother, who Mikey himself led us to believe was weak, generally lame, and a hopeless loser with women. Then we got the flashback chapters in the last arc, and what did we see? Capable, hardworking, caring, loving, selfless, persistant man, strong both in a fight and in holding his ground. Hell, he cared for vegetative Mikey for four years, pretty much all alone, sacrificing his own dreams and life in the process. Also, black turtlenecks and bomber jackets. That's all I'm gonna say.

8. HANMA - Who doesn't love a bit of occasional insanity?! The ultimate troll, both in the verse and in the fandom, tricked us all good! That's just how bored he was. Annoying, completely random and unpredictable, grinning madman who's only there to watch the world burn, by setting it ablaze with his own hotness! I mean, tall, tattoed, well dressed, cocky, handsome bastard, with sleepy eyes, anyone?! I hate the fact that he's giving an inexplicably strong 'boyfriend vibe'! But, I just wanna call him 'Shuuji'... 🤭

7. HAKKAI - This cutie is criminally underrated and slept on! I know Wakui did him dirty by not giving him a more complex personality than just a Mitsuya simp, but look at him! Tall, handsome, strong, blue eyes, lip scar, piercing. No wonder he ended up with a modeling career! And on top of the stunning looks, he's just a pure, shy baby! 🥺 Makes you wanna tease and corrupt the hell out of him! 🤭 Besides, his implied clinginess and loyalty suggest he's a keeper, and if that isn't hot, I don't know what is!

6. MIKEY - The definition and the school example of that old proverb - the strongest poisons are kept in the tiniest flasks. Yes, having incredible fighting prowess is hot, being a capable leader is hot, having endless authority is hot, being "emo" is hot, being painfully cute is hot... We don't care that he's pocket sized (and mentally unstable), with his endless charisma, our favorite gang leader very well deserved his place on this list!

5. WAKA - Simply, he's sexy and he knows it. And we know it. You know it. Your grandma knows it. Everyone knows it. Teen or adult, law abiding citizen or a crime lord, the White Leopard could make anyone anywhere fall for him at the snap of his fingers! ...if he only cared enough to do so, tho.

4. KOKO - Intelligent, smart, sassy, sarcastic, and plain insolent = perfection. This cheeky, well-read, super stylish, handsome motherfucker had us fawning over his strong, passion-driven personality, hidden under the cool façade. What's not to love about a blindly devoted guy?! It doesn't matter if it's the devotion to a cause or a person he deems important (#lucky Inui siblings). But fair be fair, that habit of sticking his tongue out should be X rated...

3. BAJI - If his fiery, man-among-the-men personality, undying loyalty, and endless kindness aren't enough to make you burn like a car, just take a look at that perfectly chiseled face, cocky smirk, and glorious raven locks! Still not convinced? Well, you're either blind, dead, or not into guys at all! We should actually be grateful that his adult version was only ever shown at the very last chapter, cause anything more than that would have been beyond too hot to handle!

2. KAZUTORA - There's just something indescribably magnetic about the whole "redeemed sinner" trope, and that alone would have been enough to get him a spot on this list! But since he also happens to have the handsomest face in the show, a beauty mark under the eye, the cutest smile, a piercing, a tattoo, and a fair amount of badassery and strength, it all sums up to the total of our dear banana tiger being the runner-up!

1. HARUCHIYO - Does this one really need any explanation? Pathological loyalty is beyond hot, wearing a mask is hot, scars are super hot (as already established), suits are hot, piercings are hot, long lashes are hot, pale blond/albino is hot, green eyes are hot, skillfully wielding a sword is hot, smarts are hot, being a little bit deranged is hot... the list could really go on for days, there's literally nothing about him that doesn't make him hot. "...Being a homicidal maniac and a drug addict?" No, he's excused for all red flags on the account of pretty privilege!

[singlecrow]

ds9 holosuite adventure in the tv show of your choice

Becca, you know me well.

--

"I'm reminded of a Cardassian equivalent," Garak decides, and Julian considers becoming a vedek.

"Do tell," he says, looking down at himself. Twentieth century street clothes. They look fine. For versimilitude, they should be women's clothes, but Julian doesn't like that even to play. Garak, meanwhile, might be persuaded into a perfectly tasteful dress just as nice as one of his own manufacture, if he could get past whatever Cardassian thrice-repetitive literary equivalent Julian is just about to receive chapter and verse and forty-four more volumes on.

"The Cardassian writer Ankoja of Prim," Garak says. "She spoke of a race of beings who, upon exposure to sunlight, took on a greenish patina and, ah... combusted. It was thought at the time to be something in the nature of a surfeit of copper ions in the blood."

"That's not how anything works," Julian says. "Could you kill them with a piece of pointed wood?"

"I don't suppose anyone ever tried." Garak looks perturbed. "They were law-abiding citizens, seeking a cure... my dear Doctor. Are you saying that the purpose of this game is to kill these unfortunate... creatures?"

"The clue is in the name!" Julian yells. "You slay the vampires! And then they die! And that's the game!"

"It sounds terribly bloodthirsty."

"No," Julian says, "that's them. The vampires. Who are bloodthirsty!"

"Everyone must live, surely," Garak says.

"They don't live. They're dead. Undead."

"Why do we need to kill them, then?" Garak asks. "If we need to kill them in any case, which frankly I doubt. I'm reminded of another Cardassian equivalent, the Pherran Scholars of the northern provinces, who wrote in the ethical mode..."

Julian wonders if the Dominion need doctors, and if they do, where to apply.

[stonelions]

[disclaimer: again, not blaming the cast for anything. blame being set squarely on writing/directing choices]

as i understand it, tlhbou very intentionally cast Pedro bc they wanted to present a more lovable, softer version of Joel. (Show Joel, if you will.) which, considering the source material, an unusual & potentially disastrous change to make, since fundamentally altering Joel's character and casting media's current darling loveable dad..... ends up gutting the story in a pretty fundamental way.

in-game Joel is a traumatized, emotionally shut-down survivor who has succeeded as long as he has in a dangerous world because he's selfish. it's simple self-preservation. he avoids FEDRA mandated QZ duties, he and Tess are clear heavy hitters in Boston's underbelly, and he is disturbingly competent at killing people. to that effect, his violence is measured; decisive. practical. (this disconnection from his actions is arguably a result of trauma, yes, but unlike Show Joel, he isn't "triggered" to violence. he chooses it, because it's the most expedient way to stay alive or get what he needs. and in the tlou-verse, if you aren't the guy doing the violence, somebody else is gonna do the violence to you.)

this Joel has given up on his brother. they have not spoken in years, he has no idea if Tommy is still alive, and if he is, he assumes Tommy wants nothing to do with him. his primary goal is to keep his and Tess' existence as "free" and comfortable as possible, regardless of the nature of their relationship. (never made explicitly romantic, in-game.) he does not need to be "managed" by this Tess, like some kind of unpredictable guard dog, and the two of them together kill people handily, as needed, to maintain their place in the QZ pecking order. they seem committed to staying off FEDRA's radar, for obvious reasons. (FEDRA doesn't much care about protecting law-abiding citizens, let alone smugglers.)

so when Joel meets Ellie and is tasked with her transport, he is annoyed. it is a huge, hazardous inconvenience. & losing Tess is the exact kind of slap in the face he expected from getting involved in a battle he had no interest in fighting. he was not "already going out west" to look for his brother, and now he has to, in the hopes Tommy is still alive, and won't immediately turn him away because of their bad blood.

this inward facing selfishness is what we start to see chip away as Ellie--NOT "violence in her heart" Show Ellie, but traumatized, survivor's guilt riddled in-game Ellie, who is shy at first, and more jokey than mouthy--endears herself to him by being in parts clever, naive, hopeful, oddly sweet, and competent.

by the time they arrive at Tommy's, Joel wants to offload her not out of fear or self-doubt--convincing himself she'd be better off with Tommy and his guys is a lie to soothe his conscience--but because he's afraid of the bond they've formed, and is trying to run from it. he is being selfish to protect himself. (from more loss, pain, etc.)

this changes after the fight in the ranch house. he realizes he can run, but it's already too late, and actually they might as well finish what they started because yeah, he is capable, and maybe he's not her dad, but now? he's something.

and it's this selfishness, (love can be profoundly selfish) that motivates his heinous actions in the hospital. Joel, because of who he is, what he's been through, and how he gets attached, could not have made any other choice, world-be-doomed.

whether you believe killing Ellie would provide a cure or not (i do not, tbh, like, killing your one immune subject immediately is high stakes storytelling but terrible fucking science, w/e), the choice Joel makes is heinous and awful. and SELFISH. Joel. is selfish. (this is not me saying he is a bad person. the showrunners seem desperate to map our moral sensibilities to the setting, but that is ridiculous. Joel has to be selfish, or die.)

Show Joel... is self-doubting, and self-hating, full of regrets, (even suicidal????? WHAT??) and as far as we see, way less competent than his game counterpart. he's an emotional being. (that monologue to Tommy? i am not even going to touch it. he would not say that.) his attachment to Ellie seems almost instantaneous, and the showrunners treat it as an inevitable outcome, like these two characters are destined to meet and do violence together, which is, frankly, far less interesting than two very different people forming a close bond through incredible hardship that fundamentally alters the course of both their lives.

anyway. that's. just a brief (lol) summary of one way I've been looking at it. if they wanted to make Show Joel softer, they needed to change other story beats to match, and they... didn't. so.

[rcjoice]

once again putting out feelers on if anyone wants to join a gv discord set in my horror verse!!! the brief description under the cut

In a world where supernaturals and humans coexist and know of each other’s existence, the supposed harmony is based on one thing: don’t kill us, and we won’t kill you. Thus, the world of synthetic humans was born! Everything from blood to bone to flesh to guts, all the nutritional and mystical needs a creature or being could need! Ghouls, vampires, werewolves, witches, and anyone else who has a craving for sweet human meat or sacrificial blood just need to pop down to your local grocery store and get all your gorey needs!

But for every law abiding citizen, there’s always someone who wants to work around the system. And thus, the world of the Blood Market began. An underground and secret ring that focuses on one thing: the sweet, savory, and supple flesh of humans that just made the world go round.

Vampire tired of artificial blood? Plenty of participants, both willing and unwilling, ready to offer up their jugular for you. A witch who’s spells need that extra kick of real blood? Vials a plenty in the Blood Market. A ghoul who’s hunger just won’t quit till you sink your teeth into real viscera? Say no more, come on down and find a bite. Anything a monster could ever need or want, all you had to do was know the right people.

And with a ring of elites, supernatural and human alike, supporting and suppressing news around this underground organization, the Blood Market thrives more and more every year, growing ever more sinister. The yearly rise of missing persons cases and strange and unsolved murders only serves to cause more and more unrest and tension amongst supernaturals and humans. Fights and riots break out every day, videos and posts on either side of the great supernatural debate constantly circulating. One question stands above all else: who’s going to bite first?

In the midst of all this unease, where do you stand?

[shachou]

[THE HIEROPHANT] - Do they often abide by social norms, or do they reject institutional values in favor of flexibility/independence? ( if you feel like it, this is for kaiba and the priest )

Kaiba rarely abides by social norms, if anything, he makes and even imposes his own. He values freedom and independence, and given his position in society and particularly in Domino City where he basically rules like a king and is widely admired, it's safe to say he's able to do as he pleases with little to no consequence.

The only time you'll see him abide by social norms is pretty much when it comes to Kaiba Corporation's affairs. It's something we see, for example, in Transcend Game, when he mentions that even though he personally likes the appearance of dangerous elements in a game, he can't overlook them as he runs a business. He knows well how to play the corporate game, with all its rules.

Priest Seto is a little bit different, but not entirely. If we're to understand 'social norms' as rules of conduct, then Priest Seto is not prone to abiding by them. In the manga he's a lot like Kaiba in the sense that he tends to act high and mighty, and he's rude not only to his peers, but he's also impolite with Atem at times and treats him with a familiarity and boldness that is not proper of his station. There's a panel in the manga where Siamun's scandalized by this ( when is he not though ? ). As for our verse in particular, well, you know he couldn't care less about behaving.

But if we're to interpret 'social norms' as the law, then Priest Seto does enforce it with an iron fist. Law and order are important to him. As a priest it is his duty to maintain ma'at in the kingdom. Punishing the evildoers to keep the honest citizens safe. Making sacrifices for the greater good. If anything, he tends to go a little bit overboard with it, if we consider his penchant for torturing criminals. Even though this is Ancient Egypt, even the other priests seem to agree that Seto's methods are too harsh.

[redemptivexheroics]

Second Chance At Love [Ryan/Meredith] Continued...

@entangledmuses Continued From Here

"Yeah, Holly likes unicorns too; she once told me when she grows up she wants to be a fairy princess and that she wants to own the most beautiful unicorn ever. I can't break her spirit by saying that either of those are real, but you know kids, if they believe something is real, they'll fight tooth and nail to prove you wrong," Ryan said as he chuckled. That was his little girl, though.

"It's a simple fix, definitely not auto shop worthy. I can get that thing out of your belt and tighten that loose part, and it should be good to go. I don't see anything else wrong with the engine besides those two culprits; everything looks to be in working order," he explained.

When it came to how much, Ryan shook his head. "Don't need to pay me; it's really easy to fix; I'll go get my tools, but dinner does sound nice; I can cook here; no need for a restaurant unless that's something you want to do."

[reddawnmultimuse]

. starter for @bladedhunter [ uchiha sasuke ] | [ single dad verse ] / [ arranged marriage verse ]

Why had it gotten to this? How had he gotten here?

That's what Deidara was questioning himself, fountain pen in hand and staring down at the decorative paper on the table in front of him.

Certificate of Marriage

This is to Certify That

Katsu Deidara AND Uchiha Sasuke

Were United in Marriage

Yes, it was a marriage certificate and to Uchiha Sasuke.

Deidara didn't want to sign it, but not doing so not only meant wasting away in jail for the rest of his life--since Konoha didn't have the death penalty--but also losing his son, Ame. He didn't know which was worse nor why this all happened.

One day, it's life as usual with Deidara taking care of his son and running his pottery shop, and then the next, Konoha is breaking down his door to arrest him. Someone must've recognized him, that was Deidara's only theory because he had done nothing wrong. He had living his life as a law-abiding citizen since his son's birth. Yet, here he was, in jail. And he may've never gotten out if it wasn't for his son.

See, Ame was a Uchiha, son to Uchiha Itachi after a blackout night of drinking. Originally, due to this, there was talk of sending Ame to Uchiha Sasuke, last living member of the Uchiha clan but Deidara had objected, loudly so. He didn't care if his son was a Uchiha, he didn't want that man raising his son! Even if it was between that and the foster system.

Thankfully, Konoha had granted him a lawyer who did a little digging and learned that since the Uchiha clan was dead, there was a special clause protecting the last living members, that being Sasuke and now by extension, Ame. It was very poorly written, however, since obviously no one thought it would have to be used and through a few legal loopholes--a lot of legal loopholes--Deidara's lawyer concluded that Deidara too could fall under these protections, not only because he bared a Uchiha heir but also if married into the Uchiha clan.

And that's why he was here, about a sign a marriage certificate to be wed to Uchiha Sasuke. But, it was his only option. He had no idea what they said to Sasuke to get him to agree to this either, but obviously he did as he had signed already.

So, with a grandiose sigh, he signed his name on the paper and put down the pen, leaning back in the uncomfortable, metal chair. His attorney clapped him on the shoulder, proudly.

"You'll have to serve time but you'll be out soon and back your son--and new family." He said. "Congratulations, Mr. Katsu-Uchiha."

And Deidara grimaced.

[felinoir-a]

new verse drop: cat's eye investigations.

the private investigations firm opened post civil war 1 - the product of felicia taking advantage of her recently expunged criminal record. it was originally a front, a means to launder ill-gotten money and a way to attract potential jobs that required some sticky fingers. she does take occasional legitimate jobs in an effort to keep up appearances.

the types of jobs she typically would pick up would be considered bounty hunting, infiltration/retrieval, in-depth and thorough (invasive) background checks, custom burglarproof security systems, and generally any job that may require flexible morals and a distinct lack of professional ethics. the office is headquartered in astoria, queens, new york city.

this verse will focus mainly on felicia pretending to assimilate to being an upstanding, law abiding citizen while continuing her activities as a premier thief in a less ... flamboyant way. she'll be a bit more antagonistic to heroes and more cagey about her alleged activities.

thread dependent employees of cat's eye investigations: - dr. boris korpse (demolitions specialist, mad scientist) - bruno grainger (wheelman, the muscle) - @wardogsong (hostage rescue, the muscle, the closer)

[ahopkins1965]

The Old Man vs The New Man by Anthony Joseph Hopkins

November 14, 2020





 

This is a comparison and contrast paper concerning the Old Man vs The New Man.  First, I would like to place emphasis on the Old Man.  The Old Man is a person who ignores God.  The Old Man is a person who pays attention to his deceitful lusts.

 

 





Next, according to Ephesians 4:22 Says: That you put off concerning your former conduct, the Old Man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts: The Old Man is a person who constantly gets into trouble with the law.  This Bible verse is saying that we put off the former conduct the Old Man, which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.

 

Further, the Old Man is a very immoral person.  The Old Man is a person who does not attend church on a regular basis.  The Old Man is a person who makes bad decisions and choices.  The Old Man is a person who places emphasis on worldly things.  The Old Man is a person who has a lot of possessions.

 





Moreover, The Old Man has a whole lot of women.  The Old Man is a person who does not pay tithes and offerings to the church.  The Old Man is a person who does not know how to take care of his responsibilities.  The Old Man is a person who is disrespectful.  The Old Man is a person who does not love himself or other people.

 

In Addition, The Old Man tends to have a lot of personal items.  The Old Man rarely attends college and graduate from college.  The Old Man hardly works for a living.  The Old Man is disrespectful towards women and children.

 

 





Also, The Old Man rarely pleases God in any way.  The Old Man is a man who is involved in all sorts of immorality.  Immorality pleases the Old Man a whole lot.  An Old Man tend to have a lot of younger women.  The Old Man only does things to please other men and women.  The Old Man, even though, is a law-abiding citizen in his own country.  The Old Man makes advances when he gets ready.

 

Ephesians 4:23 Says: And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.  Whereas, when it comes to renewing the spirit of your mind, this is a change from the inside out.  The Old Man will have to make a change for the better.  This means that an Old Man who is inside of his former conduct must have a complete change in his lifestyle, behavior, and conduct.





Frankly, The Old Man must come to his senses and ask God to change him for the better.  This change will not occur overnight.  This change will come gradually overtime.  When it comes to making a transition from the Old Man to the New Man, a man, woman, or child must be ready by God for this change.

 

However, when it comes to the New Man; a New Man is a God-fearing man.  The New Man is a Man who has respect for all people.  A New Man is a person who listens emphatically to other people.  The New Man attends Church on a regular basis.  The New Man is a Man who does not use vulgarity whatsoever.  The New Man imitates Jesus Christ in his behavior every single day.



 



 The New Man knows how to talk to his wife all of the time.  The New Man is a man who thinks before he acts.  The New Man is a law-abiding man.  The New Man has a lot of common sense.

 

According to Ephesians 4:24 Says: And that you put on the New Man, which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.  This Bible verse means that we need to imitate the behavior of Jesus Christ at all times.  We were created according to God in true righteousness and holiness.  This really means that we were created by God.  We are supposed to have a new mind and a new spirit.  We must strive for perfection in the same way Jesus Christ did while He was on earth.  When it comes to the New Man, we are supposed to speak in a way that pleases God.  The New Man is a man who is clean all of the time.  A new man does not have a lot of possessions.

Finally, The Old Man and The New Man are two different people.  The Old Man is concerned about himself.  The New Man is a Change Agent.  This means that the New Man is an ambassador for Jesus Christ.  The Old Man thrives in his own deceitful lusts.  When it comes to The New Man, he is a man who knows how to survive with God’s help.

 

In Conclusion, The Old Man and New Man are very unique individuals.  The Old Man things about himself the majority of the time.  In most cases, the New Man always think about everything that he says right out of his mouth.  The New Man places emphasis on other people.  The New Man works for God.

[sankirtan]

(via Bhrgupati Prabhu - SB 3-26-41 - 11-4-24 - YouTube)

**Understanding the Evolution of Taste and Devotion: Reflections on Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.41** *Bhrgupati Prabhu* --- In our recent reading from the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 3, Chapter 26, Verse 41, we delve into the evolution of the sensory experience of taste, the creation of water, and the manifestation of the tongue. This verse explains how, through the interaction of fire and visual sensation, the subtle element of taste evolves. This eventually leads to the creation of water and the tongue, which perceives taste. Reflecting on this process raises both scientific and philosophical questions about the interaction between sensory elements and the complex organization of nature—a topic that aligns with Vedic insights on material and spiritual realms. The purport by Srila Prabhupada explains that the tongue is the instrument of knowledge for tasting, as taste is directly associated with water. Due to water's nature, there’s always a presence of saliva on the tongue, connecting it to the element it perceives. This verse highlights not just the function of taste but the divine orchestration behind our sensory world, reminding us of Krishna’s intricate arrangement of material reality. Even if this understanding eludes our logical faculties, it doesn’t diminish the system’s validity or spiritual value. ### The Significance of Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Day As we discuss this verse, we remember that tomorrow is Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance day. This is an essential event in our community, a time when we collectively honor his legacy and contributions. Reflecting on Srila Prabhupada’s physical absence from this world brings awareness to the magnitude of his presence within it. As I noted this morning, in our temple we have 13 personalities represented on the altar, with Srila Prabhupada receiving three of those places in his forms as murtis and photographs. This arrangement reflects his central role and importance within our community and our practices. On disappearance day, the priority should be to honor Srila Prabhupada, participating in the temple programs and focusing on this special observance. Srila Prabhupada’s life mission was the propagation of Krishna Consciousness. By centering ourselves on his teachings and contributions, we reaffirm our spiritual commitments. ### Krishna’s Creation: The Material World as a “Reform School” In discussing the verse, I reflected on the Vedic analogy of the material world as a reformatory—a structured system where souls, who may not yet fully desire to abide by spiritual laws, are given an opportunity to grow. Just as a government creates a prison system because it knows some citizens will break the law, Krishna created the material world, knowing that not all living entities will be ready to engage in pure devotional service. This world, therefore, serves as a training ground, a place of reformation where we gradually cultivate the will and understanding necessary for spiritual life. Through this arrangement, Krishna is guiding each of us. He watches how we use our free will—whether we align ourselves with devotional service or drift away. Krishna’s hope is that we recognize our mistaken judgments and eventually turn towards him. While his oversight might sound like an impossible task, Krishna’s engineering of the universe is beyond human comprehension, encompassing a capacity to monitor, guide, and accommodate countless souls. ### Krishna’s Engineering of Life Reflecting on the intricate design of a single cell—a fundamental unit of life—is awe-inspiring and aligns with Vedic teachings on Krishna’s divine arrangement. Each cell, though minuscule, is as complex as a modern city. With membranes, protein-folding mechanisms, and transport systems, the cell’s structure reveals a remarkable intelligence at play. And there are approximately 37 trillion of these cells in the human body! This complexity points to an engineering beyond human understanding. It is Krishna’s creation, designed to sustain life and facilitate our experience of the material world. Even modern science, with all its advancements, can only begin to scratch the surface of such complexity. ### Krishna’s Persistent Compassion In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 8, Chapter 3, Text 17, Srila Prabhupada explains Krishna’s ultimate motive: He is constantly striving to deliver us from material existence, residing in our hearts and working tirelessly to guide us back to our original spiritual nature. Despite our frequent resistance to his guidance, Krishna remains compassionate and patient. As Srila Prabhupada notes, Krishna is described as *bhuri-karu?a*, meaning “unlimitedly merciful.” His compassion knows no bounds, and he always extends his mercy, hoping that each soul will return to him. This makes Krishna unique among all divine figures—one who actively works within our hearts, guiding and waiting for us to recognize our eternal connection to him. ### Achieving Pure Krishna Consciousness The goal of our spiritual practices, as Srila Prabhupada teaches, is to develop an attachment to Krishna. In one of his lectures, Srila Prabhupada emphasized that all efforts in life should lead us to pure Krishna consciousness; without this, religious activities and philosophical speculations lose their value. This attachment may seem daunting, but Srila Prabhupada reassures us that by sincerely practicing devotion, we can realize it in this lifetime. One method for cultivating Krishna consciousness is through concentration on Krishna’s pastimes and the lives of his devotees. In a commentary on the yogic practices of meditation, Srila Prabhupada explains that even the a??a?ga-yoga system, when properly understood, leads to the worship of Krishna or Vishnu. By focusing on a single narration or pastime from the Vedic literature, we can enter into a state of *samadhi* or deep meditation. This focused meditation on Krishna’s activities allows us to progress in our devotion and experience spiritual revelations directly. ### Conclusion: The Path of Devotion Ultimately, the verse we studied reminds us of the sacred connections between Krishna’s material and spiritual energies. Krishna’s engineering is all-encompassing, covering even the finest details of our sensory experiences. And yet, his ultimate concern remains our spiritual welfare, guiding each of us individually. As Srila Prabhupada emphasized, it is our responsibility to strive towards pure Krishna consciousness, gradually moving from the reformative experience of the material world to the eternal joy of devotional service. Krishna’s patience, Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, and the complexity of creation all point us to the same truth: the path of devotion. Through reflection, meditation, and sincere practice, we can deepen our attachment to Krishna, fulfilling our purpose and reuniting with our divine source. This life, then, becomes an opportunity to turn inward, focus on Krishna, and realize the essence of our spiritual existence.