Chapter 13 (1/2)
What is emptiness?
According to Ayn Rand, or written explanation, void is a pure and unreasonable spiritual world that exists because it does not exist and is completely composed of information and emotion.
In the void, there is no time, space or real life, but it is completely integrated and overlapped with the world - just as inseparable as people and their own shadow.
This explanation sounds mysterious to Loren, as if it was written specifically to prevent others from understanding. Even if the little wizard in front of him had explained it in a way he could understand, he was still confused.
However, he felt that the statement about the void was somewhat similar to the ”agnosticism” of his previous life - that is, even the person who wrote this book did not really understand what form the void existed in. He just wrote down what he saw and speculated.
But one thing, both in the book and the little wizard, is very clear - for the wizard, meditation is the only way to enter the void and the safest way.
”But I remember clearly that under the church cellar, you said it had been completely eroded by the void.” Loren asked, ”did we 'enter the void' that time?”
”Not exactly. And as I said, it's dangerous!” ain shook his head. ”We use meditation, but we don't want to directly contact the power of the void.”
Meditation is dreaming - after people in this world fall asleep, their spirit can peep into the void, and deeper dreams can go further. According to this, the Wizards have found a safer and more professional way bit by bit.
”The word meditation originates from ancient times. It is derived from the two meanings of 'mind' and 'traction'. This word itself also explains the meaning of meditation and leads the mind to the void.”
At this point, Loren understood something. Just as a coin has both sides, the world is also divided into two levels of spirit and material, and it is binary.
It is because the two levels overlap each other that the world is eroded by the void - distorted cellars, mutant monsters, and even magic are all caused by the influence of the void.
”... for the living creatures in this world, spirit and material are two completely divided parts. Needless to say, even a little touch will melt like soil falling into water...”
Loren suddenly remembered what the guy named Asriel said. If it was true, it could explain his doubt. That's why ayin was so surprised to find himself safe.
But in this way, Loren has a new question: the self with the complete combination of spirit and material should be unique in this world. What does this mean? I'm afraid it's not just like what it shows now.
But should I really believe him? Indeed, the other party is almost equivalent to saving his own life, but Loren's natural suspicion still makes him suspicious of Asriel, especially the other party's creepy smile, as if everything on himself was revealed in front of him
All kinds of ideas piled up in his mind, which made Lauren spend half a day slowly calming down - so distant things are not what he should consider now. The most practical thing at present is to start from the foundation.
”Sorry, meditation and emptiness are basically the knowledge of mystics. I mainly focus on alchemy. I don't need to understand these, so I can only read them from the book.” seeing the little wizard who was lost in thought, he said with a little embarrassment: ”but if you're going to study alchemy, I do...”
”Thank you, but I don't need it.” Lauren smiled and shook his head, but didn't want to disappoint the little wizard who trusted him so much. ”But if I can, I'd like to try meditation.”
”That's ok...” ayin could still see some loss in his expression, but he took the initiative to help Loren: ”my first meditation was helped by Isaac, so I still remember how he did it.”