4 Pressure (1/2)

The book cover slammed shut, and I was sucked out of the vision. I only glanced at the page, knowing this would happen, and I could feel that I had absorbed the information.

This page seemed different somehow. While the first page led me through a singular process, this one seemed more repeatable. Soul Expansion was a method for gradually growing the soul.

There was, however, a conceptual barrier that needed to be crossed. To grow the soul, I had to change it from a seed to a container; a well for qi.

I had just woken up and there was about an hour for me to make my first attempt. I needed to dive back into deep meditation in order to shape the seed to my will.

I focused on breath then spread my awareness across my body. I was better at honing my focus now, and my consciousness swiftly separated from my body.

The spirit seed appeared in front of me. Being able to feel its presence so distinctly without seeing it amazed me every time.

Before, I found it difficult to move the seed, but now I had to shape it. The page recommended to try and form it into a well, but I couldn't picture a clear image in my head. It was too unfamiliar.

I focused on something I knew better, a bottle. This time I could form a clearer picture. But how do you change a seed into a bottle?

There was no use in doubting myself. I tried to expand the seed, stretching it out from itself. The seed resisted me, and I felt my concentration waver. Calming myself, I tried to think this process through.

”Baby steps Oscar, baby steps.” I thought to myself.

A bottle isn't a solid object. It's a sheet of plastic, extruded and shaped into a container. The first step was to make this sheet. I imagined a huge hydraulic press, squeezing the seed flat.

The seed resisted me, trying to fight the force, but was giving way as I increased the pressure. I kept pressing and pressing, but it was taking a toll on me. I could feel myself weakening.

”Nothing can hurt you, keep going! Keep going!” I chanted to myself over, and over again, like a coach to an athlete.

Exhausting myself like this hurt. With every second I had less power to give but I couldn't let up the pressure or the seed would bounce back.

I start counting down the seconds. Just another 5 seconds. Now just another 5 more! It didn't matter if I was running on fumes, I had to keep going.

I could feel myself returning to my body, brought back to reality by the visceral pain in my chest. I couldn't let myself be dragged back! The seed was still resisting, it would bounce back at any moment!

I summoned every drop of strength left in my mind and body and gave one last gargantuan push. I would bend this seed to my will; crush it into submission! I could hear cracking from the seed, and this only fuelled me more.

The cracking escalated, until there was a snap, and I felt no more resistance. I didn't know what had happened, but I didn't have time to care, as I blacked out.