Re: What is said instead of Concentration

From: Ian <ilikemonkeys.geo_at_I_d8OCLkMKh6IvNKz2iElhvcZUM08JsfW9qxQvUlr2pDJ6ABrJeK2J6VBuD>
Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:33:55 -0000

Off the top of my head:

The Praxian fasts for three days prior to the ceremony. He avoids contact with impure things and marks himself with sacred dyes. On the morning of the third day, he enters a specially constructed sweat lodge. On the first day, he is alone. He sweats out the least of his impurities, those of the body. He concentrates on those things that are right. On the second day, the shamans come. They lead him in the ritual chants, they teach him the sacred gestures. His mind is cleansed of impurity. On the third day, the shamans beat him, they cut him with knives, they mortify his body. Souls are cowardly things, they cannot bear hardship - eventually, the theist portion of his inner self flees. On the fourth day, he is given what he is told is poison. He believes himself to die. Essences are like parasites, without their host they are literally nothing. With the host "dead", the essence drains away. On the fifth day, the Praxian awakens. He has only a spirit, the shamans welcome him and rename him, for he is newly born. He exits the sweat lodge, disoriented and slick with fluid, born again into Waha's Garden.            

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