Spiritualism
Spiritualism is considered the most unique of the three religions on Obrios. Unlike those who practice the ways of the Order of the Light or the Circle of the Moon, Spiritualists choose not to worship any of the three deities. Instead, Spiritualists believe that everything on the world contains one or many spirits. They make sure to pay their respects to the many creatures and objects that they use daily and they revere the Omaru as tiny gods.
Spiritualists also differ greatly from the other religions of Obrios because they believe that the universe is much broader and consists of three levels of existence instead of just the physical.
While most believe that Spiritualism is probably the newest of the Obrios religions, it has changed the least over the course of its existence.
Mythology & Lore
It is unclear where Spiritualism came from or where it started.
Many believe it always existed and it simply was not recorded in the history books, as they were written primarily by other religions.
Others believe that on the Day of Wisdom (during the Great Meeting when the Omaru appeared on Obrios), the Omaru spoke to the beings of Obrios of Realmatic theories and The Pattern.
There is no proof to support either parties claim, but if the religion was created during the Day of Wisdom, the estimated year would be 248AG Regardless of the origin, Spiritualist all practice their religion in the same way and share the same traditions. The primary beliefs of Spiritualist are Realmatic Theory and Pattern Theory. While there are many Spiritualists across Obrios, most seem to have settled down in the Glass Plains or the Mist Veil.
Many believe it always existed and it simply was not recorded in the history books, as they were written primarily by other religions.
Others believe that on the Day of Wisdom (during the Great Meeting when the Omaru appeared on Obrios), the Omaru spoke to the beings of Obrios of Realmatic theories and The Pattern.
There is no proof to support either parties claim, but if the religion was created during the Day of Wisdom, the estimated year would be 248AG Regardless of the origin, Spiritualist all practice their religion in the same way and share the same traditions. The primary beliefs of Spiritualist are Realmatic Theory and Pattern Theory. While there are many Spiritualists across Obrios, most seem to have settled down in the Glass Plains or the Mist Veil.
Divine Origins
Spiritualists are divided between two beliefs when discussing at what point in time the religion came to be. The two beliefs are:
Founding Spiritualists who believe that the religion was established during the era of the Dawnstone but was just not recorded in historical texts. The Day of Wisdom Spiritualists who believe that the religion isn't as old as some might think and that it was actually only established when the Omaru showed up on Obrios during the final day of the Great Meeting. While there is a somewhat even divide between the two beliefs, they still both practice Spiritualism in the same manner. Consequently, there remains to be no distinct factions or sects between those who practice Spiritualism.
Founding Spiritualists who believe that the religion was established during the era of the Dawnstone but was just not recorded in historical texts. The Day of Wisdom Spiritualists who believe that the religion isn't as old as some might think and that it was actually only established when the Omaru showed up on Obrios during the final day of the Great Meeting. While there is a somewhat even divide between the two beliefs, they still both practice Spiritualism in the same manner. Consequently, there remains to be no distinct factions or sects between those who practice Spiritualism.
Cosmological Views
The whole Spiritualist religion revolves around the Cosmology and the mysteries of the Universe far more than any other religion. The Spiritualist believe that in the year 248AG, during the Day of Wisdom, the Omaru appeared and shared their knowledge of the universe with the people of Obrios. However, after the Omaru shared their knowledge, they all took a vow of silence and have since remained silent.
The knowledge that the Omaru shared with the Beings revolved around a theory now known as Realmatic Theory.
Realmatic Theory states that instead of there only being Physical and Spiritual realms (as the other religions believe), a third realm known as the Cognitive Realm also exists.
It is believed that all things exist in the Spiritual Realm. While ones spirit is in the Spiritual Realm, their consciousness is born and travels to the Cognitive Realm. It is in the Cognitive Realm where the spirit decides what it's physical form will be. After the physical form is chosen, the spirit then travels to the Physical Realm, where it exists inside its chosen physical form until it is destroyed.
When ones physical form is destroyed, the spirit returns back to the cognitive realm.
After returning to the Cognitive Realm, the spirit may assume another physical form, or it may return to the Spiritual Realm to become whole again and rest before returning. It is believed that the souls of living creatures and Omaru appear in a different state than inanimate objects while in the Cognitive Realm, but this has not been explained. While most people who are Spiritualists still tend to worship the Sun Goddesses and occasionally Galdarian, Spiritualist tend to not revere the gods as other religions do.
Many believe that the gods were just regular Spirits who were able to find and choose a Divine form on their transition through the Spiritual Realm. Others believe that the gods were the first Spirits to transition through to the Spiritual realm to the Cognitive Realm. Living billions of lives, creating the world one piece at a time before any other Spirits were mature enough to join them in the Cognitive Realm. Spiritualists do however, worship and revere the Omaru. According to Spiritualists, the Omaru exist in both the Physical Realm and the Cognitive Realm simultaneously which makes them the wisest creatures currently in existence. Many believe that there will be a day when the Omaru will fulfill their vows of silence and share their knowledge with the Beings of Obrios once again. Since the Omaru exist in two realms at once, they are typically viewed by Spiritualists as divine beings. It is widely thought that if one lives an extraordinary life, their soul will manifest as an Omaru once their physical form is destroyed. The final major theory that Spiritualists have is a theory known as The Pattern Theory. The Pattern Theory states that, while Obrios and the Universe (the three realms) are static, there is a greater power flowing throughout all of existence. This power manifests in a pattern that dictates the course of the past, present, and future. Many believe that the visions caused from bonding with ones Dawnstone are the bonder witnessing a moment in the Pattern. The Pattern is believed to exist within the three realms and simultaneously outside of all of them. The bonding of a Dawnstone is the only known way a normal being can see a glimpse of the Pattern. The Vucboon and High-Seers in the Spiritualist religion are even more revered for this reason. The primary theory is that once a vision has been viewed by someone bonding with their Dawnstone, that section of the Pattern has now manifested partially in the Physical Realm and cannot be seen again by someone bonding with their Dawnstone. Many believe that this has something to do with why no one shares the same vision. It is also thought to have a part in the High-Seer's ability to view multiple parts of the Pattern in their lifetime and not just one.
After returning to the Cognitive Realm, the spirit may assume another physical form, or it may return to the Spiritual Realm to become whole again and rest before returning. It is believed that the souls of living creatures and Omaru appear in a different state than inanimate objects while in the Cognitive Realm, but this has not been explained. While most people who are Spiritualists still tend to worship the Sun Goddesses and occasionally Galdarian, Spiritualist tend to not revere the gods as other religions do.
Many believe that the gods were just regular Spirits who were able to find and choose a Divine form on their transition through the Spiritual Realm. Others believe that the gods were the first Spirits to transition through to the Spiritual realm to the Cognitive Realm. Living billions of lives, creating the world one piece at a time before any other Spirits were mature enough to join them in the Cognitive Realm. Spiritualists do however, worship and revere the Omaru. According to Spiritualists, the Omaru exist in both the Physical Realm and the Cognitive Realm simultaneously which makes them the wisest creatures currently in existence. Many believe that there will be a day when the Omaru will fulfill their vows of silence and share their knowledge with the Beings of Obrios once again. Since the Omaru exist in two realms at once, they are typically viewed by Spiritualists as divine beings. It is widely thought that if one lives an extraordinary life, their soul will manifest as an Omaru once their physical form is destroyed. The final major theory that Spiritualists have is a theory known as The Pattern Theory. The Pattern Theory states that, while Obrios and the Universe (the three realms) are static, there is a greater power flowing throughout all of existence. This power manifests in a pattern that dictates the course of the past, present, and future. Many believe that the visions caused from bonding with ones Dawnstone are the bonder witnessing a moment in the Pattern. The Pattern is believed to exist within the three realms and simultaneously outside of all of them. The bonding of a Dawnstone is the only known way a normal being can see a glimpse of the Pattern. The Vucboon and High-Seers in the Spiritualist religion are even more revered for this reason. The primary theory is that once a vision has been viewed by someone bonding with their Dawnstone, that section of the Pattern has now manifested partially in the Physical Realm and cannot be seen again by someone bonding with their Dawnstone. Many believe that this has something to do with why no one shares the same vision. It is also thought to have a part in the High-Seer's ability to view multiple parts of the Pattern in their lifetime and not just one.
Tenets of Faith
The major tenant of Spiritualists is to show the same respect to all objects and creatures that they would to another living Being. Spiritualists make sure to always thank their food before meals as well as their weapons and any other object they might intentionally interact with. However, it is impractical for a Spiritualist to go around thanking everything they see, so most Spiritualists tend to be a bit more lenient and only pray to the objects that they feel they have the strongest bond with (interact with on a regular basis). Because of this, many Spiritualists tend to be very protective of their possessions. It is not uncommon to latch on to one specific item they have "formed a bond with". Many believe that loved ones who choose to take another physical form before returning to the spiritual realm may choose an item of importance to someone they love. This is another reason why Spiritualists always show appreciation, they believe that anything could be one of their deceased family members or a distant relative.
Ethics
While there are no specific sins directly related to Spiritualism. It is considered disrepectful to walk on stone or metal without first saying a prayer.
This is because many consider it impossible to completely destroy the physical forms of rock and metal. It is believed that when a cognitive spirit chooses rock or metal as their physical state, they are choosing that state indefinitely as their physical form. In doing this, they will never be destroyed and their spirits will exist exclusively in the Physical Realm for the duration of the Pattern. This permanent physical state is considered to be a great act of service because of the usefulness of stone and metal, which is why the Spiritualists tend to pray before they use either.
Worship
Typical worship involves prayer before meals. Warriors will typically pray to their weapons and armor before battle (if they are able).
Before walking on any permanent substance like stone or metal, usually a Spiritualist will say a short prayer or perform a sign of acknowledgement known as a Kjuta. When performing a Kjuta, one takes their right hand and traces a line down from the center of their forehead to the middle of their chest, then across to their heart while bowing their head.
When a Spiritualist dies, it is common for Spiritualists to preserve the body for up to a week. This is said to be done so that ones body will still be in working condition if the spirit decides it wants to take that specific physical form again.
Political Influence & Intrigue
Like all religions, there is a Spiritualist representative among the Eshallan High Council.
Most High-Seer's tend to be Spiritualists as well, including the most recent High-Seer, High-Seer Jahaartael. Although, while it is uncommon, it is not unheard of to have a High-Seer who is not a Spiritualist.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments