Guided Meditation:
The Jedi Temple

  By Astra

Sit or lay down so that your body is comfortable and relaxed.
Close your eyes and take a deep breath into your stomach, 
letting your abdomen expand and contract naturally.

>> do a short, basic relaxation sequence here <<

As you continue to breath deeply and evenly, feel your body relax even further, and focus your mind on the words of the Code, letting everything else go:

(slowly, to allow for deep breathing) 
Breathing in - There is no emotion 
Breathing out - There is peace 
There is no ignorance 
There is knowledge 
There is no passion 
There is serenity 
There is no death 
There is the Force 
(allow time for one more silent breath)

Staying relaxed and comfortable, you shift your awareness to the inner world and realize that -- although you are still surrounded by your friends -- you are no longer in a <hotel room/park> in Atlanta. The air around you is cool, and a light mist drifts over you. You hear the sound of running water, and when you open your eyes, your attention is immediately drawn to a small fountain -- the source of the mist. Looking around, you realize that you are all in large garden, filled with well-tended greenery and twisting gravel paths. The area is quiet, almost deserted, but suddenly two youngsters dressed in gray hurry by, whispering something about a sparring demonstration, and arguing good-naturedly about whether "he'll be able to do it" this time.

Curious, your draw your hood up to conceal your face and follow them. The path leads to a large hallway and through the open archway you can see a variety of beings of all shapes and sizes, most draped in familiar earth-tone robes and tunics. The simple elegance of the hall and the peaceful intensity of the inhabitants reassures you that you have traveled to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.

You slip quietly into the hallway and follow the young initiates to a large sparring arena. It has a high vaulted ceiling and benches circling the practice ring. In the center of the room, you see two familiar figures, moving together in a warm-up kata. Realizing that you're blocking the beings behind you, you hurry to find good seats. When you look back up, they've finished the kata and are standing together making adjustments to their lightsabers. The tall Jedi master, long hair tied back in it's customary ponytail, looks serious as he concentrates on making the changes. Beside him, a furrow appearing between his brows, the equally serious padawan carefully mimics his master's actions.

They nod to each other, then square off, lightsabers held en garde. You lean forward, enthralled, and they begin -- green and blue blades powering up simultaneously, casting a glow on their faces. The low hum fills the room as they begin to circle one another, throwing simple feints and strikes, judging each other's strengths and weaknesses. After a steady pattern emerges, Qui-Gon goes on the offensive and the bout is on in earnest. Moving with an almost unnatural grace for such a large man, he drives Obi-Wan back steadily -- blades meeting time and again with a loud crackle -- until suddenly Obi-Wan launches himself in a flip over his Master's head, striking downward, moving so quickly that Qui-Gon barely manages to block the swing. He whirls to face Obi-Wan, but is immediately disarmed by a complicated twist of Obi-Wan's lightsaber. Stunned, you watch as Qui-Gon's extinguished hilt lands a few feet away from you, then join in the appreciative applause. You glance around and notice that the two initiates are beaming. Apparently young Obi-Wan has a fanclub here as well.

You hear Qui-Gon's rich laugh and look back over in time to see Obi-Wan's dimples and impudent grin make an appearance. Qui-Gon rests a hand on his padawan's shoulder, patently proud of his performance. You hold your breath as Qui-Gon walks toward you to retrieve his lightsaber, then let it out as a sigh as he goes down on one knee to pick it up. He clips it to his belt, then looks up at you and your friends, dark blue eyes still shining with good humor. You freeze, realizing that in the excitement of the bout, your hood has fallen back. Raising an eloquent eyebrow in your direction, Qui-Gon looks confused for a moment. You feel an odd sensation, like a tickle at the base of your skull, and his expression changes to one of pleasant surprise.

"Padawan," he calls out, and in a moment Obi-Wan is at his side with their robes. As light-colored tunics disappear under swirls of brown, Qui-Gon meets Obi-Wan's eyes briefly. The apprentice nods, then looks over at you with a smile and sketches a quick bow.

"Ladies," he says softly, gesturing toward the exit, "would you walk with us?" Following their example, you resettle your hoods and silently return to the hallway. Flanked by the two Jedi, you quickly reach the garden and follow the paths back to the fountain, which Obi-Wan explains marks a rarely used gateway. Chuckling at your shocked expressions, Qui-Gon assures you that this visit is not unprecedented, and that you are welcome to return at any time.

Tossing his braid back over his shoulder, Obi-Wan sinks into a meditative posture, commenting that "time and space are relative, after all."

"From a certain point of view," they say together as Qui-Gon joins him, and they share an amused glance. It's apparently an old debate, rooted in their complementary strengths in the Living and Unifying aspects of the Force.

Now... take a few moments to join them in meditation, and open your mind to receiving a private message from the Jedi. This will be your key to the gateway. It may be a word or a phrase, a picture in your mind, or even a feeling. It may come as a single message, or they may communicate with you separately. And they may choose to share more than just the key. Remember what you receive, and next time you are still and centered, you can use it to return for another visit.

<< long pause >>

You feel a gentle sensation of farewell touch your mind, and the sense of being at the Temple begin to fade around you.

Take three deep breaths and center yourself in the here and now.

As you do, you are reminded of the Master's words...

-- it will be a hard life -- one without reward, without remorse, without regret -- a path will be placed before you -- the choice is yours alone -- it will be a hard life -- but you will find out... who you are

When you're ready, open your eyes, and know that the Force -- and the Jedi -- will be with you, always....

 

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