Love

Dear Readers,

I have had a problem throughout my life. This problems is "love" or rather, my not understanding what love is. Thus, I am writing this blog post to help others see what my conclusions are, and the blueprints to its discovery. The Heart has been covered in another post, so I will try to steer away from that.

Now, LDS.ORG topics defines love as, "Love is a feeling of deep devotion, concern, and affection. The greatest example of God's love for His children is found in the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ. Love for God and fellow men is a characteristic of disciples of Jesus Christ."

This is the greatest single definition of love I could find because it is a universal definition. I have noticed that there are different kinds of love. There is the "brotherly" or "sisterly" love that we are supposed to have for all other human beings. "...Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Matthew 22:39). Then there is closer love, the love of friends, those that we trust to show our full personalities. Following, is the love of parents for their children, which is quite similar though is pale in comparison to God's love for us, which is charity.

"But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him." (Moroni 7:47)
"And Charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." (Moroni 7:45)

God's love for us is then closely related to our love for Him, and we show that love by Christ's words, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15).

Lastly, and this is the kind of love I wanted to focus on, is romantic love. The best single definition I have found for specifically this type of love is a definition from ArtTrade.TV.

President Gordon B. Hinckley expounded upon his conclusions of love in the 1984 Ensign article And the Greatest of These is Love. "I have since come to know that love is more than a paper heart. Love is of the very essence of life. It is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yet it is more than the end of the rainbow. Love is at the beginning also, and from it springs the beauty that arches across the sky on a stormy day. Love is the security for which children weep, the yearning of youth, the adhesive that binds marriage, and the lubricant that prevents devastating friction in the home; it is the peace of old age, the sunlight of hope shining through death. how rich are those who enjoy it in their associations with family, friends, church, and neighbors."

I think of Hinckley's reference to the rainbow is a parable for life. Too often we hope to eventually reach love, that it is the prize at the end of the journey. However, this is not so, we can have love at the beginning of the journey, and all along the rainbow itself. We are meant to have love.

Hinckley continues, "I am one who believes that love, like faith, is a gift of God. I agree with the expression, "Love cannot be forced, love cannot be coaxed and teased." (Pearl Buck, in The Treasure Chest, ed. Charles L. Wallis, New York: Harper and Row, 1965, p. 165.) "Ignorant people are always saying, 'I wonder what he sees in her [or him]; not realizing that what he [or she] sees in her [or him] (and what no one else can see) is the secret essence of love." (Sydney J. Harris, Deseret News.)

The First Presidency message in the October 1996 Liahona adds, "Love is the catalyst that causes change. Love is the balm that brings healing to the soul. But love doesn't grow like weeds or fall like rain. Love has its price. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life? (John 3:16). That Son, even the Lord Jesus Christ, gave His life that we might have eternal life, so great was His love for His Father and for us." (The Doorway of Love)

There are so many people that believe that faith is just something one has. Yet it is a gift from God. Some people have received this gift seemingly from the womb, others have to work and pray for it. Wonderfully, this gift is meant for each and every one of us! Even more magnificent still, the gift of love is the same way. There are those who seem to know love, have love, and share love from their early infantry, alas, I am not one of those. I have been working so hard to gain love in my life. My prayers as of recently have magnified this intent. However, it has been a rough uphill struggle.

From that first night that I poured out my whole soul to God to teach me about love, I have been met with literal spiritual attacks by malevolent spirits. They haunt my dreams trying to obscure and corrupt my thoughts and hopes for love. Through my persistence and strength given to me from God, I feel like I have come to at least identify what love is in my life,

In my daily research I have found this quote from President David O. McKay who in turn quoted George Q. Morris. What is true love? 

"Well, you may ask, 'how may I know when I am in love?'
"... George Q. Morris [who later became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gave this reply]: 'My mother once said that if you meet a girl in whose presence you feel a desire to achieve, who inspires you to do your best, and to make the most of yourself, such a young woman is worthy of your love and is awakening love in your heart.'
"I submit that... as a true guide. In the presence of the girl you truly love you do not feel to grovel; in her presence you do not attempt to take advantage of her; in her presence you feel that you would like to be everything that a Master Man should become, for she will inspire you to that ideal. And I ask you young women to cherish that same guide"

That is my current measurement for finding love. If I meet a girl in whose presence or even the idea of being with her fills me with such a desire to better myself, to better myself for her, then I know that I am feeling love.

Currently, I feel that way for a particular girl, however, as far as I know this is one sided. Thus, another term that needs to be brought up is a "crush". From my experience, a "crush" is the first seeds of love that are one sided. Indeed, because these are the first seeds, they can easily be corrupted from love, wanting to become better for that person, to lust or jealousy, even outright objectification. These corrupted seeds tend to quickly die, or if nourished, bring forth a very bitter and blighted tree. A tree whose fruit is void of love.

However, my love for this girl is yet pure and untainted despite being in this crush stage. Ironically, I hold on to this love extremely tightly, for it is the result of all my prayers on the subject, yet I realize that if I hold onto it too tightly, and that love is not shared in return, then my heart will be broken asunder, and could corrupt even further, my hopes of happiness and love.

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18)

I remember hearing Seven Crowder from Louder with Crowder, somewhat offhandedly, say concerning this verse in correlation to physical violence, something along the lines of: Was Christ afraid? I think He was when He was pleading to God to not have to be crucified, not have to suffer for our sins and die. He was afraid, as I would be if someone was trying to kill me or my family. "Fear" is not the same as being "afraid".

Now I say, love casts out fear by enabling an individual to move past fear. Like how "courage" is not the absence of fear, but knowing what has to be done and then doing it. Love transforms fear into courage.

Thus why I straining to keep this love pure and clean, for if I better myself, become the man that she deserves and who is worthy of her love, then maybe, just maybe, she would be able to have love for me in return. If not, then I will be that much more worthy and able to love at my next opportunity to find it.

"I finally understood what true love meant. Love meant that you care for another person's happiness more than your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be."
-Dear John

I would not choose my own love for her over her happiness, because that is the nature of love.

This leads me to Elder Marvin J. Ashton's definition of love, or rather, true love.
"True love is a process. True love requires personal action. Love must be continuing to be real. Love takes time. Too often expediency, infatuation, stimulation, persuasion, or lust are mistaken for love. How hollow, how empty if our love is not deeper than the arousal of momentary feeling or the expression in words of what is no more lasting than the time it takes to speak them...."

I agree that "True love is a process." I also know how vainly we can use the word "love". A friend of mine said that love as a word is a verbal contract that we will care about that person. That we will be compassionate, charitable, kind, and be there for them. Another man put it this way. "Love is a commitment to protecting another person's heart with the same passion you use to guard your own." -@RobHillSr

Alas, as I have brought up, there is more than this verbal contract. There is more than just chemicals like testosterone (increases lust and aggression), phenylethylamine (triggers adrenaline and dopamine production), adrenaline (the "zing" like feeling), dopamine (increases energy), serotonin (nostalgia or continued thinking of the individual), oxytocin (cuddle hormone released during orgasm) and vasopressin (anti-diuretic released after sex). There is more than emotions. I believe that as love increases it become a bonding of spirits.

Elder John A. Widtsoe
"Above physical charm, live is begotten by qualities, often subtle, of mind and spirit. The beautiful face may hide an empty mind; the sweet voice may utter coarse words; the lovely form may be ill-mannered; the woman of radiant beauty and the man of kingly form may be intolerable bores on nearer acquaintanceship; or, the person who looks attractive may really have no faults, may excel us in knowledge and courtesy, yet he is not of our kind, his ways are not ours. Under either condition, love wilts in its first stage. 'Falling in love' is always from within, rather than from without. That is, physical attractiveness must be reinforced with mental and spiritual harmony if true love is to be born and have long life--from the Latter-day Saint point of view, to last throughout the eternities? (Evidences and Reconciliations, 297, 299, 302)."

"Soul Mates" as most people define, do not exist. There is not only one chance for any of us to be happy or to find romantic love. However, once we have chosen someone to love, they have chosen to love us in return, then those two, "And they twain shall be one flesh:..." (Mark 10:8). Indeed, a united couple of husband an wife, legally and lawfully by God become Soul Mates. (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: The Reflection in the Water)

Now we see the stages of love, from a crush, to a romance, to becoming soul mates. Now, once a couple becomes soul mates, is that the end of the progression of love? No, indeed, this is where it becomes the most crucial, the most important and vital to maintain that love. To solidify it ever deeper and ever stronger until it is unbreakable, then it still must be maintained. Like and impervious force-field, without continued power, the shield collapses.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?..."
"nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35, 39)

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."
"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." (1 John 4:7-8)

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;...
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." (Ephesians 5:25,33)

"Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else." (Doctrine and Covenants 42:22)

"If one really loves another, one would rather die for that person than to injure him."
--Elder Spencer W. Kimball

I do not know who said this, but I will close with this quote. "Love is like water; we can fall in it, we can drown in it, and we can't live without it."

Love and happiness, indeed joy, is what I wish for all of you in your lives. Feel free to leave any comments.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Hellraiser, Evil Dead

Dear Readers,

This is a much darker post because I will be taking quite a bit about the demonic realm and my understanding of it. Yet, I hope that an increased understanding can be gained from this. Because of this darker nature and some of the pictures and subject matter, I am putting up a WARNING for MATURE CONTENT! My subject today are the demoniacs from Hellraiser and Evil Dead.


Hellraiser Puzzle Box Image Link

First up is Hellraiser. Now, for those who are unfamiliar with this movie franchise, Clive Barker created a very intriguing new world. The premise is that there are puzzle boxes created that when opened, summon Cenobites or demon possessed bodies to drag the summoner to "hell".

storypick.com hell Image Link

I put "hell" in parenthesis because hell needs to be defined. So, hell to most Christians is an eternal everlasting pit of fire that awaits non believers after this life. However, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we compare hell to two different things. First, the state of unbelievers after death. this is a first judgment in which a spirit is either received into paradise or spirit prison (hell). Most Christians settle this as heaven or hell. However, spirit prison is more like purgatory for spirits. The real, ever lasting, hell would be what Mormons call Outer Darkness. This is where the Devil and his angels will dwell for eternity with those select few who become Sons of Perdition by denying and fighting against Christ while having a full perfect knowledge of who He is. Thus, denying the Holy Ghost place in their hearts.

Admittedly, in the LDS Church, there is one more place or state of being that could be considered hell. This would be the Telestial Kingdom, though it is technically still part of the Kingdom of Heaven, this is where the murderers and adulterers go. I talk more about this in my Bleach Blog about the kingdoms.


Hellraiser Labyrinth Image Link

So, what is hell in Hellraiser? It is a separate dimension, like the hell dimensions form the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. This dimension is called, The Labyrinth. It is basically a giant maze filled with corridors of the damned.

Cenobites Image Link

The rulers, and the eventual evolution of these damned souls, are the Cenobites under the direction of the Leviathan. I define Cenobites as demon possessed humans because, in Hellraiser 3: Hell on Earth, the Cenobite Pinhead begins to have his former human self, or his human spirit, Captain Elliot Spencer try to help stop the demon possessing his body from creating hell on earth. Clearly there are two separate entities inhabiting each body, a demon and the host spirit who was "worthy" of hell.

Another classic line of these Cenobites is wanting to "experience" other's flesh. Because demons never have and never will have bodies of their own, they experience sins, pleasures, and pains through us. This is further verified with the demoniac named Legion from Mark 5. He "... always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones." (Mark 5:5). They enjoy the pain we feel because they can never experience pain for themselves, the same with pleasure. However, like an addict, they are never satisfied with their own flesh, and want to torture others as well, again to "experience" their flesh.

It is for this cause that when the puzzle box is opened, the Cenobites come forth from the Labyrinth to drag the sinner to their world. I also find it of note worth importance to mention that the one who gives the sinner the box always tells them that the box was always theirs. Though, I do not think that in the moment our choices are set in stone, God does know the end from the beginning and does indeed know who among His children will be saved. Does that mean that He is exempt from having to offer each and every one of us the opportunity to choose Him? No. Indeed, they only reason any of His children would not return to His presence is if they reject Him and their Savior Jesus Christ even after having every possible opportunity. Simply put, they have to prove what God already knows.


Dr. Manhattan from the movie Watchmen Image Link

A second way of thinking of this, or explaining it would be with Dr. Manhattan from the DC movie Watchmen. he simultaneously sees his life from beginning to end. This made it difficult for Laurie Jupiter aka Silk Spectre II, his girlfriend, to understand him. Even though he knows everything that will happen to him, including Laurie's admitting that she cheated on him with Nite Owl II, it is not real until that very moment. A way to compare this would be if you know you are going to get fired at work, yet the full impact of your emotions and feelings to not strike quite as potent until your boss tells you that you are fired. It is truly amazing how much weight of emotion there is in a moment, as opposed to simply ideal or knowledge in the mind.

It is this way that these sinners own the puzzle box, though their life was always meant to cross with the box, it takes receiving the box to solidify that choice and feel the full impact of their life long actions. Another curious point to make is that the box "wants" to be opened and that it is the "desire" that calls the Cenobites. Now, this is simply my speculation, but wouldn't it be interesting if the box houses the demonic spirit that is wanting to possess the sinner's body? Thus the box would want to be opened. Also, the sinner's desire to "experience" new highs of pain and pleasure.

Hellraiser Leviathan Image Link

Anyway, the Leviathan's place in all of this is yet a mystery, as far as I am aware. My own suspicions is that it is the vessel or cage for Lucifer himself. I find it interesting that in the LDS version of the scriptures, the heading for Job 41 says that the Lord is describing His powers as similar to the Leviathan's. However, when I was simply reading this chapter on my own, I saw the possible correlation with the Leviathan and Satan. Read it for yourselves and see the comparisons from your own perspective. As for me, Job 41:34 said it simply "... he is a king over all the children of pride." This brings me to a quick point I would like to make, money is not the root of all evil. That saying or cliché is false. Pride is the root of all evil and is the source of all sin. For more information on pride, you could check out my Pride Post.

Frank raising from the dead Image Link

There is one last element of Clive Barker's Hellraiser world I would like to comment on before I wrap it up. A major aspect of the sinners being damned is if living blood falls upon the place or object they were dragged to this hell, that blood acts as a source of life to raise them again in the "real" world. This aspect made for a very intriguing scene when Frank came back from hell. I must admit, it was pretty awesome and gruesome. Alas, though the sinner is now in the "real" world of Hellraiser, they need more blood to become stronger. Thus, the sinner coaxes others to commit murder to give them blood. However, no matter how rejuvenated the damned person becomes, they cannot regrow their skin. Thus, they kill and claim the skin of the one helping them. "...and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell." (Alma 30:60).

Now that I have covered the Hellraiser world, I would like to declare what the Labyrinth is. For simplicity, it is a hell dimension. However, in a drawn comparison with true reality, it would be outer darkness. This is where the Devil and his angels abound and after the final battle following the millennium, those Sons of Perdition who now have resurrected bodies will be cast into this never ending darkness to be tabernacles or vesicles for Satan and his angels forever. Never dying in their perpetual agony which they have chosen for themselves. "...for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world." (Alma 34:34).

Well, after rambling on about Hellraiser, I would like to quickly talk about Evil Dead.

Deadite Ed Getley from Evil Dead 2 Image Link

In Evil Dead the Cenobites from Hellraiser are now Deadites. Again, they are demon possessed human bodies, yet, as with Evil Dead 2, Ash exhibited how he still had his own spirit. Indeed that evil spirit which possessed him continued to play a part in his life, unrelentingly striving to retake its former house (Ash's body).

Ash's possessed hand from Evil Dead 2 Image Link

Deadites cannot be killed by normal means, indeed the only way, seemingly, to stop them is by dismembering and or burning their bodies. Like Dracula's line from Hotel Transylvania about getting staked in the heart, "Well, who wouldn't that kill?".

Possessed hand from Idle Hands Image Link

However, even the dismembered body parts can act on their own. Much like the hand from Idle Hands, these limbs act like they have a mind of their own. Like a demonic version of Thing from The Adams Family.

Patrick Swayze moving a penny in Ghost  Image Link

Alas, in my own hypothesis on how our spirits interact with our bodies, through brain tissue or at least the central nerve cluster in the brain, this would be impossible. However, as far as I know, spirits can interact with object in the physical world, though this requires much energy. Like the emotional energy used in the movie Ghost. With this kind of spiritual physical interaction, it could indeed be possible for a spirit, even a demonic spirit, to interact with and use a dismembered hand.

Now, with all of the time-traveling, alternate timelines and inter-dimensional stuff, including Ash's mechanical hand, I am leaving that to the reader to figure out, or I might use it in a post about Back to the Future... I am not sure yet.

Anyway, I hope that you have enjoyed this blog post, whether or not you have seen the movies mentioned. Feel free to leave a comment below. Luckily we know that good will defeat evil, God will win, but like Dr. Manhattan, maybe this knowledge does not feel real until Christ actually comes again. Yet, I assure you, Christ will come again. I know this to be true.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Claymore

Dear Readers,

Today I wanted to talk a little bit about the anime Claymore. This anime reminds me a bit of Tokko in a few ways. First with the Yoma and then with the Claymore themselves. I would like to point out that I will only be talking about the anime and what is on claymore.wikia because I have not read the manga.

Yoma Image Link

So, what are Yoma? The anime and wikia is very vague, they are just creatures that eat human flesh that are able to transform and appear as human, that they can take control of someone's mind. I would endeavor to define Yoma as humans possessed with a demon, like the Phantoms from Tokko. Indeed, they have similar appearance and appetite for human flesh, not to mention the powers they have.

Clare a Claymore Image Link

So, what is a Claymore? A Claymore, or a silver eyed witch, is an individual, almost always female, but not necessarily, who has Yoma tissue infused into their body. Like the Simbiotes from Tokko, the evil spirit lurking inside of them awakens their body to immense power. This power changes the coloring of their eyes, into silver, and also gives them longevity, vitality, healing, and a decreased appetite.

Yoki Aura

Now, both Claymore and Yoma posses what I will call a "brand" or special subgroup of energy called yoki. As I have defined reishi and chakra from Bleach and Naruto respectively as spiritual energy and a combination of spiritual and physical energy, I am slightly torn between defining yoki as a type of reishi or chakra. I do lean towards defining it as a type of chakra created from the habitation of the demonic spirit in a human body, physically changing the body. This would be congruent with the types of chakra in Naruto, like the tailed beast chakra being red while human chakra is blue.

Claymore Stigma Image Link

This would also allow for a comparison between the sealing of a tailed beast inside of a human within a different dimension to simply taking flesh of the beast and fusing it within that human's body. Thus allowing that individual to not only use or borrow the beast's chakra, but to make it themselves with their own body. In effect, creating the hybrid of the creature and a human, or Yoma and human into a Claymore.

Yoki stages Image Link

By releasing their yoki, a Claymore gains more physical strength and speed, but at the cost, probably due to the demonic nature of this brand of chakra. If too much of the yoki is released, a Claymore will transform into a very powerful Yoma called an awakened being. This verge of becoming an awakened being is compared to sexual arousal. It is so much harder to stop these kinds of emotions the longer they are allowed to progress. Because of this, male Claymore became awakened beings much more often than females.

Awakened Beings Image Link

An awakened being is very similar to, say, Naruto in his Kyuubi form before he could control it. A raging creature hell bent on destruction. However, after time passes, their former consciousness can begin to take hold again, and they return to a near human stage. Alas, they still have the incredible craving for human flesh. It is also important to note that they become like their inner creature, again like Naruto transforming in the Kyuubi.

Well, now that we have these terms defined, lets talk about some of these powers and how they work.

Irene's Quick Sword Image Link

First up is Irene's Quick Sword. Irene pumps so much of her Yoki into her arm that it awakens. Thus, her arm goes out of control with speed while the rest of her body is used to maintain her physical, mental and spiritual strength over the arm to keep from completely awakening and taking her over. This speed allows her arm, and by extension her sword, to move so quickly that it is not seen and the very wind from the blade is able to strike and destroy from a distance.

Miria's Phantom Mirage

Next up is Miria's Phantom Mirage. Much like Irene's Quick Sword technique, Miria uses her Yoki to increase her speed to the point that by jumping between three or so locations she rests long enough for her body to be seen at each location. Thus creating three versions of her that can each strike an attack and each have an attack pass through them. To counter, one would have to attack all three at once. I would easily compare this technique to the Pokemon attack Double Team.

Ophelia's Rippling Sword Image Link

Third is Ophelia's Rippling Sword. Again, very similar to Irene's Quick Sword, Ophelia moves her arm or arms back and forth like a vibration. This is at such an intense frequency that the blade claymore blade bends and weaves like rubber or water. Meaning, if someone tries to block the blade, the tip not blocked can bend around the blocking sword and still strike the opponent.

Adam and the Earthquake Machine from Mythbusters Episode 60 Image Link

This is all under the premise that an object can vibrate at a frequency that will effect it at a molecular level. Tesla's Oscillator is a prime realistic example of this. Supposedly, his device found the frequency of the ground and caused an earthquake in New York. I am aware that Mythbusters, in episode 60 "Earthquake Machine", created a similar device and it failed to bring down a bridge they tested it on. However, with my knowledge of frequencies, and acknowledging that they the did find the frequency of the metal bridge, that only serves to vibrate the bridge, which it did, but by slowly increasing the frequency is what would need to occur to vibrate the bridge enough to pull the bonds apart. Thus, in my opinion, the Mythbusters did not perform that experiment properly.

Jean's Drill Sword Image Link

Fourth is Jean's Drill Sword. Now, because of a Claymore's regeneration abilities, Jean is able to twist her arm around multiple times. Because of the rubber like elastic properties of skin, muscles and tendons, this causes a spinning strike with the sword. The blade spins like a drill and is thus able to penetrate deeper in a single strike. Of course it is extremely painful and takes time to recover the arm afterwords, but a Claymore is no worse for the wear afterwords.

Rachel uses at technique called Strong Sword in which, like a flicking finger, she drags the blade through the ground creating tension that is then suddenly released when the sword breaks free from the earth.

Sixth, Raftela uses Sensory Control much like a specialized genjutsu from Naruto to create paralysis and cause hallucinations in the mind of her opponent. Another reason why yoki is more of a demonic form of chakra.

That about sums up what I wanted to talk about Claymore, what they are, how they are, how they are able to do what they do. If you have any questions or remarks, I would love to hear them. I hope that you enjoyed this post.

love,
Jacobugoth

One Piece 2: Devil Fruit

Dear Readers,

As my second installment of One Piece, I am talking about Devil Fruit. So, what is Devil Fruit?

Devil Fruit raining down Image Link

Devil Fruit are mystical, well, pieces of fruit that when ingested grant the eater powers. However, if a Devil Fruit eater eats a second fruit, the two powers rip their body apart. Also, there is a side effect, that all Devil Fruit eaters can no longer swim. Indeed the sea, and sea stone, weakens them and drains their strength. I have a very strange theory about this.

The Book of Revelations found the New Testament talks about things in the premortal life, the history of this mortal world, and even thing about the world when it is reborn. Specifically, I want to focus on Revelation 22:1-2 "1. And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the thrown of God and of the Lamb. 2. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yeilded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."

Tree of Life from Revelations Image Link

Now, to put this in more context, during the millennium the New Jerusalem is established on the earth again, indeed the city of Enoch called Zion has come down from heaven. Therein is God's temple and His throne. From Hist throne flows a river of pure water. At some point along this river there is a tree so big and large that is spans from one side of the river to the other, allowing the water to flow between its roots. Now, this tree is called the tree of life, so it is likely the same tree from the Garden of Eden. This one tree has twelve different kinds of fruit, and produces this fruit monthly. Now, this could all be metaphorical, as John the Revelator was known to prophecy with. However, for this arguments sake, what if it isn't metaphorical and is a real river with a real tree?

Because the tree of life is known as the tree that gave Adam and Eve immortality in the Garden of Eden, what if each of the different fruits give parts of that immortal power. Like all of the Devil Fruits in One Piece. Now clearly there are more than twelve, but the power correlated premise could indeed be there. So, why would eating more than one Devil Fruit destroy the body? Because this fruit is not meant for mortals to partake of. Our fallen bodies can barely handle the power of one fruit, let alone all of them. Yet, the purpose of each of these fruits are to be united in one whole. All of the powers in one perfect being, an immortal being.

Brook and Luffy loosing strength in sea water Image Link

As for the loss of power in water, that could have something to do with the river passing under the tree. See, trees draw up water and nutrients into themselves like a straw and build up fruit as a way to reproduce. What if the fruit, or rather the power within, does not want to return to the water from whence it came? What if it wants to continue to progress? I know that this could be a bit of a leap, but it could make some sense. Especially when compared to the fruit's reincarnation cycle.

With the fruit's reincarnation cycle, it is the power, or spirit that transfers. Not necessary creating a new body, but borrowing that of mortal or telestial fruit. When that fruit is eaten, that spirit or power is given to that individual, and when they die, that power enters fruit to continue the process.

Elijah ascending into heaven, leaving mantle to Elisha. Image Link

 I would like to make the distinction that this is not the usual concept of reincarnation, that it is more like priesthood power being passed among those who have authority. Like when Elijah gave the "mantle" of the priesthood and authority of a prophet to Elisha in 2 Kings 2. This was not Elijah's spirit, but was indeed the power that he held from God allowing Elisha to work miracles. 

Now there are three different "types" of Devil Fruit, though I would have defined them differently.

Luffy's rubber body Image Link

Paramecia type Devil Fruit produces from the body or transforms the individual into a non element. That is the proper definition, but I would rather redefine it as a "parasite" paramecia, and limit it to productions from the body. Thus, technically, Luffy's rubber body is a paramecia because it is not an element, but I would define it more as a logia because it changed his body itself. 

Ace's Fire Image Link

Logia Devil Fruit change the individual's body into an element. This is most notable with Ace's Mera Mera fruit turning him into fire. Again, I would redefine this to including all body changing Devil Fruit and thus include Luffy's Gum Gum fruit. 

Chopper's forms or "points" Image Link

Lastly, Zoan Devil Fruit change the individual into an animal. These fruit allow for three stages, a complete change to the animal, a hybrid form, and the normal human form. I am completely fine with this current definition. It is, however, important to note that specialized medicines could be made to change and effect the body chemistry allowing for more forms for a zoan to take, as with Chopper who was a deer who ate a human zoan fruit. Because of the nature of the human fruit, it could be quite likely for a human to eat the fruit and gain no power, because they are already human, and only loose their ability to swim.

Blackbeard's duo powers Image Link

Now, though eating more than one fruit will kill the host, the powers still seem to be able to spread. This was the most blatantly obvious when Blackbeard used his yami yami fruit and its darkness powers which also effect gravity to pull the gura gura tremor powers from Whitebeard into himself. This allowed him to both have his darkness logia power as well as the tremor or earthquake paramecia power.

Luffy Red Hawk Punch Image Link

From this cannon experience, I think that it is quite possible that all of the Devil Fruit have some way to be reunited in one host. This is hinted by how Luffy uses haki to recreate Ace's fire by releasing the energy stored in the haki has heat and fire for his Red Hawk Punch.

Luffy's Spring Bullet Image Link

He even uses his haki to recreate the spring legs of Bellamy for his Spring Bullet technique.

Though, with Luffy, those powers did not actually enter his body, it is important to note that it doesn't really matter that much, he has acquired the use of those powers even if it was by some other means.

Well, there are infinite ways of using these powers, and there are countless Devil Fruit both cannon and not. Thus I will leave you with my hypothesis, that all of the fruit are trying to be reunited and that each as some way in which it could be used to gain all of the other powers.

I hope that you have enjoyed this post, and feel free to use a comment.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Previous: Once Piece 1: Haki

One Piece

Dear Readers,

Today I have decided to talk about One Piece. I am hoping to cover the main aspects all in one post, but I might divi it up. First I am going to talk about haki. Though it was introduced later in the series, its importance cannot be ignored.

Now, One Piece Wikia has described haki as follows, "Haki is a mysterious power that is found in every living being in the world. It is not that different from the normal senses. However, most people do not notice it or fail to awaken it. Broadly, there are two types of Haki common to everyone, given the proper training; however, there is a third type that only a certain group of 'chosen ones' are said to possess. In simple terms, Haki is an ability to sense spiritual energy (Kenbunshoku), use life force (Busoshoku) and overpower enemies (Haoshoku)."

Silvers Rayleigh explained it quite similarly to Luffy, "'Haki' is a power that lies dormant in all the world's creatures... 'Presence', 'fighting spirit' and 'intimidation'... It is not different form the things that humans can naturally sense such as these... 'The act of not doubting'. That is strength!"

Lastly, "The term 'Haki' is a word that has multiple meanings when translated into English. It can mean 'ambition', 'will power', 'drive', 'spirit', 'vigor' and 'aspiration' to name a few."

From all of these definitions, I found it interesting to try to figure out what haki is. First, let us focus on the different types,
"Kenbunshoku Haki, which grants users a sixth sense of the world around them and limited precognitive abilities;
Busoshoku Haki, which allows the user to use their spirit as armor to defend against attacks or to make their own attacks more potent; and
Haoshoku Haki,... which grants the user the ability to overpower the will of others."

Luffy dodging water darts Image Link

Kenbunshoku haki reminds me of reiryoku from Bleach, being spiritual sensitivity. In Bleach this includes seeing spirits and being able to track and recognize people by their spirits. It seems that kenbunshoku haki is taking reiryoku one step further to being able to sense other's actions before they happen, like a "spidey sense". Though Kenbunshoku seems to require the intent from the other person to be sensed to predict the attack. Like when Luffy punched a wall to deflect his fists randomly because Enel had incredible kenbunshoku haki.

Luffy releasing his haoshoku haki to knock out attacking marines Image Link

Haoshoku haki reminds me of reiatsu or spirit pressure. This pressure has the ability to knock people down and incapacitate them, even crush nearby objects. Like when Luffy first uses it by accident and causes everyone around him to pass out. It seems that haoshoku haki is reiatsu used in the physical world.

Luffy's haki armor Image Link

Lastly, busoshoku haki does not remind me of anything really, except for maybe an arrancar's hierro from Bleach. It is spiritually created hard skin. Thus hierro is reishi, or spirit matter, organized like armor. This is what I think busoshoku haki is, only it is so compressed that it is visually manifest in the physical world.

Because the three types of haki all seem to correlate quite easily with spiritual powers from Bleach, it is easy to say that "haki" is spiritual powers of a human being. This is in agreement with this next statement from One Piece Wikia, "Due to the fact that Haki originates from an individual's spirit and not their body, even if the user's spirit is transferred into another body, they are still capable of using Haki as if they were in their original body. However, Busoshoku Haki is finite, and overusing it will render the user unable to use it for a set period while it regenerates."

Thus, it is likely that these are the powers of the spirit and that busoshoku haki is generated from the spirit through some kind of process. I would endeavor to compare this process to ingestion. 2 Nephi 32:3 says, "...feast upon the words of Christ..." This knowledge that comes from the scriptures can be considered intelligence, and thus you are feeding your spirit intelligence when you study the scriptures. As one needs to keep their body fed, it is the same with the spirit, and through whatever process of "digestion" or "molding" or "conversion" this new intelligence become part of that individual's spirit and can then be used and harnessed. This would explain who busoshoku haki needs to be recharged.

Luffy fourth gear Image Link

Now, I would like to briefly talk about the unique way Luffy uses his busoshoku haki in his "fourth gear". Now, because reishi is spirit matter, it behaves on a spiritual plane. Thus it can be solid in place, like how shinigami can stand on air in the physical world.

Luffy's chasing punch hitting Doflamingo Image Link

 Luffy uses the haki covering his arms to solidify a portion in a position allowing his punch to change direction in mid-air. Like a rubber ball hitting a wall.

Well, I think this is good enough for post one. I will talk about Devil Fruit later on. I hope you enjoyed this post. Feel free to leave comments.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Next: One Piece Post 2: Devil Fruit

Tokko

Dear Readers,

WARNING: 

Content may not be suitable for younger readers, parental discretion advised. 

Image Link

Today I wanted to talk a little about the first "anime" I ever watched. One of my favorite channels was always the Scifi channel. At one point, they began having something called "Ani-Mondays", during which they would have animes on Monday nights. Now, I have watched other "cartoons", for in my mind that is what they were, before like Yu-Gi-Oh, Avatar the Last Airbender, Pokemon, Digimon, etc. However, the anime Tokko was the first anime that I watched realizing that it was indeed anime. Oddly, I really enjoyed it.

Millennium Puzzle from Yu-Gi-Oh Image Link

Tokko Puzzle Box of Dirge

Hellraiser Lemarchand Puzzle Box crafted by Destro2k on Deviantart

The premise of this anime is that some alchemists forged a puzzle box, similar to the Millennium Puzzle from Yu-Gi-Oh, that would grant the user control over demons, though the anime calls them phantoms. This ability, coupled with the square shape, similar to that of the puzzle boxes from Hellraiser, leads me to think that there is a justifiable comparison to be made between discovering and putting together truth and a equivalent resistance or persistence from the Adversary.

Anyway, much like the puzzle box in Hellraiser, it ended up making a portal to hell allowing the phantoms to enter our world and posses human bodies. However, there is another aspect, a phantom possesses someone locking a piece of the box inside of them. Thus, the point is to kill all of the phantoms to collect the puzzle pieces for the purpose of sealing the spirits back inside the box. The plot has holes, I admit, but I have found the concept quite fascinating.

Image Link

Now, when a phantom enters a body, it is usually through some kind of physical and psychological trauma, and the inhabitation of the phantom changes the person into a carnivorous monster. This state could easily be compared to a demoniac from the Holy Bible, a Deadite from Evil Dead, a Cenobite from Hellraiser, or some other demon possessed being.

Ranmaru Shindo and his inner Phantom Image Link

However, when an individual is first infected or possessed, they can fight for control. Does the phantom "eat you"? or do you "eat" the phantom. Essentially it is a fight for control over one's self for dominance of the body. This is much like fighting inner demons. If an individual is successful in "eating" their phantom, they maintain control of their body and gain powers from the phantom. These individuals are called symbiotes, which I would compare to Jaffa from Stargate who have snake like larva living in their guts.

Sakura Rokujou's Sword

These powers I could easily compare to a zampakuto from Bleach, which you could read more about on my blog post on the subject here. Similar to how a zampakuto is pulled out of one's spirit body, a Tokko sword, or knife, is manifested through blood.

Ranmaru's Sword Power

These swords have unique powers, much like a shikai or bankai from Bleach, which I go into more here.

When swung, these blades create waves much like Ichigo's Getsuga from Bleach which could be compared to a release of reishi or spirit matter. Though, since it is in a physical body, it could either be seen through spiritual eyes, or be more along the lines of chakra from Naruto which you could read about here. In either case, the same principle remains of inner power being released along the blade as it is waved.

There are even seals or spells that are used, like the defensive spell that appears while blocking.

Alas, similar to how the body is changed to allow the manifestation of the blade, there are other changes to the body, like increased healing. In this case, the wounds steam and burn as the energy is used to seal and mend the wounds.

Sakura's tattoo

Indeed, the greatest, or at least the most visually noticeable change is in a tattoo that forms.

Though, the tattoo does not reflect the phantom itself. As with Sakura's tattoo, it is in the shape of a Chinese dragon.

However, her phantom is a female version off Ranmaru's. By this difference, I could easily say that the tattoo is more a representation of the powers that individual gained. Almost like the tattoo represents the zampakuto which is now physically awakened while the phantom remains as a separate being.

Anyway, as one last point I would like to make, for those individuals who are "eaten" by their phantoms, they do exercise control over lesser phantom spirits, creating physical forms for them to spread and infect others. This holds true when one realizes that there are greater and lesser evil spirits (Matthew 12:45, Luke 11:26 ).

This is quite apparent in the first episode where a phantom created an army of ghouls who were being controlled by phantom parasites. One last criticism to go with this, I don't understand why the cops did not realize that they needed to shoot the little parasite faces after shooting the host bodies several times failed.

I hope that you have enjoyed my take on this anime. I do recommend it, however, I advise watching it censured. There are some scenes containing nudity, luckily for me, the Scifi channel, now Syfy, was very good at censuring those scenes. Feel free to leave any comments you may have!

Love,
Jacobugoth