driftfleet | (no subject)

Who: Ahsoka + You
Broadcast: Video
Action: Iskaulit
When: Video is Feb 3rd. Action is Feb 4th and onwards.

VIDEO:

Hey. [New Flooters, meet your resident weird-looking alien girl.] If you haven't met me yet, my name's Ahsoka Tano.

Starting tomorrow morning at 0700, I'm going to be holding regular guided meditation sessions in the Prayer Room for anyone who wants to learn. Lessons are free of charge and you don't need to know me or ask to come along. I'll be there every morning, so anyone can come as they please. [She figures that might help the anonymous person she promised to teach as well. They don't have to reveal who they are to her if they don't want to.]

I know it's early, but I thought early would be best so that those of you who have to go to work in the morning can make it. Plus, then you can start the day off on a high note! Meditation is a great way to help manage anxiety and stress. It's also proven to improve concentration and clarity of mind.

... In the evenings at 1800, I'll be holding some easy self defense classes in the Iskaulit gym, every Tuesday and Thursday. It's just basic stuff, like how to get away from different kinds of attackers. Don't worry if you think you're too small or not fit enough or whatever. There's a way for everyone.

It is a beginners class, but if you're experienced and want to help out, I'd appreciate any volunteers to partner up with people! Otherwise I'm going to be taking a lot of punches on my own, haha.

Anyway, that's all from me! Feel free to ask any questions, otherwise, hope to see you there.

ACTION:

[If you simply want to show up to one of Ahsoka's classes, just go ahead. She'll be where she said she'd be! You don't have to show up to the first class, you can handwave going any day of the week. Turn up to a full class, an empty class, it's up to you.

Also, if you have a character who would volunteer to help Ahsoka out with the self defense classes, feel free to just tag into any relevant top levels from beginners if they're relevant to your interests. Don't wait for me to match you up with people, in other words.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

All right. In that case... time to get comfortable. Most people prefer to close their eyes, but-- it's a personal preference. If you don't feel safe doing so, then you're welcome to keep them open.

[Once Leia seems ready, Ahsoka closes her eyes and slows her breathing, counting out the rhythm at first as she goes-- in for a count of six, out for a count of six. She speaks softly and with calm, just loud enough to be heard without straining. After a minute or so of just focusing on the breath-- or when it seems like Leia's got the hang of it-- Ahsoka starts the beginning of her regular spiel.

"Don't worry about doing it wrong... there's no one perfect or right way. The way that feels good is what's right for you.

If you notice your mind wandering... that's okay. All minds do. This is natural. When you notice, let the thought float on by. Be aware of it, then let it go, gently bringing your thoughts back to your breath."

After that, Ahsoka focuses on the breath again for another minute or so, before speaking up again.

"Take a minute to check in with how you're feeling. If you're not feeling anything... that's okay. If you're feeling lost... frustrated... confused... stressed or anxious about anything... they're all okay. With each in-breath now, breathe in peace and serenity. With each out-breath, breathe out the things that are weighing you down."]

Edited 2016-02-04 04:12 (UTC)

[Leia starts with her eyes open, her gaze on the floor before her, but as Ahsoka speaks, they eventually slip shut. The girl's voice is smooth and steady, and her presence is surprisingly reassuring.

Her mind does wander--it wanders a lot. She's used to thinking so much (possibly too much), and quieting her thoughts proves more complicated than she expects. I wonder if this is what it's like for Luke. I wonder if I'm doing this correctly. My hands feel tense. Smaller scraps of thought come through, too, more image than word. When Anakin meditates-- Padme's sadness-- Next time we try an escape--

On and on. Each time, she does as Ahsoka says and tries to herd her mind back to inhalations and exhalations. It's more complicated than she expected, trying to come to that point of empty openness that seems to be the goal.]

[Inwardly, Ahsoka can appreciate how difficult the first time meditating can be for someone who's never done it before, so she doesn't want to keep this session going much longer. But there's one more thing she wants to try...

At a moment when it seems like Leia has her focus, Ahsoka speaks up again.

"When you're ready," she murmurs, "Leave yourself open to the possibility of feeling the Force around you."

That's all she asks. Not for Leia to immediately be able to feel it and know it instinctively. She doesn't know if Leia is ready for that yet. But just to leave herself open to the possibility.

"The energy of the Force surrounds every living thing. It binds us and guides us... together, for better or for worse. It is light... and life. It will always be there. And if you're open to it... you'll sense it flowing through you, too."]

[She doesn't know how to do that, and for a moment or two, it throws her out of what she's doing. Leave yourself open? It's not like there's a door she can throw open for this.

But she wants to try.

All right, Force. Do your worst.

(Should she be thinking that? Quick, throw the thought away and go back to breathing.)

It's quicker than it was the first several times, closing her thoughts to the world beyond her breath, though it's still not exactly easy. And when inhaling and exhaling have filled her mind, the barrier between her and the rest of the universe might break down. She's not sure what that's supposed to feel like, exactly, or what might constitute leaving herself open.

But she does try.]

[Ahsoka smiles to herself, because she can feel Leia trying. She doesn't say anything more for a while, just focuses on keeping the breathing rhythm steady.

Eventually, though, she thinks that's been enough for a first go. It's been about ten minutes from the start of the exercise until now, so finally she speaks up again.]

When you're ready, bring your consciousness back into your body, and open your eyes in your own time.

[She's not convinced her consciousness has left her body, considering just how much she just thought about her breathing. But those last few minutes have been surprisingly peaceful; whether the Force moved through her or not, her mind was mostly quiet. Her concerns with the present and future--her presence in the Fleet, her need to get home--are made forgettable, if only for a few minutes.

Leia can see why Luke does this.

She breathes out one last time and opens her eyes, blinking a little at the soft lights of the room. After a moment, she glances over at Ahsoka.]

Thank you.

[Ahsoka smiles encouragingly.]

No problem. You did well.

It was a start, anyway.

[As dryly as she says it, there's a little smile tugging at her mouth. It's something she can try to replicate on her own, and maybe it'll make some difference.

A little more sincerely, she adds:]

I do appreciate it, Ahsoka. Maybe--[a touch hesitant, a touch rash]--we can do this again.

I'd like that.

If you want to try in your own time, make sure you take it slow. Don't do more than ten minutes at once until it comes easily to you. It's hard when you're just starting out.

I'll keep that in mind.

[It's good advice to receive, considering the likelihood she'd overdo it otherwise. Leia Organa doesn't tend to do things by half.

Another pause.]

Is there anything else I should know?

Hmmm... no, don't think so.

Not for right now, anyway.

... Though you know, if you ever want to talk about anything, or hang out-- well. You've got my commlink frequency.

And you have mine.

[Talking to Ahsoka is still something strange for her, for a multitude of reasons--but as she learns a little more about Anakin, it's becoming easier to do.

But this is probably enough for one day. She stands.]

...I'll let you know if I run into trouble.

[Ahsoka just nods once, not standing herself. She has more meditation of her own to do.]

Good.