Kindred of Akasha

"The Seekers of Akasha"

The **Kindred of Akasha,** or the *Akasha Sangha,* or simply *Akashics* is an umbrella term for magi who follow the tradition of mastering mind, body, and spirit, pursuing the arts of personal discipline for the sake of enlightenment, known by other magi as "Ascending to the Root of Everything". They date their origins from 3000 BCE, during the dawn of civilization around the Indian sub-continent. They are typically seen as ascetic monks that isolate themselves from rest of the world, meditating and seeking enlightenment. While this is true in some cases, the Akashics are a diverse culture of magi, divided by different interpretations and practices of their main philosophy, of honing the mind and body. Another stereotype for them as warrior-monks, spending their lives honing both magic and martial arts as a way to correct wrongdoings, or as stepping tones to greater power. Some Akashics even call it "Achieving Heaven by Violence." They are well known for their broad style of martial art known commonly as "The Path", "The Way", or "The Do/Dao".

The beliefs and paradigm of the Akashics have greatly influenced the magi and organizations across Asia, from India all the way up to Japan, and while not every Akashic-influenced group might agree with one another, the beliefs and traditions they do shared allow for a sense of familiarity.

Feats of incredible strength and agile martial arts, or esoteric meditation and magic are what the Akashics are commonly known for, and while they certainly don't deny such capabilities, it allows them to be easily recognized in the world of magi, for better or worse.

## Origin and History

The original Akashics were hermits, healers and warriors, who shared the belief of magic and its relationship to Akasha. After encountering death and violence in the world, they focused on mastering martial arts and medicine along with magic. Their true origin is lost due to the lack of written records left by the first Akashics, with oral tradition carrying on the most import aspects of their most ancient beliefs and teachings. The rise of religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism resulted in many Akashics adopting aspects of these religions in their traditions. Achieving Nirvana became synonymous with the idea of reaching the Akashic Records and finding true knowledge, knowledge and enlightenment that helps them transcended existence in the impermanent world.

As time passed, and the Akashic beliefs spread out across the magi in Asia, different sects appeared to. From the strictly pacifistic and isolationist Karmachakra Gurus in their hidden Tibetan temple, to the hot-blooded Vajrapani, spread out across the world and acting as vigilantes and protectors of Akashics. As the Decay began to grow, many Akashics sensed the end of the Mythic Era and were quick to adapt, especially those who lives isolated from the common-folk in the first place. While sects over the centuries had their differences, the era of Decay saw a schism in Akashic Kin, on one side stood the strict isolationists, and the other side stood those who advocate spreading their teachings. The Karmachakra and the Vajrapani continued to be divided into other sects as members increased and beliefs developed and diverged.

To this day, The Karmachakra and the Vajrapani Factions are the two most well-known in the world of magi, with different sects based from one or both, or some other older sect, rising and falling throughout the centuries. The Karmachakra stuck to their hidden monestary in the mountains of Tibet, while the Vajrapani spread out and created several schools and different sects in Asia, from India to the most furthest tip of Japan. Certain Shaolin temples were founded by Vajrapani, as well as martial arts schools outside of Asia, from Africa to the Americas.

Throughout history, they became fierce enemies of different Chakrajan sects in Asia, such as the Shyma Sangeet in India, and was actually successful in defeating said Chakrajan sect thanks to Vajrapani cooperating with The Martyrdom. The Akashics and the Chakrajan both came into existence around the same era and region. At first, both groups cooperated as they shared views of what reality and the self was. However, the differences were clear when they Akashics saw that the Chakrajan would take fate into their own hands. Even if both believed in reincarnation and the turning of the Wheel, the more pacifistic of Akashics believed that the Chakrajan's weeding out evil through killing impeded the cycle of Drahma. The Akasha Shanga did not approve of mages who took into their own hands the power over life and death, conflicts began to emerge whenever an Akashic met a Chakrajan. Not all Akashics and Chakrajan immediately attacked each other, but as centuries past, hostilities emerged as they died down. Even to this day, there is a distinct strain in the relationship between magi of these separate traditions.

## Beliefs

The Original Akashic path states that mind, body and spirit are all part of the larger whole of the person, just like at the same time that person is part of the whole of the universe. By honing their bodies, these mages make a temple for the mind that ultimately brings the comprehension of the spirit and transcending to reach Akasha, the Origin of Everything. The most important belief of the Akashics is ultimately brings the comprehension of one's true place in the universe.

Akashics do not have to be of an specific religion, and while there many Akashics who are Buddhists, there are other who follow other doctrines without being disregarded by Akashic beliefs. Buddhism is the most common, as it is compatible with the Akashic ideology and share many ideas like impermanence, the subjectivity of karma and the Middle Way. Jainism is present in the Indian Akashics, ascetics that rarely leave their own communities with extreme views in poverty and chastity who are revered for their wisdom. Chinese Akashics have Taoist beliefs, believing in the forces of Yin and Yang, and the concept of magic fits well with Taoism as a whole. Shinto is pretty common with Japanese Akashics, with most of them using a syncretic form of Shinto mixed with Buddhism who equate the Buddhas with the Kami. Christianity is not a religion that is usually associated to the Akashayana, but it found a place thanks to of non-Asian mages who follow the path of the Akashic .

### Draladharma

A hybridized term derived from Tibetan and Sanskrit meaning it is the active (Yang) principle in Akashic philosophy. The Akashics emphasize a a life if simplicity, as material and superficial desires cloud up one's mind and prevents them from achieving true understanding of the world and the universe. According to Akashic beliefs, the natural place for every individual , their role or "Dharma", become apparent to the individual when one is not blinded by the illusions of greed, desire and power. The exercises of living give a soul the chance to experience the universe in manifold forms, and so the individual should take this opportunity to gain insight by developing a harmony with the All. Each life is just a step on the greater Wheel until the individual releases themselves from the chains that they forged with their own beliefs and desires.

Observing the Draladharma means acting with the best moral intention and never using force against force, so in other words, the deal Akashic practicing it has no enemies, never preventing the foe from acting. Similarly, every problem has an efficient, ethical answer, provided you act without selfishness and let yourself become one with the task.

### Akashakarma

The Akashakarma refers to the impressions all beings make upon the fabric of the Tapestry of Existence with their actions. The Tapestry is also known simply as "Akasha" by the Akashics, while others call it the Akashic Records. Akashakarma is the passive (Yin) principle of Akashic philosophy, similar to the Taoist Wu-wei.

*"The Tapestry, Akasha, is where we draw our strength, nay, our very existence from. It is a force that is in everything. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the Universe all together."*

*-an old Akashic Saying*

The Kindred of Akasha hone their minds and body so that they can sense and even influence the Akashakharma, thus they know how to discern the impressions of thoughts and actions on the Tapestry. Many masters view this as the principle that guides the Tapestry as a riverbed guide a river. The Akashic Record can be sensed the most by the ones who empty their own selves from egoism, sharing their the thoughts of the others and understanding, and influence the forces around them. This is shown as intuition, sudden knowledge and even visions from past lives. This gives the Akashic pre-cognitive abilities such as heightened senses, especially during combat. While this is the most common feat of being able to sense and use Akashakarma, others include projecting their consciousness into other places, healing wounds, telekinesis, even influencing their mind with persuasion and other "Mind tricks".

The soul of the Akashics lies in the Akashic Record, where all the experiences of all Akashics across history remain recorded. Even without physical pages and ink, the Record itself exists in all levels of reality, material and spiritual at the same time. The Akashic Record is not supposed to be "claimed", that is not the main goal of their philosophy. The Root of Everything serves as inspiration, gives understanding of past knowledge and presents its information so the one looking for it would never forget, and helping them to "ascend" the transient and impermanent existence of living within the cycle of life within the Universe. This is interpreted differently by various sects. Some belief ascension means becoming one with the universe, leaving your physical body and your soul becoming interlaced with the true essence of existence, others believe that ascension means going above the Origin of Everything, and seeing a form of existence that is still unknown and incomprehensible to mortal thought. While some, who are deemed as fallen or no longer even Akashics by most of the Kindred, view Ascension as claiming greater power from the Akashic Record. Non Akashic-magi who also view transcending and acquiring greater power from the origin point of existence are chastised by Akashics as being foolish and unaware of what the Akashic Records should be treated as.

The Akashics have a wide range of common foci and tools to aid in the honing of the principle of Akashakarma, like asceticism and abstinence, meditation, breathing exercises,, bodywork, calligraphy, poetry, chanting, singing, crafting, eye contact, herbalism, kata, dancing, mandalas, mudras, pilgrimage, and even weapons arts depending on the Akashic and the sect they belong to. Akashics break the barrier between their own minds and the Tapestry of Akasha with these practices, and by emptying their own minds via meditation they open the Akashakarma to their own selves, letting them to commune with the Record and expanding their own minds even beyond, to all minds and actions.

### "The Way"

Also known as "The Path", "The Dao", or "Do". The Way is considered the main instrument that an Akashic can use to hone their mind and bodies as well as to utilize magic. In its very essence, The Way is a meditative martial art, transcending mere combat applications. The Way also emphasizes many non-violent principals and can be used in (and improved through) anything from household chores to creative arts .Mastery over The Way is seen as way to achieve enlightenment and eventually Ascension. Akashics view The Way as an essential art that trains the body to achieve a peaceful mind, and what gives the Kindred of Akasha extreme precision in many fields. More than a fighting style, it is treated as a way of living, developing the human body to its utmost potential by the harmony of natural cycles. Akashics follow proper balance in nutrition, exercise, sleep, thought, creation and destruction, all guided as important parts of a greater whole. A practitioner harmonizes with the natural flow of life, ignoring the artificial constructs of a world filled with the superfluous.

The Way pervades every aspect of the Akashic attitude towards magic. As there must be right thinking, right speech, right understanding and right action, there must be right mind in order to achieve right body and right living. Magic must only be performed for enlightenment, to right the wrongdoings that prevent the peace and potential for others to achieve enlightenment, and to aid others in their own journeys of honing their minds and bodies. All Akashics study The Way in some manner, be it through difficult martial arts, internal questing or quiet meditation.

The Kindred divides The Way into eight areas of expertise, called Limbs. These include:

Dhyana: The limb of meditation and awareness

Prajna: The limb of ethics and compassion

Karma: The limb of attentiveness and devotion

Sunyakaya: The limb of the "Empty Body", of silence and listening

Dharmamukti: The limb of the "Clasped Hands", of physical confrontation and evasion

Shastamargat: The limb of weapons, of precision and tools

Tricanmarga: The limb of "Inner Struggle", of balance within the self and knowledge of one's place in the cosmos

Jivahasta: The limb of the "Healing Hand", of medicine and healing

## Organization

The Structure of organization in Akashic groups are traditionally loose; enlightenment and destiny are recognized as steps along the path, but all living things have virtue and value. To the Akashics, the idea of placing one thing or philosophy over another is a false division. Therefore, while Masters are respected for their insight, they do not exercise any real weight of authority — they are simply credited for their insight. Akashic students come from all walks of life, but all study the Akashic way of leading a pure and simple lifestyle, at least to some degree. As an Akashic progresses to a simpler and more unhindered state of "The Way", their accomplishments are recorded and their teachings distributed so that all may benefit from them.

Akashic hierarchy vary from sect to sect, while monasteries have more hierarchical structures, some choose simple teacher-student dynamics, with a Master and an Apprentice serving as the only concrete ranks to go by.

The Karmachakra follow a simplified hierarchy, where Acolytes aided in running the monasteries' manual labor and daily affairs along with Karmachakra students, while the Masters teach their knowledge of the Akashic way, while more specialized brothers and sisters of the monastery take on duties such as keeping records or going on journeys outside of the monastary to keep watch on the world outside of the Karmachakra temple. Sects born from Karmachakra traditions also follow a similar structure.

The Vajrapani and the sects that stem from them follow different forms of hierarchy, the most common being the Student-Master relationship. Shaolin Monastaries that are run by Vajrapani on the other hand, follow structures similar to the Karmachakra organizational structure.

## Factions

### Karmachakra

The oldest existing sect/faction of the Kindred of Akasha. They are the very image of ascetic monks who uphold many of the Kindred's oldest practices. All Akashics practice difficult ordeals and purification rites, but the Karmachakra believe that right mind and right soul can only come through right action. Many of their practices blend Buddhism and Taoism with core Akashic practices. The faction maintains a main monestary in Tibet and smaller monasteries in the nearby region to guide the Akashics as a whole. Here they renounce materialism in favor of prayer, hardship and devotion. Their numbers have dwindled over the years, Akashics sometimes join after tiring of conflict. The Karmachakra are strictly pacifistic and reclusive, only taking in members who are able to find their monastery in hidden in the Tibetan mountains and pass their tests. Another method of recruitment is when Karmachakra Brothers and Sisters are covertly sent outside of the temple to keep tabs on the present world. Whenever this Karmachakra member senses a child or individual with a strong connection to Akasha and or a strong potential for Akashakarma. Centuries of conflict with magi from the Chakrajan, as well as non-magi from India, China, and Tibet, have led them to practice a strict isolationist policy. They are simply content in achieving enlightenment by shutting off the interferences of the outside world. This has strained their relationship with the Akashics who prefer to spread the teachings of their tradition to others outside of the monastery, causing them to leave the Karmachakra and form their own branches, the most famous being the Vajrapani.

### Vajrapani

Named for the "Diamond Thunderbolt" of Tibetan Buddhism, the Vajrapani are the stereotyped warrior-monks and hot-blooded martial artists. The Vajrapani emphasize martial arts, exercise, and hard physical labor to fully hone themselves as a temple for enlightenment. Originally, they served as protectors for the early Akashics, using their prowess to repel bandits and armies alike, as well as actively seek out students from other lands. They seek out injustices and act as peacekeepers. This meant that Vajrapani sects have spread out across Asia and even to other continents over the centuries, forming martial arts schools and vigilante bands, seeking to correct wrongs, and kick ass. Their preference for getting involved in the affairs outside of the Karmachakra territories have caused a schism and resulted in the Vajrapani leaving their Tibetan temple life for the outside world. Vajrapani still are pacifistic to a degree, exerting force mostly to defend the defenseless and correcting wrongs, others become too caught up with the quest for justice that they lose sight of the Akashic's original philosophies. This began to worry the Vajrapani that more and more new mages are beginning to see their organization as a glorified military training regimen, rather than a deeply philosophical analysis of the human condition with martial elements.

Vajrapani branches include several martial art schools across the world, such as Indian, Japanese and Korean martial arts schools. Shaolin Temples are also common places to see Vajrapani. Other Vajrapani prefer to wander the world alone or with one or a few students, some even becoming vigilantes.