[Zenyatta does not initially know what to make of Mamoru either, albeit for different reasons. With his tall, lean physique and quiet presence he does not seem like many of the other contestants, showboating even outside of their matches. Perhaps if he could see his eyes he could better understand his intentions, but... all things in time. He has never been overly concerned by first impressions.]
Ah, my mala, you mean? [He raises one hand to touch the floating orb, bouncing it against the tip of his finger.] I do not count them, as such; they respond to my thoughts while I meditate. One may think of it as a kind of feedback loop.
[On cue, the orb pings softly; he withdraws his hand and allows it to return to its usual orbit.]
And I promise, your interruption is a welcome one. Do you meditate, my friend?
[No sense in showing off when there's no purpose to it. Mamoru doesn't find shows of strength just for the sake of showing off productive in any sense of the word. If there were gangs, people meant to do harm, it would be a different matter, a statement. A metaphorical come at me, bro. But it's not really the case.
If anything, Mamoru is using the event to pick up on the weaknesses of those who are contesting. Intel gathering, of sorts.
The system in his sunglasses gives him a NO DATA when he focuses on the orbs, and he's not sure if he's as shocked by it as he is by finding himself unsurprised by the unknown of the people and things that surround him.]
Used to. Found other ways to find my center in the meantime.
[He snorts.] Of all things, I guess I should've expected religion to be a universal concept.
[There is a wry edge to the man's voice that suggests that those other ways are somewhat less wholesome than meditation, and that he might not want to pursue them- but Zenyatta shrugs it off, humming in a tone that could just as easily be in thought as amusement.
Because he is amused, in a pleasant sort of way, by this man and his easy, understated confidence.]
What a reassuring thought! It is true that all sentient life searches for meaning, both within and without. All that distinguishes one soul from another is the name to which they give their beliefs. The Lunatians live by the light of their moons; I am guided by the ebb and flow of the Iris.
[His orbs glow minimally, golden fireflies about his shoulders for a moment or two. Then he turns his attention unerringly to Mamoru.]
[He hadn't thought of what he had heard about the influences of the moons as something spiritual, but Mamoru can find some sense in it. The earliest signs of devotion were towards elements that influenced the palpable, after all.
He arches an eyebrow at that name, honestly surprised by it. The use of meditation, mala (however different they are), even this person's position, it was very similar to the practice of Buddhism. Yet, here he is facing a different diety.] Interesting. Don't think I've heard about the Iris before. Or maybe I've never heard that name before.
[At the question, Mamoru has two choices. The first, to be upfront about it, say something along the lines that his truth lies on the edge of a sword - what a shitlord - and that he already found his purpose there.
He chooses the second option:] Is that what people do when they turn to religion, though? Seeking truth?
[All very well observed, if that is indeed the right term for what Mamoru does- the Shambali's customs were in many respects a hodge-podge of human faiths and philosophies. Zenyatta quite literally brightens.]
How canny of you. It has much in common with the Buddhist concept of Nirvana, though the two are not perfectly analogous. If you are interested in a philosophical discussion, I would be only too happy to oblige you.
[Which is his way of offering Mamoru an out before he starts waxing lyrical about transcendental harmony and oneness with the universe.
Regardless, he's offered an equally interesting question right back, and he touches a hand to his chin as he considers it.]
Not consciouslessly- perhaps some would rather call it order, or a framework through which to understand a chaotic universe. [He cocks his head.] I would not call myself a "religious" man, however. I do not worship, or seek guidance from anywhere but within.
[Mamoru's lip twitches just slightly. Figures that this person would question the possibility of a probable long discussion, instead of starting it straight away as many would.
His hearing casts to their surroundings for a second, the audience in the distance roaring over the beginning of a new fake fight or something significantly flashy happening.] I think we've already started.
[He nods at the comment on whether Zenyatta finds himself not religious, considering something before he speaks. The concept of religion as itself seems cannibalistic, somehow. Shinto's foundation was the gathering of local mythology and tales - the idea that spirits walked amongst humans. Buddhism was a mere array of teachings on how to release yourself from the mundane and impermanent. He could keep going on. ]
I get it. Ain't an expert, but sounds like you mean to say that just because you follow a methodology that implies giving your whole credence doesn't mean that you've enrolled into an institution, so to speak.
That and your faith lies within yourself. Is that it?
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no subject
Ah, my mala, you mean? [He raises one hand to touch the floating orb, bouncing it against the tip of his finger.] I do not count them, as such; they respond to my thoughts while I meditate. One may think of it as a kind of feedback loop.
[On cue, the orb pings softly; he withdraws his hand and allows it to return to its usual orbit.]
And I promise, your interruption is a welcome one. Do you meditate, my friend?
no subject
If anything, Mamoru is using the event to pick up on the weaknesses of those who are contesting. Intel gathering, of sorts.
The system in his sunglasses gives him a NO DATA when he focuses on the orbs, and he's not sure if he's as shocked by it as he is by finding himself unsurprised by the unknown of the people and things that surround him.]
Used to. Found other ways to find my center in the meantime.
[He snorts.] Of all things, I guess I should've expected religion to be a universal concept.
no subject
Because he is amused, in a pleasant sort of way, by this man and his easy, understated confidence.]
What a reassuring thought! It is true that all sentient life searches for meaning, both within and without. All that distinguishes one soul from another is the name to which they give their beliefs. The Lunatians live by the light of their moons; I am guided by the ebb and flow of the Iris.
[His orbs glow minimally, golden fireflies about his shoulders for a moment or two. Then he turns his attention unerringly to Mamoru.]
Where do you seek truth, my friend?
no subject
He arches an eyebrow at that name, honestly surprised by it. The use of meditation, mala (however different they are), even this person's position, it was very similar to the practice of Buddhism. Yet, here he is facing a different diety.] Interesting. Don't think I've heard about the Iris before. Or maybe I've never heard that name before.
[At the question, Mamoru has two choices. The first, to be upfront about it, say something along the lines that his truth lies on the edge of a sword - what a shitlord - and that he already found his purpose there.
He chooses the second option:] Is that what people do when they turn to religion, though? Seeking truth?
no subject
How canny of you. It has much in common with the Buddhist concept of Nirvana, though the two are not perfectly analogous. If you are interested in a philosophical discussion, I would be only too happy to oblige you.
[Which is his way of offering Mamoru an out before he starts waxing lyrical about transcendental harmony and oneness with the universe.
Regardless, he's offered an equally interesting question right back, and he touches a hand to his chin as he considers it.]
Not consciouslessly- perhaps some would rather call it order, or a framework through which to understand a chaotic universe. [He cocks his head.] I would not call myself a "religious" man, however. I do not worship, or seek guidance from anywhere but within.
no subject
His hearing casts to their surroundings for a second, the audience in the distance roaring over the beginning of a new fake fight or something significantly flashy happening.] I think we've already started.
[He nods at the comment on whether Zenyatta finds himself not religious, considering something before he speaks. The concept of religion as itself seems cannibalistic, somehow. Shinto's foundation was the gathering of local mythology and tales - the idea that spirits walked amongst humans. Buddhism was a mere array of teachings on how to release yourself from the mundane and impermanent. He could keep going on. ]
I get it. Ain't an expert, but sounds like you mean to say that just because you follow a methodology that implies giving your whole credence doesn't mean that you've enrolled into an institution, so to speak.
That and your faith lies within yourself. Is that it?