Structure of the Universe
The universe is composed of a nameless transcendence. This principle is identical with the substance known as Valen. Everything in existence is uncreated, eternal, and self-existent.
The phenomenal universe exists due to as of yet indiscernable reasons. All things within the phenomenal universe possess a real existence; however, the perception of this existence is flawed while within its bounds.
The phenomenal universe is divided into the Wending and the material world.
The Wending as a universe is composed of valen-aka. The beings inhabiting this universe are ones with valen-aka souls and forms. Time exists, but space only exists as an illusion of perception. Mortal beings can enter the Wending upon death or by engaging in practices to release their valen-aka from their valen-ja body temporarily.
The material universe is composed of valen-ja. Due to the consistency of valen-ja, objects in the materials universe are formed of varying combinations of light, air, water, and earth. Space exists and is infinite in all directions. Time exists. Valen-aka is found in the material universe, in the form of phenomenal souls.
Substances
There is a single type of substance present in the universe, known as Valen. Though there is only one category of substance in existence, there are innumerable Valens for every last frame of reference in the universe. Valen is divided into three categories.
Valen-iko, Valen as it actually is. It is incorporeal and its transcendent properties are plainly visible. This Valen is plainly unconditioned.
Valen-aka, the Valen of mental forms as flawfully perceived through the phenomenal universe. It is incorporeal, but appears to be conditioned. This Valen makes up mental processes and astral objects.
Valen-ja, the Valen of matter. It is corporeal and appears to be conditioned.
The admixtures of valen-aka and valen-ja are responsible for the appearance of change, creation, and destruction throughout the universe, but in reality both substances are actually valen-iko and their lesser manifestations are merely illusory.
Substances of the Phenomenal Universe
Valen-ja
Valen-ja is subdivided into 4 elements. These are light, air, water, and earth.
Light is hot and dry. It makes up fires, bright things, and anything that scintillates.
Air is cold and dry. It makes up the wind and pervades the interstices of every object in the universe.
Water is cold and wet. It makes up the rivers, oceans, and arteries of every living thing.
Earth is cold and dry. It makes up the ground, the stones, and the structures of all solid things.
Valen-aka
Valen-aka is subdivided into 3 lithri. These are the Kithringo, the Illiae, and the Urius.
Kithringo is sharp and angular. It is the will, drive, and action.
Illiae is sharp and broad. It is discernment and the understanding.
Urius is blunt and broad. It is the power that perceives Valen as it is.
Phenomena
Perception
Sensory perception is based upon the interaction of the valen-ja of the object being observed (specifically its light), the valen-ja of the perceiver's sense organs, and the Illiae of the perceiver. Extrasensory perception occurs due to the conjunction of the perceiver's Illiae and Urius, with valen-ja, valen-aka, or valen-iko being the potential objects of perception.
Time
Time exists, but is not a substance and is otherwise undefined.
Motion
Motion occurs due to Kithringo affecting valen-ja, typically through the medium of other valen-ja. Matter that can induce motion by itself is using its valen-iko to stand in for its lack of a valen-aka.
Space
Space is made up of a particular, permeable type of valen-ja, often conceived of as a rareified air.
Form of the Universe
Nameless Transcendence
The nameless transcendence is formless.
The Wending
The Wending exists outside of the space of the world. It is spaceless, but composed entirely of valen-aka, which exists comfortably in such a state due to its incorporeality. Astral objects of valen-aka exist and can be perceived by the mind, as can environments projected by the Jaeno of the residents. The structure of the universe of the Wending is divided into zones of consciousness as measured from their distance from the material universe. These rank in terms of their substance and heady richness, with the lowest being the most passionate and the highest being the most passionless and formless. The lowest is the sieve that is the Ten Trials of Liltei. The low layers govern the hottest emotions, such as lust, anger, joy, and excitement. The intermediate layers cover milder forms of emotion, such as frustration and contentment. The high layers govern slight emotions, such as vague interest. The highest layer is the experiential sieve that a being passes through before they enter the nameless transcendence and become a Veyli. Beings naturally gravitate toward a layer based on their disposition, and the environment is to some degree reinforcing of that attitude, as only beings given to such emotions will be present and projecting environments that reflect their mental state.
Nepi (The Deep)
The layer of Nepi is habitated mostly by the comprehensible Valir dead and demons. Ghosts form communities reminiscent of ones in life, though grander, and demons prowl on the outskirts in passion. Occasionally Jeno from higher layers descend to ferry up their celestial cousins. Most environments in Nepi are comprehensible visually, but are more grandiose than any material environment.
Former Valir usually incarnate onto this plane with valen-aka-jas resembling their mortal visages, and some bear scars from Liltei. Lilon, Ilo, and beings who have never taken on form before typically appear out of nowhere with some supernatural appearance particular to their nature.
Alia (The Waters)
The layer of Nepi is habitated mostly by Jeno and complex demons. Most civilization is formed by Jeno, either native to the layer, deriving from former mortals upon death, or deriving from former mortals from Nepi. Vast dream-kingdoms exist here, as do the roving palaces of demons. Demons on this layer usually have more nuanced brambles, or ones that are not based off of emotions as sharp as those of Nepi. The environments of Alia are still comprehensible but depart completely from earthly environs.
Jeno arriving from Nepi usually experience a glorifying of their valen-aka-ja upon arriving due to the rareified state of mind present. Former mortals incarnating in Alia upon death usually appear as children in the wilderness, easy to find. The newly incarnate appear out of nowhere with a rareified form.
Zas (The Shallows)
The layer of Zas is inhabited by Jeno and Jani alike who are closest to being Veyli. The population of Jeno is small and the population of Jani even smaller. Both are relatively passionless and rarely conflict. Communities and personal interaction are rare on this layer. Similitudes of physical environments are rarely present here, being replaced by vision-scapes and geometries often incomprehensible to mortals.
Jeno arriving from Alia usually find their valen-aka-ja either transforming radically or not being used at all in favor of their bodilessness. Former mortals incarnating in Zas usually obtain a valen-aka-ja that is transfigured based on their time in Liltei and rarely in accordance with their mortal appearance. The newly incarnate do not project any appearances and often find the idea of it alien.
The Material Universe
The material universe exists within an infinite throng of crystal spheres, with some visible to others in the night sky. The space between the spheres is dark and inhabited by demons. The true sky is beyond this dark space. Between the interior of the dome and the earth is the world of Vermae, Lilon, and Ilo. It is the worldly environment to which everything else is compared to. Beneath the earth lies the realm of Tili. They live in great kingdoms that are divided by the elements. This is the place where pure elements are found in great abundance.
The newly incarnate of the material universe arrive in a variety of ways depending on their first form. Valir and Lilon are born, whereas Ilo grow from seeds or spores. Tili germinate in their respective element much as a seed does, though they become children rather than stalks.
Categories of Beings
All beings possess a valen-iko, and thus hold inherently the potencies of all other valen types. However, these properties are only expressed to varying degrees among different types of beings.
Nameless Transcendence
Veyli (Transcendent Souls)
Veyli are Valens not under any delusions, thus seeing themselves only as Valens and thus the nameless transcendence. They exist in and are the nameless transcendence.
The Wending
Jeno (Celestial Beings)
Jeno live in the sky and are immortal. They possess phenomenals souls of valen-aka. Their appearances can be projected as valen-aka-ja. They possess strong ability in Yene, Jaeno, Anya, and Oveno. They are beautiful and far from the ken of men.
Jani (Infernal Beings, Withers, Demons)
Jani live in dark places and are immortal. They possess phenomenal souls of valen-aka. Their appearances can be projected as valen-aka-ja. Jani have fair Yene and Anya, as well as a prodigiously strong talent in Jaeno, which they use to know the minds of men. Some possess fair ability in Oveno. Jani vary in their desire to develop the valis, with the obsessed and those who were once mortal magicians ranking among the highest in their development. Each possesses a bramble that tears at their heart.
The Material Universe
Tili (Elementals, Fairies)
Tili live beneath the earth. They are mortal, but live far longer than men. They possess phenomenal souls of valen-aka, and bodies of valen-ja. Their bodies are composed of the purest of a single element. Tili have some natural talent in Jaeno, and strong ability in a specialized form of Loqo that only applies to destinations with a significant quantity of their respective element. Tili also have utter ability in Tiklo, Briun, Eri, or Yon, based upon their respective element. Tili rarely develop valis outside of their natural strengths. They are the closest to men, and enigmatic.
Valir (People, Men)
Vermae live on the earth. They are mortal. They possess phenomenal souls of valen-aka and bodies of valen-ja. Their bodies are made up of all the elements. Some Valir have special gifts in Yene and Jaeno by birth, while the rest have only the natural modicum of natural talent common to all souls. Natural ability in Anya is exceedingly rare. Yene is a moderate challenge to train, Jaeno moreso, and the rest of the valis practically impossible. Valir are said to have the most potential to actualize their Transcendence due to their position in the universe.
Lilon (Animals)
Lilon live on the earth. They are mortal. They possess phenomenal souls of valen-aka with imperfect Illiae, and bodies of valen-ja. Their bodies are made up of all the elements. Lilon have a certain low level of talent in Yene and Jaeno, with some having more ability by birth. Lilon by their nature rarely if ever develop their valis. They can feel the spiritual impulse, like men, but are very rarely able to follow it to its end as Lilon.
Ilo (Plants)
Ilo live on the earth. They are mortal. They possess phenomenal souls of valen-aka with imperfect Kithringos, Illiae, and Uriuses. They possess bodies of valen-ja. Their bodies are made up of all the elements. They possess spiritual qualities but are barely able to perceive such things as being separated from their base physical activity. They are often held in protectorate by men.
Structure of Beings
Valens
Valen-iko
All beings possess a valen-iko, and thus all other potencies in potentia. This is the individual's true, transcendent nature, and it encompasses the capacities of all other forms and goes beyond them.
Valen-aka
Beings in the phenomenal universe possess a valen-aka. This is the phenomenal soul. It is incorporeal, but seemingly conditioned by outside factors. Mental faculties are ascribed to the valen-aka, including the powers of perception and cognition.
Valen-aka-ja
Beings in the universe of the Wending can "possess" a valen-aka-ja, which is the mental form that they project into the minds of others. This is mainly determined by outside factors, but can be changed with sufficient will and psyche-sculpting.
Valen-ja
In regards to beings, this encompasses the physical body. The powers of locomotion, strength, and dexterity are ascribed to the valen-ja.
Faculties
Cognition
The natural activity of the valen-aka, in which it processes mental events. Tied to the Illiae.
Perception
The vision of the universe. In sensory perception, a joint effort between the valen-ja's sense organs and the Illiae of the valen-aka. In extrasensory perception, a product of the conjunction of the Illiae and the Urius.
Emotion
The internal experience and sentiment. Processed by the Urius.
Locomotion
The activity of travel. Tied to the valen-ja. Does not occur in beings without a valen-ja, as they exist outside of space.
Strength
The activity of affecting objects. Tied to the valen-ja. The vali of Anya can bypass this restriction.
Dexterity
The activity of delicate handling, the volitional control. Tied to the valen-ja and the Illiae of the valen-aka. The need for the valen-ja can be bypassed by the use of the vali of Anya, though the Illiae is still used.
Valis
Beings possess valis, the supernatural powers. All exist in potentia within all beings, but in the phenomenal universe they are often obscured based on the type of being, with each one having different natural predilections and ability to develop their valis. Valis are generally tied to the activity of the Urius and the valen-iko.
Life Stages
The aspects of the being in the phenomenal universe that appear to change due to the passage of time. This change is only a seeming, and does not actually occur.
Different beings have different life stages of varying frequences.
Veyli
Veyli do not appear to have life stages at all, having realized their transcendent nature. Veyli are plainly ageless.
Jeno
Jeno are immortal and do not have life stages. They can appear to have them due to the modification of the valen-aka-ja.
Jani
Jani are immortal and do not have life stages. They can appear to have them due to the modification of the valen-aka-ja.
Tili
Tili go through the life stages of childhood, youth, adulthood, and elderhood. Each stages occupies a great deal of time.
Valir
Valir go through the life stages of childhood, youth, adulthood, and elderhood. Adulthood occupies the greatest amount of time, and the overall duration is typical.
Lilon
Lilon go through the life stages of childhood, youth, adulthood, and elderhood. The lifespan depends on the type of Lilon, but for most the stages pass by briefly. Some live longer than men, though not approaching the lifespan of Tili.
Ilo
Ilo progress from seeds, to sprouts, to maturity, and finally to wilting. Ilo lifespans are divided into three categories. Some Ilo live briefly, like Lilon. Some Ilo live typically, like Valir. Some Ilo live longer than men, like Tili.
Vali, the Supernatural Powers
Valis are various powers that are derived from the soul. They transcend the laws that typically govern the universe. Given that the nature of the soul is the same amongst all beings, valis are common to and function the same across all beings, regardless of their prevalence within a given category of beings. Ultimately, all beings possess all valis to their utmost extent; within the phenomenal universe, beings are limited in their capability to use the valis based on birth, aptitude, and training.
Yene (Pure Vision)
The ability to perceive an object that is hidden, without using one's valen-ja as an intermediary. In conventional terms, it is equivalent to the clairsentient form of extrasensory perception. Yene is thought to occur due to the conjunction of the Illiae and the Urius. Apart from the gifts of birth, men can engage in such practices as meditation, trance, and study to harmonize their Urius with their Illiae and thus develop greater proficiency in this ability.
Jaeno (Communion)
The ability to know the thoughts of others and to have one's thoughts appears in theirs. In conventional terms, it is equivalent to the telepathic form of extrasensory perception. Jaeno is thought to occur as a result of the conjunction of the Illiae and Urius.
Anya (Lifting)
The ability to move an object without using one's valen-ja. In conventional terms, equivalent to psychokinesis. Anya is thought to occur as a result of the conjunction of the Kithringo and Urius.
Loqo (Long Step)
The ability to appear at a place that one knows about. This is conceived of as a form of bodily teleportation, and as effectively inapplicable to bodiless beings. Loqo is thought to be induced by the Urius.
Kiri (Flame Fanning)
The ability to cause the fire (a congealed form of light) in valen-ja to suddenly ignite. It is thought to essentially result in a form of spontaneous combustion, but is thought to affect objects in proportion to the amount of fire that they have within them. Kiri is thought to be based upon the action of the Kithringo and Urius.
Tiklo (Sculpting)
The ability to mold the earth of valen-ja. It is thought to be mostly restricted to earth Tili.
Briun (Splashing)
The ability to manipulate water. It is thought to be moderately restricted to water Tili.
Eri (Wind Fanning)
The ability to manipulate the currents of the air. It is thought to be largely restricted to air Tili and weather witches.
Yon (Shining)
The ability to manipulate light. Though characteristic of light Tili, it is also not uncommon in other beings.
Oveno (Delight-Forming)
The ability to bring the object of one's desire to one's location. The object is not created ex nihilo but rather has its own independent existence and is brought to one's location. Thought of as a form of teleportation. Induced by the Kithringo and Urius.
Extrix (Binding)
The ability to tie a valen-aka to an object. The being's perceptions are bound to the entity until conditions make escape possible. The valen-iko is not affected in any capacity, and thus the attainment of transcendence can serve as a means of escape. Induced by the Kithringo and Urius.
Daquin (Chart Mending)
The ability to mystically alter the conditions bound to one's valen-aka at birth. This includes but is not limited to one's birth blessings, one's astrological natal chart, and one's disposition for the valis. Induced by the Illiae and Urius.
Iloko (Plant Walking)
The ability to treat any form of plant matter as a stable surface. As long as there is vegetable life in direct contact with the object, it will hold almost any weight placed upon it without injury to the plant life. Traditionally used to walk upon the tops of trees.
Valoko (Real Walking)
The ability to exit the body and walk as one's soul. This also connotes the ability to travel to realms beyond the material universe. Only applicable to embodied beings.
Precepts of Conduct
The highest aim for any Valen is to be free of limits. As one is already limitless, the chief instrument in achieving this is the destruction of ignorance. Aken, Uli, and Jana serve as the primary devices for this endeavour, with vondervelt as a strange string tying experience. Aken, Uli, and Jana are also known as the Three Winds.
Aken (Correct Perception)
Perception must be correct in order for liberation to be possible. Believing things that are wrong leads one away from the nameless transcendence, which is the only thing of value, and knowing things that are true brings one closer to that transcendence. Strong Aken leads to strong Jana.
Uli (Correct Speech)
One's interactions with other Valens must be pure to the utmost. One cannot lead them to believe incorrect things, or act disingenously in any capacity. All interactions should at least prevent a Valen from sinking further into ignorance, and should ideally lead them to clearer perception. Uli is predicated on the fact that Valens are the nameless transcendence. Uli is difficult in that being overly self-conscious in interactions with others can itself lead to being disingenous. This is the paranoia of enlightenment-seeking that the mind must be trained to avoid. As Uli governs interactions with Valens, this tacitly includes objects thought to be inanimate by normal measures, such as rocks. Uli bridges the Illiae and the Urius in that one must know what is right and intuit its form. Strong Uli leads to strong Aken in others.
Jana (Correct Action)
With knowledge, one can work to achieve liberation, and act in such a manner as to reduce ignorance in the wider world. Jana covers both the personal spiritual life as well as the worldly deeds that properly align with the individual's true nature. All action ultimately comes under its purview, and all action ultimately leads an individual either further away from or closer to the ultimate. Proper action is not based upon incorrect suppositions, is not forced, is effortless, serves as an example to others, and is in harmony with the individual's personal transcendence. Where Aken is the map, Jana is the ferry of the soul. Jana is predicated on the action of the Kithringo with the guidance of the Illiae, and produces Uli as one of its products.
Vondervelt
Vondervelt denotes a certain opaque quality or emotion that summarizes much of the struggle or contradiction of the Janei path. Roughly, vondervelt describes a certain sense of subdued pointlessness, a strange, painful pseudo-catharsis that comes from silently observing the dissatisfying seeming finitude of the world. This is separate from the sorrow of ephemerality, or, "that there is nothing new under the sun," and the disappointment is not so much of tears as it is a sigh. Crucially, vondervelt lacks a sense of overwhelming crushingness, and it is precisely the fact that the nameless transcendence is always guaranteed that vondervelt is able to be as an emotion. As beings do not yet have a theodicy for the presence of the phenomenal universe and thus suffering, they can experience vondervelt. Vondervelt also encompasses the feeling that every action falls short of perfection or is artificial, and how nothing less than the final goal is truly satisfying. It is a negative and removed from the ultimate, yet it is not to be particularly judged in the normal sense.
The Nameless Transcendence
The nameless transcendence is the ultimate principle. It is characterized by the transcendence of boundaries, and thus includes under its purview a great many other qualities. These include and are not limited to: Infinite knowledge (freedom from ignorance), infinite power (freedom from impotence), infinite bliss (freedom from emotional impacts), uncreated nature, eternality, self-existence, (collectively, freedom from finitude, time, and dependence), omnipresence (freedom from space), and omnisubstantiality (freedom from any finitude).
Everything is individually and independently the nameless transcendence, which is how it utterly permeates all and thus allows the quality of omnisubstantiality (all-present substance) to be expressed. It is treated as an impersonal quality, but everything in the universe is personally it. Souls are independent and there is no concept of a monistic world soul. This is sometimes known as metamonism.
Many beings whose perceptions are occupied on some level by the phenomenal universe seek to lift such barriers and return their awareness to their transcendent nature. Such a state will be and ultimately already is anyway, but this desire and journey is still an innate good. There are multiple ways to reach the nameless transcendence once more, but the ways of the monkhood are the most efficient.