Path of Internalism
As a basis for this road, I am using the version of Self Focus detailed in Sins of the Blood pp 33-34. -Jamie
No one controls you. No Vaulderie, no bond, no Cainite's will except your own. When you learn to quiet your mind and silence the Beast, you will see this.
-Julediah, Autarkis
Nickname: 'Internalists'
Basic Beliefs: The Path of Self-Focus (Road of the Aesthetic) draws heavily on the Eastern philosophy of wu wei, or conscious inaction. The Internalists believe that deliberate attempts to change the world around them result in misery and failure. IN effect, one must master oneself before claiming any kind of mastery of the world.
Internalists are not selfish in the sense that they don't care for others. They simply believe that meddling in other beings' affairs is dishonorable and wrong. It is one thing, say the followers of the Path, to aid someone who calls for help, but it is another entirely to endure pain or danger for someone who does not wish for such a savior. Pain is a learning experience, and "saving" someone from it is akin to robbing that person of knowledge.
The followers of this Path also believe that the answers to all moral and spiritual questions can be found within oneself. No teacher can answer a question for you. The best she can do is direct your gaze inward, where the wisdom lies. As such, some followers of this Path might claim that it makes a good starting point for Golconda. Most acknowledge, however, that as Golconda requires interaction with the world around the seeker, the Path of Self-Focus (Road of the Aesthetic) would only begin the seeker's journey.
Internalists place a great deal of emphasis on existing in the moment rather than planning too much for the future. As a Zen master once said, "Wash the dishes to wash the dishes." That is, say the Internalists, when performing a task, know only that task, not how it will affect them later, not whether it is good or bad, but simply completing it and doing it well. Doing so involves knowing a task for what it is, and clearing the mind of distractions such as a hunger or the Beast's urges.
The Internalists do not seek to expunge or deny the Beast entirely, however. "Things are as they are" is a common axiom among the followers of this Path, and they accept that the Beast must be allowed to roam sometimes. However, a time and place exists in which to do so, and succumbing to the Beast at inappropriate times is considered shameful to the Internalists, since it suggests that they do not truly know themselves as they claim.
Ethics
- The past and future are illusions; in truth, there is only now. Exist only in the moment.
- Know yourself, and understand that the Beast is part of that self. Know when to release the Beast and when to hold it in check.
- Learn your strengths and your weaknesses. Do not be like the carpenter who, when faced with a tree too large and twisted to cut down, called it useless. Instead, remember that the tree was good for giving shade and shelter. Turn your weakness into strengths whenever possible.
- Overconfidence is a weakness and a conceit. Those who take pride in themselves are deluded; there is always someone who can humble you. Learn to identify such people, and be willing to learn from them.
- Judge others by actions, not by words. Words can have many meanings, but action reveals truth.
- Enjoy and learn from others, but remember that you alone are responsible for yourself.
Hierarchy of Sins
1) Being a willful slave: You must act as your own master. Even a teacher's orders must be questioned.
2) Allowing outside forces to goad you into frenzy: You alone control your actions.
3) Failing to spend some time each night in meditation: Like a muscle, self-focus grows weak with disuse.
4) Restraining the Beast unnecessarily: The Beast is part of you, and it demands focus.
5) Struggling to overcome a weakness rather than turning into a strength: Struggle creates conflict and moves you out of line with yourself.
6) Manipulating or controlling others (through Disciplines or the blood bond): Thinking beings are not for you to own.
7) Relying on others: Although they may be strong, they cannot know your true purpose any more than you can know theirs.
8) Failure to treat others as you would be treated: Show the ways of respect by example.
9) Laziness of mind or body: When you stop contemplating yourself, you cease to learn and develop.
10) Overconfidence: Know yourself without delusion or ego.
Virtues
The path of Self-Focus (Road of the Aesthetic) draws on the virtues of Conviction and Instinct.
History
The Path of Self-Focus (Road of the Aesthetic) in its current form dates back to the sixth century AD, when Middle Eastern Cainites and Asian vampires met and shared ideas. These ideas gradually evolved into a methodology reminiscent of Taoism and Zen Buddhism, made accessible and useful for Cainites. The "True" Black Hand brought this Path back to Europe and later the Americas, but it finds adherents worldwide. Indeed, the basic precepts of the Path can be found in several of the Dharmas now practiced by the Cathayans.
While it is unpopular among European Cainites, the Path of Self-Focus (Road of the Aesthetic) has a tiny but growing following among American Kindred.
Current Practices
Internalists may teach any student who displays promise in Taoist philosophy and grasps the basic precepts of the Path. Age is not normally a factor, nor is clan or sect. The Path's ethics are close enough to Humanity for an Internalist to exist among the Camarilla with little problem, while in the Sabbat, the followers are prized for their intelligent introspection and balanced nature. Since the very nature of the Path is solitary, followers rarely have any contact with each other outside of mentor-student relationships.
Description of Followers
Internalists, like the Unforgiving, are patient and perceptive. However, unlike the Unforgiving, they judge situations completely subjectively: How a circumstance relates to them is more important than remembering all of the minute details.
The Path of Self-Focus (Road of the Aesthetic) also like Scorched Heart, encourages its followers to learn many different skills. The reasoning is very different however. While the Unforgiving learn whatever they can in hopes that it might be useful, the Internalists learn skills that compliment or contrast their natural strengths, in order to learn more about themselves. Therefore, Internalists study fencing and poetry, calligraphy and martial arts, marksmanship and etiquette. Internalists are always respectful of others, and they would never presume to insult or dismiss someone based on beliefs or words. If someone acts against them, they defend themselves with as much or as little action as necessary. A stream, they point out, does not have to destroy a rock to move around it.
Members of nearly any clan or sect can study the Path of Self-Focus (Road of the Aesthetic), provided they can find a willing teacher.
Following the Path
An Internalist spends some time in meditation every night. Every new sensation - feeding in a new way, learning a new skill, even suffering a wound from a new source - is grounds for inner contemplation. While other Cainites may find Internalists slow and overly introspective, they must admit that an Internalist knows exactly what she is capable of doing and does not push her limits so as to place herself in danger.
Internalists believe in a higher purpose to the world, be it in the form of God, ultimate meaning, an Oversoul or whatever ideal one chooses to apply. They also believe that the key to understanding this meaning lies within them, and that belief gives them a sense of hope that few other Paths can provide. Followers of the Path are honorable and respectful, but they are quite willing to allow the Beast to rage if that is what is called for.
Common Abilities: Etiquette, Brawl (or Martial Arts), Expression (poetry or painting) - Internalists study anything that aids in understanding oneself and honing strengths or lessening weaknesses. All Internalists eventually acquire some skill at Meditation, although an initiate on the Path might not have an actual rating in the Skill.
Preferred Disciplines: The ability to leave the body and drift on the ether is something to which all Internalists aspire, therefore most learn Auspex, hoping to reach that level. Other Disciplines that rely on changing or augmenting the self (such as Celerity, Fortitude, Protean and Potence) are also considered worthy pastimes. Internalists that learn manipulative Disciplines such as Presence or Dominate usually do so as an experiential exercise and don't employ them except in self-defense.
Paths on the Road:
The core of the Road of the Aesthetic is self-discovery and enlightenment. This can draw on eastern traditions such as Buddhism and Taoism, as well as western monastic traditions. Paths can be more or less religious, and change its emphasis.
Whitewolf has published three separate paths under the title "Self Focus." Each is an example of this changed emphasis.
