You wait in the dark.
(click-replace: "You wait in the dark.")[(text-colour:grey)[You wait in the dark,
letting your eyes [[adjust]].]](text-style:"buoy")[''Hello.'']
Welcome to your (transition:"flicker")[guided meditation]. (transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:3.5s)[This practice will take //10 minutes//.]
(live:5s)[Before we begin, I need a few small details.]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:6s)[Nothing too intimate.]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:7s)[I promise to keep your data](transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:8s)[ just](transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:8.5s)[ between](transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:9s)[ us.]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:10.5s)[Are you ready to begin (text-style:"emboss")[the [[interview]]]?]
(text-style:"bold","expand","sway")[''Pre-meditation interview'']
''1. What is your favourite colour?''
(input-box: bind $colour, "X=", 1)
''2. How tall are you?''
(dropdown: 2bind $height,"kinda short","pretty average","people love to say \'How's the weather up there?\' to me")
''3. Which texture do you find most soothing?''
(dropdown: 2bind $texture,"firm, weighty pressure","smooth, cool surfaces","light, floaty softness")
''4. In (text-style:"underline")[one to three] words, what do you hope to get out of this session?''
(input-box: bind $outcome, "X=", 1)
''5. Is there anywhere you feel pain or discomfort? Which body part first comes to mind?''
(dropdown: bind $pain,"head","throat","chest","back", "shoulder","hand","hip","leg")
''6. Think of a time that you felt joy. It could be that you (text-style:"emboss")[(cycling-link: "stood on top of a mountain in the sunrise", "drank a juicy spritz in the summer with a friend", "harvested a grape tomato from your own garden")].
Please briefly complete the below — using (text-style:"underline")[no full stop], for this moment is infinite.''
''I felt joy when I...''
(input-box: bind $joy, "X=", 2, "stood on top of Mt Coot-tha in the sunrise")
''In (text-style:"underline")[one or two words], what smell do you associate with this memory?''
(input-box: bind $joysmell, "X=", 1, "eucalypt forest")
''7. Think of a loss that has stayed with you. It could be that you (text-style:"emboss")[(cycling-link: "lost your bear at the zoo when you were four", "lost your wedding ring clearing a drain", "lost a loved one when you were far away")].
Please briefly complete the below — using (text-style:"underline")[no full stop], for this moment is infinite.''
''I lost my...''
(input-box: bind $loss, "X=", 2, "bear at the zoo")
''How old were you?''
(input-box: bind $lossage, "X=", 1, "four")
''8. What (text-style:"underline")[one word] describes the room or place where you are sitting right now? For instance, you might be in your (text-style:"emboss")[(cycling-link: "office", "bedroom", "library", "houseboat")].''
(input-box: bind $location, "X=", 1, "bedroom")
(live:30s)[''Thank you for completing the interview. You may now begin (text-style:"emboss")[the [[guided meditation]]].'']
(save-game:"A")You are standing at the mouth of a cave.
(live:2s)[It's (current-time:) on (weekday:).]
(live:4s)[(link-reveal:"You are in no danger.")[(text-style:"blur")+(transition:"flicker")[ This cave is not real.]]]
(live:7s)[It is getting cold. You crave shelter and quiet.]
(live:8.5s)[[[Walk into the cave.|enter]]]
<script>
var audio = document.createElement('audio');
audio.src = 'http://www.timothytate.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Spookymusic.mp3';
audio.loop = true;
audio.play();
</script>
(save-game:"A")
Take a grounding breath: (seq-link: "inhale", "one", "two", "three", "hold", "hold", "exhale slowly", "three", "two", "one", "and rest").
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:12s)[In the quiet]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:13s)[between breaths, you hear]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:14s)[a rationed susurration.]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:15.5s)[You smell distant water:]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:16.5s)[cool ozone.]
==>
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:17.5s)[(text-style:"blur")+(css: "font-size: 85%;")
[If you need to stop at any time,(set: $location to (lowercase: $location))
(text-style:"buoy")[remember] you are safe in your $location.]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:19s)+(text-style:"smear")+(css: "font-size: 65%;")[ This cave is not real.]]
<==
(live:21s)[[[Follow the sound of wings.|wings]]
[[Follow the smell of water.|water]]
(if:visits >= 2)[You notice a third path [[forward]].]]
(if: (history:) contains "water")[Your(set: $pain to (lowercase: $eases)) $pain softens a little as you move
away, down the second path.]
The ground is sure and dense.
(live:3.5s)[Your breath is (text-style:"expand")[slow and cool],]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:4.5s)[the hushing sound now a crackling hum.]
(live:6.5s)[(if:$height is "kinda short")[Touching one wall, you reach out
your other hand for balance.](if:$height is "pretty average")[Your armspan
grazes the tunnel walls.](if:$height is "people love to say \"How's the weather up there?\" to me")[Your hands, tracing rock to either side,
guide you along the passage.]]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:8.5s)[Ahead, you see a soft $colour [[glow|glowworm]].](set: $colour to (lowercase: $colour))
(click-replace: "The ground is sure and dense.")[(text-colour:grey)[Packed earth takes on
the gravity of stone.]]
(if: (history:) contains "wings")[\
You hold onto the (text-colour:$colour)[(text-style:"smear")[glow]] in your $joybody
as you move down the second path.\
]
(live:2s)[The ground has a slip to it,]
(live:3.5s)[so you move]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:5s)[(text-style:"expand")[slowly].]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:7s)[Brush (text-style:"blur","fidget")[feathery moss] along the wall.]
(set: $pain to (lowercase: $pain))(live:9s)[It's getting colder, and your $pain aches:]
(live:10s)[a soft bruising [[echo]].](text-colour:$colour)[(text-style:"smear")[The glow hums through a fissure.]]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:2s)[You climb through, (text-style:"smear")[seeing double in the bright dust].]
(set: $colour to (lowercase: $colour))
(live:5s)[Glowworms throw a velvety $colour]
(live:6s)[on the backs of moths —]
(live:6.5s)[100s,](transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:7.5s)[ flashing ultrasoft violet.]
(set: $joysmell to (lowercase: $joysmell))
(live:9.5s)[A scent both earthy
and unexpectedly $joysmell-ish]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:10.5s)[rises to fill the cavern.]
(align: "===><=")[(transition: "dissolve")+(t8n-delay:12s)[You breathe in deeply, [[hypnotised]] in the globe of the moment.]]
The (text-style:"rumble")[constant motion]
in an eclipse of moths
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:2.5s)[becomes its own stillness;]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:3.5s)[their light-seeking flutter]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:4.5s)[(text-style:"smear")[incandescent white noise].]
(set: $joy to (lowerfirst: $joy))
(text-colour:"$colour")[(text-style:"blur")[(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:6s)[''You think of the time when you $joy.'']]]
(set: $joysmell to (lowercase: $joysmell))
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:8s)[Breathe] (transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:8.5s)[in] (transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:9s)[deeply] (transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:10s)[the shadow of $joysmell.]
=><=
(css: "font-size: 85%;")[(live:13s)[''//Where do you [[feel]] that memory in your body?//'']]
The was setting and it was getting cold. I walked in, looking for shelter. I heard voices, and I followed them into the tunnels.
I heard singing.
I followed the singing voice, but it stopped abruptly. The sun was rising. Describe the sunrise without mentioning any colours by name.
I set my backpack on the forest floor. I removed my glasses and shoes.
I waited and listened, but it was not yet time.
The window for action is limited.
(if: (history:) contains "water")[\
Your $pain flares up a little as you move
away, down the second path.\] =><=
//[''Go deeper into the memory.''
(set: $joysmell to (lowercase: $joysmell))
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:3s)[The scent of $joysmell plants your feet there.]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:6s)[Which muscles (text-style:"blur")[soften]?]]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:9s)[How does your breath feel?]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:11s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[Puffed?] (text-style:"buoy")[Slow]? (text-style:"smear","expand")[Soft]?]
(set: $joy to (lowerfirst: $joy))
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:13s)[Think about where in your body you [[hold]] the time you $joy.]
//
''Which emotion most resembles this feeling?''
(dropdown: 2bind $joyemotion,"contentment","relief","romance", "tenderness", "triumph", "astonishment","hope","delight", "love")
''Where in your body do you most feel this?''
(dropdown: 2bind $joybody,"head","throat","heart","chest","back", "stomach","arms","hands","pelvis","legs")
(live:9s)[You realise you're humming]
(live:10s)[a song you knew well]
(live:11s)[a long time ago.]
(live:12.5s)[It's time to [[explore|Adjust2]]]
(live:13.5s)[more of the cave.]
(save-game:"A")[(if:$height is "kinda short")[You pass through easily, though the ceiling is close.](if:$height is "pretty average")[You bend a little as the tunnel narrows.](if:$height is "people love to say \"How's the weather up there?\" to me")[You nearly bump your head.
At times, you shuffle on hands and knees.]]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:2s)[You toe an icy splash of water,] (transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:3s)[and adjust]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:4s)[to the (text-style:"blurrier")+(text-colour:"#fff9c1")[''glow of pale mushrooms'']]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:5.5s)[defining a flowing stream]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:7s)[which carries away that (text-style:"blurrier")[little [[light]]].]=><=
//''Go deeper into the memory.''(set: $lossage to (lowercase: $lossage))
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:3s)[You remember the vulnerability of being $lossage.]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:6s)[Which muscles (text-style:"blur", "condense")[tense]?]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:9s)[How does your breath feel?]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:11s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[Scattered?] (text-style:"buoy")[Slow]? (text-style:"smear","expand")[Shallow]?]
(set: $loss to (lowerfirst: $loss))(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:13s)[Think about where in your body you [[store]] the time you lost your $loss.]
//''Which emotion most resembles this feeling?''
(dropdown: 2bind $lossemotion,"helplessness","anxiety","shame", "dread", "grief", "disillusionment","anger","frustration", "loneliness")
''Where in your body do you most feel this?''
(dropdown: 2bind $lossbody,"head","throat","heart","chest","back", "shoulders","hands","pelvis","legs")
(live:4s)[(if:$texture is "firm, weighty pressure")[You weigh a smooth stone in your palm,
and [[set|Adjust2]] deep it in the water.](if:$texture is "smooth, cool surfaces")[You collect a smooth, weighty pebble,
and [[set|Adjust2]] it in the water.](if:$texture is "light, floaty softness")[You peel a thin wafer of moss
from the wall, and set it on the water
to float [[away|Adjust2]].]]
(save-game:"A")This tunnel travels upwards,
(live:2s)[the air getting (text-style:"smear","expand")[lighter].]
(live:3s)[(if:$texture is "firm, weighty pressure")[You can hear the deep pressure
of a subterranean river.](if:$texture is "smooth, cool surfaces")[You take off wet shoes to go barefoot
on tread-polished stone.](if:$texture is "light, floaty softness")[You trail your fingers along
fluffy moss walls.]]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:5s)[Take a grounding breath: (seq-link: "inhale", "one", "two", "three", "hold", "exhale", "three", "two", "one", "and [[rest]]").]
Take a grounding breath.
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:4s)[In the quiet]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:5s)[between breaths, you hear]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:5.5s)[a rationed susurration.]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:6.5s)[You smell distant water:]
(transition:"dissolve")+(t8n-delay:7s)[cool ozone.]
(live:9s)[[[Follow the sound of wings.|wings]]
[[Follow the smell of water.|water]]
(if:visits >= 2)[You notice a third path [[forward]].]]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:0.5s)[You are close]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:1.5s)[to (text-colour:#0B5345)+(text-style:"smear")[fresh forest air].]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:2.5s)[But ''stay'' as long]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:3.5s)[as you like]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:5s)[and [[come back|Hello]]]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:6s)[//anytime//](transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:7s)[ to go deeper.]
(live:9s)[It's (current-time:) on (weekday:).]
(live:10s)[(link-reveal:"You are in no danger.")[(text-style:"blur")+(transition:"flicker")[ This cave was not real.]]]
(set: $location to (lowerfirst: $location))(live:11.5s)[(link-reveal:"You are safe in your $location.")[(text-style:"blur")+(transition:"flicker")[ There is moss under your nails.]]]
==>
(live:15s)[(css: "font-size: 90%;")[(text-colour:"black")[
Text by [<a href="https://zenobiafrost.com/" target="_blank">[''Zenobia Frost'']</a>]
Soundscape by [<a href="http://www.timothytate.com.au/" target="_blank">[''Timothy Tate'']</a>]]]]
(live:17s)+(text-style:"blur")[(css: "font-size: 75%;")[(text-colour:"black")[
This meditation arose
from a writing exercise
by Cardboard Computer:
call ''(0011) 1-858-943-6579''.]]]
(save-game:"A")
=><=
(text-style:"blur")[(live:0.5s)[In this confinement, you remember]
(set: $loss to (lowerfirst: $loss))(live:2s)[when you lost your $loss.]]
<==
(set: $lossage to (lowercase: $lossage))(text-style:"subscript","shadow","condense","fidget")[(live:4s)[You were $lossage.] (live:5.5s)[(text-style:"condense")[It's such a close, damp feeling:]]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:7s)[the way it sinks into you]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:8.5s)[(text-style:"condense")[like the air in this space.]]]
=><=
(css: "font-size: 85%;")[(live:12.5s)[''//Where do you [[feel|sinks]] that memory in your body?//'']](live:0.5s)[As you walk,]
(live:1.5s)[you tend the $texture]
(live:2.5s)[of $joyemotion]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:4s)[still there in your $joybody.]
(live:6s)[Your $pain (seq-link:"pangs","aches","eases")]
(live:7.5s)[as you (text-style:"expand")[make space]]
(live:9s)[in your $lossbody]
(live:10s)[for $lossemotion]
(live:11s)[to flow through you.]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:13.5s)[You are curious to hold]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:14.5s)[both these selves](set: $outcome to (lowercase: $outcome))
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:15.5s)[in a subterranean $outcome.]
(transition:"flicker")+(t8n-delay:17s)[//But there's no [[rush]].//]