#mainly because this particular class is really difficult for me to wrap my brain around so i just tend to sit there and nod

[hiswhiteknight]

Fighting with Fire – Part 3

Summary:  The Reader is friends with Erin Reagan, but absolutely hates one of her brother’s. After meeting Erin for a case, Reader meets Erin’s youngest brother. But due to her hatred of a certain Reagan, the Reader isn’t necessarily warm towards the youngest Reagan.

Pairing: Jamie Reagan X Fire Fighter Reader

Words: 1700

Warning: This chapter focuses around learning attack strategy, please be cautious if this can be difficult. I recommend watching Chelsea Kyann tutorials about self-defense. Also some cursing, eventual angst, eventual fluff

As much as it displeased you, it was nice to have a male volunteer. It was usually one of your brothers or one of the guys from the station. Usually they are pretty distracting for the ladies at first, but it was able to show them potential real-life scenarios. However, it did feel strange bossing a Reagan around. Eddie, Jamie, and a friend who was a fighting instructor for jujitsu named Chloe.

Chloe walked up to you, leaning in, “Well this is new, what a snack.”

You and her watched Eddie and Jamie chatted with a few regulars. You could tell it meant a lot to them both to build rapport with the community. It felt strange to not see a Reagan male not take up so much space and give off an ego, testosterone driven vibe. If his brother were in this space, he would show the woman he is a strong powerful male, who will protect and avenge their justice. Jamie vibe was a bit different and you couldn’t necessarily map it, which bothered the shit of you. Acknowledging Chloe’s statement, you made a vomiting sound in your mouth, “Get your mind out of the gutter.”

She looked at you strangely, straightening up and turning to look directly at you, “Something weird is going on.” She looked at you closer, Chloe had a psychology degree and loves to add her own analyses to things. Usually she only uses it to counselor some women after a bad trigger or if they want to open about a past trauma. Before she can pick your brain or poke you, you clap your hands heading towards the crew.

This caught Jamie’s reaction, as you ignored the mischievous look your friend is giving from behind you. He turned his body to face you, “What do you need boss?”

You shook you head, “Don’t call me that,” you point at him. You spend the time to give the group of women a greeting before directing instructions towards the pair, “So Eddie, I’d love for you to help pair women up and volunteer to be someone’s partner. Chloe usually floats because she is the true expert when it comes to fighting techniques.”

“Sounds great,” Eddie nodded.

Clearing your throat, you look at Jamie, “I don’t think I have to tell you, but most women in these classes had some bad experience with a man.” He nodded his head slightly, still listening, “I don’t let men come to this particular class to learn for a reason. Though usually a guy plays an especially important role in this class.”

Jamie looked excited, rubbing his hands together, “What is it?”

“My dummy,” you smirk. Eddie chuckled into her hand, trying to make it sound like a cough. You took a second to think about your feelings, a glow of satisfaction to be able to kick the crap of a Reagan and nervousness, though you couldn’t pin point why, “That’s not a problem is it?”

He shook his head, “Use me any way you need,” he tried not to smirk.

You look him up and down, looking unamused by his comment, “Stay hydrated, I don’t need you passing out,” you said walking away to prep your resources and workspace.

Eddie tapped him on the chest, “Real smooth Romeo.”

He looked down at her, before glancing back towards you, “I think I got a chance.”

Straightening up to look at him directly, she wore an amused look at her face, “That woman is going to eat you alive.”

 You had all the women pair up and explained the boundaries and expectations of the class, like not pushing themselves and taking a break if they feel overwhelmed or exhausted. It’s a rousing speech about the realities of being a woman and how to be a community. You introduced your volunteers before instructing each of them to discuss their comfortability level with their partners, as well a little about themselves. This gave you time to look at Jamie to explain some of the movies and what he should do, “You got to make it real,” you say to him. “Don’t be gentle, don’t hold back, the best these women can learn is if they see what it’ll possibly look like in real life if it happens.”

“If I were to hold back, it would be because I know you can kick my ass,” he whispered down to you, “But I get your point.” He looked around to the women talking, “You did quite a thing here, I wish we had a program like this.”

You blinked a few times, looking taken back. You never anticipated hearing something nice from a Reagan, well at least a young Reagan, “Thank you.” You instructed the women to wrap it up to start the officially lesson.

Jamie noticed how you got flustered after his compliment. He decided to break whatever tension you were feeling, “Should we have like a safe word?”

You smirk, not looking at him, “Just tap out Reagan, give me a few taps.”

 You hated to say it, but Jamie was a great asset. As you taught the class about getting attacked in different scenarios, from the front, the back, with a weapon, etc, he was patient with you tossing him around and hurting him in various ways. He and Eddie were able to add some insight from the police perspective. And he was extremely good at complimenting and empowering the woman. Honestly, outside of enjoying beating up on a Reagan, he was a great member of the team.

This was the last exercise of the day, where the attack gets them on the ground. This was the first time Jamie seemed hesitant, “Well let’s go dummy,” a few woman chuckle.

Taking a deep breath, Jamie gets on top of you and you start your instructions, like how to use your legs, how to protect your body, different ways to use your own weight as your weapon. Your favorite instruction dealt with using the attacker’s shirt as your weapon. It didn’t have to do with as much strength as it was strategy. Jamie rapidly tap at your waist, you let go and bounced up before instructing the pairs to try. Jamie finally caught his breath stepping up to you, “I wish Danny knew who scary you were.”

You let a laugh leave your mouth while watching some pairs. You give him one more smile before walking away to give some individual tips.

 After some talking with some of the students and cleaning up, Chloe and Eddie were talking about the next lesson when Jamie approached you, “This was really great, I hope you keep me in mind to help even if I’m a Reagan.”

You look away from the brochures in your hands, “The jury is still out on you, but I’m getting a vibe you are different from your brothers.” You put rest of the stuff in your resource box, “Thank you for your help, you are always welcomed.” Jamie was about to say something, “But don’t think for a second I’m letting my guard down, this might be a ploy from Danny about getting in my head. I’ve got my eyes on you and him.”

He put up his hands defensively, “If that was ever a plan, I would never start something with you after what I learned today.”

You jabbed at him, “And that is just the tip of the iceberg there sparky, spread the word don’t mess with Y/N Y/L/N.”

Shaking his head, fighting this feeling on intrigue he has about you, “I will definitely spread the word of your power to all who can hear, mainly Danny.” You smirk holding your box, waving to Chloe as she headed out, “Look Eddie and I are grabbing a beer, would you want to join us?”

Eddie was casually looking at you both from the stairs. You were taken back for a second, “Oh, I’m sorry. I just got done working a 48-hour shift, I’m dead on my feet. But thank you, like for everything.”

“My pleasure, really and maybe next time,” he started to walk you towards the entrance, meeting up with Eddie, “You wouldn’t want to walk us to our car, would you,” he joked at you.

You genuinely laughed, shaking your head. You plopped your box in you back seat before looking at him. Eddie tried to stop her scoff of his response. He surprised you differently from any other Reagan including his sister and father, “I don’t believe that in necessary, I felt all that muscle you got underneath there,” you point towards his clothing. “Plus, you’ve got Eddie I know she saves you all the time from humiliation, attackers, etc.”

“She’s got that right,” she pointed at you, “Bye Y/N.”

Jamie started to walk backwards in the direction of Eddie, “I’ll see you later Y/N.”

“Take your time,” you smile back at him, “I’ve had my monthly fill of Reagan males.”

You got in your car, starting it up, and driving off. Something was different and you didn’t take the time to acknowledge your physical attraction to the younger Reagan. It was easy to distract your thoughts when teaching self-defense, but now all you could think about was Jamie’s body and how it felt around you.

 Eddie teased Jamie some more about the interaction between the two of you, “Hey man, you’re making waves. This time she didn’t show her teeth and she acknowledged your assets,” she gestured to his body.

He rolled his eyes, “Shut up.” He drank some of his beer, “I’m not crazy right, you see the chemistry?”

“Oh no, you’re crazy,” she commented. “But I do like to watch you try to be charming and epically get torn apart by her,” she added.

He shook his head thinking about you, you had a good feeling and it had nothing to do with hate, “Whatever, I am charming.”

Eddie scoffed before getting distracted by a game on a tv.

Taglist: @screeching-student-unknown

#Jamie Reagan #jamie reagan imagine #jamie reagan x reader #Blue Bloods #blue bloods fanfiction #blue blood imagines #fanfiction

[phynxrizng]

MEDITATION A PAGAN APPORACH TO A UNIVERSAL PRACTICE

PAGAN Meditation: A Pagan Approach to a Universal Practice

JANUARY 9, 2018

Source, Patheos.com/ pagan

BY JOHN BECKETT

For all I’ve talked about the importance of meditation over nine years of blogging, I’ve never written a post specifically on meditation.

It’s not my strongest practice. And the kind of meditation I do most frequently isn’t the kind people are most familiar with. But meditation is a foundational spiritual practice and it’s long past time I gave it a post of its own.

I have two interrelated definitions of meditation. Meditation is reflection, contemplation, and focusing your thoughts on a single point. Meditation is also listening, especially when we listen for the presence of the Gods and spirits.

Mindfulness meditation

This is the meditation our Buddhist friends teach, and that has caught on with people of many religions. Simply sit and focus your attention on your breathing. That’s all. When your mind starts to wander, gently bring your focus back to your breath.

Some traditions place importance on proper posture. Some say the goal is to empty the mind, while others say the goal is simply to sit. As a Pagan, I’m less concerned about Buddhist thoughts about meditation than I am about learning Buddhist techniques for meditation. I’ve taken two classes from local Buddhist groups on meditation – I could probably use another one.

The benefits of mindfulness meditation are many and verifiable. It can lower blood pressure, reduce stress and depression (though it is not a panacea), and there is evidence it can improve overall brain health. Mainly, it trains the mind to ignore distractions and focus only on the task at hand. This skill is extremely helpful in other spiritual practices.

It’s also a difficult skill to cultivate. It’s not like riding a bicycle, where once you’ve got it, you’ve got it for life. The “monkey mind” is always there, eager to latch on to the next shiny distraction. Mindfulness meditation requires constant practice.

Contemplative meditation

This is the form of meditation I practice most often. In this situation, we are still trying to focus our attention on just one thing, but instead of the breath we’re focusing on a concept, an ideal, or a person – in particular the person of a deity.

I find it easiest to meditate in a darkened room. The dark hides many this-world distractions and makes it easier to focus on Otherworldly persons and what they have to say. I usually sit on the floor, in part because that’s what I learned from Buddhist meditation classes, but also because it’s convenient. However, I injured my back in 2016 and sometimes that makes it difficult to sit on the floor (actually, I can sit on the floor just fine – it’s getting up off the floor that’s the challenge). If I’m having a bad day I sit in a chair instead.

If I’m going to meditate on a deity, I’ll place Their statue or other representation in front of me. I light just enough candles to see the image clearly – usually one candle will do.

I begin with a couple of deep breaths to relax, and then I offer a prayer of invocation.

“Cernunnos, Lord of the Animals and Lord of the Hunt, God of the Forest and of Green Growing Things, I ask you to join me here and bless me with your presence. Great Hunter and Hunted, be welcome here.” If I’m doing this as part of a larger devotional ritual I’ll make offerings here. If this is just a meditation, this is the extent of my invocation.

And then I sit, gaze at the statue, and contemplate the deity of the occasion. In the case of Cernunnos, I may begin by concentrating on a mighty stag, or on a man with antlers on his head. Unlike mindfulness meditation where the goal is to empty the mind or to keep it focused solely on the breath, in this meditation I let my mind go where it will – but only within the limits of the object of the meditation.

So, if I’m meditating on Cernunnos, and I start to see a forest, I explore the forest. If an animal catches my attention, I watch it. I may smell the air, feel the wind, or drink the water. If my mind starts to wander from drinking water to drinking wine to the bottle of wine I want to pick up next time I’m out, then I bring my focus back to the statue and back to Cernunnos and all the virtues, values, and persons associated with Him.

Nature meditation

This same technique works very well in Nature. Instead of using a statue or other image, go outside and focus on a tree, a rock, the moon, or a star.

These meditations tend to be much shorter than indoor sitting meditations. You can only stand looking up at the moon for so long before your neck or back or legs start to become an unavoidable distraction. That’s OK – I’ve had some amazing experiences of the night sky that lasted less than a minute… and some that lasted much longer.

If you’re watching the sunrise or sunset, it’s OK to move around a bit. It’s OK to sit in a chair and take in the whole landscape. Some of the most powerful Nature meditations involve trees. Find a suitable tree, introduce yourself, and ask if the tree would like to speak with you. If you get a positive response (you’ll feel it, not hear it) sit on the ground with your back resting on the trunk of the tree. Now contemplate the tree, its roots and branches, the sap flowing through it, and the creatures living in it. See what it sees, feel what it feels. Listen.

Don’t expect the tree to “teach” you anything. Trees are persons who do their own things for their own reasons – they’re not here to serve humans. But like all persons, we can form relationships with them, relationships that when done right are beneficial to both parties.

Walking meditation

This is my favorite and most frequent form of meditation. It can be devotional or contemplative or even mindful, but it’s done while walking outdoors (there are people who can do walking meditation on a treadmill – that’s extremely difficult for me and I rarely try).

I exercise before work most weekday mornings. Because of the hours of my job, that means I’m usually outdoors before dawn, but it starts to get light before I’m done. There is something magical about beginning a meditation in darkness and finishing in light – liminal zones are powerful times.

Some of my best writing is done while walking. Is that meditation? Not exactly, but the process is very similar. As with the contemplative meditation, I let my mind go where it will, within the boundaries of the topic at hand. If it starts to wander into the upcoming work day or next month’s vacation, I bring it back to what I’m trying to write about.

Listening

Mindfulness meditation builds skills in focusing. Contemplative meditation builds skills in listening.

Contemplate a deity and you will inevitably begin with the things you know about Them: Cernunnos is a God of the Animals. Continue the contemplation and you will start to realize that the things you know carry implications: if I’m devoted to a God of the Animals then I should make sure my home is welcoming to animals, or at least not hostile to them. These implications can be many and deep.

But after a while, contemplation morphs into listening. Now you “hear” things that are neither your thoughts nor the implications of your thoughts. Now you “hear” the voices of Others.

That always raises the question of how you know which thoughts are yours and which thoughts are communication from someone else.

The first clue comes from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi: know thyself. If you know yourself well, it’s fairly easy to know which thoughts are yours and which aren’t. But knowing yourself is a continuous challenge.

Does what you hear tell you something you already know? Does it tell you something you want to be true? Does it tell you things will be just fine the way they are – that you don’t have to do anything? That’s probably you.

If it tells you something you had no way of knowing, something that challenges you to move out of your comfort zone, or something you don’t really want to do? That’s likely not you.

Compare what you hear with what’s known about the God, ancestor, or spirit who’s talking to you – is it “in character” for them? Compare it with what other practitioners are hearing – let UPG (unverified personal gnosis) become SPG (shared personal gnosis). Pull out your favorite divination tool… or better yet, contact an experienced diviner.

Is hearing from a God just too much for you? I’m a polytheist who has heard from Gods and spirits for so long I don’t think to question it anymore, but I know some of you do. If you can’t wrap your head around the idea of Gods and spirits communicating directly with humans, don’t worry about the source and concentrate on the message. What are you hearing? Does it make good sense? Is it in alignment with your values and your ethics? Then just do it.

Meditation is most commonly associated with Buddhism, but it is practiced in every religion and occasionally by people with no religion. Its regular practice has demonstrable benefits, and it builds the skills necessary for many spiritual experiences.

 If you’re looking for a spiritual practice to begin this January, try meditation.

REPOSTED BY, PHYNXRIZNG