Avatar: Energybending

 Against all odds, there is another "Avatar" post.  Originally I had planned on sticking to the four general bending arts, but I have had a few requests (or demands) that Energybending have it's place as well.  So, here we are!  Energybending!

Long before Firebending, Aribending, Waterbending, or Earthbending, any of the four nations or the Avatar, there was Energybending.  Energybending is the ability to bend life energy.  People would bend the energy within themselves.  By bending a person's life energy one can give knowledge instantly or remove one's bending completely.  It is a very dangerous art.

To bend another's life energy, your own spirit must be un-bendable.  If there is any sign of weakness  in one's spirit (or bendability), they risk being infected by the spirit of the one they are bending and can be corrupted and or even killed.  

"The true mind can weather all the lies and illusions without being lost. The true heart can touch the poison of hatred without being harmed. Since beginning-less time, darkness thrives in the void, but always yields to purifying light". (The Lion-Turtle)

Energybending can come with a cost.  But those who have a strong spirit can master it.  In the series, there are only two known users of this art: Aang and the Lion Turtle.  Aang (the Avatar) is faced with a giant moral dilema at the end of the "Avatar" series;  he can either kill the evil Fire Lord Ozai (which is what the Avatars of the past guide him to do), or follow his heart and let him live.  Ozai is the epitome of evil and one of the greatest Firebenders ever (if not the best).  To let him live would allow him to strike back again one day, but killing him would go against everything Aang stands for.

So, what does he do?  Aang realizes that the only way for there to be peace and still have Ozai live is for him to Energybend Ozai, taking away his Firebending.  Aang had the spiritual strength needed for the task.

Aang was prepared.  He studied, pondered, and worked hard.  He also stayed true to his beliefs.  I realize that this may sound repetitious, but it's the little things that matter.  To build up our spirits, we must study, ponder, pray, and work!  We are at war with Satan.  He is strong, but we are stronger.  We will win!  To win, our spirits must be strong.  Satan is constantly working at our spirits.  He tries to weaken us, corrupt us, and destroy us spiritually.  By doing these seemingly small things, we will stand victorious.  So, read your scriptures.  Study them.  Go to church.  Pray.  Serve others.  Obey the commandments.

Be a master Energybender!  Have a true heart, true mind, and solid spirit.  No weakness.

Avatar: Airbending

This post has been in the making for some time now.  I love the TV show "Avatar: The Last Airbender."  One of the best cartoon shows that has come out in a LONG time.  The show features "bending", which is the ability to manipulate an element.  Each element has it's respective nation in the "Avatar world" and bending art.  The four elemental Bending Arts are based on the four elements: water, earth, fire and air. Each are manipulated through certain martial art styles which resemble that of the element.  (Hope you're following me thus far.)

Today, I would like to talk about airbending.

Airbending is, obviously, the manipulation of air.  It is a unique style of bending.  There's no limitations as to environmental factors (air is everywhere) and they use their own momentum as the weapon.  Airbenders are fast, agile, and able to deflect or negate opponents attacks.  This style is actually more of a defensive style with lots of circular movements.  The Air Nomads set themselves apart from the world, focusing on spirituality and peace.

Though their numbers were always less than that of the other nations, everyone in the Air nation was able to bend because they kept themselves apart from the worldly problems.  Let me repeat the last part again, but amended a tad: they kept themselves apart from the world.

We weren't sent to earth for riches, fame, or honor.  We are here to "...1prepare to meet God: yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."  Continually we are told to be "in the world, but not of the world."  For me, the Airbenders understood this concept.

They focused on peace and freedom.  What would it be like to have a world of Airbenders? (aside from the bending, which would be pretty sweet!)  For one thing, we would all be that much more spiritual.  The world would be united in seeking the kingdom of God (2).  Obviously we still wouldn't be perfect, but striving to be perfect would be a whole lot easier!

Maybe it's because I have been up in Northern California for a while, but peace and love should be everywhere!  As Uncle Iroh says "protection and power are overrated. I think you are very wise to choose happiness and love."  Find that inner Airbender.  Set yourself apart from the teachings of the world and build up that spirituality!  As you do so, you will find more peace and you will be happier.