LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 43: Chapter 43
Alex sat comfortably on his couch, eyes half-closed, drifting in and out of his thoughts. It had been more than a year since he'd first tapped into the shard's power, gaining his natal ability and slowly mastering its potential. Between crypto trading, guiding his online followers, and his frequent meditations, life had taken on a tranquil rhythm. The mental strength he'd acquired allowed him to navigate his day-to-day without the overwhelming use of Cognichip, relying more on his own natural ability than the "artificial enhancement".
He opened his laptop, logging onto the Star Gazer Forum, where his followers were buzzing with activity. The forum had grown significantly over the past few months, filled with people discussing meditation techniques, focus exercises, and memory enhancement. The testimonies had been flowing in—people had followed his advice, and their ability to focus had improved, along with their capacity to visualize complex things.
But despite all the positive feedback, Alex couldn't shake a nagging thought: none of his followers seemed to have reached the same level of mental strength as he had. No one had reached level 2.
"Interesting," Alex muttered to himself as he scrolled through the latest posts. "They're getting better, but no one's really unlocked that next stage."
Curiosity piqued, Alex decided to engage with a few of the more like-minded users. @Cosmic_Traveler, @ThirdEyeAwakened, and @Visionary_Void were regular contributors, each with their own experiences and perspectives on meditation and mental clarity. He opened a new thread:
Alex (StarGazer):
"Hey guys, I've been thinking about something. You've all made great strides in focusing and drawing from memory, but I'm wondering, what are your meditation methods like? Why do you think my current method has proven beneficial when your previous ones didn't work as well?"
It didn't take long for responses to start coming in. Cosmic_Traveler was the first to reply:
Cosmic_Traveler:
"Good question, StarGazer. Personally, my old meditation methods were more... rigid. I used to focus on mantras and breathing techniques. They worked to calm the mind, but I always felt like I hit a wall, you know? Your approach—visualizing the grand cosmos—gave me a sense of expansion, like I was tapping into something deeper than just calmness. It was more immersive."
Alex (StarGazer):
"That's interesting. So, you feel like it's more the mental imagery and less the traditional techniques that worked for you?"
Cosmic_Traveler:
"Yeah, exactly. I think the key is in the visualization. When I meditate now, it's like I'm part of something bigger, not just trying to force my mind to quiet down. That shift made all the difference."
ThirdEyeAwakened chimed in next:
ThirdEyeAwakened:
"For me, it was a matter of focus. I used to do 'mindful breathing' exercises, which helped with stress, but didn't really push my mental boundaries. When you introduced the concept of 'exploring the universe within,' it was like I had a framework to expand my focus beyond just here and now. I could feel things clicking in place mentally that I didn't know were possible."
Alex nodded as he read the responses. His method—one based on cosmic visualization—seemed to give people a broader framework for their focus. But why was it working so well? He leaned back and thought for a moment before typing:
Alex (StarGazer):
"Seems like the common thread here is that it's more about visualization than technique. But why do you think that shift is what made the difference? Is it just the mental imagery or the way you're engaging your mind differently?"
A few moments passed before Visionary_Void weighed in:
Visionary_Void:
"I think it's about both the image and the engagement. My old meditations were too mechanical—follow the breath, empty the mind. It worked for basic focus, but it wasn't inspiring, you know? Your method, on the other hand, feels active rather than passive. I'm not just sitting there, I'm exploring. There's an element of curiosity that wasn't there before. And curiosity keeps the mind engaged."
Cosmic_Traveler:
"I agree with Visionary_Void. It's the engagement, man. The sense that you're part of something vast and unknowable— it keeps you motivated. I think the reason people haven't hit the next level yet is because we're still in the process of fully immersing ourselves in that exploration. It's a lot more mental work than traditional methods."
Alex scratched his chin, considering their words. They were all making progress, but the true leap to level 2 might require more than just curiosity and engagement—it could be about pushing through mental barriers they hadn't even realized existed. Alex had stumbled upon his own breakthrough. He had felt the barriers but cognichip has a way of smoothing it overs, ensuring his meditation was on track at all times, but that wasn't something he could guide others to easily. He couldn't exactly explain the effect of a universe-shard in one's soul.
Alex (StarGazer):
"Thanks for the insights. I think you're onto something. The shift in engagement is definitely key. I wonder if the next step for all of you is finding a way to deepen that immersion even further. Maybe try focusing on the feeling of exploration rather than just the visual part, also try to get the correct representation of what you visualize and not just make up images. It could unlock something more."
They continued exchanging thoughts on various meditation techniques for the next hour, discussing everything from breathwork to transcendental meditation to focus training. As he logged off, Alex felt more certain about one thing: his method was definitely helping people, but he was still miles ahead in terms of mental growth.
Sitting back, he reflected on his own journey. His meditation practice had evolved into something deeply personal, a way for him to grow his mind, strengthen his mental abilities, and push toward higher levels of cognition. Level 2 had been a revelation, but what would Level 3 bring?
Could I reach those same levels without the shard's influence? he wondered.
With a deep breath, Alex closed his eyes and began his daily meditation. Even with all the questions surrounding his abilities, one thing was clear—this was his journey to walk.