Yin-yang. That’s the theme of the stories within the Mendaihu Universe.
It’s about balance. There is both evil and good within us. We rarely like to admit it, but we are all full of conflicting morals and ethics. We are driven both by our own emotions and thoughts, and what we are taught or expected to feel and think, and quite often they are all at loggerheads with each other.
I wanted to play around with this idea: what, ultimately, is the right thing to do?
This question is posited throughout the Bridgetown trilogy. Every character faces this same dilemma at some point in their arc. Each character is given some kind of ascension in their spirit, some form of advanced knowledge, and they must choose how to utilize it.
They are also given an advanced awareness as well: they are now conscious of other spirits around them, whether they like it or not. And ultimately this means that if they are to use their new knowledge, they are acutely aware of how it would affect not only themselves, but those around them.
“The Mendaihu are the watchers, the protectors, the saviors. And what of the Shenaihu? They’re the keepers of the ethereal: the mind, the heart, and the soul.” — Matthew Davison, The Persistence of Memories
The Mendaihu are often seen as having the upper hand, as they are more physical in their presence. They are the ones quietly doing their rounds, fully and completely aware of nearly everything and everyone around them, ensuring that every person out there is at peace. They are the ones willing to lay down their lives for those around them, if necessary. They may see the Shenaihu as troublemakers, the ones who are too quick to cause problems.
The Shenaihu are acutely aware of how the spiritual realm works. They are the ones keeping to themselves, uncomfortably too aware of nearly everything and everyone around them. They wish everyone could find their own peace, but are willing to assist if and when necessary. They may see the Mendaihu as too quick to involve themselves in everyone else’s problems.
Both are liberal in their thoughts and actions; both are conservative in their thoughts and actions. Both have faults, both have strengths. They may be coming from completely opposite sides, but they both crave the same thing: peace of spirit. Both are driven by the same goal: to do the right thing to achieve that peace.
The only answer, ultimately, is to find a perfect balance of both. This is the cho-nyhndah [cho-NYEEN-dah] spirit. Equally Mendaihu and Shenaihu in thought, heart, and deed.
Yin-yang.
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