The Trailokya Trilogy: Gyuto Order, Home of the Astral Masters

Gyuto Order is one of the many orders that can be found behind the gates of Zion. Gates in this sense are less the physical object we are familiar with, usually taking the form of metal rods, ornately arranged to create a door that is used to keep people in/out. Zion has these gates too, but THE gates of Zion are the barriers between that plane and others. Have you read The Seven Planes: A Primer? That article lays out the different planes of existence you’ll encounter in the trilogy. Another term for this barrier could be the veil. Or, as you’ll read in the books Khajala.

Gyuto is no different than the other orders, in that part of their culture is emulated here on earth. You might recognize them in Buddhist cultures of East Asia. This makes a lot of sense, because they spend a great deal of time honing their minds through meditation and focused exercise (both physical and mental). Praefect Shen’s name translates from Chinese to mean Spirit. His fifth daughter, who is featured in The Shadow Soul, Dao-ming, her name translates, also from Chinese, to mean Shining Path. The meanings become apparent when examined through the context of the narrative.

Did you know there is a monastery in Korea of the name Gyuto? Mind Blown. Check them out here.

The duty of Gyuto Order is to maintain the Astral gates found throughout Zion. These openings in the barriers between the planes, protected by actual gates that are sealed at regular intervals. Guardians of the order stand guard to ensure that the Khajala holds, although it is thin in these places, and may allow outworlders to pass into Zion unchecked. The Khajala weakens further when the sun is down, making it advisable to seal the gates.

What is beyond the gates? The Astral plane. Those familiar with paranormal lore and spiritual lore will be familiar with this term. They also are aware that this world is open to anyone. Most access it via dreaming, so they are enter in a mental state (the barrier is very weak between Samsara and Astral, more so at night, just like Zion). The openings in Samsara are many and shifting, because Astral is closer to Samsara than it is to Zion, buffered by the Avernus.

Because Astral is accessible by any being, it can be a dangerous place to hang out. It’s twice as dangerous because it relies on thought to shape it’s reality. If you’re not careful with what you’re thinking, you could have a Ray moment and be trampled by a giant marshmallow. Now you see why the order spends all of its time practicing mental stability and control. The mind is such a flippant and quick thing, that it needs a great deal of constant training to keep it focused. Because the Gyutos enter the Astrals with their true body forms exhibited, they also physically train the atman. Unlike a bio-suit, the atman learns to express energy efficiently without getting distracted.

Dao-ming and her father are referred to as Astral Masters. Those who join their order, are not usually family, but Shen’s children are strong with the ability, likely because of his own training. The youngling who are sorted into this order out of the Ordo Priori (I’ll talk about this place in the future) will undergo a great deal of training before boasting such a title. It speaks to Dao-ming’s ability that she is only ranked a Draco and has such an additional title, not to mention the privilege of escorting a Svarg into Astral as his guide and protector. Moving up the ranks in Gyuto is much harder than any other order, as they’re charged with such an important task. The athletic and brainy overachievers are the best suited for such a position.

Click here to learn more about the Orders in The Trailokya Trilogy, and let me know what Order you think you’d belong to in the comments.

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