GREY INITIATION There are only two ceremonies associated with becoming a member of the Order. One is the 'answer three questions' ritual. The questions can take many forms, but usually it involves something silly, and yet thought provoking. The other ceremony involves an interesting phenomenon sometimes known as "the infilling of the Force," and anciently known as the Lumen Naturae. The initiation ritual takes exactly 24 hours from beginning to end. The inductee is given an herbal mix reputed to cause a loosening of the barriers in the mind which normally are used to repress the Dark side. This includes inhibitions (both instinctive and learned), psychic 'engrams' (often placed in the mind while the Jedi was still in the creche), and fears. Deeply disturbing, when these fears begin to surface, the initiate is closeted in a private space. Afterwards the inductee is brought before other members, sometimes more but never less than three. Whatever activities take place the overall effort is to meditate. For the inductee, this is a period of 'stretching' the mind, using various excercises into the Dark side within, without losing the connection to the Light. The ultimate goal is to become a bridge between them. They are called The Grey Exercises, for obvious reasons. During the final hours all participants increase their meditative levels gradually until the group-mind is at a peak. The inductee's psyche is stripped bare of all defenses. The Dark side -- potentialities, latent irrationalities, imaginative fantasies are all exposed to the group mind. At this point the inductee will have some deep revelation pertinent to overcoming their own fear of and attraction to the Dark side. The signal to end the ceremony comes when one member begins a movement in the Force, which is carried through by the others. The initiate experiences an "infilling of the Force," which often includes physical manifestations such as involuntary levitation and phosphorescent displays. The lights are kept low during this period (probably so the other members can enjoy it-- it is reported to sometimes be spectacular). The body of the initiate is literally over-saturated with the Force-- and if this sounds groovy to you, then maybe you'd enjoy having a million volts go through you some time. Among the changes to be expected after the initiation will be a telepathic bond shared with the others in the room. The bond is consistent to all initiates, and is no different from a Jedi telepathic bond, except that it is shared only with other members of the Order (with some limits due to distance). As with a Master and Padawan, it takes focus and a little effort, but the ability is undeniable. To a large extent, the entire Order consists of a network of Force bondings, and the Force is not static but moves through and between bodies. Thus individuals who have bonded in this way are connected to all others who've undergone the rite. The physics of the bond created during a Grey Initiation rite are difficult to pinpoint. It is similar to the Jedi bond, yet more limited in scope; thus the mechanics are different. It is believed by some that because the initiate allows themselves such deep scrutiny by other members, an incredibly strong bond of trust is formed. The ability to send telepathic images and words may be a byproduct of this level of intimacy. However, because the body of the initiate undergoes such intense chemical reactions from the infilling of the Force (the metabolism alone increases to about ten times its normal speed for a period of at least ten minutes, which forces intense chemical reactions throughout the bodies of any and all species), one must expect that the brain is effected to some degree. This may also explain the subsequent telepathic bond. The bond is said to be 'permanent' but that has not been verified. It has been pointed out that such a telepathic bond between Grey Jedi may be a form of insurance against betrayal by any of its members. It is not, however, possible for the Grey to be 'mind-readers' so much as they are 'message-receptors' to eachother. A strong, directed thoughtform is needed, rather than simple curiosity. Jedi almost always have training in telepathic abilities (the so-called Jedi Mind Trick, for example). These abilities may be enhanced. The limits of the telepathic bond have not yet been determined.