Phil Hine - Prime Chaos

8/12/2019 Phil Hine - Prime Chaos

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword by Grant Morrison

PART I - CHAOS is EVER!HERE

Ad"ent#res In Ma$i%T&e 'yna(i%s o) Sor%eryInitiationE*+eri(ents in Be,ie)Mi%roaeoni%s

PART II - 'NAMIC RITAL

Introd#%tionCore E,e(ents o) Rit#a,T&e Co(+onents o) Rit#a,

E*a(+,e Ty+es o) Rit#a,In"o%ationE"o%ationAstra, Ma$i%s

PART III - GROP EFFECTS

Introd#%tion!&at is a Gro#+ .

Sta$es o) Gro#+ 'e"e,o+(entIss#es S+e%i)i% to Ma$i%a, Gro#+sR#nnin$ Gro#+s


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PART IV - LIBER NICE / LIBER NAST

Liber Ni%eLiber Nasty

F#rt&er Readin$

FOREWORD

by Grant Morrison

T&e initiate in t&e Tibetan C&0d rit#a, is re1#ired to #nder$o a "isionary e*+erien%e in w&i%& t&e+&ysi%a, body is dis(e(bered and de"o#red by de(ons w&i,e t&e 2&i$&er se,)2 wat%&es3 #n(o"ed byt&e $r#eso(e destr#%tion o) its ),es&4 T&is ty+e o) e*+erien%e3 %o((on to t&e s&a(ani% tradition3de(onstrates t&e so(eti(es "io,ent and #n%o(+ro(isin$ nat#re o) 2s+irit#a,2 or 2+aradi$(2 %&an$e4

E(er$in$ )ro( t&e eerie ,#nar 5ones between t&e +o,ar )ires o) +#n6 ro%6 and t&e T&at%&er ra"eyears3 C&aos Ma$i% &as $rown and (#,ti+,ied and di"ersi)ied3 e"o,"in$ o#t t&ro#$& t&e (inds o) its+ra%titioners7 it &as no s&a+e3 it breeds ,i6e a )ra%ta, and (#tates as it $oes4 2It2 %#rrent,y e(bra%esas+e%ts o) t&e Crow,ey %#,t3 s&a(anis(3 NLP3 Rei%&ian bodywor63 Eastern t&o#$&t3 "oodoo3Sit#ationist t&eory3 H4P4 Lo"e%ra)t3 C,i"e Bar6er3 !a,t 'isney and anyt&in$ e,se yo# (i$&t %are to addto t&at ,ist4 S&atterin$ and bindin$ si(#,taneo#s,y3 a,ways #+ )or a ,a#$&3 C&aos +ro"ides one #se)#,(ode, )or t&e ne*t sta$e in t&e %o,,e%ti"e #+$radin$ o) (an %ons%io#sness4

Ear,y si$ns (ay indi%ate t&at (an so%iety is enterin$ a ti(e in w&i%& t&e %reati"e synt&esis o)

a++arent,y %ontradi%tory +ositions wi,, be%o(e )#nda(enta, to o#r t&in6in$4 In t&e %#rrent (a$i%a,s#b%#,t#re3 no one syt&esi5es wit& t&e en%y%,o+aedi% ran$e and %reati"ity o) P&i, Hine4

P&i, is3 in (y o+inion3 t&e )ore(ost inter+reter o) t&e %&aos +aradi$(4 His resear%&es3 in territories)ra#$&t wit& %on)#sion and $,a(o#r3 are not on,y inno"ati"e and i(a$inati"e3 not on,y )ree )ro( se,)-a$$randi5e(ent and do$(a3 b#t are a,so i((ense,y ,#%id and readab,e4 P&i, o))ers +ra%ti%a,3detai,ed in)or(ation on &ow (a$i% o+erates and s#$$ests e*+eri(ents w&i%& %an 8and s&o#,d9 bed#+,i%ated and "eri)ied4 He ne"er obs%#res or o"ere,aborates b#t sti,, (ana$es to asto#nd wit& t&ede+t& o) &is e*+erien%e and t&e s%o+e o) &is s+e%#,ations4 Pri(e C&aos +#,,s ba%6 t&e (ot&-eaten%#rtains to e*+ose and dis(iss (#%& o) t&e +se#do-$ot& t&eatri%a,ity w&i%& sti,, &a(+ers t&e#nderstandin$ o) (a$i%3 b#t at t&e sa(e ti(e3 ne"er ,oses si$&t o) t&e wonder3 t&e terror and t&e aweo) tr#e $nosis4

P&i, brin$s (anity3 sanity3 insanity and wit to a s#b:e%t w&i%& wi,,3 I be,ie"e3 +enetrate (ore dee+,yinto t&e )abri% o) o#r ,i"es3 as s%ien%e ada+ts its bo#ndaries to a%%o((odate so(e o) t&e%on%,#sions (a$i%ians &a"e a,ready rea%&ed3 and as (a$i% ,ets $o o) t&e 2o%%#,t2 as+e%ts w&i%&on%e +rote%ted its +ra%titioners )ro( t&e +ower o) a tota,itarian %r%& b#t w&i%& ser"e now on,y to

obs%#re4


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'ire%t %on)rontation wit& C&aos is #n(ista6ab,e and a"ai,ab,e to anyone w&o is +re+ared to si(+,ydo t&e wor6 and o+en t&e doors4 T&is boo6 re+resents t&e %#ttin$ ed$e o) (a$i% t&eory and +ra%ti%e7it wi,, +ro"ide as (any 6eys as yo# need b#t3 as e"er3 t&e t&eory (ay )ire t&e i(a$ination b#t %annot

in t&e end s#bstit#te )or +ersona, e*+erien%e4 Read t&en 'O4

T&e +enis o) t&e President o) t&e SA is t&e s#b:e%t o) (edia debate7 a Britis& )ootba,, staranno#n%es to news+a+ers t&at )i"e se+arate de(ons are o%%#+yin$ &is body7 a )airyta,e +rin%ess is6i,,ed by %a(eras4 I) e"er t&e ti(e was ri+e )or t&e wider e(er$en%e o) t&e C&aos %#rrent3 t&at ti(e iss#re,y now4

C&ar,es Fort (ade t&e $no(i% obser"ation t&at it stea( en$ines w&en it;s stea( en$ine ti(e4

!e,, 444 it;s stea( en$ine ti(e and t&e %&0d rit#a, &as a,ready be$#n )or $,oba, %#,t#re4 T&e wor,d t&atwas3 is now in t&e +ro%ess o) wat%&in$ its own disinte$ration wit& &orror and e*&i,aration4 !&at+ossib,e trans)or(ations ,ie a&ead w&en3 )ina,,y3 we ,et t&e o,d %or+se $o.Not&in$ is tr#e3 e"eryt&in$ is +er(itted4As t&e ro,,er-%oaster ride into t&e )#t#re $at&ers s+eed3 Pri(e C&aos is a s#r"i"a, (an#a, )or t&e #,y =??@

PART I

CHAOS IS EVER!HERE

A'VENTRES IN MAGIC

I strayed onto t&e +at& dire%t4- A#stin Os(an S+are

A )riend said to (e re%ent,y3 2I;( :#st not doin$ eno#$& (a$i%a, wor6 at t&e (o(ent42 I nodded3t&in6in$3 2ea&3 I;"e been t&ere42 T&ere is a 6ind o) %ree+in$ Protestant !or6 Et&i% i(+,i%it in (odern(a$i%3 a "iew t&at yo# &a"e to wor6 at (a$i% be)ore yo# $et anyw&ere3 doin$ yo#r re$#,ar +ra%ti%e-"is#a,isation3 (editation3 dai,y banis&in$3 (#tterin$ yo#r %&osen (antra on t&e train3 %ontro,,in$ yo#rdrea(s et%4-#nti, it be%o(es ;&ard wor6; a%%o(+anied by a $#i,t tri+ i) yo# s,a%6en o)) or ta6e a brea64So(e ti(e a$o I was readin$ a basi% (a$i%a, trainin$ +ro$ra((e in so(e boo6 or ot&er and It&o#$&t3 2ea&3 I bet t&is $#y went to a +#b,i% s%&oo,2-t&e 6ind o) +,a%e w&ere yo# $et #+ at dawn )ora %o,d bat&3 r#n ro#nd t&e +,ayin$ )ie,ds and $et beaten sense,ess at e"ery o++ort#nity4 T&e way t&e$#y was $oin$ on3 I wo#,dn;t &a"e been s#r+rised i) so(e Ar%&an$e, &ad a++eared3 tnderin$32HINE o# didn;t do yo#r dai,y banis&in$ t&is (ornin$ Stand in t&e %orner boy #nti, yo# %an re%ite a,,t&e $od-na(es in Assia&2 T&at sort o) t&in$4

I &ate doin$ ot&er +eo+,e;s (a$i%a, trainin$ %o#rses3 as (y nat#ra, in%,ination is to :#(+ aro#nd )ro(

one area o) interest to anot&er4 In t&e (idd,e o) a Tantri% +&ase o) (a$i%a, wor63 I (i$&t s#dden,y $eta ;),as&; insi$&t into so(e as+e%t o) western aba,a&3 and $o o)) at a tan$ent4 Most (a$i%a, trainin$+ro$ra((es don;t a%%o#nt )or t&is sort o) t&in$4 So I &a"e )o#nd t&at )or (e3 t&e best way to sti%6 to a


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+ro$ra((e is to r#n away to )orei$n +arts4 Nowadays3 t&ere are ,i)esty,es +a%6a$e &o,idays w&ereyo# %an :et o#t to So#t& A(eri%a3 to#r t&e ,o%a, sa%red sites in t&e %o(+any o) so(e New A$e;s&a(ani%; tea%&er3 "isit a Br#:a and &a"e so(e 6ind o) +sy%&ede,i% %on%o%tion +o#red down yo#r

t&roat4 Or yo# %an boo6 onto ;(a$i%a,; to#rs o) E$y+t3 and dis%o"er yo#r +ast ,i)e as a Hi$& Priest o)Isis at Gi5a4 T&is is si(+,y +ayin$ to &a"e yo#r )antasies %on)ir(ed3 and it ,eads to sit#ations w&ereNew A$ers and re)or(ed dr#ids %o(e o"er to t&e and start b#ryin$ %rysta,s at sa%red sites to;%orre%t; t&eir a,i$n(ents4 I) yo# rea,,y want to &a"e a (a$i%a, ti(e in )orei$n +arts3 a"oid t&is sort o)t&in$ ,i6e t&e +,a$#e4 Go so(ew&ere t&at isn;t &ea"i,y (edia-sat#rated4 'eta%&ed )ro( t&e %#s&ion o))riends3 ,an$#a$e3 and te,e"ision3 it;s (#%& easier to $et into (a$i%a, +ra%ti%e in a bi$ way3 +artia,,y;%os it;s (#%& easier to )ind t&e ti(e4 And t&e w&o,e t&in$ be%o(es (ore interestin$ as yo#;re not(ere,y doin$ +ranaya(a t&ree ti(es a day3 yo#;re &a"in$ an ad"ent#re And (a$i%ians are ,ar$er-t&an-,i)e %&ara%ters4 Ha"in$ ad"ent#res is a,(ost (andatory I (ean3 w&i%& so#nds better3 boastin$t&at yo#;"e in"o6ed t&e $reat $od Pan )ro( a bedsit in Basin$sto6e3 or %oo,,y (entionin$ t&at yo# didt&ree &o#rs o) no-(ind (editation st#%6 in a b#n6er w&i,st t&e PLO ,a#n%&ed ro%6ets at t&e ibb#t5yo# were stayin$ on.

I) yo# %an;t :#st dro+ e"eryt&in$ and r#n o)) to Ibi5a3 t&en (a6e doin$ (a$i% an ad"ent#re at &o(e4And a$ain3 t&is )or (e is so(et&in$ near to t&e %ore o) w&at (a$i% is abo#t -,ea(in$ to e*+erien%eyo#r wor,d in di))erent ways3 i) on,y so t&at yo# %an start twea6in$ it $ent,y at t&e ed$es4 'oin$ (a$i%is abo#t bein$ res+onsi"e to t&e %&a,,en$es o) yo#r en"iron(ent-o)ten a res+onse borne o#t o)

ne%essity4 !&en yo# )ind yo#rse,) d#(+ed in Cairo at D a4(4 wit& yo#r ,#$$a$e at t&e ot&er end o)t&e %ity yo# %an be$in to a++re%iate t&e stren$t&s o) a )reesty,e a++roa%& to +ra%ti%a, (a$i% w&i%&enab,es yo# to s&a+e ideas and a++roa%&es and +#,,in$ to$et&er an ad &o% en%&ant(ent to sort o#tt&e sit#ation4 T&e (ista6e t&at new%o(ers to +ra%ti%a, (a$i% o)ten (a6e is t&at3 &a"in$ identi)ied a+rob,e(3 t&ey $o ,oo6in$ )or a ;rit#a,; or s+e,, w&i%& t&ey be,ie"e wi,, re(o"e it4 Now I;"e ne"er seen as+e,, to ;dis%o"er w&ere t&e &e,, yo#r ,#$$a$e &as $ot to; and it;s i(+ossib,e to %o(e #+ wit& as+e,,rit#a, )or e"eryt&in$ w&i%& ,i)e (i$&t t&row at yo#4 So it;s (ore e))e%ti"e3 in (y "iew3 to be ab,e to+#,, ;so(et&in$; to$et&er o#t o) a &at4

So(e years a$o I was a++roa%&ed by a )riend w&o e"in%ed an interest in +ra%tisin$ (a$i%4 B#t3 s&esaid ; s&e didn;t want to bot&er wit& t&e 81#ote9 2borin$2 +re,i(inary e*er%ises in t&e boo6s4 Now t&e$enera,,y-a%%e+ted re%ei"ed wisdo( re$ardin$ (a$i%a, trainin$ is t&at be)ore yo# %an $et to t&ee*%itin$ st#))%&attin$ #+ $ods or s#((onin$ t&in$s wit& tenta%,es-yo# &a"e to &a"e $ained so(e+ro)i%ien%y wit& t&e basi% (a$i%a, s6i,,s o) %on%entration3 "is#a,i5ation3 (antra3 breat& %ontro,3 et%4Indeed3 it;s o)ten i(+,ied t&at t&ose )oo,&ardy so#,s w&o do ,ea+ in3 wands b,a5in$3 %o(e to $rie) ,ateron4 So I as6ed t&is )riend w&at s&e +arti%#,ar,y en:oyed doin$-w&i%& )or &er was $oin$ to ra"es and$rabbin$ t&e o%%asiona, toy-boy3 wat%&in$ Star Tre6 and +,ayin$ Ro,e-P,ayin$ Ga(es4 To$et&er wedis%#ssed a way o) doin$ (a$i%a, e*er%ises w&i%& s&e %o#,d #se w&i,st &a"in$ )#n4 So s&e %o#,dde"e,o+ (a$i%a, s6i,,s )or $ettin$ ser"ed 1#i%6,y at t&e bar3 )indin$ an e(+ty seat in a %rowded roo(3or s#ssin$ o#t w&et&er so(eone was o))erin$ &er an E or a Vita(in C %a+s#,e4 O6ay3 not "erys+irit#a,3 b#t s&e wasn;t ,oo6in$ )or s+irit#a,ity as (ysti%is( b#t so(e way o) re,atin$ (a$i% to &ere"eryday ,i)e4

Sid,in$ Towards Ma$i%a, Pra%ti%e

Books

Boo6s are o)ten t&e bte noire o) t&e (a$i%ian4 T&ere;s a %o((on (is%on%e+tion t&at be)ore yo#%an +ra%tise (a$i% +ro+er,y3 yo# &a"e to &a"e read ,oads o) boo6s4 !&i,st t&ere;s not&in$ wron$ wit&


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readin$ wide,y abo#t (a$i%3 it %an ,ead to +rob,e(s4 One is t&at yo# s+end so (#%& ti(e readin$t&at yo# ne"er a%t#a,,y $et aro#nd to tryin$ anyt&in$ o#t )or yo#rse,)4 Anot&er is t&at yo# %an#n%ons%io#s,y a%1#ire a,, 6inds o) o+inions-,i(itations abo#t w&at yo# %an or %an;t do3 )or e*a(+,e-

)ro( t&e(4 Ti(ot&y Leary on%e re(ar6ed t&at 2dan$ero#s3 &abit-)or(in$ boo6s2 s&o#,d be ,o%6edaway4 Boo6s are no s#bstit#te )or +ra%ti%a, e*+erien%e or %on"ersations wit& ot&er +eo+,e4 So treatt&e( wit& res+e%t3 b#t don;t wors&i+ t&e(4 !&en I was )irst $ettin$ into (a$i%3 I wo#,d o)ten read aboo63 t&en (a6e notes on w&at I %onsidered were t&e 6ey +oints and +ra%ti%a, bits4 I t&en wor6ed)ro( (y notes and not t&e boo64 T&is3 I )o#nd3 was an e*%e,,ent way o) b#i,din$ #+ a ;+ersona,$ri(oire; o) te%&ni1#es and obser"ations4 And don;t restri%t yo#rse,) to boo6s on t&e o%%#,t3 eit&er4Most o) t&e 6ey ideas w&i%& &a"e in),#en%ed (y "iews abo#t (a$i% &a"en;t %o(e )ro( boo6s on(a$i%4

Keeping a Magical Diary

It;s $enera,,y a%%e+ted t&at 6ee+in$ a stri%t (a$i%a, diary is a +rere1#isite )or s#%%ess)#, +ra%ti%e4 B#t,et;s not be too stri%t abo#t t&is4 T&ere;s no +oint in 6ee+in$ a stri%t diary i) not 6ee+in$ #+ yo#rentries is $oin$ to be%o(e a $#i,t tri+ )or yo#4 Persona,,y3 I $o t&ro#$& +&ases w&en I 6ee+ a re%ordo) a%ti"ities and insi$&ts3 and at ot&er ti(es3 I %an;t be bot&ered4 It %an be #se)#, to train yo#rse,) tore(e(ber t&in$s-%reatin$ asso%iation %&ains #sin$ +i%t#res3 +&otos3 s%ents3 ob:e%ts-w&ate"er yo#,i6e4

Explore

It;s "ery easy )or (a$i%ians to ,o%6 t&e(se,"es into a ,i(ited s+a%e3 retreatin$ )ro( t&e wor,d at ,ar$einto t&e wor,d o) words 8be it in boo6s or t&e internet9 and t&e sa)ety o) t&eir own &eads+a%e4 I) yo#)ee, yo#;re s,i++in$ into t&is state3 +#t aside yo#r boo6s and $o o#t and e*+,ore Go )or a stro,, in t&e+ar63 or a wa,6 on yo#r ,o%a, ;wi,d side4; Ma$i% is 8in (y o+inion9 a +ro%ess o) en$a$e(ent wit& t&ewor,d at ,ar$e3 not a retreat )ro( it4 See6 wonder in w&at is aro#nd yo#3 rat&er t&an in d#sty to(es ort&e astra, wor,d-w&i%& tends to ,a%6 t&ose ,itt,e t&in$s ,i6e ants in yo#r sandwi%&es or do$-t#rds on

t&e +a"e(ent4 Go +,a%es w&ere yo# wo#,dn;t ordinari,y $o4 Crow,ey said so(et&in$ to t&e e))e%t t&ati) a do$ dist#rbs yo#r (editation-s&oot it4 !&y not $o and (a6e )riends wit& it instead.

Daily Practice

A$ain3 t&ere are (any boo6s on (a$i% w&i%& re%o((end t&at t&e st#dent wor6s t&ro#$& a dai,y+ra%ti%e ro#tine o) (editations3 banis&in$ rit#a,s3 "is#a,i5ation e*er%ises3 et%4 T&e $enera, "iewsee(s to be t&at doin$ dai,y e*er%ises at )i*ed ti(es b#i,ds %&ara%ter and se,)-dis%i+,ine4 T&is is )inei) yo# &a"e a ,i)esty,e w&i%& %an be easi,y str#%t#red in t&is way3 b#t (any +eo+,e 8+arti%#,ar,y t&osewit& %&i,dren3 )a(i,ies or #nsy(+at&eti% +artners9 o)ten don;t4 Fit (a$i% into yo#r ,i)esty,e4 Fore*a(+,e3 yo# %an easi,y (editate w&i,st doin$ a &o#se&o,d %&ore4 I o%%asiona,,y do 1#i%6 s+e,,s int&e (idd,e o) was&in$ #+3 and t&ey see( to be no (ore or ,ess e))e%ti"e t&an w&en I do t&e )#,,-onrit#a, st#))4 I a,so )ee, it;s i(+ortant to ta6e ti(e o)) o%%asiona,,y and :#st do not&in$4 In )a%t3 doin$not&in$ %an be as di))i%#,t )or so(e o) #s as tryin$ to +er)or( so(e %o(+,e* (enta, e*er%ise4

A )#rt&er iss#e re,ated to +ra%ti%e ro#tines is t&at it;s too easy to ,et t&e( re$i(ent yo#r ,i)e4 es3 I%o#,d s+end years #sin$ te%&ni1#es o) drea( %ontro, #nti, I &a"e %o(+,ete (astery o"er (y drea(-

,i)e4 B#t is t&is ne%essari,y a $ood t&in$. I rat&er ,i6e t&e #n+redi%tabi,ity and weirdness o) (ydrea(s3 and don;t want to i(+ose too (#%& %ontro, o"er t&e(4 I %o#,d do a dai,y tarot s+read be)ore$oin$ o#t e"ery (ornin$3 b#t is it rea,,y $oin$ to &e,+ (e in t&e ,on$ r#n.


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Ha"in$ (ade t&ese +oints3 +ra%ti%e is #ndeniab,y an i(+ortant +art o) (a$i%a, wor64 !&i,st Iad(itted ear,ier t&at I don;t ,i6e doin$ (a$i%a, trainin$ %o#rses I s&o#,d a,so +oint o#t t&at o"er t&e

,ast two de%ades I &a"e de,iberate,y +#t (yse,) t&ro#$& se"era, trainin$ +ro$ra((es de"ised byot&ers4 Ma$i% re1#ires t&e de"e,o+(ent and inte$ration o) a wide "ariety o) s6i,,s w&i%& re1#ires t&atyo# +ra%tise t&e(3 bot& as indi"id#a, dis%i+,ines and as inte$rated te%&ni1#es4

Beginner!s Min"

A++roa%&in$ (a$i%a, +ra%ti%e wit& an o+en (ind is +ossib,y one o) t&e (ost i(+ortant re1#isites tos#%%ess4 ee+in$ a Be$inner;s Mind is (ore di))i%#,t4 T&ere are no e*+erts in (a$i%3 it;s :#st t&atso(e +eo+,e &a"e been doin$ it )or ,on$er t&an ot&ers4 !&en we r#n into +eo+,e w&o are s+ea6in$

8or writin$9 a#t&oritati"e,y abo#t so(e as+e%t o) (a$i%3 it;s easier to nod wise,y rat&er t&an sayin$32!&at t&e &e,, are yo# on abo#t.2 Or3 2Co#,d yo# e*+,ain t&is in (ore detai,.2 As6 +eo+,e 1#estions3be na"e3 see6 %,ari)i%ation and don;t &esitate to +#t yo#r own +oint o) "iew a%ross4 T&is so#ndsrat&er ob"io#s3 b#t )ear o) as6in$ 1#estions and "oi%in$ one;s own o+inions d#e to t&e idea t&at 2!e,,I;( a be$inner3 so = don;t &a"e anyt&in$ to %ontrib#te32 does tend to &o,d +eo+,e ba%64 In (ye*+erien%e3 be$inners o)ten %o(e #+ wit& t&e (ost no"e, and interestin$ ideas )or (a$i%a,te%&ni1#es or t&eir a++,i%ation +re%ise,y be%a#se t&ey &a"e not yet assi(i,ated ot&er +eo+,e;s )i*ednotions o) w&at yo# %an and %annot do (a$i%a,,y4

Anot&er iss#e w&i%& is re,ated to 2Be$inner;s Mind2 is t&at we are o)ten re,#%tant to a%6now,ed$ew&at we do 6now3 and t&e "a,#e o) o#r own e*+erien%e3 +arti%#,ar,y in res+e%t to w&at is written inso(e boo6 or ot&er3 or w&en we en%o#nter t&ose w&o;"e been doin$ (a$i% )or (#%& ,on$er4 !e a,,&a"e t&in$s we %an o))er ea%& ot&er4 S&arin$ e*+erien%es (ay we,, be so(et&in$ o) a %,i%&3 b#t itsnonet&e,ess a tr#e one4

T#E D$%AMI&' OF 'OR&ER$

Ma$i%3 ,i6e se*#a, inter%o#rse3 needs to be e*+erien%ed to be )#,,y #nderstood4 Si(i,ar,y3 t&e )irst )ewti(es t&at one tries it3 it (i$&t not ,i"e #+ to +re%on%ei"ed e*+e%tations4 It (i$&t e"en be a dis(a,)ai,#re3 b#t t&at s&o#,dn;t +#t yo# o)) )ore"er3 ri$&t. Howe"er3 t&e s#s+i%ion t&at it is a,, nonsense,#r6s in a %o(er o) t&e +sy%&e3 ar(ed wit& :#sti)i%ations3 rationa,isations3 e*%#ses a,, t&e e(bedded%#,t#ra, +ro$ra((in$ w&i%& says t&at (a$i% is s#+erstition3 )antasy3 and so(et&in$ t&at %an;t ;rea,,y;&a++en4 T&e )a%t t&at (#%& o) w&at +asses )or Consens#s Rea,ity is based on s#+erstition3 )antasyand t&in$s w&i%& de)y rationa, e*+,anation3 is neit&er &ere nor t&ere4

To o"er%o(e t&is s#s+i%ion3 t&e wo#,d-be (a$i%ian &as to +ro"e to &i(se,) t&at MAGIC !ORS3 andt&e on,y way to do t&is is by tryin$ it o#t4 Pro"in$ t&at Ma$i% wor6s3 e"en in a s(a,, way3 be$ins t&e+ro%ess o) +#s&in$ ba%6 t&e bo#ndaries o) A%&ie"ab,e Rea,ity4 S#dden,y3 not&in$ is as %,ear-%#t as it)or(er,y see(ed4 ee+ ;doin$; (a$i% )or ,on$ eno#$& and it be%o(es an e(bedded +art o) +ersona,rea,ity-as )a(i,iar as t&e s6y3 eart&3 and b#i,din$s seen e"ery day4 At t&is +oint one %eases to be,ie"ein (a$i% as so(et&in$ ;se+arate; to t&e rest o) one;s )a(i,iar wor,d4 Rat&er3 t&e wor,d is be%o(in$(a$i%a,4 Pra%ti%a, Sor%ery3 as t&e a++,i%ation o) (a$i%a, (et&ods to t&e needs o) e"eryday ,i)e3 is a

$ood startin$ +oint4


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Ort&odo* (a$i%a, syste(s (a6e a distin%tion between 2Low2 Ma$i% 8Sor%ery9 w&i%& is %on%ernedwit& brin$in$ abo#t %&an$e in one;s i((ediate %ir%#(stan%es3 and ;Hi$&; Ma$i% w&i%& is %on%ernedwit& S+irit#a, E"o,#tion4 T&e C&aos +ers+e%ti"e $enera,,y re:e%ts t&is distin%tion3 as it i(+,ies a

+&i,oso+&y w&i%& re:e%ts t&e +&ysi%a, wor,d as bein$ so(e&ow in)erior to a s+irit#a,ity w&i%& is abo"et&e e"eryday wor,d4 A,so3 t&is distin%tion is not an a%%#rate re),e%tion o) (a$i%a, e*+erien%e4

Bein$ ab,e to see t&e res#,ts o) Sor%ery wor6in$s 8e"en in s(a,, ways9 s&i)ts t&e bo#ndary o) w&atwe a%%e+t %an be done wit& (a$i% and s#%%ess)#,,y e(beds t&e )a%t t&at Ma$i% !or6s4

It a,so raises one;s %on)iden%e in bot& +ersona, abi,ities and t&e te%&ni1#es t&e(se,"es3 and ,eads toa (ore e*+ansi"e o#t,oo64

A,so3 s#%%ess wit& Sor%ery te%&ni1#es re1#ires t&at one de"e,o+ t&e abi,ity to assess se,)-+er)or(an%e3 and %riti%a,,y e*a(ine desires3 w&i%& in itse,) ,eads to %&an$e4 Brin$in$ abo#t dire%t%&an$es In t&e wor,d ne%essitates t&at t&e (a$i%ian +ay %,ose attention to w&at &e is abo#t4 Sor%ery3wit& its e(+&asis on +ra$(ati% te%&ni1#es and obser"ab,e res#,ts3 dire%ts attention to t&e wor,d as itis e*+erien%ed3 rat&er t&an so(e si(+,isti% idea t&at &as &it&erto been a%%e+ted as ;rea,4; Rea,ity is(ore %o(+,e* t&an (any +eo+,e $enera,,y ,i6e to t&in64

T&e dyna(i%s o) sor%ery are )air,y si(+,e3 and t&ere is a wide "ariety o) te%&ni1#es a"ai,ab,e4 A,so3

it;s not di))i%#,t to de"ise +ersona, te%&ni1#es w&i%& are #ni1#e to onese,)4 T&e a++,i%ation o) Sor%erytoo is "ery wide4 T&e )o,,owin$ is a si(+,e o"er"iew o) Sor%ery +ro%ed#res4 I wi,, ,oo6 into t&edyna(i%s o) rit#a, (a$i% (ore %,ose,y in Part Two3 and (ore in)or(ation on sor%ery in $enera, %anbe )o#nd in Condensed C&aos 8New Fa,%on P#b,i%ations3 =??J94

Core E,e(ents o) Sor%ery

() Intention

Most a%ts o) Sor%ery be$in wit& t&e State(ent o) Intent4 T&is is a si(+,e de%,aration o) w&at one isabo#t to do3 and )or w&at )ina, +#r+ose4 Sin%e "a$#e intentions tend to $i"e rise to3 at best3 "a$#eres#,ts3 t&e (a$i%ian s&o#,d )or(#,ate a State(ent o) Intent w&i%& is as +re%ise as +ossib,e3 wit&o#tbe%o(in$ o"er,y "erbose4 Two te%&ni1#es w&i%& (ay be o) assistan%e &ere are

a9 'i"ination Syste(s

T&e s#r)a%e desire )or %&an$e (ay we,, not be t&e best +oint )ro( w&i%& to wor64 T&is is w&ere'i"ination Syste(s s#%& as Tarot3 I C&in$3 R#nes3 Astro,o$y3 or se,)-%reated syste(s %an be bro#$&tin4 For e*a(+,e3 a Sor%erer is desiro#s o) obtainin$ e(+,oy(ent-$ettin$ a :ob is &is s#r)a%e desire4Howe"er3 #sin$ a di"ination syste( to e*a(ine t&e %o(+onents o) t&e sit#ation3 &e )inds t&at a 6eye,e(ent w&i%& b,o%6s &is desire is ,a%6 o) %on)iden%e4 So &e +er)or(s a wor6in$ w&ere i(+ro"in$se,)%on)iden%e is t&e (ain )o%#s o) t&e En%&ant(ent4

'i"ination syste(s %an a,so be #sed w&en e*a(inin$ a sit#ation w&i%& in"o,"es ot&er +eo+,e4 It (ayo%%asiona,,y be #se)#, to e*a(ine one;s (oti"es )or inter"enin$ in a sit#ation in"o,"in$ ot&er +eo+,e3and a,so ,oo6in$ )or &idden )a%tors w&i%& (ay not be i((ediate,y a++arent4

b9 Co$niti"e Restr#%t#rin$


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T&ere is o)ten a $ood dea, o) di))eren%e between w&at we t&in6 we o#$&t to be doin$3 and w&at %anrea,isti%a,,y be a%&ie"ed4 T&is di))eren%e is o)ten a %ontrib#tin$ )a%tor to wor6 and ,i)e stresses4Ma$i%ians o)ten &a"e &i$& idea,s3 b#t (ay so(eti(es )ind t&at it is di))i%#,t to brin$ t&ose idea,s down

to eart&4 It %an be #se)#,3 in t&is re$ard3 to ta6e an o"era,, intention and brea6 it down into s(a,,ersta$es3 ea%& o) w&i%& is (ore readi,y rea,ised t&an t&e o"era,, ob:e%ti"e4 Rat&er t&an tryin$ )or as#dden +#s& o) t&e A%&ie"ab,e Rea,ity t&res&o,d3 it (ay be (ore rea,isti% to atte(+t t&is in sta$es4

Sor%ery E"ent Series

A Sor%ery E"ent Series 8S4E4S9 is a series o) ,in6ed Sor%ery o+erations4 A ,on$-ter( $oa, is bro6endown into s(a,,er3 re,ated ste+s4 As one res#,t (ani)ests3 t&e (o(ent#( o) s#%%ess %arries t&e(a$i%ian into t&e ne*t wor6in$ in t&e series4 T&is sets #+ a %ondition w&ere ea%& sin$,e e"ent

%on%,#ded in t&e series in%reases t&e +robabi,ity o) t&e o"era,, intent (ani)estin$4 T&e S4E4S is a+arti%#,ar,y #se)#, ta%ti% )or wor6in$ wit& estab,is&in$ ,on$-ter( +ro:e%ts4 T&e e))e%t %an be ,i6ened tosettin$ #+ a ,ine o) do(inoes3 and t&en +#s&in$ t&e )irst do(ino into its nei$&bo#r4

*) Probability Pat+,ays

Contrary to +o+#,ar o+inion3 (a$i%a, res#,ts do not +o+ #+ o#t o) t&in air3 and it does &e,+enor(o#s,y3 wit& Sor%ery wor6in$s3 i) t&ere is a +at&way a,on$ w&i%& t&e desired res#,t %an (ani)est4

T&is %an a,so be e*a(ined in ter(s o) +robabi,ities4 A Sor%erer w&o +er)or(s a rit#a, to ens#re t&at&e +asses an e*a(3 b#t does no re"ision or %ra((in$3 is not %reatin$ a sit#ation w&ere t&ere is areasonab,e +robabi,ity t&at &e wi,, +ass wit& ),yin$ %o,o#rs4 I)3 &owe"er3 &e does st#dy3 t&e +robabi,ityo) s#%%ess is ,i6e,y to be &i$&er4 Sor%ery does see( to a%&ie"e t&e best res#,ts w&en t&e +robabi,ity)a%tor is at ,east )ra%tiona,,y &i$&er t&an 5ero4 To ta6e anot&er e*a(+,e3 w&en +,annin$ wor6in$s )or)inan%ia, $ain3 it is #se)#, to &a"e a n#(ber o) +ro:e%ts on t&e $o3 any o) w&i%& (ay res#,t inin%reased )#nds--&en%e t&e sor%ery wor6in$ is (ore ,i6e,y to yie,d so(e 6ind o) +ositi"e res#,t4

-) Ti.ing

Ti(in$ is an i(+ortant yet o)ten #nderrated )a%tor in +ra%ti%a, (a$i%4 A $ood e*a(+,e o) &ow ti(in$%an %riti%a,,y a))e%t t&e o#t%o(e o) a wor6in$ is t&at o) Hea,in$4 I) a %,ient &as a ,on$ter(3 +ro$ressi"edisease3 t&en sor%ery wor6in$s to i(+ede its +ro$ress (ay be (ore s#%%ess)#, at an ear,y3 rat&ert&an a ,ate sta$e3 in t&e %o#rse o) t&e i,,ness4 Co(+,e* ,i)e sit#ations %an be e*a(ined )or t&e+#r+oses o) Sor%ery as #n)o,din$ e"ent series4 In t&e ear,y sta$es o) a de"e,o+in$ sit#ation3 t&ere(ay be (ore ),#idity and ),e*ibi,ity t&an at a ,ater sta$e w&ere it is ,ess easy to in),#en%e +robab,eo#t%o(es4 E"ents w&i%& %an be +er%ei"ed are (a%ros%o+i% %&an$es w&i%& &a"e been bro#$&t abo#tby t&e #nseen intera%tion o) (i%ros%o+i% ),#%t#ations4 In ot&er words3 an a"a,an%&e %an be seen3 b#t

not t&e "ery s(a,, )a%tors w&i%& bro#$&t it abo#t4 'e"e,o+in$ strate$ies t&at a,,ow t&e identi)i%ation o)s(a,, %&an$es3 and t&en in),#en%in$ t&e( so t&at t&ey ,ead to a %&an$e w&i%& )#,)i,,s t&e %onditions o)one;s state(ent o) intent3 %an t&ere)ore be #se)#, )or Sor%ery wor6in$4 In ot&er words3 ,earn to;n#d$e; a sit#ation at t&e ri$&t (o(ent4 Payin$ %,ose attention to w&at is &a++enin$ in a $i"ensit#ation is #se)#,3 and #sin$ 'i"ination syste(s %an a,so &e,+ &ere4

Sor%ery O+erations - Basi% Pro%ed#re

On%e a State(ent o) Intent &as been )or(#,ated3 and any ot&er re,e"ant )a%tors ta6en into a%%o#nt3t&e ne*t $enera, ste+ in any Sor%ery o+eration is to (o"e into a Free Area4


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In ort&odo* (a$i%a, syste(s3 t&is tends to in"o,"e rit#a, +ro%ed#res )or settin$ #+ a (a$i%a, Cir%,e3(a6in$ any +sy%&o,o$i%a, ad:#st(ents )or (a$i%a, wor63 or ass#(in$ +arti%#,ar +ost#res4 Fro( aC&aos +ers+e%ti"e3 a Free Area is any s+a%e w&i%& &as been rede)ined as a 5one w&ere nor(a,

Consens#s Rea,ity is s#s+ended3 and Ma$i%a, Rea,ity is o+erant4 Ts a Free Area (ay re)er to a+re"io#s,y-+re+ared Te(+,e3 a s+a%e in w&i%& rit#a, is to be +er)or(ed3 or a state o) Cons%io#sness4

!it&in t&e Free Area3 t&e (a$i%ian #ses any +ro))ered te%&ni1#etri%6 dee(ed a++ro+riate to %,ear&is awareness o) anyt&in$ b#t t&e i(+endin$ (a$i%a, a%t4 T&is %an ran$e )ro( )#,, rit#a, +ro%ed#res8+er)or(in$ a Banis&in$ rit#a,3 settin$ #+ an a,tar3 et%43K to (ere,y %,osin$ one;s eyes and%on%entratin$4 T&e te%&ni1#es #sed to de)ine a Free Area o)ten de+end #+on

i9 Cir%#(stan%es

ii9 A"ai,ab,e Ti(e

iii9 Ne%essity

i"9 Indi"id#a, Pre)eren%e

Fo,,owin$ t&e de)inition o)3 and entry into t&e Free Area3 t&e ne*t sta$e is to (o"e towards a state o)

%ons%io#sness 6nown in t&e C&aos a++roa%& as Gnosis4 Gnosis is a %ondition o) one+ointed%ons%io#sness w&erein awareness is e(+tied o) a,, sa"e t&e ob:e%t o) %on%entration7 w&ere wi,, is$i"en bot& intentiona,ity and "e%tor4 T&e (ain ro#tes to Gnosis are t&ree)o,d E*%itatory-anyt&in$w&i%& sti(#,ates t&e BodyMind3 s#%& as dan%in$3 dr#((in$3 &y+er"enti,ation or se*#a, aro#sa,7In&ibitory-anyt&in$ w&i%& sti,,s t&e BodyMind3 s#%& as +assi"e (editation3 s,ow %&antin$3 &y+noti%a$ents3 or s,ow breat&in$7 and Indi))erent Va%#ity-a state o) no-(ind3 or Non-'isinterest3 w&ere t&eob:e%t o) desire ),i%6ers brie),y in a (ind e(+tied o) a,, %ontent-no e(otiona, atta%&(ent to t&e desire4

+on enterin$ t&e +ea6 o) Gnosis3 t&e desire in its %&osen re+resentati"e )or( 8a si$i,3 )or e*a(+,e9

is +ro:e%ted )ort&3 towards its tar$et or into t&e "oid o) t&e (#,ti"erse4 It is t&en banis&ed )ro(awareness3 t&at is to say3 )or$otten4

Fo,,owin$ +ro:e%tion o) t&e desire3 t&e Free Area is %,osed #sin$ any +re)erred (et&od3 s#%& as(ani% ,a#$&ter3 a Banis&in$ Rit#a,3 or a &and $est#re4 T&e Ma$i%ian t&en (o"es onward3 &a"in$ set#+ t&e %onditions w&ereby &is desire wi,, (ani)est a%%ordin$,y4

It s&o#,d be noted t&at a 6ey to Sor%ery is t&at3 on %o(+,etion o) a wor6in$3 it s&o#,d be %onsidered-at ,east on a (a$i%a, ,e"e,-to be )inis&ed wit&3 and not&in$ (ore in t&e way o) (a$i%a, wor6 needs to

be done4 T&e dee+ %ertainty t&at one;s Sor%ery wi,, yie,d t&e desired res#,t wi,, on,y %o(e t&ro#$&%ontin#ed +ra%ti%e3 e))ort3 and re)ine(ent o) te%&ni1#e3 b#t it is not #n#s#a, )or ad"an%ed+ra%titioners to %,ai( a s#%%ess rate wit& t&is 6ind o) (a$i% o) aro#nd @-?4

T&e abo"e des%ri+tion o) Genera, Sor%ery Pro%ed#re %o#,d be #sed to des%ribe any sor%ery wor6in$3)ro( a t&ree-&o#r $ro#+ rit#a, in"o,"in$ +ro,on$ed dan%in$3 dr#((in$ and %&antin$3 to an a%t o);E(+ty-Handed; (a$i% w&i%& %an be +er)or(ed anyw&ere3 and need on,y ,ast a )ew se%onds4 In$enera,3 (a$i%ians tend to +ro%eed )ro( t&e )or(er to t&e ,atter ty+e o) wor6in$4 As one %ontin#a,,y

+ro$resses3 t&e de)initions o) w&at %onstit#tes a (a$i%a, a%tion tend to be%o(e )air,y ),#id4 At t&ebe$innin$ o) (a$i%a, +ra%ti%e3 it is #s#a, to +er%ei"e (a$i%a, o+erations as bein$ se+arate )ro(e"eryday e*+erien%e4 Later3 &owe"er3 a%ts o) (a$i% be%o(e a +art o) e"eryday e*+erien%e3 as one


10/138

(a6es t&e transition between in&abitin$ a Consens#s Rea,ity w&i%& is $rad#a,,y widenin$ to ad(itt&e +ossibi,ities o) (a$i%3 to %reatin$ a +ersona, Ma$i%a, Rea,ity-a Psy%&o%os(4

E"o,"in$ a Psy%&o%os(

In be%o(in$ )a(i,iar wit& (a$i%a, ideas3 readin$ boo6s3 ,earnin$ sy(bo, syste(s and%orres+onden%es3 one %o(es to ,earn t&e 3$a(e r#,es; o) (a$i%4 Li6e any ot&er $a(e3 t&e r#,esde)ine t&e )ra(ewor6 o) t&e a%ti"ity4 For a $a(e to be wort&w&i,e3 its r#,es (#st be ),e*ib,e3 o+en todi))erent inter+retations3 and a,,ow )or di))erent needs and sit#ations4

In"o,"e(ent wit& (a$i%a, +ra%ti%e s&ows t&at t&e $a(e r#,es o) Consens#s Rea,ity are (ore ),e*ib,e3and &a"e (ore ,oo+&o,es t&an one (ay &a"e ori$ina,,y t&o#$&t4

'e"e,o+in$ a (a$i%a, Psy%&o%os( is a s,ow +ro%ess3 as one $at&ers (o(ent#( in (a$i%a, +ra%ti%e3s&i)tin$ )ro( t&e tentati"e +osition o) &a"in$ read a )ew boo6s and +robab,y &a"in$ t&ereby set #++re%on%e+tions as to w&at (a$i% is abo#t3 to be$innin$ to +ra%tise (a$i%a, te%&ni1#es in earnest4One o) t&e stren$t&s o) t&e C&aos a++roa%& is t&at e*+erien%e is stressed o"er +re-e*+erientia,be,ie)s4 'o it )irst3 t&en %onsider w&i%& be,ie)s and %on%e+ts see( to be (ost a++ro+riate3 in t&e ,i$&to) +ersona, e*+erien%e4

In (odern %#,t#re3 t&ere are ndreds o) (a$i%a, syste(s a"ai,ab,e3 wit& (ore bein$ dis%o"ered3re%o"ered and in"ented e"ery year4 Be$inners in (a$i% o)ten ado+t a syste( w&i%& re),e%ts t&eir%ore se,)-be,ie)s and ideas3 or3 as is so(eti(es t&e %ase3 t&e )irst syste( t&at is en%o#ntered or(ade a%%essib,e4 Sin%e )ew +eo+,e $et anyt&in$ )ro( an a++roa%& t&ey are not e"en re(ote,yinterested in3 it is #s#a,,y best to %&oose a (a$i%a, syste( t&at is attra%ti"e3 )or w&ate"er reasons4 Itis i(+ortant to note3 &owe"er3 t&at o#r be,ie)s re,atin$ to (a$i%3 be t&ey $enera, or +arti%#,ar3 do notne%essari,y re(ain %onstant4 T&ey are ,i6e,y to %&an$e a%%ordin$ to o#r e*+erien%e and %&an$es in+ersona, +ers+e%ti"e4

O#r +ri(ary so#r%es o) in)or(ation w&i%& &e,+ #s in )or(in$ a +sy%&o%os( tend to be boo6s andot&er +eo+,e4 A rat&er a(#sin$ e*a(+,e o) t&is is &ow I )or(ed (y ear,y be,ie)s %on%ernin$ t&ein"io,abi,ity o) t&e (a$i%a, %ir%,e4 In t&e )irst (a$i%a, $ro#+ I wor6ed in3 I was ta#$&t t&at on%e a(a$i%a, %ir%,e &ad been set #+3 t&at it was dan$ero#s to %ross its bo#ndary wit&o#t %ere(onia,,yo+enin$ a $ateway in it )irst4 La%6in$ any ot&er o+inions on t&e s#b:e%t3 and ,a%6in$ t&e %on)iden%e to(a6e (y own :#d$e(ents on t&e (atter3 t&is be%a(e an arti%,e o) )ait& )or (e4 I(a$ine t&en3 (ya(a5e(ent w&en3 wor6in$ wit& a di))erent $ro#+3 I saw +eo+,e b,it&e,y ni++in$ o#t o) t&e (a$i%a,%ir%,e to )et%& )or$otten i(+,e(ents or te*ts3 or to "isit t&e bat&roo(4 My )irst %on%,#sion was t&att&ese +eo+,e were ob"io#s,y so ad"an%ed t&at t&ey %o#,d %ross t&e +sy%&i% barrier o) t&e %ir%,e wit&

i(+#nity4 Later on t&o#$&3 I %a(e to re"ise (y o+inions as to t&e nat#re o) t&e barrier %reated by t&e%ir%,e4 In retros+e%t3 I wo#,d say t&at it was #se)#, )or (e to &o,d t&at )irst3 stron$ be,ie) in t&e +owero) t&e %ir%,e-t&at not&in$ %o#,d %ross it #n,ess in"ited-and t&at t&is a++,ied to (e as (#%& as anydeni5ens o) t&e astra, rea,(4 T&is be,ie) a,so ,ed (e to de"e,o+ a tenden%y )or se,)- or$ani5ation-(a6in$ s#re I &ad e"eryt&in$ re1#ired be)ore be$innin$ a rit#a,3 and t&at I &ad "isited t&e toi,etbe)ore&and4

T&is e*a(+,e i,,#strates t&e e*+ansion3 or ,oosenin$ o) be,ie) t&ro#$& rea,ity-testin$4 T&is is not

a,ways easy to do3 +arti%#,ar,y i) one &as ,i(ited o++ort#nities )or doin$ so4 !&en (a$i%ians ,a%6o++ort#nities )or rea,ity-testin$3 be,ie)s abo#t t&e nat#re o) (a$i% %an 1#i%6,y be%o(e do$(as to bede)ended at a,, %osts4 In +art3 t&is is d#e to t&e ways in w&i%& (a$i%a, t&eory is $enera,,y +er%ei"ed4


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T&eory and G,a(o#r

I &a"e (et3 o"er t&e years3 a $ood (any +eo+,e w&o &a"e +ro)essed to &a"e st#died (a$i%-(eanin$t&at t&ey &a"e read a ,ar$e n#(ber o) boo6s w&i%& %,ai(ed to e*+,ain &ow (a$i% wor6ed4 Lar$e,y3t&ese )o,6 &ad not $ot down to a%t#a,,y tryin$ o#t so(et&in$ +ra%ti%a,3 and (any as%ribed to t&eerroneo#s be,ie) t&at3 be)ore raisin$ a )in$er to tra%e a +enta$ra( in t&e air3 or %,osin$ one;s eyes in(editation3 one needed to assi(i,ate a $reat dea, o) abstra%t t&eory4 Howe"er3 (a$i% is3 in t&isres+e%t3 dissi(i,ar to t&e %,assi%a, s%ien%es4 !&i,st a st#dent o) +&ysi%s needs to be )a(i,iar wit&%ertain t&eories be)ore +er)or(in$ an ad"an%ed e*+eri(ent3 a (a$i%ian does not need to &a"eabsorbed a $e %n6 o) abstra%t t&eory in order to %ast a s+e,,4

M#%& o) w&at +asses )or (a$i%a, t&eory is3 at root3 a (atter o) be,ie)4 As s#%&3 it is (ore re,e"ant tot&e s#%%ess)#, o#t%o(e o) t&e (a$i%ian;s s+e,,3 t&at &e &as so(e de$ree o) be,ie) in w&at &e isdoin$4 Moreo"er3 w&ereas s%ienti)i% t&eories are based 8at ,east so we are to,d by s%ientists9 on(at&e(ati%a, +roo)s3 (a$i%a, t&eories are rooted in t&e +ersona, be,ie)s o) w&oe"er is e*+o#ndin$t&e(4 !&ereas s%ienti)i% t&eories at ,east &a"e t&e a++earan%e o) bein$ #ni)ied and %onsistent3(a$i%a, t&eories do not3 nor is it a re1#ire(ent3 )ro( t&e +osition o) +ra%ti%a, (a$i%3 t&at t&ey do4

Hen%e)ort&3 w&i,st t&ere are a $reat (any t&eories and (ode,s +ro+osed as to &ow3 or w&y3 (a$i%

wor6s 8based on s#bt,e ener$ies3 ani(a, (a$netis(3 +sy%&o,o$i%a, %on%e+ts3 1#ant#( t&eory3(at&e(ati%s or t&e so-%a,,ed ant&ro+o(or+&i% +rin%i+,eK it is not a %ase t&at one o) t&e( is (ore;tr#e; t&an ot&ers3 b#t a %ase o) w&i%& t&eory or (ode, yo# %&oose to be,ie"e in3 or w&i%& t&eory yo#)ind t&e (ost attra%ti"e4 Indeed3 )ro( a C&aos Ma$i% +ers+e%ti"e3 yo# %an se,e%ti"e,y be,ie"e t&at a+arti%#,ar t&eory or (ode, o) (a$i%a, a%tion is tr#e on,y )or t&e d#ration o) a +arti%#,ar rit#a, or +&aseo) wor64

As &as been stated3 (a$i%a, t&eory is #n,i6e s%ienti)i% t&eory4 o# %an ,earn a $ood dea, abo#ts%ien%e by readin$ ot&er +eo+,es; e*+eri(ents and t&eories4 !&i,st yo# %an read a ,ot abo#t &ow

ot&er +eo+,e &a"e +ra%tised (a$i%3 t&e %&an%es are t&at it won;t (a6e (#%& sense #nti, yo# &a"e a$o yo#rse,)4

T&ere is a tenden%y )or +eo+,e to treat o%%#,t t&eories in t&e sa(e way as $enera, s%ienti)i%des%ri+tions o) t&e wor,d4 T&at is3 t&ey are +res#(ed to be ;tr#e; inde+endent,y o) (an e*+erien%e4T&ese are 6nown as T&eories-o)-A%tion T&ey tend to be written and dis%#ssed in an abstra%t3di"or%ed-)ro(-(an-e*+erien%e )as&ion3 as t&o#$& t&ey are i((#tab,e ,aws4 Indeed3 )or so(e(a$i%a, a#t&ors3 t&ese are i((#tab,e ,aws or +rin%i+,es3 w&i%& &a"e been de,i"ered by so(e 6ind o)&i$&er inte,,i$en%e3 and are not3 t&ere)ore3 o+en to s%r#tiny or debate4 T&ose w&o do 1#estion3 (ay

be (et wit& t&e br#s&-o)) t&at t&ey are not ;initiated eno#$&; to a++re%iate t&e &i$&er tr#t& o) t&esit#ation3 or t&ey wo#,d instant,y re%o$nise 2t&at I a( t&e ,i"in$ re+resentati"e o) $od3 and w&at I sayis &o,y ,aw42 T&is is a,, "ery we,,3 i) yo# wis& to a%%e+t3 on )a%e "a,#e3 w&at yo# are bein$ to,d3 b#t(a$i%3 at ,east )ro( t&e "iew+oint o) t&e C&aos Ma$i% +ers+e%ti"e3 bene)its )ro( yo# &a"in$ an o+enand %#rio#s (ind4

Howe"er3 t&ere is a se%ond ty+e o) t&eory3 T&eory-in-se3 w&i%& re,ates to t&e $#ide,ines and+atterns t&at a +ra%titioner ,earns3 t&ro#$& +ra%ti%e and indi"id#a, e*+erien%e3 w&i%& enab,e &i( to be

e))e%ti"e4


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T&eories-in-#se %annot be ta#$&t t&ey are +ersona, and tend to o+erate at t&e ,e"e, o) #n%ons%io#sass#(+tions4 T&ey %an on,y be ,earned by t&e indi"id#a, by a +ro%ess o) +ra%ti%e in ;,i"e; e*+erien%e4In t&e sa(e way3 (a$i%a, t&eories-in-#se %annot be ta#$&t4 A ),ed$,in$ (a$i%ian %an be $i"en

$enera, (a$i%a, t&eories-o)-a%tion and ta#$&t basi% te%&ni1#es and t&e a++,i%ation o) t&e(3 b#t &ewi,,3 o) ne%essity3 de"e,o+ &is own t&eorieso)-#se as +art o) t&e +ro%ess o) be%o(in$ +ro)i%ient and+ra%tised at (a$i%a, a%ti"ities4

Mista6in$ Meta+&ors

'es+ite "ario#s e))orts to set t&e ,an$#a$e o) (a$i% on a ;s%ienti)i%; )ootin$3 (#%& o) one;s (a$i%a,e*+erien%e %an on,y be ade1#ate,y %o((#ni%ated in t&e ,an$#a$e o) (yt&3 +oetry3 or (eta+&or4 T&isis "ery #se)#,3 +arti%#,ar,y w&en we desire to ins+ire or i,,#(ine ot&ers t&ro#$& t&e e,o1#ent

des%ri+tion o) o#r own inner e*+erien%e4 n)ort#nate,y3 t&ere is a %o((on tenden%y 8be,ie"ed by(any to be a side-e))e%t o) western ed#%ation9 to )a,, into t&e be,ie) t&at a,, (eta+&ori%a, s+ee%& &asso(e basis in )a%t4 In s&ort3 westerners tend to ta6e e"eryt&in$ too ,itera,,y4

A $ood e*a(+,e o) t&is tenden%y is t&e Hind# syste( o) %&a6ras4 Now (ost +eo+,e w&o &a"e doneso(e readin$ o) (a$i%a, te*ts wi,, &a"e %o(e a%ross t&e %&a6ras3 as t&ey &a"e be%o(e a )air,y basi%e,e(ent o) w&at is 6nown as t&e !estern Esoteri% Tradition4 So (#%& so in )a%t3 t&at it is (ore or,ess ta6en )or $ranted t&at t&e %&a6ras &a"e so(e )a%t#a, basis )or e*isten%e4 T&e ori$ina, tantri%te*ts w&i%& des%ribe t&e "aryin$ syste(s o) %&a6ras 8so(e des%ribe si*3 ot&ers3 se"en3 nine3 e,e"enor e"en twenty-)o#r9 #se a $reat dea, o) sy(bo,i% ,an$#a$e and (eta+&or3 (#%& o) w&i%& westerna#t&ors &a"e (ista6en,y ta6en ,itera,,y4 Sir >o&n !oodro))e3 in &is boo6 T&e Ser+ent Power3 $i"es ane*a(+,e o) t&is w&en &e +resents a %riti1#e o) C4! Leadbeater;s boo6 T&e Inner Li)e4 Leadbeater%,ai(s to &a"e %o#nted t&e n#(ber o) +eta,s o) t&e Sa&asrara C&a6ra 8%,air"oyant,y9 and says t&att&e n#(ber is not =33 as is o)ten $i"en in tantri% te*ts3 b#t e*a%t,y ?4

!oodro))e +oints o#t t&at t&e Indian #se o) ;t&o#sand; is a (eta+&or )or a $reat (a$nit#de3 and not a,itera, %o#nt4 Leadbeater &as (ista6en a (eta+&ori%a, state(ent )or a ,itera, one3 w&i%& (a6es

nonsense o) &is assertion4

T&is sit#ation is not &e,+ed by t&e )a%t t&at a $ood dea, o) o%%#,t t&eories a++ear to +ass3 as PeteCarro,, on%e said3 )ro( boo6 to boo63 wit&o#t any inter"enin$ t&o#$&t4 !&i,st it is #nderstandab,e t&ata#t&ors s&o#,d try and atte(+t to +,a%e (a$i% on a si(i,ar )ootin$ to t&e %,assi%a, s%ien%es3 it is a,,too easy to %reate do$(as in t&is )as&ion4 Indeed3 I was on%e +ri"i,e$ed to o"er&ear3 d#rin$ adis%#ssion abo#t t&e "a,idity o) (odern (ode,s o) t&e %&a6ras3 t&at t&e Indian sa$es w&o de"e,o+edt&e syste(3 were wron$ in t&eir writin$s abo#t t&e( Si(i,ar,y3 it is %o((on )or o%%#,tists to base a+arti%#,ar t&eory on so(e +o+#,ar s%ienti)i% (ode, and3 w&en t&e (ode, is dis%redited or (odi)ied by

)#rt&er resear%&3 to ,o#d,y de)end t&eir be,ie) and de%ry t&e s%ientists )or not #nderstandin$ t&e ;tr#e;si$ni)i%an%e4 S#%& #n%riti%a, t&in6in$ %an easi,y ,ead to do$(atis(-t&e ene(y o) (a$i%4

Mode,s and Ma+s

Most a++roa%&es to (a$i%a, de"e,o+(ent #se so(e 6ind o) $enera, (a+ or (ode, )or str#%t#rin$e*+erien%e3 s#%& as t&e abba,isti% Tree o) Li)e3 or t&e a)ore(entioned %&a6ras4 Howe"er3 it isi(+ortant to bear in (ind Robert Anton !i,son;s ad"i%e t&at t&e Ma+ is not t&e Territory4

Ma$i%a, (a+s and (ode,s are #se)#, in t&at t&ey %an +ro"ide a %onsistent )ra(ewor6 )or #s to (a6esense o) o#r e*+erien%es wit&4 B#t t&ey are not stati% entities in t&e(se,"es-,i6e any ot&er (ode,3


13/138


14/138

Any be,ie) syste( %an be #sed as a basis )or (a$i%3 so ,on$ as yo# %an in"est %o((it(ent ande(otiona, atta%&(ent into it4 Loo6in$ ba%6 at (y ear,ier (a$i%a, e*+eri(ents3 I $#ess t&at w&at #sed

to be i(+ortant )or (e was t&e stron$ be,ie) t&at t&e syste( I was #sin$ was an%ient wisdo(3 basedon traditiona, )or(#,ae3 +assed down )ro( initiate to initiate4 As it was3 (#%& o) t&is t#rned o#t to be$,a(o#r or &y+e3 b#t it &e,+ed (e a ,ot as I str#$$,ed to $ain %on)iden%e in (y own (a$i%a, abi,ity4

A be,ie) syste( %an be seen as a (atri* o) in)or(ation into w&i%& we %an +o#r e(otiona, ener$y-wedo as (#%&3 w&en we be%o(e so en$rossed in wat%&in$ a +,ay3 )i,(3 or TV +ro$ra((e t&at )or a(o(ent3 it be%o(es rea, )or #s3 and in"o6es a++ro+riate e(otions4 M#%& o) w&at we see ser"ed #+on t&e si,"er s%reen is +ower)#, (yt&i% i(a$es and sit#ations3 re+a%6a$ed )or (ode( tastes4

T&e Power O) 'is%ri(ination

In a++roa%&in$ a,, wor,d-"iews3 (ode,s3 and t&eories3 it is #se)#, to de"e,o+ one;s )a%#,ty )ordis%ri(ination4 In a re,i$io#s3 or abso,#tist sense3 t&is wo#,d re1#ire t&e di))erentiation o) Tr#t& )ro(Non-Tr#t&4 Howe"er3 )ro( a (a$i%a, +ers+e%ti"e3 dis%ri(ination a%ts in t&e )o,,owin$ way

It is t&e +ro%ess o) (o"in$ beyond (ere,y a%%e+tin$ ot&er +eo+,e;s (ode,s and t&eories3 by doin$yo#r own resear%&(a$i%a, wor64

A si(+,e e*a(+,e o) t&is +ro%ess is t&at3 w&en readin$ a boo6 abo#t r#nes3 yo# (i$&t we,, )indyo#rse,) )o,,owin$ t&at a#ts inter+retation o) t&e r#nes4 T&is is )ine )or a w&i,e3 b#t i) yo# ne"er tryand )ind o#t anyt&in$ (ore3 t&en yo# &a"e a%%e+ted t&e restri%tion o) t&is one "iew+oint4 I) yo# reada di))erent a#t&or on t&e s#b:e%t3 yo# are ,i6e,y to )ind di))eren%es o) attrib#tion4 !&i%& a#t&or is ri$&t.o# %an a%%e+t one o+inion o"er t&e ot&er3 b#t #nti, yo# be$in to )ind o#t w&y a +arti%#,ar r#ne is$i"en one or anot&er attrib#tion3 t&en yo# are (ere,y a%%e+tin$ ot&er +eo+,e;s o+inions wit& no ot&er6now,ed$e on w&i%& to base yo#r own ideas4 nti, yo# try and )ind o#t w&y so(et&in$ &as been$i"en a +arti%#,ar attrib#te3 it wi,, be di))i%#,t to dis%ri(inate between one o+inion and anot&er4

Ma$i%a, ,earnin$ is not :#st abo#t ta6in$ in ;)a%ts; w&i%& so(eone e,se +ro"ides3 in t&e )or( o) a boo63)or e*a(+,e4 One needs to a%ti"e,y e*+eri(ent and wor6 wit& (a$i%a, in)or(ation3 in order )or it tobe%o(e +ersona,,y (eanin$)#,4

T&is i(+,ies t&at (a$i%a, (ode,s and t&eories are o+en to 1#estion3 and t&ey are a,so o+en to%&an$e4 In +arti%#,ar3 t&ey are o+en to 1#estion as one be$ins to as6 1#estions3 and see6 answers4And t&ey are o+en to %&an$e as one (i$&t %&an$e one;s (ind abo#t a (ode, and e,aborate it3re%o$nise it;s ,i(ited a++,i%ation3 or e"en dis%ard it a,to$et&er4

'is%ri(ination is a,so t&e +ro%ess o) )indin$ o#t w&at is a++ro+riate )or yo#rse,)-based on yo#r own)ee,in$s3 rat&er t&an w&at ot&er +eo+,e (i$&t say3 or w&at yo# read in boo6s4 T&is does not re1#ireany s+e%ia, +owers o) int#ition3 b#t it does re1#ire t&e wi,,in$ness to +ay attention to t&e way in w&i%&yo# ta6e on board (a$i%a, ideas and %on%e+ts4

Ma$i%a, G,a(o#r

In addition to +arti%#,ar (a$i%a, t&eories3 t&ere is a,so a )#rt&er %o(+,i%atin$ )a%tor w&i%& in),#en%esbe,ie)3 w&i%& )or +#r+oses o) dis%#ssion = &a"e %&osen to re)er to as t&e ;$,a(o#r; w&i%& s#rro#nds a+arti%#,ar be,ie) syste( or a++roa%&4 T&is re,ates bot& to &ow ad&erents o) a +arti%#,ar (a$i%a,


15/138

syste( des%ribe t&e(se,"es in re,ation to ot&ers3 and &ow t&at syste( o) be,ie) is broad,y +er%ei"edin a "ariety o) wider %onte*ts4 T&is in%,#des t&e (e(es w&i%& %ir%#,ate bot& in (ainstrea( %#,t#reand t&e "ario#s ,ayers o) a,ternati"e (i,ie#s4 For e*a(+,e3 ear,y on in its de"e,o+(ent3 C&aos Ma$i%

a%1#ired t&e $,a(o#r o) bein$ so(e&ow ;sinister; or ;satani%; w&i%&3 w&i,e ina%%#rate3 &as do#bt,essdrawn 1#ite a )ew +eo+,e to be%o(e interested in it4 So(e (a$i%a, syste(s &a"e stron$ 1#asi-re,i$io#s o"ertones3 and )or +ra%titioners o) t&ese syste(s3 t&e $,a(o#rs %an be%o(e )ait&s4E,e(ents o) $,a(o#r in%,#de not on,y be,ie)s and %on%e+ts3 b#t sty,es o) writin$3 narrati"e %ontent3i(a$es3 o"era,, +resentation3 b#55-words3 and o%%asiona,,y t&e +arti%i+ation o) %&aris(ati%)i$#re&eads4

O)ten3 t&e attra%ti"eness o) a $,a(o#r )or an indi"id#a, re),e%ts +ersona, tastes in ,iterat#re3 (#si%3 orot&er )as&ions4 For C&aos Ma$i%ians3 t&e +ower o) $,a(o#r be%o(es yet anot&er te%&ni1#e to be

#nderstood and #ti,ised4 For e*a(+,e3 s#%%ess)#,,y wea"in$ t&e $,a(o#r o) bein$ a s&a(an wi,,si$ni)i%ant,y a,ter ot&er +eo+,e;s rea%tions to t&e (a$i%ian3 as wo#,d s#%%ess)#,,y wea"in$ t&e$,a(o#r o) bein$ a satanist4 Indeed3 it is +ossib,e )or a (a$i%ian w&o is ade+t in t&e +ro:e%tion o)$,a(o#rs to be +er%ei"ed as bot& 8by di))erent sets o) +eo+,e93 w&en in )a%t3 neit&er $,a(o#r is+arti%#,ar,y ;tr#e4;

One o) t&e (ost +ersistent and attra%ti"e $,a(o#rs is t&at o) t&e (a$i%ian as an ;o#tsider; )i$#re4Many +eo+,e w&o are attra%ted to (a$i% want to t&in6 o) t&e(se,"es as o#tsiders--indi"id#a,s w&ostand beyond t&e bo#ndaries o) e"eryday so%iety3 se+arated )ro( e"eryone e,se by dint o) t&eir;6now,ed$e o) t&e (ysteries4; n)ort#nate,y3 t&in6in$ o) onese,) as an ;o#tsider; %an be%o(e ane*%#se )or not $ettin$ one;s a%t to$et&er4 T&e ;o#tsider stan%e; %an o)ten be e1#ated wit& nodire%tion3 ,ow 1#a,ity o) ,i)e3 no so%ia, s6i,,s3 #nrea,isti% se,)-e*+e%tations and a $e %&i+ on one;ss&o#,der4 Addi%tion to t&ose "ir#,ent (e(es3 Bein$ Ri$&t and Gettin$ E"en is a,so %o((on a(on$stwannabe O#tsiders4 T&e ot&er (ain +rob,e( wit& bein$ an O#tsider is t&at one needs so(et&in$ tobe o#tside o)4 A$ain t&is +#,,s t&e indi"id#a, ba%6 into d#a,isti% o++osition-oriented t&in6in$ &abits4Ha"in$ to &a"e an ene(y a$ainst w&i%& to de)ine yo#rse,)3 be it so%iety3 an i(a$inary b,a%6 ,od$et&at is +sy%&i%a,,y atta%6in$ yo#7 (e(s7 t&e (asses7 robotni6s7 +ro,es or w&ate"er ter( #sed3

&ides3 = t&in63 a na$$in$ inse%#rity4 I) yo# see yo#rse,) in o++osition to t&at ot&er3 t&en it;s a,, too easyto t&in6 o) yo#rse,) as bein$ s#+erior to t&e(3 and t&e (ore yo# &a"e to be s#+erior3 t&e ,ess ab,eyo# are to ad(it to &a"in$ +ersona, )a#,ts and wea6nesses3 or e"en t&at ot&er +eo+,e (ay be as%o(+,e* and interestin$ as yo# are4 T&is 6ind o) arro$an%e is a,, too %o((on3 and not t&ere)ore3 as,ite as its e*+onents )ond,y i(a$ine t&e(se,"es to be4

I%ITIATIO%

To initiate so(et&in$ is to be$in3 or e(bar6 #+on a +arti%#,ar %o#rse o) a%tion4 To be initiated3 in t&e(a$i%a, sense o) t&e word is to re%o$ni5e t&at yo# are (o"in$ t&ro#$& a t&res&o,d o) %&an$e-t&atyo# are in a +eriod o) transition4 T&e 6ey to #nderstandin$ initiation is re%o$ni5in$ %ons%io#s,y w&at is&a++enin$3 rat&er t&an si(+,y wonderin$ w&at t&e &e,,;s $oin$ on4 For (any (a$i%ians and +a$ans3t&e re%o$nition o) (o"in$ into a +eriod o) initiation is (ar6ed by a rit#a, or (a$i%a, retire(ent4 Ts int&is %onte*t3 an Initiate is so(eone w&o is intense,y aware o) &is or &er %ondition3 and is s#r)in$ t&e%rest o) t&e wa"e3 rat&er t&an str#$$,in$ to &o,d it ba%64 Initiation is a ti(e o) ,ettin$ $o4 It is a ti(e o);,oosenin$ #+;-w&en &abits3 be,ie)s3 attit#des and se,)-identi)i%ations s#dden,y 8or $rad#a,,y9 see( tobe ,ess %on%rete t&an t&ey were +re"io#s,y4 One;s $ri+ on ;nor(a,ity; (ay be te(+orari,y ,ost3 on,y tobe e"ent#a,,y 8one &o+es9 re$ained3 b#t not 1#ite t&e sa(e as it w&at be)ore4 'ea,in$ wit& t&is ,oss


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o) %ertainty3 and t&e ne%essary %on)rontation wit& se,)3 %an be di))i%#,t at ti(es4 So(e ne"er (ana$eto $o t&e distan%e3 and instead o+t )or )antasies w&erein t&ey are (i$&ty ade+ts rat&er t&an si(+,ya%%e+tin$ t&eir own (anity3 w&i%& ne%essitates a de$ree o) (i,ity3 to say t&e ,east4 Re-

a%1#aintan%e wit& se,) t&en3 is one o) t&e %ore by-+rod#%ts o) initiation4 Anot&er is %on)iden%e-t&e%on)iden%e w&i%& s+rin$s )ro( t&e abi,ity to ,et $o-to be ab,e to ,oose %ontro, o) so(et&in$ w&en yo#rea,ise t&at %ontro, is no ,on$er a "a,id o+tion4 T&e %on)iden%e to (a6e (ista6es )ree,y and to be ab,eto ad(it 2I don;t 6now4442 rat&er t&an )earin$ ,oss o) )a%e4 T&e %on)iden%e o) (eetin$ an #n%ertainwor,d &ead-on3 s(i,in$4 F#rt&er3 &a"in$ $one t&ro#$& t&e +ain)#, +ro%ess o) s&a6in$ ,oose one;s webo) be,ie)s3 "a,#es and identi)i%ations3 t&en ot&er +eo+,e;s tr#t&s no ,on$er see( as t&reatenin$ toone;s own4 T&ese )a%tors and ot&ers %ontrib#te to one;s own sense o) +oise-t&e easy3 se,)-ass#red(anner w&i%& is one o) t&e &a,,(ar6s o) t&e e))e%ti"e (a$i%ian4

!&at 6ind o) ti(e-+eriod are we ta,6in$ &ere. T&at;s di))i%#,t to say4 As I noted in Condensed C&aos3initiation is a +ro%ess4 It &as its +ea6s3 tro#$&s and +,atea#s4 It &i$&s3 ,ows3 and +eriods o) not&in$(#%& &a++enin$4 One t&in$ I a( s#re abo#t is t&at on%e or is not eno#$&4 Initiatory tria,s %o(e #+ti(e and ti(e a$ain as %&an$es in o#r ,i"es i(+a%t #+on #s4 C&an$e3 t&e on,y %onstant in (a$i%3 isso(et&in$ t&at is (ost,y resisted3 b#t o%%asiona,,y is as sti(#,atin$ as a s&ot o) %o6e4 One +eriod o)initiation doesn;t (ean yo#;re now sorted3 )or t&e rest o) yo#r ,i)e3 b#t is (ore ,i6e,y to ,ea"e yo##nderstandin$ &ow ,itt,e yo# #nderstand4 Initiatory %y%,es %an ta6e years to wor6 t&e(se,"es t&ro#$&4!&en yo# t&in6 it;s a,, o"er3 it #s#a,,y isn;t4

Re,ated to initiation is t&e idea o) (a$i%a, +ro$ress4 It is o)ten di))i%#,t )or non-(a$i%ians to#nderstand w&y t&ose o) #s so a)),i%ted are so +assionate abo#t w&at we do and w&at we $et o#t o)it3 (#%& ,ess w&y we bot&er wit& it in t&e )irst +,a%e4 One o) t&e t&in$s t&at 6ee+s #s $oin$ is a senseo) $oin$ so(ew&ere or (a6in$ +ro$ress in (a$i%-to be 2on t&e +at&2 to #se an o%%#,t %o,,o1#ia,is(4T&is sense o) +ro$ress does not %o(e a#to(ati%a,,y to #s7 it is (ore t&at it snea6s #+ #nawares #nti,one be$ins to t&in6 o) onese,) as $oin$ so(ew&ere de)inite as o++osed to si(+,y e*+eri(entin$ or(essin$ aro#nd4 !&ere one is $oin$3 o) %o#rse3 is #+ to ea%& a,one3 de+endin$ on w&at t&ey%on%ei"e +ro$ress to be-so(et&in$ w&i%& o) itse,)3 is ,i6e,y to %&an$e as one +ro$resses3 and

a%%ordin$ to t&e %o(+any one 6ee+s4

Ideas o) +ro$ress (ay a,so be s&a+ed by any +arti%#,ar be,ie) syste( or (a$i%a, t&eory t&at one &as%&osen to $i"e s&a+e to e*+erien%es4 Ma$i%a, Psy%&o%os(s3 ways o) str#%t#rin$ t&e #ni"erse ando#r +,a%e in it #sin$ sy(bo,i% str#%t#res3 are o)ten #sed as t&e basis o) syste(s o) initiation-t&at is tosay t&ey are (eans by w&i%& (a$i%a, +ro$ress is %#t-#+ into dis%rete ste+s3 o)ten 6nown as Ma$i%a,Grades4 Ea%& Grade dea,s wit& a s+e%i)i% set o) e*+erien%es and (a$i%a, (et&ods3 a,,owin$ t&eindi"id#a, to %on%entrate on one t&in$ at a ti(e3 rat&er t&an ),o#nderin$ abo#t4 One o) t&e ar$#(ents)or syste(s o) initiation t&en3 is t&at t&ey $i"e indi"id#a, (a$i%ians a str#%t#re wit& w&i%& to a++roa%&

t&eir (a$i%a, de"e,o+(ent3 and inter+ret and t&en assi(i,ate t&eir e*+erien%es a%%ordin$ to a)ra(ewor6 o) t&eory and be,ie)4 T&at;s t&e t&eory3 anyway4 How )ar one $oes wit& any one syste( o)initiation is a$ain a (atter o) +re)eren%e and%&an$in$ needs4 T&ere are ar$#(ents t&at )a"o#r )o,,owin$ syste(s set #+ by +arti%#,ar o%%#,torders3 tea%&ers or esoteri% syste(s o) be,ie)3 and t&ose t&at say t&at %reatin$ one;s own syste($i"es t&e best res#,ts4 Ha"in$ done bot&3 I wi,, say t&at ea%& a++roa%& &as its +ros and %ons4Probab,y t&e best-6nown (a$i%a, $rades are t&ose asso%iated wit& t&e Her(eti% Order o) t&e Go,den'awn Neo+&yte3 e,ator3 Pra%ti%#s3 et%4 Ea%& $rade &ad +arti%#,ar (a$i%a, ai(s and ob:e%ti"esasso%iated wit& it3 as we,, as %&ara%teristi% (ysti%a, e*+erien%es4 T&e +rob,e( w&i%& &as be%o(eidenti)ied wit& t&is 6ind o) $radin$ syste( is t&e way in w&i%& it ,ends itse,) to t&e %reation o) ab#si"e&ierar%&i%a, a#t&ority in a $ro#+3 or e$o-in),ation )or so,o (a$i%ians4 Anyone %an %,ai( to &a"e


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attained a +arti%#,ar (a$i%a, $rade-b#t in t&e ,on$ r#n t&is %o#nts )or "ery ,itt,e #n,ess ot&er +eo+,ere%o$nise s#%& an assertion and s#++ort it4 It;s +oint,ess sayin$ yo#;re a Ma$#s i) e"eryone e,set&in6s yo#;re a +rat

So w&at3 t&en3 are Initiation Rit#a,s abo#t. Basi%a,,y3 t&ere are two ty+es o) initiation rit#a, Se,)-Initiation3 and Initiation into3 or "ia a Gro#+4 I wi,, dea, wit& t&e ,atter )irst4

Initiation by a Gro#+

Initiation by a Gro#+ &as (any s&ades4 !&en indi"id#a,s be,on$in$ to a +arti%#,ar (a$i%a, traditionor syste( ta,6 abo#t rit#a,s o) initiation3 it is #s#a,,y in t&e %onte*t t&at t&e rit#a, ser"es to identi)y t&e%andidate as a )#,, (e(ber o) t&at +arti%#,ar $ro#+3 or$ani5ation or tradition3 rat&er t&an a s#++,i%ant

or no"i%e4 Ts t&e rit#a, (ar6s t&e end o) t&at +erson;s a++renti%es&i+ wit& t&e $ro#+ in 1#estion-&eis now )#,,y a%%e+ted and re%o$ni5ed as e1#a, to t&e ot&ers4 T&is (ay be t&e +ri(ary %onsiderationo) t&e $ro#+3 w&ereas sti(#,atin$ or intensi)yin$ any intra+sy%&i% %&an$e on t&e +art o) t&e %andidate(ay be o) se%ondary i(+ortan%e4 T&is is not to say &owe"er3 t&at $ro#+ initiation rit#a,s %annottri$$er +eriods o) t&e +ersona, initiatory %y%,e in +eo+,e w&o #nder$o t&e(-t&ey %an do so e))e%ti"e,y3a,t&o#$& a $reat dea, de+ends on &ow t&e %andidate is treated +rior to t&e rit#a, e"ent3 d#rin$ it3 anda)terwards4

A rat&er e*tre(e e*a(+,e o) an initiation by a $ro#+ was (y own initiation into a !i%%an %o"en so(e= years or so a$o4 As is not #n#s#a, )or !i%%an %o"ens3 I &ad to wait ;a year and a day; be)orebe%o(in$ initiated4 T&is 6ind o) tria, +eriod is o)ten #sed in (a$i%a, $ro#+s and orders as a ti(e o)t&e $ro#+ $ettin$ to 6now t&e %andidate3 and "i%e "ersa4 '#rin$ t&is +eriod a %andidate (ay bere1#ired to #nderta6e a basi% (a$i%a, trainin$ +ro$ra((e or ot&erwise )#,)i,, any entry re1#ire(entst&e $ro#+ &as4 Most o) a,, t&o#$&3 it is a +eriod w&ere bot& $ro#+ and indi"id#a, stri"e to s#ss ea%&ot&er o#t3 to )ind o#t w&et&er or not t&e ot&er is s#itab,e in ter(s o) +ersona,ity3 %o((on be,ie)s and"a,#es3 et%4 I was as6ed to 6ee+ a (a$i%a, diary and to )o,,ow a re$i(en o) (editation3 yo$a3banis&in$ rit#a,s3 +ra%ti%e at di"ination and to try and "isit so(e nat#ra, settin$-be it +ar63 wood,and3

or seas&ore on%e a wee64 As I (o"ed $rad#a,,y towards t&e ti(e o) bein$ ready )or initiation into t&e%o"en +ro+er3 t&e ,eaders o) t&e %o"en dro++ed 1#ite a )ew &ints abo#t &ow (y (a$i%a, wor6 wo#,d%&an$e a)ter initiation4 T&e rit#a, itse,) I re%a,, wit& a (i*t#re o) awe and a(#se(ent4 A(#sin$3 ast&e %o"en &ad based it on a Go,den 'awn initiation rit#a, w&i%& %a,,ed )or (ore rit#a, o))i%ers t&ant&ey t&en &ad (e(bers3 and t&e te(+,e s+a%e was a,so rat&er %ra(+ed )or t&e a%ti"ities t&at t&erit#a, %a,,ed )or4 T&e )ee,in$ t&at I wi,, ne"er )or$et &owe"er3 is t&e (o(ent o) )ear and #n%ertaintyw&i%& r#s&ed t&ro#$& (y &ead as I was ,ed3 na6ed and b,ind)o,ded3 into a roo( and t&e )irst t&in$ I%a(e #+ a$ainst was a s&ar+ (a$i%a, da$$er a$ainst (y breast4 And I t&o#$&t3 2O&(i$od w&at i) I;"e(is:#d$ed t&ese +eo+,e and t&ey are ,oonies a)ter a,,42 T&e rea,isation t&at I &ad to abandon (yse,)

to tr#stin$ t&e +eo+,e I;d $i"en (yse,) #+ to was an indes%ribab,e r#s&4 T&e initiation rit#a, %onsistedo) "ario#s sy(bo,i% re%o$nition;s t&at I was %o((ittin$ (yse,) to t&e %o"en3 t&e (a$i%o-re,i$io#stradition o) $oddess "eneration3 and to (y own (a$i%a, de"e,o+(ent4 As +art o) t&is +ro%ess I was$i"en a (a$i%a, na(e by w&i%& I wo#,d be 6nown d#rin$ rit#a, and sa%red e"ents3 and a)ter t&e rit#a,&ad %,osed3 was we,%o(ed by t&e %o"en (e(bers wit& a +arty4

Howe"er3 t&e initiation wasn;t o"er yet4 A )ew days ,ater I was as6ed to "isit t&e %o"en3 to dis%#ss;so(et&in$4; On arri"a,3 t&e )irst t&in$ I noti%ed was t&at t&e +eo+,e t&ere were distin%t,y %oo, towards(e-not e*&ibitin$ t&e )riend,y war(t& I &ad %o(e to "a,#e so (#%& )ro( t&e %o"en4 I ,istened wit&$rowin$ &orror as t&e Hi$& Priestess o) t&e %o"en e*+,ained to (e t&at t&ey;d (ade a (ista6e-t&at Iwasn;t s#ited )or (a$i%a, +#rs#its and t&at i) I %ontin#ed I wo#,d +robab,y $o (ad4 T&e initiation rit#a,


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t&ey said was in"a,id3 I %o#,dn;t be in t&e %o"en and (oreo"er3 I s&o#,d not do any (ore (a$i%a,wor6 = was de"astated by t&is re"e,ation4 I ,e)t Britain to tra"e, aro#nd Israe, and E$y+t3 and on (ye"ent#a, ret#rn3 be%a(e interested in en (editation4 I %orres+onded o%%asiona,,y wit& so(e ot&ers

w&o I;d (et t&ro#$& t&e %o"en3 b#t $a"e ,itt,e t&o#$&t to t&e o%%#,t +ra%ti%es and be,ie)s w&i%&+re"io#s,y3 &ad rat&er do(inated (y ,i)e4 Near,y two years a)ter (y ;)ai,ed; initiation3 I re%ei"ed a,etter o#t o) t&e b,#e )ro( t&e Hi$& Priestess o) t&e %o"en sayin$ t&at s&e was 2+,eased wit& (y+ro$ress2 and I wo#,d ,i6e to "isit t&e %o"en a$ain4 I did so3 and s&ort,y a)ter was reinstated as aninitiated (e(ber o) t&e %o"en4

On (y ret#rn to t&e %o"en3 I dis%o"ered t&at t&e ;re:e%tion; &ad been de,iberate-t&at t&e tria, o) t&einitiation &ad not been t&e rite itse,) or bein$ (ade to wait a year and a day )or it3 b#t to $o t&ro#$& a,,t&at and t&en to,d t&at bein$ a (a$i%ian w&i%& I;d de%ided I was $oin$ to de"ote (y ,i)e to be%o(in$

8as yo# do9 ba%6 t&en3 was not +ossib,e3 by so(eone I;d a%%e+ted as a tr#stwort&y a#t&ority )i$#re4es3 I %o#,d &a"e ar$#ed3 b,#stered or +#t #+ a )i$&t4 I %o#,dn;t &a"e $one to anot&er $ro#+ as I didn;tt&en 6now any ot&er $ro#+s and &ad (et a s#( tota, o) )i"e ot&er +ra%tisin$ (a$i%ians in (y entire,i)e4 In retros+e%t3 w&at t&e %o"en did was e*a%t,y w&at I needed at t&e ti(e and w&en I e"ent#a,,y%a(e ba%6 to t&e( I &ad $ained a $ood dea, o) +ers+e%ti"e abo#t (a$i% and (yse,)4 I %an on,yad(ire t&e way in w&i%& t&e %o"en;s a%t +,#n$ed (e into an initiatory %risis and ,e)t (e ,ar$e,y a,one-#nti, I;d %o(e t&ro#$& it4

T&e e,e(ent o) t&e tria, is a 6ey )eat#re o) initiation rit#a,s4 In so(e triba, %#,t#res )or e*a(+,e3 t&e%andidate is e*+e%ted to end#re +ain wit&o#t %ryin$ o#t-+ain itse,) bein$ o) %o#rse a ro#te into$nosis4 In t&e E,e#sinean Mysteries; initiation3 a %e,ebrant3 +re+ared by )astin$ and &a,,#%ino$enies(i$&t be ,owered into a %a"e %o(+,e* w&ere beast-(as6ed +riests ena%ted t&e +arts o) $ods ands+irits4 In (odern (a$i%a, $ro#+s3 a %andidate;s initiation tria, (i$&t %onsist o) bein$ ,ed and(isdire%ted a%ross a wi,derness #nti, &e st#(b,es a%ross t&e a++ointed s+ot )or t&e %,i(a* o) t&e rite7bein$ as6ed to de)end a +,a%e or not to (o"e )ro( it des+ite a,, te(+tations or )ear7 a,ternati"e,y t&etria, (i$&t in"o,"e t&e %andidate;s dire%t %on)rontation o) a +ersona, taboo or &a"in$ to $i"e #+ a(a:or atta%&(ent 8bein$ as6ed to s&a"e one;s &air bein$ a si(+,e e*a(+,e94 In A,eister Crow,ey;s

no"e, Moon%&i,d3 one o) t&e +rota$onists #nder$oes an initiation %ere(ony3 w&erein s&e s#rrenders&er +ersona, )reedo(3 in t&e be,ie) s&e is &e,+in$ anot&er wo(an es%a+e t&e Order3 w&o are (adeo#t to be %r#e, tort#rers4 T&e test &ere is o) se,),ess sa%ri)i%e4 Anot&er 6ind o) tria, is a rit#a, w&ereint&e %andidate is to,d to de(onstrate &is %o((it(ent to t&e $ro#+ by %&oosin$ one o) se"era, %o#rseso) a%tion-a,, o) w&i%& in"o,"e "aryin$ de$rees o) s#b:#$ation to a#t&ority or #n+,easantness4 In t&isinstan%e3 t&e %andidate;s re)#sa, to )o,,ow any o) t&e %&oi%es ,aid be)ore &i(-des+ite +ress#re-%an beseen as a test o) t&e %andidate;s indi"id#a, s+irit4

Re,ated to t&e e,e(ent o) t&e tria, is t&e e,e(ent o) s#r+rise in initiation rit#a,s4 T&ere are di))erent

s%&oo,s o) t&o#$&t &ere4 One ar$#(ent is t&at by #sin$ t&e sa(e initiatory rit#a, str#%t#re )or ea%&%andidate3 t&e $ro#+ b#i,ds #+ a ,ayer o) s&ared3 %o((on e*+erien%e w&i%& &e,+s b#i,d #+ t&e senseo) ;we-ness4; A %o#nter-ar$#(ent &owe"er3 is t&at initiation rit#a,s re1#ire an e,e(ent o) ris64 I) t&e%andidate &as on,y a )ew %#es abo#t w&at wi,, &a++en d#rin$ &is initiatory rit#a,3 &e or s&e is (#%&(ore ,i6e,y to be in a state o) &ei$&tened awareness and it is t&ere)ore (ore ,i6e,y t&at t&e rit#a, wi,,i(+a%t #+on t&e %andidate at a dee+ ,e"e,4 For (#%& t&e sa(e reason3 it is &e,d by ad"o%ates o) t&isa++roa%& t&at initiatory rites s&o#,d be %are)#,,y tai,ored to re),e%t t&e $ro#+s; obser"ation o) ea%&+arti%#,ar %andidate4 For e*a(+,e3 it wo#,d be +oint,ess #sin$ 1#asi-S/M tra++in$s in an initiationrit#a, i) t&e indi"id#a, it is ai(ed at is into S/M anyway4


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T&e sense o) a++re&ension in a %andidate )or initiation %an be $rad#a,,y )ostered t&ro#$& t&e +re-rit#a, be&a"io#r o) t&e rest o) t&e $ro#+4 T&is %an be &ei$&tened d#rin$ t&e rit#a, itse,) by t&e #se o)b,ind)o,ds3 ear+,#$s or ot&er +ro+s desi$ned to obs%#re sensory in+#t3 and a$ain by t&e rit#a, o))i%ers

distan%in$ t&e(se,"es )ro( t&e %andidate-addressin$ &i( in t&e t&ird +erson3 )or e*a(+,e4

Gro#+ initiation rit#a,s (ay a,so in"o,"e e,e(ents w&ereby t&e %andidate de(onstrates +ersona,%o((it(ent to t&e $ro#+ and "i%e "ersa4 Rit#a,s are o)ten %,osed wit& t&e ot&er %e,ebrants $reetin$t&e new initiate wit& a war(t& and )riend,iness t&at +re"io#s,y (ay &a"e been &e,d ba%64 Po,itedistan%e (ay be %&an$ed )or :o6in$3 ins#,ts3 ar$#(ents and t&e i(+,i%ation t&at t&e indi"id#a, wi,, no,on$er be e*+e%ted to be&a"e ,i6e a +o,ite "isitor in )ront o) e"eryone e,se b#t %an e*+e%t t&e :oys o)t&e )#,, ro#$&-and-t#(b,e o) $ro#+ ,i)e4

I) a $ro#+ initiation rit#a, is $oin$ to be s#%%ess)#, in tri$$erin$ a +ersona, initiatory %risis )or t&e%andidate3 t&ere &as to be3 I )ee,3 a bond o) tr#st between t&e %andidate and t&e $ro#+ (e(berres+onsib,e )or or%&estratin$ t&at +erson;s initiation4 T&e initiator needs to &a"e )or(ed so(ebase,ine ideas abo#t &ow t&e %andidate wi,, +er)or( #nder stress3 and a,so to &a"e obser"ed t&e%andidate ,on$ eno#$& to &a"e so(e ideas as to w&at )or &i( wi,, %onstit#te a s#itab,e rit#a, e"ent4A,so3 t&e (ere )art t&at )or t&e %andidate d#rin$ t&e rit#a,3 t&e initiator;s %&an$e in de(eano#r )ro(&is or &er nor(a, be&a"io#r towards t&e %andidate to one o) rit#a, )or(a,ity %an a%t to in%reasea++re&ension and e*+e%tation4 T&is bond o) tr#st is +arti%#,ar,y i(+ortant a)ter t&e rit#a,3 es+e%ia,,y i)t&e rit#a, is ai(ed at tri$$erin$ an initiatory %risis4 S#%& +ersona, initiation %y%,es are o)ten (ar6ed by+eriods o) de+ression3 #n%ertainty and "aryin$ de$rees o) ne#rosis4 Gettin$ t&ro#$& t&is +eriods#%%ess)#,,y is a,, t&e (ore ,i6e,y i) t&e indi"id#a, %on%erned &as a tr#stwort&y +erson &e or s&e %andis%#ss )ee,in$s and +er%e+tions wit&4 Pre)erab,y so(eone w&o &as $one t&ro#$& t&e initiation %risis-%y%,e o)ten eno#$& to &e,+ t&e initiate )ind &is own way o#t o) it4

Se,)-Initiation

T&e +ro%ess o) se,)-initiation is %entra, to (a$i%a, de"e,o+(ent in t&at t&e as+irin$ (a$i%ian (#st3 at

so(e +oint3 "o,#ntari,y o+en &i(se,) to initiatory %risis and indeed3 be +re+ared to en$a$e in s#%&initiatory tria,s ti(e and ti(e a$ain4 Se"era, (is#nderstandin$s are %ir%#,atin$ %on%ernin$ Se,)-Initiation4 One s#%& is t&e idea t&at a,, Se,)-Initiation re1#ires is #nder$oin$ a si(+,e rit#a, o)dedi%ation to a +arti%#,ar tradition or be,ie)-syste(4 S#%& rit#a,s o) dedi%ation %an a%t as State(entso) Intent3 as Re%o$nitions o) one;s entry into t&e initiatory %y%,e3 or rites o) %,os#re on%e one )ee,s t&att&in$s &a"e %a,(ed down so(ew&at4 Se,)-Initiation3 &owe"er3 bein$ a +ro%ess o) intense se,)-dis%o"ery and rea++raisa,3 re1#ires a $reat dea, o) &ard wor6 on t&e +art o) t&e indi"id#a, and is#n,i6e,y 8in (y o+inion9 to be sorted o#t a)ter a &a,)-&o#r rit#a,4 Anot&er (is%on%e+tion is t&at on%eone &as +assed t&ro#$& a +arti%#,ar initiatory tria,3 any %&an$es o) +er%e+tion or insi$&t t&at one (ay

$ain are )i*ed )or eternity4 '#rin$ an initiatory %risis3 one (ay e*+erien%e bot& t&e ,ows w&i%& areter(ed 2t&e dar6 ni$&t o) t&e so#,2 and t&e &i$&s o) oneness wit& t&e ni"erse3 God3 t&e Tao3 t&eb,iss o) e$o-,oss and t&e intense )ee,in$ t&at one;s a%%r#ed &abits and ,i(itations &a"e )a,,en away4T&is is nor(a,4 It is a,so transitory4 In (y own e*+erien%e at any rate3 I &a"e )o#nd t&at a ,ot de+endson w&at yo# do abo#t any insi$&ts or new #nderstandin$s t&at arise o#t o) initiatory &i$&s and ,ows-inot&er words3 insi$&ts (#st be a%ted #+on3 and #nderstood $rad#a,,y4 Ma6in$ s(a,, %&an$es int&o#$&t3 word and deed is #s#a,,y (ore e))e%ti"e t&an (a6in$ bi$ swee+in$ de%,arations4

A )#rt&er (is%on%e+tion aro#nd t&e iss#e o) Se,)-Initiation is t&e idea3 +o+#,ar a(on$st so(eo%%#,tists3 t&at Se,)-Initiation is so(e&ow se%ond-rate %o(+ared to Initiation by a +arti%#,ar $ro#+4Re,ated to t&is is t&e idea t&at one is not a +ro+er (a$i%ian3 wit%& or w&ate"er3 #n,ess one is a


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(e(ber o) a %o"en3 (a$i%a, order3 or $ro#+4 O) %o#rse one %an ta6e t&is sti,, )#rt&er #nti, it %an beasserted t&at is not a ;+ro+er; (a$i%ian #n,ess one is a (e(ber o) ;Q; $ro#+4 So(e (odern !i%%ans)or e*a(+,e3 see( +arti%#,ar,y obsessed wit& +ro"in$ ,ines o) initiation ba%6 to a +arti%#,ar a#t&ority-

)i$#re4 !&i,st t&is (i$&t we,, $i"e rise to a %ertain sense o) &istori%a, %ontin#an%e3 it;s by no (eansessentia,4 T&ere see(s to be so(e i(+,i%ation t&at by "irt#e o) &a"in$ a &istori%a, sense o)%ontin#an%e t&ro#$& bein$ ab,e to tra%e one;s ,ine o) initiation $i"es %reden%e and so(e 6ind o)a#t&enti%ation to one;s %#rrent (a$i%a, +ra%ti%es and be,ie)s4 B#t w&y s&o#,d it. And w&y s&o#,d t&isbe ne%essary. I wi,, ad(it t&at it;s ni%e to be ab,e to say 2!e,,3 I was initiated by *3 and * by 53 and 5by y3 and y by w42 B#t it doesn;t (a6e w&at I do now so(e&ow ;(ore "a,id; t&an so(eone e,se w&o&as (ere,y initiated t&e(se,"es3 wor6in$ a,one )ro( boo6s4 A,, a $ro#+ or tea%&er %an do is +er&a+sno (ore t&an +oint in a +arti%#,ar dire%tion or +ro"ide a &e,+in$ &and a,on$ t&e way4 In )a%t3 I wo#,dar$#e t&at (e(bers&i+ o) a $ro#+ %an be t&e +er)e%t settin$ )or t&ose w&o are #nwi,,in$ to initiate

t&e(se,"es3 +re)errin$ )antasies o) bein$ +ower)#, (a$i%ians to t&e &ard wor6 o) se,)-a++raisa, andse,)-a%%e+tan%e4

Ste+s Towards Se,)-Initiation

How t&en does one +ro%eed towards initiation. T&is a$ain3 is so(ew&at a(or+&o#s4 Many s+end a,i)eti(e see6in$ ;en,i$&ten(ent; b#t $et not so (#%& as a $,i(+se4 Many e*+end a $reat dea, o)ener$y bein$ s+irit#a,,y %orre%t on,y to )ind t&at t&e d#,, +erson ne*t door is $i)ted wit& a re(ar6ab,e"ision o) t&e A,,3 in t&e (idst o) wat%&in$ 2I Lo"e L#%y2 or so(et&in$ see(in$,y e1#a,,y bana,4 T&ereis4 I )ee,3 an e,e(ent o) s#%& e,#si"eness to t&e +ro%ess o) initiation3 +arti%#,ar,y one;s )irst e*+erien%eo) +ersona, %risis as a res#,t o) (a$i%a, wor64 It is so(eti(es %&ara%teri5ed by )ee,in$s t&at yo#ro%%#,t st#dies or +ra%ti%es are not ta6en yo# anyw&ere3 t&at t&e initia, s#%%ess t&at one is so(eti(es$ranted a)ter a )ew (ont&s o) o%%#,t wor6in$3 &as s#dden,y dried #+4 T&ere %o(es a desire to $i"e#+ on e"eryt&in$3 to abandon e*er%ises and (editation3 as not&in$ see(s to be wor6in$4 It (ay a,sobe e*+erien%ed as an e*istentia, %risis o) be,ie) and se,)-do#bt4 Fears o) $oin$ (ad are not#n%o((on eit&er4 It is not3 on t&e w&o,e3 a "ery en:oyab,e ti(e to $o t&ro#$&4

It is i(+ossib,e to +redi%t &ow and w&en initiatory %rises wi,, e*+,ode #+on #s-ot&er t&an inretros+e%t4 Its i(+ossib,e to $enera,i5e3 ot&er t&an tentati"e,y4 Grad#a,,y3 in (y e*+erien%e3 onede"e,o+s a sense o) t&eir onset3 a(+,i)ied t&ro#$& drea(3 int#ition and o(en-b#t one &as to be ab,eto read one;s Persona, si$ns %orre%t,y3 w&i%& ta6es so(e e*+erien%e4 It is be,ie"ed by so(e(a$i%ians t&at initiatory %rises arise as a by-+rod#%t o) intense +eriods o) (a$i%a, wor6in$s and+ra%ti%es4 Any 6ind o) (a$i%a, wor6 it is &e,d3 %an ,ead to initiation and by t&e sa(e to6en3 any+arti%#,ar (a$i%a, +ro:e%t %an be #sed 8i4e43 dedi%ated9 to %ontrib#te to )#rt&erin$ one;s initiation4So(e (a$i%ians do %onstr#%t (a$i%a, retire(ents )or t&e(se,"es w&i%& are ai(ed at #n%o"erin$so(e +arti%#,ar as+e%t o) se,) t&ro#$& intense a++,i%ation o) (a$i%a, te%&ni1#es4 E*a(+,es o) s#%&

retire(ents in%,#de t&e %reation o) a +ersona, A,+&abet o) 'esire3 or identi)yin$ and bindin$ one;sown de(on-&orde4 Ot&ers (ay %&oose to +#rs#e t&e(se,"es t&ro#$& so(e )or( o) +sy%&ot&era+yor one o) t&e (yriad syste(s o) se,)-dis%o"ery a"ai,ab,e4 Indeed3 Israe, Re$ardie re%o((ended t&atserio#s (a$i%a, +ra%ti%e be +re)a%ed by #nder$oin$ +sy%&oana,ysis3 and t&is )or a ti(e3 was are1#ire(ent )or a Go,den 'awn-sty,e order t&at &e was assistin$ 8see Rebe,s / 'e"i,s3 New Fa,%onP#b,i%ations )or a )#rt&er dis%#ssion o) t&is94 T&e "ario#s te%&ni1#es and a++roa%&es w&i%& %o(e#nder t&e broad #(bre,,a o) E$o Ma$i% are a,so a++osite )or se,)-initiation4 Certain,y3 intense,y%&a,,en$in$ one;s own se,)- identi)i%ations3 be,ie)s3 "a,#es and &abits o) t&in6in$ and a%tion %an+ro"o6e an intra+sy%&i% %risis4 B#t t&is &as to be a++roa%&ed a#t&enti% a,,y-w&i%& is to say not(ere,y as an inte,,e%t#a, e*er%ise4 T&e initia, ai( 8t&at o) initiation9 (#st be s#bs#(ed into t&e detai,so) t&e +ra%ti%e itse,)3 e,se one is )ore"er on t&e ,oo6o#t )or one;s ;initiation %o(in$3; w&ereas it is not


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a+t to snea6 #+ and bas& yo# on t&e &ead #nti, yo#;"e )or$otten abo#t it4 Indi"id#a,s w&o see6s+irit#a, +ro$ress are o)ten dri"en by a desire to a%&ie"e en,i$&ten(ent 8B#dd&a-&ood3 (a$#s&ood3w&ate"er9 now and t&ere is a das& to )ind t&e (ost +ower)#, te%&ni1#es or (et&ods w&i%& wi,,

$#arantee s#%%ess4 Si(i,ar,y3 t&ere is no one te%&ni1#e or +ra%ti%e t&at wi,, $#arantee a s#%%ess)#,initiation4

It is t&is a(or+&o#s nat#re o) initiation w&i%& %a#ses so(e (a$i%ians to ar$#e t&at one needs a$#ide o) so(e sorts3 be it a tea%&er3 $ro#+3 or (ere,y )riends wit& o+en (inds3 in order tos#%%ess)#,,y $et t&ro#$& +eriods o) initiation4 Certain,y3 &a"in$ so(eone yo# %an dis%#ss a,, yo#r&o+es3 )ears3 s#s+i%ions and o%%asiona, (ad t&o#$&ts wit& is "ery &e,+)#,4 O) %o#rse3 t&ose wit&"ario#s (andates and a$endas o) t&eir own3 (ay see one +erson;s "#,nerabi,ity as an o++ort#nity tosow t&eir own brand o) tr#t& on )erti,e soi,4 Re,i$io#s %#,ts do t&is "ery we,,3 &an$in$ aro#nd %o,,e$es

w&ere t&ey %an draw in new st#dents3 away )ro( &o(e and #ns#re o) t&eir new-)o#nd )reedo(s4!&en t&e wor,d we &a"e ta6en )or $ranted s#dden,y )ra$(ents aro#nd #s3 tr#t&s %an a%t as an%&orsa$ainst #n%ertainty4 In s#%& (o(ents3 t&e rea,i5ation t&at 2Not&in$ is Tr#e2 %an be &orri)i%3 or "ast,ya(#sin$4

E/PERIME%T' I% BE0IEF

One o) t&e %entra, assertions o) C&aos Ma$i% is t&at be,ie) str#%t#res rea,ity4 I) yo# be,ie"e in )aeriesit;s (#%& (ore ,i6e,y t&at yo#;re $oin$ to be ab,e to see t&e(4 I) yo# be,ie"e t&at t&e on,y way to doso(et&in$ is w&at yo#;"e ,earned so )ar3 t&en yo#;re ,ess ,i6e,y to %onsider a,ternati"e a++roa%&es4Re,ated to t&is is t&e idea t&at be,ie)s are too,s or %on%e+t#a, wea+ons3 rat&er t&an )i*ed+ers+e%ti"es3 w&i%& %an be drawn #+on in any $i"en sit#ation4 A $ood +ra%ti%a, e*a(+,e o) t&is in+ra%ti%e is &ea,in$4 !e wo#,d not3 )or e*a(+,e3 e*%e+t an a,,o+at&i% &ea,er to a%%e+t t&e +ossibi,ity o)s+irits in),#en%in$ t&e %o#rse o) an i,,ness4 A (a$i%ian &owe"er3 (i$&t we,, do so3 and at t&e sa(eti(e3 be ab,e to a%%e+t t&e re,e"an%e o) t&e a,,o+at&i% +ers+e%ti"e4

T&e be,ie)s we &o,d abo#t o#rse,"es3 t&in$s in +arti%#,ar and in $enera,3 and &ow t&e wor,d wor6s3are bot& +ersona, and so%ia,3 +arti%#,ar,y w&en we be$in to e*+ress t&e( or see6 o#t ot&er +eo+,e inorder to $ain %on)ir(ation or "eri)i%ation o) t&e(4 So e*+eri(entin$ wit& o#r own be,ie)s3 byne%essity3 in"o,"es ot&er +eo+,e4 And t&is o) %o#rse3 in"ites t&e %o(+,e*ity t&at a,ways a++ears w&enone (o"es o#t o) one;s own ;it-see(s-ob"io#s-to-(e; &eads+a%e3 towards ot&er +eo+,e4 It &as beensaid t&at ot&er +eo+,e +ro"ide t&e ba%6dro+ a$ainst w&i%& we dis+,ay o#r +ersona, di))eren%es andts (aintain o#r sense o) bein$ an indi"id#a,4 T&ere is an e,e(ent o) tr#t& in t&is3 in t&at we o)tentend not to e*+e%t ot&er +eo+,e to be as %o(+,e* as we 6now we are to o#rse,"es4

T&e sense o) bein$ a #ni1#e indi"id#a,-t&e E$o is (aintained by a +attern w&i%& basi%a,,y (a6es adi"ide between w&at it ;is; and w&at is ;not4; An indi"id#a,;s attit#des3 be,ie)s3 and a,,e$ian%e to "ario#sideo,o$ies and so%ia, $ro#+s rein)or%e t&e sense o) se,)&ood3 a$ainst t&e +ro:e%ted ;ot&er4; T&esestr#%t#res are res+onsib,e )or (aintainin$ one;s +er%e+tion o) t&e way t&in$s ;are;-t&e e(bedded+er%e+tion o) t&at w&i%& is +er%ei"ed as7 8to #se Ber$er / L#%6(ann;s ter(9 ;Para(o#nt Rea,ity;7e%&oed ba%6 t&ro#$& a,, as+e%ts o) one;s ,i)e3 so t&at t&ere is ,itt,e sense o) rea,ity bein$ )ra$i,e or#nstab,e 8e*%e+t at ti(es o) stress94 One;s wor,d-"iew ,itera,,y be%o(es t&e !or,de(bedded andrein)or%ed so t&at its ,i(itations and +ara(eters are e*+erien%ed #nre),e%ti"e,y3 as se,)-e"ident;tr#t&s4; T&is is e"eryday ,i)e as it is e*+erien%ed on a day-to-day basis4 It is3 to a $reat e*tent3%onstr#%ted )ro( ro#tines and o#r sense o) %o()ort t&at not&in$ (#%& wi,, &o+e)#,,y o%%#r to interr#+t


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t&e ),ow o) e"ents between one (o(ent and t&e ne*t4 O) %o#rse interr#+tions o%%#r a,, t&e ti(e3 b#tt&ere is a tenden%y to treat t&e( as i) t&ey were aberrations t&at %a#se #s to side-ste+ )or a (o(entbe)ore swin$in$ ba%6 on %o#rse4

Habits / Ro#tines

A,t&o#$& we are %reat#res o) &abit and ro#tine3 we tend to &a"e a +arado*i%a, re,ations&i+ wit& t&ose"ery &abits and ro#tines 8o) be&a"io#r3 t&o#$&t3 et%49 w&i%& (aintain o#r sense o) e"eryday rea,ity4!e (ost,y a,,ow t&e( to +ass #nnoti%ed-a)ter a,,3 w&at is t&ere to +onder abo#t t&e way we dress int&e (ornin$3 +#t on o#r s&oes or was& #+ a)ter dinner. O%%asiona,,y t&o#$&3 we )ee, o++ressed byo#r own ro#tines3 and )ee, t&e need to brea6 o#t4 Habit be%o(es restri%tion4 !&en t&is (ood swee+sin3 it is a $ood ti(e to try o#t t&e "ario#s &abit-brea6in$ e*er%ises-write wit& yo#r non-do(inant &and7

s+ea6 ba%6wards7 atte(+t to de,ete one &abit )ro( yo#r be&a"io#ra, re+ertoire re+,a%in$ it wit&anot&er4 Part o) t&e +oint o) s#%& e*er%ises is t&at yo# are introd#%in$ %ons%io#s re),e%tion into ane"ent w&i%&3 +rior to t&e e*er%ise3 yo# did (ore-or-,ess a#to(ati%a,,y4 So instead o) eatin$ w&i,e yo#wat%& TV3 yo# :#st eat - %on%entratin$ on t&e sensations3 a%tions and ),a"o#rs4 Instead o) ,istenin$wit& on,y &a,) an ear to anot&er +erson w&i,e yo# t&in6 o) a witty re:oinder-yo# :#st ,isten3 6ee+in$yo#r (ind b,an6 and $i"in$ t&e ot&er )#,, attention4 T&ere are ndreds o) s#%& ,itt,e $a(bits and t&ey%an be )#n to try o#t +eriodi%a,,y4 >#st don;t $et into t&e &abit o) "iewin$ t&e( as &a"in$ to be doneand )ee,in$ $#i,ty w&en yo# )or$et4 2My $od3 I ate t&at sandwi%& wit&o#t e"en tastin$ it2 Habits &a"et&eir #ses4 Indeed3 one %an ar$#e t&at t&e (ore we assi$n t&e ,ow-+riority as+e%ts o) o#r ,i"es to

#nre),e%ti"e be&a"io#r3 t&e (ore attention we %an +ay to bein$ )ree in t&ose arenas w&i%& do (atterto #s4

As we %an e*+eri(ent wit& +ersona, &abits and ro#tines3 we %an so do wit& so%ia, ro#tines o)be&a"io#r4 In t&e =?s3 an A(eri%an so%io,o$ist as6ed &is st#dents to $o &o(e and be&a"e ast&o#$& t&ey were $#ests in t&eir own &o(es4 He was in#ndated wit& %o(+,aints )ro( an$ry +arentsw&o &ad wondered w&y t&eir o))s+rin$ were +o,ite,y as6in$ t&e( i) t&ey %o#,d #se t&e bat&roo( orretire to t&eir roo(s4 E"en (inor %&an$es in so%ia, be&a"io#r %an &a"e )ar-rea%&in$ e))e%ts4

Indi"id#a,s wit& a ri$id e$o-%o(+,e* tend to rea%t to any +er%ei"ed t&reat to t&eir wor,d-"iew bys#++ressin$3 denyin$3 or atta%6in$ t&e so#r%e o) dissonan%e4 T&e (ore ,oose one;s e$o%o(+,e*3 t&e(ore ada+ti"e and to,erant t&e indi"id#a, is to new ideas3 %&an$e3 #nderstandin$ anot&er +erson;s"iew+oint3 and3 +er&a+s (ost i(+ortant-t&e abi,ity to intera%t wit& ot&ers a%ross a wide so%ia, ran$e3wit&o#t re1#irin$ a %o(+,ete %onsens#s o) attit#de and be,ie)4

T&e Paradi$( S&i)t

T&e ter( 2Paradi$( S&i)t2 was %oined by t&e s%ienti)i% +&i,oso+&er T&o(as #&n in &is boo63 T&eStr#%t#re o) S%ienti)i% Re"o,#tions4 A%%ordin$ to #&n3 a +aradi$( is an ar%&ety+a, e*a(+,e3 a nor(w&i%& sets t&e standards )or )#rt&er a%ti"ity in t&at )ie,d4 It is3 i) yo# ,i6e3 a +arti%#,ar i,,#stration w&i%&e*+resses a wider $enera, t&eory4 So t&e in)a(o#s S%&roedin$er;s Cat e*+eri(ent wo#,d be a+aradi$( o) #ant#( P&ysi%s4 A +aradi$(3 t&ere)ore3 is a %on%rete e*a(+,e o) a wider wor,d-"iew4 AParadi$( S&i)t o%%#rs w&en a new +aradi$( arises w&i%& addresses t&e i(+ortant +rob,e(s o) t&eday (ore e))e%ti"e,y t&an t&e o,d one did4 A$ain3 a s%ienti)i% e*a(+,e o) a Paradi$( S&i)t wo#,d bet&e re+,a%e(ent o) Aristot,e;s dyna(i%s o) (otion wit& t&ose o) Newton;s Prin%i+ia3 and3 in t#rn3Einstein;s T&eory o) Re,ati"ity4


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C&aos Ma$i%ians &a"e borrowed t&e ter( Paradi$( S&i)t and $i"en it t&eir own s+in4 In %&aos-s+ea63 t&e ter( +aradi$( &as be%o(e e1#ated wit& a +arti%#,ar wor,d-"iew3 and so t&e %&aote"ersion o) +aradi$( s&i)t 8as I #nderstand it9 is to (a6e de,iberate s&i)ts o) be,ie) 8and be&a"io#r9

ai(ed at e(bra%in$ a +arti%#,ar wor,d-"iew4 Ty+i%a,,y3 t&is is a wor,d-"iew asso%iated wit& a +arti%#,ar,i)esty,e or be,ie)-syste(4

T&e ai( &ere is to ,oosen one;s +ersona, web o) be,ie)s and attit#des to be%o(e (ore ada+ti"e tonew sit#ations and attit#des4 S&i)tin$ into a new wor,d-"iew is instr#%ti"e3 not on,y in ter(s o)e(+at&y 8#nderstandin$ anot&er +ersons; o#t,oo6 on ,i)e 9 b#t a,so3 by brin$in$ abo#t a de,iberate%&an$e w&i%& o%%#rs a%ross di))erent strata o) one;s ,i)e3 t&e (a$i%ian #nder$oes a +ro%ess o) e$o-)ra%t#rin$ and re(o#,din$4

It s&o#,d be #nderstood t&at (a6in$ a be,ie) s&i)t is not easy4 It is not (ere,y a (atter o) de%idin$ oneday to be a &edonist3 and t&e ne*t3 a (edie"a, as%eti%4 Mere,y +,ayin$ aro#nd wit& be,ie)s andattit#des in t&e sa)ety o) one;s own &ead-s+a%e is ,itt,e (ore t&an (enta, (ast#rbation4

Be,ie) s&i)ts are rare,y e))e%ti"e #n,ess t&ey are ena%ted )#,,y wit&in t&e %onsens#s rea,ity o) a so%ia,s+a%e4 S&i)tin$ )ro( Hi++ie to #++ie ne%essitates a %&an$e o) %,ot&es3 s+ee%&3 se,)a))ir(ations3ti(e-sense3 e"eryday &abits3 t&e so%ia, %ir%,es in w&i%& one (o"es7 and t&e (ost di))i%#,t +art o) t&e+ro%ess (ay be %o+in$ wit& t&e rea%tions o) )riends and +eers4 T&ere;s an e,e(ent o) bein$ a ;se%reta$ent; &ere-o) $oin$ #nder %o"er3 +,ayin$ a ro,e4 o# (ay )ind &owe"er3 t&at t&ere wi,, be (o(ents

w&en yo#;re not (ere,y +,ayin$ t&e ro,e3 b#t t&at yo#;"e be%o(e e(otiona,,y en$a$ed in it4

Enterin$ any +arti%#,ar wor,d-"iew as an e$o-de%onstr#%ti"e e*er%ises i(+,ies a stan%e o) tota,in"o,"e(ent and t&e e(bra%in$ o) any asso%iated be,ie)s3 attit#des3 and be&a"io#rs4 T&is +ro%essta6es ti(e4 It ta6es ti(e to estab,is& onese,) %o()ortab,y wit&in a +arti%#,ar wor,d-"iew7 ti(e toe*+erien%e %onsens#s rea,ity tota,,y wit&in t&at wor,d-"iew3 and ti(e to wit&draw )ro( it and e"a,#atet&e e*+erien%e4

So(e wor,d-"iews are easier to enter and ,ea"e t&an ot&ers4 It is re,ati"e,y easy3 )or e*a(+,e3 to s&i)t)ro( bein$ a )anati%a, )o,,ower o) a re,i$ion to a )anati%a, e*+onent o) a (a$i%a, syste(4 A,, t&at a+erson &as %&an$ed3 in t&is e*a(+,e3 is t&e s#r)a%e %ontent o) t&e be,ie)s4 T&e e(bedded +atterns o)be&a"io#r and attit#de &a"e re(ained inta%t3 and it is t&ese ;e(bedded; be,ie)s and be&a"i

Phil Hine - Prime Chaos

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