ERRORS ON THE PATH

I have been engaged in meditation and the occult for over twenty years, and a recent conversation with a friend provoked a realization in me. My friend had commented that a certain person was studying a certain occult subject under the tutelage of one in the community with great enthusiasm and was making fair progress. What had provoked his comment to me in the course of conversation was the observation that this young person was eager to learn this or indeed any techniques they came across, but my friend was curious as to what purpose this new knowledge was going to be practically used for.

This is an unfortunate situation and bears some elaboration. In the occult traditions as in many walks of everyday life, there are those people who identify with the appearance as compared to the substance. We have all encountered individuals who relate accounts of their great learning, their many and varied accomplishments, and even their superior understanding. In the occult community this often manifests as frantically attempting to learn as many techniques or magickal traditions as possible. Do not misunderstand me; the acquisition of knowledge is commendable and to be encouraged, and people who dedicate their time to acquiring knowledge better themselves in a variety of ways. However, what is more important than the gross knowledge that one can accumulate is the integration of that knowledge and assimilation of this learning. While almost every occult practitioner is at least passing familiar with a few traditions, I would suggest that concentration on a few subjects in depth is ultimately more useful than a Jack of All Trades who learns the superficial details of many at the expense of deep knowledge of the few or the one. This certain person was interested, but not in the learning; instead, this person was interested in acquiring banners and flags to show their accomplishments, be it a degree from a nature religion, a recognition of familiarity with Diaspora traditions, background in various ceremonial traditions or ancient theurgic traditions.

The drive for titles, degrees and/or certificates was the driving mentality, not the acquisition of knowledge for assimilation and use. By identifying with the external trappings so far as they pertain to recognition by others or the even more dangerous identification of these trappings to the sense of self, this individual demonstrated a basic lack of understanding. The self is not your persona, your emotions or your intellect; your true self is a awareness independent of anything that you can perceive. More directly, whatever you perceive cannot be you.

Let me be clear so there is no misunderstanding between us. Real magick is internal, and concerns the path to the self. What people call Magick is not Magick. The tools, techniques and rituals, even faith are parlor tricks you pick up along the way. At best, these tools, techniques and rituals give rise to siddhis, but even siddhis are byproducts of development and not the goal. Concentration on the external or the parallel may indeed increase your occult worth in the perception of others (or yourself) but by its very nature is self limiting. Magick is a tool that one uses not for inflating the sense of self, but as a tool for realizing the self.