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"Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose"

  
 
SMS
03:50 / 20.08.02
A few years ago, I tried using magic to do various things, all generally to improve my state of mind. Some of it seemed to make things worse, and some of it really worked well. And there's part of the problem. I mean, it isn't a problem, really. I'm pretty happy, and I'm getting really reluctant to try out magic that might upset this.

Maybe this is a better time to just read about shamanism, gnosticism, and other things that really interest me. Maybe I should just keep up with my normal meditations and prayers and fall into the rest if it comes naturally.

I don't know what this thread is supposed to be about.
 
 
Chaos is relative
04:21 / 20.08.02
It sounds like a dark time clouded by doubt.
 
 
the Fool
04:31 / 20.08.02
Maybe I should just keep up with my normal meditations and prayers and fall into the rest if it comes naturally.

I really believe in this. I'm reminded of a thing I try to do when performing taichi. Not to push, not to pull, there is a natural speed of doing things, it comes when you relax...
 
 
Seth
05:49 / 20.08.02
It sounds like a dark time clouded by doubt.

It kinda sounds like an alright time to me. Nothing wrong with not getting involved with magic for a season if you're concerned about the effect on your current happiness.

It sounds like you're on the right track, SMatt. And that track sounds pretty similar to mine (well, I don't know about you're excat circumstances, but your reluctance to disappear too far into magic and your reading list are similar, at any rate).
 
 
ciarconn
13:28 / 20.08.02
Just relax and flow.
When the moment's allright, you´ll know.
 
 
Professor Silly
13:52 / 20.08.02
Do you include any form of divination in your daily practices? You know, like with the I Ching or the tarot, or maybe even Geomancy? I personally prefer the former, and find the daily suggestions worthy of meditation (at the least) or maybe even a change in direction (at the most).
 
 
cusm
16:18 / 20.08.02
Well, if it isn't broken...
 
 
Papess
16:52 / 20.08.02
A few years ago, I tried using magic to do various things, all generally to improve my state of mind. Some of it seemed to make things worse, and some of it really worked well.

I was once told by one of my teachers that the mind, when trying to empty it, will often look more cluttered than when you started. Like trying to clean glass and it gets all streaky first before it is clear. I think that if you used magick to help improve your state of mind, maybe it was just this type of behavior, of things getting worse before they get better, that may have took place then. Did some of those things actually get better after the dust settled?

Honestly, I am always stiring up stuff for myself because of my incredible impatience. I want enlightenment and I want it now! Hehehe. Of course, this can be a source of conflict but, if I am pliable, I think giving my inertia and complacency a kick in the butt works once in a while.

May Tricks
 
 
cusm
17:59 / 20.08.02
heh. If you don't stir up trouble and conflict, you won't get to learn much. Bliss and inner peace are nice and all, but they don't teach you anything, save perhaps how to sit real still and collect dust.
 
 
Jack Sprat
18:04 / 20.08.02
Stasis doesn't get you anywhere -- uh, by definition.

If magick is a way to get stuff, just quit.

But if your ultimate goal is to become a better magician, this is exactly the right time to work. It sounds to me like your previous workings have been more or less successful depending on how well you focused them. You won't get any better at focus if you wait until the next time you "need" magick to get something.
 
 
Suffocate
05:45 / 21.08.02
If you're "pretty happy" at the moment, what kind of magick are you considering that might upset things?

I learnt early on that the concept of nasty, sadistic Genie magick where everything you ask for will come with nasty consequences is 99% reliant upon the pessimism of the magician. If you undermine yourself with doubt, or start fantasising about all the possible consequences... you're headed for trouble.

I'm in agreeance that you should just relax and not worry too much about magick atm. You'll get bored of being happy soon enough, and then the mayhem may begin!
 
 
SMS
03:41 / 22.08.02
I have thought about how this could hurt my magical education, because, after all, I won't really be doing anything new. That's why I posted. I'm not sure that it could be called standing still, though. I will still be learning. I'll be reading, building a vocabulary, and getting better at meditation and prayer.

Thanks for your comments. I'm feeling more confident about this now than I was a couple days ago.
 
  
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