Bokeh
01-30-2009, 05:20 AM
Hey.
My study background is philosophy (particularly metaphysics). I'd been exploring those concepts with the use of psychedelics for a number of years. Was getting over it and looking for a serious path. Discovered magick about 2 years ago and (as when I applied psychedelics to my philosophical enquiries) I was pleasantly surprised to find my personal suspicions and half baked concepts were well established in esoteric tradition (and then some!).
Started out thinking I would work through golden dawn grades, and practiced neophyte rituals daily for many months while conducting a broader survey. Now I've discovered alternative systems and am currently intimidated by my options. I see the merits of treading a well worn path (at least to start with) but am not keen to follow dogma blindly.
Currently idling practically with Mantak Chia's taoist (microcosmic orbit etc) stuff while I study Kabbalah based systems in more detail. I'm hoping to find a happy medium between the comprehensiveness of GD and the fluid pragmatism of a Chaotic approach while making sure I ask WHY? and get answers before I send any energy that way (Kraig's Modern Magick is an example of a disappointing treatment, as it seems shallow and leaves me hungry for the reasons behind what he's instructing).
Much of these concerns would probably be solved if I found some local people with similar interests. Rural Australia is a bit short of orders, as you might expect.
Anyway - nice to meet you all.
My study background is philosophy (particularly metaphysics). I'd been exploring those concepts with the use of psychedelics for a number of years. Was getting over it and looking for a serious path. Discovered magick about 2 years ago and (as when I applied psychedelics to my philosophical enquiries) I was pleasantly surprised to find my personal suspicions and half baked concepts were well established in esoteric tradition (and then some!).
Started out thinking I would work through golden dawn grades, and practiced neophyte rituals daily for many months while conducting a broader survey. Now I've discovered alternative systems and am currently intimidated by my options. I see the merits of treading a well worn path (at least to start with) but am not keen to follow dogma blindly.
Currently idling practically with Mantak Chia's taoist (microcosmic orbit etc) stuff while I study Kabbalah based systems in more detail. I'm hoping to find a happy medium between the comprehensiveness of GD and the fluid pragmatism of a Chaotic approach while making sure I ask WHY? and get answers before I send any energy that way (Kraig's Modern Magick is an example of a disappointing treatment, as it seems shallow and leaves me hungry for the reasons behind what he's instructing).
Much of these concerns would probably be solved if I found some local people with similar interests. Rural Australia is a bit short of orders, as you might expect.
Anyway - nice to meet you all.