Listen i am a very open minded guy and for some reason i dont seem to have a clue as to what i might be drawn to i am relitivly a noob at magic and know very little please enlighten me on how to choose a path right for me and how to follow it......!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

We cannot really tell you which path is the right or wrong for you, that is something you will eventually figure out for yourself out of knowing who you are.

Begin by meditating and clearing your mind, then listen to your inner voice, scrutinize your mind, delve within the philosophy and science of magic, as well as the history. You will eventually figure out which path is for you, until then, keep it esoteric I suggest.

I also want to state that the magician most often changes paths every now and then, I believe it to be essential for a clearer understanding of what the magician seeks; in my opinion, creating your very own path, after much research, knowledge, and personal experience, is the way to go.

This post has been edited by DeathStalker: Jan 6 2007, 07:42 AM

As a Chaoist, I say All of em!

thanks guys so whats the best way/time to meditate?

The best way varies greatly. As you should have some free time to do it. I for one can be busy so I'll meditate when I get up in the morning or sometimes even at the bathroom at work. So find the best time for you and you can do that by meditating throughout the day.

As for ways well there are to many to speak of here. However, I've found that a simple yet powerful banishing ritual (That requires nothing more than your mind...ie no need for robes, daggers and such.) can be a Great start. The banishing ritual I use is pinned at the top of the Necronomicom forum here at SM. I hope this helps.

This post has been edited by gmcbroom: Jan 6 2007, 05:39 PM

thanks that really did help much appreciated!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Read about a variety of paths and see what resonates with you. You will know when its right.

Remember one word: " DEDICATION " with this, you'll succeed in pursuit of your ambitions.

One way you can build your mind for dedication is to slowly teach your body and emotions to succumb to your mind's need, and not their own. How to train for this you have to be highly austere on yourself; here are a few methods:

Fasting:

It is not important to go without any food for days or weeks at a time. In the beginning, it is sufficient not to satsify your emerging hunger immediately, but simpy to prolong the time before you take in any food. The same applies to the desire for liquids. Addictions can also be controlled in this manner. After some practice, a few days of complete fasting can be achieved easily.


Abstention:

Although it is desirable to control sexual urges, celibacy should not become a permanent condition. A more or less long period of seual abstention is sufficient. The ultimate aim is to cease being a slave to your own cravings and to learn to willfuly control and master your needs and feelings. In most cultures, the performance of a ritual is precieded by a preparation phase of fasting and abstention.


Holding Still:

Another technique of developing the willpower is to remain in a certain posture over a period of time. This is done in some yoga exercises or in the Zazen exercise (sitting in the lotus position with legs crossed for several hours) in Zen Buddhism. Prolonged sitting in a meditative posture, with your legs crossed or on your heels, effects a strengthening of the willpower. When the position is beginning to get unpleasent, the idea is to prolong the duration of the exercise. Your body slowly will become accustomed to following the orders of the brain.

This post has been edited by DeathStalker: Jan 7 2007, 04:18 AM

The best path is the one that you are most comfortable on, the one that fits and is closest to whatever you feel belongs to your true self or where you feel you are living out your true will.

Finding this is as others have said, is by meditating, looking over things at the end of the day and seeing what seemed good and helped you and will have the best long term consequences. These things are not always clear, but certainly after doing this nightly for a few months you should be able to see patterns of things, it might be that you like one path because of its symbology or another because of its history, or another because it is fresh and exciting.

I think each time you read about something you like, maybe jot in down in a notebook and soon enough you will see a pattern emerging of the kinds of things you enjoy and this will help you choose your path.

It will take time, I mean god knows, I didn't find my best fit until I was 45, yes, true enough.

There is no hurry, just make sure that you take time to enjoy the journey in finding your path.

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Sorry RS . . but this is a Chaos forum . . (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The best path is the one your UNcomfortable with. The one that makes your question and squirm. It's the right path when your ego pressures you to quit. Its the best path when you force yourself to accomidate something strikingly new and different.
Magickal growth can be simply turning over the stone . . . but it can also be hurling the stone away and discovering your new earth underneath.

Your ego won't like it, it certainly wont want you to persist in some area it doesn't understand and that theres a really likelyhood that it will be overwhelmed (ie, un-needed).
All Paths are paths of initiation . . . but the only initiations, in Magick, that are worthwhile are the ones that change you, that make you more then your ego provides

Go slowly . . . go boldly . . . But go into the dark places! Discover something amazing.

Like the aboves, try them all . . . meditate . . . then try each again. It take time, but what'cha gonna do with that time . . . it just goes away anyway.
Only a few actually find a preformed path that fits right, most of us are simply building our own personal collage

Follow your will and intuition and that is the best "path" you can choose.Belonging to a single path is too restraining for me.I do what I like,when I like and how I like.Following path is like hiking with a map,relatively safe and you get to see the expected,but plunging without a map brings you to all great stuff not found in tourist guide.Yes it is much more dangerous but also more rewarding.

thanks for all of your opinions and i really like them a lot but the two people with the most unique and seemingly best fitting advice for my pesonality is by these 2 they have really helped!!!!! but so has everyone else thanks for caring!!!!!!!!!!!!

and a special thanks two Enkido and palindroem!!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)