Zen And The Art Of Sorcery., Mechanics of the energetic reality. Options

This thread is meant to deal specifically with two matters which must go hand in hand. 1. The mechanics of the energetic reality, including the structure of reality; and 2. Techniques for applying this knowledge towards the goal of becoming a competent initiate sorcerer. After that you're on your own.

As to the mechanics.

The universe at large, including all dimensions of existence, is an entity. It is composed of a mind, body, and spirit exactly like you and I are. it is infinitely more complex - and by using this word I want to impress that no mater how far you stretch your imagination, you haven't grapsed it yet; or even scratched the surface - than you or I are. The relationship between the universe and you is similar to the relationship of you to the atoms that compose your body. Obviously you're aware of them, at least collectively and in the effective house they compose for you, but they aren't aware of you. each atom simply does what it is made to do. It's too simple a pattern of dense energy to possess conciousness on the same level you do, but it also possesses a mind, body and spirit.

The Spirit is the Causal, energetic universe. It is the Purpose of the universe, and every division of the whole has it's own measure of purpose. It is the first dimension. The Body is the Phenomenal, physical universe. The material is a dimension of it's own. Length, width, and depth are measurements.The two aspects are parallel, and affect one another equally.

The mind is the Reactive nature of the universe. It is a result of the patterns that eventually accrued over time from the moment of the universe's initialization. Consciousness as we know it developed totally by random, but was none the less inevitable - patterns yield intelligence, which yields consciousness. Plain and simple. it's collective presence constitutes a third dimension. Hence our three dimensional existence.

each dimension is then divided into its own dimensions which are basically categorical measurements or aspects within the greater facet. At the top of things, the universe is unified - but we divide it here into these categories to understand how the machine works, what it's laws are based upon, and how we may use our temporary individuality to maintain the same when we no longer have a phenomenal home.

Also in the structure of what we generally percieve to be the universe is sometimes included Darkness, Evil, etc. it is easy to see the effects of 'evil' in the world and believe that destruction is simply part of the whole, but in reality it isn't. it is part of the system, but it is rather the natural resistance of the expansion of the universe into the vacuum. The vacuum is litterally non-existence. it's not part of a greater system, as we're addressing the hypothetical and frankly inconcievable entirety of existence across all dimensions. our perception of existence is an intersection of various frequencies of energy. We are at the center of the intersection, and are held there by our physical energy trap. The body just holds a charge. Energy is progression and purpose, the body modulates that energy along specific patterns, and the result is a standing energy loop which constitutes a soul in most people's book, or at least a spirit. A soul, or enduring entity without body, is a standing energy loop dense enough to hold itself together. Like a planet is held together by gravity, or atoms. Those physical things are energy so dense that they slowed down to the point of becoming to energy what solids are to gasses.

I digress... the degeneration of existence, commonly considered 'destruction', although that correlation is arguabley mistaken to some points of view, is caused by the pull of the vaccuum. Originally all energy was seperated into it's component parts, the tiniest most unimaginably minute slivers of existence - individual fermions all pulled by the vaccuum into a kind of infinitesimally fine dust that was uniformly spread throughout the void amidst an intense pressure. Enough pressure to pull the universe apart. inevitably, a spark struck, and the resulting cosmically cataclysmic pattern of cascading 'fermions' or whatever composes THEM perhaps, resulted in the universe as we know it - over a period of time that there's no point even referencing. However, that reaction drew the universe tegether from throughout the vaccuum of the void, and that pressure began to increase in opposition to the expansion of the universe. And, eventually, in the vast stretch of eternity, it will pull the universe apart again. Who knows what evolutionary change will occur within the universe then, or if, like our own fortified souls, the universe is progressively reborn better each time? No point in speculating stuff like that.

Like any evolving life form, the universe developes patterns which improve it and which weaken it in some way. Over time, hopefully the patterns which weaken it are eliminated through it's evolutionary process. This pattern of weakness creates an opposing pattern of explotation by the Void - not because it acts with a purpose, but because the universe is simply exposed at it's weak points, and those weak points are systematic patterns. Consciousness at the universal level is a scale model of human consciousness - the parts that make it up are simply vastly more cpmplex and larger than our own.

decay is the manifestation of the void's effect on the universe. The transmutation of decay into new existence is the Universe's response, it's process of healing.

Once these basic dynamics are accepted and then explored as though they were the solid truth of existence - which, IMHO they are, as they are a solid basis and universal explanation for every single magickal or spiritual mythos or system in human consciousness (and i'll defend that point gladly on request, rather than offer demonstrations presently) - the inherent exchanges of energy between the three dimensions and the Void begin to unfold naturally before the eyes of the wouldbe Sorcerer, and this is the beginning of evolving Sight.

Peace
Vagrant

Next Time: Resonance, Standing Waves, and Karma; Beginner's Meditation for Acquiring spiritual Density.

I do consider myself a sorceror and my art sorcery. Those like me who consider themselves to be sorcerors do practice a form of thaumaturgy which involves not only the power of self, but calling upon lesser daemons and spirits to do ones bidding on this plane. Sorcery does although take on several different forms, most of them forming around folk magicks such as vodun, herb and candle magick, and charms. Personally, the form of sorcery I practice involves trance states, mental and emotional control, and the use of will power only. I believe what separates sorcerors from common magickians is their ability to weild their will power without the use of tools (although I and most other sorcerors I have had the pleasure of meeting and conversing with do use some sort of tools to project their will power) or elaborate rituals to effect reality however they desire to do so.

There are very few websites currently online about sorcery, as most of the information is either passed down from teacher to student, or through family lines. The only current site I would reccomend for learning sorcery would be www.molochsorcery.com. Although he follows a very folk magick form a sorcery, including the use of herbs, candles, etc. it is none the less a form of sorcery.

This post has been edited by MasterVerro: Jun 5 2006, 05:10 PM

I do consider myself a sorceror and my art sorcery. Those like me who consider themselves to be sorcerors do practice a form of thaumaturgy which involves not only the power of self, but calling upon lesser daemons and spirits to do ones bidding on this plane. Sorcery does although take on several different forms, most of them forming around folk magicks such as vodun, herb and candle magick, and charms. Personally, the form of sorcery I practice involves trance states, mental and emotional control, and the use of will power only. I believe what separates sorcerors from common magickians is their ability to weild their will power without the use of tools (although I and most other sorcerors I have had the pleasure of meeting and conversing with do use some sort of tools to project their will power) or elaborate rituals to effect reality however they desire to do so.

There are very few websites currently online about sorcery, as most of the information is either passed down from teacher to student, or through family lines. The only current site I would reccomend for learning sorcery would be www.molochsorcery.com. Although he follows a very folk magick form a sorcery, including the use of herbs, candles, etc. it is none the less a form of sorcery.

So, forgive my assumption, if it is that, but you would mean to say, then, that sorcery involves these traditions (remarkably similar, I would note, to traditions generally classified under any number of other terms as well...) and does not explicitly involve the sorcerer's own ability to percieve and manipulate energy, and that furthermore those abilities have no critical importance to the sorcerer's magickal ability?

If so, then I would agree that what I've written about here has nothing to do with sorcery.

I would, however, suggest that within the realm of sorcery (as I do, myself, fall into the category as defined by your own words - that is, the magick of the direct will, and of the aid of non-physical entities in achieving magickal effect) developement of the ability to accurately, objectively, percieve the energetic universe is of worthwhile importance, and can aid the sorcerer in descerning not only what to seek in terms of magickal effect, but how to best achieve that effect under the immediate circumstances.

I might say, though, that your definition of sorcery is rather inclusive. These practices you note as components of the sorcerer's tradition, are widely included in many other magickal traditions that many would agree fall outside of the realm of sorcery proper. Those that practice sorcery may conjure, while not all those who conjure may call themselves sorcerers. You're further interpretation, this difference hinging on the sorcerer's ability to wield power directly... personally I consider my dissemination into the direct perception of energy (and let's not mince words over what consititutes magickal 'energy' - it all comes from the same source) to be of direct consequence of that ability. The state of mind in which the sorcerer resides while engaging in this higher perception, is often referred to as 'twilight' given twilight's essential meaning of "between lights". Between the Physical and Astral light... Which is an apt term to describe that state of perception.

If you disagree, then by all means, I'd be interested to know.

It would make perfect sense to me, personally, for many to get confused with the manner of expression. Personally, I express my perceptions, or attempt to express them at any rate, in terms that border on technical - I strive for, accurate and objective. I believe that attaching labels and words which amount to a system of subjective identification of concepts, to get somewhat in the way of the litteral examination of the universe. Having so many labels and classifications allows us to fit large concepts into relatively little space.

We may address A rock, but when we expand it in our perception, through science in this particular instance, we begin to see it's parts and know that a 'rock' is really many molecules. We examine further and see not molecules, but a myriad of atoms. Further inspection... well, you see.

By calling this collection of quanta a 'rock' we put it into a small conceptual box, and the same goes for magickal theory. We can confine it to a box and it is easy to hold onto that way, but only by shedding the superficial labels can we begin to dissect the true nature of the things that make up what we are labelling as a singular phenomenon.

I have not yet begun to describe the means by which one begins to apply these perceptions to outward phenomenon, or to follow currents of energy into sates of trance. In my opinion, it is best to start with the beginning foundation of "What am I looking at" before, "how do I use it?"

peace