Completion And Choosing A New System. Options

So... you've finished your path working on which and what ever it is you were doing for the past X amount of years, free to more or less do what you want so you look toward other systems to work with, plenty out there why not test a new field.

Now... how do you go about it?

Do you take to that system using the attributes gained in the last or do you approach it all as a complete Neophyte, ground level up...? Is that even possible considering you've already gained a form of self mastery?

Many orders wouldn't be happy with a person utilizing their skills while working their system, dosen't bode well on the groups collectve consious, confuses initiations, but put it into a diffrent context, how does a sucessful businessman approach a new business? Does he forget all that he has learnt, not use his past experience and resources and play along or does he factor them in to help with any new endevor? Questioning this applies well to systems that use the QBL as it can be deceptively contextive, Tiphareth is Tiphareth but one system places Horus on its path and another Ra, diffrence is the understanding and form of system used so if you now as a Cerimonial come along and invoke the planet involved... where do you stand?

Musings (IMG:style_emoticons/default/Laie_58.gif)

Peace
.M.

Not sure. Why are you wanting to chose a new system? Have you really attained all that you can with the system you're using, or is that system just not working for you anymore? I think the answers to these questions would heavily influence what system you wanted to "move on towards."

After making the switch...an analogy comes to mind:

In martial arts, black belts are often required to learn a different martial arts system in order to be advanced to the next "dan" ranking. When they start out in the new system, often times the Sensei will recognize "ok, you've learned these skills our system uses, but you haven't learned these skills," and so they're placed in a rank a degree or two down from black while working on the essential techniques. And this is possible because, -really- there's only "so many ways" to lock up a person's joint, to throw a punch or kick, et cetera.

I think learning spiritual paths is comparable, since there can be a lot of overlapping knowledge and technique between systems. Or not! Medieval archery is a lot different from Karate.

Some martial arts traditions are also bigoted, and will degrade new members into thinking everything they've learned in the past is "bad" or "wrong." But really, it's really more a way of enforcing the existing hierarchy than teaching martial arts. I'd stay away from groups like this in any category.

Not sure. Why are you wanting to chose a new system? Have you really attained all that you can with the system you're using, or is that system just not working for you anymore? I think the answers to these questions would heavily influence what system you wanted to "move on towards."

After making the switch...an analogy comes to mind:

In martial arts, black belts are often required to learn a different martial arts system in order to be advanced to the next "dan" ranking. When they start out in the new system, often times the Sensei will recognize "ok, you've learned these skills our system uses, but you haven't learned these skills," and so they're placed in a rank a degree or two down from black while working on the essential techniques. And this is possible because, -really- there's only "so many ways" to lock up a person's joint, to throw a punch or kick, et cetera.
I think learning spiritual paths is comparable, since there can be a lot of overlapping knowledge and technique between systems. Or not! Medieval archery is a lot different from Karate.

Some martial arts traditions are also bigoted, and will degrade new members into thinking everything they've learned in the past is "bad" or "wrong." But really, it's really more a way of enforcing the existing hierarchy than teaching martial arts. I'd stay away from groups like this in any category.

Hmmmmm... a better analogy than mine perhaps.

Its not so much wanting to choose a new system, in Cerimonial work its almost a given that an adept will complete his path with one school and seek to make ground in another, Alchemy, Enochian for example, especially with the QBL as a template, makes such a transition ''seem'' simple... in my opinion diffrent schools have a diffrent energy behind them hemce the term, ''school of thought'' with referance made to the mind, of thinking but there you go.

This is an issue that I'm facing at the moment was/am trying to open it up and make it a general conversation as its an intresting one but to cut to the chase I'll pose my case as an example, be the lab rat in question...

At the moment I'm with the G.D working as slow as a mule but as sure (and as stubborn) as one too. As I'm a solitary practioner things can get a tad lonesome so I chanced upon another group who hold general classes for the public, lessons on outer order stuff that dosen't go too deep but keeps people intrested and ensures a steady flow of new members kind of thing, They're of a priestly bent, extremely close, very much family like... enough to put me off as a solitary, their collective mentality almost locks others out entirely, sign of a good order. Was asked to join so I attended a ritual meeting out of curteosy but can't attend for obvious reasons. Now... they're QBL based but have a meditative, mantric approach... lack the bells and whistles of a magickal order but its appealing none the less. When finished with the G.D I'm hoping to take up P.Alchemy and BoL (body of light) type pathworkings but I'd like to join them at some point... so... the problem... they're priestly, I have traversed several grades already in a diffrent system and have little next to no intention of not using what I have learnt so far to aid in another pursuit (stubborn)... difficult coming from a diverse approach/system to a dogmatic one, not sure I would stew so well in that pot so I pose the question here to guage how others have found it.

Do think most groups would approach it as you mentioned, fast track candidates who can prove their salt but it would be difficult keeping a group together without rippling the pond, can see it being the cause for problems as said new member seeks to fit into said group,

Apologies in advance for flighty transitions from thought to thought...

Ideally a good magickal order will provide a good balance of freedom and structure for students to learn and experience what they need to at their own pace. Whether or not this works out...

It seems to me that you're attracted to some groups that have interesting subject matter but a problematic 'dogmatic' or 'priestly' political apparatus. So is there any way you can do Alchemy or body of light stuff without participating in these groups? Are there other groups that aren't this way? Could you do these practices by yourself and find a cool group of magickal people to hang out with?

Cuz yeah, when I hear "dogmatic" and "priestly," it makes me immediately think "this group has ego needs," meaning it'll likely be very invested in having you conform to the preset definition.

Wish I had more than my martial arts analogy; my personal experience with magicakal groups really doesn't apply to this case.

A dubious possibility: You could find an eclectic group with members interested in a variety of practices. Some of these groups can be really good, and your experience with other systems could give you a leadership role while also allowing you to learn from others. Not in my own experience, but I've heard from friends that O.T.O. can be like this, for instance; I wouldn't know, I keep promising to go, but I've never made it to a Gnostic mass in my life! LOL

G.D. is way cool though! Based on all their material, I'm VERY surprised that you're imagining a time in the near future when you'll have completed their course of study. Should I be? How long does it normally take to work through the G.D. system of magick?

Guess I can't call them dogmatic and complain really, they're priests full stop and I respect them for it. Taking that into regard... yeah... I'd probably have to stick with the program and not use anytihng else, difficult talking from a low grade perspective, things will come together at some point I'm sure but thats what the topic was about. Choosing a new system and not being able to use your past experience within that system.

G.D. is way cool though! Based on all their material, I'm VERY surprised that you're imagining a time in the near future when you'll have completed their course of study. Should I be? How long does it normally take to work through the G.D. system of magick?

Whole heap of fun, just like to bounce around a little, test new ground... also certain elements missing from it from a cultural perspective but yeah, its way cool. If anything I would have taken a look at the AMORC in its place as they're still very much around and offer a full course to work from taking ten years to complete... the G.D (self inititation) courses usually take around 5 - 7 years depending, lets say over a year in each grade taking it up to 5=6. Thinking the AMORC have you take a year in each offering a full course whereas with the G.D you'll be hard pressed facing 5=6 on your own which is where most discourse and take up something else... have seen some build a vault of the adepti on their own, now thats way past way cool and into dopeville.

Vault of the adept