What's Your Method Of Centering/grounding/shielding?, Sorry if this is in the wrong section. Options

Hi guys,
I was wondering, how do you do it? Visualization? Ritual? Both or neither? What thoughts/images do you have while doing so?

Blessed be,
~Rae ♪

Ask yourself where are you, and listen to the answer. You'll naturally adjust accordingly, ritual's kind of long winded and silly.

I prefer ritual. "As above, so below" and all that: my actions in this world have corresponding effects in the spirit/mental world. Ritual is a powerful and concrete method to attain focus. Visualization I have always sort of equated with imagination, which can be useful but can also be misleading (if one is imagining they are doing something but it is never distinguished from pure fantasy).

For grounding I use a very simple approach, that dissipates energy, thoughts and emotions. I requires a lot particular breathing patterns and and a feeling for where energy thoughts and emotions are coming from.

I don't use shields, rather I absorb any attack and transform it while its inside me and therefore under my direct control.

While I'm not prepared to completely reveal the technique and nature of my shielding to everybody I basically make a construct that serves the purpose of shielding me with many layers with many different functions woven in - look at it like a cocoon that you can modify at will and whose threads you can direct toward a particular function - you might want an alarm or something, so put a layer in the cocoon that will alert you when enemies are near. Make it easy to add layers when you want to, and build it to your specification. I usually make the cocoon out of something that will hurt evil - pure light, pure fire, something akin to that.

Additionally, I sometimes form constructs around articles of jewelry or clothing - I have a necklace with a construct attached to it that will work to pacify violent emotions around me - basically, calm people down. It's been overpowered recently, so I'm working on beefing it up.

This post has been edited by Ethereal Sight: Aug 16 2010, 04:29 PM

I prefer ritual. "As above, so below" and all that: my actions in this world have corresponding effects in the spirit/mental world. Ritual is a powerful and concrete method to attain focus. Visualization I have always sort of equated with imagination, which can be useful but can also be misleading (if one is imagining they are doing something but it is never distinguished from pure fantasy).

Why would you equate visualization in magick with pure imagination that can't be implemented? Magick consists mainly of willpower, energy, and (creative) thought. You need only to imagine what it is you desire, and use your will to make it so. Rituals only creates correspondent links between your actions and your ultimate reality (that you desire). If I want to do anything, I imagine it, put forth energy, and make it so. If I fail to do so, it is only because I lacked sufficient energy or concentration. (I'm skipping out on the whole Law of Knowledge and Law of Self-Knowledge bit as I am only concerning myself with the basics for the sake of this conversation.)

My method of centering consists of standing with my feet shoulder-width apart, closing my eyes, and bringing my arms in front of me so that my hands come together at the same time as my energy flows up into my hands and arms. That's just a quick centering method. If I really feel out of sync with everything I just meditate.

Why would you equate visualization in magick with pure imagination that can't be implemented? Magick consists mainly of willpower, energy, and (creative) thought. You need only to imagine what it is you desire, and use your will to make it so. Rituals only creates correspondent links between your actions and your ultimate reality (that you desire). If I want to do anything, I imagine it, put forth energy, and make it so. If I fail to do so, it is only because I lacked sufficient energy or concentration. (I'm skipping out on the whole Law of Knowledge and Law of Self-Knowledge bit as I am only concerning myself with the basics for the sake of this conversation.)

I don't mean to say that that can't work. I'm just leery of it because it seems easy to get all into imagining shields and constructs and whatnot and fooling yourself into thinking they're there, when it's really just fantasy.

I don't mean to say that that can't work. I'm just leery of it because it seems easy to get all into imagining shields and constructs and whatnot and fooling yourself into thinking they're there, when it's really just fantasy.

That could work through trial and error to see how much dedication and focus said individual goes about imagining things

I don't mean to say that that can't work. I'm just leery of it because it seems easy to get all into imagining shields and constructs and whatnot and fooling yourself into thinking they're there, when it's really just fantasy.

It is easy, especially for a beginner. People tend to think the vitalization is the magick rather than a prop to guide the magick. when I first started playing with psionics I thought I had I brilliant shield, and then I encountered my first malevolent spirit. As physic heft goes this was no bulldozer- equivalent to relay bad vibes you get when someone hates you. It still had its way with me for a few days, though, because I thought I was shielded. After that I started working with a friend of mine who was just starting magick. We would spare for lack of a better term. Over time that help define what was a shield and what was my visual interpretation of a shield.

Another way to separate the two is to by examining where in you mind the visualization come form. If your doing it right there should be to links to you. the first linking to the visualization and the other to the will that is your shield.

Some very interesting answers. I usually stand my feet shoulder-width apart (Like VW) and I just imagine my body being moslyt/full of roots inside, then seeing them connect together, then digging into the Earth. Just don't know if it's enough.

Visualization may be imagination, but that's why creates your desires if you hope for it enough, no?

This post has been edited by Rae: Aug 17 2010, 08:51 AM

Some very interesting answers. I usually stand my feet shoulder-width apart (Like VW) and I just imagine my body being moslyt/full of roots inside, then seeing them connect together, then digging into the Earth. Just don't know if it's enough.

Visualization may be imagination, but that's why creates your desires if you hope for it enough, no?

Visualization is good for training your mind to do certain things, but in terms of actually accomplishing magical action, will only take you so far. One becomes too focused on the visualization itself and can miss out on the activity behind that gross thought process. Just seeing yourself surrounded by white light, for instance, is not enough to focus your energies towards the outer edge of your sphere of influence. Visualizing this, while contacting some energy and feeling that energy move in accordance with your visualization is more effective. However, it is that second element that is functioning in that equation, the visualization is nothing more than an initial guide. It takes less concentration and focus to do the second action by itself over an extended period of time, than it does to both visualize, channel energy, and also function in daily life. Not impossible, but also not necessary to include the visualization.

Visualization is nothing more than a trick of the brain. Utilizing will has nothing to do with that faculty. It is possible to do magic without ritual, and without any visualization either. For those new to magick, personally I think some kind of at least somatic ritual is beneficial - that is, at the very least some kind of posture, some mudra, etc. Over time your mastery of the direction of energy grows, and you can do much without moving a muscle, changing posture, or even while doing other things. This is up to your own practice with concentration, multi-tasking thought processes, and of course developing sensitivity to energy.

peace

Visualization may be imagination, but that's why creates your desires if you hope for it enough, no?

I agree, but take in mind it will only work as well as you hope, and that might not be as much as you want in certain situations.

Visualization + Will + Faith = Whatever the hell you want. Absolute results require absolute faith and unbending will.

Not many people would be successful in manifestation, at least in reasonable timing, from the sounds of it.

You might be forgetting motovation, Vital.

Well, I think you'd be surprised just how natural manifestation is for people. Magic is in part directing natural forces and inclinations towards an end. You come ultimately to a 'chicken or the egg' question - what comes first, the desire, or the current of events that will ultimately bring that desire into existence? Often times the individual is entirely ignorant of the roots and causes of their desires. Part of manifesting in general - even in the process of being grounded, centered, and/or shielded - relies on delving into your desires to understand what motivates them in the first place. And, not infrequently, what you say you want is really only an internal manifestation of a deeper desire.

This can go on for several degrees - your desire for a car, say, comes from a desire for freedom of travel, which comes from a desire for control over one's own life, which comes from a primal desire to have personal power. It's all good and well to choose any one of these things as the basis for your process of manifestation - but the primal desire is going to be more powerful. Each further expression is weaker than the previous one. If you dig down and find that most primal root, or a more primal root in any case, you are using a more powerful source of desire (desire = magnetic, will = electric). By operating from this point on the chain of desire rather than the furthest end, you can still work on getting that car, but by channeling this primal desire for personal power over one's own life.

As this applies to the subject matter at hand, let us say that you choose to take a deep breath and spend 60 seconds seeing yourself surrounded by white light (this is a very common 'spiritual protection' method taught practically EVERYWHERE these days.) If you do nothing but visualize, then you are just imagining something. If you take that a step further and put some emotion into it, and let's say that you decide to, while visualizing, focus on a feeling of wellbeing and the knowledge that you are protected. This is slightly better.

Now let's say that you do this, while also giving this light a heartfelt command ('will'-ish) to remain with you and protect you from harm. This is yet another step better.

However, how much more powerful will that process be if first you meditate on the nature of the desire to be safe? This is perhaps one of the most primal desires a living organism has. It is an evolutionary priority, and every living thing seeks, in some way, to be safe from harm in order to pass on its genes. It is a survival instinct. If you follow up the chain from this primal desire, and draw forth the almost frantic desire for safety into each successive chain, then you have harnessed a REAL desire with genuine power to effect change. Each successive 'link' on the chain from "I need to be safe" to "I have a shield of white light around me" becomes infused with a priority mandate stretching back to the origin of life.

The thing is, you can direct the power of that desire with zero visualization. Visualization is just a tool, not the power in and of itself. In fact, when drawing forth that primal desire, it is so deep in the unconscious that you'd be hard pressed to visualize anything until you get into the territory of the conscious mind. You have to work with it from a purely energetic standpoint, working up the feeling itself and supplying the extension of that desire with the same intensity of energy that the primal desire is rooted in.

The more clearly a person understands what they want, the greater their ease of manifesting. Its okay to want things that one might call 'superficial' - you just have to understand that everything you desire is rooted in basic archetypal desires and that THAT is where the force of psychic attraction comes from.

peace

Thank you for that, Dreamer, very long post. I can understand that imagining isn't enough, but how do you know when you've put the right energies into it?
Grounding can help you been more 'awake/kind of reshed/energictic', can't it?

Thank you for that, Dreamer, very long post. I can understand that imagining isn't enough, but how do you know when you've put the right energies into it?
Grounding can help you been more 'awake/kind of reshed/energictic', can't it?

You almost certainly know what a strong, true desire feels like. This is part of the human experience. A raw, deep, unshakable longing that isn't just a superficial "want". True desire can consume your thoughts and drive your actions. When you feel this way about the objective you are trying to achieve with magic, then you have enough energy for efficient magic. Less than this doesn't mean that nothing will ever happen - but magic is not just getting whT you want, but also doing so effectively and efficiently.

Being grounded means that your energy is stable and rooted in a solid 'stance'. When you are grounded you are less subject to the ebb and flow of energy that constantly buffets all of us all the time. Being grounded, you can be more certain that your wants or desires are real, and your own, and not just reactions to your energetic environment. Being centered means to be focused and aware of your own energy, which means you cN then percieve and distinguish between your own sphere of sensation and the energies around you. It doesn't necessarily give you any more energy, just the stability and awareness to more effectively connect to and direct energy.

This is like trying to control a kite while swimming in deep water, vs. Finding a shallow place where you can stand more firmly and exert more control over the kite.

Peace

This thread has been really insightful and really really interesting, I'm curious about a lot of this.

When you feel this way about the objective you are trying to achieve with magic, then you have enough energy for efficient magic. Less than this doesn't mean that nothing will ever happen - but magic is not just getting whT you want, but also doing so effectively and efficiently.

I used to be basically addicted to the energy that magick draws, and for a few years I'd actually be in a semi-astral state, moving about. Every gesture sprouted energy, every movement shifted things. One thing that confuses me, is in that state, I could cast a hurricane's worth of magick without tangible want, it just ripped through everything?

The desire you mention seems to be a bit dangerous, compared to honing focus, as opposed to desire. Once you can slip somebody into that state, you can easily lead them anywhere.

Being grounded means that your energy is stable and rooted in a solid 'stance'. When you are grounded you are less subject to the ebb and flow of energy that constantly buffets all of us all the time. Being grounded, you can be more certain that your wants or desires are real, and your own, and not just reactions to your energetic environment.

Grounding and centering has its uses, but in regards to casting, what does it bring. I understand it brings a certain objectivity, but you lose a massive amount of power when you're on the ground, and not guiding currents.

Just another question. Does grounding generally suggest that you're physically grounded, or just energetically grounded. Most if not all of my casting is done in astral projection.

You almost certainly know what a strong, true desire feels like. This is part of the human experience. A raw, deep, unshakable longing that isn't just a superficial "want". True desire can consume your thoughts and drive your actions. When you feel this way about the objective you are trying to achieve with magic, then you have enough energy for efficient magic. Less than this doesn't mean that nothing will ever happen - but magic is not just getting whT you want, but also doing so effectively and efficiently.

I am reading an excellent book on the mindset behind proper and true prayer by E.M. Bounds and this is real close to what he says also. I agree with distinguishing want from true desire. I thought what you said about the weakening of each successive, and less primordial, desire was very interesting and makes sense to me. I had actually never thought or heard of that specifically before but I'm surprised now because it seems important. I think it is a little tricky figuring out what you really want at first though. Meditation could obviously be used for that. I suppose this has been what I was doing myself but hadn't actually realized it.

It does seem to be taught everywhere, and fairly effectively (or maybe just popularly) too. Visualizing is being used more by business people, churches, and other new age practices. (I assume businesses because I notice more books on productive business practices covering this). Still I think people can only get so far without at some point turning to a religion or spiritual practice where they work on themselves at a more advanced level. This seems to fit right in with what Vagrant said if you consider how most religions/ spiritual practices bring you closer in touch with yourself, meaning that you then become in closer contact to a more primordial part of the being, which as he said was more powerful, yielding more effective results.

The desire you mention seems to be a bit dangerous, compared to honing focus, as opposed to desire. Once you can slip somebody into that state, you can easily lead them anywhere.

I agree completely that desire is dangerous. Dangerous to yourself, to other people, to everything really. But the world in general is a dangerous place.
"...in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure." -Chris McCandless

I do not believe a person in touch with true desire is easily led. I see them as being untamable, emboldened, filled with passion and resistance to being led. Sort of the passion that created the United States. The first battle, the battle of Lexington led by Captain John Parker, shows this. He led a small band into what was known beforehand to be a suicide mission. A mission to stand and fight where death was a certainty as the small band of Americans were nothing compared to the huge group of British coming their way. These men were filled with passion with several generations of family on the battlefield. From the book William Diamond's Drum:

"Skilled as he was in political theory and in its articulation, the Reverend Jonas Clarke was enough of a realist to know that reason did not always prevail... 'where courage, valor or fortitude has reason for its basis... it enables men to face the greatest dangers, to stand the severest shocks, to meet undaunted and serene the charge of the most formidable enemy and all the horrors of war'"

This shows the spirit and power of tapped desire, of tapped passion. It is not easily led. The group of advancing British were known to be passive and would not harm the town they were going through. The (British) general was know to be extremely passive and kind. I hope this was a decent example.

This post has been edited by ☞Tomber☜: Aug 18 2010, 06:12 PM

I would agree with you, but desire's manifestation is the most lethal,and arguably the most useful part of any individual. Instead of subverting the intention of the individual, just simply direct the means at which the individual acts, and you an adorably idiotic energizer bunny.

Feel your body. Become aware of your body. We tend to spend too much time only aware of what is going on inside of our heads, so extend your awareness to the rest of your body. Feel your breath. Put your awareness into the process of your breathing. By becoming aware of your breath your mind will quieten. Shielding is another matter. If I have the time I might write something about it later.

I used to be basically addicted to the energy that magick draws, and for a few years I'd actually be in a semi-astral state, moving about. Every gesture sprouted energy, every movement shifted things. One thing that confuses me, is in that state, I could cast a hurricane's worth of magick without tangible want, it just ripped through everything?

Is that so? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bigwink.gif) The wind blows and blows and blows, and the man holds tightly to his jacket. The sun shines kindly upon him, and he takes it off to enjoy the warmth.

The desire you mention seems to be a bit dangerous, compared to honing focus, as opposed to desire. Once you can slip somebody into that state, you can easily lead them anywhere.
Grounding and centering has its uses, but in regards to casting, what does it bring. I understand it brings a certain objectivity, but you lose a massive amount of power when you're on the ground, and not guiding currents.

Don't underestimate the amount of focus that it takes to discover the primal source of desire. Ultimately, the journey into one's own wellspring of desire becomes not a process of discovering only what those primal desires are, but of desire itself, as a natural force of its own. It manifests in us human beings a certain way...

Focus is a different part of the equation, but focus is inert without desire. It's a lens without light - just shapely glass. Focus with what? Focus on what? If you hone only focus, then you are able to be very focused, but not much else. One pointedness only applies to magic when you are directing something at that point. It's a fine meditation tool however.

Just another question. Does grounding generally suggest that you're physically grounded, or just energetically grounded. Most if not all of my casting is done in astral projection.

Depends on where you are grounding into. The earth, your 'point of origin', the unchanging eternity behind the universe, etc. The point is only that you are not 'shiftable' - you can't push on something in a zero-g environment effectively. Both you and the thing you push will move in opposite directions. If, however, you are tethered to something solid, with a gravitationally significant mass, then only the thing you push will move. The principle of having a firm 'foundation' is one of the most ancient premises of magical practice, universal to basically every tradition. Probably with good reason, though, if you know a better way...

I would agree with you, but desire's manifestation is the most lethal,and arguably the most useful part of any individual. Instead of subverting the intention of the individual, just simply direct the means at which the individual acts, and you an adorably idiotic energizer bunny.

Desire is the root of all suffering.

Desire is the root of all life.

All life is suffering.

How we suffer and what we do with it is up to us. You can rule your own desires. Only a small percentage of the population will ever be consumed with desire to some lethal extent - zealotry, biggotry, vengeance, etc. Most people will ignore their desires in some process of self-sacrifice. Others desire pure and good things.

The second sentence doesn't make sense to me. I'm not sure what you mean by all that.

peace

Desire is the root of all suffering.

Desire is the root of all life.

All life is suffering.

How we suffer and what we do with it is up to us. You can rule your own desires. Only a small percentage of the population will ever be consumed with desire to some lethal extent - zealotry, biggotry, vengeance, etc. Most people will ignore their desires in some process of self-sacrifice. Others desire pure and good things.

The second sentence doesn't make sense to me. I'm not sure what you mean by all that.

peace

We all suffer, but wouldn't the entire point of life be to see past yourself and see the bigger picture?

In ways we can 'rule' our desires, I think. We can decide whether or not to act on our impuleses, but we can control what we secretly want (though wants would come and go, desires not so much, right?). The desire for the things in life (objects, people, causes) would be kind of the 'will to live'. Is that what you sort of mean?