progressing through self-initiation
-
I have some general questions floating around in my mind, and I am quite cognizant of all the rules about how yr not supposed to give concrete instructions to a "probationer". If you have any advice to offer, that would be helpful. Just some general questions...
I've taken to meditation after reading Crowley and tons of other mystic/occult literature over the course of a year or so. Meditation is the only real 'practice' I've taken up. It has proved very helpful and made me realize as many books as I've read and will assuredly continue to scour, looking within is the best way to attain knowledge of anything of practical import to the individual psyche.
My first question regards Astral Travel, something I'm very interested in. I don't know much on the subject. This thing has been happening to me for a while now, up to a year. A particular phenomena, it reminds me quite a bit of childhood. basically when I'm lying in bed at night before I fall asleep, and I am still quite awake, I'll begin seeing things, plain as day. A night or two ago I saw a bunch of spirals of light that then formed into a definite face that I could perfectly well see. The face wore these spectacles. It removed the glasses and then this super bright light came out of its right eye until the whole vision just became spiralling swirls of light again. All of this I saw very plainly. I'm wondering if this is what they call Astral Travel? Or the "astral plane" atleast. It seems to fit the descriptions I've read concerning the astral plane or the astral light.
Rationally/logically, I know that these fluid 'visions' are generated when my brain is relaxed to a point where my consciousness or my ego or whatever is no longer predominant. I'm not yet dreaming, I am simply in an incredibly receptive state. So by extension I wholeheartedly believe that this state should be readily accessible through meditation. I simply haven't been able to accomplish this yet. So,, any advice/books on the subject that you think will really help me? Or should I just set the alarm clock two hours distant and stay in Asana meditating for a huge amount of time hoping to relapse into this receptive state where I'll be able to see with my inner eyes?
The other question basically pertains to any other practices I should take up. I guess the banishing ritual of the pentagram Ive refrained from this point from taking up any real occult rituals because I felt my understanding of the symbolism was lacking and therefore I would just be going through the motions without a real grasp of the thing I was communicating to the ethers/my subconscious self/whatever else bears witness to said rituals, etc. Any help? Eh? Eh?
-
Oh and one other question. It might sound silly. Anyways I was reading Israel Regardie's "One Year Manual" and decided I would like to follow out his instructions... He kind of revised Crowley's Liber Jugorum where he talks about cutting yourself when you violate a set regulation that you've imposed upon yourself. Well I'm not going to do it...Anyways if you haven't read Regardie's book, he recommends using an electric shocker. I'm trying to find out about a good reliable shocker. I was looking on amazon and there are a variety of such prank electric shock toys but most of them apparently are cheaply made and don't last very long. I would like a reliable unit or else I'm just going to have to stock up on cheap prank toys to administer the shock when I disobey myself. So any recommendations on that?
-
A narrow rubber band around your wrist - just tight enough to be snug, not tight enough to constrict - provides a good, immediate snap that is quite effective.
-
@rein said
"Ha! Never thought of that. I'll try that and see how it works
."That is what virtually every Thelemite I have ever talked to who has done Liber Jugorum has used.
" I'm wondering if this is what they call Astral Travel? "
Gettin' there. Those are astral phenomena. When they are 'outside' of yourself and you are watching them it is generally called 'scrying.' When 'you' are 'inside' the picture it is understood as astral travel/projection. See 'Liber O' by Crowley, especially parts V-VI.
93 93/93