I have a question about this statement from Liber Theta.
"Simultaneously, 12 of these 16 cards correspond to a particular 30° segment of the zodiac:
the first two decanates (i.e., the first 20°) of one sign, of the element to which the card’s suit corresponds,
and the last decanate (or 10°) of the preceding sign, which is of a contrary element."
**Who figured this out? **
Was the 20 degree/10 degree theory worked out before Court de Gebelin started pairing the Hebrew alphabet with the Trumps?
Does someone who studies the Tarot eventually have no more need for the cards? Are the Tarot cards just flash cards?
Is the goal to internalize the system without the use of the cards?
@gurugeorge said
"
Keep approaching that point where you panic. Eventually you get used to it. Then as you persist through the panic, there's a kind of inner vertigo or "existential dizziness", one might say, and then you're through!
Your identity will dissolve, or be seen through (perhaps more accurately) - it will be seen as something over there, very small. What you then feel yourself to be (only there is no "you" there - perhaps better to say "what then feels Itself to be") is the Universe (or God), awake and alive.
But don't worry! Your identity and personality will come back - there's nothing fundamentally *wrong *with it, after all! It was just temporarily in the way of you noticing something, because it clamoured for your attention so much.
But nothing will ever be the same again - you have known, you are an Initiate.
The Path up the Middle Pillar is just doing this regularly under various circumstances, as a result of various kinds of practice. The Pillar of Mercy and the Pillar of Severity practices ward the Middle Pillar.
Below the Abyss, you are a person having episodes of being God; above the Abyss, you are God having episodes of being a person."
I thank you for this reply.
I'm trying to get a better sense of the big picture.Does this ego dissolving experience have a technical name?
Is this called dhyana?
@kasper81 said
"What level of breath counts are you onto?"
I just watch the breath as taught in LIBER RV.
@Uni_Verse said
"Let thy self dissolve!
With experience, you shall grow accustomed to what occurs upon dissolution
Until it troubles you no longer"
Once dissolution occurs,then what?Is that the goal of the practice or is that just the beginning?
Is dissolution what they call dhyana or is that the next step?
During meditation there have been a few times where I felt my identity was dissolving.When this happens I start to panic and my focus is destroyed.
For those of you who have gone beyond this point,what happens on the other side?
Do you still know your'e in a room meditating?
Is there the same panic regaining your identity as there was losing it?
Is this a major step on the path or is this just the beginning?
Does the fear subside with practice?
The Dragon position is more commonly referred to as "Seiza".Do an internet search and you will get a ton of information on the position.
The key to being successful with the Dragon position is the heel placement.
If you look at the diagram there is a sweet spot where the heels lock into the pelvis.This will provide good balance and minimize the amount of pain you will feel.
Keep your knees apart.I keep my knees about two fists width apart.This will help your balance.
I would start with the "Alchemist's Handbook", written by Frater Albertus.It gives a good introduction to alchemy and tells you how to set up an actual laboratory,complete with beakers and erlenmeyer flasks.There is a chapter on alchemical symbolism,and a list of herbs with their planetary attributions.
Search for Shiva Samhita instead of Shiva Sanhita.
Search for Chuang Tzu instead of Kwang Tze.
The Dragon is just like the Japanese Seiza.Toes facing away from your body,and toenails on the floor.Do a google search on seiza and you will get some some better pictures than the one in Book 4.I have been practicing the Dragon position daily for the last seven months and am finally on the road to success.
When I first started with it I experienced crushing pain in my heels.This lasted a few months.The heel pain was overcome and then it became hamstring pain towards the end of the session.Now I dont feel any pain at all.
It took me a while to figure out the exact placement of my heels.This is one of the most important parts.If the heels are not locked into the butt correctly, the position will not be balanced and you will feel pain.I also experimented with the spacing between my knees.I keep my knees about three fists apart.I have a long torso so this wider spacing acts like a tripod and keeps me balanced.
Hand placement on the thighs was also an issue.When my hands were placed in the middle of my thighs my left arm would become numb.I have to slightly angle my arms to keep the blood flowing.After I had success with the hand position I traced my hands onto my meditation pants so I could have exact hand placement every time.
It has been a very frustrating experience,but I can finally see results.
From Patanjali's aphorisms:
47.When the mind has become thoroughly identified with the boundlessness of space,the posture becomes steady and pleasant.
From Raja Yoga:
47.We can make the posture firm by thinking of the infinite.
What is the connection here?Why would thinking of the infinite sky cause the body to become firm,steady,and pleasant?
I have been practicing the exercises in Liber Ru for about a month now and have had some good results.I am just observing my breathing.First thing I noticed was that my meditation became deeper.An hour feels like 20 minutes.I also noticed that my concentration improved.
The other day I was practicing and got really focused on the breathing.Then I got a feeling like something was about to happen.A minute or so later I felt a rush of ecstatic energy start to take over my body and my heart started beating rapidly.I felt like my mind was going to disappear.I started to panic and lost concentration.The energy subsided and I calmed down.
I have read that the feeling of losing your mind or your ego is a step towards success in meditation.I think I got nervous because I didnt know what to expect if I let that happen.What do you do if your ego disappears?
I felt like I would be trapped in some alternate universe and not be able to make it to work the next day.lol.
I am one of those crazy book fiends.I bought my copy for $800.00 and have no regrets.The book is unique and worth every cent.I figure in ten years my copy will be worth around $20,000.00 and I will be able to retire early. 
Every now and then when I am in asana my body "falls asleep".It always starts with my arms.My left arm starts to feel like my right arm,and my right arm starts to feel like my left arm.Then my body will fall asleep.It feels weird at first,like a force taking over my body,but then I get used to it and it is very relaxing.
Does anyone have experience with something like this?
What's the deal with the big stain in The Book of the Law.
Was the stain there before or after the page was written on?
What exactly was spilled on the paper?
There is a small note at the top of the page that says"leave stain on paper-not in black".What does this refer to?
Jim,
I am interested in joining the A.'.A.'.I have all the required books and would like to begin the work.I plan on starting with the classic student program.I live in San Diego and can drive up to Los Angeles as needed.Is there some kind of in-person interview that is required before joining?I PM'ed you about a week ago,but haven't heard back.
Mike
To access the full version they require an $11.00 donation.Has anyone used a credit card with these guys?
Has anyone here used this?I downloaded the free version and have been studying with it.
Jim,how old were you when you started as a probationer?
How old was Phyllis?
Thank you for the help Jim.I'm going to get to work on these exercises.