My path?

[VrbsSou]

Greetings and nice to meet you everyone, I'm new at this forum.

Lately I've noticed I barely do any progress at being an occultist. I don't know how to practice, I don't know what am I lacking, or what my path is supposed to be. Yet I just can't seem to tune myself at any of the mainstream occult beliefs. At the same time no one can properly label my beliefs and I can think of that as an advantage, at the cost of finding my spiritual progress extremely hard. I'm feeling stagnated and I don't know how to end this.

Can I ask you guys for some advice? Thank you very much.

[Ramscha]

Coming from the chaotic way of thinking I would give you the simple suggestion to do something completly different from the practice or work you normally do and which you normally wouldn´t even consider practicing.
If you are deep in cabbalistic systems, then try for example to work with Pony Magick (System created from the series "My little Pony"). Just an example, it can of course be anything else. Maybe this gives you a new spin.

Ramscha

[VrbsSou]

Hello Ramscha and thanks for your reply. That's the whole issue: I don't exactly have a set things I usually do. I'm constantly looking for my path and that has lead me to try some few things already. I don't know which works though. Also I barely know methods to cast spells. Lately I made a talisman with some cardboard, some few instructions and a consecration. I've tried writing things up and reading it every night for some days. I've tried asking directly to the universe. And I'm still not that sure on what works and when.

[PrinceOfNeptune]

I have a few suggestions for you:

As far as your path goes, if it is a spiritual one you seek, I would read the myths and legends and stories of the deities of as many faiths as you are interested in, and it might offer some affinity for you. You can also do something less specific and say 'you know, I find great majesty and wonder in the stars' or 'I am really drawn to the moon, and I feel strong and magical when the moon is full'. Take that and look up a patron spirit or deity of the thing you like, pray to them or light a little incense or something and see how you feel.

If you are talking more of a 'use of energy' type of path, I would ask yourself what it is you are seeking as a result of travelling along said path. Each flavor of 'magick' has its own goals and business. I also recommend reading up on the 'feel' of various types of ritual and energy use, for lack of a better word. See which vibes the most from you.

I really can't stress enough the thing about deciding what you want out of it. That will set things up for you in the most efficient way.

[LordAnayami]

I recomed you to think hard what you want to do in your life, what you realy want to have done. What do you realy like, what you realy disslike. What you realy want to be, do. If you answer this questions then you will find what to do. You will find important information to acomplete your dreams.
I had done it some time ago and now I'm LHP practicioner. I set my goals and now I try to do it. I gain a lot informations and try to practise it well. Before you start think what it can bring to you, what + and - it will bring and do what you want.

[VrbsSou]

Thank you very much for your replies.

Maybe it's not a spiritual path, and I think I know why I got things a bit mixed out. Personally I'm following the teachings of the Kybalion as a sort of spiritual path, as the concept of The All is the one that rings with me the most. And for some reason that's enough for me. But given the Kybalion touches things both spiritual and esoteric, both can be mixed out.

On the other hand, what I don't seem to follow correctly is a esoteric path. And there's where definitions must come.

What do I want from a esoteric path: To allow me to see and feel other, higher realms and to not be stuck here in this material plane. I think esoterism should be used as a means to elevate my own being, as a complement and a tool for my soul's evolution.

I also recommend reading up on the 'feel' of various types of ritual and energy use, for lack of a better word. See which vibes the most from you.

Where can I find more on this?

[PrinceOfNeptune]

I would personally suggest (from what you have described) the neveaux-shaman movement and the chaos magick movement. Both are quite popular right now and there are many posts in their own sections of this forum to tap into. It is at least a good place to start.

Unfortunately, I don't have much to do with either of them and I can't really offer much insight. My skills lie in other directions. I would post something in each forum and ask if anyone can give you some direction within.

If there is anything else I can advise on, please don't hesitate to ask.

[VrbsSou]

I must say I'm quite impressed about shamanism. It doesn't force me to believe in anything, and the most basic shamanic journey is quite easy to do. I will try to find my totem animal as soon as possible, and report back with results. Thank you very much.

[Asurendra]

Hello VrbsSou,

This thread may be of interest to you:

http://www.occultforum.org/forum/viewto ... 14&t=35432

[VrbsSou]

Hello and thank you for the link. Indeed I'm still trying to reach my totem animal. I already tried the method but for some reason I failed miserably. But now that I'm also reading The Way of the Shaman, I was reminded I should go slower. Plus I must also let go of my own thoughts before, I feel like I was forcing them a bit too much.

If things go as I think they're going, I might get deep into shamanism.

[Asurendra]

Yes, take your time and be patient.

If you practice meditation and also practice visualization it will help you. I would also suggest self-hypnosis to aid in getting into the trance state.

[Marshal Law]

Exactly, be patient, thoughtful, go with the flow. If you are not sure what school to study first, do meditate, do some exercise (healthier body , happier mind), as Asurendra mentioned, visualization, do it. But then I have read your other post, which showed some interest in shamanism. I would advice you to practice dream recalling, healthy lifestyle, lucid dreaming and from there astral projection. I am just giving you ideas to consider. And while practicing all these things you can have some small reads of different practices of magick.

[VrbsSou]

Last night I tried two shamanic travels. The first one was a bit forced (hence my previous post), but the second one showed some results. I knew everything was ready to go when I heard birds chirping in my head. It was a nice scenery, not the best one but definitely it was natural. I went down in a hole buried underground, much like a rabbit hole, in a spiral staircase. Suddenly I visualized a cave right after the stairs, and the trip began. I saw darkness. Just darkness. Until some lines of different colors appeared, and a serpent shape with the head of a dragon suddenly went to a light. Then, everything turned out to be of a deep, dark blue. I kept going in this blue place, where I found a cthulhu-like creature with purple crystals on its body. Then, I realized I was sorta swimming. How, I asked myself, if I don't even know to swim in real life? But then I started losing my focus. And whenever I started to think in something else, I stopped hearing the drums at all. And as I realized I was losing my focus too much I decided to go back. But I think I made a big progress here. Did I do well?

@Marshal Law: I'm definitely going to consider those, thank you. By the way, what kind of magickal practices should I read, and which of them should I perform?

[Asurendra]

Hello VersSou,

Yes, it was a good start. The fact that you saw lines emerging on your 'front screen' vision is good. You also learned a cardinal lesson: don't analyze. If you attempt to analyze these experiences as you are having them you will loose the vision. You can think about it after when you record it. These have a dream-like quality (as many magical operations do) and like dreams they can be lost even if they are powerful at the time. If that begins to happen to me, I have always just refocused on the totem since he is the guide.

When you are ready, try another Underworld Journey. You can enter the same way but you very well may not go to the same place. Ultimately, only you know if this place you went was within your own personal consciousness or touched on something other (this whole area could be debated, BTW). I know some will disagree with me here, but, I think the presence of Cthulu is not positive. But, once early in my Shamanic practice I had a spontaneous mini-journey during acupuncture to a similar environment and I saw Pain (his deva-path) from Naruto standing at the entrance to a cave! He was actually really disturbing but I knew at the time this was an image that represented what the acupuncture was treating. Is it the same for you? I don't know but it is something to think about.

If you are able, I would recommend you burn a sage or other cleansing incense before you Journey. Also, consider practicing the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram before hand.

For your consideration:

http://www.amazon.com/Magical-Imaginati ... pd_sim_b_3

[VrbsSou]

I just tried to make another journey but I think I'm too tired to focus properly. As soon as I entered the cave I lost focus. I tried to regain it to no help, so I just ended it after 15 minutes.

I think the presence of Cthulu is not positive. But, once early in my Shamanic practice I had a spontaneous mini-journey during acupuncture to a similar environment and I saw Pain (his deva-path) from Naruto standing at the entrance to a cave! He was actually really disturbing but I knew at the time this was an image that represented what the acupuncture was treating. Is it the same for you? I don't know but it is something to think about.

I think the same, but then it didn't look at me. I felt like I was fighting for a moment though. Maybe it has some meaning that's deep rooted in my being. I still wonder what does it mean, but you might have a point here.

So it is possible to encounter fictional characters in travels, I'll keep that in mind. I had read that dragons, griffins and the like weren't uncommon but I didn't think it could extend to fictional beings.

If you are able, I would recommend you burn a sage or other cleansing incense before you Journey. Also, consider practicing the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram before hand.

I can do the latter, not the former. What was the LBRP for, again? Protection?

For your consideration:

http://www.amazon.com/Magical-Imaginati ... pd_sim_b_3

Thank you very much, I will give that a read!!

[Marshal Law]

Well, I am not really sure were you can read about it on the net, but surely you can find some links or e-books here in forum. Tho I can tell you how to practice it and what first, considering lucid dreaming. The way I do it.

NEW

Meh, my lucid dreaming guide is written at 50%, i have important things coming next month, so did not put time into it, but I am sure you can find guide to a lucid dream anywhere on the internet. But hey here are some tips and tricks for you:

Dream Recall - http://www.occultforum.org/forum/viewto ... 13&t=35443
Health & Dreams - http://www.occultforum.org/forum/viewto ... 13&t=35444
Dream Exercises - http://www.occultforum.org/forum/viewto ... 13&t=35446

Actually you can use self hypnosis method in Dream Recall post for helping to experience lucid dream. As soon as I have more time I will finish in depth guide to lucid dream. As for now that is what I advice you to do [thumbup] .

[VrbsSou]

Thank you, this will be indeed useful. I will keep practising until I get the grasp of shamanic travels. Again, thank you very much for your help!!!

[DawningSun777]

Do not look for a path, let a path find you. Just do what you do. While reading the OP I get this sense of someone who wishes they were more rooted in occultism, yet has issues with it. Well, really all you can do is gain deeper commitment. This is not as easy as it sounds, no, but probably not as hard as one might believe either. Expand your net, look into every aspect of occultism, religion, history / anthropology, philosophy, etc until you gain ideas that force occultic commitment upon you. The best thing out there for a 21st century occultist is easily Wikipedia. Type in an idea you are drawn to, a God you are interested in, a philosopher who's ideas enlighten you or shock you or offend you or enrage you and just Wiki-rampage. Read the pages, click the links, repeat ad infinitum. This will pretty much force ideas upon you. And the best part is that it does not matter how accurate the information is. Occultism is subjective, the lines between the subjective and objective universes are blurry, you aren't studying for a history class.

Keep at it, occultism has no shortcuts and is worth the patience.