What is your undersanding of Occultism?

[Seabed]

Occult means "hidden/secret", simply because in the past, the occult practice should've been performed in secrecy, and the occult knowledge were kept hidden, for many very good reasons.

Today, the teachings are available for public with no restrictions or bad consequences (not everywhere). So, the Occult is not that occult any more, maybe just a little

Occultism is a set of practices in order to understand and develop natural powers we have, or can develop (dormant, or latent powers). We do it for different, but very personal reasons.
So, in my understanding, occultism requires knowledge and practice in order to achieve self-realization.

It's not a religion, you should not believe in God(s) or anything paranormal, because it's all about things that human already have or can develop and control.

What is your understanding of Occultism, if you are willing to share?

[Kami]

I agree with you: (100%). ~

[Desecrated]

Occultism is part of religion. Religion has layers and different branches.

Exoteric (exterior) is going to mass. Everybody is invited.

Esoteric is knowledge on how to prepare the holy water. In some religions these ceremonies can be observed, and in some they are not shown to the public.

Occult is the inner most secrets of the religion, this is what goes on when the pope is being chosen or what exactly the ceremonies for becoming an bishop is. This is only done by the priests for the priests.

BUT, there is a modern magick movement that tries to walk away from that. I don't have a name for it, but it is closer to what you are describing. it's basically self-help psychology with magical thinking thrown into it.
When chaos magic came along they tried to start over from scratch, but they threw out the baby with the bathwater and now we are getting back into astrology and planetary magic because they really do help when performing magic. So it's a new movement that respects older magic, but at the same time is trying to wash away all of the non-essential parts of it.

[Desecrated]

It's also important to remember that there isn't "one" occult. Every religion has there own form of it.

[Daremo]

Today, the teachings are available for public with no restrictions or bad consequences (not everywhere). So, the Occult is not that occult any more, maybe just a little

It is true, knowledge is wide spread but understanding is not. Otherwise anyone could read a book and become an occult master, but i think we know this is not true. So knowledge is out their in plain sight so what then is still hidden and where?

[Desecrated]

So knowledge is out their in plain sight so what then is still hidden and where?

The means and methods on how to use and apply that knowledge.

[Seabed]

So knowledge is out their in plain sight so what then is still hidden and where?

The means and methods on how to use and apply that knowledge.

I always had a feeling that a coherent group, with at least one experienced participant, is essential for any significant success.

[Desecrated]

I always had a feeling that a coherent group, with at least one experienced participant, is essential for any significant success.

I agree.
Our society loves to glorify the individual, but usually nothing happens without large groups of people working together. (An example would be the discovery of america, which is often attributed to one person, when in reality it took a lot of skilled people working together to get there. The santa maria alone had 40 crew members and at least 10 of them where experts in their fields).

[mindsword]

Occult means "hidden/secret", simply because in the past, the occult practice should've been performed in secrecy, and the occult knowledge were kept hidden, for many very good reasons.

Today, the teachings are available for public with no restrictions or bad consequences (not everywhere). So, the Occult is not that occult any more, maybe just a little

Occultism is a set of practices in order to understand and develop natural powers we have, or can develop (dormant, or latent powers). We do it for different, but very personal reasons.
So, in my understanding, occultism requires knowledge and practice in order to achieve self-realization.

It's not a religion, you should not believe in God(s) or anything paranormal, because it's all about things that human already have or can develop and control.

What is your understanding of Occultism, if you are willing to share?

It's just like any other experimental science. Trial and error, and alot of study and personal experience and real world testing to find what works for you and/or others without falling into dogmas.

[Seabed]

Occult means "hidden/secret", simply because in the past, the occult practice should've been performed in secrecy, and the occult knowledge were kept hidden, for many very good reasons.

Today, the teachings are available for public with no restrictions or bad consequences (not everywhere). So, the Occult is not that occult any more, maybe just a little

Occultism is a set of practices in order to understand and develop natural powers we have, or can develop (dormant, or latent powers). We do it for different, but very personal reasons.
So, in my understanding, occultism requires knowledge and practice in order to achieve self-realization.

It's not a religion, you should not believe in God(s) or anything paranormal, because it's all about things that human already have or can develop and control.

What is your understanding of Occultism, if you are willing to share?

It's just like any other experimental science. Trial and error, and alot of study and personal experience and real world testing to find what works for you and/or others without falling into dogmas.

CERN was made for an experimental science; initial cost was app. 9 billion euros, annual cost is app. 1 billion euros and at least 12.000 scientists came all over the world are involved in highly organized system. I can't explain, but I feel the difference.
The Occult science could have the same or even the bigger proportion in this sense, but it's not a part of the mainstream. Makes me nervous & [confused]

[Daud]

Occult just means lesser known. It's a pretty broad term. There are esoteric traditions for many different cultures. Esoteric Catholicism is completely different to esoteric buddhism.

In regards the CERN, she'll be right. Don't get nervous about it. There's some shifty stuff going on there for sure, but it's not going to work out for them, because that's not how it works. They are still making a rookie error of trying to tap into other worlds by physical means, when the means are clearly internal and spiritual.

[Shinichi]

Today, the teachings are available for public with no restrictions or bad consequences (not everywhere). So, the Occult is not that occult any more, maybe just a little

Heh. It amuses me how many people think this is true.

What is your understanding of Occultism, if you are willing to share?

There are things in this world that cannot be spoken or taught, only understood and comprehended by personal effort and growth.

The Mysteries are among these things, and "occultism" is among the means by which ones personal effort may be applied.



~:Shin:~

[Seabed]

Occult just means lesser known. It's a pretty broad term. There are esoteric traditions for many different cultures. Esoteric Catholicism is completely different to esoteric buddhism.

In regards the CERN, she'll be right. Don't get nervous about it. There's some shifty stuff going on there for sure, but it's not going to work out for them, because that's not how it works. They are still making a rookie error of trying to tap into other worlds by physical means, when the means are clearly internal and spiritual.

Thanks Draud, Occult is a pretty broad term indeed. That's why I, as a new member, started with this question. I need to hear other opinions, and I find them all very useful.
I just mentioned CERN, as a tip of an iceberg. China is making something much more powerful, and there's so many other things, like space stations, were public receive only fabricated information. I don't like to think much about conspiracy theories, because they are made to make serious subjects ridiculous.

[Seabed]

Today, the teachings are available for public with no restrictions or bad consequences (not everywhere). So, the Occult is not that occult any more, maybe just a little

Heh. It amuses me how many people think this is true.

Quite possible. Maybe available texts, books and teachings are nothing but useless leftovers from the history and the product of the new age entertainment industry.

[Desecrated]

Quite possible. Maybe available texts, books and teachings are nothing but useless leftovers from the history and the product of the new age entertainment industry.

Books are "roadmaps", they tell us where to go and (sometimes) how to go there, but you can read 500 books about mountains, you'll still not be a good mountain climber. All the books tell you is where the mountain is.

Books about meditation can never be more then suggestions on how to get started. The actual experience of progress can only be felt by the individual himself.