The Mind in Occult Theory and Practice
Phaedron
Mind power is the essential basis for all systems of enlightenment because it is impossible to control any forces of Nature without being able to control those complementary forces of the Self. Any energy you invoke takes on your personal influence as it passes through you into manifestation. The forces of Magick are easy to attract—but difficult to control. As you harmonize with certain energies, they will come to you—and you will be fit to wield them. But those who pursue the wisdom of the universe will unknowingly let it slip past if they are not trained to recognize it.
Occult Powers within the Mind
The powers of the mind come from deep within the individual, not from the intellect. The study that delves into such obscure regions can be generally labeled occult.
Within each man and woman is a universal force able to cause change both subjectively and objectively. The fervent beat of the drum that slowly evokes one's emotional energy upward and outward has been used for ages by tribes around the globe. Various cultures have mastered raising group energy and directing it at certain individuals or goals by focusing their minds on dolls or photos. Today, some high-energy concerts, holy-roller church groups, advertising agencies and even movies have used (and abused) these methods to use the group energy for their own interests. Such emotional outbursts affirm and strengthen one's relationship to the love object or ideal.
Reports of the 115-pound woman who lifts the front end of a car off her child's chest document the super-power of the mind. Although the woman states that she doesn't know how she did it, she always agrees that muscular strength was not the force.
Popular Use of Mind Power
The purpose of developing mental powers (which leads to control of emotional and spiritual insights) is to make yourself a fit receptacle for force that you Will, to lead you to the perfection you seek. Such development is not intended for dominating the Will of others!
However, 1992 has been the year of occult vindictiveness. More psychic battles have occurred in 1992 than in any other year. Many amateurs, many ignorant newcomers, many frustrated lovers, many jealous or power-hungry factions have irresponsibly accepted the black-magickal application of mind power as the way of the 1990's. Our Academy receives calls daily from victims seeking advice in such battles. Unfortunately, their calls are futile. Only their spiritual teachers can guide them. If they have none, they must question how they got into such a position without one. It is not the place of our or any other institution or spiritual teacher to intervene. None has license to affect the karma of those involved in others' lives. Unfortunate dabblers find that no one can assume responsibility for them after performing such acts.
What happened to harm none or do what thou wilt? Until recently, recreation took forms other than occult warfare and manipulating esoteric forces. These now appear to have been abandoned in favor of occult darts. Students are increasingly using the mind powers they learn for treason instead of inner fulfillment. Probably every occult leader will agree that most cases seeking their help are either psychic attackers (suffering from their own backfired operations) or victims of psychic attack. Most of the participants in these petty disputes are arrogant and unaware of the horrors of what they are doing. It is doubtful that they know what a real Occult War is like.
Each time people do any psychic operation, they create energies or beings on the astral which cannot be destroyed. (All emotions of the populace feed the group consciousness, and strengthen certain vibrations.) Magickal operations are serious, and people must understand the resultant Karma before using occult forces so freely. It doesn't take a Master to maim or destroy an adversary. Any sloppy, book-read or self-taught dabbler can direct enough negative energy to be effective.
The semi-secret societies of the Great White Brotherhood know the damage that can result from psychic attack, and rarely do they declare war. Of course their strength makes them impervious to, and aware of attack. But the true Great White Brethren of attainment sit back and watch in sorrow and disappointment.
Mistaking Your Mind as a Third Party
She said she was receiving messages from the deceased James Dean. Her eyes were coldly serious. No liar could ever be so convincing. Her credibility was beyond reproach, until she made a great display of her love affair with James Dean trinkets that cluttered every square inch of her apartment. She had loved his movies and emulated him so much that soon her identity and her affinity for him had merged, manifesting as messages from the dead. Any lie detector would have supported her claim because she didn't realize her own self-delusion. Yet could she really be channeling messages from him? Not likely. Her obsessive personality plus other psychic, psychological and researched data on Dean indicated these transmissions were very off.
Many people claim to be privy to the channeled messages of St. Germain—and he isn't even dead yet. And most of these people admit they never had experience with the occult. In keeping with eternal Magickal tradition, only attained masters and avatars can be handed Wisdom. Christ Himself, had to dedicate several hidden years to study Magick (despite the movie that depicts him as an ordinary loser who one day had a seizure and woke up enlightened). Why would St. Germain or other masters share their wisdom with those who are still working out their mortal Karma, Saturn-returns and other problems?
We cannot rule out the possibility that such communications might occur. Such narrow-mindedness can deny one potentially spectacular results. Judgment is not a mortal ability. But how many Cleopatras are running around in the world? How many Pharaohs, Atlanteans or other reincarnated greats? A rash of people believed they were the reincarnation of Billie Holiday occurred when the movie Lady Sings The Blues was around. There was a time when Napoleanism was popular, and all the reincarnated Napoleans emerged. Are the Elvis's next?
This is not to make fun, but to draw attention to a much more prevalent phenomenon today: the self-enlightened Magickian. Thanks to the New Age, spirit-guides have become popular, translating into a (old) concept of ascended masters for the deeper occult enthusiasts. These chosen ones (of which there is a prodigious number) hear voices, or rationalize the information given to them as enlightenment.
Miracles are far and few between. Yet, divine intervention can manifest itself to an enthusiast who does not go around espousing his personal spirituality. Usually, one must arduously prepare and authentically invoke to achieve such revelation. Even then, the intellect can disguise itself as authentic. (Look at the great occultists. None have ever claimed spontaneous Mastership).
Magickal Processes of the Mind
Here is how the magickal processes of the mind do work, and how to separate true occult experience from illusion: Often the subconscious makes a cameo appearance to the cognitive mind. The subconscious is so foreign that it can be mistaken as a separate entity. In Magickal study, the formula of the Hexagram integrates both parts of the self for knowledge and control. Awareness rises above intellect, by breaking down the barrier to the subconscious. The next step is the integrated total mind (conscious and subconscious) with the individual soul.
In Qabalistic terms: first, recognition of the body occurs (the Assiah), then identity (intellect) called mind develops the Yetzirah. In Magick one delves into hidden secrets of the other self (subconscious), called Briah. The subconscious is not only influenced from the side of Yetzirah and outside stimulus, but the hidden side (spirit) called Atziluth and divine stimulus.
Man's body is born in Malkuth. His higher self, which is above mortal influence, exists in Tiphareth. But in looking up at Tiphareth from Malkuth, one sees the obstacle—Yesod, the subconscious. So one is taught to clear out and open the subconscious to act as a lens, to see Tiphareth and contact the higher self. Remember further, that Tiphareth is directly under the influence of Kether (perfection, unity, God). If the aspirant is not aware of his own inner mind (buried subconscious), any information it receives from the intellect will seem to be outside himself—as coming from another being or source. This being may be assigned a separate identity. Its revelations may really be the contents of the subconscious, and should not be mistaken for divine information. Such material is purely personal. It is every single impression from the past (even past lives) of that individual.
The subconscious does not have the ability to forget, it can only repress things. One's impressions, traumas, etc. always have the urge to come out. They express themselves in the language of the subconscious. When such subconscious material (pertinent to that individual) emerges, it may be interpreted as divine revelation, instead of just a part of what they never knew was inside them. With proper Magickal guidance, subconscious appearances can be dealt with and resolved. Ignoring the subconscious denies the aspirant the discovery of his Self. If dispensed to others, this information becomes a mere projection of the aspirant's personality hang-ups. It is then passed on as higher knowledge, and others may unknowingly follow the expression of another person's Will.
It is imperative, before undertaking occult work, to master and utilize the subconscious to its maximum. Then, higher information, which is truly valid and emanating from Atziluth (sometimes called angels, etc.), will be uninfluenced by its passage through the operator's mind. To assure yourself of this, learn the techniques of revealing and understanding your inner self. Your spiritual teacher should teach this personally.
When people advertise their divine informants, question that fairly. When you think you are privy to divine (Atziluth) knowledge, interpret it subjectively and see if it has any relationship to you and your growth.
Techniques to Make Yourself
a Potent Receptacle of Forces You Invoke
These techniques will help free the mind and help one become a better receptacle for the forces that one wishes to call upon. They are integral to Western Magick. They have been around so long, that no one can absolutely identify their ancient source, although those who know Yoga (the union of mind and body) will be slightly familiar with them.
The following practices are only supplementary yet helpful in improving the results of the subsequent techniques.
1) Set the meditation space. Dedicate this time to yourself without permitting any interruptions. Turn the lights off or use candles. Burn the incense of the day, or any other you may now be using. Do not use background music! Before each meditation, pattern your breathing, still your mind and assume a meditative posture. Do not move during the exercise.
2) Of utmost importance is the ability to turn your mind off before any meditation. Thus, gradually enter the meditation. Don't think you can abruptly change gears. Allow no thought. Even the thought of God, when you're trying to empty your mind, is undesirable.
3) Be alone where you will be undisturbed!
4) Record in full detail the dates and your experiences. Document exactly what happened on the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual levels.
Pranayama
Pranayama teaches you how to absorb the life force that resides in the air, but is more than oxygen. Prana is the life force. It is bonded to the air molecules you breath. Science often mistakes the need for prana as the need for oxygen. Many a yogi or fakir have demonstrated the ability to exist without air by retaining a surplus of prana. Briefly, the practices of pranayama are aimed at retaining and absorbing this life essence.
Like all pranayama, do not force these respiratory control practices. If you have respiratory ailments, they must be altered according to your capability. Practice this for 5 minutes, the first week and add 5 minutes every week there after, Practice daily. Eventually, your breathing habit will change to this more natural mode.
Observe how you breathe. Chances are your torso contracts as you inhale and expands as you exhale! This is not natural for your balloon-like lungs, and this does not store prana.
The Complete Yogic Breath
STEP 1: Relax in a standing position. Do not move!
STEP 2: In one inhalation, fill the entire lower third of your torso (from rectum to bottom of solar plexus) as fully as possible with air. Once done, fill the middle of your torso (up to mid-chest) with air. Then the higher third (up to your shoulders). It is of utmost importance that you do this through the nostrils only and so slowly that you can hardly detect the passage of air. It is also imperative that you do this with a clear mind—without thoughts of any kind—and with your eyes closed.
STEP 3: In one exhalation (through the nostrils), maintaining this meditative state, slowly (as with the inhale) allow the lower (first) third of your torso to consistently and slowly, evacuate the air—fully! Then evacuate the middle torso the same way. Finally, do the same for the upper third of your torso.
Asana
Asana instructs you on how to train the lower self to respond to the higher self. This is a simple yet enduring and integral part of self mastery (and thus universal mastery). However many aspirants choose to avoid this.
Asana gently challenges the lower self (animal soul/Nephesch; see NMR 4:1). It brings the Nephesch under control. Technically asana translates to mean posture. Here is one technique:
STEP 1: Practice the full lotus for 15 minutes daily. After 1 week, increase the time by 15 minutes, continue adding 15 minutes each week, until the spiritual state of ecstasy overcomes the discomfort of the body. It is critical that you do not move for any reason! To do so will nullify the effect. During this program, understand the excuses that would have you avoid this practice, or move, to satisfy your body/lower-self. Many excuses will arise. The practitioner must recognize them as temptations of the Nephesch.
One way to get into the full-lotus posture is by emptying the mind, then sitting (no pillows!) with legs outward. Pull the left leg with the hands only (no leg muscles) upon your right thigh. Pull, similarly, the right leg over the left. Now place your left hand (cupped) in your lap and your right hand (cupped) upon it. Use no muscles. Keep your eyes closed! Remember, during this posture, there should be no thoughts. Will it to be so! This is not a physical exercise, it is an exercise in controlling the Elements.
Dharana
Dharana is a practice usually misunderstood. This is the steady control of thought on just one thought, image, etc. The mind must not stray! It must be so united to that object, etc. that you and it are one. Wandering thoughts (of anything) that distract you are deleterious.
STEP 1: Assume your asana.
STEP 2: Place one object, picture, thought, or whatever, before you. Gaze into it. Fix all your concentration upon it so it is the only thing you see. Do not think about this object.
Do this for 15 minutes per day for the first week. Add 15 minutes per week to each concentration session. Change the object of each session as often as you wish. You must examine the breaks in your meditations. Your diary will be essential. What caused these breaks? What were they? How do these stray thoughts relate to you today? Etc.
Dhyana
Dhyana is also a vague concept. It is unity with the essence of that which your intellectual perceptions thinks it knows through superficial knowledge. Dhyana teaches the understanding of anything. You will work on planes above ordinary knowledge. It is (for this purpose) the absolute perception/realization of the reality of the existence of anything. By taking a mundane idea or object, and shedding your superficial perceptions of it, you can experience the non-intellectual understanding of it. In other words, dhyana is the state of expelling all that you know about something, and replacing that with such a deep affinity with it, that your meditation makes you one with it. You become it and it becomes you. This union is called Love. (See Why Love is The Law, NMR 3:6.) When you eliminate the separation between you and the object of your meditation, you are Master for those moments. The Adept experiences this with all things and without apparent meditative formalities.
You know you have succeeded in your dhyana when a burst of Love fills you to the point of tears. Your intellectual restrictions disappear and your emotions release—but in a controlled and unexplainably comforting way. You have broken down clinical observation to the point where only feeling flows. Do not be fooled into believing this feeling is from mere compassion. Let your feelings go without thinking. (This is called imagination. Imagination is not self-created. It is a distillate of higher, supreme guidance.)
STEP 1: Gaze deeply upon a simple object.
STEP 2: After a while you'll see it as something you've never seen before. It will abstract itself, as if you never knew of it before. Your thoughts of how it is used, how you relate to it, etc. will disappear.
STEP 3: When this familiar object becomes new to you, you will have obtained a Magickal affinity and power over the limitations of your mind. (In a future issue Sacrifice will be explained. This experience is the first along the road of royal sacrifice.)
Yama
Yama directs you to live your Will by eliminating distraction. Its complement is niyama, which is any act directed toward living your Will.
Yama is a most crucial process in Magickal operations. Yama is control over the self. It may sound easy but it isn't. One must adhere to one's principles at any cost. So, if it is your Will to be vegetarian or celibate or silent or candidly truthful, etc. you must exercise that Will. The quality of your Magickal standard is more important than the quantity. In other words, if you intend to be celibate for a year (for example) the act of abstinence is greatly diminished if thoughts or emotions of sexual desire tarnish it. So, thought is as important as action. Thus, in yama, nothing must move the mind from its assigned goal. Usually yama disciplines must be assigned by the Master. Self-assignment will either be too severe, too easy or irrelevant to your development. The goal of your yama meditations is to perform your Will without any distractions or influences, which may be possessive. This includes everything.
Niyama is the performance of anything that will bring you closer to your Will. While Yama (for our purpose) can be considered passive, Niyama can be considered active: that which enhances or amplifies your principles. If, for example, it is your Will to invoke, or do a three hour asana, daily for a year—this is termed Niyama.
STEP 1: Fast 1 day a week for a year. On that day take in nothing but water. [Talk to a doctor before fasting.]
STEP 2: Make sure you have no desire for food during that day. This is your yama.
STEP 3: For niyama, set aside 40 minutes a day for any two of the meditations in this article for 56 days. Start on the new moon. You may vary the two exercises daily, as you want. The 40 minutes must be continuous.
STEP 4: Also, set aside 10 minutes a day to adore deity as you choose for the same 56 days that you perform step 3.
Pratayahara
Pratayahara is the Hermetic procedure required for development in many ancient paths. It is knowledge of the Self that each student of the occult aspires to. Pratayahara is the awareness of what's going on inside. What are the influences, hang-ups, gratifications and other components that clutter your mind that you wish to clarify and empty? Being deeply sublimated they surface in your outer world. You may mistake them as feelings or ideas from outside of yourself.
Everyone is influenced by their higher (Tiphareth) self. But this influence must pass through the clouds of lower sublimations (Yesod) before being recognized and identified in the material/comprehensible world (Malkuth). In this descent, the Tiphareth self is colored by these subjective images. The images filter down carrying the intellectual framework of the person. If one is not purely objective, one's deeper impressions affect the images; thus they appear different from how they really are. This exercise helps clear the passageway for such Higher information to come through properly.
STEP 1: If you have learned to use the pendulum, let it reveal your hidden workings for you. Replace the non-constructive motivations with ones that are constructive and satisfying. Replacement is the key word in any of the inner desires or dislikes you wish to work out.
If you don't know how to properly use the pendulum for such purposes, go deep into the feelings that occur when you do (or avoid) certain things or thoughts.
STEP 2: Keep before you the following questions, at all times:
a) What is the motivation for what I am doing now?
b) How does it affect me?
c) What do I want? (of utmost importance)
d) What feeling causes and results from this act (or thought)?
e) Is this related to anything in my past (by relating feelings to thoughts) or not?
STEP 3: Honestly record whatever comes out. Know that this reality actually exists on another plane of your mind.
STEP 4: This is a separate practice. Know the actual reason why you like/dislike what you do—specifically (no avoidance). Know its origins. Contemplate on these things as your teacher directs.
Closing
I have written here before that one's system of attainment must have tangible results. These results may be meager but are signals from deity that you may move forward. However, to test one's gods is blasphemous. Open-mindedness, but not blind faith is necessary to bring about attainment. Faith occurs after such results. A lack of results may not be the fault of your path. It may be you! Perhaps you are omitting something or doing something wrong. I hope this article can help correct that.
Magick is drama! Dull rhetoric from the pulpit does not stimulate that which you seek to open. Your ability to create drama in your workings is as important as the accuracy and precision of ritual. Please never neglect this point. Certain Magickal centers will awaken to your calling on a deeper, emotional level rather than mere faith. However, the quality of the emotion is critical. Uncontrolled emotion will bring about uncontrolled energy, so allow spirit to sweep you away but make sure your spiritual teacher guides you accurately.
1993 The Winged Disk
This condensation from the teachings of The International Academy of Hermetic Knowledge is not intended as a complete course. Use these exercises to enhance your own program.
Phaedron is the G. H. Hierophant of the Holy Order of the Winged Disk, and Director of its International Academy of Hermetic Knowledge. These articles are excerpts from The Practica Arcanum. For more information call (800) 827-6843, or write: PO Box 4384, Charlottesville, VA 22905. | 
