Select: 95
From:    Wizard
To:      All                                    Msg #95, Oct-04-93 18:02 PM
Subject: *** The Zen Of Magic ***

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           X |  The ZEN of Magic - Overview (Parts 1 to 6)  | X
           X | -------------------------------------------- | X
           X |      First Release: Wizard's Tower BBS       | X
           X | Author & (c): Wizard (from them there hills) | X
           X |     Penned (as it were): September 1993      | X
           X +----------------------------------------------+ X
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                             The ZEN of Magic

            1 A -  Introduction           4   -  Magic and Karma
              B -  Intent                 5   -  Magic and Ethics
            2   -  Magic as Energy        6   -  The 1st ZEN of Magic
            3 A -  Magic and Life
              B -  Magic and Man

                               INTRODUCTION

    This first part is by way of introduction, a possible insight into
    the mental  mechanics of the author. This may or may not assist in
    relating to  that which  follows.  As such is not to be considered
    essential reading. (Feel free to pass it by).

    AUTHOR: Entered  this world 20/01/57. From age five, had recurring
    premonitions  of   global   disaster   (before   there   was   any
    understanding of  "global" or "disaster"). These diminished (being
    replaced  by   a  multitude   of  distractions)   as  life  became
    progressively more  complex. Interest  in the  "Occult"  began  at
    around age  13, by  age 15    was  in  at  the  deep  end.  Having
    investigated, studied  and practised  in many  areas, the  synergy
    "The ZEN of Magic" is the result.

    My main failings: Though I respect all belief systems, races etc.,
    I have  a deep  intolerance (bordering  on hatred)  for bigots and
    hypocrites of any denomination.  I adhere to two "Golden Rules": I
    reserve the  right to  change my  mind with the acquisition of new
    information and  I believe  all persons  to be created equal until
    they prove themselves otherwise.

    I consider  myself neither  oracle nor scholar. I am, just another
    adventurer who  tries to  go through life with eyes and mind open.
    My gift  (perhaps a curse) is an ability to see the interrelations
    of life  (them what  makes things tick).  Parts of my experience I
    can   relate,    others   defy   words.   This   treatise   is   a
    conceptualization of  experience. It  is NOT "the experience".  It
    is offered  for your  consideration  in  the  hope  that  it  will
    generate or provoke further thought. Any constructive contribution
    or debate will be welcomed.

    INTENT:   With no  axe to  grind or  cross to  bear, the following
    (Parts 2  thru 6) are presented in the fashion of an overview. The
    use of generic terms specific to particular occult groups or areas
    has been  deliberately avoided (or at least minimised). (There are
    simply too many ways to say the same thing.)

                           [2] MAGIC as ENERGY

    The most concise (yet explanative) definition of magic that I have
    yet encountered  comes compliments  of Aliester  Crowley (though I
    dare say he was probably not the first to think it):

    MAGIC(K): To cause a change in conformity by an act of will.

    To elaborate:  It is  the manipulation  of energy  (and  therefore
    matter) under  the direction  of mind(s).  The implication is that
    mind pertains to a human or animal component. Where this component
    is (or  at least appears to be) lacking we refer to "Nature" or in
    the broadest sense the will of "GOD".

    The active  ingredient (in  this fruit-cake  of life)  is  energy.
    Physics tells  us that it can not be created or destroyed, but may
    be changed  and/or redirected  endlessly. (I excuse myself at this
    point for  not wishing  to place  parameters on  such concepts  as
    "GOD" or "Infinity".)

    As part  of the  human process  of  understanding,  we  choose  to
    categorise the  elements of  life.   This too  we have  done  with
    energy.   We refer to its different aspects by a host of terms Eg:
    Fire (Heat),  Earth (solid),  Water (liquid),  Air (gaseous),  all
    manner of  electromagnetic radiation  from sub-hertz gravity waves
    to the  visible light  spectrum and  far beyond.  Depending on its
    perceived manifestations we add a tag as seems appropriate.

    If one  thing has  been proven by science, it is this: What we can
    measure and  quantify is  minute when  compared to  that which  we
    cannot. As  always, it is the things most subtle that elude us the
    longest, and so I believe it to be with many of the manifestations
    of energy.  I do not find this to be a failing of science, because
    science is  driven by perceived need.  At this time that perceived
    need is  very physical  and absolute,  there is a planet at stake.
    (Not that  I suggest for a second that all scientific endeavour is
    for the good of all, but then, the same can be said of Magic.)

    Science (broadly  speaking) considers itself governed by empirical
    results.  The necessity to be able to repeat a given procedure and
    get a  repeat of  predictable results (sounds a little ritualistic
    doesn't it).  In recent  years a "bug" has crept into the equation
    that  the   scientific  community  has  had  more  than  a  little
    difficulty dealing with.

    When  performing   experiments  (leading   edge  stuff)  involving
    derivatives of  sub-atomic particles  it was  discovered that  the
    results followed  closely to the expectations of the experimenter,
    ie: those  who believed  "saw", those  who disbelieved  "saw not".
    The conclusion  drawn was  that operator involvement was effecting
    the outcome  of the  experiment. This subtle effect has since been
    traced into other fields of study and research (how surprising!).

    MAGIC(K): To cause a change in conformity by an act of will.

    A common  perception  of  energy,  is  as  something  that  moves.
    Therefore if  we do  not perceive  the movement  we often  do  not
    relate to  the energy.  This is  a problem of perception, not of a
    lack of energy.

    We also  tend to  see the redirection of energy in physical terms.
    When you  put up  a sail  you can relate to the energy in wind, if
    you light  a fire  it is  easy to  relate to  the energy  of  heat
    (especially on  a  cold  Winter's  night),  and  its  movement  or
    transference. Invariably though we perceive that the physical must
    in some way interact with energy to cause a change.

    Physical is  indeed a  poor term, because it implies a distinction
    between matter  and energy that (even the physicist will tell you)
    simply does  not exist.  Matter, the so called "physical stuff" of
    our universe is just one of the many manifestations of energy.

    Energy (Life  Force, Manna,  Chi, Power,  Electricity,  Radiation,
    Light  etc.  ad  infinitum)  is  moved,  changed,  redirected  and
    transferred by ENERGY!

    Thought and "Will" are manifestations of energy. If thought can be
    sufficiently focussed  it will  bring about change, if not it will
    be affected and of itself be changed. That's Life!

                           [3A]  MAGIC and LIFE

    Magic is  all-pervasive. Where there is sentient life, there is by
    definition Magic.  The energy  is always there, it requires only a
    Will to  redirect it. Every creative thought that brings something
    new into the world is of itself an act of magic.

    A sceptic  will say:  "Why then,  is the  world  not  filled  with
    miracles?" I would suggest to you, that it is, and that the  fault
    is with our perception of  life, and  not with life itself. We are
    educated to see ourselves, our lives  and the world  in  a  manner
    deemed socially acceptable (and don't we all just keep  on  paying
    for it).

    BUT! Where  are  the  sparks,  the  lightening,  the  helfire  and
    brimstone?  For that I would suggest  a tour  of a Hollywood  film
    studio.  Energy (like the  water in  a stream)  can  be  diverted,
    stored  and   even  transformed,  but  it  will  always  obey  one
    fundamental tenet and seek the path of least resistance. That path
    is only occasionally a visual spectacle.

    Our world  provides many  spectacular displays  of  energy,  Solar
    Flares, Volcanoes, Storms and Lightening.  But these are not forms
    of energy  which we  can directly control.  There is so to speak a
    slight mismatch  of scale  and a  problem with  adaptability  (not
    unlike trying  to make wind energy travel down an electric cable).
    Having access  to energy is one thing, being able to control it is
    another matter altogether.

    Still, there  are forms  of energy which we can control, and these
    may used  to  control  yet  others.  This  is  as  fundamental  to
    technology as  it is  to Magic.  Being resourceful appears to be a
    hallmark of humankind (sometimes to our own detriment).

                            [3B] MAGIC and MAN

    The popular  image of magic is that of sleight of hand (rabbits in
    hats etc.)  or of  elaborate  ceremonial  ritual  (and  thanks  to
    Hollywood, at best up to no good and at worst intending some great
    evil). This  is quite  humorous when  one considers that those who
    believe in  it the  least, compose  the largest  single  group  of
    magic's users.  (albeit a  somewhat inept  group, and  I hasten to
    add, probably just as well.)

    As children  we explore magic, then in most cases have it educated
    (or beaten)  out of  us.   Yes, we  may  still  be  taught  to  be
    creative, but  within acceptable  social  guide-lines,  naturally.
    Socially speaking  this is  not as  terrible as  it seems.  To use
    magic irresponsibly  is to  play a  very dangerous  game  (Psychic
    Russian Roulette),  and I  suspect humankind is still to learn the
    required self-control  to do  so safely  "en masse".  (I regret to
    confess, that  most of  the  practioners  of  magic  that  I  have
    encountered in my life have only served to confirm my feeling that
    as a species we are just not ready!)

    Ready or not, magic is here and it is here to stay.  It is already
    as common  as sliced  bread, thankfully  most  people  just  don't
    realise it.  Magic is  NOT the  reserved domain  of any  social or
    religious group (though, as always, there are those who would like
    us to  believe otherwise).  Magic is intrinsic to Life, and we use
    it constantly.

    It is  difficult to  separate magic  into "classes". Yet there are
    demonstrable  differences  between  the  groups  employing  magic.
    Mostly these differences are of intent and precision of execution.
    To make  specific distinctions  will ultimately  "put noses out of
    joint", by the application of labels and groupings that most would
    prefer to disagree with.  As a compromise I will refer to only two
    groups, "Common"  or untrained  magic, being  the inate capacities
    shared by  all sentient  life, and "Intentional" magic, where some
    kind of training and defined purpose are encompassed.

    Life is  no accident  and  those  who  find  themselves  drawn  to
    Intentional magic  to so  for a  purpose. That  purpose WILL  have
    global implications but the underlying root is personal growth. To
    accept magic  is to take a path that will forever alter the way in
    which the world is seen.

    Common magic,  is magic  in its crudest form (but make no mistake,
    there is  no lack  of power  implied). Our world is awash with the
    visible results  of Common magic. Thoughts and emotions are energy
    and where  the motivation  is great enough these will be projected
    onto the world at large.

    Personal Desire  is the  single most  significant  motivation  for
    Common magic.  The acquisition of power and "sex" would have to be
    the most  common desires  (no moral judgement implied). The desire
    to be  the "top  dog" and to have a mate are both an integral part
    of our  evolutionary and  social development. (As with all things,
    this too  will change,  but since  evolution tends  to work on the
    scale of millenia, don't hold your breath.)

    Common magic  is generally rather diffuse, poorly aimed, localised
    and initiated  by an  individual with a personal goal in mind. Our
    sexual relationships  are a  classic example of Common magic. When
    the desire  is great  enough to  fire up the "Will", we project an
    image of ourselves that is less tarnished than the reality.

    How often  have you  heard someone  say, about  an EX-partner:  "I
    didn't realize  they were  like that".   When the desire fades, so
    does the "Will" and with it, the smoke-screen. It is all a part of
    the mating game (dare I say ritual), and its older than Moses. The
    humorous aspect  of the  above is  that  both  parties  frequently
    employ the  same magic  on each-other.  Even more  humorous is the
    fact that  its  not  thought  of  as  magic,  BECAUSE  ...  it  is
    considered perfectly NORMAL.

    (As to  the ritual component: A single person (prowling or dating)
    will bathe, perfume and quite likely spend in excess of an hour in
    preparation,  apart   from  the   mental  concentration   on   the
    "objective" which  may have  begun days before. I don't know about
    you, but this sounds like a ritual to me.)

    Most Common Magic is overlooked because it is simply accepted. (As
    an Illustrator  and designer,  I get  paid to be creative. To turn
    concepts into physical realities.)

    Any form of "success" has employed magic. Success is the result of
    focussed attention, the "Will" to make it happen.

                           [4] Magic and Karma

    The pitfalls of power, are its abuse and the consequences thereof.
    Make no  mistake, any  form of  energy if misused can be dangerous
    and even quite fatal. In life you cannot "undo" mistakes.

    Occult groups  which work  toward the  use of  magic, usually have
    rules (to  be strictly  adhered to)  for the  purpose of  avoiding
    disastrous mistakes.  Even the  element  of  sworn  secrecy  is  a
    protective mechanism.  To outsiders it may appear as paranoia, but
    its intent  is to  prevent the  foolish from creating untold havoc
    (and lets  face it,  the wise can do that well enough on their own
    <chuckle>).

    So, what  of Karma.  The  general  perception  is  that  by  doing
    something "good"  you will  attract goodness  in return,  by doing
    something "evil" you will in turn attract evil. This is a commonly
    held (and  unfortunate) over-simplification. It implies that Karma
    is some  kind of  universal moral accounting scheme, where you can
    accumulate brownie points for good deeds.

    In a  physical sense  Karma is  the  Law  of  Action-Reaction.  By
    thinking or acting we create ripples that radiate outwards (on the
    face of  that great  universal pond  within which  we  swim).  The
    ripples effect  other life  forms, and interact with all the other
    ripples to  form  very  complex  patterns.  (Precognition  is  the
    ability to make of these patterns an image of "Future".)

    Karma can be viewed in many ways. It could be seen with respect to
    the life  of an individual, a group, a nation, a world ... etc. It
    could be  viewed in  terms of  a moment,  an hour,  a lifetime,  a
    millenia ... etc.

    (For the  mathematically inclined,  Karma is  the sum  of all  the
    energy vectors  operative on  the subject  in  question  over  the
    selected time.  And if  you can  work that  out  you're  a  better
    mathematician than I would ever want to be.)

    On a  personal level,  Karma is  "state of  mind". When  happy, we
    think, do  and say  things in  particular way  (usually bright and
    positive). When  angry our  thoughts and  actions tend to violence
    and hostility (if these are internalised, you get sick). Our state
    of mind  will naturally  effect those around us (if they're smart,
    they'll stay out of the way).

    A state  of mind  allows us  a particular  view of  life, Eg:  the
    cuddly kitten  just isn't  as cute, when your angry. Our emotional
    and mental  state will  colour our  view of reality (whatever that
    is) and effect the nature and quality of the decisions and choices
    we make.  Those decisions  set up our future, and that my friends,
    is Karma.

    Magic is a means of using energy to amplify the "Will" (a bit like
    turning the  Karmic ripples into tidal waves). The significance of
    this should not escape anyone with a brain between their ears.

    Here I  must utter a personal gripe to the "movers and shakers" of
    the world.   How  many of  you, know  so well the destiny of life,
    that you  would choose  to direct  it?  I add for good measure the
    following old  adage;  "The  road  to  Hell  is  paved  with  good
    intentions".

    You have been warned! <smile>

                          [5]  Magic and Ethics

    To be,  or not  to be,  is indeed  the question.  There have  been
    occasions in  my life  where, had  the world  been my  computer, I
    would have  given it  the royal  "Ctrl-Alt-Del".   It can  be very
    difficult to  look at  the world (particularly the damage that the
    virus called humanity has caused) and still believe that it is "on
    track".  But it is, and my thanks go to all those who keep it that
    way.

    Energy knows  naught of  purpose and motive. It is what it is, and
    does what its nature dictates it must do.

    We, ascribe  labels to  the forces around us in an attempt to make
    them  intelligible.   To  bring  the  unseen  into  the  realm  of
    understanding. Yet, if I use electricity to light a dark place and
    make the  road safe,  that does  not make electricity "Good". If I
    use it to kill someone, that will not make electricity "Evil".

    For millenia  humanity  has  searched  out  (and  documented)  the
    energies available  to us and attempted to define their nature. It
    is always  easier to perform a task if one has the right tool, and
    this fact  did not  escape the  originators of the various magical
    systems.

    There are  energies that  are better  suited to  creative ends and
    others better  suited to destructive ends (though even destruction
    can be viewed as a positive and even creative process, definitions
    are a real bitch!). But what ever the nature, the energy cares not
    for good or evil. These are the domain of the USER.

    So, what  are the  ethics of magic.  With respect to Common magic,
    none. (It is perhaps a bit rich to expect someone to follow a code
    of ethics  when they  don't even  realise what they are doing.) In
    the case  of established  magical systems,  there are  the  rules.
    Whether explicit  or implied  they exist.  They exist  to  provide
    coherence, and  whether the  members realise it or not, provide an
    ethical framework within which to operate.

    I have  no inclination to rate the different magical systems since
    I think  it absurd  to assume  an individual's  standards could be
    usefully applied  to such  a diverse  area of knowledge. Those who
    wish to  explore the  magical systems  can gain  useful insight by
    studying their  underlying mythologies.  The nature  of the God(s)
    and Goddess delineate the nature of a groups practices.

    The majority  of magical  systems profess  "White"  or  beneficial
    magic, just  how much  grey sneaks in there on occasions is a moot
    point. To  identify the "Black" Arts is much simpler. The towering
    egos and  aggressive attitudes  are usually  a dead  giveaway (not
    that over-fed egos are exclusively the domain of Black magic).

    It is  difficult to  quantify what actually constitutes "White" or
    "Black" magic,  for when  you begin  to alter  the  order  of  the
    universe, undoubtedly  repercussions will  result that  could  not
    have been  foreseen.   Shifting energy around may be beneficial to
    some and  yet detrimental  to others.  An  over-enthusiasm  to  do
    "good", could  easily produce  the opposite  effect.  History  can
    supply copious examples.

    (This is one of the reasons for my great admiration for Buddhists.
    Their goal  is to  pass through the world and disturb it as little
    as possible. To achieve that would indeed be magic!)

    Good and Evil are like all human definitions, relative. They exist
    by comparison.  In belief  systems, a  wonderful example  of  this
    point can  be found  in Satanism.  Being the inversion of Catholic
    belief, dogma  and ritual,  Satanism  is  meaningless  unless  you
    believe in  Christ and  the Eucharist.  That does  not imply  that
    their magic is a religious joke. The energies they employ will not
    be caring what they call themselves.

    The necessity  for  opposites  is  fundamental  to  occult  belief
    systems. Where  a  belief  system  refuses  to  supply  them  (Eg.
    Christianity) the world provides them to fill the void (Satanism).
    It is worth noting that this is not just to achieve some universal
    harmonious balance. It is in fact to ensure that there will always
    be movement,  change, evolution ... and a whole lot of other words
    that mean the same thing.

    The bottom  line of  all this is (as far as ethics are concerned):
    Do we have the right to inflict our "Will" on the world?

    Please excuse  me  if  I'm  sounding  perhaps  a  little  Buddhist
    <smile>, I'm  not. I have answered this for myself, and the answer
    is not what I expected. I leave you with the question to find your
    own resolution.

                         [6] The 1st Zen of Magic

    Life  is  spontaneous.  You're  standing  on  a  high  cliff  edge
    overlooking the  sea.   The view  is breathtaking in its enormity.
    The salt  air is brisk and refreshing.  Your thoughts drift to the
    sublime timeless  wonder that is life.  As your mind floats beyond
    the golden  horizon of  the rising  sun, so the ground beneath you
    begins to  fall away.  If you  don't step  back now!  you will get
    first hand Knowledge of eternity.  That's ... Zen!

        Be good my friends, and if you can't be good, be good at it.

    In closing:
    What you  have read  stands, as is. I have no inclination to waste
    the next 5 years of my life dredging up book references, articles,
    journals and  quotes to  back up  what I believe (though I have no
    doubt that  with prudent  research amazing  arguments both for and
    against  could   be  developed).   My  life   leads  me  to  these
    conclusions, more  so with  each passing  day. If  your life  sees
    otherwise, I  have no  problem with  that. I wish you well on your
    journey, as  ultimately all  paths lead  the same  way. I  bid you
    peace.


                           Greetings and Well Met,

                              Regards ~Wizard.
