Magical Seclusion

Although the maximum effectiveness of the Way is usually attained only through the union of the energies of different travelers — each with distinct talents — and by mutually complementing their efforts, from time to time every Magus encounters situations that require seclusion and isolation.

First of all, this applies to stages of the Way that require the fullest possible interaction with the Monadic nature. Such stages occur whenever there is a global reconfiguration of the composition of the mind, both during Initiations and at social or physical death.

In other words, whenever a deep reorganization of the Composition takes place, the mind is “drawn into” the Monadic nature’s potential field and then re-enters the newly formed composition after the transformation completes. It is clear that, owing to the Monadic nature’s complete isolation, all contacts with it also require the utmost exclusion of extraneous influences — that is, they occur in seclusion and isolation.

The duration of Seclusion, depending on the situation and the individual characteristics of the mind, can vary greatly — from a few minutes or hours to several months or even years.

However, irrespective of duration, the intensity of the internal processes occurring during the stage of Seclusion should be as great as possible for the individual. Put another way, not only is the absence of extraneous influences that disturb the Monad’s proper in- and out-breath extremely valuable, but so too is the tension that develops in the process of reorganizing the Composition, since the harmony of the new system of consciousness depends on the work to effect its transformation.

Magi, Prophets, and initiates of all times and peoples recognized the importance of Seclusion as a necessary condition for the development of the mind at moments of transcendence; nevertheless, Seclusion itself carries the danger of prolonging isolation beyond what is necessary, which can arrest development. Since, in energetic terms, Magical Seclusion is a return to one’s pure essence — into the bosom of the Monadic nature — this state can be subjectively very attractive; yet prolonged isolation puts the mind into a potential state, deprives it of a field of action, and thus of the possibility of actualizing its potential.

Therefore it is crucial for a Magus to decide not only when Seclusion is necessary, but also how long isolation must last to reconfigure the Composition — that is, to decide when to exit Seclusion and return to the state of battle.