Intoxication by Images
One of the most common traps the mind falls into is taking an erroneous image for the real thing.
It would seem that for a disciplined mind the problem of perceptual distortion, of falling prey to illusions, should not be so great.
But in practice it turns out that even the most spiritually advanced people fall into the trap of Mara.
The reason is obvious. The very nature of perception is such that the mind tries, as quickly as possible, to impose an image, template, or cliché on the perceived block of energy, because only after doing so can it include that block in its perceived picture of the world, and thus begin to interact with it actively.
And, of course, this is not without distractors.
The mind loves to err. It tends toward self-deception. This tendency is cultivated from early childhood by inner and outer demons — predators and parasites, society and family.
Instead of trying to find the most accurate match, logos, of the perceived block of energy — whether a process, an object, or another being — the mind quickly constructs a credible perceptual template, applies it to the block, ignores the “minor” inconsistencies, and convinces itself of the correctness of its description in order to engage in ineffective interaction that leads to waste energy and feeds those predators and parasites.
The trick is quite simple — a clouded and undisciplined mind simply “passes by” the opportunity for an adequate description and constructs a largely arbitrary description.
It is well known that usually the most accurate and adequate is precisely the first impression or the first answer that comes to mind, and further reasoning often moves us away from it, replacing it with implausible illusions and confusion.
And to shatter an entrenched image is very difficult, and the act of dismantling it is accompanied by great disappointment and upheaval.
Therefore the speed of a Magus’s mind is extremely important. It is crucial that the mind succeed in catching the unclouded interaction of its perceptive faculty with the perceived block of energy — before destructive forces intervene, muddying the psychocosm’s clear waters.
Moreover, the mind must continually check the images that shape its perceptions — for internal consistency and for their effectiveness in interaction.
The question a Magus should ask themselves as often as possible is: Do I really see what I perceive? Is the image I see an accurate reflection of how I interact with the perceived entity (object, phenomenon)?
A Magus’s critical thinking must be sharpened as much as possible. Furthermore, it should be directed, above all, not at fruitless speculations about the perceived nature, its objectivity, but at practical usefulness. Perceptual adequacy is greatest when it allows one to act most effectively. And the formation of a coherent picture of the world, its explanation and mapping, will become effective precisely when links between its components are described as accurately as possible. Therefore it is very important to choose the order of perception properly: first we carefully identify the players, and then the rules of the game. First we try to understand how accurately we describe the situation, and only then do we interpret what is happening.
Sometimes, while exploring the psychocosm and asking myself questions, symbols emerge. This doesn’t happen often, but they are like a coded answer. I understand that I can only trust them when I verify them myself. My question is – are such answers possible from my own consciousness, or are they again games of the mind?
Numen: the subconscious in which you roam gives information in the form of symbols, associative chains. To make the information clearer, one should unload, cleanse, and structure their subconscious. This is the same principle that divination systems (oracles, runes, tarot) work on, providing answers to posed questions through symbols.
At the moment of perception, all attention is involved in the process of perception, and “trying to find in oneself the most precise correspondence to the perceived block of energies” doesn’t work, as this implies diverting attention to search. Indeed, consciousness instantly creates a pattern (from descriptions of forms already included in the worldview) and imposes it on the block of energies… for example… I enter an apartment. Something catches my attention on the carpet in the living room. I look, but see nothing. Suddenly, something takes a step forward. It does not reflect light – it has no color. At the moment of its movement, I caught the form – a little dog. “A colorless little dog, like a creature in the movie Predator, visible only in motion” – an image that the consciousness instantly imposed on the block of energies… Alongside the imposition of the image (verbal portrait))) comes a set of sensations in the body that is almost impossible to explain in words even to oneself – it results in even more absurd descriptions))), …But… the set of sensations gives exact knowledge of how to react to the “little dog” – what action to take towards it… Here, speed for capturing and fixing the first impression is indeed very important….. The mind (logical thinking) is not involved in the Perception-Reaction linkage. The mind, upon receiving the impression, continues with the Analysis – Conclusions linkage… The perception of the “little dog” gave me no practical value, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s a dog or something else. What matters is that I captured, fixed, and reacted correctly…. Did I really see it? Or maybe it was just a hallucination? – it’s not worth answering immediately; it’s worth waiting for conclusions…. After accumulating experience of perception and its multiple analyses, answers come.
Sometimes, if something is not set in an aggressive direction towards us, it can transform into a digestible form for us. As I have already noticed, they are quite dynamic, and in such cases, I think it only depends on our reaction how events will develop further. A little dog is not the worst option 🙂
Yes, or maybe it might not even ‘show’ a visual image at all. ‘Something’ can only be a presence, a voice, a smell, or another density of air… yesterday I received a lesson…. thank you to the teacher :)…. every thought of yours is under control…. What are you doing for development right at this moment?…. and then out of nowhere…………………… Who is already playing you, Someone is already sharpening knives, You may think the world is understandable and simple. NO. It is full of bloody lies. Who is already the voice in your head Righteously teaching how to be an angel, a creator, But your flesh and blood are merely imprints on his mace, And your soul will be in his goblet – as wine. Someone is already quietly drinking your blood, Even though you think how joyful it is to be near him. He will steal your strength and love And become your black curse. Who? – Don’t know? – You are chopping around. A gentle voice? And a kiss through sleep? You suspect? Where is it? Suddenly within you? NO. YOU ARE NOT SOBER. STILL INTOXICATED.