Intensifying Desire
As we have discussed, according to Western myth, the central method of developing the mind is the pursuit and fulfillment of desires.
In fact, by “desire” the Myth defines the very striving for fulfillment: both the world itself and every object within it exist by virtue of a corresponding desire, and therefore desire is the “fuel” of manifestation, the engine of the world-process, which, depending on the depth and nature of desires, can drive things in either a constructive or a destructive direction.
As mentioned, desire arises as an attractive force between the actual and potential states of any system: when a system discovers that a particular realization allows it to express new qualities and realize new possibilities, it begins to strive for that realization, to desire.
Broadly speaking, whims and fancies arise simply as a result of a distortion of this vision — when, under the influence of internal obscurations or external pressures, a system believes that a given realization is necessary, while in fact that realization does not lead to progress — waste of energy occurs, which sustains the pointless cosmic cycle.
At the same time, it often turns out that the lion’s share of one’s energy is spent pursuing whims, while true desires lack the strength to be realized.
Such a situation is, on the one hand, paradoxical: a being spends all its energy on attaining what it, in the final analysis, does not need, and cannot achieve what lies in its nature.
On the other hand, it is clear that the cause of this phenomenon is an unclear vision and inadequate self-identification, one’s nature and one’s inclinations. No wonder that in the East such “ignorance” is considered the root of all delusions and the driving force of samsara.
Therefore, the path of mental development consists of two stages: 1) discovering and identifying desires, and 2) finding energy and resources to realize them.
Both of these tasks, of course, encounter many difficulties on their Way. We have already discussed that self-knowledge, listening to the voice of the heart or to the “higher” layers of the mind is a difficult undertaking, and given the overall lack of energy in “ordinary” existence this aim becomes largely unattainable.
In fact, the whole body of magical practice is ideally aimed at clarifying the vision of emerging realizations and finding the resources for realizing them.
Both of these tasks, of course, are resolved by persistent actions, relying on sustained understanding.
And if it turns out that a desire has been brought into awareness, but there is insufficient energy to realize it, one must examine the causes of that shortage.
Most often the problem is that all available energy is tied up in maintaining entrenched patterns of behavior and interaction and pursuing whims.
Essentially, the solution lies in the proper prioritization of motivational priorities: one must determine what is truly more valuable for the being, what is less so, and so on.
Often, as a result of false self-identification, realizations that are less important in absolute terms appear more significant from a clouded perspective, and then, of course, only “clearing away the rubble” of illusions will free up energy.
However, it also happens that a given realization simply is not currently most relevant, and that it can truly be accomplished only after other realizations that are more important now.
In that case, one must first fulfill more timely or urgent desires, which will then open the Way for the next realization.
In any case, right action is always the fruit of right understanding (although, of course, such understanding may be either intellectually articulated or intuited). In other words, “not enough desire” most often means “not enough understanding.” Accordingly, a shortage of energy for realization is usually eliminated after sharpening understanding, and therefore the “search for clarity” — the recognition of desires and their hierarchy — is the most important part of any magical work.
Sometimes it happens that a person is full of desire, sees the goal, but lacks understanding of how to achieve it, simply taking action to build the vector of fate. I understand that you wanted to say – the inability to listen to oneself leads to an absence of hearing others. I remember myself at the seminar during the vision-seeking practice: Feeling the power, I threw a stone and went. I saw nothing, but felt determination. So isn’t this determination exactly what they wanted to see from me? And now, after years, learning to influence the Forces, I understand that Determination is the foundation.
The Taoists said: ‘understanding is a surge of being, not reason.’ They discovered from their own experience that reason does not understand but creates interpretations that give rise to a false sense of understanding, imitating it. On the other hand, Gordon Allport, an outstanding scientist of the 20th century, said: ‘Understanding is the apperception of the stereotype as such.’ Exploring the psychology of thinking, he saw that understanding is a preanticipated recognition of an already existing stereotype, model, pattern in the mind. This refers to two sides of the same process. The Taoists focused their description on the very moment of new comprehension, while the modern psychologist pointed out that reason assimilates the new and turns it into a stereotype. This is why understanding is a ‘surge of being, not reason’; but reason is incapable of recognizing understanding until it experiences ‘the apperception of the stereotype.’ A cognitive situation for a person would be an unresolved paradox (after all, ‘the new’ and ‘the stereotype’ are opposing phenomena, and no compromise between them is possible), but we are capable of learning new stereotypes. Here lies the solution.
Did you (or A.P.K.) write ‘outstanding’ also because of understanding his ‘outstandingness’ or simply because others write about him this way? Where can a stereotype come from on a blank sheet? The best discoveries are made by those who can ignore authorities and question any dogma. The best student is one who has minimal knowledge of the subject initially and a good imagination (resulting in the outcome they should reach). To me, the magical path is exactly the destruction of what is imposed, returning to a blank sheet, and the best results will come in areas where the world has least explored. Enmerkar is incredibly lucky. At 20, there are not many stereotypes, so he is a Master in almost everything. And, of course, he is not lazy. And, to be honest, there is no confidence that the esteemed Enmerkar understands the depth of the chasm between him and ordinary people 🙂 You, esteemed Enmerkar, need to write hundreds of books…
And what kind of chasm is there? The author is quite successful in society – he engages in science and teaches at a university and is generally quite well integrated into society.
I am extremely happy for the author. And for the fact that there is no chasm.
“In any case, the right action is always the fruit of the right understanding…”. I agree with the author’s opinion, as Behind True understanding lies the path to further unfolding processes. Tavita, I would be glad to hear your own thoughts on this 🙂 Let’s analyze what you wrote to make it clearer. Stereotype – This definition smells of illusion. This is an unformed idea. Understanding – is a set of definitions, a template, a structured form not yet filled with consciousness, that is, not filled with the light of consciousness, not having become part of it. Therefore, it is quite right to say that stereotype and understanding are two sides of one thing. But the most valuable comes after Awareness of understanding. Then the structure not only merges with our consciousness, it gains the ability to change, improve, and takes on the property of the absolute.
Interesting times are beginning. The matrix of the world will be brought into alignment and the natural equilibrium that is currently considerably disrupted. In this regard, no matter how banal it sounds, it is recommended for every being inhabiting this world to look within, to listen, and to bring themselves to a natural state, as everything that seems separate is part of the whole. And as I have repeatedly asked, to be ready as wizards of the natural Forces to support nature and restore balance.