More on ‘Theory’ and ‘Practice’
One often hears statements like “I am well-prepared in theory, but I lack practical experience” from Magi who consider themselves to embody the “golden mean” of the Way. In our conversation about the importance of this “middle ground,” we said that knowledge not applied in action is useless, while actions taken “blindly” are ineffective.
At the same time, a proper understanding of “theory” and “practice” removes this problem.
If a Magus’s knowledge effectively maps the relationships existing within the Myth he has adopted, then such a “theory” will inevitably flow into “practice.”
Knowledge, as is known, is power, so one who begins to grasp correctly the essence of what is happening already, in doing so, enters into battle with the falsehoods imposed by the predators. Even if he had no intention of entering combat, the battle finds him, and the only choices left are to accept the challenge and fight or to refuse and perish. In other words, if knowledge remains mere speculation about the nature of things, then that knowledge is incomplete.
Accordingly, anyone who believes they are already “sufficiently well-versed in theory,” yet continues to play by rules imposed on them, is mistaken — and their “grounding” is far from perfect. Conversely, as soon as “theory” is structured into an effective system, it inevitably turns into “practice.”
The same applies to “practice.” As long as a Magus achieves results “blindly,” without understanding what he is doing or how he is doing it, he remains merely a plaything in the hands of external forces that offer him diversions, encourage megalomania, and thereby distract him from genuinely accumulating power.
As soon as he decides to control his realizations himself, as soon as he begins to try to understand what is happening to him and how, he creates his own “theory,” his own description, which can be more or less harmonious, and therefore more or less effective.
Thus, whatever a Magus begins his Way with — study of “theory” or of “practice” — he cannot achieve effectiveness without developing the other component. Nevertheless, the Way “from theory to practice” is usually much more effective because it prevents the repetition of blind actions, unconscious expenditures of power, and ineffective influences so typical of novice “practitioners,” who waste vast quantities of power simply from misunderstanding where to apply it and who risk falling into irreversible power leaks.
Yes, first theory, then practice.
Greetings! Can you recommend a good theory? I need something that has been tested for centuries, preferably with practical moments also illuminated. I would be grateful for any sources. Thank you.
I don’t quite understand a few things from this blog. One of them is the practice of a magician. And also its implementations. What exactly should he practice and implement besides himself? And where does such reverence come from? In my opinion, part of the people look at this like, for example, being a director in a social sense. It’s also a set of practices. And they seem to want this, because it’s considered cool… I understand that the thought is not finished. And this is precisely a question) I want to clarify for myself.
In my opinion, magic != psychology. For those interested, more here: https://enmerkar.com/en/way/magic-or-practical-psychology
Thank you to Enmerkar for such an article 🙂
And now a question for everyone reading: what myths, stories, or books have inspired you the most?
P.S. From what I’ve read, I’ve come across K.K. (I think everyone here knows Carlos), Douglas Monroe (Druidism), Wallis Budge (who covers historical aspects well), and of course, I’ve read many myths and fairy tales… but the hunger of the soul says that’s not enough and I need more information… so far, from everything I’ve read, I’ve concluded that the shortest path to Power is through Eastern martial arts 🙂
Good day! Dear AnM, in my opinion, the necessity of certain sources of information and “theoretical foundations” is determined by the needs of each traveler in the coordinate system of their values at a particular moment. I once found “Moral Letters to Lucilius” (by Lucius Annaeus Seneca) helpful for myself. I recommend it based on my experience. Whether it will be useful to you, I don’t know. In Letter II, there might be an answer to your question!)
At the moment, I am inspired by the book “How to Achieve Knowledge of the Higher Worlds?” by Rudolf Steiner, published over 100 years ago. The texts are written in an incredibly simple, clear language, filled with respect and support for all seekers.
Greetings, AnM. The shortest path to the Force is interaction with the Forces. The foundation is the expansion of your perception and, as a consequence, the increase in the interaction of your consciousness, strengthening its connections. If you were initially born connected to the forces, the increase in influence can also stem from the desire to help. For this, you are offered many tools that influence the change of reality. One of them is Runes. By manifesting creativity, you can develop your own tools, but for this, it is necessary to know the multiple characteristics of the Forces that govern the world.
I would rather talk not about the book itself, but about the way of selecting them. After certain procedures with my consciousness, I can hardly read. What I don’t need, what has no relation to my current affairs—I don’t track or control it; I just can’t, that’s all. At the same time, there are books that I know for sure are necessary. Or fragments of phrases and any other messages from any source. They are clearly answers to my self-posed question and the designated topic of study.
And at the same time, there is one that I have read several times already, which is physically strange, because I remember the text after reading it forever (also after certain procedures with consciousness). Therefore, reading it a second time is not interesting.
This is a small book called “The Shaman’s Laughter.” In my opinion, for now, it is the only source written without any purpose other than for research. There is no preaching; there isn’t a single answer, and there is a real opportunity to touch another level of consciousness. And there is at least some satisfying (maybe that’s the point?) answer to the question of what comes next. Every author has their own logic of the path, and in magic, what is it? Tasks of the lineage, perhaps, or warriors of Light, or capture and influence, or chaos—it’s all a matter of choice. I would like, first of all, to know for myself, and secondly, my knowledge of the world does not align with the magical goals proposed by the authors, and after reading, I want to remain free and not run around trying to reconcile the author’s conflicting thoughts with my understanding of the world.
“The only freedom is to do the little that your Spirit truly wants,” is the idea that a person builds their own world with their own awareness or accepted agreements, and one of the tasks is to build it oneself, to learn rather than to read—that’s the kind of thought I appreciate. An author’s goals always matter, and when reading any book, we connect with them. I prefer books that leave me free.
Reading anything with a research purpose is a different matter. I do that as well, but with great caution, knowing what the brain is capable of and what it can automatically absorb.
Ultimately, any book needs to be integrated into one’s worldview. One must understand what is described and why. Otherwise, there will be a conflict that will drain energy. Some data sets are not worth engaging with right now, and some I am simply not ready to comprehend.
For example, I recently read Dave Pelzer’s book, “A Child Called It.” To understand the chain of violence, its escalation, and what Stockholm syndrome is. Simply put, such a book can lead to depression.
Good day! I am very, very happy that I received a response… thank you all!
I believe that everyone who embarks on a path encounters the problem that not every path suits them, and it is necessary to find a path with heart or to create their own.
I will definitely familiarize myself with the sources you provided, as the value of information lies in the impression it leaves on you and the strength it gives. And if there is something that has greatly influenced you, then perhaps I should take a look at it too 🙂
Once again, thank you very much, and may the Force be with you!
Hello. How should the most harmonious/efficient/organic process of learning and movement along the Path occur? Well, if we do not take into account individual aspects and preferences. In the sense that theory cannot encompass all the fullness of practical moments, and practice, in turn, probably cannot be effective if one constantly stops and tries to determine the forces/the vector/the actions that occur both within and outside us. So what to do? Move in fits and starts and alternately alternate theory with practice until they complement each other and reflect processes inside and outside us to such an extent that it results in a natural and organic, complete and continuous movement along the Path?
About the same way as any natural development: we study ourselves, identify matured needs/impulses—study how and where they can be realized—realize them, return to step 1.