Outposts of Parasites

Regarding the usurpation of power in the Psychocosmos by destructive forces, the Myth discussed notes several key points important for maintaining their rule.

We have already said that the chief condition for the successful existence of predators in the depths of the mind is their invisibility, and therefore the first key step in their seizure of power is to create the illusion in the currently dominant quasi-personality of its complete control over the Psychocosmos. The simplest way to sustain that confidence is to cultivate the absence of doubts, so the formation of a linear mode of thought that allows no flexibility or variability is the first outpost of the parasites of the mind. Accordingly, the greater the narrowness of mind, the less its flexibility and fluidity; the firmer the predators’ hold over it.

Western Magic describes the “external” forces that keep the mind in check as great Demons. In particular, a vast number of people trapped by linear thinking are, in fact, possessed by Astaroth and Gaap.

The principal task of both the predators and the Parasites is to prevent minds from turning inward, from taking control over the flows of power transformed within them. At the same time, these consumers do not always manage to produce in their victims that degree of one-dimensional thinking that would eliminate constructive doubts that lead to greater effectiveness of the awareness process.

Therefore, Lamassu has other methods for keeping the mind “in check.”

Second in importance among the Parasites’ strategies is erecting shields and barricades in the mind. Skillfully using the Power of the Threshold that separates worlds and myths, Lamassu turns it into a destructor, luring the mind with the illusion of security. In response to any destabilizing influence, wherever it comes from — “outside” or “inside” the mind — the system’s natural reaction is a movement that diminishes the factor’s effect. Lamassu persuades the mind to stay put, instead of seeking a new stable position, to place a “block” in the irritant’s path, simply protecting against destabilization. In other words, instead of moving, developing, growing, and expanding, the mind surrounds itself with shields that give a sense of safety while stunting its development. Having driven itself into a dead end with its own shields, the mind comes firmly under the rule of Bael.

Third among the Parasites’ outposts is the diversion of the mind into meaningless activity — pacing and running in circles. Instead of incorporating a new element into the structure of its world-description, i.e., actually becoming aware, the being is trained to accumulate empty experience, to race after activity like a caged rodent. A person is distracted from one activity to another, from one obsession to the next; they skim the surface of the world without plunging into meanings and ideas, become a slave to activity and, as a result, are always busy, and always blind and deaf. Such a person is the property of Belial.

The fourth outpost is suppression in the mind; the eradication of striving for the Pleroma, for love and harmonious unity. The capacity to feel is underdeveloped; in its place, there are uncontrolled emotions, and the mind itself comes under the sway of Asmodeus.

In fact, the number of ruses by which the mind is diverted from itself and its development is enormous. Analyzing ancient manuals of demonology, one can find the main destructive agents by which the Demons, Lamassu, and Archons keep the mind captive and in a victimized state.

It is clear that Magic does not merely formalize the destructive elements of the mind. It presents ways to overcome them because having become aware of the nature of the problem, the nature of the obstacle or restraining force, one can devise a strategy to improve one’s effectiveness in life. For example, by cultivating broader perspective and tolerance, the mind overcomes Gaap’s restraining influence; by learning to pause and reflect, it casts off Belial’s fetters; and by opening its heart to love and compassion, it slips out of Asmodeus’s golden cage. Moving from idle daydreams to deliberate actions, the mind ceases to be a plaything of the Archons, and finally, by plunging into its own depths, it casts off Lamassu’s yoke.