Point of Reference
In the course of studying the Magical Myth, the question often arises — why is such a detailed, stage-by-stage description of the Way necessary?
For example, why correlate its various stages with Runes, why distinguish the stages of the Ritual? Is this not a waste of time — replacing action with reflections on it?
In fact, this is not mere intellectual play, not merely an exercise in making distinctions; it is the mapping of the Way.
And the importance of this mapping is hard to overestimate.
In any description of motion — whether linear or rotational — what matters is defining the coordinate system in which it takes place.
It is clear that without such a system, speaking of movement is meaningless.
Without a point of reference, it is impossible to speak of “right” and “left”, “above” and “below”. A universal coordinate system is abstract, obscure, and as impractical as cosmic notions of “good” and “evil”. By shifting (placing) the center of description into an individual’s mental coordinate system, everything immediately acquires concrete and comprehensible meaning. The previously abstract “space” and “time”, the directional concepts right and left, up and down, good and evil, become understandable.
Only by placing the point of reference inside another person can one attempt to understand their inner world, their problems, their possibilities — to try to see the world through their eyes. Their world, even if it seems to operate according to the same laws as others, will not be identical to another observer’s world. To understand another person from one’s own point of view, or from a universal point of view, is impossible.
And the fact that many polarities align in closely related individuals does not yet mean they are identical. The world is multipolar precisely because of the many ego-centered perspectives among different individuals. Only by placing the coordinate point within each individual, and thereby granting them freedom, can one secure each individual’s responsibility for their actions and life, and for everything that happens in the universe.
Thus, mapping the Way, understanding one’s location, and establishing points of reference are absolutely necessary for movement.
It is another matter that this system (Myth) varies among travelers. However, every individual myth still must be organized and systematized. Without a stable coordinate system relative to which the arrangement of the Myth’s elements is determined, the Myth itself loses meaning, loses its relevance and its power to be realized; the Cosmos turns into Chaos.
Nevertheless, one often hears talk of the “Way as such,” the Way without descriptions. But the Way without a map has little chance of success. More often than not, arguments about the “redundancy” of descriptions are the result of a lack of inner discipline and fear.
At the same time, inner order and outer order are inseparable: only by having an ordered inner system of concepts can one organize one’s external actions. This, however, does not mean that the inner system should not be flexible. On the contrary, it must be as fluid as possible, as self-critical as possible, and yet highly ordered. The very term “organism” demands that it be considered from an organizational perspective, i.e., the order of the whole. Internal contradictions and tensions can nullify all external achievements.
The point of reference anchors the mind, creating attention. It is precisely the power of attention that creates a world of particular objects. It is attention — the fixing in awareness of a system of relations — that is the basis and purpose of creating a description of the world, and thus of creating the world itself.
Thus, mapping is by no means “mere intellectual exercise” or a superfluous occupation; on the contrary, it markedly increases the effectiveness of the Way by creating coordinate systems and thereby ordering the Psychocosmos, and thus making it easier to govern.
External and internal orders must constitute one… very resonant to the words of I.H. in the apocryphal Gospel of Thomas. “27. Jesus saw the infants who were sucking milk. He said to his disciples: These infants who suck milk are like those who enter the kingdom. They said to him: Well, if we are infants, will we enter the kingdom? Jesus said to them: When you make two into one, and when you make the inner as the outer, and the outer as the inner, and the upper as the lower, and when you make male and female into one, so that the male will not be male and the female not be female, when you make an eye instead of an eye, and a hand instead of a hand, and a foot instead of a foot, a form instead of a form, – then you will enter the [kingdom].”
A very interesting question is raised in this topic.
To clarify it for myself, I will try to lay everything out in order.
1. For mapping the Path, the first thing necessary is to move the starting point (focus) to the center of the individual.
2. To create a “map” of the Path, it is necessary to know and be aware of what has already been traversed and to see the predicted “steps” (and all their possible outcomes).
3. To discipline both one’s attention and one’s entire being so as not to lose vigilance and not stray from the Path.
If I am wrong or have missed something, I ask you to correct me, dear Enmerkar.
And one more point. When mapping the Path, a mage can indeed See one or two, several steps ahead. Is it possible for a mage to See the entire Path, or its main points? (or in that case, would life lose its Mystery?)
I will add that I have understood:
1. Each has their own map, since the origin point lies within the individual.
The author’s interesting statement here is that “Only by placing the coordinate point inside each individual, and thus giving them freedom, can one obtain each individual’s responsibility for their actions, for their life, and for everything happening in the Universe.” It seems there is a secret to saving our world 🙂 but I do not understand it.
2. A map is necessary for the Path to the goal.
3. A clear map – order within – an ordered system of representations – determines order outside, on the Path.
4. The starting point, the map governs our attention, that is, it illuminates, creates the Path.
Optimus J. The mage is aware that there is Orleg and Wyrd in his path according to which vigilance is combined, and reports are made. It is possible to see one or two steps ahead and possibly the whole path. Will you, as a mage, managing the vision of your path, walk this path along the seen route? I, for my part, would certainly try to find a shorter way with this vision, and diversify the journey with my participation and intervention.
I was shown that the starting point is the power of the Earth, which manifests in the being as a living unified map, pushing forward. And where exactly, is determined by the ultimate goal – the monad of integrity. Or as it is also called – the guiding Star. It shines from the Future, it is free from personality and any parasites.
But just the power of the Star alone is not enough. I have convinced myself through bitter experience. Yes, its radiance is inexhaustible. But… It needs a compass needle that will point to the Star from within, from the moment here and now, to actually go exactly towards it. And this is none other than… the power of Silence.
This is what I chose as the real foundation behind all masks of personalities. Indian mages call the power of Silence the way of the Dog – the way of devotion, service, and selflessness.
Also, the power of Silence is the famous mystical Universal Language, which all people once spoke freely…