Way: System vs the Hunt
As we have discussed, the fundamental method for describing the development and realization of the mind from the standpoint of the Myth we are considering is the idea of the Path as a system of interconnected conscious actions. At the same time, another basic category for this Myth is the idea of the Search or Hunt as a way of carrying out actions.
At first glance it may seem that these two categories are incompatible with each other: systematicness implies logic and algorithms, while Hunt requires intuition and spontaneity. And indeed, among wayfarers one often observes fall into these extremes: some believe that on the Path it is important to rely on sources and authorities, while others emphasize the need to “search for oneself and one’s own Path.”
At the same time, the Traditional view, as usual, calls for keeping to the middle line, combining both approaches.
Indeed, we have already discussed that the Path is undoubtedly a system, since it has internal coherence and its own logic. However, the elements of this system are extremely finely tuned and are applicable only within a narrow range of conditions. This is summed up in the well-known maxim: “There are as many Paths as there are Wayfarers.”
A penchant for pedantry, getting bogged down in “sources,” constant references to “masters” or “literature,” constitutes a special kind of ignorance, since it testifies to a refusal of one’s own cognitive activity. It is clear that although the “Path of Knowledge,” that is, reliance solely on the informational component, is one of the basic activities of mind, by itself it is unbalanced, because it does not include (and sometimes even denies) the importance of the active, energetic component. Only when “to know” is complemented by “to dare” (and, ideally, also by “to will” and “to keep silent”), does it mean “to surpass,” because the very idea of cognition implies “inclusion and surpassing” of what is cognized. Thus, falling into the extreme of “system” means ossification and stagnation, a craving for accumulation and “possession” of Tradition, leading only to the accumulation of the balancing repulsive energy — wrath. That is why many one-sided traditionalists (quite predictably) turn out to be very angry and intolerant.
However, neglect of Tradition, a frivolous rejection of time-tested views and methods, also most often leads only to getting bogged down in a cycle, since it is usually accompanied by the committing of mistakes already worked through by someone and falling into long-mapped traps.
Moreover, the idea of “searching for oneself,” as we have already noted, is often a cover for procrastination and mental laziness, since some “seekers” continuously “seek” precisely to avoid finding anything, i.e., so that they avoid exertion and take action. Accordingly, in this case, instead of movement there arises fuss, scattered attention and energy. This is exactly why many eternal “self-seekers” turn out to be weak-willed hedonists who cannot tolerate even slight deprivation or restriction.
The search for the Path is, in essence, the choice of the next step, the assessment of probabilities in the next interaction, and not the “search” for some general map or universal technology. The strategy of a magus is only a general direction, which, of course, is extremely important to see clearly and articulate clearly; however, the development of tactics is always a reliance on both Authority, knowledge, experience, and on power, inspiration, luck.
Magic is an exact science, and if it were possible to observe with absolute precision all prescriptions of a given recipe or grimoire, one could reliably obtain the result described in it. However, Magic is also an art, since one of the components of any recipe or grimoire is always the practitioner, and therefore it is impossible by definition for one magus to reproduce exactly the modus operandi of another.
Thank you! What does it mean to be silent?
To be silent means not to manifest outwardly what there is no request/appropriate vessel for.
Why is the Path of Knowledge based solely on informational content? And I don’t understand what you perceive as the active, energetic component… From my personal experience, I can say that in various critical situations, of which there have been quite a few, when it was necessary to quickly and accurately solve a problem – it seems that something turns on in consciousness, and it is neither intuition nor remembering information, nor analyzing and weighing all ‘for’ and ‘against’… Something without identifying signs, without sensations, without visions, with nothing at all turns on. You just do it because you know that this is right, that this way everything will turn out as it should. This is what I call the Path of Knowledge. But, unfortunately, it only works for me at the Edge – at the Edge of death, disaster, in acute critical situations. Knowledge comes silently from within.
Perhaps I am wrong, but it seems to me that this is inspiration or the energy of water.
Thank you, this is very timely. It motivates and pulls one out of the ‘fog’ of the ‘aquarium’ of consciousness. That’s why many eternal ‘seekers of themselves’ turn out to be weak-willed and asthenic hedonists, unable to bear even the slightest privations or limitations.
The incredible density of words and their power in this article creates an incredible feeling, which can be described as the structuring of what one seemed to guess and understand but could not gather into a single canvas. Thank you.
You know, a curious feeling arises when you read, but you must stop at the word ‘Power.’ Whether it’s from the capital letter with which this word is written everywhere or something else.