The Passing Of Geshe Lhundup Sopa

Geshe Lhundup Sopa
1923-2014

Truly the end of an era. May you pass through the bardo swiftly and safely, Geshe-la.

 

Shhh...I Will Be NAPping

"Taking A Nap" by Rosino CC-BY-2.0

Last year I became aware of a system of magic detailed in a "modern grimoire" entitled The Miracle of New Avatar Power written by Geof Gray-Cobb. Intrigued by many of the claims of magical success attributed to this work found on the Internet, I decided to obtain a copy for myself. My initial reaction to the book was not favorable. It seemed bogus or hokey. In his book the author promotes a system of magic that functions due to an all-powerful force intrinsic to human beings (though dormant and unrecognized by most) that can accomplish anything. Anything? That's an awfully big claim, indeed. Moreover, the success stories presented in the book seem incredible and contrived. Time after time we read of an individual going from rags to riches in virtually no time at all. Despite my initial reaction to the book I now find myself preparing to work with this system of magic. Why? I'm not entirely sure. Maybe because I'm desperate to find a way to make changes in my life that I am unable to presently accomplish. Maybe its because I know that reality extends beyond my house of beliefs and that there may be truth in the author's claims that I am currently prevented from seeing. You may ask, "How can you possibly hope to succeed with this magical system if you don't BELIEVE?" Well, first off, I'm very good at suspending disbelief. Secondly, the author assures his readers that belief in his system is not required for success. He makes it very clear in the beginning portion of his book that he presents his system in such a way that it bypasses the conscious mind and begins to awaken the New Avatar Power  (NAP for short) within the unconscious mind. So, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain by exploring this system of magic. As I do so, I will post anything that seems noteworthy.

For those interested, there is a whole Forum section devoted to NAP at Evocationmagic.com
Also, Brother Moloch has some interesting things to say about NAP in a three part blog post, the first of which can be found here.

A Public "Thank You" To Saint Expedite.

THANK YOU, SAINT EXPEDITE, FOR QUICKLY PROVIDING ME WITH A NEW JOB AND DELIVERING ME FROM AN INTOLERABLE WORK ENVIRONMENT. MAY THIS POST INCREASE YOUR RENOWN, ELEVATE YOUR STATUS, AND GIVE HOPE TO THOSE WHO NEED IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE.

Curse Them With Kindness!

A few weeks ago I found myself in need of performing some instant magic. As I did not have the time to construct and perform a elaborate ritual, I decided that the best course of action would be to create a thrall/servitor to work my will. This thrall/servitor would have only one purpose ... to create obstacles that would prevent two individuals from perusing a particular course of action. During the birthing process I instructed the thrall/servitor to put obstacles on the path that these two individuals where traversing. At the time I saw these obstacles to be negative in nature in that they would thwart the plans being made by direct sabotage. Sometime later, however, something rather interesting occurred. My thrall/servitor contacted me and informed me that my will could be more easily accomplished if it could "bless" the two individuals with favorable events rather than thwart their plans through sabotage. I had not thought of this approach when I created the thrall/servitor, so I was somewhat surprised when my little creation suggested it. In any case, I gave the thrall/servitor permission to work my will by bringing about some favorable events for my "victims."

So, the moral of this story is ... favorable events can also function as obstacles to a particular path. Moreover, the victims will never realize they've been cursed.

*Just in case you are interested, my thrall/servitor failed to carry out my will and was promptly destroyed.

The Three Modes of Magick in Donald Michael Kraig's "Moden Magick"

*While I was cleaning out my computer recently I happened upon several files that I created ages ago but had forgotten about. Before deleting them I thought I would post them here. Below are some initial thoughts I had about DMK's discussion of magick in its three modes of operation.

I have a problem with Kraig's discussion concerning the definition of magick in Chapter One. I do not have a problem with Kraig's definitions per se. My problem arises when Kraig gives examples of the various magickal modes (White, Grey, Black) in actual practice. In Kraig's definitions of the three magickal modes, each mode of magical operation is seen as a method for bringing about a willed event. In White Magick the willed event is the Knowledge and Conversation with the Holy Guardian Angel, whereas the willed event in Grey Magick is something beneficial to oneself or others, and the willed event in Black Magick is something detrimental to oneself or others (irrespective of whether one wills them consciously or unconsciously). Thus, each mode of magic is set apart and distinguished by the particular event that is willed. In Kraig's examples, however, he tries to show how one magical mode can become another as a result of secondary events that are the result of engaging in one of the three magickal modes. For instance, Kraig shows how a ritual to obtain a thousand dollars (good for oneself = Grey Magick) can become Black Magick if, for example, your uncle dies and you are given the money from his estate. In this example, Black Magick results not from that which is willed (attaining a thousand dollars, i.e., a good to oneself) but rather an unwilled negative secondary event to the primary willed event. This is clearly at odds with his definitions regarding the three modes of magick. If we follow Kraig's lead, a Black Magickal operation could become White. For example, a Black Magical operation to make another ill (willing something detrimental to another) is transformed into White Magick when the ill person (or his family members) realizes the impermanent and unsatisfactory nature of existence and seeks out a spiritual path (a good to another). I think this problem arises because Kraig wants to attach some type of moral (karmic) responsibility to a magickal operation irregardless of what is willed by the one undertaking the ritual. According to the Buddhist tradition, however, to receive full karmic retribution three things must occur: 1) the willing of some event, 2) engaging in an action to cause the willed event, and 3) the manifestation of the willed event. If any of these three are missing, one does not experience full karmic retribution.

The Dance Of Earth Spirits

While I was cleaning out my computer recently I happened upon several files that I created ages ago but had forgotten about. Before deleting them I thought I would post them here. 

This morning I drove my wife to our veterinarian. As I waited outside in the van I thought that I, being in a rather isolated mountainous area, would work with some earth energy (Franz Bardon style). After completing my meditations, I began to notice my surroundings more vividly and became more aware than usual of the living energy of the neighboring trees and grasses. While observing the scenery I got the impression of something playful weaving around the trunks of the trees. Shortly thereafter, I got the impression of something else dwelling near the ground, at the base of the trees. It was the impression of something very old. It was not a negative impression, but I did feel a little queasy in its presence. I then decided to observe the trees near me. The closest tree gave me the impression that it wanted to be played with. I instantly felt the desire to go up to the tree and feel its needles and bark. I wanted to climb into it. I thought that if I were a child I most certainly would have spent some time exploring this tree. A short distance behind this tree grew two others. The impressions I got from these two were somewhat mixed. They seemed friendly enough but rather preoccupied. They were of different varieties and their limbs were intertwined. The impression I got was that they were new lovers, too busy with themselves to be bothered by me. To their left were two other trees whose limbs were somewhat also intertwined. They too were a couple, but were not new to each other … they had grown old together. The biggest and dominant of the two partially obscured the smaller from my view (though I don't recall having this thought at the time, I think now that the big dominate one was the female of the pair). While I received no negative impression from this couple, I clearly sensed that they wanted to be left alone.

Air Travel, A Tree Spirit and Cake.

I've probably mentioned this at least once or twice over the years, but I hate flying...with a passion! I'll do it of course, if I absolutely have to, but I'd rather drive irrespective of the distance and travel time. So, when I find that I can't avoid air travel I always take along my Archangel Michael Golden Coin and ask Michael for protection during my travels. This time around, however, I got a little unexpected protection from a spirit that manifested in the branches of a tree as I lay gazing out the window hours before my flight.

At first the spirit's "face" seemed pleasant enough, but gradually it began to shift into what I perceived to be a more sinister expression. So, I was a little leery when the "spirit" offered to make sure I was unharmed during my travels. Of course, spirits oftentimes demand compensation for their assistance. This "spirit" did not disappoint! It asked for a "special offering" in exchange for its services. I immediately turned it down as I did not like the sound of "special offering." However, after considering its offer for a minute and realizing that I might be too quick to judge, I decided to enquire as to what it wanted. It wanted me to eat a piece of white cake upon my safe return home. WTF? I mean REALLY...eat a piece of white cake. That certainly took me by surprise. Well, anyway, the agreement was made.

Above is a pic of the "cake" I had to choke down when I got back safely (It's coconut cream pie and not technically a cake, but I got the feeling that it would be acceptable despite not being what the "spirit" had initially intended). I have some suspicions as to why it chose this form of payment. Probably had something to do with requiring me to undermine some body magic I am currently engaged in. In this respect it was a little sinister after all.

What strange form of payment has a spirit requested of you?