Training the Mind and Freeing the Spirit

At this point in your studies, you have now reached a new place on the Path and are ready to branch out a bit and begin to more actively use what has been learned thus far. Part of that process is the development and cultivation of your Magickal Self or persona. The Mind is the place of manifesting and bringing that self into the foreground where it can be used. The Mind helps us to re-member and reassemble the pieces that make up who we are- physically, emotionally and Spiritually.

When we learn to control our mind we are on a path towards stepping into our full power. Now, to be very clear about this, I am not speaking of Power over another and the enticement that many are led to the Craft by with being able to manipulate and control for their own self-interest. Power is at best a tricky word to use when speaking of spiritual matters as it has often the overlays of negativity surrounding it, making those who wish to remain humble and world serving avoid it’s use and those who do not fully understand the implications and responsibilities that accompany it’s acquisition to over state it.

The Power to which I am referring is the knowledge and use of your own Divine nature. This is the control and development of your own energies and the impact they have on that which makes up your world of experience. It is the cultivated knowing of when and how to exert your will so that it may work in alignment with the Higher Will and when to simply be and be guided by your Higher nature which is in constant communication with the Universal source of all life.

We will explore ethics of the Craft in future lessons, but for now let us say that as you progress in this work, be ever mindful of your undertakings. YOU are ultimately the one accountable for your actions and the chain of cause and effect that those actions may incur. For example; If you get up in a bad mood and begin your day in a rushed and stressed manner, the physical you sets off a specific chain of events and energies based upon that mood. If, later that day you bring that energy into ritual, meditation or any type of spiritual work that will awaken and call into action the Magickal Self, that negative energy will be amplified exponentially and will ripple out into the realms in which you are working. The intent will be affected and thus change the outcome. (This is one of the reasons for always doing some sort of grounding meditation to align yourself with positive energy prior to beginning magickal work). This is the power of the Mind and the Hermetic Law of Cause and Effect…

Pull against the tides
The glistening sand and shell is revealed.

Open the heart in gratitude
And the crowd of humanity rushes in.

Retreat into the hollow space of silence
And the echo of sound is unbearable.

Speak loudly of the unspeakable truths
And the quiet guilt takes your breath away.

Move with the dynamics of fiery will
And gates of iron tremble at your foot-fall.

Close your eyes to the disease of injustice
And chaos drives the chariot of destruction.

Rip through the veil of bountiful limit
And the great tsunami of potency crashes down.

Move into the heart and fullness of God
And She pulls you deeper into her embrace.

Remain in the place of expanded stillness
And all of the inner workings of the cosmos
Become the sweet fulfillment of your Soul.

The Mind is a Powerful Thing

So how do we correct this disparity? The obvious answer is to not let it occur in the first place. This is not to say that we are never to have a bad day, be stressed or angry. But acknowledging those Thoughts that generate the feelings, which are then acted upon is a first step towards training and controlling where your mind leads you. The most difficult of this training is in changing the way we think. There is needed a certain resiliency and adaptability that most of us rarely experience. To be flexible of mind is to become the buoy in the midst of a severe ocean storm. To remain steady, despite the violence of the waves and to allow the water to pass over, but not overcome you. When this sureness and calmness is applied to our thoughts we can accomplish great things. We respond, rather than react. We move with the tides of energy as they flow rather than bucking against them frantically.

All of the actions below send powerful messages to the brain and work to develop and train you to be in sync and in flow with the energy around you. This in turn creates adaptability and flexibility as you move into sacred space and the varied patterns of energy contained therein.

• Meditation teaches you to relax and quiet your physical being and your mind.
• Eating well and regular exercise gives the message to your physical self that you are cared for and as a spiritual vessel, I will honor you.
• Pausing before speaking and truly listening to what is being said, opens you to receptivity and the opportunity to expand your awareness.

We will discuss and explore more of these in Lesson Eight: Personal Practice, as they are key components to a vital and productive Spiritual Practice.

Foundations of Practice:
Meditation-Breathing into Grounding

Next Week’s Post
Me, Myself and I