>is too pussy to experience spooky things for herself
Hey, if you'd rather just be an armchair ghost hunter or armchair ufo hunter, that's up to you. But make no mistake about who's playing pretend.
It's like asking for best books on "Science". There's shitloads fields of science, with various specializations, beginner and higher levels and particular aspects and all of them have books. Chemistry itself has probably hundreds or thousands decent books.
What particular thing you look for? Some particular occult traditions? Info on particular thing, folklore, myth, cryptid? Some books on particular conspircy theory, which by themselves numbers in hundreds? Be more specific and maybe I'll find something for you or other anons ITT.
I'm looking for books on mental magick that will help with creating a very strong foundation for things to come. I eventually want results but I'm willing to defer that at the cost of gaining the "full picture" so to speak. I want to avoid any holes in my knowledge (the kind that come back to bite you in the ass, lesser ones are acceptable, there's always more to master).
To summarize: None to minimal restrictions, philosophical/allegorical in nature, purely mental (minimal or no rituals, chanting and props).
I read the kybalion recently, overall I liked it. Do you have anything for me?
I liked how kybalion built the world from scratch and derived everything else from those axioms, it gives you (or I should say formalizes/labels) the tools you need to interpolate, extrapolate and predict whatever phenomena you're dealing with so there's not much left to guessing, your job is to just make connections. Left brained stuff.
I liked that a lot about it.
Hope that gives you a good idea of the kind of books I'm looking for.
>I'm looking for books on mental magick that will help with creating a very strong foundation for things to come
Magic isn't really divided into disciplines like that outside of RPGs. You learn theory, then you practice refining your mental and spiritual faculties and then you can do ALL magic (or at least, whatever fits the paradigm and cosmology your tradition and/or you personally uphold, since if you won't know symbolism and procedures of rituals of other traditions obviously it'll be like knowing how to speak but trying to force yourself to speak in foreign, unknown language).
So, foundations in general I keep recommending and which anons so far appreciated: >Advanced Magick for Beginners by Alan Chapman
Rather simply written, not overtly convoluted, without woo-woo mystique to it explanation of certain basics of magic. Some disagreeable bits but overall decent for someone who knows little to nothing and with some smittering of references so one has some hints what direction they can go from there. >Liber Null + Psychonaut by Peter J. Carroll
Chaos magic is controversial. Counter-culture kind of magic, breaking establishe norms, trying to make magic simple for everyone, through handful of rituals. With quite some pitfalls perhaps at higher level of advancement, but still, offering a bit of alternate take on occult things and most importantly, speaks much about importance of perception and belief in your work.
After that depending on which tradition you'd like to pursue there's plenty of things. If you want something that will be more physical and also help your health, daoism or qigong will help you (hard to get far without teacher, but >The Eight Pieces of Brocade
will help you with basic qigong. Western occultism is now mostly hermeticism often questionable, folk and neopagan semi-religious practices. From hermeticism, albeit with their own questionable bits: >Initiation into Hermeticism by Franz Bardon >Kybalion
are good starting points.
Is there anything wrong with my brain you'd like to point out? Do tell if there's particular issues with titles I've mentioned as well.
Either way, as mentioned, Carroll's book (on top of basic exercises) provides good primer on importance of perception and belief many other beginner books neglect, thus it's IMHO a good starting point even for one pursuing other traditions.
Yeah, you're a retard lmao. Keep reading the wannabe galaxy brain trying to apply mathematical formulae to magic and leaving in some unmeasurable shit as variable.
3 weeks ago
Anonymous
I was about to get into the whole shit flinging but that post wouldn't lead anywhere so I'll use this instead.
What I recommended I stand by, neither basic exercises provided nor info on importance of belief and expectation in shaping the result of practice depend on some mathematics, valid or questionable. Anon wanted useful, actionable info and so he got it, your take and attitude is pointless.
>Magic isn't...unknown language).
Meant more that it should teach the bare bone, building blocks of magic (there's a language, language has words, words make sentences...). But I looked at the books you recommended and they seem to be doing just that. I'll check them out.
>If you want something that will be more physical and also help your health, daoism or qigong will help you (hard to get far without teacher
I've been interested in this aspect of the occult (chakra, kundalini, energy transmutation) for a while but holding off on it because I have a glass body. Do you have any recommendations for energy work/chakra/yoga stuff that's not too physically demanding? The way I understand it, they're all dealing with the same thing with different names. What I lack in physical, I make up for in hyperfocus.
>From hermeticism, albeit with their own questionable bits:
Anything I should look out for?
Any generals you frequent where I can reach out? Appreciate the help anon.
>Do you have any recommendations for energy work/chakra/yoga stuff that's not too physically demanding?
Basic qigong exercises are mostly meditation, breathing exercises and rather simple, slowly performed stances and stretches - shouldn't hurt someone who's not heavily physically disabled. Don't force things, do it slowly and you'll be fine.
Meditation is the most important practice in nearly any spiritual endeavor and in some form (there are differences) to it are fundamentals of pretty much any tradition.
Yoga I am less knowledgeable about. Know bits and pieces, with two most important things to be aware of being:
1. Chakras are prescriptive, not descriptive. They aren't really some particular energy points that have to be of particular color, spin etc - they're symbolic representation of more complex aspect of oneself made so various people with various perceptions have shared point of reference for their practice. But it's not the same in every other tradition.
2. Karma isn't some universal punishment or reward system, just action and reaction - some reactions may seem rewarding or punishing but in reality it's simply world responding to thoughts and qualities one represents with themselves. We create our own karma.
Anyway, in general light exercise and healthier lifestyle in may actually help with spiritual endeavors. Your body isn't just some separate part of you, it's natural extension of your subtle bodies into material sphere of existence.
>Anything I should look out for?
Bardon made some questionable mistakes here and there in his various works. Certain interpretation of his may not fully align with works before him. But if you stick to basic exercises you should be fine. You may be even fine in general, just make sure to check other sources and compare certain bits of info.
Similarly Kybalion, for how much respected it is draws a bit from New Thought movement which may have small deviations from "orthodox" hermeticism.
>Do you have any recommendations for energy work/chakra/yoga stuff that's not too physically demanding?
Basic qigong exercises are mostly meditation, breathing exercises and rather simple, slowly performed stances and stretches - shouldn't hurt someone who's not heavily physically disabled. Don't force things, do it slowly and you'll be fine.
Meditation is the most important practice in nearly any spiritual endeavor and in some form (there are differences) to it are fundamentals of pretty much any tradition.
Yoga I am less knowledgeable about. Know bits and pieces, with two most important things to be aware of being:
1. Chakras are prescriptive, not descriptive. They aren't really some particular energy points that have to be of particular color, spin etc - they're symbolic representation of more complex aspect of oneself made so various people with various perceptions have shared point of reference for their practice. But it's not the same in every other tradition.
2. Karma isn't some universal punishment or reward system, just action and reaction - some reactions may seem rewarding or punishing but in reality it's simply world responding to thoughts and qualities one represents with themselves. We create our own karma.
Anyway, in general light exercise and healthier lifestyle in may actually help with spiritual endeavors. Your body isn't just some separate part of you, it's natural extension of your subtle bodies into material sphere of existence.
>Anything I should look out for?
Bardon made some questionable mistakes here and there in his various works. Certain interpretation of his may not fully align with works before him. But if you stick to basic exercises you should be fine. You may be even fine in general, just make sure to check other sources and compare certain bits of info.
Similarly Kybalion, for how much respected it is draws a bit from New Thought movement which may have small deviations from "orthodox" hermeticism.
cont.
If you want the very, very basic works on hermeticism, Corpus Hermeticum and Emerald Tablet are pretty much it, but they'll be less of introductory text despite being absolute written source of the whole tradition as it is today.
>Any generals you frequent where I can reach out? Appreciate the help anon.
No problem. And no, I don't really frequent any generals. I visit the board and check the threads at random, but I am also just some random shmuck so with some luck you'll find others able to provide this basic level of advice, even if - depending on what they practice and believe it - it may be different than what I'd give.
>Magic isn't...unknown language).
Meant more that it should teach the bare bone, building blocks of magic (there's a language, language has words, words make sentences...). But I looked at the books you recommended and they seem to be doing just that. I'll check them out.
>If you want something that will be more physical and also help your health, daoism or qigong will help you (hard to get far without teacher
I've been interested in this aspect of the occult (chakra, kundalini, energy transmutation) for a while but holding off on it because I have a glass body. Do you have any recommendations for energy work/chakra/yoga stuff that's not too physically demanding? The way I understand it, they're all dealing with the same thing with different names. What I lack in physical, I make up for in hyperfocus.
>From hermeticism, albeit with their own questionable bits:
Anything I should look out for?
Any generals you frequent where I can reach out? Appreciate the help anon.
Oh, and I guess I should address this bit: >Meant more that it should teach the bare bone, building blocks of magic (there's a language, language has words, words make sentences...).
In magic most of the building blocks are intent, will, refined and purified qualities of your character and spirit (through proper practice) and ways to express them. Most magic operation work on symbolism - be it you visualizing things, using props representing some quality, reciting spells and mantras. That's a part somewhat covered in the chaos magic book. You don't often need particular words or props (though if you are following particular tradition, get them) and depending on what symbolism, practice and cosmology you follow, you may be not needing anything some other practitioner will find necessary. That's why most people with no practice can't do crap even when using the best, most revered grimoires - the spells by themselves are about as useful as little mnemonics to remember what groceries to buy - it's the practitioner himself where in vast majority of cases all the magical "power" resides. There may be some rare exceptions where particular actions and sounds have meaning greater than being a crutch for your "internal" actions, but in general, it's all depending on you and for basic spiritual development you don't even need many books, it's mostly a matter of noticing things, meditation and realizing certain relations between various aspect of yourself and the world at large (but books help greatly if you need more structured practice or want to follow some tradition).
I will check on the thread later if it won't 404 but for now I disappear. Have a good one.
>id rather filter life through other people's thoughts and experiences
You could just go out and experience the paranormal for yourself.
I just want to read some spooky accounts you pretentious prick.
>is too pussy to experience spooky things for herself
Hey, if you'd rather just be an armchair ghost hunter or armchair ufo hunter, that's up to you. But make no mistake about who's playing pretend.
Mysterious World is one of the best I've found, it covers some Forteana (mysterious or unexplained happenings)
Kybalion
It's like asking for best books on "Science". There's shitloads fields of science, with various specializations, beginner and higher levels and particular aspects and all of them have books. Chemistry itself has probably hundreds or thousands decent books.
What particular thing you look for? Some particular occult traditions? Info on particular thing, folklore, myth, cryptid? Some books on particular conspircy theory, which by themselves numbers in hundreds? Be more specific and maybe I'll find something for you or other anons ITT.
I'm looking for books on mental magick that will help with creating a very strong foundation for things to come. I eventually want results but I'm willing to defer that at the cost of gaining the "full picture" so to speak. I want to avoid any holes in my knowledge (the kind that come back to bite you in the ass, lesser ones are acceptable, there's always more to master).
To summarize: None to minimal restrictions, philosophical/allegorical in nature, purely mental (minimal or no rituals, chanting and props).
I read the kybalion recently, overall I liked it. Do you have anything for me?
I liked how kybalion built the world from scratch and derived everything else from those axioms, it gives you (or I should say formalizes/labels) the tools you need to interpolate, extrapolate and predict whatever phenomena you're dealing with so there's not much left to guessing, your job is to just make connections. Left brained stuff.
I liked that a lot about it.
Hope that gives you a good idea of the kind of books I'm looking for.
>I'm looking for books on mental magick that will help with creating a very strong foundation for things to come
Magic isn't really divided into disciplines like that outside of RPGs. You learn theory, then you practice refining your mental and spiritual faculties and then you can do ALL magic (or at least, whatever fits the paradigm and cosmology your tradition and/or you personally uphold, since if you won't know symbolism and procedures of rituals of other traditions obviously it'll be like knowing how to speak but trying to force yourself to speak in foreign, unknown language).
So, foundations in general I keep recommending and which anons so far appreciated:
>Advanced Magick for Beginners by Alan Chapman
Rather simply written, not overtly convoluted, without woo-woo mystique to it explanation of certain basics of magic. Some disagreeable bits but overall decent for someone who knows little to nothing and with some smittering of references so one has some hints what direction they can go from there.
>Liber Null + Psychonaut by Peter J. Carroll
Chaos magic is controversial. Counter-culture kind of magic, breaking establishe norms, trying to make magic simple for everyone, through handful of rituals. With quite some pitfalls perhaps at higher level of advancement, but still, offering a bit of alternate take on occult things and most importantly, speaks much about importance of perception and belief in your work.
After that depending on which tradition you'd like to pursue there's plenty of things. If you want something that will be more physical and also help your health, daoism or qigong will help you (hard to get far without teacher, but
>The Eight Pieces of Brocade
will help you with basic qigong. Western occultism is now mostly hermeticism often questionable, folk and neopagan semi-religious practices. From hermeticism, albeit with their own questionable bits:
>Initiation into Hermeticism by Franz Bardon
>Kybalion
are good starting points.
>this is your brain on chaos magic(k)
Is there anything wrong with my brain you'd like to point out? Do tell if there's particular issues with titles I've mentioned as well.
Either way, as mentioned, Carroll's book (on top of basic exercises) provides good primer on importance of perception and belief many other beginner books neglect, thus it's IMHO a good starting point even for one pursuing other traditions.
Yeah, you're a retard lmao. Keep reading the wannabe galaxy brain trying to apply mathematical formulae to magic and leaving in some unmeasurable shit as variable.
I was about to get into the whole shit flinging but that post wouldn't lead anywhere so I'll use this instead.
What I recommended I stand by, neither basic exercises provided nor info on importance of belief and expectation in shaping the result of practice depend on some mathematics, valid or questionable. Anon wanted useful, actionable info and so he got it, your take and attitude is pointless.
>Magic isn't...unknown language).
Meant more that it should teach the bare bone, building blocks of magic (there's a language, language has words, words make sentences...). But I looked at the books you recommended and they seem to be doing just that. I'll check them out.
>If you want something that will be more physical and also help your health, daoism or qigong will help you (hard to get far without teacher
I've been interested in this aspect of the occult (chakra, kundalini, energy transmutation) for a while but holding off on it because I have a glass body. Do you have any recommendations for energy work/chakra/yoga stuff that's not too physically demanding? The way I understand it, they're all dealing with the same thing with different names. What I lack in physical, I make up for in hyperfocus.
>From hermeticism, albeit with their own questionable bits:
Anything I should look out for?
Any generals you frequent where I can reach out? Appreciate the help anon.
>Do you have any recommendations for energy work/chakra/yoga stuff that's not too physically demanding?
Basic qigong exercises are mostly meditation, breathing exercises and rather simple, slowly performed stances and stretches - shouldn't hurt someone who's not heavily physically disabled. Don't force things, do it slowly and you'll be fine.
Meditation is the most important practice in nearly any spiritual endeavor and in some form (there are differences) to it are fundamentals of pretty much any tradition.
Yoga I am less knowledgeable about. Know bits and pieces, with two most important things to be aware of being:
1. Chakras are prescriptive, not descriptive. They aren't really some particular energy points that have to be of particular color, spin etc - they're symbolic representation of more complex aspect of oneself made so various people with various perceptions have shared point of reference for their practice. But it's not the same in every other tradition.
2. Karma isn't some universal punishment or reward system, just action and reaction - some reactions may seem rewarding or punishing but in reality it's simply world responding to thoughts and qualities one represents with themselves. We create our own karma.
Anyway, in general light exercise and healthier lifestyle in may actually help with spiritual endeavors. Your body isn't just some separate part of you, it's natural extension of your subtle bodies into material sphere of existence.
>Anything I should look out for?
Bardon made some questionable mistakes here and there in his various works. Certain interpretation of his may not fully align with works before him. But if you stick to basic exercises you should be fine. You may be even fine in general, just make sure to check other sources and compare certain bits of info.
Similarly Kybalion, for how much respected it is draws a bit from New Thought movement which may have small deviations from "orthodox" hermeticism.
cont.
If you want the very, very basic works on hermeticism, Corpus Hermeticum and Emerald Tablet are pretty much it, but they'll be less of introductory text despite being absolute written source of the whole tradition as it is today.
>Any generals you frequent where I can reach out? Appreciate the help anon.
No problem. And no, I don't really frequent any generals. I visit the board and check the threads at random, but I am also just some random shmuck so with some luck you'll find others able to provide this basic level of advice, even if - depending on what they practice and believe it - it may be different than what I'd give.
Oh, and I guess I should address this bit:
>Meant more that it should teach the bare bone, building blocks of magic (there's a language, language has words, words make sentences...).
In magic most of the building blocks are intent, will, refined and purified qualities of your character and spirit (through proper practice) and ways to express them. Most magic operation work on symbolism - be it you visualizing things, using props representing some quality, reciting spells and mantras. That's a part somewhat covered in the chaos magic book. You don't often need particular words or props (though if you are following particular tradition, get them) and depending on what symbolism, practice and cosmology you follow, you may be not needing anything some other practitioner will find necessary. That's why most people with no practice can't do crap even when using the best, most revered grimoires - the spells by themselves are about as useful as little mnemonics to remember what groceries to buy - it's the practitioner himself where in vast majority of cases all the magical "power" resides. There may be some rare exceptions where particular actions and sounds have meaning greater than being a crutch for your "internal" actions, but in general, it's all depending on you and for basic spiritual development you don't even need many books, it's mostly a matter of noticing things, meditation and realizing certain relations between various aspect of yourself and the world at large (but books help greatly if you need more structured practice or want to follow some tradition).
I will check on the thread later if it won't 404 but for now I disappear. Have a good one.
The Bible.