[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]
[Main Index][Thread Index]

# RE: Step V - a few questions (cont)

#### Message 02975 of 3835

- To: <BardonPraxis@yahoogroups.com>
- Subject: RE: Step V - a few questions (cont)
- From: "Richard Scott" <rscott@...>
- Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2004 11:33:29 +0100
- Thread-index: AcSLWCCX9t1ObG+SRnCb3bCQBgFKNw==
- Thread-topic: RE: Step V - a few questions (cont)

    Hi Johannes

    In your email the other day, you wrote,
    <<In part five of the IIH Bardon talks about setting a pice of cotton
    on fire and lighting candles. This is of no importance to the work
    and not a prerequsite to the practice as I understand it, >>

    This prompted me to check out my own understanding of that aspect of
    the training. I reread that portion of Step V, using both editions, and I've
    arrived at a slightly different conclusion.

    I see where you're coming from, but to play devils advocate, I reckon it
    does have importance, though I'm still undecided about its measure as a
    prerequisite.

    Both editions make it clear that the Step V trainee needs to master the
    condensation of the elements to the degree of physical tangibility -
    i.e. able to be observed by a non-initiate.

    Then Bardon tags on the end these little tricks as a measure of competence.
    Depending upon the edition, the emphasis of their importance is slightly
    different. The Merkur edition uses words like 'must', 'should', 'every
    magician'.
    Clearly the level of skill is considered important to Bardon. What I haven't yet
    decided is whether he's simply referring to tests that a 'well trained magician'
    should be able to master, over time, rather than a definitive prerequisite
    before starting Step VI.

    Bardon did on occasion discuss various abilities that a one-sided, unbalanced
    regimen of exercises would develop. However, his manner of writing is different
    in this section. Rather than describing possibilities, he's giving instructions
    as
    to how a student can test their level of mastery.

    I agree with you Johannes, unless one's a keen student of bushlore, where you
    find yourself in desolate wilderness as a matter of routine, being able to
    light fires
    without external tools isn't a terribly useful skill, but as a yardstick Bardon
    uses it
    as a measure of skill. Once that standard is reached, you move on.

    As a beginner, I'm just offering my own interpretation of reading the text.
    Yet I do reckon these exercises are important, if not necessarily a prerequisite
    for Step VI, then important in the long run, especially as the true keys to
    magick are
    based round mastery of the elements.

    I remember Bill Mistele mentioning somewhere that he failed to master the basic
    condensation exercises to the degree that Bardon expected of his students. As
    a consequence, Bill has for many years continued to return to the basic
    exercises
    to try to master them to the extent that Bardon intended, but with greater
    obstacles
    in place than if he'd tried to master them fully the first time round.

    Many thanks for the question, its made me think about an area of the IIH text
    I'm
    not fully conversant with. I guess I'll find out more when I reach Step V.
    In the meantime, excuse my long-winded machinations.

    regards

    Richard

    [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

- Prev by Date: Re: TMO-WG.net Website Update -- Happy 1st Brithday! :)
- Next by Date: RE: Step V - a few questions (cont)
- Previous by thread: Re: TMO-WG.net Website Update -- Happy 1st Brithday! :)
- Next by thread: RE: Step V - a few questions (cont)
- Indexes:
  - Main
  - Thread

Main Index | Thread Index