What do we do? We Magic.
Balancing discernment and the proclivities of self-betterment.
Magic, at a very foundational level, is the focus and direction of one’s will.
Let’s take a walk …
Anybody who has spent significant time in spiritual spaces, including religious spaces, and who tries to adhere to a practice of self-improvement or self-betterment of any variety, will likely have heard of something along the lines of “know thyself.” As loosely as I can put it, it’s an ethos that revolves around understanding, honing, alchemizing, and refining yourself. The idea is that, in knowing oneself, not only can you start to heal the self, but even though the subject is so close to home, a ripple effect will happen and change will be effected. This has been taken on whole-heartedly as part of my world view, and it’s because I’ve seen it in action. It works. The major caveat is that the self-discipline involved is of paramount import and many people don’t realize they’re missing it.
From what I’ve observed, there’s a pervasive need in the world I walk within, to latch onto a leader. Even more concerning is that whether that leader is of benefit or detriment seems to be of no consequence. We are collectively unmoored, and in need of guidance. Some have reached out for help, too many haven’t. I find this to be a massive boil on the ass of America, and unfortunately, America’s tentacles have some incredibly far reach.
I wrote a long article last week, all about discernment and how little there seems to be in the world. I’ve witnessed it whittled away to the point where friends freely make excuses for objectively piss-poor behavior and find it severe when I point out the obvious. The assertion from me that, "That wasn’t normal. That was objectively assholish behavior,” is met with pearl-clutching and excuses for the “perfectly normal human condition,” of “defending one’s position … even if it’s wrong.” When the position is garbage, it’s okay to point it out as such, and not further indulge or enable the assholery. Period. I trashed that article because it never hit right. I hate it when I go on a preachy tirade, and that was one of those. After some further life-living, dog-walking, and brain-rattling, the idea started to take better shape.
Which brings me to the balancing act of discernment and the lofty goal of self-improvement in the current geo-political hellscape.
Oftentimes, on the path of self-betterment, there will be a phase where one retreats into themselves and internalizes a lot of stressors, both their own as well as external varieties. This can be recommended for any multitude of reasons. It can also manifest naturally. Like me, you might not even realize you’re doing it because it is simply the next organic step in your process. And while it is beneficial in so many ways and an important part of the journey, internalization is not a stasis that should rob one of their discernment.
In many esoteric groups and occult orders there is the concept of sub rosa. In basic terms, it’s designating a boundary of what is to be kept secret and what is okay to share, a.k.a. secrecy. This is necessary. Without it, the group / order / working is compromised. What I want to get across is that while the designation of sub rosa is a must, so is your discernment. We are not looking to engage in cult-like behavior, or blind idolatry. We are looking to work together in a sacred space with sacred tools performing sacred rites, as equals, all of us bringing our unique strengths to the circle for greater amplification. In these circles, discernment is not only encouraged, but it is - as it should be - cherished. The participants must know when enough is enough, and they need to know it individually as well as collectively.
It has dawned on me in the past week, that being able to spend years (and years) of ones life dedicated to knowing thyself, perhaps mastering thyself, and with any luck, becoming one’s very best version of themself is a monumental privilege. To exist in a space with enough peace and stillness that you can focus simply on you, is a privilege that should not be taken for granted. And *if* we are occupying a space of privilege such as this, it is our duty to be a worthy steward of the lineage from which we derive. When we see the wreckage falling around us, as much as our work is dedicated to the self, we can not settle for platitudes and go inward only. We must engage. We can engage with kindness and empathy and compassion, but engage we must. To retreat is a failure of discernment in extraordinary times that require extraordinary measures.
“Cool story Jenn, where is this going?”
I believe in the power of baby steps. I believe in small gestures creating big change. Atomic Habits, if you will (see “Atomic Habits”, by James Clear). I believe in my immediate surroundings (and yours). I am currently leaning heavily on the wisdom that Eckhart Tolle shares with us (in “A New Earth” and “The Power of Now”) which is to take account of what the reality is in your immediate environment, stop zooming so far out that you’re creating a pain body for something that isn’t even real. I believe in collective bargaining, yes, even with the universe. So I’d like to make a proposal.
For anyone who practices, and who is familiar with the LBRP (I will not explain here, this is a very IYKYK moment), I’d like to invite you to join me in performing a coordinated and intentional, daily LBRP, in our own personal spaces, wherever we might be. No words need to be spoken between us, no RSVP needed, this is an open invite. BYOB - Bring Your Own Brain (and will, and heart, and body). All you have to do, is commit. To yourself and for yourself. I will be performing mine at noon, everyday. I am on the west coast of the US, Pacific Time. Feel free to align yours with mine, or don’t, it’s your call. If you aren’t familiar with the LBRP, but you still want to participate, you can. Simply do what feels good to you, the key is our intention. A prayer, a toast, a sun salutation, a meditation, a walk, an exercise routine, an intentional meal, all of these things and so many more will work, but the intention should be the same; We are opening ourselves up to reception of light (whatever that means to you) and we are projecting that light forward, radiating it to the spaces around us. Depending on your comfort level, you could simply open yourself up for reception and carry that with you all day, OR, you could radiate that light out as far as you can possibly visualize / imagine.
This is about as far as I’ll go in the instruction department. It isn’t my intention to teach anyone here, I’m simply stating my intent to direct my will (magic, a.k.a. ancient self-betterment) in a way that feels right to me (discernment), and I invite anyone else who feels similarly to do the same.
If you made it this far, you’re a gem, thank you for walking with me. Don’t take these times sitting down! But also … stay safe out there. We need you.
-She Said With Love
Go with Vav!