A Solo Occult Mistake (of Gurus and Appropriation) [Esoteric Saturdays]

[@FoolishFishBooks]

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[@wyrdflex5863]

You are correct. The Dalai Lama himself has recommended that people walk the Theravada path, graduate into the Mahayana tradition, and finally enter into Vajra practice. It's a gradiated path, and takes years. One takes their time.

[@ang3l.0f.kniv3s]

This is perhaps one of the most important videos I think you’ve ever put out, in most part as a word of caution for the rose tinted glasses you might have when encountering new paradigms. There is always a desire to perfect one’s understanding through a diversity of input, but humbling oneself enough to join into a new tradition is a much bigger task than what people are often really prepared to undertake. Sometimes it’s just not feasible to incorporate nuanced perspectives and understanding from that mystical tradition you read about.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Ah, Thank you Alex for pointing out some of the essential subtleties there :) I'm so glad you enjoyed the video!

[@kobalt77]

well said !

[@roxanneconner7185]

I truly love and value how you can take such a potentially controversial topic and address it with so much kindness and genuine attempt to understand that nobody can get butt-hurt. Bravo.

[@inkcap1002]

My magical break turned into full blown procrastination and a relapse on drugs. I am detoxing this week and I feel terrible.but I love the great work and am soo looking forward to diving back in to my yoga and books etc and get disciplined again.i have missed being involved with your channel as I appreciate and think very highly of you and your work. 93s.🙏 Tzaddi Beth.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Best wishes to you, @inkcap 100, I wish you a smooth path!

[@gmccaughry]

Such an important topic and video; beautiful summary of a 'lived' paradox I am sure many of us experience/experienced/will experience. Thank you Denis.

[@damondarkwalker]

Buddhism was my Gateway Drug to esotericism-where I feel most comfortable.

[@corporealchaosconsulting78]

Excellent point and one that many solo practitioners miss. The technology you get a hold of exists within the context it was created. That cannot be overlooked. The example I use with my students is that if I were to need a liver, I can't just take one from a cat. Even though it's a liver, it is not separate from the context in which it manifested. Not to say someone can't use various a technologies, but that to ignore their context while that context is still alive, is short sighted and will lead to a misunderstanding of the thing u now have.

[@el_m3allem]

this is the simplest and most useful explanation of cultural appropriation in a spiritual context that ive seen in a long time! well done!

[@NirodhaAvidya]

While I agree with your assertion that foreign traditions should be respected, I think that with that in mind the incorporation of "eastern" philosophies and practices can enhance "western" esoteric practice. I can honestly say that my study of Dzogchen and Advaita Vedanta have improved my understanding of magick in ways that would have otherwise been inaccessible. I firmly believe that a magick act is most effective when done from a non-dual state. And western philosophy has mostly ignored that understanding. I considered earnestly your question "who is my root guru?" I don't remember my root guru. I was incarnated into this world with an inborn compulsion to seek wisdom and understanding. From whence this discipline was transmitted I cannot say for I cannot access my memories through the veil of Samsara (yet). The culture I was born into was not conducive to this desire for understanding and at times it is explicitly hostile to it. Thus, like a weed attempting to grow in the cracks of the pavement, I took refuge in whatever traditions available to me. I hope to one day recall the face and name of my root guru for I am eternally grateful to them for preparing me with the resilience which I now find so necessary.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

I do wish to emphasis that this was just one experience with one group of people. My next video will offer a slightly different perspective from a few far more permissive sources 😄👌

[@ForgeMasterXXL]

I like your analogy of the weed, the growth of my practice was definitely the same.

[@cornbeanwheatbeet]

I’m reminded of your video in which you discuss the “real mystics of social media”. Social media is an opportunity but also a liability. Cheers Denis!

[@FoolishFishBooks]

This! :)

[@TimelessDroid]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Buddhists. It took me a long time to find my paths that led to my higher path. It’s when I had the epiphany that you mentioned. That being that I take from all belief systems and keep what makes sense for me. This brought me to a great understanding of Aleister Crowley. He gave us all the knowledge that the rest of the Golden Dawn kept secret. Not to mention his additions of the Egyptian influence of his journeys. He is hard to grasp for a lot of people but once you get to know him you feel his honesty. 93!

[@ThePfil]

As a Vajrayana follower myself, with some confusion on my back, I think it's perfectly fine to ask "Who is your root lama" (rarely I heard word "guru"), that means who gave you the initiations, or Lung (tib) to practice, or who you take refuge in. It's a very, very practical path and there is strong emphasis on experiencing things, rather than learning about them - especially Karma Kagyu, although history is full of crazy yogis, demons and sorcery. I highly recommend a book "Mahamudra" by Lama Gendyn Rinpoche, who IMO catches alot of the essence of practice, and of course any work by western Lama Ole Nydahl is worth checking out!

[@nythmair]

First of all, I would like to apologize for a very long comment. This is a topic that really fascinates me so I have a lot to say about it. Forgive me that 😅😅 I majored in Asian Studies and wrote a thesis on Vajrayana Buddhism, specifically the Tibetan version of it - as a person, who is also deeply interested in all sorts of “pagan stuff”, Tibetan buddhism seemed very appealing to me as it came into being through mixing buddhism with local occult practices. Some scholars even call it “esoteric buddhism”. Your experience with the discord group reminds of a time, when during my studies I joined a meeting of a “meditation group” practicing vajrayana buddhism. I thought it would be a fun thing to do considering I was writing a thesis about it. BUT being there I felt immense discomfort. The whole thing just reeked of a sect and I wanted to get out asap. I mean, the people seemed to be friendly and nice, but something was off… “the vibe was off”. So it was my first and last time joining an organised vajrayana practice. Nevertheless I haven’t lost my interest and appreciation for tantra and its techniques, I just decided to do it my way, learn about it by myself and incorporate things that I see fit into my personal practice. Also, like you said in the video - tantra is a vehicle and buddhism is the path, you shouldn’t be playing around with tantra without understanding buddhism first. There is one more thing I’d like to say, about gurus in general, in any tradition. I believe all human beings, without an exception, have a potential inside of them to become a Buddha (which translates to “an awakened one”). Throughout history, great teachers like Buddha and Jesus discovered this potential within themselves, in other words they became enlightened / awakened, and wanted to teach other humans how to discover the exact same thing within themselves. They wanted to help others awaken. They never intended to be some kind of exceptional divine heavenly figures (in my opinion at least). BUT INSTEAD people put them on a pedestal and started worshiping them as gurus or even deities. So the very concept of gurus, in my opinion, is sort of against their teachings in the first place. Everyone should seek (and eventually find) this potential WITHIN themselves, not somewhere outside of them. In that sense, I believe that any spiritual practice, whether tantric, buddhist or christian, should be experienced first and foremost on a personal level. No one else but you should have authority over that. Of course there is great value and wisdom to be found in all the teachings out there, but in the end it is you and only you who experiences the awakening, within your mind, in your own unique way. Thank you for your patience, if you managed to read the entire comment I really appreciate it. Also, thank you for this video and your insights! Blessed be :-)

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences, I enjoyed that! 😊🙏

[@thetreeoflife6018]

Everyone has heard of self image. In reading psychological books I heard the term God image. It “dawned “ on me that a healthy self image is vital. So goes having a healthy God image. An individuals perception of their internal God image will determine the flow and circumstances of your Journey. For me I realized that my personal God image keeps evolving.

[@JiandiP]

They say pick a system and stick with it. I say pick a stick from it and make a system. I have no problem with a conglomerate as long as it's do in an ethical way. Ethical can be ambiguous, but I think there's a big difference between pillaging and drawing elements as influence all while paying homage to those original sources. I think Golden Dawn, for example, did this well. Look at all the translations and publications of documents that may have otherwise been lost to the sands of time. Qabalah is an adapted version of Kabbalah. Dion Fortune called it a living system not a historic monument. I think ethics is in the nauance.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Good points here, JiandiP 😊♥️

[@sandran9340]

@JIandi P, your perspective is one I share :) As William Blake said, "“I must create a system, or be enslaved by another's.” Sometimes it may be easier and faster to follow a well-traveled road, but if one goes off the path, maybe we will find perspectives that have never been seen before or have been lost or never written down in the first place. Of course the danger of getting lost might be greater that way, but then there are the sacred texts we have chosen as central to our beliefs and practices waiting for us to return to... And yes there's a major difference between an outright plagiarist like a certain Russian madame whose name will remain unmentioned and ethically drawing from and crediting the original sources.

[@diginoalessio]

Wow, two great comments here . Thank you

[@QWERTYUIOP-wu6ht]

​@@sandran9340 Tbh I relate with that. I thought that I was going to follow Wicca but after cross-referencing a lot of information I realized that I'm an eclectic practitioner. I follow no single system but borrow some elements from prior sources and create a method of my own. Following a single path didn't work with me.

[@Odd_Combo]

@Jiandi P "Pick a stick from it and make a system." Core idea behind Chaos Magick and something that makes me think that a large amount of Ceremonial Theatrics and strict adherence to whatever Order and hierarchies one follows are but another means and reflection of the corruption and control within almost all aspects of reality; even on the fringe. Just like the Church in a way, they only want you within a limited spectrum if self-realization And understanding only what is permitted. Chaos Magick is the much needed antithesis to the structured limitations within Dogmatic Traditions. We're talking Magick... The irony is disgusting,, but, ever-less surprising!

[@PedanticAntics]

Tantrika here: Honestly, I tuned out of some of your videos because it seemed you were missing this fundamental understanding and may have been promoting unhelpful degrees of familiarity with practices divorced from their contexts. As a fellow seeker, I am extraordinarily proud of the work that you have done and of the developments and humility that led you to make this video. Please keep up your wonderful work. Respect.

[@pm-tu7mp]

Thank you for posting this, this was deeply cathartic as one who has trod a similar path, discovering the Western path along side tantric Buddhism pretty simultanouesly. You may want to look deeper into the Bon tradition though, which Tibetan Buddhism essentially (and very intentionally) "snuffed out" (i.e. reallocated its ritual techniques in order to synthesize Buddhism with Tibten Culture and overthrow the sorcerer driven monarchy at the time). I wholeheartedly agree with what you are saying, but also bear in mind that Jesus, the Buddha, Mohammad, all have this in common: growing up in one tradition, learning its elements, acheiving enlightenment, then entirely renouncing it as hearsay and saying they are the "way". (or at least religious recounting of how it went) Christ renounced Judaisim, the Buddha renounced Hinduism (calling all the Vedas heretical). The Bon (very similar to the Taoists) emphasize the "Guru" is within ourself, just a Christian may say "Christ is within me" or a Hindu realize "I am Krishna", and have a more open minded view of the universe, where people can learn from teachers as well as even other beings such as Nagas (or "klu", see literature by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche). I think it is wise to know what it is you are dealing with, espeically as a fellow DIY spiritualist, but maybe don't beat yourself up too much. I usually avoid posting comments but this was an issue to near and dear, so thank you for looking into this topic.

[@linshaw774]

I listened to this a year ago and appreciated the story. I listened again today and a strong affirmation of my guru and a deeper understanding of her importance now, resonates deeply. Thank you.

[@richprunes2875]

This is a very important insight. Thank you for voicing it here! I too came to this point in my solitary learning a while back. The problem I had with letting go of studying various traditions was finding insight into different issues, which, really was at the root of what I was missing. It wasn’t the “technology” that I was longing for, it was the perspective and philosophy around various subjects that were lacking in the tradition I had set out to call my own path. More often than not, while studying these different traditions and how they solved certain problems I would simultaneously discover that what I called my own path also contained those very same “technologies”, it merely had a very unexpected way of presenting them (note: even in Western society, former cultural perspectives can be just as alien as still living traditions from cultures separate from our own). I think this issue is partly why there is the Kabbalistic axiom of not allowing anyone under the age of 40 to be a kabbalist 😂!! In their great wisdom they recognized that there would be periods in history where teachers would be lacking (this happens in yoga, tantra, vajrayana, and doaism too 😁) and students would be doing a lot of reconstructing. It takes a long….LONG time to hash some things out with a fair amount of assurance and confidence. It is far better to live by practical conviction over literary parallelism and that obviously takes years of work along with much trial and error, no? Like how the card of the Hermit is described in “Meditations on the Tarot”….that seems to be our inheritance. Thank you again for this great video!❤

[@oaxacachaka]

Vajrayanist here….You’re root guru is probably Christ. I think Mahayana Buddhism and Christianity have a lot in common. It could be argued that Christ was behaving mightily Mahayanist in his desire to save everyone. My point is that I think studying Buddhism could really help you develop your own heretical(😋) form of Christianity. I’d be curious of your take on The Way of the Bodhisattva. I think you are right that specific Vajrayana techniques are too contextually dependent but general ideas seem pretty sympatico. If you could work out the similarities enough then you might find a way to create a Christian tantra. It might even be what some Christian mystics are already doing. David Chaim Smith has a Buddhist teacher and is getting some of his Kabbalistic insights from Dzogchen, apparently.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

All of this is spot on. I actually believe that when we look at the Gospel of Thomas for example, we can find many intricate parallels (even correspondences) with Tantra. However it's clear that not many Vajrayanists will see it that way, making the admittance to a Sangha complicated to say the least, since a Sangha is, by definition, people. I honestly thought for a second of saying 'Christ' as my answer to the admin's question, and then realised that would definitely not help alleviate his anxieties 😂 So really it's all fine, I do, luckily, have a bunch of books that I can selectively and hopefully sensitively learn from that I'll share in an upcoming video 😄❤️🙏

[@oaxacachaka]

@@FoolishFishBooks I know a few Bhutanese monks/teachers and at least one of them seems to think that the Catholic group down the road from him are doing something pretty similar to him. I’m not sure if they are Catholic monks or nuns or just retreatants but I think it actually was inspiring to him to know that there are some universal things. They also like Christmas and Santa and all that. I’d maybe be careful about turning the symbolism into a fashion statement but that’s about it, just because it’s like trivializing something valuable. Like using a lotus wand to prop open a door. I don’t think Asian Buddhists would care. They might actually start bowing(at least internally) if you have an image of Manjushri or Avalokita on your shirt. I feel like they would think, “how great, more sacred images are appearing”. Getting possessive is anathema to basic Buddhist principles. I think the more esoteric practices like tummo and phowa should be avoided unless you are ready to devote your life to it under the guidance of a teacher. Your online experience seems pretty unusual from my own experience of 3D Buddhists but doesn’t totally surprise me. Ok, last edit. All that said above, I think they would want to be protective of the teachings and potential practitioners from misinterpretation and potential harm caused by that misinterpretation. For instance the idea of Emptiness could be misinterpreted as nihilism or devotion to a teacher could certainly be abused.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

@@oaxacachaka Absolutely. And really this is what I mean by saying that we have to understand Vajrayana as a Buddhist tradition, not only as some funky techniques to be tried out of context. the context is surely a large part of the way in which these techniques should be practised and thought of (i.e. what kind of Emptiness? the kind that's consistent with Buddhist teachings!)

[@Deepfake820]

@@oaxacachaka I will would like to discuss the points you raise in a more private forum if you have an email by which I could contact you

[@meatballhead15]

I thought of this, too. My spiritual journey thus far has lead me to discover that I am GNOSTIC Christian. So my answer to someone asking "Who is your Root Guru" would be Christ. I've worked with local Wiccan groups for years, and for a long time considered myself a "Christian Witch" (which is probably even more heretic-sounding than a being Gnostic, but I considered Jesus's goals of healing and enlightening to be in light with the path of the Witch).

[@liquidfire0077]

My root guru is Kundalini. I am new to magic, I just found your channel and love it so much! ❤💕❤

[@FoolishFishBooks]

I'm so glad you're enjoying the content! 😄🙏

[@lynnetg]

The guru of wars and love…the two wolfs inside all of us and transcent this to UNITY CONSCIOUSNESS.⚛️💖🌏🌞🌸🙏🎶

[@RayoAtra]

great stuff as always. I really thought by my 40's id have mellowed enough were I might be more accepting in a tradition like this, but its really gone the other way. I can certainly respect and admire the culture and tradition, but it seems that if you spend a little time getting your internal bullshit in check all the needed spiritual control is available to you without sweeping up around the ashram for 20 years waiting for someone else to say I'm enlightened assuming I've kept his tea warm enough. The main thing that I've always asked the gurus and yogi's that I have encountered in the west and in Asia. What do I do with such enlightenment, What can you show me with yours? and the response is invariably "oh well uhh, well ... you are very pushy etc maybe this isn't for you." All my great measurable spiritual results have come from pushing the envelope, not slipping inside it sitting and waiting for someone else to mail me off to enlightenment. : ]

[@seabreeze4559]

there's nothing more egocentric than wanting to be superior

[@seabreeze4559]

you'd like dhieyo he debunks various guru stuff as one

[@drewajv]

I’m lucky enough to have a being that I’m comfortable referring to as “my guru” and even I am not fully able to dive into tantra bc he left his body. The tantric texts not only require a guru, but an *embodied* guru for practices that require very delicate balance to maintain consciousness such as sex and intoxicants. That said, there are plenty of plenty of practices that don’t require a guru and for ones that say “picture your guru”, it’s totally fine to pick your favorite form for god. Great stuff as always man

[@seabreeze4559]

are intoxicants always needed? what if we can't have any for medical reasons?

[@kimberlyporter9555]

There are several diff paths for tantra: Vaishnavas, shaivism, shaktas. I follow the last because as an American it's the easiest to follow. It doesn't require withdrawal from the world but indiscriminate acceptance of it. It has done wonders for me. I do not have a physical guru, but a spiritual one.

[@spanglestein66]

First time here . Fantastic talk I’ve learnt a lot today and will be back for more .thank you

[@rafaelcunha8000]

Finding a guru is something organic. Devotion, love and veneration towards your guru comes naturally from practicing their instructions and getting results that turns you into a better person. The guru teaches and point us to our true nature, and this ends the cycle of suffering and compulsory rebirth in samsara. There is no better thing than that. It’s more precious than the care and love you received from your parents. When you truly see the guru as inseparable with the buddha and the nature of reality, you gain the most profound realizations and your mind and his own mind becomes inseparable with the realization of all the buddhas. But to have this relationship and realization, you have to find someone you really trust.

[@fraterzigmund]

I guess Hermes Trismegistus would be my root guru. The Corpus Hermeticum really speaks to me on a deep level and it's the closest thing I have to a holy text in my practice.

[@chayanknightheart]

Lena Lama : Flight of Garuda ....she gives out gems on Vajrayana practices ....

[@azaraelhyzer3874]

I think the kefor Westerners to understand authentic ancient tantra from India, the key is to find a right and geniune guru who understands you and the subject and helps you walk the path. I knew a French guy who became an aghori (a sect of tantriks in India) told it's his guru who helped me "embrace the path of my old self and shed the skin of this life".

[@seabreeze4559]

what do the aghori actually DO and why are they considered outcast or taboo? nobody online really answers me on it

[@fruitofgnosis]

Brilliant video! Eastern philosophies and tantric practices go really well with western esotericism and mysticism. The practices of pranayama and tantric meditations really help to ground much of the airy intellectualism found in western schools. I think that much of the Kabbalistic, Hermetic, and Gnostic doctrines are really brought to life with techniques taken from the different schools of Buddhist and Hindu Tantra and Yoga. Magick is most effective when one can enter into trance-like states, and meditation serves as a key enabling one to do so with greater ease, which, in my opinion, will ultimately reduce the need for elaborate rituals.

[@MoorishMonitor]

Peace! 💦🧿🐟 Yours was a much appreciated introspection. Working with many pracitioners, scholars, co-religionists embedded in the so-called Euro-Atlantic Western "Mystery" Tradition(s), we find that many lack the foresight necessary to recognize the confluence of pertinent forces that shape, inform, and guide the perceived Eastern milieu of practical philosohy. Moreover, rhe psychical and physical violence associated with colonialist and imperialist appropriation are manifold and worth probing/unpacking. - The Moorish Science Monitor ✌🏾🇲🇦🤚🏾

[@asteroxfoundation]

Good words of wisdom from Foolish Fish...there is a difference between plundering existing religious traditions and emulating them. Coincidentally (or a synchronicity) I'm currently in mid-read (page 187) of Tantra Illuminated by Christopher D. Wallis...it's an intense read and calls for focus to chisel through the pages. I have found some discord and facebook admins to be rather over-zealous...like mini-demiurges in their cancellation of any one asking "unwelcomed" questions or going against the grain of dogma...even among "Gnostic" groups. Nothing wrong with cherry-picking from the various religious vehicles or paths to find what works for you, but make sure it is a sound journey based on love, compassion, civility, gratitude and forgiveness.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

This! :D

[@koshareslack]

As somebody who is interested in Western Occult traditions as well as Indigenous and Folk Traditions I am glad that you came to this conclusion, only because thinking otherwise is really just a waste of time and I know because it took me a long stubborn journey to realize that myself.

[@ricktalks7420]

Very True , good to see these views highlighted finally, well explained . 👍🏻

[@chuckfarley2764]

I follow in the Terrence McKenna tradition of "Dont trust gurus. Trust plants."

[@lolacola4716]

A big synchronicity for me! I woke up this morning thinking that I basically made internal vows to continue yoga/meditation for the rest of my life. I had a spiritual emergency/mental breakdown a few months ago, I stopped meditating and my internal workings went haywire, I felt this kind of heaviness on my internal being/aura. So I went back and started doing yoga/meditation along with ceremonial magick. The heaviness feels much less, I’ve realized it’s my spiritual medicine, my inner guru has spoken to me.

[@kobalt77]

Wow, this is pretty much my exact story too, minus the Yoga. I had been learning and performing Ritual Magick, LBRP etc. nothing heavy, for the past 2 years and I loved everything about it. About 2 or 3 months ago I got the notion that it was not serving me anymore. So I stopped it all completely. During that period of time up until 2 weeks ago, I felt I had no passion for anything in life anymore, nothing interested or excited me. I started watching TV Box sets and other low forms of entertainment, I was not depressed, but I was far from happy. Then one day, and I do not know why, I got the urge to watch a Damien Echols video, and boom it all came back to me. I started doing my daily rituals and reading occult and Magick books again. I now feel happier, more fulfilled and amazing synchronicities have started happing in my life again, I think that is what I missed most. I guess I needed to experience the "lack" so that I could refocus and truly understand how important all this is to me and my well being.

[@Traumatose]

There are massive and serious critiques on Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and his "New Kadampa Tradition" withing the world of Tibetan Buddhism, that aren't to be taken lightly. Tibetan Buddhism stresses the importance and value of lineage and tradition (along with empowerments that are passed down these lineages) and it seems the "NKT" does not possess them, and is therefore seen as a school of false teaching. The short history of the "NKT" is filled with controversies and scandals, and as such is shunned and not recognized as a valid Path, especially in regard to Tantrayana/Varjayana (which are considered a "fast Path" to Enlightenment but also a dangerous one if the Guru isn't qualified and the student suitable). Hope your studies lead far! Thank you for sharing your findings and perspectives (even if a random commentor like me disagrees with some of it). Be well.

[@justinl5896]

From your description, it is very obvious to me the group you connected with. 😂 Other groups may be more welcoming to window shoppers. I think that the emphasis on an orthodox approach to Tantra in this group is because the leaders of the group are themselves westerners and are are attempting to not make mistakes that you have mentioned. I agree with your insights. Very important. And they agree with Dr Angela’s definition of cultural appropriation. Within Vajrayana, the the ‘spirit’ or ‘grace-waves/blessings’ of the guru are most important to breath life and lineage power into what would otherwise be a set of yoga techniques and ancient unintelligible texts.

[@robgau2501]

The knot that forms in my stomach often when I'm looking into the western so-called lefthand path, which of course, isn't the Left-Hand Path, is the feeling I get when someone asks me who my root guru is.

[@seabreeze4559]

why isn't it the left hand path?

[@dannynguyen102]

This is why I don’t like the Tibetian branch of Buddhism. Compare to our Buddhism (Vietnam), for us, we don’t have to go to the temple and take the vows, have the Buddhist’s name to practice Buddhism. For us, Vietnamese at least, we still able to practice regardless. Buddhist temples are open for everyone, not just for Buddhists. That’s why the main reason, compassion.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Again, let's not take this one example that happened to me in a group let by westerners themselves as the generality - I'll be posting a video very soon in which I show some books I have that paint a very different picture of openness and permissiveness 😄👌 Loved reading about the attitude in you own Vietnamese variant! 🙏

[@urbanbowman61]

Your understanding of Tibetan Buddhism is limited. Although there is a long tradition of monasteries and monks in Tibet there is a also a long tradition of practice beyond all the limitations imposed by religious worship. The great Tibetan saint Milarepa meditated alone in a cave for decades and needed neither monasteries, vows or even much food!

[@dannynguyen102]

@@FoolishFishBooks as I reflected back and forth, I got me thinking, I think there some severals reasons that they asked who is your guru or your teacher, since I personal think, the main reason is that because through these gurus and teachers you will learn more the basic, like the foundation. For example, the truth meaning of Karma and Dharma and because of these two concept it govern how the buddhists practice their belief. It also involves if you do magick for your own and for other, whose karma is not your to deal with and if you involve with their karma, it will multiple your own karma, which is get more worse. Anyway, why don't you try to do a video about Dharma and Karma, maybe it sheds some light along the way. P.s, have you ever heard of Thailand Esoteric Buddhism vs their dark magick. FYI, really scrary and their mantra tattoos.

[@sewellparanormal6351]

Agreed. I have admittedly had my own thoughts on appropriation and respect. Hard to live in 2022 and in America... Irish blooded... lol, and practice the western path. The Hebrew magick for example, was a hurtle for me. Funnily enough, I started this path with a had distaste for all things Christian,... only to end up feeling even more," Christian "... a bit up the path... lmao. Be blessed my friend. Thank you for qhat you do. You've been a great help to my spirit.

[@kobalt77]

That sums me up too. I think we have discovered that there is something BIGGER than the face of Christianity and all religions, and it is that which we are tapping into.

[@toderox]

When is KZbin gonna invent the “I love it “ button

[@clarkefountain2258]

I also recommend the books for inquirers into Mahayana and Vajrayana by Dr. Reginald Ray, whom I was lucky enough to have as my instructor at Naropa U. He graduated from U. Chicago and studied under Mircea Eliade. Also Dr. Roger Corless has a mind-bogglingly good intro book on the bigger world (and it's big) of Buddhism in general. And yes, a guru is often a product of such study, but a relationship with a teacher can emerge organically and need not be step number one. Some gurus are broad-minded about your retaining a Christian/magical perspective. Others are less so. Active engagement does require paring away conflicting/competing distractions. So you are right in general in your analysis, from my point of view. My own path has been very heretical: heretical Christian, heretical western mystery tradition, heretical Buddhist, heretical Jewish. The word "heresy" as you no doubt know, means (approximately) "to choose," and a heretic is one who chooses, who follows his own path. Dangerous stuff, hence the fourfold admonition/instruction: "To know, to will, to do, and to keep silent."

[@seabreeze4559]

what is heretical christian?

[@davidsillars3181]

The video is brilliant, a lovely bit of creative imagination! A very interesting area too. Having early on researched the Western tradition and then moved to tantra under a Tibetan teacher, I see the path to the same primordial nature expressed in different ways. Radmila Moacanin's "Jung's Psychology and Tibetan Buddhism:Western and Eastern Paths to the Heart" , Wisdom Books, has interesting and persuasive paralels between mystic Christianity and Tantra.

[@simont.b.2660]

Excellent video, as always (a year late but I believe algorythms won't notice).

[@Bomba3333]

Great video i have been trying to get into vajrayana as a solo practioner joining with chaos magick

[@BasedTexans]

I lived at a vajrayana Buddhist esoteric temple for 8 years as a monk. Our root guru was master yu, a living Buddha. I would never regret my path. You need a lineage for safe practice. In my years of practicing it made much more sense. There are wrathful dieties, entities, without the Sengha you would suffer entity attachments quite quick and cause yourself trauma

[@artawhirler]

"We don't need no stinkin' guru, we don't need no thought control....."

[@FoolishFishBooks]

😂

[@robertblackmore703]

Ooof… groups. Groups are tough for me. And I quite enjoy and get along with a wide variety of different people! I like talking to, working with, learning from, and collaborating with all sorts. But hierarchical structures can be problematic… particularly when it comes to spirituality. It’s tough too, because I think the group dynamic has many benefits. Looks like it’s going to be door number 4, at least for the time being.

[@veneficarius]

great video! in my case, iam solo practitioner, it all started by "paranormal" events in my childhood , that sparked or opener me to the occult/esoteric way of thinking, than during my 20s i did nothing with magic , than at 28 i started to practice seriously, started with GD and tons of books, i think its common pattern among solo practitioners, that they first have intuition, than maybe try to untangle from religious programming and exoteric way of thinking (in my case catholic ) than they find some tradition , and after that build their own or collect stuff from many tradition. Its fascinating way. I envy ppl from for ex buddhist tradition where practices as you said ar still active not like in the west where all rich heritage was brutally murdered by christianity. So my way is eclectic i try to learn as much as i can, and be inspired by many tradiyion, and also dig out hidden wisdom from our western traditions, for sure i like Greek mythology and its also source of great magick. I must say that decision to step into unknown and self initiation and practice of magick was best decision in my life its fascinating journey, it is practical it helps in many ways of life and i have spiritual core that i feel very close connected to and i know that it is my responsibility not some priest class to tell me what to do- iam priest and magician :) in my own reality and its great!

[@nathanbuhrke3146]

I saw you have a book by Kelsang Gyatso. I'd highly recommend staying away from anything from the New Kadampa tradition. It's a splinter group stemming from doing a practice to harm other vajrayana practioners. They're funded by the Chinese government to sow discourse within the Tibetan Buddhist world and discredit the Dalai Lama . Most leaders from all the other schools don't acknowledge NKT as an authentic tradition, and in vajrayana that means a lot

[@JasonMillerStrategicSorcery]

The experience you had with that group is NOT the approach that you will find from most Tibetans or Dharma Centers. Its inappropriate to suggest you need a ROOT GURU before taking teachings or empowerments. How could you possibly evaluate such a Guru unless you had the opportunity to study with them? The idea that people are going to basically deify and obey a Master that they have just met is NOT the tradition.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

This is an important point you raise, Jason, thank you for pointing it out. My next video will be an overview of the books I've found helpful, a good few of which point to different attitudes to the topic :)

[@Seamayde]

Thanks for another great video! This one made me pause a bit and want to nuance something… I think the topic of respect and ethical approach is certainly important, and “pillaging” from any tradition, really, is probably not a great way to build an honest and deep practice anyhow, to say nothing of offending folks. That said, I think one could keep in mind that historically, as well as in practice, Buddhism itself is not a monolithic tradition, nor is any tradition. All the many sects and even the major “vehicles” or paths of Buddhism we have today have, over the centuries, competed and argued with one another, syncretized with other local traditions, adapted, changed, etc. Tantra can similarly be understood not as a tradition but as a lens, a worldview, or even a technology-and it is found in other Indic and Asian traditions, e.g., various forms of Hinduism as well as tribal Indian traditions, etc., in various forms. I’m not sure if saying that western magical traditions “came from” tantra is correct, though there’s likely have been historical exchange at various points in time. I think it may be worthwhile considering the possibility that both western magic and tantric traditions speak to something fundamental about the human experience and our relationship with reality, god, consciousness, etc., even if those expressions percolate differently through any given cultures or languages. If you’re up for a more academic discussion on the intellectual history of these ideas & traditions, or occultism broadly, I’d recommend Gordan Djurdjevic’s work, esp India and the Occult and Occultism in a Global Perspective. Moreover, I think Buddhism itself-esp global and esoteric forms-is evolving continually through the very fact it is interacting with western converts, students, communities, and so on. When D. T. Suzuki wrote his works on Zen, he wrote with a western reader in mind, not exclusively of course, but all the same, probably not anything Zen masters in the 15th century were doing-and I think that, too, makes a difference.

[@wenshu888]

This is, perhaps the most brilliant and thoughtful of all your videos. Kudos to you for doing this. As a small aside, I have to say that the question 'Who is your root Guru?' is not a very good one. Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche always taught that the root guru is the being who actually introduces you to the nature of mind (if I have divulged anything "secret" here, and if I have, may I purify it quickly). So anyway, if you haven't realised the nature of mind, you can't possibly know who your root guru is.

[@matthewx7486]

Sometimes they speak about the "ultimative root guru", i.e. the Buddha for Buddhism, Amithaba for the Pure Land Buddhism etc

[@clarkefountain2258]

I recommend reading Keith Dowman's book "Masters of Mahamudra." The nature of guru/disciple relationships is magnificently explored in it.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Thank you for this!

[@axelmont]

I love this channel

[@emeraldeyeslioness]

Hi, in the Tarot reading, is it a video consultation to discuss the cards chosen, or do you do a written account? Many thanks.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

It's a live reading that happens over a 55 minute video conference meetinng :) You call, I start shuffling as we have a brief chat, and then I take three consecutive readings and we let the Tarot tell us what it thinks you should know aout right now :)

[@emeraldeyeslioness]

@@FoolishFishBooks perfect thank you. Have just joined your Patreon as I've enjoyed your videos for the longest time. Now trying to work out Discord 🤣

[@FoolishFishBooks]

@@emeraldeyeslioness thank you so much! Looking forward to chatting over there! 😄🙏

[@immagina239]

I am a former Catholic now turned Shaivite. How this happened it’s too long to explain. However, let me tell you that, while consecrating a Shiva temple as a “spiritual tourist” (although already initiated into a Yogic Shaivite Path), I understood for the first time the technology behind all the Western religions. I am much more a true believer of Jesus Christ now that I am a Shaivite than when I was a Roman Catholic. Now to the “appropriation.” Many in this comment section seem to understand that this is a matter of “respect” and “context.” The situation is really different. In the Eastern traditions, the most powerful “vehicles” (amazing analogy) must be activated, energized, supported and protected by an active lineage and related eggregore. Let’s take as an example the Kriya Yoga. As a practitioner, I can pass over to you (very) basic Kriyas. Basic means that these exercises allow you to work with your energy “mildly.” It’s not too powerful, not too dangerous, and you’re not exposing yourself with your work to any external or internal danger. But when you want to go into “fast” mode, then the Kriyas must be different, more powerful and disruptive, and cannot be transferred without proper guru initiation, or else the practitioner will be exposed to real dangers. Once initiated, we must vow we will never transfer our techniques to anybody directly, but guide them to the initiation process instead. As Westerners, we can’t help see this (as you said) as a power move, a way to exclude the masses from useful tools. In the East that’s not the case. Some “vehicles” are so powerful that require a “cruise control” system to prevent you from banging into a wall at 150mph. That’s the purpose of initiation and the guru parampara in that context. That’s not all. In the eastern traditions, the purpose of these “vehicles” is to attain Mukhti. There’s a point on the “path” there where all the “vehicles” will run out of gas and you will be left alone in the dark, in front of a great void. Wrong handling of that situation will be disastrous. In that moment, only the guru parampara will come to support you guiding you to the other side. Dzogchen works according to similar principles. This is why the question about your lineage is so important. People want to protect you (and, karmically speaking, themselves) from rebuilding the practices your way and being therefore exposed to great dangers, for which there’s no protection (outside of initiation).

[@Di5functi0n3l_playp3n]

I suggest everyone go with option 3 🙏

[@jackalope2302]

I vote for 4. Zos Kia Cultus!

[@jwom6842]

Excellent topic, the old and new testaments painting such a different picture of the nature of God drew me to the Gnostic Gospels, I was interested to hear you draw inspiration from them. Sadhguru has interesting things to say about spiritual paths and technologies, similar to what you've covered here. I think for sure, if your following an extant technology, you need to follow it in the whole, that being said, whatever the path, outstanding representations of the human existence can be acknowledged within any spiritual tradition. I personally do not see an issue, if a Yogi acknowledges Jesus as such, which some do and likewise, a Christian acknowledges an eastern teacher as such, although of course, traditional Christianity may not see it that way. Anyway, thank you for the video🙏

[@MissBliss818]

I agree with you 100%, but I do have a question for you or the community within the comment section, but what are your thoughts on blended traditions in a family with two different religious backgrounds? My husband is hindu, and I am an occultist who grew up with wiccan parents, and I follow a lot of the Gaelic festivals such as Samhain, Beltane, and Imbolc as well as the equinoxes. I don't call them "sabbats" but the traditions and festivals just make a lot of sense to me -- they tell a story. My blended family just celebrated Diwali at home. We had a pooja and shrine dedicated to lakshmi and ganesha. We celebrated traditionally the way others celebrating Diwali would.. I would never put a pentacle on the pooja next to a sacred hindu idol.. I would never blend other traditions into the dharmic traditions. However, my husband and I just honored our ancestors during a Samhain celebration a couple weeks ago. We never mix and blend the two traditions together at the same time, but we see a lot of similarities in our practices, and we want to celebrate both our traditions. One month we'll be celebrating Holi, and the next month, he'll be sticking his dagger into my cup. What are your thoughts about this type of practice? I see it as part of our own family traditions. I don't add hindu traditions to my own practices, but festivals and holidays are ways we experience each others traditions and culture.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

What a beautiful and thoughtful comment. Naturally, being at the forefront of the situation you describe, and not out of any kind of any fancy exoticist ideas but genuine coming together of two traditions, I'd say you're the best person to tell us what's appropriate in these situations, not the reverse 😄 From what you've shared here, it sounds like you're handling it with the sensitivity that would come naturally for two individuals who experience their faiths in a real way, and have mutual respect and even love for each others' faith's. There aren't actually that many gods out there who hate other gods and spirits. The tribal version of the Hebrew god has such hang-ups, but the sorcerers of late antiquity would even use that to their advantage, invoking him for exorcisms to get rid of spirits that outstayed their welcome, but it didn't stop them"working with" other gods and spirits the rest of the time. All this to say that if ways can be found to work around even the tribal version of the Hebrew god who is known to hate other spirits, I'm sure ways will be found to get more sociable good to play nice 😄🙏

[@bennyacosta1560]

Buddha was trying to teach us that we don't exist. That the awareness we "have" is actually what we are. And there is only one awareness. What do you do when you live that? That's a different adventure all together.

[@LucysSonarDreams]

we are but one soul leading many lives

[@logan7720]

Could you elaborate on the "natural in built attitudes towards life" that are not culturally conditioned? Where do you suppose these "natural attitudes" that potentially prevent westerners from engaging in eastern traditions stem from?

[@FoolishFishBooks]

No more or less than any other culture (necessarily), just different from the ones Shaiva Tantra was designed to overcome.

[@thewizardofawes8194]

Dear Fish, I am sorry for this disappointing experience you had amid Vajrayana Buddhism groups. But here you have provided an excellent summary of the four choices that Westerners have access to follow an esoteric-magical(-mystical?) path. I believe that almost all of us (I'm referring mainly to those who follow this channel) have chosen, more or less naturally, for path number four, don’t you agree? Well, at least this is my personal story...

[@FoolishFishBooks]

It's not Vajrayana groups as much as it's just groups 😅 I'm very dedicated to a solo path, and really my whole channel is dedicated to helping others who feel similarly, so I suppose it probably makes sense that we're all congregated here 😄

[@thewizardofawes8194]

@@FoolishFishBooks Yes, I agree… once more. I utterly agree and feel similarly. A very important point here was that you have pointed out that the techniques of Vajrayana (and of several other schools) can even benefit Westerners… even without the tutelary presence of a guru!

[@kobalt77]

@@FoolishFishBooks Yes 100% !

[@ForgeMasterXXL]

@@genghisgalahad8465 Yes, well said.

[@PsychicAlchemy]

Enlightenment is nice, but I figure there will be time for it at the end. For now, I have work to do. Will I be ready to transcend the cycle in the end? Maybe when my work here is complete. It may require more lifetimes, but I will endure.

[@nikailsingh2232]

Hey guys I have a question I've been doing my high magick lbrp/lirp and middle pillar but I had to stop coz someone ik told me that I was drawing on lots of negative energies but to me I was feeling like I was evolving at a rapid rate but I can't perceive energy yet so I stopped does anyone know what's going on I was also taking the whole thing into my auric field and being at the end instead of leaving it there or letting it fade I don't know if that played a part?

[@ToranosukeEdo]

💛 Christian Gnosticism 💙

[@greengoblin3158]

The problem or advantage is that you seek only information not individuation. Logos can only be half of the puzzle. Shakti and Shiva are different but one.

[@explosivetwist]

what are the deeper esoteric aspects of christianity? what technologies and vehicles of christianity have been eradicated/eliminated? asking as a fellow occultist. not an apologist. thanks.

[@kobalt77]

What a wonderful talk, it made me think about my "root guru" as well, and what you said about your own beliefs in Christianity, and especially the real teachings of Jesus are pretty much mine as well, although I had never laid it out like that before. So thank you for clarifying and putting my own beliefs into words Denis. PS Does this make you, Denis, my root guru now ?? 😉😂🙏

[@FoolishFishBooks]

😅 haha! I doubt that very much! 😄♥️🙏 So glad you found the video helpful! Best wishes to you, Dub Siren!

[@kobalt77]

@@FoolishFishBooks I could do worse 😜

[@charlesrae3793]

Are you aware of Sam Webster's Tantric thelema? He manages to integrate the Tantric methodology into a thelemic context. An intriguing book.

[@walterludwig3168]

Is this a kind of hypnose? The circling globe with messages.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

🤦

[@AM-kb9cz]

There was this person on twitter claiming that using any form of kabbalah other than the jewish kabbalah by someone who is jewish is antisemitic. I was very confused by that, because if the entities allow people to work with them even if they're not religiously jewish... who is that person to tell anyone that they shouldn't do it? What are your thoughts on that?

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Not worth even acknowledging 😂

[@gizmoOcow]

Could you point me in the direction of this Facebook group/ discord server?

[@FraterRC]

I admit first esoteric Saturday I've caught and it was great! Thanks. Also Enochian is meant to represent Christianity in answer to your pondering, though I am pretty sure you must know that already and just phrased it as a question for fun...?

[@FoolishFishBooks]

;p So glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you for the kind words!

[@FraterRC]

@@FoolishFishBooks did you ever consider the Buddhist Christian path? I think that's a fairly popular option these days. I've met tons of Christian priests with Buddhist gurus they follow. (Not sure how that works but they seem like happy folks :)

[@FraterRC]

@@genghisgalahad8465 sure, why not? Though I will say most of the "great teachers" i have met in Buddhism and Christianity say you should pick what means the most to you and take it all the way. This was also the advice the Rinpoche gave Thomas Merton -- find the most important line in the bible for you and take it all the way. When I asked the Dalai Lama after my blessing if he had a teaching for me in 2004 he said: "Do not become Budddhist if you are Christian." I'll end by quoting Rabelais: "Do what thou wilt." Or as Paul reminds, "He came so we could have life and life abundant."

[@FraterRC]

​@@genghisgalahad8465 Okay so I can in fact clarify what the Dalai Lama meant because what he said to those of us lucky enough to meet him (kinda a fluke really) he the next day proceeded to give a talk on at the stadium and his point is if you were born Christian but are truly a Buddhist, then be a Buddhist. But if you are a Christian, he implored to the stadium, please do not become a Buddhist but be the best Christian you can be. He continued to clarify this was in fact the old adage that you can't walk down two different paths at the same time. He was certainly not worried about people losing their minds with the power of Buddhist practices since very well knows Christians can too if they practice the techniques almost eradicated over the past two thousand years. Hell, even the Jesus Prayer was banned cuz monks were dying from nonstop ecstatic use without food drink or sleep. Your latter points I think are dead on! In the GD we have traditionally refused members' first applications and many think they were turned down like Ithel when in fact their egos just couldn't handle the initial snubbing test. PS find me on insta at hermeticpodcast if you wanna continue the chat more ;)

[@FraterRC]

@@genghisgalahad8465 I'm not sure what you mean exactly, but if you're saying you can actually self initiate into the GD, well, that's not accepted within the GD community generally. Though you can certainly self initiate using GD techniques and Tradition, it's just not the same thing as actually going through the initiations. I primarily work with self-initiates and guide them but none of them would even consider that such self initiation is anything like...actually going through the initiations which are magical rituals and not mystery play style initiations. So I am not sure exactly what you meant by "available" and "reasonable". But depending on what you mean i may totally agree. For sure.

[@nu61]

I have a question. Is it appropriation if you are guided by spirit to utilize a piece of spiritual technology as a means to an end? Specifically I am being guided to use mudras as a means to program energies within magical workings. Is this wrong? I feel that this technology, or any sort of technology should be shared and used in new ways to fully explore the possibilities. I feel that some techniques/technologies could lend themselves to a much broader use than what the original culture ascribed to it. What if this is what is supposed to happen? What if these disparate technologies/techniques were incubated separately but ultimately meant to be combined to produce even better practices/paradigms?

[@JustAnotherFallenAngel]

Would it be wrong to say I'm my own guru? Maybe I'm missing the point, and I don't want to appear disrespectful of something far greater than my understanding allows, but I don't think gurus are necessary and from self experience potentially harmful.

[@M888HGAAAWNKLMTOZLNLSSSKKHHZBB]

That voice of compassion from the sphere of voidness…who really teaches or learns anything these days?

[@FedeLux]

Hello, thanks for sharing your experiences! I make a query about Catholicism, I agree with you to follow the Gnostic scriptures but reading ELIPHAS LEVY, who is surprising for his deep knowledge of High Magic and at the same time never left the CHURCH AND THE DOGMA, seeing CATHOLICISM NOT AS pagan Christianity and Mithraism , etc but as A SCHOOL OF MAGIC that brought together all the magical knowledge of EGYPT, GREECE, etc as LEVY refers, what is your opinion of his advice on magical Catholicism? Thanks a lot!!

[@FoolishFishBooks]

I agree that Catholicism is home to much magic, but not necessarily Catholics (priests or parishioners) 😉

[@arbatel6527]

You might be interested in THAVMA

[@cosmicpriest1723]

Its more teacher than actual knowledge.

[@dennisdjy]

I'd love to see Jason Miller chime in on this topic.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

He has. Check the comments 😊👍

[@Quentin-rr4xb]

My Root Guru is the still living Gurumayi Chidvilasananda

[@TheGreenKnight500]

It's easy to feel completely rootless and lost in the modern West. As crazy as it sounds to some people, you have to just kind of walk your own path and go with your gut. Everyone is going to be shouting their own hardline opinions at you from every direction. Whatever you choose to do, about a million people will try to shame you away from it. In the end, you have to take up a certain degree of rugged individualism because our spiritual institutions just can't provide everything we need anymore. In fact, I think we Westerners are very envious of Eastern spirituality because of how much we feel our own institutions have decayed and failed us. Nevertheless, we should steal ourselves and recognize that we have plenty of solid foundations in the West already. We just need to wipe the dust and dirt off of them. Eastern traditions are wonderful and they can teach us a lot, but they're not always as compatible with our culture and psychology as we'd like to believe. I say this as a pagan, the Bible is a very useful esoteric tool and map of the human psyche. Recently, I've been in a Discord server with a lot of devout American Protestants, and an old idea came back to bother me. There's a hidden aspect of the book of Genesis that a lot of people either don't realize or don't want to realize. We were created to rebel. A supreme god cannot be an idiot. God knew we would eat the fruit and lose our innocence. The serpent was part of the plan. I think God wants us to rebel and push back on him from time to time. We learn important things by doing so. The wars of the 20th century and the technology of the 21st century have once again given us a loss of innocence. In many ways, we still haven't fully psychologically recovered from the world wars and we definitely haven't figured out how to live with the internet yet. Something new will have to be born. We're at the end of an age so it's inevitable either way. It won't be done by throwing away our roots but it also won't be done by clinging rigidly to the dogmas of the past either. Genesis teaches us another lesson as well: there is no enlightenment without a loss of innocence. Adam and Eve were not virtuous, sinful, nor enlightened. They were adult infants. We will have to experiment, stumble, and fail many times, but that's exactly what we were put here to do.

[@clarkefountain2258]

As a pagan, bear in mind that there's a lot of implicit polytheism in (especially) Genesis. Also, you can mine (especially) the Book of Psalms for magical practices and techniques of every kind. It's not my place to teach you how: you'll have to figure it out for yourself. The stories in the Tanakh (a.k.a.) Old Testament are excellent vehicles for meditation, especially since not one of the heroes in it is without a visible and major flaw.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Jacob Swart's The Book of Magical Psalms Vol. 2 was just published.

[@TheGreenKnight500]

@@FoolishFishBooks I don't think I'm familiar with that book. I'll have to give it a look.

[@TheGreenKnight500]

@@clarkefountain2258 Thank you. That was very insightful. I'll have to give the Psalms another read.

[@tosh471]

I would love to hear more loose re-understandings of the bible like this. This is defiantly not something I've heard in regular sermons. Or at least...not clearly.

[@davidbetts2980]

Do you follow Jason Louv?

[@suryamitra2410]

TSU is for people who are already on the path or willing to take the path with the TSU teachers. Vajrayana quite simply cannot exist without a Guru, initiation and serious commitment (Samaya). Vajrayana is a secret path, that requires initiation, just like Wicca and most occult secret orders. One can learn generally about Mahayana and Vajrayana from books but to receive secret teachings and "magickal" stuff one needs a teacher ( Guru), and Initiation. As well as a serious commitment to this particular tradition. And yes, Vajrayana works, it`s ancient magick works, however, it has to be practised within the context of the particular tradition. It is primarily for this reason why we see so many books about magick from pagan traditions or Kabalah, or hermeticism but not from Vajrayana. Because it still largely preserved its secret path, which was a case for Kabbalah up to some point or, for instance, Golden Dawn, before it become published for the public.

[@rachelle1]

I'm trying to find the source of all truth... Where can I glean? I've considered becoming a universal co mason or a Rosicrucian (would love to hear thoughts on which of these paths teaches and develops more spiritual knowledge & skill like astral projecting, meditations, etc). I recently came out of Christianity as a middle aged women.. I studied Wicca and Buddhism as a teen and am lost/disillusioned with religion now... But I am very spiritual and need truth...I need answers... Someone, please help 💜

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Check out "The Perennial Philosophy" by Aldous Huxley. 😊🙏

[@rachelle1]

@@FoolishFishBooks I will def check it out. Thank you 💜

[@dakotaschuck]

Did Buddha have a root guru?

[@thequeenofswords7230]

My overall technique is to read any sacred text through the lens of critical theory, which informs my research with regard to my main study, the Tree of Death. This can be quite fraught, in terms of appropriation, as much of the early Kabbalistic material was quite concerned with its nature and interplay with the Tree upright; meanwhile the common attributions are almost exclusively the work of medieval Christians, often with a loose grasp of Kabbalah. This collected work can be read as a lengthy indictment of Christianity's subjugation of foreigners and foreign Gods to whom sorcerers employed appropriated God names and call upon the supposed works of Solomon to shame these "Demons" into teaching them spells that will get dancing ladies to show a little more ankle. While there is substance to all scriptures, so long as someone is paying to print the word, they will always contain the instruction manuals of The King shoved into the mouth of Divinity. Fortunately, unless you're dense, it's pretty easy to recognize the bigger chunks of Stone Tablets stuffed into the Godhead and it probably never hurt anyone to practice swallowing one's pride and recognizing cultural dynamics which seek to water down disquieting spiritual realities and extract profit without offering much but a new book or trinket for the magical hobbyist shelf to gather dust while they dig into some solid new age conspiracy cult content on facebook and obsessing over genetics like a psychopath.

[@seabreeze4559]

ancestral spirits are real though, you can't call on someone else's

[@madmonkee6757]

I'm so glad that cultural appropriation isn't a real thing. We have enough to worry about in this world.

[@FoolishFishBooks]

Hmm... Cultural appropriation most definitely is a thing, though it certainly is more nuanced than some would suggest

[@peaceofpiety]

The 4th option is my choice. Reference a COEXIST flag, in which represents all color aspects of all belief systems. Like living as Joseph wearing the Technicolor Coat of Dreams. The Cave of Brahma is keeper of truth; the Man Cave, the Bruh Code. Knock 3 times in the Space between the eyebrows to activate the third eye (be granted access to the Man Cave). Take the light to inside that place between your temples on both sides of your head; Enlightenment of left and right perspectives. Understand the literal concepts with the metaphors, the slang as it manifests by way of "sounds like". It's hilarious to know the ultimate dad jokes of Our Enlightened Father Cave (Dr Who ART in Heavenly Conciousness). I call the Bible, "The Bib", because once we're INNN on all the jokes, we tend to need a bib to wipe away the tears we shed from laughing 😂 so hard. "Artists are The Gatekeepers of Truth" - Paul Robeson

[@umunhum3]

My Root Guru is Jesus The Christ Jesus was a Tantric Taking Up Your Cross is a Metaphor for Alternate Nostril Breathing as explained in The Gospel of Philip This is why Jesus taught his disciples to "Cast their net on the right side of the boat" The Practice is a metaphor for Surya Bheda Pranayama

[@seabreeze4559]

HOW was Jesus a tantric then?

[@umunhum3]

@@seabreeze4559 He practiced Tantric Exercises to become Enlightened Jesus didn't stop the "Wind and the Waves" on the boat He stopped his Breath and his Heart Read that Passage The Parables of Noah, Jonah, Abraham and Isaac are the same exercise You become Still and KNOW It is about a Breathing Exercise in which Jesus takes his Breath into his Bowels combining the Apana with the Prana You Die before you Die and experience that there is No Death "Those who give up their life for my sake will find it" is what Jesus taught (You have to become a Christ just like Jesus not "Believe") What do you think Jesus resting in the "Hull" of the boat is a Metaphor for? What do you think Jesus was talking about when he admonished his disciples for not having any "Bread"? Do you really think that Jesus fed 5,000 people with 7 Loaves and 2 fish? 7 Chakras and two breathing channels??? Japa??? Do you understand what Spinal Breathing is? GOD instructing Moses to "Stare at the Snake" really means? All of Jesus' "Miracles" are about Kundalini Yoga Exercises

[@umunhum3]

@@seabreeze4559 How was Jesus a Tantric? What do you think "Turning water into Wine" is a Metaphor for? The "Feeding of 5,000?" It is called Kriya or Spinal Breathing You take the Breath up the 7 Energy Centers of the Spine 7 Loaves, 7 Chakras, 2 Fish, 2 Breathing Channels Japa on the energy centers as you take the breath up the Spine Raise the Bronze Snake and Stare at it as GOD instructed Moses This stimulates the lower glands to make hormones that the higher glands (Pituitary and Pineal) turn into DMT (Christ) This is how you Christen the Blood or Turn Water into Wine It is the same Parable Jacob, Leah, Rachael and 7 years are about The Bible keeps teaching the same thing over and over As Jesus taught, GOD seeks those who Worship him in Spirit With Their Breath respiration You obtain your Spiritual Birth by controlling and directing the energy contained within your Breath (Holy Spirit) The Book of Revelation and the 7 Seals is a Metaphor for the Spine and the 7 Chakras Notice how The Kingdom of Heaven opens up for Jesus when he opens the Crown Chakra? What happens when Jesus opens the Third Eye or 6th Seal? Jesus didn't stop the Wind and the Waves, he stopped his Breath and his Heart - This Parable is about a Breathing Exercise Jesus Became Still and KNEW What do you think Jesus meant when he taught "Those who seek to save their life will lose it. Those who give up their life for my sake will find it?" You die before you die and discover that there is No Death at all You Never were an individual So what are you? John 10. 34??? You can pick up the vibration of the physical world or what seemingly is a physical world

[@bookmedia67]

Are you known for "rejecting spiritual leaders and only getting knowledge from books"? I have never gotten that impression from your videos. Seems like a presumption on the part of those practitioners. There are many "closed" religions that cringe at the idea of "the profane" doing research into their sacred texts/ideas.

[@PeachT87]

I have never gotten that impression either, it just shows you that no matter what area of the world you go to, no matter which culture or spiritual practice or religion, people are easily indoctrinated. If learning by books and your own path = rejecting 'spiritual gurus' , then in all honesty it just sounds like another group of zealots.

[@OhhhhhhhBugger]

"Appropriation" means essentially the same as theft. You cannot "appropriate" another's belief system, or values. These things don't have a giant patent sticker on them. I could just as easily say that Tibet "appropriated" Buddhism because Buddhism is Indian. Same for China, Vietnam, Japan, ect. More importantly, almost all of the "meat" of western occultism is "appropriated" from Jewish culture, because whether we want to admit it or not, Jewish culture basically defined Europe later on. That is why we say, "Judaeo-Christian". That does not mean we stole anything. We accepted and adopted that which was useful to us. The problem with eastern esoterism is not that we are "stealing" anything....it is that it is just as culturally ingrained as Christian symbolism is for us in the west. It's not just something you pick up a book about and study. It is part of the very fabric of the various cultures that make up the eastern world, and the vast diversity therein. If you are western born, and desire to study these things, keep in mind that you may have to physically LIVE there too. I have no issue with it. But it's a hard path to follow when our European ancestors already have laid a vast foundation to work upon. The real problem is that modern generations of people want to push against that foundation instead of seeing what it offers us as occultists, despite it's undeniably better fit for the western mind. Just my two cents as someone who has watched his wife of almost 8 years try to incorporate eastern philosophies into her midwestern, church-born, Christian girl brain.

[@solastalgia4716]

Personally I disagree with the 4 options model. I recommend Zenju Earthlyn Manuel's story about being an ordained Zen priest and eventually reconnecting with her African ancestors through Zen ritual etc. It is possible to both engage with a tradition and also your own ancestors and spirits of place. You also don't have to fall into the mix and match spiritual super market of appropriation.

[@danielemacciantelli1788]

Troublemaker! 😂

[@FoolishFishBooks]

😜😂

[@nilsgutenberg313]

my root guru is Don Juan from the Castaneda books

[@goblinwizard735]

It’s a very common element of Post-Enlightenment cultures to think one can get a “basic understanding” of anything. And especially that this can be achieved from a position outside. I think it’s probably necessary to colonialism, and a part of existing post-colonially to be in estranged relationship with our worlds. …and with the initiatory paths that we grow into, that are our cultures. I think maybe, arguably, Whiteness can be described as an occulting of culture.

[@matthewx7486]

Zwei Überlegungen 1.) Jeder Karateka wird, wenn er weit genug gekommen ist, einige seiner Karate-Techniken als ineffektiv oder auch nur für sich unpassend aus seinem Repertoire werfen und sich dafür ein paar Judo-Würfe und Jiu-Jitsu-Hebel aneignen. 2.) Jeder Jedi baut sich irgendwann sein eigenes Lichtschwert. 😄

[@Mysticeve]

❤🙏🏽❤️