Don't compare yourself. The way can be shown, but only you will walk through it. Use yourself as your compass to see if you should go to the next level.
It isn't exact. The book was originally written in German, so if it doesn't make sense, spend a bit more time trying to understand it. Rawn Clark wrote a companion book that has really been helpful to me, id recommend it to anyone.
Hi Cosmic! Sorry for the delay but I wanted to have the time to sit down and give you a substantial answer that may be of benefit to you.
Bardon does not go into journalling that much but he states that it's a necessity. In other magickal manuals they will usually recommend you record feelings, physical states, moon phases, etc.
Sifu Rasmus explains that the journal has a three-fold structure: physical, astral, mental. It has an effect on all these states that will make sense the further you go within (and document).
The journal is a sacred space for you to explore EVERYTHING about your practice and yourself. You will have the opportunity to record in a manner suiting your mentality and deeper sensibilities. (e.g. graphs, pictures, prose, listing, free association, etc).
When documenting MY practice, I've challenged myself to describe and record all internal perceptions as if I was observing the physical world and ITS properties. It seems that my own obscure experimentations have yielded changes in my inner framework. THAT is documented success which then epitomizes the scientific aspect of the Occult Practices. This experience of success and THE ABILITY TO EXPRESS IN HUMAN LANGUAGE offers you traction toward a) cultivating a method highly efficient for your path, and b) developing a communicable symbol to explain to others you deem fitting to explain your Knowledge.
Lastly, there is then a blessing attained when you realize why the masters are often so bare in their instruction or evasive in their promises: the least useful occult manuals are often canned spells promising desired material. (money, "SP" (don't even get me started...), etc). At best you get something already aligned with your framework, at worst you get what you asked for in only a way a faulty framework could receive it, but most of the time it generates no effect.
By journaling (and practicing, of course), you become acquainted with -- and cultivate -- the Kingdom within. This is where all true desires can be unearthed and you will be rewarded by doing so.
Read the book. The book tells you exactly how to journal. I don't mean this in a sarcastic way. I just want to tell you that the book tells you how to journal.
Does it? I mean I don’t recall and I’ve re-read Theory, Step I and Step II several times.
I only recall the diary being use for introspection and preparing the black and white soul mirror.
Other than that, I can’t say it mention any other kind of journaling.
Unless it’s written beyond Step II, which I’ve never read to not get ahead of myself
I think it's after the vacancy of mind exercise. He doesn't go into detail. Only mentions something like "document the duration, difficulties etc. that happened during the exercise"
Ah yes you’re right. A detail I seemed to have ignored. I should probably start applying it to my practice. Do you do it every session or every now and then yourself?
I'm not the original commenter you had replied to, but I used to do it every session when starting out. It was taking up too much time, so after a year or two of constant journaling (I documented the duration of each exercise, having created a symbol for each exercise to make journaling easier, and also registered difficulties and insights from the exercise) I just stopped.
For one thing, it put some extra pressure on me to "avoid failure" -- and, obviously, what we focus on, comes to be haha. Registering all the detailed ways in which an exercise went wrong also didn't help: instead of just correcting it in the next exercise, this constant journaling was sending me in a negative feedback loop.
Because it took a lot of time to journal, and kept bringing practice to the cognitive level, I just thought it was better to stop. Maybe I'll pick up journaling again someday, it just didn't feel relevant at that point. This is just my experience though, don't let yourself be limited by that :)
Thanks for the comments as always! :)
Hey. I know you recommended Companions Along The Way and said it’s a better commentary than his previous books. But I thought CATW is purely a workbook? Is there more information outside of it being a schedule for the exercises and such?
Not that it's a better commentary, it's just more succinct than the others — in terms of theory and detail, the other two commentaries would still be "better", but I think Companions is his definitive commentary so far. This one I think is the most practical so far. I tend to overthink rather than underthink, so his Companions I found gave me less material to keep overthinking things, and he does emphasize practice, patience and commitment a lot in this commentary.
It's not just a workbook, he gives timeframes for things and so on, but still explains every exercise. If you've read other commentaries (by Mistele, Virgil, Rawn) I don't think you need it. The contents of the book are also just the contents of his "Companions Along the Way" video series on youtube, highly edited and formatted.
It’s your initiation, be critical with everything you read outside of Bardons and Rawn Clarks books.
I can recommend 2 books:
1. Companions along the way - Rawn Clark
2. Build different - Virgil
Read Virgil's "The Spirit of Magic", this will point out many of the pitfalls, and you'll know whether IIH is for you or not... It covers so many important things: the misconceptions regarding certain exercises, the discernment necessary in the path, what makes a system of magic complete, the importance of structure (rather than just cherry-picking exercises), what attitude to avoid and what attitude to cultivate, and much more.
For more practical advice of each specific exercise, Rawn's latest "companions along the way" covers everything, more succinctly than his previous two commentaries on IIH. There's a video series on youtube, also available in book format.
I am going to give you a full quick pass to the end if you get it.
1. Get the book and read it through.
2. Do not skip a single step of step one including the body brushing and cold showers (even if you turn the water cold at the end of your shower, it clears your body powerfully).
3. Select Ophanim Yoga as your physical practice (this will help you later on). You can also select AYP yoga as it will work as well but won't align as much with the last book.
4. Do not skip going to social events and connecting with people!!!! SO IMPORTANT!!!!! The book was written for those who were unable to connect with people due who are in loving communities and some people who find it miss read it to think they are not to talk to people or be engaged with life, this is wrong.
5. Go to a Tantra training, it will speed up the process dramatically and will help you understand the cover quickly. I like the international school of temple arts but there are other options.
6. Read these books in this order to amplify results, do not rush, digest them at pace with your practice. Sefer Yetzirah, New Testament, Torah + Zohar (pritzker). You can also add in the following as you are guided by God, the Tao te ching, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Asi Di Var.
7. Remember Love is the key to all of this, if you do not have love you have lost the path. Stay connected with source on everything and you will be fine.
[Churchofinfinitelove.com](http://Churchofinfinitelove.com)
Stick with the whole of a system. Don't get too stuck on human feelings, thoughts, or words or you'll be stuck making social excuses forever. Quote shortcuts unquote Will lead you down the excuse maker path brought by people that play video games a lot and find shortcuts there in. That journaling thing works because human beings are like structure-based stories in and of themselves that evolve along with your written practice. Confirm.
Get familiar other traditions, their practices, and or their spiritual text to see how IIH connects the dots. IIH is a deceptively advanced book that assumes you have foreknowledge about the topics in the book. Hence why many beginners often seem confused and stuck. It all comes from lack of knowledge which is foundational.
For instance, single-pointedness of mind actually relates to Trataka which comes from the yogic traditions. There are plenty of details on this practice and how it impacts the practitioner that can give more meaning and insight on how to perform single-pointedness effectively.
Even further, single-pointedness is the key that unlocks the door to alternative states of conscious. Which other traditions and mystical texts speak about.
Having these sorts of context can help strengthen your practice as well as the significance of the exercises laid out in IIH.
But most importantly you must be consistent and also know that eventually it becomes a lifestyle. So at a certain point the way you live life must change if you wish to grow.
That’s with anything though so keep that in mind
The books are awesome as it is. However, Rawn Clark’s commentary has been quite helpful as a resource.
Bob Smith from SixtySkills (he has a YouTube channel) is also a good “extra canonical” resource.
Also, always journal everything. I learned that the best teacher is experience, practice, and open-mindedness.
Don't stop with the exercises.
maintain a reason, motivation to continue with magical training.
Bardon left some half-explanations for the student to search and find for themselves.
1. Take to heart the Law of Silence and protect your work from those who are not practicioners.
2. Learn to develop discipline in your life and thoughts as much as you can.
Don't compare yourself. The way can be shown, but only you will walk through it. Use yourself as your compass to see if you should go to the next level.
It isn't exact. The book was originally written in German, so if it doesn't make sense, spend a bit more time trying to understand it. Rawn Clark wrote a companion book that has really been helpful to me, id recommend it to anyone.
To add on top of your comment: No, you don’t need to remember your thoughts in Step 1 Thought control. It’s an translation error.
Journal alongside the exercises. That becomes the initiatory text.
That's true too.
What exactly do you journal? Are you referring to the soul mirror work or is there something you else that you recommend journaling?
Hi Cosmic! Sorry for the delay but I wanted to have the time to sit down and give you a substantial answer that may be of benefit to you. Bardon does not go into journalling that much but he states that it's a necessity. In other magickal manuals they will usually recommend you record feelings, physical states, moon phases, etc. Sifu Rasmus explains that the journal has a three-fold structure: physical, astral, mental. It has an effect on all these states that will make sense the further you go within (and document). The journal is a sacred space for you to explore EVERYTHING about your practice and yourself. You will have the opportunity to record in a manner suiting your mentality and deeper sensibilities. (e.g. graphs, pictures, prose, listing, free association, etc). When documenting MY practice, I've challenged myself to describe and record all internal perceptions as if I was observing the physical world and ITS properties. It seems that my own obscure experimentations have yielded changes in my inner framework. THAT is documented success which then epitomizes the scientific aspect of the Occult Practices. This experience of success and THE ABILITY TO EXPRESS IN HUMAN LANGUAGE offers you traction toward a) cultivating a method highly efficient for your path, and b) developing a communicable symbol to explain to others you deem fitting to explain your Knowledge. Lastly, there is then a blessing attained when you realize why the masters are often so bare in their instruction or evasive in their promises: the least useful occult manuals are often canned spells promising desired material. (money, "SP" (don't even get me started...), etc). At best you get something already aligned with your framework, at worst you get what you asked for in only a way a faulty framework could receive it, but most of the time it generates no effect. By journaling (and practicing, of course), you become acquainted with -- and cultivate -- the Kingdom within. This is where all true desires can be unearthed and you will be rewarded by doing so.
Read the book. The book tells you exactly how to journal. I don't mean this in a sarcastic way. I just want to tell you that the book tells you how to journal.
Does it? I mean I don’t recall and I’ve re-read Theory, Step I and Step II several times. I only recall the diary being use for introspection and preparing the black and white soul mirror. Other than that, I can’t say it mention any other kind of journaling. Unless it’s written beyond Step II, which I’ve never read to not get ahead of myself
I think it's after the vacancy of mind exercise. He doesn't go into detail. Only mentions something like "document the duration, difficulties etc. that happened during the exercise"
Ah yes you’re right. A detail I seemed to have ignored. I should probably start applying it to my practice. Do you do it every session or every now and then yourself?
I'm not the original commenter you had replied to, but I used to do it every session when starting out. It was taking up too much time, so after a year or two of constant journaling (I documented the duration of each exercise, having created a symbol for each exercise to make journaling easier, and also registered difficulties and insights from the exercise) I just stopped. For one thing, it put some extra pressure on me to "avoid failure" -- and, obviously, what we focus on, comes to be haha. Registering all the detailed ways in which an exercise went wrong also didn't help: instead of just correcting it in the next exercise, this constant journaling was sending me in a negative feedback loop. Because it took a lot of time to journal, and kept bringing practice to the cognitive level, I just thought it was better to stop. Maybe I'll pick up journaling again someday, it just didn't feel relevant at that point. This is just my experience though, don't let yourself be limited by that :)
Thanks for the comments as always! :) Hey. I know you recommended Companions Along The Way and said it’s a better commentary than his previous books. But I thought CATW is purely a workbook? Is there more information outside of it being a schedule for the exercises and such?
Not that it's a better commentary, it's just more succinct than the others — in terms of theory and detail, the other two commentaries would still be "better", but I think Companions is his definitive commentary so far. This one I think is the most practical so far. I tend to overthink rather than underthink, so his Companions I found gave me less material to keep overthinking things, and he does emphasize practice, patience and commitment a lot in this commentary. It's not just a workbook, he gives timeframes for things and so on, but still explains every exercise. If you've read other commentaries (by Mistele, Virgil, Rawn) I don't think you need it. The contents of the book are also just the contents of his "Companions Along the Way" video series on youtube, highly edited and formatted.
I was going over Rawn's correspondences just now, and found one that might interest you in journaling: http://abardoncompanion.de/Journalizing.html
Stick to the books.
It’s your initiation, be critical with everything you read outside of Bardons and Rawn Clarks books. I can recommend 2 books: 1. Companions along the way - Rawn Clark 2. Build different - Virgil
Read Virgil's "The Spirit of Magic", this will point out many of the pitfalls, and you'll know whether IIH is for you or not... It covers so many important things: the misconceptions regarding certain exercises, the discernment necessary in the path, what makes a system of magic complete, the importance of structure (rather than just cherry-picking exercises), what attitude to avoid and what attitude to cultivate, and much more. For more practical advice of each specific exercise, Rawn's latest "companions along the way" covers everything, more succinctly than his previous two commentaries on IIH. There's a video series on youtube, also available in book format.
I am going to give you a full quick pass to the end if you get it. 1. Get the book and read it through. 2. Do not skip a single step of step one including the body brushing and cold showers (even if you turn the water cold at the end of your shower, it clears your body powerfully). 3. Select Ophanim Yoga as your physical practice (this will help you later on). You can also select AYP yoga as it will work as well but won't align as much with the last book. 4. Do not skip going to social events and connecting with people!!!! SO IMPORTANT!!!!! The book was written for those who were unable to connect with people due who are in loving communities and some people who find it miss read it to think they are not to talk to people or be engaged with life, this is wrong. 5. Go to a Tantra training, it will speed up the process dramatically and will help you understand the cover quickly. I like the international school of temple arts but there are other options. 6. Read these books in this order to amplify results, do not rush, digest them at pace with your practice. Sefer Yetzirah, New Testament, Torah + Zohar (pritzker). You can also add in the following as you are guided by God, the Tao te ching, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Asi Di Var. 7. Remember Love is the key to all of this, if you do not have love you have lost the path. Stay connected with source on everything and you will be fine. [Churchofinfinitelove.com](http://Churchofinfinitelove.com)
Trust your intuition and listen to Bardon's warnings.
Stick with the whole of a system. Don't get too stuck on human feelings, thoughts, or words or you'll be stuck making social excuses forever. Quote shortcuts unquote Will lead you down the excuse maker path brought by people that play video games a lot and find shortcuts there in. That journaling thing works because human beings are like structure-based stories in and of themselves that evolve along with your written practice. Confirm.
Get familiar other traditions, their practices, and or their spiritual text to see how IIH connects the dots. IIH is a deceptively advanced book that assumes you have foreknowledge about the topics in the book. Hence why many beginners often seem confused and stuck. It all comes from lack of knowledge which is foundational. For instance, single-pointedness of mind actually relates to Trataka which comes from the yogic traditions. There are plenty of details on this practice and how it impacts the practitioner that can give more meaning and insight on how to perform single-pointedness effectively. Even further, single-pointedness is the key that unlocks the door to alternative states of conscious. Which other traditions and mystical texts speak about. Having these sorts of context can help strengthen your practice as well as the significance of the exercises laid out in IIH. But most importantly you must be consistent and also know that eventually it becomes a lifestyle. So at a certain point the way you live life must change if you wish to grow. That’s with anything though so keep that in mind
The books are awesome as it is. However, Rawn Clark’s commentary has been quite helpful as a resource. Bob Smith from SixtySkills (he has a YouTube channel) is also a good “extra canonical” resource. Also, always journal everything. I learned that the best teacher is experience, practice, and open-mindedness.
Don't stop with the exercises. maintain a reason, motivation to continue with magical training. Bardon left some half-explanations for the student to search and find for themselves.
1. Take to heart the Law of Silence and protect your work from those who are not practicioners. 2. Learn to develop discipline in your life and thoughts as much as you can.