An esoteric note

[sophiaserpentia]

This is to respond to sourcevisceral's question:

that was my way of asking why it's bad to open the crown chakra without a strong root chakra

I think of it this way: the esoteric working of the human body creates a circuit of exchange between the earth (the Self) and the Spirit (the All), and so to complete that circuit especially the points of contact -- the root and the crown -- are paricularly important. Points inbetween are important too, of course, but opening the crown chakra is a way of signalling to Spirit that you are open and ready to receive it.

Opening the crown without having the root open is like approaching the Bridegroom without any oil in your lamp (see Matthew 25:1-12 for the reference).

Oh, perhaps this is a good time for me to clarify how I distinguish between esoteric and mystic. In common usage some people use these words interchangably, and I have distinct, perhaps even specialized, meanings for these words.

In my usage:
"Mystic" refers to the pursuit of understanding and awareness rooted in naive examination of perception and experience. So it refers to exercises and undertakings that "get the mind out of the way" of raw experience. Mystic practices include mindfulness, compassion, worship, devotion, prayer, and contemplative meditation. But, any action, done mindfully, can serve as a mystical practice. (Somewhere in my papers I have a blurb from Thich Nhat Hanh describing how one can wash the dishes and derive mystical insight therefrom.)

"Esoteric" refers specifically to experiences and exercises focused on the subtle and energetic workings of the human body. Esoteric practices include thaumaturgy (invocation, skrying, and spirit vision), yoga, tantra, qigong, middle pillar meditation, and so forth.

Edit: In anticipation of an expected nitpick, please keep in mind that I view this as a loose distinction. There is quite a bit of crossover, especially in that esoteric practices can often serve as mystic ones. But I define the words in this way for ease of reference.

Comments

[hai-kah-uhk.livejournal.com]

Mmm. I like that distinction. I may start using it myself. Thank you.

[sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com]

I suck in all of the energies around me without letting them flow outward and back into the earth.

Probably the reverse of the problem most people have.

Good luck addressing these issues.

Have you ever tried qigong?

[shaktiboy.livejournal.com]

Having tread the path of Magick for roughly 8 years, followed by a (very unexpected) switch to the path of the Mystic for the past 15 years, I think that the difference between esoteric/magick practice and mystical practice can be summed up with two very simple symbols from the Tarot: The Magician and The Fool. Both lead to Kether (and therefore through to Ain Soph Aur). However, their approaches are very very different. The practicioner of magick applies his/her WILL and uses the tools of symbolism. It is a mindful approach to the divine. The mystic, however, abandons him/herself to direct connection with godhead with no thoughts, no concepts, no application of will. The Magician is Yang, male, active--force bound by form. The Fool is Yin, feminine, passive--form transfixed by force.

As I've grown, I see that there are elements of The Magician inside The Fool, and vice-versa. As with all things below the supernals, duality is a fact of existence and there are reflections within reflections. But the basic approaches do indeed differ. Mysticism is purely devotional and you must empty yourself completely to make room for god-consciousness; yet you must actively discipline yourself to remain so empty and receptive. Magickal practice is largely active and requires the learning and application of much mental symbolism and imagery, yet you must at the same time remain sensitive and open and aware of subtle currents.

Life is pretty fucking cool, either way. What an adventure this all is!

[sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com]

Your comments are extremely astute. Thank you for sharing them!