Some of your thoughts here remind me of what has become an extremely active discussion and process around theme of "integration" in the context of the "psychedelic revolution." It's usually discussed as the third in the sequence of prepare, experience, and integrate (then prep... etc.) — but integration is really also a fourth element that is always happening, out of which preparation emerges and experience layers itself into, before rolling into the more explicit version of itself, then starting the whole cycle again. Integration can essentially always be occurring — and pretty much any traditional spiritual practice falls into the category of a legitimate integration practice. In your experience that you shared and that of many others along this line, where integration doesn't happen is where the most problematic and distorted experiences unfold out of. Many aren't as clear in the process of self analysis and healing as you've so been so honestly and publicly.
This is where it seems to me a lot of these explorations into occult practices can be really supportive in a really practical sense. But they're also really evocative and can lure the imagination to dwell on mental distractions and pursue improbable or harmful spiritual empowerments. They can also invite the explorer to rest on the laurels of their mental machinations — the term "armchair magician" comes to mind.
I'm excited that you're taking on this effort from the perspective of several decades of relentlessly honest inward and outward inquiry.
Perhaps I am wrong, but my sense is that the current wave of therapeutic integration still tends to approach the psychedelic journey from a purely psychological perspective. I do think there are subtle, ontological realities that we tend to ignore, because we are still considering all of this from a physicalist perspective. I find it useful to contrast Rudolf Steiner with Alesteir Crowley's view on "contacts." Steiner would have recognized that psychedelic experiences are likely to lead to unbalanced inner plane encounters, because they would enormously magnify what is already going on with us. He advocated for a much subtler, life-long series of meditations and exercises that slowly prepare people for occult experiences - like, for instance, the "Guardian of the Threshold" encounter he describes in Outline of Esoteric Science. Crowley was much more radical in his approach and certainly would have embraced psychedelics without a second thought. He sought occult contacts, but ended up suffering from extreme Lucifer-ic inflation and died as a sad drug addict. We need to be knowledgable about these different approaches to the occult in order to be able to have coherent conversations about them!
Agree 100% . In my observation magicians like Crowley in any culture Chinese , Tibetan , India-n , or Western have always focused on ego-centric cultivations that lead to siddhis, abundance and control. Whereas Bodhisattvas like Rudolf Steiner have cultivated themselves in ways that serve and love humanity. The presence or absence of Bodhicitta is the fundamental difference between the black magic Hindu Tantra and the white magic of Tibetan Tantra, and perhaps the defining determination of the direction of all spiritual paths.
That's a good point. And a good reminder that it's a very specific lens... that of a kind of clinical domain. Not so terrible, but orthodoxy does seem to want to be. That's probably the one key downside to conventional popularity... the same type of person that might used to have looked down on me for doing them at all, might now look down on me for not doing in the exactly appropriate way for "optimal wellness."
I can't wait to hear about other people's experiences. Thanks for sharing yours Daniel. I've completely let go of any fears surrounding my truth with these experiences as well. Actually I've never had any fears about it, other than being alone in being so immersed in the Otherworld. Just happy to meet others who are like me. Summoning is fun. You either use your powers or they use you. Or other people with those powers can control you as well. Or these powers get channeled into a system of misery, like capitalism.
Hi Daniel, concerning your reading of old christian texts I would recommend looking into the Gospel of Thomas. In one of the oldest known gospels Jesus sounds more than a modern day zen master than the founder of a system based on belief.
Definitely! I’ve read it and written about it, but The Gospel of Magdalena is new information for me. Gil Erez just turned me on to the excellent Esoterica YouTube channel and this video I found amazing: https://youtu.be/I4GHrs5xAIk
This sounds like a wonderful course, Daniel, bravo to you for doing it! The timing doesn't work for me this spring or I would join. I am cheering you on and looking forward to hearing more about it and learning from whatever insights and references you're willing to share through the blog.
I’ve just finished a year long training with David Luke into psychedelics, altered states of consciousness and exceptional human experiences - I am definitely on board with a connection to the occult via psychedelic/altered states and I also give value to protection, intention and ritual.
Christopher Bache has an interesting perspective on the collective unconscious/transpersonal which I lean toward. He sees the collective psyche as an ever evolving morphic field (similar to Sheldrake), but which communicates with the individual psyche as well as something higher, possibly explaining how we are able to create and evolve.
It was with the Alef trust in the Uk - i think the format has changed this year - it’s fairly basic but covers a wide range of topics including many of Dave’s personal experiences - which was worth the fee alone.
Thanks Daniel for writing a bit about your experiences.It certainly helps or is rather essential to share experiences with others as within ourselves, our own mind can turn things into realities which stick to us and can limit going further. The beautiful thing about sharing is the exploration of this liminal space where apparently things don't exist as words or concepts yet, and in honest sharing (a step towards empathy) we allow them to be born and manifest. The experience of shared awe in this space a silence where no words are possible, can help us to explore the invisible depths within.
Some times word get in the way, as they have already been used (and abused) and our linear mind becomes addicted and chained yet again.
Mind freedom is essential to the explorer whether it be through occult meditations, mantra, or psychadelics; but there is nothing like emphatic company with whom to share limitless space element. We can do it alone, but our social design is to share. (our interdependent universes)
When invisible encounters are bigger than we are, we learn humility, yet can always dream of stealing the golden egg or get out and do it or sit under a tree and breathe into enchantment and share it through out breath from the heart.
Thanks for your explorations and invitations. Please keep on.
Thanks for offering courses like this Daniel. I’m still trying to decide if I can attend or not, but wondered if it would be possible for you to share some of the suggested readings and optional visualization / meditation / ritual exercises from the course? If not immediately after each session, perhaps after some time passes? I’m particularly interested in the suggested readings. This is going to be a fascinating time and I hope to attend! Your discounted price for subscribers is much appreciated.
Yes definitely I can compile a reading list etc… I want us to test some exercises from Evola’s Introduction to Magic and Steiner’s visualizations, plus the Romantic poets’ techniques for recalling hypnagogic states… maybe a sigil casting… open to more ideas too!
Thank you for your honesty, which helps us expand our generosity towards how we understand 'reality.' Thank you also for your comments on the de-spiritualization of plant psychedelics as they gain acceptance in mainstream culture - another attempt to maintain a mechanistic view of life.
Def interested in taking the course and sharing Occultitude. We spoke a certain greeting in the 80’s, “May the Invisible Force Be Strong.” Thanks for sharing your Otherworldy “hauntings” - I’m glad it’s somewhat dissipated. We were psychonauts on a razor’s edge in those times, myelin sheath blown, and experienced every Witch Way of Weirdness. It was a living nightmare - I understand why Frater Perdurabo chose that name - it is to be endured.
I see you included a photo of famed Confederate Free Mason, Albert Pike, in Session 3. I am interested in the template that Pike espoused involving the esoteric diabolism of racism/fascism. It is liken to a curse, ideologically, that has infected the human race. It would be nice to break this curse, once and for all. The Third Reich apparatus applied these demonic principles to their Will...current politics mimic the same. Will it rise in some morphological development of AI? - a crucial vein you’ve been probing.
I enjoy the series Shadow and Bone - based upon a Sun Summoner. Perhaps we may collectively align to dispel the ignorance of Humanity. The animals look to us to find a Way. Wielding Power as Light and Love.
I can’t post a photo here, but it’s def Pike. Eliphas looks positively cheery next to Pike’s malevolent regard. Though it’s suspiciously shrouded in controversy whether or not he was a KKK Grand Wizard.
The Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition holds that the purpose of human life is theosis, to become like God. So I don’t think this way of thinking was totally lost. Theosis happens in three stages: catharsis(purification), theoria(illumination), and theosis(deification). Transformation is their point. They also have a living monastic tradition who utilize mystical practices like regimented breathing, repetitive prayer, fasting, and body prostrations. It is called the Hesychasm. I wonder what you’d think about it and how it might relate to your course.
Thanks for drawing that to my attention. It sounds familiar to me but whatever I once knew about it, I had forgotten. I am not a deep student of Christianity... there are so many different branches and sects. Where is the center of the Eastern Orthodox Church (I am being lazy - I can look it up). Sounds a bit like Sufiism.
The principal cathedral is in Instanbul, St. George Cathedral. I visited there last summer, it isn't very grand, but apparently has the most sacred relics there. Obviously the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul used to be the center of Orthodoxy for nearly 1000 years, but was overtaken. Overall it seems Orthodoxy isn't as centralized as Catholicism(no pope for example). It does seem analogous to Sufism in that it is the more mystical version of their respective traditions. Heres a link of a just posted interview with Vervaeke talking to an Orthodox bishop that is highlighting Orthodoxy's answers to the meaning crisis for anybody who is interested: https://youtu.be/bsPQnFZWZM8
What a great tradition! Though I think comparing the qualities of a God to them a far better aspiration is the realization of Buddhahood. Godhood can be a dangerous power trip especially if we take Jehovah as a role model for how it's done, versus Jesus who behaved and taught much more like a Bodhisattva and Buddha imo.
I believe it is said to only have been reached by a handful of saints. It is atleast a mark to shoot for and if done in the true sense, would be done in perfect humility. Transformation of the individual and direct experience with the energies of God seems to be unique here within the Christian tradition.
Daniel, firstly thank you, for being secure enough to share your experiences. It seems to me you have a very good mind, probably a genius, highest level. Yet I sincerely am concerned that possibly a lot of your mind experiences are so loose that you conceive them as, “ other.” And label them to what you know/experience. I pray that I am not offending you. I know many experiences are what I call out there. I was once as a young 18-19 year old offered mushrooms. Only Y-h knows if they were. I know it was not pleasant and I never wanted anything like it again. All that type of inducement I came to the conclusion wasn’t needed to make higher levels of connection with our creator. I have delved very deep into scripture and searched the world ( only books) over for knowledge about Him. I have found it. I love the teaching of Eric Bessel and encourage you to listen to his podcasts. They are free and he has broken a code. You have a very great mind and I pray you will pursue this journey. Our creator has left us so much to discover that one lifetime isn’t enough. Nor would I say eternity will be. Eric’s website is: eriktology.net he would be so excited to grow with you. He loves seeing his students grasping the concepts he’s spent, like myself searching for. And if it’s novelty that excites you, I can guarantee that you will find it there. Also he has podcasts and Skype. I will continue with your work I only pray you will take my advice for the best. I do know I have to guard my heart and mind. The couple of gifts from Y-h is my discerning and knowing the truth. Our path to this is more narrow than you might imagine. “ wide is the gate to hell and narrows is the way.” It is very, very narrow and more that I know the more narrow it becomes. Thank you, again for sharing your experience. Dooley, noted.
I find myself in high agreement with your statement regarding the secularization of the present psychedelic movement. A sort of maneuver to apply rational and reducible thinking to what is otherwise totally irrational and intangible (at least in the traditional senses of those words).
I do worry for those who experiment with psychedelics, not fully understanding the significance of those experiences, and how much harm they might be doing to themselves by denying the spiritual reality that psychedelics are tangled up with. Most particularly when they are approached as little more than marketed tokens of novelty.
This isn't to say the secular mind cannot benefit from psychedelic use, or even use them in a safe manner. What I would prescribe for the humanist, is the notion of utilizing a deep understanding of psychological symbolism (e.g. Jungian archetypes) as a stabilizing point for understanding and grasping one's experience, rather than using the reductionist's approach and dismissing the whole thing as little more than the manipulation of chemical receptors in the brains, thereby causing hallucinations. The latter of which, I worry, can potentially render an individual in the most likely place to become "haunted" or "possessed" from an aspect they do not understand.
Some of your thoughts here remind me of what has become an extremely active discussion and process around theme of "integration" in the context of the "psychedelic revolution." It's usually discussed as the third in the sequence of prepare, experience, and integrate (then prep... etc.) — but integration is really also a fourth element that is always happening, out of which preparation emerges and experience layers itself into, before rolling into the more explicit version of itself, then starting the whole cycle again. Integration can essentially always be occurring — and pretty much any traditional spiritual practice falls into the category of a legitimate integration practice. In your experience that you shared and that of many others along this line, where integration doesn't happen is where the most problematic and distorted experiences unfold out of. Many aren't as clear in the process of self analysis and healing as you've so been so honestly and publicly.
This is where it seems to me a lot of these explorations into occult practices can be really supportive in a really practical sense. But they're also really evocative and can lure the imagination to dwell on mental distractions and pursue improbable or harmful spiritual empowerments. They can also invite the explorer to rest on the laurels of their mental machinations — the term "armchair magician" comes to mind.
I'm excited that you're taking on this effort from the perspective of several decades of relentlessly honest inward and outward inquiry.
Thanks for this thoughtful comment!
Perhaps I am wrong, but my sense is that the current wave of therapeutic integration still tends to approach the psychedelic journey from a purely psychological perspective. I do think there are subtle, ontological realities that we tend to ignore, because we are still considering all of this from a physicalist perspective. I find it useful to contrast Rudolf Steiner with Alesteir Crowley's view on "contacts." Steiner would have recognized that psychedelic experiences are likely to lead to unbalanced inner plane encounters, because they would enormously magnify what is already going on with us. He advocated for a much subtler, life-long series of meditations and exercises that slowly prepare people for occult experiences - like, for instance, the "Guardian of the Threshold" encounter he describes in Outline of Esoteric Science. Crowley was much more radical in his approach and certainly would have embraced psychedelics without a second thought. He sought occult contacts, but ended up suffering from extreme Lucifer-ic inflation and died as a sad drug addict. We need to be knowledgable about these different approaches to the occult in order to be able to have coherent conversations about them!
Agree 100% . In my observation magicians like Crowley in any culture Chinese , Tibetan , India-n , or Western have always focused on ego-centric cultivations that lead to siddhis, abundance and control. Whereas Bodhisattvas like Rudolf Steiner have cultivated themselves in ways that serve and love humanity. The presence or absence of Bodhicitta is the fundamental difference between the black magic Hindu Tantra and the white magic of Tibetan Tantra, and perhaps the defining determination of the direction of all spiritual paths.
Well said, KC
That's a good point. And a good reminder that it's a very specific lens... that of a kind of clinical domain. Not so terrible, but orthodoxy does seem to want to be. That's probably the one key downside to conventional popularity... the same type of person that might used to have looked down on me for doing them at all, might now look down on me for not doing in the exactly appropriate way for "optimal wellness."
(I guess the more popular term is "psychedelic renaissance")
I can't wait to hear about other people's experiences. Thanks for sharing yours Daniel. I've completely let go of any fears surrounding my truth with these experiences as well. Actually I've never had any fears about it, other than being alone in being so immersed in the Otherworld. Just happy to meet others who are like me. Summoning is fun. You either use your powers or they use you. Or other people with those powers can control you as well. Or these powers get channeled into a system of misery, like capitalism.
Hi Daniel, concerning your reading of old christian texts I would recommend looking into the Gospel of Thomas. In one of the oldest known gospels Jesus sounds more than a modern day zen master than the founder of a system based on belief.
Definitely! I’ve read it and written about it, but The Gospel of Magdalena is new information for me. Gil Erez just turned me on to the excellent Esoterica YouTube channel and this video I found amazing: https://youtu.be/I4GHrs5xAIk
This sounds like a wonderful course, Daniel, bravo to you for doing it! The timing doesn't work for me this spring or I would join. I am cheering you on and looking forward to hearing more about it and learning from whatever insights and references you're willing to share through the blog.
Thanks, Jennifer
I’ve just finished a year long training with David Luke into psychedelics, altered states of consciousness and exceptional human experiences - I am definitely on board with a connection to the occult via psychedelic/altered states and I also give value to protection, intention and ritual.
Christopher Bache has an interesting perspective on the collective unconscious/transpersonal which I lean toward. He sees the collective psyche as an ever evolving morphic field (similar to Sheldrake), but which communicates with the individual psyche as well as something higher, possibly explaining how we are able to create and evolve.
Interesting, is there a link to that training course? I love David Luke. I suspect our ideas are very similar. Hope you will take my course!
It was with the Alef trust in the Uk - i think the format has changed this year - it’s fairly basic but covers a wide range of topics including many of Dave’s personal experiences - which was worth the fee alone.
Thanks Daniel for writing a bit about your experiences.It certainly helps or is rather essential to share experiences with others as within ourselves, our own mind can turn things into realities which stick to us and can limit going further. The beautiful thing about sharing is the exploration of this liminal space where apparently things don't exist as words or concepts yet, and in honest sharing (a step towards empathy) we allow them to be born and manifest. The experience of shared awe in this space a silence where no words are possible, can help us to explore the invisible depths within.
Some times word get in the way, as they have already been used (and abused) and our linear mind becomes addicted and chained yet again.
Mind freedom is essential to the explorer whether it be through occult meditations, mantra, or psychadelics; but there is nothing like emphatic company with whom to share limitless space element. We can do it alone, but our social design is to share. (our interdependent universes)
When invisible encounters are bigger than we are, we learn humility, yet can always dream of stealing the golden egg or get out and do it or sit under a tree and breathe into enchantment and share it through out breath from the heart.
Thanks for your explorations and invitations. Please keep on.
Thanks for your thoughts, Mr Webb!
Thanks for offering courses like this Daniel. I’m still trying to decide if I can attend or not, but wondered if it would be possible for you to share some of the suggested readings and optional visualization / meditation / ritual exercises from the course? If not immediately after each session, perhaps after some time passes? I’m particularly interested in the suggested readings. This is going to be a fascinating time and I hope to attend! Your discounted price for subscribers is much appreciated.
Yes definitely I can compile a reading list etc… I want us to test some exercises from Evola’s Introduction to Magic and Steiner’s visualizations, plus the Romantic poets’ techniques for recalling hypnagogic states… maybe a sigil casting… open to more ideas too!
Bravo Daniel ! How large do you think your group will be? I am definitely interested in joining you.
We have somewhere around 45 people signed up so far. It seems to be tickling a nerve!
Thank you for your honesty, which helps us expand our generosity towards how we understand 'reality.' Thank you also for your comments on the de-spiritualization of plant psychedelics as they gain acceptance in mainstream culture - another attempt to maintain a mechanistic view of life.
you are most welcome!
Absolutely here for this
Good article
Def interested in taking the course and sharing Occultitude. We spoke a certain greeting in the 80’s, “May the Invisible Force Be Strong.” Thanks for sharing your Otherworldy “hauntings” - I’m glad it’s somewhat dissipated. We were psychonauts on a razor’s edge in those times, myelin sheath blown, and experienced every Witch Way of Weirdness. It was a living nightmare - I understand why Frater Perdurabo chose that name - it is to be endured.
I see you included a photo of famed Confederate Free Mason, Albert Pike, in Session 3. I am interested in the template that Pike espoused involving the esoteric diabolism of racism/fascism. It is liken to a curse, ideologically, that has infected the human race. It would be nice to break this curse, once and for all. The Third Reich apparatus applied these demonic principles to their Will...current politics mimic the same. Will it rise in some morphological development of AI? - a crucial vein you’ve been probing.
I enjoy the series Shadow and Bone - based upon a Sun Summoner. Perhaps we may collectively align to dispel the ignorance of Humanity. The animals look to us to find a Way. Wielding Power as Light and Love.
I think it is Eliphas Levi, not Albert Pike
I can’t post a photo here, but it’s def Pike. Eliphas looks positively cheery next to Pike’s malevolent regard. Though it’s suspiciously shrouded in controversy whether or not he was a KKK Grand Wizard.
ouch! you are right - my mistake. I thought it was Eliphas Levi.
Sounds like a great course.
The Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition holds that the purpose of human life is theosis, to become like God. So I don’t think this way of thinking was totally lost. Theosis happens in three stages: catharsis(purification), theoria(illumination), and theosis(deification). Transformation is their point. They also have a living monastic tradition who utilize mystical practices like regimented breathing, repetitive prayer, fasting, and body prostrations. It is called the Hesychasm. I wonder what you’d think about it and how it might relate to your course.
Thanks for drawing that to my attention. It sounds familiar to me but whatever I once knew about it, I had forgotten. I am not a deep student of Christianity... there are so many different branches and sects. Where is the center of the Eastern Orthodox Church (I am being lazy - I can look it up). Sounds a bit like Sufiism.
The principal cathedral is in Instanbul, St. George Cathedral. I visited there last summer, it isn't very grand, but apparently has the most sacred relics there. Obviously the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul used to be the center of Orthodoxy for nearly 1000 years, but was overtaken. Overall it seems Orthodoxy isn't as centralized as Catholicism(no pope for example). It does seem analogous to Sufism in that it is the more mystical version of their respective traditions. Heres a link of a just posted interview with Vervaeke talking to an Orthodox bishop that is highlighting Orthodoxy's answers to the meaning crisis for anybody who is interested: https://youtu.be/bsPQnFZWZM8
What a great tradition! Though I think comparing the qualities of a God to them a far better aspiration is the realization of Buddhahood. Godhood can be a dangerous power trip especially if we take Jehovah as a role model for how it's done, versus Jesus who behaved and taught much more like a Bodhisattva and Buddha imo.
I believe it is said to only have been reached by a handful of saints. It is atleast a mark to shoot for and if done in the true sense, would be done in perfect humility. Transformation of the individual and direct experience with the energies of God seems to be unique here within the Christian tradition.
There have been some incredible Christian saints ! May they show us what is possible.
Daniel, firstly thank you, for being secure enough to share your experiences. It seems to me you have a very good mind, probably a genius, highest level. Yet I sincerely am concerned that possibly a lot of your mind experiences are so loose that you conceive them as, “ other.” And label them to what you know/experience. I pray that I am not offending you. I know many experiences are what I call out there. I was once as a young 18-19 year old offered mushrooms. Only Y-h knows if they were. I know it was not pleasant and I never wanted anything like it again. All that type of inducement I came to the conclusion wasn’t needed to make higher levels of connection with our creator. I have delved very deep into scripture and searched the world ( only books) over for knowledge about Him. I have found it. I love the teaching of Eric Bessel and encourage you to listen to his podcasts. They are free and he has broken a code. You have a very great mind and I pray you will pursue this journey. Our creator has left us so much to discover that one lifetime isn’t enough. Nor would I say eternity will be. Eric’s website is: eriktology.net he would be so excited to grow with you. He loves seeing his students grasping the concepts he’s spent, like myself searching for. And if it’s novelty that excites you, I can guarantee that you will find it there. Also he has podcasts and Skype. I will continue with your work I only pray you will take my advice for the best. I do know I have to guard my heart and mind. The couple of gifts from Y-h is my discerning and knowing the truth. Our path to this is more narrow than you might imagine. “ wide is the gate to hell and narrows is the way.” It is very, very narrow and more that I know the more narrow it becomes. Thank you, again for sharing your experience. Dooley, noted.
I find myself in high agreement with your statement regarding the secularization of the present psychedelic movement. A sort of maneuver to apply rational and reducible thinking to what is otherwise totally irrational and intangible (at least in the traditional senses of those words).
I do worry for those who experiment with psychedelics, not fully understanding the significance of those experiences, and how much harm they might be doing to themselves by denying the spiritual reality that psychedelics are tangled up with. Most particularly when they are approached as little more than marketed tokens of novelty.
This isn't to say the secular mind cannot benefit from psychedelic use, or even use them in a safe manner. What I would prescribe for the humanist, is the notion of utilizing a deep understanding of psychological symbolism (e.g. Jungian archetypes) as a stabilizing point for understanding and grasping one's experience, rather than using the reductionist's approach and dismissing the whole thing as little more than the manipulation of chemical receptors in the brains, thereby causing hallucinations. The latter of which, I worry, can potentially render an individual in the most likely place to become "haunted" or "possessed" from an aspect they do not understand.
Oooh so tempted to sign up! Ahhhh. Love that you’re putting this together and sharing this offering.