Hexagram 55 > Hexagram 16
Alan Chapman, in 'Advanced Magick For Beginners', posits that magic can work whether or not you believe in it.
I agree. And I'll throw in the W. Timothy Gallwey quote that I use as a mantra of sorts: "Awareness is curative."
Occult's etymology spawns from words about the hidden. And the hidden inherently prompts speculation: how does magic *work*, how did *that* happen, who or what is behind it?
After years of interacting with 'magic' (which I define as the changing of experience through indirect, or sly/clever means), I've come to the conclusion that at best, all of this speculation wastes your time, and at worst, it creates an identity you can cling to, and thus, be manipulated with.
"Occultist" is just another segment to be marketed to, and controlled.
Before we go any further, let me suggest a progression that could be a timeline that leads you to post-occultism, and maybe you can notice where you currently stand inside of it:
The Path To Post-Occult
- 0) Cynics
These are the 'it's all a ruse, a trick, some manipulation' folks.
Cynics are often close to the truth, especially when it comes to the occult, but what good does it do them?
Their cynicism often stands in the way of their piece of mind, and empowerment.
- 1) Skeptics
Skeptics are a bit better. When done right, they're skeptical about their own beliefs, and instant impulses.
But a skeptic that doesn't test their doubts and suspicions isn't much better off than the cynics.
- 2) Rationalists
Rationalists are big on reason, but even that isn't unfallible.
Sometimes, these types don't test what seems reason-able. And they can have a bias against things like the Occult.
- 3) Post-Rationalists
Post-Rationalists (or post-rats) are a little (maybe a lot) more self-aware.
Some might not think that it's possible to be sure of "reason," or "rationality," but can still find value in using the rationalist 'technology'. They're not in a bad place.
- 4) Spiritual/Religious/Open-Minded Practical (Allen Carr, W. Timothy Gallwey, Werner Erhard) (Sincere)
This is where sincerity plays a large role.
The spiritual (Ex: New Age-rs), the religious (Ex: Christians), the open-minded practical (Ex: those that attend or teach self-help seminars) that come in contact with these things with sincere intentions are close to 'experience', but not all of them get there. They're open to it, though.
- 5) Experiencer (Once experienced, you can never un-experience)
The Experiencer is someone that no longer has *beliefs* about the things that are potentially impossible to explain, they have the experiences instead.
Once experienced, you can never un-experience.
An example of this is something like a salvia trip.
- 6) Occultist (Chasing more experiences)
An Occultist can spring from that cracked open state of mind enabled by things like psychedelic experiences.
They've experienced, and they are now chasing more experiences.
They see cause and effect, no matter how tenuous or manipulated it may be, and it's a fire under them, compelling them to create more experiences.
- 7A) Post-Occultist Experiencer
This is where it gets interesting.
The Experience can no longer be detached from you, but you no longer identify with the occult tinkering.
You see desired results from sigils and magical acts (whether or not cause was actually connected to effect), and you see the power in awareness and belief change espoused by figures like Werner Erhard, W. Timothy Gallwey, and Allen Carr (if you're me, anyway).
You experience, and see progress and empowerment from those experiences, and that's all you need. You're able to detach from spiritual, religious, occult, or self-help identity, and just get the fruits that may or may not have resulted from your actions or awareness.
It’s a level that can be succinctly summed up as: ‘if it works, it works’.
- 7B) Cynical Experiencer
They had an experience and think it's a trick. There's no redemptive experience, there's no practical application, and no desire for any future experiences. But they can't un-experience.
- 7C) Skeptical Experiencer
They've experienced something, but aren't sure if it was their 'minds playing tricks' on them.
- 7D) Rationalist Experiencer
They've experienced something, and because of their rationality, they might opt for the explanation that involves something like psychosis, instead of letting it be whatever it was.
- 7E) Spiritual Experiencer/Religious Experiencer/Open-Minded Practical Experiencer
With these folks, they've experienced something that they might attribute to whatever spiritual, religious, or self-help course label that they're currently affixing to themselves.
But if they don't seek out more experiences, and try to use their awareness for practical results, this is where they might rest.
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Why I Choose The Post-Occult Lens (And Why You Might Want To As Well)
I consider my current life, lifestyle, and practices, post-occult because I want the results without all of the theorizing.
For this lifetime, I've probably heard and had my fill of speculation on what’s possible and ‘real’ on this imperfect rotating sphere.
This tapping out, or nibbida, when it comes to these subjects is probably something that can't be forced. If you're currently digesting podcasts and books about the possibilities that hide behind the unknowns, your belly may still be very empty. You may not have gotten to the point I hit.
Everyone has their own timeline.
Realizing that there's actions you can take, and awareness that you can foster, that might possibly lead you to a more empowered life, *without* a rigid, sticky, cling-inducing labelled identity, may be enough to make you say ‘I’ve had enough’.
The phrase "post-occultist experiencer" is nothing more than a boat made from language, designed to carry meaning into your mind, so you can hopefully discard, or at best, burn the fucking boat down once you've gotten the message.
It can help you find others like you, but it becomes a big trap if you're meeting under a custom-made banner that says 'Post-Occultist Experiencer Conference'.
There's a lot of stigma, and judgement wrapped up in the word 'magic'. This aura keeps many from touching any 'magical' practices with a vaulting pole. And because of this, they may be holding themselves back from a life that could be more enjoyable.
So, use the post-occult as a lens, if you're going to use it at all. And through that lens, see if you can spot some opportunities for bettering your life through "indirect, or sly/clever means."
It won't hurt you unless you say 'that's me'.