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To: alt.magick
From: Sznog 
Subject: Subtle Energy Delusions in the Magickal Paradigm.
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 23:20:00 -0400

1) Subtle Energy Models are outmoded and no longer qualify as a means to
define any type of magick. Instead, we should look more to information
theory and neural networking as a comprehensive explanation of what
magick is.

2) There is no Subtle Energy. Magick utilizes forces already known.
Bioelectricity and Biochemistry are recognized aspects of physiology. In
fact, both are dependent on the other in order to maintain any sort of
homeostatic state. This is the real 'energy' behind any genuine magickal
working.

3) Most magickians who claim to be using any kind of subtle energy are
actually using self induced hypnotic trance. This state can create a
variety of effects, all of which are substantiated.  Subtle energy
effects are easily grouped into this category.

4) Enhanced Bio-electric and Bio-chemical states need not produce
trance. They can also produce a heightened, ecstatic awareness and
greater overall alertness. From this awareness, a variety of well known
effects can be attained. These are- but are not limited to:

  A) Control of thought.
  B) Control of Emotions.
  C) Control of certain physiological processes.

5) Any one, or combination of the above, are extremely valuable assets
when attempting to achieve any kind of magickal goal.

6) Bio-electric and bio-chemical states can be regulated by any person
with a properly entrained nervous system. Furthermore, a properly
entrained nervous system should be able to regulate both states at will.

7) Neural networks collect more and more information until greater
intelligence is conceived. Greater intelligence translates into more
focused and more reliable Biochemical and Bioelectric patterns within a
neural network. An entrained nervous system can therefore transmute
information into force. Force can be utilized to produce willed effects.
Magick is the art and science of doing just that.

8) The subtle energy model in magick actually serves to create delusion
rather than truth.  In fact, subtle energy has never been scientifically
measured. Also, subtle energy is a Western interpretation of the Asian
models of Prana and Chi. This interpretation is erroneous. In fact,
rarely are any common effects (attributed to either Prana or Chi)
inexplicable within the ordinary and measurable electromagnetic
spectrum.

9) Avoiding the delusional pipe dreams of some undiscovered energy
outside of any known electromagnetic effects can liberate the magickian
in strange and wondrous ways. This can give someone a more reliable
indicator of hir present magickal state. With such a reference point,
further progress can be determined in a rational way and the limits of
what can be achieved diminish significantly.

10) The subtle energy model is the basis for an even more erroneous
belief system- the notion that your thoughts can create reality.
Thoughts cannot create reality by themselves. However, they can  effect
reality significantly, but only through a properly entrained nervous
system. Every thought has a corresponding bio-chemical and bio-electric
response. In fact, it may be impossible to separate one from the other.
As we have seen, both responses can produce magickal results if properly
coordinated.

11) The most significant axiom of any information model when applied to
magick, is the axiom that information can be transmuted into force.
Herein lies a most profound mystery that awaits the curious to discover.
However, while the following statement certainly does no justice to the
axiom, it may certainly give some clue as to where to begin. Knowledge,
when applied, eventually becomes wisdom. Wisdom, when applied,
translates into proper action. Proper action is an enigma to the
uninitiated because it seems ridiculous- but is also effective.

12) Resolution of Paradox is the real determinate of any increase in
sentience (here I blatanly and rudely assume that sentience can actually
be increased- sorry about that). When two or more contradictory but
factual streams of information collide within the neural framework of a
human being, an image of the issue emerges in the form of a symbol. A
symbol is, therefore, an image of an incoherent electro-chemical pattern
within a physiological network. When such a symbol arises, it becomes a
potent tool for the magickian. When such symbols arise within whole
groups of people, it can become an instrument of mass control.  A symbol
of this nature can literally regenerate an incoherent electrochemical
response within a biological organism, resulting in a shut down of
certain brain functions in order to divert energy towards a remedy of
the chaotic pattern. This is actually the biological origin for
psychological models of unconscious/subconscious reaction.

13) The magickian seeks greater levels of neuro-chemical harmony- or
greater sentience- through the symbolic invocation of
internalized/unconscious and incoherent biological responses to factual
and contradictory information streams. This also holds true for the act
of evocation, which is the symbolic externalization of incoherent
biological responses to factual but contradictory information streams.
Greater sentience translates into more effective and coherent
bio-chemical and bio-electral reaction and creates fertile ground for
further exploration within a magickal paradigm.

14) While points 12 and 13 are not scientifically substantiated, they do
provide a plausible explanation of symbolic/paradoxical magickal
effects. It certainly is better than the worn out 'subtle energy' model.
There is no need to continue with 'subtle energy' theories in order to
define a meaningful and workable magickal reality.

Sznog


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Blue Rajah wrote:

> "Sznog"  wrote in message
> news:3B7DDEE0.EE1DD62E@sznoggy.net...
> > 1) Subtle Energy Models are outmoded and no longer qualify as a means to
> > define any type of magick. Instead, we should look more to information
> > theory and neural networking as a comprehensive explanation of what
> > magick is.
>
> A great deal of what magick does is change our interpretation of phenomena
> and redirect outr attention such that we perceive things differently.   Do
> you think that information theory and neural networking address that?

Yes. However, you would have to evaluate the cause of any change in
interpretation. Interpretation is, after all, a type of information
processing and could be viewed in light of both information theory and thus
the neural networking of information clusters translated into "on/off"
electrical impulses.

> > 2) There is no Subtle Energy. Magick utilizes forces already known.
> > Bioelectricity and Biochemistry are recognized aspects of physiology. In
> > fact, both are dependent on the other in order to maintain any sort of
> > homeostatic state. This is the real 'energy' behind any genuine magickal
> > working.
>
> What is commonly described as "energy" by practitioners of magick is a
> feeling.  "Positive energies" are euphoric feelings, "negative energies"
> are dysphoric feelings, "elemental energies" are feelings that have a
> particular synesthetic sensation associated with them, such as warmth,
> wetness, hardness, heaviness, etc.
>
> While feelings might be appreciated in terms of the biochemical
> interactions of neurons,

Feelings are biochemical interactions. We may not like this because it seems
to take the poetry out of life, but my point is that symmetrical biochemical
firings within the neuron is actually what makes good poetry.

> I don't know if that would do much to enhance
> one's understanding of magick, any more than an analysis of the chemistry
> of paper and ink would aid one's understanding of "Moby Dick".

A good point. This Does seem to take the magick out of it all. However, my
point is that aesthetics are indeed accounted for in this model, since
structural inconsistencies within biochemical interactions are the basis for
sentient experience. Analyzing the ink in "Moby Dick" would be ridiculous in
this instance, since the whole point to the procedure is to look at the
paradoxical/symbolic collision of information streams. It would not be the
chemical structure of the ink that would be significant, but the words that
the ink make that become meaningful and, as in the case of "Moby Dick," can
actually produce a variety of intense neuronal experiences.

>
>
> > 4) Enhanced Bio-electric and Bio-chemical states need not produce
> > trance. They can also produce a heightened, ecstatic awareness and
> > greater overall alertness.
>
> What do you mean by "enhanced Bio-electric and Bio-chemical states"?

My error here. "Enhanced" may not be the right word. Here we are looking to
different states in the brain- alpha, theta, delta, etc... My use of the word
"enhanced" was meant to denote a willed biological process. Thank you for
that question.

>
>
> > 7) Neural networks collect more and more information until greater
> > intelligence is conceived.
>
> Is intelligence simply a collection of information?

No but it is the first step.

>  Or is it a more
> efficient way to process that information?

I know it may seem like circular logic, but how can a more efficient
information process be created without the collection of more information?
One builds on the other.

> Or something else?

Since everything we perceive is based on some type of information processing,
it would be difficult, if not unnecessary, to consider anything else.

>
>
> > 11) The most significant axiom of any information model when
> > applied to magick, is the axiom that information can be
> > transmuted into force.
>
> Can you give an example of this?

The most valuable commodity is information. What good are pulleys and ropes,
without the knowledge of how to use them and cannot the knowledge of how to
use them, create a will to use them? Perhaps this is too simplistic because
my real premise is that neuronal interactions do indeed create energy and
when paradoxical interactions collide, a genuine 'energy' is created that can
be sensed. Much like when the poles of a magnet are brought together,
depending on the pole, attractive or repulsive force can be sensed and even
measured. Is this the real answer to the phenomena of Hermetic Magnetism that
has so dominated the minds of mystical thinkers throughout the centuries?
Perhaps.

>
>
> > 12) Resolution of Paradox is the real determinate of any increase in
> > sentience (here I blatanly and rudely assume that sentience can actually
> > be increased- sorry about that). When two or more contradictory but
> > factual streams of information collide within the neural framework of a
> > human being, an image of the issue emerges in the form of a symbol.

> A
> > symbol is, therefore, an image of an incoherent electro-chemical pattern
> > within a physiological network. When such a symbol arises, it becomes a
> > potent tool for the magickian.

> >When such symbols arise within whole
> > groups of people, it can become an instrument of mass control.  A symbol
> > of this nature can literally regenerate an incoherent electrochemical
> > response within a biological organism, resulting in a shut down of
> > certain brain functions in order to divert energy towards a remedy of
> > the chaotic pattern.

> >This is actually the biological origin for
> > psychological models of unconscious/subconscious reaction.
>
> This is an interesting speculation.  How could you demonstrate it
> empirically?

 In fact, I think it is being done for the most part
.

There are a variety of ways to measure neuro-chemical and neuro-electrical
interactions. Perhaps a simple lie detector would be sufficient to measure
electrical changes in people when they are presented with a symbol. Still,
you are hitting on the very core of what I am trying to express. Let us look
at pendulum dowsing. Now here is a magickal tool that most people use to
measure so called 'subtle energy'. Now the real question is, what causes the
changes in the spin of the pendulum? Some mystical, magickal force or
neuro-muscular reactions to the information being sought. Let us apply
Occam's Razor and assume the latter, a host of interesting questions then
come to mind. Such as, why do these particular questions cause these types of
neuro-muscular changes? What meaningful data can we gather based on
that..etc...

If you have ever been to a Chiropractor that does applied kinesiology, you
have been a participant in this very old occult method. In the middle east,
this method is used by con artist to "cheat ignorant Westerners." This is
done by asking the victim to put a pea under a walnut shell while the
'magician' is blindfolded. Then the shell is mixed with a number of other
shells that have no pea under them. It is the magicians job to pick which
shell has the pea. Now comes the funny part, no matter what the person does
to avoid letting the magician know where the pea is, he will not be able to
stop his body from spiraling towards the pea. The neuro-muscular shifts in
the victim's body gives the truth away and the con artist can win at this
game enough times to make more money than he loses.

Scientology uses an e-meter (which is just a very simplistic lie detector) to
pull this same type of trick.

Sznog


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Joe Cosby wrote:

> "Blue Rajah"  hunched over a computer, typing
>
> >
> >While feelings might be appreciated in terms of the biochemical
> >interactions of neurons, I don't know if that would do much to enhance
> >one's understanding of magick, any more than an analysis of the chemistry
> >of paper and ink would aid one's understanding of "Moby Dick".
> >
>
> I found myself thinking much the same thing.  What difference would it
> actually make to one doing a ritual?

 My point is that when we use 'subtle energy' theories to explain what we do
we are really deluding ourselves. To proceed on that basis would be a tad
silly. Furthermore, I contend that it might indeed change the way we do a
working, if we where to base such a working in light of this different
understanding.

Sznog