211 lines
6.6 KiB
Plaintext
211 lines
6.6 KiB
Plaintext
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FOOTSTEPS ON THE PATH
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compiled by
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TUPPENCE
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This file contains lists of steps required of a student on
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the path to spiritual enlightenment. The yogic, buddhic, western
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magickal, hermetic, and modern western traditions are given
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for use in study and comparison.
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Excerpt from the poem
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"A Psalm of Life"
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by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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Lives of great men all remind us
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We can make our lives sublime,
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And, departing, leave behind us
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Footprints on the sands of Time;
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Footprints, that perhaps another,
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Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
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A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
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Seeing, shall take heart again.
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Buddhist Tradition
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The 8 steps on the Noble Path to Enlightenment
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1. Right knowledge
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2. Right aims
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3. Right speech
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4. Right conduct
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5. Right means of livelihood
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6. Right effort
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7. Right attention
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8. Right concentration
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Yogic Tradition
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Mastery of: Leads to control of: Yoga:
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breath physical body hatha
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will powers of mind laya
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love divine love bhakti
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energy powers of nature shakti
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sound sound vibrations mantra
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form powers of geometric forms yantra
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thought powers of thought processes dhyana
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method powers of discrimination raja
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knowledge intellect jnana
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activity actions karma
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kundalini psychic nerve force kundalini
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self ecstasy samadhi
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Western Magickal Tradition
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Asana - stills body, sense shut-down, chakras bud
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Pranayama - stills emotions, appetites, breath energizes chakras
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Mantrayoga - stills mind
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Yama - moral qualities attained & Niyama - good works
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both of these function to still the life
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(so as not to excite the mind) and to
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still the emotions and passions
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(so as not to excite the mind)
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Pratyahara - inhibitory power over thoughts
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(similar to asana but power over mind/
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thoughts rather than body)
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The next 3 are inter-related:
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Dharana - direction of thought/mind to a single point
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Dhyana - annihilation of the ego
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the contents of the mind consist of 2 things
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which become one; thought, time, space are
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destroyed
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Samadhi - the ideal is experienced
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formlessness
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becoming of the object (taste, sound, etc.)
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Hermetic Tradition
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1. Control of thoughts
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You must be able to decide what you think and when, to
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determine which thoughts are YOURS and which are garbage,
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to have the ability to turn your thoughts on one thing only
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and the ability to keep out stray thoughts. Also, develop the
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ability to discriminate between the essential and the non-
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essential. This leads to the ability to discriminate
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between truth and appearance (thought independent of
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sense distortion). This also leads to logical and
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sensible thought following upon thought.
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2. Control of actions
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Realize the effects of karma in your life. All actions
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should become less automatic re-actions. Work to eliminate
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unintentional actions.
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3. Perseverance
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Do not be easily discouraged by delays on the path of
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spiritual progress. If you make a vow, think carefully
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about it. To plan, will, and NOT DO is Will-depleting.
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4. Tolerance
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You must develop tolerance of others, tolerance
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of circumstances, and tolerance for Self.
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5. Faith/Impartiality
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Try to have faith and trust in all you meet. Have
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faith in self, in your connectedness to all things, and
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in the rightness of life. You will learn that if you
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do X then Y will follow...this develops faith in the
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power of your intentions.
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6. Inner balance
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You must maintain balance in ALL things or...that balance
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will be restored for you like it or not. Try to retain
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composure in joy and sorrow. Be ready armed for all life
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brings.
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7. Love of Inner Freedom
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You must be free from an ego-centric view of life (even
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regarding your own life!)
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Modern Western Tradition
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Thinking
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Be aware that thoughts are things and use them with care.
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Everything which exists began as a thought.
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Develop your imagination and use it to create goals
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because the creation of goals generates energy.
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Learn to recognize the various parts of the mind,
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especially the ego which often depletes energy.
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Take responsibility for all your thoughts and
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work at maintaining a positive attitude. Remember
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that your environment is a reflection of your
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thoughts.
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Willing
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Develop self-discipline...when you say you will do
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something know that you will. Become a reliable
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person. Learn to trust yourself, this will lead to
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self-awareness. Be enthusiastic about life and
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your plans. This will help you to accomplish both.
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Work on developing patience in all things.
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Acting
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Make yourself useful in daily life to self and others.
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Always finish what you start and take care of
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everyday tasks including the mundane ones.
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Try to keep your eye on your goals and not get
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lost in the process of trying to attain them.
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Learn to plan what you do with your time. Make
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lists of what must be done and do it. Make sure
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your priorities are correctly ordered.
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Bibliography
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Crowley, Aleister, Magick, Part I, Routledge & Kegan Paul, Ltd., 1973
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Sadhu, Mouni, The Tarot, Wilshire Book Co., 1978
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Steiner, Rudolf, Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and its Attainment,
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Anthroposophic Press, 1986
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Torrens, R.G., The Golden Dawn, Samuel Weiser, 1980
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