One of the text filters got a bit over enthusiastic after the last update.... I done gone and slayed me those ligatures.
Illuminatus! is actually a fairly simple book. One of the things about it that I enjoy are the hidden suggestions and codes, though- there are acrostics in several places and a great many places that use other qblistsic gimmicks. The first 3 Trips- Kether, Chokmah and Binah- end with the words "point", "line" and "plane", for instance.
I agree that the point of Initiation is the change produced. The particular thing I was rambling about is that the I feel like prior initiatory experiences have run their course, and I'm stagnating in my development. In reference to the transformation produced in the Initiatory experiences of the Illuminatus! cast, what I envy there is the rapidity and relative ease of early, Isisean phases of Initiation. I've had those experiences, but they seem to be getting fewer and farther between, and harder to come by. The net result is that I'm temporarily rudderless, and wanting a clue to the end, so that I can implement the means. The search for the indicators, and lack of success is producing the spiritual equivalent of a Mid-life crisis.
Your amateur psychologist is not entirely wrong on the defense mechanism comment. After much thought (I've been thinking about both yours and Brother Squid's comments since yesterday morning) part of the reason that I'm grappling with the signs and symbols of Initiation so desperately is in order to generate the next one. The Fear-component of that vicious little system is based on *NOT* going further, *FAILING* to get to the next thing. It seems at times like I'm in a spiritual Florida- it's bloody nice weather here, but there nothing to do but wait to croak. Ok- overdramatic way to state it, but it more or less gets a the meaning.
I'm combating my own impatience, and unable to work "without lust of result". In the context of active practice, I do fine with that. It's those moments when I'm sitting at my desk or in my car, wanting to be elsewhere that get me.... more later.
One of the text filters got a
One of the text filters got a bit over enthusiastic after the last update.... I done gone and slayed me those ligatures.
Illuminatus! is actually a fairly simple book. One of the things about it that I enjoy are the hidden suggestions and codes, though- there are acrostics in several places and a great many places that use other qblistsic gimmicks. The first 3 Trips- Kether, Chokmah and Binah- end with the words "point", "line" and "plane", for instance.
I agree that the point of Initiation is the change produced. The particular thing I was rambling about is that the I feel like prior initiatory experiences have run their course, and I'm stagnating in my development. In reference to the transformation produced in the Initiatory experiences of the Illuminatus! cast, what I envy there is the rapidity and relative ease of early, Isisean phases of Initiation. I've had those experiences, but they seem to be getting fewer and farther between, and harder to come by. The net result is that I'm temporarily rudderless, and wanting a clue to the end, so that I can implement the means. The search for the indicators, and lack of success is producing the spiritual equivalent of a Mid-life crisis.
Your amateur psychologist is not entirely wrong on the defense mechanism comment. After much thought (I've been thinking about both yours and Brother Squid's comments since yesterday morning) part of the reason that I'm grappling with the signs and symbols of Initiation so desperately is in order to generate the next one. The Fear-component of that vicious little system is based on *NOT* going further, *FAILING* to get to the next thing. It seems at times like I'm in a spiritual Florida- it's bloody nice weather here, but there nothing to do but wait to croak. Ok- overdramatic way to state it, but it more or less gets a the meaning.
I'm combating my own impatience, and unable to work "without lust of result". In the context of active practice, I do fine with that. It's those moments when I'm sitting at my desk or in my car, wanting to be elsewhere that get me.... more later.
Gotta head for work.