The Principles of Magic #1: An Introduction and The

Principle of Discipline
Posted on May 4, 2016by mr Sarmoung

4 Votes

After having posted some essays

about Giordano Bruno and the Art of Memory, many people had asked for additional
elucidation on Magic. What is it? What do I intend as Magic? Where did I learn such
things? There were many confused questions, but also some questions driven by a
curiosity to know more about a topic that is both ancient and extant at the same time.
I decided to write a series of posts about this topic, in response to the various questions
sent to me, which may essentially be consolidated into a unique and fundamental
question: What is Magic?

So, I would like to begin with a quote of Sir Arthur C. Clarke, the author of the
novel 2001: A Space Odyssey:
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

Is there any better way to begin a series of posts devoted to the Structure of Magic,
than this quote?
Even if it had been written with humorous intent, this quote reveals an indisputable
truth: Magic is nothing but knowing. Who can control it, can use it. Who doesnt possess
it, fears it. In these contemporary times, we can even call it technology.

Indeed, if we ponder a bit, isnt it true that we perform a sort of magic when we
trace some symbols on the table with a mouse, which materialize on the PC screen in
front of us? Its something which is a bit unsettling, and at the same time amazing,
especially if we dont know anything about the functioning of a computer. Similarly, the
apparition of cell phones and later, smartphones and iphones amazed us real magic.

Imagine what would happen if we could hypothetically go back to the past, 300 or 400
years ago, and walk during the night with an electric torch. Wouldnt people consider
this a sort of Magic performed by great Magis or demigods? Even a simple watch would
have been considered an absolute proof of witchcraft in many periods of the past.

So, this is Magic: a practice of Knowing that proposes to intervene on the phenomena of
nature through the study of the Natural Laws. Not more, nor less. The simplest and
most understandable definition Ive been able to find.

Today we consider it quite a normal thing being able to use electric or nuclear energy, to
control fire and water, or to fly, or drive at the speed of 250 kilometers per hour. The
new frontiers of science suggest to us, that sooner or later, well be able to perform
teleportation or to become invisible, or to perform other tasks that today, are considered
impossible.

But where lies the boundary between the possible and the impossible if we, as human
beings, are able to surpass it continuously? What was impossible twenty years ago,
today is considered so possible that it has become normal, obvious, even monotonous.
In the same way, its possible to predict that, what is considered as impossible today,
will become normal in the near future.

Magic.

The etymology of the noun magic in Greek (science, wisdom), is derived

from the word which indicates the magi () Zoroastrian ministers in ancient
Persia. Such individuals were expert in astronomy and astrology, and also had a
Chaldean mathematical culture. Just to clarify, the distinction between astronomy and
astrology occurred after the 14th century. Prior to that, the study of celestial
phenomena was a unique discipline, both mathematical and humanistic.
The word magi comes from the root mag (great being or being great,
remarkable), linked to the ancient Sanskrit term mah-ant, gerat, magh- and mag-
man, greatness. This word will develop to the Latin term magnus.

The distinction of magi is often mentioned in the Old Testament in The Book of
Jeremiah (39:3 and 39:13), in The Book of Daniel (2:2), and in The Book of
Isaiah (60:3). The name is also present in The Book of Psalms (70:9-11 and 68:30). In
the New Testament, the only text that speaks about the voyage of the Magi to Bethlehem
is the The Gospel According to Matthew (2:1-12), the oldest of the four canonical texts.
In his book, The History of Magic, Eliphas Levi writes: The doctrines of the true
Zoroaster are identical with those of pure Kabalism, and his conceptions of divinity
differ in no wise from those of the fathers of the Church. It is the names only that vary ;
for example, the triad of Zoroaster is the Trinity of Christian teaching, and when he
postulates that Triad as subsisting without diminution or division in each of its units,
he is expressing in another manner that which is understood by our theologians as the
circumincession of the Divine Persons. In his multiplication of the Triad by itself,
Zoroaster arrives at the absolute reason of the number 9 and the universal key of all
numbers and forms. But those whom we term the three Divine Persons, are called the
three depths by Zoroaster. The first, or that of the Father, is the source of faith ; the
second, being that of the Word, is the well of truth ; while the third, or creative action,
is the font of love. [] Zoroaster established the celestial hierarchy and all the
harmonies of Nature on his scale of nine degrees. He explains by means of the triad
whatsoever emanates from the idea and by the tetrad all that belongs to form, thus
arriving at the number 7 as the type of creation
In ancient times, the Magus and his science were deeply respected, in the same way that
today, is respected a recipient of the Nobel Prize or an eminent docent of a prestigious
University. The Magi were renowned, and often well-rewarded as advisors of the royal
courts.

Of course, such individuals were also well-feared because of their knowing, in a way
similar to a hacker able to break a database system would be feared today.

The point lies always in Knowing: who possess it can be a precious ally or a dangerous
foe.

But I dont want to explore in this post, the application of Magic (Ill speak about this in
a further post on this topic), but rather clarify as best as possible, what is essentially,
Magic. Nor do I want to give a historical vision of the same, or deepen the work of
famous Magi such as Salomon, Abramelin, Paracelsus, Cagliostro, St. Germain, Jon Dee,
Eliphas Levi, and others. Its useless for the aim of this series of posts.

So, concretely, to what do we refer when we use the term Magic?

Lets try with an example that can also be experienced: lets assume that most of the
readers had probably visited a gothic cathedral, and if someone hasnt yet visited one, I
strongly suggest to do it. Once entered into this place, youve probably noticed that the
gaze is immediately attracted upwards.

Such perception, such experience of being pulled upwards, is not due to the fact that
you are visiting a sacred place- specifically, it doesnt depend on conditionings related
to a religious education, but on innumerable architectural knowings inherent to this
type of structure.

In a gothic cathedral, the ground tends progressively upwards. Mainly, from the entry
way to the center of the temple, the floor is built slightly upward. Also, the pillars arent
perfectly straight, but tend to converge toward the center, reflecting the Law of the
Octave. The apse is built in a particular way, and the light is predominant in the space of
the building: it animates and gives a measure to the forms, and it also has a symbolic
meaning, mainly, the image of the luminous nature of the Sacred.
Also, the proportions of the building arent without intention, nor determined by
aesthetic needs or by the spectacular effects. The proportions in these buildings are
based from a vision of the art as science, the research of the geometric relations that lie
behind the basis of the universe, and establishes the form of the divine manifestation.
The same proportions can be found in music, where the harmonics are not casual, but
are reflections of the celestial harmonies.

Indeed, the first gothic buildings had been constructed according to numerical relations
similar to the musical intervals the octave, fourth and perfect fifth for example in the
rapport between the dimensions of the bay (an architectural element) or of the transept
with respect to the nave. In such a way, the sacred building literally resonates with the
same universal harmonies. And such harmony is not a result of perfect symmetries, but
of imperfections created with purpose.

Its an example of sacred geometry explained by Fulcanelli, such as an example of

objective art as explained by Gurdjieff.
A structure built in such a way and with such knowing, becomes a perfect machine
that produces precise effects. Indeed, using the example of a gothic cathedral, once we
enter this building, the thoughts become rarefied, the sight is pulled upwards, time
seems to expand, the light becomes softer, giving to the spaces a specific meaning,
bringing a deep feeling that is perfect to lead us to forget the external world and its
illusions.

A gothic cathedral keeps thousands of technical expedients, studied to bring whoever to

experience such emotion. Its an inevitable thing: after having walked ten, fifteen,
twenty-one meters inside the building, almost always 37, we look upwards and
perceive a kind of energy that raises in us, a desire for purification.

All these experiences were wisely preordained by the builders of these cathedrals, and it
has nothing to do with the fact that such buildings have become religious places. Indeed,
the cathedrals, in the time of their construction, were also places for meeting and
discussion, and not only places where to preach a religion.

The gothic cathedrals are places built according to a specific science, thus,
with Knowing.
Individuals like Leonardo da Vinci, Brunelleschi, Bramante and many others including
the creators of the gothic cathedrals, gained their knowing from a School. They learned
the universal Laws, rules and principles. And, they were researchers in the field of
Magic. Today, we would define such individuals as scientists.

So, this is Magic. We can define it as a practical act aimed to operate on the natural
phenomena through the study of the natural laws. Its a result of research, experiments
and transformations from an element in another, with the goal to reach an inner
perfection, protection, health and prosperity.

A science and a technology at the same time.

Its a very important aspect to be understood, because, even in our personal experience,
we cant attain a real pleasure without knowing, but only the satisfaction of our
instinctive needs. Specifically, we are perfectly able to survive, but not to live in the
real meaning of the term.

Lets try to consider our days: what motivates us, what drives us to do something other
than the usual job and livelihood, eating, distraction, sleep and so on?

Needs and mechanicity are, in reality, the same thing: the need produces identification,
and identification represents almost always, the fear of losing something, namely, the
fear of suffering.

We fear that we are unable to live up to someones expectation, of being unable to do

something, or to live an emotion; we fear the others consideration, the future, the
failure, old age and in order to avoid such suffering, we identify ourselves with
whatever can keep us far from the source of suffering, desperately trying to find the
peace we crave.

In vain. We are unable to rule ourselves, our life, and the suffering gets worse.

But theres a way out, mainly, to consciously choose the friction which we must suffer
anyway, as difficult and painful though it could be.

In initiate terms, we call this kind of choice voluntary suffering, which is the instinct of
going further, using the resources we have at disposal in a determined context. We
spoke often about the concept of voluntary suffering in this blog. However, it would
be good to remember that it means to not abandon ourselves to the mechanical flow of
events and to choose to swim counter-current. We gather the strength, and try to
discipline the mechanical part of us.
 Discipline is the process that teaches us how to do,
which we need to take an action (instead of suffering only and exclusively a reaction);
its the principle that gradually crystallizes our idea and becomes Will. This is exactly
what corresponds to the magical process of transformation.

The problem lies in the fact that almost no one is used to perceive his life as a goal, a
result to be gained. We dont have aims, nor have we decided on a goal to pursue during
our existence. We have spoken to ourselves and others about partial goals sometimes
touching in their naive innocence, or about practical goals and urgently driven needs,
but its not the same thing.

The Magus, Seeker of Truth, will do all that is possible to reach his final goal, and his
preoccupations will essentially be devoted to that goal. Here rises the Work and the
voluntary suffering: the decision of taking the challenge, the practice of generating
intentionally-aimed problems in order to overcome them.

This pushes the Magus to increasingly more control of himself, to become more and
more aware, until reaching the will to decide what he really wishes to do.

Indeed, there is no objective limit within us. A human being is designed with the
possibility to evolve, and everyone of us, without exception, has the necessary tools to
perform this.

The only sin that we can commit toward ourselves, is to think that we are limited: we
can do whatever we wish to do, as individuals such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da
Vinci, Giordano Bruno and others have done. We can show the impossible, even
walking on water, and making it possible, depends on the goal we give ourselves.
Science, knowing and will are the tools, discipline is a method, and the how to achieve
a specific result. But we dont speak here about the usual discipline used to teach
children. We are speaking about self-discipline something that has to be self-
generated, a result of the realization that we are mechanical, thus imprisoned in our
own illusions. Discipline is the tool which makes us able to realize such a state of
imprisonment.
The disciple (he who performs the discipline) will learn to recognize, to prize and then to
love he who has already achieved the goal and who will be able to show precisely, the
how to escape this prison.

The Principles of Magic#2 The levels and focal points

of Magic
Posted on November 23, 2016by mr Sarmoung

1 Vote

Since I wrote the first part of the Principles of

Magic five months ago, I had received dozens of emails with questions about various
aspects of this topic. I had answered some of these emails, but due to some personal
health issues, I hadnt been able to answer all of them, nor able to write any essays to
post. Now, in order to redeem myself, I would like to answer, through this article,
some of the main questions.
One of the main questions was related to what is undoubtedly related to the wish of
learning more about this Discipline, specifically, how many kinds of Magic exist? Are
they all driven by the same principles?. The definition I gave in the first post of this
series, where I defined Magic as a practice of Knowing that proposes to intervene on
the phenomena of Nature through the study of the Natural Laws, wasnt enough. It is
natural and legitimate when the reader is driven by curiosity. And, when curiosity
develops in interest, such interest becomes a thirst. This thirst must be quenched.
In order to accomplish this task, I wont speak here about deviant practices known as
black magic, as this topic will be addressed in a future post. Ill remain focused on
what the real Magic is, namely, something that isnt black or white, but neutral, and
whose synonym is Knowing. The principle of such a discipline responds to: I want to
(and can) produce interactions through the Laws of this Universe.
Such kind of Magic is formed by three distinct levels. There are not different kinds, but
different levels of Magic.

The First level is more usual than we would think at first glance. It is represented by
what a priest performs during a Mass, and its the lowest known level of Magic. The
baptism, the holy matrimony, the unction of various objects, and the unction of people
(the blessing) are all practices of Magic. Almost all the sacraments are acts of Magic and
mostly, they were originally intended to be as practices to bestow protection.
The Second level of Magic is most known as the Magic of Symbols. It is an active
practice even in our time. In Europe, the maximal expression of this degree of Magic
was practiced by the Templars and the Rosicrucians, such as in some Christian circles
through the use of symbols, saints iconography and images.
Its good to know that such a level of Magic, in its purest expression, aims to nullify,
namely annihilate, what had been caused through harmful uses of magic. The result of
such an annihilation is mostly known: the negative influence turns against those who
had produced it, more than to those who had commissioned it, with extreme
harshness.

In fact, the Vision of such kind of Magic is the defeat of the operators of harmful forms
of magic, and not of the people who had asked for a magical intervention, since they are
not considered responsible because they are not completely aware of what they really
produce, (according to the principle: Father, forgive them, for they know not what
they do).

The Third level of Magic is far different and higher than the previous levels. Indeed,
it uses only and uniquely, a state of realization. In such a level, the operator uses three
energetic centers which, in some Eastern traditions are known as Chakras: the third,
the fourth (which is considered to be the domain of Magic par excellence), and the sixth
chakras.
Furthermore, the Magus who is able to work on such a degree of Magic, also had
undertaken a Work on himself. Such Inner Work is not required in the previous levels of
magic. Indeed, the Magic of the first two levels does not require awareness, as it is
extremely elementary and easily produced. Usually, specifically in the religious field, a
person (in this case, the priest) is not aware that he performs a Magical rite. Thus, such
degrees of Magic are not so powerful, therefore are easy to be annihilated.

The Magus of such a level, produces changes inside his own energetic centers, or more
accurately, inside a specific plane of each energetic center (or chakra, if you prefer).

Furthermore, through developing his own awareness, practicing Meditation,

contemplating some words and mantras, he becomes able to produce such an
expansion of his awareness that he becomes able to modify what is in front of him.

Its surely a far less violent level of Magic, but extremely powerful, which implies a
considerable degree of inner development and initiation. The Magus who is able to work
on the third level of Magic is considered to be at what in esoteric words, is known as the
Seventh Level of initiation (well address the topic initiation in further posts).

Let us delve a bit deeper into the subject of magic, by summarizing the focal points of a
practice as ancient as the first humans, or even before them.

First of all: never approach Magic without any previous knowledge about this matter. It
could be harmful for both those who experiment with it and for others. An approach
that lacks of any previous knowledge is equivalent to a suicide. A minimal error could
produce physical disorders, illnesses, even death, or serious physical disorders in other
people.
This is the reason why a maximal seriousness and clarity is always required. In the field
of magic, its not possible to have to find the answer to the question what to do now?
when we are facing a problem.

Second: when one practices Magic, he absolutely must avoid connection with who is
suffering. This implies a detachment from the problem (the same kind of detachment
that a lawyer has towards his client). At first glance, this detachment could seem an
egoistic act. However, theres always a reason for an act: the aim is to reduce the risks to
a minimum. If someone connects with someones suffering, he submits
himself voluntarily to a state of suffering. This reduces clarity, and reduces the
possiblity to help someone who suffers
The correct approach is to try to evaluate the problem in the most detached, rational
way, with the goal to find how much the suffering of such a being is a karmic result.

Frenzy is also an attitude that should be avoided. Indeed, the urge to free someone
from suffering at any cost is a nice way to put our integrity at risk: if we try to commit
ourselves until we are completely exhausted, well not be able to help the individual who
needs help, nor dozens of others who may need help. Maybe our help would be more
useful in another situation.

In ancient times such level of Magic was performed only on initiates, and it was
practiced only by disciples when, according to a principle (or Law) of relation, help was
indispensable in order to avoid the risk that the inner work of such an individual (the
initiate) may be lost. Such kind of High Magic is rarely used.

Another important aspect is responsibility. Independently of the level of Magic

practiced, this aspect must be present. According to the magic theory, even if we move a
little stone, it will produce a result on a large scale. Thus, there will be a price to be paid.
This is why we can very often hear or read that producing suffering (even justified
suffering), will imply a price that well have to pay.
The fourth aspect is purification. Usually, this term evokes the idea that we are
unclean, bad, evil, so we must purify ourselves. This is a common error. In the
universe, there is nothing that is bad or impure. Everything has a reason to be, to
happen and to exist. Everything that happens has a reason behind it, whether or not we
are aware of it. Since everything that exists in this Universe is a reflection of the
Absolute (in trivial words, all is One), there is nothing that can objectively be more
pure or impure.
The real meaning of purification is to focus all the energies of the principle of I
(individuality), which is already separated from truth, towards the realization such
truth (all is One) in its entirety, or to devote ourselves completely to serve humanity or
the whole cosmic plane.

Purification means Work on Self, service, a conscious commitment to inner growth. And
this can (and must) be applied to every field of life, every moment of the day.
Control of our emotions and thoughts, as intended in a path of Self Development, can be
called purification.

Purification is the act of no longer at the mercy of fears, thoughts, guilts and, above all,
conditionings. It is the act of becoming less mechanical.

We have to produce a conscious act of Will. Undoubtedly, the more one is pure, the
more he is strong. Being pure means be who we really are, reflect the identity of our
being, in everything we do, from how we dress to eating, from sleeping to washing the
dishes. Everything! If there is an essential concept in order to be able to do, this is
Order. Order is control, mainly, intensity of awareness in everything we do.

In the field of Magic, nothing can be done mechanically or because of a habit. First of all,
we have to re-educate ourselves. Thus, we can replace the word purification with re-
education.

Another aspect on which one should work, is fear a limitation we face very often; the
fear of suffering, of being judged, of producing suffering, of making a mistake, etc
It would also be useful to specify that the concept of Suffering, often mentioned in the
pages of this blog, doesnt mean suffering that ends in itself. Suffering in the field of
Self Development (so also in the field of Magic) means conscious effort: for example, to
wake up every morning at a prearranged hour, devoting oneself some time of our day to
a psycho-physical discipline, ritualizing some moments of our day, recapitulating the
day before going to sleep, and so on

Hence, the War against sleep, doing things with a different, more refined awareness.
Everything must become the gesture of a Magus, since the first magic has to be
performed on ourselves. This magic can be called inner work. Without such
prerequisites, it will be impossible to perform something that could be even remotely,
called Magic.

The Principles of Magic #3: The Practice

Posted on July 6, 2017by mr Sarmoung

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 Life itself, and a little bit of what people
usually call Karma, forced me to learn to become a good listener and, above all, a great
observer, which gave me the possibility to develop and improve my understanding, and
which also gave me the possibility to be able to notice certain tendencies in people
whom I had met throughout my life. In such a way, with a bit of curiosity (and in the
total absence of judgment), I had the possibility to notice some little contradictions
that can be considered as normal for the personality of a human being, fragmented
into so many little is.

In such a variety of contradictions, I had noticed a recurrence of the contrast between

rationality and instinct; a sort of battle between reason and unconscious fears which
happens completely unconsciously, but which conditions our lives.

Ive seen great intellectual minds speaking about witchcraft, devil and demons;
completely rational managers secretly seeking advice from fortune-tellers; strong
sportsmen trembling with fear while suspecting they were being cursed; professors
participating in some occult rituals of wicca and rune magic, without even knowing
what they were speaking about; young men dressed proudly with amulets, pentacles and
other magical symbols, sometimes even tattooed on their skin; informatic engineers
supporting the existence of astral plans, and so on, and so on
Ive witnessed all this and much more. and who knows what kind of hidden fears I
hadnt yet noticed.

The behavior is not so much the contradictory aspect of the contemporary mind, an
element that is more than obvious in so fragmented a personality; the point lies rather
in the deep suggestion that the word magic evokes in our mind.

Why are we so fascinated by the possibility to get in touch with subtle dimensions?
Why do we try to influence our destiny through the use of amulets, talismans and spells?
Why do we try to justify our behaviors or seek for a near future hope in the Horoscope
instead of beginning to learn, in a serious way, an ancient science such as Astrology?
And many, many other Whys

Undoubtedly, near to the technological progress typical of our rational contemporary

society, already lies an unknown region in our minds that often results in superstition, a
region where ignorance, ancient and new fears reign, even today.

We could raise our shoulders and ignore everything, saying that these are only fixations
or false beliefs. However, this topic is not all a result of fantasies, and the best way to
respond to ignorance (namely, the act of ignoring things), is the skill of Knowledge. We
need balance, intelligence, and a healthy degree of curiosity followed by a serious will to
understand a sincere inquiry without preconcepts. This is the reason I am writing
these posts devoted to the topic of Magic. And this is the answer to many people who
had asked me the reason Why I am writing about this topic. This is one of the main
answers to this question.
As it happened for the second post, due to health and family issues, I hadnt been able to
write any posts for this blog since November. However, such as with everything in life, it
seems that the time has come, so heres the third post devoted to Magic. In the first and
second post. we explained the meaning of Magic and the different levels of this Art. As I
stated before, Magic hasnt anything to do with what today, is presented under this
name. Theres a huge difference between the magic we find in many books and what
Magic is really about. Its an ancient path that, in order to be practiced in an efficient
way, needs at least a certain degree of development. The Third Level of
Magic needs a discipline and a preparation that is equal to what Mr. Gurdjieff asked of
his pupils. So, as said in the previous post, in order to be able to perform The Great
Work, the Magus must have undertaken a Work on himself.
After reading the previous posts about this matter, many people had asked me through
emails, Facebook and in person, what is this preparation about and what are the
practices that are part of the Magic. Aware that it is impossible to explain such a huge
corpus of Knowing in a few words, I would like to make an outline of the basic practices
that make an apprentice, a Magus.

So, here is the schedule of this post and further posts about Magic:

1. The Gaze and the presence;

2. The physical postures;
3. Techniques of magical defense;
4. Amulets, talismans, pentagrams;
5. Magnetization of an object;
6. Symbols of protection;
7. The main Tools of the Magus;
A little bit of practical stuff. Lets begin.

The Gaze
With a simple act of will, we need to focus our attention on the solar plexus the
complex network of nerves located by the abdomen, at every time and situation during
our day. We must also learn to use our gaze.

Indeed, we have to learn to never lower our gaze. Its very important to impose the
principle I Am (that, in such a moment is located in the solar plexus), and make this
principle prevail as a priority in every situation. If we learn to use our gaze, and with a
well-rooted principle of I Am within us, it is possible to direct a considerable amount
of energy, even at the most elementary levels of training.
How do we develop this skill? First of all, we must learn to wake up, really wake up in
the morning. Mainly, we must learn to work constantly on our awareness. There are
plenty of elementary exercises related to this work on this blog, and also in the book I
wrote. In order to wake up, you can use some of these exercises or some practices you
already know.
You must start your day washing your face with fresh, cold water, after having kept the
water in your hands for some moments, remembering that this water is a source of life.
Even if we are not aware of it, we experience our day surrounded by a myriad of
symbols: a tree, a form, a building, a ray of light and even the simple act of turning on
the light when we come home. Its a divine principle.

In everything we do, wherever we are, try to become aware that you are a small part of
the Divine.

This act means, to ritualize our life.

Observe yourselves, and your physical postures. This is crucially important. A posture
that is extremely relaxed will drive your mind and your emotional field to seek only
gratification. Seeking only comforts, produces frivolity and feebleness, and these two
mechanical aspects reflect on our inner and outer condition.

A true Magus is a seeker of the Truth, so as a seeker, he has to acquire attitudes of a

warrior. Of course, we are not yet Samurais, however we musnt try to
become littlesamurais: this would mean that we have already decided beforehand, to
never become a real Samurai.
It is the path of the Intentional Effort: if we are unable to transcend a headache, a bit of
tiredness, the battle is already lost. If we are unable to win over hunger, thirst,
drowsiness, weve already given up on the inner path that is also the Path of the real
Magus.

Indeed, if we aspire to become a Magus, we must be able to do what we have decided to

do, even with a fever or with a terrible headache. We have to always represent what we
are: a particle of the Divine. And, as divine beings, we have no limits, except for the
limits we impose on ourselves. This is the attitude of the Magi. Intentional effort means
everything for him.

This teaching is the basis of all the teachings of the real Magic Practice. And its vastly
different from how Magic is presented today.

A Magus isnt a common, sleeping, and mechanical creature: when he passes between
people, he is noticed. He is noticed because of his posture, his eyes (remember for
example, Gurdjieffs eyes), his way of moving. He is a being, when passing through the
masses, who creates emptiness on his way.

In the moment when we use the gaze, we must put into practice, everything we had
learned in our inner path; also, we have to feel ourselves as someone who represents a
divine principle.

And, everything must bow in the presence of the Divine, especially ignorance.
You must have this sense of austerity within you the most you will be able to center
yourselves in the solar plexus, and the most you will represent the absolute,
independently of how much you are able to understand the concept of the Divine.

Use the gaze in every situation, at every moment.

First of all, stare into peoples eyes. It could happen that, when you do this, a person will
lower his gaze. If this happens, dont allow your illusory personality to take pleasure of
this, or think that you have overpowered this person. Be kind in these situations.
However, this will be a signal that such a person has felt some kind of power in you. It
also means that youll be able to help this person if he wishes so.

Some people use systems such as opening their eyes widely or make strange grimaces
with the eyes such as they want to say, look into my eyes or, all eyes on me. This is
useless. The focal point of this practice is not to modify our gaze, but to keep it as it is.
The difference is that the eyes, accompained with such a practice, exudes the part of the
divine thats within us.

Remember, the gaze is a powerful Mudra.

So, to resume, the Magus learns to go down into the solar plexus, and from here,
brings the gaze. Its first necessary to activate this zone of the body (the solar plexus)
and then, from that point, move the energy that will light the gaze. Its a process similar
to when we produce a movement.

For the Magus, the solar plexus is where the divine, the I Am is located. You need to be
still and focus on the person beyond, such as you would pierce it with the eyes.

This act must not display hardness, but sweetness.

The physical postures and perception

The physical body is our first defensive structure, even if, through the body we can direct
the energy beyond it.

Lets see some practical examples: a gesture of closure so, a defensive one is to cross
the arms (arms folded). Before doing this gesture, we have to connect the index finger
and the thumb. This is a gesture that is usual for many people, even if they are unaware
of what they are doing.

Another example of usual unconscious gestures, is to cross the legs a posture which
produces a protection of the genital area.

The Magus has also to learn to observe the postures he assumes spontaneously.
Gestures such as touching the head or crossing the fingers, or running the hands
through the hair, show that our unconscious defensive system has perceived a state of
aggression. Substantially, all the postures that imply a closure are defensive postures,
and they have an effect on the emotional field (well discuss in depth, this aspect in a
further post).

The act of closing the fist with the thumb inside of it is indicates the action of
cleansing. This gesture can be used to wash clothes and clean rooms or, at least to
color them with the qualities of our energy.

For example: imagine that you are speaking with a person who is upset. While speaking,
intertwine your fingers (closure- defense- protection); then, at a point in the
conversation, keep the fingers intertwined and join the indexes; point them tactfully
towards the interlocutor, beginning from the zone of the solar plexus. If you link this act
to the gaze, you can calm and control the mood of this person. Using the pointed
hands is always a direct act of emanation of our energy outwards. This produces quite
strong effects.

Try to notice, through observing yourselves during the whole day, what gestures of
closure and opening you do unconsciously for example, while sitting, you cross the
legs, point the finger or the hand toward the interlocutor, etc. This is advice I give to
everyone. Nothing can be done without first developing the skill of Observation. Indeed,
observation is the root of every inner path, and the tone of the main topics on this blog.
It could seem strange to link this practice with the noun, magic. However, this is
exactly the way the Magus evolved his powers, the main practice of Magic of a higher
level. Indeed, as stated in previous posts, Magic is a way of knowing the Natural Laws
that rule our Universe and the way to use it (for example, knowing the Law of Cyclicity,
namely the Law of Seven, enables the Magus such as the Seeker to use it for developing
purposes). So, its not my interpretation, but something that is already taught in some
groups I had the opportunity to meet. Its also written in 500 to 800 year old books and
manuscripts you can read in places like the Biblioteca Marciana in Venice (if you know
which texts to ask for).

However, returning to the topic, its not a rarity that an adept tends to use too many
gestures of closure; since while we make them too often, such gestures produces states
of contraction, to the detriment of the possibility to develop and refine sensibility and
intuition. Closure is a condition when you cant receive nor give. Its like closing your
internet: end of the access.

The capacity to perceive what happens around us is another ability well mention here.
Mainly, we have to develop an attention which allows us to perceive not only what
happens in front of us, but also behind us. First of all, the adept has to learn to extend
his hearing at 360; then gradually, sharpen this ability to the modalities of perceptions
in the space that surround him.

The tone of the voice is important in interacting with other persons. As an example, a
low tone of voice is useful to create more attention, while a singing-like tone evokes the
effect of tranquilizing the interlocutor. In the same way, a high pitch tone produces
altercation.

A huge error is the use of a raised tone of voice in order to overpower someone; since the
interlocutor is upset, the only result well have is to raise his state of irritation. On the
contrary, pronuncing the words slowly with a deep tone of voice will produce calm.

Another useful thing which is deeply related to the field of self-observation, is observing
the type and quality of our spontaneous gestures. Namely, well have to notice in which
situations and to which persons we do gestures of closure-defense and opening.

I would like to end this post by mentioning briefly, an ancient magical training that is
related to the way of walking. This practice consists of walking with the palms opened
pointed towards the ground. The arms move faster than the rest of the body. The nape of
the neck is slightly rigid and the gaze remains fixed towards the goal, namely, the
destination we have decided to reach. The way of walking is to proceed by putting a foot
in front of the other. During this way of walking, the practitioner has to visualize himself
as a point. A tip (like the tip of an arrow), pointed forward.

At first glance, it could seem strange and weird as a practice (however, those who
practiced the movements taught by Mr. Gurdjieff should have experienced the same
feeling), especially for the rigid neck. Why should we keep it rigid? Because this act is a
magic seal-gesture (or a mudra, if you prefer) that protects the head.
There are many other ways and practices that produce closure-protection such as
opening. However, Ive mentioned only the first since the second could be used as
tools for offence. Also, these practices are just outlined, not explained in depth. The
aim of these posts is to inform, not to produce tools which could harm someone.