PROTOCOL TWO – The
citadel of Emergent Magick is built from stone mined through the disciplines of
yoga.
Liber
F
(Liber Fodienda – The Book of Mining)
The following contains
the recommended practices of the Order of Emergent Magi. The levels of
Practicum—Apprentice, Journeyman, Master—are provided only as a way to help
guide a magus in their study. Just as a boxer learns basic punches and dodges
that build up into combinations and then eventually the ability to apply them
in opposition to another’s strengths and weaknesses, a magus should approach
these as a building up of their ability to perform complete, complex rituals.
No one will reprimand
you if you practice them out of turn, but we do believe that it could be
detrimental to your development. Nor will we warn you of any inherent dangers,
as magick is always dangerous. How much risk you wish to take is always up to you.
In the words of Peter Grey, “Magick has no safety net.” Last, the levels of
Practicum confer no status within the OEM (see Protocol Six). There will be no
test. Mastery of any practice is up to the individual to decide. Magi may find
themselves naturally adept at some practices over others.
Apprentice Practicum
Meditation
In EMK, meditation
refers to any practice that results in a loss of self. In meditation, the magus
breaks down the illusion that separates their consciousness from the universe.
In the OEM, meditation
into four types—rhythm, vibration, concentration, and silence. Each type has a
variety of different activities one can perform, such as drumming,
vocalization, dancing and motionlessness. We recommend starting with five
minutes of one activity for each type and increasing the amount of time until
the magus can continue the activity for at least thirty minutes.
Rhythm: Magi should learn the ancient
practice of using rhythm to produce ecstatic states. This can be done with the
use of percussion instruments, clapping, stomping of the feet, or dancing. Any
repetitive activity, such as running or hitting a punching bag also falls into
this category. However, the OEM recommend that a magus choose at least one
rhythm activity that can be performed with a group.
Vibration: Classically trained magi learn to
make harmonic resonance. The vibrations should be produced by the magus
themselves and not a tool. While a wind instrument would be acceptable, the
magus would be best served by learning the control necessary to vocalize the
vibrations. This can be done by practicing singing scales and holding the notes
as long as possible. Most mantras also fall into this category, as well as
Tibetan throat singing. If a magus has the skill, this can be simply singing
for extended periods of time. Certain forms of dancing qualify as vibration,
though few have the stamina for continuing such movement beyond a few minutes.
Concentration:
At times, magick requires intense focus. Simple
ways to increase this ability includes staring at objects for extended periods
of time. Any object will do. What’s important is keeping a level and consistent
gaze while keeping the object in the entirety of one’s attention, normal blinking
is perfectly acceptable and encouraged. Let the object fill your mind
completely until all other thoughts are forced out. This can also be practiced
by remaining motionless, or by repeating motions, like a mudra[1],
in an attempt to perfect the motion each in every time. Last, a magi may think
on a certain idea and continue an internal debate on a single subject being
careful not to stray from the original concept. These practices may seem
simple, but become increasingly difficult when done correctly beyond a few
minutes.
Silence: The elusive state of being sometimes
called “mindfulness” though better described as mindlessness. Some consider
this the classic type, or even the only type of true meditation. This type of
meditation has only one practice—the ability to refrain from all thought. Try
it for just a few moments and you will see what a herculean task it entails.
Some have been able to do this while performing physical activity. We recommend
remaining seated, comfortable, and motionless before even attempting the
practice. All of the practices described above can be used to build up to this
state, but in the end, only sheer will can bring the magus to the state of
complete inhibition of self.
Make no mistake, this is
no less than a quantum superposition of the consciousness, where the magus’ own
self enters a state of being both alive and dead. Common experiences include
the separation of one’s senses and the feeling of “floating” or “flying”
outside of one’s body. This is what shaman call “journeying,” what witches call
“flying,” and in modern New Age parlance called “astral travel.” The important
and most difficult part of the experience is for the magus to remain totally
unaffected by their experiences[2]
and have no thoughts about them as they occur. Eventually, this travel will
lead the magician’s consciousness to join with the universe.
[1] A
practice in traditional yoga involving making meaningful gestures, usually with
the hands.
[2]
Later, a magi can use this ability to travel to other locations and worlds to
learn and interact, but for the sake of practice this should be avoided at
first.