10.
Introspection – Having done the above work, provide detail of your
understanding of why self-knowledge and introspection are critical for working with
magic and how you intend to pursue your own course of self-understanding.
(minimum 300 words)
Much
of magical skills and workings require great focus, strong intention, and
positive energy to make the changes you seek to see manifested. Self-knowledge
is one of the most important aspects of any endeavor that we have to look at.
According to Merriam-Webster self-knowledge is “knowledge or understanding of
one’s own capabilities, character, feelings, or motivations” (Merriam-Webster, Inc). Self-knowledge
gives us an insight into what we actually have working knowledge of allows us
to know our strengths and our weaknesses. Particularly, we become aware of our
limitations. Introspection is defined as “a reflective looking inward: an
examination of one’s own thoughts and feelings” (Merriam-Webster). In my general psychology course in
college, we defined introspection as the inward reflection upon the root
driving forces that shape our intentions, thoughts, and feelings.
When
one seeks to delve into magic, it is very important for us to know one’s
capabilities. We need to know what our strengths are so we can use those to
strengthen our work. We need to understand our weaknesses so we can either work
around them or find ways of becoming stronger in those areas. And it is very
important to know our limitations so what we do not setup unrealistic
expectations for any working we perform. The disappointment of a failed goal
which was well beyond our skills can affect the magician on a fundamental level
making future endeavors likely to fail simply because of the self-doubt that is
created. But more importantly, on a magico-religious level, it is very
important to understand the root of our motivations and desires so that we are
working with the best of intentions. When we, as priests, work magic we are
representing the Kindred and our people. To not know our own reasoning behind
our motivations is a complete disservice to those we serve. It also opens us up
to corruption and failure. These things feed upon themselves infecting not only
ourselves but those we serve as clergy.
As
for how I intend to pursue my own personal course of self-understanding, I will
continue what I have learned through years of therapy. I keep a general journal
of my state of mind, thoughts on situations, and review entries regularly to
help me see what my motivations for specific actions. Through trance-journey, I
plan to continue to explore my internal landscape so I can always be aware of
the state I am in emotionally as well as psychically. Before undertaking any
magic working, I will reflect upon these states and the root motivation for the
magical act. This will help me ensure that I have the upmost ethical reasoning
supporting my actions well before I take them.
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