Introductions

[AzzAi]

Thank you for your welcome¡

[Heathen_Soul]

Greetings All,

I have only recently come across the Brotherhood, but am fascinated by everything i have read so far and so looking forward to posting on this forum and learning more.

Im 37 years old, male, living in Australia (although I'm English). Like a few people here I started out as a teenager listening to metal then black metal and CoS Satanism. I wasnt raised religious in anyway but just had a natural interest in spirituality, religion and symbolism, so my initial interest in Cos was natural to me; however, I quickly grew out of that mode of thinking, seeing social Darwinism to be a dead end (in my own opinion).

Over the last 23 years or so I have studied various traditions, including Advaita Vedanta, Sufism and Buddhism, and have established my own meditation practice over the last 10 years. Ive struggled to find my spiritual 'home' as I never want to lose my identity as seems to be the requirement for many traditions; I always identify with the rebels, rather than the herd.

After a few very profound 'peak' meditation experiences I spent a good few years reading many non-dual texts, but actually realised fairly recently that I needed to work more on, and further develop/build, my self rather than negate it. I have then started reading more psychology recently, working on my mindset, faith in myself, routines etc I think this has been the missing piece for me, especially as I have struggled with depression for most of my life.

I hold a non-dual view of reality, but rather than getting lost in that 'its all a dream, you dont need to do anything' line, Im more about being a creative agent in my life, taking action, responsibility etc. (although i still believe that Enlightenment is possible). I actually believe that it doesnt really matter which archetypes you work with and use for rituals and prayers, as long as your intention is one of self mastery, fully knowing oneself, excellence and, above all, experiential understanding based on Knowing (as opposed to book knowledge).

I am hoping to establish more ritual and ceremony for my practice as i feel its the missing piece for me. I am also interested in learning more about basic magick.

I think thats about enough for now!

Any questions, comments etc then just let me know.

[Heith]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Glad to see you here after our brief exchange via email. I'm sure you'll benefit much more from being able to communicate with many of our members (and guests!) here on the forum rather than just with me.

I think it's interesting what you write about non-dualism, as it makes me think that perhaps the Star of Azazel's approach is slightly different in this, provided I get what you mean correctly (with that said, every member tends to have slightly varying opinions so here just writing my own- although maybe this could be a topic of its own). We strive to unite both Left and Right Hand Path approaches in our own philosophy, but often times I personally find a rather dynamic shall we say "Left Hand Path" approach to be beneficial, yet I understand that there is elements of Right hand Path present which make me more responsible when it comes to my surroundings and the creatures therein. I'm in the Red aspect, much of which is to be very active and creative, and of course as in any esoteric work being responsible is a necessity.

Feel free to start new topics or to ask whatever you like by the way, oftentimes people are shy for no reason at all.

[Heathen_Soul]

I think it's interesting what you write about non-dualism, as it makes me think that perhaps the Star of Azazel's approach is slightly different in this, provided I get what you mean correctly (with that said, every member tends to have slightly varying opinions so here just writing my own- although maybe this could be a topic of its own).

Thanks for your welcome Heith.

Once Ive had chance to absorb more posts and the few books Ive ordered to give me a clearer idea of exactly where you guys are generally coming from then I intend to start a thread about non-dualism.

In brief though I take the position that any talk of the Absolute or God can only refer to Oneness (or probably more 'One Without a Second'); meaning that every-'thing' is 'in and of' that One Substance, there is no duality. So when people try to anthropomorphise God then it simply doesnt hold up, as how can God be an object who is seemingly above other objects that 'He' created. It throws the idea about good and evil around a bit too, along with what is 'real', who or what are we, free will etc...

Anyway, a complicated topic, but I think picked up elements of this line of thinking in some of the articles Id read on the site, so I'd certainly like to explore this more with members.

As I say, despite having read a few articles etc, I am not entirely clear on your view/s, but I am certainly looking forward to learning more.

[Nefastos]

Welcome, Heathen_Soul! I love Advaita-Vedanta also, & like you, do not see it as a justification for inaction or passivity. That is why my own sympathies shifted even more to the Kashmir Shaivism when it comes to the mystico-symbolical applications of the doctrine, although I consider the Advaita-Vedanta to be a correct foundation of the philosophical metaphysics. In KS, the Unity is seen in the form of the polar God–Goddess -union where neither part, the spiritual transcendence or the feminine halo of magical action, is seen as the higher than the other: they are equal, and both together are our quintessential core.

[RaktaZoci]

Welcome also on my behalf! It's nice to see new faces in our mids again.
Ceremoniality (is that a word?) is indeed only one take on our views and philosophy, but I'm looking forwards for many inspirational conversations on the subject, and others as well.

Your humble servant,
-Fra RZ.

[Heathen_Soul]

Welcome also on my behalf! It's nice to see new faces in our mids again.
Ceremoniality (is that a word?) is indeed only one take on our views and philosophy, but I'm looking forwards for many inspirational conversations on the subject, and others as well.

Your humble servant,
-Fra RZ.

Thank you for your welcome

[Nefastos]

I splitted our Kashmir Shaivism discussion here to a topic of its own.

[Hoenir]

Hi everybody

I have been a member in the brotherhood for a 1.5 years now. The are just one single reason why i havent been active at this side of the forum... As you can see, my english skills are absolutely terrible. Frater Wyrmfang have used lots of mental and physical violence to force me here, and i just couldnt take it anymore. So, here i am now My main interests lies in philosophy. German idealism, existentialism and phenomenology are my favourite subjects. But of course, im very interested about different religions, esotericism, psychoanalysis, poetry and stuff like that. I hope you guys understand at least something about that im going to say in the future

[Invitus]

Hello everyone.

I've been on the Finnish forum for a while now, so I thought it best to introduce myself here as well, seeing that this is where most of the conversation happens anyway...

I'm a 22 year old occultist from Oulu, Finland where I was born and have lived most of my life, apart from a few years of my youth spent in the US.
A expert in nothing, interested in almost everything, in my opinion the best state of the "Path" to find a philosophy seeking to unite instead of to separate.
Being a rather "traditional Finn" I prefer silence and listening to conversation, but that does not mean I'm against speaking my mind when I feel the need for it, and I don't shy away from meaningful conversation.

My time in the brotherhood has almost just begun, but I am finding my place in the more ceremonial aspects and in prayer. (Yet to see any "official" sign that I've been accepted into the Stone Aspect, but I don't worry )

Hobbies include, Reading (religion, occultism, fantasy, horror, classics...) "singing", lyrics/poetry and dabbling in witchcraft.
Any of the more serious work I do not count as hobbies, though I guess to a occultist, prayer can be as mundane as to any other priest...