Occult Psychoenergetic Potential

Reflections on Empowerment and Liberation

β€” "Occult powers: Prepare and purify yourself to obtain them. Even spiritualists are not immune: they wish to begin with what should only come at the end β€” the acquisition of occult powers."

True that β€” with the mystical, as it is with all things. Preparing and deserving β€” before wanting and claiming. When we rush into our dreams without the necessary grounding and preparation, at best we land with an honest disappointment β€” and at worst, we engage with corrupted illusions, clinging to a hallucination of fulfillment, pursuing our misguided fantasies. Yes, inspiration and even ambition may be helpful β€” but they should be tempered with insight, realism, responsibility, and detachment.

There is nothing "spiritual" at all in playing with our embodied psychoenergetic potential to "manifest one's desires". That is, inasmuch as we take "spiritual" to mean clearing, purification, integration, and liberation of consciousness β€” the evolution of our awareness in a process that's beneficial for all sentient beings β€” in a life that's a collective "blessing". This very unbinding and liberation is the final aim and the supreme attainment in the end. Occult powers are mere footnotes to it, potentials that unlock as a by-product β€” even when not pursued and cultivated. Where they support it, we engage them β€” but not as separate pursuits.

Sure, it's "spiritual" in a sense, in that we may work with subtle phenomena and powers β€” as far as "magnetism", or "ghosts" for that matter, may be called "spiritual". But should one play with every subtle astral sprite, indiscriminately, just because it may be available and very exciting? Sure, there are people who like to stick forks into electrical outlets. There are even weekend courses for spiritual thrill-seekers and wannabe-mystic jackasses, chasing the next cosmic experience for a spiritual rush! But this isn't enlightenment, or even pure empowerment β€” it's just random electrocution. It really isn't good for you.

Kundalini and Inner Potential ΒΆ

Then, consider the modern pop understanding of "Kundalini" itself. For some bizarre reason, it takes on a very luciferian spin and flavor. "Kundalini" means "coiled female serpent", we hear. This is nothing but a very particular interpretation echoing in specific traditions, derived from particular myths, with no "snake" implied or necessary. There are significant "left-hand path" attitudes and imagery associated with what are ultimately neutral energetic dynamics β€” simple embodied forces of nature.

The word "kuṇḍa" simply means "well, basin" etc.; the word "kuṇḍalΔ«" means "coiled rope" etc.; and the resulting word "kuṇḍalinΔ«" means anything from "circular" to "peacock" and so on β€” and yes it's also the nickname of a serpent in particular legends. So yes, we have an inner pool of energy, with a coiled potential that can be uncoiled/opened β€” and clear pathways into which it can open, one should hope! This is all very abstract and commonplace here, neither of light or the darkness.

Do we then need to activate this potential, to manifest our secret desires, by meditating on a fiery serpent mother goddess, stirring her to life from the ancient pit, to help us manipulate the world into our manifest image? Sure, and let's go sacrifice a couple of goats, spill some innocent blood, and take soul-binding oaths while we're at it. If that's the sort of imagery and attitude we seek, then yes it's an option. However, there are a thousand ways to approach the same underlying realities of nature.

Choice of Paths β€” Purity and Liberated Unfolding ΒΆ

The way we approach all of this is a choice. These ultimately neutral systems of nature will enable us to harness the pits of the dark side, growing into the unholy titans we secretly want to be. It is a path of egotic desire, of temporary fruits, and ultimately, self-inflicted suffering. None of that is necessary though. There's no lack of insight, empowerment, or enlightenment, should we choose to instead engage these potential systems of nature in a spirit of innocence, purity, and responsibility. Toward a greater outcome, selfless and beneficial for all. We would then be spared from the avoidable madness and its intricate webs of illusion.

We don't have to play with a lava pit of raw and uncontained power. Instead of stirring a mythic serpent in a pool of fire, you can for example, draw a circle by the ocean (for your inner ocean or basin). In there, plant a stick of driftwood to stand as an axis for the alignment of above and below, to integrate your potential energy with the elements of nature and the universe. (As seen in the illustration here.) In our symbols and groundings, the "masculine" or "shiva", if we must, is the containing field and axis of absolute stillness and purity of consciousness, and the "feminine" or "shakti" is the dynamic flow of emerging potentials.

In here, a "Liberating Flow of Potential" orbits the "Axis Mundi of Liberated Stillness". It is liberating when it orbits the axis of purity. Instead of exploding and splattering all over the playground. Which is what inevitably happens when we engage such energy without planting our anchor in the absolute purity of consciousness. Which is what "kundalini fireworks" typically features, spontaneous and chaotic unanchored bursting, a spectacle that will not find a true center of gravity in a thousand years. Instead, we can just start with that centering force of purity β€” and let our potentials "uncoil" directly into a state of integration.

In terms of experience, it's the difference between a "volcanic eruption" and a "celestial waterfall". Again, to each their preferred dramas, but the first is potentially very destructive, while the second is rejuvenating and integrating. As we work from a center of purity and cultivate our "receptacles", the inner channels and centers of conscious energy, we invite a natural and unforced descent of energy. Then, our inner circuits refined with clarity and coated with purity, we can consummate the potential rising from below and the potential descending from above. This is the preferred work of alchemy, in place of the popular thrills of energetic chaos magic. Choose wisely then β€” as nature's potential provides fruits bright and dark to match your soul's calling.