Is Occultism just another form of Religion? Or something unique?
Occultism implies "Hidden Knowledge" and for years I was a big fan (and occasionally drawn into) the Occult studies. There are influnences of nearly every religion in occultisism. From Christian to Buddhist and Judaism.
As for skepticism...the first of rule of an occultist is "be skeptical first".
Well, anyone shares my train of thought here? Maybe I'm having misconceptions? What's the big mystery? Is there just NO mystery at all?
__________________
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when my fear is gone I will turn and face fears path, and only I will remain."
-Paul Atreides
Gender: Male Location: Southern Oregon,
Looking at you.
Re: Is Occultism just another form of Religion? Or something unique?
There is what is called the Mystic Law in Buddhism. Some people get this confused with the occult. There is a big difference; occult is hidden knowledge that some people know, and then they use that knowledge as their power. The Mystic Law is a law no human can understand. It is not hidden, it is simply unattainable.
__________________ I play guitar, sing & write songs. Listen to my music HERE.
Re: Re: Is Occultism just another form of Religion? Or something unique?
I like that!
See, that's the kind of stuff that fascinates me.
__________________
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when my fear is gone I will turn and face fears path, and only I will remain."
-Paul Atreides
Mysteries generally don't fascinate me, except as a field for further study. Many religions focus on the mysterious and unknowable, which denies the possibility that we can understand the world around us. It short-changes reason. The Christian "mysteries", for example, need to remain in the "only God knows" category because any attempt at rational explanation would fall humorously short....suggesting that it's not so much something that's explainable but ultimately unknowable so much as it's something that simply doesn't make much sense in the first place.
The ultimate nature of consciousness, for example, is currently not entirely knowable. But that doesn't mean it's always going to be that way.
...hidden or impossible knowledge gives rise to faith that isn't based on reason, or more usually it gives rise to a God of the Gaps theory where God/Mystic Law/Spirituality/paranormal/etc. is used to broadly explain anything that we don't currently understand, rather than trying to form a more coherent argument.
Though Buddhist thought generally tries to appear more rational. I read that the Buddha wanted all to be able to rationally see his points for themselves, not believe on faith. I'm surprised, then, that it relies on something that is unknowable.
Gender: Male Location: Southern Oregon,
Looking at you.
To me, humans understanding the Mystic Law is like a fish understanding algebra. A fish can never understand algebra, however, given enough time it might evolve into a creature that can understand algebra. But unlike algebra, the Mystic Law is directly involved in our lives. It is like the old saying "you don't have to understand gravity to stick to the Earth".
__________________ I play guitar, sing & write songs. Listen to my music HERE.
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when my fear is gone I will turn and face fears path, and only I will remain."
-Paul Atreides
I consider everything around me a mystery.Anytime I think i'm sure of anything,I rethink my positon.I prefer to share the thought of Plato when I say I'm pretty sure the only thing I know,is that I know nothing.
__________________ 1.jiu jitsu's kicking your ass!Give Mcdonalds a big mcf$%k you from me!
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Is Occultism just another form of Religion? Or something unique?
Jan 9th, 2008 07:07 PM
I play guitar, sing & write songs. Listen to my music 
